Winner:
3rd Ranked Book 2023;
Best Negative Character 2023 (Josie Fair)
A scintillating, addictive, dark story. Stunning narration & tantalizing suspense which continues to deceive till the very end. This basically sums up this page turner by Lisa Jewell.
None Of This Is True is about 2 women – Alix & Josie – who share the same birthday. They happen to be celebrating their 45th birthday in the same pub at the same time, where Josie befriends Alix introducing herself to Alix as “I am your birthday twin“. Alix is a popular podcaster and as Josie gets to know about it, she talks Alix into doing a podcast about her. And there on the story gets going with unanticipated twists and turns, not a breathing space in between!
What I love about this book, amongst many things, is it’s darkish undertone – with something sinister threatening to happen all the time. Josie’s character is crooked, flawed – an eccentric and weird person, definitely not a stable mind. And I think such characters make the story quite intriguing – look at past books like A Tidy Ending or The Lies I Tell – all with shades or grey. Josie is a crazy character who often makes you laugh with heir weird ways, and irritates you with her interfering with Alix’s life.
This already engrossing premise benefits from a completely immersive narration by the author. Major portions of the book are presented as interviews for the podcast recordings, some as Josie talking to herself. I loved how the scene keeps oscillating between the Netflix Original and the past. The book sails through effortlessly and makes for a very easy and quick read.
A great story is nothing without a great ending doing justice to the subject. I have heard lots n lots of comments on how people didn’t like it’s ending. On the contrary, it is the end that clinches it for this book as far as I am concerned. That was just the push it needed to add a fizz to it. A totally unexpected and unthought of turn that left me stunned and saying Oh My Gosh!!!
The ending explained & some questions answered
Conclusion
None Of This Is True is a stunner. It will take something to beat this book this year. It’s unique premise, fast-paced narration and intriguing situations consistently keep you glued to it. It is a compelling read with no flaw that I can think of. I loved this book, my first of Lisa Jewell and it is a highly recommended read. Get your copy here.
Loved None Of This Is True? You may probably also enjoy these – A Tidy Ending (Joanna Cannon)🥈🔰 , The Lies I Tell (Julie Clark) , Simply Lies