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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
It's kind of hard keeping up with who's who, otherwise the story was very predictable
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Sexual assault, Murder
I appreciated the explorationof teenage friendships and how choices from those years can haunt someone for the rest of their lives. The story revolves around how a teenage girl’s lie and manipulation spiraled everything out of control at a summer camp, leading to someone’s death. More than 20 years later, the four girls involved in the situation reunite after receiving a letter revealing that someone knows their secret.
The plot is told through multiple POVs across two timelines. Initially, it was a bit confusing to keep track of each girl's backstory and remember who is who. However, it became easier to follow as the story progressed, though some details felt unnecessarily dragged.
One of the plot twists towards the end was quite predictable, but I didn't guess everything, and there were moments that genuinely surprised me.
The ending left me feeling dissatisfied because we never learn if things get resolved. Only one character’s plans are shown, but even then, the future of that character might depend on the other characters. But I guess we'll never know what the other characters decided to do since the author, Berry, chose not to include it.
The plot is told through multiple POVs across two timelines. Initially, it was a bit confusing to keep track of each girl's backstory and remember who is who. However, it became easier to follow as the story progressed, though some details felt unnecessarily dragged.
One of the plot twists towards the end was quite predictable, but I didn't guess everything, and there were moments that genuinely surprised me.
The ending left me feeling dissatisfied because we never learn if things get resolved. Only one character’s plans are shown, but even then, the future of that character might depend on the other characters. But I guess we'll never know what the other characters decided to do since the author, Berry, chose not to include it.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I’ve read a lot of Lucinda Berry’s work and typically love her dark, twisty stories—but To Tell a Lie just didn’t hit the mark for me. The pacing dragged, and the narrative felt like it lacked direction. What really disappointed me was the ending: it felt rocky, messy, and unfinished, especially given how strong and shocking her usual finales tend to be.
The story centers on four privileged girls and the way their manipulations spiral out of control, destroying a man’s life. While there were hints of the psychological suspense Berry does well, the characters felt flat, and the emotional weight just wasn’t there.
I kept waiting for the big twist or emotional payoff—but it never quite arrived. Disappointing from an author whose books usually keep me hooked until the last page.
The story centers on four privileged girls and the way their manipulations spiral out of control, destroying a man’s life. While there were hints of the psychological suspense Berry does well, the characters felt flat, and the emotional weight just wasn’t there.
I kept waiting for the big twist or emotional payoff—but it never quite arrived. Disappointing from an author whose books usually keep me hooked until the last page.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Sexual assault
What did I just read? I was loving it up until the very end, not sure what Lucinda was trying to do with that ending but she missed the mark big time. This was my first time reading one of her books and I am highly disappointed. If there was a 2nd book that ending might have been ok but there isn’t one so if you like cliff hanger (unfinished) endings then this book will be for you if not you might want to skip it. That ending was so frustrating.
4 camp friends are sworn to secrecy over events from their last summer at camp. Blakely is their group leader and they all follow her lead, even when she is wrong. They vow, after that last summer, never to speak again but 20 years later, they each receive a note claiming to know what they did that ends up bringing them back together.
This book was overall good. Had great twists. I expect this from Dr. Berry and she delivered. What rubbed me the wrong way was the child molestation/grooming. Just the thought of it is enough for a fiction reader. The graphic details gave me the ick. I can get the gist without the scene being painted.
I have greatly enjoyed other books by this author, but this one just hit wrong.
This book was overall good. Had great twists. I expect this from Dr. Berry and she delivered. What rubbed me the wrong way was the child molestation/grooming. Just the thought of it is enough for a fiction reader. The graphic details gave me the ick. I can get the gist without the scene being painted.
I have greatly enjoyed other books by this author, but this one just hit wrong.
I’m a fan of Lucinda Berry and was so excited to read this one since the plot sounded like something right up my alley.
But unfortunately it fell short for me. It was very hard to keep up with who was who since there are multiple pov’s.
I’m used to her books ending without explaining everything but this one felt extremely abrupt. The first 75% dragged while the last 25% felt so rushed. The twist was obvious and I had a hard time focusing and pushing through reading.
But unfortunately it fell short for me. It was very hard to keep up with who was who since there are multiple pov’s.
I’m used to her books ending without explaining everything but this one felt extremely abrupt. The first 75% dragged while the last 25% felt so rushed. The twist was obvious and I had a hard time focusing and pushing through reading.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes