Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
The structure of the story was really good though as Joely's apprehension of trying to write for a famous novelist was well captured, just like the reader she's also desperate to know the outcome of the couple. The story begins with Joely, a former journalist who is dealing with the fact that her husband has moved in with her best friend, Martha the meat-eating man stealer. Reeling from her grief and her husband's betrayal, Joely accepts a job as ghostwriter to reclusive author, F.M. Donohoe, to undertake the task of ghostwriting a memoir. She travels from London to a remote area in North Devon to Dimmett House, riddled with secret rooms, towers and turrets and darkened halls. Freda is the reclusive writer and she is as eccentric as they come. Her manner is aloof and even arrogant. One minute she is full of memories she regales Joely with, the next she takes to her room and doesn't speak to her for a day. Joely doesn't know what to make of her or her behaviour, other than to undertake the task at hand.
One of the things this author does really well is create complex situations which are incredibly realistic and very easy to feel involved in. This book was no exception and I soon found myself drawn into all the drama and feeling a lot of sympathy with Joely. As a mum myself I can imagine how hard it must hit you to have your daughter want to move out. Joely is a well-drawn character whose domestic life is in shambles. Her marriage is in serious trouble and her relationship with her fifteen year old daughter Holly is precarious. Joely is close to her mother Marianne and brother Jamie. She does not know quite how to take Freda, whose moods turn on a dime. She is also uncomfortable with some of the intimate details Freda wants in her memoir. Freda’s memoir begins with a 15-year-old girl falling madly in love with her teacher. It ends in a way Joely could never possibly have imagined. Joely, still grieving for her father who died 18 months before, and accepting her husband Callum leaving her for her best friend (with 15yr-old Holly their daughter) two weeks previously, accepts an assignment to ghost write a memoire with established author Freda Donahoe. Travelling to Devon by train Joely stays overnight with her friend Andee who then drives her over Exmoor to impressive and secluded Dimmett House. Only Joely's mother, Marianne, and Andee know where she is and who she is working for. Susan Lewis has a gift for telling warm family stories that also take you by surprise. One Minute Laterwill make you savor every second. Jane Corryblogtour Adventure Ancient Egypt Art History Australia Book Blogger Bookliterati Book Recommendation Book review Contemporary Fiction Crime Del Rey Doubleday Emmeline Kirby and Gregory Longdon Mystery Fantasy Festive Reads Florence Folklore Harper 360 Harper Collins Harper Voyager Historical Fiction History Independently Published Italy Karen Swan Literary Fiction Magic Mantle Books Melville House Murder Mystery Myth Orenda Books Pan Macmillan Penguin Random House Psychological thriller Romance Secrets Simon and Schuster Supernatural Suspense thriller Women's Fiction Zaffre Books Book title Search for: Search Search Recent Comments She got herself a Mercedes to share with her dogs as well as a house that sat up in the hills with perfect views of the sunset each night an a pool to swim in. She decided to try and navigate her way through Hollywood, but ultimately realized that Tinsel Town was not going to be waiting for her to show up. From then on she just had more fun, going on dates and attending glam parties and movie screenings. MY LIES, YOUR LIES is an eccentric tale to say the least. It was mysterious, duplicitous and intriguing in a strange way. It did promise to be so much more but it really dissolved into a ridiculous caricature. Freda was meant to be a formidable woman but was more eccentric and aloof. Joely should have scarpered when she had the chance but she too went on to prove how idiotic she could be. Her big secret that she wallowed over the entire book, when she wasn't presuming what was to come in the memoir, wasn't that great after all...more a run of the mill kind of secret. Everyone else played so little part you couldn't really connect with them. Holly is a precocious 15 year old that should be taught a little more respect than the way she spoke to her parents, grandmother and even Freda. I think she was given a little too much free reign that would never have been allowed when I was her age. Times may change, but boys and hormones don't. And considering what the basis of this story is about, I would have thought she would have been reigned in a little more. We really enjoyed some of the characters in the book, particularly the housekeeper. Plus the character of the actual house shone through the book. We could all see ourselves in this by times gothic, and also strangely comforting house. The landscape around the house was also beautifully drawn, to the point where it was easy to imagine it.
Told between 2 timelines - Freda's story in 1968 and present day. The memoire is of the actions and feelings of a 15yr-old schoolgirl, her all-encompassing crush on, and subsequent traumatic love affair with her 25yr-old music teacher. As Freda's story unfolds through her dictation and dialogue with Joely, Joely constantly tries to second-guess who the characters really are, especially after Freda opens up about her own family. But...…..how could she get it all so wrong? My Lies, Your Lies has gone straight to the top of my favourite Susan reads. Full of drama, intrigue with so many twists and turns, I promise you'll be surprised and captivated right to the end” - Carmel Harrington Young Freda's love for David seem to be celebrated and left a bad taste, which meant that ultimately how the story unravelled didnt quite work for me. The story is told primarily through Joely's eyes in the third person, as as occasionally Freda and Joely's mum, Marianne. Peppered throughout are the memoir entries written in the first person narrative, leaving the reader pondering who she may well be. I really enjoyed this book. It's a great psychological thriller; atmospheric, with sinister twists and turns, and heart-stopping moments of fear, together with great characters and dialogue.Joely could not foresee what was to come. The twist that came that threw her whole world into disarray, and left her questioning everything she had ever known? What did it all mean? And where did Freda, and Joely, fit into it all?
Joely delves into her work, learning more about the events that happened all those years ago. She is soon surprised to discover that the truth lies much closer to home and is bizarrely connected to her. How can Freda’s past be linked to Joely? Could the teacher be someone near to her? Beautifully written, I love the way Susan Lewis explores her characters emotions, bringing them to life. I would like to thank #SusanLewis, #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsUK for an ARC of #MyLiesYourLies in exchange for an honest review.
eBook Details
The story follows ghostwriter Joely who's been given the difficult task of telling famous author F.M Donahue memoir in the style that her fans will appreciate.
Great Deal 
New Comment