That's Not My Name Published by Sourcebooks on December 26, 2023 Genres: Young Adult Fiction / Social Themes / Dating & Sex, Young Adult Fiction / Thrillers & Suspense / Crime, Young Adult Fiction / Thrillers & Suspense / Psychological
Pages: 320
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Reading Challenges: All booksA New York Times and USA Today Bestseller!
She thought she had her life back. She was wrong. A gripping debut thriller perfect for fans of Natalie D. Richards and Vincent Ralph.
It was a mistake to trust him.
Shivering and bruised, a teen wakes up on the side of a dirt road with no memory of how she got there—or who she is. A passing officer takes her to the police station, and not long after, a frantic man arrives. He's been searching for her for hours. He has her school ID, her birth certificate, and even family photos.
He is her father. Her name is Mary. Or so he says.
When Lola slammed the car door and stormed off into the night, Drew thought they just needed some time to cool off. Except Lola disappeared, and the sheriff, his friends, and the whole town are convinced Drew murdered his girlfriend. Forget proving his innocence, he needs to find her before it's too late. The longer Lola is missing, the fewer leads there are to follow...and the more danger they both are in.
Lost Memories, Dangerous Truths
That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally is one of those thrillers that hooks you from the very first page and refuses to let you stop reading. Every chapter ends with just enough suspense that “one more chapter” quickly turns into finishing the entire book.
The dual timelines worked incredibly well, slowly revealing pieces of the mystery without giving too much away. I loved how the story constantly made me question who could be trusted. When I thought I had everything figured out, another clue would send my theories in a completely different direction.
The atmosphere is tense from beginning to end, and the uncertainty surrounding Mary’s identity had me feeling just as unsettled as she was. At the same time, Drew’s desperate search for Lola added an emotional layer that kept me invested in both storylines. The two perspectives came together beautifully, building toward a conclusion that was both satisfying and heartbreaking.
Megan Lally does an excellent job balancing psychological suspense with emotional depth. The pacing never drags; the chapters fly by, and the twists feel earned rather than thrown in for shock value.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced YA thriller filled with mystery, unreliable appearances, and plenty of tension, That’s Not My Name is absolutely worth picking up. It’s the kind of book that keeps you guessing until the very end—and will leave you thinking about it long after you’ve turned the last page.
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