Just when Alora thought she’d finally escaped the human elite’s schemes, she’s trapped in another strange court, forced to play yet another pretend role. This time as the beast prince’s intended bride.
It would be an easy job, if not for the pirate captain threatening to sell them back to their enemies, an unwieldy new power breaking her mind into pieces, and worst of all, the feelings she can’t trust and can’t hide for her fake fiance.
Prince Taran wants nothing more than for Alora to realize the fated pull between them, engagement ruse be damned. He’d burn the whole seaside court to the ground if his thief would only let him claim her.
To learn the island’s secrets, Alora will need to face her own, and the growing power that threatens to drown her. Balance for herself and the realm comes at a steep cost—one this thief might not be willing to pay.
From pirates to prison breaks, join the possessive beast prince and his feisty thief on their next adventure in An Ear For Secrets, Book 2 in the seductive Apex Kingdom fantasy romance series. Read the latest book on Kindle Unlimited today!
Thank you so much LC Whitehouse for sending me this ARC!
An Ear for Secrets is the second book in a Fantasy Romance series and I was really excited to read it after loving the first book last year and it definitely didn’t disappoint, I love Alora and Taran so much!
This book starts right where book 1 left off on that cliffhanger and we’re thrown right in the middle of action and from that point there wasn’t a single boring moment, there was so much happening with many secrets, revelations, betrayals and plot twists along the way and I read the whole book in one sitting unable to put it down. I really enjoyed this fascinating world building and unique magic system in book 1 and I’m so happy we got to explore and learn more about it here, it was really interesting to read about. I already loved our MCs in the previous book and loved them even more here, we got to learn more about them and see different sides of them and I really enjoyed their characters development, they went through a lot here but they are both really strong and resilient and cunning and I already can’t wait to see them again. The romance in book one was definitely a slow burn with a lot of yearning that continued here, the tension between Taran and Alora was palpable and I loved seeing them together so much, they became closer and it was amazing to see them open up more to each other, their conversations, banter and just how they were always there for and supported each other. I also loved how absolutely obsessed and possessive Taran was of Alora, he definitely fell first and all those ‘touch her and die’ vibes and the ‘mine’ scenes were *chief’s kiss* as were the spicy scenes, these two were fire together. I also loved the supporting characters and that we got Eleni POV here, they all made a beautiful found family and I already miss them.
An Ear for Secrets is a really great continuation to this amazing story, I absolutely loved it and already can’t wait for book 3. 100% recommend this series to everyone.
Thank you to LC Whitehouse for providing me with an ARC!
I really enjoyed A Taste for Lies last year, so I was excited to dive back into this world with An Ear for Secrets, and it definitely kept me hooked from start to finish.
One of my favourite things about this book was the recap at the beginning. Having it told from Carter's POV was absolutely hilarious and such a fun way to refresh my memory. Carter's humour and lighthearted personality really shone through, and it immediately pulled me back into the story.
Something else I loved was the multiple POVs. Getting to see events unfold through different characters' eyes added so much depth to the story and gave a better understanding of their motivations, struggles, and decision-making. I especially enjoyed spending more time in Eleni's head. Watching her grow more confident, speak her mind, and stand up for herself was incredibly satisfying and I couldn't be more proud of her 🥹
This book had a very different vibe from the first one, which kept things feeling fresh. The pacing felt just right for me: there was always something happening, and I never found myself bored or struggling to get through a chapter. The story flowed easily, making it a very quick and enjoyable read.
I also loved seeing more of Taran and Alora's relationship develop. Taran's protective and possessive nature remains one of my favourite things about his character, and the emotional tension between them kept me invested throughout the book. Oh and the spice.. it's real 🌶️🌶️🌶️
That ending definitely left me wanting more. It raised so many questions, and I'm already looking forward to seeing where the story goes next. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long for book three!
I was absolutely hooked from the beginning. I absolutely fell in love with these characters all over again.
Alora is just as amazing and bad*ss as she was in the first book. She's smart and witty and she isn't afraid of showing people who's boss. And of course, her and Taran are just so good together!!
Taran was just as swoon worthy in this book as the first one. The things he says!!!! Ohmygod I was blushing. The chemistry and just yearning between him and Alora was just chef's kiss. He is just full of love and adoration for Alora, and I ate it up. And the spicy times???? Oh they were really delicious. Just feral behavior and I ATE IT UP. So, so good. Just know...horns definitely became involved 🤣
Now what I loved most about An Ear for Secrets were the side characters getting more page time. I was absolutely feral for more Carter and Harlan. Like Carter getting all jealous of Harlan and Eleni was delicious. And the bets between Harlan and Carter just had me happy screaming for more 🤣 I have a hope for these three, it might end up a fantasy but still...they definitely make it easy to imagine the three of them just bicketing with each other.
Now this would not be the continuation of A Taste for Lies without heists. The stakes are definitely high and new players are entering the story, but I just loved it all. Alora is just in her element during heists and Taran just loves to watch his woman work 🤣
Just hands down, an amazing book and I cannot wait for the next one to come out!!
I am so glad that I came across this ARC through another author's post with her and it was totally worth every chance I took leaping at a new author to me.
This book picks up right at the end of book 1 and I was totally here for every moment. I easily binged the book in a day... again. But after reading the novella I definitely have more appreciation for the MMC Taran. I absolutely adore the characters in the story! Plain and simple. Alora is such an interesting character and love that she is just this awesome master thief. Taran isn't the typical prince and watching his character come out more and the heart eyes he has for Alora is great. Their dynamic together is perfect. I loved the side characters too for their motley little crew they have together as they make an interesting group and let me tell you I am INTERESTED IN HARLAN. Like I need more about him and he's just such a great character. His banter is on point and he's mysterious. I'm not needing more books from this author and am definitely going to be keeping my eyes out because I need more of this world and characters.
If you want a unique story with unique characters, banter, some good laughs and some nice spice that doesn't take over the plot and also like the intrigue into inner creatures then I highly recommend this one.
I have been raving about the first book in the series A Taste For Lies and so I was very excited about book 2 and it did not disappoint!
We pick up right where we left off. Taran, Alora and company, still reeling from the events of book 1, are now faced with new challenges. There was so much action, political intrigue, secrets and betrayals. Something I love about this series is the magic system. This world is so unique. I also loved Alora's journey of self discovery. She is learning more about herself and her gifts and grappling with what it all means. And Taran's protectiveness is chef's kiss. 🥵
It's usually a bit hard for me to picture things in my head but the author's descriptive language was so beautiful it made it easy to immerse myself in the story.
If you love Romantasy, political intrigue, and a unique magic system, this series is for you! You will not be disappointed.
Um..entirely unsure how to feel about that ending. You know you're just reading or listening and a book just stops...yeah that. Hopefully it won't be long until the next one but many that ending will have it just sitting with you.
I did enjoy the store though. The recap in the beginning will make you cackle but it was well done. The whole team finds themselves in a pinch that seems to just get worse by the day. However you begin to learn a lot and watch as some things unravel and others begin form.
During this time Lor is finding herself and Tar is gathering information and doing all he can to protect her. I'm curious where Eleni will land in all of this. I feel there's much to explore in the next part of the series.
I had so much fun with this sequel! This picks up right where we left off, and has so many of the things I love in a high stakes romantic fantasy. Taran and Alora are like fire together (those “mine” moments 🔥🔥🔥) and I loved seeing their relationship progress. And who doesn’t love a good fake engagement trope thrown in? I also really enjoyed spending time with some of my favorite supporting characters, with the addition of Eleni’s POV being a great bonus. Overall I think this is an excellent debut series that doesn’t suffer from the dreaded second book syndrome, and I’m very excited to see where it goes next!
Thank you to the author for the gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review!
The adventure continues. This book starts with a funny recap of everything we read in the first book. Taran is distraught about Alora. Will she wake up from the struggle with her creature? The team continues their adventure with a mix of pirates, learning to find your inner self, and a test of loyalty. We still get Beauty and the Beast vibes and more characters point of views!
Another great read that ends in a cliff hanger…. I’ll be impatiently waiting for the next book!
Loved book 2 just about as much as book 1! This series is so good, and perfect for any romantasy lover or Beauty and the Beast lover. The world expands in this book with an adventure in Thalassar across the seas. Alora learns more about who and what she is, and struggles to comes to terms with herself, as well as her growing connection to the beastly Prince Taran. There's spice, double crossing, intricate plots, and danger. I especially loved the side characters Carter and Eleni in this book! Harlan also intrigues me, hope we see more of him!
This reeled me in, the world, the magic system and the gifts!! Book 2 leaves right off where book 1 ended right in the action, this one was a real page turner!! It was also fun to have Eleni’s POV! Taran and Alora are just perfect!!! I can’t wait for book 3
Thank you for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am obsessed with this series! When I first saw the description of this and it being a beauty and the beast retelling I just knew I would love it. The world building is unique, the characters are intriguing and I can guarantee you will fall in love with Taran and Alora. Oh, the horn scene is impeccable. I now need the next book! 🖤
The second book had more action going on and we learn more about the characters powers/creatures! Taren and Aloras forced proximity/fated mates relationship grows more in this book but still has a ways to go! But man that cliffhanger at the end has me wanting to read book 3 already!!!!