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A Beautiful Lie
Jesse Reagan has had more than his share of tragedy, and he may have been dealt another blow when, once again, cancer threatens the sister who raised him. Faced with the possibility of being left behind, Jesse vows to care for her young son, though he’s not convinced he can.When Trip Cantrell returns to town, he’s blindsided the instant he’s reunited with his kid brother’s lifelong friend, Jesse. His inability to find happiness in the years he’s been gone, suddenly makes sense. Love’s been waiting at home all along.Life begins to look promising, except for the fact that neither have come out of the closet publicly, and that’s not even their biggest problem. Someone has a secret so shocking they may never find a way past it. Will they be accepted in their small Texas town, or will secrets, lies, and the threat of tragedy destroy everything?
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2013
21 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Tyler Robbins
14 books62 followersTyler Robbins is the pen name of author Robin Badillo, who lives in a small Texas town and is the mother of four nearly grown kids, two boys and two girls.
Tyler enjoys stepping out of her comfort zone and pushes the envelope on the stories she writes every chance she gets. She hopes her readers are just as thrilled as she is with the chances she’s taking.
Always the optimist, Tyler is a firm believer that grey hair is merely God’s graffiti!
Tyler enjoys stepping out of her comfort zone and pushes the envelope on the stories she writes every chance she gets. She hopes her readers are just as thrilled as she is with the chances she’s taking.
Always the optimist, Tyler is a firm believer that grey hair is merely God’s graffiti!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
May 1, 2013
I picked up this book from Evernight Publishing because the blurb sounded interesting, Tyler Robbins is an author I am familiar with and enjoy and Evernight Publishing usually publishes shorter, under 100 pages stories and I wanted something short to read after finishing Amy Lane's incredible Racing for the Sun. I was playing guinea pig as there were no other reviews to go on, but I'm good with that and will do that from time to time, no problem. So imagine my surprise when about half way through this book (it doesn't have an official page count, but it comes in at over 200 pages) I realized I had a gem on my hands! I absolutely loved this book!
A Beautiful Lie is the story of two parentless sets of siblings, Jesse and Joss Reagan and Eric and Trip Cantrell. The four have been friends since they were kids and have recently come together to provide support for Joss who has an aggressive form of cancer and a five year old son, Jeremy, with no father in the picture. It's all a big 'ol soap opera as Jesse and Trip fall in love and try to keep their feelings for one another hidden from their siblings. There are a lot of secrets and lies they are keeping from each other, and because I had next to no knowledge of this book, it was extra delicious for me to watch them unfold without spoilers.
If you enjoy a sexy read with real, emotional characters, a messy, tangled web of lies, romance, passion and heaps and heaps of angst, I can HIGHLY RECOMMEND A Beautiful Lie to you. And if that weren't good enough, my favorite thing? A "one year later" epilogue that was worthy of throwing your arms in the air and singing with joy. I just love when that happens!
July 14, 2016
3.5 Stars!
This one was pretty good. It didn't wow me though.
Lots of lying going, as indicated but the title. But the lies and drama didn't drag out like I expected. There weren't big blow outs once the lies were revealed, that was a plus.
Some good steam.
Not a bad read....and it got another one off of my TBR! :)
This one was pretty good. It didn't wow me though.
Lots of lying going, as indicated but the title. But the lies and drama didn't drag out like I expected. There weren't big blow outs once the lies were revealed, that was a plus.
Some good steam.
Not a bad read....and it got another one off of my TBR! :)
May 15, 2013
****4.5 Heartbreakingly Beautiful Stars****
"When you look at me like that, I--" Jesse shuddered. "--I'd almost risk anything."
Trip gave in and pressed his lips to Jesse's palm. "Go, before I do something stupid and kiss you."
Jesse Reagan's life hasn't been exactly easy. He is a closeted gay living in a small town with his sister Joclyn and her five year old son Jeremy. His best friend's --Eric Cantrell-- brother --Trip Cantrell-- comes back to town after leaving their small town as soon as he graduated. Jesse has always had a big crush on him and now finds his feelings for Trip rekindling but he's not sure Trip feels the same way.
Trip is also a closeted gay, who has come back to his roots after living an unsatisfying life in the city. He feels like something is missing but he doesn't know exactly what it is. When he sees Jesse, the attraction for his younger brother's best friend is intense. He doesn't know for sure if Jesse may be interested in men but Trip is willing to find out.
When things seem to be finally going well in Jesse's life now that Trip is in it, they recieve another blow. Joclyn once again has cancer. Jesse doesn't think he can handle a relationship and risk being discovered as well as take care of his sister and her son. But then they find out that someone has been keeping a secret.
A Beautiful Lie was truly a wonderful story. When I read the blurb I thought I would get a sweet story with a bit of heart ache about two guys falling in love but I didn't expect what I got. Yes, it was sweet but it was also so heartbreaking, and very steamy! I was able to connect with the characters from the start and didn't want to put it down. There were also some twists in the plot that made it very entertaining.
"I think Jesse's probably the most amazing guy I've ever known... I'd probably fall more in love with him than I already am."
Jesse was an overall great guy. He was supportive and caring to those that are important to him. He had to deal with a lot at his young age, with taking caring of his sick sister and helping raise her son, but he never complained about having those responsibilites. I thought he really deserved to find his own happiness and I was so happy he found it with Trip. It was so sad to see him find out the truth and I totally understood why he would be so angry.
"Jess, I'll be here as long as you want me."
Jesse eased backward and sat on the bed. "Good, because I've never wanted you more than I do tonight."
Trip I really loved! He was the one most affected by the lie and I liked the way he dealt with it. He was strong, loving and a really big person for being able to forgive. I felt it was so unfair all that was kept from him. I also didn't like how Jocelyn acted towards him when it wasn't even his fault. I don't think he deserved it. I loved watching him fall in love with Jesse, though, it was really beautiful!
Eric was the "never going to grow up" best friend. He was super funny and a very laid-back guy. He never really had a family growing up and felt alone once Trip left town. So now, the only family he knows is Jesse, Joclyn and Jeremy and he would do anything to protect them. I really liked him from the start but I did become annoyed with him a little bit because he was turning really selfish. I know he was just really confused about all the emotions he had kept hidden for so long and I ended up really liking him once I knew why.
Jocelyn I felt bad for because of how her life seemed to be surrounded by tragedy, but I didn't like the way she seemed to manipulate everyone. I thought she was brave and tough for pretty much raising herself and her brother Jesse. I don't know how she could do it. She was the one keeping a big secret from everyone and I don't like that she kept that from everyone for so long. I just didn't understand her judgement and anger towards Trip. I think she should have let people make their own decisions. Still, I found her to be a good character.
Overall, it was an amazing m/m read. It was really high in the steam department and the story was really fantastic. I definitely recommend all those m/m readers give this a try.
May 13, 2013
5 Beautiful, Sensual Stars!!! I read this book cover to cover. This book was the whole package. It was sweet, erotic, heartbreaking. It was a touching story about life and how the decisions we make can affect others. More than anything it was a story about second chances. I would recommend this story to everyone!
May 20, 2013
3,5 Stars - sweet and romantic - a cozy reading.
Some books is pleasant reading for the moment, but only here and now. As soon as I finish the book in question, it falls into the big mass of read books. I can hardly remember the leading characters and have no real feeling left for them or the story a few weeks later. I'm afraid that this book belongs to that category - Just a sweet trifle!
"A Beautiful Lie" had all the prerequisites, with two nice (young) men who fall in love, many serious topics like life-threatening illness, sibling rivalry, take care of a small child, fear of "coming out from the closet" - a lot of important topics. Despite this, there was something missing for me. I was not really caught, despite grief and heartbreaking events. The plot progressed, in my opinion, a little too fast and it was almost too sugar sweet. A problem was that I felt like I never had to think for myself or create my own pictures of what was said, happened etc. Maybe to much was served to the reader for my taste. It felt too structured and, in the end, quite unbelievable. But after all, it was a few hours of entertaining reading and I liked the story and all characters. Liked - but not loved!
The story is about two pairs of siblings in the lower twenties.. Jesse and his older sister Joslyn and her 5 years old son Jeremy, are living together in a very small Texas town. Joslyn is seriously ill with cancer and Jesse fear the worst. Jesse's best friend Eric has an older brother, Trip (Ethan), who has been away for a some years. One day Trip return to town and an old well hidden attraction begins to surface again ...
It's all cute and lovely, you want to cuddle and just smiling while reading. There is much to like; courage, openness, the strong family feeling, self-evident and big true love. The love scenes are nice, frequent and nicely described. But after all I don't feel enough for this two main characters. Sorry to say. It's like to experience the world with sunglasses and earplugs, I see and I hear, but only on a misty distance. I can't really belive it all. It's sometimes to much, to sweet. The resolution and epilog are wonderful, but as a sweet beautiful B-movie.
A nice "boys loves boys" romance - perfect for a quick read when you need it simple, like a M/M romance with some steam and two sweet young beautiful men. You want and will get, a big portion of "goodfeeling".
I am so happy that many of my friends loved this sweet story. I'm a little sad that it didn't stick as much in my own heart. Hope, however, for a really great novel in the same goodfeel genre from Ms. Robbins.
I Like - for the moment.
Some books is pleasant reading for the moment, but only here and now. As soon as I finish the book in question, it falls into the big mass of read books. I can hardly remember the leading characters and have no real feeling left for them or the story a few weeks later. I'm afraid that this book belongs to that category - Just a sweet trifle!
"A Beautiful Lie" had all the prerequisites, with two nice (young) men who fall in love, many serious topics like life-threatening illness, sibling rivalry, take care of a small child, fear of "coming out from the closet" - a lot of important topics. Despite this, there was something missing for me. I was not really caught, despite grief and heartbreaking events. The plot progressed, in my opinion, a little too fast and it was almost too sugar sweet. A problem was that I felt like I never had to think for myself or create my own pictures of what was said, happened etc. Maybe to much was served to the reader for my taste. It felt too structured and, in the end, quite unbelievable. But after all, it was a few hours of entertaining reading and I liked the story and all characters. Liked - but not loved!
The story is about two pairs of siblings in the lower twenties.. Jesse and his older sister Joslyn and her 5 years old son Jeremy, are living together in a very small Texas town. Joslyn is seriously ill with cancer and Jesse fear the worst. Jesse's best friend Eric has an older brother, Trip (Ethan), who has been away for a some years. One day Trip return to town and an old well hidden attraction begins to surface again ...
It's all cute and lovely, you want to cuddle and just smiling while reading. There is much to like; courage, openness, the strong family feeling, self-evident and big true love. The love scenes are nice, frequent and nicely described. But after all I don't feel enough for this two main characters. Sorry to say. It's like to experience the world with sunglasses and earplugs, I see and I hear, but only on a misty distance. I can't really belive it all. It's sometimes to much, to sweet. The resolution and epilog are wonderful, but as a sweet beautiful B-movie.
‘Trip would keep his word. He'd give Jesse whatever he wanted, even if it meant holding him until dawn.
Some promises were easy to keep.’
A nice "boys loves boys" romance - perfect for a quick read when you need it simple, like a M/M romance with some steam and two sweet young beautiful men. You want and will get, a big portion of "goodfeeling".
I am so happy that many of my friends loved this sweet story. I'm a little sad that it didn't stick as much in my own heart. Hope, however, for a really great novel in the same goodfeel genre from Ms. Robbins.
I Like - for the moment.
May 2, 2013
I had to sleep on this one before I felt coherent enough to review it.
Talk about a lot going on,,,sheesh…I kept thinking to myself “what else could go wrong?”
At times I felt like it was just too much, way too much…almost to the point of being unbelievable. However, I read it in one sitting so I was completely captivated as well.
Maybe bullet points will help my thought process:
• Jocelyn (Joss) – My heart broke for her because of the illness and how she cared for Jesse when they were left without parents. HOWEVER…little Miss Closet-Full-of-Secrets is very judgmental when SHE is the one who is the biggest liar and, in my opinion, was very selfish in how she treated everyone. Being ill does not give you free reign to manipulate others lives.
• Eric – loved him at first, but he was truly screwed up as well. His anger was misguided and unfair. I still loved him, but he needed a big wakeup call on life.
• Trip (Ethan) – I really like Trip a lot. He was the most wronged in this whole screwed up story and the most blamed. So not fair.
• Jesse – Poor guy gave up his youth to care for a sick sister and her 5 year old son. Never complained and did what was responsible for those he loved. Finding out everything in your life is lie is hard to take and I felt he was justified in his anger.
I think I liked this story. I am still thinking about it hours later so it definitely affected me. But, there is still something a little off that makes it a little more unbelievable for me.
Talk about a lot going on,,,sheesh…I kept thinking to myself “what else could go wrong?”
At times I felt like it was just too much, way too much…almost to the point of being unbelievable. However, I read it in one sitting so I was completely captivated as well.
Maybe bullet points will help my thought process:
• Jocelyn (Joss) – My heart broke for her because of the illness and how she cared for Jesse when they were left without parents. HOWEVER…little Miss Closet-Full-of-Secrets is very judgmental when SHE is the one who is the biggest liar and, in my opinion, was very selfish in how she treated everyone. Being ill does not give you free reign to manipulate others lives.
• Eric – loved him at first, but he was truly screwed up as well. His anger was misguided and unfair. I still loved him, but he needed a big wakeup call on life.
• Trip (Ethan) – I really like Trip a lot. He was the most wronged in this whole screwed up story and the most blamed. So not fair.
• Jesse – Poor guy gave up his youth to care for a sick sister and her 5 year old son. Never complained and did what was responsible for those he loved. Finding out everything in your life is lie is hard to take and I felt he was justified in his anger.
I think I liked this story. I am still thinking about it hours later so it definitely affected me. But, there is still something a little off that makes it a little more unbelievable for me.
June 26, 2013
5 beautiful heartbreakingly amazing stars. Love and more love is all I felt throughout this book. Trip I freaking want you. Jesse thank you for being strong and damn sexy. Joss my heart it cries for and with you. Eric you came around but I could slap the shit out of you sometimes.
Jesse and Ethan "Trip" Their love was just WOW!
Jesse and Ethan "Trip" Their love was just WOW!
May 18, 2013
This book was truly a BEAUTIFUL lie (in a good way). I don't think my words can do it any justice, or be any different from the great reviews already written about this book. So I hope these pictures can speak louder than words.
Jesse Reagan~ His insides wrenched with the kind of fear that penetrated deep, plucking each sensitive nerve like the strings of a guitar, relentless and never ending. Fear took over his thoughts, filling his head with the darkest of unknown possibilities that whatever was wrong, couldn't be fixed.
Ethan aka Trip~ Seeing Jesse in person, shirtless and looking like he just stepped out of the shower, affected Trip more intensely than he'd anticipated.
Trip tightened his grip, savoring the feel of Jesse's skin touching his. Was he imagining it?...Please let this be real.
Tears streamed down his cheeks, and his vision blurred. He frantically wiped them away, but more continued to fall. His shoulders shook as his body succumbed to grief. The grief he'd tried so hard not to show.
"If we're gonna get through this, we're gonna have to do it together". Trip ran his hand down Jesse's shoulder. "Like I said, I'm not going anywhere."
Recommend to all hopeless romantics that Love HEA's :)
Jesse Reagan~ His insides wrenched with the kind of fear that penetrated deep, plucking each sensitive nerve like the strings of a guitar, relentless and never ending. Fear took over his thoughts, filling his head with the darkest of unknown possibilities that whatever was wrong, couldn't be fixed.
Ethan aka Trip~ Seeing Jesse in person, shirtless and looking like he just stepped out of the shower, affected Trip more intensely than he'd anticipated.
Trip tightened his grip, savoring the feel of Jesse's skin touching his. Was he imagining it?...Please let this be real.
Tears streamed down his cheeks, and his vision blurred. He frantically wiped them away, but more continued to fall. His shoulders shook as his body succumbed to grief. The grief he'd tried so hard not to show.
"If we're gonna get through this, we're gonna have to do it together". Trip ran his hand down Jesse's shoulder. "Like I said, I'm not going anywhere."
Recommend to all hopeless romantics that Love HEA's :)
October 28, 2013
Sentimental and angsty, A Beautiful Lie is just that - beautiful - in parts, but not so believable. Perhaps what didn't work for me is that this is essentially a NA novel. The MCs (and secondary characters) are so young that I questioned their capacity for this level of maturity (granted, Jesse had to grow up fast).
When Trip comes back to town, he immediately falls for Jesse, and Jesse immediately falls for him. The L word is mentioned within a week. There's lots and lots of drama (the "lies" of the title). To be fair, it's not neatly resolved. It takes a tragedy to assuage the guilt and fear. Small-town homophobia is swept under the rug in the process. Everyone is reunited and bands together. Yada yada yada.
There were some nice steamy parts. There is definitely a HEA, a promise of better times. It was an easy read, an enjoyable one, but I didn't feel it distinguished itself, and it won't stay with me.
When Trip comes back to town, he immediately falls for Jesse, and Jesse immediately falls for him. The L word is mentioned within a week. There's lots and lots of drama (the "lies" of the title). To be fair, it's not neatly resolved. It takes a tragedy to assuage the guilt and fear. Small-town homophobia is swept under the rug in the process. Everyone is reunited and bands together. Yada yada yada.
There were some nice steamy parts. There is definitely a HEA, a promise of better times. It was an easy read, an enjoyable one, but I didn't feel it distinguished itself, and it won't stay with me.
October 27, 2013
3.5*
I liked it, yes there were some editing issues, yes the I Love You came quickly, yes some of the pretty major issues were resolved with minimal conflict or drama. Yes it could have been so easy, but they had to make it hard ( oh..punny) yes it had a lot of often used tropes. So what?
Sometimes I like a story that has some serious and heavy issues, but they don't weigh the story down too much.
Here we have two sets of siblings, both with less than stellar upbringings, yet all their lives are entwined to make their lives better and foremost one little boy's life better.
Friends, brothers, lovers, siblings...family is what it comes down to at the end of the day.
I liked it, yes there were some editing issues, yes the I Love You came quickly, yes some of the pretty major issues were resolved with minimal conflict or drama. Yes it could have been so easy, but they had to make it hard ( oh..punny) yes it had a lot of often used tropes. So what?
Sometimes I like a story that has some serious and heavy issues, but they don't weigh the story down too much.
Here we have two sets of siblings, both with less than stellar upbringings, yet all their lives are entwined to make their lives better and foremost one little boy's life better.
Friends, brothers, lovers, siblings...family is what it comes down to at the end of the day.
Want to read
August 30, 2015Awesome sale for $0.99 at Amazon US, 8/30/15!!
May 2, 2013
Tyler Robbins has once again written an amazing story filled with emotion, secrets and...wait for it...delicious men in love. I had the pleasure of reading A Beautiful Lie early on and those characters just had me. From page one I had a knot in my stomach, a hand clutching ma pearls, and tears in my eyes. Gorgeous men, closets, secrets, the durrty-durrty, small towns. A perfect melding that worked so amazingly well together. I adored these men, adored their love and the tenderness as they came together. The supporting cast was great as well. Tyler did her thing on this one. Get it. Read it, damn it.
May 24, 2013
Reviewed on Hearts on Fire
3.25 stars I like the way this starts. I was lured in by the initial tense scene in the hospital where we’re introduced to our main character Jesse Reagan. He’s nervous & agitated as he’s waiting for his sister Joslyn to come out after getting some tests done. He fears that her cancer may have returned after she had been in remission for the past couple of years. The strain he’s feeling is compounded by the fact that he ‘s worried about Joslyn’s son Jeremy and what will happen to him if his mom is not around. He gets some support from his straight best friend Eric who Jesse has a secret crush on. Everything in the scene is designed to move you and it does but I just couldn’t sustain that feeling throughout the entire book and by the end of it, I was more dry eyed than I expected.
I think what starts unraveling the story is when Eric’s brother Trip shows up. We learn that Jesse’s boyhood crush is not Eric after all but his older brother Trip. So much the better as at least Trip is actually gay (even though all the reminiscing about past sexual encounters involve women, which I found odd). I was anticipating lots of tension between the two men as they figure out how they feel about each other after not seeing each other for many years. Instead everything happens in an instant. They meet, they’re flirting, swimming naked and having full on sex. So much for build up & tension. Two sex scenes and they’re practically in love. And while we’re trying to digest that a crisis occurs and they’re eventually separated due to one of the more melodramatic plot points.
The main star of the drama portion of the story is Joslyn who is sympathetic in many ways as she’s had to grow up really fast helping to raise Jesse and then finding herself alone raising her child and dealing with a very serious illness. But the decisions she has made in her life go from bad to worse and I found myself getting annoyed with her for really causing a whole mess due to her dishonesty.
Eric was also another character that I found troublesome especially in the mean way he treated Trip and how he couldn’t seem to stick with a personality. He goes from easy going drinking party boy to just angry, hostile & jealous. Very inconsistent.
I just had trouble immersing myself in this whole story. There were some good elements as it was warm and sweet and sad in places. But I didn’t like how everything happened so quickly with not enough space given for each storyline. What this book lacks is breathing room and is so in love with the plot twists that you’re not given the time to appreciate things like this new relationship that Jesse & Trip has or to feel intense emotions about his sister’s illness. With all the coincidences, the story also started to feel like a soap opera. I do think there’s an audience for books like these though, especially if you’re in the mood for a soapy story with piled on angst and lots of sweetness.
3.25 stars I like the way this starts. I was lured in by the initial tense scene in the hospital where we’re introduced to our main character Jesse Reagan. He’s nervous & agitated as he’s waiting for his sister Joslyn to come out after getting some tests done. He fears that her cancer may have returned after she had been in remission for the past couple of years. The strain he’s feeling is compounded by the fact that he ‘s worried about Joslyn’s son Jeremy and what will happen to him if his mom is not around. He gets some support from his straight best friend Eric who Jesse has a secret crush on. Everything in the scene is designed to move you and it does but I just couldn’t sustain that feeling throughout the entire book and by the end of it, I was more dry eyed than I expected.
I think what starts unraveling the story is when Eric’s brother Trip shows up. We learn that Jesse’s boyhood crush is not Eric after all but his older brother Trip. So much the better as at least Trip is actually gay (even though all the reminiscing about past sexual encounters involve women, which I found odd). I was anticipating lots of tension between the two men as they figure out how they feel about each other after not seeing each other for many years. Instead everything happens in an instant. They meet, they’re flirting, swimming naked and having full on sex. So much for build up & tension. Two sex scenes and they’re practically in love. And while we’re trying to digest that a crisis occurs and they’re eventually separated due to one of the more melodramatic plot points.
The main star of the drama portion of the story is Joslyn who is sympathetic in many ways as she’s had to grow up really fast helping to raise Jesse and then finding herself alone raising her child and dealing with a very serious illness. But the decisions she has made in her life go from bad to worse and I found myself getting annoyed with her for really causing a whole mess due to her dishonesty.
Eric was also another character that I found troublesome especially in the mean way he treated Trip and how he couldn’t seem to stick with a personality. He goes from easy going drinking party boy to just angry, hostile & jealous. Very inconsistent.
I just had trouble immersing myself in this whole story. There were some good elements as it was warm and sweet and sad in places. But I didn’t like how everything happened so quickly with not enough space given for each storyline. What this book lacks is breathing room and is so in love with the plot twists that you’re not given the time to appreciate things like this new relationship that Jesse & Trip has or to feel intense emotions about his sister’s illness. With all the coincidences, the story also started to feel like a soap opera. I do think there’s an audience for books like these though, especially if you’re in the mood for a soapy story with piled on angst and lots of sweetness.
January 11, 2014
This one goes straight to the favorites list. Bought, devoured, read, and finished in less than a day. I could not stop! This emotionally charged story was a first read from Tyler Robbins for me. I am so glad this ended up on my tbr shelf and I made this buy today because,wow.
The story of these siblings & best friends was amazing. It was choosing a family at its best and amidst the lies, trying to protect the ones you love, and the hot steamy sex of a new relationship were characters that were totally awesome. Eric, who is the best supporting character I've read in a while, has so many different sides to him but his reliable, loving self shines through every action he takes. Joselyn had her reasons and her story with her sickness hit very close to home for me and the tears ran and ran. But Jesse and Ethan (Trip), awesome awesome.
A must read for MM fans who want that everlasting story that is inspiring, loving, angsty, romantic, hot, and steamy all rolled into one!
The story of these siblings & best friends was amazing. It was choosing a family at its best and amidst the lies, trying to protect the ones you love, and the hot steamy sex of a new relationship were characters that were totally awesome. Eric, who is the best supporting character I've read in a while, has so many different sides to him but his reliable, loving self shines through every action he takes. Joselyn had her reasons and her story with her sickness hit very close to home for me and the tears ran and ran. But Jesse and Ethan (Trip), awesome awesome.
A must read for MM fans who want that everlasting story that is inspiring, loving, angsty, romantic, hot, and steamy all rolled into one!
May 11, 2013
A bit of a frustrating read. There was so many things happening because of one huge lie that was cultivated by Joss and it was just frustrating seeing what consequences her choices brought along. I enjoyed the book until I got to the point were the big revelation occurred. After that I knew I just wasn't going to enjoy the book as much. There was a split second where I just hated all the characters but I got over it eventually. Don't get me wrong, the author did a fantastic job weaving the story, it's just the story didn't fit to my taste.
May 8, 2013
Tyler Robbins can always be counted on to deliver the goods when it comes to erotic romance, and she went above and beyond in A Beautiful Lie. Not only does she deliver an achingly sexy love story in the form of Jesse and Trip, but she also realistically portrays the power of family bonds (known and unknown), and how love can take a number of forms and still hold people together. Wonderful, heartwrenching stuff.
May 15, 2013
4.5 Stars
It's 3:50am and I just finished. My eyes are burning and swollen from crying and my thoughts are still jumbled. I am will write a review when I can open my eyes fully.
It's 3:50am and I just finished. My eyes are burning and swollen from crying and my thoughts are still jumbled. I am will write a review when I can open my eyes fully.
September 9, 2013
We've all been there, right? When it seems that life just couldn't possibly throw any more at you? When it seems like you've just made it through some tough times and then you realize those weren't the tough times, those were just the appetizers for the really bad crap coming down the tubes. That's where Jesse, his sister Joslyn, and his nephew, Jeremy, are at and it's a heart wrenching time for this very small family. They have each other, a lot of love, and some support that comes from an unexpected place.
Jesse has had a rough life. His mom left him and his sister with his dad when Jesse was just a little boy. Joslyn had to learn to be a mom pretty much overnight. Their dad died suddenly when Jesse was in high school. And Joslyn was diagnosed with cancer at twenty, when her little boy was just a year old. Joslyn's been in remission for two years now after a brutal two year fight, but it looks like her fight might not be done, which means neither is Jesse's. Jesse has spent his life in their small Texas town hiding the fact that he's gay from everyone except his sister. He goes up to Houston every once in awhile and stays far away from emotional entanglements. He runs their family's bait shop and marina and plays wingman for his best friend Eric which helps to keep up appearances. The fact that he has had a major crush on Eric's elder brother, Trip, is something he's kept to himself.
Trip has come home to Texas to try to find himself, for lack of a better term. He left the small town, went to college, and has spent some time working in his chosen career field only to discover he really dislikes finance. So now he's home, the place he always thought he wanted to get away from. Away from his parents arguing, their bitter divorce, his mom's gin and oxycontin addiction, and his father's love of younger women. The only good thing he found about being away from home, however, was the fact he didn't need to hide who he was, or the occasional glances he caught himself giving his little brother's best friend, Jesse.
Now this all might seem like a fairly typical and predictable storyline. However, I've come to realize that Tyler Robbins brings a lot of depth to even a typical story so that, not once, did I feel as if I've read something like this before. The characters are real in that way that makes you recognize them, as if they're people you know. There is drama but it's interwoven with humor and steamy sex and a beautiful love story. There are always twists and turns to what could have been predictable and I'm always grateful for the change-ups that add dimension to an already wonderful story.
I completely fell in love with this story. All of the characters were incredible and I would have loved to see even more of them. It was filled with hope, laughter, life, joy, sorrow, and love. A beautiful story that I will most definitely read over and over again.
NOTE: This book was provided by Evernight Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
Jesse has had a rough life. His mom left him and his sister with his dad when Jesse was just a little boy. Joslyn had to learn to be a mom pretty much overnight. Their dad died suddenly when Jesse was in high school. And Joslyn was diagnosed with cancer at twenty, when her little boy was just a year old. Joslyn's been in remission for two years now after a brutal two year fight, but it looks like her fight might not be done, which means neither is Jesse's. Jesse has spent his life in their small Texas town hiding the fact that he's gay from everyone except his sister. He goes up to Houston every once in awhile and stays far away from emotional entanglements. He runs their family's bait shop and marina and plays wingman for his best friend Eric which helps to keep up appearances. The fact that he has had a major crush on Eric's elder brother, Trip, is something he's kept to himself.
Trip has come home to Texas to try to find himself, for lack of a better term. He left the small town, went to college, and has spent some time working in his chosen career field only to discover he really dislikes finance. So now he's home, the place he always thought he wanted to get away from. Away from his parents arguing, their bitter divorce, his mom's gin and oxycontin addiction, and his father's love of younger women. The only good thing he found about being away from home, however, was the fact he didn't need to hide who he was, or the occasional glances he caught himself giving his little brother's best friend, Jesse.
Now this all might seem like a fairly typical and predictable storyline. However, I've come to realize that Tyler Robbins brings a lot of depth to even a typical story so that, not once, did I feel as if I've read something like this before. The characters are real in that way that makes you recognize them, as if they're people you know. There is drama but it's interwoven with humor and steamy sex and a beautiful love story. There are always twists and turns to what could have been predictable and I'm always grateful for the change-ups that add dimension to an already wonderful story.
I completely fell in love with this story. All of the characters were incredible and I would have loved to see even more of them. It was filled with hope, laughter, life, joy, sorrow, and love. A beautiful story that I will most definitely read over and over again.
NOTE: This book was provided by Evernight Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
May 27, 2013
Okay so I finished this book in one night and wasn't expecting to cry like I did. This book was so well written that it kept me from beginning to end. Not a dull moment the entire time. Trip and Jesse are my favorite new couple for the moment until I read the next book, but seriously their passion is unbelievable. The one person my heart went out to was Jesse. He has gone through so much and it just seems like he could never catch a break. If it wasn't for his sister Joslyn keeping him going then who knows what might have happened to him. Jesse is also a wonderful by practically raising his nephew with his sister because of his sister's health. Then you have his best friend Eric who has always been there for him and they act more like brothers than best friends. Their bond is very strong which is admirable considering not many friends would stick around and do as much as Eric did. Out of the blue comes Trip who is Eric's brother and has been gone for five years. He is a lost soul who comes back home to find out what he wants in life. Little did he know he got way more than he ever thought possible. Absolutely loved this book and each character, and I was surprised that I didn't find a character to hate. The fact that the story takes place in Texas and not far from Houston is cool, especially when the weather is described throughout the book. Since I was born and raised in Houston I have a real sense of pride when a story takes place in Texas. Happy reading!!
November 7, 2013
I couldn't decide between 3 or 4 stars, but I'm going with 3 because I just don't think with all of the secrets/lies that came out that this story would just resolve so perfectly and quickly. I can't see Joslyn being the perfect mother at such a young age and not being at all angry with Trip. And for Trip to just all of a sudden find out I hated how bratty and obnoxious Eric was being too. How old is he?! Could he have been anymore petty? And everyone forgiving Joslyn or not saying what they really wanted to her because he was ill was sh!tty too! I don't know... with all of the BS and lies being told in this story between BFFs and/or family members, I don't see how everyone just lived HEA in no time like nothing happened.
May 17, 2013
I never hesitate when letting my feeling be known about a book.
It's taken me more than half an hour after reading "A Beautiful Lie" and a bucketful of tears to express my thanks to Tyler Robbins for this rich, poignant, TRUTHFUL book.
There was not a part of this book that did not touch me, especially the last three chapters.
I will hold this book near and dear to me. It proves just how HUMAN we all are and how much and how far we will go to protect those we love.
Beautifully written.
Trip and Jesse got to experience the hopes, the joys and the pain. And as much as I wanted to hate Eric, he was in fact a piece of the puzzle that was needed to bring it all full circle.
As Joss said: "God doesn't give you more than you can handle..."
Thank you, Tyler.
It's taken me more than half an hour after reading "A Beautiful Lie" and a bucketful of tears to express my thanks to Tyler Robbins for this rich, poignant, TRUTHFUL book.
There was not a part of this book that did not touch me, especially the last three chapters.
I will hold this book near and dear to me. It proves just how HUMAN we all are and how much and how far we will go to protect those we love.
Beautifully written.
Trip and Jesse got to experience the hopes, the joys and the pain. And as much as I wanted to hate Eric, he was in fact a piece of the puzzle that was needed to bring it all full circle.
As Joss said: "God doesn't give you more than you can handle..."
Thank you, Tyler.
May 9, 2013
I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. Tyler Robbins is a new author for me, and I'm not familiar with Evernight Publishing. It kind of reminded me of Bear, Otter, and the Kid. If you like that, you should read A Beautiful Lie. They have a similar feel, but the characters and their situation were different enough to make them distinctly separate stories.
I liked it a lot.
I liked it a lot.
May 13, 2013
This is one of those stories that just sneaks up on you and tug at your heartstrings unexpectantly. I thought this book would be one of those quick reads to pass the time. Never did I think I would be so enthralled with ALL the characters. I thought this would be your average crush story but it isn't. There's enough twists and turns that propelled this storyline from ordinary to something special. I def. Recommend it and keep a couple tissues handy. I didn't bawl my eyes out but a few tears managed to slip out ; )
May 7, 2013
I think I kinda cried :*(
This was just a beautifully done, wonderful story. Great characters, and interaction between everyone, and yep...wow, definitely secrets! I just loved Jesse, and he and Trip were just yummmm together. Definitely packed an emotional punch at the ending, but there is a HEA for the boys. Highly recommended...and I will have to check out what else this author has written.
This was just a beautifully done, wonderful story. Great characters, and interaction between everyone, and yep...wow, definitely secrets! I just loved Jesse, and he and Trip were just yummmm together. Definitely packed an emotional punch at the ending, but there is a HEA for the boys. Highly recommended...and I will have to check out what else this author has written.
June 22, 2014
A pretty average read for me with some likable characters and lots of interconnecting relationships. Jess and Trip fall in love pretty fast but since they aren't professing undying love the relationship feels more realistic than alot of insta-love books. I did like how each one of the four characters share a lot of different connections to each other and yet it didn't blow up in the end with tons of angst.
November 7, 2014
Beautiful book. The story was poignant, sad, but full of hope and new beginnings and so much love these people had for each other. There was a little bit of Insta-love going on, which I typically don't like, but I think it worked because there was so much more to the story going on. A story that made me think, and a reminder to hold life dear and our loved ones close.
September 17, 2014
First 2/3 was awesome. Interesting, bright, clever and oh so sexy.
Last 1/3 was as if another author become involved.
Peyton Place meets Dynasty meets REAL HOUSE BOYS of Texas.
Very bizarre and very disappointing.
Last 1/3 was as if another author become involved.
Peyton Place meets Dynasty meets REAL HOUSE BOYS of Texas.
Very bizarre and very disappointing.
July 29, 2013
What a beautiful story. The characters were so well written it was like I knew them personally. I loved the point of this book, even if it made me almost cry.
May 6, 2013
i almost cried. if i wasn't in public i would have T_T
May 16, 2013
3 1/2 - 4 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Jesse has had a lot thrown at him in his young life, losing both parents, his sisters’ fight with cancer, keeping the business going and helping to raise his nephew and staying hidden deep in the closet. When faced with the cancer attacking again, Jesse vows to his sister to look after his nephew while she fights it. Trip returns to town after discovering that the life he thought he wanted just makes him unhappy, discovering his new found attraction to Jesse the two embark on a secret relationship. But Jealousy and lies and secrecy threaten to tear them apart.
This is quite a good story with the secrets of the past being discovered and threatening to blow a family apart. Jesse has hidden his sexuality from everyone but his sister, Joslyn, living in a small town he can’t even tell his best friend Eric, but when Trip (Ethan), Eric’s brother, comes back to town Jesse has a temptation that he just can’t resist. Trip has always hidden his sexuality in the small town so returning home to his resentful brother he knows that he is going back into the closet again, but meeting Jesse as a grown-up shakes his resolve. Joslyn has a secret she dare not tell, she has kept it hidden for years, but now it is on the verge of eruption. Eric resents his brother coming home and slotting himself into Eric’s makeshift family, but Eric also knows something he shouldn’t.
I really have mixed feelings about this story because while I thought it was well written and a great storyline, I found it hard to connect to the characters or understand how they could dole out forgiveness so easily. Trip and Jesse dive into a secret relationship head first, they are hot together and eventually they settle everything between them. Joslyn was a great sister and a great mother but not a very nice person at all, the secret she had would have been taken to the grave if it hadn’t have been discovered by another, and I can’t like a character like that at all. Eric was wrong in his hate and jealousy but you could understand why he acted the way he did, he felt abandoned by his brother and hoarded the family he created. Trip never deserved anything that happened and was completely innocent and was so forgiving you can’t help but love him. Jesse pointed his anger in the wrong places, just because his sister was ill didn’t justify her actions in any way, shape or form or the fact that that Jesse should have been angry with her, I don’t like when someone gets automatic forgiveness just because they are family or dying.
I recommend this to those who love complicated family drama, finding love close to home, secrets, lies, forgiveness, hot sex and a happy ending.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Jesse has had a lot thrown at him in his young life, losing both parents, his sisters’ fight with cancer, keeping the business going and helping to raise his nephew and staying hidden deep in the closet. When faced with the cancer attacking again, Jesse vows to his sister to look after his nephew while she fights it. Trip returns to town after discovering that the life he thought he wanted just makes him unhappy, discovering his new found attraction to Jesse the two embark on a secret relationship. But Jealousy and lies and secrecy threaten to tear them apart.
This is quite a good story with the secrets of the past being discovered and threatening to blow a family apart. Jesse has hidden his sexuality from everyone but his sister, Joslyn, living in a small town he can’t even tell his best friend Eric, but when Trip (Ethan), Eric’s brother, comes back to town Jesse has a temptation that he just can’t resist. Trip has always hidden his sexuality in the small town so returning home to his resentful brother he knows that he is going back into the closet again, but meeting Jesse as a grown-up shakes his resolve. Joslyn has a secret she dare not tell, she has kept it hidden for years, but now it is on the verge of eruption. Eric resents his brother coming home and slotting himself into Eric’s makeshift family, but Eric also knows something he shouldn’t.
I really have mixed feelings about this story because while I thought it was well written and a great storyline, I found it hard to connect to the characters or understand how they could dole out forgiveness so easily. Trip and Jesse dive into a secret relationship head first, they are hot together and eventually they settle everything between them. Joslyn was a great sister and a great mother but not a very nice person at all, the secret she had would have been taken to the grave if it hadn’t have been discovered by another, and I can’t like a character like that at all. Eric was wrong in his hate and jealousy but you could understand why he acted the way he did, he felt abandoned by his brother and hoarded the family he created. Trip never deserved anything that happened and was completely innocent and was so forgiving you can’t help but love him. Jesse pointed his anger in the wrong places, just because his sister was ill didn’t justify her actions in any way, shape or form or the fact that that Jesse should have been angry with her, I don’t like when someone gets automatic forgiveness just because they are family or dying.
I recommend this to those who love complicated family drama, finding love close to home, secrets, lies, forgiveness, hot sex and a happy ending.
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