Review by reneed79 - I Love It When You Lie

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reneed79 's review for:

I Love It When You Lie by Kristen Bird

3.5

emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

What I loved most was the fierce loyalty between the sisters. Even when they’re making totally unhinged decisions, there's this underlying love and protectiveness that holds them together. It’s messy, it’s intense, and it feels so real. And then there’s Gran—guiding them from beyond the grave like the chaotic queen she was. Honestly, her presence was one of my favorite parts of the book.

That said, there was a subplot that instantly gave me the ick. It reminded me too much of My Dark Vanessa—a book I rated 5 stars for its powerful, unsettling storytelling. While MDV handled its disturbing subject matter with haunting grace, this book’s version felt jarring and unnecessary in comparison. It pulled me out of the story and left a bad taste.

June’s character arc, though, really won me over. At first, I thought she was absolutely unhinged—and she kind of is—but the more I learned about her, the more I rooted for her and Nic. Her grief, especially surrounding miscarriage and stillbirth, was handled with painful authenticity. Her actions might be extreme, but the emotional foundation was raw and believable. My heart was with her every step of the way.

And finally—Walker. That punch to the sheriff? Chef’s kiss. I’d been waiting for someone to do that since the guy showed up.

Overall, this was a gripping, slightly unhinged Southern Gothic that made me laugh, wince, and root for women who are more complex than they first appear.

Content Warnings