Prawda o kłamstwach

Truth #1

by Aly Martinez

Prawda: z odległości ponad tysiąca sześciuset kilometrów obserwowałem na ekranie telefonu, jak dwóch mężczyzn morduje moją żonę. I nie mogłem jej uratować.

Pochłonięty nienawiścią i wściekłością przez cztery lata uciekałem od wspomnień.
Dopóki pewna kobieta nie dała mi powodu, bym przestał.

Cora żyła w koszmarze, ale siłą woli przemieniła go w coś pięknego. Jej uśmiech potrafił poruszyć najmroczniejszą duszę. I jednym spojrzeniem zniszczyła moją.

Kłamstwo: byłem tam tylko po to, by zacząć od nowa.
Kłamstwo: nie miałem pojęcia, w co się pakuję.
Kłamstwo: nie mogłem też nic zrobić, żeby ją uratować.

Ale tak już jest z kłamstwami, że prędzej czy później wychodzą na jaw.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Dark, Abuse, Romantic Suspense, Suspense

312 pages, Paperback

First published August 23, 2018

About the author

Originally from Savannah, Georgia, USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez now lives in South Carolina with her four young children.

Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, charcuterie boards, and her mildly neurotic golden retriever. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person.

She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars



Truth: This book was epic! Aly Martinez is one of those authors that I can always count on to deliver a strong story, and the complexity of this one blew me away. I love how things started to come together and connect in ways I didn’t see coming. Honestly, this one did not hook me from the start. It took a bit for me to truly get into it, but once I did, I was completely and utterly hooked. I mean, I could not put this book down! And after finishing it, I am so glad the next book will be out shortly. I NEED to know what happens next! 



This book started with Penn watching his wife die. It was horrific and scarred him for life. It changed him. Years later, he’s on some sort of mission. And that mission brings him to Cora. Cora is a strong woman. Even though she’s been beat down, she’s tough. Even though she’s tough, she keeps her heart soft in a lot of ways, which seems impossible to do in her situation. When she meets Penn, there is something there. Something neither one of them understand.

She looked at me like I was a hero. Like I was some sort of savior sent from above. Like I could possibly drag her from the pits of hell. I couldn’t even save myself and she thought I could save her? And, fucking worse, I wanted to. But I wasn’t that man. At least not for her.



There are a lot of truths these two share, but also some lies. There are things Cora never knows about Penn, and things Cora keeps from everyone. Opening up isn’t always safe in the life she’s been in. Cora is such an amazing heroine. She is a survivor, no matter what. I loved that about her. I loved that she had so much strength but also was a mama bear to so many. She cared so much. Penn is scarred and damaged, but my god- after hearing his story it’s understandable. I can’t wait to find out more about this man!

This story blew me away. It kept me on my toes and by the end had me craving more. It was emotional, gritty, and the writing was spectacular. I felt so much while reading this book and I need the next book so badly! 5 stars and highly recommend this one!

[Hulya Kara Yuksel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's LIVE!!! Go and get your copy, please! Trust me, you don't wanna miss this amazing book... ;)

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I'm speechless right now!!!
One of the best books of 2018!!!
WOW!!! ❤❤❤

This was my 10th book of Aly Martinez and since the very first beginning she never disappointed me, not even for a second! So yeah, there is no surprises in here. Another beautiful story from, Aly! :)

And now I'm dying to read 2nd book because that end literally ruined me! WTF happened? Ugh I need answers NOW!!! But thank God, we won't wait too long to learn the truth! ;)

The Truth About Us ( Book 2 )
Expected publication: September 13th 2018


*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review. ❤❤❤






Ps. Teasers were taken from author's FB page. ;)

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Aly Martinez is one of my favorite authors and I'm sooooo excited to read this duet... :)


Cover Revealed:



BLURB:
Truth: From over a thousand miles away, I watched on the screen of my phone as two men murdered my wife. And I was helpless to save her.

Consumed by hate and rage, I spent four years running from my memories.

Until a shattered woman gave me a reason to stop.

Cora lived in a nightmare, but through sheer force of will, she’d turned it into something beautiful. She had a smile that could pierce the darkest soul. And with one glance, she shredded mine.

Lie: I was only there for a fresh start.

Lie: I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

Lie: There was nothing I could do to save her, either.

But that’s the thing about lies—you never know who to believe.

THE TRUTH ABOUT LIES (The Truth Duet, #1) from Aly Martinez is LIVE and $2.99 for today ONLY!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2o18ERs
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2N6LS5r
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2NbqfAS
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2N8CvCp


THE TRUTH ABOUT US (The Truth Duet, #2) Releases September 13th!
Preorder it Now: https://amzn.to/2Mt5fsk
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/TTAUGoodreads

AUTHOR BIO:
Originally from Savannah, Georgia, USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez now lives in South Carolina with her four young children.
Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, mystery leggings, and baked feta. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person.
She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.


AUTHOR LINKS:
Website: www.alymartinez.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlyMar...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlyMartinezAuth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoralyma...
Newsletter: https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/l...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AlyMartinez
Amazon: http://bit.ly/AlyMartinezAmazon

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS

One in. One out.

This book! OH GOD! THIS. BOOK. I knew from the very first chapter, that this will be unlike any other book that I've read from this author. And having had read her entire backlist, that's saying something. The Truth About Lies is not a sweet story. It's not a light and sunny romance. It's spine-tingling good and oh so gritty. I had goosebumps from the first few pages, and that told me immediately that I was in for one emotional ride!

I was the sinner in this story. With a heart filled to the brim with hate and a mind overflowing with vengeance and chaos.

If you've ready any Aly Martinez book before, then you already know that she knows how to pack one hell of an emotional punch. Her duets absolutely slay you, but nothing prepared me for what I was about to experience with The Truth About Lies.

Lies—I needed them more than oxygen. I was never going to be able to survive the truth. Not again.

This is a story of two people who have gone through their own personal hell. People who hide their pain and personal demons behind a smokey veil of lies; lies that are absolutely necessary for their own survival.

Cora is a heroine unlike any that Aly has written to date. This woman is a survivor. She's got an inner core of strength that allows her to do anything she has to do to protect those that she cares about. And that's ultimately what she is; a protector. This is a woman that cares and cares deeply. I couldn't help but connect with her right away. She's been through hell and back in her young life, but that doesn't get her down. She's the epitome of perseverance.

Then there's Penn. This man is an enigma. He's utterly magnetic. There's this electric current to him that you feel when you read about him. I can't even describe it to you, but every time you get one kernel of information about him, you're also left desperate for more.

Sometimes lies are a necessary part of survival. Sometimes the truth hurts more than you can imagine. Sometimes what you think you know isn't even what's close to being reality. And sometimes, two lies crash into something incredibly real that has the power to send everything into a flame of betrayal and love.

The Truth About Lies was raw, gritty, emotional, and completely unputdownable. It was a smoke screen of half truths and lies, all wrapped around a gripping romance that owns your heart from beginning to end. I couldn't get enough of it. I was utterly captivated, hypnotized, and totally enraptured with this story. And now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to rock myself in a corner until book two, because I still CAN'T EVEN!!!!

ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

Find me on:

[Bibi · Rating 1 out of 5]

67% and I'm all wrung out. I don't care about ANY of these characters (especially the protags, Penn and Cora), and I honestly don't see the point of this story. I'm sorry.

[Jenny••Steamy Reads Blog•• · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Holy Shit I need the next book like I need water.



I went into this book reading the blurb and a couple reviews just basically saying how addicting and obsessive this book was for them. I will say this, I can not agree more.

Penn loses his wife in the absolute worst way possible. Watching her being brutally murdered with no way to stop it, hell I have no idea how he moved on. To say I love this man, it doesn’t begin to cover how I feel for this character.

Cora, this strong tortured soul, is living her life always protecting and constantly on guard not just with herself but for 30+ other women. She’s determined to make sure everyone is happy and safe and always out of harms way, even if this means taking all the abuse herself. This heroine, she completely rocked my soul. My heart broke not just for her but for Penn, for River, for Savannah, heck even Drew.

this amazing author, she sure knows how to write and create such astounding and breathtaking characters. I am still breathless and literally begging for the next installment in this duet because holy shit I can not wait to get more to this stunning journey. I read this book last week (I know, behind😳)and I am still needing the next book so badly. It’s hard to say anymore about this story without giving anything away. The blurb alone says enough. Hands down recommend this one

“Breathe. One in. One out. As a reminder that, no matter how hard things get, everything will be fine as long as you just keep breathing.”

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY REVIEW can also be found on my blog:
KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS

THE TRUTH ABOUT LIES: is a full-length novel and is the first book in Author Aly Martinez’s ‘The Truth’ duet. Spoken in ‘Dual Perspectives.

I'd always hated lies. I'd spent most of my life having them fed to me. As far as I was concerned, they only lulled a person into a state of false security.

First off the synopsis gives you no indication at all what the book is really about, so that what my first surprise going into this because nothing prepared me for what I was going to read.

Straight away your pulled into a gritty situation as Penn hears the last breaths of his dying wife over the phone as they are connected via video calls on their mobile phones. Two men break into her hotel room and end her life in a matter of twenty nine minutes.

Thirty-seven year old Penn was such a complex character, he was hard to read, you're not given much information about him to begin with other than him losing his wife in such a tragic way, so it's hard to garner what his real agenda was, it's not until the end we're privy to more info about him and that's another twist in the book that had me siting on the edge of my seat.

One in. One out. As a reminder that, no matter how hard things get, everything will be fine as long as you just keep breathing.



Twenty-nine year old Cora was unlike any heroine I’ve encountered before, she’s tough on the outside but within she loves hard, she protects her family like a bear with her cubs. Dante Guerrero owned her, trapped in a life she desperately wanted t escape from, she would willingly sell her soul to the devil just to break free from the life she's made to live.

Neither of them are unfamiliar to pain, of losing a loved one, of having to move on without the other.

Going into this I kind of sort of didn’t know what to expect, we’re given the fact that Penn loses his wife but other than that tiny tidbit we’re not given much else to go by, this was so unique, so different, so unpredictable, so unputdownable, this book takes you so by surprise, it's raw, it's gritty, characters you can relate to, sad pasts like no others before them. Before you know it you’re hooked, before you know it you’ve read this in record time. And you’re left wanting, needing the next book. This was a slow moving, slow burn kind of book, once I moved over the half way mark it got it's hooks into me fully, I couldn't put it down, I needed, wanted, the next book.

* Teaser used is off the Authors facebook page *

     

[Angie - Angie's Dreamy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM NEXT LEVEL OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK. Holy freaking wow. It was MAJOR. It was EVERYTHING I want to read in a story and so much more. I honestly have NO IDEA what to do with myself after finishing. All I can think is, HOLY FRICK. HOLY MOTHER OF ALL FRICKS, THAT WAS THE BEST BOOK EVER! I mean how do you even move on after that?! So good. So intense. So explosively emotional. So utterly unique. So incredibly breathtaking. Just so everything. ALL THE THINGS. I want more. I'm desperate for the The Truth About Us. This owned my heart and soul, and I'm OBSESSED with Penn and Cora.

I.
AM.
SO.
OBSESSED.

I actually feel giddy with it!! Like I'm hyper over what I just read and what's to come. It's so juicy, so twisty, so ahhhhhhhh. The Truth about Lies is alive with brutal and sweet moments that leave you slack jawed, your heart slamming as you try to catch your breath. It's a one sitting read. A heart stopper that steals your soul and makes it it's own. YOU'LL BECOME OBSESSED WITH THESE CHARACTERS. You'll wholeheartedly fall in love with them. Penn and Cora have been through the worst things you can think of, they're suffering, and when they come together it's spectacularly beautiful.

And OMGGGGGGG! The plot is a spiderweb of elaborate goodness. It never lets you get comfortable. Hands down, brilliant. And did I mention unique? Because yeah, this storyline is a breath of fresh romantic air. Sure, it's gritty and it's dark and it's complicated but that's EXACTLY what makes the romance COME TO LIFE, and this is exactly the type of book I want to read ALL THE TIME—something deep and gripping with characters you love, sexy times that make your feels have feels, and an ending that delivers a blow to the heart, in a way that you'll never forget.

Overall, I'm blown away. I give this FIVE STARS. 5 UNDENIABLE stars. 5 I DESPERATELY NEED MORE STARS! 5 'ONE IN. ONE OUT' STARS!! It doesn't get better than this. A gripping, spine-tingling, earth-shattering romance that is a BEST OF 2018 read. I can't wait for more.

***I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

*****4.5 STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}



I sank down the wall, my shoulders shaking violently as sobs overtook me. They were skillfully silent. Wild, yet perfectly controlled from far too many years of practice. The sudden emotional release was agony when all I truly needed was a single second of relief. Every tear was earthshattering, all-consuming, and torn from my soul. And still, after all this time, they changed absolutely nothing. But then again, nothing ever would.






Aly Martinez is delivering another thrilling action-packed romance with crazy twists and turns that will leave you speechless by the time you get to the shocking cliffhanger. The setting of this story is dark and gritty. It’s the last place you’d expect to see an epic romance take flight but leave it to this author to be able to create an intricate tale that weaves our two tragic characters together.



There is no slow build with the plot. In the prologue, we witness along with the hero, Penn, his wife’s brutal murder and then three years later, we meet the Heroine, who lives in a dilapidated building with a bunch of prostitutes that she plays den mother to. Cora’s husband was killed during a drive-by shooting protecting her, and now her violent and corrupt in-laws force her to live in a hellish environment as punishment for Nic's death.






When Penn and Cora meet, there is an instant attraction between them, but Penn tries hard to fight his feelings for Cora. He quickly learns that it's a losing battle. Somehow, in the most dismal of circumstances, they are able to create their own little paradise. But in this story, nothing is as it seems and the whole time I felt a bit of anxiety because I was waiting for everything to come crashing down on the couple.



Everyone has a secret, and little truths are intermingled with huge lies. It leaves a reader wondering what is real and what isn’t. We get tiny pieces of this complicated puzzle throughout the story and by the time you get to the end, you’ll still be left trying to figure out what the heck is going on.






Here are my overall ratings

Hero: 4.5
Heroine: 5
Plot: 4.5
Angst: 4
Steam: 5
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5



THE TRUTH ABOUT LIES is currently available!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2o18ERs
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2N6LS5r
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2NbqfAS
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2N8CvCp

[Nazanin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Four years ago, Penn watched his wif’s death from afar! He watched his wife’s plea but he couldn’t do anything. He felt hopeless, he felt useless and he was broken. That day his heart died with her.

I was alone and trapped inside my own head again. It was a terrible place. One filled with blood and despair, built on a foundation of helplessness and failure.

All this time he was numb, he couldn’t feel anything, his heart was empty! Until he saw Cora!

She looked at me like I was a hero. Like I was some sort of savior sent from above. Like I could possibly drag her from the pits of hell.

Cora fell in love at sixteen, got married at sixteen and was widowed at sixteen. Now she’s working in a whore house as the housemother to over thirty working girls. She had been in the sex industry for fourteen years. She’s a strong woman who doesn’t fear anything and if she does, she tries to not show it. She is tough and protective of what’s hers!

It’s been a while since I read one of this author's books and she is one of my fave authors and like her other works this one didn’t disappoint! Enjoyed it so much! It’s well-written and well-paced with a good plot. Loved both main characters! Told in dual POV, 1st person. It’s the first installment in "The Truth Duet" and ends with a mild cliffhanger. Overall, liked it and hope you enjoy it as well!

[Pavlina Read more sleep less blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Live Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GQVGX2X/...

5 Brilliant Stars

This story this book omg this is everything, I loved it so much!I have no words I'm speechless, such a beautiful,emotional,heartwarming and intense story.I literary read it in one sitting, I couldn't put it down.It was captivating and the writing flawless.



I loved Cora and Penn, they have a heavy romance.I adored them and I have a smile in my face with these two.They make me aching,swooning,melting and in some parts I was emotional.Their story gave me hope.I fall in love with them and now they have become one of my most favorite couples!

This is an unforgettable story, this is the story that will make you cry and smile all at once.It is full of emotions and it's raw and the romance is heavy with all the things you want!


 

  

[Wil Loves Books! · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This is the truth, Cora. This. Right here. You and me. This moment. This feeling. This is the truth.”

What can I say, another fan-freaking-tastic romantic suspense by Aly Martinez!!! Here’s the deal, every time Aly announces these duets (or any of her books for that matter), I don’t even read the blurbs. I just know I’m in for whatever wild ride Aly wants to take me in. And she never disappoints, she delivers every freaking time! I don’t even know how to begin to explain this one. A man with a past and a secret agenda. A remarkable woman trapped in a bad situation. A lot of suspense and guessing but in the middle of all that an incredible love story. I loved the originality of the story. When I thought I had it all figured out, I was shocked to find out I was completely wrong. And I loved all these characters a lot. Plain and simple, it’s a great story.

When I say Aly is the queen of the duet and the queen of the romantic suspense I’m totally not lying. I’m not sure how she does it but she’ll keep you hooked and guessing the entire time. Since there’s two books, needless to say there’s a cliffhanger. I can’t stop thinking about this one and where will she go with book 2. Can’t freaking wait for the conclusion. Absolutely recommend!!!

[Sonya ♕Chatterbooks book blog♕ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy shiiit!!

Now I know why Aly Martinez is the queen of duets! I’m still reeling from the shocking twists and ending that I never saw coming which is unheard of for me. Shocked is an understatement and right now, I few like making a deal with the devil himself just to get a sneak peek into the next book. How can anyone find the ability to concentrate and try to move on after reading a ending like this?!



From the moment you read the prologue, your heart starts to beat furiously and you think to yourself, if this is the prologue, then you’re well and truly fucked for the duration of the story. Little did I know, this was a well thought out intricate web of truth and lies plan that brought two broken people together. Cora was not your average woman who’s life was perfect and simple. For years she’s been a part of this life that seems to suck the light out of her more and more everyday but if it’s one thing about this girl, it’s that she’s a fighter. Another day she gets to wake up is a win for her because that means that there is someone who can take care of business and protect the ones she cares about. In her world, there is no room for the weak and that’s a lesson she had to learn the hard way.



One in. one out.

Penn Walker has been though his fair share of trauma and heartache. Time has not been his friend for the past four years and neither has the haunting memories that has kept up at night. Looking for a distraction and fresh start, Penn and his brother become a fixture for a woman and her business that desperately needs the help. But unbeknownst to some, there are truth and lies everywhere with this union and new found friendship. With so much at stake, will Penn and Cora survive the web of lies?

I really enjoyed this one and I loved the fact that it was different from the usual writing from Aly Martinez. We had two characters who had been through so much and still managed to have a piece of themselves. They were strong, fierce, protective, and once you became someone they cared about, they moved heaven and earth to make sure you were safe. It took me a while to get into this one if I’m being completely honest, but once I reached the half way mark, things started to pick up a lot and those twists and turns started coming out of nowhere and I loved that!

If you’re looking for a sexy, intriguing story, then you should try this one.

*Teaser used is from the author's site.


  

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

***IT'S ALIVE!!!***

When Please becomes a dirty word…

4.5 Stars

I didn’t read the blurb. Well, I probably did when Aly Martinez did the cover reveal yonky donks ago, but I haven’t looked at it since. I went into The Truth About Lies not necessarily blind but without following my usual pre-read checklist. If I pre-prepared myself for an Aly Martinez then there would be a bloody good chance I’d never start it. Aly's stories are emotional, gritty and completely suck you in.

The Truth About Lies took me days to read. I’d start, take a few licks, then scurry off to distract myself from my heart breaking. LIFE SUCKS!! Luckily, not in my world but in poor Cora and Penn’s world it bloody SUCKED MONKEY’S BALLS!!

I kept telling myself I don’t need to torture myself with this…as I turned to the next page and kept going on. The first half took me three days to get through, the second half, a couple of hours. I was determined to not wuss out again. I even told myself *Sassy, turn off your bloody emotions and just get it done already…* See, the picture I was shown wasn't at all what I wanted to see. These two and their lies, cover-ups and secrets, made my eye twitch and my teeth grind. Well, I got it done and I only have a few open wounds…so, I call that SUCCESS!!

I kind of feel that if you know too much about this story before starting you won’t get the full impact of the journey. But, saying that, you kind of need to know that it’s not an easy or light-hearted read.

OMG!! I just read the blurb. Holy Heck!! How on earth did I sign up for this ARC? That opening line would have normally had me RUNNING for the hills. Geez, I can’t handle dealing with a hero whose wife was murdered in front of him… Hang on, wait a second, I just did… 😉

OK, this story is SOOO much more than the dead wife and a husband dealing with the emotional fallout. This story is a lot about Cora and the prison she’s living in and Penn's part in breaking her out...or...not. Her story will break your heart but it will also inspire you to be a better, stronger and more thoughtful person. Cora has been broken so many times and yet still makes it a priority to look after and protect those who are under her care.

I really enjoyed The Truth About Lies and this emotional journey Aly Martinez takes us on. Yes, at times it’s hard to witness and you question how and why Cora goes back for more. Then, another jigsaw puzzle piece is laid, and, you too decide you’d go back for more if you were in the same place. Well, you hope you would be strong enough to, anyway.

This is a duet so we don’t have the full story yet. Sure, I want more but I’m kind of glad that I get a break, to be honest. I mean geez, it took me days to get this far, this gives me a chance to put my heart back in my chest and prepare for the coming onslaught.

The Truth About Lies is emotional, gritty, and real in an *I wish it wasn’t so* kind of way. Both Cora and Penn will break your hearts with what they have already faced. After getting to know them better, I am convinced that these two deserve a HEA. If I get it (I mean, they get it), I will be that crazy woman at the finish line bawling and jumping up and down with joy. Come on Aly, you’d like to see that wouldn’t you? Pretty please with sugar on the top…

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

[NMmomof4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Overall Opinion: This was a little disappointing for me. I was expecting a majorly action packed book with a good dose of romance, but sadly I don't feel like that's what I got. The pacing seemed off to me, as it felt slow. I feel like not that much happened tbh, and that was disappointing. I'm going to continue on to the next book in hopes that it picks up and makes up for my disappointment, because Aly Martinez is one of my favorite authors...

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Cora and Penn's story. Cora is stuck under the control of her dead husband's criminal family and she is running their whore house for them while trying to find her way out. Penn's brother just got out of jail after serving a sentence in the same cell as Cora's father in law, and Penn and his brother land a job as the whore house's new maintenance men. Sparks fly instantly, which take both of them by surprise because they both are grieving their lost spouses. There are some suspenseful moments, some sweet moments, and some sexy times...and we end on a cliffhanger for the next book.

POV: This alternated between Cora and Penn's POV.

Overall Pace of Story: Slow. This felt way too slow for me. I think there were a lot of things that were unnecessary in the long run, and it felt like not all that much happened in this book.

Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.

H rating: 4 stars. Penn. I liked him. I really liked his protective instincts and how he came to care for Cora so strongly.

h rating: 4.5 stars. Cora. I really liked her. Her circumstances were horrible, but I appreciated her strength and protective nature.

Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed.

Push/Pull: Yes The H pushed away at first, but I'd also say he is the main pursuer of the relationship.

Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.

Descriptive sex: Yes

OW/OM drama: Not really Both mcs are grieving their dead spouses and they come up, but I don't think they cause drama.

Sex scene with OW or OM: No

Cheating: No

Separation: No, once they're together they stay together.

Possible Triggers: Yes! Assault/verbal abuse/blackmail/drug abuse/prostitution (on page), rape/murder (off page), loss of a spouse (both h and H - H on page, h through mentions), and domestic violence (side characters off page).

Closure: This ends on a cliffhanger and continues in the next book, The Truth About Us, with no closure in this one.

Safety: This one should be either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.

- Does Not have cheating
- Does Not have a descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
- Does have the H pushing the h away
- Does Not have a separation between the h and H
- Does have abuse
- Does Not have a HEA ending and ends on a cliffy

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars

[Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not fair. What I would give to get my hands on the second book.
I am really glad that I read Nazanin's review and picked this book. This author is new to me and this was the first book by her that I read and it's safe to say that this author just blew me away.
A Dark Romantic and Suspense read.
I loved the plot ( a definitely new plot for me), I loved the pace of the story.
Most of all I really really liked Cora, she has the guts to stand up and was so intelligent and knew her moves all too well. I am in awe of her.
Penn was truly heart wrenchingly good and was fighting his own demons.
What I really loved that the being the book on dark side and suspenseful, the banter between Cora and Penn so beautiful and light. One more reason I am in awe of Cora's character.
This author surely knows how to build her female MC in a world of whole Alpha MC.
A really great book. I just can't wait for the next book to come.

[[And that was when the sky opened, the light of the Lord shined down, and he finally told me what I’d known for years: Penn, I fucking hate you.

Because she smiled.
It was the kind of smile that could have shredded the darkest soul.
And I knew—because it was the exact moment I felt the first slice through mine.]]


[[ what I’m afraid of is that, when that fire inevitably finds you, I’ll still be in the ocean, gasping for breath and completely helpless, when all it would take is a single drop of that water to save you.”]]

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I went in blind which is unusual for me, I need to know the far end of a wotsit before I start a book because ... picky! 🙄 And I'm so glad I did because I loved it. Fabulous characters - Cora is one of the best heroines I've ever had the pleasure to read about, and Penn ain't too bad either. Brilliant twisty, turny plot that had me scratching my head at times. Yup, loved it!

Moving straight on to the conclusion.

[Corina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was way grittier than I expected.

The opening was OMG - emotionally wrecking and pretty much makes you wonder for the rest of the novel what it meant. That alone is so very ALY MARTINEZ!!! She writes brilliantly and when she grabs you, your are hooked no matter what.

I really liked the topic, it was different, outside the box, and really edgy. It made for an emotional read. Complex, layered, and immersed with so many secrets I didn't know what was what - and I loved it!!!

Unfortunately even though I enjoyed the book, I wasn't as invested with the characters or their story as I was with some of her other books. Cora was way more trustworthy than the situations warranted. And I don't want to start on Penn. I can't go into details because that would spoil the plot but boy - he did a few things that I didn't like and it tarnished my view of him.

I also thought that the story felt disjointed a couple of times and didn't make as much sense. It wasn't as brilliantly thought through as the author's Sunset/Sunrise duet - which was the epitome of AWESOME!

Nevertheless, I'll be reading the second book ASAP - because the ending was OMG - WOW!! That's all I can say! Which of course guarantees that I'll be one-clicking the second book as soon as possible.


✵ ✦ ✷ ✫ ✷ ✦ ✧ ✵ ✧ ✵ ✦ ✷ ✫ ✷ ✦ ✧ ✵ ✧ ✵ ✦ ✷ ✫ ✷ ✦ ✧ ✵ ✧ ✵

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[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“One in. One out.”

5 heart-stopping stars!

OMG, Aly Martinez! What a book! I had no idea what to expect, yet it was nothing like what I was expecting, and it was everything I wanted it to be! It’s intense, fun, heartbreaking, raw, gritty, emotional and romantic, and OMG I freaking loved it!

You really want to go into this book without knowing too much about the story, because the best part is watching it all unfold, so I’m going to try and keep this review vague.

Cora’s life has been nothing but loss and struggle. She lives at the mercy of a brutal crime family, managing an apartment building full of working girls, offering safety, protection and somebody to care for them. She is the absolute definition of a survivor, and the more I read about her story and all that she has done to get through it all, the more I absolutely love her!

Penn is a man whose world fell apart when he watched his wife being killed while he was over a thousand miles away. It’s been years, but he is no longer the same man, now damaged, broken and consumed by his guilt, anger and memories over that fateful night.

When Penn takes a job doing maintenance at Cora’s building, their two lives clash together, and from the spine-tingling chemistry that is evident at their first glance, you just know that something epic is about to happen.

She smiled.
And not like that ridiculous fake one she was wearing when she opened the door …
This smile was different.
It was the kind of smile that could have shredded the darkest soul.
And I knew – because it was the exact moment I felt the first slice through mine.

Cora wants Penn immediately. He is not only gorgeous, but he is mysterious and broody, and the kind of man that you need to know more about. He has demons, and they are dark, but to Penn, Cora is a light that he never expected, and though he tries to keep this distance, he is helpless to stop the feelings brewing between them.

“I am begging you. Drop this bullshit with me. Because, God’s honest truth, I don’t know that I’m strong enough to do it for both of us.”
I blinked at him, hating that I was so transparent but downright gleeful because… “You feel it too?”
He scoffed, those heavy, blue eyes coming back to mine. “I’ve known you two days and I’m drowning in it, Cora. So, yeah. It’s safe to say I feel it.”

OMG, the feels! Brimming with want, need, and sizzling sexual tension, I reveled in every moment of these two finding and exploring each other. Until, helpless to stop it, they slowly begin to open up to each other, and the love story that follows is sweet and emotional with a wonderful sense of fun, and surprising to them both.

In my world, where pain, filth, and fear were a way of life, why waste the possibility of finally feeling something incredible?

“Say the word, Cora, and I’ll kiss you breathless.”

But their lives are far from easy and both of them have secrets, and they walk a delicate balancing act of wanting to share themselves with the person they are falling for, while also protecting them, and their loved ones, at all costs. And when the truth brings nothing but pain, sometimes lies can be the only option.

Nothing in the world had ever disappointed me, broken me, or destroyed me quite like hope.

God, I was so sucked into this book! I had so many questions while reading, and my head was brimming with theories and possibilities. The complexities of the storyline are revealed slowly throughout the book in a way that makes each disclosure a revelation that adds further depth to the story, while also keeping me desperate to know more. It’s so well-developed, and cleverly written, making us feel everything as it all unfolds. And in the middle of it all is this beautiful, captivating love story that absolutely melted my heart as these two amazing characters found something incredible together, not knowing that they are about to change each other’s whole worlds.

His hand slipped higher up my back until his whole palm was warming my skin – and scrambling my thoughts. “It’s gonna be okay, Cora. From here on out, I swear on my life, you’re gonna be okay.”

So once again, Aly Martinez has taken me on a rollercoaster ride of feels through an incredible story. These characters and their stories will rip your heart out, but the darkly desolate world she creates for us is brightened by moments of fun and lightheartedness, and a beautifully developing romance that is easy and natural with a strong emotional connection at its centre. It’s a real mix of dark and light, of sweet, fun moments, and devastation and heartache, that is perfectly balanced to create a fascinating and enthralling read.

But this is only part 1 of the story and OMG, how am I supposed to go on after that cliffy? That ending is a heartstopper. I need more, and I need it now, thank God book 2 is coming soon!

5 stars!

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[chan ☆]

wasn't holding my interest on audio and doesn't seem like the right kind of dark romance for me

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a fair amount of books by this author and out of all those books I’ve read, not a single one compares to this reading experience.

Note: I read this story 1.5 times … here’s why/how: The first time I started to read this story I was determined the author was NOT gonna pull one over me (if you’ve read her duets before, then you know exactly what that means). So I’m reading and I can’t say at what exact point I thought “Jesus, what?!” … I’d been paying SO close attention that I was missing the forest for the trees. (do I have to explain that? I hope not) So I started over and just read …. And here’s what happened: (lol)

“Jesus Christ…”
“oh that makes sense”
“wait …”
“ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh”
“Wait, who?”
“what the fuck is happening”
“oh wait, okay so ….”
“no, that’s not right”
“WHAT.AM.READING.RIGHT.NOW”
“so she ….”
“yeah, no, that can’t be”
**crying like a fucking baby **
“goddammit!”

The reason I’m sharing what my mind was going thru the entire time I was reading is so maybe you’ll understand the greatness that is between the pages of this book. Aly Martinez has proven time and time again that she can write the hell out of a duet. She can write the hell out of a story that will make you go whaaaaaaaaaaat at the end of the first book. What she has never done, in my opinion, is level up to a story where it’s not just A twist, it is ALL a twist. There are a lot of pieces on this chessboard, and they are ALL MOVING AT THE SAME TIME. That what, wow moment you usually feel at the end of the first book of a duet, you will feel from page one and every page there after! Trust me on that.

When I finished this story yesterday, I was sooooo overwhelmed with feelings I just stared into space for a while. The story itself is captivating, shocking, realistic, suspenseful, romantic, heart-breaking, heart-warming, ugly, pretty, intense and it will grab your soul in a vise and not let go. The characters that make up this journey are layered beyond anything I have read of late. They are strong and powerful, purposeful, intriguing, shocking and very real. The unfolding of this story is a work of art. WELL DONE!

[Olga therebelreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing addicting read..... I was really impressed with it. It was exciting, adventurous, steamy and sexy, and fun!
In The Truth About Lies you get a love between Penn and Cora that is filled with hot-insatiable sexual need for one another, and so much danger and challenges that you feel the weight of it.
I love how the author creates these characters and their love relationship that allows lightness in this dark and dangerous world where danger always seems to follow and with a vengeance.
The story is getting more intense and…I want more! Every character is well defined and written. I devoured every single page of it, because everything about it is amazing! The book leaves you with so many questions...we need book 2!


In short:
Hero 4/5 | Heroine 4/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 4/5 | Writing Style 4/5 | Steam 3/5 | Romance 4/5 | Angst-Suspense 4/5 | Darkness 3/5 | Humor 1/5 | Secondary Characters 4/5 | Drama-Conflict 4/5 | Mystery 2/5 | Twists 4/5 | Pacing Steady | Action 4/5


ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Antonella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am very perplexed about this book..
on one hand, I kept on listing to it ...
but on the other...

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} · Rating 5 out of 5]

***5 "One in, one out!!!" stars***



“Breathe.
One in. One out.
As a reminder that, no matter how hard things get, everything will be fine as long as you just keep breathing.”

Wow!!!! Just wow!!! This book was... simply amazing in a weird way since the heartbreaking was all over the place in here... But still....
It was a powerful story and I'm dying to read the conclusion of Penn's and Cora story!!! And not only theirs!!!

Well, honestly I don't know from where to start...
Cora's case was special!!!
She was living in a very shitty world and abuse was an often phenomenon in her world, but she was staying intact and even though hope it was a dangerous thing, she was having plenty of it in her heart!!!
And then Penn Walker came into her life....

“In my world, where pain, filth, and fear were a way of life, why waste the possibility of finally feeling something incredible?”

“I stared at him.
Challenging him to lie.
Begging him to tell the truth.
Praying he wasn’t the type of man I feared he was.
And hoping beyond all reason that he was the type of man I so desperately needed him to be.”

Penn's life changed four years ago, when he witnessed his wife to be brutally murdered...
Now, after all those years, he is still suffering from unspeakable pain... He had also abandoned everything behind him and he is seeking for something else with Drew, his brother, at his side...
And then his world is colliding with Cora's and even though that he is trying to keep his distance from her, it is just impossible!!!!

“Don’t try to get to know me, Cora. I’m not a puzzle you can figure out or a broken lamp you can put back together.” He patted his chest. “This thing living inside me. It fucking burns. And if you get too close, I swear to God, it’s gonna light you on fire too. I will not be responsible for that.” He took a giant step toward me and seethed, “I cannot be responsible for that.”

Well, those two are coming closer and that's seems redeptive for both of them, if it wasn't for all the hidden truths and spoken lies that are laying between them...
Is there a way for Cora to get finally free from her fate???
Will Penn allow to the past to stay where it belong???
Is there a hope for those two???

"This was different.
This was a promise.
A vow.
An undeniable truth.
And, worst of all, it gave me hope.
Nothing in the world had ever disappointed me, broken me, or destroyed me quite like hope.
And feeling that with Penn? Well, it scared the hell out of me." {Cora}



"She looked at me like I was a hero.
Like I was some sort of savior sent from above.
Like I could possibly drag her from the pits of hell.
I couldn’t even save myself and she thought I could save her?
And, fucking worse, I wanted to.
But I wasn’t that man. At least not for her." {Penn}

I loved very much both Cora and Penn... Together and separately...
In the beginning, i was comfused by Cora's role in there, but then i understood and i loved her mama bear mode for everyone.... Her heart was pure and good, even though chaos and darkness were all around her and her loved ones!!!
As for Penn??? He was moody and brutal, but he was good deep to his core... Even though he was seeking something specific, he couldn't leave behind those who really mattered....

“Of course I care. Why wouldn’t I?”
I peered up at him, my vision swimming with unshed tears. “Because no one ever has. I take care of people, Penn. They don’t take care of me.”

"I'd warned Cora about the fire inside me.
I'd told her if she got too close it'd burn her too.
And now, we were all up in flames."

And now, after that ending, I'm dying to learn what will happen next with everyone...
Because it wasn't only Cora and Penn's truth that I'm after...
River, Savannah, Drew, Catalina are also soft spots for me and i can't wait for the heroes to finally put the lies behind them and for the truth to shine...
Especially the truths that are hidding in their hearts!!!!

"This is the truth, Cora. This. Right here. You and me. This moment. This feeling. This is the truth.”

[Jo - •.★Reading Is My Bliss★.• · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth: I loved this book
Lie: I hated this book.

Truth: This is a story filled with suspense
Lie: This is a slow paced read.

Truth: I could not stop compulsively reading this
Lie: Meh, I struggled through it…

Truth: The chemistry and sex was intense and smoking hot
Lie: This was quite vanilla.

Truth: Cora is the strongest and most kick arse female I’ve ever read about
Lie: Cora really needed to grow a back bone.

Truth:Penn is absolutely gorgeous
Lie: Penn is an ugly mother fucker

Truth: There were so many lies I have no idea who to trust now
Lie: This is a book raw in its honesty.

Truth: There is SO much happening in this book
Lie: I got a bit bored.

Truth: I cannot wait to read The Truth About Us
Lie: I will probably give The Truth About Us a miss…

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS



Wow... very well done. But why... why did I let myself start this before the next book was published?!!! Definitely not one of my brighter moves. Now I have to stew in my battered emotions until the next book is released. Ugh.

Loved the book, though.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it was the audio, but this book was soooo boring until the end. And even then, I don't know if I care enough to pick up book two. I did enjoy Cora and how loyal she was to her girls, and the romance was fine, but it was hard to completely finish this audiobook.

[Amanda Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 One in One out 🌟

Wow where do I start. This book has all kinds of feels. The butterfly in your stomach type. To me anyways. My only thing I hated about it? I have to wait for the second half. That’s my only regret I want to know what happens like now!! Gah Aly you SLAY me. Reading this reminds me why I love Aly Martinez’s writing.

[Dilek VT · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars rounded up to 4

My review for this duet is here in Book 2:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

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[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8. Achei a história morna até quase o final. E quase chegando no fim gostei muito da reviravolta.