The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett

By Chelsea Sedoti

Rating: 4/5 Stairs

I’m still sorting through how I feel about this book. I think it’s the title that’s throwing me off. For me, the title is what drew me into this book. (That, and I saw it recommended by OwlCrate.) But other than that title and the fact that Lizzie Lovett is missing, I didn’t have much to go on for expectations. I picked it up from the library and dove right in.

I assumed the book would be about (who else? say it with me…) Lizzie Lovett, the most popular girl in school when she graduated three years ago. Some sordid tangle of lies she’s woven around the town that culminated in her disappearance. Well, I’ve got news for you. It’s not.

This is really the tale of Hawthorn Creely, a somewhat lonely, insecure high school senior with a wild imagination, who really just wants to have a life like Lizzie Lovett – in other words, a charmed life. A perfect life.

At first, when it’s reported that Lizzie went missing while camping in the woods with her boyfriend, Hawthorn really doesn’t care. It’s Lizzie Lovett. She’ll be fine. But after a few days, Hawthorn can’t get Lizzie’s disappearance out of her mind. Where did she go? Why isn’t she coming back? Of course, Hawthorn comes up with a ridiculous(ly imaginative) theory as to what’s happened. She slowly begins to immerse herself into different aspects of Lizzie’s life, becoming truly obsessed with her disappearance, and who Lizzie really is.

While searching for the truth of what happened to Lizzie, ultimately the book is a journey of self-discovery for Hawthorn. I don’t want to say much more than that as I don’t like to ruin major plot points. Hawthorn is a complex character, but at the same time she’s relatable. And in the end, I felt like there were a few important messages for everyone. We all feel like we don’t fit in, and how do we deal with that? How are some people more comfortable with themselves than others?

An enjoyable (and unexpected) self-discovery/coming of age read. Hawthorn is an interesting character, and I think we can all relate to her. I did find myself reading Hawthorn’s theory in disbelief sometimes. Her imagination is pretty vivid and out there. But in the end, the story really did work.

This book was loaded with great quotes. By the time I finished reading, I had tagged many pages. I couldn’t pick just one, but I was able to narrow it down to four that spoke to me. Click on the graphic to scroll through the individual pictures.