Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Plot twists, debutants, and uncovering agendas in this quick book will forever hold a place in my heart. It's different and unique, making you want more with each page turn.

The Story

Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a young adult mystery novel that follows Sawyer Taft, an independent and sharp-witted 18-year-old auto mechanic whose life takes an unexpected turn when her estranged grandmother offers her a six-figure contract to participate in a debutante season.

Sawyer, who has never been part of high society, accepts the offer—not for the glitz and glamor, but to uncover the identity of her father. As she navigates the world of Southern debutantes, she finds herself entangled in secrets, scandals, and rivalries. Alongside her cousin Lily and other debutantes, Sawyer uncovers hidden agendas and long-buried family secrets, all while trying to piece together her own past.

Analysis

The writing is just superb. The chapters are short, sweet, and to the point, making them easy to read—it took me a week to read them all. Sawyer navigates the debutant world, unravels who her father is, and deals with another deb who wants to blackmail her. It's a twist-filled plot, each coming with a surprise.

The novel blends humor and social commentary with many plot twists and turns. It is full of emotion (from other characters) that draw in readers.

Rating 4/5

I loved this book—it’s a compelling read for mystery and contemporary fiction fans, full of surprises and intrigue.

However, I rated it 4 out of 5 stars because the main character’s lack of emotion prevented me from giving it a perfect score. While I appreciate the novel’s sharp commentary on high society expectations, Sawyer’s minimal emotional reactions made it harder to fully connect with her.

Despite that, I highly recommend this book, especially for readers looking for a story packed with secrets and twists. Plus, being part of a duology, there’s more to uncover in the next installment.

Stay tuned—I’ll be reviewing the second book soon!