Monday, October 22, 2018

Review: Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Title: Little White Lies
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Series: Book One in the Debutante Series
Published By: Freeform (November 8, 2018)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!!


Book Description:
"I'm not saying this is Sawyer's fault," the prim and proper one said delicately. "But."

Eighteen-year-old auto mechanic Sawyer Taft did not expect her estranged grandmother to show up at her apartment door and offer her a six-figure contract to participate in debutante season. And she definitely never imagined she would accept. But when she realizes that immersing herself in her grandmother's "society" might mean discovering the answer to the biggest mystery of her life-her father's identity-she signs on the dotted line and braces herself for a year of makeovers, big dresses, bigger egos, and a whole lot of bless your heart. The one thing she doesn't expect to find is friendship, but as she's drawn into a group of debutantes with scandalous, dangerous secrets of their own, Sawyer quickly discovers that her family isn't the only mainstay of high society with skeletons in their closet. There are people in her grandmother's glittering world who are not what they appear, and no one wants Sawyer poking her nose into the past. As she navigates the twisted relationships between her new friends and their powerful parents, Sawyer's search for the truth about her own origins is just the beginning.


Set in the world of debutante balls, grand estates and rolling green hills, Little White Lies combines a charming setting, a classic fish-out-of-water story, and the sort of layered mystery only author Jennifer Lynn Barnes can pull off.







I became a huge Jennifer Lynn Barnes fan after reading her Naturals series and then even more so after her Fixer series so it was with little hesitation that I accepted a copy of her latest book. I knew that if anyone could blow me away with a good mystery in the YA genre, it would be her and I wasn't wrong at all. 

Sometimes you can pick up a book and within the very first few pages just know you are going to fall in love with the main character. That you are going to want to be there friend and know them and maybe even be them. That is the talent that Barnes has and that is exactly what happened to me, yet again, when I meet Sawyer. 

Fun, sassy, sarcastic, a little bit sweet and a while lot of fierce and determined, Sawyer was a character that I couldn't help but instantly like and want to know more about.

Throwing this anything but sunshine and smiles girl into a world of fake compliments, even faker smiles and friendship, frilly dresses, and money galore, and you have one heck of a good setting and an even better story. One that will leave you eagerly turning the pages and soaking up every single fascinating ball, scavenger hunt, and elite event in a world that most have never experienced and only dream about. 





*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

44 comments:

  1. This sounds like something I'd really enjoy! I love sassy and sarcastic, I'm curious about Sawyer :)

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    1. I really do too and Sawyer was just awesome. I hope you give this one a try and like her too.

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  2. This sounds like a lot of fun and the MC sounds like someone I'd easily click with. I'll have to give this a try. I've enjoyed the few books I've read from her!

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    1. She was so easy to click with and just get which I think is really what made the whole story.

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  3. Definitely need to check this one out! Great review!

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    1. I know!! I really do love her work. :D

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    2. Did you read The Naturals?! I LOVED that series, I have The Fixer lying around somewhere on my shelves...I really need to finish it Lol

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    3. I did and The Fixer, I've loved them both and keep hoping we will get more from the Fixer soon.

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  5. This looks good, and I like that it falls on the older side of the YA Spectrum and serves up some mystery.

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    1. It is on the older side, almost more NA than YA but without all the mature content if that makes sense.

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  6. It has been a while since I've read a book by her so it's great to see that she's got a new one out. I did enjoy most of her books in the past so I will definitely check this one out!

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    1. I just loved the whole country club/debutante aspect, mostly because it so is that way.

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  7. it's great to hear that she has another great book!

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  8. I don’t know why I turned this one down when it was offered. It sounds fun.

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    1. It really was so much fun Heidi. I had a ball with it. ;)

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  9. I've wanted to read something by Barnes. Would you suggest starting with this one or her other series?

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    1. It depends on what you want. I had a lot of fun with this and there is a mystery to it that was fun as well. Her other series, both The Natural and The Fixer are more, serious maybe? One is more political (without all the politics in it if that makes sense) and the other centers around serial killers. I love them all but they each have a different feel to them so it depends on what you are looking for.

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  10. I've never read this author. I'm happy to hear this was another good read for you though!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. She is such a fun one to try and she always has original and great story lines and characters. Definitely a favorite of mine.

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    1. Woot! I think you will really like it as well!

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  12. Wow what a fab premise it sounds like Steel Magnolias meets the mob Ha ha It sounds really good Thanks Kindlemom

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    1. Oh my gosh Debbie, that is so funny! I like that comparison. Not quite as sad though thank goodness!

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  13. It's true sometimes you can tell from the first few pages that you are going to really enjoy a book.

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    1. Yep but to be fair, I think pretty much all of her books have been that way for me.

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    1. She is probably one of my favorites that Barnes has ever written.

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  15. This reminds me of mean girls, princess diaries and some great mystery vibes. Sawyer sounds like a fierce and likable heroine too!

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  16. I loved The Naturals but haven't read Fixer. I'm happy to hear that this was such a winner!

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    1. Definitely read The Fixer and this as well, both are just so much fun and so well written.
      Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  17. I usually love any story when the main character is awesome. I'd like the contrast of her personality against the fancy life. Wonderful review! :)

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    1. Having that connection with a character really is so important! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  18. I love books with a memorable setting and story! This one has been on my list for awhile now, and I cannot wait to read it! Your glowing review has only piqued my interest more.

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?

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  19. I loved her Raised by Wolves series. I need to try some new stuff by her.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart

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    1. I read the first book of that one and really liked it but for some reason didn't read the others. I so need to add them back to my TBR pile.

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