This book had an intriguing premise, but I struggled to connect with it. The characters felt unlikable, and I found myself uninterested in their outcomes. Set against the backdrop of the September 11th tragedy, the plot seemed trivial and lacked emotional depth, failing to resonate with the weight of its setting. Not for me and kind of disappointing.

This book sounded so interesting and had such promise, but I just could not get into it. I found all of the characters unlikable and I had no interest in finding out what happens to them. When set against the backdrop of the incredible tragedy of September 11th, the plot felt inconsequential and trite.

An interesting premise, although kind of hard to follow. I kept picking it up and putting it down but towards the last 25% I whizzed through it. This sometimes happens with this type of book for me, so it's probably a reader thing and not a book thing. Id def love to read more by this author.

Willow is a master manipulator when it comes to more than just her photographs. When Anna reaches her breaking point, she resorts to a dangerous collaboration that leaves her with a potentially much bigger problem than a toxic friendship. Loved this behind-the-scenes look at art school and the ambition and competition that go hand-in-hand with the pursuit of a career within that rarified world. The lines between art and reality, friendship and animosity, truth and deception, past and present blur beautifully in this twisty tale that had me guessing right up to the end. I'm looking forward to Laura's next novel!

I REALLY enjoyed this book! I was interested at the start, mainly due to the reader connection to the artist characters. I also love a book that follows characters from college to young adult. I also think that this book was unpredictable. Even if I thought I knew who was what, etc., I was mostly incorrect in my assumptions. I felt that the pacing was on point and the writing style was exactly what I enjoy...smart people talking smartly. No conversation between characters was fluff and stuff in my opinion, which I appreciated.

This started off a little hard to follow. The big secret was one it took me about half the book to fully understand and what its implications were. I loved the setting of the story and the use of 9/11 as part of the plot. Complicated characters made the story unfold nicely.

It took me a very long time to get into this book. Probably about 60% of the way until I was excited to pick it up. And even then I was still kind of dragging. I was wondering if the twist would’ve been something darker with Anna and what seemed to be her obsession with willow or that willow would’ve surprisingly showed up again. I was mostly frustrated that Anna stuck around in this type of relationship and didn’t stick up for herself. I appreciate the ARC read, but the time jumps back and forth and the big deal about 9/11 that ended up really having nothing to do with the story until the very end was just confusing.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of “Tell them you lied” by Laura Leffler. I would really have loved to say I wholeheartedly enjoyed this book because from the blurb I thought I would. There was just something about the characters I simply couldn’t attach myself to in the way that made me care about them. I felt very bleh about what happened, it just didn’t live up to the hype, but maybe if I ever were to get around to re-reading it I might find myself enjoying it. As of right now I think 3/5 is a generous rating, especially since it took me almost a month to read and something this size usually only takes a couple days at most.

Tell Them You Lied was enjoyable and I liked the premise, but the unreliability of the characters made it a confusing read at times.

It did take me some time to adjust to the changes in time and point-of-view, but after about the 25% mark, the story really got going for me and I was wholeheartedly invested from that point on. Strong characterization; everyone feels real - especially the two leads. I had no idea where this was going, but was ultimately satisfied with Part One. Part Two had me cheering! Overall, I think the quality of the writing is really fantastic and the structure serves its purpose. Told straightforward, the ending would’ve had less impact. Fantastic debut with a message! I’m excited to see what this author does next.

This book was written beautifully. Full of art, angst, and uncertainty- it's a piece of art on its own.

This is a story about friendship above all else. I think to be a young woman is to be a friend like Anna or Willow. It isn't always pretty and it isn't how we choose to remember it looking back but it's normal, especially for the time. This felt so raw and real. There is an atmosphere that exists only in the late 90's and early 00's that is difficult for authors to capture. It often feels cheap due to the nostalgic stereotypes. This has the right vibe. I felt stuck in that era. Nothing made us feel more uncertain and unstable than 9/11, so to add a missing friend under these circumstances was too much mystery to bear sometimes! I didn't take any notes reading this book and now, for the review, I wish I had but I was living in that moment.

Anna and Willow meet at college and immediately click. Anna is from a small town, looking for her place in the world. Willow seems older and more cultured and Anna wants what she has. Anna likes taking up the same space as Willow. They're extensions of each other.

When Willow turns up missing on 9/11, Anna doesn't know what to do. You see, Anna had set up a nasty prank on Willow. Not to actually hurt her, but to knock her down a few pegs. Why? Well, that's what we figure out along the way. Alternating between the present(in this case 9/11) and the past(4 years ago up until the day before), we witness the violent tornado of a friendship these two girls have.

Where is Willow? Is she pranking them back or is she hurt? Could she have been near the towers that morning? It'll take a while but eventually we will find out.

This was a unique and interesting book. Even without great knowledge of the arts, you can appreciate the many moving parts of this story.

Tell Them You Lied by Laura Leffler is a must-read for the girlies who love a twisty, toxic tale. Set across two contrasting backdrops—pre- and post-9/11 NYC and a small, cutthroat art school in Ohio—this novel introduces Anna and Willow, the most dysfunctional best friends you’ll ever meet.

Anna seems perpetually torn between wanting to be Willow and wanting to be with Willow (who is like...kinda the worst). One thing she’s sure of, though: she wants Willow to suffer. Case in point? Anna’s brilliant (read: deranged) idea to have her best friend mugged as a "lesson"—only for 9/11 to completely derail her plans. Yes, it’s as wild as it sounds.

Leffler’s stunning prose masterfully explores themes of toxic friendship, envy, and the complex dynamic of women as muses. The result? A beautifully written and deeply unsettling novel that will linger in your mind.

Fans of "Girl, so confusing" by Charli XCX, [book:Looking for Alaska|99561], and [book:My Year of Rest and Relaxation|44279110]...this one is for youuuu.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC <3

**Home Is Where the Lies Live** immerses readers in the complex dynamics of a seemingly ordinary street, where each family hides dark secrets that threaten to unravel their lives. The story unfolds through the perspectives of multiple characters, allowing us to delve deep into their hidden truths and internal struggles, creating an intricate web of relationships that keeps readers guessing.

This novel is a standout example of a slow-burn drama thriller, which is particularly effective given the multitude of characters involved. By taking the time to explore the unique stories and backgrounds of each family, the author skillfully builds tension and suspense throughout the narrative. Hints and clues are strategically revealed, leading to gradual uncovering of secrets that add layers to the story. As a seasoned reader of mystery and thriller genres, I often find myself predicting outcomes, but Wilkinson managed to surprise me at every turn—particularly with the jaw-dropping conclusion that left me reeling. The character development is rich, and the shifting points of view enrich the narrative, providing insight into each family's inner workings and motives. This technique makes the story feel much more dynamic, setting it apart from similar offerings in the genre. While I appreciated the deliberate pacing that allowed for this depth, there were a few moments where the narrative dragged a bit longer than necessary; however, these instances did not significantly diminish my enjoyment of the book.

I want to extend my gratitude to Bookouture Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. I assure you, all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This engaging and scandalous drama is overflowing with intricate secrets and lies that personify the complexities of suburban life. Set against the backdrop of the Huntington Grove neighborhood, every neighbor carries their own burdens and hidden agendas, which contributes to the mounting tension that defines this slow-building mystery. The narration elevates the experience by adding an extra layer of suspense and emotional resonance, transforming this intricate domestic drama into a gripping tale that kept me focused and entertained from the very first chapter to the last. A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for providing me with this audiobook!

I would give this a 2.5 if that was possible. I didn't hate this book but it just plain old didn't keep my interest. The main character is boring and the other one is a bitch... plot was ok. Nothing to distinguish from any other in its genre.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Anna starts art school with little knowledge about art and quickly becomes obsessed with Willow, her mysterious and edgy classmate who seems to have it all figured out. Anna is desperate for Willow’s attention, and Willow knows exactly how to manipulate that.

The story alternates between their college years and a year after graduation, when Anna and Willow are roommates in Brooklyn. Things take a dark turn when Willow goes missing on 9/11,, leaving their group of friends scrambling to piece together her last known whereabouts. But Anna is hiding something—she knows more about Willow’s disappearance than she’s letting on.

Although it was longer than necessary, this was a great book. Willow is one of those characters you love to hate, while Anna is one you just straight-up hate. I thought the story did an amazing job exploring the darker side of the art world—ambition, jealousy, insecurity. While it might initially seem like a story of “girl power,” it goes deeper into how men exploit women, how women exploit each other, and the messy reality of female insecurity.

I often have difficulty following shifting time streams, but this was very well done, and I'm a sucker for a morally ambiguous unreliable narrator.

This was a great debut with characters that were compelling, even if not always likable. Anna, in particular, is a wonderfully written character that I felt a lot of things about throughout the book. The central mystery is equally compelling, especially with the slow release of information readers gain from the past/present switches, learning information about Willow, while also unraveling the mystery surrounding her disappearance.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be checking out future releases from this author.

3.75 This is an arc review

I enjoyed this book. I loved Bunny by Mona Awad and this one was compared to it.
I love a toxic friendship book, exploring that is so interesting. We are following the story through Anna's perspective so keep that in mind. Anna didn't have a sense of self when we first met her. Her friendship with Willow makes it worse. Everything Anna did was intended to try to be on the same level or one-up Willow, never living her life for herself. Willow used Anna too, let's not get it twisted. Willow is not innocent and has her demons.
This author does a good job of showing how women are mistreated and shadowed in the art world. The idea of a muse or as the artist puts it in her acknowledgments m(is)use is illustrated well in this book! I never looked at women in art in that light but my perspective has shifted.
I was interested to see how this author used 9/11 as the backdrop for this book. I think it added a layer of panic for the characters. Anna, however, mostly wondered if it was her actions that led to Willow going missing. She was resistant to the truth that she was looking for answers everywhere else.
I did get whiplash moving from one timeline to the next. I got used to it about 30-40% of the way through. The pacing was slow initially, speeding up in part 2, and I thought the book was too long. However, the pieces slowly fell into place by the end. Overall, it was a good read!

I didn't love this book but I bet it will be the other book about a prank on 9/11 that anyone will ever read. I enjoy a toxic friendship book but this one was slow yet shallow at the some time. I don't know how she pulled that off.

his book was like watching a train wreck—I couldn’t look away but was horrified by the plot, the way the characters behaved and the conclusion! Which is not to say I didn’t like it because I did. It does seem a bit out of my belief in the way people live and the way people behave, at least people I know and have known. However, it made for a compelling read and to have it partially take place in NYC was a bonus. This one will stick with me for awhile, for sure.

Thanks to #netgalley, the publisher and author for this ebook ARC to read. All opinions are my own.