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Beautiful Lies
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Beautiful Lies
Author: Lisa Unger

Book Information
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780307336828 - ISBN-10: 0307336824
Publication Date: 12/5/2006
Pages: 384

Book Description:
If Ridley Jones had slept ten minutes later or had taken the subway instead of waiting for a cab, she would still be living the beautiful lie she used to call her life. She would still be the privileged daughter of a doting father and a loving mother. Her life would still be perfect—with only the tiny cracks of an angry junkie for a brother and a charming drunk with shady underworld connections for an uncle to mar the otherwise flawless whole.

But that's not what happened. Instead, those inconsequential decisions lead her to perform a good deed that puts her in the right place at the right time to unleash a chain of events that brings a mysterious package to her door—a package which informs her that her entire world is a lie.

Suddenly forced to question everything she knows about herself and her family, Ridley wanders into dark territory she never knew existed, where everyone in her life seems like a stranger. She has no idea who's on her side and who has something to hide—even, and maybe especially, her new lover, Jake, who appears to have secrets of his own.

Sexy and fast-paced, Beautiful Lies is a true literary thriller with one of the freshest voices and heroines to arrive in years. Lisa Unger takes us on a breathtaking ride in which every choice Ridley makes creates a whirlwind of consequences that are impossible to imagine . . . .


AN INTERNATIONAL BOOK-OF-THE-MONTH SELECTION

A featured alternate selection of the Literary Guild, Doubleday Book Club, Book-of-the-Month Club, Mystery Guild, and Rhapsody Book Club.

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Genres:

Top Member Book Reviews

Leigh P. (Leigh) wrote on 10/20/2007...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

This book would have been better had it not been so predictable. Because one could easily discern the direction everything was headed, all of the events and actions of the main character seemed to drag. Of course, for what it was, it was entertaining. I felt like I knew Ridley, the main character, quite well; and Ms. Unger did a good job of fleshing out Ridley's love interest. It's recommended if only for the characters.

Melanie H. (MELNELYNN) wrote on 8/30/2007...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

WOW!!! I predict a wonderful future for Lisa Unger's first novel, "Beautiful Lies." I forecast its presence on the NY Times Bestseller List for many a moon. However, unlike a number of successful bestselling novels, this one is well written. It also has a most original plot and a quirky, three dimensional protagonist, as well as realistic minor characters. And, oddly enough, there are no real villains in a story where bad things certainly happen. In the novel her main character, Ridley Jones, says/thinks "there are no heroes or villains in real life, 'only good and bad choices.'

Terri M. (ManitouBlue) wrote on 3/15/2007...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

I loved this book! I could not put it down! If you are a fan of Harlen Coben, don't miss Beautiful Lies, Lisa Unger's first book.

Pamela L. wrote on 4/23/2009...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Exciting... unpredictable...the plot twists and then twists again. The character in the story, Ridley, is in for a few shocks about her family, her friends, her ex-boyfriend. I liked this book a lot! I really like a book I can get sucked into, in a good way. I don't think you will be disappointed if you like a good tale to escape with.

Samantha S. (SamIAm79) wrote on 3/16/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Ridley Jones suddenly finds out that her entire life is a lie. She joins forces with her new neighbor, Jake, who is not what he seems.
Fairly predictable mystery/thriller, but still pretty good.

Rebecca K. wrote on 6/7/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This is one of the best books I have read in a while. It has great plot twists and while it is mostly a mystery thriller it has a intense unusual romance in it. There is a sequel"Sliver of Truth" that is also excellent. I would, however,recommend that you read this book first.

Linda (Angeleyes) wrote on 5/12/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This was my first Lisa Unger book and I enjoyed it. Very well written and easy to grasp onto the characters. The characters and plot are well developed and just when you think you've figured it out, it isn't quite what you think.

Barbara (femmefan) wrote on 2/5/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

A good mystery, in which I figured out some pieces and was totally surprised by others. Ridley's introspection sometimes inhibits the progression of an already slowly paced story, but sometimes also provides interesting insights into her character and thought processes. Also, maybe because of her self-analysis, Ridley often seems emotionally detached from the story she's relating, and that also detaches the reader, making the events less immediate.

Tracy Ann M. wrote on 9/5/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

A good read. A bit predictable but maybe I just got lucky on my prediction :)


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Virginia L. wrote on 9/1/2009...


The story is interesting. I found I wanted to control the heroine and show her the way she could reason the way things were going and as the story went along I began to question her actions. The author takes us along an interesting turn of events and made me wonder just who was her friend.

Patricia B. (tntb) wrote on 7/23/2009...


Fast Paced Thriller with a romance.

Julie B. wrote on 5/24/2009...


Enjoyable, but it was a pretty easy plot to figure out.

Regina (Gr8Smokies) wrote on 1/20/2009...


The plot has been noted in other reviews, so I won't reprint it. But I will say that I found this book annoying in some parts. The author seemed intent on psychoanalyzing everything that happened to Ridley. And since Ridley was the main character, you basically had Ridley analyzing herself on every other page. Totally annoying.

And I got the whole "beautiful lies" concept. I just did not to be reminded what it meant every 30 pages or so.

I can never figure out mysteries before the end, so I enjoyed the mystery aspect, just not Ridley.

Marcia K. (marwan) wrote on 1/3/2009...


Excellent! I am so excited as this is the first book by this author I have read and I loved it. Now I have another author to add to my reading list. I think she has only e or 4 books out. Anyway, this was a thriller/lovestory, kept me very intersted and I thought the polt was suspenseful. A great read, Enjoy!

Gail S. (Bella44) wrote on 11/16/2008...


Another great read! Some details and events could be further developed, but all in all, Unger is a great storyteller and this book is a fabulous first novel for her! I'm looking forward to reading her next one!

Kristi V. (KristiV) wrote on 7/14/2008...


Found this book kind of slow to start, but couldn't put it down once I got further into it!

Natasha S. (tashajean) wrote on 5/11/2008...


After an act of heroism garners instant fame for 30-something New York freelancer Ridley Jones, she receives a faded photo of a man, a familiar-looking woman and a little girl along with a note asking, "Are you my daughter?" Shaken, she confronts her parents, who affirm she is theirs by birth; that same day, however, hot new neighbor Jake enters her life, and he's less sure. With breathless speed, Unger is off on an action-packed journey of treachery and intrigueâ€"and sex and romance.

Tammy M. (chase414) wrote on 2/4/2008...


This book had me hooked from page one. And just when you think you have it figured out....you don't. This is a new author and if she continues like this book she will be big. Just ordered her other book and can't wait to receive it. This one is definately a pager turner!!

Kelley R. (artistkelley) wrote on 2/10/2007...


excellent


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