Book Review: Dare You To Lie by Amber Lynn Natusch

Dare You To Lie
Author: Amber Lynn Natusch
Series: Hometown Antihero (Book 1)
Publication: Tor Teen (September 4, 2018)

Description: When her FBI agent father is framed for murder, Kylene is forced to move in with her grandfather, back to the small town that turned its back on her, and the boy who betrayed her.

All Ky cares about is clearing her father’s name, but someone won’t let her forget the photo scandal that drove her away two years ago. As the threats gain momentum, Ky finds an unlikely ally in the rookie FBI agent sent to keep an eye on her.

Determined to expose the town's hidden skeletons, Ky unwittingly thrusts herself into a much bigger plot. They thought she’d forgive and forget. They’re about to learn they messed with the wrong girl.

My Thoughts: Kylene Danners is not having a good year. Her FBI Agent father has been convicted of murder and is looking at twenty-five years to life. Kylene is certain that he has been framed and the seventeen-year-old is determined to find out the truth of the story.

Forced to return to Jasperville, Ohio, to live with her grandfather, Kylene is dumped right back into the past where she was vilified for accusing six star football players, including her boyfriend AJ, of taking nude photos of her and posting them on the internet. She lost her reputation at age fourteen and the six of them got off with no consequences. She is also determined to find out which of them took and posted the photos and why they all chose to cover for the villain.

She isn't completely without support. She reconnects with her best friend Garrett and she makes a new friend in Canadian-import Tabby. She also has the support of her mother's best friend Meg who is a lawyer and her father's best friend FBI Agent Striker.

She also has a number of enemies who are willing to do anything to make her life miserable and thwart her investigations. From her Physics teacher Mr. Callahan to one of the Six Donovan Shipman who is drugged up on steroids to a rookie FBI Agent Dawson who is sure her father is guilty, Kylene has many obstacles to overcome in her investigation.

Kylene is a great character. She is certainly resilient. She is bright and sarcastic and she has a finely honed sense of justice. She manages to uncover a deep well of secrets as she tries to clear her name and her reputation. The story is filled with danger and it is fast-paced. It is emotionally intense too.

While the story ends with part of the mystery solved, the bigger conspiracy is not. Luckily, the second book - Don't Say a Word - will be released in September.

Favorite Quote:

He roared with laughter. "Trying to have a serious conversation with you is like herding cats."

"Highly entertaining and a great workout?"

"I was thinking aggravating and damn near impossible."

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.