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Ink & Lies
From International Best Selling Romance Novelist, Hope Hughes, comes a gripping, heartfelt tale of two lovers, fighting for the freedom to…
No. Scratch that. Too cheesy.
…two people, torn apart by the tumultuous tides of life, only to discover refuge in…
WTF? What does that even mean? DELETE.
…two people, confused as shit as to where they should be and who they should love and none of this means a damn thing because it’s all lies!
Lies.
I’m not Hope Hughes. I’m not some fierce woman romance machine. Hell, I’m not even a woman.
I’m a liar.
And while I refuse to believe my own BS, deceit masked in heartfelt phrases of love and devotion, I want to make her believe them. Because maybe—just maybe—if she can find the soul within my words, she’ll also be able to find the truth scribbled on my heart.
You see, I once lived for the perfect plot twist.
I just never expected to actually live it.
This is my story. Well, maybe her story. I just wish I could make it our story.
The one I’m still writing.
No. Scratch that. Too cheesy.
…two people, torn apart by the tumultuous tides of life, only to discover refuge in…
WTF? What does that even mean? DELETE.
…two people, confused as shit as to where they should be and who they should love and none of this means a damn thing because it’s all lies!
Lies.
I’m not Hope Hughes. I’m not some fierce woman romance machine. Hell, I’m not even a woman.
I’m a liar.
And while I refuse to believe my own BS, deceit masked in heartfelt phrases of love and devotion, I want to make her believe them. Because maybe—just maybe—if she can find the soul within my words, she’ll also be able to find the truth scribbled on my heart.
You see, I once lived for the perfect plot twist.
I just never expected to actually live it.
This is my story. Well, maybe her story. I just wish I could make it our story.
The one I’m still writing.
306 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2016
191 people are currently reading
3396 people want to read
About the author
S.L. Jennings
26 books4,613 followersS.L. Jennings is a proud military wife to her high school sweetheart, a mom of 3 rowdy boys, and a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. When she’s not obsessing over book boyfriends, you can find her hanging out with a few epic fictional loves at independent bookstores, or sipping a Bloody Mary at her favorite brunch haunt in Spokane, Washington. She’s a self-proclaimed food snob, makeup junkie and lover of all things shiny, sparkly and kitschy.
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February 11, 2016
3 Stars!!
“Ink & Lies” is a lovely friends to lovers story, quite different in execution I could say from other stories with the same trope, angst-filled with a heavy dose of drama and nice enough characters. Honestly, this one was not exactly what I had expected after reading the blurb, which btw I found very intriguing. “Ink & Lies” wasn’t the best friends to lovers story I’ve read so far, but it wasn’t the worst either. It has some good moments/aspects, but overall to me it wasn’t a remarkable read. It simply felt a little flat to me. Needless to say, it wasn’t my favorite book by this author.
“Ink and Lies” tells the story of August and Fiona who have been friends for a decade. They tell each other everything and they can’t function without the other. August is a writer. He writes romance even if he doesn’t believe in love or commitment, using a female pen name. He occasionally hooks-up with different women obviously not being interested in any kind of relationship with them. Fiona ‘Fi’ is August’s opposite. She believes in love, she wants to fall in love and she believes in commitment. She’s a hopeless romantic. She actually is a little obsessed with the idea of falling in love, willing to do anything to have ‘the perfect man’, even changing herself for that man.
Everything is good between August and Fiona, until August realizes he actually feels more for his best friend, that he actually wants her for himself.
The story is told almost entirely from August’s POV, which I really enjoyed. His voice was fun, entertaining, honest and most of the time clear. August was a likeable character at least in the beginning. He’s smart, good looking, charming, but as the story progresses you see he has his own flaws. He’s a complex character, well developed, relatable and engaging. As the story unfolds he got on my nerves a couples of times, but overall I liked him. What I didn’t like about him was the fact that he was sleeping with other women while dreaming of Fiona. Hmm…I’m not sure how to feel about that…
Fiona was not really my kind of heroine. Sure, she has some qualities I admire – she’s loyal and caring, but she’s also naïve, immature and maybe a little inconsiderate as well. I honestly didn’t like her too much and I didn’t connected emotionally with her at all. There were so many times when I wanted to smack her in the head…OMG…she was frustrating, annoying and her actions at times really pissed me off. I couldn't understand some of her decisions.
One of the aspects of the story that I liked the most was the friendship between these two. It was great, portrayed pretty well and really heartwarming. I loved their familiarity with each other, their banter and almost all their interactions…until some point into the story. While I liked this aspect of the story, I can’t say the same about the romantic one. I can’t really say why, but I didn’t feel their love for each other. That being said, I wasn’t moved like other readers by everything that happens between these two as the story progressed.
I found the storyline interesting, but there were parts that were too slow and unfortunately almost bored me to death.
Overall, just an OK read for me!
“Ink & Lies” is a lovely friends to lovers story, quite different in execution I could say from other stories with the same trope, angst-filled with a heavy dose of drama and nice enough characters. Honestly, this one was not exactly what I had expected after reading the blurb, which btw I found very intriguing. “Ink & Lies” wasn’t the best friends to lovers story I’ve read so far, but it wasn’t the worst either. It has some good moments/aspects, but overall to me it wasn’t a remarkable read. It simply felt a little flat to me. Needless to say, it wasn’t my favorite book by this author.
“Ink and Lies” tells the story of August and Fiona who have been friends for a decade. They tell each other everything and they can’t function without the other. August is a writer. He writes romance even if he doesn’t believe in love or commitment, using a female pen name. He occasionally hooks-up with different women obviously not being interested in any kind of relationship with them. Fiona ‘Fi’ is August’s opposite. She believes in love, she wants to fall in love and she believes in commitment. She’s a hopeless romantic. She actually is a little obsessed with the idea of falling in love, willing to do anything to have ‘the perfect man’, even changing herself for that man.
Everything is good between August and Fiona, until August realizes he actually feels more for his best friend, that he actually wants her for himself.
The story is told almost entirely from August’s POV, which I really enjoyed. His voice was fun, entertaining, honest and most of the time clear. August was a likeable character at least in the beginning. He’s smart, good looking, charming, but as the story progresses you see he has his own flaws. He’s a complex character, well developed, relatable and engaging. As the story unfolds he got on my nerves a couples of times, but overall I liked him. What I didn’t like about him was the fact that he was sleeping with other women while dreaming of Fiona. Hmm…I’m not sure how to feel about that…
Fiona was not really my kind of heroine. Sure, she has some qualities I admire – she’s loyal and caring, but she’s also naïve, immature and maybe a little inconsiderate as well. I honestly didn’t like her too much and I didn’t connected emotionally with her at all. There were so many times when I wanted to smack her in the head…OMG…she was frustrating, annoying and her actions at times really pissed me off. I couldn't understand some of her decisions.
One of the aspects of the story that I liked the most was the friendship between these two. It was great, portrayed pretty well and really heartwarming. I loved their familiarity with each other, their banter and almost all their interactions…until some point into the story. While I liked this aspect of the story, I can’t say the same about the romantic one. I can’t really say why, but I didn’t feel their love for each other. That being said, I wasn’t moved like other readers by everything that happens between these two as the story progressed.
I found the storyline interesting, but there were parts that were too slow and unfortunately almost bored me to death.
Overall, just an OK read for me!
Want to read
December 4, 2017I LOVED writing this! This Friends-to-Lovers Contemporary Romance STANDALONE is coming Feb. 2016!
February 11, 2016
Title: Ink & Lies
Series: Standalone
Author: S.L. Jennings
Release Date: 9 February, 2016
Rating: 3 stars
Cliffhanger:. No
HEA:
4678 words.
4678 stitches of my patchwork soul.
4678 reasons why I'm falling for my best friend.
If you think this is your usual, fluffy and sweet friends to lovers novel, then you are very wrong. Ink & Lies is much more surprising and ‘out of the box’ than you can guess. It’s unconventional, eccentric even and the angst is on the heavy side.
To be honest, it was not what I expected to get and I was not prepared for what’s going to happen so most of the stuff ruffled me a bit. I had a rough start with the story and there was time when I considering DNFing it. Fortunately, I decided to finish it the story picked up besides I grew to tolerate some things… and overall I ended up liking it, although I’m still not exactly feeling ‘the love’ . I will probably be in minority though.
“This…this is me. Giving you my words. Offering you a piece of my soul and hoping you can read my heart between the lines.”
What I liked the most was refreshing and original storyline as well as lighthearted, adorable, LOL scenes that made me laugh like a hyena. Extra brownie points for that!
I also fell in love with the writing - I might have highlighted half of the book. Some quotes were just too good to be left forgotten.
And all of those times when romance stories/authors/readers and certain things connected with it were mentioned were just AWESOME. All those references made me smile and warmed my heart.
So what were my issues?
First of all, I couldn’t stomach the main characters! Fiona was so immature and over the top, I wanted to struggle her. Yes, she did have many sweet, funny moments but God she wasn’t the sharpest tool in the box. Her desperate need to find ‘real love’ and HEA was suffocating.
Rhys on the other hand, wasn’t bad main hero, I just for some strange reason couldn’t connect with him. From the very beginning I was struggling with making a connection. I didn’t understand him or his issues, and most of all I didn’t feel he’s truly in love with Fiona.
As the story progressed I learned to accept both of them and enjoyed quite few of their antics. Yet, sadly this couple won’t making to my list of favorites.
I don’t want to discourage anyone from checking SL Jennings’ new release because that would be like telling someone that cookies taste like shit because I’m on a hardcore diet and don’t want anyone to eat and enjoy what I cannot have.
Ink & Lies is probably one of those books I would have loved if I were in different mood or just feeling better. Sigh.
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February 13, 2016
5 stars
One day. I devoured this book in one day. Actually, less than a day, and when I finished I wanted to start over the next day and read it again. It’s that good. You could say it’s a friends to lovers story, but it’s so much more. It’s a dramedy with real depth. Don’t expect a light romance where the main characters suddenly hook up in the first five chapters, or a minor conflict is easily resolved. It’s not that kind of book.
The tone takes a drastic turn in the second half of the book though, and I needed tissues for an entirely different reason. The plot becomes more introspective, serious, and downright devastating. I’m not going to sugar coat it. I felt like my heart was slowing being shredded, but the story is so addictive I couldn’t stop reading. Yes, it is painful and sometimes I wanted to smack August, but I loved every second. If you think you know where the plot is headed, you’re probably wrong.
Recommended for fans of:
Friends to lovers romance
Tear jerkers
Angst
Romantic comedy
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.**
One day. I devoured this book in one day. Actually, less than a day, and when I finished I wanted to start over the next day and read it again. It’s that good. You could say it’s a friends to lovers story, but it’s so much more. It’s a dramedy with real depth. Don’t expect a light romance where the main characters suddenly hook up in the first five chapters, or a minor conflict is easily resolved. It’s not that kind of book.
“The most epic love story I’ve ever written is the one I’m still living.”August and Fiona have been best friends for a decade. They are each other’s everything – counselor, confidant, companion, and only friend. It’s almost as if one can’t breathe without the other. They are the definition of co-dependency, but I couldn’t help feeling envious of their friendship. August, an author, doesn’t believe in love, and Fiona is a hopeless romantic. The story takes its time in developing the two characters and exploring their fun-filled relationship as friends. The first half of the book is absolutely hilarious with kind of a rom com feel. Fiona and August engage in clever banter and hysterical interactions that made me laugh so hard I cried. I’m talking pain in my stomach, nose running funny.
The tone takes a drastic turn in the second half of the book though, and I needed tissues for an entirely different reason. The plot becomes more introspective, serious, and downright devastating. I’m not going to sugar coat it. I felt like my heart was slowing being shredded, but the story is so addictive I couldn’t stop reading. Yes, it is painful and sometimes I wanted to smack August, but I loved every second. If you think you know where the plot is headed, you’re probably wrong.
“This…this is me. Giving you my words. Offering you a piece of my soul and hoping you can read my heart between the lines.”The story is told almost entirely from August’s point of view, and S.L. Jennings does a superb job delving into the psyche of this complex man in a believable and empathetic manner. The writing is simply impeccable. The prose is so delicious that at times I wanted to ingest the words and just savor them.
“He won’t let the hollowness take me to that place where fiction reigns and truth is burned at the stake for its black magic audacity, charged with domestic terrorism on the homeland of my heart.”Ink & Lies has all the feels – on steroids. It’s angst-filled, wonderfully unpredictable, hilarious, sweet, and heartbreaking. I wouldn’t change one moment of this phenomenal book. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Recommended for fans of:
Friends to lovers romance
Tear jerkers
Angst
Romantic comedy
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.**
February 14, 2016
Heartbreakingly angsty, frustrating and yet sweet. S.L. Jennings put my heart through the wringer, she evokes deep, strong emotions with this touching story about friendship, self-discovery and love. “Will it be the greatest romance ever told or a tragedy?”
August Rhys has always wanted to be a writer. More specifically, he’s always wanted to write for her, to touch her soul with his words. Because when they met ten years ago he fell in love with his best friend but didn’t realized it. And along the line he became a cynic, a liar who hides behind his heartfelt words, his woman’s pen name, his bestselling romance title and the misconstrued idea that love doesn’t exist. Real life though has its own plot twists. Can he shed his blindfold in time to get his HEA?
Fiona has been by Rhys side for the past decade, being everything to each other except lovers. She’s admired how he writes beautifully touching stories while wanting one of her own although doubting it will ever be attainable until the seemingly perfect man comes along and offers it to her. It doesn’t matter that she has to change for him and his only redeeming quality according to Rhys is her. Will she chose the fairytale façade or the man she’s always loved but claims will never be emotionally available?
I’ve been having a difficult time trying to figure out what to write for my review. This is a gripping, addictive, emotionally stirring book that deserves an equally great review and rating. But words aren’t really my strong suit and I didn’t really fall in love with it. I did however fall in emotion with it. That’s right, S.L. made me feel so much with her beautifully strung words, incredibly complex characters and unique plot that I’m still in book comma.
August Rhys is smart, handsome and a genius with words, a master narrator who could literally charm the pants off of most anyone fictional or not. He’s also “self-indulgent, slightly whorish and infuriatingly blind to his own feelings and what’s right in front of him.
He turns prideful, cruel and harsh when desperation and fear hits and he realizes his happiness will slip through his fingers and it’s all his fault. Brilliantly written, the story is told mostly from his point of view which lead to empathy and understanding of this very complex man. I still wanted to smack him a few times though.
I loved knowing Fiona through Rhy’s eyes even if exasperating because the depth of his feelings where so obvious. Her beautiful, genuine, loyal, romantic heart was endearing. I understood her insecurities and reasoning behind her dreams, and wanted her to find her real life fairytale. But there were times I wanted to throttle her for being dense and making decisions that would lead her on the totally wrong path.
Fi and Rhys were made for each other, their friendship was wonderful and it was so fun getting to know them. Their easy banter during the first half of the book was funny and flawless. I laughed, smiled and even swooned. But they just couldn’t seem to get it together and find their way to each other. So while they did, I hated and fumed while my heart splintered.
I loved and hated Rhys and Fi’s story in equal measure. I had to put it down on more than one occasion in order to tell my aching heart that the rousing prose that made it feel so darn much was about fictional people. I have this huge book hangover for characters I cursed and liked and their unpredictable story make me intensely, wholeheartedly feel.
I highlighted tons of gorgeous, moving quotes I’d love to include and talk about but I think I’ll wrap up before I over share. Ink & Lies is a standalone contemporary romance by S.L. Jennings. This isn’t a fluffy, lighthearted read, it’s an angty, heartbreaking, friends to lovers story. I would recommend this to any romance enthusiast who likes a good book with all the "feelz" supersized.
Amazon -> http://amzn.to/1Pq4FT2 (99cents pre-order sale)
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via TRSoR & NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. *
More reviews * Stalk us on FaceBook * As well as Twitter * Pinterest Board for Book Teasers
August Rhys has always wanted to be a writer. More specifically, he’s always wanted to write for her, to touch her soul with his words. Because when they met ten years ago he fell in love with his best friend but didn’t realized it. And along the line he became a cynic, a liar who hides behind his heartfelt words, his woman’s pen name, his bestselling romance title and the misconstrued idea that love doesn’t exist. Real life though has its own plot twists. Can he shed his blindfold in time to get his HEA?
“I want to be your hero, Fi. In fact, I know I could be all of them and more for you – because of you. And I want to give you the most epic HEA in history – both real and fictional.”
Fiona has been by Rhys side for the past decade, being everything to each other except lovers. She’s admired how he writes beautifully touching stories while wanting one of her own although doubting it will ever be attainable until the seemingly perfect man comes along and offers it to her. It doesn’t matter that she has to change for him and his only redeeming quality according to Rhys is her. Will she chose the fairytale façade or the man she’s always loved but claims will never be emotionally available?
“I wondered what it would be like to be the last dream of August Rhys Calloway’s soul. I wondered what it would be like to be his everything, like he was my everything. I wondered and I hoped and I dreamt that I would be his.”
I’ve been having a difficult time trying to figure out what to write for my review. This is a gripping, addictive, emotionally stirring book that deserves an equally great review and rating. But words aren’t really my strong suit and I didn’t really fall in love with it. I did however fall in emotion with it. That’s right, S.L. made me feel so much with her beautifully strung words, incredibly complex characters and unique plot that I’m still in book comma.
“You know that feeling after you’ve just read the words The End of something so incredible, all you can do is sit there and stare at nothing, clutching that book to your chest like it shares your heartbeat, unable to talk or move or even think of anything other than the words that have ignited magic inside your soul?”
August Rhys is smart, handsome and a genius with words, a master narrator who could literally charm the pants off of most anyone fictional or not. He’s also “self-indulgent, slightly whorish and infuriatingly blind to his own feelings and what’s right in front of him.
“She isn’t just sunshine on a rainy day; she is refuge in a hurricane. And she’s my best friend.”
He turns prideful, cruel and harsh when desperation and fear hits and he realizes his happiness will slip through his fingers and it’s all his fault. Brilliantly written, the story is told mostly from his point of view which lead to empathy and understanding of this very complex man. I still wanted to smack him a few times though.
I loved knowing Fiona through Rhy’s eyes even if exasperating because the depth of his feelings where so obvious. Her beautiful, genuine, loyal, romantic heart was endearing. I understood her insecurities and reasoning behind her dreams, and wanted her to find her real life fairytale. But there were times I wanted to throttle her for being dense and making decisions that would lead her on the totally wrong path.
“Fiona was every heroine in ever book that I ever cherished.”
______________________________________
“She was his muse, his soul mate. She was the beauty in his world of heartbreak.”
Fi and Rhys were made for each other, their friendship was wonderful and it was so fun getting to know them. Their easy banter during the first half of the book was funny and flawless. I laughed, smiled and even swooned. But they just couldn’t seem to get it together and find their way to each other. So while they did, I hated and fumed while my heart splintered.
I loved and hated Rhys and Fi’s story in equal measure. I had to put it down on more than one occasion in order to tell my aching heart that the rousing prose that made it feel so darn much was about fictional people. I have this huge book hangover for characters I cursed and liked and their unpredictable story make me intensely, wholeheartedly feel.
“A good plot twist is as vital to a story as its characters. Without it, the hero and heroine would have no reason to change, to evolve. They’d have no reason to step out on faith and madness and take hold of their destiny. Take hold of their story.”
I highlighted tons of gorgeous, moving quotes I’d love to include and talk about but I think I’ll wrap up before I over share. Ink & Lies is a standalone contemporary romance by S.L. Jennings. This isn’t a fluffy, lighthearted read, it’s an angty, heartbreaking, friends to lovers story. I would recommend this to any romance enthusiast who likes a good book with all the "feelz" supersized.
Amazon -> http://amzn.to/1Pq4FT2 (99cents pre-order sale)
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via TRSoR & NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. *
More reviews * Stalk us on FaceBook * As well as Twitter * Pinterest Board for Book Teasers
February 6, 2016
༺**Complimentary Copy**༺ Provided by the author
"S.L. Jennings" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE: Ink & Lies
AUTHOR: by S.L. Jennings
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: February 9th, 2016
MY RATING
A lighthearted, hilarious entertaining read.
This will be my very first time reading something by this author so I'm jumping in with both feet and blind..
That synopsis is sooooo confusing!! Forgive me for I am blond if that makes sense to ALL you non blonds!!
The author in the book surely hits that delete button a lot!!
She bent at the waist and buried her head in a pillow, offering the sacrifice of her smooth, steamed, bleached ass.
The fuck?
I read over my words. Did I really just describe an ass as steamed and bleached?
Oh, hell no.
I hit delete.
Anxiety kinda comes with the territory. It's like when the Big Guy upstairs was passing out gifts, he looked at all the writers and said, "And here's a little mental illness for thou wordy mofos. Now go forth and write thy book!" He knew what he was doing too. His was a pretty well known seller.
He's writing their story, a story within a story within a story. A unusual concept which actually worked..You could say it’s a friends to lovers story, but it’s so so much more, it's unpredictable, frustrating, gut wrenchingly good..August and Fiona have been BBF's forever it seems, they can't function without the other, it's a hard friendship to grasp because on one hand we have August who shies away from love and commitment whereas Fiona is a hopeless romantic and strives for that all consuming love that she only gets from her book-boyfriends, she was the one who put the pen back in his hand when he wanted to give up, she's been his therapist, his confidant, the one who shared his joys, pains, accomplishments and failures she was always there to hold him up when he needed it the most.
The first half of the story will have you in stitches, but then we reach the nitty gritty gut wrenchingly raw emotional rollercoaster when friendship lines are blurred ..
This world is full of villains where romance is tragedy and love is merely comic relief.
A few times whilst reading this I've had some uncontrollable belly laughs, his best friend Fiona is a crack up!!
August writes romance novels, but he doesn't believe in love.
MY THOUGHTS:
Even though I really enjoyed this unique story, I laughed, I raged, I yelled, there was just one scene where I kind of wanted to jump in the book and shake Fiona, then I wanted to hit both their heads together and yell FFS get your sh*t together..They drove me insane!! Hold onto your kindles for dear life because if your like me you will have the tendency to throw it..Make sure it's insured before you do though lol
This is a refreshing, unique read, you've been given an open door to get into the head of an author. The ups and downs of deadlines, story plots, the loneliness, writers block, the frustrations..This would've been a challenging book to write..Especially writing it from a males perspective.
I write about her, 4678 words, 4678 stitches of my patchwork soul, 4678 reasons why I'm falling for my best friend.
"S.L. Jennings" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE: Ink & Lies
AUTHOR: by S.L. Jennings
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: February 9th, 2016
MY RATING
A lighthearted, hilarious entertaining read.
This will be my very first time reading something by this author so I'm jumping in with both feet and blind..
That synopsis is sooooo confusing!! Forgive me for I am blond if that makes sense to ALL you non blonds!!
The author in the book surely hits that delete button a lot!!
She bent at the waist and buried her head in a pillow, offering the sacrifice of her smooth, steamed, bleached ass.
The fuck?
I read over my words. Did I really just describe an ass as steamed and bleached?
Oh, hell no.
I hit delete.
Anxiety kinda comes with the territory. It's like when the Big Guy upstairs was passing out gifts, he looked at all the writers and said, "And here's a little mental illness for thou wordy mofos. Now go forth and write thy book!" He knew what he was doing too. His was a pretty well known seller.
He's writing their story, a story within a story within a story. A unusual concept which actually worked..You could say it’s a friends to lovers story, but it’s so so much more, it's unpredictable, frustrating, gut wrenchingly good..August and Fiona have been BBF's forever it seems, they can't function without the other, it's a hard friendship to grasp because on one hand we have August who shies away from love and commitment whereas Fiona is a hopeless romantic and strives for that all consuming love that she only gets from her book-boyfriends, she was the one who put the pen back in his hand when he wanted to give up, she's been his therapist, his confidant, the one who shared his joys, pains, accomplishments and failures she was always there to hold him up when he needed it the most.
The first half of the story will have you in stitches, but then we reach the nitty gritty gut wrenchingly raw emotional rollercoaster when friendship lines are blurred ..
This world is full of villains where romance is tragedy and love is merely comic relief.
A few times whilst reading this I've had some uncontrollable belly laughs, his best friend Fiona is a crack up!!
August writes romance novels, but he doesn't believe in love.
MY THOUGHTS:
Even though I really enjoyed this unique story, I laughed, I raged, I yelled, there was just one scene where I kind of wanted to jump in the book and shake Fiona, then I wanted to hit both their heads together and yell FFS get your sh*t together..They drove me insane!! Hold onto your kindles for dear life because if your like me you will have the tendency to throw it..Make sure it's insured before you do though lol
This is a refreshing, unique read, you've been given an open door to get into the head of an author. The ups and downs of deadlines, story plots, the loneliness, writers block, the frustrations..This would've been a challenging book to write..Especially writing it from a males perspective.
I write about her, 4678 words, 4678 stitches of my patchwork soul, 4678 reasons why I'm falling for my best friend.
Read
February 9, 2016DNF
Hero is sleeping with multiple women throughout the book. Plenty of descriptive sex with them. Meh. So not for me.
Hero is sleeping with multiple women throughout the book. Plenty of descriptive sex with them. Meh. So not for me.
February 6, 2016
★★★★4 Stars★★★★
"I once lived for the perfect plot twist. I just never expected to live it".
This was such a different well thought out,frustrating as hell,I want my own HEA read. This author made a story line that was unique, and added just the right of humor to make this a memorable read.
August Rhys Calloway is a writer. After his debut book failed miserably,he decided to switch genres to romance along with his name and become the best selling author "Hope Hughes". He has a best friend that he would do anything for, a decent career, and screwing random women whenever the mood strikes. But he's suffering from a terrible writer's block and no muse or unexpected inspiration is helping him right now. He doesn't believe in love so writing about it isn't appealing to him at all.
So along the way he decides to do something completely different.Write a story about his longtime friendship with his best friend Fiona. This story will hold more meaning to him than anything he's ever written and whether or not it has a HEA is up to her.
4678 words.
4678 stitches of my patchwork soul.
4678 reasons why I'm falling for my best friend.
Fiona is die hard romantic that craves a ever after. She dreams of having a loving husband,having kids and sharing a porch swing with her other half when she's old and gray. Having a best friend whose a romance writer,she gives ideas and has been a true constant in August life. She loves him and wants nothing more than to see him happy and find his true love.
Ten years of friendship.
One decision.
One epic love story.
I have to say again how much I really liked this plot. It was so refreshing and certain scenes were just down right hilarious! August made us readers see what it was like to really be a writer. From the frustrated writer's block to the deadlines,and the occasional lonliness from the outside world,this was portrayed very nicely.
Now I didn't love everything about this story and because of spoilers,I'll refrain from saying them but my main thing was that I didn't connect with Fiona at all. I loved her friendship with August but her as a person, I just didn't feel anything for. Not to mention she made me want to break my tablet and smack the hell out of her.
Despite that issue,I really liked the story and if your looking for a different read with funny moments,then this book is for you.
*Arc kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
"I once lived for the perfect plot twist. I just never expected to live it".
This was such a different well thought out,frustrating as hell,I want my own HEA read. This author made a story line that was unique, and added just the right of humor to make this a memorable read.
August Rhys Calloway is a writer. After his debut book failed miserably,he decided to switch genres to romance along with his name and become the best selling author "Hope Hughes". He has a best friend that he would do anything for, a decent career, and screwing random women whenever the mood strikes. But he's suffering from a terrible writer's block and no muse or unexpected inspiration is helping him right now. He doesn't believe in love so writing about it isn't appealing to him at all.
So along the way he decides to do something completely different.Write a story about his longtime friendship with his best friend Fiona. This story will hold more meaning to him than anything he's ever written and whether or not it has a HEA is up to her.
4678 words.
4678 stitches of my patchwork soul.
4678 reasons why I'm falling for my best friend.
Fiona is die hard romantic that craves a ever after. She dreams of having a loving husband,having kids and sharing a porch swing with her other half when she's old and gray. Having a best friend whose a romance writer,she gives ideas and has been a true constant in August life. She loves him and wants nothing more than to see him happy and find his true love.
Ten years of friendship.
One decision.
One epic love story.
I have to say again how much I really liked this plot. It was so refreshing and certain scenes were just down right hilarious! August made us readers see what it was like to really be a writer. From the frustrated writer's block to the deadlines,and the occasional lonliness from the outside world,this was portrayed very nicely.
Now I didn't love everything about this story and because of spoilers,I'll refrain from saying them but my main thing was that I didn't connect with Fiona at all. I loved her friendship with August but her as a person, I just didn't feel anything for. Not to mention she made me want to break my tablet and smack the hell out of her.
Despite that issue,I really liked the story and if your looking for a different read with funny moments,then this book is for you.
*Arc kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2016
4.25 Beauty-and-heartbreak Stars!
Ink & Lies, though a friends-to-lovers trope, is fairly unconventional in it's approach. They all seem to be the same...boy meets girl, friends for years, something happens to make one realize they can't live without the other, throw in a little bit of angst or conflict, bam- HEA. Ink and Lies may surprise some readers...
August Rhys Calloway is a romance writer. Using a female pen name, Hope Hughes, he's a loner, holing himself up in his apartment in Spokane, WA with his beloved cat Bartleby and surviving on take out. He may get a glimpse of society for a couple reasons- his weekly outings to visit his grandfather, the Colonial to watch football, or hang with his lifetime bestie, Fiona Shaw. To say he and Fi are like two peas in a pod won't cut it- you'd think they were an old married couple how they know each other. One of their favorite things to do is take walks and people watch- reciting each person's potential 'life story.' Some may be tragic, others tragic romance...just from people watching. It's like breathing for these two...
Fi has always been a dreamer- a true romantic. She wants her Heathcliff, her Grey, her Mr. Darcy, her Cullen...and she won't get that with her best friend August. He may be a romance author but he has not one ounce of faith in love. He doesn't believe in it so mindless hookups with different women is all he's interested in. Leave the love stories to his fiction novels...
So, here's the thing- I think I suffered from every ounce of multiple personalities while reading this book!!! Fi and August have such a refreshing friendship, I fell in love with their mutual comfort, their humor and banter. Nothing between them was sacred. And let me just say, there's a certain sex scene for Fiona that had gone bad that will make me never order a "Chocolate Thunder from Down Under" at Outback Steakhouse without a goofy grin on my face. I may have read it out loud to my husband as he was wondering what was so funny. Wouldn't want him to feel left out. That scene was epic!
But I digress...
Then comes the "ready to throttle my kindle" angry part of the book. I don't know who I was more angry with- Fi or August. The author did such a stellar job with building their characters through this deep friendship but then one sexual transgression and BAM. Neither of these two could ever get on the same page- pain and pride always came first. I wanted to throttle both of them! I fell so in love with their friendship and they just completely blew it for each other...as friends AND lovers.
I never really figured out what August's issue is with love. Truly writing such beautiful love stories, he was so dead-set against relationships. I don't think I missed something from his past that caused this disconnect but my heart truly broke for him...when I wasn't thinking of ways to murder him for being a man-whore idiot.
But what's a little angst, right? Well, you'll get it here. Though I found the feeling of this story a romance, it was mostly from reading excerpts of August's writing. We find Fi and August apart more than "together" for a larger portion of the book so if you're looking for a lot of swoontastic sexy times, this isn't that. It's a conflicting, emotional journey for two people that just need to get on the same page- one who wants the happily-ever-after no matter who it is- and another that just doesn't believe in such things. But sometimes life throws us in different directions and what we once thought we never wanted truly is just what we need...
An all-around enjoyable story that'll be sure to make you laugh, grit your teeth, and swoon at the same time.
Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.
Ink & Lies, though a friends-to-lovers trope, is fairly unconventional in it's approach. They all seem to be the same...boy meets girl, friends for years, something happens to make one realize they can't live without the other, throw in a little bit of angst or conflict, bam- HEA. Ink and Lies may surprise some readers...
August Rhys Calloway is a romance writer. Using a female pen name, Hope Hughes, he's a loner, holing himself up in his apartment in Spokane, WA with his beloved cat Bartleby and surviving on take out. He may get a glimpse of society for a couple reasons- his weekly outings to visit his grandfather, the Colonial to watch football, or hang with his lifetime bestie, Fiona Shaw. To say he and Fi are like two peas in a pod won't cut it- you'd think they were an old married couple how they know each other. One of their favorite things to do is take walks and people watch- reciting each person's potential 'life story.' Some may be tragic, others tragic romance...just from people watching. It's like breathing for these two...
Fi has always been a dreamer- a true romantic. She wants her Heathcliff, her Grey, her Mr. Darcy, her Cullen...and she won't get that with her best friend August. He may be a romance author but he has not one ounce of faith in love. He doesn't believe in it so mindless hookups with different women is all he's interested in. Leave the love stories to his fiction novels...
That's all love is- beauty and heartbreak.
I just narrate it...for you.
So, here's the thing- I think I suffered from every ounce of multiple personalities while reading this book!!! Fi and August have such a refreshing friendship, I fell in love with their mutual comfort, their humor and banter. Nothing between them was sacred. And let me just say, there's a certain sex scene for Fiona that had gone bad that will make me never order a "Chocolate Thunder from Down Under" at Outback Steakhouse without a goofy grin on my face. I may have read it out loud to my husband as he was wondering what was so funny. Wouldn't want him to feel left out. That scene was epic!
But I digress...
Then comes the "ready to throttle my kindle" angry part of the book. I don't know who I was more angry with- Fi or August. The author did such a stellar job with building their characters through this deep friendship but then one sexual transgression and BAM. Neither of these two could ever get on the same page- pain and pride always came first. I wanted to throttle both of them! I fell so in love with their friendship and they just completely blew it for each other...as friends AND lovers.
I never really figured out what August's issue is with love. Truly writing such beautiful love stories, he was so dead-set against relationships. I don't think I missed something from his past that caused this disconnect but my heart truly broke for him...
But what's a little angst, right? Well, you'll get it here. Though I found the feeling of this story a romance, it was mostly from reading excerpts of August's writing. We find Fi and August apart more than "together" for a larger portion of the book so if you're looking for a lot of swoontastic sexy times, this isn't that. It's a conflicting, emotional journey for two people that just need to get on the same page- one who wants the happily-ever-after no matter who it is- and another that just doesn't believe in such things. But sometimes life throws us in different directions and what we once thought we never wanted truly is just what we need...
An all-around enjoyable story that'll be sure to make you laugh, grit your teeth, and swoon at the same time.
The most epic love story he's ever written is the one he's still living."
Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.
April 4, 2017
Oh boy, it was H O R R I B L E!!!
I honestly don't know how to review this book but I managed to find a gif that is a perfect description of the whole story:
THINGS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER THAN READING THIS BOOK
✏Quoting Fifty Shades of Gray during a literary conference
✏Running 5K marathon in pencil heels during hailstorm.
✏Waiting for your favorite pizza delivery for three hours with extreme hunger pangs only to remember you forgot to order.
✏Accidentally flushing your mobile in toilet
✏Having a spasm in your leg and kicking the president while he is holding a nuclear bomb that destroys the whole universe!
.....the list continues bright and burgeoning for eternity and people continues to contribute things that are better than reading this book ever after!
VERDICT: Rubbish. Absolute rubbish!
Negative infinity Stars!
February 18, 2016
Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review
“Being Hope Hughes, romance novelist, was much more profitable and ego-indulging than being August Rhys Calloway, struggling writer. So I ran with it— all the way to a sweet book deal with a top publishing house and a massive following.”
Stories are meant to be told. Books are meant to be read. And pages of the written word are meant to be felt. So when the ink dries, it's a reminder of what imaginations, secrets, truths, and lies are waiting to be revealed and exposed. And in S.L. Jennings newest release, Ink & Lies, Ms. Jennings has written a friends to lover story where the truth and matters of the heart are meant to be read between the lines.
“I keep writing for Fiona. Because she is the only person on earth that can decipher my empty words and reveal my soul.”
In this fun, fresh, witty, sarcastic, sweet and sexy tale, Ms. Jennings captures the true raw essence and nature of love. Love between friends and the love between two soul-mates and lovers. She has captured this intense and sweet love that can only be read and felt through pages and pages of the written word.
August Rhys Calloway is an author. He has published a book and written several editorial pieces but he is not famous. No one really knows who August Rhys Calloway is but everyone knows Hope Hughes, a famous best-selling romance author. Well it turns out August is Hope Hughes. August has taken upon himself to be a romance author. Romance books sells. Romance aficionados want an amazing love story that will change their lives and having them swooning. And with the pen name, Hope Hughes, August sells thousands of books and has a legion of fans. He sells love stories. Stories that make readers swoon and lust for a hero. Stories for hopeless romantics. Stories that are built on lies. Well lies and imaginations. Stories that he knows can sell.
“Before this moment, before me and her. Before kiss-burned thighs and peach-tipped nipples and honey -flavored lips, I’d never known love. Because to me, love was a fantasy. A fairytale. And Fiona is and always has been the happiest of ever afters. She’s my ghost. My reason for trusting in something as intangible and lucid as the air whistling through my clenched teeth as I push inside paradise. And, as I dip my head to kiss her through the pleasure of drowning in her ocean, the pain of letting go of all my inhibitions and insecurities, I know that for the first time, I irrevocably, intensely, insanely believe.”
So who is the real August Rhys Calloway? Well he is just an ordinary author who has two important people in his life. His grandfather and his best friend, Fiona. Fiona is the one person who truly knows the real Rhys. Fiona is someone who will be there for him in an instant. They are each others confidant. There is no Rhys without Fiona. And so what happens when Rhys finally starts to realize that love stories are indeed real when he begins to see his best friend in a whole new light. Will Rhys be able to write and put into perspective of what Fiona means to him? Or will this hero discover that love stories in books is not the same in real life?
“I once told myself that I wanted to write something that made Fi fall in love. And now that I see that it wasn’t the words I wanted her to hold so dearly that she couldn’t help but weep as she read. I wanted to write something to make Fiona fall in love with me. Not my pretty words or my pretty face or any of the other inconsequential bullshit I had deemed important. I just wanted her to love me, her Rhys.”
Ink & Lies was a fun, witty and sweet. Ms. Jennings truly delivered a story that was filled with humor, vulnerability and raw characters. She did not just give us an ordinary friends to lover story but she gave readers a fun spin on the happily ever after. It is often said we make our own stories and ending. So in this story, the ink is fresh and never runs dries because the story of the happily ever after is how we choose to write it so in a sense we each have to get in touch with our own inner Hope Hughes. And all we need to do is tap into our inner hopeless romantic and write that line, page, chapter and journey in our life. And just maybe we can end our story with a HEA ending. So if you are in the mood for a light entertaining sweet read and are a hopeless romantic then this book is for you because SL Jennings truly delivers a love story with her heartfelt prose that will make us laugh, cry, swoon and smile.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...S.L. Jennings
“Being Hope Hughes, romance novelist, was much more profitable and ego-indulging than being August Rhys Calloway, struggling writer. So I ran with it— all the way to a sweet book deal with a top publishing house and a massive following.”Stories are meant to be told. Books are meant to be read. And pages of the written word are meant to be felt. So when the ink dries, it's a reminder of what imaginations, secrets, truths, and lies are waiting to be revealed and exposed. And in S.L. Jennings newest release, Ink & Lies, Ms. Jennings has written a friends to lover story where the truth and matters of the heart are meant to be read between the lines.
“I keep writing for Fiona. Because she is the only person on earth that can decipher my empty words and reveal my soul.”In this fun, fresh, witty, sarcastic, sweet and sexy tale, Ms. Jennings captures the true raw essence and nature of love. Love between friends and the love between two soul-mates and lovers. She has captured this intense and sweet love that can only be read and felt through pages and pages of the written word.
August Rhys Calloway is an author. He has published a book and written several editorial pieces but he is not famous. No one really knows who August Rhys Calloway is but everyone knows Hope Hughes, a famous best-selling romance author. Well it turns out August is Hope Hughes. August has taken upon himself to be a romance author. Romance books sells. Romance aficionados want an amazing love story that will change their lives and having them swooning. And with the pen name, Hope Hughes, August sells thousands of books and has a legion of fans. He sells love stories. Stories that make readers swoon and lust for a hero. Stories for hopeless romantics. Stories that are built on lies. Well lies and imaginations. Stories that he knows can sell.
“Before this moment, before me and her. Before kiss-burned thighs and peach-tipped nipples and honey -flavored lips, I’d never known love. Because to me, love was a fantasy. A fairytale. And Fiona is and always has been the happiest of ever afters. She’s my ghost. My reason for trusting in something as intangible and lucid as the air whistling through my clenched teeth as I push inside paradise. And, as I dip my head to kiss her through the pleasure of drowning in her ocean, the pain of letting go of all my inhibitions and insecurities, I know that for the first time, I irrevocably, intensely, insanely believe.”So who is the real August Rhys Calloway? Well he is just an ordinary author who has two important people in his life. His grandfather and his best friend, Fiona. Fiona is the one person who truly knows the real Rhys. Fiona is someone who will be there for him in an instant. They are each others confidant. There is no Rhys without Fiona. And so what happens when Rhys finally starts to realize that love stories are indeed real when he begins to see his best friend in a whole new light. Will Rhys be able to write and put into perspective of what Fiona means to him? Or will this hero discover that love stories in books is not the same in real life?
“I once told myself that I wanted to write something that made Fi fall in love. And now that I see that it wasn’t the words I wanted her to hold so dearly that she couldn’t help but weep as she read. I wanted to write something to make Fiona fall in love with me. Not my pretty words or my pretty face or any of the other inconsequential bullshit I had deemed important. I just wanted her to love me, her Rhys.”Ink & Lies was a fun, witty and sweet. Ms. Jennings truly delivered a story that was filled with humor, vulnerability and raw characters. She did not just give us an ordinary friends to lover story but she gave readers a fun spin on the happily ever after. It is often said we make our own stories and ending. So in this story, the ink is fresh and never runs dries because the story of the happily ever after is how we choose to write it so in a sense we each have to get in touch with our own inner Hope Hughes. And all we need to do is tap into our inner hopeless romantic and write that line, page, chapter and journey in our life. And just maybe we can end our story with a HEA ending. So if you are in the mood for a light entertaining sweet read and are a hopeless romantic then this book is for you because SL Jennings truly delivers a love story with her heartfelt prose that will make us laugh, cry, swoon and smile.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...S.L. Jennings
December 29, 2017
This book is being re-published and since I haven't read it at all, I've been lucky enough to receive an ARC/COPY of this new edition from S.L. Jennings, whom I love dearly.
I've read all her fantasy books and I am a huge fan, now this a contemporary romance 'friends-to-lovers' trope with a touch of angst and a bursting sense of that 'argh' feel while reading and it was exciting to see this author's magic on a solid 'real-life-like' ground!
And even though, I should have been done with this review a long time ago but being 'jumped at' by the real life happenings, I m posting it a bit late but it s a gratifying experience to have been on this journey, in the first place.
Well done S.L. Jennings.
I've read all her fantasy books and I am a huge fan, now this a contemporary romance 'friends-to-lovers' trope with a touch of angst and a bursting sense of that 'argh' feel while reading and it was exciting to see this author's magic on a solid 'real-life-like' ground!
And even though, I should have been done with this review a long time ago but being 'jumped at' by the real life happenings, I m posting it a bit late but it s a gratifying experience to have been on this journey, in the first place.
Well done S.L. Jennings.
February 12, 2016
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
I am very frustrated over this book. I liked it, I had a blast reading it, but at the same time I didn't love it. First of all let me say that this is the first time I read anything from this author. That being said, I will honestly say that I loved her writing. I will be reading her work again for sure.
So, this is a friends to lovers story and a darn funny one! August Rhys Colloway is a novelist. He has struggled with his career but he gets his big chance when he decides to write romance under a fake name. His work becomes a hit the moment he pretends to be a female writer and he soon becomes quite successful.
His best friend happens to be Fiona. They tell each other everything, but their relationship is purely platonic. Fiona is not shy to confess everything to August, even details about her love life. Their banter have me quite a few belly laughs!
"Wait a minute. Wait a fucking minute. You mean to tell me that all of this is about anal? You had me abandon a naked woman-mid-hump mind you-because you decided to give it up to the Booty Bandit? Holy shit, Fi! Why didn't you say so?
When Fiona finally finds the perfect man for her (?), August immediately can tell that something is not right with him. But Fiona doesn't see what he sees.
Also, August has a furbaby and I have to say that his cat amused me to no end!
"Seriously, who does he think he is? With that stupid hair and those stupid dimples and that stupid fucking accent."
At that Bartleby pulls an Exorcist, his head turning 180 degrees to give me the side eye.
"Yeah, I said it. He's stupid. Stoooopid. As about stupid as I feel talking to an overweight furball that licks his own ass."
Yeah, I simply loved Bartleby.
Their relationship takes an aburpt turn when August realizes that he cannot just be friends with Fiona. When he sees that he cannot bear to see her with someone else. Feelings blossom out of nowhere and their friendship is forever destroyed in one night.
Heartache follows and that is when August realizes what he needs to do. He needs to write their story and he needs to let go.
So fuck the fairytale. Fuck trying to comform for the sake of someone else's view of happiness. I creat the fantasies. I don't live them. Not anymore.
Can two best friends ever get a happily ever after together? Read to find out.
I liked how the story showed the struggles of writers. Their lack of inspiration, battling the infamous writer's block and the way to the top or the bottom.
I have to be honest and say that the only character I really loved in this, was August. He made me laugh and he made me feel.
Fiona fell flat for me. I didn't connect with her and I found her unfair at times. When I finished the book I felt like I didn't know her and I surely didn't like her. She made obviously wrong decisions when it came to her love life.
I did feel that the sudden romance came a little too suddenly but aside from that I just felt that Fiona didn't deserve August at all.
All in all, I liked the unique plot and humor. I had so much fun being inside August's mind.
If you want something different and funny, try this one. I think you'll like it.
★★★3.75 Stars ★★★
February 21, 2016
*ARC received from author/publisher via blog tour*
When I came across this book, a few things happen almost all at once. First, something about the title grabbed me. Second, the cover; there’s lightness to it that felt incongruent to the title, which made me more curious about the title. Third, the blurb; it’s about a male writer masquerading as female romance writer. To a tiny degree, it’s almost reminded me of authors whose works I’ve come to enjoy and like Scott Hildreth who started out writing as SD Hildreth, or say even Sylvain Reynard, who I think to this day, has not revealed his/her identity.
So put all those things together, I have set a high expectation on this one, or even a different expectation, if I may add. It may not be fair to SL but the mind goes where the mind goes, unfortunately. Also, before this, I just read what’s in my mind is THE perfect friends-to-lovers story. Sorry again, SL…
With Ink & Lies, I’ll start by saying that it’s nowhere near what I expected it to be, sorta’. It doesn’t mean that it was automatically bad but it also meant that it gave me conflicting feelings.
Rhys and Fi were characters that I connected and disconnected with at the same time. Their story is that of a slow burning friends-to-lovers type, as in slow burning. It’s told mainly from Rhys’ POV. And we’re taken thru every nuance of their friendship, as in every nuance. I did get to know Rhys well and what his friendship to Fi meant. And thru Rhys, I saw how good a friend Fi was. It’s an admirable friendship, one that anyone would wish to have.
Where the book lost me a bit, for starter, because I wasn’t expecting it, was the pace of the story. I didn’t expect for this to be focused mostly on the “friends” part. Second, I didn’t understand the decisions they made that led to this excruciatingly long path to get them to the “lovers” part. I actually got pissed along with the MC’s as they were going thru their conflict. Well, the MC’s were getting pissed at each other; whereas I was just getting pissed at both of them, sigh. Third, I didn’t appreciate Rhys’ douche moves. While I understood his conflict, I had a hard time overlooking some of his actions. Fourth, for some reason, there were some remarks which I think were meant to be jabs on stereotypes that felt borderline condescending. Ok, I know this is just me. So pls pay no heed…And fifth, as beautiful Rhys’ words were as a writer, I felt too many pages were dedicated to it. I was getting lost at times with Rhy’s (or Fi’s too for that matter) narration and failing to maintain the fiction within the fiction. Again, I know this is just me…
Where the book did win me over, for starter, was SL’s writing style. Despite my objection over certain parts of this book, SL’s writing is what pushed me thru to finish this. There is a delicate quality to her writing that suited this genre really well. The poetic writing was simply heartfelt. Yes, she elicited all kinds out of emotions out of me that are not all necessarily nice but for me, it just meant she engaged me. I find something about her words is just captivating. And I was actually glad I stuck around because the ending caught me off guard emotionally. Frankly, I was ready to dislike everything but before I knew it, once the dust has settled, I quite appreciated the ending. The emotions by the end were as real as it can get. And of course, I cannot, cannot forget the laugh-out-loud moments. That hasn’t happened to me in a long time; as in cracking up and hubby asking me from the other room what’s happening because I was laughing so hard. Yup! So for that, thank you SL.
When I came across this book, a few things happen almost all at once. First, something about the title grabbed me. Second, the cover; there’s lightness to it that felt incongruent to the title, which made me more curious about the title. Third, the blurb; it’s about a male writer masquerading as female romance writer. To a tiny degree, it’s almost reminded me of authors whose works I’ve come to enjoy and like Scott Hildreth who started out writing as SD Hildreth, or say even Sylvain Reynard, who I think to this day, has not revealed his/her identity.
So put all those things together, I have set a high expectation on this one, or even a different expectation, if I may add. It may not be fair to SL but the mind goes where the mind goes, unfortunately. Also, before this, I just read what’s in my mind is THE perfect friends-to-lovers story. Sorry again, SL…
With Ink & Lies, I’ll start by saying that it’s nowhere near what I expected it to be, sorta’. It doesn’t mean that it was automatically bad but it also meant that it gave me conflicting feelings.
Rhys and Fi were characters that I connected and disconnected with at the same time. Their story is that of a slow burning friends-to-lovers type, as in slow burning. It’s told mainly from Rhys’ POV. And we’re taken thru every nuance of their friendship, as in every nuance. I did get to know Rhys well and what his friendship to Fi meant. And thru Rhys, I saw how good a friend Fi was. It’s an admirable friendship, one that anyone would wish to have.
Where the book lost me a bit, for starter, because I wasn’t expecting it, was the pace of the story. I didn’t expect for this to be focused mostly on the “friends” part. Second, I didn’t understand the decisions they made that led to this excruciatingly long path to get them to the “lovers” part. I actually got pissed along with the MC’s as they were going thru their conflict. Well, the MC’s were getting pissed at each other; whereas I was just getting pissed at both of them, sigh. Third, I didn’t appreciate Rhys’ douche moves. While I understood his conflict, I had a hard time overlooking some of his actions. Fourth, for some reason, there were some remarks which I think were meant to be jabs on stereotypes that felt borderline condescending. Ok, I know this is just me. So pls pay no heed…And fifth, as beautiful Rhys’ words were as a writer, I felt too many pages were dedicated to it. I was getting lost at times with Rhy’s (or Fi’s too for that matter) narration and failing to maintain the fiction within the fiction. Again, I know this is just me…
Where the book did win me over, for starter, was SL’s writing style. Despite my objection over certain parts of this book, SL’s writing is what pushed me thru to finish this. There is a delicate quality to her writing that suited this genre really well. The poetic writing was simply heartfelt. Yes, she elicited all kinds out of emotions out of me that are not all necessarily nice but for me, it just meant she engaged me. I find something about her words is just captivating. And I was actually glad I stuck around because the ending caught me off guard emotionally. Frankly, I was ready to dislike everything but before I knew it, once the dust has settled, I quite appreciated the ending. The emotions by the end were as real as it can get. And of course, I cannot, cannot forget the laugh-out-loud moments. That hasn’t happened to me in a long time; as in cracking up and hubby asking me from the other room what’s happening because I was laughing so hard. Yup! So for that, thank you SL.
January 14, 2018
4 stars
Definite angsty train-wreck recommend.
Major spoilers ahead ;)
SG Ladies...I‘be been on an angst kick since October. It was subtle at first, but by Thanksgiving I realized it was an addiction. I lost my husband and partner in crime of almost 20 years last year and fluffy bunny just made my stomach sour. So the angstier the read, the better. (Any recommendations would be welcome.) That said, this is a serious no-go for you. Which I fully understand. And that’s a shame, but I get it and respect it.
This book is real and painful and more about the journey of the H to his HEA, than about the h. Don’t expect to spend the book watching their relationship grow. It’s spent unfolding his personal growth. It’s 95% his POV only and that makes all the difference. He’s an asshole. He fucks OW while being absolute besties with the h who is in OM relationships during their long friendship. They have a fabulous symbiotic existent that is truly the only serious relationship in their lives. But rather than being cliché as fuck it’s about the character growth (shocker) of an absolute clueless manwhore who writes romance. And he’s believable and likeable and ultimately an asshole manwhore that has his come to Jesus moment and is rejected outright by the h. It’s hardcore rejection. And it’s brilliant. And he goes back to fucking OW for a short time but his inner monologue is filled with inner growth and maturation. And acceptance of love lost. And I loved it. Because it felt real. I didn’t feel manipulated into liking him, the h was strong with him (doormat to BF but whatevs), and he developed into a truly likeable anti-hero...he even came with BBF moments amongst all the BFF the H/h had going on. The difference here and several of my last reads was believability and writing. And the only thing that would have made the book better was if he ended up losing the h to the OM. I would have 5 starred the shit out of this...and I’m still barely into double digits for 5 stars reads. I might even have read a second book of the H/h fighting for their HEA.
HOWEVER, the problem with this book is simple, if your hard limit is cheating and sex with OW...you will one star this puppy and unlike 90% of the same plotted books, it doesn’t deserve it. It’s so much better I can’t explain it.
If you love angst, or are choking on too much fluffy bunny...this book is for YOU.
SAFETY: Yes...there’s sex with OW and OM, some is kinda graphic and some is implied. It’s generally the H wondering what the fuck he’s doing fucking the OW and why it’s not the h in his bed. While the h is in a serious relationship with OM and marries him during book.
Definite angsty train-wreck recommend.
Major spoilers ahead ;)
SG Ladies...I‘be been on an angst kick since October. It was subtle at first, but by Thanksgiving I realized it was an addiction. I lost my husband and partner in crime of almost 20 years last year and fluffy bunny just made my stomach sour. So the angstier the read, the better. (Any recommendations would be welcome.) That said, this is a serious no-go for you. Which I fully understand. And that’s a shame, but I get it and respect it.
This book is real and painful and more about the journey of the H to his HEA, than about the h. Don’t expect to spend the book watching their relationship grow. It’s spent unfolding his personal growth. It’s 95% his POV only and that makes all the difference. He’s an asshole. He fucks OW while being absolute besties with the h who is in OM relationships during their long friendship. They have a fabulous symbiotic existent that is truly the only serious relationship in their lives. But rather than being cliché as fuck it’s about the character growth (shocker) of an absolute clueless manwhore who writes romance. And he’s believable and likeable and ultimately an asshole manwhore that has his come to Jesus moment and is rejected outright by the h. It’s hardcore rejection. And it’s brilliant. And he goes back to fucking OW for a short time but his inner monologue is filled with inner growth and maturation. And acceptance of love lost. And I loved it. Because it felt real. I didn’t feel manipulated into liking him, the h was strong with him (doormat to BF but whatevs), and he developed into a truly likeable anti-hero...he even came with BBF moments amongst all the BFF the H/h had going on. The difference here and several of my last reads was believability and writing. And the only thing that would have made the book better was if he ended up losing the h to the OM. I would have 5 starred the shit out of this...and I’m still barely into double digits for 5 stars reads. I might even have read a second book of the H/h fighting for their HEA.
HOWEVER, the problem with this book is simple, if your hard limit is cheating and sex with OW...you will one star this puppy and unlike 90% of the same plotted books, it doesn’t deserve it. It’s so much better I can’t explain it.
If you love angst, or are choking on too much fluffy bunny...this book is for YOU.
SAFETY: Yes...there’s sex with OW and OM, some is kinda graphic and some is implied. It’s generally the H wondering what the fuck he’s doing fucking the OW and why it’s not the h in his bed. While the h is in a serious relationship with OM and marries him during book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2016
Ink & Lies is an interesting spin on the age-old story of friends-turned-lovers. Rhys and Fiona have been friends since college. They do everything together (but act more like brother and sister than potential lovers). Rhys is anti-love in all things, whereas Fiona is a hopeless romantic. Opposites really do attract, I suppose.
I enjoyed the storyline and the characters for the majority of the book. This is my first book by SL Jennings, and I really liked her writing style. There were several moments where my heart was racing, turning pages quickly to find out what happens. That doesn’t happen very often in a straight-up romance, and that is what I loved about the book.
But…. (and you knew there was going to be a ‘but’, right?). There is an aspect of the story that I don’t know how to feel about or describe sufficiently, but here goes: Fiona is so desperate for her fairytale happily-ever-after and Rhys is so adamant about avoiding commitment that they each take extreme measures to attain their goals. Rhys is a douche canoe to Fiona several times, and she keeps coming back for more. I felt for her, but she had made her bed and needed to lie in it. I know it was a deflect/protect mechanism for Rhys, but he was downright mean. Maybe I took it too personally? I don't know, but I do know that it didn't make me feel that great. However, it did make me feel something and it was a turning point for the characters, so I guess it did the job.
Overall, I did enjoy the love story that Rhys and Fiona are creating together throughout the book. There was just that one point that I didn’t feel as great about, but it may not bother others. I would recommend reading Ink & Lies, so you can make your opinion about it. I plan to read more SL Jennings novels in the near future because I did enjoy the writing very much.
▸ ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
▸ For more reviews, visit
I enjoyed the storyline and the characters for the majority of the book. This is my first book by SL Jennings, and I really liked her writing style. There were several moments where my heart was racing, turning pages quickly to find out what happens. That doesn’t happen very often in a straight-up romance, and that is what I loved about the book.
But…. (and you knew there was going to be a ‘but’, right?). There is an aspect of the story that I don’t know how to feel about or describe sufficiently, but here goes: Fiona is so desperate for her fairytale happily-ever-after and Rhys is so adamant about avoiding commitment that they each take extreme measures to attain their goals. Rhys is a douche canoe to Fiona several times, and she keeps coming back for more. I felt for her, but she had made her bed and needed to lie in it. I know it was a deflect/protect mechanism for Rhys, but he was downright mean. Maybe I took it too personally? I don't know, but I do know that it didn't make me feel that great. However, it did make me feel something and it was a turning point for the characters, so I guess it did the job.
Overall, I did enjoy the love story that Rhys and Fiona are creating together throughout the book. There was just that one point that I didn’t feel as great about, but it may not bother others. I would recommend reading Ink & Lies, so you can make your opinion about it. I plan to read more SL Jennings novels in the near future because I did enjoy the writing very much.
▸ ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
▸ For more reviews, visit
September 19, 2016
This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book legit takes the award of Best New to Me Romance Book for 2016. Trust me I don't say this lightly. Ink & Lies blew it out of the water. The plot is in a different level of complexity for a contemporary book, and don't get me started on the characters because they also surpass my expectations. Talking about surpassing my expectations, the writing is something that I noticed from the very first chapter. It was engaging and entertaining, but informative and serious. There's some seriously beautiful quotes in this novel that at one point I was like, "I want that phrase tattooed to my body."
I haven't encountered a book that is flawless (in my opinion) in quite sometime. Don't get me wrong I've been having luck lately in the romance genre because all the books have been solid, but I always find a flaw here and there. That was not the case with this book at all. Everything fit together like puzzle pieces from having the story in the male perspective to an . Also, the premise of a man writing romance novels under a woman's pen name is different from the average cookie-cutter romance book. You know?
As much as, there is heartfelt moments in this book, there is also hilarious moments. This book had me cracking up, and it wasn't only the banter between the two main characters, Rhys and Fiona, but as well as the awkward situations that these two would get into in their love lives. Also, the story explores the process of creating a story from scratch, as well as the hardships of being an author. Which really appealed to me.
I definitely want to read more books by S. L. Jennings. If the rest of her books are somewhat similar to Ink & Lies, I have a feeling that she will rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors.
This book legit takes the award of Best New to Me Romance Book for 2016. Trust me I don't say this lightly. Ink & Lies blew it out of the water. The plot is in a different level of complexity for a contemporary book, and don't get me started on the characters because they also surpass my expectations. Talking about surpassing my expectations, the writing is something that I noticed from the very first chapter. It was engaging and entertaining, but informative and serious. There's some seriously beautiful quotes in this novel that at one point I was like, "I want that phrase tattooed to my body."
I haven't encountered a book that is flawless (in my opinion) in quite sometime. Don't get me wrong I've been having luck lately in the romance genre because all the books have been solid, but I always find a flaw here and there. That was not the case with this book at all. Everything fit together like puzzle pieces from having the story in the male perspective to an . Also, the premise of a man writing romance novels under a woman's pen name is different from the average cookie-cutter romance book. You know?
As much as, there is heartfelt moments in this book, there is also hilarious moments. This book had me cracking up, and it wasn't only the banter between the two main characters, Rhys and Fiona, but as well as the awkward situations that these two would get into in their love lives. Also, the story explores the process of creating a story from scratch, as well as the hardships of being an author. Which really appealed to me.
I definitely want to read more books by S. L. Jennings. If the rest of her books are somewhat similar to Ink & Lies, I have a feeling that she will rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors.
January 26, 2016
You will want to read this book! Hands down this might be her best book yet. It's angsty and frustrating and sweet and sassy... There are LOL funny moments that will have you peeing your pants.
ARC will frustrate you with his ridiculous view on love and how it only exists in peoples minds, yet you will fall helplessly and hopelessly in love with him through each word he speaks, even when he's being cruel, there is always a purpose to his methods... To thine on self be true couldn't be better words for this man.... And when the truth speaks, its devastating, it's beautiful and its terrifying. You will feel ARC's desperation in the pit of your stomach.
You'll fall in love with Fiona and truly wish her to be in existence so you could be friends with her. You'll hate her and love her, and accept her decisions all while wishing you could change the outcome so desperately. I loved every single word beginning to end.
I fell in love, I hated, I raged, I cried, I laughed and in the end... Well... You'll have to read it to see how it ends for yourself...
S.L. Jennings pulled at every single one of my emotions as she weaves a beautiful story of friendship, heartbreak and love.
ARC will frustrate you with his ridiculous view on love and how it only exists in peoples minds, yet you will fall helplessly and hopelessly in love with him through each word he speaks, even when he's being cruel, there is always a purpose to his methods... To thine on self be true couldn't be better words for this man.... And when the truth speaks, its devastating, it's beautiful and its terrifying. You will feel ARC's desperation in the pit of your stomach.
You'll fall in love with Fiona and truly wish her to be in existence so you could be friends with her. You'll hate her and love her, and accept her decisions all while wishing you could change the outcome so desperately. I loved every single word beginning to end.
I fell in love, I hated, I raged, I cried, I laughed and in the end... Well... You'll have to read it to see how it ends for yourself...
S.L. Jennings pulled at every single one of my emotions as she weaves a beautiful story of friendship, heartbreak and love.
February 11, 2016
Ink & Lies by SL Jennings
4 stars!!
Friends to lovers is one of my favourite plots, you cannot beat that eureka moment, that hesitation, the reticence when best friends finally decide to blur the lines and take that leap of faith that no matter what, their friendship will not change.
Rhys/August was a quick witted, intelligent author who hates love and romance, not too shabby for a man that writes erotic romance under a female pen name, yes you heard right…he writes romance! Rhys’s views on love and romance is tainted and he doesn’t believe in it one iota, hence his manwhorish ways, but it these dalliances that make great fodder for his books. However, it is his best friend Fiona that provides all the drama with her failed relationships. However, Rhys was dominating the genre and he hadn’t a clue how he had done it.
Fiona was a hopeless romantic and had been planning her wedding since she was a toddler, she was a hearts and flowers person and was just waiting for her knight in shining armour to come along and whisk her away, with a huge wedding and her 2.4 children and a house with a white picket fence.
Both Rhys and Fiona were voracious readers and between these two there were so many laugh out loud moments. They knew everything about each other, could finish each other’s sentences and had that relationship that everyone was envious of. Even though they were the opposite sex these two had so much in common and their friendship ran through their veins. Fiona was Rhys confidante, she knew everything, she was his only beta reader and he trusted her implicitly, even some stuff she didn’t need to know.
Rhys really did live with his head in the clouds when it came to Fiona, he had always wanted to be an author, but more than anything he wanted to write something that his best friend would be proud of, he wanted her to fall in love with his words, subconsciously though, he wanted her to fall in love with him. If only Rhys could see that.
SL Jennings delivers a humorous, heart felt story that will have you smiling and laughing one minute and crying and sobbing the next. I loved the satire, the novel take on the genre and all the one liners that go with it, from movie quotes to the classics the words just flowed off the page. This was one of those books that I didn’t want to finish, I could have read about these two for a lot longer. But this is not all smiles and laughter, as with any transition from friends to lovers there are problems and issues and Rhys and Fiona are no different. I could have battered Rhys at times, I shouted many a time at the kindle “wake up and smell the coffee,” I cringed, I cried and I cussed but that is testament to the emotional involvement I had with Rhys and Fiona, you cannot help but want these two to work. For a fun, romantic and slightly angsty read this is a great book and one that I would recommend.
www.theromancecover.com
4 stars!!
“I once lived for the perfect plot twist. I just never expected to actually live it.”
Friends to lovers is one of my favourite plots, you cannot beat that eureka moment, that hesitation, the reticence when best friends finally decide to blur the lines and take that leap of faith that no matter what, their friendship will not change.
Rhys/August was a quick witted, intelligent author who hates love and romance, not too shabby for a man that writes erotic romance under a female pen name, yes you heard right…he writes romance! Rhys’s views on love and romance is tainted and he doesn’t believe in it one iota, hence his manwhorish ways, but it these dalliances that make great fodder for his books. However, it is his best friend Fiona that provides all the drama with her failed relationships. However, Rhys was dominating the genre and he hadn’t a clue how he had done it.
“That’s all life is – beauty and heartbreak. I just narrate it”
Fiona was a hopeless romantic and had been planning her wedding since she was a toddler, she was a hearts and flowers person and was just waiting for her knight in shining armour to come along and whisk her away, with a huge wedding and her 2.4 children and a house with a white picket fence.
“I guess the most epic romances are still tucked away within the pages of her favourite novels, safely swathed in inked lies and faded paper promises. Forever fictional. Just like love.”
Both Rhys and Fiona were voracious readers and between these two there were so many laugh out loud moments. They knew everything about each other, could finish each other’s sentences and had that relationship that everyone was envious of. Even though they were the opposite sex these two had so much in common and their friendship ran through their veins. Fiona was Rhys confidante, she knew everything, she was his only beta reader and he trusted her implicitly, even some stuff she didn’t need to know.
“Love for a lifetime? Sounds more like a judge just brought the gavel down on my balls and gave me a life sentence.”
Rhys really did live with his head in the clouds when it came to Fiona, he had always wanted to be an author, but more than anything he wanted to write something that his best friend would be proud of, he wanted her to fall in love with his words, subconsciously though, he wanted her to fall in love with him. If only Rhys could see that.
“You have the heart of a heroine, but this world is full of villains where romance is tragedy and love is merely comic relief.”
SL Jennings delivers a humorous, heart felt story that will have you smiling and laughing one minute and crying and sobbing the next. I loved the satire, the novel take on the genre and all the one liners that go with it, from movie quotes to the classics the words just flowed off the page. This was one of those books that I didn’t want to finish, I could have read about these two for a lot longer. But this is not all smiles and laughter, as with any transition from friends to lovers there are problems and issues and Rhys and Fiona are no different. I could have battered Rhys at times, I shouted many a time at the kindle “wake up and smell the coffee,” I cringed, I cried and I cussed but that is testament to the emotional involvement I had with Rhys and Fiona, you cannot help but want these two to work. For a fun, romantic and slightly angsty read this is a great book and one that I would recommend.
“She was his muse, his soul mate. She was the beauty in his world of heartbreak.”
www.theromancecover.com
February 10, 2016
I'm excited to read this book :)) Hope it's good :D
*An advance reading copy was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review.*
*An advance reading copy was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review.*
June 5, 2017
Ever since I saw Carol from The Reading Wallflower rave about this book, I knew I had to get my hands on it. I mean, a book about a writer? That had me written all over it!
Rhys is a serious writer. Well, at least he wants to be. For now, he's writing romance novels under the pen name of Hope Hughes while living the life of a single bachelor. Rhys doesn't believe in love, but his love sells, so he writes what the hopeless romantics want. Now, though, he's hit a block and he can't write anything he actually likes. The one constant in his life, his best friend Fiona, believes in the love that Rhys calls a lie and has been searching for it her whole life. She's always been there for Rhys through his ups and downs. Until she isn't. And Rhys has to reevaluate the love he's called a lie his whole life.
If you're a fan of books about writers and people who love books, you're going to love this book. I loved watching Rhys write and being inside his head as he wrote out different scenes from his romance novels. And his best friend, Fiona, is a book lover who, as Rhys stated, is a hopeless romantic searching for her perfect book boyfriend. While I wasn't sure how I would like reading from the point of view of the male character, I loved reading from Rhys's perspective and I still fell in love with Fiona. While the best-friend-to-more plot line is used over and over again, Ink and Lies gave it such a fresh twist and I loved it. Parts of this book reminded me of Made of Honor, one of my favorite movies ever. There were super emotional moments, but there were also hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud.
What I also loved about this book was how unique the plot was. I had no idea what was going to happen and I never knew how characters were going to act. This was definitely not a super easy HEA and that made me so happy. No one made the obvious decision that is cliche in many other romance novels. There were real arguments that weren't thrown in for the sake of plot and everything was just so addicting. I honestly could not stop reading and still don't know what to think of that ending. Seriously, the best and most unique romance I've read in a long time!
I would say that fans of Colleen Hoover would definitely love Ink and Lies. The characters are flawed and make some big mistakes, but that just proves how human they really are. I cannot recommend this book enough!
Rhys is a serious writer. Well, at least he wants to be. For now, he's writing romance novels under the pen name of Hope Hughes while living the life of a single bachelor. Rhys doesn't believe in love, but his love sells, so he writes what the hopeless romantics want. Now, though, he's hit a block and he can't write anything he actually likes. The one constant in his life, his best friend Fiona, believes in the love that Rhys calls a lie and has been searching for it her whole life. She's always been there for Rhys through his ups and downs. Until she isn't. And Rhys has to reevaluate the love he's called a lie his whole life.
If you're a fan of books about writers and people who love books, you're going to love this book. I loved watching Rhys write and being inside his head as he wrote out different scenes from his romance novels. And his best friend, Fiona, is a book lover who, as Rhys stated, is a hopeless romantic searching for her perfect book boyfriend. While I wasn't sure how I would like reading from the point of view of the male character, I loved reading from Rhys's perspective and I still fell in love with Fiona. While the best-friend-to-more plot line is used over and over again, Ink and Lies gave it such a fresh twist and I loved it. Parts of this book reminded me of Made of Honor, one of my favorite movies ever. There were super emotional moments, but there were also hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud.
What I also loved about this book was how unique the plot was. I had no idea what was going to happen and I never knew how characters were going to act. This was definitely not a super easy HEA and that made me so happy. No one made the obvious decision that is cliche in many other romance novels. There were real arguments that weren't thrown in for the sake of plot and everything was just so addicting. I honestly could not stop reading and still don't know what to think of that ending. Seriously, the best and most unique romance I've read in a long time!
I would say that fans of Colleen Hoover would definitely love Ink and Lies. The characters are flawed and make some big mistakes, but that just proves how human they really are. I cannot recommend this book enough!
January 30, 2016
I'm a huge fan of SL Jennings and I love her books. Ink and Lies is a fresh, unique story. August is a writer. He was born a writer and all he has ever wanted to do was what he was meant to do. Unfortunately his first book doesn’t sell. So, he becomes a romance writer pretending to be a woman. But now he has writers block. A story is calling to him, but it's not your typical romance. It's his story. It's her story. It's their story. But how does it end? August writes romance, but he doesn't believe in love. It's not because he hasn't seen it his whole life, because he has. He just doesn't think he's destined to have it. But, his best friend, Fiona believes so he writes for her. Fiona has only ever wanted someone to love her. Romance, flowers and pretty words. She thinks she's found it in her boyfriend, but August isn't convinced. He wants her to be happy, but he struggles with wanting her to be with someone other than him. He doesn't want her for himself, does he? Not gonna lie, I wanted to smack both of them. Hard. But, I knew why they made the decisions they did. And, even when August was saying horrible things, his words were poetic and thoughtful and meaningful and beautiful. Will August realize what he wants before it's too late? Will Fiona follow her heart or what she always thought her heart wanted? This story was so great. I loved it. SL Jennings knows how to use words to pull at every emotion you have. I laughed, cried, got mad, laughed way more, cried more. It's a beautiful, heart wrenching and heartwarming story of love, sex, dedication, friendship, family, loss and pain.
“That’s all I have—all that I am. I’m just words.”
"I want to be Darcy and Heathcliff and Roark and Blythe and Rochester and Grey and Cullen and all those heroes you’ve dreamt about every day since the day I met you, glassy eyed and pink cheeked. "
“That’s all I have—all that I am. I’m just words.”
"I want to be Darcy and Heathcliff and Roark and Blythe and Rochester and Grey and Cullen and all those heroes you’ve dreamt about every day since the day I met you, glassy eyed and pink cheeked. "
February 14, 2016
4 fluff and fucking stars
August Rhys Calloway, or Rhys as he is known to his friends, is a budding fiction writer, who has produced a story that has had mediocre success. What he then decides to do, and driven by his ability to conjure up erotic stories like magic, he writes as the author, Hope Hughes, and has had major success in that genre.
Hope was perceived to be a woman, until it was exposed a year ago that it was in fact a male. Rhys was keen to keep his identity well hidden, and his BF for 10 years since college, Fiona Shaw, is aware of that. Rhys involves her in his creative process, allowing her to be his one and only beta reader. He values her input, and uses his copious amount of time spent with her as fodder for his romance. Well that, and the revolving door of one night stands he endures to feed his drive and fuel his stories.
What he doesn’t contemplate is his latent heart strings being plucked, especially when Fiona starts becoming serious with a guy.
This was a very different friends to lovers story, that was played out in a humorous plot, through the written word and the mind of August Rhys Calloway. It was thoroughly entertaining, and unique in its delivery. We got to know both characters very well, and were rooting for them to smooth the road towards each other.
I enjoy this authors narration. I find her quick witt engaging and her stories ingenious.
August Rhys Calloway, or Rhys as he is known to his friends, is a budding fiction writer, who has produced a story that has had mediocre success. What he then decides to do, and driven by his ability to conjure up erotic stories like magic, he writes as the author, Hope Hughes, and has had major success in that genre.
Hope was perceived to be a woman, until it was exposed a year ago that it was in fact a male. Rhys was keen to keep his identity well hidden, and his BF for 10 years since college, Fiona Shaw, is aware of that. Rhys involves her in his creative process, allowing her to be his one and only beta reader. He values her input, and uses his copious amount of time spent with her as fodder for his romance. Well that, and the revolving door of one night stands he endures to feed his drive and fuel his stories.
What he doesn’t contemplate is his latent heart strings being plucked, especially when Fiona starts becoming serious with a guy.
This was a very different friends to lovers story, that was played out in a humorous plot, through the written word and the mind of August Rhys Calloway. It was thoroughly entertaining, and unique in its delivery. We got to know both characters very well, and were rooting for them to smooth the road towards each other.
I enjoy this authors narration. I find her quick witt engaging and her stories ingenious.
Read
February 16, 2016DNF
I couldn't connect with the characters or the story behind the story. Just wasn't a book for me.
I couldn't connect with the characters or the story behind the story. Just wasn't a book for me.
February 15, 2016
S.L. Jennings has done it again.
I swear, you would think this author is stuck in her Dark Light series, because she has some kind of supernatural skill to pull you in, suck out your guts and mend you back together.
This book is phenomenal.
You will want to read it over and over again.
Updated review:
I haven’t had a chance to review this unforgettable story until now, simply because finding the words to do it justice(ha, JUSTICE), are just not coming naturally. Instead, they’re remaining prisoner in my head. I shall see how much word-vomit I release during this little piece. I do not apologise for it not making sense.
The release of Ink & Lies was my most anticipated release of 2016, it didn’t disappoint. But hey, when does S.L. Jennings ever disappoint?
I have fallen in love with this authors writing, there is just something about it, that makes me want to forget about the real world and become immersed in the fictional world that she creates.
Ink & Lies is exceptional. It has the right amount of love, angst and heartbreak, whilst still remaining true to its romance genre. The characters are so relatable it is actually scary, there were parts to this book where I thought to myself, “shit, that could be me“.
Don’t expect this book to rope you in with “true loves kiss” in the first chapter, insta-love or a corny pick up line, it is so much more than that. It is a journey that needs to be taken, a ride that needs to be driven and an epic love-story that needs to be told.
August Rhys Calloway, how you stole my heart.
Rhys is a man-whore, there’s no two ways about it. He knows what he needs to do, but is too stubborn to admit it. He can be indecisive and shut off, yet ultimately he knows where his heart belongs, even if he is too stubborn to believe and admit it.
Fiona, I feel like we could be best friends. Like, total BFF’s. Only if you bring Rhys along, so we can perv together though. LOL.
Fi’s ideal man, is not exactly what she imagined or thought she wanted. Gosh I am glad she came to her senses, even though it was a little late in the game.
The Colonol, Bart, Joshua(even Sunny and her Carebears)- their characters had a purpose that was much needed in this story. Without them, it would have been a shell of itself.
All in all, I loved this story, it was everything I needed and had a beautiful conclusion.
Top read for 2016. LOVE.
Billie
xxx
I swear, you would think this author is stuck in her Dark Light series, because she has some kind of supernatural skill to pull you in, suck out your guts and mend you back together.
This book is phenomenal.
You will want to read it over and over again.
Updated review:
I haven’t had a chance to review this unforgettable story until now, simply because finding the words to do it justice(ha, JUSTICE), are just not coming naturally. Instead, they’re remaining prisoner in my head. I shall see how much word-vomit I release during this little piece. I do not apologise for it not making sense.
The release of Ink & Lies was my most anticipated release of 2016, it didn’t disappoint. But hey, when does S.L. Jennings ever disappoint?
I have fallen in love with this authors writing, there is just something about it, that makes me want to forget about the real world and become immersed in the fictional world that she creates.
Ink & Lies is exceptional. It has the right amount of love, angst and heartbreak, whilst still remaining true to its romance genre. The characters are so relatable it is actually scary, there were parts to this book where I thought to myself, “shit, that could be me“.
Don’t expect this book to rope you in with “true loves kiss” in the first chapter, insta-love or a corny pick up line, it is so much more than that. It is a journey that needs to be taken, a ride that needs to be driven and an epic love-story that needs to be told.
August Rhys Calloway, how you stole my heart.
Rhys is a man-whore, there’s no two ways about it. He knows what he needs to do, but is too stubborn to admit it. He can be indecisive and shut off, yet ultimately he knows where his heart belongs, even if he is too stubborn to believe and admit it.
Fiona, I feel like we could be best friends. Like, total BFF’s. Only if you bring Rhys along, so we can perv together though. LOL.
Fi’s ideal man, is not exactly what she imagined or thought she wanted. Gosh I am glad she came to her senses, even though it was a little late in the game.
The Colonol, Bart, Joshua(even Sunny and her Carebears)- their characters had a purpose that was much needed in this story. Without them, it would have been a shell of itself.
All in all, I loved this story, it was everything I needed and had a beautiful conclusion.
Top read for 2016. LOVE.
Billie
xxx
February 19, 2016
This was an interesting book...
August / Rhys was such a refreshingly different kind of hero.
I loved him. There were things to hate about him too, but I loved how he tells the story and how he's always there for Fiona and his grandpa ...
I really enjoyed reading this story ♥
February 12, 2016
~*~ 4.5 STARS ~*~
Ink & Lies was one of the best friends-to-lovers romances I've read in while. This is my first read from Jennings and I can safely say that I AM IN LOVE! Her writing is spectacular. Her characters are relatable and I felt an emotional connection with both August and Fiona. I found myself laughing, crying, and swooning hard! I'm excited to read more from this author!
A strong, STRONG story with so many feels! A deep friendship that turned into a deeper kind of love...the kind of love that us hopeless romantics are always searching for. This will definitely be a re-read for me and one I will proudly showcase on my bookshelf.
*Gifted copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Ink & Lies was one of the best friends-to-lovers romances I've read in while. This is my first read from Jennings and I can safely say that I AM IN LOVE! Her writing is spectacular. Her characters are relatable and I felt an emotional connection with both August and Fiona. I found myself laughing, crying, and swooning hard! I'm excited to read more from this author!
A strong, STRONG story with so many feels! A deep friendship that turned into a deeper kind of love...the kind of love that us hopeless romantics are always searching for. This will definitely be a re-read for me and one I will proudly showcase on my bookshelf.
*Gifted copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
February 14, 2016
Loved it! A friends to lovers romance with a side order of a second chance. Ten years ago Fi and Rhys met their first year in college and bonded over their love for words and books. Rhys becomes a very popular romance writer under a different name, Hope Hughes. As the story progresses things change and things happen so it makes for a fairly angsty journey for Fi and Rhys . I really enjoyed that it was different. Nice amount of angst and great writing. The ending had me holding my breath to the last page.
February 6, 2016
4.5 my heart is bursting with all the feels stars!!!
Friends to lovers is one of my faves and Syreeta blew me away!
Full review to come!
Friends to lovers is one of my faves and Syreeta blew me away!
Full review to come!
August 3, 2018
*1,5*
Έχω διαβάσει πολύ καλύτερα :P
Έχει μια αηδιαστική σκηνή που ακόμα δεν την έχω βγάλει απ΄ το μυαλό μου.Η συγγραφέας θα μπορούσε να μη την αναφέρει καθόλου!
Έχω διαβάσει πολύ καλύτερα :P
Έχει μια αηδιαστική σκηνή που ακόμα δεν την έχω βγάλει απ΄ το μυαλό μου.Η συγγραφέας θα μπορούσε να μη την αναφέρει καθόλου!
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