A review by bookishgoob
Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

Sawyer Taft lived with her mother for 18 years knowing nothing about her mothers side of the family, or who her father was. One day her estranged grandmother on her mothers side makes Sawyer an offer she can’t refuse: Come and participate in the debutante season and she’ll pay for college.. and maybe Sawyer can find out who her biological father is. 

My grandmother is from Mississippi so southern hospitality has always been ingrained in me. The southern-ness of this book cracked me up. The little quips, the backhanded compliments, the nicknames, the fact that “church is optional but brunch is a family affair that must be attended”. This book was equal part entertaining, fun, mysterious, and incredibly funny. A found family element to it, but it was actually her real family she had found and became a part of. 

This book felt like Bridgerton, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and kind of Gilmore Girls all wrapped into one. The pacing left some to be desired, as the future timeline and the past timeline became the present time line it got kind of muddy and confusing. I loved the relationships between the characters and how they felt like real people that I was hanging out with. I loved Boone’s character. He was hilarious and just so full of love and kindness. I will be honest, though, I hated Sawyer. She was incredibly infuriating and she was rude and disrespectful for no reason other than to asset the fact that she wasn’t from “their world” and that enraged me. 
There was several mysteries at play, several scandals too. I enjoyed the scandalous aspect of the “Southern High Society”. All in all, Jennifer Lynn Barnes brought me into another world and hooked me so quickly. Her writing style makes me feel like I’m there with the characters, experiencing these things with them. It’s very exciting to be able to immerse myself in these mysterious and fun worlds and I can’t wait to start book 2! 
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