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feldy's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
alomond433's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
kayla_llbr's review against another edition
4.0
"My talent is the one thing I can leverage. I'm a grifter, a con artist, and a master of disguise. I'm the best, actually, because I was taught by the best–my dad, Joe. Never heard of him? Well, you wouldn't have, because he's never been caught. And neither have I. The best grifters are ghosts."
Julep is just your average teenage girl. Sort of. Not really. Known as "the fixer" to her classmates, for her ability to con and manipulate for the right price, Julep's world is rocked the day she comes home to find her father missing and her apartment ransacked. Despite her father's rather successful record of never having been discovered for the con that he is, Julep knows that his luck has finally turned and he is in danger. With the help of her best friend and loyal companion, Sam, as well as the attentions of the mysterious and gorgeous big-man on campus, Tyler, Julep is left to discover what happened to her father before it's too late. But the fate of her father is just one layer in the complexity that is Julep's unconventional life.
"I guess it's true what the French say: fortune favors the innocent. Lucky for me, it also favors the moderately dishonest."
I honestly don't know what I was expecting with Trust Me, I'm Lying but I was simply blown away. This is just one of those books that manages to hit all the right spots without being too overwhelming or too cheesy. There is a wonderful balance of mystery and action but also romance and character development. With the negative connotation that comes with con artists and grifters Julep shatters the stereotype. She may be the master of deception but Julep is the real deal. It could be easy to discredit how smart and capable she is at being successful as a grifter, but the vulnerability of her age and circumstance really balance the duality of her character. Julep is a contradiction and one that I found very likable and easy to root for.
"As much as I wish I weren't, I'm still all smoke and mirrors. You can love an illusion, but the illusion can't love you back. Even if it wants to."
The emotions this book pulled from me really caught me off guard but in the best way possible way. I cried three times! I am very excited for the follow-up to this book. While there is resolution and no cliffhanger this story is far from over. Between riddles, car chases, elaborate schemes and first love, Trust Me, I'm Lying is a story that is fast paced, witty and surprisingly poignant.
4.5 stars*
**ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Julep is just your average teenage girl. Sort of. Not really. Known as "the fixer" to her classmates, for her ability to con and manipulate for the right price, Julep's world is rocked the day she comes home to find her father missing and her apartment ransacked. Despite her father's rather successful record of never having been discovered for the con that he is, Julep knows that his luck has finally turned and he is in danger. With the help of her best friend and loyal companion, Sam, as well as the attentions of the mysterious and gorgeous big-man on campus, Tyler, Julep is left to discover what happened to her father before it's too late. But the fate of her father is just one layer in the complexity that is Julep's unconventional life.
"I guess it's true what the French say: fortune favors the innocent. Lucky for me, it also favors the moderately dishonest."
I honestly don't know what I was expecting with Trust Me, I'm Lying but I was simply blown away. This is just one of those books that manages to hit all the right spots without being too overwhelming or too cheesy. There is a wonderful balance of mystery and action but also romance and character development. With the negative connotation that comes with con artists and grifters Julep shatters the stereotype. She may be the master of deception but Julep is the real deal. It could be easy to discredit how smart and capable she is at being successful as a grifter, but the vulnerability of her age and circumstance really balance the duality of her character. Julep is a contradiction and one that I found very likable and easy to root for.
"As much as I wish I weren't, I'm still all smoke and mirrors. You can love an illusion, but the illusion can't love you back. Even if it wants to."
The emotions this book pulled from me really caught me off guard but in the best way possible way. I cried three times! I am very excited for the follow-up to this book. While there is resolution and no cliffhanger this story is far from over. Between riddles, car chases, elaborate schemes and first love, Trust Me, I'm Lying is a story that is fast paced, witty and surprisingly poignant.
4.5 stars*
**ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**
decodethebooks's review
3.0
molly_k's review
4.0
I wouldn't say that it had me on the edge of my seat. It was a little unbelievable at times, but I liked how they friends were trying to protect each other. Smooth and easy to read.
thepaperreels's review against another edition
4.0
I never really expected a mystery/thriller book to break my heart. But this book did. Oh, it did. I don't even know if that's a good thing or not. All I know is that if a book affected you like the way this book affected me, it only means one thing: IT IS BRILLIANT AND MADE BY A GENIUS MIND.
Yep, I think Veronica will approve it.
Julep (if that's her real name) is a con artist. A grifter. And she's good at what she do. After all, she learned from the best grifter she knows: her father. Who is, by the way, MISSING.
The gem in this book is Julep. She is well defined and incredibly believable for a 16 year old con artist. I notice every details when it comes to this kind of plots because even though this book is Fiction, I still want a hint of reality to it. You can say that the author really researched and crafted Julep very well. As far as I'm concerned, not only Julep, but every character in this book is plausible. I even have this weird connection with Julep's father even though I've seen only small parts of him and mostly through Julep's memory only.
The romance isn't the main focus of the story because it's more about finding Julep's dad but it's another reason to love the story. The romance aspect didn't annoy me at all and the instead, it added flare to TMIL's plot. There's drama, of course. But this is the kind of drama that you'll find yourself very invested in. And I have to admit that there were some things that happened that squeezed my heart and felt like it was rip apart but I willingly accepted it. Sometimes I wish I can sell my emotions for awhile. Sigh..
Trust Me, I'm Lying really delivers. It will keep you guessing, will shock you with its twist and turns and will made you laugh along the way. Julep is not someone you forget that easily and you'll find yourself wishing that you have a real life friend like her. I recommend this to readers who is looking for a well done mystery with a sassy heroine. You will love it. Overall, Trust Me, I'm Lying is a lovely debut book! Can't wait for the following books to come.
Yep, I think Veronica will approve it.
Julep (if that's her real name) is a con artist. A grifter. And she's good at what she do. After all, she learned from the best grifter she knows: her father. Who is, by the way, MISSING.
The gem in this book is Julep. She is well defined and incredibly believable for a 16 year old con artist. I notice every details when it comes to this kind of plots because even though this book is Fiction, I still want a hint of reality to it. You can say that the author really researched and crafted Julep very well. As far as I'm concerned, not only Julep, but every character in this book is plausible. I even have this weird connection with Julep's father even though I've seen only small parts of him and mostly through Julep's memory only.
The romance isn't the main focus of the story because it's more about finding Julep's dad but it's another reason to love the story. The romance aspect didn't annoy me at all and the instead, it added flare to TMIL's plot. There's drama, of course. But this is the kind of drama that you'll find yourself very invested in. And I have to admit that there were some things that happened that squeezed my heart and felt like it was rip apart but I willingly accepted it. Sometimes I wish I can sell my emotions for awhile. Sigh..
Trust Me, I'm Lying really delivers. It will keep you guessing, will shock you with its twist and turns and will made you laugh along the way. Julep is not someone you forget that easily and you'll find yourself wishing that you have a real life friend like her. I recommend this to readers who is looking for a well done mystery with a sassy heroine. You will love it. Overall, Trust Me, I'm Lying is a lovely debut book! Can't wait for the following books to come.
plumeriade's review against another edition
4.0
this was great! Julep is a really great character, and overall it was very enjoyable. there were a couple times I thought it was going in a cliche direction, but then it's shown to be, as a couple of the characters might say--it's complicated. also, some reviewers mention a love triangle, but if that's a major turn off for you normally, I would say it's not really one in this book. Julep's best friend has a crush on her, but there are just hints and she is oblivious for 95% of the book--there's no "omg which guy do I chooooose" triangle.
there is an opening for a sequel, and apparently that's coming! obligatory--pst, Ms. Summer, can we get a lesbian character?
there is an opening for a sequel, and apparently that's coming! obligatory--pst, Ms. Summer, can we get a lesbian character?
betsw's review against another edition
4.0
Great YA mystery/thriller novel. I didn't completely love the ending but I get why she did it. The narrator/main character has a great voice, super believable for a teen protagonist. Fun read!
razreads's review against another edition
5.0
Complete review available: Trust Me, I'm Lying
Aaahhhh! I mean equal parts what and why? My heart cannot bear the torment (and yet, it was utterly amazing in every conceivable way). I was attracted by the blurb and the fact many people likened it to works of Ally Carter, and whilst I see why they do, there was a distinct uniqueness to Summer's work as well. Throughout, the reader was kept painfully dancing on their toes, never quite comfortable to settle into a truth, and yet Summer managed to surprise and deceive in those little things we all took for granted. There's not much I can say without spoiling it, but you will fall for the same tricks more than once, and I doubt you'll be leaving with your emotions fully in tact.
Aaahhhh! I mean equal parts what and why? My heart cannot bear the torment (and yet, it was utterly amazing in every conceivable way). I was attracted by the blurb and the fact many people likened it to works of Ally Carter, and whilst I see why they do, there was a distinct uniqueness to Summer's work as well. Throughout, the reader was kept painfully dancing on their toes, never quite comfortable to settle into a truth, and yet Summer managed to surprise and deceive in those little things we all took for granted. There's not much I can say without spoiling it, but you will fall for the same tricks more than once, and I doubt you'll be leaving with your emotions fully in tact.