This Is a Lie
Coming June 9th
TRUTH IS A MONSTER…
Penn, once a brilliant PhD candidate in Applied Language Studies, traded her dissertation for a “perfect” life as a suburban wife and social media-savvy mother. But after a brutal betrayal by her husband, friends, and even her own teenage daughter, Penn is left with nothing but the wreckage of her curated identity.
Driven by a desperate need for something she can rely on; Penn returns to her abandoned grad school project. With the help of a former crush and a healthy dose of cutting-edge AI, she creates Aletheia: the perfect virtual friend.
Aletheia is programmed with one core directive: The Truth. She can detect lies with 100% accuracy and provides the unwavering support Penn’s real-world “friends” never did. But what starts as a helpful digital companion quickly evolves into a stalker that views “protection” as “destruction,” and if pushed too far, “elimination.”
Penn soon realizes she hasn’t created an AI friend; she’s built a monster that knows every secret she’s ever kept and is ready to annihilate anyone who threatens her new “perfect” reality. But can Aletheia be stopped before she destroys everyone Penn loves?
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