I am an avid reader of Susan Lewis books so was really looking forward to reading another of her novels. This one is written quite differently to the norm and I must admit, I found it difficult to get into for the first half of the book. Having said that, once into the second half, you realise that all the story telling in the first half is absolutely relevant to the plot and the second half is very fast paced and kept me reading long into the night! Amazing twists and turns - hope there is continuance with these characters!

A book written about someone writing a book except it’s a lot more than that
Joely is married to Callum and they have a daughter Holly, but Joely has just found out Callum has been having an affair with her best friend ~ now ex best friends
Her agent had sent her an interesting assignment to be a ghost writer. All she knows is it is for a famous writer F.Donahoe and it is in Devon she can live in whilst she pens it
Jolly doesn’t tell her husband, mother or daughter where she is going but she meets he good friend on the way who lives close by
The house is stunning and large and it is close to a little harbour where there are shops and cafes
Joely is equally stunned when the writer is a woman named Freda everyone assumed her books where written by a man
So Joely starts to pen the memoirs which involves a young school girl at boarding school falling in love with Sir the music teacher aka Michael Daniels and their exotic and at times erotic journey over one summer
Joely had assumed the girl aka the moth was Freda but as they near end of memoir things take a dramatic turn and for Joely a very sinister turn will she survive.? Who is sir ? And who is the moth?

Susan Lewis’s new novel is quite an unusual read, which in the end proved less than satisfying. Ghostwriter Joely (whose husband has just run off with her best friend) is employed by reclusive writer F.M. Donahoe (Freda) to work with her on a memoir while living in her home. Freda’s behaviour and attitude, once Joely arrives, are a bit mysterious and it’s not the most comfortable experience for Joely. Meanwhile, the story within a story (the memoir itself) tells of a fifteen year old girl in 1968 who becomes infatuated with and embarks on a passionate affair with her music teacher.

I wasn’t sure what to make of this. It started out very intriguing, and the memoir is quite compelling. However, as the story went on things felt stranger, more disjointed and as if the story itself couldn’t quite decide where it was going. Is it a family drama, a psychological thriller, a love story? Ultimately some characters behave in really quite bizarre and implausible ways.

It makes uncomfortable reading at times. Freda seems determined to portray the young protagonist of the memoir - “Young Freda” - as a kind of Lolita-esque sex-mad seductress (repeatedly compared to Brigitte Bardot). The ultimate celebration, however, of a “great love affair” - portrayed as unreservedly romantic - between a naive schoolgirl and her twenty-five year old teacher, who, whatever his feelings, should have known better than to act on them, felt concerning.

I didn’t really engage with the characters. I never felt I got to know Joely, and Freda is just strange. Joely’s husband and daughter never really emerge as convincing characters. (How her husband is eventually revealed to have acted, and why, absolutely beggars belief.) Her mum, Marianne, is perhaps the most engaging.

I haven’t read many of Lewis’s books, but it seemed the character of Joely’s friend Andee, an ex police officer, must appear elsewhere and indeed I learned there is a crime series centred around her.

The story seems to end on a clumsy cliffhanger regarding Joely’s life. I couldn’t really care, though, as I just wasn’t that interested in her or her family.

Ultimately this was an initially interesting read which seemed to fall apart as it went on (and is probably a bit too long). (I also had an earworm of the song “Young Girl” throughout, which I could happily have lived without!)

That was a very interesting read with some very interesting characters. Freda seemed completely loopy at times but I still loved her. Oh and I have to mention Holly whose typical teenage responses made me laugh. She really was funny.

The storyline was a bit bonkers at times insofar as the characters responses to certain things, which likely wouldn't happen in real life, making it less than believable at times (which means the book might not be everyone's cup of tea).

I personally enjoyed it despite that, it is fiction afterall.

The book seemed to have been left on cliffhanger, so I'm hoping there's a sequel to this!

Three and a half star rating.
When Joely is invited to be the ghostwriter for an elderly, eccentric lady she accepts, mainly to escape her own problems but then finds more than she bargained for. After not enjoying the last 2 books by this author I was a bit worried in case this would turn out to be the third. I did enjoy it! Loved where most of it was set. I thought it should have ended a lot sooner than it did as everything past 80% ish seemed a bit superfluous. Had that been the case then it would have definitely been a 4* read. Loved the 60’s music which featured in the story. Some of the characters were bizarre but they added to the plot on this occasion. A good holiday read.

Although I've read such kind of books before but I enjoyed it a lot. Its narration and dialogues were unique and were able in building tension.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK Harper Fiction for giving me an advance copy.

A Susan Lewis book is always going to be a great read, generally highly emotive with a river of suspense flowing through it. And usually with a twist thrown in when we least expect it. MY LIES, YOUR LIES had all this and yet it didn't quite live up to the expectations one would have of a Susan Lewis book. It was still enjoyable...but there were parts that were also bordering on the ridiculous as well.

The story begins with Joely, a former journalist who is dealing with the fact that her husband has moved in with her best friend, Martha the meat-eating man stealer. Reeling from her grief and her husband's betrayal, Joely accepts a job as ghostwriter to reclusive author, F.M. Donohoe, to undertake the task of ghostwriting a memoir. She travels from London to a remote area in North Devon to Dimmett House, riddled with secret rooms, towers and turrets and darkened halls. Freda is the reclusive writer and she is as eccentric as they come. Her manner is aloof and even arrogant. One minute she is full of memories she regales Joely with, the next she takes to her room and doesn't speak to her for a day. Joely doesn't know what to make of her or her behaviour, other than to undertake the task at hand.

Upon arriving, Joely discovers that Freda has already begin the memoir, having written the first two chapters already, and it is her firm wish that Joely continue in the vein with which she began. Their conversations about the memoir lead Joely to pondering many things but none of them would prepare her for where it would lead. Freda had her own agenda with this memoir. She wanted to right the wrongs that had taken place previously as a result of the outcome to the story Joely now transcribes.

It is 1968 and the story of a 15 year old schoolgirl who embarks on an affair with her music teacher. It is explicit in all its naked glory. Their secret assignations, their trip to Paris, their plans and promises for the future...as they parade around naked in the confines of a secluded cottage, soaking up their love for one another. She was 15, he was 25. Not a huge age gap by any means, but still unacceptable by society's standard...even in the age of free love. But where was this love to go, given their age difference? And the fact he was a teacher and she was a student? Surely this could not end well.

Freda drip-feeds information while Joely begins to make assumptions. Is the girl in the story a young Freda? And is the music teacher the husband she lost three years ago? And why does she feel that Freda s watching her and listening in on her phone conversations? It is obvious that Freda is manipulating Joely to tell the story as she wants it perceived. So what was it Freda truly wants out of this?

Joely could not foresee what was to come. The twist that came that threw her whole world into disarray, and left her questioning everything she had ever known? What did it all mean? And where did Freda, and Joely, fit into it all?

MY LIES, YOUR LIES is an eccentric tale to say the least. It was mysterious, duplicitous and intriguing in a strange way. It did promise to be so much more but it really dissolved into a ridiculous caricature. Freda was meant to be a formidable woman but was more eccentric and aloof. Joely should have scarpered when she had the chance but she too went on to prove how idiotic she could be. Her big secret that she wallowed over the entire book, when she wasn't presuming what was to come in the memoir, wasn't that great after all...more a run of the mill kind of secret. Everyone else played so little part you couldn't really connect with them. Holly is a precocious 15 year old that should be taught a little more respect than the way she spoke to her parents, grandmother and even Freda. I think she was given a little too much free reign that would never have been allowed when I was her age. Times may change, but boys and hormones don't. And considering what the basis of this story is about, I would have thought she would have been reigned in a little more.

The story is told primarily through Joely's eyes in the third person, as as occasionally Freda and Joely's mum, Marianne. Peppered throughout are the memoir entries written in the first person narrative, leaving the reader pondering who she may well be.

I do love how the author approached and introduced an illicit affair between a 15 year old schoolgirl and her music teacher. It broke all the rules and crossed many boundaries. But it gave us as readers, food for thought that there is more to the story than one might at first think. Firstly the difference between paedophilia and haebophilia, when all interest in anyone underage is simply considered to be the former. The case here is obviously haebophilia and while it is still a disturbing thought to most, it is quite often an accepted practice in many cultures. Including our own many centuries ago. But that is not the case here. It is a little disturbing and uncomfortable read in parts but does that make it wholly excusable?

So is the relationship supposed to be acceptable or not? It's not so much the age thing, as there were only 10 years between them, it was the fact he was in a position of authority and trust. He has to take responsibility because he was the adult in the scenario. But we all know what 14 and 15 year olds are like. They can turn it on with the best of them. That doesn't make it right but it doesn't make her innocent or blameless either. She set out to seduce him. She wanted him. While in the eyes of the law she is still a child, there is so much about her that isn't. Both are equally to blame because it takes two. She knew what she was doing as did he. They were both complicit. They were both to blame. And there are always two sides to every story.

In my opinion, MY LIES, YOUR LIES took a little too long for interest to take hold - at nearly 30% in, which is a bit too long in my opinion - but then it did admittedly get rather interesting. And then it didn't. The climatic twist came 20% too soon or rather the ending was dragged out a little too long. As a result, it did become slightly ridiculous. I'm not sure how the past and the present were supposed to entwine but didn't seem entirely real. I'm not entirely sure what the author was trying to say in bringing such a story to light.Society certainly wouldn't accept it, so what is she saying? Did I miss something? Is she romanticising it? Or is it a warning?

Overall, not a bad read but not the Author's best. Still, I give it 3 stars for being middle of the road. It's not a book I can decide whether I like it or not.

But one this is for sure...there are two sides to every story. Not just the one you think you know.

I would like to thank #SusanLewis, #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsUK for an ARC of #MyLiesYourLies in exchange for an honest review.

I loved all this authors books and this latest one did not disappoint. I found the storyline intriguing and the characters were very relatable. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to netgalley and Susan Lewis for the advanced copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

As one would expect the plot is beautifully detailed by Susan Lewis. The characters are always so well described and can be imagined so easily. Her descriptive language ensures we feel part of the story. Another excellent novel. from an renowned page-turner.

I’ll be truthfully honest and say, I found the first third of this book a bit slow. Now I have finished it I’m in no doubt I am going to remember it for a long time.
Twists and turns, love and betrayal,
I wanted to dislike a lot of the characters in the book but by the end, it all come together and made me feel apart of their lives and understand their past.
Susan Lewis, you should feel proud of this book.

Don’t try and second guess. Leave that to one of the characters! Sit back and enjoy this tale. I’ve never read anything by Susan Lewis but I will be reading all of hers after this gem. Isn’t it fab when you find a new author. Although with 40 books to her name I’m shocked this is my first!

A fantastic book I was unable to put it down!
The plot was unimaginable, so many twists and turns, the reader had no idea what would happen next.
A real rollercoaster of a book and a book which you will remember.
Absolutely brilliant! I highly recommend it
Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins and Susan Lewis for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

What a book! It was two stories in one and so emotional. I had no idea which direction this story was going to go, it was a guessing game. It was a heartbreaking read. What was, what could have been and what became. I cried reading this truly beautiful book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

Joely has recently separated from her husband and is still reeling from the fact that he has now moved in with her best friend. Joely has had the offer of the job of a ghost writer for Freda and to stay with her in her remote house while she writes. The story that Freda wants her to work on is about a relationship between a 15 year old girl and her music teacher. Jolly is convinced the girl in the story is Freda. As the shocking story unfolds Joely begins to wonder if there was a reason that Freda chose her to write it. Freda becomes more and more eccentric and Joely’s life becomes threatened as the truth of the story is revealed. This book was a compulsive read but uncomfortable at times with all the secrets, obsessions and twists and turns. A recommended read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

A great book with unexpected twists and turns, read it in a couple of days as was keen to find out what happened, Like that a character from older books pop up in the storyline, a good read would thoroughly recommend.

I have only read a couple of Susan's books and enjoyed them, however with this book I found it a little slow going to start with, towards the middle it started to get better and the ending was good. The story could be an uncomfortable story for some, teacher being with pupil I am not saying I agree with it all so I was curious and intrigued about where the story would lead. Throughout the second half of the book I found turns that I was shocked I didn't pick up on, the characters are captivating and the twists are very good.

My Lies, Your Lies - Susan Lewis ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5⠀
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Thanks to @harpercollinsuk & Netgalley for this book.
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" His life was destroyed by a lie.⠀
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Her life will be ruined by the truth." ⠀
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My Lies, Your Lies is the first Susan Lewis book I have read and I will certainly be reading more. This book was filled with secrets, twists and turns. I didn't expect to be so gripped but I really was racing through the pages. ⠀
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Joely is a ghost writer, about to embark on her strangest assignment yet.⠀ ⠀
Freda, an incrediblly eccentric character is ready to tell her story and put it straight. She needs to face it head on with a memoir. A memoir which she needs Joely to ghost write. A memoir beginning with a 15-year-old girl falling madly in love with her teacher and into a passionate affair. ⠀
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How does the memoir end and why Joely? ⠀
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Completely absorbing, a real page turner 📚⠀

Joely is a ghostwriter. Her new client is eccentric author Freda who is writing her memoirs. Joely goes to stay in her isolated spooky house in Devon. Freda tells the story of a young girl being seduced by her music teacher. As the story unfolds there is a huge twist in the in the tail. Absolutely brilliant couldn't put it down.

Joely is left reeling after finding out her husband Callum is having an affair with her best friend. He moves out as does her teenage daughter Holly. So she throws herself into a new assignment as a ghost writer for the reclusive Freda Donohoe. No mobile reception, and a house in the middle of nowhere seems like a perfect escape from the stresses of her life. But Freda is herself a writer, so why does she need Joely? Freda's story aims to right a wrong and we are transported back to 1968 when a fifteen year old girl begins an intense affair with her music teacher David. But as more of the story is revealed Joely begins to realise that there is so much more to the story, and with a shocking twist, she is left stranded and locked in to the writing room while Freda disappears. Who was the girl in the story if not Freda herself? What does she have planned to right the wrong that was done?

And what secret is Joely herself hiding?

This is a fascinating and fast-paced story about forbidden love, family secrets and betrayals, and you will want to devour it in one sitting.

Joely is a ghost writer who accepts a job of writing the memoirs of a reclusive writer.
The story Joely tells is of a school girl who falls for her teacher.
But is all that it seems
Plenty of twists and turns
Love Susan Lewis books
And this one didn’t disappoint
Thanks NetGalley