Megan Lally’s That’s Not My Name is a pulse-pounding debut that grips you from its very first page and refuses to let go. Set in a small Oregon town filled with secrets, suspicion, and fear, this young adult thriller explores the terrifying fragility of identity and the lengths we go to uncover the truth.
The story opens with a seventeen-year-old girl waking up on a dirt road, bruised, bloodied, and with no memory of who she is. When a kind officer brings her to the police station, a frantic man appears, claiming to be her father. He has photos, IDs, even a birth certificate proving she’s his daughter, Mary Boone. She doesn’t recognize him, but with no other memories to hold on to, she has no choice but to trust him.
Across town, another teen’s life is falling apart. Drew’s girlfriend, Lola, vanished after a fight, and everyone believes he killed her. With the sheriff determined to close the case, Drew takes matters into his own hands, desperate to find Lola before it’s too late. But the deeper he digs, the more twisted the truth becomes and the closer his search leads to the mysterious girl now living as “Mary.”
Lally alternates between Mary and Drew’s points of view, building tension with masterful pacing. Each chapter ends with a quiet urgency that makes this a true “just one more chapter” read. The dual narration works beautifully, giving readers a full view of the puzzle while still keeping the mystery tantalizingly out of reach.
The atmosphere is thick with dread. Mary’s scenes are claustrophobic and chilling, her new “home” with her supposed father dripping with unease. His strict rules, controlling behavior, and the way he keeps her isolated make every interaction unsettling. Drew’s chapters, on the other hand, carry a raw emotional weight as he wrestles with guilt and the crushing suspicion of everyone around him. Together, their stories converge in a heart-stopping climax that’s both tragic and cathartic.
While the premise recalls classics like The Girl on the Train and The Lovely Bones, That’s Not My Name stands out for its youthful immediacy and emotional punch. Lally writes her teen characters with authenticity they’re flawed, impulsive, and achingly human. Even when their choices are reckless, you understand them completely.
Readers have praised the audiobook edition for its immersive performances by Sophie Amoss and Robb Moreira, who capture both the desperation and vulnerability of their characters. And despite some implausible moments (teen amateur sleuthing rarely holds up under logic), the emotional honesty of the story keeps it grounded.
At under 300 pages, this thriller is brisk yet emotionally charged. The final chapters, particularly the haunting epilogue from Drew’s perspective, elevate it beyond a simple mystery. It’s not just about what happened it’s about what’s lost when truth finally comes to light.
Verdict: That’s Not My Name is a knockout debut, perfect for fans of twisty, emotionally driven YA thrillers by authors like Kit Frick, Mindy McGinnis, and Natalie D. Richards. Equal parts gripping and heartbreaking, this is a story that will leave you shaken, breathless, and eager for Megan Lally’s next release.
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