Reviews

The Five Year Lie: A Domestic Thriller by Sarina Bowen

rscherr's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

3.5

I love Sarina’s writing. That said, this book fell flat for me. Sarina’s voice was there but I just kept waiting for something to happen. Kept flipping ahead to see when it would get interesting. When the finale came it was very anticlimactic and then just over and everyone was happy again. I’m disappointed. I expected more. 

ktcasa87's review

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

me_alley's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

I mean, it’s a good mystery.  But JEEZ.  Takes a long time to get there. 

goodreadswithgammy's review

emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

BRILLIANT!!! Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review

This gripping and suspenseful thriller seamlessly blends elements of mystery and romance, leaving readers guessing until the final moments!! The intense and heart-pounding prologue immediately captivates, drawing readers deep into the immersive story from the start. The author masterfully crafts dynamic and relatable characters that readers are instantly drawn to and emotionally invested in. Through the smooth transition between present day events and those from five years ago, the mystery gradually comes to light. This captivating story not only evokes a sense of fear but also prompts deep reflection on the ethical implications of technology's pervasive presence in our lives. With its intricate blend of secrets, family drama, romance, murder, and suspense, coupled with fast-paced storytelling, concise chapters, alternating viewpoints, and clever references to the Toy Story movie, this novel delivers a thrilling and satisfying experience, culminating in a remarkable conclusion!! Another thriller to add to my favorites list for 2024!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

On an ordinary Monday morning, Ariel Cafferty's phone buzzes with a chilling text message: "Something's happened. I need to see you. Meet me under the candelabra tree ASAP." The sender's name is Drew-the only man she ever loved, who supposedly died several years ago. Seeing his name pop up is heart-stopping for Ariel, who initially doubts its authenticity but decides to go to the tree anyway. Nobody shows up, but the text shatters everything she believed about the day Drew left her. As Ariel delves deeper, she uncovers unsettling truths that challenge the narrative she's been told for the past five years. With each question she asks, the answers become more sinister, revealing a web of lies that someone is still weaving around her. Determined to protect herself and her son, Ariel knows she must unearth the truth before it consumes her. But as she races against time, she realizes that the key to discovering what happened to Drew lies in unraveling the mystery surrounding their past. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this compelling and entertaining thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page! This is my first read by Sarina Bowen and I cannot wait to read more of her books! I do highly recommend and it deserves all the stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

lydiahephzibah's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Setting: Maine
Rep: n/a

This was a promising domestic thriller from Sarina Bowen! I liked Ariel as a character and I was rooting for her and Drew. Definitely kept me intrigued especially towards the end. The baddies were quite painfully obvious as they were literally the only possibilities but this story was as much about Drew and Ariel as it was about the mystery so I didn't mind too much. 

minium785's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

thebluehaired_reader_'s review

4.0

This one is slow paced to start, but then it’s like a switch is flicked and accelerator is pressed and holy crap. Once I hit that point I could not for the life of me put it down. I stayed up until the early hours even though I had a kids birthday party the next day haha. I regret nothing. It was incredible! 

I loved the way it switched from now and then slowly giving information I was desperate for. I loved the romance and mystery of it mashed together. Trying to figure out the logistics of timelines and what has happened, finding out some heart breaking stuff, kept me on my toes. Every time I picked this book up I was captivated. 

If you love thrillers, mystery, and romance, definitely pick up this domestic thriller! 

shauntelle_reads's review against another edition

3.5

I loved the premise of this book. The beginning pulled me in right away, and I was excited about where the story would take me. 

The character development was great, with us really getting to know the main characters. The story is told in two POVs and a dual timeline, which I liked. Dual timelines and dual POVs are the best of both worlds for me. 

I enjoy a good romantic suspense, so the romance components didn’t bother me. What did bother me was the slow pacing of the story. I would call this a slow burn. It didn’t really pick up until the 60% mark, and there was a lot of unnecessary fluff in my opinion. I feel this book could have been shorter, and it would’ve been more interesting if a lot of the fluff was left out.

Overall, the book held my attention, and I was entertained enough to want to know what would happen at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

mandolin_dreams's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

kimmis_bookshelf's review against another edition

4.0

Imagine you're in a work meeting, and receive an alarming text from your child's father, except he's suppose to be dead.