Chained By Love

by Lucie Hagley

Every lie has a price.
Hers was their future.
Esme Steel was born into BlackVeil, crowned a duchess before she ever had a choice. Behind the gilded walls and blood - oathed power, her life was a cage built on silence and obedience.
At sixteen, Lincoln Blackthorn was her only freedom. Her first love.
Her only escape.
Until the night everything changed
A truth too dangerous to speak forced Esme to make an impossible choice, push him away with a lie that shattered his heart and saved his life.
Ten years later, Lincoln returns. Older. Colder. Unforgiving.
To him, Esme is the girl who betrayed him. To her, he's the boy she loved, and the one man who can never know the truth.
Because in BlackVeil, secrets don't stay buried.
And when love collides with power, someone always pays the price.

515 pages

Expected publication July 14, 2026

Reviews

[Marki Henricksen · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review and definitely check trigger warnings for this one.

3.75⭐️/5⭐️

Okay listen the only reason I’m giving this a 3.75 and not a 4 is that there was a couple different things that I just felt were repetitive and certain phrases and it just kept distracting me once I noticed them. I also just wanted more of the secret society idk if it’s cause I haven’t read the first book to this series and started with this one since it was an ARC that I received and I just missed more of that information from the first book or not but I wanted more. I love a secret society and I want more of the inner workings. Esmes story was so sad and I loved how she overcame it and was going to therapy and making moves to do what she needed to heal. I liked the characters and Esmes and Lincoln’s relationship a lot. He was perfect for her after the years of space and them both living life apart because he became better at reading her and reading the situations he was in and it helped them in their adult relationship. I hate her mother and I liked the ending she got because she got what she deserved after what she did to Esme. I am curious about this series so I will probably jump into the first one at some point to get more context and see how this all goes!

[D.3.b.0.r.a.h · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this one. The relationship between Esme and Lincoln felt mature in a way I didn’t fully expect, especially with everything Esme had been through. I loved that healing was such a big part of her story instead of the trauma just being used for drama and then forgotten two chapters later. Seeing her slowly take back control of her life honestly made me emotional at times.

Lincoln surprised me too. Their history together made the connection feel believable and I liked that he learned how to understand her better instead of constantly pushing her limits. Their chemistry was strong, but the emotional side of their relationship is what really kept me invested.

My biggest issue was probably that some things started to feel repetitive after a while and certain phrases pulled me out of the story because they were used so often. I also wanted way more from the secret society aspect because that was one of the things that interested me most going into this book. It felt like there was still so much left unexplored.

And Esme’s mother? Absolutely hated her. The ending she got was deserved after everything she put Esme through.

Overall this definitely made me curious enough to continue the series because I feel like there’s still a lot more to uncover in this world.

[Amber Keefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it all i have to say is have tissue ready this book had me crying several times poor Esme the horror she went through the lies the cover up i just wanted to jump through the book and hug her several times she went through he'' but then she got stronger and she got the help she needed and she continue 2 move through her life she talk it out, cried and fault through the pain and being even stronger and Lincoln was her passed and her present he was so angry with her for a little while until he realized what Esme been through then he was there to help her through everything I can't wait to see whats next read it you won't regret it.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esme and Lincoln connection is intense and unbreakable, very deep and felt.

Their story is not simple, between secrets, omissions and raw truths. But thanks to their feelings and strength, they’re able to build a mature relationship.

The way they understand each other with just one is amazing! Really love that!

[Heather Papp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m just going to start with this: this book had me gripped by the throat right from the prologue! Lucie’s talent and storytelling abilities shine through yet again in the follow-up to her novel “Chained By Deceit”. In this story, we get a more in-depth look at the lives of Esme Steel and Lincoln Blackthorn (who we originally meet and get a little taste of in book one), and not only their present but also their past… and OH BOY do they ever have a past! Without giving away any spoilers, I will say that for approximately the first half of the book I really wasn’t too fond of Lincoln for the way he talks to or acts towards Esme. I had to keep reminding myself that he doesn’t know the entirety of her story. When I could reel myself back in and see things from his perspective through that lens, it made sense why he would be so angry. Once he learns the truth, however, he finally begins to soften towards her. Then I was cheering him on almost as much as I was with Esme. Then I spent the entire book not liking Esme’s mother. She infuriated me within the first few pages, and it only got worse from there. And do not even get me started on Esme’s repulsive, revolting, piss-poor excuse of a father! Lord, have mercy, Father God!… This poor girl has endured so much in her life, and to see her still try so hard to be a decent human being to other people helps restore my faith in humanity a little (even if she is fictional). She certainly would’ve had valid reasons for going full scorched Earth and just being horrible to anyone and everyone, and I definitely would’ve understood if she had. And the way the book ends? Completely satisfying full-circle moment that I was thrilled to witness! I was rooting for her throughout the entirety of the story because, if ANYONE deserves a happy ending, it is certainly Esme Steel. She spends most of the book fighting tooth and nail to overcome her traumas, to become the best version of herself. To finally be happy in the life she created for herself instead of staying stuck in the life the universe dealt her. This gripping slow burn romance has a little bit of everything: secret society, high emotional tension, a protective hero with that “who hurt you?” energy and whose heart is in the right place, and (most of all) the belief in second chances of all different kinds. As always, you can not go wrong with any book by Lucie Hagley. This one is certainly no exception to that!

[Kitty 💋 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every lie has a price… hers was their future..

Esme Steel was born into BlackVeil even before she had a choice. Her life was built on silence and obedience. Lincoln Blackthorn was her first love and her escape, until one night one lie shatters his heart but saves his life. Ten years later he returns.

Review of advance copy received from author

This book is gripping! This follow up to her novel “chained By Deceit” in this story we are given a more in-depth view into Esme and Lincoln’s backstory, oh my gosh do they have a traumatic past!
I felt for the first half of this read that I wasn’t that fond of Lincoln and how he acted towards Esme, but had to keep in mind that he didn’t know the whole story yet, only what he’d been told previously. Towards the end when he unraveled the pieces did i find that he was softer and more understanding towards Esme.
I found reading about Esme’s past really difficult and you the horrible upbringing she endured. I was rooting for her happily ever after all along. I’m so glad she managed to overcome some of her trauma and find happiness.

Please check the trigger warnings before diving in, this read is emotional and heavy 💋

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series, and this is Esme and Lincoln’s story.
Esme has endured so much in her life, being born into BlackVeil, and being crowned a Dutchess, with a life of silence and obedience. Lincoln is her first love, and chance of freedom, by one-night changes everything. Now 10-years later Lincoln is back, colder, and unforgiving, and sees Esme as the girl who shattered his heart. Will Lincoln find out he truth, or is Esme forever lost to him?
This is a well written slow burn story, with family dynamics, friendships, emotions, tension, betrayal, secrets, lies, making choices, secret society, second chances, forgiveness, revelations, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, twisted, and unpredictable, page turner,
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[Danielle Thorne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Firstly, thank you so much Lucie for the ARC!
Being completely honest it was a slow start for me to get into HOWEVER once I did I really enjoyed getting lost in it! The mix of emotion, tension, and sweet moments definitely got me hooked and I found myself rooting for Esme and Lincoln!

My only two issues while reading were after a while some things were abit repetitive and I found myself loosing focus. Also I was wanting more around the secret society side as that was what initially got me so excited to read!
It’s definitely got my attention to carry on the series and find out more!

P.s Esme’s mother deserved everything she got!🤣

[Rachael Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esme's story is so sad. Please check those trigger warnings as this isn't for the feint of heart. There are so very disturbing things alluded to in this book that may be very hard to read.
Lincoln is such a golden retriever. He's always loved Esme, even when he thought he hated her.

[Alanna Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

overall such a lovely story about healing and love to see someone who's gone through so much get the ending they deserve