Lisa Jewell Books I’ve Read (and how I rate them)
Like many of us, the first I heard of Lisa Jewell was when I read Then She Was Gone. After that, I started reading more and more of her books. This year, I’ll finish reading all of them, or at least the ones that interest me. I use bookly to track my reading and I 💟 it!
ps: I actually don’t usually rate many books 5/5 she just happens to have some :)
🍋 THEN SHE WAS GONE 🍋
- A B O U T : The book follows a mother, Laurel whose daughter, Ellie, disappeared 10 years ago. The book follows Laurel as she falls for a man called Floyd whose daughter is the spitting image of her daughter at that age. The book is told from past and present as a still grieving mother works to uncover what really happened. Where is Ellie?
- R A T I N G : 3.5 / 5 (ooo controversial)
- W H Y : This book was really interesting and I read it pretty fast. I do want to put a trigger warning because I definitely had very unsettled feelings and discomfort around some of the topics discussed. I understand why it’s hyped up but it’s not my favorite of hers because I didn’t like the mystery as much as the others. It didn’t leave me feeling wowed. Good but also kind of meh.
🍋 THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED 🍋
- A B O U T : 2017 - Tallulah and her long term boyfriend leave their child at her mother’s house for a date night. They never return.
2019 - Sophie has just moved in with her boyfriend who accepted a job as head teacher. When exploring around her cottage, she sees a mysterious sign saying ‘dig here.’ Those two words change the course of her summer and life as mysteries overlap and a cold case gets uncovered.
- R A T I N G : 4.5 / 5
- W H Y : I love this book. It’s so interesting, I love the setting and this one was a mystery I really cared about. I felt connected to Tallulah and I wanted to know what happened. Like many of her books, it’s told from past and present.
🍋 THE TRUTH ABOUT MELODY BROWNE 🍋
- A B O U T : Melody Browne’s house burned down when she was 10. Her brain dealt with the trauma by simply forgetting anything before that. After successfully raising her son as a single mom. Melody is kind of sort of ready to start dating. She ends up going to a hypnosis show where she is chosen to be on stage.In the days that follow she just feels … weird. She feels as if strange places are familiar. Glimpses of her childhood come back and beg the question, who is Melody Browne?
- R A T I N G : 5 / 5
- W H Y : Ok, typing out a description, the premise sounds lame but it’s NOT. It’s so fascinating to uncover a little more as you go. I really enjoyed how all the puzzles came together. This might have been my favorite book of 2023
🍋 GIRLS IN THE GARDEN 🍋
- A B O U T : Imagine a garden square, all the neighbors know each other, and the only way to access the beautiful garden is from your backyard. Imagine how lovely to have your children play, knowing they are safe. How lovely to have community events and parties and always someone to go to. Now imagine a 13 year old girl ends up in the hospital after being found unconscious in the garden. Follow the events leading up to and following the events and the secrets that lay inside the garden.
- R A T I N G : 4.5 / 5
- W H Y : I loved this book, I was captivated it by it. It’s really well done and the characters are all very interesting. I actually wasn’t super thrilled before starting it based off the premise but I was wrong!
🍋 THE HOUSE WE GREW UP IN 🍋
- A B O U T : The Bird family was incredibly close as the children’s grew up. As they’ve gotten older, they have grown much much farther apart. Ever since what happened at Easter all those years ago. Until a death brings the family closer together once again to uncover the mysteries of their life before.
- R A T I N G : 5 / 5
- W H Y : I can’t even describe why I love this book so much. It was so incredibly fascinating … almost elegant ? I highly recommend
🍋 THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS 🍋
- A B O U T : Following wealthy families descent into madness, as mom invites more people to join. As family transitions to cult and lines of morals are blurred watch as the children struggle through adolescents.
Meet Libby. This is the house age is set to inherit. How is she tied in?
- R A T I N G : 3.5 / 5
- W H Y : I loved the premise - that was absolutely the best part. It was good but sometimes it was almost too much? Out of pocket almost? LOL
🍋THE FAMILY REMAINS 🍋
- A B O U T : Honestly, I can’t really tell you without spoiling the first one !
- R A T I N G : 4 / 5
- W H Y : I liked it better than the original, I think. They are definitely worth a read but they aren’t top tier.
🍋 WATCHING YOU 🍋
A B O U T : Melville Heights is one of the nicest neighborhoods in Bristol. Until the murder. Good thing there is always someone watching. This book follows a neighborhood of seemingly unrelated individuals. However, the deeper you dig, the farther that becomes from the truth.
- R A T I N G : 5 / 5
- W H Y : I originally rated this a 4. Then, I couldn’t stop thinking about this book for a week. So at had to up your rating just because of how much it stuck with me.
#books #lisajewell #book #tbr #tbrlist #booktok #reading #readersoflemon8
If you're anything like me, once you dive into a Lisa Jewell novel, you're hooked. Her ability to weave intricate plots with psychological depth makes her a master of the modern thriller. Many of us are always on the hunt for the 'best Lisa Jewell books' or looking for a 'Lisa Jewell books ranked' list, and I'm thrilled to share my insights to help you navigate her incredible bibliography. One of the most common questions I get asked is, 'Do you need to read Lisa Jewell books in order?' For the most part, her novels are standalone stories, meaning you can pick up almost any of them and enjoy it without prior knowledge. However, there's one notable exception: 'The Family Upstairs' and its sequel, 'The Family Remains.' These two are definitely meant to be read consecutively to fully appreciate the unfolding mystery and character development. Having experienced both, I can confirm that 'The Family Remains' truly builds on the foundations of the first, making for an even more satisfying conclusion. When it comes to her thrillers, Lisa Jewell excels at domestic suspense, often exploring hidden family secrets, disappearances, and the dark side of seemingly perfect lives. For example, 'Watching You' was a book I couldn't stop thinking about weeks after finishing it. The way she crafts a neighborhood full of interconnected lives and secrets, with everyone observing everyone else, creates a palpable sense of unease that lingers. It's not just a murder mystery; it's a deep dive into human nature and the consequences of hidden truths, absolutely earning its 5-star rating for its lasting impact. Another gem that often comes up in discussions about her 'best books' is 'The House We Grew Up In.' This novel, which I also rated 5 out of 5 stars, is a poignant and complex family saga that explores the long-term effects of a single tragic event. It’s a masterclass in character development and emotional storytelling, moving beyond simple suspense to deliver a truly resonant experience. It's 'elegant,' as I described it, because of how skillfully the narrative unfolds, revealing layers of love, loss, and resilience within the Bird family across decades. Then there's 'The Truth about Melody Browne,' a book I initially thought had a 'lame' premise but quickly became one of my favorites, earning a perfect 5. It's a wonderful example of how Lisa Jewell can take a concept like forgotten memories and turn it into a compelling journey of self-discovery and mystery. The way the pieces of Melody's past slowly come together is utterly fascinating, making it a truly unique read among her works. If you're looking for something with a touch of amnesia and a deep personal mystery, this one is a must-try. While 'Then She Was Gone' is often the book that introduces many readers to Lisa Jewell, and it's certainly a powerful story of loss and discovery, some of her other titles offer different kinds of thrills and emotional depth. For those who enjoy an atmospheric setting and a compelling cold case, 'The Night She Disappeared' is an excellent choice. It truly draws you into the search for Tallulah and her boyfriend, making you feel personally invested in uncovering what happened. In my experience, Lisa Jewell's books are consistently well-written, but what makes them truly stand out is her ability to craft characters you genuinely care about and mysteries that keep you guessing until the very last page. Whether you're a fan of psychological suspense, domestic dramas, or just a really good story, her bibliography has something for everyone. So, grab a copy of one of her 'best sellers' and prepare to be engrossed!
@Call me Tania⭐️