Broken, Beautiful Lies: A Forbidden Romance

by Mary Jaay

At seventeen, Clara Monroe vanished from her hometown without a word. For eight years, she built a new life far from the heartbreak she swore she’d never face again. But one phone call changes her mother is in a coma, and Clara must return to the place she vowed never to see again.

No one knows the real reason she left, except the one person who can’t speak. Now, surrounded by the family she abandoned and the boy she was never supposed to love, Clara is forced to confront the past she buried and the lies that tore everything apart.

Beautiful, Broken Lies is a gripping story of forbidden love, shattered trust, and the haunting power of secrets.

400 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2025

About the author

Hi, I’m Mary Jaay, and I write romance with all the twists, tension, and emotions that make love unforgettable. My stories dive into complicated relationships, messy entanglements, and characters who don’t always make the right choices, but who love with everything they have.

I’m the author of Never Have I Ever and Let Us Burn, with my newest novel, Broken, Beautiful Lies, releasing soon. Each of my books can be read as a standalone, but they all share one thing in common: raw emotion and romance that lingers long after “The End.”

When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me dreaming up new characters, creating bookish content on social media, or curled up with a good story. You can connect with me on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook @MaryJaay.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ / 3🌶️

This book was giving EVERYTHING I needed it to give. The FMC has to go back to her hometown after 8 years, following an incident within the family, and when she does, all the secrets from her past are exposed and she’s left with a choice to make. Keep running, or face the music?

I absolutely adored the MMC in this book. Denver is the epitome of infatuated, and he deserves everything good in the world 🥹.

This book gave me all the feels. Happiness, sadness, anger, confusion, excitement. I actually never guessed the plot twist in the book, and I loved how it kept me guessing!
I love a story with deep connections to the past, and getting to delve into Clara and Denver’s past throughout the book was amazing 🙌🏼.

I am absolutely obsessed. Please can I have Ethan’s book next (because that man also deserves the world)? Thank you 🤭

[KellyM.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a book that is beautifully written, with an emotional. captivating plot? This book is for you. It's a taboo dark romance book, step-siblings.. I absolutely fell in love with the characters (specifically Denver lol) it has dual POV and goes from past to present which I love, you really get the sense of the whole story of the family. I really enjoyed everything about this book!

[Brittany Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️

Clara is weighed down with secrets from her past when she returns home after 8 years of being away without a word. Leaving her life behind at 17 wasn’t easy but being shamed by her mother for her decisions left Clara with no other choice. But it wasn’t just her parents and her life she was leaving behind…she was also leaving HIM. Denver was the only boy she ever loved but always had to keep a secret because he wasn’t just a boy, he was her step brother.

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this book since it’s my first taboo but to say I was obsessed is an understatement! I quickly fell in love with the MMC (Denver) and my heart BROKE for our FMC (Clara).

The book is fast paced, told in multiple POVs and flips between past and present which kept me engaged the ENTIRE time. It’s a MUST read 👏

[Ale R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven’t read this book, you’re seriously missing out on one of the best forbidden romance stories out there!
With BBL being my first taboo read, I’ll admit—I was a little nervous going in. But Mary Jaay handled it so beautifully that it never felt cringy or “too much.”

The forbidden love, the guilt, the longing, and the mystery had me hooked from the very first chapter. I loved how the past and present were woven together, and that epilogue? Perfection. Mary tied every loose end in the most satisfying way.

[Rosemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars 100% , loved it, it drew me in from the very beginning.
Clara comes back home after 8 years when she hears her mother is in a coma. She comes back with secrets and has to now face everything and everyone she ran from.
This is a forbidden love romance , taboo, with lies secrets and betrayal. Spicy with a great plot and a happy ending.
Very well written and informative there was no wondering what happened to a certain character etc… the author even included bonus chapters with other characters POV Definitely worth the read! …. Denver’s a new book boyfriend of mine ❤️

[book by Misha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect mix of romance, trauma, and healing. Didn’t expect to love it this much.
Bold, messy, and beautifully human. One of those books that keeps you up all night.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Broken, Beautiful Lies by Mary Jaay absolutely wrecked me—in the best way. From the very first page, this taboo, forbidden romance pulls you straight into Clara’s world and refuses to let go. The tension and angst are so vivid that you can feel the weight she carries the moment she steps back into her hometown. Every chapter had me desperate to uncover her secrets—what happened, why she left, and why returning feels like stepping into a wound that never healed.

Mary Jaay delivers a perfectly paced, addictive story full of emotion, mystery, and forbidden pull. If you love romance that tempts you, torments you, and keeps you up way too late flipping pages, this one is an absolute must-read.

[Jada Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! It fully dragged me in and through me into the world. I love Denver and Clara and Ethan tbh. Favorite quote “You asked me why I’m so sure. It’s because when I think about the future…It’s always you in it, angel.” Like sure take my heart because whaaaaat🤭 I honesty loved all the characters EXCEPT the momma and Jamie (iykyk). This was a great love story to witness and read about Mary Jaay deserves all the props for this masterpiece. One more quote that I adored “I danced like a girl who survived the storm and came out standing “ because she deserved it she went through so much , they went through so much and I’m so proud of how life ended for them. Don’t know if I mentioned but I definitely was crying in the book a little so you know that you feel the words that are written.

[Jen Baldwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

*******SPOILERS*******





OK, your Mommy saying mean things to you does not justify hiding someone's child from them AND allowing another man to step in and be that child's father for YEARS. So, now that man is going to be left grieving you and that child once you get your head out of your ass.
Ethan is absolutely in love with her, or he wouldn't be there playing soul mate/father. So, our FMC is selfish and self centered, at best. Both guys and the confused ass child deserve better.

[Rose Aylett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara is forced to leave home. She starts a new life in New York. 8 years later she is forced to return to her hometown with one phone call and she’s returning with a secret. She has to face the man she loved. this book is beautifully written, literally took every emotion out of me. Denver and Clara have such a beautiful story.