You Can Trust Me: A Novel
In a “thriller with a sharp take on wealth and privilege” (People, Book of the Week), two best friends grift their way through the California elite—until one scam goes awry.
“A propulsive, sun-drenched adventure with smart, sharp commentary on wealth and power.”—Grace D. Li, New York Times bestselling author of Portrait of a Thief
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: PopSugar, Harper’s Bazaar, CrimeReads
Summer and Leo would do anything for each other. Inspired by the way each has had to carve her place in a hostile and unforgiving world, and united by the call of the open road, they travel around sunny California in Summer’s tricked-out Land Cruiser. It’s not a glamorous life, but it gives them the freedom they crave from the painful pasts they’ve left behind. But even free spirits have bills to pay. Luckily, Summer is a skilled pickpocket, a small-time thief, and a con artist—and Leo, determined to pay her own way, has learned a trick or two.
Eager for a big score, Leo catches in her crosshairs Michael Forrester, a self-made billionaire and philanthropist. When her charm wins him over, Leo is rewarded with an invitation to his private island off the California coastline for a night of fabulous excess. She eagerly anticipates returning with photos that can be sold to the paparazzi, jewelry that can be liquidated, and endless stories to share with Summer.
Instead, Leo disappears.
On her own for the first time in years, Summer decides to infiltrate Michael’s island and find out what really happened. But when she arrives, no one has seen Leo—she’s not on the island as far as they know. Plus, there was only one way on the island—and no way off—for the coming days. Trapped in a scheme she helped initiate, could Summer have met her match?
“A propulsive, sun-drenched adventure with smart, sharp commentary on wealth and power.”—Grace D. Li, New York Times bestselling author of Portrait of a Thief
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: PopSugar, Harper’s Bazaar, CrimeReads
Summer and Leo would do anything for each other. Inspired by the way each has had to carve her place in a hostile and unforgiving world, and united by the call of the open road, they travel around sunny California in Summer’s tricked-out Land Cruiser. It’s not a glamorous life, but it gives them the freedom they crave from the painful pasts they’ve left behind. But even free spirits have bills to pay. Luckily, Summer is a skilled pickpocket, a small-time thief, and a con artist—and Leo, determined to pay her own way, has learned a trick or two.
Eager for a big score, Leo catches in her crosshairs Michael Forrester, a self-made billionaire and philanthropist. When her charm wins him over, Leo is rewarded with an invitation to his private island off the California coastline for a night of fabulous excess. She eagerly anticipates returning with photos that can be sold to the paparazzi, jewelry that can be liquidated, and endless stories to share with Summer.
Instead, Leo disappears.
On her own for the first time in years, Summer decides to infiltrate Michael’s island and find out what really happened. But when she arrives, no one has seen Leo—she’s not on the island as far as they know. Plus, there was only one way on the island—and no way off—for the coming days. Trapped in a scheme she helped initiate, could Summer have met her match?
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Community Reviews
Outstanding!
This one is a solid thriller and a very welcome read after reading a few duds. We have two women, in their 30s, who fall into each other as they try to make their way into the world. Summer is a small time thief, con artist, and pick pocket who lives in her Land Cruiser trying to get by. Along the way she meets Leo, a runaway, and together they lean on each other as they try and get by.
Fast forward to this plot. Leo falls into a certain billionaire, Michael Forrester, and they form a scheme to gain his trust and pull off a con as Michael invites Leo to his private island. But after Leo leaves with Michael, days go by and no word is heard from her. She is just gone.
This is where the book takes off. Summer goes day by day without hearing from Leo, who she has started to depend on over time. Without her she starts losing it and finally she forms a plan to sneak onto that island and get her back.
Bravo! I just love how much these two depended on each other and the lengths they go to to keep each other safe and out of danger. The friendship Summer had with Leo was inspiring and I loved it. The story is written in present day and flashbacks to how these two ended up friends and it was very cohesive and "thrilling"
A great book and highly recommended!
I really appreciate Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for giving me the opportunity to read this book for free for a honest review and it has a publication date of June 13, 2023
This one is a solid thriller and a very welcome read after reading a few duds. We have two women, in their 30s, who fall into each other as they try to make their way into the world. Summer is a small time thief, con artist, and pick pocket who lives in her Land Cruiser trying to get by. Along the way she meets Leo, a runaway, and together they lean on each other as they try and get by.
Fast forward to this plot. Leo falls into a certain billionaire, Michael Forrester, and they form a scheme to gain his trust and pull off a con as Michael invites Leo to his private island. But after Leo leaves with Michael, days go by and no word is heard from her. She is just gone.
This is where the book takes off. Summer goes day by day without hearing from Leo, who she has started to depend on over time. Without her she starts losing it and finally she forms a plan to sneak onto that island and get her back.
Bravo! I just love how much these two depended on each other and the lengths they go to to keep each other safe and out of danger. The friendship Summer had with Leo was inspiring and I loved it. The story is written in present day and flashbacks to how these two ended up friends and it was very cohesive and "thrilling"
A great book and highly recommended!
I really appreciate Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for giving me the opportunity to read this book for free for a honest review and it has a publication date of June 13, 2023
Our book club ratings for this book ranged from 1/10 to 7/10 stars. People on the low end thought every bit was unbelievable. If you just go along for the ride, like I did, you'll find it enjoyable enough.
This is one of those "what about" books... Sometimes, I hear that someone who made an impact passed. These people are remembered for their good cause efforts, but what about the other cheek? What about their demons? This book addresses exactly that and more! I loved the storyline and how everything unraveled. Huge twists till the end.
It's so good! I seriously didn't sleep just to finish this!
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