The Lies about Truth - by Courtney Stevens (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

This story from Courtney Stevens--the gifted author of Faking Normal--about hope and courage and the struggle to overcome the pain of loss will appeal to fans of Jandy Nelson's and Gayle Forman's emotionally gripping novels.

Sadie Kingston is living in the aftermath. A year after surviving a car accident that killed her friend Trent and left her body and face scarred, she can't move forward. The only person who seems to understand her is Trent's brother, Max.

As Sadie begins to fall for Max, she's unsure if she is truly healed enough to be with him. But Max looks at her scars and doesn't shy away. And Max knows about the list she writes in the sand at the beach every night, the list of things that Sadie knows she must accomplish before she can move on from the accident. And while he can help her with number six (kiss someone without flinching), she knows she's on her own with number three (forgive Gina and Gray) and the rest of the seemingly impossible tasks that must be made possible before she can live in the now again.

But healing is more complicated than checking items off a list, especially when the truth about the accident is buried under a mountain of lies. Can she find the courage to face her past, even if it destroys her future?

• Best Friend's Brother Romance: She shouldn't be falling for Max, the one person who understands her grief. He's her dead best friend's brother, and their connection feels like a betrayal of Trent's memory.
• A Journey of Forgiveness: To move forward, Sadie must forgive her ex-boyfriend Gray and her former best friend Gina for their roles in the accident. But forgiveness seems impossible when just looking at them is a reminder of everything she's lost.
• Dealing with Scars, Inside and Out: Sadie's scars are more than skin deep, and she's not sure she can ever be the girl she was before. Max is the only one who isn't afraid of the damage, but his acceptance might be the most terrifying thing of all.
• A Powerful Coming of Age Story: A heart-wrenching and hopeful novel about picking up the pieces after a tragedy, perfect for readers who love the emotional depth of Jandy Nelson and Gayle Forman.

Review Quotes

PRAISE FOR FAKING NORMAL: "Somewhere between Sarah Dessen and Laurie Halse Anderson lies Stevens's rich debut about two adolescents grappling with extraordinary trauma....the mood is intense and the story moves briskly, complete with an ending so surprising that some readers may flip back to the beginning to start fresh." - Publishers Weekly

PRAISE FOR FAKING NORMAL: "Reminiscent of Melinda in Speak, Alexi tries to find her voice. A story that resonates." - Kirkus Reviews

PRAISE FOR FAKING NORMAL: "Debut novelist Stevens has written a powerful and fast-paced first-person story of a young woman who finds an inner strength she never knew she possessed." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

In Courtney Stevens' The Lies About Truth, Courtney writes beautiful and flawed characters that contain raw emotions. The Lies About Truth touched my soul.-- Katie McGarry, bestselling author of Pushing the Limits - .

"As she did in her beloved debut, Faking Normal, Courtney Stevens does a spectacular job of chronicling a smart seventeen-year-old girl's discovery of her own inner resources to overcome the aftermath of a tragic car accident involving her five best friends. First she must forgive her friends, then she must forgive herself. No one writes better about resilience and 'channeling your brave' than Stevens does." - --Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will --Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will --Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will --Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will --Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will --Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will

"No one writes better about resilience and 'channeling your brave' than Stevens does." - --Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will

"This realistic YA novel explores the weight of the past, the value of the truth, and the meaning and process of forgiveness, which teen readers will identify with. The narrative is told with a mix of flashbacks and past emails that bring perspective and a much needed history of the characters, giving them depth and authenticity. A great addition to any YA collection." - School Library Journal

"This realistic YA novel explores the weight of the past, the value of the truth, and the meaning and process of forgiveness, which teen readers will identify with. A great addition to any YA collection" - School Library Journal

"Engaging characters and engrossing storytelling." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

"This lyrical novel explores loss and survivor's guilt, friendship and trust, and grieving and moving forward through the heart of a young woman who has lost much and yet feels paralyzed to reclaim her life." - ALA Booklist