Wendy Heard is an auto-buy author. I always associate Heard with thrilling premises, characters you root for, and twisty revelations. This is an absolute must read for the summer. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Summer and Leo would do anything for each other. Inspired by the way each has had to carve her place in a hostile and unforgiving world, and united by the call of the open road, they travel around sunny California in Summer’s tricked-out Land Cruiser. It’s not a glamorous life, but it gives them the freedom they crave from the painful pasts they’ve left behind. But even free spirits have bills to pay. Luckily, Summer is a skilled pickpocket, a small-time thief, and a con artist–and Leo, determined to pay her own way, has learned a trick or two.
Eager for a big score, Leo catches in her crosshairs Michael Forrester, a self-made billionaire and philanthropist. When her charm wins him over, Leo is rewarded with an invitation to his private island off the California coastline for a night of fabulous excess. She eagerly anticipates returning with photos that can be sold to the paparazzi, jewelry that can be liquidated, and endless stories to share with Summer.
Instead, Leo disappears.
On her own for the first time in years, Summer decides to infiltrate Michael’s island and find out what really happened. But when she arrives, no one has seen Leo–she’s not on the island as far as they know. Plus, there was only one way on the island–and no way off–for the coming days. Trapped in a scheme she helped initiate, could Summer have met her match?
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Summer is the time for reads that fully transport you. And as a long time fan of Heard, I knew You Can Trust Me would fit the bill. This latest release is packed with lies, betrayal, and twists you won’t see coming. At the core of You Can Trust Me – and my favorite element – is the friendship between Leo and Summer. The ways they have become each other’s found family and would sacrifice and face danger for each other. It’s easy to root for them even as you find out they’ve been keeping secrets from you – and each other.
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With jumps into the past, Heard increases the tension to a fever pitch. Plus the jumps from Leo to Summer only increased my need to read as I try to reconcile the differences, the lies, and the distance. You Can Trust Me is, of course, about trust. But it’s also about the cages we live our lives within and the spark to break free. If you want a fast paced gripping thriller read, this has to be for you. It’s also great if you loved Heard’s YA thrillers too! Find You Can Trust Me on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.