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ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
4.0
Nice twist I did not see coming after that beginning (I think it was with Step 2).
A little over the top action-sequence in the end, and it was a little too neat after that, nearly bordering on hea (hope this does not count as a spoiler). For this and the lone-hero feeling 1 star less, could easily have been a 5star read.
A few times different POV, but all in all not too many and well done.
Sex mentioned but happening off page, although Sexting plays a certain role in the story.
The problems of the different families felt a bit much, but where all in all very real.
Main parts of the book read like one lone hero trying to save it all, hindered by having one chef with his own goals and playing it by the book.
Nice integration of current technology (Smartphones, surveillance App), I think no hacking or (luckily) even embellished/unrealistic use of technology.
Recommended, reasonably fast page-turner, no real thriller, though. Would have wished for a more bloody ending, with lots more casualties. Standalone, nicely finished. Will probably remember this author and try to read more of her, depending on theme.
A little over the top action-sequence in the end, and it was a little too neat after that, nearly bordering on hea (hope this does not count as a spoiler). For this and the lone-hero feeling 1 star less, could easily have been a 5star read.
A few times different POV, but all in all not too many and well done.
Sex mentioned but happening off page, although Sexting plays a certain role in the story.
The problems of the different families felt a bit much, but where all in all very real.
Main parts of the book read like one lone hero trying to save it all, hindered by having one chef with his own goals and playing it by the book.
Nice integration of current technology (Smartphones, surveillance App), I think no hacking or (luckily) even embellished/unrealistic use of technology.
Recommended, reasonably fast page-turner, no real thriller, though. Would have wished for a more bloody ending, with lots more casualties. Standalone, nicely finished. Will probably remember this author and try to read more of her, depending on theme.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
One Perfect Lie is the newest book by Lisa Scottoline. Chris Brennan has applied to teach AP Government at Central Valley High School. He has also requested to be the assistant varsity baseball coach. Chris has excellent resume and is quickly hired. What no one knows is that his resume and name are untruths. Why did Chris position himself at Central Valley High School? Raz Sematov, Jordan Larkin, and Evan Kostis are three of Chris’ students and they are also on the varsity baseball team. Raz is going through a rough patch. His father, Mike passed away a few months ago and Raz is acting out. Raz has a temper (as well as a hyper personality) and he has yet to learn how to control it. Evan Kostis is the popular rich kid with a doctor for a father and a mother who copes by drinking. Jordan Larkin is a quiet boy with a single mother. Jordan’s mother, Heather works as a waitress at Central Valley Country Club. Chris quickly gains the boys trust, but he has an ulterior motive. There is something going on in Central Valley and Chris (or whoever he is) is aware of it. Is he behind it?
One Perfect Lie captured my interest in the beginning. It is clear that Chris is lying (to the reader), but we do not know why. Soon, though, the truth is revealed and the novel is less captivating. I figured out the plot, the twists and the characters involved long before they are revealed. I was hoping for a novel with more suspense, mystery and surprises. I give One Perfect Lie 3 out of 5 stars. I felt that the book was too long and it had a slow pace. The pace slows down considerably in the second half of the book. I just wanted more, and I expected more from this writer. I was disappointed with the romance in the book. It was unnecessary and did not need to be included. I felt that too much of the story (especially in the second half) was devoted to possible relationship between Chris and Heather Larkin (especially the end). There are many characters in this book and the readers get background details on each one of them (I only listed a few of the characters). I did not like the scenes between Chris and his compatriots. I finished the book (finally) and was left with unanswered questions.
One Perfect Lie captured my interest in the beginning. It is clear that Chris is lying (to the reader), but we do not know why. Soon, though, the truth is revealed and the novel is less captivating. I figured out the plot, the twists and the characters involved long before they are revealed. I was hoping for a novel with more suspense, mystery and surprises. I give One Perfect Lie 3 out of 5 stars. I felt that the book was too long and it had a slow pace. The pace slows down considerably in the second half of the book. I just wanted more, and I expected more from this writer. I was disappointed with the romance in the book. It was unnecessary and did not need to be included. I felt that too much of the story (especially in the second half) was devoted to possible relationship between Chris and Heather Larkin (especially the end). There are many characters in this book and the readers get background details on each one of them (I only listed a few of the characters). I did not like the scenes between Chris and his compatriots. I finished the book (finally) and was left with unanswered questions.
namitakhanna's review against another edition
4.0
Chris Brennan gets hired at a local high school near Philadelphia as a teacher and a baseball coach assistant. Chris is not his real name though and his whole life story is a fake. He quickly befriends three boys from the baseball team who have troubling home conditions and has a plan for them.
The book is divided into two parts, Step one where Chris bonds with the community and Step two where his reasons and master plan is explained. Along with Chris’s story we get involved with the three boys and their domestic situations.
I am a big fan of Lisa Scottoline and was real excited when I got approved for the the ARC. Though not a big thriller the book had enough twists and turns to keep me intrigued. Not one of my favorite Lisa Scottoline books but a quick fast entertaining read. A solid 3.5 stars
Many Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
The book is divided into two parts, Step one where Chris bonds with the community and Step two where his reasons and master plan is explained. Along with Chris’s story we get involved with the three boys and their domestic situations.
I am a big fan of Lisa Scottoline and was real excited when I got approved for the the ARC. Though not a big thriller the book had enough twists and turns to keep me intrigued. Not one of my favorite Lisa Scottoline books but a quick fast entertaining read. A solid 3.5 stars
Many Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
lastpaige111's review against another edition
4.0
I randomly picked this one, but woot! It's my favorite so far. I loved the MC and the twist was lovely. Usually, Scottoline's characters are a bit on the unlikeable side ... this time, you get some surprises! Her cinematic chapters were a hoot! Be prepared for Action Film Drama!
paulabrandon's review against another edition
3.0
Well, dip me in turpentine! Here's a contemporary "psychological" thriller that isn't about sociopathic husbands, duplicitous best friends or missing children! Actually, despite attempts by the blurb, and the book title itself, to label itself as such, this one doesn't really quite fit into the psychological thriller label - and that could be one of its drawbacks. It doesn't really know what it wants to be.
When it kicks off, we follow Chris Brennan, who has just landed a job as a teacher and assistant coach, and we learn off the bat he's using a fake identity and has ulterior motives. We meet three boys - Jordan Larkin, Raz Sematov and Evan Kotsis, who he will be coaching and seems to be keeping a careful eye on for unidentified purposes. We also meet the boys' mothers - Heather Larkin, Susan Sematov and Mindy Kotsis, as they navigate their complex lives. Heather and Susan are both single mothers, while Mindy is having extreme trust issues in her marriage. To give much more away could be considered spoilers! I will say there is a neat twist about a third of the way through that I didn't see coming!
Like I said, this sometimes feels like two different books. If you're after something like the myriad similar thrillers that have flooded the shelves since Gone Girl, which this book's marketing would seem to suggest it is trying to sell itself as, you may come away disappointed. However, I found it refreshing to finally read a modern day thriller that didn't involve a simpering moron marrying an abusive or secretive jerk she barely knew! Hallelujah!
But, like I said, it's not "perfect"! It's all a bit too simplistic, and it sometimes felt like Scottoline wasn't sure which kind of book she was trying to write. All in all, though, I enjoyed it!
When it kicks off, we follow Chris Brennan, who has just landed a job as a teacher and assistant coach, and we learn off the bat he's using a fake identity and has ulterior motives. We meet three boys - Jordan Larkin, Raz Sematov and Evan Kotsis, who he will be coaching and seems to be keeping a careful eye on for unidentified purposes. We also meet the boys' mothers - Heather Larkin, Susan Sematov and Mindy Kotsis, as they navigate their complex lives. Heather and Susan are both single mothers, while Mindy is having extreme trust issues in her marriage. To give much more away could be considered spoilers! I will say there is a neat twist about a third of the way through that I didn't see coming!
Like I said, this sometimes feels like two different books. If you're after something like the myriad similar thrillers that have flooded the shelves since Gone Girl, which this book's marketing would seem to suggest it is trying to sell itself as, you may come away disappointed.
Spoiler
All the domestic drama built up about the three mothers and their sons is basically tossed away as the book turns into an action tale with Chris and the ATF out to foil a domestic terrorist bombing.But, like I said, it's not "perfect"! It's all a bit too simplistic, and it sometimes felt like Scottoline wasn't sure which kind of book she was trying to write. All in all, though, I enjoyed it!
inkyfingerspgs's review against another edition
3.0
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first Lisa Scottoline book I have read in over a decade, and I'm not sure that I'm really part of her target audience. I do enjoy thrillers, and I think this book is technically supposed to fit in that category, but it seemed like the parts that should have been the most thrilling were kind of rushed through, which minimized the excitement for me. The focus is more on the characters and how they feel about themselves and each other, but I never really connected with any of them, so it was hard for me to care about their every thought and feeling. There is a major revelation a little less than halfway through the book. I was pretty interested until that part, but the suspense dropped off after that and I found it hard to stay interested.
I definitely have a hard time suspending my disbelief, so the fact that many of the main character's actions seemed unnatural was hard for me to get past. Also, I strongly dislike insta-love, where two characters meet and instantly fall for each other. Again, that just seems unbelievable to me, though it seems to happen often enough in books and movies.
All of that being said, I did enjoy the book. It was entertaining and I don't regret reading it, though I would have been disappointed if I had paid for a hardcover copy.
This is the first Lisa Scottoline book I have read in over a decade, and I'm not sure that I'm really part of her target audience. I do enjoy thrillers, and I think this book is technically supposed to fit in that category, but it seemed like the parts that should have been the most thrilling were kind of rushed through, which minimized the excitement for me. The focus is more on the characters and how they feel about themselves and each other, but I never really connected with any of them, so it was hard for me to care about their every thought and feeling. There is a major revelation a little less than halfway through the book. I was pretty interested until that part, but the suspense dropped off after that and I found it hard to stay interested.
I definitely have a hard time suspending my disbelief, so the fact that many of the main character's actions seemed unnatural was hard for me to get past. Also, I strongly dislike insta-love, where two characters meet and instantly fall for each other. Again, that just seems unbelievable to me, though it seems to happen often enough in books and movies.
All of that being said, I did enjoy the book. It was entertaining and I don't regret reading it, though I would have been disappointed if I had paid for a hardcover copy.
lizisreadingagain's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
There was a little too much language for me
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity, Suicide, Grief, and Adult/minor relationship
gracegerhard's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
lulalaine's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.5