The Truth that Frees

The Kings & Queens of St Augustus #3-4

by Gemma Weir

The truth will set you free.
I’ve never believed that. Because the truth doesn’t free you, it just exposes you.
I hid behind a life full of lies for years. I did what I was told, what was expected of me. I was
perfect, poised, and obedient.
Until I wasn’t…
One boy and a simple act was all it took to destroy my entire world.
I know I’m a monster; but he calls me his princess.
Only, I’m the villain in this story and villains don’t get a happily ever after.
But what happens when the hero refuses to accept that?
Maybe the truth will set me free after all…

*Please note that the Lies and Truth series was previously published in its original format as The Heir – parts 1&2. However, the story has been extensively reedited and reimagined with significant additional content added.

Genres: Dark Romance, Found Family, High School, Contemporary Romance

522 pages, Paperback

First published November 5, 2020

About the author

Gemma Weir is a half crazed stay at home mom to three kids, one man child and a hell hound. She has lived in the midlands, in the UK her whole life and has wanted to write a book since she was a child. Gemma has a ridiculously dirty mind and loves her book boyfriends to be big, tattooed alpha males. She's a reader first and foremost and she loves her romance to come with a happy ending and lots of sexy sex.

Reviews

[Mia S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revenge

I think it sums it up, book 2 focuses on Penelope who believes that she is evil because of everything she’s done to try and get the inheritance and distances herself from Izzy and her new family because she doesn’t deserve it. The story unfolds and while Izzy was treated poorly Penelope went through hell. Can’t say anything else to avoid spoiling- I would have loved an epilogue after 4 years- only thing that is missing but other than that the duo was amazing!!!

[Medollga · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars ✨✨✨

[Flo₂₂ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought i will not like Penelope but i did!
Hawthorn was amazing i loved him !! ❤️ best hero😍 i enjoyed their story so much.
I need an epilogue, though!!!

[Nicole Gooderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to receive an ARC and I’m leaving an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. This is part two of The Lies That Trap. This is where you get to experience Penelope’s side of things and how she felt after her Great Grandfather horrendous stipulations in order to inherit Billions.

You get to see how she grows throughout the book and learn that not all things seem as they are. You will go through all the emotions with this book and it’s definitely not short of your alphaholes and stuck up princesses.

There is definitely not another book like this, I have looked. I haven’t added spoilers but if you want to know more, let me know.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing book 1, I ready didn't know if I could like Penelope after everything she did to her sister, but turns out her story is just as heartbreaking.
Being her parent's "favorite" was great from the outside but the horrible things they did to her inside the home are unforgivable. So Penelope became a puppet for them, from clothes to food, her parents made every choice for her.
Gulliver hated Penelope for what she did to her twin. When Penelope came to him and asked him to take her V-card so she could break the will, he agreed. But he quickly saw another side of her, beyond the actress. Once he realized what was going on behind the scenes, he became obsessed and protective. Penelope and Gulliver fit together well, he is patient with her and understanding of her trauma. He also helped to reunite the twins so they could get revenge on the 2 people who deserved it the most. I loved the ending. I'm a huge Gemma Weir fan, so I can't wait to see what's next

[siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me in my feelings. It is the second half of a duet, and in order to get the full context of the story, you also need to read: The lie that traps.

I loved this book and the dual POV's. I love the main characters, and I was so glad to see the redemption arc for Penelope because it reminds us that nothing is ever as simple as it seems at first glance. The twins deserved way better than the treatment they received. As a mother, I was equal parts disgusted and heartbroken.

Hawthorne is everything you want in a book boyfriend. He is hot, smart, controlling, and he sees right through Penelope...so perfect.

[Lynne Garlick · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the absolute fuck!!! As with book one, I went in blind as I had not read this series in its previous format. But I loved every word!
Book one had me feeling decidedly stabby! But this one had me questioning my sanity and fearing for my kindle! This is jam packed full of angst, possessive, obsessive guys who prove they will do anything for their found family. And that blood is not always thicker than water!
What a read!!

[morebooks_toread · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me cry, made me feel angry then made me happy at the end. Reading Penelope’s thoughts was heartbreaking but I loved the progression of her character. Hawthorne character was everything and more. Completely fell in love with their relationship.

[L. A. Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great ending!

I loved this whole duet! This book was a perfect way to end the Rhodes' story. I really enjoyed reading Penelope's POV. She is such a great character- full of light and definitely some dark. I loved this book and cannot wait to read Kip's and Davis's books!

[Adele Brennan]

Wow..... just wow!!

I was extremely lucky enough to get chosen to read this beautiful book early and honestly I thought it was a continued story of the previous characters so I was shocked to discover it was about Penelope's story instead! To be perfectly honest I wasn't sure how to feel as she was the villian in the first story but as I read this book I felt so many emotions towards the FMC, I felt so sorry for her, I found myself cheering on the relationship between her and Hawthorn, I loved seeing their relationship bloom and I loved that she had someone who was protective of her as she never had that!! As all of Gemmas books it was very SPICY and I loved the obsessive side to the MMC but if Gemmas books didn't have that I'd be disappointed 😂 the chemistry was just PERFECTION! I loved the whole 'I don't want to want you' relationship they had, I loved watching the relationship take shape and I also loved seeing the relationship between the sisters change and develop. Also it's very quick paced! You don't have to wait for the story to kick in or the spice to start 😜.

Gemmas writing is absolutely beautiful and I love every book she produces!! One thing I will say is please PLEASE read her warning page, take it all in.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of five for the story.

🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 for the 🥵🥵🥵🥵 because WOW!!!

I 10000000000% recommend this and I think we need more books in this series!!!!

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 estrellas (⭐️⭐️⭐️). Todo iba bien, hasta que llegamos como al 80%.

what did I do to deserve you?"
"You asked." He laughs. "You barged into my room uninvited, and you asked."
"That simple?"
"That simple."

Esta reseña puede contener SPOILERS!

Bien, yo empecé a leer este libro porque tiene el trope que me gusta ”misunderstood mean girl” y me estaba gustando y todo, la historia iba bien, empatice con Penelope (la prota) y me estaba sorprendiendo como Hawthorn no era detestable, es mas, se me hizo un interesante amoroso bastante decente, jamás lo odie ni nada (mis aplausos para él). Todo estaba siendo un sólido 4 estrellas, hasta que llegamos a la parte de la vendetta, uff.

La verdad a partir de ese momento todo se me empezó a hacer tedioso, los planes se me hicieron bien ñeros y pues no me gustó que al final cayeron al mismo nivel que sus papás. Luego pues el found family no lo sentí tan bien representado, como que se hicieron amigos del alma de un momento a otro pero no siento que lo darían todo por el otro (saben?). Eso sí, el spice le doy un gran 👩🏻‍🍳💋 (me daba gracia cómo Hawthorn decía, nada de ñiqui ñiqui hasta que entiendas que soy tuyo y esto es más que físico, y 3 min después andaban haciendo de todo menos el 👉🏻👌🏻).

En sí el tema de la vendetta (que me aburrió) hizo que le bajara media estrella y luego el final me hizo bajarle la otra media, yo quería ver más, ver años después 😭.

¡IMPORTANTE! Recomiendo checar bien los TW porque los que ponen en el libro no son todos los temas delicados que tocan, entre ellos están: TCA, violencia intrafamiliar, y más.

Conclusión: Es un libro palomero. Es la segunda parte de la biología pero no creo necesario el leer la primera parte para entender la segunda (eso hice yo y pues entendí todo). Tal vez para agarrar más contexto y ver bien lo que sufrió Izabella pero si no quieres leerla, no veo que sea necesaria.

[Beverley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth That Frees” starts where the previous book, “The Lie That Traps”, finishes and continues the story of the Rhodes twins. It is definitely advisable to read the books in order as the story continues across the duet and the characters and plot are common to both.
This book is written from both Hawthorn’s and Penelope‘s point of view and like most of the characters in the book I, as the reader, also misjudged Penelope. She is the product of the controlling and coercive behaviour of her parents but, initially, the reader has absolutely no idea of the awful lengths her mother went to in the diabolical treatment of her daughter. It was so good to see Penelope suddenly realise the enormity of what she had been put through and draw on her inner strength to take steps to put things right, even though she has an extremely low opinion of herself and, at times, felt she was beyond redemption. Along the way, she has help and support from Hawthorn and I have to admire his tenacity, unwavering patience and belief in Penelope.
I had a few questions at the end of “The Lie That Traps” but these were answered in this second book and it is a fitting conclusion to the duet. It was good to see Izzy and Gulliver also featuring quite frequently, along with Kip and Davis too. It is easy to forget that the main characters are teenagers - they are far wiser and more mature than their chronological ages!
I need to find myself a Hawthorn.. I do love a man wearing a crisp white shirt!!

[Teddi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another 5 ⭐️ book for me! Book one has you absolutely hating our MFC, Penelope. She is awful and honestly I wasn’t sure she was redeemable at all. Book one was about her twin sister’s trauma and healing.. much of which was caused by Penelope. In this one we learn more about the appalling actions of their parents. We find out just how deep the hurt and abuse was. Again Gemma writes characters that are so real that I can’t help but feel as if I know them. Just amazing! 🙌🙌 The MMC, Hawthorne, is such a hands down one of my favorite MMCs. He is angry.. but still recognizes the damage in Penelope and vows to help and protect her even though doesn’t like her. Prepare to HATE her parents. Good grief! I wanted to reach in and strangle them the entire duet. 🤯 Both books are definitely on my reread list. SO GOOD! I ran the entire gamut of emotions.
Read book 1 first. 🛑 Take the trigger warnings seriously. Gemma Weir’s books are not for everyone. I absolutely 💯 LOVE everything she writes!
5⭐️ 4.5🌶️

[MichelleG · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bookend to The Lie That Traps, this book is about Penelope who is the sister to the first book's heroine. In the prior book Penelope is at first firmly cast in the villain role, even if it is of a lesser degree than their parents. I am normally not a fan of prior baddies getting their own book, but this one absolutely worked for me.

In this book you realize that she is multi-layered and was every bit a prisoner that her sister was. I still didn't start out liking her, but her redemption arc was engaging and I couldn't help but root for her.

Hawthorn was everything I have come to expect from this author. He's a walking red flag, but a charming, possessive steel willed one that becomes Penelope's support and muscle. It was really great to revisit this world, and watch Penelope's relationship with Izzy become what it should have always been.

Having read the first book, this was a deeply satisfying end to the duet.

[Abbie Easterling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another brilliant book by Gemma. You do need to read both books in the duet in the correct order to understand what is happening. I thought the two books tied together really well, they are both their own story but are also two sides of the same coin.

What a pleasant surprise this was…. Who knew Penelope was actually going to be my favourite twin by the end of book 2. Penelope may have been the villain in book 1 but the end of The Truth that Frees she was the real hero. I loved seeing the character development and journey that she went on.

This felt like a typical Gemma book with loads of spice, giving it to you in every dirty but delicious way possible. Hawthorn was a typical Gemma alpha MMC, giving control but with an addictive level of need, protectiveness and possession over his girl.

This featured in the same world as the Alphahole series, set in the same High School but at a later date.

[Jennifer English · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope gets her redemption

Wow. Just wow. The arcnof the story from the beginning of book one through the end of book 2 takes you on an emotional journey.

I really truly didn't think Penelope could do enough to redem herself after seeing her in book 1. But as her layers got peeled back, you see the abuse she went through was as bad, if not worse than Izzys. Though it's never ok to continue the cycle, it's understandable about why she did. My heart breaks for her.

At times I had to remind myself that our characters are still high schoolers. Their strength and hearts seem so much more grown. I'm so glad Hawthorne was the guy he was, someone less scrupulous could have so easily taken advantage of Pens need for control.

As always, the steamy scenes are 🔥🔥🔥 and 👨‍🍳 💋. Thank you for yet another amazing read!

[🍸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“What did I do to deserve you?”
“You asked.” He laughs. “You barged into my room uninvited, and you asked.”
“That simple?”
“That simple.”

hawthorn is such a gentleman and penelope is such a sweetheart, my mean misunderstood blonde pink princess… i love them sooooooo much 🥹 but i couldn’t care less about the plot i wanted a real epilogue not them ruining their evil parents lol

[noteriasu · Rating 2 out of 5]

authors need to stop writing paragraphs about people moaning with their mouth around food and licking the cutlery like it's a corn audition tape, it's getting ridiculous.

Also, there's no beach in marrakech.

[Maggie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book 😁😁😁

[Nath~~ · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF Cap 21

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing story from Gemma Weir.
I couldn’t stop reading,
So many emotions,all the feels.
Recommend to all