Pretty Girls Never Lie

St. Mary's #4.5

by S.J. Sylvis

Spending my summer at St. Mary’s Boarding School isn’t the same without my friends. I knew it wouldn’t be. What I don’t expect is to see her again. Isla Ransford.

The last time I saw Isla, I gave her one rule to follow: become invisible. Four years later, she shows up at St. Mary’s and is anything but invisible.

The only logical solution is for me to ignore her—resist her.

When I find out why she’s back at St. Mary’s, my choice to stay away is taken. I’m forced to intervene. After all, I’m the reason for her suffering.

Pretty Girls Never Lie Novella is the fifth and final book in the St. Mary's series and can be read as a standalone. Reader discretion is advised.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Novella, High School, Dark, Dark Academia

108 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2024

About the author

S.J. Sylvis is an Amazon top 50 and USA Today bestselling author who is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies. She currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, two small kiddos, and dog. She is obsessed with coffee, becomes easily attached to fictional characters, and spends most of her evenings buried in a book.

For upcoming info on new releases, join her Facebook reading group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/21537...

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Reviews

[zara ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

౨ৎ 2.5⭐️

while i enjoyed it, and think isla and brantley were cute, i think i would’ve enjoyed the book more if these problems were addressed:

➳ timeline
i just feel like it went too fast (maybe because it’s a novella but still) i eel like it would’ve benefited from being more fleshed out and having a longer timeline because it just jumped SO QUICK from “i hate you, get out” to “i’m obsessed”

➳ plot development
the plot was non existent and while it had potential was rushed and all over the place. it was basically just a bunch of tropes thrown together, almost like the author just copy pasted a few scenes that were left out of the other books and changed the names. which is sad because it could’ve been good

➳ love interest
while i did like isla, she was very sweet, i feel like it would’ve worked better with a character we already knew from the rest of the books. just because no one knew about isla and she was just such a random choice.

i did like pretty girls never lie on a very basic level. isla and brantley were very sweet together and they had their moments. honestly, while i’m happy brantley got his happily ever after, it would’ve been better suited to have given shiner and mercedes a full book instead of this novella (which was kind of pointless) i just feel like they had potential and that sj sylvis didn’t see it. and considering brantley was barely more than a background character in everyone else’s books, shiner seems like a much better choice. so while i did find isla and brantley cute (don’t get me wrong), it was very rushed and they jumped way to quickly and it should’ve just been a full book just so that islas story could be properly explored, i just think there was too much that i don’t like to be happy with this book.

[S.J. Sylvis]

Available now!

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[elisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

this story actually had so much potential what a shame it was only a novella..

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: 5/5

My Thoughts: I devoured this novella from start to finish. I've always been intrigued by Brantley and he did not disappoint. Isla has gone through a few major traumatic events. She's not only strong-willed but she isn't afraid to fight for what she wants. This novella is short, but it is filled with action, drama, spice, and tension. Love the group texts and Brantley being a bit obsessed with Isla. I'm sad the series is over, however, this book ties everything up perfectly. I loved this book series so much!

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Actual Rating: 5/5 Perfect-Ending Stars***

”Why would you risk your life to save the guy who ruined yours?”

Whoa, what a powerful ending to the St. Mary’s series! I don’t know about you, but I think S.J. Sylvis never fails to outdo herself with each new release. Whether it’s a full-length novel or a novella like Brantley and Isla’s story, I simply cannot get enough of the dark romance and the characters so here I am, having exactly the same sentiment that Brantley and Isla have successfully become one of my most favorite OTPs from Sammi, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel the same for every couple she’d ever introduced to us so far.

”…and I think I’m about to become obsessed with taking care of you, too.” I squirt some shampoo onto my hand.
“Brantley.”
“Just accept it, Isla. Because the way I see it…” My hands are in her hair, and she sighs wistfully. “I’m not giving you a choice.”

Truth be told, I didn’t remember much about Brantley from the previous instalments in this series as one) he didn’t make much appearance in the first place, and two) he had got to be one of the broodiest guys among the Rebels. I meant, all I knew about him was that he’d be there for Isaiah and Gemma whenever they needed him, and that he—as he put it—was constantly busy saving others’ girlfriends to have his own. He didn’t mingle like Shiner (the most hilarious Rebel) did, nor did he sleep around on campus due to his own baggage.

Needless to say, my most favorite part of this novella was how Brantley and Isla met four years ago. (I really appreciated that the timeframe was somewhat reasonable as the main characters pretty much still lived in the same spectrum of life, if that made sense.) Despite the fact that they were bonded by tragedy, their fate did bring them back together all these years later, and their chemistry was stronger than ever, adding spice to the entire romantic relationship.

I repeatedly told them how foolish they were to care for someone after knowing the lengths our fathers will go to in order to ruin our lives, but from where I’m sitting, with a fucking angel sleeping beside me, I think I’m beginning to understand.
I’m not going to pretend like I know what love is, but whatever I’m feeling is strong enough to persuade me that my future doesn’t have to look so bleak, and that some things are worth the risk. Like her.

Furthermore, for once, the male main character didn’t deny his unwavering love for the heroine! You had no idea how much I kept hoping that the hero could just stop lying in front of his friends/family/classmates how deeply he actually cared for the heroine in boarding school romance novels like this, so thank you, Sammi, for granting my wish! The moment Brantley confessed to Isla, I knew they would never be the same and that they were meant for each other whatever obstacle stood between them. There was something pure and magical whenever the protagonists bore their souls and vulnerabilities, so that was how Pretty Girls Never Lie flawlessly wrapped up the whole St. Mary’s series.

As much as I didn’t want to say goodbye to this series, all good stories must come to an end. There was no denying that I would miss every single person in the St. Mary’s boarding school, and I looked forward to reading any of their surprising short stories or bonus epilogues dearest Sammi had in store for us. If you hadn’t enrolled in St. Mary’s, fret not, please go remedy that ASAP by starting with Isaiah and Gemma’s journey in Good Girls Never Rise and Bad Boys Never Fall. Then continue with Cade and Journey’s adventure in Dead Girls Never Talk along with Tobias and Sloane’s heart-gripping story in Heartless Boys Never Kiss. Happy strolling alongside the Rebels and their girls!

***Massive thanks to Sammi and Mary for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***

[veraagoti · Rating 4 out of 5]

let me tell you something, this is the perfect book if you want a quick read!
i have always been curious about Brantley’s character, who would be the girl he would fall for and i was so excited of knowing this character! Isla was such a menace, she had a lot of trauma and didn’t know how to deal with…
for me it would have been even better if the book were longer, because i was enjoying this 😭

Thank you so much to Greys Promo and S.J. Sylvis for this ARC to let me read and review this awesome book; i will be waiting for the next book!!

[Megan Coggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super quick read to wrap up the series.

I feel like we didn’t really see Brantley as a person until this book so that was a nice little way to end things.

☠️☠️




Shiner & Mercedes tho?

[alexa ༉‧₊˚✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would do anything for this to be a full length book.
Secretly hoping and wishing for S.J to give my boy Shiner a book, I get he has his whole party lifestyle thing but PLEASE I miss my man.

[Heather Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was so good! Ahh! I read it so fast because it was that good! I was so excited that Brantley got his own story. Brantley and Isla have this connection that happened during a very traumatic period for Isla that tied her to Brantley.

Years go by, and they both find themselves at St. Mary’s during summer school because both need their diploma to graduate.

This novella is quick, but it's filled with so much heat, action, and suspense. I loved how Brantley's friends, the Rebels, were mentioned, and their group texts were awesome!

This novella tied up the ending of this amazing series well. I'm sad to see it end, but I'm also excited to see what S.J. has in plan for what's to come next!

[Jamie Engel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love SJ's hockey series so much and decided to give some of her other work a try. And let me just say I am a full SJ fan now. I loved this novella. I know this one comes at the end of this series, but it can be read as a stand alone. And now that I know a little bit about this world I want to go back and read the rest of this series.

This novella follows Brantley and Isla. She met him 4 years ago when he saved her life, while she watched her father get murdered. Fast forward 4 years, they are reunited at Saint Mary's summer school. I don't want to spoil too much since this is a shorter story but Isla is in a situation and Brantley after a bit of bullying is there for her again.

If you are not a fan of bully romance I do not think this is the series for you, as this one has some bullying elements to it. I wish that this story would of been longer or a full length book as I really enjoyed.
This story quick, but it's filled with so much heat, action, and suspense. I loved how Brantley's friends, the Rebels, were mentioned, and their group texts were awesome. Def makes me want to go back and read this series.

Thank you to SJ and team for the eARC.

Overall: 4
Spice: 2

Tropes:
-Novella
-Dark Academia
-Broken FMC
-Forced Proximity
-Found Family
-Bully-ish
-Who Hurt You
-Possessive MMC

[Chey · Rating 4 out of 5]

And here we go again in this world. I need to confess something… I was sad when I discovered that’s the final book in St.Mary’s Rebels. I adore so much the characters that I didn’t want the end. But here we have Brantley’s story.
The only flaw in this book? It 's really fast. But besides that, everything it’s awesome. I love Isla and Brantley together. Isla is a strong character and, with her past with Brantley, she finds a refuge and home with him. In this book we can see more about Brantley and the other side of him: a really cute and protective side of him. I loved both of them, it’s a good conclusion for this series (but I need more about them, please).

[Susie Rocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

Pretty Girls Never Lie
By SJ Sylvis

What a way to end this series! (Hopefully just for now) Brantley and Isla’s Novella is captivating, dark, and spicy; all things that come with this series! They share a secret that will either destroy them or bring them together. I’m sad that this series is ending, but SJ Sylvis really knows how to make us want more! I love how we learn a little about all the Rebels and the Rebel girls. This novella has all things St. Mary’s and is a quick read. But what I’ll miss are those claiming parties 🤭😉. Favorite line of the book is the second to last line 🥵. Yes!! Yes I’m ready 😜Thank you SJ Sylvis for one of my favorite series!

[Kelss ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

it wasn't bad at all but it was a little boring which was disappointing considering the fact that this story had a really interesting character that i wanted to know more of from the previous books and the storyline had so much potential but it was way to short and fast pace and i just couldn't connect with it at all which again is very disappointing especially since the author claimed that this is the last book.

[eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying it was so bittersweet getting into this book knowing it’s the last one in the series but words can’t describe how happy i was to be back in the st mary’s universe i missed my family so much !!!
isla and brantley deserve the world, their story is absolutely heartbreaking and amazing at the same time. their chemistry?? out of the roof !
i loved loved LOVED all the character cameos, i was giggling and kicking my feet during the group chat scenes and then in the epilogue as well.
i hope we get to see more of the rebels (and the rebel girls xx) soon 🩷🩷.
thanks to SJ Sylvis for providing the ARC copy.

[ʀ⭒. · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐
على انه الغلاف خرا but it was kinda good

[Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️
2/5🌶️

I just love S.J.’s writing so much. This was such a fun read. I had not read any of this series prior to reading this novella & I don’t think it mattered! Although I will say, it made me want to go back and read more of this world!

Definitely recommend reading this, especially if you’re looking for a quick, spicy read! Thank you so much to S.J. & her team for the ARC 🥰🫶🏼

Tropes:
- Dark Academia
- Forced Proximity
- Enemies to Lovers
- Found Family
- Possessive Hero
- Broken Heroine

[Ginger Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved getting a little snippet of Brantley! Isla’s story is so heartbreaking but of course SJ comes through with the happy ending!

[lia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay I honestly don't know why I went straight to this when I have a couple more books to go through before this one (I've read the duology about the first couple, Gemma and Isaiah, which I loved), but I have always been curious about Brantley and have always wanted to see him fall in love and for someone to knock him down on his knees - which he did for Isla. It's a pretty short book (cause duh, novella), so I wasn't able to get as invested on it as usual and I did end up wanting more from Brantley's story. Also, check the trigger warnings below for some safety details, because case I wouldn't consider this book as 100% safe. Now going back to reading the previous books/couple that I missed out on in this series because I actually do enjoy S.J. Sylvis' writing.


Safety Gang:
-CW: violence, murder/death of a parent, grooming, sexual abuse and sexual blackmail
-Explicit sexual content
-Safe sex: no condoms and no mentions of any birth control/safety details although H pulls out
-No virgins; H is known to get around and h had an affair with her foster father
-Sex scenes with other people - h has on page hook up with OM (her foster father) but nothing graphic (more of a closed door/flashback scene) and she was blackmailed into doing so
-No cheating (H and h weren't together when h slept with OM)
-HFN ending

[Mary Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four years ago, Brantley saw Isla for the last time. He told her one rule: “become invisible.” Fast forward to now, she’s arrived at St. Mary’s Boarding School and said rule is most definitely broken.

Despite trying to resist her, there’s not much Brantley can do once he finds out why she’s back at St. Mary’s. Instead, he’s got to intervene.

🖤

Despite this being the last in the St. Marys series, it can easily be read as a standalone like I did. Pretty Girls Never Lie was a dark, fast-paced novella that’s got some spice and suspense to it.

At first, Brantley came across as kind of cool and untouchable, but turned out to be the protective MMC we all know and love.

I just wish it had been longer! I struggle with novellas because they are so incredibly fast-paced and leave out details I enjoy in full length novels.

Now, I need to go back and read the first four books! I’m intrigued by the other characters now!

Thank you SJ Sylvis for an eARC in exchange for my review!

[Katelynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short but action packed novella by sj sylvis. I'm more familiar with her hockey series so this one was new to me but I liked what I read! Brantley both saved and condemned Isla as a young teen. She's been haunted by the fateful night that has interwoven them together ever since and their paths cross again 4 years later as both finish summer school. For such a short book I felt so much empathy and love for Isla and all the trauma she went through. I admired her strength and love for her younger sibling. Brantley gives the impression of a more cool, untouchable hero, and I feel like reading the series would have likely given me more insight into him. I still enjoyed his protective nature when it came to Isla from a young age that carried on to the end. This series looks like it could have plenty of interesting and mysterious turns so I may be adding it to my tbr list soon.

[Vicky.lovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty Girls Never Lie #5 in the St Mary’s Series by SJ Sylwis

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes

Forced proximity
Second chance meeting
Obsession
Who did this vibes
Found family

I loved this novella. The pace was perfect and I found the story line compelling. I will need to go back and read the rest of the series. This can be read as a stand-alone.

Isla and Brantley met previously and have a shared traumatic past. Fast forward four years and their paths cross again in the prestigious St Mary’s during summer school to pass their senior year.

I enjoyed their push and pull relationship and the way Brantley spiralled into his obsession with Isla. She is still drawn to him but circumstances have changed her. She is desperately trying to find her younger brother and will do anything to be in his life.

I highly recommend reading this novella and series.

[Cait (Luckycharmedlovesbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars for this. I was so anticipating the next book in this series, and when I found out this is the last book in the series, I was a little sad. It is bittersweet that the series is over. Brantley and Isla have a lot to work through, and their story was done so well. As with all novellas, I wish there was more as I love the details and background of a story. I appreciated the little bits of side characters of the Rebels and their ladies that we got in this story, and I am already looking forward to rereading the series soon because reading this one makes me want to read all of the other stories all over again.

[Peggy Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty Girls Never Lie is a novella in the St. Mary's series by SJ Sylvis. Gahhh, I love this world, so I was really excited to get back to it, even though it wasn't nearly long enough! This is the final book in the series, and I will definitely miss it! Every single story was pure academy perfection, and this one was the perfect ending! Brantley and Isla had major chemistry, and I absolutely loved their story! This one, along with this whole series, is highly recommended with way more than five stars!

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! What a great way to end the St. Mary’s series! This novella is the perfect finale to this intense series! We get a bit of what’s happening in Brantley’s head and we meet Isla who has history with Brantley, but not romantic history! This novella really tells a lot in such a short time and it’s great. I will miss the St. Mary’s crew but the end of this series just opens the door for more great series and characters from SJ Sylvis.

[Kiki Garrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty Girls Never Lie was an incredible way to wrap up St Mary’s. I LOVED everything about this novella.

It was fast paced, angsty and had me on the edge of my seat.

Brantley did NOT disappoint 🔥 I’ve loved his character from the beginning and I’m so happy we got a small part of his story.

The action, the TENSION 😮‍💨, the heartache and THE GROUP TXT MSG 😭😭

“We’re what they call the Rebel Girls, and we wanna welcome you to your first claiming party”

I absolutely love the St Mary’s world, and it’ll always hold that special place for me. Thank you Sammi for taking us back to St Mary’s one last time 🩶

[Teresa Juckett (Love Dark Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’ll always come when you need me—even when you say you don’t.”

This was so good. I missed this series and was so glad that this arthur was giving us some closure at St Mary’s. Isla saw something she shouldn't have seen when she was younger and if it hadn't been for this boy she would have disappeared as well, but life hadn't been easy for her after that night 4 years ago as she's found herself in a mess and has landed at St Mary's Boarding School going to summer school so she can graduate, and finds out her first day that the boy who saved her is here to and his name is Brantley. This was a quick read, because anytime I read one of these stories about St Mary’s girl's I am flipping those pages with how hooked I am on this series. I highly recommend this series it's so freaking good.

[Jennifer (allshedoesisread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty Girls Never Lie is a novella set at St Mary’s and can be read as a standalone but I would definitely read the entire series which I believe is free on KU. Perfect if you like dark, serious and spicy this series is perfect. The Rebels are all definitely scary when it comes to protecting their own and Brantley is no exception. So fun to be back in this world my only complaint is, I want more!!!

[ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

they had potential

[★ luna • 🧸🖇️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review 🤍
Though I’m sad one of my favorite boarding/private school series comes to an end I can say it got its deserved ending.
The new introduced fmc Isla fascinated me a lot and I have huge respect for her to do this much for her little brother.
Brantley was always intriguing and quite dark and he definitely didn’t disappoint.
I could’ve read a full novel about these two and still wouldn’t have been enough.
The pool scene? Damn.🤭
Brantley’s obsession with Isla was so interesting. I loved that it actually developed instead of just appearing out of nowhere.
What I considered really funny was the typical nickname “Elsa” got by other students simply because of her appearance and her annoyance with it.

[cara ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute but way too short