Lie to me is one of those slow-burn psychological thrillers that totally transports you. It follows Jean, a quiet teenager whose life takes a sharp turn when she gets swept up in the glamorous, chaotic world of a racing couple on a Greek island in the 1960s. The setting is gorgeous, the tension builds beautifully, and the sense that something is just slightly off keeps you hooked. If you're into moody summer reads with dark undertones and complicated characters, this one delivers.

We follow teenage Jean as she leaves behind her stifling summer job and troubled relationship with her father to embark on what should be an exciting opportunity: assisting the enigmatic Vivienne and her husband on their trip to Greece. The setup promises intrigue, escapism, and transformation—all set against the stunning backdrop of 1960s Greece.

One of the novel’s strongest elements is undoubtedly the setting. The descriptions of Greece are atmospheric and transportive. The author clearly put thought and care into immersing the reader in the Mediterranean environment, which was a highlight of the reading experience for me. The characters, particularly Jean and Vivienne, are also very well developed.

However, despite these strengths, I found the pacing to be a major drawback. The story unfolds at a sluggish rate, often weighed down by excessive and mundane details that don’t meaningfully move the plot forward. Additionally, the twists and turns of the plot were disappointingly predictable.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this eARC.

This book was way too slow, it lacked depth and character development. The premise sounded intriguing but it did not live up to anything mentioned. It had so much potential but it unfortunately did not live up to it.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing an ARC of this title in exchange for my review.

Young Jean leaves her boring summer job when she is asked to join Vivienne and her husband as an assistant during their trip to Greece. Lots of expensive toys and more secrets and gossip than you can believe are the ingredients for this one. But for me, the story was slow, and difficult to really get into.

3 stars. If the publishers description sounds good, give it a try, maybe this just wasn't the book for me.

Shy eighteen-year-old Jean gets swept away from her boring summer job at her dad’s stables when the glamorous, fast-living Vivienne and her husband Robert invite her to join them on a whirlwind trip through Greece as their assistant. Between the racing cars, luxury yachts, and secrets simmering beneath the surface, it had all the ingredients for a great summer read. But for me, the story moved a little too slowly. While the character development was detailed, I found myself wishing for a faster pace and more momentum to really bring the drama and excitement to life.

this had that sepia tone to it. i couldnt help feeling the same way i did when i was enjoying the Ripley. i could picture it being the same essence to a feature film too.
its a creeping book. your not sure. your not sure of the people. of the secrets of just what you might or might not be reading into it.
but these are people with flaws. and people with success. and people with power. and power comes with and at a cost.
so who is the vulnerable one here. the young girl that gets taken up by two glowing and successful racing drivers. or is she hiding something darker that she needs to get away from?
its a character building story and i was there from start to finish. i read this quick and enjoyed every minute. it wasnt shock round every turn. but sometimes that is even better. we are learning. we are reading. and we are thinking all the way through this one. just what is going on and where will it go as some dark secrets come to light. not all that glitters is golden...

Jean is 18 and becomes the assistant for Vivienne and Robert during the summer of 1960. They are glamourous and on the racing circuit. Jean has a a big secret. There are other things that come to light. This was a slow book kind of like a summer stretched out before you. It is somewhat short though. If you like character novels more than plot this is for you.

It is 1960 and Jean is a reticent 18 year old with a dark secret. An unexpected opportunity to work with the glamorous Robert and Vivienne Fenwick allows her to escape to a very different world on the racing circuit.

And Jean gradually realises that she also has the opportunity to reshape her identity and be someone different But as she discovers, this apparently golden life also has its darker side...

This book was a little too slow moving for me, although the premise had potential. Less attention to character development and more effort on pacing might yield a better balanced story.

Jean is thrust into a glamorous world of racing thank to Vivienne, but everything is not how it seems.

Unfortunately, I found this book to be incredibly slow paced with far too many mundane, unnecessary details. The characters ended up very well-developed, but it came at the expense of suspense, anticipation, and the desire to turn the pages as fast as possible. I also found the twists to be very predictable and obvious.

This novel follows circuit racing star Vivienne and her young, naive navigator, Jean. Fleeing a troubled childhood and harboring a shocking secret, Jean is thrust into a world vastly different from the one she’s known. As she begins to assume a new identity, she uncovers hidden truths that have the power to shape her future.

The premise of the story is intriguing and full of potential. However, I found the writing style somewhat dry, with an overabundance of filler details. Much of the narrative focuses on the mundane aspects of daily life—waiting, observing, lingering—rather than meaningful character or plot development. While the foundation is promising, the execution left me wanting more depth and momentum.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for this ARC copy. Publication day June 26th 2025.