Alix Summers and Josie Fair while completely different, are both on the cusp of change. When their paths cross on their shared 45th birthday, their lives will never be the same. Josie has a story to tell and she wants Alix, as a successful podcaster, to tell that story. But Josie is not who she says she is. As Alix gets the root of the story and Josie integrates herself into Alix’s life and home, Alix will find herself in the middle of her own true crime podcast.

I love that Jewell took a break from using flashbacks, and instead incorporated the podcast dialogue and the documentary footage. It gave us a good view into what others important characters were saying and thinking without making the cast of narrators too convoluted. The fact that this is told through just Josie and Alix’s narration really gave the reader control of interpretation.

Josie’s character from the start is unsettling and I went on a roller-coaster of emotions while learning more about her. She’s such an unreliable narrator and her obsession over Alix was the perfect level of creepy. Alix is our more stable character, but even then, we get to see behind the curtain of her perfect life. The contrast of the two characters was wonderfully done, and really made their personalities stick out and clash.

This is probably the darkest of Jewell’s books and borders on Jennifer Hiller’s style of writing. There are some trigger warnings for sexual abuse, grooming, pedophile, and alcoholism but without any spoilers, they never get graphic.

I enjoy Lisa Jewell’s books. They’re easy thriller reads for me, and I generally know what to expect. While I had an inkling on what the ending was going to be, I still really enjoyed the journey to get there. This is my new favorite book from Jewell and is honestly one of the most attention grabbing of her books in recent years.

AMAZON | GOODREADS |★★★★★

None of This is True comes out August 8, 2023. Huge thank you to Atria Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.  If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof.books.