This week I'm showing you another book that blew my mind, along similar lines as The Silent Patient which I had done a few months ago. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough- my husband even had to take it away one night so I wouldn't read past my bedtime. I was willing to risk not sleeping to read more, and that's something something I do lightly. So, without anymore fuss I present to you Lie to Me by none other than J. T. Ellison.
Rating: 4 (Not quite perfect, but so so so so so close!!!)
Whoo-hoos: 4 (Sex sure does happen, but the audience can only peek in not see the whole scene)
Sutton and Ethan seem like the perfect power couple- both quite attractive in their own right, both successful authors, and madly in love with one another. However, it comes to light that things are not what they seem when Sutton decides to leave Ethan, heading to France to start a new life for herself leaving a brief note for him to not look for her. This note is precisely what makes the police look at Ethan for her disappearance, and they believe her murder. Pressure is mounting on all sides to find Sutton, for Sutton to stay missing, for Ethan to get charged in her disappearance, for him to stay clear, for their love for each other to persevere through all of this mess. No one knows, though, that there is an insane psychopath orchestrating and manipulating the entire situation-every aspect- and they won't stop until everything ends perfectly in their mind. Sutton and Ethan must come back together to prevent their crazed stalker from making both of them disappear permanently.
This book had me saying "what the hell" during the reading more times than I ever have as a mother, and believe me, that's impressive. I was pulled into the story from the very first sentence and that grip never let up, creating a wonderfully provocative look at how choices will always catch up the person making them, how those decisions sometimes cause disastrous consequences, and how the power of trust and love in your partner can override a lot. The perspective of the narrative is unique but also disconcerting and at times uncomfortable, because it switches from third person to first person breaking the 4th wall and talking to the reader. It heightens the feeling of not knowing what is happening and it definitely makes sure all the lights are on as it's being read, though ultimately this POV shift is what made me bring down the rating a bit. The climax is completely heart-stopping and terrifying and twisty and perfect. By the time the arc arrives, the audience is aware of who the villain is, because they are told by the antagonist themselves- which is frightening in it's own right. The ending can be a bit confusing and it definitely raises it's own questions, but the author leaves it open to a sequel if they so choose. Overall, my impression is that this is an incredible, intense book and is one that must sit on the shelf of every reader who claims to love psychological thrillers. This is one to keep.
Buy it here: Lie to Me Amazon
Keep your book as hot as your tea!
