Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney

Amber Reynolds is in a coma. But as she floats in and out of consciousness, she has the distinct awareness that something is very wrong. Narrated through multiple timelines, Sometimes I Lie is a mind-boggling account of the friendships we keep and how they can lead to disastrous outcomes.

WHAT WAS THAT???

I rarely ever come across thriller novels that are chilling. And when that happens, I LOVE IT.

Much like Alice Feeney’s other works, Sometimes I Lie is a mystery novel that gradually builds momentum, and before you know it, there are curveballs thrown in that change everything (for the better).

The last few chapters are nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. At several points in the novel, I would just sit there dumbfounded by what was transpiring because there’s no way I would’ve anticipated that

The writing is sharp and direct. I love that the storytelling is framed in such a masterful way that you don’t see what the author has planned before it’s revealed.

Her narration is gripping enough to make you curious, and want to keep reading.

Of all the Alice Feeney books I’ve read, this one probably has the most number of unlikeable characters. I didn’t mind that because she dives into their insecurities and motivations in a persuasive manner.

“Some people appear happy on the outside and you only know they’re broken inside if you listen as well as look.”

You can’t help but wish that Taylor would be more assertive and stand her ground. She definitely was given the short end of the stick, and that has influenced her life choices, making her story quite tragic for the most part.

I really like it when authors imbue certain quirks into their writing. Feeney incorporates children’s rhymes and songs, giving them a dark touch. There’s also an emphasis on lists of 3 things that the characters create. Plus, the diary entries are a great element of the storytelling.

A parallel I noticed between Rock, Paper, Scissors and Sometimes I Lie is that both feature couples who are going through a rough patch in their marriage and also the husband is a writer shown to be entirely occupied with his work.

I’m going to keep this review short because it’s best you go into it without too much info about the plot.

Sometimes I Lie is a lesson in critical thinking and shows you how appearances can be deceptive.

If you are on the fence about picking up books that dabble with themes like sexual assault, stalking, negligent parenting, and toxic relationships, you might want to rethink about reading this one.

Apart from that, I like what the novel brings to the thriller genre and would definitely recommend Sometimes I Lie to other readers.

I only have one more of Alice Feeney’s books to pick up before I’m all caught up with her oeuvre.