Reviews with content warning for Pedophilia - None of This is True

**4-Star Review: Clever Format, but a Flat Ending**

Lisa Jewell's *None of This Is True* grabs your attention from the start with a unique and engaging format. The story unfolds in an almost documentary style, interspersing interviews, podcast transcripts, and alternating perspectives. This structure keeps you on your toes and adds a layer of realism that’s both fresh and compelling.

The characters are intricately woven, and the slow unraveling of secrets keeps the tension building. As the narrative progresses, you find yourself drawn into the psychological manipulation and mind games, questioning who’s truly trustworthy.

However, the highly anticipated reveal at the end felt a bit underwhelming. After all the clever buildup, I expected more of a shocking twist. Instead, it lacked the punch needed to truly satisfy. While the journey itself was immersive, the conclusion didn’t quite live up to the intensity of the plot's earlier moments.

Overall, *None of This Is True* is an inventive and thrilling read with its clever format, but it leaves you wishing for a bit more at the finish line.

Content Warnings

tasnimtanisha's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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samkelly18's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I’m normally a big Lisa jewel fan but this one missed the mark for me. I found the victim blaming troublesome and the attempt to make a pedophile have a redemption arc just plain offensive.

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chsm8's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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eazybreezy92's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Josie and Alix are birthday twins and who seemingly live very different lives. Alix interviews Josie for her podcast about women who are about to make major changes to their lives. As Josie begins to share the story of her life, things get more twisted and Josie’s motives for being on the podcast become questionable and dark.

A quick paced, psychological thriller. Definitely a page turner. I liked how it was set up in podcast style with the Netflix interludes while being told from two perspectives. That style of writing could get messy and confusing but the author pulled it off.

Slight spoiler: why I couldn’t give it a 4 star is the end seemed like it tried to justify a 40+ year old man being with a 16 year old. That part was weird and I didn’t like that when there was a moment to address it, there was basically sympathy for this male character? Gross.

Content Warnings

alissa_lopez's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Fast paced, modern concept book — centers on a podcast and feels somewhat commercial for my taste. Characters were interesting, but the book was somewhat predictable, unfortunately.

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