This uses that thriller element perfectly and was engaged with the suspense going on in this. Caleb Stephens was able to weave a strong story and that the characters worked overall. I thought the ship element worked well overall and that it uses the cult element in a unique way.

Fast paced, tense, suspenseful. Thank you for an advanced copy of this! When I saw the synopsis, I knew I HAD to read it! Cults, family, locked room, this book is the perfect propulsive thriller.

If You Lie is a captivating read, with a unique storyline. I’ve read books set on cruises before, and often find them frustrating and predictable. Not this one! The twists and turns had me gasping, right until the very end! This is my first read by Caleb Stephens and it won’t be my last! 5 stars from me!

I would like to start off this review by thanking Thrillerscape Press and Caleb Stephens for allowing me to read this book, If You Lie, via Netgalley. All opinions following are my own.

This book kept my own my toes from the first page until the last, and I was able to finish the book in less than 12 hours. The story follows the main character, Olivia, who is trying to make amends with her older sister Quinn. Quinn is her only surviving family member, and Olivia hasn't spoken to her in years after she last saw Quinn strung out on drugs and blaming Olivia for all her life problems.

Seemingly out of the blue, Quinn invites Olivia on a cruise to celebrate her high-profile engagement and to try to fix their relationship. Olivia has several qualms. The biggest one being that she is naturally suspicious because she was kidnapped and barely escaped death seven years prior. This has led her to start a very successful true crime podcast, but this tragedy has also caused her to be suspicious of situations that can potentially put her in danger. Perhaps, against her better judgment, because of her desire to reconnect with her older sister, she accepts. Will she regret it?

I gave this book a strong four stars. I felt like some things could've been answered better at the end, but I also think there could be a sequel. I also felt as if some of the twists were predictable. These are really the only two things that kept me from giving it a five-star review.

3.75 stars

If You Lie be Caleb Stephens is a fast-paced thriller that has hints of a cult with insidious intentions that makes it an intense ride.

Olivia, the main character, is a podcaster who usually researches true crime, and winds up on a cruise with her sister she has been estranged from so they can reconnect. Characters in thrillers who run true crime podcasts has apparently become a recent draw of mine as I can't seem to get enough of these. True to the previous ones I have read, this book did not disappoint and I enjoyed how Olivia's role as a true crime podcaster ties in to the storyline as she tries to uncover what Xclivity really is.

Olivia's background is unique and ties into the person she is in the present and why she became a true crime podcaster. This makes for an interesting character who struggles with the trauma of her past, as well as using her instincts from looking into crimes to discover the truth behind the strange happenings occurring on the cruise she has unwittingly become a part of. The plot really starts to come together near the end of the book and ties together everything in ways that made for an unputdownable book and I enjoyed all of the revelations.

Olivia's relationship with her sister, both in the past and in the present where they try to piece it back together is the aspect that really makes the characters stand out in this book. They have many issues to overcome and not all of these are clear at first which amps up the intrigue of the story, as well as the hope that they can overcome the strain of their relationship.

Perhaps my only questionable note about the book is that it felt like everything came together a little too smoothly at times, and everything wrapped up very quickly. It almost felt a bit too rushed and clean to be plausible, particularly with the danger characters were in and the swiftness with which it is suddenly overcome after so much buildup.

Regardless, it was still an enjoyable read and held my attention from start to finish and is a perfect read for thriller lovers.

It’s exciting! It’s a page turning thrill ride from start to finish. Olivia accepts an invitation to a cruise from her estranged sister, Quinn. Olivia is hoping for a reconciliation aboard this private cruise ship but all is not as it seems and she finds herself in a fight for her life. Will she be able to escape this floating prison? I highly recommend this great story. Also, be sure to download the bonus epilogue, The Letter. Hmmm??

The premise of this book is SO GOOD, but the story itself ended up being just fine. It's suspenseful and action-packed, with a few twists. The plot seemed inspired by a combination of a few of real-life situations, so it didn't feel completely new. It was a quick weekend read, but I wish the author would have taken this premise and really crafted a unique, layered mystery.

Seven years ago, Olivia was stuck in a trunk, only narrowly escaping death. Now she finds herself stuck on a yacht with a new-age cult. This isn’t how she envisioned being reunited with her estranged sister.

This book has a lot of chaotic energy. It starts with a recount of Olivia’s previous trauma and how it led her to become a true crime podcaster. The podcaster element is merely a side note, as the book quickly shifts to the cult on the yacht. As cults go, it veers away from the norm, as they show their cards immediately. There isn’t a wooing stage, as one would expect with a cult.

One challenge of the book is there are several characters to keep track of, and they all read as a bit one-dimensional. The villains are truly evil, almost to the point of becoming caricatures, and the reader doesn’t get to dive into the good characters too greatly. Olivia’s podcast partner feels especially overlooked.

While some elements felt off, this was a fun and fast read. Fans of the genre will find this an enjoyable addition to their collection.

Seven years ago Olivia woke in the trunk of a car after being beaten and abducted. She escaped her ordeal and now runs a successful podcast sleuthing cold cases. She receives and email from her estranged sister, saying she’s getting married and would love to get together and work out their past to start a future together as sisters again. She invites her on a cruise, and although Olivia is skeptical she accepts. Once aboard this ship, she knows something isn’t right with the other people on board, but how do you save yourself when you’re out at sea with no escape?

An action filled, twisty and suspenseful novel. I really enjoyed Stephen’s writing, and was captivated by the story. Olivia wasn’t the most easily loveable character, but I found myself more drawn to her as the story went on. A locked room like thriller where Olivia needs to find out the truth in order to save her save and others. I will be checking out more by this author.

This book was a wild ride! I was hooked from the first page and loved how this thriller was fast paced and constantly kept me on the edge of my seat. Family issues, cults and unexpected twists and turns had me gasp more than once. Definitely recommend this book and can’t believe I didn’t hear of this author before. Love the writing and will check out more of his books.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Caleb Stephens’ “If You Lie: A Thriller” is a riveting tale that masterfully intertwines suspense, psychological depth, and relentless action. Known for his ability to craft chilling narratives, Stephens delivers a story that is both haunting and exhilarating.

The novel centers around Olivia, a true-crime podcaster who escaped an ordeal seven years ago when she woke up in the trunk of a stranger’s car. Now, she dedicates her life to helping other women avoid similar fates. Burned out from years of covering violence, Olivia seizes the opportunity to reconnect with her estranged sister Quinn on an exclusive cruise. When someone goes missing, Olivia finds herself in a deadly game of cat and mouse, where the stakes are higher than ever.

“If You Lie” delves into themes of trauma, survival, and the quest for truth. Stephens explores the psychological scars left by past horrors and the lengths one will go to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Stephens’ writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the tension and paranoia that permeate Olivia’s world. His ability to create a claustrophobic atmosphere on the cruise ship adds to the suspense, making readers feel as trapped as the protagonist. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that compels you to keep reading. Stephens’ knack for developing complex, relatable characters ensures that readers are deeply invested in Olivia’s journey.

“If You Lie: A Thriller” is a standout in the genre, offering a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Stephens’ skillful storytelling and the novel’s intricate plot twists make it a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. This book is not just about the suspense; it’s about the resilience of the human spirit and the unyielding quest for justice.

Caleb Stephens has once again proven his mastery of the thriller genre with “If You Lie.” This novel is a testament to his ability to weave complex, emotionally charged narratives that resonate long after the final page.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a thrilling, thought-provoking read.

If you like books about cults and family issues, you will probably enjoy this book. It was pretty well paced throughout. I didn’t really feel like there were any moments in the book that lulled or got boring. There was pretty much always something happening. Some, but not all, of the twists were a little predictable, but overall, I thought it was a good captivating book.

I thought the concept of a cult on a boat was a good plot line. It was lots of family drama. I never really understood the whole reason the cult came into existence other than to just kill people? But why are any cults existing other than the leader is a little nutty? It was an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read If You Lie early.

A buried past. A new-age cult. A floating prison with no way off. Seven years ago, Olivia woke up in the trunk of a stranger’s car and barely escaped with her life. She’s been looking over her shoulder ever since! Wow!! What a book! This book had suspense, murder, mystery, crazy cult, double crossing, and some crazy twists and turns! The story was very interesting and a bit out there but wild! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

This was a great thriller, and I enjoyed reading it! This was a fast paced book with lots of mysteries, family drama, and secrets. This book had a great opening chapter and to me the ending was a satisfying one. A few of the twists and turns were a bit predictable so that took away from the book for me a little bit.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

<b>What I loved:</b>
-The cover is spooky!
-Neat concept
-Writing style is easy to follow
-The first chapter of the book is really good.
-Very satisfying ending.
-Quicker, easy read and page turner.

<b>What prevented this from being a 5 star read for me:</b>
-I felt the author had a really cool concept to work with of a boat with a cult and some crazy things could happen. The book was a lot more of mending toxic family drama, alcoholism, and a lot of other dark things that didn't seem to further the plot.
-I struggled to get into this book as the concepts did not feel real. From the way things were described to the character development, this book felt dry? The name Xclivity just threw me off. I know it's meant to be a weird wellness brand cult of sorts, but it didn't feel real?
-Dark concepts are thrown in, but they do not add to the plot. They are seemingly thrown in?

I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you for the opportunity to read this! Just because it's not my favorite, doesn't mean it won't be yours.