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Vendor
Mohrbooks Literary Agency
Sebastian Ritscher
Original language
English

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

Holly James

A feminist Liar Liar meets the romantic charm of This Time Next Year, in this page-turning debut about a woman who loses the ability to lie on her 30th birthday - and the challenges she faces as a woman in work and in love when she finally must tell nothing but the truth.
It's the eve of super publicist Lucy Green's 30th birthday, a day she hopes will bring the promotion she deserves and a proposal from her boyfriend. But when said boyfriend stands her up in favor of his job, yet again, she instead finds herself alone making a wish for a perfect birthday over a cocktail, with only the handsome bartender to keep her company.

The next day, when Lucy wakes up, she can't seem to force herself to go to spin class - instead she orders a big gooey breakfast sandwich. She also can't bring herself to layer on her usual concealer and eyeliner - a clean face is better for crying in the work bathroom anyway. And she simply can't bear to wear the shapewear or thong needed for the power outfit she had planned - so it's a loose dress for her. Chalking her uncharacteristic choices up to her new age and the hangover that came with it, she heads to work. But when Lucy arrives at the office, she realizes not only can she no longer lie to herself, she can't lie to anyone else, which would always pose a challenge in her line of work, but is especially difficult now as she attempts to land a hot new starlet as a client and her perpetual creep of a boss's advances become increasingly inappropriate. Now that she can't hide how she feels, Lucy must confront all of 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 bound to come out in a big way.

This sharp, bighearted, and page-turning novel tackles all of the lies women are encouraged to tell just to get by in today's world - in life, love, and in the workplace - and the liberation that can come from being honest.

Holly James holds a PhD in psychology and has spent many years studying stress and physiology in a lab. She has worked in academic and medical settings and currently works in the tech industry. She lives in Southern California.
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Book

Published 2022-07-12 by Dutton Books

Book

Published 2022-07-12 by Dutton Books

Comments

Czech: Alpress ; Estonia: Rahva Raamat AS ; Hungary: Publish and More Almogyar Kiado KFT ; Russia: Public Joint Stock Co "Mobile TeleSystems" (PJSC MTS)

Nothing But The Truth is such an enjoyable escape. I love the sparky writing and the 'Day of Truth' concept is brilliantly done. This is a properly sparkling debut and frankly if it makes even one reader decide they should wear whatever shoes and knickers are most comfortable, Holly should probably get a prize.

James' debut is a delightful, frothy, feminist take on classic chick-lit themes and characters, featuring a charming lead whose hang-ups will resonate with readers. Ideal for fans of Camille Perri or Katie Heaney, or any reader in search of a beach read with lots of heart and a little bit of edge.

In Holly James's Nothing But the Truth, a magical twistpublicist Lucy Green wakes up on her thirtieth birthday unable to tell a lieturns out to be the spark that sets fire to a woman's life, launching an urgent journey of self-reflection, self-empowerment, and workplace revolution. At once charmingly effervescent and seriously introspective, James skillfully balances a call to arms with a story of romantic love and personal awakening. Readers will fall head over heels for Lucy and for James, a fresh, sharp new voice in women's fiction.

I was immediately hooked into the fun and pacy world of LA's publicists to the stars as well as enjoying the more serious themes that were weaved effortlessly through the story. Hollywood, hot bartenders and a touch of magicthis brilliant novel literally has it all!

I picked up this novel on a week when I was made painfully aware of the gender roles women are forced into by others, and it was 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.

James' ability to dive right into the drama from the get-go makes this a nonstop fun ride.