This is Lisa Jewell at her best. Not that she never is!
This is an explosive book which I could not put down. An absolute page turner from start to finish. This book is not to be missed.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I absolutely loved the family upstairs when I first read it a few years ago (still have the family remains on my TBR 🤦‍♀️) so I had to request this one from her gallery when it came up ! Over the last couple of years I have really gone off thrillers but this book I couldn’t put down ! There were so many twists to the story and in the end you didn’t still didn’t know what was the truth and what was a lie.

This book is stomach churning and not for the faint hearted I feel. In places I didn’t think it could get anymore gruesome but it surprised me and did (I maybe weak stomached though haha. Also slowly through the book you could also see Josie’s story start to slowly fall apart with a change in the story now and again and her her behaviour was very off

Lisa Jewell does not disappointed once more! I was so gripped throughout and I love how we didn’t know exactly what was the truth and what was lies! Will be recommending this one to everyone!

Let me start by saying this novel was a 4★ for me, so good and I highly recommend you check this one out!

This novel follows two women who share the same birthday – this all we know at the start, when they meet in a restaurant as they both celebrate their 45th birthdays at the same time (“Birthday Twins!”).

One of our main protagonists, Josie, starts to become obsessed with her birthday-twin, Alex, she discovera Alex’s podcast where she interviews women about their lives, struggles and events they have overcome. In the midst of the obsession, Josie befriends Alex and requests to be a guest on her podcast to talk about the changes she is going through in her life, believing she will provide Alex’s audience with a unique and interesting story…

One aspect I really enjoyed about this book is that, in between the chapters of these two women getting to know each other, we get little brief chapters of a Netflix true-crime documentary that was made about these two women and the event that followed from their “friendship”. Thus, as a reader, you know something conspicuous is going to happen but you do not know what it is.

This is one of the many feature that makes this book extremely entertaining – add to that unhinged characters and twists-and-turns – you have a recipe for an un-putdown-able, interesting and fun read!

From being fairly well acquainted with Lisa Jewell’s books, I must admit this is definitely one that is up there with my top favourites from her – highly recommend!


Please check out my review posted on my blog "Read with Tessa" - linked below.
https://readwithtessa.wordpress.com/2023/07/15/book-review-none-of-this-is-true-by-lisa-jewell/

Two women celebrating their 45th birthday at the same restaurant and born in the same hospital Alix is a podcaster and decided to interview Josie for her show but is everything Josie is saying the truth and is she friendly or a stalker.
The story gets very creepy and confusing at times but it is a quick read with an unexpected ending that left you more confused so it just didn`t work for me.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC and I`m leaving my review voluntarily

None of this is true is yet another amazing release from a consistently great author! Lisa Jewell never fails to deliver captivating reads, and this book is no exception. In fact, it’s easily one of my favourites by her!

None of this is true is a thrilling, dark, and addictive tale. While it may start off at a slower pace, don’t let that discourage you. Jewell’s writing style is so engaging that it’s impossible to put down. The story revolves around two main characters: the mysterious and peculiar Josie Fair, and Alix Summers, a well-known podcaster. Their lives are vastly different, but they cross paths one evening while celebrating their 45th birthdays in contrasting ways. Josie becomes obsessed when she realizes Alix is her “birthday twin.”

I don’t want to spoil too much because I genuinely believe that the less you know going in, the better. Jewell had me completely engrossed in the narrative, even though many of the characters are seemingly ordinary and Josie appears to lead a relatively mundane life. Each character felt authentic and multidimensional, adding to the realism of the story.

Jewell skillfully unveils more details about Jodie and Alix’s relationship and their individual lives, keeping readers guessing about what really happened. The story is filled with delightful twists and a growing sense of unease as we gradually uncover the truth.

One aspect I particularly enjoyed was the alternating chapters from Alix and Josie’s perspectives, interspersed with podcast transcripts and scenes from the Netflix documentary titled ‘Hi, I’m your birthday twin!‘ The inclusion of a podcast and documentary within the book added an extra layer of intrigue and made for a unique reading experience.

I devoured this book in no time at all. It’s incredibly engaging, just like all the Lisa Jewell novels I’ve read so far, and I found it absolutely brilliant.

I have a few very favourite authors and Lisa Jewell is my all-time number 1. I was so excited to start None of This is True and when I got the chance to read it I was not disappointed.

Lisa Jewell writes and weaves an incredible disturbing story that has many twists and turns and will keep the reader engaged from page 1 until the very last page.

We meet character Josie, out with much older husband on a night out for her 45th birthday and in the same restaurant she spots well-known podcaster Alix also celebrating her birthday. When Alix goes to the restroom Josie follows and introduces herself with "I'm your birthday twin". This sets off the premise of the story and I was gripped.

Josie asks Alix to do a podcast on her as she has some very interesting stories to tell and so Alix does.

We learn of Josie's relationship with her much-older husband and how they came to meet, Alix wants to meet him and they come to dinner. Alix is having difficulty with her husband as he is going out on all night drink sessions and on this evening he does not come home and Josie is angry about that, to say the least.

Josie leaves, only to return to Alix's home in the middle of the night stating that her husband has beaten her and she stays the night at Alix's home, well not just the one night the whole week. All the time that Josie is staying with Alix and her family, none of them are comfortable.

When Josie leaves she does some unthinkable things and the story really packs a punch. Great writing from the author.

Lisa Jewell really engages the reader in her characters and we really get a sense of them. Josie is a strange one and Alix is a joy to read about, although she is a bit of a pushover at times.

I will not give too much away but this is a super enjoyable read and another winner by Lisa Jewell.

Thanks to Netgalley, Lisa Jewell and the publishers for allowing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

R E V I E W: (will be posted on www.instagram.com/kayleyisreading in July)

Things I loved about this one:

✅ unreliable characters
✅ left feeling unnerved and tense throughout
✅ podcast and Netflix documentary transcripts that give you more of the story
✅ a drip drip of information throughout ever chapter
✅ fast paced and plot line

This was one of my most anticipated reads this year and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT! It sucked me in, spun me round and threw me back out. I was desperate to find out what happened next.

The characters had me rooting for them, then disgusted and back again. The pacing had me nervous for the characters too, it was very unsettling.

R A T I N G

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Popular podcaster Alix Summers and part time seamstress Josie Fair couldn't be more different, but one thing brings them together and that's the fact that they were born on the same day and in the same hospital, then Josie 'accidentally' bumps into Alix in the toilets of the gastro pub where they are both celebrating their forty fifth birthdays and declares they are birthday twins. Days later their paths cross again when Josie asks Alix if she would consider making a podcast about her life, Alix is intrigued with her story and agrees to do it but, the more she learns about Josie and her complex life, the more she realises there's something very dark about her. The events that follow will change both families lives forever...

None of this is True is told across four parts and you hear from both Josie and Alix throughout, with excerpts from the 'Hi! I'm Your Birthday Twin' Netflix series expertly woven into this intriguing tale. I began this story feeling quite empathetic towards the seemingly downtrodden Josie, but throughout the book my allegiance between the main characters changed so many times and I really didn't know what to think about Walter! It's a fast paced read that I just couldn't put down and devoured it in a matter of hours. This is a very clever, at times bewildering, story that will leave you wondering long after you turn the last page, who was telling the truth! I'd say this is Jewell's best one yet!

I'd like to thank Random House UK, Cornerstone and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Thank you to #Netgalley and #Penguin for my copy of #NoneOfThisIsTrue by #LisaJewell
I devoured this book, I really couldn’t wait to get to the ending, and then wanted to read it again.
Renowned podcaster Alix Summers is celebrating her 45th birthday in her local pub when she meets Josie Fair who is also celebrating the same birthday. A few days later they meet again and Josie pitches her idea for a new podcast. Alix is intrigued and sets in motion the following events. Who is Josie Fair and what secrets is she hiding !
A totally gripping read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Two strangers in a pub, both celebrating their 45th birthdays. Alix Summers is a glamorous and successful podcaster; Josie Fair a plain, unassuming woman discontent with her lot in life who regards Alix’s sparkling party with envy. That night their paths cross briefly in the loos.
A few days later, they meet again, outside Alix’s children’s school and Josie persuades her new friend to listen to a pitch she has for a new podcast series, about birthday twins. Josie assures Alix she is on the verge of transforming her humdrum life into something far more exciting.
Alix takes the bait and slowly becomes drawn into Josie’s twisted world, unable to stop herself from making the podcast because the content is just so good. Before she knows it, Josie has wormed her way into Alix’s life and home, upsetting the domestic apple cart.
Then Josie vanishes and it soon become apparent that she has left a terrifying trail in her wake. Unwittingly Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast and must do all she can to save her family from the birthday twin from hell.
I raced through this unputdownable thriller at a breathless pace and was thoroughly entertained.

This gripping psychological thriller was an absolute belter!!. I read this one in twenty four hours and carried it around until the end!!. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in some places, I even thought about making sure the doors were locked!!. Of course, when I finished it, it was pitch black outside which created a lot of fear and angst on my part!!.
Josie, a bored housewife decides to latch on to a famous podcaster called Alix Summer and tell her a sad and disturbing tale of how she met her husband and created the life she now lives, after seeing her in a pub and seeing how much she was loved by all her friends and what a great life she was living. Alix sees a great podcast that could go far, so she carries on with interviews, ignoring what her little voice must have been telling her...STAY AWAY!.
Josie's obsession with Alix now grows with horrific results.......

As you can tell, I loved this story, but I will admit this, I'm not going to sleep well tonight or the night after that....
I received this free ARC book for an honest review.
#Netgalley, #randomhouseuk, #lisajewelluk.

This was a brilliant thriller domestic noir! Alix and Josie, birthday "twins", meet coincidentally on their 45th birthday. What follows is a masterpiece in menace as Josie persuades Alix to interview her for a podcast, and reveals the astonisihing story of her life. But how far can she be trusted? As she inveigles her way into Alix's life, her influence becomes more malign - and soon there will be a price to pay.
Their story is so astonishing that a fictional Netflix is even making a documentary of it!
What a story. Both Alix and Josie were really strong, convincing characters, their lives skilfully portrayed in all their varying contrasts. The plot is well-paced, with each woman giving her version of events, interspersed by "Netflix " interviews of the various people in their lives who have been caught up in their story - a ploy that makes the narrative feel very fresh and modern.
As you'd expect, there are plenty twists along the way as the story reaches its heart-stopping conclusion. This was a really good read, and exceeded all my expectations, which are pretty high for this author, anyway.

None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had seen alot of books by @lisajewelluk but never read any before so when I got the chance to read this before publication via @netgalley I thought I would give it a go and hopefully find a new author to my must reads and that is certainly what I got.

I couldn't stop reading this book and it has you hooked from the very beginning.

What would you do if you found your birthday twin, a complete stranger who is celebrating their 45th birthday at the same time as your celebrating yours.
That's exactly what happens to Alix Summers, a popular podcaster when she meets Josie Fair a mother and housewife.

Josie goes on to persuade Alix to turn her story into one of Alix podcasts following the changes she will soon be making in her life.
But will this new friendship soon bring more changes to both their life's than either was expecting.

The story was gripping from the very beginning and I love the way it was written, and without giving away to much the view of both podcast, TV settings and storyline.

The characters were brilliantly written and really made you feel for them.

You will be able to get the chance to read this book on 20th July 2023.
In the meantime I will be going to find Lisa Jewells' previous books to get stuck into.
Thank you to @penguinrandomhouse
@netgalley and @lisajewelluk for giving me the chance to read this early.
#NoneOfThisIsTrue#netgalley

A dark and compelling thriller!
Alix is a podcaster and a chance meeting whilst celebrating her birthday will change her live for ever .
Josie is in the same restaurant with her husband celebrating her own birthday , she feels drawn to Alix and believes it’s fate that they share a birthday and were also born in the same hospital.
Josie observes Alix from afar then proposes an idea for a new podcast about birthday twins .
Then the story gradually becomes darker with subjects such as child abuse , alcohol abuse and obsession so it’s not a light read but a thriller that I was hooked on from the first page .
Lisa Jewell has done it again !
Highly recommended a must read for every Lisa Jewell fan .
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK , Cornerstone.

As soon as you see a book by Lisa Jewell you know you are in for an amazing ride and I think this was her best book yet.
This was quite a shocking thriller. Strangers that meet and discover they share the same birthday and born in the same hospital. One of these people decides that they need to be involved in the other ones life and although they are not friends, some sort of strange relationshio is formed between them, with one having a shocking tale to tell but is it true?

Many thanks to Lisa Jewell, Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a strange and immensely compelling tale. Yet again Lisa Jewell thinks outside the book and brings something new and very readable.

The main characters were authentic and completely believable, the story was interesting and I enjoyed the pace of the book.

I would've liked to have more details about Erin, but this is the perfect opening to a sequel.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

I finished this book last night reading it in one sitting and i still don't know what to say.. I was absolutely blown away and I will be thinking of this for a long time to come.
I guess the title would be a good indication of what's in store but this is the very best of what Lisa jewell has to offer in terms of a thriller.
I didn't know who to trust, I couldn't salvage any clues or anything to try and work out an ending to the story and I just didn't know what was going on throughout the book.
Best she's written yet.

5 stars

Goodness, Lisa Jewell just gets better and better! Such a build up in the book, better than watching a film!

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

I’d like to thank Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘None Of This Is True’ written by Lisa Jewell in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Successful podcaster Alex Summer is out with her husband Nathan celebrating her 45th birthday when she meets Josie Fair who’s also celebrating her 45th at the same venue and who was born in the same hospital. Josie tells Alix they’re birthday twins. The following days Josie makes a point of being wherever Alix is and when Alix appears keen to make a podcast of Josie’s story they start meeting in her office culminating in a dinner invitation at Alix and Nathan’s home. But the more often they meet and the more Josie tells her of her life the stranger their relationship becomes until events occur that make Alix wonder if Josie is telling the truth.

‘None Of This Is True’ is a dramatic and totally absorbing psychological thriller of what happens when an unbalanced woman sets her sights on infiltrating the life of another. The story is interspersed with parts of the script from Alex’s Netflix series ‘Hi, I’m Your Birthday Twin!’ as she interviews Josie to discover what makes her tick as well as learning more about her life with husband Walter and daughters Roxy and Erin. It’s been well-written with a brilliantly thought-out plot that becomes dark, chilling and at times disturbing, and I was so involved with the characters and trying to make sense of what Josie was saying that by the time I reached the last few chapters I was in shock with the events that occurred and glued to my Kindle while my brain tried to sort out what had actually happened. This is a fantastic thriller, thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking, and I don’t think I’d be far wrong by saying that it’s the best I’ve read by this amazing author,