Book Review: The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti

Title: The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett (2017)
Author: Chelsea Sedoti
Genres: Young adult, Contemporary and Mystery
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Release Date: 3rd January 2017
Rating:★★★☆☆
Reviewed by: Lois

Synopsis

“A teenage misfit named Hawthorn Creely inserts herself in the investigation of missing person Lizzie Lovett, who disappeared mysteriously while camping with her boyfriend. Hawthorn doesn’t mean to interfere, but she has a pretty crazy theory about what happened to Lizzie. In order to prove it, she decides to immerse herself in Lizzie’s life. That includes taking her job… and her boyfriend. It’s a huge risk — but it’s just what Hawthorn needs to find her own place in the world.”

Review

Hawthorn lives in the tiny town of Griffin Mills where nothing seems to happen. Hawthorn isn’t popular, she is “different” and she wishes to fit in and be someone else prettier than herself. On what seemed like a usual day Lizzie Lovett the most well-known girl in town vanished without a trace. Hawthorn thinks that Lizzie is going to turn up quickly but after she doesn’t takes it upon herself to start a search mission for Lizzie Lovett.

I had so many high hopes for this book. I saw the cover when browsing Netgalley last year and this is what drew me in at first. It was so bright and stood out for me so I decided to give the synopsis a read. This got me quite interested so I decided to request it. After being lucky enough to receive the book I was quick to begin reading it. This is where the problems started. It is a very slow paced read which is something that I struggle with in books. I like having fast-paced books that I get very quickly caught up in and don’t want to put down. I had preconceptions that because this book was a mystery it would all be fast-paced instead the storyline developed slowly which is why it took me so long to read.

This book wasn’t all bad, I did love most of the characters in this book. Hawthorn being my favourite character in the book. The fantastic imagination that she has made me smile throughout this book. I think a lot of teenagers will be able to relate to Hawthorn because she is “different” and doesn’t fit in. She is bullied a lot throughout her time in high school and has trouble making friends which are both things I can relate to myself. I adored the family characters in this book. You don’t get too many books that include as many family aspects as this book did. The conversations around the dinner table that the family had were a highlight for me. I wasn’t a huge fan of Enzo’s character and his relationship with Hawthorn but I guess some people will enjoy the awkwardness between the characters.

Although Chelsea Sedoti’s writing style was something I loved, the book just didn’t have a brilliant plot. It had a lot of potential to go places but it just sticks in one spot and doesn’t ever get to reach its potential.

I had to take a few days before I reviewed this book in case my feelings changed but they didn’t. This book just didn’t live up to the potential I thought it would do. The plot is too dense for me. But that isn’t to say I hated the book, I did enjoy the characters and the relationships in this book.

Overall, I would have to say if you like overactive imaginations and a slow-paced mystery this is your book. It touches on a lot of issues and is a good book to read in your teenage years. You just should stick around with the rather dense plot to get to the real story.

Thank you to Netgalley, Chelsea Sedoti and Sourcebooks for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Until next time,