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itsjadenbaby's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Enjoyable and quick read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Murder, War, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Grief, and Toxic friendship
jgurniak's review against another edition
4.0
It's not very often I come across a YA historical mystery that I actually like. Well done, Judy Blundell!
nooks_en_books's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
steffski's review against another edition
4.0
This was a quick and clean and quaint YA with some lessons learned in a time where most YA is more adult than young adult. I like that it was historical fiction that gave nods to what life was like post WW2 but was a stand alone story without that.
stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
5.0
All you need to know about this book is that it's historical fiction set after the second world war, the writing is wonderful and it's definitely worth reading. Everything is spot on. The descriptions, the characters and the tone of the 50's.
And last but not least - it lingers. It kept me up late at night and still pops up in my head now and then, reminding me of how great it is.
That's it.
And last but not least - it lingers. It kept me up late at night and still pops up in my head now and then, reminding me of how great it is.
That's it.
stephxsu's review against another edition
3.0
After her stepfather Joe returns home from serving in the Second World War, 15-year-old Evie Spooner believes that things can now return to normal. No more rationing, no more faking, no more worrying with her beautiful mother Bev if he will be in a particular battle on a particular day.
However, things from Joe’s war past seem to come back to haunt him, and he spontaneously moves his family down to a hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. There they befriend the Graysons, a wealthy-looking couple, and Peter Coleridge, a handsome young man who knew Joe from the war. Joe doesn’t seem to like Peter, and Evie can’t figure out why. She certainly likes him very much, as they go out to town together with Bev and occasionally have romantic encounters.
But something is seriously wrong with this group. Lies, betrayals, and hatred arise, culminating in a devastating event that forces Evie to choose whether to be loyal to her parents or be just. Bev can’t hide Evie behind a makeup-less face and childish dresses anymore; it’s time for Evie to grow up and face the complex adult world.
Judy Blundell packs so much into this small but giant book. Issues regarding anti-Semitism, family loyalty, love, growing up, and lying all come up, among others. While I thought Evie seemed over-the-top naïve sometimes with relationship tensions that are obvious to readers, Blundell does a fantastic job of making her grow up through the book. WHAT I SAW AND HOW I LIED is by no means perfect, but it’s a good read if you’re looking for a historical suspense coming-of-age story.
However, things from Joe’s war past seem to come back to haunt him, and he spontaneously moves his family down to a hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. There they befriend the Graysons, a wealthy-looking couple, and Peter Coleridge, a handsome young man who knew Joe from the war. Joe doesn’t seem to like Peter, and Evie can’t figure out why. She certainly likes him very much, as they go out to town together with Bev and occasionally have romantic encounters.
But something is seriously wrong with this group. Lies, betrayals, and hatred arise, culminating in a devastating event that forces Evie to choose whether to be loyal to her parents or be just. Bev can’t hide Evie behind a makeup-less face and childish dresses anymore; it’s time for Evie to grow up and face the complex adult world.
Judy Blundell packs so much into this small but giant book. Issues regarding anti-Semitism, family loyalty, love, growing up, and lying all come up, among others. While I thought Evie seemed over-the-top naïve sometimes with relationship tensions that are obvious to readers, Blundell does a fantastic job of making her grow up through the book. WHAT I SAW AND HOW I LIED is by no means perfect, but it’s a good read if you’re looking for a historical suspense coming-of-age story.
gothbean's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was the first book I ever wrote fanfiction for as a kid. Rereading it as an adult has been a treat, now that I can actually understand what was going on. A perfect beginner mystery book.
finley0315's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
Film noir meets coming of age in this taut, atmospheric YA set in post-War New York and Palm Beach.