Book Review: None of This is True || What even was this??? (The Lazy Book Club Nov 2023)
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
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Kimberly
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I finished this book the other day. I don’t mind not knowing for sure who’s telling the truth. What I found unbelievable is that a podcaster/journalist who wants to do something new would decide this woman who wants to change her life is her next new project without doing any research on her before inviting her into her home and backyard studio. That woman never said how she planned on making a change. Then, there were all the missing items and the video of her going through the trash, and she still keeps inviting her over. It was crazy.
Yes! I didn't even really think about that. A podcaster definitely vets their subjects waaaaay more than what was discussed so this whole book really shouldn't have even happened
Hi. I am a huge fan of mystery’s! I read and listened to the audiobook of None of This is True. It was the most intense adult book that I have ever read. I finished the book by listening to it on my train ride with my mom, when I finished it all I could do was stare at the wall. I will be honest that I wish they had found Josie and brought her into custody but at the same time I felt like the ending was very well written. I did tear up a lot when Erin was ok. I felt very angry at how manipulating Josie was towards Alix and the other characters. I am still glad that I read the book. But I think I will continue to read my Agatha Christie books for a while before I read another psychological thriller.
Thank you!! My gosh, I was so excited to read this book because of all the high praise and high ratings. The book started off great, and it was the last 20% that really just ruined it for me. Somehow, Lisa Jewell manages to try and justify the actions of a pedophile and sexual predator along with a husband who is an alcoholic and goes on drinking and drug blackout binges while neglecting his family at home. I feel like the story would have been better if Josie's story was the truth. (With the open ending, i guess who knows whose story is the truth).
It really was that last 20% that was just absolutely horrendous!!!!
Omg I’ve been so excited for your review of this because I’m so conflicted about this book.
- first of all, this was my first time joining the lazy book club! Yay!!
- I rated it ⭐️⭐️
- The plot kept me engaged but I think a large part of that was how amazing the audiobook was because I listened and read along at the same time.
- I agree with sooo many of your points. The thing that bothered me the most was the Walter p*dophilia issue being so glossed over. There is SO much trauma there for Josie and it felt like a weird decision for the author to villainize a childhood victim when in reality victims are already shamed and blamed all the time. Like why do we need yet another narrative of that in our world?? It seemed like readers were meant to sympathize with him in the last part of the book, which felt really gross to me. And Josie’s mom seemed weirdly unfazed by her daughter marrying a guy who was initially her boyfriend?
- I also was waiting for a plot twist that never happened. Your idea of Alex actually being the one who was the unreliable narrator would have been a much better story.
- I’m overall confused as to why more people don’t have an issue with this book. I think it reflects the stigma that still exists around victims, and that makes me sad 😕
Couldn’t agree more. It feels like Lisa jewel was on the side of a pedo why is she trying to make it seem like he did nothing wrong and it was all evil Josie soo weird I think I just don’t like her books this is the second book of hers I rated a 1 star
Yay! I'm so glad you joined this month even though it seems that this was an absolute disaster of a choice 🤣 Everyone hates it which is super interesting considering it just got 2nd place in the goodreads choice awards.
The audiobook was literally amazing and wasted on such a bad book.
I really thought I was reading into the pedophilia because literally no one was talking about it, but every single comment so far (12/7) has mentioned it and been disgusted by it so clearly it's a problem! I think it's insane that more people havent noticed the victim blaming. I definitely agree that this just proves victims are still seen in a bad light and it's horrible to see that
When i was starting this book,i saw some parts of this video and i was nahh i might like this book and no,i agree with youu it was entertaining but the plot twist were just meh and annoying idk why
Real talk: I legit dnf'd this at like 30 pages. By that short amount of time I just knew, in my soul, I was going to absolutely detest this book and I am so happy that you just validated my feelings.
I don't know what it was but this book just immediately raised my hackles. I hated the superficial dialogue, I hated everyone introduced right off the bat, and the yucky implication (which was true) of Walter and Josie's age difference. I basically opened this, got that far, put it down, and then got it the hell out of my house the next day.
It boggles my mind the great ratings and reviews this has on Goodreads. I do not understand, but at least now we can all put it behind us and never think about it again. I am really crossing my fingers on Immortal Longings.
I should have DNFed it and you were 1000% correct to do so. You are a hell of a good judge of character to have gotten the ick only 30 pages in. I wish I had that kind of judgement because it would have saved me from reading it.
Hopefully Immortal Longings is way better because it seems 100% of people who read None of This is True so far (12/7) absolutely hated it 😅 I'm blaming you all for voting for it and not taking any responsibility for the choice 🤣🤣
Omg the only review of this book I can relate with
I definitely would love to join the book club if possible. I have added you on goodreads (I hope that’s okay). It will be nice to discover new books, fingers crossed some may actually be new favourites. Great video, It’s a shame that this book was so predictable hope u enjoy ur next read. I’ve been reading mostly mindless low star reads over the recent years (mostly because I’ve been very unwell) but I’m fed up with them and looking to get back into my usual reading habits so would love to be part of the book club. Take care.
I saw that you added me and that's more than fine! Anyone is welcome to join the club! Just decide if you want to read next months book "Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong" (Adult Fantasy) and if you want to read it, read it at your own pace. The review of it will come out around the end of December/Early January. All you have to do is comment your thoughts down below if you want to or if not, you can just read what other people have read! It's a really relaxed format.
I'm sorry you've been so unwell. I have a lot of chronic medical conditions and I know it can be hard to concentrate on longer/more complicated books on bad pain days. Hopefully you can get back to reading books you end up really loving.
@@kimberlyreads Thank you for letting me know I will definitely look into this month’s book. The relaxed nature of the book club definitely works well for people from all walks of life no matter what they may be going through. Take care hope u feel better soon.
Lisa Jewel is a second chance author for me. I gave this book 2.5stars. I like your idea for the plot twist. You should start writing novels seriously lol.
SPOILERS
I agree with what you said about the story being too obvious. This is my issue with Lisa Jewel’s writing. In her other book I read, you know who the villain is at the very beginning and it was extremely predictable. Actually, I knew the whole plot just from reading the synopsis lol.
I also did not like that the pedophile plot was glossed over. It should’ve never been included in the story. Josie stealing her mom’s boyfriend was enough of a plot twist. Why did she need to be under age too? Are we supposed to see Walter as a victim because he as manipulated by a teenage girl? If so, then yuck.
I think it’s possible Roxy did kill Brooke because Walter says something like “we’ll go to jail if you tell.” BUT how do we know that conversation actually took place 😂?? The line at the end makes me question it because it seems like she was trying to convince herself of what she believed to be true.
I agree they could have no even had the Walter plotline included in the book and I probably would have liked it a lot more.
I literally did not even think about how Josie could have been having made up conversations as well omg. She could have just fabricated those conversations with Walter about telling on Roxy 🤯 I'm freaking out now becausee that wasn't even something that crossed my brain haha.
Hated this book soooo much. How much victim blaming can one author do??
Actually made me angry that it basically implied because a child was "difficult" it was their fault they were groomed. And don't get me started on the fact the author tries to make us feel sorry for the pedophile. 🤬
It's literally insane how much victim blaming is in this book. I thought maybe I was reading into it, but every single commenter so far (12/7) has noticed it and hated it. I literally don't get how more people havent had an issue with this and it got second place in the goodreads awards.
Hi Kimberly, hope you are doing well 😊
First of, the audio book was amazing,
I have really enjoyed it. 😊
It had me in suspence from the start and for the most part of the book Although it was rather predictable I still couldn’t wait to find out more about our main characters and how they will evolve. It was clear pretty much from the start that we are dealing with a crazy person here and that none of it what she is saying can and should be taken for granted. There were a lot of red flags indicating that this Josie has a severe mental issues, I would go so far and call her sociopathic.
I have read some of the comments below and I have to say I am really annoyed because I don’t think that the victim was portrayed as a villain, that is not the case or the point of this book.
I think that there are no good characters in this book at all. They are all people that made some really poor choices that led them into situations that they are in.
Here the focus is mainly on Josie and Alix, and these stories are what is important here. Josie is someone who doesn’t make mistakes, not in her head anyway. She is aware of what is right or wrong she can see the difference, that is why for every evil bad thing that she has done she had also found an excuse. She has to justify her self because she cannot be bad, she doesn’t think she is bad or wrong in any way. So she makes up a lie and convinces her self that that is the truth, her truth, because that is what matters, only her truth matters.
Alix on the other hand is seemingly perfectly normal person.
But is it actually so? At some point she had admitted to her self that she had it too good, her life was an ordinary boring life. So she has allowed someone like Josie to enter her home although she knew deep down that nothing good can come of it.
I think that this book does a remarkable job in portraying people as they are. There are no victims or villains in this story because they are both at the same time, they are both sides of the coin. That is what makes this story so enthralling, because it feels so real too bad to be true and as a reader you just don’t want to believe it…
It’s ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
That's great that you loved it!!! I was hoping some people would like it since we got majority negative reviews. I definitely think this is just one of those books that everyone views very differently based on how they interpreted the actions of the characters. So I'm really happy that you had a different interpretation and it's really interesting to hear from that side of things.
@@kimberlyreads I am so hooked right now on mystery/thriller. I read “What Lies In The Woods “ and it was as meh, just okay. Now I am reading “The housemaid “ just eating it up! So thank you for the recommendation, I am having a great time 😁
Ugh thaaaaaank you. I just read this in 2 sittings over the weekend and afterwards I was like. Huh. WOT. It fell apart the minute we tried to put ANY blame of the relationship between Josie and Walter on Josie - she was 14 when this started. They tried to pull some Lolita shit and make the child "mature" or "different", manipulative - a child. And then trying to redeem Walter as the cool gaming pops, omfg. The story was so poorly thought out, like the author had an idea and then had to make everything fit. I thought it was written well, I inhaled it - I liked the time skipping around. But it left me feeling so unimpressed. I originally gave it 3 stars on good reads but I'm dropping it to 2. Just infuriating lol
Edit: describing yourself as removed from the book - Absolutely. Spot on lol.
This book is both under and overwhelming.
Hated this book. Im glad I found someone who also didn’t like it idk how this got so many 4-5 stars especially people I follow. Hate how they put all the blame on Josie and try to make Walter a victim wtf he’s a pedo. Hated everyone in this book her daughters the most i think Roxy killed Brooke because of her anger not sure if Walter was sleeping with Brooke or his daughter though but I wouldn’t put it pass him I don’t get why her daughters blame Brooke’s death on their mom when they could’ve put it on Walter I don’t get it. Alix also didn’t like her. I hate books were the mother is villainized and the daughters turn on them. read a few like that hate them I think Lisa jewel is not for me hated her other book then she was gone.
Literally no one liked it so far as I'm writing this response. I was expecting everyone to love it, but it seems that pretty much everyone got the ick from the book because of the Josie and Walter storyline. Your take on the ending is really interesting and is a valid argument. The kids did seem like they were trying to protect Walter and trying to make the audience love him which was super yuck. I also DNFed a Lisa Jewell before too "The Night She Disappeared." I'm thinking she's not the author for me either.
I thought I was getting a “only murders in the building” type book with the way the audio book was set up. I found it entertaining up until like the 70% mark.. once the author starting glossing over things and victim blaming. This has to be the worst book I’ve read… the narratives in this book can be so damaging. Hated it
Right! There was sooooo much that was great about the book and then it took an awful nosedive! I basically have stopped reading Lisa Jewell after I read this book.
@@kimberlyreads this was my first book written by her and it’s safe to say I won’t be picking up another 😅
I did not like Immortal Longings. I read it with The Nest months ago as it was one of their monthly boxes. I’m debating on reading it again or thumbing through it for this months read, but not sure yet 😂. I will post thoughts on last months book later tonight since I know I tend to get long winded 😅 and I’m working now.
I am so excited for your comment because this book has been getting a ton of hate and I know your rating wasn't as harsh as the rest of us it seems, so I need a little positivity 🤣🤣
I am literally terrified to read Immortal Longings. No one seems to like it, but I have loved Chloe Gong in the past so I'm going to hope that it goes well.
I think it was a brilliant book! So intricate and well weaved. It makes you think. It's not a fairy tale. 🤔
I am going to start immortal longings today🎉
Yay! I have my fingers crossed it goes well.
I completely agree with everything you said!
I had a feeling you might hate this book. Especially after the ending. I saw your rating on GoodReads so I was prepared 😂.
Overall I did like the book.
I listened to it on audible and enjoyed the podcast parts and the interviews because it made it sound sort of like a tv special when they interview people for serious crimes.
With the title, in the back of my mind I figured I needed to think that it was going to be filled with lies. Mainly from Josie.
My mouth literally dropped when she first sat for the podcast and casually mentioned how old she was when she met her husband and how old he was. Part of me was thinking that it wasn’t all him. Yes, regardless if she was the one pursuing him he is still a massive pedo and should have said no and left the situation. I do not condone older men being with teenagers. But Josie was a nutter and I’ve know quite a few girls in my day that chased older men. not quite like this book, but not an appropriate age gap to be sure.
The way her mother was with her made me think there was a reason for it. For the people she worked with to like her so much it’s odd that she didn’t have a good relationship with her daughter.
Alix’s husband was a arse. She should have kicked him to the curb well before Josie came along. I had a feeling when Josie was putting him down and set that trap that he was a goner. The way Josie set him up was interesting. That “actress” should have done something because she said all he talked about was his wife. Money or no, something was off based on what Josie told her and she should have helped him. Josie was so obsessed with Alix and thought he was a piece of trash like her husband I knew he was a goner.
When Josie said to her husband she wanted to come clean made me think that maybe her daughter killed her ex gf and they were all hiding it for her? But Josie is such a liar it was hard to say.
The ending was frustrating, but I kind get why the author did it. It wasn’t a clean, everyone lives happy ever after type of ending which sometimes is refreshing. Life doesn’t always have a good explanation as to why bad things happen. I just found all the things, weird puzzle pieces interesting.
It seemed that because Josie’s husband wasn’t that “hot older man” anymore and was now just an old man, she lost interest in him. So in the end it was elderly abuse to a previous pedo.
Josie acted like she didn’t know anything about the daughter who locked herself in her room, but she knew she had tons of money in her bank account to use it when she disappeared. 🤔 someone’s pants are on fire.
I can see Josie telling her daughter to disappear because she killed her gf and wanted to protect her, but I can see her being jealous and doing it herself. That family was just not right. Even the school mentioned it and when they talked about how the girls looked in pictures they didn’t seem normal. I come from a hot mess of a family, so reading this book was breath of fresh air 😂. (No one in my family are pedos or murderers btw).
I was thinking that Josie might have killed her youngest daughter too because she said she was missing and didn’t know where she was. Sorry but if my son disappeared I wouldn’t rest until I found him.
I can understand people not liking the book and giving a low score but I did enjoy it. Not sure if I would have as much if I read the physical book though. I think mainly it was all the interviews that kept me entertained. I do enjoy true crime podcasts, so that was a hook for me.
I definitely was shocked that Walter and Josie met when she was so young and it was kind of thrown at you lol. For a lot of the book I was wondering if Walter was just a family friend or Josie lied and actually met him when she was older and her kids are from a previous boyfriend.
Yeah I was really mad that the actress literally did nothing and didn't even seem that bad for being part of the kidnapping (even if she wasn't aware I assume she'd feel a little responsible). It was so weird that she was willing to be part of any scheme involved in taking a random stranger somewhere.
I love how you had to clarify that no one in your family was a murderer. That almost made me spit out water 🤣🤣. There's just so much in this book that I think it generally overwhelmed me when I was trying to figure out what was a lie and what wasn't. Literally reading your whole comment put me back into a "WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED." moment that had me spiraling so it just reinforced that apparently my brain just can't handle these types of books. I am happy you enjoyed it. It definitely seems way more people didn't like this, but there were a few who had a really good time.
I also agree that I would recommend the audiobook waaaaay over reading it physically. Even though I didnt like the book, I have to admit the audiobook was one of the better ones I've ever listened to.