I read this book immediately after finishing He Said She Said by Erin Kelly. Both books were hard to put down. I read The Lying Game in two sittings though. There came a point where I knew I was finishing the book, no matter how late it got. Sleep is over-rated anyway, right?
I wasn't crazy about these four 15 year old girls playing this game (the lying game) at their boarding school because I thought it was hurtful and embarrassing to others. They also smoked and drank and snuck out of their rooms at night. What's odd is that they are not your typical "juvenile delinquents". They were all at the boarding school for different reasons, and they all had very different backgrounds. It was just by chance that they became so bonded. Three of the girls had parents that loved them. Only one, Thea, was obviously dealing with some mental health issues, which resulted in her cutting and (most likely) becoming anorexic and an alcoholic. The story doesn't really go into details of Thea's life - just that she has been kicked out of a lot of schools.
These four friends spend nearly every waking moment together (and they share dorm rooms) for less than one school year before they are forced to leave. But the four of them only get together one time after they all leave the school (for Isa's mother's funeral). Then they don't see each other again for 15 years. Of course the reader doesn't know why until the story unfolds a bit at a time.
I understand that they are all highly stressed when something they did at age 15 comes back to haunt them, but I hated the way Isa treated her boyfriend (and father of her child)! He was just trying to understand what was going on with Isa; why she had changed so much after visiting her old school friends. I felt really bad for him! He was trying so hard and she treated him horribly. I didn't want Isa to go back to Kate's when Kate called her back again. Kate's home seemed creepy to me, sinking into the reach/marsh and all! I can't believe they went swimming at night in the reach!
As all good thrillers do, this one has an unexpected twist at the end. I wasn't really sure who to trust between Kate and her brother Luc. I pretty much just wanted Isa to take her baby home to Owen before one or both of them died!
I wasn't crazy about the ending. I really don't believe that lying is the best tool to use when developing and maintaining a relationship. After seeing all the damage done from their constant lying as teenagers - and then keeping a horrible secret the rest of their lives, which they all handle differently, I am not sure why they thought it was too late to tell the truth. I also don't think that people should stay with the father of their baby simply because he is a wonderful father. Seriously, Isa "lies" at the end when she tells Owen that she loves him. Again, I thought Isa made a poor decision. Lying will only cause more hurt and confusion as time goes on.
Despite not liking the ending, I really thought the book was well-written and suspenseful - with an ending I did not expect. I am definitely going to read Ruth Ware's book, The Woman in Cabin 10 now!
Wendy's Rating: ****
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