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yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.25
"Some people will never believe you no matter how hard you explain yourself. Trust me, there's no pleasing people. If they're determined to think the worst of you, they will."
I admit that in a way I was a bit afraid to pick up this title... Hyped books and me don't usually get along, and there has been a LOT of hype around Listen For The Lie. I've enjoyed her writing in the past though and I was absolutely intrigued by the blurb and podcast angle, so I ended up giving in anyway. I'm so glad I did now, because I ended up having an excellent time reading this story! I definitely understand why it is so popular. Snappy writing, engaging plot and a lot of messed up characters... This was without doubt a highly engaging and ultimately twisted ride, and I simply couldn't stop reading. Sure, the majority of the characters have significant flaws and not all of them are likeable. Sure, there is so much cheating going on that it just isn't credible anymore (seriously, why do so many characters seem to be sleeping around all the time?!). Sure, Lucy's toxic family and home situation makes you want to start hitting things. But somehow the story also makes you want to grab a bowl of popcorn and keep turning those pages to see just how much of a trainwreck it is going to be? There are also lots of twists and secrets involved, and I never did guess the full truth about it all. The unreliable narrator with Lucy is also done very well, as you are never sure if she did it or not until you are close to the end. Things can be said about the credibility of certain aspects of the plot and I wasn't a fan of all the cheating, but there is no doubt that Listen For The Lie has nailed the entertainment factor. I also loved the incorporation of the podcast episodes into the plot! All in all I can't deny that this story ended up living up to the hype for me.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, Blood, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, Sexism, and Vomit
bringmybooks's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Review: This was SO. MUCH. FUN. I've heard the audio is absolutely fantastic, although I read it via ebook - and honestly? It might even be worth a re-read via audio, that's how much I enjoyed it! I was genuinely surprised multiple times throughout the book, and I loved the way it played with how we view those around us, and how that interpretation can change depending on other information we're given. And Lucy's grandmother? LOVED HER. I will definitely be on the lookout for more thriller/mystery books from Amy Tintera!
Overall Rating: ★★★★★ / 4.88
Rating each element of the book out of 5★
Characters ★★★★
Atmosphere ★★★★
Writing ★★★★
Plot ★★★★
Intrigue ★★★★★
Logic ★★★★
Enjoyment ★★★★★
Pacing ★★★★
Dialogue ★★★★★
★ did not like / ★★ it was okay / ★★★ liked it / ★★★★ really liked it / ★★★★★ loved it
Moderate: Abandonment, Bullying, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Death, Murder, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Misogyny, Rape, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Alcoholism
itsybitsygingie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Domestic abuse, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, and Addiction
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Death
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"Listen for the Lie" follows Lucy. Many years ago, Lucy was found wandering the streets of her small hometown covered in blood, her best friend Savvy's blood. The town was quick to write her off as a murderer, especially when Lucy could not remember anything. Lucy decided it best to move to L.A. and try to start her life over. Now, in the present, Ben Owens, the host of a wildly successful true crime podcast, has decided to make the case of Lucy and Savvy the subject of his next season. Lucy is forced to return to her hometown and try to finally remember what happened.
This story was absolutely phenomenal. I kept thinking I had it figured out, but then something new would be revealed and I would realize I did not know what was actually happening. The ultimate "reveal" I did not see coming and I was thoroughly pleased with the mystery and the resolution.
Lucy is the ultimate unreliable narrator. She does not remember one of the most important nights of her life, and this has haunted her every day since. She also does not trust herself because there is a voice inside of her head that is telling her to kill, and if that is the case, then maybe she did murder her best friend? Despite being hated by an entire town, Lucy comes across very strong and willing to face the people who have turned their backs on her. I loved her sarcastic humor and approach to dealing with leering eyes when she was home.
Lucy's Grandma was an absolute riot. I loved seeing one person believe whole heartedly in Lucy, and I loved that she went out of her way to try and prove Lucy's innocence, even when Lucy did not believe it herself.
Ben seems like a really great, golden retriever guy. He is smart, talented, and not at all arrogant given the success of his show. I loved watching him and Lucy interact, and I loved how he treated Lucy just like a person. For all he knew, Lucy really did do it, but she does not remember, but he never treated her like a murderer; it was the true embodiment of innocent until proven guilty.
I had such a great time with this mystery, and I highly recommend it!
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Death, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Murder, and Sexual content
crbowman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, and Grief
gondorgirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, Blood, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gore, Murder, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Grief, Sexual content, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Sexism, Cursing, Eating disorder, and Sexual harassment
katyannreads's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Murder, Toxic friendship, Violence, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Infidelity
gwenswoons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexism, Violence, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Body horror, Mental illness, Murder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Blood, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, and Sexual violence
kimveach's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Bullying, Vomit, Blood, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Stalking, Murder, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, Gore, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
amalauna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual violence, Death, Sexual assault, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Violence