This Beautiful Lie

Suspicious Hearts #3

by Taylor Sullivan

Some secrets don’t stay buried.
They wait—quiet and patient—for the exact moment they can ruin you.
I learned a long time ago that surviving means keeping my heart locked down. No expectations. No hope. No love that asks me to trust like it won’t disappear. Because love doesn’t just leave scars—it takes pieces of you that never heal quite right.
Dean Weston intrigues me.
He’s successful. Steady. The kind of man who shows up without being asked.
Which is why, when he asks me to pretend to be his fiancée, I know right away it’s a terrible idea.
One week at a business retreat.
One carefully crafted love story.
One lie meant to protect us both.
The rules are simple.
Play the perfect couple.
Convince everyone we’re in love.
Walk away without getting hurt.
Only Dean doesn’t fake affection—he offers it easily. Gentle touches that linger longer than they should. Soft smiles meant just for me, like we share something no one else can see. Late-night conversations that stretch past midnight, where he listens in a way that makes me forget I ever learned how to be guarded. He makes me feel safe without promising anything at all, and somewhere along the way, the pretending turns into this beautiful lie I’m terrified to lose. I stop bracing for the fall I know is coming.
Because the truth always surfaces.
Lies unravel, no matter how carefully they’re told.
And some secrets don’t just hurt you.
They break you.

Genres: Romance

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 11, 2026

Reviews

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely fell head over heels for This Beautiful Lie! From the very first chapter, this book had me completely hooked, and once Dean and Em’s story got going, there was no chance I was putting it down.

Fake fiancée romances are one of my favorite tropes, but this one felt extra special. The chemistry between Dean and Em was undeniable from the start. Every stolen glance, every lingering touch, every late-night conversation had me kicking my feet and grinning like an idiot. The tension was perfection, and watching their fake relationship slowly blur into something real was everything I wanted and more.

Dean Weston was an absolute dream. Patient, caring, dependable, and always showing up when it mattered most. The way he cared for Em without expecting anything in return completely melted my heart. He wasn’t loud about his feelings, but his actions spoke volumes. I swear I fell in love with him right alongside Em.

And Em… my heart hurt for her. The emotional walls she had built made so much sense, and watching her slowly let Dean in was beautiful. Their journey wasn’t always easy, but it felt authentic and emotional every step of the way.

The secrets, the angst, the anticipation of the truth finally coming out had me glued to the pages. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter,” and suddenly half the book was gone. Taylor Sullivan balanced the romance, emotion, and heartbreak so well that I felt completely invested in every moment.

Dean and Em were simply everything. They made me laugh, swoon, ache, and smile so hard my cheeks hurt. This story was sweet, emotional, romantic, and utterly addictive. If you love fake dating, emotional healing, incredible chemistry, and a hero who will completely steal your heart, this book needs to be at the top of your TBR.

I loved every single second of it and already wish I could read it again for the first time. 🥰😍❤️📚✨

[Phylicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book three in the Suspicious Hearts series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. It was my first book in the series and I really enjoyed it!

Emily takes on a new job: acting as Dean Weston's fake fiancée. Dean is determined to prove himself, but spending so much time together and sharing pieces of who they really are starts to blur the lines between what's fake and whats real. Emily has always stuck to the rules and her contract, but being around Dean has her questioning everything. The deeper she gets, the harder it becomes to ignore what he's making her feel.

This book was so good! The chemistry was amazing and Dean's gentleness and steady presence were chet's kiss. I may need to go back and read the first two books because I really enjoyed the author's writing and character development. I love wholesome stories that give you that "awww" feeling or have you kicking your feet and screaming "YES!!"

Thank you to The Author Agency for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is book three in the Suspicious Hearts series, I have not read the first two, this book can stand on its own. I do plan to go back and read the first two.

I enjoyed this book, and while Deans plan looks great on paper, as usual execution is a different story. Emily agrees to be Dean Weston’s fake fiancée. There is a contract with rules, both agree. While the first “date” goes well, Dean is now expected to bring Emily to the retreat. Time becomes communication, turning into sharing of dreams, and lines begin to blur. Emily feels she is following the rules, and both are beginning to develop feelings.

I loved this book, Dean efforts to prove himself, and bringing in his fiancée (whom everyone thought he was making up). The pain that these two have endured, and for Dean to take elaborate measures to show he is ready for more responsibility within the business.

I loved how the story ended and wrapped up in a full circle moment.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Alix Bliffen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. It was my first by this author. I went in with zero expectations.

I was pleasantly surprised and was gently pulled into the story.

What made me keep reading was I needed to know if Em ever got to know the outcome for her son Griffin. That was the most heartbreaking part.

I love how invested Dean was in keeping is grandfathers legacy alive, but to come up with such an elaborate scheme to prove a point should never have been the last resort. Using the words and values he taught and instilled in him would have been better.

I did love the ending. That made it worth finishing the story. How his entire family rallied and did not hold what happened against either one of them and even helped to bring her son into the fold, and not try to take him from the family he is with now.

I think it all worked out in the end.

Thank you Taylor and The Author Agency for letting me read this book early.

[╰⊱♥⊱╮ღ꧁Kathy,Ahmazing Book Faerie꧂ღ╭⊱♥≺ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an ARC from the author through The Author Agency.
This is book 3 but read perfectly as a standalone.
I loved everything about this book!
It literally had a bit of everything. Mystery, sweetness, sadness, love and lies just to get your juices flowing.
Dean and Em had whatever it is that we readers look for in characters, in spades. They were so perfect together, right from their first meeting. . .but this is all just pretend , so we'll have no catching feelings thank you very much. Ha!, yeah right. The palms have other ideas!
This is a beautiful story, that starts out as a lie, but merges into a truly heartfelt romance. Fantastic family and friends just top it off wonderfully.
But, that epilogue! OMG! That really hit me in the feels, but in the best possible way.
I did however, wonder what became of Dean's sister, we never any mention of her again after he incident. Will.she get a story?
Now, I need to catch up on books 1 and 2.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Em and Dean's story! I thought all of the characters were so well written and they all felt important to the story. The whole story flowed so well, and kept me reading late at night. I actually read so late I fell asleep reading a few times! I really enjoyed the deep backstory with Em's son and how it connected with Blair's story. The ending was absolutely perfect. If you've read the other 2 books in this series, then you need to read this one!

"Maybe this was how healing began—not in erasing the past, but in watching someone else step boldly into the spaces you once longed for, and finding that you could cheer them on instead of aching for what you’d missed."

[Reading is escaping reality · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has left me absolutely speechless. The emotional ride that this takes you on is so real, did I need to grab tissues why yes I did! You feel their pain as they both have a past that will make you want to ball. But you also have the funny moments, the passion between them thanks George haha! This was beyond what I was expecting and so well done! And that ending! Just such a good wrap around!


I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Mirella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Reader Copy Recieved by Author

Pretty Woman  vibes and I liked it, the suspense of them getting caught, the sexual tesion between them is chef's kiss. Dean decides to start a fake relationship with Emily to save a company his grandfather is trying to sell, but as he gets to know the escort he hired he falls for who she is and not what she is. I love that he shows Em in one of the biggest ways possible for me atleast that she is meant for him.

[Cierra Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most beautifully written story of love, heartache, healing, joy, and peace. I was hooked page 1 and didn’t want to stop.

Everyone deserves to find their equal, who understands the pain and the feeling of love after grief.

[Lori Hammons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily and Dean start with a contract, but destiny steps in. I thoroughly enjoyed their story. The end is a tear-jerker in a good way.