I really enjoyed None of This Is True—the story was gripping, the characters were well-developed, and the suspense kept me hooked. The unique premise and writing style made it a real page-turner. However, I felt like the pacing slowed down toward the end, and it didn’t keep the same level of excitement as the beginning. Still, a great read overall and worth picking up if you enjoy psychological thrillers!
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I'd read quite a few Lisa Jewell books over the years although she isn't an author I follow obsessively. I couldn't remember why I had picked up this book but liked the sound of the title. I had read the first line of the blurb but no more as I didn't want to know too much - "birthday twins" was enough to pull me in. I've got a birthday twin and it is an unusual connection, giving a link that we don't really know what to do with. This book was first published in 2023. It has 386 pages split into 4 parts, the narrative runs chronologically with sections being headed by dates, then frequent pauses for details of interviews looking back at the action. Its a compelling start. We are told that people are going to die and short clips of a Netflix series are given to show that there is going to be some sort of true crime show. We also know that a podcast is being recorded. The two women have connections that they both think can be used for each others advantage - both have big secrets and want to control how they are revealed (or if they are going to stay hidden). This story has several layers and will make you want to find out more. As you are reading you know that there are lies everywhere. Alix believes Josie's stories but the reader is being given plenty of reason to stay cautious - the title of the book being the biggest clue. If you take the view the "none of this is true" then the mystery is why. It's no surprise that the author feeds the reader down a route only to change her mind and twist the plot. Several times I was shocked by a revelation that I wasn't expecting - very entertaining to read. This is fiction and is intentionally dramatized for effect. Put that aside though and I could not help but be impressed by the book's approach to Domestic Abuse - people lie about it (victim and/or perpetrator) and it is always more complicated when children are in the family. The long term damage of grooming, abuse and addiction are explored in the book with both female characters illustrating the harm caused to them (and by them). I have a friend who has been scammed by someone faking an emotional trauma and I watched this book as all the warning lights flashed. We know it is going to end badly by the tone of the Netflix clips running through the narrative. Its terrifying how voyeuristic we are!! Several times I thought I knew how it would end but was kept guessing until the last few pages. I think the last few pages were a bit too quick and I thought the ending deserved more time but, other than that, I loved the book.
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I found this difficult to put down. A truly well written narrative that gripped and surprised throughout with characters that were both believable and chilling. As an author of the crime genre myself I found myself wishing I could write this well. An excellent read. ❤️
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I really enjoyed this book. This is the second Lisa Jewell book I have read and I throughly enjoyed it. Very easy to read, the story was paced just right and normally i am pretty good at guessing the ending when it comes to thrillers but this one kept me guessing. Definitely one I would recommend.
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I really enjoyed this book......until the last 1/4. It is very well written and the way the characters are written genuinely give me chills however this was let down a little by the end. The ending felt rushed, chaotic and not complete. With that I mind I have dropped a star however it is a good read and well worth your time
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There are so many twists and turns. I loved every single page and couldn't put it down. A must-read for anyone who enjoys a psychological thriller.
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Josie is a disappointed 40-something who lives with her 70-something retired husband, Walter, in a claustrophobic flat with their 23 year old autistic daughter, Erin. Roxy, Josie's elder daughter ran away years ago and hasn't been seen since. Josie runs into Alix, a wealthy blogger, when they are both coincidentally celebrating their mutual birthday at a plush restaurant. Josie presuades Alix to make a blog of Josie's life. It appears that Josie is an abused wife who was seduced by a middle-age man from when she was 13. Walter is accused of abusing Erin to this day. Alix is married to a wealthy property dealer, Nathan, who is prone to disappearing on day-long drinking binges. Josie decides that she must 'liberate' Alix from Nathan. The machinations of the plot are intricate but fairly predictable. The narrative is pretty slow moving throughout and the prose style is, in my view, unpolished. The psychological explorations of Josie and Alix are good, though their mental makeup is often buried under a lot of unnecessary 'setting detail'. A decent book but ultimately i was rather disappointed, given the accolades the book has attracted.
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I liked the characters, very believable. The pace of the book was a bit too fast in parts. Enjoyable read though. Looking forward to another one
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This was a wild read with lots of surprises and craziness and I just kept wanting to finish it and figure out the truth! While the ending does help us reach some conclusions I still feel like it wasn’t full closure for all the things that were happening so I feel a little confused- however I guess the title is fitting and I do think the story itself was so wild it was good! The writing was fast paced and held my attn!
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Have been reading her books for a while. I am a huge fan. Will keep on reading her latest ones.
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This was one of my favourite books of 2024! Such a good thriller with so many twists and turns! Add it to your TBR!!
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I've been struggling with reading in the past years, but this book makes me want to read more Lisa Jewell ones! The plot is quite predictable, you know what is happening, yet you still are eager to find out how exactly it'll happen and how the characters will live through it. I enjoyed this read.
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A very well witten novel. You can't put it down. Great development of the plot.
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