Book Review: Everyone is Lying to You by Jo Piazza
Run don't walk to read Everyone is Lying to You by Jo Piazza! It is the thriller of Summer 2025 and I’m not exaggerating. In my TOP 5 Thrillers of the Summer FOR SURE.
What’s It About?
Our MC Lizzie is a journalist whose career is floundering when her long-lost college BFF Rebecca, now “Bex” and famous on all the social media platforms as a homesteader and #tradwife influencer, invites her to a momfluencer conference at a luxurious hotel (in a place that sounds like Utah) with promises of secrets revealed and a major scoop. Cue the mystery, danger, and behind-the-curtain influencer content.
My Thoughts:
The plot didn't quit. Twists on twists! You will read it in 2 days. Everyone is Lying to You has been called a popcorn thriller by readers (e.g., reviews on Goodreads) and I agree. This thriller is a fast read without sacrificing depth, realistic and relatable characters, and smart, feminist social commentary (without being annoying about it).
This obsessive thriller was a deep dive into the “real” lives of tradwife influencers, yet it was funny with satirical (or maybe just realistic?) social commentary and two interesting female POVs. The author Jo Piazza has reported on influencers for over 10 years, and it shows with the depth of the plot and details.
I will say the book doesn’t hate on #tradwife content or influencers—since the book is, I repeat, written by a journalist who covered influencers for years gives it a depth that I’ve not found in some of the other influencer or momfluencer thrillers that I’ve read over the years (and I’ve read quite a few).
TW: Domestic Violence
I appreciated that sensitive content was handled well. Some thrillers unfortunately use mental health or domestic violence as a plot device, but not here, folks.
Bookish Events
I went to the book release event hosted by Bluebird & Co. to see author Jo Piazza in Conversation with Sadeqa Johnson and it was so fun! If you have a chance to go to an author event, just do it. You will find out so many interesting things about the writing process and behind-the-scenes facts about the books that will make the reading experience even more enjoyable. And you just might meet and make new bookish friends, too!
BTW: I love hearing about new authors and books through book events. Sadeqa Johnson’s historical fiction novels The House of Eve and Yellow Wife are now on my TBR.
Excuse Me, What? Behind-the Curtain Content about Influencers
I already knew influencers rented “influencer houses” to make content so they don’t have to show their real (or messy) houses, but my favorite behind-the-curtain fun fact I learned at the book event is…some of them rent bathrooms without toilets for GRWM (get ready with me) videos and make-up tutorials. Because toilets are not “aesthetic.” OMG, what? Influencer content is not real, people, so do not compare yourself to them. I know we hear that all the time, but sometimes seeing aspirational content on Insta or TikTok still makes us sad, so shout it from the rooftops!
Mom Goals
I loved that author Jo Piazza brought her adorable, zany children to her book event, and they helped to hand out books. She wrote on her Substack about why she brought her family along on part of her book tour.
Writerly Content
Give Jo Piazza’s Substack Over the Influence a follow if you like writer content—things like writing process, book marketing (like why you should advertise on your car with a QR code and image of your book) and smart, humorous, feminist cultural critique written in a super approachable way. I also love her podcast Under the Influence and my favorite episode so far is Blowing Up Your Life (to Follow Your Dreams), an interview with Elle Cosimano, author of the Finlay Donovan series (can’t wait for her new one, Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line).
Shop Local
The event was hosted by Bluebird & Co. my favorite local indie bookstore and boutique. Give them a follow or check them out in person in Crozet, VA. It’s the cutest bookstore in the Blue Ridge and Central VA.
Did you know that you can choose your favorite indie bookstore to buy local, even when you’re buying books online with Bookshop.org? Shop local from anywhere. SO COOL!
