Why Would I Lie?

December 1, 2021
An ambitious high school senior suspects her academic rival isn't who he says he is. Overachiever Viveca North wants nothing more than to get into Everett College, which her late mother attended as a freshman before becoming pregnant and dying in childbirth. After an admissions interview goes south, she decides she needs to be valedictorian in order to secure a spot; the only problem is handsome new guy Jamison Sharpe, a recent transfer who's vying for the top spot. Jamison's hard to hate and quickly wins over all her classmates with his glamorous and exotic stories. However, Viveca can't help but compare him to her dad, a pathological liar. She's also eerily reminded of her past: In seventh grade she suffered a breakdown and made baseless accusations of cheating against another girl. Without having proof of her suspicions that odd facts about Jamison don't add up, she knows no one will believe her--and now she's becoming unhealthily obsessed with catching Jamison in a lie. Viveca's fixation on her grades at the expense of genuine passion or intrinsic interest, all while pushing away friendships, delivers a nuanced depiction of burnout. Those expecting suspense will be disappointed by the fairly obvious plot twists and low-stakes pacing, but the charming, heartfelt characters, especially Viveca's witty best friend, Wren, make this a worthwhile read. Main characters default to White; Wren uses they/them pronouns. An entertaining story about the dangers of obsession. (Thriller. 12-18)

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June 1, 2022

Gr 9 Up-No one works as hard at perfection as Viveca. Perfection means getting accepted to the college her mother had briefly attended. Perfection means staying in the valedictorian slot at her elite high school. Her best friend, Wren, who uses they/them pronouns, helps keep Viveca grounded but even they can't hold her back from sparring with the new boy, Jamison Sharpe. He's handsome, smart, and certain to de-throne Viveca from her cherished spot at the top. Everyone loves Jamison, but when his veneer of perfection slips, and only Viveca can spot it, she is thrust back into a previous jealousy incident in middle school that didn't end well. Every time she tries to pull back the curtain to show Jamison's lies, she is unveiled as uncaring and jealous of a young man living with hardship and sorrow. When Jamison shows his true self, will others finally see? No mention of race is given. VERDICT Recommended. An excellent read for any teen who is trying to unlock the mysteries of jealousy and self-awareness and searching for joy.-Connie Williams

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