None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

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INITIAL THOUGHTS

I picked this up expecting a twisty thriller, and while it started off a bit slow for me, it gradually morphed into something chilling and addictive. I was intrigued by the podcast angle and dual perspectives, and I found myself emotionally caught off guard by the end. The psychological unraveling and morally gray characters left me uneasy in all the right ways.

WHAT IT IS ABOUT

A podcaster named Alix crosses paths with Josie, a woman who shares her birthday and soon inserts herself into Alix’s life, asking to be the subject of her next series. What starts as an intriguing story about reinvention becomes a dangerous spiral of manipulation, secrets, and blurred truths. As the podcast unfolds, so does a haunting narrative that leaves both Alix—and the reader—unsure of what’s real.

MY REVIEW

Writing Style

Jewell’s writing is suspenseful and layered, with alternating perspectives and cleverly interspersed podcast transcripts that made it feel like a true-crime documentary. The tension is slow-burning but tightens with each chapter.

Themes & Messages

The book explores truth versus perception, emotional abuse, and the long shadow of trauma. It also examines the ethics of storytelling and the consequences of giving a platform to someone whose version of the truth is dangerously distorted.

Characters

Josie is one of the most chilling characters I’ve read in a while—compelling, unnerving, and entirely unreliable. Alix’s arc, while at times frustrating, felt raw and believable. The supporting characters added depth, but Josie and Alix drove the story with their complex dynamic.

Vibes, Settings, and Tropes

The dark alleys of 1790s London, combined with dusty library archives and foggy riverside walks in modern day, made for a haunting yet cozy mystery setting.

• True-crime podcast storytelling
• Unreliable narrators
• Psychological unraveling
• Set in London with a gritty suburban backdrop
• Marriage, betrayal, and toxic family dynamics

Favorite Quotes

“When she doesn’t like the reality of things, she finds a reality she prefers.”

“Do not claim that you are anything other than what you are. An evil motherfucking basic bitch. ‘My name is Alix Summer.”

“Jojo’s got what you might call an elastic relationship with the truth.” “Elastic?” she repeats. “Yeah. She, er… how can I put it? When she doesn’t like the reality of things, she finds a reality she prefers.”

What Worked For Me

I really enjoyed the podcast documentary format. It added a sense of realism and urgency that pulled me in as if I were listening to a real investigation unravel. The way Lisa Jewell slowly revealed pieces of the truth through interviews and first-person accounts kept me on edge, guessing until the very end. The emotional weight of the story also worked for me; it left a lasting impression, especially the way trauma was woven into both women’s lives. Josie’s unsettling presence was masterfully written, and the ambiguity of the ending made it feel even more haunting.

What Didn’t Work For Me

The beginning was a bit slow, and I found myself questioning whether I’d stay engaged. Some plot points were emotionally distressing, and the lack of justice in the end left me unsettled. That said, these elements served the story’s message well, even if they weren’t easy to sit with.

Final Thoughts

This book haunted me. It’s one of those reads where the final page doesn’t offer closure—but rather, a lingering sense of dread and ambiguity. If you enjoy psychological thrillers that blur the line between reality and manipulation, this is for you. I’d recommend it to fans of true-crime podcasts, dark character studies, and unreliable narrators.

Let’s Talk

Have you ever read a book where you truly couldn’t decide what was real? What did you think happened in the end of None of This Is True?