Introduction
So I Lied by Chelsea Ichaso, published in January 2025, is a tense and atmospheric thriller that leans into the author’s signature style. Ichaso, known for Dead Girls Can’t Tell Secrets and her fast‑paced, addictive storytelling, brings that same energy here as a simple weekend away spirals into something darker.
A Summary
The story follows Cadence, Jocelyn and Rowan as they head to North Wales for Jocelyn’s bachelorette party, expecting a fun, slightly chaotic weekend away. Most of the book takes place in the past, where the girls settle into a remote B&B and slowly grow uneasy around the other guests. Small interactions start to feel off, and the sense of danger creeps in until they’re no longer sure how safe they actually are. Intercut with these events are the “now” chapters, where one of the girls is dealing with the aftermath of her friend’s death while a police investigation begins to close in…
Writing Style
The writing style is really easy to sink into, especially with the way the story switches between three POVs: Cadence, Jocelyn and Rowan. Most of the book takes place in the past, with the “now” chapters cutting in to add tension and context, and the structure actually works well to keep things moving. The pacing starts off pretty slow as the story sets everything up, but once things start unravelling, it picks up fast and stays that way. Even with the quieter beginning, the book overall reads quickly and has a flow that makes it easy to keep turning pages.
What I Loved
One thing the book absolutely nailed was the atmosphere. The descriptions of the setting felt so vivid and grounded that I could practically feel the cold creeping up my back. It had that perfect mix of realism and unease, and it genuinely gave me the creeps in the best way. The premise itself is also really interesting, and I loved how we get these little flashes of reality through each character’s lens. Those moments where the story shifts perspective add so much texture and make the whole situation feel bigger and more layered. I also have to give a special shoutout to the “now” chapters because they were easily my favourite part of the book. The pacing in those sections is so tight, and the tension builds in such a natural, gripping way. They’re written with this sharpness and clarity that made them stand out every time they appeared. Honestly, if the whole book had carried that same energy, I would have been obsessed.
What I Didn’t Love
Okay, the first thing I have to say is that the ending really didn’t land for me. The whole book builds up so much emotion and tension, and then the final stretch feels oddly rushed, almost like the story suddenly ran out of steam. Instead of a satisfying conclusion, it comes across as a handful of moments loosely stitched together, and none of them really give that sense of closure I was hoping for. I kept waiting for everything to click into place, but it never quite did, and I was left more confused than moved. The character arcs also felt strangely untouched by everything that happened. By the time I reached the last page, it didn’t feel like anyone had actually changed. There are tiny hints that they might grow later, like Rowan mentioning she wants to start therapy when she gets home, but it reads more like a promise for the future than a payoff for the story we just read. It’s as if the events of the book didn’t leave any real mark on them. And while I usually love unreliable narrators, Cadence’s POV didn’t feel clever or layered. It felt like she was just hiding things from the reader to keep the plot going, which made the tension feel forced instead of intriguing.
Recommendation
This is a book for those that love an unreliable narrator, and for those that care more about the journey than the ending. It does contain light mentions of suicide, as well as drug overdoses and murder (obviously), but it’s not a book I would give any major warnings to avoid if you’re struggling.
Songs
Songs that I find reminiscent of the book:
Another Way Out by Hollywood Undead
Psycho Killer by Talking Heads
After Dark by Mr. Kitty
(P.S. We made them links so feel free to click on them and get teleported straight into the vibes.)
