Lie With Me

Angels of Désirer #2

by D.L. Darby

Lenni

It was only supposed to be one night with a stranger I’d never see again.

I’m not the dating type.

Now, thanks to a little white lie we told that night, we’re pretending to be engaged for the sake of him saving face in front of his family.

The more time we spend together, the closer we get.

But I’m an Angel at Désirer—an exclusive adult club—my job is to be whatever men want me to be.

There’s no room for a relationship.

And with demons from my past still chasing me, the last thing I need is for a man like him to get tangled up with a woman like me.

It will only end badly.

Tripp

From the second I met her, I wondered what she tasted like.

When she left my bed the morning after we met without so much as a goodbye, she left her mark on my soul.

After running into each other again at our best friend’s engagement party, I can’t stay away.



Not even when I find out she sells her body for money at an exclusive New York sex club.

Instead, I make her a deal she can’t refuse—pretend to be engaged for a few months for a generous sum of cash, then we’ll go our separate ways.

Our charade of love isn’t real, but with every day that passes, the more I feel like it could be.

We’re good at selling our lies. Now, I want to make it the truth.

Lie With Me is the second book in the Angels of Désirer series, which is an interconnected stand-alone series. It can be read alone. This book deals with heavy themes and possibly triggering content. Please check the warnings.

Genres: Dark Romance, Erotica, Fantasy, Found Family, Dark, Romance, Rags To Riches

448 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2024

About the author

D.L. Darby lives in Anchorage, Alaska with her husband, dog, and cat. When she’s not working at her salon, she enjoys reading, hiking (when the weather is nice), and watching silly reality t.v. shows. She loves to travel and one day hopes to be able to attend all of the bookish conventions in one year.

You can find her on TikTok @d.l.darby_author

Or join her reader group on FB at D.L. Darby’s Darlings

Reviews

[Tay_is_reading_again · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This is my 4th DL Darby book, and it is my favorite so far. It is book 2 of the Angels of Désirer, which is a series of interconnected, stand alone romance books.

This book starts out super dark like many of Darby’s books, but Darby provides crucial backstory to our female main character, Valentina aka Lenni, early on.

Lenni quickly meets our MMC, Tripp, through a chance encounter on the NYC street. After a passionate night, Lenni sneaks out first thing in the AM without leaving any contact info despite both characters knowing there is something there. Tripp begins his search for her only to realize they are the best man and maid of honor at a mutual friend’s wedding. They pretend to be engaged to keep Tripp’s parents off his back all while they begin to develop real feelings for one another. Additionally, Tripp has to learn to manage his jealousy as Lenni work at Désirer, an exclusive, anonymous adult club.

There is incredible character development in this book along with some twists and turns along the way. If you enjoy Pretty Woman, then this is right up your alley!!

Tropes:
🩷 fake engagement
🩷 he falls first
🩷 millionaire romance
🩷 high end adult club


Trigger Warnings
▫️Sexual Assault/Rape
▫️drug use
▫️infertility
▫️there are additional ones that would give some of the plot away. Please check the authors website for a full list. I’m also happy to answer any questions if you DM me!

Special thanks to DL Darby for the ARC!

[Charley’s Book Diary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lie With Me contains:
Millionaire romance
Fake engagement
Pretty woman vibes
Exclusive Adult Club
Jealous/possessive MMC
Found family
Rape
Drug abuse
Infertility

Once again Darby has executed the exclusive adult club trope phenomenally. This book is dual POV, however we get one chapter from a third persons perspective which is 100% fitting for the chapter.

The strong main FMC Lenni experienced a childhood no one would wish upon their worst enemy. I felt for Lenni throughout this story but her strength was unimaginable. Searching for a better life Lenni was recruited by Carmela who placed her into the exclusive adult club. Lenni meets the perfect man but he could never actually want her right.

Then there is Tripp, a big and strong hearted man, who falls fast and never looks back. Tripp would do anything for his mother to stop pestering him about his ex, so when Lenni tells his ex they’re engaged it spreads like wildfire. The lies keep accumulating but he can’t help but try to keep Lenni close.

The gossip in this book oh my was I hear for it, I love millionaire gossip 😩 My review really does not do this book justice. Please if you want an amazing read and love exclusive adult club books this book is a must read. If you love Sara Cate you will love darbys writing.

[Rose DeVault · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the meet cute to the ending, I was so absorbed into Lenni & Tripp’s story.

This is definitely a VERY emotional read especially with Lenni’s past, but it is also HELLA SPICY. Tripp was SOO down bad for Lenni. 🤤

I am so obsessed and have no notes.


The audiobook was fantastic! Caden Hart & Shiloh James were an amazing duo and brought this story to life. Shiloh James did a great job portraying all the emotions Lenni went through throughout the story.

[ablondieslibrary (Keirstyn’s Version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow. This ended up being so much more than I was expecting, and I devoured every single word. I loved Burn With Me, but honestly I LOVED this one so much more! Lenni and Tripp give me such Pretty Woman vibes but with a darker twist and steamier spice.

Lenni had the absolute childhood from hell, and her strength and resilience despite that really shines through. And Tripp. What can I really say about him? He is everything that Lenni deserves and so much more. The way that man loves her healed my heart for her!! Margo, Margo, Margo. You REALLY pissed me off, then you came out did a complete 180 and completely won me over. Well played momma Kennedy, well played.

This is hands down my favorite book from DL to date, and I couldn’t recommend it more. As always, please read the TW’s before you start as there are some heavy topics discussed, but once again I think DL did a wonderful job of handling these areas with such grace and it’s very evident that she takes her time to write these scenes carefully.

[Kaneisha Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why did I love Lie With Me more than Burn With Me??!!
The fake dating trope can be a hit or miss with me but Tripp and Lenni?? An absolute HIT. The way I devoured this read and was so invested. Not going to lie I was waiting for the big hiccup but when it came I was NOT ready or expecting it to play out like it did!! I loved the growth and vulnerability of Tripp and Lenni and their chemistry honestly beats out Jackson and Ginny (sorry I said it 🤷🏽‍♀️).
My heart broke for Lenni over and over but I loved everything about her and who she was. Definitely appreciated the Pretty Woman movie references and this was probably the best pretty woman retelling I’ve encountered, granted I don’t think I’ve come across a Pretty Woman retelling recently or at all.

If you like billionaire romance, he falls first, tragic backstory, instant chemistry, fake dating, praise, and exploration then definitely give Lie With Me a read.

[pageturners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew, this book took me on a ride. If you love pretty woman, the piano scene, emotional stories, plus spice you will love this story. Lenni is an angel at a an exclusive sex club where there’s different wings of angels. Tripp is a millionaire who helps his best friend run his business. Tripp and Lenni meet in an accident and while they are hanging out they run into Tripps ex fiancé who Lenni decides to tell that she’s engaged to Tripp and of course that’s just the beginning of the lie. And as the lies continue the feelings continue to grow.

[Dani H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am literally OBSESSED with @authordldarby writing. From her characters and their sharp wit, to her storytelling, and don’t even get me started on the spice 🥵, I loved it all! Tripp and Lenni’s story was anything from a typical meet cute, but their unique story is what makes this book so much fun to read.

@shiloh_james_narrator and @cadenhartnarrator were marvelous in this book! I could fan girl for hours about how much I loved these two together!

Lie with Me by D.L. Darby is book two of the Angels of Désirer series. Narrated in duet by Shiloh James and Caden Hart. Produced by @bluenoseaudio

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much trauma! Poor Valentina had to go through so much at a very young age. This is my first from the author and won’t be my last. A beautiful love story with lots of spice.

Please read trigger warnings!

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

💍 Millionaire Romance
💍 “Cinna”Dom MMC
💍 Fake Engagement
💍 Found Family
💍 Pretty Woman Vibes
💍 Jealous/Possessive MMC
💍 “Good Girl”
💍 MFM/MFMF scenes

"So, name your price. What will it take to get you to pretend to be engaged to me for a little while?”

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book and Valentina and Tripp.... this couple 🤌 so much passion, lust, chemistry and physical attraction but underneath all that there just meant to be.

[lia ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️
"why do you call her viv?"
"because she's my pretty woman."
check triggers because even though this isn't a dark romance, it carries dark and heavy topics and themes. and i won't lie, i was in between ratings for a long time—3.5 and 3.75 to be exact, but then i cried. i had the emotions of a lifetime reading this. especially towards the end, and even more specifically in the last 25% percent—so much was happening, it was just so overwhelming

but how my heart BROKE for valentina. i should have seen it coming; i knew what she went through, but my oh my, i wasn't prepared. my girl is the strongest, and she deserves the entire universe, not just the world. the universe, galaxy, milky way, all of it. from trailer park to marrying in millions, i love that for her.

and tripp. the man that he is. as golden retriever as he is, he's far from it when... yeah imma stop there. but the way he loved valentina unconditionally, and was even willing to get disowned by his parents for her. he chose her above anything and anybody else. to be loved is to be seen, and that is what he did for valentina. he saw her. through thick and thin, literally.

[nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧’𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤. 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐞, 𝐕𝐢𝐯. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐮𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐭.“

The quote I really wanted to use was so short and simple and punched me right in my feels and I may have cried😅 but I think it’s a huge spoiler and we are not going to do that.

I loved this. Burn with me was intense but lie with me was on a whole different level. I am so happy for Lenni she definitely deserves her happily ever after. There is so much I want to say about this book but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. This book had me feeling all the emotions and I even cried. Amazing!

Don't forget to read the TW! As this book covers some pretty heavy topics!

[Kimmy]

Lie With Me: A Fake Engagement That's More Real Than They Bargained For

D.L. Darby’s Lie With Me, the second book in the Angels of Désirer series, masterfully blends the high-stakes drama of a dark romance with the swoon-worthy, "he falls first" tropes of a contemporary romance. While marketed as an interconnected standalone, the shared world of the exclusive adult club, Désirer, adds a layer of intrigue that rewards those who've ventured into this author's past works. This is a story that proves the most authentic connections are often found in the most inauthentic situations.

The Anatomy of the Trope

The premise is a classic that has been given a fresh, modern coat of paint: fake engagement. Lenni (aka Valentina) and Tripp have a passionate one-night stand, only to be thrown back into each other's lives as the best man and maid of honor at a mutual friend's engagement party. A little white lie to a pesky ex spirals into a full-blown charade for the sake of Tripp's sanity and his mother's incessant meddling. The chemistry is electric, but the arrangement is just that—an arrangement, a means to an end.
What elevates this familiar trope is the context. Lenni is an "Angel" at the exclusive sex club, Désirer, a fact that is both a source of her self-worth issues and a point of immense conflict in her blossoming relationship with Tripp. His discovery of her profession and his subsequent struggle with jealousy is the real-world grit that gives this fantastical fake dating scenario emotional depth. It's a love story where the primary obstacle isn't a misunderstanding or a love triangle, but the protagonists' own insecurities and the very real demons from Lenni’s past.

The Characters & The Spicy Librarian's Take

Lenni is a beautifully crafted contradiction: a woman with the strength to survive a childhood from hell who is also deeply vulnerable. She is sharp, resilient, and fiercely independent, but her past trauma has taught her that she is not worthy of true, unconditional love. Her work at Désirer isn't just a job; it's a reflection of her core belief that she is only valuable when she is what men want her to be. Her journey is a testament to the power of finding genuine love that doesn't demand a persona.
Tripp, our millionaire MMC, is a walking, talking subversion of the dark romance archetype. He is possessive, yes, but it stems from a place of overwhelming affection. He is a golden retriever who can be cinnadom when it counts. He falls for Lenni first, and he falls hard. The core of his character is his unwavering love and devotion, a love so powerful it literally breaks through Lenni’s self-imposed walls. He doesn't want to fix her; he simply wants to love her, flaws and all, and that’s what makes him such a compelling and refreshing hero.
The author doesn’t shy away from the darker themes, including sexual assault and drug use, but she handles these heavy topics with grace and sensitivity. This isn't a story that fetishizes trauma; it's one that explores it as a part of a character's journey, making her eventual healing and happiness all the more impactful.
Ultimately, Lie With Me is a powerful testament to the idea that love is an act of seeing. Tripp sees Lenni for who she truly is, not just the persona she presents to the world, and in doing so, gives her a chance to finally see her own worth. It’s a beautifully emotional and incredibly spicy ride that will leave you wanting more from this series.

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Story & Narration🎧 Enthralling & Moving!

Lie With Me
Angels of Désirer Book 2
By: D.L. Darby
Narrated by: Shiloh James, Caden Hart

After listening to and loving the fantastic audiobook, the first book and start of D.L. Darby’s amazing “Angels of Désirer” series, I wanted more and to be back in the fabulous world she created. This second book of the series is Lenni and Tripp’s story, a story that is just as impressive as the first book, both having connections with the characters from that book, Jackson and Ginny, but that is not how they initially meet. Lenni is an Angel at Désirer, an exclusive adult club, and is a woman hiding from her past, a past that would have broken a weaker person, which she is not, because she is a survivor. Tripp is Jackson’s friend, and after running into a woman and ruining her dress, he wanted to make things right for her, and it was refreshing she did not know who he was. Neither shared their real name, but they enjoyed each other’s company, and after reading the awkwardness of him bumping into his ex, she played the role of his fiancé, which his ex bought. The two had crazy chemistry, and they ended up spending an unforgettable, steamy night together, but when Trip wakes up, she is gone. Wow, what a way to start a book, and after that we get to the heart of the story, and that is exactly what this story has, a lot of heart and a lot of heat. Call it fate, call it destiny, and with friends in common, they make their way back to each other, and it was great to watch them get to know each other, navigate a new relationship, obstacles and then fall for one another. Darby penned another cleverly plotted, multi-layered story with complex characters, and I loved watching it all unfold.Lenni had a tough upbringing, and hearing all she endured was gut-wrenching, and when her past comes back to haunt her, there was a twist I never saw coming. There is never a dull moment in this book, and the story has the perfect balance of drama, angst, twists and turns, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. D.L. Darby, thank you for another amazing story and emotional rollercoaster ride, loved the “Pretty Woman” references too.

🎧📚🎧 And for the amazing audiobook production, Shiloh James and Caden Hart were the perfect cast to bring these characters to life, and did so with a complete understanding of who they were portraying. I loved how they took each role and owned it, sounding believable and just as I imagined the characters to sound. James was a natural in Lenni’s role, showcasing all aspects of her personality through the years, from her vulnerabilities to her fierceness. Hart did the same in Tripp’s role and was just as amazing, embodying his personality completely. Both were fantastic at performing the roles of the side/secondary characters too. You could hear and feel how much heart they put into their performance, as they captured and conveyed all the characters’ emotions and their passion. These entertaining storytellers are a pleasure to listen to, and their enthralling performance hooks you to the story.

[Ruth Bookish Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lie With Me. Angels of Désirer Book 2
By D.L. Darby

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Always remember to check your trigger warnings!!

Tropes:
🖤Millionaire romance
🖤Fake engagement
🖤Pretty woman vibes
🖤Exclusive Adult Club
🖤Jealous/possessive MMC
🖤Found family
🖤Rape
🖤Drug abuse
🖤Infertility
🖤MFM/MFMF scenes

Audiobook Review:
Produced by Blue Nose Audio
Performed in duet by
Shiloh James
Caden Hart

This is the second instalment in the Angels of Désirer series by D.L Darby. And I loved every moment of this!

A fantastic storyline that begins with an incredibly sweet meet cute moment… and everything quickly unfolds from there. A twisting turn of events that will keep you on the edge of your seats. And the spice is spicing!! Watch out it’s hot!

An emotional rollercoaster ride from beginning to the epic ending.

Shiloh James crafted Lenni perfectly. Giving her such sass and kickassness. I loved her all the more with Shiloh portrayal. This girl has gone through such an intense and difficult time and I love her overall deep and witty personality and character development throughout this audio performance… it was so beautifully executed, giving our FMC such grace, kindness and depth. She deserves all the love!

Caden Hart, hello… what an incredible portrayal of Tripp. This man can reel you in with his sublime and amazing talent…his voice work is outstanding! God damn… I love his performance. You can feel the emotion and determination. His longing and passion for this lady. His personality shines brightly. Amazingly beautiful performance.

An absolute amazing audio experience. I was completely blown away and couldn’t put my headphones down!! Loved, loved this audiobook!

Bravo…

Quotes:

"He tastes like the biggest mistake I'm about to make, because I already don't want to let him go."


"Scream it louder. I want the whole damn building to hear what I do to you."

"Pretty Woman is my favorite movie. I've always wanted to reenact the piano scene."

"Tell me you haven't thought about our night together. That it hasn't consumed your thoughts every waking moment of the day for the past week. You're all I've been able to think about, not just because I need you to pretend to be engaged to me. You cast a fucking spell on me, Viv. And I'm not sure I even want uou to lift it."

"why do you call her viv?"
"because she's my pretty woman."

[Elizabeth Keeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Lie with Me" by D.L. Darby is a captivating tale of unexpected encounters, forbidden attraction, and the transformative power of love. Valentina “Lenni” Parks, known as Bianca in her professional life as a high-end escort, crosses paths with a charming stranger named Tripp Kennedy while navigating the streets of Manhattan one evening. Despite their instant connection, Lenni, under the alias Bianca, believes she could never have a future with someone like Tripp due to her profession. Tripp, smitten by his encounter with Bianca, is determined to find her after she leaves abruptly the next morning. As he navigates his own regrets and desires, he learns that Bianca's true identity is Lenni, the woman he can't stop thinking about and the best friend to his best friend's wife.

Their paths cross again when Tripp proposes a fake engagement to Lenni to appease his family and salvage his reputation after a misunderstanding with his ex-fiance. Despite Lenni's reservations and the challenges they face, Tripp's genuine affection and determination to pursue her begins to break down her walls. As their relationship deepens, Lenni grapples with her own insecurities and the stigma surrounding her profession, while Tripp confronts his own family's expectations and societal judgments. Darby expertly navigates themes of love, acceptance, and self-discovery, crafting a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of relationships and the power of redemption.

In conclusion, I gave this book 5 stars as it is a poignant reminder that love knows no bounds and that true acceptance comes from within. Darby's rich character development and evocative storytelling make "Lie with Me" a captivating read from start to finish. As Lenni and Tripp confront their fears and insecurities, they must ultimately decide whether to embrace their love and defy societal norms or succumb to the pressures that threaten to tear them apart. I must also mention, I enjoyed seeing Tripps best friend Jackson and Lenni’s best friend Ginny from “Burn with me”. I loved getting an update on where they currently stand in their relationship and seeing the characters intertwine with the characters of this book.

[Ashley Schilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you entered, into the world of Desirer and the Angels? If not, what are you waiting for? This, is my second book of D.L Darby's and I have found a new favorite, author. I love Jackson and Ginny, but Tripp and Valentina have taken top spot. If you loved, Vivian and Edward in Pretty Woman, you'll love Lenni and Tripp! I would, absolutely watch this if this was a movie-can we turn this into a Pretty Woman II?
Lie With Me is the second book, in the Temtangels series, however, if you haven't read Burn With Me, I'd start there. You don't want the spoilers, and if you read Lie With Me you are going to want to read Burn With Me.
I felt, so many emotions for Lenni's character, her childhood was a nightmare, and even though this is a fictional story, I could not imagine a childhood like the one Lenni experienced. Her character, in my opinion is complex. Caring and supporting her mother, after, the traumatizing childhood she endured is not something, I could fathom doing.
Tripp, is a protective cinnamon roll, that I would love to have in my corner. Even, after the catastrophe of the relationship he had prior with Emily.
Margo, really had me wanting to go into the pages of this book, and have a "conversation" with her, but she had me changing my tune, wanting to know this momma bears connections. There is more to her character, I believe that isn't shown in Lie With Me.
There, is so much packed into this story, it was a fast read for me, I could not put it down. I highly recommend! I loved, getting a glimpse into the lives of Jackson and Ginny through Tripp and Lenni's Story. If you love the fake engagement trope, you'll love Lie With Me. The chemistry between Lenni and Tripp, is on point. That piano scene, is squirm worthy. "Pretty Woman is my favorite movie. I've always wanted to re-enact the piano scene." "Tell me you're mine, Valentina. Be a good girl and tell me who you belong to."
The cliffhanger for wants to come for Carmela has me on the edge of my seat.

[Brittany Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lie With Me is the second book in the Temptangels series but it is definitely able to be read as a standalone. This book has a strong "Pretty Woman" vibe and includes tropes such as millionaire romance, fake engagement, secret identify, "cinna" dom MMC, found family and good girl praise. I would strongly recommend checking your trigger warnings, especially if childhood trauma and sexual abuse is one of yours.

The story follows Lenni, an angel at an exclusive adult club, and Tripp, the millionaire best friend to the club's benefactor. Trip is a "fall fast and hard" kind of guy but also very possessive/obsessive and eager to explore new sexual experiences after having his heart broken a year ago. Lenni is a no nonsense, "I'll take care of myself" bad@ss. She is totally uninterested in a relationship and working hard to battle her own demons from childhood. A chance meeting on the sidewalk has the two thrown into a fake relationship, which is only complicated further when they realize how connected they are via their best friends.

I absolutely plowed through this book and enjoyed it SO much! I felt the writing style was very polished, the character development was good and the ENDING OMG!! I will say again, there are some very dark topics and the author did not sugar coat the childhood sexual abuse. It was tragic and emotional. I loved Lenni's desire to "save herself" by any means necessary. Despite a horrible past, she is so strong! It was wonderful seeing her develop and learn to trust others. I adored Tripp and his total willingness to admit when he messes up. In any miscommunication, he is very quick to apologize and/or talk it through to better understand. There is a considerable amount of spice, but I did not feel like the author relied on that to carry the book. It was a good book with spice, not a spice book, if that makes sense?

The last 25% of this book was easily a 5 star! The only reason for the 4 overall was I did feel like the middle had a bit of a lull - but that could have also been my mood at the time. Either way, I really loved this read and will absolutely be looking out for more releases by this author!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by D.L. Darby and I was immediately hooked! The story telling, character development, supporting characters, everything. All of it! So DAMN good!

The start of the book provides the backstory to Valentina (Lenni) - its dark and heart wrenching, but necessary for the story. My heart broke into a million pieces reading about how she was treated as a child. As a mom I wanted to reach through my kindle and strangler her mother.

The story then jumps to present day, where Valentina runs into Tripp, quite literally. Spilling his coffee all over her vintage Chanel dress. He immediately takes her shopping - yes, pretty woman style - for a new dress. While they’re in the dressing room Tripps ex-fiance shows up and Lenni reads the room and puts on the performance of her lifetime, snuggling up to Tripp and killing his ex-fiance with backhanded kindness - this scene was so hilarious! Lenni is the TRUE MVP for this.

The acting was so spot on that Emily (ex-fiance) tells her parents, who tell Tripps parents. When they confront him about it, he has to find Lenni again to convince her to play along for a few months until after their best friends wedding.

Lenni has a secret that she’s afraid will cause issues with Tripp and his family. She is an Angel at the coveted Club - Désirer. She doesn’t believe that a man like Tripp should be with a woman like her. When it comes out what she does, Tripp accepts it, and begins to frequent the club, watching and participating in activities he never thought he’d be able to. Opening him up even more to his desires.

I can’t write anymore without spoilers. Trust me that this book is an easy ★★★★★ + read. I actually didn’t realize there was a book 1, so now I’m off to read that one. This review will not do it justice. I promise you, there are no words. It is absolute PERFECTION. I didn’t want it to end.

This book does include some dark themes, I always suggest checking trigger & content warnings when necessary.

Play With Me
Temptangels # 3
Releasing - July, 2024

[iesha Bright · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

BLURB: Lenni
It was only supposed to be one night with a stranger I’d never see again.
I’m not the dating type.
Now, thanks to a little white lie we told that night, we’re pretending to be engaged for the sake of him saving face in front of his family.
The more time we spend together, the closer we get.
But I’m an Angel at Désirer—an exclusive adult club—my job is to be whatever men want me to be.
There’s no room for a relationship.
And with demons from my past still chasing me, the last thing I need is for a man like him to get tangled up with a woman like me.
It will only end badly.
Tripp
From the second I met her, I wondered what she tasted like.
When she left my bed the morning after we met without so much as a goodbye, she left her mark on my soul.
After running into each other again at our best friend’s engagement party, I can’t stay away.
Not even when I find out she sells her body for money at an exclusive New York sex club.
Instead, I make her a deal she can’t refuse—pretend to be engaged for a few months for a generous sum of cash, then we’ll go our separate ways.
Our charade of love isn’t real, but with every day that passes, the more I feel like it could be.
We’re good at selling our lies. Now, I want to make it the truth.


I immediately jumped into book two. Tripp and Lennie gave me pretty woman vibes and that movie has always held a place in my heart. i devoured this book. ive got bags under my eyes from not wanting to put the book down. I loved book one but book two was just Giving!! The spice was spicier and darker. The $hitty childhood lenni had didnt break her. it made her stronger and more resilient. the way tripp loves her makes me swoon....
again this book has some pretty dark topics so please check trigger warnings. dont go in blind.
i would definitely recommend this book along with book one. dl darby just has a way with writing her stories that leaves you wanting more.

[Danielle Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lie With Me wastes no time at all before hitting you with the heavy stuff. The opening pages of this book feature some dark content that had my heart breaking for the character involved, but as harrowing as it was to read, I was already hooked because the author promised a happy ending, and in just a few pages, I’d already become invested in the female lead and wanted to see her get that.
 
An accidental collision and a spilled coffee see Lenni and Tripp meeting and enjoying a mad and passionate night together. The spark is instantaneous, but the morning after, Lenni does a runner without leaving any contact details. Fate soon steps in and throws them back together, this time without any fake names and bravado and just as themselves, and they soon find themselves in a fake relationship that becomes very real.
 
I loved the way the author wrote these two characters. Lenni has a lot of trauma from her childhood and struggles to let people in, but she slowly lets Tripp in and allows herself to believe she can finally be happy and worthy of love and care. Tripp has to come to terms with Lenni’s job and the jealousy surrounding her being a sex worker, but there’s also a clear class divide between rich and poor, which causes some struggles, but Tripp and how he cared for Lenni were wonderful to watch.
 
There are challenges for both of them individually and as a couple, but their chemistry, witty banter, flirtation, and spicy times made for a great read. I laughed and I cried during this book as the true extent of Lenni’s past came to light, as it really was horrible, but the found family aspect came into play, and I knew my girl Lenni was going to be alright.
 
The continued inclusion of Jackson and Ginny from the first book in the series helped tie it all together, and even sideline characters like Margo managed to add some amazing depth to a difficult but yet wonderful story.

[Letty Garza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lie With Me brings us back to the Angels of Désirer series, this time following Tripp, Jackson’s best friend, and Valentina (Lenni), Ginny’s best friend. Tripp called off his engagement a year ago, while Lenni has fought hard to build a life after a deeply traumatic past. She works at Désirer as an Angel and carries the heavy responsibility of supporting her mother’s care, even as her mom continues to cause her pain.

Their worlds collide one night when Tripp spills coffee on Lenni and insists on buying her a new dress. That shopping trip leads to a chance encounter with his ex, and Lenni boldly steps in, claiming to be his fiancée. After an unforgettable (and very steamy) night together, she sneaks out before he wakes. Weeks later, Tripp needs her again to keep up the fake engagement story but when they reconnect at their best friends’ engagement party, they’re both shocked to discover they’ve been using fake names and already know one another.

From there, they agree to play along with their pretend relationship, but it quickly becomes clear that the chemistry between them is very real. The spice level is off the charts, their physical connection is undeniable from the start and it fuels a romance full of tension, vulnerability, and healing. Tripp falls first, determined to prove he’s all in, while Lenni struggles to lower her walls and trust. Their story balances emotional depth with sizzling heat, making it impossible to put down.

The audiobook narration is beautifully done. Shiloh James captures every layer of Lenni… her sass, her toughness, and the cracks in her armor. Caden Hart’s performance as Tripp is equally compelling, full of warmth and sincerity that make his devotion shine. Together, they bring this story to life with both raw emotion and fiery chemistry, making this a standout listen.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
🔥🔥🔥🔥

This was my first book I read by D.L. Darby but it won't be my last! Talk about a roller coaster ride with this book! It definitely had me feeling all the emotions!

We meet our main character Lenni and she has quite the past with her mother. She has finally escaped that place and has planned to move on with her life but her mom keeps trying to drag her back.

Lenni works at Desirer, an exclusive adult club, and never gets close to people due to her past. But that all seems to change when she meets Tripp.

Things move fast with the two of them and they end up becoming fake engaged. However, Tripp wants more from Lenni. He also isn't fond of her continuing to work at Desirer.

Lenni tries her hardest to keep her past hidden from Tripp because she feels she can finally be herself around him. But as they get closer, secrets are starting to come out.

This book had the perfect mix of everything. For one the spice was off the charts..I was afraid my kindle was going to burst into flames a few times. Next you the emotion of hearing Lenni's story and her demons that she is finally able to lay to rest. Tripp helps her to see she is capable of being loved. Last, towards the end as secrets are getting uncovered we have the suspense as Lenni goes back to her hometown for the last time.

I really enjoyed this book and it had me hooked from the very beginning! I absolutely loved the Pretty Woman vibes as it is one of my favorite movies as well! The found family trope was strong in this one, which pulled at my heartstrings! I can't wait to read more!

Read if you like:
💍 Millionaire Romance
💍 “Cinna”Dom MMC
💍 Fake Engagement
💍 Found Family
💍 Pretty Woman Vibes
💍 Jealous/Possessive MMC
💍 “Good Girl”
💍 MFM/MFMF scenes

[Erica Brink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this one! This series just keeps getting better and better! I’m obsessed! I loved the characters, and their depth and their growth. I loved the emotion, the trauma, the drama, and the banter. I loved it all. Everything about Lie With Me was amazing! It was heartbreaking at times, but truly an amazing story.

The trauma the Valentina went through. Omg. I felt for her. It was truly so heartbreaking. I felt for little Valentina who was stuck in an unimaginable situation. I teared up so many times. And at one point, I was balling my eyes out. (FYI: Some of her trauma is hard to read, so if you have any triggers, I definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings.) But despite it all, Lenni/Valentina is such a strong, fierce FMC. She has been through so much, but still works hard to do the right thing and prove that she’s a strong, independent woman. She did what she could to survive. I loved her and her character growth so much. Seriously, I loved her so much.

I also loved Tripp. He was the kindest, sweetest MMC. Did he make mistakes? Definitely! (I mean, he’s a man! 😂) But he owned up to them. He became better. He was such a good man. I loved how he treated Lenni. I loved how much he wanted to be with her and to prove to her that they could make it work. And the mouth on him…. Holy freaking hotness. I am here for everything that he said! Yessss. Goals right here!

The audio was so good! I was hooked from the very first pages. Shiloh James and Caden Hart were PERFECT as Lenni and Tripp. Shiloh handled Lenni’s trauma and strength perfectly and with grace. And Caden had Tripp’s fun and flirty personality down. Not to mention his dirty talk was so hot.

This is the second book I’ve read by DL Darby and let me tell you, she is an amazing writer. She does a fantastic job getting you emotionally invested in the characters, their story and growth, and their world (the world of Désirer). I cannot wait to read more by this her!

🖤 Millionaire Romance
🖤 Fake Engagement
🖤 Pretty Woman Vibes
🖤 Found Family
🖤 Emotional Scars
🖤 Exclusive Adult Club
🖤 Angst, Trauma, & Healing

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review: Lie With Me by D.L. Darby

If you loved Burn With Me, prepare to be obsessed with Lenni and Tripp. This is a fake-engagement romance that hits every single note—a roller coaster of emotions, Pretty Woman vibes, and a scorching-hot connection.

Why You'll Fall in Love
The Characters: Tripp's humor and charm are next-level; he's a fantastic, slightly goofy hero. But it’s Lenni who truly shines. Her backstory is intense and heartbreaking, yet watching her overcome her past and find her own path, all while falling for Tripp, is deeply satisfying. Their journey proves that the love and support of the right person can be incredibly healing.

The Romance & Spice: The chemistry is absolutely explosive, and the banter is gold. D.L. Darby delivers an emotionally charged but extremely sensual story. Their "spicy time" is off the charts, and I loved the healthy, open communication that gave their relationship real depth.

The Details: The layers of character and plot development are amazing. From the hilarious shopping scene to the cameo appearances of familiar characters (that Jackson/Tripp bromance is the BEST), the story is perfect all the way around. And that plot twist? WOW.

The Phenomenal Audio Performance
This audiobook quickly became one of my favorites thanks to Shiloh James and Caden Hart. They truly embody Lenni and Tripp, making the dialogue pop and the quieter, more vulnerable moments resonate deeply. Caden even manages to capture Tripp's smirks with his voice! Every emotion, every laugh, and every moment of heat is delivered with impact. The combination of the writing and the narration is pure magic.

Trust me: you’ll laugh, you'll probably cry (happy and sad tears), and you will be utterly swept away. Don't miss this one!

[Babeslovebooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

D.L. Darby has done it again. This book… I have no words to say besides thank you for writing it. This book was heartbreaking and beautiful. I never thought I could cry and then immediately jump into a spicy scene but it’s possible. D.L. Darby writes beautiful books. From her debut novel and all the way down to this one. Just like wine, her books just keep getting better. Let’s start at the beginning of the book shall we? First, the content list shows this is multiple POV, mainly Tripp and lenni. Next you get to the content warning. “Your mental health matters.” Why did I want to tear up at that? Next, there is the National Domestic Abuse Hotline number…. Finally, something I love to see in a book, there’s a music playlist. Now, into the book itself. Valentina broke my heart. Tripp helped pick up the pieces. But it was Margo who got the tears going. D.L. Darby, please keep your eye out on the mail. I’m sending you my therapy bill. The bonus chapter=waterworks. I cannot wait to get this book in so I can leave tear marks on the pages instead of on my kindle. This is book number two. Technically it can be read as a standalone, but you should read it ”Burn With Me”. I love interconnected standalones. You get to see the couple from book one, happy in book two. What’s not to love? This book is packed full of trauma and hurt but also love and strength. You may cry (like a baby) but you will also laugh and experience some great smutty scenes. The Angels have all been through a lot and I can’t wait to read more. I’m ready for book three even though this one isn’t even out yet.

[Briana Mullis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I knew this book was coming out, I knew I needed to sign up to ARC read it! The first book was FANTASTIC, so I knew this one would be just as good! And I was right!

💍Tropes💍
»Millionaire Romance
»“Cinna”Dom MMC
»Fake Engagement
»Found Family
»Pretty Woman Vibes
»Jealous/Possessive MMC
»Good Girl
»MFM/MFMF scenes

❗️There are some dark and triggering themes in this book, so be sure to check those TWs.❗️

Lenni has worked hard to move past her childhood. She took control of her life and made it all that she could. When walking down the street, a man accidentally spills coffee all over her vintage dress. He cute and looks well off. He offers to buy her a new dress. From there, things spiral into a whirlwind of luxury and romance she never thought she would find.

Tripp was distracted when he accidentally spilled his coffee on a beautiful woman’s dress. To make up for it, he offers to buy her a new one. When his ex shows up, the woman ‘Bianca’ (aka Lenni) puts on a show to help get his ex off his back. Things tailspin from there and their journey together is so much more than he could have imagined.

I truly loved this book. There were hard parts to read, but the realness of everything that happened really made this book perfect. The spice was *chefs kiss* and the chemistry between the MCs was explosive!

Lenni was so strong. She truly went through the wringer as a child, but it only made her more resilient. I wanted all the good things for her, and Tripp was so good for her.

Tripp was an amazing MMC. He was funny and perfect for Lenni. His growth throughout the book was fantastic.

If you’ve not read this series yet, you’re missing out! Check out Lie With Me today!

[Katlyn Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't read Burn With Me, stop what you're doing and go do that right now.. then pick up this one. I thought book one of this series was hard to read (in a good way).. I love Ginny so dearly, but Lennie really stole a big piece of my heart. I cried so much for her, for all the good and all the bad. This book is so beautifully written. Although I'm so thankful that I can't relate to the extreme things she went through as a child, I can relate to the painful relationship she had/didn't have with her (addict) mother. To certain regrets she had as a daughter that didn't have a chance to fix what was broken for her whole life. Lennie is so fierce and beautiful, on the inside and outside. I love her love for Tripp, even when she didn't want to admit her feelings. And the way Tripp loved her, even when he was convinced she would potentially never give him a real chance. It was honestly such a beautiful journey. And a great reminder that all of the "truly ugly" parts of our lives don't control us or have to determine the future we get. I love these two so much. And I loved Margo. A wealthy woman that's involved in so much in a big city can be a lot as a mom, and maybe sometimes she is, but the role she stepped into in this book brought me to tears multiple times. I also really look forward to Carmella's story. Her past and future are intriguing, and I look forward to seeing behind the mystery of who she is and why she's the way that she is.

[Emily Knaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this steamy, emotional romance with its Pretty Woman influences! This is the first book I have read by DL Darby, and I couldn’t have anticipated that I would enjoy this book as much as I did. I loved how well the darker elements were handled and what in depth back stories each character is given.

Lenni comes to Tripp’s rescue when they run into his ex-fiancé, and what starts as a seemingly kind gesture turns into so much more!

This book provides an emotional rollercoaster with lots of twists and turns. I loved how much character development there is in this book! It is incredible to see Lenni open up her heart to love and learn to trust another person. Tripp is the absolute best man for her, he is so patient with her, while still being extremely possessive and protective. Tripp has such an incredible heart with good intentions, and when he falls he falls fast and hard.

These two are absolutely perfect for one another and their chemistry is smoking hot! I loved the scenes at Dèsirer they add so much to their story.

If you’re looking for a millionaire, fake engagement romance, with a “Cinna” Dom MMC that has major Pretty Woman vibes, but darker and set in a high end adult club then you will absolutely love this book!

Thank you so so much to the Author Agency and DL Darby for the ARC! I can’t wait to read more about what happens next at Dèsirer! Looking for more!

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

~Alc Review~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶

~Lie With Me~Angels Of Désirer Book 2~D.L. Darby~

~Duet Narration~Shiloh James & Caden Hart~

~Production~Blue Nose Audio~

"You make me feel like living, Tripp, when all I’ve done for so long is survive. I don’t want to tread water anymore. I want to swim."

♡D.L. Darby did it again! Five mother freaking stars & I devoured this book in one sitting because I physically couldn't stop listening! I laughed, I cried, & I swooned over this amazing story. Tripp & Lenni are the definition of couple goals! There is nothing that will stand in the way of them being there for one another as they work their way through Lenni's tragic past to their future. The grace Tripp gives to Lenni by allowing her to open up to him on her own time had me a blubbering mess & Lenni deserves the world.

The duet narration for this audiobook was jaw-dropping! Shiloh did a phenomenal job bringing Lenni our strong, caring, & independent FMC to life. Caden did an excellent job bringing Tripp our sweet, caring, patient MMC who wears his heart on his sleeve to life. The emotions Shiloh & Caden brought out in this performance gave me chills. This performance made you feel the emotions the characters were feeling right along with them!

I really enjoyed the way characters from book 1 continued their story into book 2 and I'm so excited to listen to the next one after that ending!♡

~As Always Happy Reading~

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Fake dating
- Pretty Woman vibe
- Dark romance
- Billionaire romance

First of all, this book does deal with some pretty tough topics, so please make sure to review the CW before reading.

Second, oh, my word, this book was fabulous! I only stopped reading to charge my tablet. I felt absolutely invested in the story.

What started off as a spilled coffee meet cute turns into a night that rocks the world of both Lenni and Tripp. In between, Lenni helps give Tripp a little snub to his former fiance who wants to flaunt the fact that she is engaged again...by announcing their own engagement. However, neither Lenni nor Tripp thought the ex would tell Tripp's parents about the "engagement". Since Lenni left the next morning without leaving her number (or her real name), Tripp is desperate to locate her.

Ironically, Lenni's best friend is marrying Tripp's best friend, so the two meet up again. Tripp convinces Lenni to keep up the charade a la Pretty Woman style. The two take advantage of all this together time to get to know one another in the bedroom.

While Tripp would like to make this arrangement permanent, Lenni has some past issues she is dealing with. In addition, she works at an adult club. Can Tripp handle his jelousy for her job?

This book was just a stunningly good story. I didn't want the story to end.