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The Lie He Lived
*This book contains content that may be triggering for some readers*
Alex has spent years disappearing.
After an abusive relationship leaves him broken in ways he can’t begin to repair, Alex Wesley has rebuilt himself into a version that nobody looks twice at.
When he finds himself living with Mike Pierce, a loud, chaotic, musician who is unapologetically himself, Alex is determined not to let it get to him. Mike is everything Alex buried, and someone he can’t afford to want.
But Mike gets under his skin from the moment he sees him, and he can only hold out for so long.
What starts as casual sex turns into a connection neither of them planned for. And as Alex begins to let him in, the lie he’s been telling everyone about who he is and what he survived, gets harder and harder to maintain.
Because Mike makes him want to stop hiding, even though he knows that’s the only thing keeping him safe in a town like Rosehill.
Content This book contains mentions of homophobia, homophobic language, rape/sexual assault, domestic violence (not between main pairing), anxiety and panic attacks, PTSD, recreational drug use, as well as consensual sexual content. Please use your own discretion and take care while reading.
Alex has spent years disappearing.
After an abusive relationship leaves him broken in ways he can’t begin to repair, Alex Wesley has rebuilt himself into a version that nobody looks twice at.
When he finds himself living with Mike Pierce, a loud, chaotic, musician who is unapologetically himself, Alex is determined not to let it get to him. Mike is everything Alex buried, and someone he can’t afford to want.
But Mike gets under his skin from the moment he sees him, and he can only hold out for so long.
What starts as casual sex turns into a connection neither of them planned for. And as Alex begins to let him in, the lie he’s been telling everyone about who he is and what he survived, gets harder and harder to maintain.
Because Mike makes him want to stop hiding, even though he knows that’s the only thing keeping him safe in a town like Rosehill.
Content This book contains mentions of homophobia, homophobic language, rape/sexual assault, domestic violence (not between main pairing), anxiety and panic attacks, PTSD, recreational drug use, as well as consensual sexual content. Please use your own discretion and take care while reading.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 11, 2026
I don't usually leave reviews for books unless I've read them as an ARC. For the books I pick up on my own, I rarely give myself the time to write one afterward.
But this one is an exception.
I stumbled across this book on Instagram, and if I'm being honest, book recommendations on my feed usually end up disappointing me. I have no idea how this absolute gem found its way onto my timeline, but I'm so glad it did. I also noticed it doesn't have many reviews yet, and considering I've been thinking about this book all day, it deserves one!
Ratings
Spicy: 🌶️ 1/5
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
This book is raw, honest, and beautifully written. I stayed up until four in the morning because I simply couldn't put it down. Then I woke up a few hours later and immediately finished the rest in one sitting.
From the very beginning, I loved both Alex and Mike. It's obvious early on that Alex hasn't had an easy life, but what I really appreciated is that the author doesn't dump everything on you at once. Instead, every chapter reveals another piece of his story. As a reader, you're constantly discovering new layers alongside him, which made every revelation hit that much harder.
And then there's Mike. Mike is the definition of a golden retriever puppy from the very first page. He's kind, patient, and impossible not to love. Seeing Alex push him away in the beginning genuinely broke my heart, even though I completely understood why.
Speaking of broken hearts... I honestly don't know if this book hit me so hard because parts of it felt painfully relatable, or if everyone cries this much while reading it. Either way, I absolutely sobbed my eyes out more than once.
And somehow... it was worth every single tear.
The only thing I found myself missing was Mike's perspective. I think a dual POV would have suited this story beautifully and added another emotional layer to an already incredible book. That said, even without it, this story feels like a masterpiece.
This is one of those rare books that lingers long after you've turned the last page. I've been thinking about it all day, and I have a feeling I'll be thinking about it for quite a while longer. What an incredible read.
But this one is an exception.
I stumbled across this book on Instagram, and if I'm being honest, book recommendations on my feed usually end up disappointing me. I have no idea how this absolute gem found its way onto my timeline, but I'm so glad it did. I also noticed it doesn't have many reviews yet, and considering I've been thinking about this book all day, it deserves one!
Ratings
Spicy: 🌶️ 1/5
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
This book is raw, honest, and beautifully written. I stayed up until four in the morning because I simply couldn't put it down. Then I woke up a few hours later and immediately finished the rest in one sitting.
From the very beginning, I loved both Alex and Mike. It's obvious early on that Alex hasn't had an easy life, but what I really appreciated is that the author doesn't dump everything on you at once. Instead, every chapter reveals another piece of his story. As a reader, you're constantly discovering new layers alongside him, which made every revelation hit that much harder.
And then there's Mike. Mike is the definition of a golden retriever puppy from the very first page. He's kind, patient, and impossible not to love. Seeing Alex push him away in the beginning genuinely broke my heart, even though I completely understood why.
Speaking of broken hearts... I honestly don't know if this book hit me so hard because parts of it felt painfully relatable, or if everyone cries this much while reading it. Either way, I absolutely sobbed my eyes out more than once.
And somehow... it was worth every single tear.
The only thing I found myself missing was Mike's perspective. I think a dual POV would have suited this story beautifully and added another emotional layer to an already incredible book. That said, even without it, this story feels like a masterpiece.
This is one of those rare books that lingers long after you've turned the last page. I've been thinking about it all day, and I have a feeling I'll be thinking about it for quite a while longer. What an incredible read.
May 26, 2026
Good but a little short
July 20, 2026
Another one of this authors books that I read in one sitting. I really loved this story line and even though it was sad at times, it was also very happy and sweet.
September 13, 2026
Ahhhh finally such a good and refreshing book. Honestly loved the plot and characters. Finally a book where characters looked human and nit just description for top and bottom. The alternative fashion representation, trauma of r*pe victim etc was shown so beautifully.
Mike is my babyy ahhhhh!!!! He's legit my dream boyfriend. A cutie who's confident in his personality and is awesome. He isn't ashamed to show emotions and is actually a great character. His loneliness is all so relatable. He is such a refreshing character away from the typical bottom or typical top.
Alex's trauma reminded me of Brandon from God of Fury and Kyran from For the fans. I really wanted to hug him and tell him that it was not his fault. I love him so much. He was going through so much that he lost his personality. I am so glad he could play guitar again. Jail wasn't enough punishment for Jason. I wanted to kill him. He should have died. He really doesn't deserve to live after what he did. My baby Alex 😭😭😭
Sorry I went too into emotions but really this book helped me get out of reading slump. A perfectly shirt book focusing on actual plot with mix of subtle smut. What a perfect texture!!
Mike is my babyy ahhhhh!!!! He's legit my dream boyfriend. A cutie who's confident in his personality and is awesome. He isn't ashamed to show emotions and is actually a great character. His loneliness is all so relatable. He is such a refreshing character away from the typical bottom or typical top.
Alex's trauma reminded me of Brandon from God of Fury and Kyran from For the fans. I really wanted to hug him and tell him that it was not his fault. I love him so much. He was going through so much that he lost his personality. I am so glad he could play guitar again. Jail wasn't enough punishment for Jason. I wanted to kill him. He should have died. He really doesn't deserve to live after what he did. My baby Alex 😭😭😭
Sorry I went too into emotions but really this book helped me get out of reading slump. A perfectly shirt book focusing on actual plot with mix of subtle smut. What a perfect texture!!
June 25, 2026
I flew through this book. It's the only one in the series I've read and the first by this author and I was blown away by how well the emotional moments were written. So much vulnerability and these boys really took care of each other, the sweetness was amazing. If you love when MCs cry.... this book is for you. The only issue I had came at around the 60-70% mark where we get to the main conflict, I hated how they treated each other and I was getting a little mad at the direction it was going in. That being said, I think the highly problematic issues they both displayed were adequately addressed by the end so I felt better about it. Nate and Iris are amazing so I may need to read thier book. The conflict with Alex being scared to come out did seem a bit overplayed for me considering Iris is trans but maybe that's something people deal with that I'm just not around or have experience with.
August 1, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What an emotional rollercoaster. This book completely broke my heart before slowly putting it back together again, and I genuinely cried more than once.
The story tackles some incredibly heavy topics, and they're handled with so much care and sensitivity. The pain, fear and lasting effects of trauma felt heartbreakingly real, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested.
What I loved most was that this wasn't just a romance. It was a story about healing, learning to trust again, finding people who truly see you, and discovering that you deserve to be loved exactly as you are. The relationship develops with patience, understanding and so much tenderness, which made every emotional moment hit even harder.
The friendships and found family were just as beautiful as the romance. Watching people show up for each other, offer unconditional support and prove that family isn't always about blood added so much warmth to an otherwise heartbreaking story.
This book put me through every emotion imaginable. It made me anxious, angry, hopeful, heartbroken and, ultimately, incredibly happy. If you're looking for an emotional romance with meaningful character growth, found family, healing, acceptance and plenty of heart, I can't recommend this enough.
Please check the content warnings before reading, as this book covers some very difficult themes, but for me it was an unforgettable five-star read. ❤️
What an emotional rollercoaster. This book completely broke my heart before slowly putting it back together again, and I genuinely cried more than once.
The story tackles some incredibly heavy topics, and they're handled with so much care and sensitivity. The pain, fear and lasting effects of trauma felt heartbreakingly real, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested.
What I loved most was that this wasn't just a romance. It was a story about healing, learning to trust again, finding people who truly see you, and discovering that you deserve to be loved exactly as you are. The relationship develops with patience, understanding and so much tenderness, which made every emotional moment hit even harder.
The friendships and found family were just as beautiful as the romance. Watching people show up for each other, offer unconditional support and prove that family isn't always about blood added so much warmth to an otherwise heartbreaking story.
This book put me through every emotion imaginable. It made me anxious, angry, hopeful, heartbroken and, ultimately, incredibly happy. If you're looking for an emotional romance with meaningful character growth, found family, healing, acceptance and plenty of heart, I can't recommend this enough.
Please check the content warnings before reading, as this book covers some very difficult themes, but for me it was an unforgettable five-star read. ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2026
The Lie He Left by Maggie Saylor is a book that explores themes like love, sexual assault, mental health, and second chances at love. It takes you through a lot of emotions.
The protagonists are people who are broken and who lie to themselves just to fit into the world so that the world doesn't see them differently. But when they find each other, when they meet each other, every wall that they have made for the world is broken. Every wall that they have around themselves is broken, and it is replaced by something that is very pious, something that is very pure, and something that is very subtle: a feeling of love, togetherness, companionship, and understanding.
What makes this book special is that it is not just about falling in love. It is about healing, acceptance, and finding someone who makes you feel seen for who you truly are.
And that is something beautiful about this book.
The protagonists are people who are broken and who lie to themselves just to fit into the world so that the world doesn't see them differently. But when they find each other, when they meet each other, every wall that they have made for the world is broken. Every wall that they have around themselves is broken, and it is replaced by something that is very pious, something that is very pure, and something that is very subtle: a feeling of love, togetherness, companionship, and understanding.
What makes this book special is that it is not just about falling in love. It is about healing, acceptance, and finding someone who makes you feel seen for who you truly are.
And that is something beautiful about this book.
September 15, 2026
Why two stars? Actually, the book has its incredible moments, it even made me cry at one point, but there is one particular thing that I didn't like and that's why it has 2 stars.
First, the author doesn't describe anything other than the sexual relationship between the characters, which means we can't really feel when they fall in love, and I feel like it's a bit superficial.
Second, the way the characters start their relationship bothers me. When one of them discovers the other is gay, he simply says, "We could have been fucking all this time." I mean????? Only because you know a person is gay and you are gay too this means you automatically think they want to have sex with you?????
Alex's emotional backstory is incredible, and it's what made me cry. The author really knows how to convey the character's feelings, but I think that's the only point I consider worthwhile.
First, the author doesn't describe anything other than the sexual relationship between the characters, which means we can't really feel when they fall in love, and I feel like it's a bit superficial.
Second, the way the characters start their relationship bothers me. When one of them discovers the other is gay, he simply says, "We could have been fucking all this time." I mean????? Only because you know a person is gay and you are gay too this means you automatically think they want to have sex with you?????
Alex's emotional backstory is incredible, and it's what made me cry. The author really knows how to convey the character's feelings, but I think that's the only point I consider worthwhile.
July 20, 2026
I loved the start of this and really enjoyed the dynamic at times but just couldn't get over the fact that Alex was kind of an asshole. There's dealing with trauma, and then there's taking it out on everyone around you. Mike honestly deserved better. And I know he became aware of what he was doing in the end and things worked out but it was just hard to read how badly the author/writing handled the situation. 🙄
I lost the will to live at the whole "bottom or we break up bit" because that was not only ridiculous, but also very out of character for Mike. Not everyone is verse and it felt unreasonable to demand/expect that. I kind of lost interest at both that and Alex's reaction. It would've been an ideal time for him to explain things to Mike and when he didn't I just didn't care anymore. 🤷♀️
I lost the will to live at the whole "bottom or we break up bit" because that was not only ridiculous, but also very out of character for Mike. Not everyone is verse and it felt unreasonable to demand/expect that. I kind of lost interest at both that and Alex's reaction. It would've been an ideal time for him to explain things to Mike and when he didn't I just didn't care anymore. 🤷♀️
July 22, 2026
This book! OMG
I loved this book and genuinely couldn't put it down from start to finish. It was equal parts heartbreaking and wholesome. Maggie Saylor writes with so much care and kindness, it shines through in every interaction.
I loved Alex and Mike so much! They were beautifully flawed but worked so well together.
You need to read this book!
My only complaint is that I wish it was longer so I could spend more time with both characters!
I loved this book and genuinely couldn't put it down from start to finish. It was equal parts heartbreaking and wholesome. Maggie Saylor writes with so much care and kindness, it shines through in every interaction.
I loved Alex and Mike so much! They were beautifully flawed but worked so well together.
You need to read this book!
My only complaint is that I wish it was longer so I could spend more time with both characters!
September 8, 2026
this is a pretty easy read, but the story itself is actually quite heavy, so definitely not one for everyone. i went into this expecting a cute, wholesome romance, and while we do get that, i was not prepared for everything else that comes with it.
that being said, most of their scenes together are really sweet, and they’re both such lovely main characters. i really enjoyed following their relationship and getting to know them both
that being said, most of their scenes together are really sweet, and they’re both such lovely main characters. i really enjoyed following their relationship and getting to know them both
August 13, 2026
I just didn’t feel any chemistry with any of characters. I wasn’t vibing with the before parts being really short, I think it should’ve just started with the before for backstory & then move on to after, instead of little bits of info here & there. I think Mike could’ve definitely pieced together what happened after their last encounter also… idddkkkkk just a little bit silly
June 3, 2026
Not bad not good you know. It was an easy read nothing outstanding. I also saw that coming from MILES away. I’m sorry but it was so clear. At some points the story felt too easy and dramatic. So yeah not good not bad
June 7, 2026
i love it. i love them. i love literally everything about this book. i cried so fucking hard. oh my god. i thought my heart was gonna break. but oh god im so happy. im sad though its over, i wish i had more😭😭😭
June 8, 2026
Sadly was not a fan of the lack of real chemistry and felt rush to hook them up. Disappointed at the overall storyflow was hoping to see better development in the characters and story. A bit overly toxic and focus felt all over the place.
August 19, 2026
🌶️:4/5
The plot of the book was so beautiful. I loved it very good. I love the characters too. Alex is such a beautiful boy. I love him and Mike oh my God Mike is such a darling and I love the way the characters relationship was and how they didn’t push their trauma down. I love it.💗
The plot of the book was so beautiful. I loved it very good. I love the characters too. Alex is such a beautiful boy. I love him and Mike oh my God Mike is such a darling and I love the way the characters relationship was and how they didn’t push their trauma down. I love it.💗
May 24, 2026
Absolutely chefs kiss
Might be my favorite read this year
I don’t glaze books but seriously the author did such a good job with this one i hope it gets the recognition it deserves
Might be my favorite read this year
I don’t glaze books but seriously the author did such a good job with this one i hope it gets the recognition it deserves
June 3, 2026
This was so cute and so hard at the same time...
I don't have words.
I don't have words.
June 5, 2026
such a good book, loved Mike so much he's the cutest
June 20, 2026
some weird little side plots
July 12, 2026
I feel like I’ve read this book before, it was so weird but I just had a sense of Déjà vu the whole time. Enjoyed it immensely tho!
July 20, 2026
I was bawling for half the book but it was absolutely amazing.
Read
July 26, 2026Sad and emotionally eating me alive
August 2, 2026
I would actually kill to have this book from mike's pov but OH MY GOD MY BABIES i feel so maternal towards them
August 6, 2026
My heart broke for these boys. Such a sweet and beautiful story about healing. Read it in one evening because I could not put it down.
August 9, 2026
Cuties!
August 16, 2026
Absolutely loved it! I saw it advertised on Instagram and thought I’d give it a go. Great storyline! Loved the spice
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews