What I liked: this was a clean YA story (no sex and 1-2 uses of profanity at the most), which is uncommon these days. The story has interesting character interactions and the idea of the only way of accessing the dream world is by taking "The Truth" pills is an intriguing dichotomy. Also, there was a clever twist at the end that I found compelling.

What was curious: For the carefully trained eye, it is obvious that the author has a British Commonwealth background (an extra "u" pops up now and again). This being the case, it was surprising to me that this story takes place in America. Yes you have some characters with British backgrounds, but placing this story in Florida was curious.

Also, the stakes in this story didn't seem high enough. Perhaps I am used to dystopia on a grander scale, but the "The world must be saved from itself and we're the only ones who can do it" hype seemed to be lacking. Again, this might be influenced by my expectations from other books.

You Can’t Take The Truth is a compelling, thought-provoking read that explores identity, truth, and the complexity of human nature. J.L. Witterick crafts a strong, emotionally layered story with well-developed characters and authentic dialogue. While a few parts felt slightly underdeveloped, the overall narrative is engaging and impactful. A smart, reflective novel that lingers in your mind.