A review by maryelizabethreads
When We Lied by Claire Contreras

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘞𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘥 is a new story set in the same universe as 𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘐 𝘎𝘦𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶, but is centered on a different couple. Finn Barlow returns to his hometown, a year after his sister’s mysterious death, to play on the city’s new pro hockey team. He also has his eyes on Josslyn Santos, a senior basketball player at the local college and friend of his late sister. But that’s not their only connection. The two have an intimate past of their own. (That’s all I’ll say regarding the plot.)

𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘐 𝘎𝘦𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶 was one of my favorite books of last year, so I had high hopes for 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘞𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘥. I’m happy to report that it did not disappoint! Josslyn and Finn have phenomenal, out of this world chemistry. Finn is just as unhinged as Lachlan, so it’s no wonder they’re friends. Josslyn is endearing, lovable, and reminds me of a more outgoing Lyla. If you loved the first book, I think you’ll like this one too. 

I don’t consider the following a spoiler since it’s not pivotal to the plot: It made me so happy that Lyla and Lachlan appear in 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘞𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘥 as supporting characters and that Lachlan continues to wear his obsession with Lyla proudly like a badge of honor. It led to some of the funniest moments, for sure.

Thank you to Valentine PR and Claire Contreras for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review. As always, my thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.