No Filter and Other Lies

By: Crystal Maldonado

Narrated by: Frankie Corzo

You should know, right now, that I’m a liar.

They’re usually little lies. Tiny lies. Baby lies. Not so much lies as lie adjacent.

But they’re still lies.

Twenty one-year-old Max Monroe has it all: beauty, friends, and a glittering life filled with adventure. With tons of followers on Instagram, her picture-perfect existence seems eminently enviable.

Except it’s all fake.

Max is actually 16-year-old Kat Sanchez, a quiet and sarcastic teenager living in drab Bakersfield, California. Nothing glamorous in her existence—just sprawl, bad house parties, a crap school year, and the awkwardness of dealing with her best friend Hari’s unrequited love. But while Kat’s life is far from perfect, she thrives as Max: doling out advice, sharing beautiful photos, networking with famous influencers, even making a real friend in a follower named Elena. The closer Elena and “Max” get—texting, Snapping, and even calling—the more Kat feels she has to keep up the façade.

But when one of Max’s posts goes ultra-viral and gets back to the very person she’s been stealing photos from, her entire world – real and fake — comes crashing down around her. She has to figure out a way to get herself out of the huge web of lies she’s created without hurting the people she loves.

But it might already be too late.

Kat’s Coming of age

I really liked how this book showcased rounded characters from a diverse community. Most of these teen novels, tv shows, and even movies show the lives of rich kids doing whatever they want without repercussions. Maldonado’s characters are young adults borrowing their parents cars or negotiating curfews. It’s exhilarating to read. There is magic in the simple moments of everyday life for people who are not belligerently rich. Loved it.
The ending is perfect *chef’s kiss*