J.R. Sawyer is an indie author from Minnesota who writes emotionally driven stories filled with tension, secrets, and complicated characters. Drawn to darker themes and layered relationships, their work explores the blurred lines between love, loyalty, obsession, and survival.
When not writing, they can usually be found reading, spending time with family, or working on the next story idea with an energy drink nearby. J.R. Sawyer is passionate about creating immersive worlds and unforgettable characters that stay with readers long after the final page.
I could not stop reading! From the very first page I was completely invested in Lucien, Cecelia, and Alexander. The story was so well written that I felt every emotion right alongside them.
Lucien and Cecelia’s story starts as such a sweet coming-of-age romance, but as the truth begins to unravel, everything changes. Lucien is such a troubled character who always felt like he never quite fit anywhere, and my heart broke for him over and over again.
By the end of this book, my heart was shattered for Lucien, Cecelia, and Alexander. The family dynamics added so much depth to the story, and the betrayal… wow. It shows just how powerful one betrayal can be and how complicated love, loyalty, and family really are.
Watching Cecelia finally find a piece of herself that she’d been searching for was one of my favorite parts of the story. Her grief was gripping me through the pages. Watching her go through grief, loss, helping her father and stepping into her role beside her father was hard but heartwarming.
This wasn’t just a romance—it was emotional, heartbreaking, and impossible to put down. I absolutely need closure after that ending, so I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series.
If you enjoy emotional romances with incredible character development, complicated family dynamics, and a story that will keep you turning pages long into the night, this one is absolutely worth picking up. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Driven by betrayal is a standalone romance story of love, revenge, breyeal and angst.
I received an ARC of this book, thankyou author for the opportunity. Miss jenny writes poetry, not a book, the writing of this book is so good. The grief part of the story was written so well, and i absolutely loved reading that.
For trigger warnings : blood, revenge, death, grief, death of a parent, betrayal, immature MMC.
Check the author website for more warnings.
Story : ⭐⭐⭐
Plot : ⭐⭐⭐
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Writing style : very descriptive, smooth, clear, and concise.
MMC : alexander devereaux ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ my man really is the best. Meanwhile we have lucien who is annoying as fuck.
FMC : Cecelia Sinclair —⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pacing : medium.
Tropes : ☑️betrayal. ☑️Immature and annoying MMC. ☑️Two brothers. ☑️Love triangle? But not central to the story, it’s brief. Well, you’ll know if you read the story. ☑️ Poetic writing. ☑️Ending that leaves you in tears. ☑️Sad ending. ☑️Leaves you wanting more. ☑️Silent yearning. (Not throughout the book, but yes).
What i loved : i loved the writing, from the start, miss jenny’s writing was smooth, and so descriptive in a way that felt less like reading a book, i loved the angst too, it was perfect.
Favourite parts/ highlights : only Alexander and Cecelia’s appearances, tbh.
Is a part of a series : yes.
Series name : the origin series.
Series order number : blank.
Plot or character driven : plot.
Loveable characters : somewhat.
Strong character development : no.
Flaws of characters a main focus : yes.
Interconnected/ or standalone : interconnected standalone.
ARC Reader This is the story that started it all. Alexander and Cecelia were mentioned in passing in The Web of Lies Duet. We got to meet Lucian in that, but we did not get to see how he got to be like this. This is the origin of that story. This came before Roman or Mira. Emerald or Nikolai. This story gives three POVs. Cecelia, Alexander, and Lucian's. I had to read it after I completed the Web of Lies. So naturally I was happy to be able to read it as an ARC. This book was so good. As expected of a book titled Driven by Betrayal-- it served. Tragedy is part of all chaotic backstories. Alexander is the golden boy. Lucian is the problem child. Cecelia is the girl who both brothers are drawn to and fall in love with. I really loved this book. Lucian can be seen as the one being in the wrong-- but he didn't ask for his life to be like that, Misunderstandings and expectations can change anyone. Blood doesn't always mean family, it is the bonds that create them. Though bonds can also break them too. Lucian was by far my favourite character here. When I do understand the different aspects behind what drove the other characters. This is really one of those stories where the concept of "villains aren't born they are made" comes in. Lucian wasn't born a villain, he was made into one by the circumstances of his life.
This book hit me with the kind of realism that doesn’t just sting, it detonates something in your chest, and I swear I felt every ounce of it like a bruise blooming under the skin. And listen, I do NOT like Lucien, I am not defending Lucien, I am not handing Lucien a redemption cookie but reading the background, the love that curdles into fear, the anxiety that eats you alive from the inside, the bone‑deep inadequacy, the yearning that feels like a wound, and that final, devastating resignation? It’s the kind of emotional autopsy that leaves you pacing the room like a feral creature because suddenly you understand how someone can be both wrong and heartbreakingly human at the same time. It’s that horrible, gut‑twisting thing where you know the other sides, you know the facts, you know the damage, but then you slip into the central figure’s thoughts and everything becomes messy and complicated and too real, and you’re left whispering that awful little saying: there are two sides to every story… and then there’s the truth, the one that sits in your ribcage long after you close the book.
I hated Lucien so much when I first met him in Bound by lies and even more when I read about him in Owned by revenge.
And then this book was sent to me and I couldn't help but feel for him. For the little boy who wanted acceptance and to belong. For the man who wanted to be chosen. The betrayal that left him shattered and made him what he became. And his father was right in saying that people prefer to underestimate him than to try to understand him. I still hate what he did to everyone, but I understand him a lot more and grieved for him.
Also, I will probably be hated for saying this but I resented Cecelia throughout the book and what she did to him. To tell him she needed time just to betray him, to ask him to leave and then be mad that he listened to her and to turn to Alexander. I tried to like her but failed.
I am so glad i had the opportunity to read this book and to have some of my questions being answered. I can't wait to read the rest of the origin series! Thank you for this opportunity and for writing these amazing books.
This book is kind of a prequel of the really good Web Of Lies duet. We go back to Lucien, Alexander and Cecilia as young adult and see how they became the characters we met in Bound By Lies.
At first, it felt weird to read about a sweet and soft Lucien as I previously saw him as a villain. But it was nice to see his evolution and why is tender side was quickly erased and what led him to become the monster he is.
This book is more of an emotional read rather than an action packed one. There is a lot of business talks and context development to really understand the change in Lucien's behavior.
I did particularly enjoyed the partnership between Malrik and Lucien along with the last few chapters that brought a nice tension and the real beginning of the villain era.
Even thought I was happy to know more about those characters and where they come from, I did find some parts were a bit stretched and it was lacking action.
I received an advance copy and I'm leaving my honest opinion voluntarily.
This book held me from the very first page to the very last page with its amazing storyline, twists, turns and emotionally wonderful characters.
The storyline is based on Lucien and Cecelia who have known each other since childhood. Cecelia loves Lucien as much as he loves her. But Cecelia's parents prefer Lucien's brother, Alexander for her.
There's a twist and turn in the book that makes me not like Lucian, but I completely understand why he became the way he did.
Unfortunately Cecelia and Lucien are forced to part and that is where Alexandra comes into the storyline more. But Cecelia never stopped loving Lucien. Alexander shows his cards and they fall in love.
However the twist at the end is something I cannot tell you about as it will spoil the book. You need to run to this book!!!
Let's just say I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
I love that we are getting the backstory for the parents of the Web of Lies duet. Despite knowing how it all "ends" the getting there is such a Rollercoaster of emotions.
In the beginning you don't hate Lucien. He has flaws but they are understandable and he's so easy to sympathize with. It almost feels that all 3 are victims of circumstance. By the end you the reader sees the Lucian that is present in the Web of Lies, but there is still so much to unravel.
Cecelia and Alexander just work so well together, professionally and personally. Their love story is what I've always dreamed of, quiet and sneaks up on Cecelia. Neither of them require big romantic gestures, just the simpleness of being there for each other no matter what. Definitely curious for how their relationship will evolve in the next booknafter the cliffhanger we were left on.
Wow! I just don’t have words worthy of describing the anguish this story wrench from me. I was feeling the pain of betrayal and grief and the fury of disappointment. On the softer side there’s love and hope. The emotion is devastating, get your tissues ready.
Having read Bound by Lies and Owned by Revenge, I thought I knew Lucien but I didn’t comprehend the depth of his delusions. This book helps to shed light on how he became a heartless monster. And I think it was more powerful having gone back to the beginning to discover how his mind works. It was nice watching Alexander and Cecelia’s relationship grow and meeting their friends, Jazzy and Issac. Perspective is everything.
This is a great series if you like the darker side of life inked between the covers.
Driven by Betrayal took its time warming up, and I definitely struggled to settle into Lucien and Cecilia’s initial storyline. But once the plot hit its stride, it absolutely took off — the pacing became a full tilt, rollicking ride that kept me glued to the pages.
From that point on, confusion reigned in the best possible way. I genuinely couldn’t decide which brother I was barracking for, and the shifting loyalties added a delicious tension that made the story even more addictive.
And that ending… I think I actually screamed. It was shocking, dramatic, and perfectly delivered — the kind of finale that makes you sit back and just feel it.
A slow start, but once it hits, it hits hard. Loved it.
I ate this book up, even though it took me about two weeks to get through it. Honestly, I felt bad for Lucian at first, I really did. That sympathy lasted right up until the end, when I watched him fully transform and it reminded me exactly why I despised him in the earlier books all over again. He plays the victim so well, acting like everyone else put him in his situation, when in reality he chose over and over to see things only his way instead of looking at the bigger picture.
I’m so glad Alexander and Cecilia ended up together. Their ending (from a different book) is still just as bittersweet, but it was really nice getting to see where their story actually started.
This story wrecked me. Do not open this book without having a box of tissues close. I was surprised by the storytelling right away. It pulled me in very quickly because of the depth of the relationships and characters. The relationship between the two brothers was the first thing that brought tears to my eyes, but the story had me sobbing at different times throughout the book. Dialogues are especially beautiful and a lot of the conversations are just heartbreaking.
A quote: « Lucien has always been easier to underestimate than to understand. ».
I understand why Lucien more betrayal and deception caused him to become the monster they created. I admit I did not expect that ending but at the same time I did expect it was not going to be good for his "family". He did warn them and the choices they made and how they went on believing that it would not come back on them.
Cecilia and his brother well I may be the exception, but they are not innocent either. Do I agree with what happened absolutely not however just like hell have no fury like a woman scorned. Betrayal is a bitter pill to swallow, and saying I am sorry does absolve people of consequences.
This was one of the most realistic readings I've had in awhile and my goodness, it makes it hurt even worst. Don't get me wrong I don't like Lucien nor does this take away from what he's done. However reading the background, the love, the anxiety, the feeling of inadequacy, the yearning and ultimate resignation, that's something that will sit with you. No matter knowing the other sides, it's the understanding on the central figures thoughts. What's that saying? There's two sides to every story...then there's the truth.
Driven by Betrayal is the prequel for The Origin Series, and gives us the story of how Lucien became the Lucien we know in Bound by Lies and Owned by Revenge. It's a story of love, lies, betrayal, and evolution, and reminds us that there are two sides to every story, and the truth lies somewhere in between. Two brothers, one woman, love, lust, betrayal, revenge, grief, angst, soooo much emotion in this book. It's a must-read if you've read the other books in this series!
Lucien??? Cecelia??? Alexander?? OMG, I was not ready!!! This is the parent’s story! Kind of like the prequel to Bound by Lies and Owned by Revenge (must read!!!!)… I was on a wild emotional ride and at the end of it, I’m still sitting here on Lucien’s side. I understand him and how he turned out the way he did! It all comes together! After reading this book, I would probably be team Lucelia. Don’t judge me!!
Wow. I was so excited when it was announced we were getting Lucien’s story and let me tell you it did not disappoint. The story was great throughout. The book had some spicy scenes but they were not over powering. I caught myself gasping at the ending of this book but I feel like it ended how I saw it ending half way through. I feel like I need to go reread the other books now that I know Luciens story completely.
Wow!!! I absolutely loved this background story of Lucien, I understand why he is this way he is in the web of lies duet (if you haven’t read them you definitely should)
Love in freedom, the quiet sneaky romance love, the forbidden romance, the twists, high tension of families. This story left me with a roller coaster of emotions.
If you love brotherly feuding, family trauma, and tragic love then you will love this story!
This book had me hooked from the first page…you will be to!!!
This is my first book by J R Sawyer but not my last. Now I need to read the other book to see how Lucien character grows. I can see him as a strong and fearless man.
This story is told by the POV of many of the characters. The ending will catch you off guard.
The quote tells it all “I suppose I finally became exactly what all of you created”.
Thank you too the author for sending me an advance reader copy of this book! The writing, the characters, and how everything all ties together at the end, was well worth the read. Readers will definitely feel the betrayal at the end. Love a good betrayal romance kind of story and this book hit its mark. Thank you for a fun short read!
A good book, with plenty of angst and showing how secrets and betrayal can shape someone. Started off strong before falling off slightly and there were a few times where I wanted to shake some characters and scream at them. The ending although somewhat predictable, was really good. Enjoyed this book
It was good, violent in the end. What lies can do to a teenager that was never chosen, all was for his brother. Well till a secret came out that would change everyone's future.
Wow! Couldn’t put it down. I fell in love with all the characters and found myself rooting for everybody. Such a great book. And those who skip epilogues don’t you dare skip this one! Run and get a copy!
This book was so good. I was hooked!! I was lucky to be pucked for an ARC read.. I absolutely see Lucien with different eyes now.. He still took a lot of things way to far, but I understand more where hes coming from.. I need more of this series..