What is Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney about?

Sometimes I Lie is a psychological thriller about Amber Reynolds, who wakes up in a hospital coma unable to move, speak, or open her eyes, but can hear everything around her. The narrative alternates between three timelines: Amber's present state in the ICU, the week leading up to her mysterious car accident, and childhood diary entries from 1991. As Amber pieces together fragmented memories, she suspects her husband Paul may be involved while grappling with workplace betrayals, a dangerous ex-boyfriend, and her complicated relationship with her sister Claire.

Who should read Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney?

Sometimes I Lie is ideal for readers who enjoy unreliable narrators, compelling female protagonists, and psychological thrillers with endless plot twists. This book particularly appeals to fans of suspenseful narratives that constantly challenge perceptions of reality and keep readers guessing until the final page. If you appreciate stories that mess with your head beyond typical thrillers, with chilling characters and masterfully executed twists that you won't see coming, Alice Feeney's debut will captivate you.

Is Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney worth reading?

Sometimes I Lie is widely considered one of the best twisty-turny psychological thrillers, with readers praising its pure genius and unpredictable plot twists. The book features a brilliantly executed narrative that keeps your heart pounding and breath caught in your throat as you constantly try to distinguish reality from deception. While some readers found the early chapters linger too long on dream sequences and hallucinations, most agree there's a clear turning point when the book transforms from "not bad" to "really effin' good".

Who is Alice Feeney and what makes her writing unique?

Alice Feeney is a psychological thriller author who gained significant attention with Sometimes I Lie as her debut novel, demonstrating exceptional skill in crafting unreliable narrator stories. Her writing style stands out for taking the psychological thriller genre a step further, creating clever and compelling narratives told from unique perspectives that challenge readers' perceptions. Feeney's ability to frame narrative secrets perfectly ensures readers don't even fully work out the questions they should be asking, never mind the answers.

What does the title Sometimes I Lie mean in Alice Feeney's book?

The title Sometimes I Lie refers to Amber Reynolds being an unreliable narrator, one of three key things she wants readers to know about herself from the beginning. This admission sets up the entire psychological thriller, forcing readers to constantly question which parts of Amber's narrative—her memories, perceptions, and claims—are truthful. The ambiguity becomes central to the book's power, leaving readers unable to determine whether Amber is a devious psychopath or an innocent victim, since she readily and frequently admits to lying.

How does the narrative structure work in Sometimes I Lie?

Sometimes I Lie uses three distinct narrative threads that gradually converge: "Now" follows Amber lying in her hospital bed in a coma, "Then" explores the week before her Christmas Day accident, and "Before" presents diary entries from 1991. This alternating structure allows Alice Feeney to drip-feed information about the characters and their roles in Amber's predicament, building suspense throughout. The diary entries initially seem disconnected but eventually reveal one of the biggest plot twists when readers discover their true significance.

What is the relationship between Amber and Claire in Sometimes I Lie?

Claire appears to be Amber's sister but is actually a childhood friend whom Amber first met when she was 10 years old, going by her middle name Taylor. The 1991 diary entries reveal that Claire was adopted by Amber's parents after Claire's parents died in a Christmas Day housefire that Claire apparently set to bond with Amber. Their relationship is deeply toxic and controlling, with Claire having shielded Amber from bullies as children but later becoming manipulative, culminating in Amber poisoning Claire and her husband on Valentine's Day.

Who is Edward Clarke in Sometimes I Lie and what is his role?

Edward Clarke is Amber's ex-boyfriend who becomes a central antagonist after their chance reconnection in London. Edward, now working as a low-level hospital orderly, still seethes over Amber's accusations of unwanted advances years earlier when he was a promising med student—accusations that destroyed his medical career. He torments and rapes Amber while she's helpless in the ICU, though she later discovers her sister Claire actually filed the original complaint that ruined Edward's career.

Sometimes I Lie Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Sometimes I Lie

Alice Feeney

Thriller

Psychological Thriller

Mystery

Fiction

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

A hospital bed. Boxing Day. Amber Reynolds is conscious but paralyzed - and someone's lying. This award-winning psychological thriller with its masterfully unreliable narrator became Feeney's breakout debut, earning comparisons to "Gone Girl" while exploring darker truths about trauma and deception.

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Sometimes I Lie isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Thriller. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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@Jaded_Falcon

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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Download This Summary

Get the Sometimes I Lie summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.

Sometimes I Lie

Alice Feeney

Thriller

Psychological Thriller

Mystery

Fiction

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary8min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card10 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun18min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

More Like This

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Key Takeaways

The Coma Patient Who Hears Everything

00:00

"My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me: I'm in a coma. My husband doesn't love me anymore. Sometimes I lie." With these chilling words, we're thrust into a nightmare scenario - being fully conscious yet unable to move or communicate. Amber lies in a hospital bed, trapped in her own body, experiencing what medicine calls locked-in syndrome. She can hear everything: the steady beep of machines, nurses discussing her condition as if she weren't there, and most disturbingly, her husband Paul's visits. Through Amber's internal monologue, we experience her mounting terror. When nurses call her "poor love" and "what a mess," her silent scream - "My name is Amber Reynolds!" - highlights her desperate need to assert her identity while being treated as an object. But it's Paul's visits that truly disturb her. Something about his cologne seems stronger than usual, his voice carries an unfamiliar edge, and there's a slight tremor in his hand when he touches her face. "I can't remember what happened," she thinks, "but I know with unwavering certainty that this man, my husband, had something to do with it."

Professional Sabotage and Personal Deception

A Marriage and Sisterhood Built on Secrets

The Childhood Diaries and Stalker's Obsession

The Truth Behind the Lies

The Final Deception

When Identity Becomes Fiction

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary

Sometimes I Lie Summary in 8 Minutes

Break down key ideas from Sometimes I Lie into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

00:00

Flash Card

Top 10 Insights from Sometimes I Lie in a Nutshell

Distill Sometimes I Lie into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Fun

Sometimes I Lie Lessons Told Through 18-Min Stories

Experience Sometimes I Lie through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.

00:00

Personalize

Experience Sometimes I Lie in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

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Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney Summary

Overview of Sometimes I Lie

Similar books to Sometimes I Lie

More Like This

Key Takeaways

The Coma Patient Who Hears Everything

Professional Sabotage and Personal Deception

A Marriage and Sisterhood Built on Secrets

The Childhood Diaries and Stalker's Obsession

The Truth Behind the Lies

The Final Deception

When Identity Becomes Fiction

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Sometimes I Lie Summary in 8 Minutes

Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from Sometimes I Lie in a Nutshell

Fun Mode - Sometimes I Lie Lessons Told Through 18-Min Stories

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More Like This

Key Takeaways

The Coma Patient Who Hears Everything

Professional Sabotage and Personal Deception

A Marriage and Sisterhood Built on Secrets

The Childhood Diaries and Stalker's Obsession

The Truth Behind the Lies

The Final Deception

When Identity Becomes Fiction