Alright folks, it’s time for my very honest, sometimes goofy, and always heartfelt review of ‘Tell Me Lies’. Buckle up, because this book has more twists than my grandma’s cinnamon buns. I read this with a couple of friends, and let me tell you, we laughed, sighed, and argued like we were on a drama-filled group chat. Whether you’re looking for jaw-dropping surprises, realistic characters, or just want to see if young love is as messy in fiction as it is in real life, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of this bumpy ride!
In a nutshell
‘Tell Me Lies’ by Carola Lovering is a juicy and intense story that lands somewhere between romance and psychological drama. You know, the kind of book that makes you question your taste in people, and then reminds you why you stopped talking to your ex.
The story follows Lucy and Stephen, two college students whose lives become tangled up in a messy, addictive relationship. It’s all about toxic love, obsession, and the wild ways we fool ourselves. If you’ve ever made bad decisions for love—or just watched your friends do it—this one will make you nod and cringe.
Themes like betrayal, coming of age, and the blurry line between truth and lies will keep you thinking. If you like books with flawed characters and real, sometimes painful emotions, this is a wild ride you won’t forget.
Plot Twists and Surprises: When Stories Mess With Your Mind
Let me tell you, the book “Tell Me Lies” is like riding a roller coaster that accidentally took a wrong turn and now you’re upside down, trying to hold onto your lunch. Every time I thought I saw where the story was going, the author, Carola Lovering, popped out of the corner and yelled, “Psych!” I’m not kidding—I almost spilled my coffee on my couch twice (and once on my cat—sorry, Whiskers).
The plot twists in “Tell Me Lies” are the real deal. Some books try to shock you, but you see them coming from three miles away, like a pigeon walking towards you in the park. But this book? It sneaks up like a ninja, and next thing you know, you’re wondering if you even know your own name. The surprises don’t feel forced either. They make sense for the story and characters, which is important. I once read a thriller where the butler did it and, frankly, I didn’t even remember a butler existed. That’s not the case here. The twists keep you on your toes, and they left my friends and I texting each other in all caps at one in the morning. Sorry, neighbors.
I did wish, though, that not every shock was followed by a dramatic pause. After a while, I started expecting them like waiting for the next dad joke at a family BBQ. But hey, at least it wasn’t boring! If you love to be surprised and enjoy that jaw-dropping, “wait, what just happened” feeling, this book delivers plenty.
Ready for more? Buckle up, because the next section is all about character development and relationships—and boy, are they juicier than a ripe peach in July!
How Characters and Relationships Mess You Up in ‘Tell Me Lies’
When I first read Tell Me Lies, I felt like I was spying on my own past friendships and messy romances. The book nails character development in a way that made me want to text my friends and say, “Hey, remember that guy I dated in college? You were right. He was terrible.” Every character in this book has layers, just like those fancy onions I always chop wrong.
Lucy, the main character, is not perfect. Far from it! She makes mistakes, tells white lies, eats a little too much ice cream, and gets hung up on boys who are bad for her. I felt for her but also wanted to shake her by the shoulders. Her journey gave me flashbacks to my own choices—some that now make me laugh, and some that make me cringe. The author really knows how to make you root for Lucy, even when she acts like her own worst enemy.
The relationships in Tell Me Lies are wild. Friends betray each other, couples fight and make up, and everyone seems to keep secrets. It all feels very real. My friends and I talked about which character we hated and who deserved better. (Spoiler: most people deserve better, but that’s life.) I liked how each relationship changed over time and nothing was simple. It’s like high school drama never really ends, it just gets more complicated when you’re older.
If you think their relationships are a rollercoaster, wait until you see how the writing style and pacing keep you on your toes. Coming up next—let’s gab about that!
Sharp Writing and Fast Pacing: The Style of Tell Me Lies
If you’re like me and occasionally check the page count before you start a book, you’ll be happy to hear that Tell Me Lies speeds along. Carola Lovering writes with a punchy style that gets right to the point. No long, fluffy paragraphs about curtains or lost earrings. This book jumps from one tense scene to the next, and you won’t catch yourself yawning (unless you stayed up too late reading it—guilty as charged!).
The chapters in Tell Me Lies are short, almost like potato chips. You finish one, and suddenly, it’s three in the morning and you’re deep in “just one more chapter” land. Lovering switches POVs between Lucy and Stephen, which keeps things lively and helps you see how twisted their stories become. The writing style is simple and direct, which I really liked. I can’t handle books that whip out words longer than my grocery list.
One thing I noticed is some of the timeline jumps can be a bit jarring. You may have to flip back once or twice to see what year it is (my friends and I started using sticky notes). And sometimes, the pace is so quick it feels like you miss out on some world-building. But honestly, I didn’t care much because I was too busy being pulled along by the story.
Next up: I’ll grab my tissues and talk about how this book makes you feel, and the big messy themes lurking behind all those lies. Stay tuned!
Emotional Rollercoasters and Big Themes in ‘Tell Me Lies’
I gotta tell you, reading Tell Me Lies nearly fried my poor heart. This book is loaded with feelings! One minute, I’m laughing at how awkward some college moments are, and the next I’m cringing at a text message gone wrong. The story stirs up anxiety, hope, and that uncomfortable itch you get when someone makes all the wrong decisions (I’ve been there, minus the wild drama and secrets).
This book tackles some big themes: obsession, self-destructive love, the thrill and terror of growing up, and how memory loves to play tricks on us. I saw the characters grapple with toxic relationships and messy friendships that reminded me too much of my first roommate—who once “borrowed” my goldfish and never returned it. Talk about betrayal! The way the story explores unhealthy patterns and how people return to what hurts them felt honest, if a bit unsettling.
I also liked how Tell Me Lies brought up questions about truth and lies. Who’s really being honest, and does anyone really know the whole story? It made me think back to a time in college when my friend swore he liked my haircut (he didn’t), and how little lies can change everything.
So, should you read Tell Me Lies? If you want something that gets your heart thumping and isn’t afraid to show all the messiness of human feels, I say go for it. Just maybe don’t read it after a breakup. Or do—what do I know? At least you’ll know you’re not alone.
Conclusion
Alright, that wraps up my review of Tell Me Lies! This book packs a punch with its wild plot turns, big emotions, and messy relationships. It’s not perfect—the timeline jumps tripped up my brain a couple times, and you might want to give the main characters a good shake. Still, it’s a fun, dramatic ride if you like stories about imperfect people making bad choices. I laughed, I groaned, and my friends wouldn’t stop texting me their thoughts on the drama. If you’re up for some emotional chaos and honest writing, give it a try! Just don’t blame me if you get sucked in and stay up way too late reading like I did.
