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The Ring Thief
Lily thought their story was just beginning.
Now, she's not sure it was ever real at all.
Declan was her always. From the day they met to the moment they said I do, he filled her world with the kind of love that made forever feel too short. Their first days as husband and wife pass in a blur of laughter, happiness, and the quiet certainty that nothing could change the way she felt about him... until she overhears a conversation that was never meant for her ears.
"Sweetheart, you need to trust me."
Their love felt like a dream, but all dreams must end.
Lily is left disillusioned and heartbroken, questioning if everything between them had been a lie, or if there was an even more painful truth hiding behind Declan's betrayal.
The Ring Thief is a marriage in trouble, second chance romance, with perceived cheating, toxic families and other woman drama.
Now, she's not sure it was ever real at all.
Declan was her always. From the day they met to the moment they said I do, he filled her world with the kind of love that made forever feel too short. Their first days as husband and wife pass in a blur of laughter, happiness, and the quiet certainty that nothing could change the way she felt about him... until she overhears a conversation that was never meant for her ears.
"Sweetheart, you need to trust me."
Their love felt like a dream, but all dreams must end.
Lily is left disillusioned and heartbroken, questioning if everything between them had been a lie, or if there was an even more painful truth hiding behind Declan's betrayal.
The Ring Thief is a marriage in trouble, second chance romance, with perceived cheating, toxic families and other woman drama.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2025
770 people are currently reading
480 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
August 4, 2025
Really liked this book.
The Hero agrees to help his father in buying a company by befriending the owners daughter, he doesn't realise the full extent of his father's scheme and falls for the girl.
They marry, before he has the courage to tell her the full story, she overhears him on the phone on their honeymoon. She does misunderstand some of the call but she thinks he's having an affair with a childhood friend.
There is no cheating, though a very blind Hero who might be successful in business but can't tell the childhood friend/other woman is determined to break them up so she can have him to herself.
The book starts with them on honeymoon and him getting the call then she leaves as soon as they get back home.
She is a strong heroine who really makes him work for it.
Love a strong heroine
“I don’t wish unhappiness on you, Declan, but I want you to hear this… I will be happy without you. I lived a full life before you, and I’ll live one after you.”
Possible future stories for secondary characters.
Well written.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
Small other man drama as the heroine agrees to a blind date who doesn't turn up and she gets chatted up by someone else which the Hero witnesses.
Her best friend and her banter is really funny.
HEA.
Epilogue.
Second marriage after annulment and baby.
The Hero agrees to help his father in buying a company by befriending the owners daughter, he doesn't realise the full extent of his father's scheme and falls for the girl.
They marry, before he has the courage to tell her the full story, she overhears him on the phone on their honeymoon. She does misunderstand some of the call but she thinks he's having an affair with a childhood friend.
There is no cheating, though a very blind Hero who might be successful in business but can't tell the childhood friend/other woman is determined to break them up so she can have him to herself.
The book starts with them on honeymoon and him getting the call then she leaves as soon as they get back home.
She is a strong heroine who really makes him work for it.
Love a strong heroine
“I don’t wish unhappiness on you, Declan, but I want you to hear this… I will be happy without you. I lived a full life before you, and I’ll live one after you.”
Possible future stories for secondary characters.
Well written.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
Small other man drama as the heroine agrees to a blind date who doesn't turn up and she gets chatted up by someone else which the Hero witnesses.
Her best friend and her banter is really funny.
HEA.
Epilogue.
Second marriage after annulment and baby.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2025
I have to say, I was surprised by how much I liked this. 🤭
Declan really turned things around, and by the end, I felt like he really proved himself worthy of that second chance. I'm really happy that Lily stood her ground as well and made him put in the effort to earn her forgiveness and trust.
It's kind of strange because the book isn't very long, but somehow the author managed to really convey the growth of the MCs both individually and as a couple. I guess this just proves that there's no need for long-winded stories and fillers to write a good redemption arc. Although imo, I think what he did wasn't really that bad. I suppose I've come across way worse MMCs who barely apologized for what they've done. 🤷♀️
Anyway, I liked it and I think I can get on board with another story like this. It has just the right amount of mild angst—enough to stir things up a bit, but not so much that it makes my blood boil or gives me heartburn. 😂 It would be more enticing if the MCs had a solid grasp of what they want, exhibited self-respect and self-preservation, and knew when to stand their ground. Also, MCs who are faithful and only have eyes for each other.
Declan really turned things around, and by the end, I felt like he really proved himself worthy of that second chance. I'm really happy that Lily stood her ground as well and made him put in the effort to earn her forgiveness and trust.
It's kind of strange because the book isn't very long, but somehow the author managed to really convey the growth of the MCs both individually and as a couple. I guess this just proves that there's no need for long-winded stories and fillers to write a good redemption arc. Although imo, I think what he did wasn't really that bad. I suppose I've come across way worse MMCs who barely apologized for what they've done. 🤷♀️
Anyway, I liked it and I think I can get on board with another story like this. It has just the right amount of mild angst—enough to stir things up a bit, but not so much that it makes my blood boil or gives me heartburn. 😂 It would be more enticing if the MCs had a solid grasp of what they want, exhibited self-respect and self-preservation, and knew when to stand their ground. Also, MCs who are faithful and only have eyes for each other.
August 19, 2025
Read this on WATTPAD
-h overhears her newly husband on phone w OW thinking he is having affair and married her for her family business
-Betrayal
-NO CHEATING not even emotional
-OWD- his long time family friend/ no romantic feelings on his side
-H got involved w h for business but fell hard
-h leaves H and stays strong
-H grovels
-H is stupidly when it comes to OW
No cheating
Perceived cheating
OWD
Marriage in trouble
Minor OMD
HEA
-h overhears her newly husband on phone w OW thinking he is having affair and married her for her family business
-Betrayal
-NO CHEATING not even emotional
-OWD- his long time family friend/ no romantic feelings on his side
-H got involved w h for business but fell hard
-h leaves H and stays strong
-H grovels
-H is stupidly when it comes to OW
No cheating
Perceived cheating
OWD
Marriage in trouble
Minor OMD
HEA
September 2, 2025
It was good with lots of emotions and I liked the hero's redemption. Though the first chapters were kind of familiar to me and I can't shake the thought that I had read it again or something similar in another story recently. Anyway I liked their journey getting over all their problems and becoming stronger in the end.
September 23, 2025
3.5 Stars
I liked this. The blurb sets it up; Declan and Lily are on their honeymoon when she overhears a conversation and assumes the worst. I don’t want to give major spoilers but will say there is no cheating or attraction (never has been), but Declan has secrets that bite him in the ass, and he REALLY has to work hard to win Lily’s trust back.
The Good
🟩 Easy read, solid writing, mostly entertaining.
🟩 Dual POV so we knew exactly how Declan felt.
🟩 Adequate groveling in word and deed.
🟩 Silvia was the trifecta of wannabe OW: abundance of machinations, plenty of page time, and comeuppance.
🟩 Likable characters (the good guys). Lily’s BFF Sasha was great.
Possible Issues
⚫ It’s not very angsty because the betrayal is a smokescreen, so some readers could feel manipulated.
⚫ The revenge plot, specifically how it was tied into the h’s family (especially towards the end) got convoluted and would’ve been just as effective leaving it as a business rival he hated.
⚫ There wasn’t a great transition on Lily’s part between giving him zero ground while groveling to being all in.
⚫ Most of the conflict came from the h refusing to have a conversation which started to drag because it lasted almost the entire book.
Bottom Line- I enjoyed this. It’s low on feels because Declan’s crime was small and he had his reasons, but there’s drama from Silvia and his terrible father. I liked Lily, but she started to feel childish with her prolonged refusal to communicate. The longer the effort was one sided the less I cared if they got back together. I wish the author had explored the dad’s abuse on his family, it was mentioned in a throw away manner a few times, like “I can’t use that as an excuse”, but it definitely would’ve affected them and added depth to the story.
I liked this. The blurb sets it up; Declan and Lily are on their honeymoon when she overhears a conversation and assumes the worst. I don’t want to give major spoilers but will say there is no cheating or attraction (never has been), but Declan has secrets that bite him in the ass, and he REALLY has to work hard to win Lily’s trust back.
The Good
🟩 Easy read, solid writing, mostly entertaining.
🟩 Dual POV so we knew exactly how Declan felt.
🟩 Adequate groveling in word and deed.
🟩 Silvia was the trifecta of wannabe OW: abundance of machinations, plenty of page time, and comeuppance.
🟩 Likable characters (the good guys). Lily’s BFF Sasha was great.
Possible Issues
⚫ It’s not very angsty because the betrayal is a smokescreen, so some readers could feel manipulated.
⚫ The revenge plot, specifically how it was tied into the h’s family (especially towards the end) got convoluted and would’ve been just as effective leaving it as a business rival he hated.
⚫ There wasn’t a great transition on Lily’s part between giving him zero ground while groveling to being all in.
⚫ Most of the conflict came from the h refusing to have a conversation which started to drag because it lasted almost the entire book.
Bottom Line- I enjoyed this. It’s low on feels because Declan’s crime was small and he had his reasons, but there’s drama from Silvia and his terrible father. I liked Lily, but she started to feel childish with her prolonged refusal to communicate. The longer the effort was one sided the less I cared if they got back together. I wish the author had explored the dad’s abuse on his family, it was mentioned in a throw away manner a few times, like “I can’t use that as an excuse”, but it definitely would’ve affected them and added depth to the story.
August 15, 2025
I’ve been in a book slump for over a month now and this book has singlehandedly drawn me back into reading mood. I finished it within a day and I still can’t move on from it.
Won’t say much because I don’t want to share any spoilers but the drama, the betrayal, the angst, I gobbled em upppppp 🤌🏻
Yes I have a high standard in grovel and I can convincingly say that the grovel in this book was indeed very satisfying 🤌🏻🤌🏻 there’s just something about a guy groveling without him being overbearing and a jackass over it. And the spice scenes were not cringy, hooray!
Safety:
- (perceived) cheating
- ow drama (major)
- om drama (minor)
- betrayal
- marriage in crisis
- delicious grovel
Talking about the next book, I hope it’s about Sloane. Not sure if I want to read it though because iykyk. As much as I love her, I’m not sure if I can tolerate the mmc.
Won’t say much because I don’t want to share any spoilers but the drama, the betrayal, the angst, I gobbled em upppppp 🤌🏻
Yes I have a high standard in grovel and I can convincingly say that the grovel in this book was indeed very satisfying 🤌🏻🤌🏻 there’s just something about a guy groveling without him being overbearing and a jackass over it. And the spice scenes were not cringy, hooray!
Safety:
- (perceived) cheating
- ow drama (major)
- om drama (minor)
- betrayal
- marriage in crisis
- delicious grovel
Talking about the next book, I hope it’s about Sloane. Not sure if I want to read it though because iykyk. As much as I love her, I’m not sure if I can tolerate the mmc.
August 18, 2025
my review is gone, and i don't remember what I said
i just remember that it was had ott drama and major annoying owd and a stupid mmc 😭😭 i liked the fmc though she stood her ground and didn't fall for his BS
i just remember that it was had ott drama and major annoying owd and a stupid mmc 😭😭 i liked the fmc though she stood her ground and didn't fall for his BS
August 3, 2025
MFC was too strong, MMC was too perfect despite of his idiocy. Hence good plot but no angst!
August 14, 2025
2.5⭐️
Another grovel book where I think ‘nope I’d never forgive him’ everything about their relationship and all the circumstances around everything ended up being so public I could never come back from that humiliation. (There’s no cheating so the reasons he was grovelling weren’t that)
Also has one of the most irritating OWD which is childhood friend who wants him, treats the h like shit and he’s oblivious as fuck. The only thing that kept me reading was the fact he wasn’t ever interested in her that way at all and had no romantic feelings or history with the ow whatsoever. But he’s still a fuckin dumbass.
Another grovel book where I think ‘nope I’d never forgive him’ everything about their relationship and all the circumstances around everything ended up being so public I could never come back from that humiliation. (There’s no cheating so the reasons he was grovelling weren’t that)
Also has one of the most irritating OWD which is childhood friend who wants him, treats the h like shit and he’s oblivious as fuck. The only thing that kept me reading was the fact he wasn’t ever interested in her that way at all and had no romantic feelings or history with the ow whatsoever. But he’s still a fuckin dumbass.
August 5, 2025
Very different
I actually really liked this. Declan totally loved her but he did meet up with her because of.his dad. But.he.was already investigating him and.keeping secrets from him too. He fell in love.instantly with the h and yes he might.have started without the best of intentions but he really fell fast. The OW was just a piece of work. He never wanted her, or anything. She was just a family friend but she was delusional. She thought they had something.but.he felt nothing. I could.tell from the start. The heroine.totally had a spine too. But she did annoy.me after a while. Thus the lowered stars. She just wouldn't give.him a break. I do understand he hurt her but he couldn't have apologized more. he was truly sorry. I was kind.of.annoyed too about that. When she went out on the date to get some sex, it really upset me. Thank goodness it didn't happen. And ill bet if there are more books, the Jamison guy is his half brother. We'll see. I thought Carter was straight too but.in the end it says he's dating Adam, the Assistant. I.liked the other characters in the story too. Sasha, Lucas, Nolan, darcy! I really.enjoyed the writing too. Plus a faithful and loving.hero. he made the whole book better!
I actually really liked this. Declan totally loved her but he did meet up with her because of.his dad. But.he.was already investigating him and.keeping secrets from him too. He fell in love.instantly with the h and yes he might.have started without the best of intentions but he really fell fast. The OW was just a piece of work. He never wanted her, or anything. She was just a family friend but she was delusional. She thought they had something.but.he felt nothing. I could.tell from the start. The heroine.totally had a spine too. But she did annoy.me after a while. Thus the lowered stars. She just wouldn't give.him a break. I do understand he hurt her but he couldn't have apologized more. he was truly sorry. I was kind.of.annoyed too about that. When she went out on the date to get some sex, it really upset me. Thank goodness it didn't happen. And ill bet if there are more books, the Jamison guy is his half brother. We'll see. I thought Carter was straight too but.in the end it says he's dating Adam, the Assistant. I.liked the other characters in the story too. Sasha, Lucas, Nolan, darcy! I really.enjoyed the writing too. Plus a faithful and loving.hero. he made the whole book better!
July 13, 2025
* OW drama
* Betrayal
* HEA
* Grovel
* Reconcilliation between original H and h
* Standalone
* Strong FMC
I read this in less than a day, the plot, the betrayal, the grovel everything about this was fantastic. Mackenzie did a fantastic job and created wonderful characters that you can relate to.
It's definitely worth the read.
A lot of the times in betrayal novels the FMC comes off as weak and pitiful but Lily is clearly portrayed as a strong independent individual.
Favorite line that I hope to live by:
“I don’t wish unhappiness on you, Declan, but I want you to hear this… I will be happy without you. I lived a full life before you, and I’ll live one after you.”
* Betrayal
* HEA
* Grovel
* Reconcilliation between original H and h
* Standalone
* Strong FMC
I read this in less than a day, the plot, the betrayal, the grovel everything about this was fantastic. Mackenzie did a fantastic job and created wonderful characters that you can relate to.
It's definitely worth the read.
A lot of the times in betrayal novels the FMC comes off as weak and pitiful but Lily is clearly portrayed as a strong independent individual.
Favorite line that I hope to live by:
“I don’t wish unhappiness on you, Declan, but I want you to hear this… I will be happy without you. I lived a full life before you, and I’ll live one after you.”
August 18, 2025
A great first book! My only gripe is with the pacing, which could be the result of it starting on Wattpad. Sometimes it’s necessary to start the book with the betrayal, but that usually works best when it’s a shorter book. This was almost 300 pages, so there was time for us to get to know lily and Declan before the betrayal is revealed, which I think would have made the impact more significant. So the rest of the book dragged just a little considering so much of the action was front-loaded, but I really enjoyed it and will be interested to see what else this author releases!
Read
August 4, 2025Ugh, I had hopes. When a heroine gets married so fast your head spins and then runs away after overhearing a phone call (during the honeymoon)? I'm out. I need more than a child's version of a woman. He's wasn't a prize, either. Whatever. I'm not rating bc I did skim quite a bit and that's not fair. It could just be me, it's not but, again, whatever. It's KU, doesn't take long to read/skim. This author just isn't for me.
October 18, 2025
I actually really enjoyed this.
I was satisfied with this grovel. We can all see Declan is not a bad guy and he loves Lily so so much. I do wish he had more of a spine in the beginning though. I wanted to throttle him when he let people get their way. Especially the OW, who in my eyes didn’t get what was coming to her. Maybe I’m just petty but I think she deserved more repercussions.
Lily was probably my fav character because she actually had a spine. It was really nice to see after reading so many books with doormat FMCs. I enjoyed Sasha as well and the banter between the two. I would love to read a book about her and I hope it would be with Luke and not a second chance with that other guy. Idk what his role in this book was but I feel like we haven’t seen the last of him.
I knew Carter and Adam were giving off vibes. I would love to read their book as well but I’m just bummed that their first date isn’t until 3 years later in the epilogue. I feel like that’s too much time between meeting them and them actually getting together.
This might be an unpopular opinion but I was not a fan of Declan’s mom. I thought she was also spineless and cared way too much about what people thought about her. She should have put her children first and she never did. Would have loved to see Declan have words with her about this because even though she was a victim as well she should have been a better mother.
NO CHEATING (only perceived cheating)
OW DRAMA (childhood friend causes a lot of problems but he doesn’t want her)
OM DRAMA (FMC goes on a date, he stands her up but she ends up spending time with another man, nothing comes of it)
HEA
I was satisfied with this grovel. We can all see Declan is not a bad guy and he loves Lily so so much. I do wish he had more of a spine in the beginning though. I wanted to throttle him when he let people get their way. Especially the OW, who in my eyes didn’t get what was coming to her. Maybe I’m just petty but I think she deserved more repercussions.
Lily was probably my fav character because she actually had a spine. It was really nice to see after reading so many books with doormat FMCs. I enjoyed Sasha as well and the banter between the two. I would love to read a book about her and I hope it would be with Luke and not a second chance with that other guy. Idk what his role in this book was but I feel like we haven’t seen the last of him.
I knew Carter and Adam were giving off vibes. I would love to read their book as well but I’m just bummed that their first date isn’t until 3 years later in the epilogue. I feel like that’s too much time between meeting them and them actually getting together.
This might be an unpopular opinion but I was not a fan of Declan’s mom. I thought she was also spineless and cared way too much about what people thought about her. She should have put her children first and she never did. Would have loved to see Declan have words with her about this because even though she was a victim as well she should have been a better mother.
NO CHEATING (only perceived cheating)
OW DRAMA (childhood friend causes a lot of problems but he doesn’t want her)
OM DRAMA (FMC goes on a date, he stands her up but she ends up spending time with another man, nothing comes of it)
HEA
August 24, 2025
★★★★. A good grovel book. He completely changed himself for her and himself. The beginning of this book starts with his mess up. Honestly, I didn’t feel like he needed to grovel for the lying because you can tell he wasn’t about the plan very early on. He definitely fell first and harder. HOWEVER, the girl best friend….i wanted to smack him. Calling her sweetheart, I would’ve chopped it off. It solidifies more for me that my man WILL NEVER have a girl best friend.
My girl though? SHE WAS STRONG. She didn’t forgive this man until 90% honestly. She made it known she was not forgiving him until he realized his mistake and how much damage that did to her. I loved her. She got what she needed from him too and let him know it was for her release and that’s it! I felt bad about her past and how everything was hidden from her, but I think that’s more on her father than the mmc.
For my safety readers, safe (kinda?). There is absolute zero cheating. The fmc and the readers for a little are left to think he is cheating with the girl best friend due to a phone call. However, he never had feelings for her and has made it known. He didn’t really push the friend away until it became clear how toxic she was and how she was working with his father to push away the fmc. There is other man drama so jealousy moments there!
I don’t know if im interested in the fmcs best friend book because is her mmc the one who was flirting with the fmc in this book and then was on a date with another girl? Or is it the guy who she hates? Like I need more details because the groveling from the other man who ruined her life could be AMAZING.
My girl though? SHE WAS STRONG. She didn’t forgive this man until 90% honestly. She made it known she was not forgiving him until he realized his mistake and how much damage that did to her. I loved her. She got what she needed from him too and let him know it was for her release and that’s it! I felt bad about her past and how everything was hidden from her, but I think that’s more on her father than the mmc.
For my safety readers, safe (kinda?). There is absolute zero cheating. The fmc and the readers for a little are left to think he is cheating with the girl best friend due to a phone call. However, he never had feelings for her and has made it known. He didn’t really push the friend away until it became clear how toxic she was and how she was working with his father to push away the fmc. There is other man drama so jealousy moments there!
I don’t know if im interested in the fmcs best friend book because is her mmc the one who was flirting with the fmc in this book and then was on a date with another girl? Or is it the guy who she hates? Like I need more details because the groveling from the other man who ruined her life could be AMAZING.
August 30, 2025
As much as an total jerk and obvious man he was, I actually understood how things happened the way it did. He was so focused on his father and everything around him, and trying to keep the h away from that, that he ended up hurting her.
Loved the h and how strong she was, how she was ready to move on and that she actually went on a date (even tho she needed up being stood up, and meeting another man at the bar).
The H really grew and he was an amazing man, even tho he lost himself a little in the beginning. Don’t know if I would ever forgive everything, especially the ow he gave a little to much of himself towards.
Safety:
- No info about past, both celibate during seperation.
- A lot of owd, his childhood family friend wants him, and he is entertaining her attention bc he has grown up with her and doesn’t want to her her, but he’s an asshole towards the h bc she said she didn’t appreciate their friendship being so close, and he brushed it off. The ow causes a lot of drama, even tho is happening rather quickly how soon he realizes the ow intention and tries to cut her out of his life. Hated how he called the ow sweetheart, the same nickname he has for the h, but apparently it was a banker he said towards all women, and he didn’t realize it before the h pointed it out. And he didn’t even notice he called the ow that, and he hated it. He also hated his behavior and you could see his growth and how he never had those intentions.
- He never wanted the ow other than a friend, and he felt kind of forced to be her friend, she always showed up and etc, but they both get their revenge on the ow.
- h goes on a date, intention is to sleep with om, but she says no when om asked her if they want to get a room.
Loved the h and how strong she was, how she was ready to move on and that she actually went on a date (even tho she needed up being stood up, and meeting another man at the bar).
The H really grew and he was an amazing man, even tho he lost himself a little in the beginning. Don’t know if I would ever forgive everything, especially the ow he gave a little to much of himself towards.
Safety:
- No info about past, both celibate during seperation.
- A lot of owd, his childhood family friend wants him, and he is entertaining her attention bc he has grown up with her and doesn’t want to her her, but he’s an asshole towards the h bc she said she didn’t appreciate their friendship being so close, and he brushed it off. The ow causes a lot of drama, even tho is happening rather quickly how soon he realizes the ow intention and tries to cut her out of his life. Hated how he called the ow sweetheart, the same nickname he has for the h, but apparently it was a banker he said towards all women, and he didn’t realize it before the h pointed it out. And he didn’t even notice he called the ow that, and he hated it. He also hated his behavior and you could see his growth and how he never had those intentions.
- He never wanted the ow other than a friend, and he felt kind of forced to be her friend, she always showed up and etc, but they both get their revenge on the ow.
- h goes on a date, intention is to sleep with om, but she says no when om asked her if they want to get a room.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2025
2.5 rounded up because I appreciate the effort. This starts with the couple on their 2 week honeymoon which is cut short to 3 days because the H has a business emergency with his company. I thought that was totally unrealistic considering this H really is In love with the h but I guess that was supposed to throw shade… didn’t work because anyone can figure out the plot.
September 10, 2025
My rating: 4 stars
What I loved: I loved the friendship between Lily(h) and Sasha. I really loved the ow drama and how the ow was dealt with at the end.
What I didn’t like: I wanted more with Declan(H) and his mother. Maybe a scene with them in therapy. It’s mentioned but I wanted an actually scene of it. Also, I felt bad for Declan, he honestly was trying to do his best.
***Major Spoilers/ Details/Triggers: Overheard H telling ow “that it’s sorted and to trust him”, OW drama (a childhood friend), married h under false pretense. H and h are on their honeymoon when the h overhears the H on the phone with his childhood friend. H is telling the ow that the h has no clue and to trust him. That he will end things when they get back from their honeymoon. H used the term sweetheart when talking to the ow. h upset calls her best friend. h decides to fake being sick and when H gets a call about an emergency at his job they leave the honeymoon early. h doesn’t tell the H what she heard and waits to see what the H does. H basically drops the h off and goes right to his job. H is running his dad’s company but his dad is sabotaging him every step of the way. H’s dad is a horrible man and he came up with the plan for the H to romance the h so they could get the company the h’s dad owns. Ow goes to see the H and makes him have lunch with him. H didn’t call to check in with the h and doesn’t come home until three in the morning. When he gets there he sees that nothing is put away and the h and her stuff isn’t there. h was sent a photo of the H with the ow and decides that she isn’t going to wait for the H to leave her so she leaves first. h decides to get an annulment and asks her dad for help. H asks h to talk and when they meet up h tells the H that she overheard him on the phone. h tells him that she knows he is with ow. H tells her that he was never with the ow. They are just childhood friends. h tells him that she knows all about the game he is playing and how they met wasn’t real. That everything was planned. H tells her that it’s not what it looks like and tries to explain, that he truly does loves her. h tells him she is done and leaves the H. h tells her dad and he helps her get an annulment. H agrees and goes about fixing everything. When he realizes the ow was in on it with his dad, he stops the friendship. H also makes sure that the deal falls through with taking the company from the h’s dad. H quits working for his dad, gets the evidence he needs to put his dad in jail, and starts working for the h’s dad. All the time he is doing that, he is also keeping and eye on the h. We find out that the H’s father had someone kill the h’s mother. That they had a past relationship and she was pregnant with his child. h’s father asked her to leave when she told him about the affair. Due to this the H’s father blamed the h’s father for making the h’s mother leave. He wanted things to remain the same in which he and the h’s mother would have an affair and not let anyone know. Finally, h seeing everything the H is doing gives him a second chance. OW father goes to jail for embezzlement and fraud. Ow and her mother leave town. H and h get their HEA with them married with a daughter.
Final thoughts: This was my first book by this author and it definitely won’t be my last especially if Sasha gets a book!! If you like overheard books with ow drama this book is worth the read.
What I loved: I loved the friendship between Lily(h) and Sasha. I really loved the ow drama and how the ow was dealt with at the end.
What I didn’t like: I wanted more with Declan(H) and his mother. Maybe a scene with them in therapy. It’s mentioned but I wanted an actually scene of it. Also, I felt bad for Declan, he honestly was trying to do his best.
***Major Spoilers/ Details/Triggers: Overheard H telling ow “that it’s sorted and to trust him”, OW drama (a childhood friend), married h under false pretense. H and h are on their honeymoon when the h overhears the H on the phone with his childhood friend. H is telling the ow that the h has no clue and to trust him. That he will end things when they get back from their honeymoon. H used the term sweetheart when talking to the ow. h upset calls her best friend. h decides to fake being sick and when H gets a call about an emergency at his job they leave the honeymoon early. h doesn’t tell the H what she heard and waits to see what the H does. H basically drops the h off and goes right to his job. H is running his dad’s company but his dad is sabotaging him every step of the way. H’s dad is a horrible man and he came up with the plan for the H to romance the h so they could get the company the h’s dad owns. Ow goes to see the H and makes him have lunch with him. H didn’t call to check in with the h and doesn’t come home until three in the morning. When he gets there he sees that nothing is put away and the h and her stuff isn’t there. h was sent a photo of the H with the ow and decides that she isn’t going to wait for the H to leave her so she leaves first. h decides to get an annulment and asks her dad for help. H asks h to talk and when they meet up h tells the H that she overheard him on the phone. h tells him that she knows he is with ow. H tells her that he was never with the ow. They are just childhood friends. h tells him that she knows all about the game he is playing and how they met wasn’t real. That everything was planned. H tells her that it’s not what it looks like and tries to explain, that he truly does loves her. h tells him she is done and leaves the H. h tells her dad and he helps her get an annulment. H agrees and goes about fixing everything. When he realizes the ow was in on it with his dad, he stops the friendship. H also makes sure that the deal falls through with taking the company from the h’s dad. H quits working for his dad, gets the evidence he needs to put his dad in jail, and starts working for the h’s dad. All the time he is doing that, he is also keeping and eye on the h. We find out that the H’s father had someone kill the h’s mother. That they had a past relationship and she was pregnant with his child. h’s father asked her to leave when she told him about the affair. Due to this the H’s father blamed the h’s father for making the h’s mother leave. He wanted things to remain the same in which he and the h’s mother would have an affair and not let anyone know. Finally, h seeing everything the H is doing gives him a second chance. OW father goes to jail for embezzlement and fraud. Ow and her mother leave town. H and h get their HEA with them married with a daughter.
Final thoughts: This was my first book by this author and it definitely won’t be my last especially if Sasha gets a book!! If you like overheard books with ow drama this book is worth the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2025
Really enjoyed this one. Declan married Lily without telling her everything about their families' history or his father's machinations and intentions. She doesn't find out details on their honeymoon, but definitely discovers something fishy is up when she hears a phone call from him to his childhood "friend," a woman who clearly wanted to be the one on the honeymoon with him. Everything spirals from there.
The blow up that follows was a lot of fun. Lily has a great support system in her best friend (and sequel bait) Sasha and her father. My favorite part of the book, in fact, was probably the banter between Lily and Sasha. Declan, meanwhile, spends most of the book trying to make up for his own mistakes while Lily tries to pick up the pieces of her life, but in the process, there just isn't a lot of on-page romance between the two of them until the latter half of the book.
Still, I had so much fun reading this. I can't wait to get to Sasha's story... although it looks like that one is still very much in progress.
The blow up that follows was a lot of fun. Lily has a great support system in her best friend (and sequel bait) Sasha and her father. My favorite part of the book, in fact, was probably the banter between Lily and Sasha. Declan, meanwhile, spends most of the book trying to make up for his own mistakes while Lily tries to pick up the pieces of her life, but in the process, there just isn't a lot of on-page romance between the two of them until the latter half of the book.
Still, I had so much fun reading this. I can't wait to get to Sasha's story... although it looks like that one is still very much in progress.
August 3, 2025
pretty
August 3, 2025
3.5 stars
Great first release plenty of angst drama and grovel
Great first release plenty of angst drama and grovel
August 7, 2025
I honestly don’t understand the rave reviews for this book.
The H, Declan, arranged to meet, date and marry the h, Lily, in order to get control of her father’s business to help his father with some convoluted revenge scheme. During their honeymoon, Lily overheard a phone conversation that revealed Declan’s lies plus made it sound suspiciously like he was having an affair with his female best friend, Sylvia. Lily was understandably angry and heartbroken and filed for an annulment as soon as they returned home.
Despite the fact that absolutely nothing had changed between them, on the day that the annulment became final, they started flirting on the courthouse steps and agreed to go out for coffee together.
🙄🙄🙄
The H, Declan, arranged to meet, date and marry the h, Lily, in order to get control of her father’s business to help his father with some convoluted revenge scheme. During their honeymoon, Lily overheard a phone conversation that revealed Declan’s lies plus made it sound suspiciously like he was having an affair with his female best friend, Sylvia. Lily was understandably angry and heartbroken and filed for an annulment as soon as they returned home.
Despite the fact that absolutely nothing had changed between them, on the day that the annulment became final, they started flirting on the courthouse steps and agreed to go out for coffee together.
🙄🙄🙄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2025
“I don’t wish unhappiness on you, Declan, but I want you to hear this… I will be happy without you. I lived a full life before you, and I’ll live one after you.”
Man am I glad I trusted my GR friends that read this one when it came across my feed. I read their reviews and went into it hopeful and was not let down. 😭 Blesssss.
This FMC is strong even while her entire world (more than just with the MMC) falls apart. But what I love most is that she still questions herself and has moments of weakness even as she stands strong in her decisions. She has moments of being detached and then moments when it all surfaces. It was realistic to me.
The MMC was wrecked and I love to see it. He knew immediately that he'd messed up, but as he found out just how much later on, it got worse for him. He was a complete idiot, the kind that I was ready to write off as, "no way he can come back from this."
His grovel was mixture of his sorrow, his words with the FMC or those around her (on and off the page), and the steps he took to change things. Sometimes they were big steps, sometimes they had nothing to do with the FMC but were needed to put his life in order, and sometimes they were small, simple things that showed he was observant to even the smallest ways he had hurt her.
This joins a very small list of books where I found the grovel actually adequate. Maybe it could have gone on for a bit longer, I definitely wouldn't have minded. But I do like how it morphed with them, as the MCs changed over the months following their breakup. They weren't the same people at the beginning, the middle, or the end of the book, and I think the steps they each took to make changes or assert their needs, brought them back together nicely. It definitely had me kicking my feet smiling.
Also had me crying at the beginning which is so rude. 😭
‼️ Minor-ish spoilers
The main reason this isn't a 5 star for me is the OW drama. It's one of my most hated tropes, but I don't mind it if it's done well. For a while I thought it would be done well here, but then the OW turned into a caricature, complete with a public mean girl confrontation, stomping her foot, yelling in frustration while everyone just stares at the scene and provides background commentary like a Disney channel moment, etc. Even her father and mother turned into caricatures in this specific scene, though it was just one of a few instances with that for the OW.
Regardless, I really recommended this one of you want to see the MMC work for forgiveness.
Edit: Forgot to mention that this is a slow burn with no cheating on either side. The OW isn't someone the MMC is ever interested in but boy does he mess up in not making that clear to her and the FMC.
---
More quotes I liked:
"I hate how pitiful I feel, but I’m giving myself a couple of days to wallow and then I’ll pull myself out of the funk. I’m all up in my feels, but soon, I’ll get up off my ass and get on with life. A life that doesn’t include Declan Masters."
“He led me around like a puppet on a string and they all knew—his friends, his family, probably his colleagues. Everyone but me."
"Our relationship might have started under false pretenses, and she might think that I was playing her the whole time, but she’s going to find out that I’m not playing anymore. And there’s nothing fake about my feelings for her."
“You want… you need… you can’t…” She shakes her head. “It’s all about you, and I’m realizing it always has been."
“When you love someone, truly love them, you accept their flaws, their shortcomings. After all, would they be the same person without the bad bits? You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t believe the world owes you something. But…” she lets out a quiet sigh. “This isn’t about you, Declan. Not anymore. And this,” she gestures between us limply, “this isn’t what I need. This isn’t what I want. And I’m learning, a little late, that I matter. And I’m not going to stand here while you try to make yourself feel better for your mistakes."
"It’s not a familiar expression on Lily’s face, but I like it. It looks like a woman who’s growing to know her own power; her own worth. But the feeling is bittersweet, because I know the reason it’s there."
"I’d done this, destroyed something precious because of my fear of a man who should no longer have that power over me. But I know what I’m fighting for now."
“I don’t want an illusion of love, Dec. I want it all. I want a partner, someone who stands at my side and gives me every single truth, even when it hurts."
Man am I glad I trusted my GR friends that read this one when it came across my feed. I read their reviews and went into it hopeful and was not let down. 😭 Blesssss.
This FMC is strong even while her entire world (more than just with the MMC) falls apart. But what I love most is that she still questions herself and has moments of weakness even as she stands strong in her decisions. She has moments of being detached and then moments when it all surfaces. It was realistic to me.
The MMC was wrecked and I love to see it. He knew immediately that he'd messed up, but as he found out just how much later on, it got worse for him. He was a complete idiot, the kind that I was ready to write off as, "no way he can come back from this."
His grovel was mixture of his sorrow, his words with the FMC or those around her (on and off the page), and the steps he took to change things. Sometimes they were big steps, sometimes they had nothing to do with the FMC but were needed to put his life in order, and sometimes they were small, simple things that showed he was observant to even the smallest ways he had hurt her.
This joins a very small list of books where I found the grovel actually adequate. Maybe it could have gone on for a bit longer, I definitely wouldn't have minded. But I do like how it morphed with them, as the MCs changed over the months following their breakup. They weren't the same people at the beginning, the middle, or the end of the book, and I think the steps they each took to make changes or assert their needs, brought them back together nicely. It definitely had me kicking my feet smiling.
Also had me crying at the beginning which is so rude. 😭
‼️ Minor-ish spoilers
The main reason this isn't a 5 star for me is the OW drama. It's one of my most hated tropes, but I don't mind it if it's done well. For a while I thought it would be done well here, but then the OW turned into a caricature, complete with a public mean girl confrontation, stomping her foot, yelling in frustration while everyone just stares at the scene and provides background commentary like a Disney channel moment, etc. Even her father and mother turned into caricatures in this specific scene, though it was just one of a few instances with that for the OW.
Regardless, I really recommended this one of you want to see the MMC work for forgiveness.
Edit: Forgot to mention that this is a slow burn with no cheating on either side. The OW isn't someone the MMC is ever interested in but boy does he mess up in not making that clear to her and the FMC.
---
More quotes I liked:
"I hate how pitiful I feel, but I’m giving myself a couple of days to wallow and then I’ll pull myself out of the funk. I’m all up in my feels, but soon, I’ll get up off my ass and get on with life. A life that doesn’t include Declan Masters."
“He led me around like a puppet on a string and they all knew—his friends, his family, probably his colleagues. Everyone but me."
"Our relationship might have started under false pretenses, and she might think that I was playing her the whole time, but she’s going to find out that I’m not playing anymore. And there’s nothing fake about my feelings for her."
“You want… you need… you can’t…” She shakes her head. “It’s all about you, and I’m realizing it always has been."
“When you love someone, truly love them, you accept their flaws, their shortcomings. After all, would they be the same person without the bad bits? You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t believe the world owes you something. But…” she lets out a quiet sigh. “This isn’t about you, Declan. Not anymore. And this,” she gestures between us limply, “this isn’t what I need. This isn’t what I want. And I’m learning, a little late, that I matter. And I’m not going to stand here while you try to make yourself feel better for your mistakes."
"It’s not a familiar expression on Lily’s face, but I like it. It looks like a woman who’s growing to know her own power; her own worth. But the feeling is bittersweet, because I know the reason it’s there."
"I’d done this, destroyed something precious because of my fear of a man who should no longer have that power over me. But I know what I’m fighting for now."
“I don’t want an illusion of love, Dec. I want it all. I want a partner, someone who stands at my side and gives me every single truth, even when it hurts."
August 31, 2025
I mean, I didn't hate it, but it wasn't anything spectacular either. The truth is that the "mystery" was good, but for some reason, as everything was revealed more and more, it was like, "But why? What was the reason? You're a man now, why act like a little kid?" Anyway, it got a bit tedious and unbelievable. Also, the secondary characters were included and described in such a way that it seemed like the introduction to a series, but in the end, their plot line either culminated or closed abruptly. It was unsatisfying in some cases. For example, what about Sasha? My girl needs a book!!!! Overall, it was just okay.
July 26, 2025
Oh, Declan! How you messed up by not being honest with Lily. But the fact that you kept showing up and trying warmed my heart. I've read this twice, once as it was written and shared on Wattpad, and now. I loved it both times. There was a lot of tension with all that was going on with Declan and his dad, but there were some wonderful lighthearted moments. The love that Lily and Declan shared was so sweet! And let's not forget how spectacular the scene is where the Silvia got her comeuppance! BRILLANT!
September 30, 2025
Amazing story!!
This is a well written easy to read story, and family, friendships, emotions, challenges, intrigue, lies, loyalty, taking chances, manipulation, heartbreak, secrets, trust, tension, trust, second chances, undeniable chemistry, and unconditional love, which all leads to an entertaining, twisted, and unpredictable addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
This is a well written easy to read story, and family, friendships, emotions, challenges, intrigue, lies, loyalty, taking chances, manipulation, heartbreak, secrets, trust, tension, trust, second chances, undeniable chemistry, and unconditional love, which all leads to an entertaining, twisted, and unpredictable addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
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August 20, 2025I feel like a lot of stuff gets resolved like 60% in and idk why I need to keep reading?
September 18, 2025
Mid but fine.
November 9, 2025
3.5 stars.
August 31, 2025
the only character i cared about was the best friend
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