The Lies We Believe

Without Limits #2

by Skyla Raines

He was my safe place.

My protector.

My home.


River

Unwanted. Broken. Used.

I spent my childhood bouncing through foster care until I finally ran away, only to end up in the hands of a devil disguised in elegance. She promised me dreams spun in gold, but beneath the surface, they were nothing but sweet lies.

Now, I was trapped in a life where my worth was measured by others' desires, my screams unheard, my tears falling silently in the dark. The only thing stopping me from wishing it would all end was the thought of a boy from my past, the one with mismatched eyes—one like a clear summer’s sky, the other deep and shadowy like a forest. He was a fleeting spark of hope in a world that had none. A dream I never thought I’d hold on to.

The lies we clung to never came true... until they did. And when they did, they mocked us with their cruelty.

Bane

My world shattered the day my family was taken from me, plunging me into the foster system. I was lost and broken until I found solace in a boy with deep emerald eyes. He became my anchor, pulling me from the edge with his quiet smiles and steady presence. For two years, he was my everything, the one thing keeping me together.

After that loss, I vowed to make a difference—to fight for the innocent, protect the vulnerable, and bring justice to those who had none. I never thought the biggest case of my career would bring me face-to-face with the boy who had once seen straight through me. And I never expected the flood of emotion that would follow.

He was no longer the boy I remembered. He was hurt, broken, twisted by the cruelty of the world. I needed him for the case, but all I wanted was to shield him, to keep him for myself. I was torn between my duty to the greater good and the deep pull of a heart I didn’t even know I had.

Genres: M M Romance, Dark, LGBT, Dark Romance, Mental Health

434 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2024

About the author

Skyla 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.

Reviews

[readingwithmiaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️
2.5🌶️



Y’all, This Book Was Overall A Pretty Good Book. The Ending Was Really Sweet And I Loved It And River And Bane Were Just Really Sweet And Emotional Separately, But Together, They Really Do Shine Bright. My Problem Was The Plot And How The Book Was Going Everywhere, It Was Just Not My Vibe. And I Wasn’t Into The Plot For Most Of This Book, It Didn’t Interest Me Most Of The Time And To Me It Was Really Messy And Needed A But If Fixing. But Again Overall Would Recommend This If You Want A Really Emotional Book, This Is Perfect For You. I Can’t Wait To Read More By Skyla Tho Because Her Writing I Really Like And They Were So Really Good Quotes Here💕🫶

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story gripped me from the 1st page. It opened with a bang, pulled no punches & I don't think I've yet recovered!
Poor poor baby River..... I just wanted to hug him! The trauma & abuse he endured, the physical & emotional scars this boy has..... obviously this results in his mental health decline & him not knowing what his mind is telling him is true against what he wants so desperately to believe. He just wants to know love but doesn't think he is worthy, certainly not of his previous foster brother from when they were just boys....
Bane....stumbles upon a cases involving the boy he once knew....but not as he once knew him. Bane is such a big hearted guy, trying to do what is right, torn between his job, his beliefs & the River he remembers. Can he show River that he is deserves the world?
Both boys show a great deal of growth after their combined childhoods, the struggle to over come the world around them & see the value in each other.
Emotional journey & the author did well with such sensitive subjects - read trigger warnings!

🖤Interracial
🩵Former foster brothers
🖤Demi MC
🩵Hurt/Comfort
🖤Selective mute
🩵Who hurt you
🖤Creative communication
🩵Mental health rep
🖤Sexual assault/trafficking

[Danielle Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

River never knew his mother, he’s been in the system his entire life. Bounced around from house to house, none could be considered home. River was always considered a rotten apple due to him being nonverbal. There has only ever been one place River felt semi safe, there is only one person who he’s ever talked to. Jacob “Bane” Benson until the day he was adopted, after that River’s life went from safe and warm to surviving and freezing. Until he was promised food and shelter, he didn’t know that would come at a cost, his freedom, the last tether of his soul.

Bane lived with survivors guilt, he may be alive but living without your parents is no easy feat for a child. Being orphaned and uprooted from all you know was too much, all he could do was cry. There was one silver lining to his situation and that was his little shadow he’d gained while at his new foster home. He was small, and didn’t speak but he brought comfort in his silence. The day River spoke to him was the day his life turned around, 2 years of the happiest years of his life until his adoption. You’d think that would bring happiness but he was a fill in for someone they’d lost. So the moment he could separate from them he did, and joined the police academy. Where his life came full circle the face that has lived in his dreams and thoughts sits before him, broken, bruised, and so beautiful. River Lane.

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Skyla, wow! This book and its beautifully broken men! River who feels less than because he’s been passed around and used against his will. Bane who just wants to serve and protect with a heart as big as him! But his respect for River and his past is just so beautiful your heart will break but don’t worry Bane will put it all back together. This book is heavy, with emotions, and triġġers, please be mindful of those.

[Shyandmoodreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favourite New Author Of 2024

Okay seriously, where has this author been all my life?! I am OBSESSED! I love her writing. It's everything 💜 and I'm so honoured to be able to read this for Skyla 😍 this is only the 2nd full length novel by her and I'm already chomping at the bit for more 🤣.

This book is a masterpiece, it's so beautiful and tells a story of hardship and triumph. Poor River has been through so many atrocities and is still the most amazing soul 🥹 thankfully he reunites with his Bane, who will stop at nothing to protect and cherish him.

Be aware of your triggers though everyone because this book is heavy and has some graphic scenes that may not be your cup of tea. As always, your mental health is the most important 💜.

I loved how flawed these characters were too, they made big mistakes, they hurt not only each other but themselves all while trying their best not to. It makes them believable and SO real because, at the end of the day, humans aren't perfect and that's what gives these characters their humanity 💜. River and Bane are 💯 made for one another though and you won't regret picking this up if you like your books dark, gritty and heavy on the angst!

The spice was also so good 🥵😈🔥 when River submits to Bane and Bane gives in to River, it's honestly 💥🫠🤯🤤. So good! This book isn't as spicy as her previous but it fits better with the plot, the characters and the overall aesthetic of the book as well!

However, I shall stop rambling before I give too much away 😈 I can't wait to be here to see what else this author has in store!

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the heartbreaking story of River.
River is used, abused, kept prisoner, starved, beaten, and heavily s€xual assaulted, on and on. If you know it in detail… my heart cracked.
This is all from a young age.

There is only one human he has good memories of: Bane.
But these memories are already eighteen years old.

Just like River, Bane came from the foster system. Bane works now at a different system, justice.
His new case is a malnourished, broken, muted boy, found under bad circumstances and in an even worse condition. Imagine the shock when Bane understands it’s River!

They were each other's light and safe space. Bane makes it his mission to save River and take care of him. Does River, who prays every night not to wake up the next day, want to be saved?

Watch them, and their dynamic. That’s what this story is mostly about. We also get to know the horrible facts. It’s cruelly rough, keep that in your mind before you start reading! 
Overall it was a gritty hard dark read. Captivatingly written and intriguing af.

[anna_79_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart bleeds and my souls cries for what River’s been through 💔❤️‍🩹 How he can find the strength to go on after the life he’s had is something else. He’s so strong!!

Skyla you have outdone yourself with River and Bane’s story!! Thank you for giving River a solid rock to lean on, to help him see the value he has!

Bane’s love for River is solid, strong, protective and so deep and steady.

I cried several times while reading. Please check the trigger warnings though before you dive in, since there are some very heavy topics in this amazing story. I will carry these boys is my heart for a long time 🥰

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing on a TBR/Beat-The-Backlog kick (and ignoring my ARCs kick). Here's "The Lies We Believe" by Skyla Raines. It's the second novel in her Without Limits series.

["He was my safe place.

My protector.
My home.

River
Unwanted. Broken. Used.
I spent my childhood bouncing through foster care until I finally ran away, only to end up in the hands of a devil disguised in elegance. She promised me dreams spun in gold, but beneath the surface, they were nothing but sweet lies.
Now, I was trapped in a life where my worth was measured by others' desires, my screams unheard, my tears falling silently in the dark. The only thing stopping me from wishing it would all end was the thought of a boy from my past, the one with mismatched eyes—one like a clear summer’s sky, the other deep and shadowy like a forest. He was a fleeting spark of hope in a world that had none. A dream I never thought I’d hold on to.
The lies we clung to never came true... until they did. And when they did, they mocked us with their cruelty.

Bane
My world shattered the day my family was taken from me, plunging me into the foster system. I was lost and broken until I found solace in a boy with deep emerald eyes. He became my anchor, pulling me from the edge with his quiet smiles and steady presence. For two years, he was my everything, the one thing keeping me together.
After that loss, I vowed to make a difference—to fight for the innocent, protect the vulnerable, and bring justice to those who had none. I never thought the biggest case of my career would bring me face-to-face with the boy who had once seen straight through me. And I never expected the flood of emotion that would follow.
He was no longer the boy I remembered. He was hurt, broken, twisted by the cruelty of the world. I needed him for the case, but all I wanted was to shield him, to keep him for myself. I was torn between my duty to the greater good and the deep pull of a heart I didn’t even know I had."]

Well THAT was all kinds of painful. Like all kinda of painful. You start to feel like you can uncurl and let the blanket fall from your face a bit, and then booooom, more pain. So basically River, River's life, River's trauma, River's pain. The small bits of safety were Bane (and Shadow), but the life, the trauma, the pain, the reality (or the lies we believe (see what I did there)) demand attention.

Which made their progress and their successes and their happily ever after all the more sweet.

Trigger Warnings: child abuse (mental, psychological, physical, sexual), abuse, mental health rep, panic attacks, suicidal ideation, loss of loved ones, sex work/trafficking, drug use, sexual assault/rape, stalking, physical assault, attempted murder, murder, manipulation, homophobia, and more.

#thelieswetellourselves #thelieswebelieve #liesofomission #theliesoftemptation #skylaraines #withoutlimits #withoutlimitsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

[Fannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but…
🖤Hurt/comfort
💛trauma bond
🖤MM
💛demisexual rep
🖤selective mute
💛slow burn(lots of angst)
🖤spice 🌶️🌶️

This is my first book by this author and the premises was good and the book had a world of potential. The characters had depth and you become emotionally attached to their stories it’s that involving. there was lots of jumping around and miscommunication and the plot became confusing. We would be in a conversation then the next page it’s like the plot was lost(Bane expressed his feelings can see river is struggling but says it’s okay I’ll make you believe it everyday then next chapter he’s saying he’s hurt river didn’t express the same feelings back and is lost and doesn’t know what to do). The amount of Emotional miscommunication between two people who couldn’t afford such a disconnect and it constantly happening was painful as well . I loved Rivers strength and Banes emotional intelligence to know he wasn’t enough to heal all of rivers trauma and I wish there was full development between conversations and things didn’t get cut off or we jump to intimacy at awkward times(River was going to run away to”help/save Bane but then goes on a ride with bane. they kiss Bane pushes river away and river no longer feels safe in his arms,next chapter Banes sleep having a sex dream and river is giving him oral irl). I had to go back and read just to attempt to figure out what was happening when I legitimately just read that previous sentence or chapter. However, If you can get past that and are okay with going back, rereading paragraphs or sentences leading to new chapters and closely following and piecing together what’s happening yourself this book is good. It’s emotional and has a lot of damage but Skyla made some amazing characters who are strong brave and resilient .

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
 
Another gripping addition to the Without Limits series! Broken boys with mental health rep is always so emotionally difficult to read but is so worth it when done with love and sensitivity – Skyla Raines captures this well.
 
Bane is a man torn between a job he loves and believes in and the boy he once knew; there is a complexity with which he struggles as he navigates trying to do right by both. What I love most about him is that he is flawed. We see his inability to make the best choices all the time which breathes life into his character. The fact he struggles with this inability but always has the best of intentions makes him beautifully real. I love the way we get so see how his childhood has also left a lasting impact on his adult life.
 
And then there’s River. The trauma he has endured manifests itself in so many ways – each complex and difficult to read but so easy to understand. A lifetime of abuse can trigger so many different kinds of responses and I love that we see that truth honored in River’s thoughts and actions. The way he flounders with what his mind is telling him and what he wants so desperately to believe is so well done.
 
There is so much on page trauma in this book – please check your triggers – but I really love how this author honors Bane and River’s journey to healing.

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

River + Bane

-mm dark romance
-former foster brothers
-selective mute
-broken boy
-demi mmc
-hurt/comfort

omgggg my poor poor poor baby river!! he really been thruuuuu it!! this book was dark & held no punches but our hero bane really came to the rescue for our boy! river deserves everything good in the world!!

[Jordyn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bane let River down one to many times for me he kept making all these promises and didn’t keep any of them he was never there for him because he continuously chose his job and the case over him and that broke me for River when the Mitchell brothers found him that was my last straw with Bane because River had called him and asked him to come home and he chose to not only stay at work but to drive out of the city and than waited 40 minutes after knowing something was wrong to drive the hour back to him and he could’ve called Sharon and her husband on the drive back so they could’ve gotten to him faster. River went through sooooo much and he deserved so much better than Bane

[Jenna Polito · Rating 5 out of 5]

River—

My sweet, sweet River. I just want to squeeze him and keep him safe in my pocket. He has been through so much that I’m honestly surprised that he’s still standing by the time Bane comes back into his life. He is so much stronger than he gives himself credit for. The way this author wrote his struggles with his trauma was done so perfectly. I honestly felt like I was right there inside his head battling them with him.

“He was my center, my true north. My internal compass would always lead to him.”

Bane—

I loved the way that Bane fought for River through this book. Even when he battled with himself on his feelings he still made a point to be whatever River needed. They’re honestly the exact thing that each other had needed since they lost each other.

“River had come back into my life like a wrecking ball that shook the foundations of everything I believed.”



This book had my emotions wound so tight that I never wanted to put it down. I cannot wait to see what this author brings us next.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lies We Believe is devastating and SO GOOD. Be prepared to have your heart ripped out and torn to shreds for these two, especially our sweet River. I just want to wrap him up and keep him safe forever. Which is such a Bane type of thought.

I loved how this story had a slight thriller/suspense feel to it as well, and it often felt like I was watching a favorite crime tv show, but with a heavy dose of sweet and spicy romance. River’s point of view always broke me. The pain he has gone through and endured, and the way he fights to keep going, even as his mind is telling him not to. Ooof. Bane is absolutely right.. River is the strongest of us all.

I wish I could keep reading about Bane and River forever, but I do love their ending. They deserve everything good. A very hard fought HEA.

I can’t wait to read more from author Skyla Raines! Thank you so much for the ARC opportunity.

[Brita Mackay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bane was always Rivers safe place.

Rivers protector.

Rivers home.

River has always felt unwanted, broken, and used.

River spent most of his childhood jumping from foster home to foster home until he finally ran away and put an end to the bouncing around. Sadly, after running away, River ended up in the hands of the devil. The devil was just dressed up and disguised in elegance. This devil managed to promise River all his dreams, that they would come true and all dressed in gold. Sadly, under the surface, it was all lies. It was sweet but lies non-the-less.

Now, River is trapped in a life he despises, his worth is only measured by the desires of others and his screams are going unheard, his tears fall unseen in the dark where he shivers, huddled in the corner trying to stay warm. All that stops River from ending it himself is his memory of the boy from his past, his one friend with the mismatched eyes, the one that looks like a clear summer's sky and the other a deep and shadowy forest. He's a fleeting spark of hope in a world that has left none for him to hold on to. This is the boy that River never thought he'd hold on to.

The lies River held to for dear life were never meant to come true... until the day that his one grand lie actually came true. And when it did come true, others mocked him for it with nothing but cruelty.

Bane's life shattered the day his family was ripped away from him, and he was plunged into an unknown world, a world he'd been told to fear, the foster system. He was lost, scared, and alone. That is till he found a boy with emerald eyes and suddenly he wasn't alone anymore. For the next two years, that boy, River, was Bane's sanity and pulled Bane back from the edge with his quiet smiles and steady presence. River was Bane's everything and helped to keep Bane together.

When Bane was taken out of the foster system, he was once again ripped away from his family, and he never saw River again. With that loss, Bane swore he was going to make a difference in the world and fight for the innocent, protect the vulnerable, and fight for justice to those who couldn't fight for justice themselves. Bane never thought that his biggest case though was going to bring him face to face with the ghost of his past, the boy who could see straight through him. And what's more, Bane never expected the flood of emotions and memories that would follow.

When reality finally hit Bane, he realized that River was no longer the same boy he remembered. River was now a hurt, broken, and twisted man. Bane desperately needed River for the case, but Bane also wanted to shield him, keep him safe, and for himself. Bane was torn between duty to the greater good and the deeper pull of a heart he didn't even know he had anymore.


I love Skyla Raines. I have read her other book, and I just love her books, her writing style, and the stories that she crafts. I will admit that even though this is only her 2nd full-length novel, I am obsessed with her books, and I just can't get enough, and I am just chomping at the bit for more. I would be happy if she had published a book every couple of months. (I know, not realistic.)

This book, it's perfection. It's a masterpiece, and it's just so perfect. The way Skyla crafts a story of pain, hardship, and triumph. It's the story of River and the atrocities he has to suffer, and yet through it all, the amazing soul he still has. And when he is reunited with his one childhood friend, Bane, it's triumphant. And the way Bane will go through anything and everything to protect River and show him love, kindness, and prove to him he is actually worthy of good things.

YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Know your triggers. The tw/cw in this book include but are not limited to: child abuse (mental, psychological, physical, sexual), abuse, mental health rep, panic attacks, suicidal ideation, loss of a loved one, sex work/trafficking, drug use, sexual assault/rape, stalking, physical assault, attempted murder, murder, manipulation, graphic sex, mention of homophobia.

I adored how real these characters feel. They are not perfect. They are just as flawed as you and me. They have made their own big mistakes, they have hurt themselves and they have hurt each other and others even though they never meant to. This helps in making them real and believable. I adored River and Bane together. It was like they were made for each other.

I am slowly learning to appreciate good, well written MM, and Skyla has written just that. The spice in this book is excellent. And when River finally gives in to Bane of his own free will, it's honestly perfect. While this book isn't as spicy as Skyla's other book, the spice is perfect for the theme, tropes, and aesthetic of this book.

[Bookandmischief06 · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dreams were just that—a fallacy, an illusion. Something pretty that helped get you through your darkest moments. But they would never become real; they were just the lies we believed.”

I want to start off and say this book deals with some incredibly dark themes, on and off page. You will want to check your trigger warnings and be mindful if you’re sensitive to any themes of sexual violence, trafficking, etc.

I was blown away by the grit of this story, in a good way. Based on the first sentence in the prologue, I knew this book was going to catch my attention, hook, line and sinker. This book is very dark and deals with a very realistic storyline. It was a very emotional read.

River and Bane both come from the foster care world. They were both raised in the system, River having never known his family or any life outside of the constant upheaval of his life. Of the constant fear of rejections, the constant feeling of never being good enough for anyone to want to keep him. Bane lost his family at a young age and was thrust into the foster care system, where he met a 7 year old River when he was 12. In Bane, River really found someone he felt could protect him, someone he could talk to and rely on. And then it was all snatched from him as Bane was eventually adopted by a wealthy family, leaving River to the atrocities that would be committed against his will. Years later, the crimes committed against River would lead him back to Bane, but he’s not the same person Bane knew. He’s shattered, broken, skittish and mute.

My heart absolutely broke for River. Skyla did such a phenomenal job showing River’s traumas over and over. Sometimes you could feel the frustration through the page. It felt like you were always going in circles with River’s emotions. Like it was a repeat of 2 chapters before, but this is how PTSD works, this is how trauma works. River’s negative self-beliefs and psychological anguish were so palatable throughout the entirety of this book. His character development was on full display at every turn. He was never quite the same character from chapter to chapter as he battled to deal with his traumas and tried to heal the broken parts of himself. But just as in real life, it was always 2 steps forward and 1 step back. I really loved how Skyla handled River and how she never rushed to make him whole.

Bane was such a frustrating character for me as he was 2 sides of the same coin. Bane is not only traumatized from his time in the system but also from the loss of his family. He has some pretty significant abandonment issues but he also seems to struggle a lot with communication (this is where my frustration with him came into play). On the other side, he’s a detective. He’s been trained to keep his emotions at bay and his thoughts to himself. Even with that frustration over Bane’s inability to communicate effectively, I fell in love with his character. Bane desperately wanted to be the hero in this story, yet he himself was battling his own guilts and shortcomings, as well as his own negative self-beliefs. He was also battling his new responsibilities to River against his responsibilities towards his job, making his communication with River nearly ineffectual. While he understood that River couldn’t or wouldn’t share every thought, Bane seemed to struggle significantly to empathize with the actual psychological toll River’s history had taken on him. This leads to Bane making numerous mistakes (which he owns up to) throughout the story. He is a very flawed character and that makes him understandable and someone I could empathize with.

This book is both highly character and plot driven. Both seemed to have an even amount of spotlight put on them and I really enjoyed how River was the sun while Bane and the plot were like planets orbiting around him. The focus on him and his story was always at the center of everything else that was happening. You were constantly left guessing if River could overcome his deep psychological beliefs about himself or if the next emotional hit would cause him to make a decision he couldn’t undo. I gave this book 4.5���. My one and only complaint was I felt the ending was just a bit rushed compared to the rest of the book. I would have liked to see better pacing to the ending but it didn’t change my overall opinion of the story itself.

[Jessie J melka · Rating 2 out of 5]

{The Lies We Believe}
Arc review by Jessie Melka
___________•___________

“Dreams were just that—a fallacy, an illusion. Something pretty that helped get you through your darkest moments. “

BLURB START:

River
Unwanted. Broken. Used.
I spent my childhood bouncing through foster care until I finally ran away, only to end up in the hands of a devil disguised in elegance. She promised me dreams spun in gold, but beneath the surface, they were nothing but sweet lies.

The lies we clung to never came true... until they did. And when they did, they mocked us with their cruelty.

Bane
My world shattered the day my family was taken from me, plunging me into the foster system. I was lost and broken until I found solace in a boy with deep emerald eyes. He became my anchor, pulling me from the edge with his quiet smiles and steady presence. For two years, he was my everything, the one thing keeping me together.

He was no longer the boy I remembered. He was hurt, broken, twisted by the cruelty of the world. I needed him for the case, but all I wanted was to shield him, to keep him for myself. I was torn between my duty to the greater good and the deep pull of a heart I didn’t even know I had.

BLURB END:

READ THE TRIGGERS!! seriously I just dove straight in and I was shocked good shocked but still shocked no one has ever had me crying an the first chap I can’t even explain why it hit me so hard

The Lies We Believe is the second book in the Without Limits series by Skyla I was honestly extremely excited going into this book because of how much I liked the first one “The Lies we Tell Ourselves” and God may I say I really love that book in this story disregarding my rating was a beautiful heartbreaking and so incredibly captivating story. I really cried so much and I healed too but shit there were moments where I was like fuck I need, I need five seconds right now. I’m gonna break down.

“Don’t make me fall for you, Bane, because there will be no one there to catch me if I do.”

You might be wondering about my rating of this book but honestly the story was so freaking beautiful it’s just the way it was written. It doesn’t really connect with me personally and there were some
Weird time skips Sometimes I feel like I’m reading two different stories and there were times where I thought I was completely out of the loop and I was afraid that I was missing the plot not to worry though you do kind of get into it again but for me it was just kind of hard focusing on so many things at once

Before I go into the spicy part of this book, I just wanna talk about how crazy I think It was when River asked bane to teach him about true pleasure and it was his first time experience actual pleasure that wasn’t forced on him and Bane went with fucking rimming!! that just blows my mind there was so many ways he could’ve introduced him to true pleasure not to discriminate the way that the scene was so freaking hot. I had to find my face because I was overheating.(rimming is my favorit Thing btw/tmi)

“It’ll probably take him a while before he can trust your words aren’t pretty lies. The lies we believe are the most dangerous, especially when the truth is so hard to hear.”

Okay, but now to something serious yet extremely un serious . Seriously, what the hell is wrong with these cops there are terrible at the communication? I have a hard time thinking that this is something that actually happens in the justice system if you could call it that I’m not talking about the rats I’m talking about how they worked as a whole something about it just seems off.

And to my final thought : The true plot of the story was Bane’s eyes seriously I just know they are beautiful because of how much they are discussed in the book ;)

What is with all the attitude? I seriously feel sorry for all the nurses in this.

I rated this book a 2.5 out of 5 I really honestly wish I could give it more but I was so confused doing 50% of the book that I couldn’t find it in myself to rate it higher even though mind you the story itself is so beautiful and it is worth reading 1000 times over so please look over my rating and read it for yourself it deserves a chance because just because it isn’t my cup of tea doesn’t mean it can be yours until next time my loves

Rating: 2,5/5
Spice: 2/5
Angst: 4/5
Would I read again: probably not

(I received an advance copy for free and I’m leaving this review voluntarily)

💚Former Foster Brothers
🩵Demi MC
💚Selective Mutism
🩵Hurt/Comfort
💚Who Hurt You
🩵Mental Health Rep
___________•___________

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a hard read; because of what River had to endure but also many things were so frustrating and I wanted to throttle Bane so many times. First time was already when they saved River from the hotel and they met again after all those years; Bane just took off and left River in the room all alone, in handcuffs after what he’d been through -and went to get coffee???!

Also River _identified_ Davis as one of Dahlia’s men and they just… let him continue being on the job!!?? he had all the information about the raids etc. I’m sorry but what the f was that? And Bane didn’t even realise to check the security after he knew about Davis (who set the whole security thing up). Also they knew that Dahlia knew where River was and that she would come after them and they/he still left River all alone in the house (with the security Davis put up)!!!!! These things shouldn’t have happened and it didn’t make any sense. 😤🤨⁉️

But anyway, other than many stupid things happening, I enjoyed reading their story, River deserved his happy ending and so much more. I loved his character and I never get fed up reading these stories about broken souls healing ❤️‍🩹 also the writing was beautiful in many parts. I also kinda enjoyed that this book had less 🌶️ scenes.


”Being around River has been like nothing I’ve ever felt. Initially, I thought it was our childhood friendship reestablishing itself into something stronger. But over the weeks, it’s like he’s become my sun, and I’m orbiting around him, drawn to him on a cellular level but never able to get close enough. The need to protect and care for him has become a necessity. A need. He is the air I need to function. Over time, he’s started to let me in, allowing me to see behind his walls. With each glimpse, I feel like I’ve become Icarus. I don’t care if I get burned; I want him.” The way Bane spoke about River 🫶🏼


“ I would love you in any form, in any world, in any time, with any past. All I want is you. Never doubt that I would lay my life down for yours without a second thought, because you are worth fighting for. You, River, are everything. ”
’His words settled into my soul, etched in starlight and dreams. And I knew at that moment that I would not let this chance slip through my fingers like the sands of time—I would fight for the ember coming to life in my heart. I had never known love in any form, but what I felt for Bane was what I believed love to be. I would love him like the world was ending, because I knew what a lifetime without it was like.’ ❤️‍🩹

[Julia Toth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25☆

I enjoyed this book, but be prepared for heavier themes. The things River went through in his 25 years were honestly horrible and it made me so sad for him. My heart hurt when I read all of the things he went through before encountering Bane again, after Bane was adopted. I enjoyed learning about their shared history. Both Bane and River had their own traumas, and I loved that Bane tried to help River with his. I really wanted them to communicate better for most of the book, but I understand why that wasn't possible, River growing up and living in the conditions he lived in he didn't see good communication modelled for him. And I also understand why didn't take everything Bane said at face value. River leading the life he led influenced a lot of his reactions and actions, but his heart was in the right place. Bane was trying everything he could to help River and his love was palpable. Their feelings for each other ran deep and I'm glad they could solve the case and emjoy their life together.
Sometimes I did feel like I didn't have all the pieces to the puzzle of the story and in the end things were implied rather than stated. I would have liked to read more about River and Bane working through their traumas and issues to make their relationship work, but I understand that solving the Black Dahlia case was also very important and necessary for River's safety.

All in all, an enjoyable read, but be prepared for darker, heavier themes and a lot of bad things happening to River.

I received a copy of this book from the Author, and this is my honest review.

[Chanel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Skyla has done it again.
Everything she writes is a masterpiece.

The Lies We Believe is centred around River and Bane.
Fostered in the same house when they were younger, they go their separate ways once Bane is adopted and River runs away to a life on the streets where he is used, abused, kept prisoner and assaulted.
Until their paths cross again.
Together they try to navigate through River's pain and trauma and Bane's determination to bring the culprits to justice.

Oh my heart ached for River and everything he had been through. How can one person go through so much. Skyla wrote River's story with so much care. He had so much healing to do. He believed himself unworthy of Bane, of love, of happiness. His journey through it all was tough, gut-wrenching but his strength through it all was inspiring.

And our sweet protective Bane. His love for River runs deep. He wants to give him the world and will do anything it takes to prove his love and devotion to River. He will fight for him and burn down the world to make sure he is safe.

This book will have you crying, it's emotional and will break your heart at times as River and Bane fight to get their happy ending. It is a hard fought HEA.
It really is a beautiful, emotional read.

Skyla is such a talented author and whether it's a pitch black romance or a beautiful story of love she excels. Every. Single. Time.

River and Bane will stay with me for a very long time.

Remember to check your TW's as this book does deal with some very heavy topics.

Rated ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶🌶

[Gennea Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lies We Believe absolutely wrecked me. River and Bane’s story hit in a way that lingers long after the last page, and I don’t say that lightly. From their individual backstories to the way their lives collide in the present, this book is pure emotional devastation in the most beautiful way.

River has truly lived in hell. His past is heartbreaking and soaked in pain, yet somehow he still carries a smile, still offers warmth, still loves fiercely. His resilience gutted me. Every chapter peeled back another layer of suffering he never deserved, and watching him keep going made my chest ache.

Bane is just as broken, but in a different way. He’s haunted by his past and by the constant belief that he isn’t worthy of real love. That he’s only ever meant to be a placeholder, never someone’s forever. His fear of not being enough felt painfully real, and it made every moment of vulnerability hit harder.

Together, River and Bane are breathtaking. Their love is deep, raw, and unwavering. They don’t just care for each other, they choose each other, over and over again, even when it hurts. They would sacrifice themselves for one another without hesitation, and that kind of devotion shattered me.

And that happy ending? I was in tears. Full on crying. After everything they endured, seeing them finally claim their peace and their love felt so earned and so powerful.

Skyla Raines wrote this story with so much heart and care. It’s dark, emotional, healing, and unforgettable.

This book is a must read. Five stars, no hesitation.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Book Review: The Lies We Believe by Skyla Raines ✨

Gut-wrenching. Gripping. Beautiful. 😭 If you’re looking for a story that rips your heart out, stomps on it a little, then carefully pieces it back together, this one’s for you. But please—read the trigger warnings first! 🚨 This book dives into some dark and gritty themes that aren’t for the faint of heart.

River and Bane’s journey is everything. From childhood trauma to a messy, raw reunion, their story feels so real it hurts (in the best way). River’s pain is written with such care—you feel every ounce of it—and watching him find safety and love again? 🥹 It’s the kind of healing journey that leaves you breathless.

And Bane? He’s the perfect mix of flawed and protective 💔. Torn between his job and his heart, he fights for River in ways that’ll have you rooting for them from page one. These two boys are broken, but their love feels like the home they’ve both been searching for. 🏡

This isn’t just a romance; it’s an experience. 🌌 From moments of heartbreak to a hard-won HEA, you’ll laugh, cry, ok bawl, and maybe need a breather (or two). It’s not as spicy as some of Skyla’s other works, but the emotions? 🔥 They hit just as hard.

Skyla Raines, you’ve done it again. 💜 Grab this book if you love dark, emotional reads that don’t shy away from the tough stuff. Trust me, River and Bane will stay with you long after that final page.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book but this is my honest and voluntary review!*

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE LIES WE BELIEVE BY SKYLA RAINES ARC REVIEW

“He was my protector. My home. My safe place.”

Another beautiful and heart breaking story written by Skyla Raines. The Lies We Believe is book two in the Without Limits series about River and Bane. This book was an emotional and difficult read but it was worth it.

This story is about River and Bane, two broken boys who lost each other and went their separate ways but miraculously found each other again after a long time.

Both of them met in foster care, there was instant connection between them and they were each others safe place during hard and difficult times but things happen and they went their separate ways as Bane left River behind.

This book is definitely darker than the first one as it deals with trafficking and has graphic scenes on page. It was hard to read but what I loved about this book was River and Bane’s emotional connection to each other. Their journey wasn’t easy. My heart broke for River and he’s possibly one of the strongest characters. I loved how protective Bane was of River. All he wanted was to keep River safe but he was torn between his Job and his heart but the way he fights for River to keep him alive was very noble.

Overall, this book was gut wrenching, gripping, and beautiful and I loved River and Bane so much. Thank you so much to the author for sending me an ARC to read and review.

[mm_spice_reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Bane and River, two men who knew each other as boys when they were in the same foster home. Babe went on to have a fairly good life, while the opposite occurred for River. River got pulled into sex trafficking, and his story was absolutely heartbreaking. Bane is now a police officer, and the two find each other again when a part of the trafficking ring is busted and River is brought into the police station.

I truly felt for River in this, his story was wrought with despair and heartache and it's hard to truly fathom the abuse he endured. I struggled a bit with Bane's character. He was strong for me, in the beginning - then, it felt like his character was a bit wishy washy. The things he said he felt weren't always backed up by his actions.

There were parts of this book that kept it from being a truly amazing story for me. Parts felt very disjointed. The whole time, I kept thinking River needed to talk to a therapist. There would be mentions of it, and he would vehemently say no.. then, towards the end, Bane says something about him already having had video chats with a therapist, and then a line about River having spent alot of time working with the therapist... I felt like things of this nature happened quite often, things maybe happened "off page" but they needed to be told to the readers to maintain continuity of the story.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew what a ride! Every time I read Skyla’s books I just can’t get over how raw they are. There is no skating around or making the horrible trauma River went through less jarring. It’s exactly what I want when I read stories like this and it’s what the characters deserve. It’s raw and emotional and slightly uncomfortable, but that’s exactly how the story needs to be told! River has been in foster care his whole life and meets Bane when he is 7, in the only foster home he has felt safe in. Bane has lost his family and is 12 when he enters the same home and the two boys have a special bond from the beginning. River is selectively mute because of all his past trauma, but feels safe with Bane and talks to him only. They are family until they are separated and their lives go completely different ways. They meet again as adults Bane a detective and River a sex trafficking victim. Both men completely broken in their own ways, throw back together and somehow find love, safety, and a home they never had in each other. River and Bane are so beautiful, their story is so difficult and that HEA is really hard fought for. Be aware there were many tears shed while reading this book!

[Michaella Dieter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶
Darkness Level: 💀💀(relative)

⚠️ Much of the darkness contained in the book is in mentions or faded out. While there are very dark things that happen, most of it is not graphic. The author has done an excellent job of handling these topics sensitively.

Ŕąpē, manipulation, třaffïcƙïng, coercion, åbūsè, vïølěnce, mental health, hospital settings, kïdnāppinğ


So much of this story is heartbreaking. Skyla excels at drawing out the feelings and making you fall in love with the characters. There's Bane, who never really got over the loss of his family, and who is now a cop, just looking to help. And River...that poor boy never had a chance. His background was devastating, and showcases the life some are forced into just to survive.

Their story comes together, piece by piece, overcoming pasts, misunderstandings, PTSD, and other trials. I found myself crying at times, the emotions written into the words too much to bear. But I also was cheering them on, and the epilogue made me feel all kinds of mushy. I loved it.

Recommend for lovers of MM, who like their boys broken, but who come out the other side stronger with their love.

[Lyndsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, right out of the gate, this book comes out swinging with the emotional feels. Skyla Raines writes broken boys who love without limits, and she knows what she's doing!

"The lies we believe are the most dangerous, especially when the truth is so hard to hear.”

This storyline is unlike anything I've read before. I was immediately drawn into the world Skyla created. It deals with hard-hitting subject matter that's written beautifully. You immediately feel for River and Bane and the circumstances of their childhood upbringings. The side characters also felt well developed.

Now, I admit that at 48%, I ended up setting this book aside for a while. This was ENTIRELY a me thing! I'm a moody little mood reader, and my vibes changed from wanting dark and painful to needing happy and angst free STAT!

BUT I knew I had to come back to this story cause the characters in this book were strong! The writing style was great, and I love the other work from this author!

The miscommunication between these two was frustrating! River and Bane are two characters who can not afford to miscommunicate... and good lord, do they ever excel at it!

These boys went through it! Skyla put US through it! But in the end, love wins.

[Sarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY SHIT

This book absolutely destroyed me!! I didn't think it was going to be able to put me together again. I like to go into books with no warning, I don't read teasers or trigger warnings. I would suggest if you are not up for literally EVERYTHING, read those trigger warnings my friends. This is dark and relatively graphic! With that said I LOVED this book so much! Did I sob through so much of it? Yep, sure did! Do I plan to read it again? Yep, sure do!!

River is the strongest, most beautiful broken boy I think I have ever read! How he healed and became so kind and frankly pretty trusting I'll never understand. Bane I know was a huge part of that and we can all only hope to have a beautiful and all consuming love like theirs! River has scars that will be there for the rest of his like and Bane loves him through it all. Bane really went through his own hell and has some pretty deep scars as well, though his are on the inside. He still loves deeply. Loosing his family then to be adopted to a family trying to replace their lost son is so heart breaking. I'm so happy they got their happily ever after! 🥰

*AGAIN CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS!!! ⚠️

[Ella Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oof. There were so many feelings in this one. River broke my heart. Everything he experienced and went through. The way he thought of himself was so sad but so believable. River deserved healing and to find happiness and safety. Bane’s role in River’s past and his encouragement as they moved toward a future was thoughtful and done with a patient kindness that I thought fit the kind of trauma River had experienced. As a couple, I liked their balance together and I liked that mental health and counseling was something was encouraged by Bane.

The writing was good. I thought the material, which could definitely be difficult for some so mind the content warnings, was handled thoughtfully and with care. I think one of the things I would have liked was more about Bane’s past after leaving the home he was in with River. It also felt like their mutual attraction to each other happened really quickly, and it was inferred it came from their childhood connection, but I’m not sure that fit perfectly for me either. But I liked their balance together way the relationship developed on page so that was kinda negated as a point. Personally, I liked this one better than the first.

[Allison Comis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. Lots of things going on here. Bane and River in foster care. They had a wonderful lady taking care of them until Bane was adopted. River was placed somewhere else when the lady couldn’t take care of him anymore due to health issues. River and Bane lost touch. The place where he went wasn’t good so he ran away at 12. He was living on the streets. One day he met this lady who promised him a good life but that was far from it. Her name was Dhalia and she had many kids that lived with her and she made them pay her back a certain way. There were 4 of them that stuck together. One night at an event that these guys hired dahlia to provide the people for their pleasure. The guys were rescued and brought to the police station but they were handcuffed and being charged. Bane walked into one of the interrogation rooms and there was River. As soon as he saw him he broke down and he had to leave the room. River thought he didn’t want to be around him but that was the farthest thing from the truth. He came back a little while later. Bane talked to his boss and took River back to his house. Both of their lives changed after that. River tried to help as best he could.

[Kata · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sweet little River. That precious little thing.
I just want to hug him so, so tightly and tell him how worthy he is of love—of being loved—and that he should never underestimate himself, because he is lovable, and truly such a valuable person. 🥹
Everything he went through… all that pain, all that horror—and he still survived, still held on. And once he was finally safe, he still went back to fight for Bane, even though it almost cost him his life. 🥺
That’s what a truly strong person looks like.

And Bane… oh, wonderful Bane.
The huge, muscular, tattooed, mismatched-eyed police officer with a marshmallow heart—who wants nothing more than for River to heal, to let him love him, care for him, and protect him.
A man who isn’t afraid to show his feelings, even if it makes him seem fragile or vulnerable in other people’s eyes.

These two boys are just… incredible.
Individually, yes—but together? The healing journey River begins with Bane’s help is nothing short of breathtaking.
Honestly, I can hardly find the words. I don’t even know what to say. I’m still completely under its spell.

This book was awful and wonderful at the same time. The ultimate contradiction. 🥹