Title: “None of This is True”

Author: Lisa Jewell

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Publication Date: July 20, 2023

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)

“None of This is True” is a new novel by Lisa Jewell, centering on an English podcaster named Alix, and her “birthday twin”, Josie. I found the description of this story intriguing, but struggled to get through the book. It wasn’t until I was about 40% finished (yes, I checked) that the story started to capture my interest. Before that point, I was reading a few pages here and there and struggling to get into the story.

After meeting at a restaurant they had both gone to to celebrate their forty-fifth birthday, Josie turns up again in Alix’s life and shares her interest in being the subject of Alix’s next podcast. Alix is intrigued enough by Josie’s unusual demeanor, style of dress, and how different their lives are to start talking with her, and quickly realizes this story could end up being something worth sharing with her listeners. Josie’s instability becomes clear early on, and while juggling her own struggles at home, Alix continues to make time to learn more about what has made Josie who she is today… or at least the version of events that Josie chooses to share. 

I thought there was some good writing throughout the story, but I also did not find any of the characters relatable or remotely likable, which made it hard for me to care how the story would end. The plot twists kept getting more and more far-fetched, and I found myself caring less about how the story would end as it wound down to its somewhat predictable conclusion.

I am clearly in the minority with my two-star rating on this one, and this is the first book by the author that I have not enjoyed, so I will definitely be reading her next project in the hopes that “None of This is True” was just a one-off for me. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.