Run Little Liar

by Montana Fyre

Genres: Dark Romance, Why Choose, Enemies To Lovers, Mafia Romance, Romance, Dark, Contemporary

339 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 10, 2026

About the author

Montana is an Amazon Top 50 bestselling author of spicy dark romance. She writes possessive anti-heroes who will make you swoon and feisty heroines who give as good as they get.

She lives in Australia with her husband and four cats, and is a self proclaimed garlic bread connoisseur. She loves to travel the world, but also loves to have her head in a spicy book in her home library and office.

Reviews

[Kursed Reads]

A chance encounter puts Chloe Weaver back on the Lombardis’ radar after a decade in hiding. Dragged back to Florida against her will, she’s thrust into the very world she escaped. Everyone wants answers, but they’re asking the wrong questions. The Lombardis are determined to uncover Kingston Beaumont’s whereabouts, while Ronan wants to know why Chloe disappeared after her father was branded a traitor. The problem? Chloe can’t give them answers she doesn’t have.

What they don’t realize is that the lonely, terrified girl who ran ten years ago isn’t coming back. This time, there are people who love her enough to come looking.

Holy. Freaking. Hell.

This book was explosive, gritty, and downright addictive. Every chapter peeled back another layer of betrayal, secrets, and lies, and just when I thought I had a handle on what was happening, the rug was yanked right out from under me. It’s painfully obvious someone has been manipulating the narrative for years, but who’s pulling the strings—and more importantly, why—is still anyone’s guess. I have my theories, but I’m not nearly cocky enough to think I’ve cracked this one.

The characters are wonderfully messy and multidimensional, carrying years of love, loyalty, resentment, and trauma into every interaction. Chloe absolutely stole the show for me, but Ryker? That man is equal parts menace and devotion, unhinged in the most delicious way. He’s gruff, overprotective, and so fiercely obsessed with Chloe that I couldn’t get enough of him.

And then… that cliffhanger.

I stared at my Kindle like it had personally betrayed me. I actually yelled at the screen. I need the next book immediately because I am, quite frankly, unwell after that ending.

Obsessed. Consumed. Emotionally compromised.

Without question, this is a top-three read of the year.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: 📱

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Action, Dark, Mystery/Suspense, New Adult

Ending: 🧗🏻‍♀️ {Cliffy}
Length: 📚📚📚📚
POV: 👫🏻👨🏼‍🤝‍👨🏽 {Multiple | Present • Past}
Emotions: 😩😊🥵😳🤯
Darkness: 🖤🖤
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥1/2
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

✨ Tropes: Billionaire, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Kidnapped/Captive, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime, Miscommunication, One Bed, Revenge, Rich Boy x Poor Girl, Second Chance, Why Choose (Slow Build, MFMM)
 
💫 Microtropes: Caretaker/Protective MMC, Chronic Illness/Condition (Endometriosis),
“Good Girl”, He Falls First, He Falls Harder, It’s Always Been You, Pet Name (Duchess, Little Liar, Siren, Sparrow), Secret Tattoo, Secrets & Lies, She’s a Runner, Tattooed MMC, “You Take Me So Well”

🔆 Character: Blue Collar, Bodyguard, Illegal Enterprises, Vigilante

💋 Kinks: Degradation (Mild), Dirty Talk, Finger Licking Good, Praise

🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a

🚩 Red Flags: Alphahole, Dominant MMC, Jealous/Possessive/Obsessive, Touch-Her-and-💀, Tracking/Spying

⛔️ Safety Squad: Drugged (Not by MMC), Miscarriage, Rape (Not Gratuitous or Prolonged • Side Character • Not by MMC), Rough Handling of FMC, Torture, Unaliving, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements. Triggers may appear both on- and off-page and in the past and/or present. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📍 Setting: New York City, New York + Miami, Florida 🇺🇸

📣 Type: Run Little Liar is the first book in the Lombardi Legacy series and ends on a cliffhanger.

⚠️ Warning: The hate-to-want-you in this one will give you whiplash and damp panties.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Toni]

Full review to come but…

I am soo ready for book 2 because this had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish 😆

Edit:

ARC REVIEW |
Release Date: Jul 10

Another buddy read complete 🥳

Thank you to the author & The Smuthood for the ARC ✨

This is book 1 in a new trilogy… and it does end on a cliffhanger so there’s your warning.

This was a super easy read that kept us hooked from start to finish
We were swapping endless theories 🤣
..while trying to keep track of the back-and-forth between the past and present & the millions of side characters.

In the end, it all made sense.. kind of?
We still have unanswered questions obviously
I'm itching for book 2 already because I'm so invested.

Can my girl Chloe catch a break? 😭
It's been stressful and full of problems since chapter 1, and even the flashbacks had my heart breaking for her.
And Ronan… poor Ronan.

We also haven’t gotten the full why choose experience just yet but we can already see where it’s going and Im excited 🤭😆

This trilogy is going to be a wild ride.
I can already tell and I'm so ready for it.

Tropes: dark romance, mafia, why choose, second chance, age gap, forbidden

[Sim-fully Ever After]

5🌟, 3🌶️

I devoured this so fast I barely came up for air.

The mix of mystery, betrayal, and long-buried secrets had me glued to every page, and every twist only made me more desperate to uncover the truth. I genuinely had no idea who to trust, which made the whole experience impossible to put down.

Chloe was an incredible heroine, and I loved watching her stand her ground after everything she’d been through. Ryker completely stole my heart with his fierce loyalty and protectiveness, while Ronan and Damon added so much emotion, history, and tension that I couldn’t look away. The romance is only just beginning, but the chemistry and complicated relationships already have me completely invested.

That ending absolutely ruined me. I closed my Kindle with a head full of theories and an urgent need for the next book. Chloe, Ryker, Ronan, and Damon have officially earned a permanent spot in my brain, and I already know this series is going to be an obsession.

If this is only the beginning, I cannot wait to see what’s next.

~~~~

Huge thank you to Montana Fyre and The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[Megan]

Thank you to The Smuthood Inc. for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

I’m a simple girl with simple tastes. I see the words “mafia romance” and I am sold. Add in “why choose” and I am diving straight in without hesitation! This plot is pretty interesting, swinging between the present and the past to keep the reader up to speed with the brutal history these characters have. At times, it was perhaps a little repetitive as each person seemed to take a moment at the same goings on as someone else before things continued and progressed. That said, I found myself thoroughly engaged with the story and completed it in only a couple of sittings! Character wise, I definitely think I will have to go back and read Camilla’s story because her interactions with her men definitely intrigued me. I would have liked to see more in depth about Ronan and Damon’s dad, especially as he is the catalyst for everything that has happened. Hopefully we’ll get to see more of this in the next book. I also very much enjoyed all the mystery around their enemy - it enhanced my reading experience as I found myself eager to know more. Romance wise, there isn’t the hugest amount here. It’s a driving force for the plot but beyond a few very spicy moments - that were rather good!! - it’s more focused on the relationships of the past. It’s marketed as a Why Choose but so far the majority of this is Camilla and her men. Though, we’re seeing the feelings developing and I am certainly interested in seeing how things will play out in the future. The ending had my jaw dropping. I was not expecting that and I would like the sequel immediately!

Overall, Run Little Liar is a great story for mafia romance lovers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to The Smuthood Inc. for an advanced copy of this book.

[Livy dow]

Holy. Freaking. Hell. 😭🖤

I went into Run Little Liar knowing I was going to get mafia romance, but I was absolutely not prepared for the amount of secrets, mystery, betrayal, and family drama packed into this book. From the very beginning, I was completely intrigued by Chloe and everything surrounding her past. There were so many questions I needed answers to, and every time I thought I had something figured out, I immediately started questioning everything again.

I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding the Lombardi family and the way the story slowly revealed more about the characters, their history, and everything that happened ten years ago. The characters are complicated, messy, and carrying so much history, which made their relationships so interesting to read about. I also really enjoyed the found family aspect because you know I am always going to love a good found family 🥹

And the ending?! EXCUSE ME?! I genuinely did not see that coming and I was left staring at my Kindle like it had personally betrayed me. I need the next book immediately because I have approximately one million questions and I need answers NOW.

Overall, Run Little Liar was an addictive and intriguing start to the Lombardi Legacy series. I definitely would have loved a little more romance, but the mystery and suspense had me completely hooked, and I am absolutely invested in seeing where this story goes next. 🖤

4 ⭐️

✨ THE WHAT TO EXPECT ✨
🖤 Mafia romance
🖤 Mystery & suspense
🖤 Secrets & betrayal
🖤 Found family
🖤 Complicated characters
🖤 Family drama
🖤 Multiple POVs
🖤 A jaw-dropping cliffhanger

[shíttansy]

Why are women authors allergic to write normal men as mmc's? It's either they're blindly worshipping the fmc or calling her bitch, slut or whore to turn her on? I'm aware of degradation kink but why do authors always attach it to fmc?? This shit is not cool as they think it is. Like come on, if it came from a man. I would be ok, expected but it feels off coming from a woman author.

Also, what a childish title name. And grown adult characters having nicknames as lame as the title? Pleaseeee, this lame nickname culture in books needs to get thrown out in the sea for good.

[Alexandria Williams]

Babes…If you love dark mafia romance with morally gray men who would happily burn the world down for the woman they love then you’ve found your next obsession.🤌🏾🔥

This book was so freaking amazing and I was pulled in right away. Watching Chloe’s story have the people return to her life after she spent ten years running from was heartbreaking.🥹

Every flashback peeled back another layer of the truth and I swear every answer just created ten more questions for me babes. It literally felt like a race to finish the book to get all those answers🤗.

But the men babes…the freaking MEN😮‍💨

Ryker immediately became my favorite😈. I just wanted to climb him like a damn tree💀😂😏. He’s protective and possessive just like I like them babes but he’s also willing to become a weapon for Chloe.🥹👏🏾

Ronan….Oh Ronan🥹My heart genuinely hurt for him. The years of lies, betrayal, and lost love made every interaction between them ache so hard.

Last but not for long….
IYKYK after that ending😏🫣…
Damon…I’m hella side eyeing him👀

But then...
THAT. FREAKIN. CLIFFHANGER.🤯
Montana... respectfully... I need Book 2 immediately. Like now babes I can’t wait!!😭 There is no way you can leave me hanging like that. I have questions. I need answers. I need these characters back in my life ASAP.👏🏾

If you’re looking for a mafia romance that’s packed with betrayal, angst, dangerous chemistry, and men who would destroy anyone who threatens the woman they love... Run Little Liar absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.🤌🏾🔥

Congratulations on another incredible release, @montanafyre_author 🖤🔥

#RunLittleLiar #MontanaFyre #DarkRomance #MafiaRomance #WhyChooseRomance

[The_Book_Brat]

*Reverse Harem
*Contemporary
*Multi-1st-PoV
*Mafia Romance
*FMC on the run
*Second Chance
*Bodyguard romance
*Hate to Love
*Building Harem (4?)
*Mid-Burn
*Book 1 / 3
Oooooooo what a book!
The characters in this are engaging and varied; the plot is gripping with a balanced pace and it gets you in all the feels and emotions 😃
there’s some clear sexual tension going on as well as pining and declarations of obsessions - what more could a girl want 🔥🥰
I really like how you get the snippets from the past woven into the current storyline to really give you depth to the story and an understanding of what’s happened!
Our FMC Chloe experienced a trauma no girl should have to go through at the hands of her boyfriends family - it drives her on the run, and trying to piece her life back together 😢 years later and a chance encounter throws it all out the window, I do like how she holds her ground though with the older brother and gives them grief over misconceptions her ex may have had 💪 since that fateful night she’s picked herself up with help from some potential traitor who seems to actually have a vested interest in her future; and she’s picked up an infatuated bodyguard along the way who may have been placed by her side by some mysterious benefactor…. It’s interesting to see how all these little bits might connect - especially after that wallop of a cliffhanger!!

[Emily Knaus]

Montana Fyre is the QUEEN of why choose and cliffhangers. I literally devoured this in one day. I adored the Legion of the Syndicate series and was thrilled to find that while there are similarities in writing, the entire premise, characters and tropes are entirely different.

Ten years ago Chloe’s whole life changed when her parents were unalived in front of her. She ran and never looked back. She ran from Ronan and Damon, since then they have hated her because they have been manipulated by father.

I’m LOVING the enemies/hate dynamic in this book and look forward to it in the rest of the series! It’s utterly gripping and ups the tension. Chloe is torn between her bodyguard Ryker, her first love, Ronan and her childhood forbidden crush Ronan’s brother, Damon. We’ve got some STRONG feelings and they are all over the place. Hate to love, devotion, loyalty and vengeance. You feel it all.

Chloe has been a character I have been wanting to see more of, so I was so excited for this to be her series! So far, Ryker is a fav, but I fear there may be a new fav in the next book. Ronan is a close second, then Dante (I think he will have a huge redemption). I’m excited to see how Kingston plays into all of this (looking forward to a potential age gap match!!)

That cliffy at the end though, oof! Can’t wait to read the next one. Thank you so much Montana and The Smuthood for the early copy! I adore all that you write and love the connections between your books with the character overlapping; it creates such an immersive experience. Counting down the days until Hide Little Traitor is released!!

[Sunah Wildhaber]

ARC REVIEW:

Thank you to The Smuthood and Montana Fyre for this ARC review!!

I have mixed feelings on Run Little Liar but I still enjoyed it. Chloe has connections and feelings for all MMC’s in the book making it a true why choose romance. I’m partial to Ryker, don’t ask me why (because then I’d have to tell you the truth). Ok fine, I’ll tell you, he is fiercely protective, he gives her the nickname “siren” (um hello, cute!!) and he has one of the filthiest mouths in the book. All that praise. I love it.

I did get confused with how many times the POV switched up in the beginning but eventually caught on. The timeline jumps were a little hard too. I wanted to read more about their present than their past. The cliffhanger was also so good!! WHO IS KINGSTON!?

[Inês Gomes]

✨Arc Review✨

Honestly I have mixed feelings about this. On one side I enjoyed the story and the characters, especially Camilla and Ryker but on the other side it pissed me off that Chloe was such a damsel in distress like your on the run for 10 years, how can you not have any survival skills? She just accepted most of what happened to her and waited for someone to save her instead of fighting for herself. Anyway, I’ll definitely be reading book 2 and 3 because I need answers.

[sammi]

i binged this in three hours and omg I LOVED IT. i’m so mad i have to wait a month for the next book (no idc that i’m only waiting a month it’s a long time okay) but so excited to meet kingston!!

the second he was the talk of the town i knew he was the 4th love interest but tbf if it was anyone else i’d be pissed. i have an inkling that he’s ryker’s boss but i guess i (unfortunately) have to wait

[Amy Crull]

Good book!

For all those reviews that said you don't need to red anything before this one, you are wrong. I went into this as it was a new series and was a bit lost at first and struggles so hard with what all was going on. It might sound crazy but that's how it was for me. I soon got into the story and was able to follow the basis of what was going on. It turned into a good story after that.
This book is action packed and has a heroine running for her life despite 3 guys who want to protect her but due to bosses they just can't yet...

[Chandra]

I read this after enjoying the Mafia Matchmaker series by the same author. While I knew it had a darker vibe from the title, I wasn't prepared for what felt like a different writing style. The logical progression of this story was hard for me. I understand the author was trying to build suspense but I was more frustrated about not knowing than intrigued. Maybe that was the intent but it definitely colored my view of the book.

Also, the introduction of some of the characters made me feel like this was not supposed to the first book in the series. It works completely fine as the first book. You do not need to know the side characters to understand this book. It is just a quirk of mine that if I know other characters have their own book before the one I'm reading I feel put out if I haven't already read it.

All of this to say, while not my favorite it is still an enjoyable book. I will be looking for other things by this author and continuing the series when the next one comes out.

[Gail Johnson]

This is the first book in an unfinished trilogy and it does leave you on a cliffhanger.

Chloe, our FMC, accidentally ends up in the same room as two men from her past that she has been hiding from for many years. She gets scared and wants to run but her bodyguard, who is very possessive of her, doesn’t let her get too far away.

All three men are trying to grasp their want for her while also trying to deal with their own repercussions that will come from trying to help her be safe.

There was lots of bouncing back to present and past. Overall I liked the premise of this book but maybe I just wasn’t in the right mindset to read this specific why choose. It was a lot of story building so my guess is the rest of the series might be easier to get into. The cliffhanger did peak my interest though.

[Jordan Campbell]

ARC REVIEW

This one is tough for me to review - I wasn’t mad at it but I wasn’t obsessed either.

All of the characters have mystery to them and I want to know more! I think as the series continues my reviews and ratings will get better.

Ryker - obsessed, so hot!
Ramon and Damon - I need to know soooo much more about both of them!
Chloe - how are we from a mafia family and still so helpless?!

Cliffhanger was savage and again, I think as the series continues the better it will get!

[Katie Murphy]

Can I start by saying I am obsessed with this series and it is only the first book?? Montana has been a favourite author of mine for quite sometime now but when she announced the Lombardi men were getting their story I was completely overjoyed with excitement 🤭

I will start by saying a lot of Montana’s words are connected and with this book while it is not necessarily to read to understand these books I would recommend reading the Syndicate of the Legion series, firstly to avoid any spoilers of the books and secondly it will give you some context to our FMC and supporting characters.

Now with that out of the way on to our characters.. our FMC is Chloe and the book opens where she is on the run to escape the two brothers who betrayed her. Chloe’s family were deemed traitors after the Don of the Lombardi family believed her father was withholding information on the whereabouts of an enemy. As a consequence Chloe, her mother and her father were taken and interrogated and the first betrayal is that Damon stood by and let it happen.

Now Damon is a complex character, he had feelings for Chloe from quite a young age since she grew up with their family, but his distanced himself from her after he had to take on his role in the family and submerge himself into that darkness. By doing this he left the path for his brother open and clear which resulted in Ronan and Chloe becoming childhood sweethearts. Personally Damon was in my bad books for most if not all of this book but I have a feeling due to the events of the final chapters my opinion will change on this.

On the night everything went down Chloe found out she was pregnant with Ronan’s child and she knew she needed to escape her fate. Ronan honestly I felt sorry for him because he was fed lies by his brother and father about what actually happened and was lead to believe that Chloe abandoned him with his baby and this led to quite a grudge between the characters. When Chloe escapes she sought help from the one man her father asked her to go to if something ever happened to him, and yes this was the same man that her father was interrogated for protecting even though he didn’t know his whereabouts.

Kingston protected and relocated Chloe to the De Marco household where she met Camilla and the pair became inseparable. It is through Camilla that Chloe is well protected and she is even assigned a bodyguard by the name of Ryker and oh boy is he protective of Chloe. This man fell hard from one look and while he tried to maintain a professional relationship this was blown out of the water after the Lombardi brothers come back into the picture.

And how do the Lombardi men come back into the picture well when the syndicate men need assistance the reach out but they are completely unaware of Chloe’s past with the brothers. These two have spent the past 10 years searching for her and now she ended up right in their laps. Ryker is like a guard dog to Chloe when they come on the scene and he is desperate to protect her from these two.

This book is honestly utter chaos in the best way. We have two brothers who hold a grudge and while they won’t admit it are both still deeply in love with our FMC, a protective and possessive bodyguard who will burn the world for our FMC and also a MMC that we do not meet yet and I am very excited to explore more of Kingston because this will make the relationship within the group even more better because Kingston is the enemy of the Lombardi brothers.

I loved Chloe as our FMC, she has been through so much and she is still on her feet fighting. She has a great support system through the syndicate and Camilla and this absolutely warmed my heart.

This is the first of a trilogy but it was absolutely jam packed and I am so very excited for the next book especially after that cliffhanger. Thank you to the smuthood who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭

[Ahici]

ARC Review

A fantastic dark mafia romance that had me devouring it in a day!

Please check your triggers as there are some dark situations depicted.

Growing up in the mafia as daughter of the mafia enforcer and second in command, is certainly not all sunshine, but our FMC was sheltered from most of the dark parts of it. Until, one day 10 years ago, her family was branded as traitors and tortured. Through luck she managed to get away and has been hiding ever since. Finding a home many states away from Florida with another mafia family in NY, provided some security, but never entirely dissolved her feelings of trepidation of being found. She was right to hold onto that feeling as the two brother she grew up with, the sons of the head of the mafia had finally found her and they want revenge.

Our FMC is a very soft and nurturing soul, and although she can sass with the best, she feels deeply for those around her even if she doesn’t let them in too close. Not long after she got away, she was given a job at another mafia family’s home to care for the mafia leaders’ daughter who lost her mother recently. She raised the girl like she was her own, and their bond is undeniable. So when we start in a present day chapter with her missing and other mafia families coming in to help search for her, the collision of her old life into her new one was unavoidable, and so is her urge to run once she knows the daughter she raised is safe.

Due to the unrest amongst the NY crime world she was appointed a “discrete” bodyguard (that she spotted a mile away). This MMC was doing his best to remain in the background, but when the two brothers from her past show up, bring back horrid memories and the urge to run, he decides that he needs to stick a little closer. During their childhood the three of them were inseparable, but as the eldest boy and mafia heir was pulled away and forced to accept his future role, he became cruel towards the FMC. The younger of the two brothers, as the “spare heir”, had less demands placed on him and wasn’t being forced into an arranged marriage, which gave the him and the FMC the time to let their relationship grow.

The variety in relationships and how much they all varied was so much fun to read. We have childhood sweethearts to lovers to being torn apart, as well as childhood friends to enemies and continued antagonism as maybe it’s repressed feelings. We also get a wonderful had been watching over you and now that I’ve gotten closer I can’t deny the feelings. There’s also the vaguely mentioned infatuation with the one that was there to care for her after she escaped, but hasn’t seen him since.

It’s been a slow burn with some steamy moments, and a building of tension for the next books in the series. We have some fun banter, as well as some great hurt/comfort moments as the MCs figure out their feelings and what they truly want or can accept.

We have multiple plot factors intertwining, some tail end events and others dredged up from the past that can’t be discarded. The main through plot is the fact that the FMC is thought to be a traitor, which by the end of this book the MMCs finally gain an understanding as to what the actual extent of her role in the slight could’ve been.

With perceptions of each other changing as MCs make choices that seem unexpected, we are left with one heck of a cliffhanger!

Pretty please, I need the next book of the series asap!

[Z’s Readz!]

First of all: Shoutout to Montana Fyre and The Smuthood for letting me be a part of the Run Little Liar ARC Team.

Immediate Reaction after finishing: THE ENDING IS MAYBE JUST AS BAD AS THE ENDING OF ONYX STORM EMOTIONALLY FOR ME.

Now that I’m looking at the whole board as my normal continuity goblin self. 😈👀

Man has it been a WILD ride. On my last fyreverse review I said that Montana broke my review process. We are now two for two. Even if this wasn’t an ARC review I would be saying the SAME thing. Montana broke me with Run Little Liar. Full stop.

I will not go into details about WHY and HOW but trust me on this: Montana successfully recontextualized the Lombardi brothers. Do not hear what I am not saying, please for the love of all that is holy. I am not calling this a redemption arc. YET. I am calling it like I see it: gaining new context for what happened to help shape their public personas. It does not negate my original opinions on the Lombardi brothers. It means I understand more than I did when the Lombardi family was initially introduced either back in the Frost Industries series by name-dropping or from the on-page appearances in the Tainted Love series (I don’t remember with 100% certainty if the Lombardi Family is name-dropped in Frost or not).

Montana has also introduced the most unhinged cinnamon roll who stormed into the universe and walked onto the scene like, “Not only do I live here now, but I demand to be heard.”🤣 I will actually die on the hill that planned or not, he is the best character written in Lombardi Legacy. The icing on top to me is that he is the perfect combination of KOVU and BISHOP simultaneously. I would gladly read a book entirely from his POV and have no complaints.

There was also an unauthorized empathetic donation in MY name to Salvatore Lombardi. …which, respectfully. He can get right the fuck out of here and die in an approved Kovu Black way. Please and thank you.🙏🏼😈

When I say that Montana broke me, this is what I mean: she managed to break my reading process. I have not opened a book and HAD to annotate on the first read since I graduated high school in 2018. I’ve gone back and annotated on rereads but never the first read. This was a first read. I have 372 highlights. 32 of those have notes attached. The majority of the notes came from roughly the first 20%. Whether it was intentional or not, Montana wrote the first 20% or so as a reframing engine. Once I got past the almost constant reframing I was able to actually LIVE with the novel. Highlights absolutely still happened but I wasn’t constantly being pulled out of the story because there were fewer moments like: “oh shit this changes what I thought from 2 pages ago” and more moments of just snorting or cackling at the unhinged cinnamon roll.

The live reactions I posted on my story (and saved under “LOMBARDI ARC”) have moments where I realized WHY, on a deeper level, that Mafia Matchmaker was needed as a “lighter” series. It’s Montana, so yeah, it’s still dark. However, after reading all of Montana’s published works I can confidently say that Lombardi is the heaviest and darkest she has written to date… which is honestly a tad shocking because The Hunter and the Thief Duet exists.👀😅

Also my stingy Syndicate heart was fed by all of the Syndicate appearances too. I mean that’s kind of a no brainer because it’s also Chloe’s story arc, but I’m still happy with the Syndicate showing up.

But Z! This is Chloe’s story arc and I haven’t touched on her? …yeahhhh. I legit can’t. I mean I could, but what’s the fun in that😏 Montana was NOT joking when she said we don’t know her past. That’s all I will say. Which if you’ve kept track of my Montana Posts you’ll see what I mean.

[Victoria]

Holy. Freaking. Hell.

Can we talk about that ending, because I closed my Kindle and genuinely sat there wondering how I was supposed to function after Montana Fyre casually dropped that cliffhanger on us.

Run Little Liar has easily become one of my favourite reads of the year.

I went into this expecting mafia romance, but what I got was so much more. This book is overflowing with mystery, betrayal, family drama, hidden agendas, and long-buried secrets. Every chapter peeled back another layer while somehow creating even more questions. Every time I thought I'd figured something out, the story completely pulled the rug out from under me.

The dual timeline worked brilliantly, giving just enough insight into the past without slowing the present-day story. Instead, it constantly built anticipation, and I found myself desperate to uncover what had really happened ten years earlier.

Chloe was an incredible heroine. She's been through unimaginable trauma, yet she refuses to let it break her. Watching her stand her ground against people determined to rewrite her story made her impossible not to root for.

Then there's Ryker...

This man completely stole the show for me. Fiercely protective, utterly devoted, and just the right amount of dangerously obsessive, he quickly became my favourite. Ronan and Damon brought so much emotional history, conflict, and unresolved feelings that every interaction crackled with tension. Even though this is marketed as a why choose romance, it's very much laying the emotional groundwork for what's to come, and honestly, I loved that approach because it allowed the relationships to breathe.

One of my favourite aspects was the mystery surrounding the Lombardi family and the larger conspiracy. I genuinely had no idea who to trust. I developed theory after theory only to throw them out a chapter later. That kind of suspense makes a book almost impossible to put down.

I also loved the found family elements. Anyone who knows me knows I'm always going to have a soft spot for a good found family, and Montana Fyre writes those connections beautifully.

I devoured this in only a couple of sittings because I simply couldn't stop turning the pages. My notes became increasingly unhelpful because I was too busy frantically reading to actually write anything down.

And then came that ending.

I'm not exaggerating when I say I actually yelled at my Kindle.

If you love mafia romance, layered mysteries, morally grey men, bodyguards, found family, emotional tension, and slow-burn why choose romances that are clearly building toward something spectacular, I cannot recommend this enough.

This is only book one... and I already know this series is going to become an obsession.

Thank you so much to Montana Fyre and Smuthood PR for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Reanna Abare]

First, thank you so much to Montana Fyre and The Smuthood for the ARC opportunity! I am so grateful to have received an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

MY GOD. This was an easy five stars.

I absolutely devoured this book. This is one of those reads where my note taking completely disappeared because I couldn't bring myself to stop reading. Before I knew it, it was two hours past my bedtime, and I still wasn't putting my Kindle down.

If you're picking this up, I highly recommend reading at least the Syndicate of the Legion series first. Those characters appear throughout this book, and seeing them again made the experience so much more rewarding. Honestly, if you're willing to commit, I'd recommend following Montana Fyre's reading order from her website and reading all of her previous interconnected series. Everything ties together so well, and all of the little Easter eggs made me so happy. I am incredibly glad I read them all beforehand!

This story is told through four POVs and features a dual timeline that kept me completely invested from beginning to end. While it's labeled as a why choose romance, this first book is clearly laying the foundation for the trilogy, and I cannot wait to see where Montana Fyre takes these characters next.

The suspense was incredible. Every chapter had me telling myself, just one more and before I knew it I had finished the entire book. Between the mafia world, the action, the mystery, and all of the unanswered questions, I was completely hooked.

Chloe is such a fantastic FMC. She is strong, resilient, and impossible not to root for. Ryker, Ronan, and Damon each brought something different to the story, and I loved every second of watching these characters interact. As a why choose girlie, I was completely invested. I also loved the bodyguard element, the childhood history, the girl on the run storyline, and all of the tension woven throughout the book.

And then THAT ENDING.

I knew this was the first book in a trilogy, but nothing could have prepared me for that cliffhanger. Thankfully book two releases in August because I genuinely don't know how I would survive waiting any longer.

I'll absolutely be buying a physical copy when this releases. I already own the Syndicate of the Legion books, and I cannot wait to add this one to my shelves. Honestly, Montana Fyre has become one of those authors whose entire backlist I want to own because her worlds are so immersive. Every time I finish one of her books, I immediately want to start all over again just to spend more time in these worlds.

If you love interconnected worlds, dark mafia romance, suspense that keeps you glued to the page, and a story that leaves you desperate for the next book, I cannot recommend this enough.

[Saira]

📘 Run Little Liar
✍️ Montana Fyre
📆 10th July

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🗡️ Mafia Romance☑️
🖤 Dark Romance ☑️
❤️‍🩹 Toxic Love ☑️
🤫 Why Choose ☑️
✨ Age Gap ☑️

This book is a dark romance + mafia book, which are both my favorite tropes. I really couldn’t stop reading, as all the chapters had me sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what will happen after? These books are the kind I live for!

👫 Characters:-
Chloe, the female main character, is strong, kind, helpful, and lively character who was born into a mafia family. Her father is the most trusted man of the Lombardi family, who are one of the biggest and most feared mafia families in the world. Chloe is friends with Damon and his brother Ronan, who are both Lombardi sons and will soon take their father’s throne.

Chloe, Damon & Ronan all grew up together, playing in the same house they are all still living in. Ronan is someone with whom she has her whole future planned, and Damon is her great friend, who, all of a sudden, started keeping his distance from her.

One day, due to misunderstanding, Chloe finds herself in a situation where she has no other option but to run away, leaving without bidding her goodbyes to them both because she doesn’t knows whom to trust at the moment. But the Lombardi family will find her no matter where she hides in the world, which is why Chloe is living with paranoia ever since she ran from them, even though she has a bodyguard now who will do everything he can to keep her safe.

🎬 Final thoughts:-
Even though I’ve read the whole book but I can feel that there is a lot more to the characters than just what I’ve read about them. The book has been jumping from present to past, sharing the history of Chloe with the Lombardi’s, and then there’s Camilla, whose story I really can’t wait to read as she has a great bond with her partners. I love the thrill of running from enemies and catching the real enemy in mafia books, and I had so much fun reading. However, some things made me feel so sad for Chloe, and I want to know what her future will be, especially seeing how the book’s ending will shock literally anyone who reads it. But I know who I’ll be rooting for. Chloe is strong and I want a good ending for her; knowing her history with the brothers and the traumas she has faced, she truly deserves someone who’s gonna treat her like a queen and nothing less. So, I am eagerly waiting for the next part.

Thank you so much, Montana Fyre, for choosing me as your ARC reviewer. I truly loved and enjoyed your book, “Run Little Liar”. And I am desperately waiting to know what happens next.

[RogueWeaver]

I was sent an ARC copy by the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I don't usually lean into mafia romance, but this story might have converted me for good. The suffering, the rage, the angst, and the desire were all utterly delicious.

What stood out to me most was the character work. Montana Fyre did a brilliant job building each of the characters separately. They are all deeply layered, and their backstories make complete sense without being overly complicated. A common pitfall in dark 'why choose' romances is that authors overdo the trauma, making the characters feel unbelievable. Here, the three MMCs have relatively simple backstories but possess incredibly complex feelings and coping strategies (somewhat violent ways of coping, but coping nonetheless!).

Speaking of these dark, bossy MMCs—they were an absolute dream. Ryker the bodyguard and Damon the bossy childhood friend are my personal favourites. Both are beautifully matched in their protective instincts, intense possessiveness, and a healthy dash of depravity. Plus, they offer tattoos and muscles for days! I was a giggling mess reading their scenes.

Chloe, the FMC, was an incredibly refreshing surprise. I often find heroines in this genre a bit annoying and excessively introspective. While Chloe does examine her own thoughts and emotions, she is fundamentally a "get up and keep going" type of girl. Every time her world collapsed, she didn't just stop to wallow; she cried, suffered, and immediately made a plan to move forward. I really related to her strength, and the author did an amazing job describing her moments of breaking down, putting herself back together, and evolving as a person.

In terms of steam, I actually expected a bit more spice. There were perhaps four or five scenes of varied intensity in total. As the first book in the Lombardi Legacy series, it’s actually quite moderate on the spice scale—nothing too wild, save for a little public indecency, but otherwise fairly standard for the genre.

Please note: Do mind the trigger warnings on this one. If you struggle with graphic descriptions of violence, this might not be the book for you, as several key scenes revolve around those acts.

Overall, I highly recommend this to anyone who loves very morally grey MMCs with possessive tendencies, guns, high-stakes action, and a gripping mystery. That ending completely caught me by surprise—I cannot wait for the next instalment, I need to know what happens immediately!

[Heids_in_books]

At the end of this book Montana apologises for the “little” cliffhanger. Is she really sorry? I’m not sure she is haha!

Chloe’s life was destroyed when her family was accused of being traitors to the Lombardis. She escaped, built herself a new life and found a family with Camilla and the Syndicate men. But she has never really stopped waiting for the Lombardi brothers to find her.
And eventually, they do.

Ronan was Chloe’s first love, but he has spent the past decade believing she left him and took something incredibly important from him.
Damon is different. He was cruel to Chloe when they were younger and stood by while everything fell apart, but there is clearly far more behind his choices than Chloe ever knew.

Then there’s Ryker, her supposed discreet bodyguard who is about as discreet as a guard dog sitting directly on her feet. He is protective, possessive and already very attached to Chloe, even while pretending he is only doing his job. Ryker was definitely my favourite in this one.

The story moves between the past and present, and I thought this was done really well. The chapters from the past fit naturally into what was happening in the present, giving us more context without making the story feel broken up. It slowly shows what happened between Chloe, Ronan and Damon while also letting us see how those events still affect every interaction between them now.

This is the first book in the trilogy, so the romance is still building. Chloe already has very different relationships with each man, and I’m curious to see how Kingston fits into everything because his connection to her is still mostly in the background here. He also happens to be an enemy of the Lombardis, which should make things even more interesting.

There is a lot happening outside the romance too. Chloe is still being hunted, the mafia families are dealing with threats from several directions, and it becomes clear that the story Chloe was told about her family may not be the full truth. I had several theories while reading and somehow ended the book with even more questions.

Now, back to the cliffhanger. It was not small, but it WAS diabolical! I need the next book because Im now confused as to whether she will have 3 or 4 men (IYKYK) in her harem haha! I just don’t know! Thank god august is next month!

Thank you to Montana and @thesmuthood for this awesome ARC!

5 ⭐️
3🌶️

[addictedtodarkromance]

From the first chapter, I was hooked! It didn't take me very long to finish this book, as I had so many questions I needed answered.

Chloe has had it rough, and I felt so bad for her. She's running from the Lombari family after what they did to her, and she wants to protect her unborn child. When she ends up at a man named Kingston's doorstep, the one place her father always said to go if ever in need, she meets a young girl, Camilla, who becomes a pivotal person in her life (from a previous series, Syndicate of the Legion, by this author).

Years later, Camilla is taken, and it lands Chloe right back to the men she's been hiding from all these years. It's her worst nightmare come true.

Damon - I was so torn with him. He's dominant, in control and hiding secrets.
Ryker - Bodyguard to Chloe (although she's not supposed to know that's why he's there), very protective of Chloe and can't stop thinking of her.
Ronan - He's sweet, heartbroken, and angry at the past. He doesn't understand why she betrayed them and wants answers.
Chloe - She fought hard to find safety, and it was inspiring to read. Chloe is sweet and protective of her loved ones. What she went through was horrible, and I truly felt for her.

The steamy scenes were fantastic! I'm loving how the MCs are coming together and how there's so much more to their story than you realize.

This story is a web of complex situations, but it's written in a way that flows well together. I enjoy reading the chapters of both the past and present as we slowly gather pieces of the puzzle. I wasn't sure how Fyre was going to bring the Lombari guys back from what happened to her, but it's coming together perfectly! I was so captivated by the story, what happened to her and how everyone fits in.

That cliffhanger at the end had me gasping, and I can not wait for the next book!!

 
Overall: 4.25 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Spice/Heat Intensity: 3 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Damon, Ronan, Ryker & Chloe
Darkness: 5 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Type of book: MFMM, Why Choose, Multiple 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Books need to be read in order - Trilogy
Title: Lombardi Legacy Trilogy- Run Little Liar: Book 1
Audiobook: n/a
Epilogue: Yes
Ending Type: HEA Cliffhanger
 
 
*OTT: Possessive, obsessive, dominant MMCs
*Mafia/Syndicate
*MMCs Hate Each Other
*Second Chance
*Forbidden Romance
*Miscarriage
*Non and Dub Con
*Torture
*Betrayal
*Elements of BDSM
*Kidnapping/Captive
*No hidden baby
*No cheating or sharing outside the relationship
 
 
⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be offensive or triggering to some. Please check all the authors' TW/CW before reading! 18+
 
*I received an early copy of this book and am voluntarily writing this review.

[Nicole Garcia]

First Thank you Montana Fyre and the Smuthood for the opportunity to receive an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am not lying when I say I could not put this down! I finished this in one day. I read mainly mafia/ dark romance, you add in why choose, second chance had me jumping to sign up for a chance to read early.

If you are thinking about reading this I might recommend reading the Syndicate of the Legion series first. Those characters play to the back story and appear often in this book and I am guessing the whole trilogy. However, It is not needed, I did not read it first and I was able to follow along just fine. I just recommend in the chance it could increase enjoyment of the story.

Now let's get to Run Little Liar! This is told from multiple POV and different timelines. I am normally not a fan of a jumping back and forth timeline but Montana Fyre did a great job at building the history of the characters and moving forward in real time yet keeping you engaged. I was so invested in what had happened and what was going to happen next I did not know how many hours had passed. I just had to keep turning the page.

I loved the FMC from the start! Her strength and determination and resilience showed from the beginning. My heart broke for her just as much as it raced with excitement for her. She has met and fell for some very strong, protective men over the years. Ryker, Ronan, Damon all have very different personalities, and the brothers and bodyguard do not like one another. I am so rooting for the bodyguard! “Perhaps now is the time I let you in on a little secret……I really F*cking love the chase.” 🔥🔥🔥This is listed as a why choose, and that might be the case for the trilogy as whole, and this first book is building to that. But that was a major trope just yet, she has a history and old feelings , or current feelings for all the male characters throughout. I cannot wait to see the characters develop over the trilogy.

This book is packed with tension, suspense, mystery, protective MMC, childhood trauma, girl on the run. And it all comes to that small cliff hanger! I am itching for the next book. Thankfully we do not have to wait too long. But first this is a must read.

[Claire Parsons]

ARC Review

🖤Run Little Liar🖤
Releases 10th July
Whychoose Mafia

🖤Damon - Dark, Misunderstood and secretly is in love with Chloe.
🖤Ronan - Childhood Sweethearts with Chloe.
🖤Ryker - Overprotective Bodyguard who fell for Chloe.
🖤Kingston - Mysterious …we are yet to meet him.
💜Chloe - The girl who has been through so much and is still fighting her way through life!

Firstly, I would highly recommend reading the Syndicate of the Legion Series first to avoid any spoilers and this will also give you an insight to the characters and the FMC.

Montana once again has blown me away with a 5🌟 read. I just love how she writes her characters and we will always end up falling in love with each and every one. Thank you for including the Legion Men who first captured my heart with your world. Those men had me smiling and giggling while reading this book. (Another reason to start with the Syndicate of the Legion series so you get the warm and fuzzy feelings when reading about these characters)

Chloe has been on the run to escape the two brothers (the Lombardi Men) who betrayed her. The events leading up to her escape is horrific and so many lies were told and misconceptions have resulted in years of torment. The mysterious Kingston is who protected and relocated Chloe to the De Marco residence where she met Camilla. Because of Camilla, Chloe is protected by Ryker her bodyguard who has fallen for Chloe (we all love a bodyguard romance 🤭).

When the Syndicate needs assistance from the Lombardi’s, they are unaware of Chloe’s past with the brothers and it turns into CHAOS in the best possible way.

Run Little Liar is jam packed with action, suspense and mystery and a hint of spice with more to come knowing Montana 🔥

Damon makes me frustrated and a little angry but I secretly love him already!
Ronan and Ryker are sweethearts and I adore them for being so protective and caring - who would have though we would meet a morally grey cinnamon roll MMC ♥️
Kingston though with the ending I’m expecting to love him the most 🥵 Who doesn’t love a touch of mystery. I can’t wait to meet him.

Be Warned Run Little Liar is part of a trilogy so this story is to be continued in book 2….

Montana I need book 2 NOW!!!!

[Tandra]

First off that cliffhanger was rude.....

I was so excited to read this book as I'm a huge fan of Montana Fyre's books. I've read 3 of her other series and knew I needed to read this one. Then to learn that characters from each of those are either in this book or referenced was so exciting.

Run little liar was so well written I seriously did not want to put it down. The book is written in a way where every few chapters is a flash back. Normally when books do this I feel overwhelmed or get confused with what is happening. I did not have that issue at all with this book. I was actually greatful to get the back story in this way as it was worked in to give you more context as to why things are happening or why the characters are having a certain response to something.

I went from laughing at the inner monolog and comments made by the characters. (Like this one made by the FMC Chloe "It wouldn’t be August in Florida if it weren’t humid as hell." As someone living in Florida and its currently July I felt this in my soul lol).

Now on the flip side the book touched on some really heavy topics that at times I had to pause for a moment before I kept reading but those moments just proved how strong and resilient Chloe is. Like this quote “You may have lost me, Ronan, but I lost everything. So don’t you dare come in here and make assumptions based on the lies you were told by the men who stole everything I’ve ever loved from me.” I love how Chloe is not a typical damsel In distress type. She proves that you can have terrible things happen to you and still be strong and keep moving forward.

I also really appreciated the way a not commonly discussed medical condition was covered in this book. As someone who has friends and family with endometriosis it was nice to see it represented in a book.

I definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings first as a couple of the topics may be hard to handle if you have recently gone through something similar.

All in all I highly recommend reading this book. I know I'm counting the days for the next 2 to be released (very impatiently waiting I might add lol)

Thank you to The Smuthood inc. And Montana Fyre for the Advances copy of this book. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review of this book.

[Mache]

Run Little Liar pulled me in almost immediately with its blend of emotional tension, dark mafia intrigue, and relationships that are anything but simple. From the first chapter, there is an underlying sense of unease that never lets up, making it incredibly easy to keep turning the pages.

What I appreciated most was how much of the story revolves around trust. Every character seems to be carrying old wounds, buried truths, and impossible choices, creating a constant feeling that no one is seeing the full picture. That uncertainty kept me invested because I wanted to understand not only what had happened in the past, but how everyone would move forward.

Chloe is a heroine who has survived more than anyone should have to endure. Her resilience shines throughout the story, even when fear and self preservation influence her decisions. She is far from perfect, but that imperfection made her feel authentic. Watching her navigate old emotions while trying to protect herself added a strong emotional layer to the romance.

I also really enjoyed the dynamic between the love interests. Each relationship carries its own history, emotional weight, and unresolved tension, making every interaction feel meaningful. Rather than relying solely on romance, the story allows the mystery surrounding the past and the danger of the present to drive the narrative forward.

The reason this sits at a 4.5 star rating for me instead of a full five is that there were moments where Chloe's instinct to run or keep people at a distance became repetitive. While her reactions were understandable considering everything she had experienced, I occasionally found myself hoping she would trust those around her a little sooner. It never took away from my enjoyment of the story, but it did slow the pacing for me in a few places.

Overall, Montana Fyre delivered a gripping first installment that balances suspense, emotion, romance, and mystery extremely well. The ending left me with far more questions than answers, and I am genuinely excited to see where the next book takes these characters. If you enjoy dark mafia romance with layered relationships, emotional conflict, and plenty of anticipation for what comes next, this is definitely one to pick up.

Rating: 4.5 (rounded to 5 stars)

[WinkingReads]

I want more! The back and forth is driving me nuts, but damn if I'm not hooked and invested. The way this book has me frustrated while flipping through every page... That ending?? I can't wait for the next book in the Trilogy

We have an ex who can't make peace with his ex-girlfriend being with another man.

We have the ex's brother stalking the ex- girlfriend and claiming to hate her (or at least that is what he wants us to think).

We have a bodyguard who's falling for the very ex in question while hating both the ex-boyfriend and his brother.

Then we have the bodyguard's boss( who hasn't been introduced yet in the book), and i swear if he's who i think he is.. He clearly ordered the bodyguard not to touch the ex, only to protect her because she's his girl.. or at least that's what the bodyguard tells us.
This screams MESSY, and honestly, i have no idea where plot is headed. But guess who is here for the long haul? ME!!🤭

🎀𝕱𝖆𝖛 𝕼𝖚𝖔𝖙𝖊𝖘:
✨️No legacy is worth losing the heart that beats outside my body.-Ro
✨️“Taking care of you comes as easy as breathing, Sparrow.”-Ro
✨️“You underestimate how much you affect me, Duchess.”-D
✨️“Because the second your heart stops beating, I lose my reason for breathing.”-Ro
✨️Hurting her has become one of my favorite things to do, because her very existence hurts me more than I’ll ever let anyone know.-D
✨️“You get one chance to use me, Little Siren. But the next time I fuck you, there’ll be no going back. You’ll be mine, and there will be no escaping me.”- Ry
✨️Because the truth is, even after all these years, I’d follow Chloe Weaver to the end of the earth and throw myself into the pits of hell if she asked. - Ro
✨️“Something tells me this won’t be the only time you make me come in my pants because one day soon I’m going to blow my load while I eat your pretty pussy.” - Ry
✨️But no matter how hard I tried to keep my distance, my little siren sang to me, dragging me closer until I couldn’t help myself anymore. Even if the consequence for my actions is death. - Ry
✨️“Such a good girl letting me take care of you.” Ry

🤎𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
Dark Mafia Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Forbidden Romance
Childhood Sweethearts
Bodyguard Romance
Forced Proximity
Why Choose Romance

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 𝓛𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓵: 🌶🌶🌶🌶