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The Lies We Tell
"Lies destroy – especially the ones we tell ourselves. But reality can destroy too, revealing a truth that can shake you to the core."
BLURB
Nate
My marriage was done. The criminal I was chasing was giving me the runaround. I was doubting everything, wondering where my life was going. I’d given everything to the job, but it had cost me everything, including my family and my home. When Oliver Farnham gave me the lead I’d been looking for, I couldn't pass up the chance to put a murderer behind bars. I’d promised to protect him, and I always kept my word. If he would give up his life as he knew it, to get justice for a man he never knew, I’m sure I could do what it took to keep him safe. What I didn’t expect was to love him and if that meant giving my life to keep him alive, it was the price I’d pay.
Ollie
How much was my life worth? That was the question I asked myself. Was it worth losing everything for? Damn right it was. I’d give up my identity if it meant keeping ME safe. Witnessing a murder and running away from the life I knew, it should have been a difficult decision, and if my ‘boyfriend’ knew that I was the one that had given him up, I’d have a target on my back for the rest of my very short life. Then I met Nate. He’d sworn to protect me in exchange for my testimony, but the closer we became, the more I realised I’d give it all up to be with him. I just wondered if he’d do the same for me.
The Lies We Tell - a gritty, dark MM romance featuring plenty of spice, steam, an age gap, and bisexual awakening.
This is a standalone novel. Trigger warnings for kidnap, torture and assault.
BLURB
Nate
My marriage was done. The criminal I was chasing was giving me the runaround. I was doubting everything, wondering where my life was going. I’d given everything to the job, but it had cost me everything, including my family and my home. When Oliver Farnham gave me the lead I’d been looking for, I couldn't pass up the chance to put a murderer behind bars. I’d promised to protect him, and I always kept my word. If he would give up his life as he knew it, to get justice for a man he never knew, I’m sure I could do what it took to keep him safe. What I didn’t expect was to love him and if that meant giving my life to keep him alive, it was the price I’d pay.
Ollie
How much was my life worth? That was the question I asked myself. Was it worth losing everything for? Damn right it was. I’d give up my identity if it meant keeping ME safe. Witnessing a murder and running away from the life I knew, it should have been a difficult decision, and if my ‘boyfriend’ knew that I was the one that had given him up, I’d have a target on my back for the rest of my very short life. Then I met Nate. He’d sworn to protect me in exchange for my testimony, but the closer we became, the more I realised I’d give it all up to be with him. I just wondered if he’d do the same for me.
The Lies We Tell - a gritty, dark MM romance featuring plenty of spice, steam, an age gap, and bisexual awakening.
This is a standalone novel. Trigger warnings for kidnap, torture and assault.
195 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 8, 2023
26 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Alex J. Adams
25 books177 followersAlex is an MM author from the NW of England. She's married with three grown-up sons and two Tamaskan dogs, her night time companions when she's writing into the early hours!
She writes gritty, realistic, mainly contemporary romance but always with a happy ever after.
Her tagline? Finding Forever - One Chapter at a Time.
An avid reader, she started writing one lunch break, writing her first book in no time at all. From there, her passion grew and The Nava Dance Studios series was born. Her writing style has changed, a darker feel creeping into her work and while she doesn't profess to be a dark author, she covers some socially dark subjects.
She'd love to move somewhere sunny with a beach view, continuing to write about her perfectly, imperfect men.
Follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Bookbub.
She writes gritty, realistic, mainly contemporary romance but always with a happy ever after.
Her tagline? Finding Forever - One Chapter at a Time.
An avid reader, she started writing one lunch break, writing her first book in no time at all. From there, her passion grew and The Nava Dance Studios series was born. Her writing style has changed, a darker feel creeping into her work and while she doesn't profess to be a dark author, she covers some socially dark subjects.
She'd love to move somewhere sunny with a beach view, continuing to write about her perfectly, imperfect men.
Follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Bookbub.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
July 8, 2023
I wish I could say I’m disappointed but I kind of had a tiny feeling this would be bad . The blurb was too damn appealing though so I kept my fingers tightly crossed and dived in. Didn’t work, of course (I have a weakness for cops, sue me).
What went wrong :
The writing -simplistic,dry, emotionless and sometimes ..crass. (Like when the MC tells us that he has his hand down his pants scratching his balls , in the kitchen, while talking to his ex wife)
The plot - it has the complexity of one elaborated by an 8th grade kid and no originality . The police action is like a Mr Bean movie.
The characters -they have no depth, no layers and they’re like unfinished sketches, they don’t transmit any kind of emotion, probably because they don’t feel any kind of emotion (for each other or in general) They’re like puppets saying their lines and playing their role. The cop dude is always nasty, surly and bad tempered and the kid is a whiny brat.
Side characters- Who?
The sex scenes- 1 and a half boring sex scene.
TW for kidnapping and torture .
What went wrong :
The writing -simplistic,dry, emotionless and sometimes ..crass. (Like when the MC tells us that he has his hand down his pants scratching his balls , in the kitchen, while talking to his ex wife)
The plot - it has the complexity of one elaborated by an 8th grade kid and no originality . The police action is like a Mr Bean movie.
The characters -they have no depth, no layers and they’re like unfinished sketches, they don’t transmit any kind of emotion, probably because they don’t feel any kind of emotion (for each other or in general) They’re like puppets saying their lines and playing their role. The cop dude is always nasty, surly and bad tempered and the kid is a whiny brat.
Side characters- Who?
The sex scenes- 1 and a half boring sex scene.
TW for kidnapping and torture .
June 26, 2023
4.5 stars. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I really enjoy their stories! It’s a wonderful change of pace when I get an MM book that isn’t focused fully around the romance. The MCs didn’t even meet until around 20% in this story and I found that was ok. I was enjoying getting to know the characters and circumstances around why they meet.
Ollie needs to go into witness protection and Nate is the head of the case team. Their interactions were great from the start and believable. It is a bit of an instalove situation but it did make sense. I appreciated their communication (besides one part but can’t really fault them for it)!
This book wasn’t nearly as dark as I was expecting. There were some tougher topics but it was more a mystery then dark to me. Having said that I absolutely enjoyed it. There was a plot twist that completely threw me and I didn’t expect it at all. That happens so rarely in this genre so I loved that!
I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for an MM story with a heavy focus on plot as well as the romance and I look forward to reading more books by this author!
Ollie needs to go into witness protection and Nate is the head of the case team. Their interactions were great from the start and believable. It is a bit of an instalove situation but it did make sense. I appreciated their communication (besides one part but can’t really fault them for it)!
This book wasn’t nearly as dark as I was expecting. There were some tougher topics but it was more a mystery then dark to me. Having said that I absolutely enjoyed it. There was a plot twist that completely threw me and I didn’t expect it at all. That happens so rarely in this genre so I loved that!
I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for an MM story with a heavy focus on plot as well as the romance and I look forward to reading more books by this author!
July 8, 2023
This story was wonderfully developed, first some introduction of the daily life of both mc’s. We can find the link that will bring them together.
Nate’s marriage is over, he doubts himself, he is a cop, trying to catch a criminal without results.
Ollie is in an abusive relationship, and knows he has to quit, when it got too bad and he’s a witness of something cruel, he has to flee.
It seems the criminal Nate is after is the same man Ollie tries to escape from, and that man is the reason Nate and Ollie are getting involved.
What can you expect? Threats, angst, abuse, crime, pining, bi-awakening, fourteen-year age gap, close proximity, and of course steam. Be aware of some dark gritty painful situations.
The course of the story was exciting to follow, crime is far from my favorite but in this story, it was well combined with the romance. I choose this book because of the author and I was content with the story.
Overall a super entertaining, thrilling, well-designed read, with a solid plot.
Nate’s marriage is over, he doubts himself, he is a cop, trying to catch a criminal without results.
Ollie is in an abusive relationship, and knows he has to quit, when it got too bad and he’s a witness of something cruel, he has to flee.
It seems the criminal Nate is after is the same man Ollie tries to escape from, and that man is the reason Nate and Ollie are getting involved.
What can you expect? Threats, angst, abuse, crime, pining, bi-awakening, fourteen-year age gap, close proximity, and of course steam. Be aware of some dark gritty painful situations.
The course of the story was exciting to follow, crime is far from my favorite but in this story, it was well combined with the romance. I choose this book because of the author and I was content with the story.
Overall a super entertaining, thrilling, well-designed read, with a solid plot.
July 22, 2023
"He had a light dusting of freckles across his smooth nose, so faint you had to be really close to see them. The long dark eyelashes fanning over his slightly tanned skin matched the colour of his hair, which was sticking up in places where he’d been lying on it. It looked soft, almost baby fine. Had I ever looked at a man the way I did him? I’d never once had the attraction I felt towards him, and it unnerved me."
The Lies We Tell: A Darker MM Romance is the first book I've read by Alex J. Adams. I love a good MM cop romance and the blurb on this one had me intrigued. This is Nate and Ollie's story.
Nate is a hard-working 38 year old cop, struggling with the end of his marriage. Ollie is the 25 year old witness to the gangland murder of an undercover cop, and also the ex-lover of the killer. Nate is the DI charged with protecting Ollie, as the police race to solve the murder and bring charges before a hit can be made on Ollie. And along the way both men develop feelings.....
Tropes:
🖤MM romance
🖤Bi-awakening
🖤Age gap
🖤Cop/witness
🖤Dark themes (kidnap and torture)
🖤HEA
This one's more about the story than the steam, which makes a nice change.
3-3.5 stars
The Lies We Tell: A Darker MM Romance is the first book I've read by Alex J. Adams. I love a good MM cop romance and the blurb on this one had me intrigued. This is Nate and Ollie's story.
Nate is a hard-working 38 year old cop, struggling with the end of his marriage. Ollie is the 25 year old witness to the gangland murder of an undercover cop, and also the ex-lover of the killer. Nate is the DI charged with protecting Ollie, as the police race to solve the murder and bring charges before a hit can be made on Ollie. And along the way both men develop feelings.....
Tropes:
🖤MM romance
🖤Bi-awakening
🖤Age gap
🖤Cop/witness
🖤Dark themes (kidnap and torture)
🖤HEA
This one's more about the story than the steam, which makes a nice change.
3-3.5 stars
November 13, 2023
ARC REVIEW:
This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it.
Quite different from my usual reads, though, because I'd say that in this one, the romance isn't necessarily in the forefront.
The story is built more around the intrigue surrounding Nate, who is a good, hard-working cop, and Ollie, who is the key witness in his investigation that will help him finally catch the criminal he's been chasing.
"I promise to keep you safe, whatever it takes."
When we first meet Nate, despite the fact that he's in his late thirties, he has no idea that he might be attracted to men. But that's going to change as soon as he lays eyes on Ollie. (Even if it's going to take him a little while to get the hang of it. 😅)
"Show me, Ollie. Show me it all."
Ollie is a brave young man who just got out of a pretty toxic relationship. He really deserved better and I'm really glad he met a good person like Nate!
I'd begun to think I could never trust again, but Nate was proving me wrong.
The two of them really needed each other in their lives.
Ollie was important in more ways than one. Not just to the case but to me too. How that had happened I had no idea.
If you're looking for a fast-paced read with a good plot that will keep you hooked right to the end, than this is the book for you! 😊
This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it.
Quite different from my usual reads, though, because I'd say that in this one, the romance isn't necessarily in the forefront.
The story is built more around the intrigue surrounding Nate, who is a good, hard-working cop, and Ollie, who is the key witness in his investigation that will help him finally catch the criminal he's been chasing.
"I promise to keep you safe, whatever it takes."
When we first meet Nate, despite the fact that he's in his late thirties, he has no idea that he might be attracted to men. But that's going to change as soon as he lays eyes on Ollie. (Even if it's going to take him a little while to get the hang of it. 😅)
"Show me, Ollie. Show me it all."
Ollie is a brave young man who just got out of a pretty toxic relationship. He really deserved better and I'm really glad he met a good person like Nate!
I'd begun to think I could never trust again, but Nate was proving me wrong.
The two of them really needed each other in their lives.
Ollie was important in more ways than one. Not just to the case but to me too. How that had happened I had no idea.
If you're looking for a fast-paced read with a good plot that will keep you hooked right to the end, than this is the book for you! 😊
July 2, 2023
Nate, the cop, gets taken down by Ollie, the witness. This was a fast paced and well spaced suspenseful little read.
Nate is all out of sorts. His wife is having another man’s baby and he has be trying to put away a well known criminal for far too long. His big break in the case comes in the form of Ollie, the witness in a crime committed by said criminal. I wish we had seen more of Ollie and Nate together in the beginning. It’s nearly 20% in before they even meet. Then they go through a separation and have even less interaction.
Still, I enjoyed seeing Nate become more confident in his attraction to a man and then acting in it. I also enjoyed his dealings with his wife and being able to move past that relationship and turn it into something new. Ollie and Nate really did compliment one another well. This book seemed to focus on the suspense first and the romance second and somehow that just worked for the story.
Nate is all out of sorts. His wife is having another man’s baby and he has be trying to put away a well known criminal for far too long. His big break in the case comes in the form of Ollie, the witness in a crime committed by said criminal. I wish we had seen more of Ollie and Nate together in the beginning. It’s nearly 20% in before they even meet. Then they go through a separation and have even less interaction.
Still, I enjoyed seeing Nate become more confident in his attraction to a man and then acting in it. I also enjoyed his dealings with his wife and being able to move past that relationship and turn it into something new. Ollie and Nate really did compliment one another well. This book seemed to focus on the suspense first and the romance second and somehow that just worked for the story.
April 28, 2024
3.5 stars
I went into this blind and I found myself struggling through. This is a ME thing not the book thing.
I don’t generally enjoy slow burns. I was also expecting a romance, which I don’t feel like this book is.
This book focuses on the story rather than romance, 90% of this book is the story building and then the romance is sprinkled in more towards the end. Once that starts it’s very fast paced. This book is not particularly dark, it has some dark themes.
Ollie is sent into witness protection after witnessing an unaliving. Nate is the lead detective on the case and feels an immediate connection to Ollie. Nate’s home life is in shambles so when Ollie comes around he starts to realize things he never considered before.
Nate is a workaholic cop who throws himself into a case and lets the rest of his life fall away. He was so desperate to catch this guy that he made sure Ollie was safe at all costs. Only for things completely out of his control to occur.
Ollie is sweet and kind of naive. He gets himself into a relationship with Gary knowing he’s not a good guy but not knowing the extent of it. Once he finds out he panics.
When Ollie and Nate finally come together they really are very cute. Both of them had been hurt by their exes and they pick each other up and develop a relationship pretty quickly. They found in each other what they had always been missing. I do wish they had gotten together much sooner in the book because I enjoyed reading them.
I went into this blind and I found myself struggling through. This is a ME thing not the book thing.
I don’t generally enjoy slow burns. I was also expecting a romance, which I don’t feel like this book is.
This book focuses on the story rather than romance, 90% of this book is the story building and then the romance is sprinkled in more towards the end. Once that starts it’s very fast paced. This book is not particularly dark, it has some dark themes.
Ollie is sent into witness protection after witnessing an unaliving. Nate is the lead detective on the case and feels an immediate connection to Ollie. Nate’s home life is in shambles so when Ollie comes around he starts to realize things he never considered before.
Nate is a workaholic cop who throws himself into a case and lets the rest of his life fall away. He was so desperate to catch this guy that he made sure Ollie was safe at all costs. Only for things completely out of his control to occur.
Ollie is sweet and kind of naive. He gets himself into a relationship with Gary knowing he’s not a good guy but not knowing the extent of it. Once he finds out he panics.
When Ollie and Nate finally come together they really are very cute. Both of them had been hurt by their exes and they pick each other up and develop a relationship pretty quickly. They found in each other what they had always been missing. I do wish they had gotten together much sooner in the book because I enjoyed reading them.
July 8, 2023
I wasn't sure what I was getting with this book, but I am glad I picked it. Nate starts the story as a hard-bitten British detective whose wife has taken up with another guy because he's always working. She still loves him, and they are all in the same house. Soon, Nate's current case picks up steam, and he encounters the witness they need to make the case. Nate is intrigued by Ollie as soon as he sees him, and when Ollie goes into witness protection, Nate stays with him often since he has nowhere else to be. They flirt and kiss, which is totally new to Nate.
Meanwhile, Ollie has been a call boy for the criminal and accidentally witnesses a murder. There are villains, and the violence is graphic. They are apart for several months but find each other again when the trial starts. Love is love, and Nate and Ollie find it.
I received an advance review copy for free and left this review voluntarily.
Meanwhile, Ollie has been a call boy for the criminal and accidentally witnesses a murder. There are villains, and the violence is graphic. They are apart for several months but find each other again when the trial starts. Love is love, and Nate and Ollie find it.
I received an advance review copy for free and left this review voluntarily.
July 5, 2023
This is the first book I have read from Alex, and it certainly won't be the last. This book was dark and gritty and had all the things I want in a dark romance.
Ollie was such a good character he was so sassy even though his life definitely wasn't what he wanted it to be.
Nate was the perfect man for Ollie. I really liked Nates character. Im a sucker for a Bi-Awakening, and Nates was perfect! It came with no drama! He realised he wanted Ollie, and when he realised he wanted him back, he just went with it!
I really enjoyed the whole concept of the story. I've never read a book like this before, and I was hooked from the beginning. The slight mystery element with some parts of the story had me guessing throughout the book.
The writing in this book was really good. The character development and world building were phenomenal. I always like reading books based in the UK, especially when the author is from the UK it always makes them feel more authentic!
Im really looking forward to reading more books from Alex.
Ollie was such a good character he was so sassy even though his life definitely wasn't what he wanted it to be.
Nate was the perfect man for Ollie. I really liked Nates character. Im a sucker for a Bi-Awakening, and Nates was perfect! It came with no drama! He realised he wanted Ollie, and when he realised he wanted him back, he just went with it!
I really enjoyed the whole concept of the story. I've never read a book like this before, and I was hooked from the beginning. The slight mystery element with some parts of the story had me guessing throughout the book.
The writing in this book was really good. The character development and world building were phenomenal. I always like reading books based in the UK, especially when the author is from the UK it always makes them feel more authentic!
Im really looking forward to reading more books from Alex.
dnf-for-now-may-finish-later
July 22, 2023A little too dark for what I am feeling right now. May pick it up again later when I am in the mood.
October 16, 2024
For me this book is more in the category crime than romance.
🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️
July 7, 2023
4.5 stars. A fairly dark story but not alarmingly so. A great deal of the book was about the plot of Ollie becoming a witness in danger and how Nate was trying to protect him and get the criminal behind bars. I really appreciated the swings in Ollie's thoughts and emotions in such a difficult situation. The plot twist was well done, the police mole was really well hidden. Nate's bi-awakening was good, with no angst involved. The romance part and resolutions were really quite sweet.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am happy to leave a voluntary review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am happy to leave a voluntary review.
June 9, 2024
old post reposted
I needed something different. I started a book that had good potential but didn't finish it. I started this one ("The Lies We Tell" by Alex J. Adams), and at first, I wasn't sure (60% in I still wasn't sure), but it really started to pick up between 65-70%.
["Nate
My marriage was done. The criminal I was chasing was giving me the runaround. I was doubting everything, wondering where my life was going.
I’d given everything to the job, but it had cost me everything, including my family and my home.
When Oliver Farnham gave me the lead I’d been looking for, I couldn't pass up the chance to put a murderer behind bars.
I’d promised to protect him, and I always kept my word. If he would give up his life as he knew it, to get justice for a man he never knew, I’m sure I could do what it took to keep him safe.
What I didn’t expect was to love him and if that meant giving my life to keep him alive, it was the price I’d pay.
Ollie
How much was my life worth? That was the question I asked myself. Was it worth losing everything for? Damn right it was. I’d give up my identity if it meant keeping ME safe.
Witnessing a murder and running away from the life I knew, it should have been a difficult decision, and if my ‘boyfriend’ knew that I was the one that had given him up, I’d have a target on my back for the rest of my very short life.
Then I met Nate. He’d sworn to protect me in exchange for my testimony, but the closer we became, the more I realized I’d give it all up to be with him.
I just wondered if he’d do the same for me. "]
I appreciated the POV from Ollie's perspective a lot more. Yes, he went back and forth from bratty to serious, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt (trauma). Nate was just...he was a little flat. I honestly didn't 100% like his characters.
The two of them together? The protector and the distressed? The witness and the cop? The age gap? The bi-awakening? The life-or-death situations? That was interesting and dynamic and developed. I finished this book for the plot alone, basically (and the romance).
But I'm not entirely opposed to checking out some of Alex's other stuff in the future. ;)
Trigger warnings: abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, attempted murder, murder, violence, death threats, kidnapping, torture, assault, and more
#thelieswetell #alexjadams #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
I needed something different. I started a book that had good potential but didn't finish it. I started this one ("The Lies We Tell" by Alex J. Adams), and at first, I wasn't sure (60% in I still wasn't sure), but it really started to pick up between 65-70%.
["Nate
My marriage was done. The criminal I was chasing was giving me the runaround. I was doubting everything, wondering where my life was going.
I’d given everything to the job, but it had cost me everything, including my family and my home.
When Oliver Farnham gave me the lead I’d been looking for, I couldn't pass up the chance to put a murderer behind bars.
I’d promised to protect him, and I always kept my word. If he would give up his life as he knew it, to get justice for a man he never knew, I’m sure I could do what it took to keep him safe.
What I didn’t expect was to love him and if that meant giving my life to keep him alive, it was the price I’d pay.
Ollie
How much was my life worth? That was the question I asked myself. Was it worth losing everything for? Damn right it was. I’d give up my identity if it meant keeping ME safe.
Witnessing a murder and running away from the life I knew, it should have been a difficult decision, and if my ‘boyfriend’ knew that I was the one that had given him up, I’d have a target on my back for the rest of my very short life.
Then I met Nate. He’d sworn to protect me in exchange for my testimony, but the closer we became, the more I realized I’d give it all up to be with him.
I just wondered if he’d do the same for me. "]
I appreciated the POV from Ollie's perspective a lot more. Yes, he went back and forth from bratty to serious, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt (trauma). Nate was just...he was a little flat. I honestly didn't 100% like his characters.
The two of them together? The protector and the distressed? The witness and the cop? The age gap? The bi-awakening? The life-or-death situations? That was interesting and dynamic and developed. I finished this book for the plot alone, basically (and the romance).
But I'm not entirely opposed to checking out some of Alex's other stuff in the future. ;)
Trigger warnings: abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, attempted murder, murder, violence, death threats, kidnapping, torture, assault, and more
#thelieswetell #alexjadams #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
July 11, 2023
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Nate is a police detective tasked with taking down the local gang leader. Ollie witnesses a murder by said gang leader and Nate is tasked to keep him safe. Even if it costs him his own life.
This is a decidedly darker book by Adams, and I loved it!
Nate is a jaded police detective, facing the end of his marriage. He is a grumpy git, with good reason. Meeting Ollie gives him a teeny tiny light to hang on to. Ollie, in turn, comes to rely on Nate to keep him safe. I loved that neither saw the other coming. I mean, Nate thought he was straight, and here is is, drooling over a PICTURE of a possible lead on the gang leader he wants to take down.
I loved that it all crept up on them, Nate and Ollie both. And I loved the way Nate's soon-to-be-ex wife dealt with everything. She could have been a nasty b8tch but I'm glad she wasn't.
Although the blurb says spice and steam, I didn't think it overly explicit, indeed it's quite some time before Nate and Ollie get physical. It's more about the powerful emotions they evoke in each other than the smex.
It is, as I said, on the darker side. Some on page torture of a police officer is described, and on page kidnapping. (Did not see that one coming, I tell ya!) There is Ollie's abuse at the hands of the gang leader (some off and some on page) Gang activities are talked about too. Be midnful of these, if you have triggers.
Pushing my personal boundaries in the best way, an excellent read. I am loving watching Ms Adams grow and develop her skill. It's been a crazy ride so far, but I do not wanna get off!
5 full but dark stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Nate is a police detective tasked with taking down the local gang leader. Ollie witnesses a murder by said gang leader and Nate is tasked to keep him safe. Even if it costs him his own life.
This is a decidedly darker book by Adams, and I loved it!
Nate is a jaded police detective, facing the end of his marriage. He is a grumpy git, with good reason. Meeting Ollie gives him a teeny tiny light to hang on to. Ollie, in turn, comes to rely on Nate to keep him safe. I loved that neither saw the other coming. I mean, Nate thought he was straight, and here is is, drooling over a PICTURE of a possible lead on the gang leader he wants to take down.
I loved that it all crept up on them, Nate and Ollie both. And I loved the way Nate's soon-to-be-ex wife dealt with everything. She could have been a nasty b8tch but I'm glad she wasn't.
Although the blurb says spice and steam, I didn't think it overly explicit, indeed it's quite some time before Nate and Ollie get physical. It's more about the powerful emotions they evoke in each other than the smex.
It is, as I said, on the darker side. Some on page torture of a police officer is described, and on page kidnapping. (Did not see that one coming, I tell ya!) There is Ollie's abuse at the hands of the gang leader (some off and some on page) Gang activities are talked about too. Be midnful of these, if you have triggers.
Pushing my personal boundaries in the best way, an excellent read. I am loving watching Ms Adams grow and develop her skill. It's been a crazy ride so far, but I do not wanna get off!
5 full but dark stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
September 21, 2023
The Lies We Tell - Alex J. Adams
4\5 STARS 3\5 SPICE
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved this! I was hesitant at first because the blurb didn’t entice me. So glad I ended up starting this! It was a fast and enjoyable read. I finished this in 3 hours, I believe it is just under 200 pages. It’s a quick one, but it’s a full story and never drags on. If you want something that is super detailed, I’m depth plot and characters this isn’t for you. If you want a fun book that feels like an episode of a cop show with some spice as a dazzle dazzle this is for you. We don’t get a ton of character building but I didn’t find it taking away from the story at all. The best way to put it would be you get a window into these people's lives for only a short time. The story takes place mostly over the span of one week. The spice was fun! While I did only rate it 3 stars it was steamy. Lots of accidental seeing you naked and oh no I’m turned on now. And some sneaky morning how did I wake up spooning you! And of course some legit spice scenes. However, there was a lot more anticipation than actual action. This is honestly a really sweet MM romance. I can’t get over that it felt like a rom-com cop movie! This would have been a 5-star for me if we got more character descriptions and little details like that. It didn't take away from the story at all but I would have connected and fell deeper in.
4\5 STARS 3\5 SPICE
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved this! I was hesitant at first because the blurb didn’t entice me. So glad I ended up starting this! It was a fast and enjoyable read. I finished this in 3 hours, I believe it is just under 200 pages. It’s a quick one, but it’s a full story and never drags on. If you want something that is super detailed, I’m depth plot and characters this isn’t for you. If you want a fun book that feels like an episode of a cop show with some spice as a dazzle dazzle this is for you. We don’t get a ton of character building but I didn’t find it taking away from the story at all. The best way to put it would be you get a window into these people's lives for only a short time. The story takes place mostly over the span of one week. The spice was fun! While I did only rate it 3 stars it was steamy. Lots of accidental seeing you naked and oh no I’m turned on now. And some sneaky morning how did I wake up spooning you! And of course some legit spice scenes. However, there was a lot more anticipation than actual action. This is honestly a really sweet MM romance. I can’t get over that it felt like a rom-com cop movie! This would have been a 5-star for me if we got more character descriptions and little details like that. It didn't take away from the story at all but I would have connected and fell deeper in.
July 9, 2023
Murder, mystery, suspense, age-gap, forced proximity, bi-awakening and a big twist at the end! What more could you possibly want and the author has shown us with this book just how versatile she is as this is nothing like her other books I’ve read.
Nate is a detective in Manchester, disillusioned with his life, his years on the force giving everything to the job have helped destroy his marriage. He doesn’t connect with his kids and nearing 40 he finds himself having to move out and into a small apartment.
When he was no nearer catching the criminal he had been watching for ages the stakes suddenly change and Nate finds a witness who can turn everything around but at the cost of his life if he is found. Nate promises to keep him safe and put him in witness protection even if it costs him his own life in the process. What he didn’t factor in was falling in love with the witness.
Ollie was gorgeous, sassy, upbeat and just, lovely. His life had been difficult and falling for the ultimate bad boy and being bought and paid for and used as a sex toy was bad but things were about to get much worse when Ollie sees something he shouldn’t.
There was just something about Ollie that stirred feelings in Nate that he had no idea what to do with but once he knew he wanted Ollie he was all in. All he had to do now was keep Ollie safe, not easy to do when the criminal seems to know their every move.
This book was addictive and I lost sleep as I couldn’t put it down. This is a dark romance and please take heed of the trigger warnings for kidnap, torture and assault.
I highly recommend you read this book.
Nate is a detective in Manchester, disillusioned with his life, his years on the force giving everything to the job have helped destroy his marriage. He doesn’t connect with his kids and nearing 40 he finds himself having to move out and into a small apartment.
When he was no nearer catching the criminal he had been watching for ages the stakes suddenly change and Nate finds a witness who can turn everything around but at the cost of his life if he is found. Nate promises to keep him safe and put him in witness protection even if it costs him his own life in the process. What he didn’t factor in was falling in love with the witness.
Ollie was gorgeous, sassy, upbeat and just, lovely. His life had been difficult and falling for the ultimate bad boy and being bought and paid for and used as a sex toy was bad but things were about to get much worse when Ollie sees something he shouldn’t.
There was just something about Ollie that stirred feelings in Nate that he had no idea what to do with but once he knew he wanted Ollie he was all in. All he had to do now was keep Ollie safe, not easy to do when the criminal seems to know their every move.
This book was addictive and I lost sleep as I couldn’t put it down. This is a dark romance and please take heed of the trigger warnings for kidnap, torture and assault.
I highly recommend you read this book.
July 8, 2023
Review - The lies we tell by Alex J Adams
5 🩵
Where to i even begin? I mean ahhh I just loved Ollie and Nate so freaking much. I love that this is more on the darker side of Alex’s writing and it was just what I needed to get me out of my reading slump.
This to me is dark fluff. Not masses of lovey doveyness but just enough and it feels more about the connection between Nate and Ollie rather than lots of sex. Although the little bit that there is, is passionate and intense. Nate finds himself in witness protection and Nate is the cop in charge of the case. Nate has never been attracted to a man before and Ollie is a new temptation for him, a confusing one at first. The main focus is this crime and the suspense. There's a few twists and turns and this gets quite gritty in places. I found myself shouting at my kiddle as I was so mad at the turn of events because I felt so connected to ollie i didn't want him to be hurt. While this is a little bit of insta love you can really feel the connection grow between Nate and Ollie. I found myself rooting for them during the times they were apart (talking of which i want to go shout at ollie's parents). I love that Nate opens his heart to ollie and doesn't really fight his attraction to him. If anyone deserves a happy ending it's these two.
Alex seems to become more confident in her writing with every book that I read.Darker plots are definitely where she shines the most. I love her style of writing and walked away with a little bit of a book hangover after reading this as I just want more Ollie and Nate.
I received a copy from the author in return for my honest review
5 🩵
Where to i even begin? I mean ahhh I just loved Ollie and Nate so freaking much. I love that this is more on the darker side of Alex’s writing and it was just what I needed to get me out of my reading slump.
This to me is dark fluff. Not masses of lovey doveyness but just enough and it feels more about the connection between Nate and Ollie rather than lots of sex. Although the little bit that there is, is passionate and intense. Nate finds himself in witness protection and Nate is the cop in charge of the case. Nate has never been attracted to a man before and Ollie is a new temptation for him, a confusing one at first. The main focus is this crime and the suspense. There's a few twists and turns and this gets quite gritty in places. I found myself shouting at my kiddle as I was so mad at the turn of events because I felt so connected to ollie i didn't want him to be hurt. While this is a little bit of insta love you can really feel the connection grow between Nate and Ollie. I found myself rooting for them during the times they were apart (talking of which i want to go shout at ollie's parents). I love that Nate opens his heart to ollie and doesn't really fight his attraction to him. If anyone deserves a happy ending it's these two.
Alex seems to become more confident in her writing with every book that I read.Darker plots are definitely where she shines the most. I love her style of writing and walked away with a little bit of a book hangover after reading this as I just want more Ollie and Nate.
I received a copy from the author in return for my honest review
October 27, 2023
Here we have an entertaining story between a police officer who has been pursuing a man involved in different crimes for months, and a witness to a murder, who, in turn, was the lover of the murderer wanted by said police officer.
When the two meet, sparks fly between them, but not only the fact of being a witness and the police officer in charge of protecting him that prevents a relationship between them, but the fact that Ollie has already suffered and been used enough and tries to protect himself from another disappointment, and Nate, who not only has never been attracted to a man before (or so he says) but is also in the process of divorcing his wife.
There's a bit of suspense, angst and drama, kidnapping, torture and cheating (not between the MCs), but also pining and some steamy moments, and a hard worn HEA.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
When the two meet, sparks fly between them, but not only the fact of being a witness and the police officer in charge of protecting him that prevents a relationship between them, but the fact that Ollie has already suffered and been used enough and tries to protect himself from another disappointment, and Nate, who not only has never been attracted to a man before (or so he says) but is also in the process of divorcing his wife.
There's a bit of suspense, angst and drama, kidnapping, torture and cheating (not between the MCs), but also pining and some steamy moments, and a hard worn HEA.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
July 25, 2023
Nate is a cop looking to put down a rough crime syndicate, but nothing has ever stuck. That is until he finds Ollie, the criminal's boyfriend. Ollie sees something he shouldn't and goes into witness protection after reporting what he saw. Nate's in the middle of an amicable divorce and finds immediate chemistry with Ollie, even though until now he's been completely heterosexual.
The pacing was a tad slow, but the story was good. I like that there wasn't much of the homophobia you typically find in this type of scenario. There was never a point where Nate freaked out about not being gay or the standard, no one can know, cuz I'm not gay bull💩. His family was supportive as were most of his friends.
The pacing was a tad slow, but the story was good. I like that there wasn't much of the homophobia you typically find in this type of scenario. There was never a point where Nate freaked out about not being gay or the standard, no one can know, cuz I'm not gay bull💩. His family was supportive as were most of his friends.
September 1, 2023
Not very dark but a slow burn crime drama
This is the first time reading this author and I found it to be a pretty good book. It's definitely not what I would call "dark". It's really more of a slow burn crime drama, and while it does mention some torture and killing, it's not very graphic or detailed. I've actually seen crime shows on television that were more explicit and I was a little disappointed with this. The characters were interesting enough and the world building sufficient, but neither were particularly memorable and I kind of skimmed through parts that were drawn out and not very engaging. I think that with some work and additional scenes it could definitely have more potential but as if stands, it was just ok. I'd give it a 3.5* stars!
This is the first time reading this author and I found it to be a pretty good book. It's definitely not what I would call "dark". It's really more of a slow burn crime drama, and while it does mention some torture and killing, it's not very graphic or detailed. I've actually seen crime shows on television that were more explicit and I was a little disappointed with this. The characters were interesting enough and the world building sufficient, but neither were particularly memorable and I kind of skimmed through parts that were drawn out and not very engaging. I think that with some work and additional scenes it could definitely have more potential but as if stands, it was just ok. I'd give it a 3.5* stars!
July 12, 2023
I loved this book. The mystery and thrill of the plot made me want to keep flipping the pages. Nate and Ollie both deserved happiness. I felt like I knew the characters as I was reading the story. Honestly I would want to be friends with the both of them.
The story was short and straight to the point. It felt like a light snack. The plot twist at the end was unexpected and fun because I didn’t predict it at all. This book was close to being a five star for me, I simply wanted it to be longer. Nate and Ollie’s relationship needed more attention once we got over the hurtles. Overall I enjoyed this book and will recommend to anyone who loves crime books.
* Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story was short and straight to the point. It felt like a light snack. The plot twist at the end was unexpected and fun because I didn’t predict it at all. This book was close to being a five star for me, I simply wanted it to be longer. Nate and Ollie’s relationship needed more attention once we got over the hurtles. Overall I enjoyed this book and will recommend to anyone who loves crime books.
* Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 23, 2023
Nate is a cop who falls for the witness he's protecting from a murderer, Ollie. He has to admit he is attracted to a man, accept he should not be involved with a witness and try to protect his lover from his Ex. Ollie is streetwise but blind to all his danger while waiting to be with Nate. In some ways I felt Alex needed to dig deeper into their emotions even though there was so much action there was no time to, there was never a dull moment. A fast paced thriller with a happy ever after. I received a copy of this book through BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.
July 16, 2023
I received a copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Modern romance with a dark side. Oliver’s character is very relatable and I was rooting for him from the get-go. I think Nate needed a bit more backstory in terms of his sexuality; it seemed very sudden and out of no where.
The tension and mystery was riveting and the story felt more like a suspense than a romance besides the HEA.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Modern romance with a dark side. Oliver’s character is very relatable and I was rooting for him from the get-go. I think Nate needed a bit more backstory in terms of his sexuality; it seemed very sudden and out of no where.
The tension and mystery was riveting and the story felt more like a suspense than a romance besides the HEA.
July 27, 2023
The Lies We Tell was a quick read for me. I just wanted to know what happened… I wanted Nate and Ollie to give in to each other and I wanted Nate and his team to capture their lead suspect. I loved the burn between Nate and Ollie… it was almost teasing! The bit of suspense not knowing what was to happen next was great. And the ending, just so sweet. It really showed how much Nate cared for Ollie.
I received this as an arc for free and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
I received this as an arc for free and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
August 8, 2023
This was a nice change from the spice heavy romances I usually tend to gravitate to. This book was more plot focused and followed Nate and Ollie, a police officer and the man he swore to protect. The relationship development between these two was well done (I do love a good bi-awakening story), and the continued threat to Ollie’s life kept me on the edge of my seat. Overall a very enjoyable read.
October 18, 2024
Wish I’d not started it tbh. Premise good. I’ve read plenty of dark books this wasn’t that either. Odd really, somehow it made me feel dirty and uncomfortable it’s really hard to explain. Don’t know why I didn’t DNF. I think I thought it would miraculously redeem itself?. It’s left me feeling sort of miserable probably because it’s not a romance. Perhaps it might interest people who like grimy detective novels, but there wasn’t really any procedural elements to it.
July 16, 2023
The Storyline is good. If I was going just on the storyline, it probably would’ve gotten higher rating - 4. However, the reality is that it markets itself as a dark steamy romance. There was very little steam in this book and it wasn’t very dark at all. The description should be revised to be a slow burn suspense novel.
July 28, 2024
That was a great read.
Ollie and Nate were such a cute couple.
It wasn’t a conventional meeting, but Ollie and Nate soon realised they were good together. But it’s not going easy!
Supporting characters were great.
Villain of the piece really was a nasty guy.
A twist I didn’t see coming.
Triggers that need to be read.
Definitely a “gay for you” vibe.
Really great story.
Ollie and Nate were such a cute couple.
It wasn’t a conventional meeting, but Ollie and Nate soon realised they were good together. But it’s not going easy!
Supporting characters were great.
Villain of the piece really was a nasty guy.
A twist I didn’t see coming.
Triggers that need to be read.
Definitely a “gay for you” vibe.
Really great story.
July 7, 2023
If you knew your boyfriend was a bad guy, would you still date him? Ollie makes his decision and learns the hard way that sometimes you should stay on the side of the good guys.
Ollie is Gary’s kept man. He’s young and handsome, but being kept means being at Gary’s beck and call. It also means what Gary wants, he gets. Then Ollie witnesses the darkest part of Gary’s work and he’s no longer safe. He turns to Nate, a detective inspector with the police force. Nate is Ollie’s only chance at staying alive. Will he manage it or will Gary win again?
What happens next in this book is something I didn’t see coming. I wasn’t prepared for the twists and turns that author Alex J. Adams took us on. To me Adams’ writing is an expression of what can happen in our world. There is violence, there is death and all manner of things which lends a certain gritty realism to her writing that I really enjoy. I love reading a book that keeps me on tenterhooks the entire time and this is one such book. For me, dark romance is written on a spectrum and I for one am all in on The Lies We Tell.
Ollie is Gary’s kept man. He’s young and handsome, but being kept means being at Gary’s beck and call. It also means what Gary wants, he gets. Then Ollie witnesses the darkest part of Gary’s work and he’s no longer safe. He turns to Nate, a detective inspector with the police force. Nate is Ollie’s only chance at staying alive. Will he manage it or will Gary win again?
What happens next in this book is something I didn’t see coming. I wasn’t prepared for the twists and turns that author Alex J. Adams took us on. To me Adams’ writing is an expression of what can happen in our world. There is violence, there is death and all manner of things which lends a certain gritty realism to her writing that I really enjoy. I love reading a book that keeps me on tenterhooks the entire time and this is one such book. For me, dark romance is written on a spectrum and I for one am all in on The Lies We Tell.
July 12, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I really like a good crime story and this fits the bill. Nate one of the MCs in this story is an overworked detective hell-bent on catching a criminal boss in the act so he can be held accountable for his actions. Ollie the MC is the sidepiece to the criminal boss. Ollie witnesses the execution of an undercover police officer by his criminal boyfriend and is now on the run. When Nate and Ollie meet sparks fly and they feel a connection. Ollie is willing to help as long as he is protected from his boyfriend. There's one catch a mole in the police force is feeding information to Ollie's criminal boyfriend and upending the investigation. Is Ollie safe can Nate protect him as promised or are both of them in danger? This story is pretty fast-paced and heated.
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