Firstly thank you for my early access in exchange for a review . I have read and enjoyed all of Heidi’s books .i raced through this as I did with her other work!
It’s a close examination on a mother and daughter relationship and what happens when they want to fly free a bit more …and as a single mum myself I related hard .
Mother’s instinct is never wrong , right?
What happens when the truth is revealed and you have to make a tough decision ?
Really interesting concept and I think parents of all walks of life can put themselves into Jess’s shoes .
Thought provoking and moral questioning … what would you do?
Packed with suspense and a rollercoaster of emotions for all the characters involved

Great easy read book, managed to read over two evenings. Although I didn’t get bored of it and wanted to keep reading, it wasn’t a particularly deep thriller with unpredictable twists.
The characters all seemed quite sulky and apart from Kay who I felt had a tough time, I can’t say I warmed to the others

I will definitely read more of the authors books as I do love the easy thriller style books and definitely enjoyed it

I'm afraid this wasn't a great read.
The premise was a rather dull and domestic situation that certainly didn't live up to the 'pulse racing thriller' tag. Rather, it was about an overbearng and quite unpleasant mother getting the wrong end of the stick about her daughter's relationship and going to rather extreme lengths to test her theory.
Then it played out like a rather boring news story about someone who was apparently missing, but then was found and was just hiding to cover up a run of the mill crime.
The daughter was thoroughly unlikeable and I wasn't rooting for anyone in the story, apart from maybe Dylan's mother who deserved a break.
Sorry, plodding and dull.

I found this to be more of a story of family dynamics and moral choices than a thriller. Reading it in the former sense does it more justice.

It felt slow in parts, particularly Jess's thoughts surrounding her inability to cut the apron strings.

Seventeen year old Issie has started a relationship with nineteen year old Dylan, much to the disappointment of her mother Jess. Jess starts to notice changes in Issie, changes she doesn’t recognise and her worry grows that Issie is being controlled and is being isolated from her and her friends.

Issie and Dylan plan to go to Europe travelling, much to Jess’ disapproval. As they reach Lisbon, Issie turns 18 - only her phone is switched off and she appears to have disappeared with no trace.
Frantically Jess tries to contact her daughter, Dylan the UK police, the Portuguese police, but isn’t getting anywhere fast.

Desperate she reaches out to Kay, Dylan’s mum. Who hasn’t heard from either of them.
Convinced that Dylan has harmed her daughter - Jess is now on quest for answers.
Is Issie alive? did Dylan Kill her as she suspects?

So… this is my second Heidi Perks book. I loved the first one I read, but found this one a bit mediocre.
I felt Jess was an unlikeable overbearing parent which obstructed me from connecting with the book. The first 30% of the book I felt was slow… but after that I did start to enjoy it more.
It hasn’t put me off reading more from this author - so that’s a plus!

Thank you Netgalley for my ARC in return for an honest review

Two teenagers go abroad on a holiday together, then appear to go missing. Their mothers react in different ways and the thoughts and reasonings behind the parental reactions are well and believably examined. How well do parents know their children? How far do you go to protect them – enough to break the law? Does a privileged upbringing make you a better person or one more worthy of saving?
All these issues are covered in this story. A well written and interesting read.

A belter of a read, one I raced through. Jess has brought up her daughter Issie alone for many years as her husband left to go to the states with his ex wife. Issie and Jess have always been close, that is until Issie met Dylan, her boyfriend. The caring conscientious girl rapidly changed and has now gone travelling with him. Jess calls Issie on her birthday and can't get hold of her. It's her eighteenth so she may be off enjoying herself but when call after call goes unanswered and it appears Issie’s phone is off, Jess begins to worry. The local police are unhelpful as Issie is abroad and is now technically an adult. Jess tracks down Dylan's mother who is also little help and Jess feels that she is hiding something. What has happened to Issie and why?

OMG! There are certain books where you hold your breath right the way through and this is most certainly one of them. I was riveted and would have read this in one sitting had real life not got in the way, I was so engrossed. This is testament to the absolute brilliant skill of the author manipulating those 26 little letters into something so totally stunning, I’m in awe.


For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog
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A familiar theme here of teenage children cutting loose from their parents and heading off on their first unsupervised travels. Thankfully very few will encounter the dramas of Issie (17) and her boyfriend Dylan (19). Add into the mixture an over anxious parent, another mother who believes her child can do no wrong, absent fathers and police who aren’t initially interested when the young people go missing and you have the ingredients for a gripping story, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. The writing style was a little long-winded at times, and not all the characters relatable, but anyone looking for a gripping thriller won’t go far wrong with this one!

Issie and her boyfriend Dylan have gone travelling to Portugal and it's now several days since her mother Jess has heard from her especially as she couldn't be contacted on her 18th birthday. Jess, who has never liked Dylan, is very concerned and is convinced that Dylan has harmed her daughter. She decides to fly to Portugal to enlist the help of the local police. When Issie eventually turns up without Dylan it's apparent something serious has occurred as Issie is very withdrawn and anxious.. Told from the perspective of Jess and Kay, Dylan's mother, this is the story of how far a parent would go to protect their child even if they thought they'd done something wrong. This was an enjoyable read and the podcast segments were a, great addition. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity of reading an advanced copy of this book..

This was an absolutely fabulous and gripping story from Heidi Perks.. This is not only a story with lots of twists and turns but parts that make you think deeper about how far you would actually go for your child. Very engaging and a very good read.

This is an intriguing domestic thriller full of unexpected twists and turns.
The mostly unlikeable characters are fully developed and well-drawn and the plot is well paced and suspenseful throughout.
Issie, a soon to be 18 year old and her boyfriend Dylan go missing in Portugal. When Issie’s mum fails to contact her daughter, after several days she travels to Portugal to see if she can find her. The story unfolds from the POVs of Issie’s and Dylan’s mums (Jess and Kay). I thought the addition of the Podcast kept the pace of the plot moving whilst also adding tension.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

This was such a great read. I really enjoyed it. Loved the way it was interspersed with a pod cast dialogue which gave a neutral opinion on the storyline so far. Very clever. I also loved the way the reader had their opinion subtly changed as the storyline progressed. It became very addictive and although I loved it I couldn’t wait to get to the end to see how it finished. Great ending.

I have enjoyed previous books by this author, partly because she seems to set them in my part of the world. However I regret to say that I found this one a little tedious. I did not get a feeling of empathy for the mother, as she seemed to be too anxious and irritating. No doubt I would feel the same if it were my daughter but that is how the story struck me.
It all just felt an uphill battle to get to the finale and you had to wonder if it had been a waste of time. However I will still look forward to more books by this author and hope that this was a one-off.

This is a new author to me but I do love a good thriller/mystery so I was interested in this.

I really enjoyed the book, the different POV’s were interesting and I couldn’t put it down.

Would definitely read more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review

A missing daughter, an older boyfriend and secrets and twists. For me the book was too winded and I got frustrated with the descriptions of mum's thoughts. it slowed down the plot and the storyline.

Issie Adams is missing according to her mum, Jess Adams.

Issie and her boyfriend went off to Portugal travelling. While there, Issie turned 18, and Jess didn't hear anything from her on her birthday. This gave her cause for concern. Throw in the fact that Jess has her doubts over Dylan, Issies boyfriend. And, you can easily see why she would be worried.

A story told through a dual point of view. We get to live the story through the eyes of the mothers. Jess, as I've explained, is Issies mum. And then we have Kay, Dylan's mum.

There is a strong theme of maternal issues. A case of what would you do in Kay and Jess situation. The different way that they have raised their children. It's easy to relate to the characters, i kept putting myself in their shoes and wondered what I'd do if it was either of my children out there.

Both Mothers have a different POV of their kids' relationship. Each thinking the other child is a bad influence on their offspring.

Scott, Issies father throws loads of money at the case. Whilst Kay struggles and has to get legal aid to fight Dylans case. Showing the difference money makes to these kinds of cases.

Interspersed within the mother's narrative, there is also a true crime podcast. The true crime podcast uses real-life cases, which I always find interesting in fictional stories as it gives it a more realistic feel. Power of podcasts and media. The public get to make up their own mind.

I really enjoyed this story. It was a delve into family relationships. And how different things can influence our thoughts

Jess’ daughter Izzy has gone travelling with her boyfriend Dylan. Jess is not keen on Dylan. Then on Izzy’s 18th birthday, Jess cannot get hold of her which is very unusual. She keeps phoning, but the phone is switched off. When she cannot get hold of her in the next few she flies to Portugal to report her as a missing person. But no one seems to believe her and then Dylan’s mother said she has spoken to her, but still no sign of Izzy.

What a tense read, with nasty little twists and turns. Really enjoyed it.

This is a new author to me and I found myself impressed and gripped by this novel. It was one of those plots that my mind kept returning to in free moments, and I was always keen to continue reading when I could.

Very enjoyable.

#SomeoneIsLying #NetGalley
Heidi Perks delivers a heart-pounding and emotionally charged psychological thriller with Everyone is Lying, a story that explores the lengths a mother will go to protect her child when everyone else doubts her.
What I love :-
1 Gripping Premise: The tension begins immediately as Jess, a devoted single mother, struggles with her daughter Issie’s sudden disappearance and the unsettling presence of Dylan, Issie’s boyfriend. The idea of a mother fighting against disbelief from authorities and loved ones is deeply compelling.
2 Emotional Depth: Jess’s desperation is palpable, and her fear resonates with readers, especially those who understand the vulnerability of parenting. The mother-daughter bond is beautifully portrayed, adding emotional weight to the mystery.
3 Well-Paced Narrative: The story’s pacing keeps readers hooked, with alternating perspectives and timelines revealing secrets and lies bit by bit. Perks expertly builds suspense, ensuring each chapter ends with a new revelation or question.
4 Character Complexity:
Jess: A determined and relatable protagonist whose flaws and strengths make her journey even more captivating.
Issie: Though absent for much of the book, Issie’s motivations and struggles come to light in a way that feels authentic.
Dylan: A mysterious and chilling figure whose actions and influence over Issie create a sense of dread.
5 Themes of Trust and Control: The novel delves into issues of trust, manipulation, and the challenges of letting go, making it not just a thriller but also a thought-provoking exploration of family dynamics.
Everyone is Lying is an emotionally intense thriller that keeps readers guessing while tugging at their heartstrings. Heidi Perks masterfully balances suspense with raw emotion, crafting a story that will resonate with parents and thriller fans alike. With its relatable characters and a plot that explores the darker side of relationships, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a gripping domestic mystery.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK Cornerstone Penguin for giving me an advance copy.

Heidi Perks is an author whose books I enjoy, and I am happy to find she has a new one.

Jess is Issie's mum and she knows her daughter is going to be 18 soon, but she's worried. Dylan, 19, wants to go to Portugal with her to celebrate her birthday. She can't help but worry as she doesn't trust Dylan. Will Issie be OK?

I'm not a mother, but I found her worry understandable, and I was concerned for Issie.

I liked what she and Issie were like together. I must admit, I felt the same concern for her and Dylan. Would he treat her well? Is she right to go with him?

The alternate chapters from the POV of both Issie's and Dylan's mothers create a great structure for the story and they make their thoughts, feelings and experiences come alive.

The podcast chapters, which were interspersed with the others, provided short, but detailed, updates and extra information on the situation in a way that I felt made the already-riveting book even better.

Someone is Lying is an excellent which brings home the the true meaning of a mother-daughter bond, and asks the questions: What would you do for your daughter, and how far would you go for her? It's not just about Issie going missing, it's also about the bond between her and her mother. trusting or mistrusting someone, and about Dylan and his mother. Above all, it's about who is really telling the truth about the situation?

I found the entire plot really good, and it kept me guessing like all Heidi Perks' novels do. It was quick paced and immersive, which is also a characteristic of her novels that I like.

Thanks to Penguin Random House and Heidi Perks for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars