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If You Lie by Caleb Stephens is a fast-paced thriller that has hints of a cult with insidious intentions that make for an intense ride.

Olivia, the main character, is a podcaster who usually researches true crime, and winds up on a cruise with her sister she has been estranged from so they can reconnect. Characters in thrillers who run true crime podcasts has apparently become a recent draw of mine as I can’t seem to get enough of these.

True to the previous ones I have read, this book did not disappoint and I enjoyed how Olivia’s role as a true crime podcaster ties in to the storyline as she tries to uncover what Xclivity really is.

Olivia’s background is unique and ties into the person she is in the present and why she became a true crime podcaster. This makes for an interesting character who struggles with the trauma of her past, as well as using her instincts from looking into crimes to discover the truth behind the strange happenings occurring on the cruise she has unwittingly become a part of. The plot really starts to come together near the end of the book and ties together everything in ways that made for an unputdownable book and I enjoyed all of the revelations.

Olivia’s relationship with her sister, both in the past and in the present where they try to piece it back together is the aspect that really makes the characters stand out in this book. They have many issues to overcome and not all of these are clear at first which amps up the intrigue of the story, as well as the hope that they can overcome the strain of their relationship.

Perhaps my only questionable note about the book is that it felt like everything came together a little too smoothly at times, and everything wrapped up very quickly. It almost felt a bit too rushed and clean to be plausible, particularly with the danger characters were in and the swiftness with which it is suddenly overcome after so much buildup.

Regardless, it was still an enjoyable read and held my attention from start to finish and is a perfect read for thriller lovers.

Rating

By Danielle Plant

An avid reader and runner. I like to spend my spare time with my dogs Reese and Orion.

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