Her First Lie: A Thriller

by Lucinda Berry

In this chilling prequel to The Perfect Child, USA Today bestselling author Lucinda Berry plunges readers into the dark origins of a family’s secrets, where good intentions pave the road to unspeakable acts and a mother’s love might be the deadliest inheritance of all.

Becky Watson learned early that trust is a weapon and secrets are survival. From foster homes to abandoned backroads, she and her childhood confidant Orion have buried more than just memories. Now, as a college freshman, Becky’s harboring her most dangerous secret her newborn daughter, Janie.

Desperation drives Becky to contact her estranged grandmother, Lillian. She swoops in like a guardian angel, but her salvation comes with a poisoned price tag. Behind Lillian’s nurturing facade lurks a web of generational secrets. As buried truths claw their way to the surface, Becky faces an impossible sacrifice her daughter or herself to break a twisted family legacy.

Genres: Thriller

283 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 31, 2026

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Lucinda Berry is a former psychologist and leading researcher in childhood trauma. She’s written multiple bestsellers reaching millions of readers worldwide. Some of her bestselling works include The Perfect Child, Saving Noah, When She Returned, The Best of Friends, and Keep Your Friends Close. Her books have been optioned for film and translated into several languages.

If Berry isn’t chasing after her son, you can find her running through Los Angeles, prepping for her next marathon. To hear about her upcoming releases and other author news, visit her on social media (@lucindaberryauthor) or sign up for her newsletter at https://lucindaberry.com.

Reviews

[Alya ( 20 comments restriction )]

We're getting more of Janie!!!! Omfg I'm so ecstatic -- the perfect child was everything!!!!! If this isn't another 5 star I'm gonna riot please please don't mess it up I'm begging 😭

[Christina C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Her First Lie is the prequel to The Perfect Child. Lucinda Berry is a fabulous author who writes intense, emotionally charged stories that make you feel all kinds of emotions. This story focuses on Becky, exploring her childhood and how those experiences shape the way she raises her daughter.

The novel deals with heavy themes such as child abuse and neglect, which may be difficult for some readers. Overall, it’s a powerful read.

I finished this in 1 day. Really hard to put down

[Caitlin Van Dette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ultimate villain origin story, no wonder Janie turned out the way she did. Read it in one sitting and I already have to restart it to fully grasp the masterful web Lucinda Berry has spun. Generational trauma does such a number on everyone involved.

This book broke me in ways I can’t even describe. Utterly devastating 10/10❤️

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC

[Reisa Bolog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! First favorite book of the year! I was so happy to receive this from NetGalley and immediately devoured it!!! This is a prequel to the perfect child and can be read as a standalone. Beginning with a surprise pregnancy the book takes many twist and turns. I was fully invested in all story lines and loved it! I’m going to reread the perfect child now to fully absorb what I just read.
Check your triggers, child abuse, SA (not in graphic detail)

[Asha Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW!

This book was crazy at every single turn. This backstory is extremely beneficial after reading The Perfect Child. I was in constant shock through the whole thing and now we have answers to why Janie is the way she is and how her upbringing contributed to that.

[Carrie Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝑩𝒂𝒅 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒗𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒂 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏...𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒐? 𝑾𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒂𝒅 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕."

THE PERFECT CHILD is my all-time favorite book from this author, and this chilling prequel focuses on the origins of a family shaped by secrecy and survival. Becky Watson has spent her life learning that trust can be dangerous, lessons forged in foster homes and unstable childhoods. Now a college freshman, Becky is hiding a life-altering secret: her newborn daughter, Janie. With no safe options left, she reaches out to her estranged grandmother, Lillian, hoping for stability and support, unaware of how deeply that decision will entangle her in her family’s past.

The sharp realism present in every work by this author comes from her former career in psychology. She easily paints a picture of such vivid, horrific generational trauma and abuse. Becky’s internal world is shaped by what she has endured, and the novel shows how early harm quietly rewires decision making and self-worth. Told in dual timelines, the tension builds through the exploration of both inherited fear and the unspoken rules passed down through families rather than relying on gratuitous violence. The author allows the unease to develop gradually, making the reader feel the weight of history pressing in on every choice Becky makes. The chapters with her mother were especially difficult to read although wholly vital to the story.

This was a stunning, impactful five star read. As a prequel, it adds vital context to THE PERFECT CHILD, and I strongly suggest reading this book after as intended as I think the visceral reaction will be so much stronger. This author is not known for her happy endings, but you will come away with a greater understanding of how cycles of abuse are formed and how difficult they are to escape, especially when love and survival are intertwined. Many thanks to Thomas and Mercer for this early copy. This book will publish April 21, 2026.

[Britney Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star read by Lucinda Berry!

Her First Lie is coming out on April 21st 2026 and I am so ecstatic to be able to read an ARC copy and leave a review for you all. Lucinda Berry is one of my favorite authors of all time and if you’ve never checked her out please do so.

This book is the prequel to The Perfect Child. Where we were first introduced to Janie, a troubled 6 year old abandoned at a local Walmart covered in blood, scabs and scars, wearing only a heavily soiled diaper. A must read!

Now we get the story from the beginning of Janie’s life from birth to being abandoned. The story of the people who shaped her into the child we read about in The Perfect Child.

We are introduced to the people she had in her life from birth till 6 and see how their actions shaped her to be the Janie we all know. We hear of her mother and her childhood and more of what happened in the past.

We hear of the call to Gloria which had my jaw on the floor once it all started tying in so perfectly together from what we read in The Perfect Child.

I just really enjoyed this read from the beginning till the very end. It really touches on some family struggles and the way it shapes them to be in the future.

I do recommend reading The Perfect Child and the sequel to The Perfect Child called A Welcome Reunion before reading Her First Lie. All 3 are five star reads for me!

Thank you to #netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!

#LucindaBerry #HerFirstLie #ThePerfectChild #netgalley

[Chellsvibes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucinda Berry once again delivers an incredible story. If her past books pulled you in, this one will too. Her stories never go easy on you, and neither does this one. Her First Lie is a companion novel to The Perfect Child, taking us deeper into Janie’s life and who she was before. This story is tragic, heartbreaking, and filled with heavy themes of abuse and trauma. There are many trigger warnings, so readers should go in prepared. Her stories never go easy on you, and neither does this one.
Even with all the darkness, this book also carries hope, love, and understanding. It shows why each person becomes who they are, How their past shapes them, and how trauma holds onto you long after it happens. This was emotional, heavy, and haunting, definitely not for the faint of heart. Dark and raw in every way.
Her First Lie pulls you into a darkness you cannot shake. You walk in prepared and still get wrecked. It is emotionally brutal, but impossible to put down. Each character’s story is felt deeply, even when you do not fully understand their choices. This book stays with you long after the last page. If you’ve read her other books, you already know to be prepared. Trust her storytelling, it never misses. For fans of dark emotional reads, this one delivers. You walk in prepared and still get wrecked.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZThBMbHHm/

[TheNovelNomad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her First Lie is a chilling and emotionally grounded prequel that deepens the legacy of The Perfect Child with devastating precision. Lucinda Berry explores the origins of a family’s darkest secrets through Becky Watson, a young woman shaped by instability, survival, and impossible choices.

What stands out most is how deliberately this story examines generational trauma. Becky’s desperation, her guarded trust, and her fierce yet fragile love for her daughter feel rooted in lived experience rather than dramatics. The tension builds quietly, driven by character and consequence, until it becomes clear that safety and salvation are not the same thing.

Lillian’s presence is especially effective ,her nurturing exterior masking something far more dangerous — reinforcing the novel’s central question of whether love can harm as much as it protects. Knowing where the story ultimately leads only intensifies the emotional weight of each decision Becky makes.

Dark, unsettling, and deeply human, Her First Lie doesn’t just add context to the series — it reshapes it. A powerful and haunting exploration of inheritance, sacrifice, and the cost of survival.

[Reading Xennial · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read quite a few of Lucinda Berry’s work and I’ve always been engulfed by her books and this one is no different. It’s hard to say that I enjoyed this book because there’s nothing enjoyable about it, but it’s more intriguing because of morbid curiosity about its traumatic events. I couldn’t put it down. It has a lot of triggers that the reader might want to be aware of if they’re sensitive to certain topics.

This book is a prequel to The Perfect Child and shows how Janie got to where the original book started. I was so stoked that I was able to read this book early because I was so intrigued by the first one and the novella. It was a decent prequel and it lined up well with the original story. This book is mostly in the POV of Janie’s mom (Becky) and there is a sideplot that goes along with Becky’s upbringing. This isn’t a book I would widely recommend because of the subject matter, but if you’ve read the other books in this series then I highly recommend it and feel it’s worth your time.

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for allowing me to read this early. The opinion in this review is my own.

[Di'Jon Winston · Rating 5 out of 5]

My very first book from Lucinda Berry that I’ve ever read was the Perfect Child and I was HOOKED. So I was thrilled to be getting more Janie after the Welcome Reunion. “Her First Lie” gives us more insight to Janie’s beginnings and her lineage and honestly just explains so much of why Janie is the way that she is! Janie quite literally never stood a chance. Janie’s mom Becky grew up in an abusive household and then had a short stint in foster care that wasn’t any better. Even still Becky persevered and made it to college with a scholarship and was doing ok for herself. Then she unexpectedly gives birth to Janie (think “I didn’t know I was pregnant”) and her world begins to spiral. Becky has the best intentions and things just don’t go as planned. Her First Lie had me hooked from page one! If you plan to read it, start with “The Perfect Child” then “A Welcome Reunion” and THEN come back to “Her First Lie”. Check your triggers as this book deals with a lot of sensitive subjects. Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this Advanced Readers Copy.

[Another Read by Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

👀 🤥 ARC REVIEW 🤥 👀

PUB DATE: April 21st 2026

My Rating: Maybe 🤔 Traumatic Maybes

Well in true Berry fashion this is another book that was one twist away from total chaos .

This is the prequel that proof not every story needs a before .

Told through alternating timelines, multiple POV’s , we get an inside look into Janeie’s mother Becky .

For me this one just didn’t land the way I had hoped for . I felt the storyline was not holding my attention and had too many things happening which for me was hard to find a connection and no real sense of character depth .

Like most of Berrys book there is generational trauma , dark twists and that popcorn thriller vibes you’d expect from here novels .

For me this one just didn’t work , it had lots of promise with little payoff for me , so for me this is a maybe .🤔

However the reviews out of 61 ratings on Goodreads are at 4.44 so please do not let my review keep you from reading this if you’re a Berry fan 🖤

Thank you NetGalley , Thomas & Mercer and Lucinda Berry for this ARC 🙏

Respectfully Another Read by Angie

[Michelle Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Lucinda Berry, and the publisher for the ARC and the opportunity to review this book.

As a prequel, this novel offers some helpful background on Janie, which longtime fans of Lucinda Berry’s work will likely appreciate. It showcases how generational trauma manifests and continues to wreak havoc.

However, I went into this expecting a more intense and gripping experience, particularly given Berry’s reputation for delivering dark, emotionally charged stories and having read many of her other books.

While the premise was intriguing, the execution felt somewhat uneven, and the pacing lacked the tension and urgency I typically associate with Berry’s novels. Overall, it was an acceptable read, but it did not deliver the level of suspense or cohesion I had hoped for.

I always seem to feel a little let down with her books as she takes on such traumatic and life altering stories but they always feel like they are missing something…

3⭐️⭐️⭐️

[kenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg my heck!

okay firstly I've been waaaaiting for this to come out! and well it was absolutely worth the wait!
I 👏🏻 ATE 👏🏻 THIS 👏🏻UP
one thing about Lucidas Berry's writing is it takes her about one page to have me deeply captivated by her books. I knew this book was going to be incredible and she definitely surpassed my expectations.

Her first lie is a prequel to Lucinda Berry's book
the perfect child. This talks about how Janie became the child Janie is prior to the perfect child.
Generational trauma is REAL and this story touched on that sensitive topic so well while still giving us an incredible story.

there's so much I want to say and so much I want to talk about, but I do not want to ruin this amazing story so you will have to read it for yourself!
it is available April 21st and I can't wait for you all to get your hands on this book!

THANK you netgally and Lucinda Berry for this opportunity.

[DeeBunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect child is—and will always be my favorite L. Berry book. I’m glad she came out with the prequel. That I got to read early! Um first off this book was very sad, like very tragic. Janie never had a chance at life from beginning because her mom’s life was even worse. Becky (Janie’s mom) had the worst mom I have probably ever read about in my life. Alottt of abuse. Check trigger warning for sure. But the author nailed every point. Although it was a great twist I definitely was disappointed that the grandmother wasn’t any good and basically implicated the same abuse onto Janie and Becky. Truly truly sad. The part where Becky finally realized she had to let Janie go— which is how she ended up with the parents she has in “The Perfect Child” makes sense. Overall this book kept me hooked.

[McBreakneck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read The Perfect Child back in 2021, then binged all of Lucinda Berry’s book and have read every new one as soon as possible since.

In Her First Lie we get the full backstory and family history of Janie (The Perfect Child). It’s hard with a new prequel, you already know some of how it ends and the author must build new tension with other plot lines while staying true to the event already told.

Lucinda Berry does a great job with this, Janie’s mother’s struggle, and there’s a Police case with human remains discovered in the grounds of a foster home. I like how it shows without trying to explain the actions and decisions of certain characters.

While it doesn’t quite reach the dizzying heights of The Perfect Child it’s a must for fans of that book.

Recommended, I’ll still recommend reading The Perfect Child first.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

🚨 Attention lovers of The Perfect Child 🚨 This is not a drill! (Check your TW as always)
The prequel aka Janie’s villain origin story drops this April 21 2026, and I was lucky enough to read an ARC… and wow, it did not disappoint.

In true Lucinda Berry fashion, this book is dark, twisty, and completely unputdownable. I loved finally filling in the gaps from The Perfect Child and learning what happened before Janie was found in that Walmart parking lot. The overlapping side stories were such a highlight and really kept me hooked the entire time.

Full disclosure: while The Perfect Child is one of my all-time favourites, A Welcome Reunion wasn’t quite a hit for me, so I went into this one a little unsure. I’m happy to report this was a 5-star read. I absolutely loved what this story added to my already favourite Lucinda Berry book.

[Madeline Church · Rating 2 out of 5]

After Her First Lie, I think that Lucinda Berry might just not be for me. I have read one other book by this author, not liking it, so I decided to give it another shot. Unfortunately, it was not any better in my opinion.

I will acknowledge that there is potential I did not really enjoy this because I did not read The Perfect Child. This book is a prequel to that novel. You should be able to read each as a standalone, though. However, I think this book is more geared towards those who have read The Perfect Child.

Since I did not read the other book, I was not invested in the characters at all. The storyline was not particularly interesting to me. Overall, it was a miss.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, & Lucinda Berry for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the twisted madness that was the Perfect Child, so it was without hesitation that I grabbed this one and drove right in, even though I had other books on my list I needed to get to first. This one, couldn't wait.

This was so crazy messed up good. I couldn't put it down. I ended up reading it in one day, putting off laundry, dishes, dinner (sorry family!), and everything else. I was that enthralled. That wrapped up in it all. I just couldn't get enough.

So much made sense now. So much still didn't. But most of all, I was caught up in the horrific awesomeness of it all. I just couldn't get enough. So well done!!

*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

[Korey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was everything I hoped it would be and honestly more. Having Janie’s story told in this order across the three books was such a smart choice, and saving this prequel for last made the emotional impact hit SO MUCH HARDER. Everything clicked into place in the most devastating way.

Lucinda Berry is unmatched when it comes to psychological thrillers. I felt everything in this one. Becky’s story wrecked me… I felt like I was right there with her, experiencing every high, low, and heartbreak. That poor girl went through it, and I was fully emotionally invested the entire time.

Heartbreaking, intense, and impossible to put down. An absolute 5-star read for me.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[ThrillersDoodles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one.
It touches on breaking strong, negative family patterns. Maybe.

First Reaction: Hooked by the prologue!

Character Connection/ Development:
Decent development without going overboard. I needed to know how they fit and what was about to happen. As usual, some characters pull stronger thoughts and feeling out of you!

Level of hooked after first 3 chapters:
Enjoying it so far and looking forward to continuing.

What to expect:
- [x] 3rd pov multi
- [x] Dual timeline
- [x] Twists
Topic(s): family drama, murder mystery, foster system, mental health

Flow and Pacing:
- [x] Hooked
- [x] Engaging

Recommend:
Yeah, for sure!

With thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advance digital copy.

Quotes:
“I didn’t heal. I just kept going.”

[Joanna Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for the advanced digital copy of Her First Lie .

This book is a prequel to The Perfect Child . It contains heavy themes of abuse , neglect and dark family secrets. May not be suitable for some readers .

I was invested in the story and finding out the backstory of Janie and her biological family . Turns out they are all crazy and unhinged. Janie’s mom Becky tries to do her best with what she knows but she comes from a teen mom (Cerena) who’s abusive and neglectful . Becky ends up calling in her long lost Grandmother Lillian for help and she seems like the answers to her prayers . Turns out she’s not what she seems and it goes from bad to worse in a hurry . Ms. Berry knows how to keep you invested in this one !

[Brandy Dougan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I went into Her First Lie pretty much blind, only knowing that it was a prequel to The Problem Child. Lucinda Berry did not disappoint! The rollercoaster of emotions throughout this book was wild. One minute I was baffled by Janie and the next I was relating. The trauma the was endured by pretty much every character was written with so much depth. I truly couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. The twists were shocking and terrifying. Obviously Lucinda Berry can do no wrong and she clearly proved that with Her First Lie.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer for the advanced copy through NetGalley.

[Jacinta Janik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaw on the floor!!! First page I was captivated. Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, something would come up that made everything else seem tame. This was a Prequel to her book The Perfect Child. As someone with generational trauma and going through stages to heal, this book hit close to home. I was emotionally invested throughout. I don’t want to give too much away so I will let you discover the secrets yourself 👀. This was my first read from Lucinda and I will be reading the other books to discover more of the story. Highly recommend!

Thank you @netgallery @lucindaberryauthor
RELEASE 21st APRIL 2026

[Melissa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the prequel we have all been waiting for!! Well done Lucinda Berry. We were all captivated by Janie’s story in “The Perfect Child” so to see Janie’s origins didn’t disappoint.

This was definitely a page turner as the crazy just kept happening. Janie’s mother Becky’s experience as a child will leave you gasping and also understanding how Janie became the way that she did.

I think this could be read before “The Perfect Child” if you haven’t read it yet but you definitely NEED to read both.

[Kelly Veit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her First Lie is the prequel to The Perfect Child and, for me, it was even better than The Perfect Child! We get the back story on how Janie came to be adopted and all of the devastating things that her mom, Becky, went through in her life that lead up to that point. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has read The Perfect Child and was left wanting more of Janie’s story! If I could gives half stars, I would give this one 4 1/2 instead of 5 just because the ending felt a bit rushed. Thank you NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Alyssa Newsome · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an absolutely wild ride. I loved getting some insight into Janie’s upbringing and all the trauma she experienced. This really helped to form the whole picture and the generational trauma within the family. Knowing that Janie’s life didn’t turn out the way Becky wanted it to is heartbreaking. If I were to have read this first I would have had such high hopes for Janie, but knowing how things turned out with Christopher and Hannah…ugh. Some things felt loosely strung together, but overall I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

[Autumn Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love a good prequel and this one didn't disappoint!!

The Perfect Child was so good and knowing what we learned about Janie just makes this book so good because it put everything together.

There were so many villains in this story but the sad thing is that the story is believable because the foster system is truly a mess so it's no wonder that trauma and undiagnosed mental health issues can run rampant within a family and Janie would be the unfortunate result.

Heartbreaking. Tragic. But yet another absolutely incredible book by Dr. Berry!!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this not knowing it was a prequel to another one of her novels but I’m glad to say I still found it very engaging and easy to follow. It still stood strongly as its own story. Although the subject matter of the book was heavy at times, and heartbreaking, the author approached it with sensitivity and intention while keeping me engaged throughout the whole book. The fast pace of the story kept me emotionally invested and made it hard to put the book down. This is only my second book I’ve read from this author but I definitely look forward to reading more from her.

[Dani Donahue · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This prequel to The Perfect Child is intense, heartbreaking, and very on-brand for Lucinda Berry. It pulled me in right away and was a fast, easy read with a few twists I didn’t see coming. I really liked getting Becky & Janie’s backstory but I could’ve done without mom guilt, Janie is a terror so no need to rip my heart out. The “now” timeline wasn’t my favorite and made the ending feel a bit rushed, but overall it was emotional, gripping, and well worth the read. Lucinda fans will definitely enjoy.