Lorraine leaves toddler Theo with his godparents Clare and Sam. Theo is found lifeless and DI Brookes needs to find out what happened.

It’s a horrific crime and written well so you can see every perspective. I found it pretty simple to see who the villain is but that didn’t detract from the quality of the book at all.

This is quite a unique thriller as it focuses on the Double Jeporday Act in Scotland- where you can be trialled again for the same crime. Ten years earlier, Clare and Sam were investigated for the death of their friend Lorraine's toddler. They were babysitting and the child was found dead but there was no conviction at the time. As new evidence emerges, the pair are retried. I did think the ending was a little predictable but it was a fun read and well written.

i really enjoyed aspects of this book. i really did! the characters felt like real people and i did think about them and their lives for some time after i read it but unfortunately it just didn’t do anything stand out? like i find a lot of thrillers stick to a formula and even with different concepts they all come across a bit ‘samey’. nevertheless the story kept my attention and was enjoyable so i give it 3 stars.
thanks to netgalley and little brown book UK for the ARC.

Once upon a lie is a clever twisty read that takes you on a lengthy journey to discover the truth! I was gripped right from the start and couldn’t wait to find out more! Although I guessed very early in on the book who the murderer was this didn’t detract from the thrill of the read!
The awful death of a two year old boy,infertility, miscarriages, an affair and a while host of emotional drama enthrall you from start to finish. The complexities of love, life and friendships amongst three central characters Lorraine,claire and Sam and the lies that were told! A really good read that will keep you guessing and doubting the outcome!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

Lisa Ballantyne’s new book has a horrific event at its core: the death - murder or accident? - of two year old Theo while in the care of his godparents, Clare and Sam. Theo’s mother, Lorraine, certainly believes Clare to be guilty of his murder, and when discrepancies in Clare and Sam’s story come to light - including one big lie - there’s enough evidence to charge them both.

DI Pamela Brookes has always believed Clare to be guilty, and new evidence adds weight to that belief.

But where does the truth lie?

I did have an idea fairly early on, which proved correct, about what might have happened - but I was far from sure about it. Lisa Ballantyne does a good job of portraying the emotions on all sides of the situation - the bereaved mother, the accused godparents, also grieving - and it left me wondering what would happen to the characters after the end. I never quite understood, though, why Clare and Sam told the lie they did at the outset, which it was obvious would only serve to make them look guiltier. I was also a bit surprised at Lorraine’s readiness to believe her oldest friend guilty of murder, but I guess you never know how grief will affect you and it’s natural to look to attribute blame.

A good read.

This is my first read of a novel by this author but was intrigued by the description. This is a gripping read, well written with interesting characters that by the end of it had me looking what other novels she had written.

Clare and Lorraine have been friends since college and trust each other with their lives. So when Lorraine, a single mother, needs a much-needed night away without her children, she calls on Clare and her husband Sam to look after them. They’re godparents – what could go wrong?

While Clare and Sam believe the children to be asleep, the unimaginable happens and Clare finds baby Theo lifeless in his room. The police are called. Statements are taken. But the biggest nightmare for any parent is about to spiral out of control.

Because a lie has been told. An enormous and terrible one.

This is a thought provoking emotional story with excellent characters. Well written with plenty of twists and turns. Another author to add to my list for next year to read list.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

#OnceUponALie #NetGalley
Edge Sharp and Full of Twists.
Lorraine asked Claire, her best friend to look after her kids, Theo and Emma while she wanted some time alone but she got a call that her son, Theo is found unresponsive in his coat or at least this is the story that Claire and her husband Sam are sticking to.
Someone isn't telling the truth but who?
What really happened that night?
This is an edge sharp and full of twists psychological thriller that I was blown away by its characters, it's plot and ofcourse the ending.
Narration of the story is excellent.
Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book UK Piatkus for giving me an advanced copy of this psychological thriller.

An excellent domestic thriller depicting the story of a couple that just wanted to have a date night, but lost their child as a result. The storyline was engrossing yet heartbreaking. A good book!

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy. Based on the description this book did not go like I expected. There were some good twists I didn’t see coming but the middle was slow for me. Average thriller.

#OnceUponALie #NetGalley
An excellent read.
Clare and Lorraine have been friends since college and trust each other with their lives. So when Lorraine, a single mother, needs a much-needed night away without her children, she calls on Clare and her husband Sam to look after them. They're godparents - what could go wrong?
While Clare and Sam believe the children to be asleep, the unimaginable happens and Clare finds baby Theo lifeless in his room. The police are called. Statements are taken. But the biggest nightmare for any parent is about to spiral out of control.
It's plot is so good that I wasn't able to put it down.
Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book UK Piatkus for giving me an advanced copy.