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Lies To Forever

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First they stole her trust. Now they want her life.

April Manning’s generous nature has always been a gift, and her greatest weakness. After being scammed out of her life savings by a trusted friend, April is left with an eviction notice and one last hope: reclaiming her position as an interior designer at her old architectural firm, even if it means a showdown with head architect Hunter Ellis, her cheating ex.

But that’s not the only hitch. When the owner of the firm turns up dead, the last thing April expects to find is the bloody murder weapon on her doorstep.

Now the killer sets a plan for April and suspicion flares at every turn…from the mysterious new handyman, to an estranged family member she’s tried to forget. Chased from her dream home and cornered like prey, April is hemmed by the wintry forests of Tennessee with few options. As chilling memories of childhood abandonment haunt her, it seems everyone has a hidden agenda to take April down.

Only one thing is certain. A monster is stalking Smoky Creek, and April must unmask them before they land the fatal blow.

Editorial Reviews

"Opening with the striking line, I WAS EVICTED twenty minutes ago, the novel instantly anchors readers in April's spiraling crisis. A must-read for fans of smart, character-driven suspense fiction. Highly recommended." - The International Review of Books

"Marlene M. Bell drops a white knuckled, sleep loss-inducing mystery thriller in LIES TO FOREVER, slipping its fingers into the reader's collar and yanking them hard into this fast-paced read. A worthy investment of time and loss of sleep, as the call to turn just one more page beckons." - IR Review

"A fan of Agatha Christie-like cozy mysteries, I indulged in every episode of Marlene M. Bell's Lies to Forever and could not get enough. It is one of those delightful stories where the author engaged me in the investigation from the start and let me discover the truth as the plot thickened. But, notwithstanding all the fair play and my four decades of reading murder mysteries, the ending took me by surprise!"- Readers' Favorite 5 Stars

316 pages, Paperback

Published March 9, 2026

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About the author

Marlene M. Bell

9 books2,036 followers
Marlene M. Bell shares many traits with the bold, curious protagonists she writes, chief among them, the uncanny ability to stumble down unexpected paths. Her foray into writing began with popular articles on raising sheep, only to veer into far more thrilling territory with the acclaimed Annalisse series. Starring a New York antiquities appraiser who chases dangerous criminals in far-flung locales, the series has won eight international literary awards and an avid fan base around the world.

When Marlene’s not busy plotting her next heart-pounding novel, she’s exploring her wooded Texas farm with camera in hand and thirty sheep faithfully in tow. As an accomplished painter and nature photographer, she’s always hunting for the next spark of inspiration—or the next adventure calling her name.

Visit marlenembell.com to stay up to date with new releases or request a signed copy.


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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Coral - Sebas.
56 reviews3 followers
April 6, 2026
A thriller with an intense and incredibly gripping plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The protagonist is a woman who has been evicted from her home and is on the verge of a breakdown when she discovers the body of her former boss. As she becomes entangled in the investigation, she encounters a treacherous friend, a dangerous and stalking stranger, and an ex-boyfriend she’ll have to trust to find the killer before he kills her. There are plenty of suspects and constant, ingenious twists that keep you hooked page by page until the unexpected ending. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Hiddengems for sending me an advance copy and giving me the chance to share my thoughts on the book.
Profile Image for READER VIEWS.
5,119 reviews403 followers
April 17, 2026
April Manning is having one hell of a day. An eviction notice, thousands stolen from her bank account, and a dead body. Glenn, the man she had been renting from and helping while he convalesced from an injury, has vanished, leaving only the eviction notice in his wake. Needless to say, she is in dire need of some financial assistance and sets up a meeting with her former boss from an architecture group, hoping to secure her old job. But she finds him murdered in cold blood outside his mansion, and what she believes to be the murder weapon used to kill him is on her doorstep. Is someone trying to frame April?

Enter Hunter Ellis, April’s ex-boyfriend, whom she still has a weakness for. He vows to keep April safe while she deals with the dumpster fire that is her life. Between threatening gifts, gunshots on her property, and a persistent admirer, it’s clear that someone is trying to mess with April, but why?

Lies to Forever by Marlene M. Bell is a fast-paced thriller, teeming with close calls and nefarious clues. With a handful of characters involved, none of them is above suspicion: the missing landlord, the stalkerish maintenance worker, the estranged mother, or someone else. The author has done an excellent job of creating a palpable eeriness—one that makes April wary. The novel explores themes of revenge and internal conflict.

April Manning’s steady life in the sleepy little town where she resides has been upended—she’s lost everything, her job, her income, and she wonders if her sanity will be next! More plot-driven than character-driven, readers are taken along for the ride as April navigates questioning from detectives, dodges literal bullets, and is the recipient of some very disturbing gifts. Like watching each grain of sand rush through an hourglass or a ticking time bomb, each chapter intensifies until it reaches a crescendo. Will the suspect targeting April be stopped in time, or will she suffer the consequences?

Scouring the options for your next high-octane thriller? Marlene M. Bell’s Lies to Forever will appeal to readers who enjoy a fast-paced novel, brimming with suspense. April is being pursued by a deranged killer who ruthlessly destroys everything she owns, resulting in an edge-of-your-seat (with all the lights on) reading experience that will resonate with fans of the genre.

Profile Image for Sharon.
1,070 reviews
May 10, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
Thank you to the author for the free copy 💖.

This was a quick, easy, and entertaining novel that kept my attention from the start. It’s fast paced, and the tension escalates as you read, making you question everything and everyone. With super eerie details (the chimes made my skin crawl) and so many unknowns, the story kept me turning the pages. I needed to find out who was behind all the drama!

After being scammed out of her savings, April returns to her old interior design job, despite having to face her cheating ex. But when she tries to meet with her former boss, she finds him murdered. Then the murder weapon is mysteriously delivered to her house, and a series of increasingly strange and dangerous events develop.

As soon as I started, it gave me an immediate sense of unease that made everything feel a bit ominous, which was great. I didn’t always agree with April’s choices (she didn’t seem the sharpest), but I was still hooked and wanted to figure out what was going on. I felt that the detectives felt a bit too laid back…I felt a lack of urgency that didn’t always match how serious things were. I did figure out who was behind it all before the reveal as some parts felt a little predictable, but I still enjoyed the action and the ending. Overall, the story was creatively layered and came together in a satisfying way.

While it wasn’t perfect, the suspense, eerie atmosphere, and constant tension made it an enjoyable read.

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (rounded up to 4⭐️ on Goodreads)

Read if you like:
🎐Murder mysteries
🎐Psychological suspense
🎐Short chapters
🎐Fast paced reads
🎐Messy relationships

⚠️CW: Murder, violence, gun violence, stalking and harassment, kidnapping, isolation, confinement, blood, emotional manipulation, mentions of infidelity, childhood abandonment, gaslighting, terminal illness, death.
778 reviews14 followers
May 8, 2026
Originally reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)

The stakes continually rose higher and higher for April. All at once, she discovers that her life savings is gone, she’s homeless, and there is no source of income to rely on, due to decisions made in an effort to support an ailing friend. Just when I thought that there might be an opportunity for some peace, she’d get hit again with a life-altering blow that firmly dictated her absolute need for job security.

It makes sense that April would choose to go back to her old job. When she attempts to meet up with the former boss to see if it would even be an option for her, she discovers his body, and that’s where the instigating moment begins and all hell breaks loose. There is no safe space for her at every turn; not her home, or out in public. Not even far out within the Tennessee woods. Someone keeps finding her, putting her life, and anyone she associates with, in jeopardy.

Lies to Forever was the best kind of suspenseful thriller. For most of the journey, I wanted to know why April has been targeted, and who the culprit(s) might be. The police begin to question her authenticity, whether everything that is happening to her is really someone else’s handiwork, or if it’s self-inflicted, and it even got me questioning her motives! The people April trusts become potential culprits. Family isn’t off limits, either. Can someone really be so unlucky? Or is there more going on beneath the surface?

When the end unravels and the truth is revealed, everything is turned on its head. The experience is wild and risky, with April’s life hanging in the balance. I appreciated the mystery and intrigue, never really knowing what would come next for April or for any of the other characters that are there to support her–or are they? Everybody is questionable, and that’s what made Lies to Forever so much fun.
Profile Image for Sherry Fundin.
2,359 reviews173 followers
Read
May 18, 2026
Lies To Forever by Marlene M Bell is dark and dangerous for April Manning. Marlene writes some fabulous mysteries, but she has upped her game with this convoluted thriller, filled with obsession and betrayal.

April's life is moving along and she's feeling good about herself and her situation...until she's finds her savings has been siphoned from her bank account. Her generous nature leads to her downfall when she is served an eviction notice and the landlord of her dream home is missing. Her boss at the architecture firm she works for comes up dead. Everything revolves around April, but she has no clue why she is in someone's crosshairs.

She is being stalked and set up to take the fall. Mysterious packages appear on her doorstep, wind chimes appear out of nowhere, bringing her past to mind, a past she thought she had left behind.

She's lucky that her exboyfriend, Hunter, willingly steps up to the plate to help her out. It made me very suspicious. Her friend and coworker, Kelly, offers her some money and a place to stay. There are plenty of suspects as the investigation develops. Do they want her dead?

My spidey senses were tingling and my suspicions grew as the story moved along at a steady clip. The book has short chapters that make for easy reading. As the suspense grew, my need to know the answers increased. I love that there are those 'don't go in the basement' moments.

My thanks go out to Marlene M Bell and Ewephoric for the opportunity to review Lies To Forever.
Profile Image for Chloe.
132 reviews1 follower
May 18, 2026
April Manning is having an utter nightmare of a day! An eviction notice for the home she adores, thousands of pounds wiped out from her savings account, and discovering her former bosses dead body, not to mention the stalker leading behind little gifts. Surely things can't get any worse, right?

This book was anxiety inducing from the start! I mean, that's one hell of a bad day. I really enjoyed the eerie-ness that the writing style portrayed and I had it devoured within 2 days. Fast-paced, entertaining and crammed with tension, what more could you want from a thriller.

April is completely naive and a stereotypical people pleaser. You sympathise with her situation a lot but or me, was an unlikeable protagonist but also want to give her a little shake. However, I do know people like her in real life, and paired with April's childhood, that makes her actions somewhat believable.

Overall, I would definitely recommend giving this a read, it had me gripped and questioning everyone's motives until the end. The only minor issue i had was that I would have liked a more fitting conclusion with her mum, but it's not something that make's a huge difference.
Profile Image for Melanie Falconer.
1,179 reviews32 followers
March 28, 2026
This is a new suspense/ thriller by author Marlene M. Bell. I had previously read and enjoyed her cozy mystery- A Hush at Midnight. Wow, you are really going to be rooting for the main character in this book- April Manning. April is kind, but a little naive at times and finds herself out of work, about to be evicted and swindled out of her savings. April desperately wants her old job back and when she can’t find her old boss at the office, she heads to his house. There she finds that he is dead and quickly April finds herself in the middle of an investigation of a killer. As the past comes back to haunt her and the search for the killer puts her in harms way, April finds an unlikely ally in her ex-boyfriend Hunter. Definitely a fast-paced suspense novel! I was given an early copy of Lies to Forever by the publisher for an honest review of the book.
202 reviews20 followers
March 25, 2026
"I wax given an early copy of Lies to Forever by the publisher for an honest review of the book." April Manning is not having a good day. She is scammed out of her savings account by a trusted friend, gets an unexpected eviction notice and finds herself without a job. April discovers that the owner of the firm she worked at is dead after she went to see if she can get her job back. The police have no suspects. When strange things begin to happen to April she begins to fear for her life. Someone is stalking her and tries to kill her everywhere she goes. Her old boyfriend Hunter helps her to find out who is stalking her before she is killed. Lies to Forever has lots of actions and twists.
Profile Image for Theresa Ryan.
20 reviews
March 29, 2026
Thanks to the publisher for the eARC for an honest review.

This book was an enjoyable thriller - what I thought was going to happen, didn't. The twists made the storyline more captivating.

It was a quick read and fast paced. The short chapters work well here.

#LiestoForeverADomesticThrillerMystery #NetGalley
262 reviews7 followers
May 25, 2026
wow..totally did not expect who did it!! Kept my interest the whole time...
Profile Image for Lisa.
395 reviews67 followers
April 22, 2026
Marlene Bell has once again delivered an amazing story ! I’ve read all her books and this one is my favorite! Do yourself a favor and grab it and don’t expect to put it down for very long -I just kept turning the pages This story has it all - great characters a journey and enough heart ache to make the ending memorable Bravo,Marlene !
Profile Image for Millard Hiner.
5 reviews
Read
March 30, 2026
If you enjoy a mix of international intrigue, forensic details, and a slow-burn romance that packs a punch, Lies to Forever is a must-read. It’s a sophisticated thriller that proves some secrets are better left buried—while others will inevitably come to light.
Profile Image for Natalie.
485 reviews17 followers
May 20, 2026
One of the great pleasures of running a book blog is receiving submissions from authors and diving into their stories. Most often these arrive as digital ARCs, but every once in a while I’m fortunate enough to receive a physical copy. In this case, author Marlene M. Bell kindly sent me a signed paperback of her latest release, Lies to Forever, complete with a personalized note and a charming bookmark.

This is Marlene’s first foray into suspense thrillers. It follows April Manning, a generous but trusting interior designer whose life is upended when a close friend swindles her out of her savings, leaving her facing eviction. Desperate to regain her footing, April reluctantly returns to her old architectural firm—despite the painful memories it holds. Her homecoming quickly takes a dark turn when murder strikes close to home, pulling her into a web of suspicion, betrayal, and danger. Set against the wintry backdrop of Tennessee, the novel explores themes of trust, hidden agendas, and resilience as April fights to clear her name and rebuild her future.

The story kept me turning pages and held my attention throughout. I especially enjoyed April and the secondary character Hunter; both are warm, likable protagonists who are easy to root for. I felt genuine empathy for April as one misfortune after another piled on top of her. While the sheer volume of challenges she faces sometimes felt overwhelming, it effectively ramped up the suspense and tension.

That said, a few elements held the book back from its full potential. The dialogue occasionally became confusing, requiring me to reread passages to track who was speaking. As someone who reads a lot of thrillers and watches true-crime documentaries, I also noticed some procedural inaccuracies around police interrogations that pulled me out of the story. These moments felt like missed opportunities—realistic legal boundaries could have still allowed the necessary information to surface while keeping the narrative grounded.

Overall, Lies to Forever is an engaging read with a sympathetic heroine and a snowy Tennessee atmosphere that adds to the moody feel. While it didn’t quite reach the level of some of my favorite thrillers, it offers a solid mix of emotional stakes and suspense.

I’m truly grateful to Marlene and her marketing team for reaching out and for the lovely signed copy and bookmark. I received the book in exchange for an honest review.

I have photos and additional information that I'm unable to include here. It can all be found on my blog, in the link below.
A Book And A Dog
Profile Image for Leanne.
1,232 reviews104 followers
April 7, 2026
Lies to Forever has that deliciously uneasy feeling from the very first chapter — the sense that someone is watching from just beyond the tree line, that danger is already circling long before April Manning realises how close it’s crept. What begins as a story of heartbreak and betrayal quickly deepens into something darker, threaded with obsession, old wounds, and the kind of fear that settles in your bones.

April is such an easy character to root for. Her generosity, her softness, the way she keeps trying to rebuild even when life keeps knocking her sideways — it all makes her feel painfully human. Watching her return to her old firm, bracing herself to face the ex who broke her trust, you can’t help but hope she finally catches a break. Instead, she finds herself pulled into a nightmare: a murdered colleague, a bloody weapon left on her doorstep, and a stalker who seems to know exactly how to corner her.

The wintry Tennessee setting adds a lovely chill to the whole story. Those forests feel both beautiful and claustrophobic, the kind of place where sound disappears and shadows linger too long. Every character around April seems to carry a secret — the new handyman with his unreadable calm, the estranged family member who stirs up old hurts, even the people she once trusted. That constant uncertainty gives the book a taut, breathless rhythm.

What I enjoyed most is how the tension builds without ever losing the emotional thread. April’s past, her abandonment, her longing for safety — all of it shapes the choices she makes, and the danger she finds herself in feels all the more real because of it. The twists land with satisfying sharpness, but it’s the atmosphere and the character work that linger.

Dark, fast-paced, and quietly haunting, Lies to Forever is a gripping thriller about trust, survival, and the shadows we carry. A perfect pick for readers who love their suspense laced with emotion and just a touch of winter chill.

With thanks to Marlene M Bell, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Profile Image for Book Reviewer.
5,156 reviews480 followers
May 8, 2026
Lies to Forever by Marlene M. Bell is a romantic suspense mystery with a strong domestic thriller pulse. It follows April Manning, an interior designer whose life falls apart almost all at once: she is facing eviction, her savings vanish, her landlord disappears, and then she finds her former boss murdered in the snow. From there, the book pulls April into a web of lies, obsession, old wounds, and dangerous people who may know far more about her life than she does.

What I appreciated most was how quickly Bell drops the reader into trouble. April doesn't ease into crisis. She is shoved into it, bruised, cold, broke, and scared, and that gives the story immediate energy. The writing is brisk and very visual, especially in the early scenes with the snow, the blood near the hot tub, the frozen bank account, and the uncomfortable feeling that April’s own home is no longer safe. Some moments are blunt in a way that worked for me. April thinks fast, panics honestly, and sometimes makes messy choices. That made her feel relatable.

The book keeps asking who April can rely on: the charming ex, the generous best friend, the strange handyman, the missing landlord, even her own memory of the past. As a mystery, it leans into suspicion from nearly every angle, and as romantic suspense, it keeps emotional tension close to physical danger. The plot is busy, and I occasionally wanted a little more breathing room between twists. Still, the momentum is part of the book’s design. It wants to keep the floor moving under April’s feet.

I would recommend Lies to Forever to readers who enjoy fast-paced romantic suspense, small-town mystery, and domestic thrillers where personal betrayal matters as much as the crime itself. It will especially appeal to readers who like heroines under pressure, tangled friendships, and stories where danger feels close to home. Lies to Forever is engaging, dramatic, and easy to keep turning pages.
Profile Image for Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm).
1,201 reviews94 followers
May 25, 2026
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
💨 enjoy quick reads
🕵🏻‍♀️ like to play detective
🍀 have bad luck
📖 love short chapters

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

April Manning’s generous nature has always been a gift, and her greatest weakness. After being conned out of her life savings she’s left with an eviction notice and one last hope: reclaiming her old job at an architectural firm, even if it forces a showdown with head architect Hunter Ellis, her cheating ex-boyfriend.

There’s only one small hitch. The owner of the firm is dead, and the last thing April expects to find is the bloody murder weapon on her doorstep.

As the killer runs free, disturbing reminders arise from April’s troubled childhood, and suspicion flares at every turn…from the mysterious new handyman, to an estranged family member she’s tried to forget. Only one thing is certain. Death is stalking April, and she must unmask the killer before they land the fatal blow.

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This was a wild story! I love being thrown directly into the plot. April is someone that you can’t help but root for, especially because she isn’t always the brightest bulb in the box. I wanted to jump into the story and help her figure things out, as her life was falling apart at the seams at every turn. From losing her house to being stolen from and then finding her boss murdered, I had my suspicions about who was behind it all. I’m proud to say that I was right, but I loved how the pieces slowly unveiled themselves. The chapters were short, which I always enjoy, and the story moves along at a nice clip! If you’re a fan of mysteries and whodunnits, pick this one up today!
147 reviews5 followers
June 2, 2026
What stayed with me after reading Lies To Forever is how the story builds its suspense around betrayal and vulnerability, placing a woman who has already lost her trust and financial security into an increasingly dangerous situation where every relationship becomes a potential threat.

April’s circumstances feel emotionally compelling because her challenges begin long before the murder mystery unfolds. The loss of her savings, the threat of eviction, and unresolved wounds from the past create a foundation of uncertainty that makes every new development feel more personal and consequential.

What stands out is how the novel appears to balance psychological tension with a classic whodunit structure. Suspicion shifts from one character to another, hidden motives emerge, and the truth remains just out of reach, creating the kind of mystery that encourages readers to keep questioning their assumptions.

The isolated setting and atmosphere of Smoky Creek add another layer of unease, turning the environment itself into part of the tension as April finds herself increasingly cornered and unsure of whom she can trust.

Readers who usually gravitate toward character-driven suspense, psychological thrillers, and mystery novels filled with secrets, betrayal, and unexpected twists will likely connect with this because it combines emotional stakes with a steadily escalating investigation.

What lingers is the unsettling realization that losing trust in the wrong person can sometimes be only the beginning of the danger.
92 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 15, 2026
I was given an early copy of Lies to Forever by the publisher for an honest review of the book. This is a page turning, bite your fingernails, can't put down book. It is a fast, intense, riveting, captivating story from beginning until the end.
April takes time off from her job at an architectural firm to take care of her landlord and friend while he is recovering from an electrical accident. April suddenly gets an eviction notice, her life savings is mysteriously taken out of her bank, and her landlord friend has disappeared. She goes back to the firm to get her job back while she knows she will be working closely again with her ex-boyfriend Hunter who cheated on her.
When the owner of the firm is not at work, April goes to his home to try to talk to him about going back to work, and finds his dead body. The police have no suspects, and April is the only one around when the body is found, so the police are suspicious of her. Bizarre things begin to happen, and April is scared her life is in danger and doesn't know why. Someone from her past shows up unexpectedly with devastating news. Someone is stalking April and tried to kill her everywhere she goes; even in public she is not safe.
Someone she least expects offers April help and emotional support, and together they must find out who the killer is before April is killed. Lies to Forever is full of heart stopping action, twists, and is thrilling all the way to the conclusion.
Profile Image for Linda Zagon.
1,765 reviews224 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 15, 2026
WOW! Marlene M. Bell, the Author of “Lies to Forever” has written an intense, edgy, suspenseful mystery and thriller. In this well written novel, the author vividly describes the landscape, the plot, the events, and the dramatic characters. The characters are complex, complicated, flawed. There are betrayals, lies, danger, threats, and murder. The female protagonist, April Manning is certainly not having a great day. She gets an unexpected eviction notice, and finds herself also without a job. It seems that her dreams have been postponed for whatever reason. She discovers that the owner of the firm she had worked at, is dead. Soon after, she gets a “present” sent to her, that of the bloody weapon that killed him, which makes her look like a suspect. A torturing reminder from her past of wind chimes, comes back to haunt her when someone puts them up, wherever she stays.

An ex-boyfriend and also a friend from the job try to give her some money and offer a place to stay. There are unknown tire tracks, and someone sends flowers to April with a wire in it. Someone is stalking April, and wants something. Someone also trashes her belongings, many of them dear to her . I read this book in one sitting and was really surprised at the motive and who the true suspect is. I highly recommend this powerful thriller.
Profile Image for Gina Rae Mitchell.
1,415 reviews109 followers
May 18, 2026
A tense, fast-paced domestic thriller filled with betrayal, revenge, and hidden motives.

One line from the description perfectly captures April Manning as a character: “April Manning’s generous nature has always been a gift, and her greatest weakness.” That emotional vulnerability drives much of the tension throughout the story and makes the danger surrounding her feel especially personal.

April is already facing one of the worst periods of her life when the story begins, and things only spiral further from there. Between betrayal, suspicion, financial devastation, and mounting danger, the pressure never really lets up.

Marlene M. Bell creates so many believable suspects that it becomes difficult to know who can truly be trusted. The suspense remains strong throughout, and the steady pacing makes this a very easy “just one more chapter” kind of read.

Themes of trust and revenge dominate the story, but there is also an emotional layer tied to abandonment and resilience that gives the thriller additional depth.

I found this highly entertaining from beginning to end and easily one of those books that keeps you fully invested in uncovering the truth.

Read more book reviews at
Gina Rae Mitchell • Championing Indie Authors & Stories Worth Discovering

Profile Image for Connie Hill.
1,932 reviews48 followers
May 28, 2026
MY THOUGHTS
Lies to Forever is a stand alone thriller that is written by Marlene M Bell. This book held my attention from the moment I started to read, and did not let go. April Manning is having to start over. She is an interior designer, but falls victim to a scammer. She arrives at an old architectural farm, and suddenly she finds herself having to clear her name when the owner of the firm is found dead on her doorstep.

Her ex boyfriend, Hunter - offers to try and keep her safe. However she still has a soft spot for. Her life has suddenly become a dumpster fire and I had a front row seat to watch it unfold. I love that April is a relatable character. She is flawed. I love characters that are not perfect or cookie cutter. I also love the setting of the book - I love the Smokey Mountains. I loved the short chapters. I also was suspicious of EVERYONE.

This book is well written, the storyline is suspenseful and engaging. I hope to read more from this author. Thank you to the author, publisher and IRead book tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own
Profile Image for Victoria Brinius.
769 reviews36 followers
May 26, 2026
I was very happy to read this book. especially since I have read her previous Annalisse series. I have also read A Hush at Midnight. You can read that review HERE! Marlene is one of my favorite authors now. I love the quick short chapters and the interlaced characters. You never know what character knows another character. I love the book settings and how the author uses them to incorporate the plot. The characters are not always what they seem, and their pasts are not always good. This book was great because it had a mystery until the last scene. Did Kelsey really just say that? Did April really get a letter from her mother? What is in it? I really love a story that has a good ending and not a cliff hanger. This story definitely delivers a great ending. There are also real life dilemma in this story from identity theft to low income housing issues. I have not even mentioned Hunter. What a guy! I am giving this book a 5/5. I loved the plot, characters, setting and ending. I was given a copy, however all opinions are my own. This is definitely an author that I will be following.
Profile Image for Kimberly Hicks.
Author 1 book196 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 27, 2026
I wanted to really like this story. I truly gave it my undivided attention and tried to follow along with what the author was trying to convey, but for me, this story just didn’t live up to the synopsis.

My first issue was April Manning, our protagonist. This woman wasn’t just generous but downright stupid, dare I say. She did things that just didn’t make any kind of sense which left me angry, frustrated, confused and aggravated. I haven’t disliked characters this much in many years of my reading experience. April came off as an airhead and I hate to refer to this character that way, but she wasn’t just naïve but downright an idiot in her decision making and actions.

Second, the continuity of the storyline didn’t always mesh with what the characters were doing. It would seem to me if your ex-boss was murdered and you were at the scene and called the police, as you should do, once the news got out, one would assume the people within his business would have known right away. Instead, it seemed like hours before anyone at her old firm had even found out their fearless leader had been murdered. And instead of worrying about who did it, all April seemed to care about was her home that she allegedly was being thrown out of. I say allegedly because she occupied the space for most of the book. Which brings up another thing that grated on my nerves, if you receive notice to vacate the premises, how is it you get to still stay on the premises and go about your life as if you weren’t ever served?

If it wasn’t about the house, she was no longer able to live in, but lived in, it was her money that came up missing. Hmm, if you leave your laptop and banking information in a drawer where your roommate can retrieve it and steal your money, I’m pretty sure it’s a safe bet your roommate was the thief, right? Or at the very least, why on earth would you leave pertinent information lying about for anyone that came within inches of your space could retrieve it?

Please let’s not leave out the banter and conversations April had with her ex and coworkers. The way these characters behaved seemed very childish and not at all how adults should act and respond to one another. There were tons of cliché moments sprinkled throughout the storyline. At the end of the day, I just couldn’t take this story anymore. It literally drove me insane. I thought I was going to be dealing with a murder mystery and all I got was a very silly, idiotic woman who put herself in situations that, if she would have put much thought into, wouldn’t have had to deal with in the first place. Sheesh!

As much as I hate to give such a low rating to any author, two stars was all I could muster. This story could have been so good if more time had gone into research and proper detail into developing characters. I’m sure this isn’t what the author was going for but it’s how I interpreted her words. Unfortunately, I was not a fan of this book.
Profile Image for Anjali Sharma.
1,025 reviews65 followers
May 21, 2026
Lies to Forever follows April Manning, whose life takes a terrifying turn after she loses her savings in a scam and returns to her old workplace, only to find herself tangled in a murder investigation when a bloody weapon appears at her doorstep.

As buried family secrets and unsettling memories from her childhood resurface, danger seems to follow her everywhere.

This book was such a gripping page-turner for me. There genuinely wasn’t a single dull moment while reading it. I was completely hooked trying to figure out who could be trusted and what really happened.

If you love thrillers/mysteries packed with twists, secrets, suspense, and nonstop intrigue, this one is definitely worth picking up!
Profile Image for Emily C..
343 reviews13 followers
March 29, 2026

April returns to her position at a prestigious architecture firm after a much-needed break, only to find that unthinkable disaster seems to be waiting around every corner. To make matter worse, her own life is hanging by a thin thread. Every second counts, and the danger is closing in. Can April stay one step ahead of the killer lurking in the shadows?

Marlene M. Bell delivers another gripping thriller LIES TO FOREVER, a story packed with mounting tension, clever crafted twist and nonstop suspense. Each chapter pulls you deeper in and refuses to let go until you have reached the final page!
10 reviews
April 21, 2026
Read as an advanced copy on NetGalley. I love a crime novel and have read 100s of them. I was intrigued by the cover thought the description sounded great so I was excited to read this. Unfortunately I did not enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I found the dialogue stilted and unrealistic and it made the characters seem unsympathetic and hard for me to empathise with. I persevered through the first section and was rewarded with some exciting and dramatic sections in the middle but ultimately found the “grand reveal” of who was behind everything underwhelming and unrealistic. Sorry this one was not a favourite of mine.
Profile Image for Crystal Green.
119 reviews129 followers
May 22, 2026
Lies to Forever by Marlene M. Bell was a book I couldn’t wait to dive into once I received my advanced reader copy. From the description alone, I expected a fast-paced suspense story filled with twists, danger, and the kind of mystery that keeps you flying through the pages late into the night. The overall concept behind the story absolutely delivers on that potential because the storyline itself is strong, emotional, and honestly unsettling at times.

If I hadn’t personally lived through years of being stalked and harassed myself, I probably would have struggled to believe some of the situations April experiences in this story were even possible. But because of my own past, this book hit differently for me. It made the fear, anxiety, and emotional toll feel far more believable and personal. I found myself needing to know how things would ultimately turn out for April and whether she would finally find peace by the end.

Read the rest of my review on my blog, Sharing Life's Moments.
Profile Image for Kimberley H.
768 reviews19 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 15, 2026
A fast paced, highly suspenseful and engaging storyline. Hooked from the first sentence, as a woman’s life begins to crumble from eviction notice to mysterious unwanted gifts, and murder. A renewed love interest, estranged family, and highly suspect characters emerge to keep one guessing throughout. Descriptive writing assists in envisioning a background and environment that contributes much to the story. A fabulous read one won’t want to miss!

I was given an early copy of Lies to Forever by the publisher for an honest review of the book.
6,219 reviews
May 26, 2026
I have always loved diving into a new novel from Marlene M Bell. When I had the chance to read her latest, Lies To Forever, I jumped at the opportunity. I found myself instantly captivated with this story. I admired April's courage and bravery all throughout the book. The plot was action packed and unpredictable. There were so many twists and turns, that my head was often spinning. I never knew what happen from chapter to chapter. I felt like I was riding on a thrilling roller coaster. I kept wondering on who done it. Just when I thought I had it solved, I was once again left guessing again. Overall this was a fabulous novel that was full of danger, mystery, suspense, adventure, and action. I loved reading every single page. I had no problem reading it from cover to cover in one sitting. A perfect way to spend a nice spring day on my back porch.


Lies To Forever will be getting five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for fans of suspense filled mysteries and thriller fiction. I will be on the look out for the next release from Marlene M Bell to see what she has in store for her readers. I believe that this one is definitely worth a read and not to be missed.



I received an advanced paperback reader copy of Marlene M Bell's Lies To Forever from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
17.2k reviews181 followers
April 5, 2026
Her friend has taken all her saving leaving her at risk of losing her home. She is soon caught up in a mystery when a bloody murder weapon appears on her doorstep. She has to face her cheating ex as she tries to get her life back. Everyone around her seems to be plotting against her. See how she can get into a better position and a happier place
I received an advance offer from hidden gems and a thrilling read
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