TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

 

SYNOPSIS

Skye Starling is overjoyed when her boyfriend, Burke Michaels, proposes after a whirlwind courtship. Though Skye seems to have the world at her fingertips—she’s smart, beautiful, and from a well-off family—she’s also battled crippling OCD ever since her mother’s death when she was eleven, and her romantic relationships have suffered as a result.

But now Burke—handsome, older, and more emotionally mature than any man she’s met before—says he wants her. Forever. Except, Burke isn’t who he claims to be. And interspersed letters to his therapist reveal the truth: he’s happily married, and using Skye for his own, deceptive ends.

In a third perspective, set thirty years earlier, a scrappy seventeen-year-old named Heather is determined to end things with Burke, a local bad boy, and make a better life for herself in New York City. But can her adolescent love stay firmly in her past—or will he find his way into her future?

On a collision course she doesn’t see coming, Skye throws herself into wedding planning, as Burke’s scheme grows ever more twisted. But of course, even the best laid plans can go astray. And just when you think you know where this story is going, you’ll discover that there’s more than one way to spin the truth.

Title: Too good to be true

Author: Carola Lovering

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication date: March 2, 2021

REVIEW

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Was "Too good to be true" too good to be true as the title suggested? As a whole it was a tremendously enjoyable psychological suspense, but if we break it down bit by bit there were a couple things that prevented me from rating it with 5 stars.

The first half was so compelling I could not turn the pages fast enough. Usually, when there are several POVs I tend to be more interested in some more than others, but in this case all three POVs were absolutely engrossing. In this first half all the pieces are set on the board for the game that will be played in the second half.

The twist got me sooo good! I had all my sympathies and alliances straight, but the twist made me think about them again (I wavered just a moment). Then, a second twist came around and that one made me realize how dumb I had been till then. I was so into the story I missed all the clues! (author 1 - dumb me 0).

With a 5 stars first half, the second one didn't turn out as interesting. Once it was more or less clear what had happened, everything was a bit drawn out. I just kept waiting for another twist that would shake things up a little bit.

But if there was a thing I didn't agree with, that I think will be cause for discussion once the book comes out, was the ending. It was way too sappy and felt out of sync with the rest of the story. I like my endings darker and with everyone facing the consequences of their actions!

The author made a fantastic portrayal of OCD and how the compulsions it entails can affect the lives of those who suffer from this disorder. I could truly feel Skye's angst.

All in all, I had so much fun while reading this tale of lies, toxic relationships and revenge that, as soon as I finished it, I went online and ordered the author's previous book. Don't doubt to pick "Too good to be true" when it comes out next March, cause I'm sure it will be one of the mystery/thrillers of the year.