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The Cruelest Truth
She needs a job.
He needs a nanny.
What could possibly go wrong?
Nadia Kennedy is having the time of her life. After completing her third year of college and securing a promising career after graduation, she returns home for the summer.
On her way to her twenty-first birthday dinner, a strange phone call rocks her to her core. Left to figure out her life as it falls apart, she decides to go to the lake house she frequented every summer as a child.
When things are finally going well, and Nadia starts to develop feelings for Manny Torres and his five-year-old daughter Catalina, she opens the door to discover the cruelest truth of all.
When everyone and everything in your life has been a lie, the path forward could just prove to be unforgivable.
*Cover coming soon on 7/9.
He needs a nanny.
What could possibly go wrong?
Nadia Kennedy is having the time of her life. After completing her third year of college and securing a promising career after graduation, she returns home for the summer.
On her way to her twenty-first birthday dinner, a strange phone call rocks her to her core. Left to figure out her life as it falls apart, she decides to go to the lake house she frequented every summer as a child.
When things are finally going well, and Nadia starts to develop feelings for Manny Torres and his five-year-old daughter Catalina, she opens the door to discover the cruelest truth of all.
When everyone and everything in your life has been a lie, the path forward could just prove to be unforgivable.
*Cover coming soon on 7/9.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 21, 2025
10 people are currently reading
5498 people want to read
About the author
L. Renee Richard
8 books158 followersL. Renee Richard is a Hispanic author who lives in rural New England with her family. She’s a born and raised South Texan girl who implements BIPOC characters into her books, imbued with her cherished Hispanic culture. She is an avid reader, complete with her never-ending TBR, and a romantic at heart who appreciates a strong female main character and a good book boyfriend in the books she reads or writes. She loves summers in New England, sitting on the beach with a book, driving with the windows down through rural roads on cool autumn nights, and iced matcha lattes. Her books promise angsty romance where the journey to a happily ever after isn’t always easy, but it’s worth the trip.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
August 21, 2025
✨"I let the water wash over my face, trying to clear the truth I’ve been avoiding. I realize I don’t
know how much longer I can continue pretending I don’t feel something for her. And for once in
my life, I want to do something for myself."✨
She needs a job.
He needs a nanny.
What could possibly go wrong?
✨It was a beautiful story! Loved Nadia and Manny both and their character arcs and the emotional layers are written beautifully. And Manny's daughter Catalina was such a sweetheart. The storyline was really interesting and I loved the twists and turns at some points, I can safely say I'm loving romantic suspense elements in books nowadays.
Pacing could've been a bit more fast in between and the ending felt a little rushed but overall i loved reading it.💗
Thank you so much @l.renee.richard and @theauthor.agency for the book! ✨
know how much longer I can continue pretending I don’t feel something for her. And for once in
my life, I want to do something for myself."✨
She needs a job.
He needs a nanny.
What could possibly go wrong?
✨It was a beautiful story! Loved Nadia and Manny both and their character arcs and the emotional layers are written beautifully. And Manny's daughter Catalina was such a sweetheart. The storyline was really interesting and I loved the twists and turns at some points, I can safely say I'm loving romantic suspense elements in books nowadays.
Pacing could've been a bit more fast in between and the ending felt a little rushed but overall i loved reading it.💗
Thank you so much @l.renee.richard and @theauthor.agency for the book! ✨
September 22, 2025
Nadia was in dire need of a job.
Manny was searching for a nanny.
What could go wrong if Manny hired Nadia to be his nanny?
Nadia Kennedy loves her life and is having a great time. She just finished her third year of college and she has secured a promising career for herself after she graduates. So, she returns home for the summer, to rest and re-energize before heading back to school for her fourth year.
Nadia is on her way to her twenty-first birthday dinner when a strange phone call rocks her to her core and changes her entire life's plan. She's left to figure out the rest of her life as it falls apart around her, and she decides that she's going to go to the lake house that she went to every summer as a child.
She finally starts to feel like things are turning around for her and she's finally getting her feet back under her when she realizes that she has started to develop feelings for Manny Torres and his five-year-old daughter Catalina. But, in doing this she has opened the door to discovering the cruellest truth of them all.
Nadia soon discovers that everyone and everything in her life has been nothing but a lie, the path forward for her might just prove to be the unforgivable one.
The Cruelest Truth by L. Renee Richard. This is the first book by L. Renee Richard that I have read. I wasn't sure what to expect in this book, but, I am so happy that I read this book, I enjoyed it and I can't wait to read more by this author.
Nadia is a third-year college student home for her last summer break before her final year of college before she graduates. But, her entire world falls apart when her parents are tragically killed in a car accident.
This book is full of suspense, trauma, drama, and spice. The plot and storyline of the book were really very intriguing and there were the odd plot twists that I did manage to see coming. L. Renee Richard did an amazing job with the storyline, plot, subplot, and concept with this book. And I loved the character development that made the characters feel more relatable and made the book more engaging.
Trying to put her life back together and not knowing what else to do, she goes up to her family's lake house to process her feelings and try and figure out what her next steps are going to be.
Manny is a newly divorced single father who now has to focus on his five-year-old daughter Catalina. But, he also has to focus on his job and he can't do that and leave his daughter alone so he searches for a nanny for his daughter.
From the first moment Manny and Nadia meet you can tell that they have an instant chemistry and connection, even though at the moment, neither one of them has the time or the energy to put into starting a new relationship.
Will Nadia's applying for the nanny position ignite their chemistry further or will it cause it to totally fizzle out?
I have to say that this is an amazing story that has great twists and turns that you don't see coming and it really makes you think about the cruelest truths in life that could happen to you at any time.
I will admit that some very difficult subjects are covered in this book. And I will also say that L. Renee Richard did a very tasteful job in how that content was written. The only part I felt deserved more attention was the ending, the way that Nadia showed up on Manny's doorstep after months, it just didn't feel solid and so little was talked about in the epilogue. I feel like it deserved so much better.
Despite the small issues that I have touched on, I still really enjoyed this book and I do recommend it. L. Renee Richard did a good job in writing this book and I really did enjoy reading this book and I recommend anyone who enjoys small-town contemporary romance with suspense then this is a great book for you.
Manny was searching for a nanny.
What could go wrong if Manny hired Nadia to be his nanny?
Nadia Kennedy loves her life and is having a great time. She just finished her third year of college and she has secured a promising career for herself after she graduates. So, she returns home for the summer, to rest and re-energize before heading back to school for her fourth year.
Nadia is on her way to her twenty-first birthday dinner when a strange phone call rocks her to her core and changes her entire life's plan. She's left to figure out the rest of her life as it falls apart around her, and she decides that she's going to go to the lake house that she went to every summer as a child.
She finally starts to feel like things are turning around for her and she's finally getting her feet back under her when she realizes that she has started to develop feelings for Manny Torres and his five-year-old daughter Catalina. But, in doing this she has opened the door to discovering the cruellest truth of them all.
Nadia soon discovers that everyone and everything in her life has been nothing but a lie, the path forward for her might just prove to be the unforgivable one.
The Cruelest Truth by L. Renee Richard. This is the first book by L. Renee Richard that I have read. I wasn't sure what to expect in this book, but, I am so happy that I read this book, I enjoyed it and I can't wait to read more by this author.
Nadia is a third-year college student home for her last summer break before her final year of college before she graduates. But, her entire world falls apart when her parents are tragically killed in a car accident.
This book is full of suspense, trauma, drama, and spice. The plot and storyline of the book were really very intriguing and there were the odd plot twists that I did manage to see coming. L. Renee Richard did an amazing job with the storyline, plot, subplot, and concept with this book. And I loved the character development that made the characters feel more relatable and made the book more engaging.
Trying to put her life back together and not knowing what else to do, she goes up to her family's lake house to process her feelings and try and figure out what her next steps are going to be.
Manny is a newly divorced single father who now has to focus on his five-year-old daughter Catalina. But, he also has to focus on his job and he can't do that and leave his daughter alone so he searches for a nanny for his daughter.
From the first moment Manny and Nadia meet you can tell that they have an instant chemistry and connection, even though at the moment, neither one of them has the time or the energy to put into starting a new relationship.
Will Nadia's applying for the nanny position ignite their chemistry further or will it cause it to totally fizzle out?
I have to say that this is an amazing story that has great twists and turns that you don't see coming and it really makes you think about the cruelest truths in life that could happen to you at any time.
I will admit that some very difficult subjects are covered in this book. And I will also say that L. Renee Richard did a very tasteful job in how that content was written. The only part I felt deserved more attention was the ending, the way that Nadia showed up on Manny's doorstep after months, it just didn't feel solid and so little was talked about in the epilogue. I feel like it deserved so much better.
Despite the small issues that I have touched on, I still really enjoyed this book and I do recommend it. L. Renee Richard did a good job in writing this book and I really did enjoy reading this book and I recommend anyone who enjoys small-town contemporary romance with suspense then this is a great book for you.
September 1, 2025
ARC - 5/5⭐️ a small town, single dad x nanny romance…yes, please! 💚 The Cruelest Truth tells the tale of Nadia who is struck by tragedy and in need of a job when she connects with Manny, a single dad who happens to be looking for a nanny.
The writing was engaging; the playful, subtle flirting back and forth between Nadia and Manny was perfectly executed to keep the reader wanting more. The slow burn of this romance was just perfection👩🏻🍳💋 I really enjoyed the dual POV, it was fun reading both Nadia and Manny’s sides of the story.
L. Renee Richard really knows how to expertly produce a steamy romance 🤌🏻 I ate up every second of this book. Truly did not want this to end 😩 Such a lovely read 🩷 highly recommend!
The writing was engaging; the playful, subtle flirting back and forth between Nadia and Manny was perfectly executed to keep the reader wanting more. The slow burn of this romance was just perfection👩🏻🍳💋 I really enjoyed the dual POV, it was fun reading both Nadia and Manny’s sides of the story.
L. Renee Richard really knows how to expertly produce a steamy romance 🤌🏻 I ate up every second of this book. Truly did not want this to end 😩 Such a lovely read 🩷 highly recommend!
August 8, 2025
This was a steady, easy read. The story follows Nadia as life throws her an unexpected curveball, leading her back to her childhood lake house. There, she connects with Manny and his sweet daughter Catalina, and just as things start to settle, a twist changes the direction of her summer.
I enjoyed the cozy lake setting and the family dynamic, and Catalina added a lot of charm to the story. The pacing felt a bit on the slower side, but it gave time to focus on the characters and their relationships. The twist near the end definitely added some emotional weight.
Overall, it’s a nice read if you enjoy small-town summer vibes with a mix of romance and drama.
I enjoyed the cozy lake setting and the family dynamic, and Catalina added a lot of charm to the story. The pacing felt a bit on the slower side, but it gave time to focus on the characters and their relationships. The twist near the end definitely added some emotional weight.
Overall, it’s a nice read if you enjoy small-town summer vibes with a mix of romance and drama.
August 16, 2025
The Cruelest Truth had a lot of potential, and there were definitely parts that kept me hooked. I enjoyed the dark edge and the emotional layers—it gave me that push-and-pull feeling I like in a story. But at the same time, something felt a little off for me. The pacing dragged in spots and I found myself wanting more depth in certain parts. It wasn’t a bad read by any means, just not one that completely blew me away. Still, I’m glad I gave it a try.
August 18, 2025
This was a sweet single dad/nanny romance with some suspenseful twists. Nadia is a grieving twenty-one year old who has lost both her parents. In an effort to find some peace in the grieving process she makes the trek to her family’s summer home, a place of familiar comfort. What she doesn’t expect is a chance encounter with a single dad, his sweet little girl, and the connections she never saw coming.
I really enjoyed the character development in this story. Nadia appears on page as twenty-one year old would: she’s mature in some ways, and in other ways she has room to grow. I feel like that needs to be noted because she is growing into herself while grieving and I had to remind myself that her petulance is to be expected. Manny is written similarly— he’s a twenty-six year old single dad who has been raising his daughter by himself (her biological mother has supervised visitation).
There are some tense moments between Nadia and Manny, and once I made it to the part in the book where the “enemies to lovers” broke that invisible wall, I found myself feeling for this young father who was just doing what he could.
Catalina, Manny’s daughter, is adorable, and I love the bond she forms with Nadia. This growth of love in the story is heartwarming. There are secondary characters that I grew interested in as well. I really enjoyed how the suspense was woven in and the little breadcrumbs along the way, well let’s just say, I was anxiously awaiting how that was all going to unfold.
I really enjoyed the character development in this story. Nadia appears on page as twenty-one year old would: she’s mature in some ways, and in other ways she has room to grow. I feel like that needs to be noted because she is growing into herself while grieving and I had to remind myself that her petulance is to be expected. Manny is written similarly— he’s a twenty-six year old single dad who has been raising his daughter by himself (her biological mother has supervised visitation).
There are some tense moments between Nadia and Manny, and once I made it to the part in the book where the “enemies to lovers” broke that invisible wall, I found myself feeling for this young father who was just doing what he could.
Catalina, Manny’s daughter, is adorable, and I love the bond she forms with Nadia. This growth of love in the story is heartwarming. There are secondary characters that I grew interested in as well. I really enjoyed how the suspense was woven in and the little breadcrumbs along the way, well let’s just say, I was anxiously awaiting how that was all going to unfold.
August 21, 2025
Let me start by saying that the story was cute. This follows Nadia Kennedy who runs away to her family lake house after she finds out her parents were killed and all the lies she didn’t even know where lies comes to light.
She’s only at the lake house for the summer so she is looking for a summer job that’s when she Meets Manny and a Catalina.
I felt like the book was kind of slow but also it went from nothing to everything yeah we got a little background but not enough, I couldn’t fall in love with the characters because we didn’t get much of the character.
The relationship between Nadia and Manny was behind closed door and even the relationship between Nadia and Caltalina.
The gist was good, I personally didn’t see that coming i thought the twist would be something related to the OW but yeah…
This book has a lot of potential but idk not for me
Read
August 12, 2025Arc read- DNF at 73%
September 3, 2025
Nadia and Manny both suffer from recent traumas, even though they are vastly different. They affected these two characters and their outlook on life.
Reading the growth and connection that Nadia and Manny share in this book had me wanting them to cross that professional line. You can’t help but love Manny’s daughter, Catalina in this book.
The twist came to me pretty quickly, but I was excited to see how it was done in the book. Even with the heavy topics in this book, I devoured and enjoyed reading it.
Reading the growth and connection that Nadia and Manny share in this book had me wanting them to cross that professional line. You can’t help but love Manny’s daughter, Catalina in this book.
The twist came to me pretty quickly, but I was excited to see how it was done in the book. Even with the heavy topics in this book, I devoured and enjoyed reading it.
December 28, 2025
ARC review
It was a good book.
Nadia suffered a tremedous loss and was trying to move on with her life. It wasn't easy but with Manny and his daughter's help, she was able to do it.
Manny had been through enough on a relationship level and he didn't want another woman in his life.
They both didn't expect the other but they couldn't let each other go either. They love each other too much and their connection was too strong.
One of the things I liked the most it was how the villain wasn't really a villain. The bad guy was someone else, this person was just a victim of another person's mistakes
It was a good book.
Nadia suffered a tremedous loss and was trying to move on with her life. It wasn't easy but with Manny and his daughter's help, she was able to do it.
Manny had been through enough on a relationship level and he didn't want another woman in his life.
They both didn't expect the other but they couldn't let each other go either. They love each other too much and their connection was too strong.
One of the things I liked the most it was how the villain wasn't really a villain. The bad guy was someone else, this person was just a victim of another person's mistakes
August 23, 2025
Amazon
After Nadia loses her parents, she decides to go back to her parents' lakehouse for the summer. It's where she feels safe, feels their presence. But she wants to keep herself busy, so ends up becoming the nanny for the sweetest, most adorable little girl, Catalina. Now she's falling in love with her. Catalina's dad though? He's a very different story. He keeps Nadia at a distance until he no longer can. Until their chemistry absolutely can't be denied. But she's not here forever, is she?
Manny has closed himself distant from everyone but his daughter since her mother left. Then along comes a beautiful, younger, woman, and she somehow gets under his skin. But he cannot open himself up to the possibility of pain again, especially with someone who won't be sticking around. The connection between them keeps growing stronger until one day they can't resist. They're falling, Catalina's becoming attached, and every day that passes brings them closer to when she leaves. how can they make this work?
Nadia and Manny are so sweet together, adding adorable Catalina made them even sweeter. The tension is thick, until they finally couldn't bear it any longer, then they positively set my Kindle on fire. The twist gave the story even more emotional depth and both Manny and Nadia's were there for each other through it all. This is the first I've read by this author, but after this, I'm looking forward to much more from her.
ARC provided by The Author Agency for an honest review.
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August 14, 2025
I went into this book mostly blind, knowing only that this was a single dad/nanny/small town romance. But this book ended up being so much more, I was ill prepared for the emotional rollercoaster.
🩷ᗰᗩᑎᑎY ᗩᑎᗪ ᑎᗩᗪIᗩ🩷
Manny is picking up the pieces of his life after his ex-wife and mother of his child (Catalina) had a nervous breakdown and wound up in a facility.
Nadia is running, since the passing of her parents and all that comes with losing a parent, the thought of cleaning out their home, picking out a headstone or navigating life with out her wonderful parents became too much. So she heads out to their waterfront summer home to hopefully find a steady foot in her new normal. She's reeling with all of the questions the police left her with after she learned of her parents passing. Needing something to keep her busy, she picks up two jobs for the summer, one of them being a nanny to a sweet 5 year old girl who reminds her a lot of her younger self. Nadia’s journey is raw and quietly powerful. Her pain runs deep, but her resilience shines.
Manny starts out being pretty grumpy, not to say Nadia is all sunshine, because she is going through her own things, the stark difference, is that she's not taking her strife out on others. Manny however uses it to keep Nadia at bay, because he has sworn off of love. Overtime, through acts of service and both of them healing little broken pieces in each other the attraction Manny and Nadia share become too much. They cant say no. They cant stay away. Their guarded connection sparks with unspoken understanding. And yet they know everything is dangling precariously on a delicate string. They don't know though, how tangled their strings are and if they can survive it.
Needless to say, I enjoyed the story line, the characters and the overall premise of this story. I guess my one complaint is how it was laid out. I think if it was laid out differently, the twists could have been a jaw dropping surprise. Don't get me wrong, there were portions of this that did take me by surprise. But I think if it were laid out differently the surprise would have been just enough to push this into a 5 star for me.
I loved the bilingual aspects of this story and as always I loved little Catalina and the simplicity and honest truth that kids bring into the fold. It was breathtaking and a beautiful example of restoring faith in humanity.
Content Warnings: The Cruelest Truth by L. Renee Richard
Tropes:
💕𝕊𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕝𝕖 𝔻𝕒𝕕 X ℕ𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕪
💕𝕊𝕞𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕋𝕠𝕨𝕟
💕𝕊𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕟 𝕠𝕗𝕗 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖
💕𝕊𝕦𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕖
💕𝔸𝕘𝕖 𝕘𝕒𝕡
💕𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕓𝕚𝕕𝕕𝕖𝕟
💕𝕋𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕤
🩷ᗰᗩᑎᑎY ᗩᑎᗪ ᑎᗩᗪIᗩ🩷
Manny is picking up the pieces of his life after his ex-wife and mother of his child (Catalina) had a nervous breakdown and wound up in a facility.
Nadia is running, since the passing of her parents and all that comes with losing a parent, the thought of cleaning out their home, picking out a headstone or navigating life with out her wonderful parents became too much. So she heads out to their waterfront summer home to hopefully find a steady foot in her new normal. She's reeling with all of the questions the police left her with after she learned of her parents passing. Needing something to keep her busy, she picks up two jobs for the summer, one of them being a nanny to a sweet 5 year old girl who reminds her a lot of her younger self. Nadia’s journey is raw and quietly powerful. Her pain runs deep, but her resilience shines.
Manny starts out being pretty grumpy, not to say Nadia is all sunshine, because she is going through her own things, the stark difference, is that she's not taking her strife out on others. Manny however uses it to keep Nadia at bay, because he has sworn off of love. Overtime, through acts of service and both of them healing little broken pieces in each other the attraction Manny and Nadia share become too much. They cant say no. They cant stay away. Their guarded connection sparks with unspoken understanding. And yet they know everything is dangling precariously on a delicate string. They don't know though, how tangled their strings are and if they can survive it.
Needless to say, I enjoyed the story line, the characters and the overall premise of this story. I guess my one complaint is how it was laid out. I think if it was laid out differently, the twists could have been a jaw dropping surprise. Don't get me wrong, there were portions of this that did take me by surprise. But I think if it were laid out differently the surprise would have been just enough to push this into a 5 star for me.
I loved the bilingual aspects of this story and as always I loved little Catalina and the simplicity and honest truth that kids bring into the fold. It was breathtaking and a beautiful example of restoring faith in humanity.
Content Warnings: The Cruelest Truth by L. Renee Richard
Tropes:
💕𝕊𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕝𝕖 𝔻𝕒𝕕 X ℕ𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕪
💕𝕊𝕞𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕋𝕠𝕨𝕟
💕𝕊𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕟 𝕠𝕗𝕗 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖
💕𝕊𝕦𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕖
💕𝔸𝕘𝕖 𝕘𝕒𝕡
💕𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕓𝕚𝕕𝕕𝕖𝕟
💕𝕋𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕤
August 23, 2025
The Cruelest Truth is a story that hooked me from the very beginning. Nadia’s journey is one filled with hurt, betrayal, and sorrow. The reality she thought she had built - full of hope and contentment - was shattered with just one phone call. Everything she believed in turned into pieces, and watching her slowly gather them back, like fitting together a broken puzzle, was both heartbreaking and inspiring.
Nadia’s strength resonated with me so deeply. Her reminder to herself - “You are enough. You are worthy of love. You cannot change other people. You can only decide to change yourself. Confront your fears. Love yourself.” - is a truth many of us need to hear. She’s strong, independent, and determined to face her pain in her own way, even if it means rebuilding from scratch.
The cruelest truth, though, is fate - or maybe coincidence. We cannot choose whom we love. Even when it hurts, even when it seems impossible, true love has a way of surpassing everything. And for Nadia, that truth came in the form of Manny Torres, a divorced single dad, and his sweet daughter, Catalina.
When Nadia takes a job as Catalina’s nanny, she never expects to find healing in such a place. Yet, she instantly falls in love with the little girl’s charm and innocence, and slowly, undeniably, she is drawn to Manny. She tries to fight it - her grief, her sorrow, her growing desire, but not all feelings can be buried forever. Their emotions eventually erupt, and what follows is a love that is raw, passionate, and healing.
What I truly adored was Manny himself. The way he fought for Nadia, with his “whatever it takes” mindset, melted me. He’s proof that love doesn’t just happen, it’s chosen and nurtured - even through obstacles. And then there’s Parker, one of my favorite characters, who adds such a sweet touch to the story. His loyalty, honesty, and pure friendship with Nadia were so refreshing. He brought light into her life in a way that made me root for him too.
This book has charm, sweetness, and love, wrapped in a story of two broken people finding each other when they least expect it. The spicy level is about a 2 - not too much, but enough to add some spark.
For me, this is a solid ★★★★☆ (4 stars). The story is captivating, entertaining, and each chapter pulled me deeper in. I didn’t want to stop turning the pages.
If you’re looking for a romance that blends heartbreak, healing, and the beauty of second chances, The Cruelest Truth is a story worth picking up.
Nadia’s strength resonated with me so deeply. Her reminder to herself - “You are enough. You are worthy of love. You cannot change other people. You can only decide to change yourself. Confront your fears. Love yourself.” - is a truth many of us need to hear. She’s strong, independent, and determined to face her pain in her own way, even if it means rebuilding from scratch.
The cruelest truth, though, is fate - or maybe coincidence. We cannot choose whom we love. Even when it hurts, even when it seems impossible, true love has a way of surpassing everything. And for Nadia, that truth came in the form of Manny Torres, a divorced single dad, and his sweet daughter, Catalina.
When Nadia takes a job as Catalina’s nanny, she never expects to find healing in such a place. Yet, she instantly falls in love with the little girl’s charm and innocence, and slowly, undeniably, she is drawn to Manny. She tries to fight it - her grief, her sorrow, her growing desire, but not all feelings can be buried forever. Their emotions eventually erupt, and what follows is a love that is raw, passionate, and healing.
What I truly adored was Manny himself. The way he fought for Nadia, with his “whatever it takes” mindset, melted me. He’s proof that love doesn’t just happen, it’s chosen and nurtured - even through obstacles. And then there’s Parker, one of my favorite characters, who adds such a sweet touch to the story. His loyalty, honesty, and pure friendship with Nadia were so refreshing. He brought light into her life in a way that made me root for him too.
This book has charm, sweetness, and love, wrapped in a story of two broken people finding each other when they least expect it. The spicy level is about a 2 - not too much, but enough to add some spark.
For me, this is a solid ★★★★☆ (4 stars). The story is captivating, entertaining, and each chapter pulled me deeper in. I didn’t want to stop turning the pages.
If you’re looking for a romance that blends heartbreak, healing, and the beauty of second chances, The Cruelest Truth is a story worth picking up.
Read
September 11, 2025Tropes:
#singledad
#nanny
#small town
#suspense
#twists
Nadia Kenedy is enjoying life in 3rd year in college, and she is working on securing a promising career after graduation. She is returning home for the summer to celebrate her 21st birthday. What happens next turns her world upside down.
Her mom calls and talks to her about coming, she senses something is off with her mom, she believes her mom has been crying, and something is wrong, but her mom tells her it’s fine, they will meet me at the restaurant for my birthday dinner. She arrives, and finds out it’s a surprise birthday dinner, her best friend is there, her parents still haven’t arrived. Then police officers arrive, are you Nadia Kenedy? They informed us there was an accident, and her parents didn’t survive the crash. Her world falls apart, and she doesn’t believe it could get worse. But it does before she takes off to the lake house. (You will have to read it to find out)
She has been asked to come to the police station and discuss her parents’ crash, her best friend goes with her, and she finds out way more than she ever imagined regarding the wreck, who caused it, and why.
She is now at the lake house, where she was supposed to be with her parents, she has no other family. She meets Manny Torres and his 5-year-old Catalina. She needs a job; well he needs a nanny. They start doing things together, she starts falling for him, it’s an emotional romance, a lot of heartache and drama.
“When everyone and everything in your life has been a lie, the path forward could just prove to be unforgivable.”
“She never saw this coming, the cruelest truth of all.”
This book grabs you; 1st chapter fast paced, then slowed, then end picked up at the end, and the twist, wow.
Thank you, L. Rene Richard and Author Agency for the Arc opportunity.
#singledad
#nanny
#small town
#suspense
#twists
Nadia Kenedy is enjoying life in 3rd year in college, and she is working on securing a promising career after graduation. She is returning home for the summer to celebrate her 21st birthday. What happens next turns her world upside down.
Her mom calls and talks to her about coming, she senses something is off with her mom, she believes her mom has been crying, and something is wrong, but her mom tells her it’s fine, they will meet me at the restaurant for my birthday dinner. She arrives, and finds out it’s a surprise birthday dinner, her best friend is there, her parents still haven’t arrived. Then police officers arrive, are you Nadia Kenedy? They informed us there was an accident, and her parents didn’t survive the crash. Her world falls apart, and she doesn’t believe it could get worse. But it does before she takes off to the lake house. (You will have to read it to find out)
She has been asked to come to the police station and discuss her parents’ crash, her best friend goes with her, and she finds out way more than she ever imagined regarding the wreck, who caused it, and why.
She is now at the lake house, where she was supposed to be with her parents, she has no other family. She meets Manny Torres and his 5-year-old Catalina. She needs a job; well he needs a nanny. They start doing things together, she starts falling for him, it’s an emotional romance, a lot of heartache and drama.
“When everyone and everything in your life has been a lie, the path forward could just prove to be unforgivable.”
“She never saw this coming, the cruelest truth of all.”
This book grabs you; 1st chapter fast paced, then slowed, then end picked up at the end, and the twist, wow.
Thank you, L. Rene Richard and Author Agency for the Arc opportunity.
August 12, 2025
Such a tender, emotionally rich story of grief, healing, and unexpected love with just the right amount of heat. Cruelest Truth is a beautifully written tale that dives deep into loss, family secrets, and the fragile hope of new beginnings.
Nadia’s journey is raw and relatable. Her pain is palpable, and her resilience quietly inspiring. While in town she meets, Manny, the single dad with a guarded heart and a past that’s left him wary of love. Their initial tension simmers with unspoken understanding, and watching their connection unfold is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Catalina, Manny’s daughter, is the glue that binds them; she is a bright, lovable presence who brings light to their darkest moments. As soon as Nadia accepts the position Catalina’s nanny, the three begin to form a bond that feels like a new kind of family.
The small town, lake house setting adds a layer of intimacy and nostalgia, and the slow-burn romance feels earned and authentic. Just when you think you know where the story is headed, a twist shakes things up, testing the fragile bonds they’ve built. But don’t worry, it still has a very satisfying ending that feels like a warm hug after a storm. And let’s talk about the spice, once Manny decides Nadia is worth the risk, he goes for it. The chemistry is electric, the intimacy earned, and the steamy scenes are both passionate and emotionally grounded. It’s the kind of slow burn that turns into a full blaze, and it’s oh-so-satisfying.
If you love emotionally layered romance with depth, heat, and heart, Cruelest Truth will leave you swooning and smiling. A huge thank you to L. Renee Richard and TAA for the early copy!
Nadia’s journey is raw and relatable. Her pain is palpable, and her resilience quietly inspiring. While in town she meets, Manny, the single dad with a guarded heart and a past that’s left him wary of love. Their initial tension simmers with unspoken understanding, and watching their connection unfold is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Catalina, Manny’s daughter, is the glue that binds them; she is a bright, lovable presence who brings light to their darkest moments. As soon as Nadia accepts the position Catalina’s nanny, the three begin to form a bond that feels like a new kind of family.
The small town, lake house setting adds a layer of intimacy and nostalgia, and the slow-burn romance feels earned and authentic. Just when you think you know where the story is headed, a twist shakes things up, testing the fragile bonds they’ve built. But don’t worry, it still has a very satisfying ending that feels like a warm hug after a storm. And let’s talk about the spice, once Manny decides Nadia is worth the risk, he goes for it. The chemistry is electric, the intimacy earned, and the steamy scenes are both passionate and emotionally grounded. It’s the kind of slow burn that turns into a full blaze, and it’s oh-so-satisfying.
If you love emotionally layered romance with depth, heat, and heart, Cruelest Truth will leave you swooning and smiling. A huge thank you to L. Renee Richard and TAA for the early copy!
August 11, 2025
My rating: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4
I didn’t hate this book at all. It was full of suspense, trauma, so much drama and spice. Honestly, the bones of the story were really intriguing, even if I did see some of the plot twists coming a mile away. I think the author did a great job with the concept and overall storyline. There was a lot of development with these characters that made them see engaging and relatable.
For me, reading this book felt like watching a romantic suspense on Lifetime. Those were the vibes for me throughout. It was like being hooked by that early on shot of suspense and being unable to look away until it ended. Despite knowing where things were going, I couldn’t put it down.
While there are some difficult subjects covered in the book, it’s tastefully written. There were some parts that felt repetitive, but I believe that was the author’s attempt at giving validation to both parts of the story. I imagine it’s not easy to write a dual POV without there being some overlap. I did feel like the reconciliation between the main characters at the end felt a bit rushed and should’ve been more detailed. Her showing up on his doorstep after months just didn’t feel solid. This was discussed a little in the epilogue, but I still feel like the ending deserved more.
Thank you to The Author Agency and L. Renee Richard for the free ebook in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
I didn’t hate this book at all. It was full of suspense, trauma, so much drama and spice. Honestly, the bones of the story were really intriguing, even if I did see some of the plot twists coming a mile away. I think the author did a great job with the concept and overall storyline. There was a lot of development with these characters that made them see engaging and relatable.
For me, reading this book felt like watching a romantic suspense on Lifetime. Those were the vibes for me throughout. It was like being hooked by that early on shot of suspense and being unable to look away until it ended. Despite knowing where things were going, I couldn’t put it down.
While there are some difficult subjects covered in the book, it’s tastefully written. There were some parts that felt repetitive, but I believe that was the author’s attempt at giving validation to both parts of the story. I imagine it’s not easy to write a dual POV without there being some overlap. I did feel like the reconciliation between the main characters at the end felt a bit rushed and should’ve been more detailed. Her showing up on his doorstep after months just didn’t feel solid. This was discussed a little in the epilogue, but I still feel like the ending deserved more.
Thank you to The Author Agency and L. Renee Richard for the free ebook in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
August 13, 2025
FMC: Nadia
MMC: Manny
Tropes: single dad, nanny, small-town, grumpy/sunshine, afraid to commit, contemporary
Spice Rating: 2
Series: No
POV: Dual
Cliffhanger: No
The Cruelest Truth is an enjoyable small-town summer read. However, be prepared to tear up a bit. Okay, maybe more than a bit. I had tears rolling down my face during two scenes.
While a majority of the story for the two main characters is light-hearted, it does deal with some heavier themes which include: grief, loss of parent(s), ex-partner addiction use, and absent parent/partner trauma.
The characters in this story were easy to love, even if they were a bit frustrating at times. Nadia is a college student taking the summer to figure out her life after things fall apart on her twenty-first birthday. Manny is a single dad to an adorable little girl, Catalina, who needs some help caring for his daughter. I loved the interactions between Nadia and Catalina. Oh, and let’s not forget the attraction and tension between Nadia and Manny!
I wouldn’t say there’s a lot of suspense within the story. I think most readers will be able to guess some of what’s to come. Or maybe that was just me. My mind is always coming up with different scenarios as I read and the author had some foreshadowing that helped me out.
Overall, a great to add to your TBR!
This was a new to me author and I look forward to reading more of their books in the future!!
MMC: Manny
Tropes: single dad, nanny, small-town, grumpy/sunshine, afraid to commit, contemporary
Spice Rating: 2
Series: No
POV: Dual
Cliffhanger: No
The Cruelest Truth is an enjoyable small-town summer read. However, be prepared to tear up a bit. Okay, maybe more than a bit. I had tears rolling down my face during two scenes.
While a majority of the story for the two main characters is light-hearted, it does deal with some heavier themes which include: grief, loss of parent(s), ex-partner addiction use, and absent parent/partner trauma.
The characters in this story were easy to love, even if they were a bit frustrating at times. Nadia is a college student taking the summer to figure out her life after things fall apart on her twenty-first birthday. Manny is a single dad to an adorable little girl, Catalina, who needs some help caring for his daughter. I loved the interactions between Nadia and Catalina. Oh, and let’s not forget the attraction and tension between Nadia and Manny!
I wouldn’t say there’s a lot of suspense within the story. I think most readers will be able to guess some of what’s to come. Or maybe that was just me. My mind is always coming up with different scenarios as I read and the author had some foreshadowing that helped me out.
Overall, a great to add to your TBR!
This was a new to me author and I look forward to reading more of their books in the future!!
August 19, 2025
3,5 stars rounded up to 4 stars because of the cover. It's so beautiful 🦋
This book has so much potential to be very good but I am afraid it was not well delivered.
The pace bothered me a lot. It was so slow but not a good kind of slow. That slow pace made the story flat and underwhelming. The plot twists were predictable, but I think if it had been developed in better ways, it would be more interesting. I am not a writer, so I can't judge harshly but it just ashamed that this book's potential was not fully delivered.
I know Nadia was only 21 years old and was still grieving, but her grief blinded her and it was bothering me to read how she navigated her current situation.
While I said the pace was slow, the ending was not. It came out of nowhere and so in a rush. There was no closure whatsoever, and worse it happened more than twice. Where the closure was needed, we got nothing.
I also didn't feel the chemistry between Nadia and Manny. I believe they didn't love each other yet. They had lust yes, but not love.
Another thing that bothers me is the OM and OW drama. Instead of exploring Nadia and Manny's chemistry and relationships, the OM drama, especially, got more exposure, and I was not happy reading it.
Like I said at the beginning, this book has so much potential, so I will not close myself to this author other books. I will read the author other books in the future and hope for the best.
Thank you to L. Renee Richard and The Author Agency for the ARC.
This book has so much potential to be very good but I am afraid it was not well delivered.
The pace bothered me a lot. It was so slow but not a good kind of slow. That slow pace made the story flat and underwhelming. The plot twists were predictable, but I think if it had been developed in better ways, it would be more interesting. I am not a writer, so I can't judge harshly but it just ashamed that this book's potential was not fully delivered.
I know Nadia was only 21 years old and was still grieving, but her grief blinded her and it was bothering me to read how she navigated her current situation.
While I said the pace was slow, the ending was not. It came out of nowhere and so in a rush. There was no closure whatsoever, and worse it happened more than twice. Where the closure was needed, we got nothing.
I also didn't feel the chemistry between Nadia and Manny. I believe they didn't love each other yet. They had lust yes, but not love.
Another thing that bothers me is the OM and OW drama. Instead of exploring Nadia and Manny's chemistry and relationships, the OM drama, especially, got more exposure, and I was not happy reading it.
Like I said at the beginning, this book has so much potential, so I will not close myself to this author other books. I will read the author other books in the future and hope for the best.
Thank you to L. Renee Richard and The Author Agency for the ARC.
August 20, 2025
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤:
🔥Contemporary Romance
🔥Romantic Suspense
🔥 Nanny x Hot Single Dad
🔥All the emotions
🔥Afraid to commit
🔥Sworn-off relationships
✨ARC Review✨
Check out the TW’S before reading!!!
Nadia Kennedy is going through a tremendous loss and decides to go up to her family’s lake house to escape the pain and grieve of loosing her parents. While she is in town she meets Manny Torres a single dad who is looking for a nanny for his daughter Catalina. Nadia takes the nanny job and starts developing feelings for Catalina and the BOSS DADDY.🤭 Everything is going great until Nadia finds the cruelest truth of them all.
Wow I sure did see some of that twist and plot at the end sort of coming. This is the first book by L. Renee Richard that I have read and I enjoyed reading it. L. Renee Richard did an amazing job writing this book. The suspense and drama kept me turning the pages. I love how the small town and lake house adds warmth to the story. I enjoyed how the tension, attraction, and connection between Nadia and Manny starts to built up and unfold. Catalina is such a sweetheart and is what helps Nadia and Manny bond even more.
If you love reading small town romance with a bit of suspense and drama then this book is for you This book is so worth reading! I can't wait to read more by this author.
Thank you L. Renee Richard and theauthor.agency for this ARC in exchange of my honest review!🩷
🔥Contemporary Romance
🔥Romantic Suspense
🔥 Nanny x Hot Single Dad
🔥All the emotions
🔥Afraid to commit
🔥Sworn-off relationships
✨ARC Review✨
Check out the TW’S before reading!!!
Nadia Kennedy is going through a tremendous loss and decides to go up to her family’s lake house to escape the pain and grieve of loosing her parents. While she is in town she meets Manny Torres a single dad who is looking for a nanny for his daughter Catalina. Nadia takes the nanny job and starts developing feelings for Catalina and the BOSS DADDY.🤭 Everything is going great until Nadia finds the cruelest truth of them all.
Wow I sure did see some of that twist and plot at the end sort of coming. This is the first book by L. Renee Richard that I have read and I enjoyed reading it. L. Renee Richard did an amazing job writing this book. The suspense and drama kept me turning the pages. I love how the small town and lake house adds warmth to the story. I enjoyed how the tension, attraction, and connection between Nadia and Manny starts to built up and unfold. Catalina is such a sweetheart and is what helps Nadia and Manny bond even more.
If you love reading small town romance with a bit of suspense and drama then this book is for you This book is so worth reading! I can't wait to read more by this author.
Thank you L. Renee Richard and theauthor.agency for this ARC in exchange of my honest review!🩷
August 20, 2025
*I received an ARC of this and in no way has that influenced my opinion of this book*
I went through a roller-coaster of emotions reading this.
The story kept a pretty steady pace throughout. Although, there was at one point near the end, where I felt like the story writing/pacing went into overdrive. Like it was just a little rushed.
There were multiple times reading this that the grief Nadia was going through made my own grief come to the surface. I understand the need to keep busy as, so the mind doesn't wander.
I'm glad Nadia had Savannah though all she was going through. She was a valuable side character that brought a light to the heartache of grief I was feeling.
I knew from early on that the female in the prologue was going to be an integral part of the story. whether on the page or in mention. it was unfortunate what happen to her and what she went through.
You could feel the love and care that Nadia had towards Catalina. Paired with Manny's love towards his daughter was beautiful to read. I love that with Manny, regardless of his own desires, he was always thinking about the effect it would have on his daughter. She is his world, and you can feel that reading this. I was grateful Catalina had the support of her father, his parents and Nadia.
There is more I could say but I don't want to spoil anything. I do recommend this and I will definitely be getting a physical copy. Also, side note, I love the cover. The art and color composition is on point.
I went through a roller-coaster of emotions reading this.
The story kept a pretty steady pace throughout. Although, there was at one point near the end, where I felt like the story writing/pacing went into overdrive. Like it was just a little rushed.
There were multiple times reading this that the grief Nadia was going through made my own grief come to the surface. I understand the need to keep busy as, so the mind doesn't wander.
I'm glad Nadia had Savannah though all she was going through. She was a valuable side character that brought a light to the heartache of grief I was feeling.
I knew from early on that the female in the prologue was going to be an integral part of the story. whether on the page or in mention. it was unfortunate what happen to her and what she went through.
You could feel the love and care that Nadia had towards Catalina. Paired with Manny's love towards his daughter was beautiful to read. I love that with Manny, regardless of his own desires, he was always thinking about the effect it would have on his daughter. She is his world, and you can feel that reading this. I was grateful Catalina had the support of her father, his parents and Nadia.
There is more I could say but I don't want to spoil anything. I do recommend this and I will definitely be getting a physical copy. Also, side note, I love the cover. The art and color composition is on point.
August 24, 2025
My first nanny romance and i have found my new fav trope. When Nadia Kennedy looses it all she goes to her lakehouse for a change and meets BOSS DADDY😏 who's looking for a nanny and she's everything he could ever ask for.
It is so well written you can't not fall in love with every character. The side characters were given proper limelight, every character had their own personality and stood out. My personal fav was Catalina, that little girl is feisty.
Although i figured out the plot a bit early, it hit HARD. Family trauma and duality is so well described in this novel, i felt every emotion with the character.
The start was a bit slow paced , having same scene written twice in different povs but it felt connecting being in the both main characters head in the very beginning. The ending felt a bit rushed, the turn point did not hit the spot it should have but still loved every moment of it. Parker did not give brother vibes per se😬 but whatever u say Nadia😏.
The emotional chokehold it had on me was so intense, i was high on emotions. Every tear the character dropped was my own so if your love books that make you feel what are u for this book is out now
It is so well written you can't not fall in love with every character. The side characters were given proper limelight, every character had their own personality and stood out. My personal fav was Catalina, that little girl is feisty.
Although i figured out the plot a bit early, it hit HARD. Family trauma and duality is so well described in this novel, i felt every emotion with the character.
The start was a bit slow paced , having same scene written twice in different povs but it felt connecting being in the both main characters head in the very beginning. The ending felt a bit rushed, the turn point did not hit the spot it should have but still loved every moment of it. Parker did not give brother vibes per se😬 but whatever u say Nadia😏.
The emotional chokehold it had on me was so intense, i was high on emotions. Every tear the character dropped was my own so if your love books that make you feel what are u for this book is out now
August 26, 2025
This book blends romance and suspense very well and features characters that touch hearts, fascinate and draw admiration. Nadia finds her life upended and almost unrecognizable after a horrific twist of fate. Needing to regroup and recover, she goes to the lake house her family often visited in her childhood. There she meets Manny and his five year old daughter. She takes the job as his nanny when it is offered, not knowing that it will open the door to love, untold secrets and the cruelest truth.
I like the rapport between Catalina, Manny’s daughter, and Nadia and the connection between father and daughter. At first, Manny is just trying to do his best for his daughter, and keep an emotional distance to Nadia, who he finds far too attractive, in order to protect himself and his daughter. He most certainly is not looking for love or a relationship, and neither is Nadia. I liked the gradual growth of their relationship and the realization of their feelings, and that they found a way forward together. The twists and suspense were intriguing and made this book more interesting.
I am happy to recommend this book.
I like the rapport between Catalina, Manny’s daughter, and Nadia and the connection between father and daughter. At first, Manny is just trying to do his best for his daughter, and keep an emotional distance to Nadia, who he finds far too attractive, in order to protect himself and his daughter. He most certainly is not looking for love or a relationship, and neither is Nadia. I liked the gradual growth of their relationship and the realization of their feelings, and that they found a way forward together. The twists and suspense were intriguing and made this book more interesting.
I am happy to recommend this book.
December 2, 2025
From heartbreak to heartwarming
Right from the get go you knew it was gonna be heartbreak for Nadia, as she overcomes the devastation of her parents deaths, learning her father cheated on her mother & that she had a half sister that caused the accident was such a heartache!
Running to the lake house Nadia starts to heal with help from her friends Savannah, new friends Parker & his family as Nadia navigating around the town the people there let her know how they miss her mom & how she meant to them.
Nadia get the nanny job with Manny for Catalina after a couple run ins in town where she thinks he might not like her,but that isn't it at all, their love starts off slow as Manny sees how Nadia takes care of his daughter & they fall in love desperately!
All comes to ahead when Manny needs a paper & Nadia finds a picture of Manny, Cat & Layla her sister & all comes to ahead. Layla dies too soon tho, but she does redeem herself in a way by saving a child, Nadia leaves having to find herself again after finding out all the truths regarding Manny,Layla,her dad & the letters..In the end Manny & Nadia do get their HEA!
Right from the get go you knew it was gonna be heartbreak for Nadia, as she overcomes the devastation of her parents deaths, learning her father cheated on her mother & that she had a half sister that caused the accident was such a heartache!
Running to the lake house Nadia starts to heal with help from her friends Savannah, new friends Parker & his family as Nadia navigating around the town the people there let her know how they miss her mom & how she meant to them.
Nadia get the nanny job with Manny for Catalina after a couple run ins in town where she thinks he might not like her,but that isn't it at all, their love starts off slow as Manny sees how Nadia takes care of his daughter & they fall in love desperately!
All comes to ahead when Manny needs a paper & Nadia finds a picture of Manny, Cat & Layla her sister & all comes to ahead. Layla dies too soon tho, but she does redeem herself in a way by saving a child, Nadia leaves having to find herself again after finding out all the truths regarding Manny,Layla,her dad & the letters..In the end Manny & Nadia do get their HEA!
August 23, 2025
3.5 🌟🌟🌟
When I started this story I felt like I was lost, but as the story went on I was like, hectic🤦♀️
Nadia thinks her life is going amazing. She's just finished her third year of college and shes ready to start her life. Until the night of her birthday and her whole world just came crashing down...
She decides yo go their family lake house and just try to regain some semblance of normal again.
At the lake house she connects with Manny and his daughter Catalina... soon she starts to have feelings for him and she is already inlove with his daughter. And then it feels like fate just wants to be cruel...
I enjoyed the story. I love a good romantic story with a twist thrown in that will make you go WTH... This one had me going, but I felt it was a bit slow thr pace could have been a bit faster. Other than that, characters were great, the story, loved it and small town romance, sign me up😊💖
If you love that the I totally recommend💖
Read on behalf of
Fay's Corner
When I started this story I felt like I was lost, but as the story went on I was like, hectic🤦♀️
Nadia thinks her life is going amazing. She's just finished her third year of college and shes ready to start her life. Until the night of her birthday and her whole world just came crashing down...
She decides yo go their family lake house and just try to regain some semblance of normal again.
At the lake house she connects with Manny and his daughter Catalina... soon she starts to have feelings for him and she is already inlove with his daughter. And then it feels like fate just wants to be cruel...
I enjoyed the story. I love a good romantic story with a twist thrown in that will make you go WTH... This one had me going, but I felt it was a bit slow thr pace could have been a bit faster. Other than that, characters were great, the story, loved it and small town romance, sign me up😊💖
If you love that the I totally recommend💖
Read on behalf of
Fay's Corner
August 23, 2025
4.25 ⭐️
This book was a good, easy read. It breaks your heart just to put it back together. The storyline was very relatable…my gut told me from the beginning how the story would end but there was definitely a twist that I did not see coming!
After life ended up out of control for Nadia, she ends up back at her childhood oasis at her lake house. It’s the only thing besides her best friend that brings good memories. Now that she’s there, she wants a job to keep busy.
Manny has recently moved to the lake to start over and is looking for a nanny. Enter Nadia in his life…what could possibly go wrong.
Watching the story play out between Manny’s daughter and Nadia/Manny—-even after all the heartbreak they come from, it was a really good story and I’m glad it ended on a happy note.
Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for allowing me to read this early as an ARC. All opinions are my own and I definitely recommend 💜
This book was a good, easy read. It breaks your heart just to put it back together. The storyline was very relatable…my gut told me from the beginning how the story would end but there was definitely a twist that I did not see coming!
After life ended up out of control for Nadia, she ends up back at her childhood oasis at her lake house. It’s the only thing besides her best friend that brings good memories. Now that she’s there, she wants a job to keep busy.
Manny has recently moved to the lake to start over and is looking for a nanny. Enter Nadia in his life…what could possibly go wrong.
Watching the story play out between Manny’s daughter and Nadia/Manny—-even after all the heartbreak they come from, it was a really good story and I’m glad it ended on a happy note.
Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for allowing me to read this early as an ARC. All opinions are my own and I definitely recommend 💜
August 19, 2025
Nadia’s whole world falling apart was heartbreaking, and watching her try to figure out her life made me feel for her so much. Then you throw in Manny—a single dad doing his best—and his little girl Catalina (who totally stole the show), and I was hooked.
The chemistry between Nadia and Manny was there right away, and I loved how their connection slowly built even with all the heavy stuff going on around them. The suspense and secrets added a lot to the story too, and even when I guessed a couple of things, it was still super engaging.
The only thing that kept this from being 5 stars for me was the ending—it felt rushed, and I wanted way more from that epilogue. After everything, it deserved a little more depth.
But overall, I really enjoyed this one. Emotional, steamy, and messy in the best way. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
The chemistry between Nadia and Manny was there right away, and I loved how their connection slowly built even with all the heavy stuff going on around them. The suspense and secrets added a lot to the story too, and even when I guessed a couple of things, it was still super engaging.
The only thing that kept this from being 5 stars for me was the ending—it felt rushed, and I wanted way more from that epilogue. After everything, it deserved a little more depth.
But overall, I really enjoyed this one. Emotional, steamy, and messy in the best way. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
August 20, 2025
I really enjoyed the setting and the relationship building in this story as well as the Spanish that pops up and adds such a fun flavor to the story.
Manny and Nadia need each other so much but they spend so much of the story not being together and then they ‘break up’ at the 90% mark
40% in and they haven’t had a pleasant interaction; she had a great whole day with Parker on the lake. We spend way too much time getting to know Parker…
45% her job interview which was rather cold and awkward
54/55%- he feeds her a berry; he smiles at her as he watches her with his daughter
65% - Beginning their relationship
Overall the pacing was way off. We spent far too much time on so many other things rather than them building their relationship and being open with each other. It’s not a bad book, it just wasn’t great and it seemed very messy to me
Manny and Nadia need each other so much but they spend so much of the story not being together and then they ‘break up’ at the 90% mark
40% in and they haven’t had a pleasant interaction; she had a great whole day with Parker on the lake. We spend way too much time getting to know Parker…
45% her job interview which was rather cold and awkward
54/55%- he feeds her a berry; he smiles at her as he watches her with his daughter
65% - Beginning their relationship
Overall the pacing was way off. We spent far too much time on so many other things rather than them building their relationship and being open with each other. It’s not a bad book, it just wasn’t great and it seemed very messy to me
August 26, 2025
The first chapter of this book hooked me right in. I’ve been really loving the addition of suspense to romance books lately, and we started off on a pretty intense level here.
Nadia is such a sweetheart and her relationship with Catalina is really heartwarming. Despite everything she is going through in her personal life, the maturity she shows when taking care of this precious little girl just makes you smile. I did enjoy the “will they, won’t they” between Manny and Nadia. There was enough drama to keep it interesting, but it wasn’t over the top.
Pacing was a tad slow, but when we got to that twist…woah! I personally wasn’t expecting the big bombshell, and it really did crank up the speed throughout the final portion of the book.
How can you not want to read a book that has monarchs on the cover?!
Nadia is such a sweetheart and her relationship with Catalina is really heartwarming. Despite everything she is going through in her personal life, the maturity she shows when taking care of this precious little girl just makes you smile. I did enjoy the “will they, won’t they” between Manny and Nadia. There was enough drama to keep it interesting, but it wasn’t over the top.
Pacing was a tad slow, but when we got to that twist…woah! I personally wasn’t expecting the big bombshell, and it really did crank up the speed throughout the final portion of the book.
How can you not want to read a book that has monarchs on the cover?!
August 26, 2025
When Nadia gets the worst phone call of her life on her birthday, she needs an out. She decides to go to her family's lake house for the summer to clear her mind and figure out what she is going to do before heading back to college in the fall.
Manny is in desperate need of a nanny for his daughter Catalina. Nadia has been a nanny before and is more than happy with the reprieve she needs from her life.
There is an instant attraction between Nadia and Manny, but they do their best to keep their distance and conversations short. When they finally give in, Nadia discovers the worst thing she possibly could and has no idea how to handle the news she learned.
I loved The Cruelest Truth. You have no idea what is going to happen. I thought I knew what was going to come next, but I was proved more than once that I had no clue!
I was on my toes almost the entire time and loved it!
Manny is in desperate need of a nanny for his daughter Catalina. Nadia has been a nanny before and is more than happy with the reprieve she needs from her life.
There is an instant attraction between Nadia and Manny, but they do their best to keep their distance and conversations short. When they finally give in, Nadia discovers the worst thing she possibly could and has no idea how to handle the news she learned.
I loved The Cruelest Truth. You have no idea what is going to happen. I thought I knew what was going to come next, but I was proved more than once that I had no clue!
I was on my toes almost the entire time and loved it!
September 2, 2025
This book... my goodness. It goes from 0-100 in the first chapter and it was DEEP. I had to take a step back and process for a day before jumping back in. After the first 2 chapters it calmed down and went into a normal romance type story but the end... oh baby the end threw you back into the depths.
Nadia is celebrating her birthday with a dinner with close friends and family when she realizes that her parents havent arrived yet. In their place, the police show up. They give her the news that no young woman should hear on their birthday, her parents are gone. The person responible, her sister that she knew nothing about that was a product of her father’s affair.
Now Nadia must try to to pick up the pieces and figure out out how to do life without them only she can’t bring herself to do that. She runs. To the lake house that belonged to her family. While there she meets a man needs a nanny for the month until his daughter is able to attend an after school program. Of course she falls for the father and this that she’s about to ride off into the sunset in her happily ever after.
The twist... oh the twist you don’t see coming. You’ll have to read to find out what happens but let me tell you its sooooo good.
Nadia is celebrating her birthday with a dinner with close friends and family when she realizes that her parents havent arrived yet. In their place, the police show up. They give her the news that no young woman should hear on their birthday, her parents are gone. The person responible, her sister that she knew nothing about that was a product of her father’s affair.
Now Nadia must try to to pick up the pieces and figure out out how to do life without them only she can’t bring herself to do that. She runs. To the lake house that belonged to her family. While there she meets a man needs a nanny for the month until his daughter is able to attend an after school program. Of course she falls for the father and this that she’s about to ride off into the sunset in her happily ever after.
The twist... oh the twist you don’t see coming. You’ll have to read to find out what happens but let me tell you its sooooo good.
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