Sometimes I Lie

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussions of mental illness, emotional abuse, sexual harassment, and illness or death.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel opens with Amber revealing three facts, including the statement, "Sometimes I lie." How did this immediate admission affect your trust in her as a narrator? Does Amber’s narrative compare to those of other unreliable narrators, such as the one featured in Paula Hawkins's The Girl on the Train?

2. What was your emotional reaction to discovering that Jo is imaginary? How did this revelation change your understanding of earlier scenes in the novel?

3. How effectively did the novel’s triple-timeline structure (the present-day coma, the week before Christmas, and the childhood diary entries) build suspense and reveal key information? What impact did this structure have on your reading experience?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The novel explores the various ways in which childhood friendships can shape people’s adult lives. Reflect on a friendship from your youth that had a significant impact on the person you became. How does your experience compare to Amber and Claire's relationship?