Book Review: Never Lie | Freida McFadden

If you are looking to find out how Never Lie ends with spoilers and the ending explained, I have a full summary over on the spoiler review with lots of funny commentary. Or stay here to keep it spoiler-free!

Ok all of my Freida McFadden McFans and McHaters, I’ve worked through the next book in my journey through her full (and very popular) catalog, Never Lie. Let’s all appreciate the TikTok ban was postponed for now because this book is a BookTok favorite! It’s highly recommended across TikTokers. I can see why–it’s quick, easy-to-read, and delivers one banger of a blindside at the end. Did I like it? It’s relative; I say much more on that topic over on the spoiler review. Here, let’s start with the publisher teaser because Freida always delivers one compelling teaser!

What is Never Lie about?

Newlyweds Tricia and Ethan are searching for the house of their dreams.

But when they visit the remote manor that once belonged to Dr. Adrienne Hale, a renowned psychiatrist who vanished without a trace four years earlier, a violent winter storm traps them at the estate… with no chance of escape until the blizzard comes to an end.

In search of a book to keep her entertained until the snow abates, Tricia happens upon a secret room. One that contains audio transcripts from every single patient Dr. Hale has ever interviewed. As Tricia listens to the cassette tapes, she learns about the terrifying chain of events leading up to Dr. Hale’s mysterious disappearance.

Tricia plays the tapes one by one, late into the night. With each one, another shocking piece of the puzzle falls into place, and Dr. Adrienne Hale’s web of lies slowly unravels.

And then Tricia reaches the final cassette. The one that reveals the entire horrifying truth.

What did I think?

I am always so curious to read book teasers after I finish because they read in a new light. Sometimes they go far enough to spoil some major plot points. In others (like this one), they veer so vague that they are nearly inaccurate. I won’t say how though! What I will say is that this teaser gives the impression this is Tricia’s story, but that is only partly true. Our psychotherapist Adrienne Hale disappeared three years before the book, but we get a storyline of hers from the past that is honestly more interesting than Tricia’s.

Isn’t it fun to have a book centered around the twisted, dramatic world of a psychotherapist? I think it is. It’s probably my favorite part of this book. A lot of the sessions between our mystery patients (PL, EJ, etc.) are presented to us through clips of their audio recorded sessions. They are absolutely not what I’ve experienced in therapy, but perhaps I don’t have a therapist that’s willing to be as invasive as Adrienne Hale. Juicy!

None of the characters are likable. In fact, I’d venture to say they are deeply unlikable with perhaps the exception of one, who we never hear from directly. Tricia is a classic Freida lead–a hot, dummy who wears Manolo Blahniks. I sometimes wonder if that is just Freida’s favorite shoe brand or if is the only luxury shoe brand she knows? They certainly aren’t the best in my opinion. But then again, I’m not a “neurosurgeon” like Freida…

The setting in a sprawling mansion during a blizzard was a lot of fun. Tricia and Ethan have no problem making themselves at home in this house. I realize it is up for sale and the owner disappeared three years ago, but they are going through her closet, office, and anywhere else they can. Even in absentia, is it ok to be that invasive? I suppose if they weren’t the plot wouldn’t have happened…

Tricia is the one to stumble upon the tapes. If you’re wondering how the police missed them, I suppose it’s because the hidden room was truly hidden, even from the blueprints. This is not a spoiler, it happens literally at the beginning. Ethan is somewhat absent for parts of it. What is he up to? That was the question on my mind. We knew what Tricia was up to… snooping. Ethan is also strangely unbothered by the signs that someone has been living in the house. Men!

I felt that this would have been better if it was the first Freida book I read. She used a lot of her familiar tropes which made it easier to guess some and dismiss others in terms of twists. I didn’t get them all though. It would be impossible because most of them feel like they came from a different book!

This is the book I see recommended most frequently in psychological thriller groups when someone is looking for a recommendation. I can see why. It is a blindside for sure. It’s quick, it doesn’t require much thought, and I didn’t find it slow at any points. Entertaining! Now, I get into all of my issues with it over on the spoiler page. Join me!