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Charade #1
The Lie
I've been to a million parties with my crush, but he's never acted on it til now.
Ford Malone could have any woman in Chicago, so why fake a relationship with me?
The world knows him as the heir to a real estate fortune, but to me he'll always be my best friend, the man who saved me from my bullies as a boy.
I'm as surprised as anyone when he announces our engagement, but I'll play along.
Nothing has to change except the way we behave--the way we touch--in public.
But his private touches change everything.
Soon the crush I've hidden for so long is threatening to swallow me whole.
If I tell him how I feel, it could ruin our friendship forever.
But if I don't, it might just ruin me.
How many lies can we tell each other before our truth is buried for good?
Book One of Three in the Charade Series.
Suggested Reading
The Deal - Stefan (Zoric Family Book 1)
The Secret - Stefan (Zoric Family Book 2)
The Choice - Stefan (Zoric Family Book 3)
The Sham - Luka (Zoric Family Book 4)
The Contract - Luka (Zoric Family Book 5)
The Ruin - Luka (Zoric Family Book 6)
The Lie - Emzee (Zoric Family Book 7)
The Act - Emzee (Zoric Family Book 8)
The Truth - Emzee (Zoric Family Book 9)
Ford Malone could have any woman in Chicago, so why fake a relationship with me?
The world knows him as the heir to a real estate fortune, but to me he'll always be my best friend, the man who saved me from my bullies as a boy.
I'm as surprised as anyone when he announces our engagement, but I'll play along.
Nothing has to change except the way we behave--the way we touch--in public.
But his private touches change everything.
Soon the crush I've hidden for so long is threatening to swallow me whole.
If I tell him how I feel, it could ruin our friendship forever.
But if I don't, it might just ruin me.
How many lies can we tell each other before our truth is buried for good?
Book One of Three in the Charade Series.
Suggested Reading
The Deal - Stefan (Zoric Family Book 1)
The Secret - Stefan (Zoric Family Book 2)
The Choice - Stefan (Zoric Family Book 3)
The Sham - Luka (Zoric Family Book 4)
The Contract - Luka (Zoric Family Book 5)
The Ruin - Luka (Zoric Family Book 6)
The Lie - Emzee (Zoric Family Book 7)
The Act - Emzee (Zoric Family Book 8)
The Truth - Emzee (Zoric Family Book 9)
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2021
732 people are currently reading
1275 people want to read
About the author
Stella Gray
65 books746 followersStella Gray has always had her head in the clouds and has been writing since she was in high school. A contemporary romance author, she loves dark romances with morally gray men. When she’s not writing, she’s either in the kitchen testing out a new baking recipe or spending time in the great outdoors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
January 25, 2024
*2.5* Holy plot holes. This book is like a sieve. Drama to just add movement to the plot.
Fake marriage to your best friend
Mafia side plot makes zero sense
Evil parents want him back with his ex girlfriend
She’s remained a virgin, because, of course
She was bullied in high school, he is still friends with those assholes
His family has old money, her family has a new money
I really wish we had more of these two in their friendship. Because just saying they are best friends, but not showing it, doesn’t really make it believable.
He’s a complete womanizer. You get the feeling that he has abused their friendship because he knows she has a crush on him. Neither character is very well developed, or likable.
Even though this ended on a cliffhanger, I’m not sure I want to read anymore.
Fake marriage to your best friend
Mafia side plot makes zero sense
Evil parents want him back with his ex girlfriend
She’s remained a virgin, because, of course
She was bullied in high school, he is still friends with those assholes
His family has old money, her family has a new money
I really wish we had more of these two in their friendship. Because just saying they are best friends, but not showing it, doesn’t really make it believable.
He’s a complete womanizer. You get the feeling that he has abused their friendship because he knows she has a crush on him. Neither character is very well developed, or likable.
Even though this ended on a cliffhanger, I’m not sure I want to read anymore.
September 14, 2021
The Lie is my first read by Miss Gray. And I have to say I am eager to read the next book. The story is fake relationship. But with a twist and drama. Good think the drama is not OTT and the twist/ plot is not like soap opera.
Both Emzee and Ford are interesting characters. Since the majority of POV is from Emzee, I have to guess a bit about Ford. I wish Miss Gray putting Ford's POV.
I feel like Miss Gray is waiting for the next book to bring more twist and explosion into the story.
3 stars
Both Emzee and Ford are interesting characters. Since the majority of POV is from Emzee, I have to guess a bit about Ford. I wish Miss Gray putting Ford's POV.
I feel like Miss Gray is waiting for the next book to bring more twist and explosion into the story.
3 stars
September 14, 2021
I read the entire series and I am just writing one review. I hate friends to lovers tropes especially because he had a long term relationship with Claudhilda and it was just weird. They sounded like teenagers in most of the books but they were supposed to be older. He dumps the witch, Claudhilda, and his parents are upset with him because they love the evil, self centered person she is, because they are too. His friend Emzee agrees to pretend to be his girlfriend so he makes his parents and the ex realize he's serious. There are other machinations too but I won't get into that too deeply. Then they become engaged because dating wasn't working and heck he's starting to be a little attracted to her too. Mainly because he was celibate for awhile and needed relief. So romantic. They end up marrying and then his parents do something awful. So Emzee, has to go along with it or they will tell Ford she owes oodles of money to the Bratva. And guess what her Dad was a bad guy and when she was in school She was totally bullied by the mean girls and other students so thank heaven she has a good friend like Ford. Yeah right.... She loves him of course and is still a virgin and they end up with some steamy, somewhat graphic love scenes. So she is going to divorce him because of several things including his parents, the money, the bratva and Claudhilda. So his mom sends Claudhilda to his apartment and she is waiting in bed and Emzee shows up. She freaks, Ford walks in and she leaves. Then in a very creepy scene, the ex crawls out to him on the floor, in a garter set and tries to seduce him. Then she says I know you have a fake marriage and I am perfect for that and then she lists off all the reasons and he THINKS about for a minute and then says no. I was so missed that he bought about it and how hot she was in bed, but he connected more to Emzee. So he throws her out and I was glad. I laughed actually because after she left he totally sanitized his house to rid it of her presence including the sheets and stuff on the bed. Then he goes to End we and tells her he loves her. They are in love but if course the course of true love never runs smooth and there are bumps on the way to an HEA. But there is one with a baby!! He never cheats either that I remember and honestly I would remember, but I read it a while ago and forgot to do the review. It is in three books and all have cliffhangers. And there is one really big issue that I didn't put in here because I was gobsmacked by it and I really hated Ford for most of that book. But altogether they were an okay read. I was happy at the end. Not ecstatic but happy. Ford annoyed me and his parents would probably scare Satan back to God. Totally vile.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2021
This was a fast paced book! If you love fake relationships and angsty, unrequited love, then read this book.
I would have rated this higher but Ford didn’t convince me and Emzee was too soft and kind. I wanted her to be a bit sassier and not do everything Ford wanted her to.
Still, I am interested to read the sequel.
I would have rated this higher but Ford didn’t convince me and Emzee was too soft and kind. I wanted her to be a bit sassier and not do everything Ford wanted her to.
Still, I am interested to read the sequel.
July 7, 2022
I'm not sure what happened to me today, but I finished two books in one day. And I'm pretty sure I'm not into romance. But this isn't bad. It's brief and to the point. It's entertaining, but it's not really my thing.
February 22, 2022
I went into this book pretty blind considering it was the first book I have read by Stella Gray and let me tell you it did not disappoint. This book is best friends to lovers and marriage of convince (kinda hard to explain but once you read you’ll understand why I say that). Emzee and Ford have been best friends since high school yet she’s secretly in love with him, but Ford kinda already knows that. Not going to lie it kinda made me angry how he played with her feelings for him just to benefit himself, but eventually you see this turn on him in the end and it leaves you on a god damn cliff hanger and now I am sitting here waiting on my books from Amazon because the 2nd and 3rd aren’t on kindle and the suspense is killing me. Overall I thought this was a good book considering I'm dying to find out what happens. Also I hope everyone hates Ford’s mom as much as I do.
April 19, 2021
***Review can also be found at Jackie's Book World. :)***
Rating: 3.5/5
Not having read any other books by the Stella Gray before, I didn’t know what to expect. Needless to say, what starts out as a lie turns into so much more for this friends-to-lovers romance. A promising start to the Charade Trilogy.
At the beginning of the story we are introduced to Emzee Zoric, a professional photographer and part owner of Danica Rose Management, a modeling agency that has recently changed the lives of her and her brothers forever. After finding out that her father and former CEO of the then KZ Modeling agency became an international criminal who damaged a lot of lives in the process. The news of what her father did tarnished the reputation of the company and ever since then her and her brothers have done everything in their power to make the company successful again.
Things quickly change when they get news that her father’s criminal past is after them now and the mafia is now involved. What brings her solace is being with her friend, Ford Malone. He has been her rock ever since he saved her from bullies back in high school and they have then formed a strong bond between them. She has always been there for him, so when he asks her to be his fake girlfriend she does it, that’s until he asks her to be his wife for a year that everything changes in their friendship. She has always been in love with him and no matter how much she tries to move on, he always seems to bring her back to him somehow. Soon she is planning a wedding and she finds herself being vulnerable with him. He is who she wants and she plans to tell him, then her life changes once again threatening their chance at a future together.
As VP of Malone Real Estate Holdings, Ford Malone has it all, the wealth and women around him all the time. His last relationship didn’t end well, as he is the only one that has been trying to move on while his ex keeps coming after him. It doesn’t help the fact that his mom in particular likes his ex and wants to see them get married. So does the first thing that comes to mind, asks his best friend to be his wife for a while until his mom gets used to the idea that he will never marry his ex. There is a part of him that knows that Emzee has always liked him more than a friend and although he doesn’t want to give her the wrong idea, the more time they spend together the more he begins to wonder if she might just be it for him.
Although there were times when I wasn’t a big fan of Ford at the beginning, he seemed to be using Emzee’s feelings for him as a way to get her to agree to their arrangement. He grew on me later in the story, as he realizes how his feelings are changing towards her. There are definitely two big things happening in the book, one of them being their arrange marriage and the other about the mafia involvement. The first book gives us a lot of background information on how the rest of the story is going to play out. I loved the main characters’ chemistry, they already know each other so they always lean on each other when they need one another the most. It’s when they decide to take things further that their chemistry is sizzling! The end does end on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to read what happens next. This is a great story for those that love a friends-to-lovers arrange-marriage romance! :)
**I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.**
Rating: 3.5/5
Not having read any other books by the Stella Gray before, I didn’t know what to expect. Needless to say, what starts out as a lie turns into so much more for this friends-to-lovers romance. A promising start to the Charade Trilogy.
At the beginning of the story we are introduced to Emzee Zoric, a professional photographer and part owner of Danica Rose Management, a modeling agency that has recently changed the lives of her and her brothers forever. After finding out that her father and former CEO of the then KZ Modeling agency became an international criminal who damaged a lot of lives in the process. The news of what her father did tarnished the reputation of the company and ever since then her and her brothers have done everything in their power to make the company successful again.
Things quickly change when they get news that her father’s criminal past is after them now and the mafia is now involved. What brings her solace is being with her friend, Ford Malone. He has been her rock ever since he saved her from bullies back in high school and they have then formed a strong bond between them. She has always been there for him, so when he asks her to be his fake girlfriend she does it, that’s until he asks her to be his wife for a year that everything changes in their friendship. She has always been in love with him and no matter how much she tries to move on, he always seems to bring her back to him somehow. Soon she is planning a wedding and she finds herself being vulnerable with him. He is who she wants and she plans to tell him, then her life changes once again threatening their chance at a future together.
As VP of Malone Real Estate Holdings, Ford Malone has it all, the wealth and women around him all the time. His last relationship didn’t end well, as he is the only one that has been trying to move on while his ex keeps coming after him. It doesn’t help the fact that his mom in particular likes his ex and wants to see them get married. So does the first thing that comes to mind, asks his best friend to be his wife for a while until his mom gets used to the idea that he will never marry his ex. There is a part of him that knows that Emzee has always liked him more than a friend and although he doesn’t want to give her the wrong idea, the more time they spend together the more he begins to wonder if she might just be it for him.
Although there were times when I wasn’t a big fan of Ford at the beginning, he seemed to be using Emzee’s feelings for him as a way to get her to agree to their arrangement. He grew on me later in the story, as he realizes how his feelings are changing towards her. There are definitely two big things happening in the book, one of them being their arrange marriage and the other about the mafia involvement. The first book gives us a lot of background information on how the rest of the story is going to play out. I loved the main characters’ chemistry, they already know each other so they always lean on each other when they need one another the most. It’s when they decide to take things further that their chemistry is sizzling! The end does end on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to read what happens next. This is a great story for those that love a friends-to-lovers arrange-marriage romance! :)
**I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.**
February 20, 2021
3.75
Emzee has had a crush on her best friend Ford since forever. She's so smitten with him that she goes along with everything he says and wants. And now he wants a fake relationship with her, just to get his nagging mother off of his shoulders.
And mother's not a fan of Emzee.
I really liked Emzee as a person, she was genuine, kind and had zero ability to say no. Ford's mother spiced things up by not liking Emzee, and her proposal spinned my head for a few minutes.
That was well played.
If you like fake relationship stories, spiced with scheming and sexy sceenes, you're going to love The Lie.
Emzee has had a crush on her best friend Ford since forever. She's so smitten with him that she goes along with everything he says and wants. And now he wants a fake relationship with her, just to get his nagging mother off of his shoulders.
And mother's not a fan of Emzee.
I really liked Emzee as a person, she was genuine, kind and had zero ability to say no. Ford's mother spiced things up by not liking Emzee, and her proposal spinned my head for a few minutes.
That was well played.
If you like fake relationship stories, spiced with scheming and sexy sceenes, you're going to love The Lie.
April 1, 2021
Let me just start by saying that Ford is a dick. And though he doesn't deserve that ending, he has in no way redeemed himself from the way he treated Emzee.
As for her, have some self-respect. I don't dislike the girl. Actually, I enjoyed her POV and I liked that she could be an artist without being a starving one but I just can't get behind characters who are using or being used.
It is very clear that books about her brothers preceded this one, I even think one of them is free on Amazon but I never felt as though I had to read those books to appreciate or understand this one.
Now, don't get me wrong. I love that they aren't perfect. Despite being friends for seven years, his disapproving parents still aren't fond of her and her dad is scum. Her brothers seem like emotionally abused guys who are just trying to do the right thing and her sisters-in-law are perfect.
Unfortunately, I can't see their "friendship" and I felt no connection to them as a couple either. The sex was pretty bland but I don't think it was meant to be erotica. As a matter of fact, I am wondering what kind of romance it is because Ford seems like the guy that you leave when the good guy comes along.
Still, I am interested to see what happens next, especially with the random mafia element.
As for her, have some self-respect. I don't dislike the girl. Actually, I enjoyed her POV and I liked that she could be an artist without being a starving one but I just can't get behind characters who are using or being used.
It is very clear that books about her brothers preceded this one, I even think one of them is free on Amazon but I never felt as though I had to read those books to appreciate or understand this one.
Now, don't get me wrong. I love that they aren't perfect. Despite being friends for seven years, his disapproving parents still aren't fond of her and her dad is scum. Her brothers seem like emotionally abused guys who are just trying to do the right thing and her sisters-in-law are perfect.
Unfortunately, I can't see their "friendship" and I felt no connection to them as a couple either. The sex was pretty bland but I don't think it was meant to be erotica. As a matter of fact, I am wondering what kind of romance it is because Ford seems like the guy that you leave when the good guy comes along.
Still, I am interested to see what happens next, especially with the random mafia element.
March 25, 2021
Apple / Amazon US / Kobo / Nook / Google Play
Emzee loves her best friend, Ford. She's also in love with him. She's not exactly pining away for the man, but she has to keep her feelings locked away lest they emerge and ruin their friendship. Then he asks for a fake relationship to get his meddling mother off his back about marrying and settling down. In hindsight, she should have said no, because it will test her feelings and probably end in heartbreak because Ford definitely is not in love with her. But what's a best friend to do when the fake starts becoming seemingly real? Or when an obstacle is thrown at Emzee that she has no hope of getting around?
Ford's always relied on Emzee to be there for him, since the very first time when he protected her. But this time around, he's starting to realize that he wants to be there for Emzee too. Are his feelings developing into much more than simply friendship? What's a best friend to do when his heart is on the line?
This is a great start to what I can tell is going to be an excellent trilogy. Emzee in particular stood out as being real and lovable. I admit that perhaps Ford isn't my favorite character. The jury's still out on whether he deserves Emzee, not just as a wife, but as a best friend. I felt like most of the story was him using her and obliviously going along all while knowing Emzee had feelings for him. I like that he's slowly taking his head out of his self-absorbed ass, though, and then the cliffhanger happened! No! I am anxiously awaiting The Act and The Truth now. I have to know what happens next.
ARC via Candi Kane PR for an honest review.
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April 1, 2021
This was a lot more complex than I expected. Fake marriage with your BFF should be simple. But it’s definitely not when feelings and threats from the Bratva come into it. Can’t wait for book two.
I received an arc of this book.
I received an arc of this book.
Read
October 9, 2021Im not going to even rate this book, because 1. DNF, and it was so PAINFUL
not a stan of asshole BFF who can't help but fall in love with the oh so different virgin beauty
not a stan of asshole BFF who can't help but fall in love with the oh so different virgin beauty
March 30, 2021
I love fake marriage tropes, I love Chicago, and I love "going legit" arcs. But so far, Emzee and Ford just aren't working for me. They read a little young for a fake marriage trope and come off as more YA/NA. It could be because he's such a shallow, manipulative creep who treats Emzee's loyalty like it means nothing. Or it could be the Ista/influencer vibe that all the fashion and foodie "name dropping" creates. What I'm really missing is an emotional connection - between the characters and with the characters and the reader. It's leaving me cold at the altar.
If you like that Gossip Girl type vibe, this may be just the series for you. Action, glamour, ennui and a darkish underbelly.
If you like that Gossip Girl type vibe, this may be just the series for you. Action, glamour, ennui and a darkish underbelly.
Want to read
August 25, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (8/25/2021)!🎁
March 14, 2021
The Lie is the last story to the Zoric family. You don't have to read the other stories but if you want the full effect then you should read the first set of trilogies. The Lie is about the sister and her best friend Ford.
Emzee is one of my favorite characters that I have read in a long time. She is a strong and independent woman except when it comes to Ford. He is her kryptonite, Ford can do no wrong in her eyes and even if she finds fault in him, he can smile at her and she forgives him. These are the times I wanted to smack the crap out of her.
Ford is a rich, selfish man that gets anyone and everything he wants, but when it comes to his family he is scared crapless. He hides everything he is to make his parents happy in the hopes that someday he can live his own life. And while doing that he is bringing his best friend down with him. Ford knows that Emzee has a huge crush on him and he is using it to his benefit. I hope while reading the other stories that Ford will come out having a soul when it comes to Emzee. But as of now, he is not one of my favorite characters.
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Emzee is one of my favorite characters that I have read in a long time. She is a strong and independent woman except when it comes to Ford. He is her kryptonite, Ford can do no wrong in her eyes and even if she finds fault in him, he can smile at her and she forgives him. These are the times I wanted to smack the crap out of her.
Ford is a rich, selfish man that gets anyone and everything he wants, but when it comes to his family he is scared crapless. He hides everything he is to make his parents happy in the hopes that someday he can live his own life. And while doing that he is bringing his best friend down with him. Ford knows that Emzee has a huge crush on him and he is using it to his benefit. I hope while reading the other stories that Ford will come out having a soul when it comes to Emzee. But as of now, he is not one of my favorite characters.
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March 1, 2021
I’ve enjoyed every other series of the Zoric family and I think that we all were waiting to see how Emzee’s story would play out. We know her as the youngest – the little sister to Stefan and Luka, and we watched how the elder siblings entered into marriages based on contracts and not on love, only to have them turn into more than they ever could have imagined. Each story being more complicated than the last, but we see now that they are all happy, and expecting children of their own.
So fast forward now to Emzee. She’s always been a bit different than her siblings – really a bit goth, a bit of a loner. She’s marched to her own tune, and now that she’s trying to find her footing in the world that her father left in shambles, she’s managed to build a great charity, grow her friendships with her sister in laws, and try to stand on her own two feet. She’s even managed to keep her best friend from High School in her life – and that friend is Ford Malone. The boy who helped keep the bullies away from her when rumors spread as a teen, and now they have this type of friendship that outlasts relationships and trauma of life.
We find ourselves in an interesting situation, where Emzee is at a family event for Ford, his mother’s birthday party and while she’s maneuvering her way around the event raising money for her charity, she quickly finds herself in the crosshairs when Ford’s mother continues to hound him about getting married to his new ex-Claudia and Ford pulls her into the mix. In the form of his ‘girlfriend’.
Yup – so that’s the path this story takes – watching yet another fake relationship come to the forefront. Ford needs his mom off his case and he knows that Em will do anything for him. She’s never said no, and it’s because she’s had a crush on him from day one and he knows it. Emzee always thought she was good about hiding it but nope!
The journey from there out is one where we watch this lie take all sorts of forms. Ford needs Emzee to do all the girlfriend type things, and she needs to do her best not to lose her heart in the process. It becomes harder and harder when there are so many conflicting moments between them. Ford brings Emzee to all these events to play the dutiful girlfriend and then he muddies the water with moments of romance and sensuality. Emzee thinks that at times there’s more and then he does something or says something to remind her that she’s nothing more than a pawn.
The challenge with a lie is that something will either push the lie into becoming true, or something will happen to make everyone get hurt. We watch how both happen simultaneously. There are moments when we believe that both are leaning to each other – that emotions are becoming real, that connections are real, and then the rug is pulled out from under them when secrets come out. The hiccup in all this is that now the relationship has turned into an engagement, and yet another contract marriage is born – where they are going to stay together for a year in order to get Ford’s family off his back,……but what we have come to realize is that the other shoe is going to drop with even more secrets.
Those secrets being another underlying plot line that is a result of what the Zoric’s father did with the family business. You’ll remember in the previous series, we watched how the family learned that their father was involved in trafficking the models and now that the agency has gone clean, apparently there are people who are not thrilled with the lost revenue. Namely the Russian Mafia. They’re after the family for money and the Zoric’s don’t really have that kind of cash laying around.
When Ford’s family somehow learns about the mafia being after Emzee’s family, a deal is put on the table which turns the entire trajectory of our story on it’s head. All the hope that we had for the future is now dashed, and what that means is that there are too many players involved for any type of positive outcome. Now sadly we have to wait 2 more months for book 2 to come out and we’ve literally been left on a ledge that needs pulling back from and I have to wait it out.
So fast forward now to Emzee. She’s always been a bit different than her siblings – really a bit goth, a bit of a loner. She’s marched to her own tune, and now that she’s trying to find her footing in the world that her father left in shambles, she’s managed to build a great charity, grow her friendships with her sister in laws, and try to stand on her own two feet. She’s even managed to keep her best friend from High School in her life – and that friend is Ford Malone. The boy who helped keep the bullies away from her when rumors spread as a teen, and now they have this type of friendship that outlasts relationships and trauma of life.
We find ourselves in an interesting situation, where Emzee is at a family event for Ford, his mother’s birthday party and while she’s maneuvering her way around the event raising money for her charity, she quickly finds herself in the crosshairs when Ford’s mother continues to hound him about getting married to his new ex-Claudia and Ford pulls her into the mix. In the form of his ‘girlfriend’.
Yup – so that’s the path this story takes – watching yet another fake relationship come to the forefront. Ford needs his mom off his case and he knows that Em will do anything for him. She’s never said no, and it’s because she’s had a crush on him from day one and he knows it. Emzee always thought she was good about hiding it but nope!
The journey from there out is one where we watch this lie take all sorts of forms. Ford needs Emzee to do all the girlfriend type things, and she needs to do her best not to lose her heart in the process. It becomes harder and harder when there are so many conflicting moments between them. Ford brings Emzee to all these events to play the dutiful girlfriend and then he muddies the water with moments of romance and sensuality. Emzee thinks that at times there’s more and then he does something or says something to remind her that she’s nothing more than a pawn.
The challenge with a lie is that something will either push the lie into becoming true, or something will happen to make everyone get hurt. We watch how both happen simultaneously. There are moments when we believe that both are leaning to each other – that emotions are becoming real, that connections are real, and then the rug is pulled out from under them when secrets come out. The hiccup in all this is that now the relationship has turned into an engagement, and yet another contract marriage is born – where they are going to stay together for a year in order to get Ford’s family off his back,……but what we have come to realize is that the other shoe is going to drop with even more secrets.
Those secrets being another underlying plot line that is a result of what the Zoric’s father did with the family business. You’ll remember in the previous series, we watched how the family learned that their father was involved in trafficking the models and now that the agency has gone clean, apparently there are people who are not thrilled with the lost revenue. Namely the Russian Mafia. They’re after the family for money and the Zoric’s don’t really have that kind of cash laying around.
When Ford’s family somehow learns about the mafia being after Emzee’s family, a deal is put on the table which turns the entire trajectory of our story on it’s head. All the hope that we had for the future is now dashed, and what that means is that there are too many players involved for any type of positive outcome. Now sadly we have to wait 2 more months for book 2 to come out and we’ve literally been left on a ledge that needs pulling back from and I have to wait it out.
May 29, 2021
This is Emzee's story the last of the Zoric siblings trilogies. I love Stephan Lucas and Emzee Zoric. Each sibling trilogy was an amazing story!! Great Audible Edition!!
Emzee has been in love with her best friend Ford Malone since he protected her from being bullied in High School.
Years later he ask her to pretend to be his girlfriend to get his mother off his back about getting married to his Ex Claudia. Fords mother is a real B. She hate Emzee. I wish Ford had put his mother down instead of letting her continue her insults to Emzee!!
Emzee agrees to the rouse being his girlfriend. This leads to him marrying her. But it was one hot courtships. I think Ford and Emzee were a perfect couple. But both are hiding secrets so. Now I am off to read bk2. The Act!!
I couldn't stop listening to the Audible version of The Lie. The Narrators were Excellent!!
Emzee has been in love with her best friend Ford Malone since he protected her from being bullied in High School.
Years later he ask her to pretend to be his girlfriend to get his mother off his back about getting married to his Ex Claudia. Fords mother is a real B. She hate Emzee. I wish Ford had put his mother down instead of letting her continue her insults to Emzee!!
Emzee agrees to the rouse being his girlfriend. This leads to him marrying her. But it was one hot courtships. I think Ford and Emzee were a perfect couple. But both are hiding secrets so. Now I am off to read bk2. The Act!!
I couldn't stop listening to the Audible version of The Lie. The Narrators were Excellent!!
February 1, 2024
I did not like Ford. What a fucking asshole he knew she had a crush on him and took advantage of her feelings and used her. Literally manipulated her all the time. There was never anything in it for her. She had no backbone. SPOILER. Apparently he was the reason she was bullied in high school. He spread all those rumors about her. How am supposed to root for that trash. I don't think so. This author literally just writes the same thing over and over. So glad I didn't waste my money on this and got it for free.
Read
April 16, 2021Not enjoying this one right now.
February 26, 2021
“ᴜɴᴅᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴏᴜɢʜ-ɢɪʀʟ ᴀᴛᴛɪᴛᴜᴅᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ᴇʏᴇ ᴍᴀᴋᴇᴜᴘ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴛꜱ, ᴇᴍ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛʟʏ ᴀ ʙɪɢ ꜱᴏꜰᴛɪᴇ.”✨
“ᴀɴᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛ, ɪ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴢᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ɴᴏ ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ ɪɴ ᴡᴏʀʀʏɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʟᴏꜱᴇ ᴍʏ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴛᴏ ʜɪᴍ. ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ɪ ᴀᴄᴄᴇᴘᴛᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀᴜᴛʜ: ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ʜᴀᴅ. ᴀ ʟᴏɴɢ, ʟᴏɴɢ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴀɢᴏ.”✨
Emzee has been in love with her best friend for years, now that he has broken up with his "perfect" girlfriend she is hopeful that something might come up between them. What he does not expect is that he proposes a deal: a fake relationship. Emzee is a lonely young woman, though and with a particular taste for black and dark makeup; she is a professional photographer at a modeling agency that belongs to her family, which gives her a real satisfaction. Her passion is photography, but the agency is tainted by the crimes of her father who is involved with the Russian mafia and everything has come to light. That was a serious blow to the family. Fortunately, he has the support of his sisters-in-law and also his brothers, who seek to clear their surname.
Emzee is aware her love for Ford Malone is unrequited, but has faith that one day he will fall in love with her. Ford is gorgeous, coveted and born in a golden cradle. He is a free soul, which is why Emzee is perfect to play the role of his fake girlfriend: because he knows that with her he can be authentic and because she never says "No". The friendship between them is very strong, which makes it easier for their relationship to appear real in the eyes of others and dilutes the lines of friendship. The chemistry intensifies and one feels comfortable with the other. She knows she'll end up heartbroken, but when she proposes to take things to another level, including a marriage proposal, which will also be fake and expired, she can't say no. Emzee is a character has that problem, that he lacks strength of character and Ford takes advantage of that but he is playing with fire because feelings towards his fake fiancee inevitably arise. Now we will have to wait for the second book to come out.
***𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰***
“ᴀɴᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛ, ɪ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴢᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ɴᴏ ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ ɪɴ ᴡᴏʀʀʏɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʟᴏꜱᴇ ᴍʏ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴛᴏ ʜɪᴍ. ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ɪ ᴀᴄᴄᴇᴘᴛᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀᴜᴛʜ: ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ʜᴀᴅ. ᴀ ʟᴏɴɢ, ʟᴏɴɢ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴀɢᴏ.”✨
Emzee has been in love with her best friend for years, now that he has broken up with his "perfect" girlfriend she is hopeful that something might come up between them. What he does not expect is that he proposes a deal: a fake relationship. Emzee is a lonely young woman, though and with a particular taste for black and dark makeup; she is a professional photographer at a modeling agency that belongs to her family, which gives her a real satisfaction. Her passion is photography, but the agency is tainted by the crimes of her father who is involved with the Russian mafia and everything has come to light. That was a serious blow to the family. Fortunately, he has the support of his sisters-in-law and also his brothers, who seek to clear their surname.
Emzee is aware her love for Ford Malone is unrequited, but has faith that one day he will fall in love with her. Ford is gorgeous, coveted and born in a golden cradle. He is a free soul, which is why Emzee is perfect to play the role of his fake girlfriend: because he knows that with her he can be authentic and because she never says "No". The friendship between them is very strong, which makes it easier for their relationship to appear real in the eyes of others and dilutes the lines of friendship. The chemistry intensifies and one feels comfortable with the other. She knows she'll end up heartbroken, but when she proposes to take things to another level, including a marriage proposal, which will also be fake and expired, she can't say no. Emzee is a character has that problem, that he lacks strength of character and Ford takes advantage of that but he is playing with fire because feelings towards his fake fiancee inevitably arise. Now we will have to wait for the second book to come out.
***𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰***
March 1, 2021
The Lie by Stella Gray is an original story about two best friends that become lovers that is based on a lie. This is an incredible story, and I was like most of you thinking that this is the typical “oh she loves him, but he doesn’t know but secretly blah blah blah.” Well, folks hold on to your knickers because there are some things in this book that will get them in a twist. And the cliff-hanger…lawd, child the cliff-hanger is one for the record books. Just remember the old saying ‘Two can keep a second if one of them is dead’. 5-stars for The Lie by Stella Gray.
February 25, 2021
Great Modern Story
I loved the whole series. I can’t wait for the next book. The characters are so real and storylines are amazing. Please hurry with the next 2 books. I finished each one in a day.
I loved the whole series. I can’t wait for the next book. The characters are so real and storylines are amazing. Please hurry with the next 2 books. I finished each one in a day.
September 16, 2022
Book One of The Charade Series
Emzee Zoric, 23-years of age, whose father was actually an imprisoned international criminal, worked alongside her two brothers and Ford in their family owned, and revamped, modeling agency.
Revamped? Meaning their father had been using a modeling agency as a front for trafficking.... Once her brothers were able to help the FBI shut it down, they revamped the agency and cleaned everything up. In doing so, they made global enemies.
Ford Malone, Emzee's oldest, closest, and most trusted best friend. Sorry, I honestly thought this character was a bit of a douche canoe for most of the book in my opinion. He had just recently become single, much to his mother's dismay. In order to please her, not really appease her because she did not like Emzee, but more so to get her off his back, he lied and said they were dating. In order for the lie to work though, they had to stay fake dating for at least a couple months to withdraw suspicion.
This lie worked well for her though because she'd always been in love since their school age years when he was the only one to be there for her, and to stick up for her, during very cool and bullying years from freshman and on.
As their lies evolve and become twisted, more becomes at risk of being lost. Without an end in sight, a lying revelation comes to light before the cliffhanger closes it's curtains before the second Act.
The book is predominantly written in her POV; out of the 27th chapters Ford's POV is only three of them.
While there is a backstory for both of Emzee's brothers, Stefan and Luca, there's enough information to help fill in the blanks and complete a picture of them and their wives when needed. However, it does tease you and leaves you tantalizing wanting to dive right in to their separate stories.
Emzee Zoric, 23-years of age, whose father was actually an imprisoned international criminal, worked alongside her two brothers and Ford in their family owned, and revamped, modeling agency.
Revamped? Meaning their father had been using a modeling agency as a front for trafficking.... Once her brothers were able to help the FBI shut it down, they revamped the agency and cleaned everything up. In doing so, they made global enemies.
Ford Malone, Emzee's oldest, closest, and most trusted best friend. Sorry, I honestly thought this character was a bit of a douche canoe for most of the book in my opinion. He had just recently become single, much to his mother's dismay. In order to please her, not really appease her because she did not like Emzee, but more so to get her off his back, he lied and said they were dating. In order for the lie to work though, they had to stay fake dating for at least a couple months to withdraw suspicion.
This lie worked well for her though because she'd always been in love since their school age years when he was the only one to be there for her, and to stick up for her, during very cool and bullying years from freshman and on.
As their lies evolve and become twisted, more becomes at risk of being lost. Without an end in sight, a lying revelation comes to light before the cliffhanger closes it's curtains before the second Act.
The book is predominantly written in her POV; out of the 27th chapters Ford's POV is only three of them.
While there is a backstory for both of Emzee's brothers, Stefan and Luca, there's enough information to help fill in the blanks and complete a picture of them and their wives when needed. However, it does tease you and leaves you tantalizing wanting to dive right in to their separate stories.
February 25, 2021
5 huge fat starssss 🌟🤩
This is sooooo good I love it I think stella gray should wrote more all of her books are great I love her❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
This is sooooo good I love it I think stella gray should wrote more all of her books are great I love her❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
December 6, 2021
I really enjoyed the story, it was very interesting and I love the friends to lovers story line. Usually I am not really a fan of those types of books but the way it was set up was beyond genius. It put a twist on it , so that they didn’t just out of nowhere realised they had feelings for each other.
In this book she has always seen him as her hero and had a crush on him, but two afraid to lose her friend she was comfortable just being in his presence. He has always know she had feeling for him but ignored that and waiting for the day when she would realise that was all in head and move on.
So when they to eventually start pretend dating and get engaged it really put a spin on things.
I love her sprite and the way her mind worked but you could also easily she her insecurities about herself.
Which really makes her more relatable.
When it came to him a wasn’t really a fan, it felt some times like an teenage boy stuck I a grown man’s body.
In the way he treated her around his male companions. It grossed me out and how she couldn’t really see that was beyond sad. His way of also taking her for granted and overall decide things without consulting her first was completely unacceptable in my opinion.
Beside all that I could see him becoming a great man in the future book, if only he grow up, stoped letting his horrible parents control his life and started to really see Emzee for the incredible woman that she is.
In this book she has always seen him as her hero and had a crush on him, but two afraid to lose her friend she was comfortable just being in his presence. He has always know she had feeling for him but ignored that and waiting for the day when she would realise that was all in head and move on.
So when they to eventually start pretend dating and get engaged it really put a spin on things.
I love her sprite and the way her mind worked but you could also easily she her insecurities about herself.
Which really makes her more relatable.
When it came to him a wasn’t really a fan, it felt some times like an teenage boy stuck I a grown man’s body.
In the way he treated her around his male companions. It grossed me out and how she couldn’t really see that was beyond sad. His way of also taking her for granted and overall decide things without consulting her first was completely unacceptable in my opinion.
Beside all that I could see him becoming a great man in the future book, if only he grow up, stoped letting his horrible parents control his life and started to really see Emzee for the incredible woman that she is.
April 11, 2021
4 Star review of The Lie (charade #1) by Stella Gray
Stella Gray is a new author to me and I am surprised I have not come across her books before. From the first chapter I was hooked on Ford and Emzee’s friends to lovers story and found it an entertaining read. Be warned that this book does end in a cliff hanger which I was not aware of when I started The Lie, however all it has done is made me anxious to read the next book in the series.
Having been in love with her best friend for what seems forever, Emzee is shocked when he announces at a family function that they are engaged. Now he wants her to maintain the pretence but at what cost? Can Emzee keep her heart intact when she is so in love with Ford or is she destined to have her heart broken?
I fell hard and fast for these characters, they were easy to relate too and I liked them. The secondary characters were entertaining and the writing was strong. The chemistry that sizzles between Ford and Emzee intensifies as they are drawn deeper and deeper into their fake relationship.
Ford’s mother has issues with their relationship so you know that complications are going to occur. What happens when Emzee makes a deal that could destroy her happiness? I was on the edge of my seat as I was reading and cannot wait to find out what happens for Ford and Emzee when their story continues in The Act.
Stella Gray is a new author to me and I am surprised I have not come across her books before. From the first chapter I was hooked on Ford and Emzee’s friends to lovers story and found it an entertaining read. Be warned that this book does end in a cliff hanger which I was not aware of when I started The Lie, however all it has done is made me anxious to read the next book in the series.
Having been in love with her best friend for what seems forever, Emzee is shocked when he announces at a family function that they are engaged. Now he wants her to maintain the pretence but at what cost? Can Emzee keep her heart intact when she is so in love with Ford or is she destined to have her heart broken?
I fell hard and fast for these characters, they were easy to relate too and I liked them. The secondary characters were entertaining and the writing was strong. The chemistry that sizzles between Ford and Emzee intensifies as they are drawn deeper and deeper into their fake relationship.
Ford’s mother has issues with their relationship so you know that complications are going to occur. What happens when Emzee makes a deal that could destroy her happiness? I was on the edge of my seat as I was reading and cannot wait to find out what happens for Ford and Emzee when their story continues in The Act.
March 12, 2022
I bought this whole series after I loved reading The Convenience Series with Brooklyn and Luka, so much.
This series is about Emzee and her best friend, Ford.
The story starts off in Emzee's voice and she describes how she's secretly in love with her best friend, but she needs to try and move on. However, he asks her to be his fake girlfriend to stop his mother pestering him to get back with his ex.
When it gets to Ford's point of view, it explains how he already knows that Emzee has a crush on him. Ford in my eyes at this point is such a arrogant and self-centered manipulater. He's exploiting Emzee's love for him in multiple ways, using her to stop his mother running his life, brags to his friends about how good of a sex life he has with Emzee and has to be the centre of attention, all to make the fake relationship look better and paint himself as such a lovely guy. Emzee just can't say no to him when she deserves so much better!
This guy is clearly an emotional abuser and should be avoided at all costs! Especially following the actions of her father and the criminal empire he built, she should walk away. However, that isn't what happens. On top of all this, Ford had a secret that he's not willing to share!
This series is about Emzee and her best friend, Ford.
The story starts off in Emzee's voice and she describes how she's secretly in love with her best friend, but she needs to try and move on. However, he asks her to be his fake girlfriend to stop his mother pestering him to get back with his ex.
When it gets to Ford's point of view, it explains how he already knows that Emzee has a crush on him. Ford in my eyes at this point is such a arrogant and self-centered manipulater. He's exploiting Emzee's love for him in multiple ways, using her to stop his mother running his life, brags to his friends about how good of a sex life he has with Emzee and has to be the centre of attention, all to make the fake relationship look better and paint himself as such a lovely guy. Emzee just can't say no to him when she deserves so much better!
This guy is clearly an emotional abuser and should be avoided at all costs! Especially following the actions of her father and the criminal empire he built, she should walk away. However, that isn't what happens. On top of all this, Ford had a secret that he's not willing to share!
March 23, 2021
One twist changes everything.
This is the story of Ford & Emzee. Ford works at his family’s real estate company. Emzee is a professional photographer and is part owner of her family’s modeling agency with her two brothers. Her father had done some very shady things with the company, and was now in jail, so they had to rename it. The press had been ruthless. They made Danica Rose Management legit. Then, boom, an extremely big problem comes up. Ford and Emzee have been friends since sophomore year in high school; very close friends. There was only one problem though. Emzee has been in love with him since then. Now Ford comes up with an idea, because he can’t convince his mother that he's broken up with his girlfriend. His ideas keep getting Ford and Emzee deeper and deeper into their fabrication. This book has a lot of wit, a lot of pretense, and a lot of expectations. Ford sets out to purposely use Emzee. At the end of this first book of the series, Emzee has to purposely use Ford. But, the end is a cliffhanger. Can’t wait to read the next book. Good start to the last sibling of the Zoric family.
This is the story of Ford & Emzee. Ford works at his family’s real estate company. Emzee is a professional photographer and is part owner of her family’s modeling agency with her two brothers. Her father had done some very shady things with the company, and was now in jail, so they had to rename it. The press had been ruthless. They made Danica Rose Management legit. Then, boom, an extremely big problem comes up. Ford and Emzee have been friends since sophomore year in high school; very close friends. There was only one problem though. Emzee has been in love with him since then. Now Ford comes up with an idea, because he can’t convince his mother that he's broken up with his girlfriend. His ideas keep getting Ford and Emzee deeper and deeper into their fabrication. This book has a lot of wit, a lot of pretense, and a lot of expectations. Ford sets out to purposely use Emzee. At the end of this first book of the series, Emzee has to purposely use Ford. But, the end is a cliffhanger. Can’t wait to read the next book. Good start to the last sibling of the Zoric family.
April 9, 2021
4.5 Stars for The Lie ( Charade #1)
This is the first book I have read by this author but it certainly won’t be the last because I was drawn in and captivated by Emzee and Ford’s friends to lovers story.
Emzee has been in love with her best friend forever and now that he is single she secretly hopes he may find room in his heart for her, the last thing she expects is for him to ask for her to pretend to be his girlfriend. It may be fake but that doesn’t stop Emzee doing whatever her best friend asks of her.
I was captivated from the first page, I was drawn in by the strong writing and wonderful characters, a perfect start to a new series but what about that cliffhanger !!!! I didn’t see that coming and now I need the next book in this series. I highly recommend this fantastic read abd I’m looking forward to reading more from the very talented Stella Gray.
This is the first book I have read by this author but it certainly won’t be the last because I was drawn in and captivated by Emzee and Ford’s friends to lovers story.
Emzee has been in love with her best friend forever and now that he is single she secretly hopes he may find room in his heart for her, the last thing she expects is for him to ask for her to pretend to be his girlfriend. It may be fake but that doesn’t stop Emzee doing whatever her best friend asks of her.
I was captivated from the first page, I was drawn in by the strong writing and wonderful characters, a perfect start to a new series but what about that cliffhanger !!!! I didn’t see that coming and now I need the next book in this series. I highly recommend this fantastic read abd I’m looking forward to reading more from the very talented Stella Gray.
March 27, 2021
3.75 stars
This was the first time reading this author but it won't be the last. From the moment that I saw the blurb of this story, my interest was piqued. I am always a sucker for a fake relationship and or best friends to lovers. In this case, I got both.
This is the first of the trilogy and seemed to set up the foundation of what is to come in the rest of the story. Emzee was a different heroine for me than usual. In this case, the best friend actually has always loved the other and wasn't just a convenience. I found myself questioning several times why she loved Ford because he didn't do much for me. In fact, I didn't connect with him at all. It felt like he capitalized on their friendship and her feelings to get things to go in his favor. I am hoping in the next book that he grows up a little and redeems himself because, at this point in the story, I think Emzee can do A LOT better.
All that aside, this was a good start to a trilogy. Book ones are generally a miss for me because they are setting so much of the story up. I am hoping that the trilogy grows and that I can connect with the characters better so that I can get invested in the story. It is for that reason that I rounded up from a 3.75 to 4 stars.
This was the first time reading this author but it won't be the last. From the moment that I saw the blurb of this story, my interest was piqued. I am always a sucker for a fake relationship and or best friends to lovers. In this case, I got both.
This is the first of the trilogy and seemed to set up the foundation of what is to come in the rest of the story. Emzee was a different heroine for me than usual. In this case, the best friend actually has always loved the other and wasn't just a convenience. I found myself questioning several times why she loved Ford because he didn't do much for me. In fact, I didn't connect with him at all. It felt like he capitalized on their friendship and her feelings to get things to go in his favor. I am hoping in the next book that he grows up a little and redeems himself because, at this point in the story, I think Emzee can do A LOT better.
All that aside, this was a good start to a trilogy. Book ones are generally a miss for me because they are setting so much of the story up. I am hoping that the trilogy grows and that I can connect with the characters better so that I can get invested in the story. It is for that reason that I rounded up from a 3.75 to 4 stars.
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