Lies You Never Told Me

Lies You Never Told Me by Jennifer Donaldson 336 pages

This young adult novel has an interesting cover; What I think should be the front is really the back, and what I would construe a back cover copy, is on the front.  The copy on back is interesting, but turns confusing after reading the book.

There are two main protagonists: Gabe and Elyse, along with two antagonists, Catherine and Sasha. Their stories are told in alternating chapters, which helps keep the tales separate and easy to follow.

The book’s first chapter is terrifying; I’ve never been so glad to be a child of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Gabe is over at his girlfriend, Sasha’s, house. Her parents are out of town and the teens are having a warm evening swim. When the parents call, Sasha lies that Gabe has come over. But thanks to technology, they are able to see what is happening, thanks to a surveillance camera.

While Gave and Sasha are in Portland, Oregon, halfway across the country in Austin, Texas, Elyse is trying out for her high school play. She doesn’t expect to land the lead, but when she does, she realizes she has a lot to lose…and gain.

When Gabe is leaving Sasha’s on the above-mentioned evening, he is struck by a car while he is skateboarding down the street. Lucky for him, a good samaritan stops and calls 911. When he discovers who saved his life, he tried to break-up with Sasha, but Sasha has other plans, including technology to scare him and breaking into his home while he is sleeping.

Elyse is also treading on dangerous grounds, but she just wants to be seen. Her drug-addict mother is barely in the picture. Elyse has been supporting herself for years, doing whatever it took to keep Social Services at bay. But now she has captured a man’s attention.

The story is tense, and the how easy it is to use today’s technology to manipulate people is terrifying. As the novel hurtled toward its climax, it got confusing. I wish I could chat with ya’ll about the ending, but no spoilers here. As I reached the last quarter of the book, I was planning to give it 4 stars, However the confusing ending, forces me to give Lies You Never Told Me receives 3 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.