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Without Limits #1
The Lies We Tell Ourselves
𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝.
𝐌𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞.
𝐌𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐬.
𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐞
ʙʀɪᴀʀ ᴜ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴍᴇᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀ ꜰʀᴇꜱʜ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛ, ᴀ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅɪꜱᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴀᴡᴀʏ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀᴜɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ. ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ Qᴜɪᴄᴋʟʏ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴍᴇ ᴀ ɴɪɢʜᴛᴍᴀʀᴇ.
ᴏɴᴇ ɴɪɢʜᴛ. ᴏɴᴇ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ. ᴏɴᴇ ᴛᴡɪꜱᴛᴇᴅ ꜱᴇɴꜱᴇ ᴏꜰ ꜰᴀᴛᴇ.
ᴀ ꜰʀᴇᴀᴋ ᴇɴᴄᴏᴜɴᴛᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏʏ ᴡʜᴏ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ᴏᴡɴᴇᴅ ᴍʏ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ꜱᴇɴᴛ ᴍʏ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ꜱᴘɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴏꜰꜰ ɪᴛꜱ ᴀxɪꜱ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴍʏ ʟɪꜰᴇ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴍᴇ ᴍʏ ᴇɴᴇᴍʏ ɪɴ ᴀ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛʙᴇᴀᴛ.
𝐃𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐧
ᴍʏ ʟɪꜰᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱɪᴍᴘʟᴇ: ᴛʀᴀɪɴ, ᴘʟᴀʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴡɪɴ. ᴏɴᴇ ᴍɪꜱꜱᴛᴇᴘ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅʀᴏᴡɴ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴇɪɢʜᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴏɴᴇ'ꜱ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ.
ᴀ ɢʜᴏꜱᴛ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴍʏ ᴘᴀꜱᴛ ʜᴏʟᴅꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋᴇʏ ᴛᴏ ᴍʏ ʀᴜɪɴ, ᴀ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴄᴀɴ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʙᴇ ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟᴇᴅ. ɪ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ʟᴇᴛ ʜɪᴍ ᴅᴏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ.
ɪ'ʟʟ ʙᴇᴄᴏᴍᴇ ʜɪꜱ ᴡᴏʀꜱᴛ ɴɪɢʜᴛᴍᴀʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴋᴇᴇᴘ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ ꜱᴀꜰᴇ.
ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪꜰ ɪᴛ ʙʀᴇᴀᴋꜱ ʙᴏᴛʜ ᴏꜰ ᴜꜱ.
*** The Lies We Believe is a contemporary MM college bully romance
𝐌𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞.
𝐌𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐬.
𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐞
ʙʀɪᴀʀ ᴜ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴍᴇᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀ ꜰʀᴇꜱʜ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛ, ᴀ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅɪꜱᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴀᴡᴀʏ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀᴜɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ. ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ Qᴜɪᴄᴋʟʏ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴍᴇ ᴀ ɴɪɢʜᴛᴍᴀʀᴇ.
ᴏɴᴇ ɴɪɢʜᴛ. ᴏɴᴇ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ. ᴏɴᴇ ᴛᴡɪꜱᴛᴇᴅ ꜱᴇɴꜱᴇ ᴏꜰ ꜰᴀᴛᴇ.
ᴀ ꜰʀᴇᴀᴋ ᴇɴᴄᴏᴜɴᴛᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏʏ ᴡʜᴏ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ᴏᴡɴᴇᴅ ᴍʏ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ꜱᴇɴᴛ ᴍʏ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ꜱᴘɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴏꜰꜰ ɪᴛꜱ ᴀxɪꜱ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴍʏ ʟɪꜰᴇ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴍᴇ ᴍʏ ᴇɴᴇᴍʏ ɪɴ ᴀ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛʙᴇᴀᴛ.
𝐃𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐧
ᴍʏ ʟɪꜰᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱɪᴍᴘʟᴇ: ᴛʀᴀɪɴ, ᴘʟᴀʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴡɪɴ. ᴏɴᴇ ᴍɪꜱꜱᴛᴇᴘ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅʀᴏᴡɴ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴇɪɢʜᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴏɴᴇ'ꜱ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ.
ᴀ ɢʜᴏꜱᴛ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴍʏ ᴘᴀꜱᴛ ʜᴏʟᴅꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋᴇʏ ᴛᴏ ᴍʏ ʀᴜɪɴ, ᴀ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴄᴀɴ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʙᴇ ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟᴇᴅ. ɪ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ʟᴇᴛ ʜɪᴍ ᴅᴏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ.
ɪ'ʟʟ ʙᴇᴄᴏᴍᴇ ʜɪꜱ ᴡᴏʀꜱᴛ ɴɪɢʜᴛᴍᴀʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴋᴇᴇᴘ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ ꜱᴀꜰᴇ.
ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪꜰ ɪᴛ ʙʀᴇᴀᴋꜱ ʙᴏᴛʜ ᴏꜰ ᴜꜱ.
*** The Lies We Believe is a contemporary MM college bully romance
462 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 18, 2024
247 people are currently reading
1137 people want to read
About the author
Skyla Raines
8 books84 followersSkyla Raines is obsessed with romance and broken boys. She's an avid reader and a sucker for hard-fought happily ever afters.
When she's not bringing to life the characters in her head, she's watching her family grow and cherishes every moment with them.
When she's not bringing to life the characters in her head, she's watching her family grow and cherishes every moment with them.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
November 5, 2024
The Lies We Tell Ourselves is an intense, angsty second-chance romance that had me glued to the pages wondering if this couple had a chance of reconciling after everything that occurs in this story. They both have a lot of emotional trauma they are working through, stemming from their forced separation five years prior.
Both Dillon and Jamie are barely holding it together as they embark on their college journey and due to the shock of seeing one another again starts an intense story that left me shocked at many moments throughout.
I loved Jamie, I think he has the biggest heart and is always exuding kindness. His journey is filled with so much growth, strength, and determination. I loved getting to see him mature and find his footing after so much turmoil.
Dillon, on the other hand, could not be more opposite. He is grouchy, surly, and stubborn most of the time. I appreciate the growth of his character, but at times I felt he crossed the line with his dubious behavior. At times I found his character extremely frustrating, but this helped show how these two processed trauma so dramatically differently and how together they lift one another up.
Overall I am happy these two were able to work through their issues and have a well-deserved HEA, even if I wanted Dillon to suffer a bit more due to his reckless and thoughtless actions. Dillon and Jamie are two complicated guys who go through hell to be together and their HEA is well-earned.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Both Dillon and Jamie are barely holding it together as they embark on their college journey and due to the shock of seeing one another again starts an intense story that left me shocked at many moments throughout.
I loved Jamie, I think he has the biggest heart and is always exuding kindness. His journey is filled with so much growth, strength, and determination. I loved getting to see him mature and find his footing after so much turmoil.
Dillon, on the other hand, could not be more opposite. He is grouchy, surly, and stubborn most of the time. I appreciate the growth of his character, but at times I felt he crossed the line with his dubious behavior. At times I found his character extremely frustrating, but this helped show how these two processed trauma so dramatically differently and how together they lift one another up.
Overall I am happy these two were able to work through their issues and have a well-deserved HEA, even if I wanted Dillon to suffer a bit more due to his reckless and thoughtless actions. Dillon and Jamie are two complicated guys who go through hell to be together and their HEA is well-earned.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
February 18, 2025
... My heart beats only for you.”
RTC ( 462 pages were anything but enough ughhhhh 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 )
RTC ( 462 pages were anything but enough ughhhhh 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 )
July 22, 2024
As debut novels go, I feel this is written well. The story and I just didn’t get along well.
There is a lot going on in this book. Lots of action, lots of angst. I don’t think I can stress this enough.
Jamie put up with more than he should have and Dillon did not deserve to be let off the hook. But I’m petty sooooo.
Also, the Uncle. How is he related? By the mother? Through the Aunt? These are details I need unless I missed this information somehow.
*I received an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.*
There is a lot going on in this book. Lots of action, lots of angst. I don’t think I can stress this enough.
Jamie put up with more than he should have and Dillon did not deserve to be let off the hook. But I’m petty sooooo.
Also, the Uncle. How is he related? By the mother? Through the Aunt? These are details I need unless I missed this information somehow.
*I received an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.*
July 19, 2024
I had high hopes for this book as it had a high rating, but it just didn't do it for me. I can't explain why, but I felt no connection to either of the characters & I felt no chemistry between them.
July 29, 2024
The Lies We Tell Ourselves was a debut novel that I think was written really well. Personally, this book was not for me. I ended up DNF at 38% for no other reason other than the fact that I was not able to get into the book. I am one for all the heartbreak and angst, and the hard fought happily ever afters; but this one was a bit much for me. I think that the bullying was a bit too extreme for me and I was not able to view Dillion’s reasoning for his actions towards Jamie. I tried so hard to continue this book and even stopped reading it to give it time and thought maybe I would be able to finish it after time had passed but I couldn’t. Overall, the writing was really great, especially for a debut, but unfortunately this book was not for me. I would still recommend giving it a try though, because this could be the one for you! This is my honest review and was given in exchange for an advanced copy of this book.
July 27, 2024
2,5 ★
⇝ This story is about Dillon and Jamie. Jamie is running from his abusive father and left Dillon years ago abruptly. Then come Dillon, football player from Briar U sees Jamie after years of trying to forget him.
Dillon, I had major problems with him. He says himself he’s a piece of shit. Well, ain’t that the truth. He’s a disgusting person.
Jamie, my little baby. He’s been hurting for so long, i was genuinely happy seeing him bond with Malachi and Ava. He had people in his corner. He truly didn’t deserve what Dillon put him through and I wish he had more of a back bone and didn’t forgive Dillon so easily.
Overall, for a debut novel, this was good writing but Dillon and the lack of groveling just ruined it for me.
⇝ This is an arc review so I obviously can’t go into detail, this was just not for me!
________
I got the ARC 😫😫😫😫 so excited
⇝ This story is about Dillon and Jamie. Jamie is running from his abusive father and left Dillon years ago abruptly. Then come Dillon, football player from Briar U sees Jamie after years of trying to forget him.
Dillon, I had major problems with him. He says himself he’s a piece of shit. Well, ain’t that the truth. He’s a disgusting person.
Jamie, my little baby. He’s been hurting for so long, i was genuinely happy seeing him bond with Malachi and Ava. He had people in his corner. He truly didn’t deserve what Dillon put him through and I wish he had more of a back bone and didn’t forgive Dillon so easily.
Overall, for a debut novel, this was good writing but Dillon and the lack of groveling just ruined it for me.
⇝ This is an arc review so I obviously can’t go into detail, this was just not for me!
________
I got the ARC 😫😫😫😫 so excited
July 15, 2024
“Looking back, our love was inevitable, like it was written in the stars we spent long summer nights watching.”
This author has absolutely knocked her debut book out of the park! I instantly fell in love with Jamie from the moment that I met him in this book. And let’s be real, I fell hard for his Little Sunbeam too.
But, I’ll be honest and say that Dillon did take me a bit at first. Especially without knowing the past between the two all that much. HOWEVER, once he started showing us more of his true self I fell just as hard for him as I did Jamie.
“I didn’t walk away to teach him a lesson. I walked away because I’d learned mine.”
The trials that these two go through left me in tears at points throughout the book. They’re both just so broken and both just want to protect the other that at times it just winds up causing more damage than good. But seeing them face these challenges and ever their own fears was what kept me in a stronghold until the very end. Yes, the emotional toll that this book took on me was intense but so incredibly worth it in my eyes so I beg you to give it a chance. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what this new author brings us next.
“He was the sun, the moon and all the stars in the sky. My world began and ended with him. Always had. Always would.”
This author has absolutely knocked her debut book out of the park! I instantly fell in love with Jamie from the moment that I met him in this book. And let’s be real, I fell hard for his Little Sunbeam too.
But, I’ll be honest and say that Dillon did take me a bit at first. Especially without knowing the past between the two all that much. HOWEVER, once he started showing us more of his true self I fell just as hard for him as I did Jamie.
“I didn’t walk away to teach him a lesson. I walked away because I’d learned mine.”
The trials that these two go through left me in tears at points throughout the book. They’re both just so broken and both just want to protect the other that at times it just winds up causing more damage than good. But seeing them face these challenges and ever their own fears was what kept me in a stronghold until the very end. Yes, the emotional toll that this book took on me was intense but so incredibly worth it in my eyes so I beg you to give it a chance. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what this new author brings us next.
“He was the sun, the moon and all the stars in the sky. My world began and ended with him. Always had. Always would.”
July 25, 2024
Right this has me fucked up. I hate to be a hater but wtf did I just read ?? So much wasted potential here !!
The reason Dillon put Jamie through hell and hated him was absolutely fuckin RIDICULOUS Jamie was 13 years old he did not have a choice !!!! It completely took me out the story because it just felt so unbelievable. And frankly he had bigger worries than not saying goodbye to someone he kissed once 🤣
Far too much focus on side characters in this I mean page after page the first 20% of the book is about useless nonsense because let’s be honest we didn’t even find out what Jamie’s dad really did or how his mum died ???? Or why his dad hated him soo much like what was the REASON!!!!Dillon didn’t even know Js mum had died at 95% even though they were so in ‘love’ they couldn’t breathe without the other. Constantly being told and never shown took me completely out of the story. If I’m being completely honest only about 15% of this book is focused on the main relationship i did not feel any connection between them at all I even skimmed the spice I was just like uhgggg I felt absolutely nothing but pissed off reading this 🤣🤣🤣 the constant screaming crying and temper tantrums was cringe af
Now call me crazy but did ANYONE want to see Dillon & Taylor as end game instead of Dillon & Jamie?? I felt such a connection with T&D honestly I would have loved them together. But WHY was that narrative pushed ?? Taylor being secretly in love with Dillon like what in the fuck was the actual point in that being a thing when it was just pushed to the side and forgot about ???????? Please
And now the bullying. I hated I mean I FUCKING HATED how it was everyone else’s fault but Dillon’s he set it in motion regardless who took it to far DILLON put a target on Jamie’s back and anyone who could sit back and watch that never mind watch that be done to someone who is supposedly your soulmate is a disgrace and does NOT LOVE YOU. I think that was another reason I found it so hard to root for the main couple how could Jamie turn a blind eye to that shit it made me dislike him there is forgiveness and then there is stupidity.
The constant use of the word ‘KID’ made me want to scream & then the fucking singing at the end please god STOP THAT 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 mortified.
I’m going to stop yapping now because I could say much more and this is long enough 🤣🤣🤣 closing argument is I feel bad about my negativity but obviously this story wasn’t for me so I will say something positive the writing was real good and I 100% seen potential here just not between Jamie & Dillon.
The reason Dillon put Jamie through hell and hated him was absolutely fuckin RIDICULOUS Jamie was 13 years old he did not have a choice !!!! It completely took me out the story because it just felt so unbelievable. And frankly he had bigger worries than not saying goodbye to someone he kissed once 🤣
Far too much focus on side characters in this I mean page after page the first 20% of the book is about useless nonsense because let’s be honest we didn’t even find out what Jamie’s dad really did or how his mum died ???? Or why his dad hated him soo much like what was the REASON!!!!Dillon didn’t even know Js mum had died at 95% even though they were so in ‘love’ they couldn’t breathe without the other. Constantly being told and never shown took me completely out of the story. If I’m being completely honest only about 15% of this book is focused on the main relationship i did not feel any connection between them at all I even skimmed the spice I was just like uhgggg I felt absolutely nothing but pissed off reading this 🤣🤣🤣 the constant screaming crying and temper tantrums was cringe af
Now call me crazy but did ANYONE want to see Dillon & Taylor as end game instead of Dillon & Jamie?? I felt such a connection with T&D honestly I would have loved them together. But WHY was that narrative pushed ?? Taylor being secretly in love with Dillon like what in the fuck was the actual point in that being a thing when it was just pushed to the side and forgot about ???????? Please
And now the bullying. I hated I mean I FUCKING HATED how it was everyone else’s fault but Dillon’s he set it in motion regardless who took it to far DILLON put a target on Jamie’s back and anyone who could sit back and watch that never mind watch that be done to someone who is supposedly your soulmate is a disgrace and does NOT LOVE YOU. I think that was another reason I found it so hard to root for the main couple how could Jamie turn a blind eye to that shit it made me dislike him there is forgiveness and then there is stupidity.
The constant use of the word ‘KID’ made me want to scream & then the fucking singing at the end please god STOP THAT 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 mortified.
I’m going to stop yapping now because I could say much more and this is long enough 🤣🤣🤣 closing argument is I feel bad about my negativity but obviously this story wasn’t for me so I will say something positive the writing was real good and I 100% seen potential here just not between Jamie & Dillon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2025
Oh my heart this book absolutely wrecked me (in the best possible way). I didn’t expect to love it this much, and now I can’t stop thinking about Jamie and Dillon 🥺
Jamie is that kind of character who hides behind smiles while quietly carrying the weight of the world. He’s sunshine wrapped in heartbreak, and it hurt watching him pretend he’s okay when he clearly wasn’t.
Then there’s Dillon intense, stubborn, and laser-focused on his football dreams… until Jamie shows up again and everything he thought he wanted suddenly shifts. I’ll be honest, I wanted to shake him a few times 😭 but his growth? So worth it.
The chemistry between these two was insane. It’s slow-burn, full of tension and quiet moments that just ache. Skyla Raines wrote their second-chance story so beautifully the longing, the pain, the love that refuses to fade it all felt so real.
I love the side characters so much! Taylor, Mal, and Ava added so much heart and light. The way they showed up for Jamie gave me all the found-family feels 🥹
By the end, I was emotionally ruined, in love.
July 23, 2024
This might be the worst book I’ve ever read in my entire life🥲 had to DNF @ 34%. This was def a bully romance and I’m not a fan of that trope. The way Dillion treated Jamie was borderline mean and cruel there’s no way in hell this should be classified as “romance.” It seems I’m in the minority and A lot of people have enjoyed this but it was so hard for me to even get through 34% of this book I can’t imagine finishing the entire thing.
I couldn’t take more of the awful treatment directed towards Jamie by the love interest only for the author to eventually justify his homophobia in the end🙄.
Lastly there was too much detail on the side characters and not enough on the main couple, I felt like I was reading about Jamie’s fam and his college friends. This is a mm book it should be heavily centered around 2 men idk why so much characters were being introduced🙄
1⭐️
I couldn’t take more of the awful treatment directed towards Jamie by the love interest only for the author to eventually justify his homophobia in the end🙄.
Lastly there was too much detail on the side characters and not enough on the main couple, I felt like I was reading about Jamie’s fam and his college friends. This is a mm book it should be heavily centered around 2 men idk why so much characters were being introduced🙄
1⭐️
May 21, 2025
Had me in a chokehold.
I could not put this down. Jaime and Dillon really went through it. This was heavy and raw and emotional. The bond between was palpable. Not even Dillon’s hate could destroy the tether between them.
Ava, Mal, and Levi had my heart from their first introductions. Adored the way they gravitated to Jaime and accepted him. Vieck, McCormack, and Taylor grew on me too. By the end, I was really loving them and how they had Dillon’s back.
I do wish Dillon had groveled a little more, but that’s only because I’m a sucker for groveling.
Excited to read the next book.
I could not put this down. Jaime and Dillon really went through it. This was heavy and raw and emotional. The bond between was palpable. Not even Dillon’s hate could destroy the tether between them.
Ava, Mal, and Levi had my heart from their first introductions. Adored the way they gravitated to Jaime and accepted him. Vieck, McCormack, and Taylor grew on me too. By the end, I was really loving them and how they had Dillon’s back.
I do wish Dillon had groveled a little more, but that’s only because I’m a sucker for groveling.
Excited to read the next book.
March 5, 2025
{The lies we tell ourselves}
Arc review by Jessie Melka
__________•__________
“I loved him, and I gave him the power to destroy me. I just didn’t expect it to decimate me so completely.”
The lies we tell ourselves is an MM second chance romance between Jamie and Dillon
They were childhood friends, but on Jamie’s 13th birthday he wished for his first kiss and Dillon delivered but the tragic night Jamie’s father crossed the line and he and his mother was send into witness protection. He had no way of contacting Dillon so with a broken heart and broken bones, his love turned slowly into hatred
After having moved around for five years Jamie gets into Colege, but what he doesn’t know it’s the exact same Colege as Dillon is at. And Dylan’s only mission is to go pro so his father will stop bothering him and he can’t let Jamie the only man who holds the key to his heart release the secret that he has tried so hard to keep secret and could be what destroys it all
“The first lash of my tongue against his tiny hole made me feel things, things I had no right feeling. It stirred a primal need inside me to mark him. Claim him. Own him. To fuck him and coat his insides with my seed and then plug him up so I was in him always.”
The spice here was so hot their dynamics was really beautiful and they had some amazing experiences with each other. We all love a virgin MC and this is no different the fact that their hearts have always belong to each other seriously made tears spring to my eyes
Dylan and Jamie had so much bad blood between them and there was so much history that went on for so many years I am extremely happy that they got together in the end and that they could find a way out of the hatred and betrayal that was between them. They were literally soulmates the fact that they could sense when each other was near like, there was some kind of bond that was drawing them to each other. It was so romantic.
“I love you so much, Dil. Broken pieces, mistakes, shitty dads, and all. I don’t want to live another day without you by my side. You complete me in every way. You’re my home.”
I rated this book a 4,5/5 if you liked all of the game I would definitely recommend you this book the lies we tell ourselves. I saw a lot of resembling between the two and I love them both but this one had a lot more romance to it and I’m a sucker for romance, especially this kind of bully romance
Though I feel there was a bit of a rush in some situations like when Jamie is telling his friends about his life and in the end when a lot of things went down everything just filled the bit rushed especially every time there was some hard conversations. I feel like it went through too fast.
For a depute book, this really is extraordinary With an amazing storyline and beautiful written words. I must say i’m extremely glad I got to read this.
🏈Best friends-Enemies-lovers
🩵Grumpy/Sunshine
🏈Virgin MC
💜Bullying
🏈Hurt/Comfort
🩵Dub/Non-Con
🏈Mental health rep
💜Second chance
__________•__________
Arc review by Jessie Melka
__________•__________
“I loved him, and I gave him the power to destroy me. I just didn’t expect it to decimate me so completely.”
The lies we tell ourselves is an MM second chance romance between Jamie and Dillon
They were childhood friends, but on Jamie’s 13th birthday he wished for his first kiss and Dillon delivered but the tragic night Jamie’s father crossed the line and he and his mother was send into witness protection. He had no way of contacting Dillon so with a broken heart and broken bones, his love turned slowly into hatred
After having moved around for five years Jamie gets into Colege, but what he doesn’t know it’s the exact same Colege as Dillon is at. And Dylan’s only mission is to go pro so his father will stop bothering him and he can’t let Jamie the only man who holds the key to his heart release the secret that he has tried so hard to keep secret and could be what destroys it all
“The first lash of my tongue against his tiny hole made me feel things, things I had no right feeling. It stirred a primal need inside me to mark him. Claim him. Own him. To fuck him and coat his insides with my seed and then plug him up so I was in him always.”
The spice here was so hot their dynamics was really beautiful and they had some amazing experiences with each other. We all love a virgin MC and this is no different the fact that their hearts have always belong to each other seriously made tears spring to my eyes
Dylan and Jamie had so much bad blood between them and there was so much history that went on for so many years I am extremely happy that they got together in the end and that they could find a way out of the hatred and betrayal that was between them. They were literally soulmates the fact that they could sense when each other was near like, there was some kind of bond that was drawing them to each other. It was so romantic.
“I love you so much, Dil. Broken pieces, mistakes, shitty dads, and all. I don’t want to live another day without you by my side. You complete me in every way. You’re my home.”
I rated this book a 4,5/5 if you liked all of the game I would definitely recommend you this book the lies we tell ourselves. I saw a lot of resembling between the two and I love them both but this one had a lot more romance to it and I’m a sucker for romance, especially this kind of bully romance
Though I feel there was a bit of a rush in some situations like when Jamie is telling his friends about his life and in the end when a lot of things went down everything just filled the bit rushed especially every time there was some hard conversations. I feel like it went through too fast.
For a depute book, this really is extraordinary With an amazing storyline and beautiful written words. I must say i’m extremely glad I got to read this.
🏈Best friends-Enemies-lovers
🩵Grumpy/Sunshine
🏈Virgin MC
💜Bullying
🏈Hurt/Comfort
🩵Dub/Non-Con
🏈Mental health rep
💜Second chance
__________•__________
July 16, 2024
SCREAMING. CRYING. THROWING UP.
if i could give his more than 5 stars i would.
this broke my heart & made it whole again over and over. i have been anticipating this book for weeks and it truly didn’t disappoint. this was raw & gritty but also filled with so much mush, truly the perfect combination. i couldn’t get enough of Dillon & Jamie. two broken boys, possessiveness, hurt/comfort, all the hot spice UGH i need more.
if i could give his more than 5 stars i would.
this broke my heart & made it whole again over and over. i have been anticipating this book for weeks and it truly didn’t disappoint. this was raw & gritty but also filled with so much mush, truly the perfect combination. i couldn’t get enough of Dillon & Jamie. two broken boys, possessiveness, hurt/comfort, all the hot spice UGH i need more.
July 27, 2024
ARC Review… ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Debut book and what a book it was.. I instantly connected with Jamie Bowen I wanted to wrap him in bubble wrap! The perfect Childhood friends - Enemies (one sided) to Lovers. After having their first kiss at 13 Dillon Hargreaves knew that Jamie would change his life and was absolutely heartbroken when he just upped & left him. After being in witness protection for 5 years Jamie finally starts college at Briar U, the same college as QB Dillon and they eventually meet again. Instant rage from Dillon causes a lot of bullying by his friends that actually really cut me deep. But both boys can’t deny the pull between them and things start to heat up, Dillon starts accepting his sexuality and you see more of his vulnerable side. I find as the book goes on that Jamie does become stronger but miscommunication does knock him down again and again! Both boys need each other and eventually get their HEA.. Also some great side characters in this book hope to get some of their stories?? Highly recommend @skyla_raines thankyou for the ARC 💜 #mm #mmromancebookstagram #bullyromance #qb #book #arc **editisminepicsarenot**
August 10, 2024
1.5 stars, rounded. This was dreadful simply because of Dillon’s existence 😭 he was genuinely HORRIBLE and lowkey abusive as hell. No thanks. Toxicity is one thing and straight up abuse is another. I didn’t like the way he treated women nor the way he treated Jamie. And speaking of Jamie, he forgave Dillon way too quickly. I’m more interested in Taylor than I am w this main couple. The plot was honestly everywhere and a whole mess. Meh.
October 5, 2024
For an angsty book, it did too much for me.
DNFed at 55% because I simply can't deal with Dillon anymore. I'm no expert but I've read angst which was better than this
Dillon's hypocritical way of saving his football career was downright stupid. We get it, Daddy is an asshat who doesn't do feelings and had to unfortunately project that onto you but Jamie has no reason to go through all that.
DNFed at 55% because I simply can't deal with Dillon anymore. I'm no expert but I've read angst which was better than this
Dillon's hypocritical way of saving his football career was downright stupid. We get it, Daddy is an asshat who doesn't do feelings and had to unfortunately project that onto you but Jamie has no reason to go through all that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2024
The writing in this debut was beautiful and at times poetic. I also loved Jamie as a character, who's gone through so much in his life and is just a sweetheart.
In love since they've been children, Dillon and JJ are seperated after their first kiss as teenagers and meet again 5 years later in college. Dillon is angry because he doesn't know why JJ up and left him and he also has his career as an aspiring professional football player to consider as he is in the closet. So he decides to make Jamie's life hell, in order to get him to leave college and protect his secret.
I understand that Dillon was angry and hurt. There were lots of things he struggled with and that was portrayed well. But I don't really get his motivation behind bullying Jamie. He sees that his football mates take it too far and he feels horrible every time afterwards and even saves Jamie. Yet it takes him forever to put a stop to it and then that conversation is just told instead of shown. There were some other things that also didn't quite make sense to me and a few things just felt disjointed and just left me feeling like "what?". I also didn't really feel the connection between the MMCs when they were older. It just felt like they were so obsessed with each other bc they had been since they were young but that wasn't really shown (only one short scene in the beginning) and then later when they meet up again it was just there and we're just supposed to believe it.
So while I did have my issues with this book, for some reason it did keep me up reading till 3 am. And I really loved Jamie, that sweet lil ray of sunshine.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
July 21, 2024
What the hell did I just read? And what the hell happened to my toxic tendencies bro? I couldn't stand the toxicity level you know? The audacity of this Dillion guy? He leads up Jamie to beat up few times bcz of some stupid reasons without asking answers to him at first. He was a bully directly or indirectly. That stupid literally had audacity of crying after he was the one who planned or ordered them to beat Jamie up.
He literally talked shit with Jamie and now he is like Jamie , baby oh ffs shut up. Abd people are callin them soulmates? Dillion is literally is an asshole. Nomatter of grovelling couldn't fix that. If both mmc was fighting with eo i wouldn't have said bcz sometime I live for the shit but when Jamie was literally breakable and innocent like a child who went through so much in life. He had no fuvking right.
He literally talked shit with Jamie and now he is like Jamie , baby oh ffs shut up. Abd people are callin them soulmates? Dillion is literally is an asshole. Nomatter of grovelling couldn't fix that. If both mmc was fighting with eo i wouldn't have said bcz sometime I live for the shit but when Jamie was literally breakable and innocent like a child who went through so much in life. He had no fuvking right.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2024
Dark Bully Romance With All The Feels!!
Wow! Just Wow!! This baby author has knocked it out of the park! I loved everything about this book and I read it quite a while ago but the hangover it gave me still is with me to this day. I don’t usually read academy reads but I couldn’t resist this dark read and I’m so glad I picked it up! It was truly amazing! This book gave me all the feels and sometimes I was laughing and crying at the same time. These boys will live in my heart forever! Bravo, Skyla Raines, Bravo!
Wow! Just Wow!! This baby author has knocked it out of the park! I loved everything about this book and I read it quite a while ago but the hangover it gave me still is with me to this day. I don’t usually read academy reads but I couldn’t resist this dark read and I’m so glad I picked it up! It was truly amazing! This book gave me all the feels and sometimes I was laughing and crying at the same time. These boys will live in my heart forever! Bravo, Skyla Raines, Bravo!
September 23, 2024
Oh my lord. This book. 😭💔😭💔
🖤🖤please check TW as this gets pretty heavy🖤🖤
Dillon and Jaime fell in love when they were young but then weee separated for years. That didn’t diminish their feelings. One grew to be a football player, and the other a shy boy running from his past.
This book absolutely broke my heart and I did cry a few times but it was so amazing. If you’re a fan of SK Graves, you’ll love this book.
🖤🖤please check TW as this gets pretty heavy🖤🖤
Dillon and Jaime fell in love when they were young but then weee separated for years. That didn’t diminish their feelings. One grew to be a football player, and the other a shy boy running from his past.
This book absolutely broke my heart and I did cry a few times but it was so amazing. If you’re a fan of SK Graves, you’ll love this book.
August 12, 2024
Jamie + Dillon
-mm romance
-bully romance
-second chance
-child friends to enemies to lovers
i love the premise of where this started & hope we didn’t start there or get it to complicated in any post storyline, but we got flashbacks of the most important parts that still that made the present emotions hit harder! the writing i felt just needed a bit more work or editing as some sentences & dialogue felt a little repetitive
-mm romance
-bully romance
-second chance
-child friends to enemies to lovers
i love the premise of where this started & hope we didn’t start there or get it to complicated in any post storyline, but we got flashbacks of the most important parts that still that made the present emotions hit harder! the writing i felt just needed a bit more work or editing as some sentences & dialogue felt a little repetitive
dnf
January 12, 2025Couldn't get pass the first pages because of the writting. I started skimming through it to see if it geets better, but nope, it actually gets over descriptive and the scenes are overdramatic. Sad, because the premise caught me eye.
November 21, 2025
si no fuera por las primeras 130 paginas le pondría 5 estrellas pero me destruye que por razones tan estupidas dill haga algo tan horrible y encima no les diga q paren a los idiotas de los amigos pero bueno!!! despues de eso amamos!!! Jamie mi protegido x siempre
October 14, 2024
Just no…
September 28, 2024
A book I desperately wanted to love but couldn’t
Honestly the book had such good potential but just kept failing me. The bullying was completely uncalled for and Dillon should have stepped up way earlier. The plot felt clunky and unorganised. Unfortunately not a good read for me.
Honestly the book had such good potential but just kept failing me. The bullying was completely uncalled for and Dillon should have stepped up way earlier. The plot felt clunky and unorganised. Unfortunately not a good read for me.
July 26, 2024
Beautifully Heart-Wrenching
I don't know where to start with this review because WOW 💥. I finished this book a day or two ago, and normally I instantly start another book but I had to sit with this one for a bit, which is rare for me. Skyla Raines debut was hands down 5/5 ⭐, absolutely beautiful, Heart-Wrenching and warming all in one. A KO to the heart ❤️. I seriously adored this book with everything I am, and I'm so excited to see what else the author has in store for us!
Jamie and Dillon's story is not easy, but it is spectacular. It's raw and rough around the edges, but the whole time you're rooting for them. It's rare in a bully romance, to not slightly hate one character, but in this I didn't. Don't get me wrong, there were times I was on the edge of my proverbial seat screaming at Dillon but Skyla paints a life portrait of these characters in such a real way that it's easy to see where he's coming from.
If you like
🏈 Bully Romance
🏈 Football MC
🏈 Virgin MC
🏈 Friends to enemies to lovers
🏈 Hurt/comfort
🏈 Grumpy/Sunshine
🏈 Diverse Side Characters
🏈 Mystery/ Suspense
Then pick up this book like yesterday! I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, and I seriously hope it's about Taylor (or Buchanan) because I adored him 🥰 What a golden retriever of a best friend.
I could rave about this book for paragraphs, but I'm also trying not to spoil anything for those who wish to read it in the future 😂, which is sooo hard! Dillon and Jamie's road is paved with hardship, and every imaginable bump comes along to tear them apart but it is well worth it in the end 👏👏. I will definitely be thinking about this book for weeks to come, and it's definitely a top read for 2024 as well❤️❤️
I don't know where to start with this review because WOW 💥. I finished this book a day or two ago, and normally I instantly start another book but I had to sit with this one for a bit, which is rare for me. Skyla Raines debut was hands down 5/5 ⭐, absolutely beautiful, Heart-Wrenching and warming all in one. A KO to the heart ❤️. I seriously adored this book with everything I am, and I'm so excited to see what else the author has in store for us!
Jamie and Dillon's story is not easy, but it is spectacular. It's raw and rough around the edges, but the whole time you're rooting for them. It's rare in a bully romance, to not slightly hate one character, but in this I didn't. Don't get me wrong, there were times I was on the edge of my proverbial seat screaming at Dillon but Skyla paints a life portrait of these characters in such a real way that it's easy to see where he's coming from.
If you like
🏈 Bully Romance
🏈 Football MC
🏈 Virgin MC
🏈 Friends to enemies to lovers
🏈 Hurt/comfort
🏈 Grumpy/Sunshine
🏈 Diverse Side Characters
🏈 Mystery/ Suspense
Then pick up this book like yesterday! I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, and I seriously hope it's about Taylor (or Buchanan) because I adored him 🥰 What a golden retriever of a best friend.
I could rave about this book for paragraphs, but I'm also trying not to spoil anything for those who wish to read it in the future 😂, which is sooo hard! Dillon and Jamie's road is paved with hardship, and every imaginable bump comes along to tear them apart but it is well worth it in the end 👏👏. I will definitely be thinking about this book for weeks to come, and it's definitely a top read for 2024 as well❤️❤️
July 5, 2025
This book is raw and emotional. So much hurt and confusion between Jamie and Dillon. At first I didn’t really connect with Dillon but as the story goes and we get to see the past and who he really is, he’s not hard to feel for and love. Jamie I loved from the beginning, he’s just so sweet 🥰 I loved how they all came together and helped Dillon and Jamie find their HEA.
July 19, 2024
The Lies We Tell Ourselves
Jamie has always been the shy kid, even though he could make any room light up the moment he walked into it, but for some reason people always had it out for him. Until Dillon that day he saved him from getting beat up by two bullies on the playground, after that day there was only Dillon. But even at home his light was trying to be snuffed out. His mother was where his rock next to Dillon, but the day she said run, that is what he did. That day so much in his life changed, it went from his highest joy, to his darkest fears. Five years later he is still looking over his shoulder, five years later he's off to college with tears in his eyes for the people he no longer has in his life. So he though, five years later he comes face to face with the one person he has longed for more than anyone other than his mom. Dillon.
Dillon was on a path to the NFL, that was the end goal that his dad had planned out for him ever since the day he threw the perfect spiral in the front yard. He had never been one to show his feelings, he was always told to shove them down and be a man. There was only one person that he could be his true self around, one person who made him feel, and that was Jamie. The day after the most amazing moment of his young life, he'd become shattered, he'd never felt so alone, betrayed, shattered. But five years later all the pain he'd shoved to the depths had come roaring back to the surface. The bluest eyes that haunted his dreams were looking back at him, eyes he never thought he'd see again. Jamie.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
O.M.G Skyla, I do not know what you put into this book but I am going to need more, please and thank you. This debut novel did not disappoint in the slightest for me, I loved this book. There was angst, there was so many LGBQ communities represented in the best of ways, the side characters all beautifully wound into the story, Jamie and Dillon will hold a piece of my heart forever! Jamie is the definition of sunshine, Dillon though broody is the biggest grumpy teddy bear there ever was. I. LOVED. THIS, BOOK.
Jamie has always been the shy kid, even though he could make any room light up the moment he walked into it, but for some reason people always had it out for him. Until Dillon that day he saved him from getting beat up by two bullies on the playground, after that day there was only Dillon. But even at home his light was trying to be snuffed out. His mother was where his rock next to Dillon, but the day she said run, that is what he did. That day so much in his life changed, it went from his highest joy, to his darkest fears. Five years later he is still looking over his shoulder, five years later he's off to college with tears in his eyes for the people he no longer has in his life. So he though, five years later he comes face to face with the one person he has longed for more than anyone other than his mom. Dillon.
Dillon was on a path to the NFL, that was the end goal that his dad had planned out for him ever since the day he threw the perfect spiral in the front yard. He had never been one to show his feelings, he was always told to shove them down and be a man. There was only one person that he could be his true self around, one person who made him feel, and that was Jamie. The day after the most amazing moment of his young life, he'd become shattered, he'd never felt so alone, betrayed, shattered. But five years later all the pain he'd shoved to the depths had come roaring back to the surface. The bluest eyes that haunted his dreams were looking back at him, eyes he never thought he'd see again. Jamie.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
O.M.G Skyla, I do not know what you put into this book but I am going to need more, please and thank you. This debut novel did not disappoint in the slightest for me, I loved this book. There was angst, there was so many LGBQ communities represented in the best of ways, the side characters all beautifully wound into the story, Jamie and Dillon will hold a piece of my heart forever! Jamie is the definition of sunshine, Dillon though broody is the biggest grumpy teddy bear there ever was. I. LOVED. THIS, BOOK.
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