If You Tell A Lie

If You Tell a Lie had me hooked from the premise alone—summer camp, a group of girls, one bad decision, and a lie that follows them into adulthood. It definitely has that classic “we did something terrible, and now it’s coming back” vibe, which I’m always a sucker for.

The story jumps between past and present, slowly revealing what really happened, and I liked that part. It builds tension pretty well, and there’s this constant sense of unease hanging over everything. You can tell it’s more about guilt and psychology than just big, shocking twists.

That said, the characters made this a little frustrating for me. None of them are super likable, and some of their decisions just felt…off. I get that they’re flawed, but at times it was hard to connect with them or really care what happened next.

The pacing is also a bit slow in places. It leans heavily into backstory and the characters’ inner thoughts, which worked sometimes, but other times it dragged a little.

The ending is dark and unsettling (which I liked), but it felt a bit rushed compared to the buildup. I wanted just a little more from it.

Overall, it’s not my favorite Lucinda Berry book, but it’s still a solid psychological thriller—especially if you like messy friendships, secrets, and that creeping feeling that the past never really stays buried.