These Wicked Lies

The Broken Kingdoms #2.5

by L.J. Andrews

A bitter fae knight. A lost enemy warrior. Together they'll tear their world apart.

Kari served in the Timoran Raven army out of survival and duty. But when her own people betray her so brutally she has no choice but to flee with her brother.

Her worst fears are realized when they're captured and held prisoner by enemy fae rogues. Convinced she will die in the cold cave of her new prison, Kari expects the new voices in the dark to be as cruel as anyone.

Until she meets his eyes and everything she thought she knew about the enemy fae unravels and her heart is there for the taking.
These Wicked Lies is a companion novella to the main Broken Kingdoms series. This is Halvar and Kari's love story which takes place throughout the first three books of the main series. Spoiler guides are inside and are encouraged to be followed to avoid spoiling main events in books 1-3

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Fae, Novella

102 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2025

About the author

LJ Andrews is a USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of fantasy romance. She mystically brings to life worlds of dark Nordic and Viking myths bound by conflicts that bring together impassioned heroes and heroines.

In her non-author moments, she is courageously corralling her four children to the myriad of life activities that involves, along with spending time with her favorite hero, her husband. Add two high maintenance dogs and a sassy conure to the mix and that sums it up. LJ Andrews thrives spending time in the Rocky Mountains where she lives in Utah.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Ali Alley EscapeThroughABook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed these characters when I read this series, and really love having a novella about them. I also enjoyed the kind of little behind the scenes look at what was also happening (or at least that’s how it felt to me. Idk I just felt like it thickens the story and world when new POVs are happening.). It’s funny because it had been a while since I had read these books, but as soon as I picked up this novella, my mind slipped right back into the world, and I saw everything how I did before. The broken kingdom series is so good, and this book is such a good love story. They really deserved each other after their hard lives!

This fantasy romance novella is 2.5 in the Broken Kingdom series. The book does have darker topics. The romance in this book is enemies to lovers. The book does have some mild spice. Kari is captured along with her brother. During her captivity, she learns secrets and discovers kindness from Halvar, who should be her enemy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
📱Ebook

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

THESE WICKED LIES was a great novella showing us how Halvar and Kari fell in love during the events of book 2 and 3. I loved Halvar as a side character and getting his POV was so much fun; he was flirty and sexy but also so tender and careful with Kari. As a former Raven guard, these two should have been enemies but they had such big hearts.

From the moment Halvar saw her he felt pulled to Kari and immediately went into protective mode as he took care of her injuries. Before becoming prisoners of fae rogues, Kari had been through a lot but she was a warrior and a fighter and so compassionate. I loved that she knew all about Night Folk history and the Ferus Royal family and that she never felt any ill will toward them.

You definitely need to have read the first three books of THE BROKEN KINGDOMS series to read this one or you won't really understand what's going on, but it's a great companion to the series.

Content Warning: recent sexual abuse and torture (off page but discussed)

[Maddy Freitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was perfect! Idk why I waited so long to read this after finishing TBK, but this is exactly what I needed and now I want to reread TBK already 🤭 This was so cute and I loved the little snippets into the past and the future of the story.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is... one of the best novellas I've ever had the pleasure to read. I loved Halvar and his Raven when they met in book 2 (Court of Ice and Ash) but to see their romance bloom from their POVs was so rewarding and wholesome.

I don't know how LJ Andrews does it, but these novellas are absolutely stunning. The way they're written, the characters and emotions, all in just over a 100 or so pages, just shows how amazing a writer the author is. I've read books with less character development, less emotional attachment.

If you've not read the first 3 books in the Broken Kingdoms Series, I'd advise avoiding this until then because, spoilers! but make sure to read this book at some point because you will not be disappointed.

[Giulia B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m really sad. This was the final reading of The Broken Kingdoms, and even though I’m not ready to leave this world yet (let’s go to the Ever!), it feels like I’m saying goodbye to friends.
This novella made me cry a little, especially the scene with S. Seeing it from H’s point of view was absolutely heartbreaking.

Oh, and if you don’t want ANY spoilers from The Ever Seas, skip the prologue. Unfortunately, I didn’t know and ended up spoiling something for myself. I suppose it’s a minor spoiler, but it might still bother some readers. :)

[Yasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story falls right between Book 2 and Book 3 of the Broken Kingdoms series. If you’ve ever wondered how Halvar and Kari became a couple, this novella tells their story. It’s a companion novella to the main Broken Kingdoms series.

I really loved reading their journey. Kari has been through so much abuse and is lucky to have survived it all. Halvar knows pieces of her past, but he takes the time to truly understand her and never pressures her. As time goes on, Kari begins develop feelings for him. Their story has lots of challenges, but they face them together and come out stronger at the end. Both Kari and Halvar are resilient and determined, and they are choosing to live one day at a time and enjoy their moments together.

This is yet another amazing novella that adds give me so much more details on the other characters from The Broken Kingdoms series. I always love reading these companion stories and getting to experience parts of the larger story from a different point of view.

[Katharine Knoodle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this Hal and Kari novella. I’ve always wanted more of their story, and this delivered everything I hoped for. I’ve read the whole series four times, and now I want to start it all over again. Seeing how fiercely Hal loves and the moment he learns his dad and brothers survived the first war was incredibly moving.

I also loved getting to know Kari on a deeper level. Her strength and resilience through everything she endured made me appreciate her even more.

[Caitlin Carbone · Rating 3 out of 5]

as much as i love halvar, where did his personality go? i find the love in this novella to be pushed onto us rather than shown. i did enjoy the snippets of their life post books, as well as their POVS outside of elise and valens eyes. i just wished we got more than a wet sock of a fmc, and for the mmc to have his spark we see throughout the series.

[Lydia Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goodness, this is exactly was I needed ❤️ after almost a whole year, I have missed LJ’s Broken Kingdoms series every day..nothing has compared. I inhaled this short story cannot wait to love the others!

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

These Wicked Lies

I loved this bonus story with Halvar & Kari. It was cute and fun. The story fits perfectly within the world and gives a little more insight into these characters that were part of the main series to begin with.

[Dominoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovey

Halvar and Kari are so cute together. I really liked this snippet of their love story. I also really like that it was set up as a story told by Halvar to his youngest daughter. Very fun little read.

[Connir Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its been almost a year since I started TBK. But this story pulls me back i to this beautiful world. I love Halevar and Kari’s story.

[Rachel Abercrombie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and cute. I enjoy these little side stories. I thought that you could actually see the relationship grow between Halvar and Kari.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute lil book

[Tommy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heartbreaking and breathtaking read. Such a beautiful novella!

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always wanted to see what was going on with these two when I read The Broken Kingdoms series. Their love story was in the background and now to get the chance to see it was beautiful ❤️

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It is a tale of a brave Raven, and the bitter warrior whose heart was healed because of her.”

[Lynnette · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute but this book contains spoilers from book 3. should be considered 3.5

[Niki Gage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discovered these existed AFTER I finished the series and got immediately pumped. Read this in one sitting and it’s sooo worth waiting until after completing the series 😍