Atmospheric..
No one can be trusted in this atmospheric, slow burn destination suspense as secrets and lies abound. Peopled with a credible cast of characters, a well imagined and detailed sense of place and a twisting plot which will keep the reader wondering. Compelling and engaging.

Sara and her daughter Liv are heading to Muscat for a week with Liv’s boyfriend Flynn, and his parents. They are worlds apart. Flynn and his family are rich and used to live out in Oman whereas Sara leads a more modest life and is hoping this week will allow her to build bridges with her daughter. Arriving in muscat in the lap of luxury, things seem to be going well until the trip takes a dark turn. This book is deliciously atmospheric, it’s a dark thriller and with the addition of some great twists, it will keep you guessing. Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and the author for the chance to review.

Sara is about to go on holiday with some people she barley knows. Along with her daughter Liv, she is travelling to Oman with Liv’s boyfriend and his parents. While trying to be the perfect guest she realises something isn’t quite right with the family. Will the holiday end in disaster?

This was my first book by this author but I enjoy a destination thriller and was drawn to the cover so I was interested in reading. I loved the setting as this isn’t an area I have explored much before, I think the author did a great job in building an atmosphere. The characters were interesting, however not overly likeable and I didn’t really connect to them. I found parts of the story a bit predictable and slow paced at times. Even though this wasn’t a favourite of mine, it was still a solid, well written thriller and would make a great beach read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

A psychological thriller, where no one knows who to trust, who has secrets, and who is lying.

Sara and her 17 year old daughter Liv are invited to join Liv's boyfriend and his family on a holiday to Oman. When a trip to the desert takes a very serious turn, a huge web of lies is created. Can the group agree on a story and stick to it?

I found the story quite predictable and a bit long, but it was easy to read. I really liked the descriptions of Oman and the details about life as an ex pat, however I really did not like any of the characters enough to care what the outcome of the story was! Definitely packed with characters the reader loves to hate.

You Lied First is a gripping psychological thriller that explores just how quickly trust can unravel — and how dangerous secrets can become when the wrong person uncovers them. 🕵️‍♀️💣

The story follows Cleo, who seems to have it all — a loving husband, a beautiful home, a curated life. But when a woman named Rachel enters the picture, claiming to know something about Cleo’s past, everything begins to spiral.

Annabel Kantaria masterfully layers suspense and emotional tension, keeping you questioning every character’s motives. The shifting perspectives and slowly revealed backstories make this a compulsive read, perfect for fans of domestic thrillers like The Couple Next Door or The Girl on the Train.

✨ What I loved:
– A fast-paced, well-plotted thriller
– Unreliable narrators that keep you guessing
– Sharp commentary on appearance vs reality
– A final twist that lands with impact

If you enjoy thrillers with toxic friendships, past secrets, and that creeping sense of dread — this one deserves a spot on your radar.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great thriller.
Sara is invited on holiday with her daughter’s boyfriend’s family, and is impressed with the lovely villa in Oman.
Margot and Guy used to live here until something happened and they had to move back to the UK.
Sara has drifted apart from her daughter Liv and wants this holiday to help them improve their relationship.
Things start off ok but then after a day in the desert something terrible happens.
I really liked how this story came together and there’s a few twists that I didn’t see coming.
Thanks to HQ for the opportunity to read this book.

The cover was what first drew me in, I knew I just had to read it and I can tell it's one of those thrillers that I devour and enjoy. This turned out to be so entertaining and a page turner, highly recommend.

You Lied First is a twisty read which I had no idea where it was going until two thirds of the way in.
Sara has been invited to join her seventeen year old daughter and her boyfriend and his family for a holiday before Christmas. Sara needs to rebuild bridges with her daughter so agrees. Margot and Guy Forrest are taking them to Oman and to where they used to live before they had to come back to England. Sara lazes by the pool and gets to know the next door neighbour who is a school teacher. They all decide to take a trip to the dessert but one doesn’t come back.
This was a book I loved from the first page. The characters were well developed and were all very different making this a good read. The start was a little slow but I enjoyed the build up and getting to know them. The book was a great destination read that described Oman well. The twists were decent and kept me on my toes. The ending was perfect for me.
I would like to thank NetGalley and HQ for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

What a fantastic, gripping read. From start to finish I really enjoyed this and couldn’t wait to get to the Who Done it! Very character based, gorgeous setting and twisty, keeping you guessing plot. Highly recommend for a poolside read, in a hot gorgeous setting with a cocktail on side. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early copy.

First time read from this author for me and also first time I have read a book set in Oman

Got to say loved the book being set there, the descriptions of sights and smells and feel of the Country and in particular Muscat with its souks and then onto the desert were incredible, as a guide to a Country knew little about it passed with flying colours

Onto the story itself and it was a psychological thriller full of drama and an element of ‘who, why, when and howdunit’ when a night camping in the vast Omani deserts takes a murderous turn

Characters were fab to read, I loved the dialogue between them and the ‘saying one thing, meaning another’ side to it, some were easy to like, some easy to love to hate but all played their parts brilliantly

A thoroughly enjoyable read from cover to cover with a pleasing twisty end

Now have to read the authors other books, arrrghh, joking, a great new author find

Needless to say this wasn't what I expected...

After what I felt was a slow start, half way through the book you are hit with a murder but who did it?! Not one part of me guessed the culprit and in truth right up until the very end I was intrigued with how it would unfold and how and if the truth would come out.

Now I've read the whole book, I realise the slow start is actually good for a jam packed second half to the book as it fully introduces the individual characters which a lot of stories of this genre doesn't do.

A really good read. Thank you Netgalley.

I was so excited when I got accepted to read this book, and it did not disappoint. The plot was well crafted, and lots of twists that kept me guessing. Would definitely buy more from this author.

Wow! Absolutely incredible.
What a book! From the moment I started, I couldn't put this down. Truly incredible and it was so wonderful to be transported to Oman. From the moment we touched down there I really felt as though I was there. I walked along Mutrah souq and could almost feel the sand between my toes in the desert. However, this is a story that isn't just about its glorious setting. The plot itself will have you intrigued from the start. An absolutely first class read and by far my favourite book of the year.

A huge thank you for providing me with this ARC on Net Galley. I wouldn't have wanted to miss it!

You Lied First is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the deadly consequences of deception. Annabel Kantaria expertly builds tension as past lies resurface, unravelling relationships and trust. With sharp twists, this is a dark, addictive read that keeps you second-guessing every character. Perfect for fans of suspenseful brilliant plotted thrillers.

Amazing read! I was totally hooked with this excellent plot. Heart pounding as to how they would get out of the situation! Brilliant characters who I really felt their emotions leap off the page. Highly recommend this excellent thriller.

Two families go on holiday to Oman, staying in a villa together. Following Sara, who is attempting to fix her relationship with her 17 year old daughter Liv after an incident that happened. Sara and Liv are invited to go on holiday with Liv’s boyfriend Flynn and his parents, Margot and Guy Forrest. Sara is unsure but decides she’d rather go to Oman as long as she’s with her daughter, as she’d do anything for her (as Margot would do anything for Flynn). The Forrests’ have secrets, once living in Oman. Margot is unhappy, but she missed Oman and wants to enjoy the holiday now that she’s back. Then Celine turns up…

This is a story that’s full of tension between the characters, secrets, toxic relationships and twists. The characters are unlikeable. After camping in the desert for a night, everyone leaves except one. Paranoia sets in as the characters are afraid of getting caught, always looking over their shoulder, on edge and blaming one another. Kept me guessing and asking questions. With short chapters that go from first person POV of Sara to third person POV of Margot, this made the flow of the book much easier to read.

Thank you to Annabel Kantaria, @HQStories and @netgalley for giving me the ARC in exchange for an honest review :)

An atmospheric thriller featuring a set of unreliable characters, this story does an excellent job of making you - and the protagonist - question just about everyone's motives!

Invited to spend time on holiday with her daughter Liv, whom she is desperate to get close to, and the family of Liv's boyfriend, is determined to get along with everyone and to make them like her.

But it isn't going to be that easy. Not least, when none of them are who they appear to be...

An entertaining thriller with plenty of twists, this gets 3.5 stars. Worth checking out.

I liked the descriptions of the UAE, very atmospheric - but it was a story with no likeable characters which I struggled with.
There was no real reason for the death, the aftermath was cluttered and clunky & whilst the finish was a little bright spot Thelma & Louisa style it wasn’t even ouch to push it for 4 stars.
Enjoyable but not brilliant.

You Lied First by Annabel Kantaria is a sharp, sun-drenched psychological thriller that explores the twisted dynamics of a seemingly idyllic holiday that quickly unravels into something far darker.

Sara agrees to join her daughter Liv, Liv’s boyfriend, and his family at a luxurious desert villa. She’s determined to make the most of this chance to rebuild her fractured relationship with Liv, but the atmosphere soon turns tense. The Forrest family, though outwardly gracious, begin to reveal cracks beneath the surface, and Sara senses something is very wrong.

As secrets simmer under the heat of the desert sun, trust dissolves and suspicion reigns. When one of them ends up dead, the remaining guests are left to pick through a web of lies, betrayal and manipulation. But with everyone hiding something, who is really telling the truth?

Taut, claustrophobic and filled with unsettling tension, this is a perfect choice for fans of domestic noir and slow-burn suspense.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

ha. what a brilliant thriller. from start to finish we are flipping pages faster and faster. with each new part you are wanting more. and your tension and rip on the book gets tighter. everyone in this book needs a good talking to. or just run please red flag! and i really liked the concept of how we have a destination thriller but we also see the coming home too.
its fast and smart all the way through so there are now corners to hide behind. Annabel's writing is tight.
this book brings us Sara who is invited to join her daughters family on their posh villa holiday in the Oman. on the holiday there is Liv, her boyfriend and his parents. but also someone else joins the group and this doesnt bode well at all. well, a little worse than not well.
and lets just say what comes next is a ride and then some. and you will love it( sorry should i be saying that about such a topic, i dont know but you know what i mean? love it in the best kind of dark thriller way)
its all tied up perfectly but the in between parts and character shifts were done so well i new it would be.
it almost felt like a better read because i didnt like one person in this book so was just waiting with joy for them all to unravel and become so paranoid they start become even more unhinged in their actions.