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Twisted Lies: The addictive, high-angst, new adult romance packed with ruthless elites, and morally grey teenagers
304 pages, Paperback
Published March 11, 2026
About the author
Kai Juniper
30 books129 followersI write about hot-as-sin guys and the badass girls that love them.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 10, 2026
3,5 ⭐️
July 23, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was exactly the book I needed to get me out of my reading slump!
It was the perfect length, really easy to follow, and I connected with the characters straight away. I wasn’t expecting it to be a slow burn, but it worked so well and kept me hooked from start to finish.
I’m so excited for Rumor to finally get into life at the school in book two. The school has been built up so much throughout this book that I can’t wait to see what happens there.
I’m not sure I’d class this as a dark romance just yet, but it definitely feels like this book was setting the scene for the rest of the series. I have a feeling things are only going to get darker from here.
I absolutely hate Uncle Brock. There’s definitely more to him, and I don’t trust him one bit. I’m also so intrigued by Rumor’s dad, Devon. I knew he wasn’t really in rehab! Every character seems to be hiding secrets, and I feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface.
I finished this book with so many questions, and I already need answers. Bring on book two!
This was exactly the book I needed to get me out of my reading slump!
It was the perfect length, really easy to follow, and I connected with the characters straight away. I wasn’t expecting it to be a slow burn, but it worked so well and kept me hooked from start to finish.
I’m so excited for Rumor to finally get into life at the school in book two. The school has been built up so much throughout this book that I can’t wait to see what happens there.
I’m not sure I’d class this as a dark romance just yet, but it definitely feels like this book was setting the scene for the rest of the series. I have a feeling things are only going to get darker from here.
I absolutely hate Uncle Brock. There’s definitely more to him, and I don’t trust him one bit. I’m also so intrigued by Rumor’s dad, Devon. I knew he wasn’t really in rehab! Every character seems to be hiding secrets, and I feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface.
I finished this book with so many questions, and I already need answers. Bring on book two!
April 13, 2026
I am not sure what my expectations were, but this book fell short for me. The story is good, intense at times.
Rumor’s character is written in a way I needed to watch out for her. She is young, in an unfamiliar place. I wanted to help her navigate and just keep her safe, she does not fit in. You can feel her loneliness, and these walls have secrets.
While the writing is good, the emotions and tension I felt fit in with the story. However, I would categorize this more as Young Adult. I was expecting more romance. The pacing is very slow, and I love a good slow burn.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Rumor’s character is written in a way I needed to watch out for her. She is young, in an unfamiliar place. I wanted to help her navigate and just keep her safe, she does not fit in. You can feel her loneliness, and these walls have secrets.
While the writing is good, the emotions and tension I felt fit in with the story. However, I would categorize this more as Young Adult. I was expecting more romance. The pacing is very slow, and I love a good slow burn.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story affected me far more deeply than I expected. At its core is sudden, life-altering loss - the kind that gives you no time to prepare and no space to breathe before everything changes. The grief in these pages feels raw and immediate. It isn’t dramatised or softened. It lingers beneath every interaction, shaping reactions, choices, and the way trust is given - or withheld.
I felt incredibly protective of Rumor from the very beginning. She’s young, displaced, and trying to navigate a world that suddenly feels unfamiliar and conditional. More than anything, I wanted someone in her life to simply pause and ask if she was okay. That absence of emotional safety creates an undercurrent of loneliness that carries through the entire book. Although set within a high school environment, the emotional themes feel far more mature. This is a story layered with family loyalties, reputation, and the quiet pressure of expectation. There are dark secrets simmering beneath polished surfaces, and you can sense that not everything is as controlled as it first appears.
The romance adds another layer of tension. While the story carries the promise of enemies-to-lovers energy, this first instalment leans more into divided loyalties, guarded attraction, and the uncertainty of trusting someone when you’re at your most vulnerable. There’s a sense that deeper conflict may be coming, but here the connection feels fragile and risky rather than openly combative — and that subtle edge kept me both hopeful and uneasy.
What impressed me most was how expansive the cast feels without ever becoming confusing. The family dynamics are layered and charged, yet the story unfolds with clarity. Every interaction adds depth rather than chaos, which made the world feel immersive and intentional. When I began this book, I wasn’t entirely sure if it would be for me. But the emotional depth surprised me. Yes, the characters are young — but the pain, displacement, loyalty, and longing explored here are universal. By the final pages, I wasn’t just curious about what happens next — I was genuinely concerned for Rumor’s future. That kind of emotional investment speaks volumes.
This is an intense, emotionally driven start to the series — one built on forbidden love, buried truths, and the complicated ties that bind families together. And I’m already bracing myself for what comes next.
I felt incredibly protective of Rumor from the very beginning. She’s young, displaced, and trying to navigate a world that suddenly feels unfamiliar and conditional. More than anything, I wanted someone in her life to simply pause and ask if she was okay. That absence of emotional safety creates an undercurrent of loneliness that carries through the entire book. Although set within a high school environment, the emotional themes feel far more mature. This is a story layered with family loyalties, reputation, and the quiet pressure of expectation. There are dark secrets simmering beneath polished surfaces, and you can sense that not everything is as controlled as it first appears.
The romance adds another layer of tension. While the story carries the promise of enemies-to-lovers energy, this first instalment leans more into divided loyalties, guarded attraction, and the uncertainty of trusting someone when you’re at your most vulnerable. There’s a sense that deeper conflict may be coming, but here the connection feels fragile and risky rather than openly combative — and that subtle edge kept me both hopeful and uneasy.
What impressed me most was how expansive the cast feels without ever becoming confusing. The family dynamics are layered and charged, yet the story unfolds with clarity. Every interaction adds depth rather than chaos, which made the world feel immersive and intentional. When I began this book, I wasn’t entirely sure if it would be for me. But the emotional depth surprised me. Yes, the characters are young — but the pain, displacement, loyalty, and longing explored here are universal. By the final pages, I wasn’t just curious about what happens next — I was genuinely concerned for Rumor’s future. That kind of emotional investment speaks volumes.
This is an intense, emotionally driven start to the series — one built on forbidden love, buried truths, and the complicated ties that bind families together. And I’m already bracing myself for what comes next.
May 10, 2026
This review is for the four book series. YA with r rated scenes. MF, murder mystery with high school drama. Several things baffled me about this series. I could swear I read it several years ago, but my kindle doesn't show it, so maybe it was unpublished and re published in 2026? Clearly it is set in a time before cctv, or today's use of cameras. Our heroine, Rumor, is 17, living in NYC with her single mother, when her mother suddenly passes away. Her birth father is an addict in rehab, so her uncle takes her in and she's reluctantly moved to La Jolla California within 2 weeks. Once there, her 2 male cousins resent her and her adjustment is difficult. She has a truly obnoxious, adolescent personality. She hates everything and everyone, and she knows better. She has an idealistic view of right and wrong and is probably a typical 17 year old. There's all kinds of mystery and secrets regarding her heritage. Most obvious to me is the question of her mother. They lived in a two bedroom, plus office, apartment in NYC and never seemed to have any money issues, so what happened to her inheritance from her mother's estate? Never even really mentioned until book 4. The books drag on and on with her love interest and cousin both being accused of murder. There's a totally unbelievable plot about the school principal. The books are ok for a young adult, but hopefully no reader tries to emulate the heroine. Best thing is each book is only .99.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75 rounded to 4 stars for me.
Rumour Bennett is living with her uncle after her mother's death.Uncle Brock is rich,famous and expect her to fit right in Twisted Pine Academy.But not everyone are welcome,her cousins waiting for her to leave,as she don't fit with them.Neighbour Jackson is the only one welcoming,but he's the enemy of her cousins,and if they find out she's friends with him it may cost her more then she's willing to pay.A lot of secrets,a lot of lies Rumour will have to figure out who's the real enemy,and who's her friend.
It was a enjoyable ya/new adult romance.I liked the plot and mystery,seems like everyone new in Rumour life hidding something,and I can't wait to find out what is it.In this book there's just a beginning of romance,and not much yet going on,I was not sure if Jackson is the person she should trust.Rumour is really naive,she want to look like this tough girl,but at the beginning she's very trusting about her secrets,and that continue for most of the book.I would like to see her more guarded,as she is literally revealing everything about herself,not a very good spy yet.That being said I can't wait to see where author will go with this,waiting now for book two.
Thank you netgalley and Joffe Books publisher for arc,my review is honest and my own.
Rumour Bennett is living with her uncle after her mother's death.Uncle Brock is rich,famous and expect her to fit right in Twisted Pine Academy.But not everyone are welcome,her cousins waiting for her to leave,as she don't fit with them.Neighbour Jackson is the only one welcoming,but he's the enemy of her cousins,and if they find out she's friends with him it may cost her more then she's willing to pay.A lot of secrets,a lot of lies Rumour will have to figure out who's the real enemy,and who's her friend.
It was a enjoyable ya/new adult romance.I liked the plot and mystery,seems like everyone new in Rumour life hidding something,and I can't wait to find out what is it.In this book there's just a beginning of romance,and not much yet going on,I was not sure if Jackson is the person she should trust.Rumour is really naive,she want to look like this tough girl,but at the beginning she's very trusting about her secrets,and that continue for most of the book.I would like to see her more guarded,as she is literally revealing everything about herself,not a very good spy yet.That being said I can't wait to see where author will go with this,waiting now for book two.
Thank you netgalley and Joffe Books publisher for arc,my review is honest and my own.
May 2, 2026
Good Quick Read
This book was ok- quick easy read but not much to keep me so interested I immediately need to read the next book.
Rumor is from NYC and has to move to CA because of a recent death in the family. She moves in with an uncle she has never met and 2 cousins who don’t even know she exists. She is angry and while she has the right to be it is a little much when her uncle is taking her in instead of going into foster care, giving her an allowance of $3000 a month, and putting her into an exclusive school that will basically allow her to go to any college she could ever dream of going to. She hates her uncle and cousins but we really do not get an explanation as to why besides some vague stuff from him about her mother.
Rumor is the kind of person who cannot help from ALWAYS getting the last word and you will never forget for a second she is in high school because she is very immature for a 17 year old. The rest of the characters are ok the cousins are your basic garden variety jerks and Jackson is hard to read- it seems like he is love bombing her to use her but can’t be sure of that yet.
I will definitely read the next in the series hopefully Rumor grows up a bit.
This book was ok- quick easy read but not much to keep me so interested I immediately need to read the next book.
Rumor is from NYC and has to move to CA because of a recent death in the family. She moves in with an uncle she has never met and 2 cousins who don’t even know she exists. She is angry and while she has the right to be it is a little much when her uncle is taking her in instead of going into foster care, giving her an allowance of $3000 a month, and putting her into an exclusive school that will basically allow her to go to any college she could ever dream of going to. She hates her uncle and cousins but we really do not get an explanation as to why besides some vague stuff from him about her mother.
Rumor is the kind of person who cannot help from ALWAYS getting the last word and you will never forget for a second she is in high school because she is very immature for a 17 year old. The rest of the characters are ok the cousins are your basic garden variety jerks and Jackson is hard to read- it seems like he is love bombing her to use her but can’t be sure of that yet.
I will definitely read the next in the series hopefully Rumor grows up a bit.
May 17, 2026
I liked the fast pace of this book, quite a lot of dialect but it hurried the story along, however if I read "Axl is my boyfriend" one more time I think I was going to scream as the majority of the book centres around that.
Rumour's mum passed and she's shipped off to live with her rich celeberity uncle and spoilt cousins. She's enrolled into Twisted Pine academy which is an elite school for rich snobs who think the world owes them a favour. A lot of questions without answers, secrets and lies and for that reason alone, I will read the next in the series but i'm not in a huge rush to do so. 3 🌟
Rumour's mum passed and she's shipped off to live with her rich celeberity uncle and spoilt cousins. She's enrolled into Twisted Pine academy which is an elite school for rich snobs who think the world owes them a favour. A lot of questions without answers, secrets and lies and for that reason alone, I will read the next in the series but i'm not in a huge rush to do so. 3 🌟
July 1, 2026
I am trying to give this book a chance but I am so tired of authors mistaking "mouthy" and "bratty" for "strong" female characters. This FMC would not last a week in the real world with this attitude. If she were smart, she'd have gone in and played them all to get what she needed. But no, the fighting and "I don't need you" got old by page 110.
I'm really trying to be fair and give fair reviews, but these MFC's are the worst. As a newer author, it also helps me learn what to avoid.
The overall story has potential. Readers complain of slow burn. Right away you don't like the cousins because they're doing what bullies do best. But if Rumor says "my boyfriend" one more time...
I'm really trying to be fair and give fair reviews, but these MFC's are the worst. As a newer author, it also helps me learn what to avoid.
The overall story has potential. Readers complain of slow burn. Right away you don't like the cousins because they're doing what bullies do best. But if Rumor says "my boyfriend" one more time...
March 13, 2026
Twisted Lies by Kai Juniper is the first book in the new Twisted Pine Academy series. I found this book very slow paced and took ages to get where it was meant to be going!! It was a very dark in places with an intense romance filled with lots of secrets by many of the characters, sadly I found it hard to get into and lost my way several times. The cover caught my eye though, sadly did not live up to it.
April 1, 2026
Typical new girl moves in with estranged family after her mom dies story. Her uncle is an actor and apparently super rich. Her cousins are popular at the new school she’s about to be going to. It’s more of an upper class private high school that feels more like college.
Her boyfriend cheats, she breaks up with him to starting see the enemy of her cousin
It’s a tale as old as time.
I give it a 3.5 stars out of 5 (rounded to 4)
Her boyfriend cheats, she breaks up with him to starting see the enemy of her cousin
It’s a tale as old as time.
I give it a 3.5 stars out of 5 (rounded to 4)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2026
This book sounded so good but fell short for me. The plot has some life but I felt like too much was going on all while it took forever for anything to happen. I also was expecting a romance book and not YA...if it's leading up to it, it's just taking too long. I really dislike slow burns. I will not continue onto the next book, as this book I did not enjoy.
March 21, 2026
🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Single POV
YA, new adult
Tropes/TW:
Dark bully romance
New-in-town FMC x Morally grey former actor MMC
Forbidden love
Enemies to lovers
Divided loyalties
Elite HS academy
Thank you Kai Juniper and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.
*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Single POV
YA, new adult
Tropes/TW:
Dark bully romance
New-in-town FMC x Morally grey former actor MMC
Forbidden love
Enemies to lovers
Divided loyalties
Elite HS academy
Thank you Kai Juniper and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.
*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2026
couldn’t finish it
I only made it halfway through this one and could not force myself to go any further! I love a strong female character as much as anyone BUT this girl is ridiculous. She does not sound strong but more like a stubborn brat. Maybe the book got better but I will never find out.
I only made it halfway through this one and could not force myself to go any further! I love a strong female character as much as anyone BUT this girl is ridiculous. She does not sound strong but more like a stubborn brat. Maybe the book got better but I will never find out.
May 28, 2026
After reading reviews I really enjoyed this i get what people are saying not much really happens til last quarter of book but its setting the scene for the next book as there's 4 in this series
Its unfolding things
This book did keep me wanting to read as I want to know more about twisted pines
So yes il be reading book 2
Its unfolding things
This book did keep me wanting to read as I want to know more about twisted pines
So yes il be reading book 2
March 19, 2026
Little lost tough girl
An excellent book for fans of bully romance. Rumor seems to be lost in a sea of vipers. At first I thought I’d figured out the few trustworthy people in this story. But now I’m questioning everyone but Rumor.
An excellent book for fans of bully romance. Rumor seems to be lost in a sea of vipers. At first I thought I’d figured out the few trustworthy people in this story. But now I’m questioning everyone but Rumor.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 ⭐️
I felt like it was really repetitive. It was really not going anywhere just the same back and forth. But we’ll see how the second book is I’ll continue the series.
I felt like it was really repetitive. It was really not going anywhere just the same back and forth. But we’ll see how the second book is I’ll continue the series.
March 31, 2026
Decent start to the story. It definitely kept me interested. However, it was taking forever for anything meaningful to happen, it was repetitive and it was giving insta lust/love vibes.
Did Not Finish
May 20, 2026Second book I’ve started by this author that I realized I’ve already read but Kindle didn’t recognize it because of the cover change.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2026
This book started out decent. I was interested in the characters & the storyline. However, about 30% into it, I got bored. It was very slow. I feel like if the pace was a little faster I would have been more invested. I powered through to the end but I dont think I will continue the series.
Did Not Finish
August 3, 2026no i cannnnnnnt when the FMC is whiny and complains and does not listen to anybody FROM THE BEGINNING. nope not for me.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews