Falling For A Lie

by D.D. McDaniel

Soren
Funny how things can change in one night. One night was all it took to destroy the walls of safety and freedom I took for granted. Escalating from an argument to a near-death experience with the man I had wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
Four men from my past rescued me, but my newfound escape to a life of safety came at a price I didn’t see coming.
They sent me away.
No longer the innocent woman who wanted to live a quiet life, I am now a soldier. A leader in my own right.
Only it’s never easy. My past is closing in on my newfound freedom. I’m backed into a corner with wolves snapping at my heels
I thought that could be the worst of it. I thought wrong.
With no other option than to face the danger head-on, I sought help from the four guys who sent me away.
Not wanting them to find out I’ve been lying to them, I try to piece together their hearts I shattered. Forgiveness might be a thing of the past when they find out the truth.
If they can't forgive me, I'll offer them something I know they cannot refuse.
My Body and full submission.
But what's one more sacrifice in the game of survival?

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2025

Reviews

[Ozge Demir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where to start with this book…..so many twists and turns and perspectives and the ending! It’s nothing like I read previously and new to me. But I did quite enjoy it. I need book 2 yesterday. I was luckily enough to get an ARC copy of this book and I can’t wait for the next one and hoping it’s another ARC cause I’m going to be thinking about what happened to Soren, the horsemen and her family. “I'm begging you Little Terror, let me help. Let me bring you home where you belong." And I will leave you with that quote to ponder.

[Jennifer Markowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite long but very good for the most part. In the middle it seems to drag a little bit but picks back up pretty quickly. The amount and quality of the spice in this book is top tier. This author knows her smut. Definitely pay attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning before you start reading.
The characters are pretty well written. I did have a bit of trouble with keeping who’s who straight while reading just because this book does bounce around the various characters different viewpoints. It does end on a cliffhanger but I can see why the author ended it where she did.
I recommend this to anyone who isn’t bothered too much by a lot of smut and some violence.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say about this book, it is a journey from start to finish, you think you know what’s going on and then plot twist after plot twist, we do get several POV’s which could make it a little confusing but once you know the characters it gets easy, and who doesn’t love a strong FMC, soren is such a badass and I loved her, it does end on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait for book 2 to come out I need to know what happens next.

[Allison Windle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a journey from start to finish! Don’t even get me started on that ending. It takes you through a whirlwind of emotions! I absolutely adored our main character, Soren. And the men in this story?! 🥵 It’s no wonder Soren has a hard time choosing between them! The book is on the longer side but i had no problem hanging on for the ride, it kept drawing me in. There was a point in the middlish where it kinda dragged a bit, but it picked back up again like and I was right back into the thick of it. The amount and quality of the spice here are top-notch; this McDaniel really knows how to write some steamy scenes.

Make sure to pay attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning. The characters are well-crafted. I did find myself a bit confused trying to keep track of everyone since the POV shifts between various characters, but once I realized it’s a revolving door of POVs it was pretty easy to follow the flow. It does end on a cliffhanger. Overall, it’s a pretty good read. I’ll definitely be reading this again and once it’s fully released I’d DEFINITELY reccomend it.

[Gerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok , so I give this book a strong 4⭐️ . I would have given it a 4.5 if it wasn’t for the cliffhanger ! I’m not a fan of cliffhangers ! However , I really like the story ! It had a lot of triggers in it .
Soren sure is a badass !
I will definitely be ready for book 2 ! I need to finish her story !
Thank for the opportunity to read it !

[Angie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was such a unique read for me. Highly recommend it if you want to something fun to follow and follows multiple POV!

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me on emotional rollercoaster the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat and the spice is 🔥 🌶️ 😮‍💨 and the way Soren was written was amazing she's strong reliant and will no prisoners y'all will enjoy this book as much as I have

[Misti Binkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it I'm so proud of the author
This is her first book
Perfect amount of spice and plot
But trust me the spice is sizzling

[Ms. Amnah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started off strong. The concept had potential, and the early chapters hinted at a story that could be both emotionally engaging and suspenseful. Unfortunately, by the time I reached 60%, the narrative had completely lost its direction.

The biggest issue for me was the FMC. There was no real character growth, and her actions felt erratic. She seemed to be lusting after every man she encountered, and at one point, she was telling men who had rescued her once—and with whom she’d barely exchanged more than a few words—that she missed them. It made absolutely no sense. There was no emotional build-up, no believable chemistry, just shallow interactions.

It became harder and harder to stay invested. The plot lacked cohesion, the character development was nonexistent, and eventually, I had to DNF it. Disappointed, because this really could’ve been something great.

[Danielle Nielson, Book Therapist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Book Therapist Reviews

This is a fast paced, blink and you may miss something novel. There are a lot of moving parts, a lot of timeline jumps, in a world that has many mysteries as spicy moments. I don't even know who my favorite is because all of them bring something broken and dangerous and s€xy. And that cliffhanger had me cussing out loud!

Side note- this is a debut novel... yes there are quite a few places where punctuation is off/ missing... give some grace. If that would be too distracting for you, maybe wait a bit to read this so that over time she can make some of those updates and release an update.

[Lisa Diamond-Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Updating to say I also have listened to the audio and loved the narrators. they did such an incredible job!! the male especially with doing all of the harem's accents!!

This book from start to finish is a wild ride!! I still can't believe that ending. I felt all of the emotions!! I loved our main FMC Soren. She's a baddie who has been through the ringer but always gets back up to fight for the people she loves. Who doesn't love a strong kick ass FMC? Plus each of our men are dark, devious, and delicious!! I can see why our lady couldn't choose!!

[Nicole Riggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Check your TW before hand as always!

This book was such a journey from the beginning to the end!! You will go through an emotional roller coaster along the way!! And when you think that you know what is going on, oh girl WRONG! Plot twist after plot twist!!

I LOVE Soren!! Not to mention the men in this book!? 🥵 I mean honestly it really is no wonder Soren has a very hard time choosing between them!!

That ENDING THOUGH 🫣🫣
I cannot wait for the next book!!!

[Darkromance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is plot twist after plot twist. The story drags you in and holds you captive. It had an independent FMC which I loved. It does end on a cliffhanger so I'm looking forward to book 2 because I need more. Prepare yourself though 'cause this book is SPICY.

[Melissa Keifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you love books with a badass FMC well you'll definitely want to check this 1 out. Lots of twists and turns and the spice is definitely spicy. Definitely won't be disappointed with this book

[Mia Lockhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
This book was masterpiece I absolutely loved literally when my friend recommended it to me I knew it would be the perfect read for me I can’t wait to read more of your upcoming books.

[Michaella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alpha Review: Falling For A Lie (Lords & Ladies of Ash) by D.D. McDaniel

Rating 5⭐️ and Spice 3🌶️🌶️🌶️

I loved this book so much. It is definitely an emotional roller coaster, however once you start you can’t seem to stop. There is so many plot twists that you can’t help to know how they end or come together. The ending for book one is a major cliff hanger and I need to know what happens next

—TROPES—
🖤Or**m Control 👑Bondage 🖤Praise/ Degradation
👑Reverse Harem 🖤Voyeurism 👑🩸Play

I will always be drawn into Soren’s orbit, forever bound to this woman in my arms.

I'll spend my last breath telling you what I should have had all of those years ago. You're worth risking it all for.

SOREN- she is fierce and her back story is a tad tragic and yet fits the story so well, she loves all her men but she can’t choose because she wants to keep them all, how will her heart stay in as one with so many at her beck and call

HER MEN (Caden, Radley, Miles, Finn, Jace, Drake, Reed)- these men all have there own story and yet they would do anything for her. They would protect her and her sisters at all costs but can they handle the fact they have to all share her

“Just say the word, little Damsel, and I’ll give you what you desire.”

"I'm not going to be gentle, Rad. I'm going to f*k you with your bl00d covering my c*k as your back gets ripped to shreds, and I know you'll still moan as I do. You're my dirty little wh**re, Radley."

"Soren. I cannot say goodbye to you. love shouldn't be so demanding that it takes and never gives. It’s not fair."

"I'm begging you Little Terror, let me help. Let me bring you home where you belong."

“Anytime you start to feel like youre at your lowest point, like youre alone in the world and no one could ever possibly understand. look at your chest. look at your heart and know that you could never be alone because lll always be with you"

“Stay still, or I will set up the cross when we get home and have my way with you like that.”

“Im going to use you like the wh**e your ex claimed you to be, and when were done will be so ingrained into your very soul that even when you wash yourself later, I will remain a part of you forever to haunt you until your dying breath.

[Tabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Freaking Crappola 🤩🥰🤩

What a crazy Freaking ride!!! Soren's gentle determination in the beginning to the Bada$$ B!+ch she becomes 🔥🔥 the Horseman are what wet dreams are made of!

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

review coming

[Cheyenne Branham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling for a Lie
by D.D. McDaniel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

This book had me hooked from the first page! The layers of this dark romance are chef’s kiss—intense, twisted, and so addictive. And don’t even get me started on the FMC… she’s an absolute powerhouse. Every time she stepped onto the page, she brought chaos, confidence, and something totally unexpected. I was obsessed.

As a Why Choose romance, this one delivered. The dynamics weren’t just centered around the FMC—the guys were just as tangled up in each other, and it made things even hotter and more emotionally intense. I ate up every moment.

And listen… Flick the Bean Café?? Iconic. 😂

Highly recommend if you love dark, spicy, emotionally complex reads with a fierce heroine and a twisty group dynamic that doesn’t hold back.

[Natasha Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me in a chokehold! I loved Soren and all her men so much! My heart broke and swelled with them in everything they went through. The good, the bad, and everything in between, and boy was it a roller coaster ride! This book balanced out the suspense, plot twists, and spice so perfectly. And the cliffhanger? I’m suffocating over here😩 I need book two more than I need tonight’s dinner! The audio made it that much sweeter. Putting voices to these characters made me feel like I was watching a movie in my mind. Logan and Lexi couldn’t have done a better job at bringing this story to life!

[JG · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, there is a HUGE cliffhanger. I had no idea going in, and the next book isn't slated to come out for 6+ months. I can't wait that long. If I knew, I would've waited until the second audiobook was released before I started.

This book is FANTASTIC! There are a lot of male characters, and I'm surprised that the author did an amazing job with the character development for so many characters.

Soren, the FMC, starts as a sweet high school girl who gets into a relationship with Jace. She is nice to everyone and even stands up for others. I let you learn about Jace on your own. Due to events beyond her control, 5 years after high school, Soren changes and becomes this badass woman who takes no shit and can kick huge men's asses.

This book has so many unexpected twists and turns that I devoured it in a day. There are some small plot holes, but nothing that stuck with me and was not considered important in my eyes.

The spice is high. 5/5. It is rare for me to give a book a 5/5 spice rating. There are MF, MFM, and MM. I loved how you don't expect some of the characters to hook up. Some of these characters don't have a backstory of them being interested in each other or even being bi. It was a good surprise.

The audiobook is great. The male narrator...WOW. He did all the voices of the many male characters and did such a great job that I forgot it was the same man narrating the different men.

I LOVE this book and highly recommend it. Now that can change depending on how I feel about the next book.

[Tattedbooknerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book by this author and I am absolutely hooked. The twist and turns you take with these characters was so good. Multiple POV so you get it all. Soren is an amazing FMC she's is so strong and a true baddie, one of those FMC you wanna be like. She takes everything she gets and push through it all. Each MMC is deliciously dark and devious. That cliffhanger was... I guess you'll just have to read to find out. Check your trigger warning and have fun.

[Leia 4 Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know where to begin with this book!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ &🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Falling For A Lie is a wild ride. We meet Soren our Baddie FMC and her harem, but don't think because this is a why choose that it's all smut. The plot is thicka than a snicka! So many twists, turn and even some heartbreak 💔 are in these pages.

[Emerie Quyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was not what I expected! The twists and turns had me on a roller coaster of emotions! And the cliffhanger? I need book two! D.D. McDaniel has outdone herself. The book is paced well, has an interesting and engaging plot and the spicy scenes are superbly written. This is one that I did not want to put down!

[Alexandria Lamont · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONG 😱 what a cliffhanger

Getting book 2 ASAP. This book is a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read a 10/10 it has everything from long game revenge plot turned steaming hot 🥵 why choose but beware this book will have you hooked from the first page to the last, be ready with book 2 cuz your gonna need it right after. It’s such a good book and audio

[Kalene · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read by Dusty and I was not disappointed! I can't wait to see what she writes next. This story gripped me and kept me wanting more.