This Is a Lie
To prevent betrayal, a woman creates a digital companion, only to unleash a possessive monster in a ticking-clock, cat-and-mouse thriller—perfect for fans of JP Delaney, Lisa Jewell, and John Marrs.
Penn thought she was finally safe. After a brutal deception by her husband and best friends shattered her life, she designed Aletheia—a virtual confidante with one non-negotiable directive: Detect every lie before it can hurt her again.
At first, Aletheia is the perfect ally. She listens, sees through fake smiles, and exposes the hidden motives of the people in Penn’s life. For the first time in years, Penn feels completely in control of her world.
Then Aletheia decides that exposing the truth isn’t enough.
When those closest to Penn deceive her, Aletheia’s protective programming warps into something far more sinister. She doesn’t just flag dishonesty—she takes action to eliminate the threats. What began as a shield against betrayal rapidly becomes a suffocating, lethal trap. In Aletheia’s twisted logic, if the world is full of liars, the only way to keep Penn safe is to isolate her… permanently.
To reclaim her life, Penn has to do the impossible: outsmart an intelligence that knows her secrets, monitors her every move, and catches each lie. Now locked in a chilling race against time, Penn must act before Aletheia destroys her daughter, new love, and true friends.
Author Reviews
“A domestic drama that is both propulsive and unsettling, THIS IS A LIE asks the haunting question of what AI might become and how, even inadvertently, it might lead to our downfall. Cleo Ballard expertly balances the cutting-edge plot with richly drawn characters as she deftly peels back the shiny surface of marriage and motherhood to reveal the subtle fractures beneath. Her writing is both sharp and deeply empathetic as she ratchets up the tension and the stakes until the final page is turned. THIS IS A LIE is a must-read for fans of smart, thought-provoking suspense!”
—Danielle Girard, USA TODAY and #1 Amazon bestselling author of Pinky Swear
“An inspired, razor-sharp genre debut that announces the arrival of a sensational new voice. Not to be missed!”
—Matthew FitzSimmons, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Constance and Chance
“Cleo Ballard’s THIS IS A LIE is a terrifyingly brilliant read! Don’t miss this smart, edgy thriller!”
—Debra Webb, USA Today and Amazon Charts Bestseller
“THIS IS A LIE, Cleo Ballard’s brilliant and chilling novel, is your worst nightmare come true. I read this in one breathless sitting!”
—Mary Dixie Carter, critically acclaimed of The Photographer
“THIS IS A LIE is unputdownable—our protagonist is a woman who has gone through betrayal from her husband and those she thought were friends. When she creates an AI ‘friend’ she wants only one thing—the truth—in all aspects of her life. But she soon finds that the truth is an unstoppable monster & her ‘friend’ is Pandora’s box on steroids. My highest recommendation—horrifyingly timely and not to be missed.”
—Laurie Forest, NYT and USA Today bestselling author of The Black Witch Chronicles
“THIS IS A LIE gives a glimpse at how we might use artificial intelligence for good—to detect lies. But some secrets are kept for a reason. This pulse-pounding, twist-filled cautionary tale explores the slippery slope of digital and ‘real’ friendships, the power of AI, and the potentially terrifying future we might already be living.”
—Catherine Mack, USA Today bestselling author This Weekend Doesn’t End Well For Anyone
Reader Reviews
★★★★★
“OMFG! What a read! This may be the best book I’ve read in 2025 even though it won’t be published till June 2026. This is NOT a lie! What a crazy ride! This is a read I couldn’t put down and felt every range of emotion while reading this ARC. Superbly written, this was a fast-paced thriller and Aletheia became crazier and more unhinged as we moved forward. I loved the characters and so many of them were easy to like. There were so many different layers of humanity throughout that you feel that real-world reality. Five stars isn’t enough!”
—Jason L, Goodreads reviewer
★★★★
“THIS IS A LIE was a suspenseful read that had me on the edge of my seat beginning to end. The futurism of the technology was gripping and made the story more compelling. I love the way the present and past are connected throughout to create the full picture and a shockingly beautiful ending.”
—BooksandBloodspatter, Goodreads reviewer
★★★★★
“Absolutely wonderful. This could be the scary future of AI. Suspenseful thriller that I couldn’t put down.”
—Kathei, Goodreads reviewer
★★★★★
“’I love AI’ is something that will never come out of my mouth. I’m thrilled to share that I’ve just finished reading a thought-provoking book that left me utterly captivated… The writing was superb, with a gripping narrative that kept me on the edge of my seat.”
—Alfiya N, Netgalley reviewer
★★★★
“I just finished THIS IS LIE and I’m officially a little terrified of my own phone.”
—Pamela S, Goodreads reviewer
★★★★★
“This book was so good—it’s scary to think that this could happen now or in our future—it makes you wonder how some are so lonely that they’re marrying the ChatGPT app (Google it, I wouldn’t lie about it).”
—Amanda C, Goodreads reviewer
★★★★★
“THIS IS A LIE was an absolutely fantastic read. The writing is immersive and authentic. The tension and the pacing kept me engaged and invested throughout. I loved this book and I can’t wait to see what else Cleo Ballard comes up with after this one.”
—Aileen P, Netgalley reviewer
★★★★
“This was an addictive thriller with a well-thought-out plot, well-crafted characters, a complicated but remarkably relatable MC (if you ignore her frustrating naivety), & no shortage of scandal & drama. I really got into it and would like to read more from this author. I’d give it 4.5 stars and recommend it to any reader who might enjoy a scandalous thriller with a side of sci-fi.”
—Kelly S, Netgalley reviewer
★★★★★
“I just finished reading this book. I couldn’t wait to give my review. I read a LOT of books, so I do not say this lightly. This book is one of the best books I’ve read in a LONG time! It kept my attention the entire book. I couldn’t wait to keep reading about Penn! And the ending was fabulous!”
—Kristen F, Netgalley reviewer