Lies You Never Told Me by Jennifer Donaldson | Blog Tour, Book Tag [ORIGINAL], & Spoiler-Free ARC Review

Title: Lies You Never Told Me
Author: Jennifer Donaldson
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: May 29, 2018
Genre(s): YA, Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller
Source: Penguin Teen – Sent for Blog Tour
Pages: 336
Add to Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Synopsis

Gabe and Elyse have never met. But they both have something to hide.

Quiet, shy Elyse can’t believe it when she’s cast as the lead in her Portland high school’s production of Romeo and Juliet. Her best friend, Brynn, is usually the star, and Elyse isn’t sure she’s up to the task. But when someone at rehearsals starts to catch her eye–someone she knows she absolutely shouldn’t be with–she can’t help but be pulled into the spotlight. 

Austin native Gabe is contemplating the unthinkable–breaking up with Sasha, his headstrong, popular girlfriend. She’s not going to let him slip through her fingers, though, and when rumors start to circulate around school, he knows she has the power to change his life forever. 

Gabe and Elyse both make the mistake of falling for the wrong person, and falling hard. Told in parallel narratives, this twisty, shocking story shows how one bad choice can lead to a spiral of unforeseen consequences that not everyone will survive.

Review

 

 

 

Wow, this book was a wild ride.

I think my favorite part of this book was how in the dark I was as the reader. It wasn’t until pretty far into the book that I actually realized what was going on and once it clicked it just added so much to the narrative.

I thought the characters were written really well. Characters who were supposed to be problematic were and the characters we’re supposed to sympathize with we do.

As for the plot, I thought both narratives were equally enticing. Even when you’re not sure where they’re going, they’re both still incredibly captivating. I love how much parallel there was between the stories even though they’re following such different characters.

Even if you figure out where the book is going, you’re still going to enjoy this one. Without giving anything away, I almost spoiled the twist for myself due to some mistaken identity. Though despite this, the twist was still really good.

Final Thoughts

 

If you like fast-paced mysteries, this is a great pick for you!

Lies You Never Told Me is a captivating read, perfect for reading by the beach or in bed on a rainy day. This is definitely a one-sitting read that I think many of you will enjoy! It’s also a book that will be fun on the reread to see if you can piece the mystery together after knowing the big reveal!

If you haven’t added this one to your TBR yet, you definitely should!

Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ✨- 4.5/5 Stars

*HUGE THANK YOU TO PENGUIN TEEN FOR PROVIDING ME WITH AN ARC OF THIS BOOK. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN*

---

Book Tag:

In addition to reviewing this book, I have also created an original book tag! This is the Liar Liar Book Tag where we talk about the times we weren’t always truthful about a book.

If you’d rather watch my #TagTuesday video, you can do so here:

Questions:

1. Elyse – A girl caught in a web of lies. What’s a lie you’ve told about a book? (This is purposely vague and can be anything from liking if you liked or didn’t like a book to lying about if you read a book for school).

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

When I first read this one, my review was pretty vague. I know how many people on BookTube LOVE this book and when I wasn’t completely smitten by it, I thought it might have been me. I played it off like it was the wrong book for my mood, but in reality, I don’t remember much of this one. I did listen to the audiobook, so maybe it was just the format.

2. Gabe – A guy trapped in someone else’s web of lies. What’s a book that’s trapped you recently? (This is a book that is a page-turner, it has sucked you in and kept you up late reading)

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

Both books completely captivated me. For Evelyn Hugo, I just found myself wanting to wander around Manhattan, learning more about her story. For Strange the Dreamer, I just listened to the audiobook on my couch and completely lost track of how much time was passing by. I highly recommend both books if you’re looking for a fun summer read.

3. Catherine – A girl looking for a fresh start. What’s a book that you wish you could read for the first time all over again?

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

I accidentally ruined the twist for this book the first time I read it in high school. I would love to go back and reread this book without knowing the twist, just to know my reaction. I’m not sure if I would have seen it coming.

 

4. Sasha – A girl who would do anything to win back her ex. What’s a book that you’re obsessed with?

Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

I mean, if you’ve been here for a while, you probably know this already. I’ve been talking about my enjoyment of this series for months and don’t see it leaving anytime soon. I will definitely be rereading this series more in future years.

5. Your favorite book(s) featuring deception.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. Mcmanus and The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

Since reentering the book world, I’ve read so many amazing YA mysteries and these two are definitely standouts. Both these books are filled with deception, mystery, and fun characters. Though they follow drastically different plots, these books both kept me more captivated then I intended and are new favorites.

6. Your favorite book(s) with an unreliable narrator.

The Asylum Trilogy by Madeline Roux

I don’t read many books with unreliable narrators, but I did enjoy this creepy series. There were several moments where I was questioning the characters and unsure what was or wasn’t real. If you’re looking for a fun Halloween read, I think you’ll enjoy these books.

7. Who do you tag?

I have different people listed on my BookTube video, but on here I wanted to tag some fellow (and favorite) bloggers!

I tag:

Kathy – Books and Munches

Ashley Rae – Thrifty Bibliophile

Destiny – Howling Libraries

& YOU!