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Lie, Lie Again
For three women with so much to hide, there’s no such thing as a little white lie…
All three women who live at 1054 Mockingbird Lane have secrets…and with a body at the bottom of their apartment building’s staircase, those secrets need to stay buried.
Sylvia Webb has a plan. And a potential Mr. Right. He’s sweet, simple, and dependably clueless about what she’s up to. The only thing unpredictable about him is his needy ex-girlfriend, who is this close to shattering Sylvia’s dreams. But Sylvia’s not going to let that happen.
Riki McFarlan has a good career and an amazing boyfriend who wants to settle down. If only she didn’t have feelings for her neighbor—who happens to be her close friend’s husband. With everything going so right, why is Riki flirting with something so wrong, so…dangerous?
Embry Taylor is as devoted to her children as she is to her husband, who’s a bartender by night, an aspiring actor by day. She is his biggest fan. But with his career not taking off and tensions high, even sweet Embry has something she’s desperate to keep hidden.
Lies, secrets, and revenge. For three neighbors with stakes so high, someone is headed for a downfall.
All three women who live at 1054 Mockingbird Lane have secrets…and with a body at the bottom of their apartment building’s staircase, those secrets need to stay buried.
Sylvia Webb has a plan. And a potential Mr. Right. He’s sweet, simple, and dependably clueless about what she’s up to. The only thing unpredictable about him is his needy ex-girlfriend, who is this close to shattering Sylvia’s dreams. But Sylvia’s not going to let that happen.
Riki McFarlan has a good career and an amazing boyfriend who wants to settle down. If only she didn’t have feelings for her neighbor—who happens to be her close friend’s husband. With everything going so right, why is Riki flirting with something so wrong, so…dangerous?
Embry Taylor is as devoted to her children as she is to her husband, who’s a bartender by night, an aspiring actor by day. She is his biggest fan. But with his career not taking off and tensions high, even sweet Embry has something she’s desperate to keep hidden.
Lies, secrets, and revenge. For three neighbors with stakes so high, someone is headed for a downfall.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2021
2552 people are currently reading
7133 people want to read
About the author
Stacy Wise
5 books233 followersStacy Wise is the author of Lie, Lie Again, which releases on 1/1/21. Her other novels include Beyond the Stars and Maybe Someone Like You. She lives in California with her family. Before becoming a full-time writer, Stacy worked in television casting on shows including Party of Five, The X Files, and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. When she's not dreaming up stories, you can find her beating up the bag at a kickboxing gym or walking her dogs, Bailey, Bear, and Luna.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 463 reviews
January 15, 2021
What a pleasant surprise! I just loved it!
A domestic drama about three women who are friends and neighbors. Together they navigate through life’s never-ending obstacles in pursuit of what else…happiness and success of course. Maybe even with a bit of love tossed in.
Embry: Still in her early twenties. A Mother of two loving children with a handsome (soon to be movie star) husband that she adores. But she’s hiding a secret that threatens to put her marriage at risk.
Riki: Teaches in a private elementary school. She’s constantly hounded and questioned by privileged parents regarding their golden children. Forcing her to walk a fine-line in order to keep her job. As for her personal life...she has a boyfriend she just can’t seem to commit her heart to. Perhaps because she covets someone she shouldn’t?
Sylvia: Overly confident and won’t hesitate to step on anyone to get what she needs. When she learns her boyfriend may not be as ‘available’ as he lets on…well let’s just say, Hell hath no fury. You get where I’m going with this one!
“Remember, if at first you don’t succeed, lie, lie again”
I enjoyed every minute of this book! I completely lost myself in the lives of all three women, and even though they were not perfect, (Who is?) I loved them all.
Not fast paced, nor a twisty shocking thriller. I would describe it comfortable and highly entertaining. And it was all I could think about until I could dive back into the pages!
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways, Lake Union Publishing and Stacy Wise for a copy to read and review.
A domestic drama about three women who are friends and neighbors. Together they navigate through life’s never-ending obstacles in pursuit of what else…happiness and success of course. Maybe even with a bit of love tossed in.
Embry: Still in her early twenties. A Mother of two loving children with a handsome (soon to be movie star) husband that she adores. But she’s hiding a secret that threatens to put her marriage at risk.
Riki: Teaches in a private elementary school. She’s constantly hounded and questioned by privileged parents regarding their golden children. Forcing her to walk a fine-line in order to keep her job. As for her personal life...she has a boyfriend she just can’t seem to commit her heart to. Perhaps because she covets someone she shouldn’t?
Sylvia: Overly confident and won’t hesitate to step on anyone to get what she needs. When she learns her boyfriend may not be as ‘available’ as he lets on…well let’s just say, Hell hath no fury. You get where I’m going with this one!
“Remember, if at first you don’t succeed, lie, lie again”
I enjoyed every minute of this book! I completely lost myself in the lives of all three women, and even though they were not perfect, (Who is?) I loved them all.
Not fast paced, nor a twisty shocking thriller. I would describe it comfortable and highly entertaining. And it was all I could think about until I could dive back into the pages!
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways, Lake Union Publishing and Stacy Wise for a copy to read and review.
December 6, 2020
This was a fun story...but it was NOT a thriller.
This was pure, contemporary women's lit. And although there was a death, it was quite vanilla.
Told from three character's perspectives...Sylvia, Embry, and Riki...the reader gets a first hand look at each woman's secrets, sorrows, and daily lives.
Sylvia was bitchy, diabolical, and manipulative...and I kind of loved her. Girl was totally crazy and took zero shit from anyone. Her chapters were my favorite because I never knew what in the world she was going to do next. Embry was the epitome of sweetness and southern charm. I enjoyed her chapters...and could probably relate to her the most. Riki was my least favorite...she was whiny, grating, and annoying. Further, her chapters were repetitive.
Lie, Lie Again: A Novel kept my attention, so I'm rating it 3.5 stars...but I'm rounding down because the synopsis was misleading and I was expecting something entirely different.
I do recommend this if you're looking for something fun, light, and not in the thriller/suspense genre.
Available January 1, 2021.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my review copy.
This was pure, contemporary women's lit. And although there was a death, it was quite vanilla.
Told from three character's perspectives...Sylvia, Embry, and Riki...the reader gets a first hand look at each woman's secrets, sorrows, and daily lives.
Sylvia was bitchy, diabolical, and manipulative...and I kind of loved her. Girl was totally crazy and took zero shit from anyone. Her chapters were my favorite because I never knew what in the world she was going to do next. Embry was the epitome of sweetness and southern charm. I enjoyed her chapters...and could probably relate to her the most. Riki was my least favorite...she was whiny, grating, and annoying. Further, her chapters were repetitive.
Lie, Lie Again: A Novel kept my attention, so I'm rating it 3.5 stars...but I'm rounding down because the synopsis was misleading and I was expecting something entirely different.
I do recommend this if you're looking for something fun, light, and not in the thriller/suspense genre.
Available January 1, 2021.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my review copy.
November 17, 2020
This is a fun, grab-your-popcorn sort of book that was so fun to read! Three women connected by proximity, and a whole bunch of lies!
The opening chapter starts with a bang—a body found at the bottom of the stairs at 1054 Mockingbird Lane. From there the book travels back in time and the story is told in a mostly linear format, as we lead up to who the body is at the bottom of the stairs and how it came to be there. And let’s just say there are several characters who may have done something to deserve ending up there!
The book reads more like contemporary suspense than psychological thriller through most of it, but in a good way. Don’t go in expecting a straight thriller because I’m not sure that would completely capture this story. While the book begins with a hint as to the mystery, I’d say this is more about the journey that gets you to that mystery.
Three women are at the center of the story, each connected to the others by the proximity of living in apartments at 1054 Mockingbird Lane. There is Riki, a private school teacher in her mid-twenties who has a dream boyfriend but can’t help but fall in love a bit with her very attractive aspiring-actor neighbor Brandon. Embry, a southern belle beauty and mom of two (with one on the way) who happens to be married to Brandon, and also happens to be keeping her latest pregnancy a secret. And finally, there is Sylvia, a successful marketing professional who suspects her boyfriend may be keeping something from her related to his needy ex-girlfriend.
As you learn more about these three women, let’s just say that while they are all compelling in their own way, Stacy Wise has truly written quite a character in Sylvia. Sylvia is a wild ride and she is not someone to cross. She is smart, driven, and completely unafraid to be a little bit devious.
One thing that was really compelling were the glimpses we got of the backstory to these three women. None of them are quite as simple as what meets the eye. Even Sylvia, whose hardened exterior can make her seem unsympathetic at times, really connected with her elderly land lady, developing a friendship that was sweet. There are lots of small moments like this that humanize the women in different ways. Because Sylvia is so strong, hers serve to show her softer side. For Embry and Riki, the opposite is true. They seem outwardly sweet and naïve, but each has a bit more steel to her than meets the eye.
I got lost in their stories, so I nearly forgot we were heading towards that dead body for a bit! Expect lots of secrets, lies, and revenge along the way, and then a slam-dunk ending.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Suzy Approved Book Tours for my copy. Opinions are my own.
The opening chapter starts with a bang—a body found at the bottom of the stairs at 1054 Mockingbird Lane. From there the book travels back in time and the story is told in a mostly linear format, as we lead up to who the body is at the bottom of the stairs and how it came to be there. And let’s just say there are several characters who may have done something to deserve ending up there!
The book reads more like contemporary suspense than psychological thriller through most of it, but in a good way. Don’t go in expecting a straight thriller because I’m not sure that would completely capture this story. While the book begins with a hint as to the mystery, I’d say this is more about the journey that gets you to that mystery.
Three women are at the center of the story, each connected to the others by the proximity of living in apartments at 1054 Mockingbird Lane. There is Riki, a private school teacher in her mid-twenties who has a dream boyfriend but can’t help but fall in love a bit with her very attractive aspiring-actor neighbor Brandon. Embry, a southern belle beauty and mom of two (with one on the way) who happens to be married to Brandon, and also happens to be keeping her latest pregnancy a secret. And finally, there is Sylvia, a successful marketing professional who suspects her boyfriend may be keeping something from her related to his needy ex-girlfriend.
As you learn more about these three women, let’s just say that while they are all compelling in their own way, Stacy Wise has truly written quite a character in Sylvia. Sylvia is a wild ride and she is not someone to cross. She is smart, driven, and completely unafraid to be a little bit devious.
One thing that was really compelling were the glimpses we got of the backstory to these three women. None of them are quite as simple as what meets the eye. Even Sylvia, whose hardened exterior can make her seem unsympathetic at times, really connected with her elderly land lady, developing a friendship that was sweet. There are lots of small moments like this that humanize the women in different ways. Because Sylvia is so strong, hers serve to show her softer side. For Embry and Riki, the opposite is true. They seem outwardly sweet and naïve, but each has a bit more steel to her than meets the eye.
I got lost in their stories, so I nearly forgot we were heading towards that dead body for a bit! Expect lots of secrets, lies, and revenge along the way, and then a slam-dunk ending.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Suzy Approved Book Tours for my copy. Opinions are my own.
February 5, 2021
“Lie, Lie Again” by Stacy Wise is a solid chick-lit (aka women’s fiction) story about three women who live in an apartment building in California. It starts off with a dead body at the bottom of their building’s staircase. And then it flash-backs 15 days prior to this dead body and we learn about the three women.
Sylvia is the most interesting character. She’s a driven and conniving woman who wants to have a baby, and finds out her man is married with a child. She decides to seek revenge, and yikes! I wasn’t sure if I found her revolting or actually a woman who is justified in her schemes. Next is sweet Embry who is married to very attractive Brandon (who is trying to get work as an actor). They are financially struggling, and Embry finds that she’s pregnant with a third child and is afraid to tell Brandon. Riki is a teacher at a private primary school, and she is bullied by power-hungry parents. Riki is also a bit attracted to Brandon, but everyone is. Wise has written him as a very attractive and hot man.
So the story is mostly about the days leading up to this man at the bottom of the stairs. I forgot about the cliff-hanger at the beginning of the dead body. I got wrapped up in the women and their day to day activities.
As I wrote, it’s a solid chick-lit story. I listened to the audible production narrated by Emily Ellet. Ellet is fantastic with her different voices for the different characters. The story is a 3 star and her performance is a 5 star.
Sylvia is the most interesting character. She’s a driven and conniving woman who wants to have a baby, and finds out her man is married with a child. She decides to seek revenge, and yikes! I wasn’t sure if I found her revolting or actually a woman who is justified in her schemes. Next is sweet Embry who is married to very attractive Brandon (who is trying to get work as an actor). They are financially struggling, and Embry finds that she’s pregnant with a third child and is afraid to tell Brandon. Riki is a teacher at a private primary school, and she is bullied by power-hungry parents. Riki is also a bit attracted to Brandon, but everyone is. Wise has written him as a very attractive and hot man.
So the story is mostly about the days leading up to this man at the bottom of the stairs. I forgot about the cliff-hanger at the beginning of the dead body. I got wrapped up in the women and their day to day activities.
As I wrote, it’s a solid chick-lit story. I listened to the audible production narrated by Emily Ellet. Ellet is fantastic with her different voices for the different characters. The story is a 3 star and her performance is a 5 star.
August 2, 2021
For a moment, she wondered what it'd be like to be someone who could let things slide. Maybe it would be relaxing, like a warm bath in lavender-scented water. But all she knew was plunging into ice-cold water and righting injustices. Revenge had always been a close friend, but not it had BECOME her, encompassing her entire being, thanks to Hugh. pg. 160
I apologize for comparing Wise to Liane Moriarty earlier. I enjoyed this book more than I did Moriarty's work.
This isn't really a thriller the way it's advertised. It's not Gillian Flynn. It's more of a crossover between a thriller and 'women's fiction' (I hate this term, but I'm unsure how else to say it.) Don't read this expecting it to be dark, like all those books with black covers on them that are marketed to women and involve... fake wives and devious husbands and murder plots and have knives dripping blood on the covers etc. This is marketed to women. And it IS darker than 'typical' 'women's fiction.' But it's not a thriller in the sense that we are used to here in 2021. It's thriller-lite. That's not an insult, simply a description. I'm getting a little tired of all the 'dark' thrillers flooding the market right now, so I appreciated a lighter touch from Wise.
PLOT
The plot revolves around three MCs, all female. Sylvia, the scheming, clever, ruthless one who longs to be a mother and wears Tom Ford Black Orchid. (If you know, you know.) Although she is scheming and has questionable morals, she does have a heart and she does care for and help people she loves. This is a plus, IMO.
Riki, a dim bulb who teaches second grade and loves her students but hates dealing with their psychotic, overprotective, and ridiculous parents. The parents make her beloved job of teaching a living hell. Riki also has an obsession with her next door neighbor's (Embry's) handsome actor husband. She fantasizes about fucking him, and does some mildly inappropriate stuff and this skeeved me out. Hard to cheer for a woman who has designs on her friend's husband.
Lastly, we have Embry, a sweet, small-town woman who moved to L.A. with her husband so that he can 'make it' in Hollywood. Sweet, but also a dim bulb, I'm afraid. She and her husband both think he can 'make it' in Hollywood based on the fact that he was very popular in his high-school plays in his hometown. Sad. Not surprisingly, he waits tables and bartends and no stardom has appeared magically. Embry and Brandon have a very strong marriage and two children. But Embry is pregnant with a third and she is too afraid to tell Brandon about it because it is going to be more of a financial burden.
The women's lives are all intertwined because they live in the same apartment building. Also, their apartment is owned by the villain of the piece, Jonathan, the landlord. He's also stupid. This book is mostly populated with dumb people. Sylvia is pretty much the only exception. Johnathan is cartoonish in his villainy. Rubbing his hands together and dreaming of being rich while leering at every woman's breasts - this is his vibe. It's hard to take him seriously. Not that I think Wise intended on being too serious.
ANALYSIS
Although I had my doubts starting out during this book, it grew on me. My recommendation is to give it a chance. If you do not like it by page 90 (~25%), give up. If it hasn't hooked you by then, it won't. But I was definitely hooked. I wanted to find out what happened, and I definitely wanted Sylvia to give it to her adversary with both barrels. My biggest fear was that Wise wasn't going to deliver on the vengeance, that she was going to pull back - but she didn't. I was relieved. I hate when authors cushion or half-ass revenge.
The book isn't deep, but it's not dumb either. Sometimes I read books that feel like skating across a pond, they definitely don't elevate my mind any and might actually make me dumber. This isn't in that category, but it's not a deep book either, or one that's going to make you think about life.
The book's biggest strengths are making you eager to find out what happened, and also Wise's descriptions of women's lives and their problems. Although everyone in the book seems obsessed with babies (something I personally can't relate to), Wise DOES show some salient points about women's existence. Here's Embry, married with two children with one on the way:
She watched as Sylvia headed for her car. It was a little red convertible. What would it be like to be so free, to have no one but yourself to worry about? Sylvia was older than she was by a decade, but Embry felt like she was the older one, weighted down by a responsibility so big, she might topple beneath it. She snapped her gaze back to Kylie. Goodness! Weighted down sounded all wrong. Her children were a blessing. This growing baby was a blessing! Some people tried for years and could never have children. pg. 43
Here's Sylvia thinking about Embry. Sylvia desperately wants to become a mother.
But seeing Embry looking positively haggard just now caused her enthusiasm to come to a startling halt. The woman was gorgeous, and she had a husband who adored her. A perfect life. What reason did she have to look so stressed? A clogged drain? Ha!
Well, it was entirely possible she had looked frazzled because she was a YOUNG mother, and her coping and management skills were still forming. There was no need to judge. True, Sylvia had finely tuned her coping skills years ago. Scraping through childhood had been a gift. It had taught her to be a survivor.
Perhaps Embry hadn't known the tiniest bit of stress until now. pg. 44
The woman has no concept of how difficult motherhood is. Fantasizing about having children is very different than actually having them and living with them 24/7.
Here's Embry again:
She remembered the conversations where they'd openly shared their fears about losing their identity. They were no longer Janelle or Jodi or Christine; they were only so-and-so's mom. Was that happening to her? She didn't bother answering. The knowledge sat inside her like a stone. All that she had been was slipping from her grasp, and her own husband, the man who loved her for her spunk and spirit and spontaneity, hadn't seemed to notice.
She shook her head, trying to dislodge the guilt she suddenly felt. Goodness, she loved being a mom. Mommy. Mama. All of it. She wouldn't trade that for the world. Becoming a mother was the best things he'd ever done in her life.
But was there room for more? pg. 105
Despite Wise's insights into motherhood and its consequences, no character ever considers simply not having children or being childless. Everyone wants babies. Perhaps the idea of a childless woman is too radical for Wise's taste. It's still considered radical to be a female who doesn't want to get pregnant, even here in 2021.
Here's a look at Embry and the gendered division of labor:
Her eyes wandered to the door, and she felt a strange pull, a need to escape. How would it feel to just walk out? Not for good, but to just go on a walk alone with her thoughts? Brandon did it all the time. Well, he left for work, but still. He could come and go as he pleased, and she felt like she always had to ask permission because of the kids. Why did she always ask? He was their parent too. pg. 145
I appreciated Wise's insights into women's issues, although the book is not message-y nor do they hammer on it.
The writing is okay. Wise has a few shining moments, but they are few and far between.
The beauty of her surroundings was at odds with how she felt. The trees stood like royalty, their sharp pine needles made soft by the blanket of snow - princes in fine coats. pg. 264
Even though the rain had stopped, the world was soggy. The air was heavy and thick like a pregnant woman ready to give birth. Waterlogged newspapers sat on driveways, turned to pulp. pg. 168
The book ostensibly takes place in L.A. (I suspect, due to some cultural references, during the mid-'90s). I say 'ostensibly' because the book is suspiciously almost... Australian? Or something. Sylvia (the only character with brains in the book) speaks like no American I've ever met. She sounds a bit British, although Wise claims Sylvia is a born-and-bred American. It also doesn't seem very L.A. The setting is kind of bland and non-descript and honestly could take place anywhere - Wise only set it in L.A. due to Brandon's acting career. It's definitely a book about white, middle-class women - but the location and time period are muddled. Is it the mid-'90s (talking about Mad Cow Disease, the popularity of duct tape, some of the children's interest), or present day? (Sending people videos, texts, cell phones etc.) It was kind of baffling. And the location is very muddy. Wise claims it's L.A., but I have to say that's in name only. It could take place in any first-world, white-dominant, English-speaking country. Sylvia's dialect is definitely un-American, despite Wise's insistence that she was, in fact, born and raised in the U.S. of A.
The book is wrapped up neatly with a bow, so if you like pat endings and are sick of the shenanigans 'thrillers' keep trying to pull, this will be a relief to you. Everything is tied up, and tied up perfectly. Wise leaves no loose ends, and everyone gets a satisfactory conclusion. I find this comforting. YMMV.
TL;DR Not deep literature by any stretch, but deeper than a lot of fluff of 'women's fiction.' Enjoyable, the plot keeps pulling you along, you always want to find out what is going to happen next. Not too dark, but dark enough to be interesting. Female-centered and focused on female-issues. That's not to discourage any men from reading it, just stating facts. Read it if you want a more friendly 'thriller,' one that's a bit lighter than what's being spewed out nowadays but less frustrating than something like The Husband's Secret.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK:
I apologize for comparing Wise to Liane Moriarty earlier. I enjoyed this book more than I did Moriarty's work.
This isn't really a thriller the way it's advertised. It's not Gillian Flynn. It's more of a crossover between a thriller and 'women's fiction' (I hate this term, but I'm unsure how else to say it.) Don't read this expecting it to be dark, like all those books with black covers on them that are marketed to women and involve... fake wives and devious husbands and murder plots and have knives dripping blood on the covers etc. This is marketed to women. And it IS darker than 'typical' 'women's fiction.' But it's not a thriller in the sense that we are used to here in 2021. It's thriller-lite. That's not an insult, simply a description. I'm getting a little tired of all the 'dark' thrillers flooding the market right now, so I appreciated a lighter touch from Wise.
PLOT
The plot revolves around three MCs, all female. Sylvia, the scheming, clever, ruthless one who longs to be a mother and wears Tom Ford Black Orchid. (If you know, you know.) Although she is scheming and has questionable morals, she does have a heart and she does care for and help people she loves. This is a plus, IMO.
Riki, a dim bulb who teaches second grade and loves her students but hates dealing with their psychotic, overprotective, and ridiculous parents. The parents make her beloved job of teaching a living hell. Riki also has an obsession with her next door neighbor's (Embry's) handsome actor husband. She fantasizes about fucking him, and does some mildly inappropriate stuff and this skeeved me out. Hard to cheer for a woman who has designs on her friend's husband.
Lastly, we have Embry, a sweet, small-town woman who moved to L.A. with her husband so that he can 'make it' in Hollywood. Sweet, but also a dim bulb, I'm afraid. She and her husband both think he can 'make it' in Hollywood based on the fact that he was very popular in his high-school plays in his hometown. Sad. Not surprisingly, he waits tables and bartends and no stardom has appeared magically. Embry and Brandon have a very strong marriage and two children. But Embry is pregnant with a third and she is too afraid to tell Brandon about it because it is going to be more of a financial burden.
The women's lives are all intertwined because they live in the same apartment building. Also, their apartment is owned by the villain of the piece, Jonathan, the landlord. He's also stupid. This book is mostly populated with dumb people. Sylvia is pretty much the only exception. Johnathan is cartoonish in his villainy. Rubbing his hands together and dreaming of being rich while leering at every woman's breasts - this is his vibe. It's hard to take him seriously. Not that I think Wise intended on being too serious.
ANALYSIS
Although I had my doubts starting out during this book, it grew on me. My recommendation is to give it a chance. If you do not like it by page 90 (~25%), give up. If it hasn't hooked you by then, it won't. But I was definitely hooked. I wanted to find out what happened, and I definitely wanted Sylvia to give it to her adversary with both barrels. My biggest fear was that Wise wasn't going to deliver on the vengeance, that she was going to pull back - but she didn't. I was relieved. I hate when authors cushion or half-ass revenge.
The book isn't deep, but it's not dumb either. Sometimes I read books that feel like skating across a pond, they definitely don't elevate my mind any and might actually make me dumber. This isn't in that category, but it's not a deep book either, or one that's going to make you think about life.
The book's biggest strengths are making you eager to find out what happened, and also Wise's descriptions of women's lives and their problems. Although everyone in the book seems obsessed with babies (something I personally can't relate to), Wise DOES show some salient points about women's existence. Here's Embry, married with two children with one on the way:
She watched as Sylvia headed for her car. It was a little red convertible. What would it be like to be so free, to have no one but yourself to worry about? Sylvia was older than she was by a decade, but Embry felt like she was the older one, weighted down by a responsibility so big, she might topple beneath it. She snapped her gaze back to Kylie. Goodness! Weighted down sounded all wrong. Her children were a blessing. This growing baby was a blessing! Some people tried for years and could never have children. pg. 43
Here's Sylvia thinking about Embry. Sylvia desperately wants to become a mother.
But seeing Embry looking positively haggard just now caused her enthusiasm to come to a startling halt. The woman was gorgeous, and she had a husband who adored her. A perfect life. What reason did she have to look so stressed? A clogged drain? Ha!
Well, it was entirely possible she had looked frazzled because she was a YOUNG mother, and her coping and management skills were still forming. There was no need to judge. True, Sylvia had finely tuned her coping skills years ago. Scraping through childhood had been a gift. It had taught her to be a survivor.
Perhaps Embry hadn't known the tiniest bit of stress until now. pg. 44
The woman has no concept of how difficult motherhood is. Fantasizing about having children is very different than actually having them and living with them 24/7.
Here's Embry again:
She remembered the conversations where they'd openly shared their fears about losing their identity. They were no longer Janelle or Jodi or Christine; they were only so-and-so's mom. Was that happening to her? She didn't bother answering. The knowledge sat inside her like a stone. All that she had been was slipping from her grasp, and her own husband, the man who loved her for her spunk and spirit and spontaneity, hadn't seemed to notice.
She shook her head, trying to dislodge the guilt she suddenly felt. Goodness, she loved being a mom. Mommy. Mama. All of it. She wouldn't trade that for the world. Becoming a mother was the best things he'd ever done in her life.
But was there room for more? pg. 105
Despite Wise's insights into motherhood and its consequences, no character ever considers simply not having children or being childless. Everyone wants babies. Perhaps the idea of a childless woman is too radical for Wise's taste. It's still considered radical to be a female who doesn't want to get pregnant, even here in 2021.
Here's a look at Embry and the gendered division of labor:
Her eyes wandered to the door, and she felt a strange pull, a need to escape. How would it feel to just walk out? Not for good, but to just go on a walk alone with her thoughts? Brandon did it all the time. Well, he left for work, but still. He could come and go as he pleased, and she felt like she always had to ask permission because of the kids. Why did she always ask? He was their parent too. pg. 145
I appreciated Wise's insights into women's issues, although the book is not message-y nor do they hammer on it.
The writing is okay. Wise has a few shining moments, but they are few and far between.
The beauty of her surroundings was at odds with how she felt. The trees stood like royalty, their sharp pine needles made soft by the blanket of snow - princes in fine coats. pg. 264
Even though the rain had stopped, the world was soggy. The air was heavy and thick like a pregnant woman ready to give birth. Waterlogged newspapers sat on driveways, turned to pulp. pg. 168
The book ostensibly takes place in L.A. (I suspect, due to some cultural references, during the mid-'90s). I say 'ostensibly' because the book is suspiciously almost... Australian? Or something. Sylvia (the only character with brains in the book) speaks like no American I've ever met. She sounds a bit British, although Wise claims Sylvia is a born-and-bred American. It also doesn't seem very L.A. The setting is kind of bland and non-descript and honestly could take place anywhere - Wise only set it in L.A. due to Brandon's acting career. It's definitely a book about white, middle-class women - but the location and time period are muddled. Is it the mid-'90s (talking about Mad Cow Disease, the popularity of duct tape, some of the children's interest), or present day? (Sending people videos, texts, cell phones etc.) It was kind of baffling. And the location is very muddy. Wise claims it's L.A., but I have to say that's in name only. It could take place in any first-world, white-dominant, English-speaking country. Sylvia's dialect is definitely un-American, despite Wise's insistence that she was, in fact, born and raised in the U.S. of A.
The book is wrapped up neatly with a bow, so if you like pat endings and are sick of the shenanigans 'thrillers' keep trying to pull, this will be a relief to you. Everything is tied up, and tied up perfectly. Wise leaves no loose ends, and everyone gets a satisfactory conclusion. I find this comforting. YMMV.
TL;DR Not deep literature by any stretch, but deeper than a lot of fluff of 'women's fiction.' Enjoyable, the plot keeps pulling you along, you always want to find out what is going to happen next. Not too dark, but dark enough to be interesting. Female-centered and focused on female-issues. That's not to discourage any men from reading it, just stating facts. Read it if you want a more friendly 'thriller,' one that's a bit lighter than what's being spewed out nowadays but less frustrating than something like The Husband's Secret.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK:
July 5, 2020
Oh... Is that it?
While I loved reading Lie, Lie Again (the writing is fab), I've come away feeling a bit deflated. Maybe it's my own fault: I was expecting something along the mystery/thriller genre, but this was most definitely missing the thrill.
When the book was wrapping up in the last few chapters, I kept waiting for the twist, the ah moment. But alas, nothing but an unnecessarily long ending.
While I loved reading Lie, Lie Again (the writing is fab), I've come away feeling a bit deflated. Maybe it's my own fault: I was expecting something along the mystery/thriller genre, but this was most definitely missing the thrill.
When the book was wrapping up in the last few chapters, I kept waiting for the twist, the ah moment. But alas, nothing but an unnecessarily long ending.
January 5, 2021
Lie, Lie Again is the story of three women, Sylvia, Riki and Embry, all living in an apartment complex at 1054 Mockingbird Lane - all holding a secret about having a hand on a body at the bottom of the staircase.
Lie, Lie Again is a well-written narrative that explores human nature. It’s looking at point of views of people thinking someone else has a better life than them, wanting more, and the dreams unfulfilled and secrets untold.
I thought that the character exploration brilliant with the reader finding some sort of connection with one or all these women.
I found their characters distinct and different, with unique voices that adds to the mystery. Stacy Wise through these women’s stories brilliantly intersects into a great build up of intrigue, suspense and a wonderful crescendo!
I enjoyed this well written compulsive and bingeable read. Highly recommend for you to pick this up!
Lie, Lie Again is a well-written narrative that explores human nature. It’s looking at point of views of people thinking someone else has a better life than them, wanting more, and the dreams unfulfilled and secrets untold.
I thought that the character exploration brilliant with the reader finding some sort of connection with one or all these women.
I found their characters distinct and different, with unique voices that adds to the mystery. Stacy Wise through these women’s stories brilliantly intersects into a great build up of intrigue, suspense and a wonderful crescendo!
I enjoyed this well written compulsive and bingeable read. Highly recommend for you to pick this up!
November 24, 2020
Solidly readable, soapy book! This was definitely a fun ride. Not a huge amount of depth and meaning, but it was entertaining. I liked getting to know Sylvia, Riki, and Embry and the secrets they were all hiding.
Sylvia was the most intriguing character for me. I would definitely not want to get on her bad side! There were parts of this book that seemed quite unbelievable, but when I just went with the flow, I enjoyed it more and just let myself be entertained. All in all, it reminded me of a Lifetime movie in the best way.
If you're looking for a light book to pass the winter days, this is a great choice.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Sylvia was the most intriguing character for me. I would definitely not want to get on her bad side! There were parts of this book that seemed quite unbelievable, but when I just went with the flow, I enjoyed it more and just let myself be entertained. All in all, it reminded me of a Lifetime movie in the best way.
If you're looking for a light book to pass the winter days, this is a great choice.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
February 6, 2021
I finished this book in the wee hours because I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep unless I did. So happy I did!
In Lie Lie Again, Sylvia, Embry, and Riki live in a small apartment complex in Hollywood. They’re friends and each have secrets.
I was about halfway through the book when I discovered Sylvia’s secrets, and I was completely surprised and may have cackled a bit.
I’m not usually a reader of contemporary women’s literature type books, but apparently I need to read more because I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I’ll be watching out for more from Stacy Wise.
In Lie Lie Again, Sylvia, Embry, and Riki live in a small apartment complex in Hollywood. They’re friends and each have secrets.
I was about halfway through the book when I discovered Sylvia’s secrets, and I was completely surprised and may have cackled a bit.
I’m not usually a reader of contemporary women’s literature type books, but apparently I need to read more because I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I’ll be watching out for more from Stacy Wise.
August 10, 2020
Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
Suburban drama, superb writing, and so many lies made Lie, Lie Again a hit for me. Stacy Wise gives readers a glimpse into the lives of three women living in an apartment complex and the desperate decisions they make as the lies pile up. Sylvie is desperate for a husband, Ricky is struggling both with money and a hopeless crush, and finally there's too-sweet Embry, mother of two and wife to a struggling actor. Polite in passing previously, the three women band together to fight the sale of their complex, never realizing all the tiny secrets they've each been holding onto nor how any of it could lead to a dead body.
The women of Mockingbird Lane aren't exempt from feelings of jealousy, insecurity, and hopelessness. While each thinks the others' lives are perfect, inside the walls of their apartments all is not quite as it seems. Sylvie was cutthroat and manipulative, her perspective was easily my favorite and really tied the story's strings together. Embry and Ricky were classic female characters, especially in the LA setting. While I loved Sylvie most, I do love a good unreliable character, I related most with the meeker two. Every move Sylvie made unraveled their lives just that much more, their own small secrets and white lies soon went up in flames. As their individual perspectives tied together Lie, Lie Again soon becomes the nail-biter the blurb promised, with a dead body just waiting to be discovered.
With descriptive writing, distinctive character voices, and a unique thriller plot line, Stacy Wise easily captured my attention with every page turn. Lie, Lie Again was a really fun read, I couldn't guess what would happen next, especially with a pathological liar among the group.
ARC provided.
Suburban drama, superb writing, and so many lies made Lie, Lie Again a hit for me. Stacy Wise gives readers a glimpse into the lives of three women living in an apartment complex and the desperate decisions they make as the lies pile up. Sylvie is desperate for a husband, Ricky is struggling both with money and a hopeless crush, and finally there's too-sweet Embry, mother of two and wife to a struggling actor. Polite in passing previously, the three women band together to fight the sale of their complex, never realizing all the tiny secrets they've each been holding onto nor how any of it could lead to a dead body.
The women of Mockingbird Lane aren't exempt from feelings of jealousy, insecurity, and hopelessness. While each thinks the others' lives are perfect, inside the walls of their apartments all is not quite as it seems. Sylvie was cutthroat and manipulative, her perspective was easily my favorite and really tied the story's strings together. Embry and Ricky were classic female characters, especially in the LA setting. While I loved Sylvie most, I do love a good unreliable character, I related most with the meeker two. Every move Sylvie made unraveled their lives just that much more, their own small secrets and white lies soon went up in flames. As their individual perspectives tied together Lie, Lie Again soon becomes the nail-biter the blurb promised, with a dead body just waiting to be discovered.
With descriptive writing, distinctive character voices, and a unique thriller plot line, Stacy Wise easily captured my attention with every page turn. Lie, Lie Again was a really fun read, I couldn't guess what would happen next, especially with a pathological liar among the group.
ARC provided.
December 27, 2021
2.5 stars
The tenants of Mockingbird Lane all have a secret or two… and one or more leads to a body at the bottom of the building’s staircase.
Sylvia Webb has met a sweet guy and that’s pretty much all she needs to set her baby plan into action… if she can get his ex-girlfriend out of the picture.
Riki McFarlan loves being a teacher though the overbearing parents at her private school have caused her some headaches recently. Her boyfriend is ready to settle down …but she can’t shake her feelings for her neighbor, a handsome actor on the rise - and devoted family man.
Embry Taylor is a stay-at-home mom to two young children and her aspiring actor-husband’s biggest fan. Tensions are rising as his callbacks never amount to anything and he continues bartending at night. Embry has a secret that she can’t keep much longer and it will bring many changes for their young family.
Sounded interesting and yet this book didn’t really deliver anything I expected. None of the characters developed in a way that felt true or made me care about their “secrets”, which were all stereotypical and not of the juicy variety. I’m not sure why this book is listed as a thriller because there are zero thrills here, just an average soap opera. Sylvia’s plot was so obvious from the beginning and I could not accept that she didn’t see it coming from a mile away and I didn't care for how she handled anything after. Lie, Lie Again didn’t do much for me, it was an average contemporary women’s fiction read that I’ll likely forget I read.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
The tenants of Mockingbird Lane all have a secret or two… and one or more leads to a body at the bottom of the building’s staircase.
Sylvia Webb has met a sweet guy and that’s pretty much all she needs to set her baby plan into action… if she can get his ex-girlfriend out of the picture.
Riki McFarlan loves being a teacher though the overbearing parents at her private school have caused her some headaches recently. Her boyfriend is ready to settle down …but she can’t shake her feelings for her neighbor, a handsome actor on the rise - and devoted family man.
Embry Taylor is a stay-at-home mom to two young children and her aspiring actor-husband’s biggest fan. Tensions are rising as his callbacks never amount to anything and he continues bartending at night. Embry has a secret that she can’t keep much longer and it will bring many changes for their young family.
Sounded interesting and yet this book didn’t really deliver anything I expected. None of the characters developed in a way that felt true or made me care about their “secrets”, which were all stereotypical and not of the juicy variety. I’m not sure why this book is listed as a thriller because there are zero thrills here, just an average soap opera. Sylvia’s plot was so obvious from the beginning and I could not accept that she didn’t see it coming from a mile away and I didn't care for how she handled anything after. Lie, Lie Again didn’t do much for me, it was an average contemporary women’s fiction read that I’ll likely forget I read.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
October 2, 2020
OMG, this book was a bundle of fun. Let me introduce you to Sylvia, a very smart and cunning woman who will do anything to achieve her dreams; Riki, a dreamer who is a good girl essentially but her daydreams just may get her into trouble she doesn't need; and Embry, the stunning wife of a gorgeous husband who is exhausted by her two beautiful children and a life that doesn't seem to be getting anywhere no matter how hard they try. Enter draaaaaama. YAY.
For me, this was pure entertainment. One thing was blaringly obvious and I wanted to throttle one of the women - WHY CAN'T YOU JUST SEE IT?! But boy oh boy did I enjoy the lengths she went to... tee hee. And I could relate to Riki in the fact that I prepare scenarios that are never going to happen in my head ALL the time. Anddddd, just seeing what Riki went through as a teacher, I applaud even more the teachers of this world. BLESS YOU ALL. And damn Embry, I can only dream of finding a husband like yours....
I don't know that I would really put this in the thriller category. It felt more like.... apartment complex drama that just made all my voyeuristic dreams come true. That sounds weird but whatever. Reading this was like watching the best episode of Desperate Housewives. And even though things tied up a bit too neatly at the end... I really didn't care. Pure, unaltered fun. Thank you, Stacy, for this fun, fun ride.
"If at first you don't succeed, Lie, Lie, Again..."
For me, this was pure entertainment. One thing was blaringly obvious and I wanted to throttle one of the women - WHY CAN'T YOU JUST SEE IT?! But boy oh boy did I enjoy the lengths she went to... tee hee. And I could relate to Riki in the fact that I prepare scenarios that are never going to happen in my head ALL the time. Anddddd, just seeing what Riki went through as a teacher, I applaud even more the teachers of this world. BLESS YOU ALL. And damn Embry, I can only dream of finding a husband like yours....
I don't know that I would really put this in the thriller category. It felt more like.... apartment complex drama that just made all my voyeuristic dreams come true. That sounds weird but whatever. Reading this was like watching the best episode of Desperate Housewives. And even though things tied up a bit too neatly at the end... I really didn't care. Pure, unaltered fun. Thank you, Stacy, for this fun, fun ride.
"If at first you don't succeed, Lie, Lie, Again..."
December 30, 2020
What a fabulous read!
I came across this book on Amazon First Reads, the front cover intrigued me. I usua!!y stick to reading thriller but this was such a nice change from my usual genre.
The chapters were short but still captivating. My favourite character was Embry, she had a lot on her plate but had such a living family and husband all she wants to do is stick by her husband who is a struggling actor.
My least favourite character was Slyvia...she was a bit nutty! But in a way I still enjoyed reading her part of the story as you never knew what she was planning on doing next.
I recommend this book if you like an easy but enjoyable read!
Give this book a read!
I came across this book on Amazon First Reads, the front cover intrigued me. I usua!!y stick to reading thriller but this was such a nice change from my usual genre.
The chapters were short but still captivating. My favourite character was Embry, she had a lot on her plate but had such a living family and husband all she wants to do is stick by her husband who is a struggling actor.
My least favourite character was Slyvia...she was a bit nutty! But in a way I still enjoyed reading her part of the story as you never knew what she was planning on doing next.
I recommend this book if you like an easy but enjoyable read!
Give this book a read!
June 20, 2020
The book started of with the quite typical thriller starting chapter of a body being found, and then we go back in time to get to know the characters and work our way up to the moment of the death. So from the first chapter you don't know who the dead person or who the killer is.
Even though that's quite a typical start to a thirller, I usually really like non-linear storytelling, especially in thrillers. However, this book was not actually told in a non-linear way. The first chapter was basically just "oh yeah look a body" and then we go back in time and then everything is told in a linear way.
And within the linear storyline I kept on waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the body to show up. And I had to wait a long time, because (slight spoiler maybe?) the body only shows up when you're over 90% of the way through the book, I believe it was even close to/over the 95% mark. And you can't promise me a body in the synopsis and in the first chapter to then only let it show up in the last 5% of the book, and only actually building up to the death in the last 10% of the book.
The other 90% of this book we just followed the lives of these 3 women: Sylvia, Embry and Kiki. And that's not what I signed up for when I started this book. I didn't want a plain contemporary on these three women's lives. Let's be honest: Sylvia was the only one with a slightly interesting life.
It took me almost a month to finish this book because I was so bored whilst reading this. I didn't care about Kiki's relationship with a doucebag and her crush on her neighbour and I didn't care about Embry's relationship problems, because those elements aren't really thriller related. The author tried so hard to make these two characters' problems seem like something big to make you think they could kill someone and be the one responsible for the body. And I didn't believe that for a single second. The only one that convinced me she could be a possible killer is Sylvia.
I really don't have anything more to say about the first 90% of the book because it was so boring, I wouldn't even want to read a book about these women's life if it wasn't a thriller, that's how boring it was.
The last 10% of the book things finally started to happen, so the last 10% definitely was intriguing and I was trying to guess who the murderer and who the victim would be. Although I did that troughout the book as well and almost from the second the character who ends up dying, was introduced, I was quite certain they would end up being dead, and I was correct. But let me tell you: I don't read a thriller to guess the dead person from page 5. I did end up beind wrong who the killer was, (once again slight spoiler alert) because there was no real killer.
And then in the last 5% we finally get the aftermath of the whole body being found thing, and that was once again so predictable and boring. Above that there was no real aftermath for the dead body, because it didn't really influence the main characters' life, except from maybe being traumatised by seing a body.
So in short (with a slight spoiler): I waited 95% of the book for a body to show up, for the body than being the result of an accident rather than an actual murder for it then not having any influence on these boring lives I didn't care for in the first place.
To end on a bit of a positive note: I liked one thing about this book and that was the writing style. Even though the characters were as boring and annoying as they could be, they were still quite realistic, they're just not the type of characters I like to read about, especially not in a thriller. And I definitely have to give the author a kuddo for her dialogue, because that was written really well! I often times find dialogue in books quite forced or not realistic but this is definitely one of the more realistic dialogue I came across lately.
I use G from Bookroast's CAWPILE rating system and this book ended up coming out as a 2.57 out of 10. I gave characters a 3 out of 10, atmosphere a 2 and writing a 6 Both plot and intrigue only got a 1 out of 10, because they didn't really exist in this book. I gave logic a 3 out of 10 and enjoyement a 2. According to CAWPILE that is still an overal 2 out of 5 star rating, but I disagree with that, for me that's a 1 star rating.
*Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book*
Even though that's quite a typical start to a thirller, I usually really like non-linear storytelling, especially in thrillers. However, this book was not actually told in a non-linear way. The first chapter was basically just "oh yeah look a body" and then we go back in time and then everything is told in a linear way.
And within the linear storyline I kept on waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the body to show up. And I had to wait a long time, because (slight spoiler maybe?) the body only shows up when you're over 90% of the way through the book, I believe it was even close to/over the 95% mark. And you can't promise me a body in the synopsis and in the first chapter to then only let it show up in the last 5% of the book, and only actually building up to the death in the last 10% of the book.
The other 90% of this book we just followed the lives of these 3 women: Sylvia, Embry and Kiki. And that's not what I signed up for when I started this book. I didn't want a plain contemporary on these three women's lives. Let's be honest: Sylvia was the only one with a slightly interesting life.
It took me almost a month to finish this book because I was so bored whilst reading this. I didn't care about Kiki's relationship with a doucebag and her crush on her neighbour and I didn't care about Embry's relationship problems, because those elements aren't really thriller related. The author tried so hard to make these two characters' problems seem like something big to make you think they could kill someone and be the one responsible for the body. And I didn't believe that for a single second. The only one that convinced me she could be a possible killer is Sylvia.
I really don't have anything more to say about the first 90% of the book because it was so boring, I wouldn't even want to read a book about these women's life if it wasn't a thriller, that's how boring it was.
The last 10% of the book things finally started to happen, so the last 10% definitely was intriguing and I was trying to guess who the murderer and who the victim would be. Although I did that troughout the book as well and almost from the second the character who ends up dying, was introduced, I was quite certain they would end up being dead, and I was correct. But let me tell you: I don't read a thriller to guess the dead person from page 5. I did end up beind wrong who the killer was, (once again slight spoiler alert) because there was no real killer.
And then in the last 5% we finally get the aftermath of the whole body being found thing, and that was once again so predictable and boring. Above that there was no real aftermath for the dead body, because it didn't really influence the main characters' life, except from maybe being traumatised by seing a body.
So in short (with a slight spoiler): I waited 95% of the book for a body to show up, for the body than being the result of an accident rather than an actual murder for it then not having any influence on these boring lives I didn't care for in the first place.
To end on a bit of a positive note: I liked one thing about this book and that was the writing style. Even though the characters were as boring and annoying as they could be, they were still quite realistic, they're just not the type of characters I like to read about, especially not in a thriller. And I definitely have to give the author a kuddo for her dialogue, because that was written really well! I often times find dialogue in books quite forced or not realistic but this is definitely one of the more realistic dialogue I came across lately.
I use G from Bookroast's CAWPILE rating system and this book ended up coming out as a 2.57 out of 10. I gave characters a 3 out of 10, atmosphere a 2 and writing a 6 Both plot and intrigue only got a 1 out of 10, because they didn't really exist in this book. I gave logic a 3 out of 10 and enjoyement a 2. According to CAWPILE that is still an overal 2 out of 5 star rating, but I disagree with that, for me that's a 1 star rating.
*Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book*
April 15, 2020
The blurb of the story intrigued me. Three women, living in the same apartment complex, with very different stories. Sylvia, a professional woman in her mid-thirties with a boyfriend that might just be the one. Embry, married with 2 children and another on the way, wife to a struggling actor. And Riki, teacher with a crush on her neighbours husband. Each one has a secret, but whose will cause the most destruction.
I was really looking forward to reading this. It had all the ingredients for a great thriller, but somehow it missed the bar. It didn’t help that I only really like one of the three main characters. It was an easy read, so easy that I finished it in 2 days, but I felt it was quite slow moving. A lot of focus was on building up the characters and their backstories, so much so I felt that the final twist wasn’t a surprise.
If you haven’t read a thriller before, or maybe just need a lighter one, give this a go.
I was really looking forward to reading this. It had all the ingredients for a great thriller, but somehow it missed the bar. It didn’t help that I only really like one of the three main characters. It was an easy read, so easy that I finished it in 2 days, but I felt it was quite slow moving. A lot of focus was on building up the characters and their backstories, so much so I felt that the final twist wasn’t a surprise.
If you haven’t read a thriller before, or maybe just need a lighter one, give this a go.
August 23, 2021
This is a fun read to start the year off with! Between the friendships, the betrayals among them and the dead body there is a very captivating, sordid story!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 28, 2020
1054 Mockingbird Lane may seem idyllic from the outside, but holy hell - the secrets & lies hiding behind close doors are enough to knock your socks off! I finished this one moments ago and I am struggling to wrap my head around what I just read and lower my anxiety a little bit!
My thoughts -
If you love a good, strong and highly unlikeable (in the best way possible) female character, then look no further than Sylvia Webb. Some chapters, I loved her and others I wanted to punch her in the arm! While this book centers around the crazy and complicated lives of 3 women, Sylvia takes center stage and her story really outshines the rest. In some ways, I wish there was a bit more from Riki and Embry, but they played a nice compliment.
I struggled a bit with the pacing on this one - it felt really long in certain parts (where the additional background chapters didn't feel necessary). I was able to finish this one in a day (even with my 4 year old home with me), so it was definitely interesting enough to keep me invested, but I think it could have cut down a lot and still packed a punch.
This one is being touted as a mystery / thriller and I think that may be a slight miscategorization. When I opened the book and read the first chapter, I thought this was going to be a murder mystery and I was slightly let down that it wasn't. Yes ... everything wraps up neatly at the end (though I found it to be a bit predictable), but I didn't find this to be super "thrilling." I'd say this is more of a domestic suspense, which is a great genre nonetheless.
Lie, Lie Again was a fun read and I really enjoyed Stacy's writing style. I think this one is begging for a sequel! Thank you #GetRedPR for my gifted copy!
My thoughts -
If you love a good, strong and highly unlikeable (in the best way possible) female character, then look no further than Sylvia Webb. Some chapters, I loved her and others I wanted to punch her in the arm! While this book centers around the crazy and complicated lives of 3 women, Sylvia takes center stage and her story really outshines the rest. In some ways, I wish there was a bit more from Riki and Embry, but they played a nice compliment.
I struggled a bit with the pacing on this one - it felt really long in certain parts (where the additional background chapters didn't feel necessary). I was able to finish this one in a day (even with my 4 year old home with me), so it was definitely interesting enough to keep me invested, but I think it could have cut down a lot and still packed a punch.
This one is being touted as a mystery / thriller and I think that may be a slight miscategorization. When I opened the book and read the first chapter, I thought this was going to be a murder mystery and I was slightly let down that it wasn't. Yes ... everything wraps up neatly at the end (though I found it to be a bit predictable), but I didn't find this to be super "thrilling." I'd say this is more of a domestic suspense, which is a great genre nonetheless.
Lie, Lie Again was a fun read and I really enjoyed Stacy's writing style. I think this one is begging for a sequel! Thank you #GetRedPR for my gifted copy!
December 1, 2020
Thank you so much to GetRed PR, Stacy Wise, and Lake Union Publishing for this super pretty book. The book starts out fast- with a dead body- and surrounds three women full of secrets and lies. This book is NOT a thriller, but more of a drama, so make sure you know that going into it. It was fun to follow the three women as you get deeper and deeper into their stories.
I enjoyed the character development in this book and I loved how unique each of the characters were. I was a bit let down that this book wasn’t thrilling, but there were some interesting moments. I also felt that the book had an interesting build up but the ending was rushed and not as satisfying. If you like drama and human interest, this one is for you.
I enjoyed the character development in this book and I loved how unique each of the characters were. I was a bit let down that this book wasn’t thrilling, but there were some interesting moments. I also felt that the book had an interesting build up but the ending was rushed and not as satisfying. If you like drama and human interest, this one is for you.
August 16, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Lie, Lie Again” follows the three women living at 1054 Mockingbird Lane: Embry, Riki, and Sylvia. All carry life-changing secrets that they fully intend to keep hidden. With a swift turn of events they find themselves with a body at the bottom of the stairs, and secrets leaking out of their sleeves. To what extent will these women go to keep those secrets buried?
I requested this ARC on a whim, the cover is beautiful and the concept really intrigued me. The entire book in itself is very unique and quite unlike anything I’ve read before. I loved how it followed all three women and allowed the reader to see the story from each of their perspectives, it gave the book a lot of depth and also revealed how much work must have gone into writing such an intricate story. Stacy Wise is no doubt a very talented author, her ability to devote so much time and story to each character while not allowing the story to drag blew me away. I will without a doubt be picking up more of Stacy Wise’s books simply for her natural talent of storytelling and creating three dimensional, fascinating characters..
I debated quite a while about whether to rate this book 3 or 4 stars but I landed on 3. I preface this by saying mystery/thriller is really not a genre I typically lean towards, especially ones so focused on mystery. With that said I realize my personal preference definitely affects my enjoyment of this book and I definitely know some people who would love this. My other problem that coincides with this is that I was under the impression that this would be more of a thriller than it was. I think the description leans a little bit too heavily on the dead body aspect which was actually not really that big of a plot line until quite late in the story. It was an interesting element to the book and kept me wondering throughout the book, but I think Sylvia’s character was really what wrapped me into this story and what made it a thriller for me.
Sylvia was very much my favorite character and was incredibly well written. I do wish the book had delved a little bit more into her past as her current habits are clearly due to childhood trauma and I wished the story could’ve traced that a little bit more. However, it was the end that really convinced me to give it 3 stars instead of 4. The story felt cut short, for all of the depth that was put into nearly every scene in this book the end left me feeling unsatisfied, everything was almost too perfect. It was like everyone's lives were resolved at exactly the same time, and everyone who was in the wrong suddenly realized it synchronously and apologized. There were also so many side characters that were introduced and abandoned by the rushed ending so it felt that there were a lot of loose ends.
My criticisms however don’t mean I don’t recommend this book. I think that it would be perfect for people who like family drama, domestic thrillers and a little dose of Amy Dunne. I truly hope this book does well when it is released as the time and effort put into it is fully evident from how well written and structured the book is.
“Lie, Lie Again” follows the three women living at 1054 Mockingbird Lane: Embry, Riki, and Sylvia. All carry life-changing secrets that they fully intend to keep hidden. With a swift turn of events they find themselves with a body at the bottom of the stairs, and secrets leaking out of their sleeves. To what extent will these women go to keep those secrets buried?
I requested this ARC on a whim, the cover is beautiful and the concept really intrigued me. The entire book in itself is very unique and quite unlike anything I’ve read before. I loved how it followed all three women and allowed the reader to see the story from each of their perspectives, it gave the book a lot of depth and also revealed how much work must have gone into writing such an intricate story. Stacy Wise is no doubt a very talented author, her ability to devote so much time and story to each character while not allowing the story to drag blew me away. I will without a doubt be picking up more of Stacy Wise’s books simply for her natural talent of storytelling and creating three dimensional, fascinating characters..
I debated quite a while about whether to rate this book 3 or 4 stars but I landed on 3. I preface this by saying mystery/thriller is really not a genre I typically lean towards, especially ones so focused on mystery. With that said I realize my personal preference definitely affects my enjoyment of this book and I definitely know some people who would love this. My other problem that coincides with this is that I was under the impression that this would be more of a thriller than it was. I think the description leans a little bit too heavily on the dead body aspect which was actually not really that big of a plot line until quite late in the story. It was an interesting element to the book and kept me wondering throughout the book, but I think Sylvia’s character was really what wrapped me into this story and what made it a thriller for me.
Sylvia was very much my favorite character and was incredibly well written. I do wish the book had delved a little bit more into her past as her current habits are clearly due to childhood trauma and I wished the story could’ve traced that a little bit more. However, it was the end that really convinced me to give it 3 stars instead of 4. The story felt cut short, for all of the depth that was put into nearly every scene in this book the end left me feeling unsatisfied, everything was almost too perfect. It was like everyone's lives were resolved at exactly the same time, and everyone who was in the wrong suddenly realized it synchronously and apologized. There were also so many side characters that were introduced and abandoned by the rushed ending so it felt that there were a lot of loose ends.
My criticisms however don’t mean I don’t recommend this book. I think that it would be perfect for people who like family drama, domestic thrillers and a little dose of Amy Dunne. I truly hope this book does well when it is released as the time and effort put into it is fully evident from how well written and structured the book is.
March 24, 2021
Full of secrets, lies, plot twists, and revenge, this mature book kept me on my toes! I just couldn’t stop thinking about what would happen next! I would describe this compelling novel as a suspenseful contemporary.
This book opens in the best way possible: a flash of the future with a body at the bottom of the stairs of 1054 Mockingbird Lane. I was intrigued from the very first page!
This story follows the point of views from three woman who live in the same building. Sylvia is an overly confident, independent woman who fights for what she wants. She is completely manipulative and vengeful, which is why I totally loved her! You never knew what diabolical idea she planned on pursuing next.
Embry is a young mom who has so many dreams for her family. However, she is tied down with responsibility and worry for their future. Then there’s Riki, the babysitter for the Taylor’s and a second grade teacher. She has deep secrets of her own, including a forbidden crush on her hot, married neighbor.
I highly recommend this book! It is light and you’ll completely lose yourself in the pages. I know I did! I am a sucker for drama and romance, which this novel also involved. Let me just add, I’ve never read a book so fast!
Thank you to Stacy Wise for sending me a copy to read and review!
This book opens in the best way possible: a flash of the future with a body at the bottom of the stairs of 1054 Mockingbird Lane. I was intrigued from the very first page!
This story follows the point of views from three woman who live in the same building. Sylvia is an overly confident, independent woman who fights for what she wants. She is completely manipulative and vengeful, which is why I totally loved her! You never knew what diabolical idea she planned on pursuing next.
Embry is a young mom who has so many dreams for her family. However, she is tied down with responsibility and worry for their future. Then there’s Riki, the babysitter for the Taylor’s and a second grade teacher. She has deep secrets of her own, including a forbidden crush on her hot, married neighbor.
I highly recommend this book! It is light and you’ll completely lose yourself in the pages. I know I did! I am a sucker for drama and romance, which this novel also involved. Let me just add, I’ve never read a book so fast!
Thank you to Stacy Wise for sending me a copy to read and review!
January 11, 2021
This was not really a thriller. It is well-written, entertaining, engrossing, but not a thriller.
It had clever characters, dull characters, and a potentially on the verge of collapse character.
Why is it not a thriller?
Well, nothing happens to the three main characters. The author dangles the potential for some scary suspenseful stuff, but nothing really happens. Also, the ending is too good to be true times 100. Everything is so amazingly wrapped up to the point it seems weird. If I didn't know it was the last chapter I would have thought this was building up to a catastrophe.
Overall, it's a fun book to read but, again, not a thriller.
It had clever characters, dull characters, and a potentially on the verge of collapse character.
Why is it not a thriller?
Well, nothing happens to the three main characters. The author dangles the potential for some scary suspenseful stuff, but nothing really happens. Also, the ending is too good to be true times 100. Everything is so amazingly wrapped up to the point it seems weird. If I didn't know it was the last chapter I would have thought this was building up to a catastrophe.
Overall, it's a fun book to read but, again, not a thriller.
December 27, 2020
I went into this novel expecting it to be a thriller. The cover and description both made it seem ominous. However, it turned out to be more of a domestic drama and I liked it better that way.
All three lead characters were interesting and I sympathized with them. I wanted to see what would happen for each of them. I got so annoyed for Riki with all the parents ganging up on her at the school where she was teaching. Also, her boyfriend was a jerk, whether or not she wanted to see that at first. I loved Sylvia's scheming ways, after she found out she was wronged by someone. And Embry just seemed really nice and was dealing with a lot of stress.
I liked how everyone's stories came together in various ways. The story had a soap opera feel to it. It was an addictive read that was very hard to put down once I got into it. (It took a few chapters to establish the characters, but stick around!)
Movie casting suggestions:
All three lead characters were interesting and I sympathized with them. I wanted to see what would happen for each of them. I got so annoyed for Riki with all the parents ganging up on her at the school where she was teaching. Also, her boyfriend was a jerk, whether or not she wanted to see that at first. I loved Sylvia's scheming ways, after she found out she was wronged by someone. And Embry just seemed really nice and was dealing with a lot of stress.
I liked how everyone's stories came together in various ways. The story had a soap opera feel to it. It was an addictive read that was very hard to put down once I got into it. (It took a few chapters to establish the characters, but stick around!)
Movie casting suggestions:
Embry: Dove Cameron
Riki: Jane Levy
Sylvia: Jessica De Gouw
Hugh: Christopher Russell
Lily: Teresa Palmer
Brandon: Steven R. McQueen
Chris: Steve Lund
Jonathan: Pablo Schreiber
Dr. Hart: Corey Sevier
January 20, 2021
Embry, Nikki and Sylvia are e neighbours at 1054 Mocking Bird Lane.
🍃Embry is a housewife with 2 kids and a loving husband, struggles with the financial stress 😖as her husband is having hard finding job in entertainment industry.
🍃Nikki a 2nd grade private school teacher, even tho makes good amount of money struggles with the daily complain that the high class parents do for every other thing/methods she uses during her teaching session.
🍃Sylvia makes good amount of money and doesn't gets daily complain, struggles with relationships in her life & the memories of her early childhood.
🍃All 3 women have got their own share of struggles in their life but probably they weren't enough. Embry is pregnant for the 3rd time & is scared to tell her husband about it as it would put him into more financial stress. Nikki is crushing over Embry's husband & is on lease after big warning from school's principal. And last poor Sylvia she'd recently discovered that her do loving boyfriend is already married and is a dad.
🍃The whole book is about these 3 women coping up with their respective problems.
🍃Okay I really had high expectations from this book but sorry it didn't lived upto it. The only thing that kept me intrigued was Sylvia's attempts and plans towards uncovering her bf's reality, although I didn't liked the character Sylvia much as she was presented as badass woman but for me she seemed more kind of revengeful & controlling women.
🍃 I won't say that you should read this book. If upu feel like trying it ho on, it's just that this book was kinda okay type me.
🍃Embry is a housewife with 2 kids and a loving husband, struggles with the financial stress 😖as her husband is having hard finding job in entertainment industry.
🍃Nikki a 2nd grade private school teacher, even tho makes good amount of money struggles with the daily complain that the high class parents do for every other thing/methods she uses during her teaching session.
🍃Sylvia makes good amount of money and doesn't gets daily complain, struggles with relationships in her life & the memories of her early childhood.
🍃All 3 women have got their own share of struggles in their life but probably they weren't enough. Embry is pregnant for the 3rd time & is scared to tell her husband about it as it would put him into more financial stress. Nikki is crushing over Embry's husband & is on lease after big warning from school's principal. And last poor Sylvia she'd recently discovered that her do loving boyfriend is already married and is a dad.
🍃The whole book is about these 3 women coping up with their respective problems.
🍃Okay I really had high expectations from this book but sorry it didn't lived upto it. The only thing that kept me intrigued was Sylvia's attempts and plans towards uncovering her bf's reality, although I didn't liked the character Sylvia much as she was presented as badass woman but for me she seemed more kind of revengeful & controlling women.
🍃 I won't say that you should read this book. If upu feel like trying it ho on, it's just that this book was kinda okay type me.
January 17, 2021
The apartment building at 1054 Mockingbird Lane is home to three very different women who are, nevertheless, friends of a sort. With their landlord owner recently dead, they are all a bit worried about the plans that her son has for the complex. Mix in some uncertainty and romantic problems in each of their lives, and soon the secrets and lies begin. Sylvia Webb, Riki McFarlan and Embry Taylor have plans to secure what every woman wants -- love and happiness. Each puts her goals into action and things are happening - until the body ends up at the bottom of the staircase that just might ruin it all. NO SPOILERS.
Domestic drama and contemporary women's lit that has similar elements to other stories you've read or that miniseries you binged. Hidden desires, revenge, frustration, and love affect each of the women but can they do what is necessary. Of the women, I did like the one who was actually the nastiest -- and she certainly had some clever moves so you can't help but cheer for her. I was struck by the notion of how ludicrous it was that there were so many young, single, attractive males out there around every corner. But, it's fiction. This provided a couple of hours of entertainment and most of it moved fast though some of it did drag as each of the women narrate their lives in alternating chapters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this e-book ARC to read and review.
Domestic drama and contemporary women's lit that has similar elements to other stories you've read or that miniseries you binged. Hidden desires, revenge, frustration, and love affect each of the women but can they do what is necessary. Of the women, I did like the one who was actually the nastiest -- and she certainly had some clever moves so you can't help but cheer for her. I was struck by the notion of how ludicrous it was that there were so many young, single, attractive males out there around every corner. But, it's fiction. This provided a couple of hours of entertainment and most of it moved fast though some of it did drag as each of the women narrate their lives in alternating chapters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this e-book ARC to read and review.
April 21, 2020
Surprisingly delicious writing that kept me wanting more even when the plot seemed a bit stagnant in some areas. While reading I could feel the build of the plot like the simmer before a boil. I connected deeply with characteristics of each character and I felt that they became close friends of mine. This book perfectly displays the light and darkness within us all and it was a gripping read. The ending surprised me by being a happy ending that I didn’t know I needed, but I was also not disappointed by the plot’s climax with the dark tone and build up. Overall it was a really fun read and I look forward to more work by this author.
January 8, 2021
This modern fiction is filled with drama and angst, lies and deception. It’s a soap opera, apartment-style, with local residents and friends, all tied up together in each other’s life struggles, issues and schemes.
It’s wild and unbelievable, dark and tawdry, but also kind of fun in a so-glad-it’s-them-not-me kind of way.
There were some very sweet parts, but I also found some sections to be a bit dull and repetitive. The story is rather far-fetched, as if to make a point, and it’s not something I’d normally pick up, akin to a reality TV show. It’s fairly outrageous, but also relatively entertaining.
Thank your to @getredpr and Lake Union Publishing for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.
It’s wild and unbelievable, dark and tawdry, but also kind of fun in a so-glad-it’s-them-not-me kind of way.
There were some very sweet parts, but I also found some sections to be a bit dull and repetitive. The story is rather far-fetched, as if to make a point, and it’s not something I’d normally pick up, akin to a reality TV show. It’s fairly outrageous, but also relatively entertaining.
Thank your to @getredpr and Lake Union Publishing for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2021
2/5 ⭐️
This was good at the beginning but then it dragged and I got bored.
This was good at the beginning but then it dragged and I got bored.
April 6, 2021
Fantastic narration of a good little book. I’d call this a slightly dark take on your typical “chick lit”/rom com. This book is a fine diversion from real life and the characters were well-defined and what I’d describe as “warm,” for the most part. Actually, my favorite character was also the coldest one: Sylvia. Calculating, cold, but also lovable, Sylvia dishes up some steamy, delicious revenge, swerved with a side of “honey pops” from the sweet southern lady next door. Dig in!
November 6, 2020
Embry, Sylvia, and Riki are neighbors at 1054 Mockingbird Lane. These three women all have their own complex life and a shared secret at the bottom of the staircase.
I enjoyed different voices in the narration and the connection between these three. They all have somewhat of a dark side.
Embry, my favorite character, has 2 kids and married to Brandon, who wants to be a movie star.
Sylvia, whom I think is the most selfish of all, has a boyfriend who is still dealing with his needy ex.
Riki, who has a huge crush on Brandon, is a second-grade teacher and has a boyfriend.
The story starts with a dead body at the bottom of the stairs to this complex. It wasn't a fast-paced thriller as I thought it would be, the first few chapters were rather slow and wasn’t really a thriller for me. It was a feel-good read. The plot is beautifully written, the descriptive writing brought the scenes to life. I found the choice of characters brilliant. I enjoyed Embry’s character with all the dialogues she has with herself about her insecurities. At the same time, I found Sylvia’s character very irritating and dark.
I would recommend this book not as a thriller but because of its amazing choice of characters.
Many thanks to the author and Suzanne Leopold for the gifted copy.
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I enjoyed different voices in the narration and the connection between these three. They all have somewhat of a dark side.
Embry, my favorite character, has 2 kids and married to Brandon, who wants to be a movie star.
Sylvia, whom I think is the most selfish of all, has a boyfriend who is still dealing with his needy ex.
Riki, who has a huge crush on Brandon, is a second-grade teacher and has a boyfriend.
The story starts with a dead body at the bottom of the stairs to this complex. It wasn't a fast-paced thriller as I thought it would be, the first few chapters were rather slow and wasn’t really a thriller for me. It was a feel-good read. The plot is beautifully written, the descriptive writing brought the scenes to life. I found the choice of characters brilliant. I enjoyed Embry’s character with all the dialogues she has with herself about her insecurities. At the same time, I found Sylvia’s character very irritating and dark.
I would recommend this book not as a thriller but because of its amazing choice of characters.
Many thanks to the author and Suzanne Leopold for the gifted copy.
Blog
Amazon
April 8, 2020
‘Lie, Lie Again’ was such a fantastic read! Set in an apartment complex, we follow Embry, Sylvia and Riki as they deal with their own secrets as well as uniting to stop the complex being sold. Despite their best efforts to keep their secrets hidden a body ends up at the bottom of the stairs...
This was not what I expected and I loved it! I thought this would be a fast paced thriller but it was a really slow paced, character focused narrative with enough mystery to keep you reading on. Of the three women, I enjoyed Sylvia’s story the most as it had the most twists and drama. I guessed who the body was, I think most people will, but I was surprised by how it came to be at the bottom of the stairs. The writing was very descriptive and really brought the story to life. Would definitely recommend if you enjoy a slower paced mystery that’s more literary fiction than thriller. Looking forward to reading some other novels by this author, one of my favourite reads so far this year.
✨Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the eARC ✨
This was not what I expected and I loved it! I thought this would be a fast paced thriller but it was a really slow paced, character focused narrative with enough mystery to keep you reading on. Of the three women, I enjoyed Sylvia’s story the most as it had the most twists and drama. I guessed who the body was, I think most people will, but I was surprised by how it came to be at the bottom of the stairs. The writing was very descriptive and really brought the story to life. Would definitely recommend if you enjoy a slower paced mystery that’s more literary fiction than thriller. Looking forward to reading some other novels by this author, one of my favourite reads so far this year.
✨Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the eARC ✨
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