Lie in the Tide by Holly Danvers

Thank you to Netgalley and Severn House for my eARC!

The beach? ✔ Champagne? ✔ A thriller about old friends, secrets and lies? ✔

Four high school friends decided to reunite about 20 years apart for a 40th birthday celebration. They meet in Cape Cod at a beach front cottage for some relaxation. But, after 20 years, a lot can and has changed between the four old friends. Mori is an erotica novelist, Remi owns a gym, Avery is a stay-at-home mom on a farm in Iowa and Calista is an English Teacher not too far from her childhood hometown. Each of them is harboring a secret, each secret more deadly than the last.

I absolutely loved the setting and wished I was lying on the beach in the hot sun while reading this. Lie in the Tide is a wild ride, keeping on the edge of your seat with several twists throughout. Just when you think you have figured it out, Danvers pulls out another twist, which will have you thinking long after you’ve read the last page. I found some of the dialogue clunky and forced between the characters. Additionally, some choices of characters made me frustrated, causing me to scream at my kindle.

I definitely recommend this book if you enjoy friendships that unravel with one innocuous white lie.

Favorite Line: “But that’s how the brain of a writer operated. Taking things as far as they could go on the page, so as not to lose the reader. Keep them reading long into the night until their eyes were practically bleeding.”

This book is like a story inside of a book. The twist at the end is crazy and I didn’t see it coming at all. I liked all the characters in the story and their development throughout the book. It really shows how lies can ruin friendships and lives.

Four friends reunite after twenty years, each hiding a devastating secret. Mori is a successful erotica author facing her third divorce. Remi is concealing her pregnancy and the paternity of her child. Avery, a farm wife with a house full of kids, fears losing them. Calista, a suburban mom and teacher, harbors the biggest secret. Their friendship is tested as they realize that one little white lie could have deadly consequences.

I am thrilled to have been invited to read this book! The story started off slowly, allowing us to catch up with the lives of each character. However, it quickly picked up pace and maintained it throughout the entire book. I am particularly excited that this is only the first book in the series, as the ending left me feeling open-ended and a bit confused. I am eager to see what lies ahead for these four friends.

It can be challenging to keep track of multiple characters in a story, but the author did an excellent job of making each character easily identifiable. The characters were gradually developed, keeping the reader in suspense. Each of the four friends brought a unique personality to the story, making some more relatable than others. The plot was clever and suspenseful, leaving me unable to turn the pages fast enough.

The setting was vividly described and had a chilling effect. Having lived in Massachusetts, I could easily picture the places described in the book, which added to my enjoyment. As a military member who has traveled to many states, I appreciate stories set in familiar locations.

If you enjoy stories about loyal friendships with hidden secrets waiting to be uncovered, this book is perfect for you. The unexpected and open-ended conclusion left me eagerly anticipating the next installment. I highly recommend giving this book a try, as there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged!

Thank you, Severn House and the Pulse Team, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book! What did I just read?! The end had me questioning absolutely everything! This is the story of a reunion between high school friends gone wrong. The friends have not seen each other for 20 years and are reuniting on Cape Cod. Mori is a best selling novelist and arranges the house on the water. When Calista is late showing up the friends wonder what to do and how well they know each other. Each friend is keeping secrets from the others. What is the truth and what is a lie and can any of them be trusted? I thought I had this book figured out until I didn’t. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy thrillers with unexpected twists.

In *Lie in the Tide*, Holly Danvers delivers a gripping psychological thriller that artfully unravels the complexities of friendship, secrets, and the dark undercurrents that can lurk beneath seemingly idyllic reunions. As four friends—Mori, Avery, Remi, and Calista—gather at a picturesque Cape Cod beach house to celebrate Calista's fortieth birthday, the warmth of nostalgia is quickly overshadowed by the weight of the hidden truths each woman carries.

The author does an excellent job of establishing the characters and their backstories, making it easy for readers to become invested in their lives. Mori, now a bestselling author, battles feelings of shame with her impending divorce. Remi, a yoga instructor, grapples with the complexities of her unexpected pregnancy. Avery, a quiet farm wife, worries about her children’s futures while feeling marginalized among her more scandalous friends. Calista, the quintessential suburban mom and teacher, hides the most significant secret of all, setting up a tense atmosphere for the unfolding drama.

As the story progresses, Danvers skillfully reveals how one seemingly innocuous white lie can unravel relationships and lead to devastating consequences. The narrative is laced with suspense, creating a sense of tension that escalates with each passing moment. A notable strength of the novel is its exploration of the characters' emotional depths; readers will find themselves questioning their own perspectives on friendship and trust as the plot thickens.

A particularly poignant quote encapsulates the theme of the book: “In the tide of friendship, even the smallest lie can create the greatest currents.” This evocative statement highlights the idea that hidden truths can shift dynamics in relationships and lead to unforeseen outcomes.

*Lie in the Tide* is an edge-of-your-seat suspense thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end. With well-crafted character development and a plot that intricately weaves together secrets and lies, this novel is a satisfying read for fans of Liane Moriarty and Lucy Foley. Danvers has crafted a compelling tale that explores the fragility of friendship amidst deception, proving that the threat of betrayal can be just as dangerous as the lies we tell ourselves.

This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a thrilling story that delves into the dark side of human connection, making it a worthy addition to your reading list.

I like storylines with groups of friends reuniting after years apart and each having their own backstory, especially when they aren’t exactly trustworthy or likeable and don’t seem to like each other. That tension in the group makes for some great entertainment, especially after one of them is murdered. This is one of those popcorn thrillers that Freida McFadden or Kiersten Modglin fans would enjoy.

Calista, Remi, Mori, and Avery were good friends back in high school but lost touch over the years. Twenty years later, the four of them are reuniting in Cape Cod to celebrate Calista’s 40th birthday. They’ve all got skeletons in their closets that they’re trying to hide, but the lies will turn deadly for one of them.

Doesn’t this cover just make you want to tuck this in your beach bag so you can sip chardonnay and read by the water? Lie in the Tide is cozy mystery author Holly Danvers’s first foray into the thriller genre, and I think it’s a great fit for cozy lovers who want to dip their toe into the deep, dark waters of the thriller world. It’s a quick read with short chapters and an epilogue that I didn’t see coming!

This book follows four high school best friends, who lost touch for 20 years, but decide to reunite, when they then find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery.

The book was packed with twists, but I just found that none of the characters were very likable or interesting, so I wasn’t too invested in the story. This was a quick read though and I have no doubt others will really enjoy it.

Originally I was neutral to this book, i thought the premise was interesting but the execution unfortunately fell flat for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters and the plot held my attention but with the way the dialogue was written, it felt forced and choppy. Additionally, the plot twist at the ending was so frustrating for me, I had decided I could live with the last chapter even if i thought the murder to finding the killer was a bit rushed (i feel like it was only 30-50 pages apart?) but then the last 7 pages of the book and the additional reveal was whiplash. I feel like this book would still be enjoyed by some of my audience but it just wasn’t a good selection for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Four high school friends (Calista, Mori, Remi and Avery) decide to meet up again after 20 years of not seeing eachother, to catch up and celebrate the 40th birthday of Calista. When Calista doesn’t turn up to the beach house after a few days, everyone starts to get worried. And before long, the three remaining friends find themselves desperate to find her and figure out just what has been going on.

This was a pretty fast-paced read, filled with plenty of twists and turns. I thought I had figured out what was going on, and I was pleased to find I was right. Until I got to the epilogue and realised that everything I thought I knew was completely wrong. I was left feeling so confused at the end, but that was obviously the point. Such a great read.

Lie in the Tide by Holly Danvers follows four old friends who decide to come together for a long overdue reunion. Set in the idyllic Cape Cod, the friends stay in a luxurious beach house. Though a shock death soon intrudes on what was meant to be a relaxing trip, and the mystery begins.

I liked the beach setting, the pace and the short chapters. There were some good moments providing insight into characters motivations and a decent reflection of their history. I enjoyed how Danvers showed how their past then impacted them in the present. However I did find the dialogue and some characters decisions quite cringeworthy and unrealistic. If you are easily put off by this type of dialogue and questionable decision making I would steer clear of this novel as at times it is hard to suspend disbelief.

A good pick for a low stakes beach read, yet quite predictable at times. Thank you Severn House and NetGalley for my ARC.

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒅 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒖𝒑. 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅. 𝑳𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒑𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒅𝒆, 𝒅𝒖𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒐𝒇𝒇 𝒐𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒔.

Hailed as a reunion to die for, LIE IN THE TIDE features four friends--Mori, Avery, Remi and Calista--who last saw each other 20 years ago. They reconnect on Cape Cod to celebrate Calista’s 40th birthday, but each one hides a painful and devastating secret.

I really enjoyed all the back stories from each woman, but there was a disconnect in the way they communicated with each other that made you wonder why they thought a reunion would be a good idea. None of them seem to really like each other and spend a lot of time on petty bickering. But in the end, the psychological aspects, especially the tension between the women, ended up making for it. I was a little confused by the ending, but I think that was the point. Overall, an enjoyable read, and I'll definitely read more of this author's work. Thank you to Severn House Publishing and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for the early copy. This is slated to release June 3, 2025.

I wasn't sure at times if this was a thriller or dark comedy given the constant silly bickering between the friends at times of stress and murder!

Not sure if it was intentional but it was hard to warm to any of the characters, especially Remy who just seemed to brush off any of the quite traumatic events she went through with a simple , 'OK'. There was one moment that should've been absolutely heart breaking for her but she seemed to justify that it was 'OK' as she didn't think that was the right path for her and she didn't want the changes in her life it would've bought anyway.

The main characters were all friends at school and they were meeting up for a reunion weekend to celebrate their 40th year - it felt a lot of the time that these girls hadn't out grown their teenage tantrums.

Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to review this book, this is my honest opinion.

Amazing thriller. This was literally to die for.

I have to say I was hooked from the start on this one and it kept me on the edge all the way long.

A must to add to your TBR.

Lie In The Tide is a twisty thriller full of characters that will not be on your Christmas card list. It is quick, popcorn thriller that can be enjoyed in a couple of sittings.

4 high school friends arrange a reunion 20 years after seeing each other for the last time. The trip to Cape Cod is meant to be fun and relaxing and change to get to know each other as adults. It is anything but. One of them is murdered and the others spend their days trying to find out who killed her and why..and how and the while not becoming suspects themselves.

It is a quick read that is enjoyable and entertaining l not so sure about that ending though. 3.5 ⭐️

Thanks to Severn House and Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse for the early copy of this book to read. Out on June 3rd.

This book follows four high school best friends, Calista, Mori, Remi and Avery who plan to reunite after twenty years of no communication to celebrate Calista's 40th birthday. The stage is set, a weekend get away to Cape Cod is planned. Three of the women show up and its all stories and wine but when the birthday girl never shows up, things get crazy real quick and secrets come to light.

This is a quick read, easy to get through. Perfect for a beach read or if you yourself are going a trip..

The premise was fun but i would have loved to seen more of the friendship earlier on the book, maybe a flashback to show how close they were so it could help understanding why they would all agree to reconnecting after twenty years of no communication. Also, the friendship between them all never really felt like it matched their actions, like when a character is found to be dead, they are very quick to get over it.

The plot, it was quick and i did not want to put it down, but I found it a little predictable. I figured out who the murderer was pretty early on and was hoping that it would be a red herring and there would be a twist that really blew my mind. Also the way these women handled an investigation - so many questionable decisions that it was just frustrating.

The twist in the epilogue felt a little underwhelming to me. I understand what the author was trying to do but i just felt it took away from what i just read.

Four friends are getting together for a long overdue reunion weekend. High school friends that have spread out get back together to celebrate a birthday but one of the friends fails to appear. I related the most to Avery because she’s from Iowa. I completely related to her fear of leaving her family and needing the break. I also love Mori and her comedic relief. The author has put together a great cast of characters with plenty of twists!

I received an advanced copy of this book from Severn House via NetGalley.

Reunions are supposed to be heartwarming, but for Mori, Avery, Remi, and Calista, their first time together in 20 years is anything but. What starts as a birthday getaway on Cape Cod quickly spirals into a tangled web of secrets, lies, and murder.

The synopsis was promising: Mori, the former wallflower turned bestselling erotica author, is facing yet another failed marriage. Remi, the seemingly perfect yoga instructor, is hiding a pregnancy with an unknown father. Avery, the quiet farm wife, fears losing her children. And Calista? Well, let’s just say her secret is the deadliest of all.

Unfortunately, while the book is packed with twists, it struggles to make the reader care. The biggest issue is the characters. None of them are particularly likable or even interesting. Their interactions feel stilted, their decisions frustrating, and their dialogue so forced it’s as if they’re reading from a bad soap opera script. Add in a setting that’s basically an afterthought and a premise that strains believability, and the whole thing starts to feel less like a gripping thriller and more like a throwaway beach read.

When Mori, a successful author, organises a reunion with her old school friends, she doesn't expect one of them to wash up on her private beach, after the police have informed them that she is missing. Fearful of being blamed for her death, the friends decide to carry out their own investigation into her death. As secrets from their past rise to the surface, the women realise that they really do not know each other. Full of twists and turns that never lead you quite to where you expect them!

If you enjoy Lisa Jewell's and Shari Lapena's books then you will enjoy this one -

Based on prior reviews which I shouldn’t have looked at I expected to hate this one. I actually enjoyed it, I found it a nice summer type read. It was a quick and easy read. The characters were good. The storyline itself was solid. There were some SERIOUSLY implausible situations that made me shake my head and it was evident the author has no real foundation for how a crime/ crime scene would be played out but this is a work of fiction so I didn’t dwell on that stuff and just enoyed the read