Review: Nothing But the Truth, Holly James

Are you looking for a literary version of Jim Carey’s Liar, Liar with a serious nod to the Me Too Movement? Nothing But The Truth is what you need. Inspirational, feminist and entertaining, this adult contemporary book’s got it all. Read my review below!

Nothing But the Truth by Holly James
Published by Dutton on July 12, 2022
Genres: adult, contemporary
Format: ARC
Source: NetGalley
Buy on Amazon, Book Depository, Bookshop, Blackwell's
Goodreads

"The balm for the soul that I needed. We women don’t need to smile more or look pretty or conform to expectations…we just need to read this, buy a copy for our best friends, and toast to the truth."—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here
In this sparkling, page-turning debut, Lucy Green learns that when you make a wish, you can’t always get what you want…but you might just get what you need.
It’s the eve of Hollywood publicist Lucy Green’s thirtieth birthday, a day she hopes will bring the promotion she deserves and a proposal from her boyfriend. But he stands her up for a date, not for the first time, leaving Lucy alone at the bar—or at least, alone with the handsome bartender on the other side of the counter—so she makes a rueful wish over her cocktail for a perfect birthday. But when Lucy’s wish is granted in the most unexpected way, things go terribly awry, as things often do when wishes come true….
When Lucy wakes up on her big day, she can’t seem to force herself to go through her rigorous fitness and beauty routines—things she usually tells herself she likes. She has no desire to eat only a spoonful of yogurt for breakfast and she simply can’t bear to put on the uncomfortable shapewear needed for the power outfit she had planned for work.
When Lucy arrives at the office, she realizes that not only can she no longer lie to herself, she can’t lie to anyone else, either. Not her clients, not her boyfriend, not her creep of a boss. Now that she can’t hide how she feels, Lucy must confront all the injustices—small and large—she’s faced on a daily basis at work, in her relationship, and in every other aspect of her life...and the truth is going to come out in a big way.
This sharp, bighearted, and magical novel tackles all the lies women are encouraged to tell just to get by in today’s world—in life, in love, and in the workplace—and the liberation that can come from telling nothing but the truth.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

☂️ TRIGGER WARNINGS:

sexual harassment, racism, mild violence

There are no spoilers in this review.

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I ENJOYED…

☂️

• The strong female main character. Both likable and relatable, I absolutely rooted for her during the whole story. Lucy is a celebrity PR agent, she loves her job and she’s good at it. It was really awesome to see a lady boss in action! I enjoyed seeing her grow and realize that the life she’s living isn’t really the one she wants. I really liked reading about her journey to stop going along with all the bullshit women have to deal with and stand up for what she wants. Her relationships with her best friends and her mom were great additions, I absolutely loved those interactions!
• The workplace sexual harassment topic. We don’t talk enough about it and it’s so important that we do! Even if it was a bit too much and too rushed, this book fits perfectly into the Me Too Movement. I liked seeing women finally speak their truth, even if it’s hard and scary. I enjoyed seeing women supporting other women. It was empowering!
•  Loved the questioning of societal conventions and the message that we should learn to freely speak our mind and do of more what we want and believe in. Being forced to be honest has Lucy rethinking a lot of aspects of her life and it was really refreshing to read. Women are under a lot of pressure to follow societal expectations. We *should* want to be married. We *should* want to have kids. We *shouldn’t* be too “bossy”, “loud” or “ambitious”. This book discusses that, plus the double standard that exists in the workplace. The advantages that are given to men, while women have to work twice as hard just to get half the recognition.
• The litle dash of magic. Not being able to lie after drinking a cocktail? It’s brillant! I loved that bit of magic, it added a little originality to the story.
• The backdrop of a LA publicity firm. The PR world? California? Celebrities? Publicists dealing with famous people’s scandals? Hell yes, I loved that!

I HAD A HARD TIME WITH…

☂️

• Reading the blurb, I thought it was going to be a really funny and cute story (which it was) but it was also much more serious that I thought it would be. I was really waiting for more humor (not being able to lie is brillant and the perfect backdrop for so many awkward situations!). But even though it was light in its delivery, Nothing But the Truth deals with A LOT of the Me Too Movement talking points, some of which are really heavy handed and felt like too much in the course of one day. Of course, I believe every single word of it and the damage the patriarchy does to women, I just don’t need this message delivered to me for pages and pages in my light contemporary fiction. It wasn’t really what I was expecting.
• The romance (so sorry about that!). Don’t get me wrong, it was cute as hell! And Adam was lovely! But it felt way too rushed… She was ready to be engaged to another man, like, a few seconds ago. She doesn’t know him but tell him everything right away. A bit too instalove for my taste. I needed more interactions between them!

OVERALL

☂️

If you’re looking for a sharp, empowering and uplifting read with a lot of heart and a lovely cast of supportive characters, Nothing But the Truth is the perfect match for you!

FINAL RATING : 4 drops!

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Did you read Nothing But the Truth or do you want to?

What’s the latest empowering feminist book you read and enjoyed? Let me know in comments!

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