The Lies About Truth

In the same vein as Jandy Nelson and Gayle Forman comes a novel from the gifted author of Faking Normal, Courtney C. Stevens, about hope and courage and the struggle to overcome the pain of loss.

Sadie Kingston is living in the aftermath. A year after surviving a car accident that killed her friend Trent and left her body and face scarred, she can't move forward. The only person who seems to understand her is Trent's brother, Max.

As Sadie begins to fall for Max, she's unsure if she is truly healed enough to be with him. But Max looks at her scars and doesn't shy away. And Max knows about the list she writes in the sand at the beach every night, the list of things that Sadie knows she must accomplish before she can move on from the accident. And while he can help her with number six (kiss someone without flinching), she knows she's on her own with number three (forgive Gina and Gray) and the rest of the seemingly impossible tasks that must be made possible before she can live in the now again.

But as long-buried secrets about the accident begin to surface, will her list be enough to guide her toward forgiveness and love after loss?

• Love After Loss: He’s the brother of the friend she lost, and the only one who sees past her scars. But is Sadie ready to let Max into her heart?
• Secrets and Lies: The story of the accident everyone knows isn’t the whole truth. As the past unravels, Sadie must confront what really happened that day.
• Survivor’s Guilt: A powerful exploration of the tangled emotions that come with being the one who walked away, and the fight to feel worthy of a future.
• A Poignant Summer Romance: Set in a Florida beach town, this is a story of healing, hope, and finding the courage to live—and love—again.

Sadie Kingston is living in the aftermath. A year after surviving a car accident that killed her friend Trent and left her body and face scarred, she can't seem to move forward. She's distanced herself from everyone, including her ex-boyfriend, Gray, and her best friend, Gina. The only person who really understands her is Trent's brother, Max.

As Sadie begins to fall for Max, she's unsure if she is truly healed enough to be with him. But Max looks at her scars and doesn't shy away. And Max knows about the list she writes in the sand at the beach every night, the list of things that Sadie knows she must accomplish before she can move on from the accident. While he can help her with number six (kiss someone without flinching), she knows she's on her own with number three (forgive Gina and Gray) and the rest of the seemingly impossible tasks that must be made possible before she can live in the now again.

From gifted author Courtney C. Stevens comes a story of hope and courage and the strength to move forward in the face of tragedy.

PRAISE FOR FAKING NORMAL: “Somewhere between Sarah Dessen and Laurie Halse Anderson lies Stevens’s rich debut about two adolescents grappling with extraordinary trauma....the mood is intense and the story moves briskly, complete with an ending so surprising that some readers may flip back to the beginning to start fresh.” - Publishers Weekly

PRAISE FOR FAKING NORMAL: “Reminiscent of Melinda in Speak, Alexi tries to find her voice. A story that resonates.” - Kirkus Reviews

PRAISE FOR FAKING NORMAL: “Debut novelist Stevens has written a powerful and fast-paced first-person story of a young woman who finds an inner strength she never knew she possessed.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

In Courtney Stevens’ The Lies About Truth, Courtney writes beautiful and flawed characters that contain raw emotions. The Lies About Truth touched my soul.-- Katie McGarry, bestselling author of Pushing the Limits - .

“As she did in her beloved debut, Faking Normal, Courtney Stevens does a spectacular job of chronicling a smart seventeen-year-old girl’s discovery of her own inner resources to overcome the aftermath of a tragic car accident involving her five best friends. First she must forgive her friends, then she must forgive herself. No one writes better about resilience and ‘channeling your brave’ than Stevens does.” - --Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will --Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will --Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will --Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will --Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will --Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will

“No one writes better about resilience and ‘channeling your brave’ than Stevens does.” - --Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will

“This realistic YA novel explores the weight of the past, the value of the truth, and the meaning and process of forgiveness, which teen readers will identify with. The narrative is told with a mix of flashbacks and past emails that bring perspective and a much needed history of the characters, giving them depth and authenticity. A great addition to any YA collection.” - School Library Journal

“This realistic YA novel explores the weight of the past, the value of the truth, and the meaning and process of forgiveness, which teen readers will identify with. A great addition to any YA collection” - School Library Journal

“Engaging characters and engrossing storytelling.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“This lyrical novel explores loss and survivor’s guilt, friendship and trust, and grieving and moving forward through the heart of a young woman who has lost much and yet feels paralyzed to reclaim her life.” - ALA Booklist