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A Lie for a Lie
Suspense—Secrets—Betrayals
An action-packed thriller that keeps you guessing until the end
Boyfriend cheating? A bully wreaking havoc? A classmate plagiarizing? Don’t get mad. Get @Revenge. At Milford High, if you’ve got a problem, message @Revenge, and they will take care of it with an embarrassing public comeuppance. But when the school’s star basketball player falls victim to a dangerous prank orchestrated by Revenge, the consequences are life-threatening.
Sabrina Richards, ambitious Milford senior and an unwitting accomplice in this deadly game, must unravel the enigma that is Revenge's true identity. With her own future hanging in the balance, she embarks on a relentless quest to unmask the mastermind behind the perilous pranks. Delving deeper into the secrets and lies surrounding Revenge, Sabrina discovers that even her closest allies may be hiding sinister truths. As Sabrina gets closer to exposing the culprit behind Revenge and the murder attempt, she soon finds that her own life is on the line.
A Lie for a Lie is the first in a trilogy that spotlights the treacherous, secret-exposing realms of high school hierarchies and social media snares. Join Sabrina on her quest to uncover Revenge's identity and clear her name in this suspenseful and action-packed thriller that will keep you racing to decipher the exciting puzzle at the core of its pulse-pounding mystery.
An action-packed thriller that keeps you guessing until the end
Boyfriend cheating? A bully wreaking havoc? A classmate plagiarizing? Don’t get mad. Get @Revenge. At Milford High, if you’ve got a problem, message @Revenge, and they will take care of it with an embarrassing public comeuppance. But when the school’s star basketball player falls victim to a dangerous prank orchestrated by Revenge, the consequences are life-threatening.
Sabrina Richards, ambitious Milford senior and an unwitting accomplice in this deadly game, must unravel the enigma that is Revenge's true identity. With her own future hanging in the balance, she embarks on a relentless quest to unmask the mastermind behind the perilous pranks. Delving deeper into the secrets and lies surrounding Revenge, Sabrina discovers that even her closest allies may be hiding sinister truths. As Sabrina gets closer to exposing the culprit behind Revenge and the murder attempt, she soon finds that her own life is on the line.
A Lie for a Lie is the first in a trilogy that spotlights the treacherous, secret-exposing realms of high school hierarchies and social media snares. Join Sabrina on her quest to uncover Revenge's identity and clear her name in this suspenseful and action-packed thriller that will keep you racing to decipher the exciting puzzle at the core of its pulse-pounding mystery.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2024
17 people are currently reading
9932 people want to read
About the author
Jane Buckingham
15 books59 followersJane Buckingham is an American author and marketing expert. She is the founder and President of Trendera, a boutique marketing firm specializing in trend forecasting, brand strategy and generational research.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
November 1, 2024
Nothing wrong with the book at all—it just wasn’t quite for me, as I wasn’t the target market. Sometimes going into a book blind has its downsides 😅.
Still, I’d recommend this quick read to newer and younger readers who love the mystery, SuSpense, and thriller genre! The book has decent character development, clever sleuthing, and enough high school drama to keep things lively!
Still, I’d recommend this quick read to newer and younger readers who love the mystery, SuSpense, and thriller genre! The book has decent character development, clever sleuthing, and enough high school drama to keep things lively!
June 1, 2024
This was a fun and very quick read. It was a bit predictable, but there were so many twists, I couldn’t guess them all. I do love young adult books, but this one was a little more childish than I was expecting. Overall, I had fun trying to figure out who Revenge was. A Lie for a Lie is the first in a trilogy, so I am curious to see what happens in the next book. Check it out, it’s perfect for fans of Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl.
May 23, 2024
This was a twisty and thrilling YA, and I really enjoyed it! It was such a fun read, and I didn't at all expect the ending of who @revenge was. If you like a book with witty and sarcastic characters, a mystery/whodunit storyline, and short chapters, then this one is for you!
May 9, 2024
Jane Buckingham captured my millennial heart long ago with her Modern Girl's Guide to Life collection of books. She taught me how to fold a fitted sheet! Do I do it? No, but not because she didn't teach me.
After some controversy over the past few years, I'm happy to see her again. When I saw she was releasing a new book, I had to get my hands on it even though I'm too old for YA. I wouldn't even classify this as YA, this is more for teens.
It was an interesting concept, following stories like One Of Us Is Lying and Pretty Little Liars. All of the lying liars! It also reminded me a bit of Cruel Summer, a show that was on Freeform for 2 seasons. I enjoyed that show and could totally imagine this as a season of that anthology series, had it not been tragically canceled.
If you have teens who like to read, you should definitely give them this book. As for us old people, it's not really up our alley but the writing is great and the characters have a lot of heart.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review!
After some controversy over the past few years, I'm happy to see her again. When I saw she was releasing a new book, I had to get my hands on it even though I'm too old for YA. I wouldn't even classify this as YA, this is more for teens.
It was an interesting concept, following stories like One Of Us Is Lying and Pretty Little Liars. All of the lying liars! It also reminded me a bit of Cruel Summer, a show that was on Freeform for 2 seasons. I enjoyed that show and could totally imagine this as a season of that anthology series, had it not been tragically canceled.
If you have teens who like to read, you should definitely give them this book. As for us old people, it's not really up our alley but the writing is great and the characters have a lot of heart.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review!
July 15, 2025
Thanks to author and LibraryThing for sending me this book.
The one word I could think to describe this while reading was cliche. I don't actually think that's necessarily a bad thing. If it works, then it works, but I wouldn't expect anything super original from this book. This is definitely in the vein of Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, with a hint of Carrie.
I also think if I had been a bit younger and more in the target age range I would have liked this more. Suspension of disbelief is definitely required. If you capable of doing that, I think this is a fun ride. Super quick read. Given how short this was, it took a little longer than I would have liked to get to the mystery but once it did, it was very fast paced. There were definitely some elements of the mystery that were a little underdeveloped. Some guy named Ryder showed up as a suspect for like one scene and we never heard from him ever again. Lots of red herrings, which got a little annoying, but this book is so short that it wasn't too bad. There was also a lot of weird stuff about college applications.
I think I would read more from this author, or recommend her work to someone a bit younger than me. I think as this author writes more, she could write some really interesting stories.
The one word I could think to describe this while reading was cliche. I don't actually think that's necessarily a bad thing. If it works, then it works, but I wouldn't expect anything super original from this book. This is definitely in the vein of Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, with a hint of Carrie.
I also think if I had been a bit younger and more in the target age range I would have liked this more. Suspension of disbelief is definitely required. If you capable of doing that, I think this is a fun ride. Super quick read. Given how short this was, it took a little longer than I would have liked to get to the mystery but once it did, it was very fast paced. There were definitely some elements of the mystery that were a little underdeveloped. Some guy named Ryder showed up as a suspect for like one scene and we never heard from him ever again. Lots of red herrings, which got a little annoying, but this book is so short that it wasn't too bad. There was also a lot of weird stuff about college applications.
I think I would read more from this author, or recommend her work to someone a bit younger than me. I think as this author writes more, she could write some really interesting stories.
June 15, 2024
Real rating: 3,5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for the digital preview copy.
CONTENT WARNING: panic attacks, bullying, revenge, blackmail, attempted murder.
Imagine a story a little bit like Pretty Little Liars - secrets, blackmail, cell phones that all ring at the same time when something is posted... the author herself says in the final notes that she was inspired by the famous TV show.
Sabrina Richards is eagerly waiting to hear whether she has been accepted to Harvard or not - Harvard was her mother's dream college, a mother Sabrina sadly lost seven years ago, and ever since then she has worked hard and studied even harder to be admitted and thus fulfill that dream for both of them. Therefore there have never been parties or dates, activities that were pure fun and therefore did not serve to make a good impression on the admission application - she and her best friend Emily have always been alone against everyone, especially since Brooke dumped them at the beginning of high school after having caught the attention of the most popular boy in their year and school.
But shortly after witnessing a Revenge prank against one of the most famous couples of their year, Sabrina receives the news that her application for early admission has been rejected - what was the point of all those hours of study and commitment, of all that control over single aspect of ther life and panic attacks since her mother died to now fail like this, not being good enough and therefore disappointing herself, her father, but above all her dead mother?
The worst comes when she discovers by pure chance and from other people that Emily was admitted instead - Emily, who knew that Harvard was her dream school and who had told her that she wasn't interested and that she wouldn't apply for the same college because Harvard was Sabrina's. So why not finally make up for the lost adolescence and go to a party and get drunk? Why not finally tell Brooke and Finn what she really thinks of them? Why not wake up the next morning and find out she's done something terrible? Why not realize that she wrote to Revenge and therefore just ruined someone's life?
And payback is therefore served on a silver platter, too bad that now Revenge has Sabrina's life in their hands - and her secrets and her lies. Therefore Sabrina cannot refuse when Revenge only asks her for a "small favor" in exchange for silence about what they've done for her - too bad that this favor turns out to be almost fatal for someone else and that now the stakes are much higher .
Perhaps it lacked a bit of bite to really involve me deeply and keep me on my toes because, although Revenge's account was born as perhaps an act of social justice, it then turns into something increasingly personal and dangerous and I would have liked to see so more escalation - but it's still a good young adult thriller.
Sabrina is a character who is perhaps a little unbearable as you continue reading because the reader realizes how self-centered she is, focused on herself and her own needs and on what she wants, putting herself on a pedestal thinking that she is the best and most intelligent, always judging everyone else and pigeonholing them into stereotypes that she foists on them and then never takes off. But Sabrina is also a character you can understand - she lost her mother too young and since then, in order not to suffer, she has locked herself in her bubble made up of her and Emily (and once also Brooke) and refusing to let in somebody else. She therefore has an extreme need to always control everything, she doesn't like changes and often suffers from panic attacks.
She's not evil - after all, no one really is - so the decision to discover and reveal who Revenge really is is not just a matter of saving face, but also a genuine sense of guilt for what her actions, her anger, her envy and her frustration caused.
There are no heart-pounding scenes, there are no chapters that end with a cliffhanger, there are no moments of strong tension except in the final confrontation, but it still manages to entertain and keep the reader's curiosity alive.
The characters presented and involved in the story are not that many - also given the bubble in which Sabrina lives - therefore on the one hand we can also imagine that Revenge could be one of the people with whom she interacts and not just any complete stranger who jumps out of nowhere. While on the one hand perhaps the small number of suspects may not be pleasing and lead one to think that the solution is too easy, I think that the other option is also not stellar. And so, although there aren't many suspects, with the fact that things take a long time to get going, no one stands out more than anyone else and for a good three-quarters of the book I didn't know who to point the finger at. Then a clue here, a conversation there and I said to myself: wanna bet that Revenge in the end is...
And I got it.
Sabrina, on the other hand, had to face it the hard way, but I think it's also understandable and credible given the circumstances, the premises of the story and the characters of the people involved. Revenge's identity partly surprised me because I found the reasons behind the author's choice for this character to be well constructed, but can I say that it didn't even hit me like a kick in the stomach as I would have expected?
A Lie for a Lie is a novel that depicts very normal teenagers, dealing with more or less extended families, parents who have chosen to abandon the family and others who have had no choice and how this influences a child's character and growth, the dangers of reckless and uninformed use of social media, the social pressure of having to be admitted to an Ivy League college to be considered a truly successful person and not a failure.
And it could also be the first of a series because a question remains - Revenge says they didn't do a certain thing themselves nor had that someone actually done what they've thought they'd done. Then, surprise, it ends with what isn't a real cliffhanger, but which suggests there's room for more... or for someone else. On the other hand, Pretty Little Liars has always taught us that A. has never been a single person...
Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for the digital preview copy.
CONTENT WARNING: panic attacks, bullying, revenge, blackmail, attempted murder.
Imagine a story a little bit like Pretty Little Liars - secrets, blackmail, cell phones that all ring at the same time when something is posted... the author herself says in the final notes that she was inspired by the famous TV show.
Sabrina Richards is eagerly waiting to hear whether she has been accepted to Harvard or not - Harvard was her mother's dream college, a mother Sabrina sadly lost seven years ago, and ever since then she has worked hard and studied even harder to be admitted and thus fulfill that dream for both of them. Therefore there have never been parties or dates, activities that were pure fun and therefore did not serve to make a good impression on the admission application - she and her best friend Emily have always been alone against everyone, especially since Brooke dumped them at the beginning of high school after having caught the attention of the most popular boy in their year and school.
But shortly after witnessing a Revenge prank against one of the most famous couples of their year, Sabrina receives the news that her application for early admission has been rejected - what was the point of all those hours of study and commitment, of all that control over single aspect of ther life and panic attacks since her mother died to now fail like this, not being good enough and therefore disappointing herself, her father, but above all her dead mother?
The worst comes when she discovers by pure chance and from other people that Emily was admitted instead - Emily, who knew that Harvard was her dream school and who had told her that she wasn't interested and that she wouldn't apply for the same college because Harvard was Sabrina's. So why not finally make up for the lost adolescence and go to a party and get drunk? Why not finally tell Brooke and Finn what she really thinks of them? Why not wake up the next morning and find out she's done something terrible? Why not realize that she wrote to Revenge and therefore just ruined someone's life?
And payback is therefore served on a silver platter, too bad that now Revenge has Sabrina's life in their hands - and her secrets and her lies. Therefore Sabrina cannot refuse when Revenge only asks her for a "small favor" in exchange for silence about what they've done for her - too bad that this favor turns out to be almost fatal for someone else and that now the stakes are much higher .
Perhaps it lacked a bit of bite to really involve me deeply and keep me on my toes because, although Revenge's account was born as perhaps an act of social justice, it then turns into something increasingly personal and dangerous and I would have liked to see so more escalation - but it's still a good young adult thriller.
Sabrina is a character who is perhaps a little unbearable as you continue reading because the reader realizes how self-centered she is, focused on herself and her own needs and on what she wants, putting herself on a pedestal thinking that she is the best and most intelligent, always judging everyone else and pigeonholing them into stereotypes that she foists on them and then never takes off. But Sabrina is also a character you can understand - she lost her mother too young and since then, in order not to suffer, she has locked herself in her bubble made up of her and Emily (and once also Brooke) and refusing to let in somebody else. She therefore has an extreme need to always control everything, she doesn't like changes and often suffers from panic attacks.
She's not evil - after all, no one really is - so the decision to discover and reveal who Revenge really is is not just a matter of saving face, but also a genuine sense of guilt for what her actions, her anger, her envy and her frustration caused.
There are no heart-pounding scenes, there are no chapters that end with a cliffhanger, there are no moments of strong tension except in the final confrontation, but it still manages to entertain and keep the reader's curiosity alive.
The characters presented and involved in the story are not that many - also given the bubble in which Sabrina lives - therefore on the one hand we can also imagine that Revenge could be one of the people with whom she interacts and not just any complete stranger who jumps out of nowhere. While on the one hand perhaps the small number of suspects may not be pleasing and lead one to think that the solution is too easy, I think that the other option is also not stellar. And so, although there aren't many suspects, with the fact that things take a long time to get going, no one stands out more than anyone else and for a good three-quarters of the book I didn't know who to point the finger at. Then a clue here, a conversation there and I said to myself: wanna bet that Revenge in the end is...
And I got it.
Sabrina, on the other hand, had to face it the hard way, but I think it's also understandable and credible given the circumstances, the premises of the story and the characters of the people involved. Revenge's identity partly surprised me because I found the reasons behind the author's choice for this character to be well constructed, but can I say that it didn't even hit me like a kick in the stomach as I would have expected?
A Lie for a Lie is a novel that depicts very normal teenagers, dealing with more or less extended families, parents who have chosen to abandon the family and others who have had no choice and how this influences a child's character and growth, the dangers of reckless and uninformed use of social media, the social pressure of having to be admitted to an Ivy League college to be considered a truly successful person and not a failure.
And it could also be the first of a series because a question remains - Revenge says they didn't do a certain thing themselves nor had that someone actually done what they've thought they'd done. Then, surprise, it ends with what isn't a real cliffhanger, but which suggests there's room for more... or for someone else. On the other hand, Pretty Little Liars has always taught us that A. has never been a single person...
June 14, 2024
Reading this felt like binge watching a good teen drama show—I was hooked and finished it in one sitting!
A Lie for A Lie is a YA thriller that follows Harvard-bound, straight-A student Sabrina Richards as she tries to unmask the person behind @Revenge, the school’s anonymous social media vigilante-of-sorts. If you have a problem with someone, just message @Revenge and they’ll get what’s coming to them through an embarrassing public prank. When Sabrina finds herself in the deep end of Revenge’s game, she must figure out the account’s secret identity before their embarrassing consequences turn deadly.
The twists and turns this book takes you through are so good! I thought I had Revenge all figured out halfway through the book, but nope! No spoilers, I promise, but the ending is one that will make you want to re-read just to look for clues. I didn’t feel fully connected to the main character, Sabrina, but the plot and pacing made up for that and I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
The book is the first in the trilogy, so you best bet I’ll be keeping my eye out for those releases.
Thank you to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for the ARC!
A Lie for A Lie is a YA thriller that follows Harvard-bound, straight-A student Sabrina Richards as she tries to unmask the person behind @Revenge, the school’s anonymous social media vigilante-of-sorts. If you have a problem with someone, just message @Revenge and they’ll get what’s coming to them through an embarrassing public prank. When Sabrina finds herself in the deep end of Revenge’s game, she must figure out the account’s secret identity before their embarrassing consequences turn deadly.
The twists and turns this book takes you through are so good! I thought I had Revenge all figured out halfway through the book, but nope! No spoilers, I promise, but the ending is one that will make you want to re-read just to look for clues. I didn’t feel fully connected to the main character, Sabrina, but the plot and pacing made up for that and I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
The book is the first in the trilogy, so you best bet I’ll be keeping my eye out for those releases.
Thank you to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for the ARC!
June 14, 2024
Thank you to Smith Publicity and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Wow wow wow! If you are in the market for a new thriller (or are looking to get into the genre), this is the one for you. Sabrina Richards' aspirations are simple: as a soon-to-be high school graduate, she wants to attend her dream college, Harvard University, and pursue dreams that her parents, particularly her mother, would have wanted for her. However, high school is extremely difficult to navigate all on its own, but add in a social media account called @Revenge that will embarrass and even punish students... well... that is where things get interesting. Sabrina gets wrapped up in the latest schemes by @Revenge and it could cost her everything.
This book is the definition of un-put-a-downable. I was hooked. It is a shorter read, so I paced myself like it was a TV show so I could build up even more anticipation (though honestly, the book builds up the anticipation all on its own because, whew, it is a roller coaster).
The author does a fantastic job of describing life as a modern-day teen in high school with social media usage, technology, and the ever-present cliques and hierarchies that have been present in schools forever. The characters are well-written and well-thought-out.
I can't say this enough: this book is addicting. 5/5 stars. I wish I could read it again for the first time.
Wow wow wow! If you are in the market for a new thriller (or are looking to get into the genre), this is the one for you. Sabrina Richards' aspirations are simple: as a soon-to-be high school graduate, she wants to attend her dream college, Harvard University, and pursue dreams that her parents, particularly her mother, would have wanted for her. However, high school is extremely difficult to navigate all on its own, but add in a social media account called @Revenge that will embarrass and even punish students... well... that is where things get interesting. Sabrina gets wrapped up in the latest schemes by @Revenge and it could cost her everything.
This book is the definition of un-put-a-downable. I was hooked. It is a shorter read, so I paced myself like it was a TV show so I could build up even more anticipation (though honestly, the book builds up the anticipation all on its own because, whew, it is a roller coaster).
The author does a fantastic job of describing life as a modern-day teen in high school with social media usage, technology, and the ever-present cliques and hierarchies that have been present in schools forever. The characters are well-written and well-thought-out.
I can't say this enough: this book is addicting. 5/5 stars. I wish I could read it again for the first time.
June 16, 2024
First, thank you for having me as part of your book tour and gifting me with a copy of your book.
Boyfriend cheating? A bully wreaking havoc? A classmate plagiarising? Don’t get mad. Get @ Revenge.
At Milford High, they don’t like to sort there own problems, instead they head over to Revenge’s Instagram and let them dish out the punishments. What starts as pranks to teach them a lesson soon turns into something much worse. And this book keeps you gripped while you find out who Revenge actually is.
But with an introduction chapter like the one in this book, you don’t really need me to write a review. From the first sentence I had a million and one questions and lucky for me they all got answered.
With well places red herrings throughout you’ll think you’ve worked out who Revenge is time and time again. It was a fast read but one that leaves you wanting more. And lucky for us this is the first in a trilogy.
For anyone that loves Pretty Little Liars and AGGTM. This is definitely one to add to your bookshelf. It’s fast, it’s gripping, it’s a book you won’t want to put down.
Go and preorder. NOW.
-@ Revenge
Boyfriend cheating? A bully wreaking havoc? A classmate plagiarising? Don’t get mad. Get @ Revenge.
At Milford High, they don’t like to sort there own problems, instead they head over to Revenge’s Instagram and let them dish out the punishments. What starts as pranks to teach them a lesson soon turns into something much worse. And this book keeps you gripped while you find out who Revenge actually is.
But with an introduction chapter like the one in this book, you don’t really need me to write a review. From the first sentence I had a million and one questions and lucky for me they all got answered.
With well places red herrings throughout you’ll think you’ve worked out who Revenge is time and time again. It was a fast read but one that leaves you wanting more. And lucky for us this is the first in a trilogy.
For anyone that loves Pretty Little Liars and AGGTM. This is definitely one to add to your bookshelf. It’s fast, it’s gripping, it’s a book you won’t want to put down.
Go and preorder. NOW.
-@ Revenge
June 23, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to sit down and write a longer review for this one because I need people to read it.
First of all, if you like Pretty Little Liars or Gossip Girl, it has some similar vibes. I would say that the difference is that it's very gen Z, but in a nice way.
I usually don't like pop culture references in books but it was so well written in this one that I really enjoyed it. (I found the Taylor Swift reference funny and loved to know Sabrina is a Criminal Minds fan).
The characters !!! At first Sabrina seems to be some pick me girl but you can clearly see why she's not, and while I didn't agree with some of her actions I was still rooting for her. Also, the rest of the characters had depth.
I couldn't put this book down, it was so fun to read, the plot twists had me changing my theories. A YA thriller I would definitely recommend, I would also add that it can probably get you out of a reading slump.
I wanted to sit down and write a longer review for this one because I need people to read it.
First of all, if you like Pretty Little Liars or Gossip Girl, it has some similar vibes. I would say that the difference is that it's very gen Z, but in a nice way.
I usually don't like pop culture references in books but it was so well written in this one that I really enjoyed it. (I found the Taylor Swift reference funny and loved to know Sabrina is a Criminal Minds fan).
The characters !!! At first Sabrina seems to be some pick me girl but you can clearly see why she's not, and while I didn't agree with some of her actions I was still rooting for her. Also, the rest of the characters had depth.
I couldn't put this book down, it was so fun to read, the plot twists had me changing my theories. A YA thriller I would definitely recommend, I would also add that it can probably get you out of a reading slump.
June 15, 2024
ARC Review
A twisty YA thriller whodunit with Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars vibes!
Was this on the younger side of YA? Yes. But did I still eat it up and couldn’t put it down? Absolutely!
Jane Buckingham definitely did her research into modern teens because it’s spot on!! I’m a sucker for the PLL and GG vibes of some sort of texting/social media type of bully and this book seriously filled that void for me. The fact that she told the story so throughly and well in under 230 pages really had me shocked. I definitely thought I was going to be left with the feeling of wanting more but nope! It was wrapped up perfectly by the end.
I don’t know how, but I really didn’t see the twist coming. I pretty much read the book in two sittings (because of adulting). If you’re looking for a fun unputdownable type of thriller that’s just easy to get into, I would definitely recommend A Lie for a Lie!
A twisty YA thriller whodunit with Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars vibes!
Was this on the younger side of YA? Yes. But did I still eat it up and couldn’t put it down? Absolutely!
Jane Buckingham definitely did her research into modern teens because it’s spot on!! I’m a sucker for the PLL and GG vibes of some sort of texting/social media type of bully and this book seriously filled that void for me. The fact that she told the story so throughly and well in under 230 pages really had me shocked. I definitely thought I was going to be left with the feeling of wanting more but nope! It was wrapped up perfectly by the end.
I don’t know how, but I really didn’t see the twist coming. I pretty much read the book in two sittings (because of adulting). If you’re looking for a fun unputdownable type of thriller that’s just easy to get into, I would definitely recommend A Lie for a Lie!
June 20, 2024
I would like to thank LibraryThings and Jane Buckingham for an advanced copy of this book!
A Lie for a Lie is a story that takes place in high school with all the angst and turmoil that comes with it. The difference is that at this school, you can message an account, @Revenge, when you feel wronged, and they will assist.
While on the shorter side, I thought this book hit all of the marks for me! I felt as though I knew and cared about the characters. The setting was described in a way that I could picture it and not feel lost when the scenes changed. And most importantly, the story kept me guessing. The entire time I was trying to figure out who @Revenge was, and truthfully, even with the few guesses that I had, I was not able to figure it out. It made sense once the whole thing came together, but it was not something I saw originally.
Overall, I thought this was a really fun, and cute book. While it is YA, it is still an enjoyable read for an adult. I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for a quick read that offers a good twist.
A Lie for a Lie is a story that takes place in high school with all the angst and turmoil that comes with it. The difference is that at this school, you can message an account, @Revenge, when you feel wronged, and they will assist.
While on the shorter side, I thought this book hit all of the marks for me! I felt as though I knew and cared about the characters. The setting was described in a way that I could picture it and not feel lost when the scenes changed. And most importantly, the story kept me guessing. The entire time I was trying to figure out who @Revenge was, and truthfully, even with the few guesses that I had, I was not able to figure it out. It made sense once the whole thing came together, but it was not something I saw originally.
Overall, I thought this was a really fun, and cute book. While it is YA, it is still an enjoyable read for an adult. I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for a quick read that offers a good twist.
June 16, 2024
Meant for a YA audience, this book sucked in this adult! I could not put it down. I was drawn into this story from the first chapter.
The story is about a couple of high school girls who have been friends for years. One living with her somewhat absent father after her mothers death. An another living with her helicopter mother after her father abandons them.
Its the same thing that happens in every high school, girls wanting to be popular and wanting to attend the perfect college. And boys wanting to be great at a sports game to get them a free ride to college. Except there is someone who sets up a website where you can get revenge on someone who has done you wrong.
And this is where i got pulled in and could not stop reading. Great mystery, suspense that will keep you turning pages till the end.
Great read!!
The story is about a couple of high school girls who have been friends for years. One living with her somewhat absent father after her mothers death. An another living with her helicopter mother after her father abandons them.
Its the same thing that happens in every high school, girls wanting to be popular and wanting to attend the perfect college. And boys wanting to be great at a sports game to get them a free ride to college. Except there is someone who sets up a website where you can get revenge on someone who has done you wrong.
And this is where i got pulled in and could not stop reading. Great mystery, suspense that will keep you turning pages till the end.
Great read!!
June 5, 2024
A Lie for a Lie is a gripping YA thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The book is fast-paced as well as enticing, so it's almost impossible to put it down after you pick it up. Author Jane Buckingham perfectly encapsulates what it's like to be a high school student in this day and age: the inevitable complications of social media usage and the stresses involved in college applications. In addition to the compelling plot and well-drawn characters, the novel tackles important themes that elicit realizations of consequences for our actions. Overall, this is one of those books that I wish I could read for the first time again. Just when you think you have everything figured out, Buckingham throws in another twist that will take you by surprise. This masterpiece must be read by YA fans everywhere.
June 21, 2024
A lie for a Lie was a twisty teen drama turned dangerous. Sabrina is in high school dealing with the normal teen drama of: mean cool kids, the cliques, boy troubles, BFF drama, and the like. Added to her teen drama is the fact that she’s missing her mom. Since tragically loosing her mom she’s lived with her dad who now has a new girlfriend. Sabrina’s one goal is to go to Harvard as her mom would have wanted. Well, the day the early college letter comes, the lies begin. And then, @revenge steps in!
I was so invested in this teen thriller. I had to know who @revenge was! I had so many guesses with all the possible teen suspects, and I was not correct at the end. I enjoyed this one with all the teen drama and twists and turns. Very entertaining!
I was so invested in this teen thriller. I had to know who @revenge was! I had so many guesses with all the possible teen suspects, and I was not correct at the end. I enjoyed this one with all the teen drama and twists and turns. Very entertaining!
June 5, 2024
3.5 stars
At Milford High, if you are wronged, you simply have to send an Instagram message to get revenge.
A very quick read about the mistakes teens make and the ways they use social media to "rectify" those mistakes. I read this entire book in one sitting. I thought I had it figured out, and I didn't, so that was a plus! It did go a little off the rails for me at one point in the reveal, but I often forget these books are meant for people half my age, and they live for off the rails! 😂
Thank you to Smith Publicity for my review copy! This novel hits shelves this month & is Part 1 in a trilogy. I'd definitely read the rest of this series, and, if you know me, you know that says a lot!
At Milford High, if you are wronged, you simply have to send an Instagram message to get revenge.
A very quick read about the mistakes teens make and the ways they use social media to "rectify" those mistakes. I read this entire book in one sitting. I thought I had it figured out, and I didn't, so that was a plus! It did go a little off the rails for me at one point in the reveal, but I often forget these books are meant for people half my age, and they live for off the rails! 😂
Thank you to Smith Publicity for my review copy! This novel hits shelves this month & is Part 1 in a trilogy. I'd definitely read the rest of this series, and, if you know me, you know that says a lot!
June 21, 2024
MY REVIEW
' A Lie For A Lie' is a coming of age story revolved around betrayal, mystery and....murder. It's the first book in an upcoming trilogy.
It's a YA book and I felt it had a bit of The Point Horror vibe to it which I really enjoyed. I read it in one sitting and thought I knew who Revenge was but the plot twist threw me off course.
Looking forward to seeing what's next in the series. If you're a fan of Pretty Little Liars then you will love this short read.
' A Lie For A Lie' is a coming of age story revolved around betrayal, mystery and....murder. It's the first book in an upcoming trilogy.
It's a YA book and I felt it had a bit of The Point Horror vibe to it which I really enjoyed. I read it in one sitting and thought I knew who Revenge was but the plot twist threw me off course.
Looking forward to seeing what's next in the series. If you're a fan of Pretty Little Liars then you will love this short read.
May 27, 2024
I was sent an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review. I really liked this book and the mystery of it all kept me hooked. I found Sabrina, the fmc, really likable and relatable for a teenage girl trying to navigate life, friendships, and college hopes. The drama and mystery of the @revenge account was really interesting.
May 30, 2024
I think I spent a majority of this book in between 3 and 4 stars. Personally, I wish there was a bit more of a shock factor sooner on in the book. The ending completed the story quite well but I’m also now left with some questions. I’d still recommend this book, it was a nice easy read. Not anything too gruesome so I wouldn’t worry about any TW. I’d definitely read another book by this author!
June 23, 2024
A Lie for a Lie was a quick, fun read that sucked me in immediately. In similar to fashion to Mean Girls and Pretty Little Liars, the drama does not let up, making this un-putdownable!
If you enjoy thrillers, high school drama, and twists that keep you guessing, this book is for you!
Thank you, LibraryThing, for a copy of this book!
If you enjoy thrillers, high school drama, and twists that keep you guessing, this book is for you!
Thank you, LibraryThing, for a copy of this book!
September 10, 2024
This book explores what happens when you get back at someone at Milford High. All you have to do is message someone at message revenge and your problem will be taken care of. There are so many twists and turns, betrayals, deceptions and secrets. Readers will find it hard to put down. Thank you for the opportunity of receiving this book. I have already passed it on.
May 27, 2024
This is a fun and twisty YA whodunnit for fans of Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl. I was guessing and guessing wrong until the big reveal.
June 19, 2024
This book brought back so many memories from high school.
It's a mix between Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars and I'm here for it!
I thought it started out a little slow, but it definitely picked up and I really enjoyed it! It was a quick read for me and I love that about a book!
It's a mix between Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars and I'm here for it!
I thought it started out a little slow, but it definitely picked up and I really enjoyed it! It was a quick read for me and I love that about a book!
August 5, 2024
*Received a free copy via Good Reads giveaway*
This was a super fun young-adult thriller! I genuinely enjoyed the story and swallowed up this book as quickly as I could. Definitely excited for the sequel.
This was a super fun young-adult thriller! I genuinely enjoyed the story and swallowed up this book as quickly as I could. Definitely excited for the sequel.
August 19, 2024
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway. The first few chapters were a little slow for me. However it picked up and sucked me in. I really liked the twists and turns of Sabrina, Emily, and Brooke. It was a very good, quick read.
May 9, 2024
This was such a fun read!! The perfect combo of Gossip Girl and a captivating thriller! This book is super bingeable, I read it all in one day! There were so many twists and turns that I just wanted to keep reading until it was over!
Thank you to Smith Publicity for the ARC!
Thank you to Smith Publicity for the ARC!
August 17, 2024
This was a quick YA read that had this adult hooked. Who doesn’t love it when you get to see karma at work? But it’s not what it seems in this book. I spent the whole time trying to figure out who “did it.” Definitely looking forward to the sequel.
May 22, 2024
3.75 stars
July 25, 2024
so good!
This book is so well written and full of so many twists and turns. I can usually figure out where a plot is going but not this time. I absolutely loved it!!!
This book is so well written and full of so many twists and turns. I can usually figure out where a plot is going but not this time. I absolutely loved it!!!
August 31, 2024
Twist and turns that keep me intrigued from beginning to end!!! It was a great book to read and keep me guessing and I enjoyed everything about it!
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