Tell Me Every Lie
– Ellen Hagan and David Flores –
Bloomsbury YA
Published 24 June 2025
♥♥♥♥♥
It’s been ages since I’ve read a young adult contemporary romance this good. A romance with fairly low drama, with depth of character backstory, with a quick but authentic connection between our love interest and a setting that is relaxing and enjoyable and believable. Honestly, in a time where I’m really struggling to connect with stories and characters, Tell Me Every Lie was exactly the book I needed and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
John Paul. Recently graduated from high school. Mourning his father. And traveling to a fancy resort with his aunt, uncle and cousins, a place he knows he doesn’t belong. It’s meant to be when his family reconnect but who knows when his mother will come, if at all. So this summer, he’ll be JP rather than John Paul. Someone who is cool and calm rather than the guy who has to count his breaths to make it through the day.
Mia. One last summer until she finally makes it out of Monument, follows her dreams of a future far away doing something she loves. One last summer of looking after entitled goats (sorry, guests) at Majestic Mountain House resort. But a dare from an idiot coworker makes her dreams that one step closer. Who cares if she has to get a goat to fall in love with her, she’s desperate enough to do anything. It all starts with a lie. Multiple lies. JP lies about his family, who he is, what he’s into. Mia lies about her family, her dreams for the future and why she’d even be interested in JP. But despite the lies, John Paul and Mia might actually find a truth they didn’t realise they needed.
For a book all about lies and a dare, there is delightfully little drama. Sure there’s a bit of tension and your usual “I need to come clean and tell the truth” build up, but there is just something about JP and Mia’s connection. Add in a majestic backdrop, plenty of action, great side characters and some real depth to discussions around race, comics, substance abuse, and therapy, and you’ve got a fantastic book.
I adored JP’s chapters. So lyrical and descriptive. Mia’s chapters fit her chapter, facing things head on, pragmatic. Yes, their romance takes place over just five days. Yes, they lie to each. And yet, and yet!! There is something so genuine and enjoyable about their connection. It doesn’t feel rushed, despite the timeline and it feels so authentic despite their lies to each other.
I’m not a fan of the cover, got to be honest, but I did really enjoy this book. A great addition to the library’s romance collection and a book I’m more than happy to place in the school library.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
More information
Category: Young Adult Fiction
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Themes: Family, future, work, holidays, relationships, anxiety,
Age guide: 14 and up
Content Advisory: Coarse language, f*** (5), sh** (21), bit** (1), as***** (3), di** (1). One discussion of female genitals. Vague sexual references. References to substance addiction.
Published: 24 June 2025 by Bloomsbury YA.
Format: Hardcover, ebook. 288 pages.
ISBN: 9781547614950
Learn more: Bloomsbury Books