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bookswithmaddi's review
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Lie, Lie Again” follows the three women living at 1054 Mockingbird Lane: Embry, Riki, and Sylvia. All carry life-changing secrets that they fully intend to keep hidden. With a swift turn of events they find themselves with a body at the bottom of the stairs, and secrets leaking out of their sleeves. To what extent will these women go to keep those secrets buried?
I requested this ARC on a whim, the cover is beautiful and the concept really intrigued me. The entire book in itself is very unique and quite unlike anything I’ve read before. I loved how it followed all three women and allowed the reader to see the story from each of their perspectives, it gave the book a lot of depth and also revealed how much work must have gone into writing such an intricate story. Stacy Wise is no doubt a very talented author, her ability to devote so much time and story to each character while not allowing the story to drag blew me away. I will without a doubt be picking up more of Stacy Wise’s books simply for her natural talent of storytelling and creating three dimensional, fascinating characters..
I debated quite a while about whether to rate this book 3 or 4 stars but I landed on 3. I preface this by saying mystery/thriller is really not a genre I typically lean towards, especially ones so focused on mystery. With that said I realize my personal preference definitely affects my enjoyment of this book and I definitely know some people who would love this. My other problem that coincides with this is that I was under the impression that this would be more of a thriller than it was. I think the description leans a little bit too heavily on the dead body aspect which was actually not really that big of a plot line until quite late in the story. It was an interesting element to the book and kept me wondering throughout the book, but I think Sylvia’s character was really what wrapped me into this story and what made it a thriller for me.
Sylvia was very much my favorite character and was incredibly well written. I do wish the book had delved a little bit more into her past as her current habits are clearly due to childhood trauma and I wished the story could’ve traced that a little bit more. However, it was the end that really convinced me to give it 3 stars instead of 4. The story felt cut short, for all of the depth that was put into nearly every scene in this book the end left me feeling unsatisfied, everything was almost too perfect. It was like everyone's lives were resolved at exactly the same time, and everyone who was in the wrong suddenly realized it synchronously and apologized. There were also so many side characters that were introduced and abandoned by the rushed ending so it felt that there were a lot of loose ends.
My criticisms however don’t mean I don’t recommend this book. I think that it would be perfect for people who like family drama, domestic thrillers and a little dose of Amy Dunne. I truly hope this book does well when it is released as the time and effort put into it is fully evident from how well written and structured the book is.
“Lie, Lie Again” follows the three women living at 1054 Mockingbird Lane: Embry, Riki, and Sylvia. All carry life-changing secrets that they fully intend to keep hidden. With a swift turn of events they find themselves with a body at the bottom of the stairs, and secrets leaking out of their sleeves. To what extent will these women go to keep those secrets buried?
I requested this ARC on a whim, the cover is beautiful and the concept really intrigued me. The entire book in itself is very unique and quite unlike anything I’ve read before. I loved how it followed all three women and allowed the reader to see the story from each of their perspectives, it gave the book a lot of depth and also revealed how much work must have gone into writing such an intricate story. Stacy Wise is no doubt a very talented author, her ability to devote so much time and story to each character while not allowing the story to drag blew me away. I will without a doubt be picking up more of Stacy Wise’s books simply for her natural talent of storytelling and creating three dimensional, fascinating characters..
I debated quite a while about whether to rate this book 3 or 4 stars but I landed on 3. I preface this by saying mystery/thriller is really not a genre I typically lean towards, especially ones so focused on mystery. With that said I realize my personal preference definitely affects my enjoyment of this book and I definitely know some people who would love this. My other problem that coincides with this is that I was under the impression that this would be more of a thriller than it was. I think the description leans a little bit too heavily on the dead body aspect which was actually not really that big of a plot line until quite late in the story. It was an interesting element to the book and kept me wondering throughout the book, but I think Sylvia’s character was really what wrapped me into this story and what made it a thriller for me.
Sylvia was very much my favorite character and was incredibly well written. I do wish the book had delved a little bit more into her past as her current habits are clearly due to childhood trauma and I wished the story could’ve traced that a little bit more. However, it was the end that really convinced me to give it 3 stars instead of 4. The story felt cut short, for all of the depth that was put into nearly every scene in this book the end left me feeling unsatisfied, everything was almost too perfect. It was like everyone's lives were resolved at exactly the same time, and everyone who was in the wrong suddenly realized it synchronously and apologized. There were also so many side characters that were introduced and abandoned by the rushed ending so it felt that there were a lot of loose ends.
My criticisms however don’t mean I don’t recommend this book. I think that it would be perfect for people who like family drama, domestic thrillers and a little dose of Amy Dunne. I truly hope this book does well when it is released as the time and effort put into it is fully evident from how well written and structured the book is.
vjlp22_reader's review against another edition
- No clear plot
- Not a thriller, as it seemed to be marketed
- Unlikeable, unrelatable characters. Only Sylivia even remotely interesting
- Unbelievable plot points
- Writing a tad repetitive at times
- Dragged out unnecessarily, pretty boring
rmarcin's review against another edition
3.0
A small bungalow apartment complex inhabited by 3 women.
Sylvia-an attractive woman, feels she should have a child, gets involved with Hugh. Unbeknownst to her, Hugh is married with a child. Sylvia wants revenge.
Riki-25 years old, has a crush on Brandon, her married neighbor.
Embry-24, married to Brandon, an unemployed actor, with 2 children, and one on the way. Is Brandon keeping something from her?
When Jonathan, son of the owner of the bungalows, decides to sell the place, the women have to decide what to do.
I liked this novel OK, but wasn't a fan of Sylvia.
Quick read.
Sylvia-an attractive woman, feels she should have a child, gets involved with Hugh. Unbeknownst to her, Hugh is married with a child. Sylvia wants revenge.
Riki-25 years old, has a crush on Brandon, her married neighbor.
Embry-24, married to Brandon, an unemployed actor, with 2 children, and one on the way. Is Brandon keeping something from her?
When Jonathan, son of the owner of the bungalows, decides to sell the place, the women have to decide what to do.
I liked this novel OK, but wasn't a fan of Sylvia.
Quick read.
sandrasbookgraph's review
4.0
4.5 loved it! Definitely gives big little lies vibes and it is more of a fast-paced drama than a thriller. There is suspense building the whole time but definitely a page-turner at the very end. I highly recommended if you are looking to read a light dramatic story about women with secrets, revenge, and lies!
starkva's review
2.0
There were a few clever elements to this book. I wouldn't say it was great, but it was readable. A little too 'chick lit' for a thriller, I felt. Very average.
crhbrault's review against another edition
3.0
Only ok. This wasn’t the worst book of the year for me, but it wasn’t anything spectacular- the characters were pretty much all trite and cookie cutter predictable, which didn’t make any of the particularly likeable.
bookishwithwine's review
4.0
My Thoughts
Meet the women of Mockingbird Lane where secrets, jealousy and a taste for revenge are only a few on the prerequisites required to live here.
Sylvia, Riki and Embry are all dealing with issues in their lives. Embry's husband is an actor who can't land a job, and money is running out. They have two kids with a surprise baby on the way that Embry has yet to tell him about #3. Riki baby-sits for Embry some nights, and she dreams that Embry's husband is hers for the taking. Sylvia has been played by her boyfriend, but little does he know that revenge is her middle name.
Then there is the issue of the dead body!
I love how the chapters alternate between each of the ladies. The only stable one, in my opinion, is Embry. She had such faith in her husband landing a job, but she wants to find a job to help out...especially with another baby on the way. Little doubts pop up in her head along the way about her husband's faithfulness, but that's what happens when everyone is keeping secrets. I had my doubts about how long Riki could keep her obsession with Embry's husband to herself. There were a few on edge moments when I thought she was going to have to come clean about her feelings, and more when I thought Riki was going to make a move. Sylvia. I couldn't wait to see what she was going to do next! The author gives little glimpses into Sylvia's past so we can see how and why she became the person she is today. Needless to say she has a history of being left by the male figure in her life. Well she is done with playing the victim.
This was such a wild read! I would say out of the three, I was more interested in what steps Sylvia was going to take to stop being the victim. I also would have never guessed who ends up dead, but in reality I should have seen that coming.
This page turner is available January 1, 2021!
Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours, Lake Union Publishing and Author Stacy Wise for letting me be on tour today. Also thank you to NetGalley for the #copy of the book.
Book Rating: 4/5
Wine Pairing: Penfolds Bin 9 Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Meet the women of Mockingbird Lane where secrets, jealousy and a taste for revenge are only a few on the prerequisites required to live here.
Sylvia, Riki and Embry are all dealing with issues in their lives. Embry's husband is an actor who can't land a job, and money is running out. They have two kids with a surprise baby on the way that Embry has yet to tell him about #3. Riki baby-sits for Embry some nights, and she dreams that Embry's husband is hers for the taking. Sylvia has been played by her boyfriend, but little does he know that revenge is her middle name.
Then there is the issue of the dead body!
I love how the chapters alternate between each of the ladies. The only stable one, in my opinion, is Embry. She had such faith in her husband landing a job, but she wants to find a job to help out...especially with another baby on the way. Little doubts pop up in her head along the way about her husband's faithfulness, but that's what happens when everyone is keeping secrets. I had my doubts about how long Riki could keep her obsession with Embry's husband to herself. There were a few on edge moments when I thought she was going to have to come clean about her feelings, and more when I thought Riki was going to make a move. Sylvia. I couldn't wait to see what she was going to do next! The author gives little glimpses into Sylvia's past so we can see how and why she became the person she is today. Needless to say she has a history of being left by the male figure in her life. Well she is done with playing the victim.
This was such a wild read! I would say out of the three, I was more interested in what steps Sylvia was going to take to stop being the victim. I also would have never guessed who ends up dead, but in reality I should have seen that coming.
This page turner is available January 1, 2021!
Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours, Lake Union Publishing and Author Stacy Wise for letting me be on tour today. Also thank you to NetGalley for the #copy of the book.
Book Rating: 4/5
Wine Pairing: Penfolds Bin 9 Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
kayleighhroseee's review against another edition
2.0
First things first, this book was advertised as a thriller & I couldn’t disagree more. Sure, there’s a death involved at the very end but other than that, no real suspense. For me, it was more like reading an easy-going, chick-lit.
I was really looking forward to reading this book but it seems to have taken me AGES to finish. When I’m hooked on a book I can’t put it down, but this only happened in the second half of the novel; beforehand I was a little bit bored (& I hate to say it!).
I have no real opinions of this book. I loved the character development but the storyline just seems a bit... vanilla?
I was really looking forward to reading this book but it seems to have taken me AGES to finish. When I’m hooked on a book I can’t put it down, but this only happened in the second half of the novel; beforehand I was a little bit bored (& I hate to say it!).
I have no real opinions of this book. I loved the character development but the storyline just seems a bit... vanilla?
trisha_thomas's review
3.0
This was an interesting story -about three women who live in the same apartment complex. They are a bit quirky - each choosing a different route in their life. One is married with kids, one is sophisticated and trying to land the perfect guy, and the last is a teacher for a private school and okay with her more quiet life. The whole book is each chapter taking a visit to each woman as they got through their highs and lows of their day and relationships and jobs.
There IS a mystery listed at the beginning, the very first chapter, but that storyline definitely felt like a 2nd thought and not the whole premise of the story. There is not a lot of tension or buildup or focus on the mystery (at least for me) and more the day to day routine of each woman's life. It was good but I didn't love it.
There IS a mystery listed at the beginning, the very first chapter, but that storyline definitely felt like a 2nd thought and not the whole premise of the story. There is not a lot of tension or buildup or focus on the mystery (at least for me) and more the day to day routine of each woman's life. It was good but I didn't love it.
thindbooks's review
5.0
*This book was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*
I LOVED THIS BOOK! It was such a fantastic read. This book is about three ladies who live in one apartment complex and have their own secrets to keep buried. (I recommend read the summary to get all the detailed details!) I really loved the author's writing for this book. She did a wonderful job with the storyline and pacing. I was hooked from page one! There is a lot of drama, secrets, and a small mystery in this book that you do not want to miss. Though the best part of this book was the characters.
This book is mainly written in 3 POVs with a small POV of another character. I enjoyed reading all the character's POV especially Sylvia because she has that evil side of her that no one wants to see. Each character in this book is unique and has their own drama that connects to each other. I love their development from beginning to end because their friendship grew a lot. There is also some romance in this book that you will enjoy reading.
This was just a great book and everything was perfect. I had no problems with this one which is why it gets a full 5/5 stars. This is perfect for fans who love Big Little Lies and Pretty Little Liars.
I LOVED THIS BOOK! It was such a fantastic read. This book is about three ladies who live in one apartment complex and have their own secrets to keep buried. (I recommend read the summary to get all the detailed details!) I really loved the author's writing for this book. She did a wonderful job with the storyline and pacing. I was hooked from page one! There is a lot of drama, secrets, and a small mystery in this book that you do not want to miss. Though the best part of this book was the characters.
This book is mainly written in 3 POVs with a small POV of another character. I enjoyed reading all the character's POV especially Sylvia because she has that evil side of her that no one wants to see. Each character in this book is unique and has their own drama that connects to each other. I love their development from beginning to end because their friendship grew a lot. There is also some romance in this book that you will enjoy reading.
This was just a great book and everything was perfect. I had no problems with this one which is why it gets a full 5/5 stars. This is perfect for fans who love Big Little Lies and Pretty Little Liars.