Book Review: The Truth Behind the Lies

The Truth Behind the Lies. Chrishana Greer and Brooklyn Davis. Self-Published, June 9, 2018, Trade Paperback and E-book, 80 pages. 

Reviewed by Kandice Cole.

The Truth Behind the Lies, by Chrishana Greer and Brooklyn Davis, is a realistic novel that follows the life of Ebony Harris, an African American college student born and raised in Chicago. Ebony is an ambitious young woman determined to create a better life for herself. She decides to attend college in Atlanta, leaving her on-again, off-again boyfriend Juelz back home. Ebony eventually returns to Chicago for summer break and finds that things are not quite the same between her and Juelz. She decides to start dating someone new, named KJ, who gives her the attention and affection she deserves. Unfortunately, things don’t last long between Ebony and KJ, and Ebony attempts to rekindle her relationship with Juelz. An unexpected chain of events changes Ebony’s life forever and she is forced to come to terms with her complicated and often unhealthy relationships. Eventually, Ebony realizes the love she desires from Juelz and KJ is the love she actually needs to give herself.

This book is a gritty and authentic coming-of-age tale. The author dives deep into the mind of a young woman trying to figure out what love really means. Throughout the book, the author shows Ebony as strong, yet vulnerable. Though Ebony has a confident façade, she struggles internally to realize her worth. The reader is invited into Ebony’s stream of consciousness as the story unfolds, making the plot line believable.

The author doesn’t shy away from themes of domestic abuse, violence, and online bullying. The story is a roller-coaster ride of events, with Ebony literally fighting for her life. It offers a glimpse into how relationships can go from great to horrible in very little time and how difficult it is to get out of relationships that are not

If you are fan of urban fiction and dramatic plots, I recommend picking up this quick read.