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Tangled Hearts #3
Chasing Lies
A notorious billionaire and a rookie insurance investigator embark on a thrilling journey across the darker side of Europe, where desire and danger collide, and the line between right and wrong blurs in the pursuit of a priceless treasure.
Kate Jackson has always played by the rules, but everything changes when she crosses paths with the enigmatic Etienne Castel. With his face splashed across celebrity gossip magazines and a reputation that raises eyebrows among even seasoned insurance investigators, he becomes the prime suspect in the theft of a priceless medieval painting. Determined to uncover the truth, Kate puts him at the top of her list.
But little does she know that Etienne has his own agenda, and he's more than willing to exploit the undeniable chemistry between them to achieve his goals. Armed with a stolen ruby pendant rumoured to be linked to the painting, he lures Kate deeper into his world—a world she had vowed never to enter again.
As the lines between ally and enemy blur, Kate finds herself trapped in a dangerous game of intrigue, deceit, and treachery. Can she navigate the treacherous twists and turns while battling her growing attraction to the charismatic billionaire? And will she uncover the truth about the stolen artwork before it's too late?
Kate Jackson has always played by the rules, but everything changes when she crosses paths with the enigmatic Etienne Castel. With his face splashed across celebrity gossip magazines and a reputation that raises eyebrows among even seasoned insurance investigators, he becomes the prime suspect in the theft of a priceless medieval painting. Determined to uncover the truth, Kate puts him at the top of her list.
But little does she know that Etienne has his own agenda, and he's more than willing to exploit the undeniable chemistry between them to achieve his goals. Armed with a stolen ruby pendant rumoured to be linked to the painting, he lures Kate deeper into his world—a world she had vowed never to enter again.
As the lines between ally and enemy blur, Kate finds herself trapped in a dangerous game of intrigue, deceit, and treachery. Can she navigate the treacherous twists and turns while battling her growing attraction to the charismatic billionaire? And will she uncover the truth about the stolen artwork before it's too late?
- GenresContemporary Romance
ebook
Published November 1, 2023
20 people want to read
About the author
Sara Claridge
6 books38 followersSara Claridge writes contemporary romantic suspense. Born in West London, she inexplicably moved to France several years ago on a whim.
When not writing at her desk in the eaves of an old farmhouse, she can be found in the garden. Usually with a glass of red wine in one hand and a good book in the other.
When not writing at her desk in the eaves of an old farmhouse, she can be found in the garden. Usually with a glass of red wine in one hand and a good book in the other.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. The tension, suspense and overall writing style were excellent. There isn’t much I can say that I wasn’t really into while reading this. Unfortunately, this story had one of my biggest triggers so I had to bow out almost a third in.
Let’s start off with the few things that did bother me. Kate is so desperate to be a field agent, yet she can’t follow someone without getting spotted and when attacked by two teens she’s virtually helpless and needs to be saved. It’s frustrating to read books about independent women with something to prove trying to do it without the skills to do so, so they end up needing the man to come in and rescue them. It’s hard to get on board with her desperately trying to move up in the industry when she has no training.
Okay, that’s not entirely accurate. Since the opportunity to move up is clearly present now when before it wasn’t I expected that she had the training to be a field agent already and just wasn’t given the chance so to find out she couldn’t do it after all killed the support vibe a bit. Almost like her superiors were justified in not giving her a chance. What helps this story is that, thankfully, it only happened the one time in the 69 percent I read thus it didn’t become a theme that she lacked training and the author very cleverly played up to her actual skillset. So it was a non-issue as far as rating is concerned.
Her inability as a lawyer to recognise the hidden meaning in Etienne telling her his ‘acquired’ items were aboveboard was also odd. This inability to use her particularly good skillset to read between the lines was strange. Her hard line on right and wrong, especially being trained in law didn’t make sense but, again, only popped up here and there so also wasn’t enough of an annoyance to affect the rating. Even with it coupled with believing what the media says about someone because controversy sells. It can be true but in the presence of another opinion, she doesn’t even question its validity.
Lastly, the sensual scenes are fun fun fun. The problem with them is you get all this steamy set up and then one paragraph of the actual event. It’s way too fast considering all the build-up. Honestly, it would’ve been better if the main event was glossed over and happened off-page so readers can stay on the high from the well-written foreplay. It almost reads like a quicky so after all that steam they finally get to it and... one paragraph and done. The minuteman written word equivalent to the real-life version. This almost made it lose a star but these scenes were def too fun so I let it pass. Not odd for me cause if they are well written enough, I’ll mention it in the review but generally speaking it would have to be significantly annoying to affect the rating.
The point where I had to stop though was when Etienne says he knows what to do to keep her safe and, plot spoiler, leaves a note that literally says thank you and goodbye. Now if he said why I would’ve been annoyed but at least he would’ve owned up to the choice albeit wrong. But he didn’t and, unfortunately, I’m at my romance limit for ‘the only way to keep you safe is to leave without explaining myself’ plotline. Why can’t they try despite the odds? Why does the woman, Kate, have to think she was being played when she wasn’t? Why can’t readers have characters who just come out with their fears and trudge on? Even if that exact fear happens. That’s life. Things don’t always work out.
It’s just this along with the ‘random/overdramatised miscommunication’ romance plotline, or the ‘I thought you were cheating when all the clues point to no’ plotline, and the list is endless as far as romance is concerned and the unrealistic tropes used to drum up tension that requires too much suspension of belief for me to get on board with. The emotional journey both of the characters would go through all because he couldn’t simply say he was afraid she might get killed is the type of intentional yet avoidable tension that Romance is made of and I just can’t anymore.
That being said. This book gets lots of bonus points for the fun, flirty, yet annoyed tension both physical and only in the minds of the characters. Even more bonus points for not dragging the relationship until the end of the book and then having one of those rushed endings that fit into one of the above tropes I mentioned and don’t like. Honestly, as far as romance suspense capers go, this one hit all the notes. Under normal circumstances a quit gets three stars or less, however, in this instance even the things that bug me about Kate’s character are handled in a way that didn’t drive me crazy so other than this trigger being way in the top of the list, there aren’t any real faults here. Based on that I can guestimate, beyond the situations this letter may cause like Kate getting captured, or some big argument, or her calling the mole in the agency to vent, there are a few possibilities and there are better ways to set these traps without breaking up the duo, still, other than all these options I can guestimate with almost certainty the author’s writing style will stay consistent from here on out through the book. With this in mind it still gets the 5stars I planned on giving it.
I haven't read the first two, and am not sure if there will be more but this is a well written, exciting, suspenseful romance that I’m sure fans of the genre will more than love and it will definitely be an interesting series.
Let’s start off with the few things that did bother me. Kate is so desperate to be a field agent, yet she can’t follow someone without getting spotted and when attacked by two teens she’s virtually helpless and needs to be saved. It’s frustrating to read books about independent women with something to prove trying to do it without the skills to do so, so they end up needing the man to come in and rescue them. It’s hard to get on board with her desperately trying to move up in the industry when she has no training.
Okay, that’s not entirely accurate. Since the opportunity to move up is clearly present now when before it wasn’t I expected that she had the training to be a field agent already and just wasn’t given the chance so to find out she couldn’t do it after all killed the support vibe a bit. Almost like her superiors were justified in not giving her a chance. What helps this story is that, thankfully, it only happened the one time in the 69 percent I read thus it didn’t become a theme that she lacked training and the author very cleverly played up to her actual skillset. So it was a non-issue as far as rating is concerned.
Her inability as a lawyer to recognise the hidden meaning in Etienne telling her his ‘acquired’ items were aboveboard was also odd. This inability to use her particularly good skillset to read between the lines was strange. Her hard line on right and wrong, especially being trained in law didn’t make sense but, again, only popped up here and there so also wasn’t enough of an annoyance to affect the rating. Even with it coupled with believing what the media says about someone because controversy sells. It can be true but in the presence of another opinion, she doesn’t even question its validity.
Lastly, the sensual scenes are fun fun fun. The problem with them is you get all this steamy set up and then one paragraph of the actual event. It’s way too fast considering all the build-up. Honestly, it would’ve been better if the main event was glossed over and happened off-page so readers can stay on the high from the well-written foreplay. It almost reads like a quicky so after all that steam they finally get to it and... one paragraph and done. The minuteman written word equivalent to the real-life version. This almost made it lose a star but these scenes were def too fun so I let it pass. Not odd for me cause if they are well written enough, I’ll mention it in the review but generally speaking it would have to be significantly annoying to affect the rating.
The point where I had to stop though was when Etienne says he knows what to do to keep her safe and, plot spoiler, leaves a note that literally says thank you and goodbye. Now if he said why I would’ve been annoyed but at least he would’ve owned up to the choice albeit wrong. But he didn’t and, unfortunately, I’m at my romance limit for ‘the only way to keep you safe is to leave without explaining myself’ plotline. Why can’t they try despite the odds? Why does the woman, Kate, have to think she was being played when she wasn’t? Why can’t readers have characters who just come out with their fears and trudge on? Even if that exact fear happens. That’s life. Things don’t always work out.
It’s just this along with the ‘random/overdramatised miscommunication’ romance plotline, or the ‘I thought you were cheating when all the clues point to no’ plotline, and the list is endless as far as romance is concerned and the unrealistic tropes used to drum up tension that requires too much suspension of belief for me to get on board with. The emotional journey both of the characters would go through all because he couldn’t simply say he was afraid she might get killed is the type of intentional yet avoidable tension that Romance is made of and I just can’t anymore.
That being said. This book gets lots of bonus points for the fun, flirty, yet annoyed tension both physical and only in the minds of the characters. Even more bonus points for not dragging the relationship until the end of the book and then having one of those rushed endings that fit into one of the above tropes I mentioned and don’t like. Honestly, as far as romance suspense capers go, this one hit all the notes. Under normal circumstances a quit gets three stars or less, however, in this instance even the things that bug me about Kate’s character are handled in a way that didn’t drive me crazy so other than this trigger being way in the top of the list, there aren’t any real faults here. Based on that I can guestimate, beyond the situations this letter may cause like Kate getting captured, or some big argument, or her calling the mole in the agency to vent, there are a few possibilities and there are better ways to set these traps without breaking up the duo, still, other than all these options I can guestimate with almost certainty the author’s writing style will stay consistent from here on out through the book. With this in mind it still gets the 5stars I planned on giving it.
I haven't read the first two, and am not sure if there will be more but this is a well written, exciting, suspenseful romance that I’m sure fans of the genre will more than love and it will definitely be an interesting series.
August 11, 2021
This book is really different! Lots of intrigue, second-guessing, dubious characters. Who is Etienne is the first big question after he pickpockets Kate's passport in the first chapter? Kate seems a bit naive for a supposedly trained insurance investigator in art theft. She learns, and he definitely teaches her and helps her. We want them to fall for each other, and they do. But then he dumps her, but they find each other again. I really don't like this plot device, as another reviewer has mentioned. Why leave someone you love in a dangerous situation for their own good? Makes no sense to me. Both of them have numerous intricate secrets in their backgrounds.
The author does an excellent job moving the plot forward without losing the reader in the weeds! The writing just makes the pages turn. I did have to go back and read again to be sure I got everything, but that is a sign of a good book for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author does an excellent job moving the plot forward without losing the reader in the weeds! The writing just makes the pages turn. I did have to go back and read again to be sure I got everything, but that is a sign of a good book for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 29, 2021
This book is a romantic suspense story featuring Kate, an art insurance investigator, and Entienne, who has an interest in art heists. They travel across Europe in an adventure to find a stolen art masterpiece. The characters in this story are priceless with their witty banter and double crosses. The storyline has intrigue, danger, suspense, humor, and sizzling passion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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August 13, 2021Amazing book! I'm so glad I had the chance to read it. The characters were fantastic! I couldn't put it down. I would definitely recommend!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 18, 2021
Please be aware that I received a free copy of this novel from Booksirens in exchange for providing an honest review.
Chasing Lies was the perfect book to relax with on a sunny beach day.
First, let's talk about Kate and Etienne. They had great chemistry, the right amount of bounce off each other, the perfect balance of suspicion and attraction. They both held their cards close to the chest but were okay with being vulnerable with each other. Oh, and the sex was hot without being humid (if that makes any sense). This story needed two main characters who were compelling and funny and sexy to keep things driving in the right direction, and Kate and Etienne fit the bill.
The plot was unique and while it kept to a traditional romance format, the suspense and the high stakes kept the story moving without giving away too much about how it was going to end. There's something to be said for a book that makes you keep reading to figure out how it's going to end - it doesn't seem to happen too often anymore! And the idea for the story itself - an art theft and an exotic chase across Europe - felt right out of a movie.
Another thing that I appreciated about this book was that it was part of a series but didn't expect me to rely on having read the other books to understand the characters or the plot. It existed in the same world as the previous two books but didn't make those earlier entries required reading in order to keep up with the story. I love when I don't have to do homework before I sit down with a new book :)
Bottom line - I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking to kick back and relax poolside in a lounge chair. You'll be entertained without needing to put too much thought into it, and it's steamy but not in a way that could be potentially uncomfortable to read in front of strangers (unless that's your kink - I don't judge ;) ).
If you don't have this book in your library already, you should grab it!
Chasing Lies was the perfect book to relax with on a sunny beach day.
First, let's talk about Kate and Etienne. They had great chemistry, the right amount of bounce off each other, the perfect balance of suspicion and attraction. They both held their cards close to the chest but were okay with being vulnerable with each other. Oh, and the sex was hot without being humid (if that makes any sense). This story needed two main characters who were compelling and funny and sexy to keep things driving in the right direction, and Kate and Etienne fit the bill.
The plot was unique and while it kept to a traditional romance format, the suspense and the high stakes kept the story moving without giving away too much about how it was going to end. There's something to be said for a book that makes you keep reading to figure out how it's going to end - it doesn't seem to happen too often anymore! And the idea for the story itself - an art theft and an exotic chase across Europe - felt right out of a movie.
Another thing that I appreciated about this book was that it was part of a series but didn't expect me to rely on having read the other books to understand the characters or the plot. It existed in the same world as the previous two books but didn't make those earlier entries required reading in order to keep up with the story. I love when I don't have to do homework before I sit down with a new book :)
Bottom line - I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking to kick back and relax poolside in a lounge chair. You'll be entertained without needing to put too much thought into it, and it's steamy but not in a way that could be potentially uncomfortable to read in front of strangers (unless that's your kink - I don't judge ;) ).
If you don't have this book in your library already, you should grab it!
August 10, 2021
I had a great theme to the storyline it is well worth reading with a smooth flow throughout the pages. The characters are engaging and entertaining with chemistry throughout.
I received a copy and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
I received a copy and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
September 10, 2021
I loved this book by Sara Claridge, it is full on intrigue and suspense,I didn't know who were the good guys and who were the bad guys.
When Kate Jackson had her passport stolen when on a mission in Holland little did she know that she was about to stat a journey that would change her life forever.
Kate was a research assistant whose job was to trace stolen antiquities and artefacts, Kate desperately wanted to get out into field work and when field agent Carl Jones was injured and hospitalized she seized her chance and without her boss's knowledge she headed to Paris to follow a clue.
Etienne Castel was a wealthy French playboy who had a reputation of playing the field with the ladies and collecting antiques and paintings either legally or illegally………… Kate had something that Etienne wanted.
Despite their differences Kate and Etienne became close, they were following the same leads but for different reasons but both Kate and Etienne had secrets that they didn't want disclosing.
Love blossomed between Kate and Etienne but he needed to keep her at arms length to protect her, Kate had other ideas, she was frustrated with Etienne's antics and she didn't need protecting.
A great story and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.
When Kate Jackson had her passport stolen when on a mission in Holland little did she know that she was about to stat a journey that would change her life forever.
Kate was a research assistant whose job was to trace stolen antiquities and artefacts, Kate desperately wanted to get out into field work and when field agent Carl Jones was injured and hospitalized she seized her chance and without her boss's knowledge she headed to Paris to follow a clue.
Etienne Castel was a wealthy French playboy who had a reputation of playing the field with the ladies and collecting antiques and paintings either legally or illegally………… Kate had something that Etienne wanted.
Despite their differences Kate and Etienne became close, they were following the same leads but for different reasons but both Kate and Etienne had secrets that they didn't want disclosing.
Love blossomed between Kate and Etienne but he needed to keep her at arms length to protect her, Kate had other ideas, she was frustrated with Etienne's antics and she didn't need protecting.
A great story and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.
August 4, 2021
The third book in the Tangled Hearts series is well written and kept me turning pages. I enjoyed reading Kate Jackson and Etienne Castel's story of suspense, drama, danger, twists, turns, villains and romance. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 31, 2021
The book is a good, and enjoyable steamy romantic suspense read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 27, 2021
This is book three in The Tangled Hearts Series and it is Kate and Etienne's story and it is a must read. I couldn't put this book down as it was so good. The characters and storyline pulled you in and had you turning the pages to see what would happen next. Kate is the good girl who has never been in trouble whereas Castel is the bad boy with some illegal activities but what happens when they both want the same thing. Who will win or will they both loose everything including there hearts. I absolutely love this book and series and I definitely recommend you read them and you will not be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 10, 2022
This is probably my favorite book in the series. I loved the characterization of Etienne! We meet him in the last book where he is a morally ambiguous character, but in this one more layers are revealed and I liked the twist at the end!! Kate starts out her journey a bit roughly because she's lost her passport in a foreign country and she's trying to hunt down a painting by herself because her partner is in the hospital. I loved the scenes of the two together because they have such great chemistry and, while both potentially being of the same side, they go about their duties in different ways.
It's a pretty speedy read, well written and not too long. It's a nice one day read because it's a little bit difficult to put down.
It's in a series and it's not necessary to read the previous books, but I do recommend reading them since they are also fun reads!!.
It's a pretty speedy read, well written and not too long. It's a nice one day read because it's a little bit difficult to put down.
It's in a series and it's not necessary to read the previous books, but I do recommend reading them since they are also fun reads!!.
October 2, 2021
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily
What a read an intriguing plot so many twists and turns no one is who they say they are theft deceit passion childhood secrets romance finally love what a web loved it!
What a read an intriguing plot so many twists and turns no one is who they say they are theft deceit passion childhood secrets romance finally love what a web loved it!
August 21, 2021
An insurance investigator stalking a suspect is nothing new. That the suspect is stalking the insurance investigator as well is a twist we don't expect. This is a pretty good book in the sense that the resolution is very surprising. And yet, it makes sense and was a good solution to the question we were heading toward of which character will make the big concession.
My challenge with the book is that it is not a relaxing read. I don't mind a bit of moving around, but there are places and people that dash through the book and you have to keep track of them because they might be important, but the turn out to be distractions. I know, that's a common convention, but it seemed overdone to me. The other thing that seemed overdone to me was the physical nature of romance. The first came quite early, before there was really a relationship, sort of girl meets boy, they fall in bed, or against a wall or something like that. I guess I like a slow burn for these characters and this seemed a rush for no reason.
Still, there's some story to the book that is worth a read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I will read give this another chance to entice me because I think it is quite possible the next book will be more my style.
My challenge with the book is that it is not a relaxing read. I don't mind a bit of moving around, but there are places and people that dash through the book and you have to keep track of them because they might be important, but the turn out to be distractions. I know, that's a common convention, but it seemed overdone to me. The other thing that seemed overdone to me was the physical nature of romance. The first came quite early, before there was really a relationship, sort of girl meets boy, they fall in bed, or against a wall or something like that. I guess I like a slow burn for these characters and this seemed a rush for no reason.
Still, there's some story to the book that is worth a read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I will read give this another chance to entice me because I think it is quite possible the next book will be more my style.
August 13, 2021
Fun, sexy art heist!
This was a fantastic read, fun from start to finish. Our two main characters – Etienne and Kate – who in taking each other at face value (and published rumours) put themselves on opposite sides of an art heist, what ensues is a fun, suspenseful thriller with witty banter and explosive chemistry as they double cross, keep secrets and chase clues across Europe in search of a stolen painting and a mystery centuries in hiding. The story just romps along, it’s intriguing, dangerous, and fast paced (just like their love affair) and I loved these characters, so good together both when they are bickering and during some pretty hot sex scenes. Had to stay up late to find out what happens and whether these two can embrace their differences and get it together!
Highly recommend.
This was a fantastic read, fun from start to finish. Our two main characters – Etienne and Kate – who in taking each other at face value (and published rumours) put themselves on opposite sides of an art heist, what ensues is a fun, suspenseful thriller with witty banter and explosive chemistry as they double cross, keep secrets and chase clues across Europe in search of a stolen painting and a mystery centuries in hiding. The story just romps along, it’s intriguing, dangerous, and fast paced (just like their love affair) and I loved these characters, so good together both when they are bickering and during some pretty hot sex scenes. Had to stay up late to find out what happens and whether these two can embrace their differences and get it together!
Highly recommend.
August 2, 2021
This is an entertaining cat-and-mouse story, fast paced and with lots of surprising twists and turns. There are some quite funny moments and some heartbreaking ones, too. Never underestimate a determined woman! The attraction between Kate and Etienne is instantaneous, but feels real nevertheless. A very well deserved HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 3, 2021
This book has a lot of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your toes. Kate and Etienne make a great couple though and throughout their budding relationship, you get a boatload of suspense that left me guessing on multiple occasions. It was a fun book to enjoy
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 3, 2021
"Chasing Lies" is a very captivating story with some action and suspense. The plot is interesting and entertaining. story! This is Kate and Etienne's cat and mouse story. It is a nicely developed story that I really enjoyed. Love the characters and the interaction between them.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews