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Quarry Road #1
All the Lies We Tell
This sexy romantic drama from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Megan Hart explores the tangled lives—and loves—of childhood friends.
Everyone knew Alicia Harrison’s marriage to Ilya Stern wouldn’t last. They’d grown up on a remote stretch of Quarry Street, where there were two houses, two sets of siblings, and eventually, a tangled mess of betrayal, longing, and loss. Tragedy catapulted Allie and Ilya together, but divorce—even as neighbors—has been relatively uncomplicated.
Then Ilya’s brother, Nikolai, comes home for their grandmother’s last days. He’s the guy who teased and fought with Allie, infuriated her, then fled town without a good-bye. Now Niko makes her feel something else entirely—a rush of connection and pure desire that she’s been trying to quench since one secret kiss years ago. Niko’s not sticking around. She’s not going to leave. And after all that’s happened between their families, this can’t be anything more than brief pleasure and a bad idea.
But the lies we tell ourselves can’t compete with the truths our hearts refuse to let go…
Everyone knew Alicia Harrison’s marriage to Ilya Stern wouldn’t last. They’d grown up on a remote stretch of Quarry Street, where there were two houses, two sets of siblings, and eventually, a tangled mess of betrayal, longing, and loss. Tragedy catapulted Allie and Ilya together, but divorce—even as neighbors—has been relatively uncomplicated.
Then Ilya’s brother, Nikolai, comes home for their grandmother’s last days. He’s the guy who teased and fought with Allie, infuriated her, then fled town without a good-bye. Now Niko makes her feel something else entirely—a rush of connection and pure desire that she’s been trying to quench since one secret kiss years ago. Niko’s not sticking around. She’s not going to leave. And after all that’s happened between their families, this can’t be anything more than brief pleasure and a bad idea.
But the lies we tell ourselves can’t compete with the truths our hearts refuse to let go…
285 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2017
1620 people are currently reading
3183 people want to read
About the author
Megan Hart
265 books4,057 followersMegan Hart has written in almost every genre of romantic fiction, including historical, contemporary, romantic suspense, romantic comedy, futuristic, fantasy and perhaps most notably, erotic. She also writes non-erotic fantasy and science fiction, as well as continuing to occasionally dabble in horror.
--from the author's website
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
For Megan Hart, the nutritionist, click here
--from the author's website
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
For Megan Hart, the nutritionist, click here
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 305 reviews
March 10, 2017
I’ve been a Megan Hart fan for years and revel in the fact that I never know what I’m in for when I pick up one of her books. I can’t say I’ve loved every one I’ve immersed myself in, but I will say that she
never
takes the easy way out or tries to cram a cookie cutter plot down her reader's throats. She typically delivers a unique perspective or skews the norm where relationships are concerned, resulting in a story that feels different somehow. I don't know about you, but that's what I crave each and every time I pick up a new book. Realistic or not.
This happens to be one of those times when the pieces she laid out didn’t quite fit for me. I had a hard time deciphering what this was book was trying to be . . . was it a romance, a mystery or maybe a classic whodunnit with a side of steam?
Ilya and Alicia’s entire lives are intertwined - families, memories and almost every moment of growing up. Married for ten years and now divorced for another ten, they both reside in their childhood homes, across the street from one another, and run a scuba diving business, you guessed it . . . together. Talk about wallowing in a stagnant existence.
A sad situation brings Ilya’s mother and his brother, Niko, back home to Quarry Road and things get a little awkward. Who am I kidding, they get a lot awkward. I would totally be glossing over my feelings if I didn’t mention that the thought of Alicia having feelings for Niko rubbed me the wrong way. Her former brother-in-law . . . um, no. I didn’t see that turning out well in any scenario. As more of their tangled history was unraveled, it forced me to look at things in a different light though. I found myself on the opposite end of the spectrum - rooting for them to make a go of it, rather than cringing at the mere thought.
Niko and Alicia together weren’t without their faults. It's a lot of angsty - 'we shouldn't do this' and 'we need to define this relationship', oh and I can’t forget, 'let’s make the most of the time we do have.' This is one I consider to be high on the drama scale and light on the steam.
The author weaves a little bit of mystery into the storyline, but it’s never fully realized. What happened? Is there a mystery to be solved or is the suspense reader in me constantly trying to crack a case? Are all of the unanswered questions an attempt at leaving us with bated breath in anticipation of the next installment? Who knows. The one thing I do know for sure, I’m not completely sold on the idea of picking up a book from Ilya’s narcissistic perspective.
*Thank you to Montlake Romance and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This happens to be one of those times when the pieces she laid out didn’t quite fit for me. I had a hard time deciphering what this was book was trying to be . . . was it a romance, a mystery or maybe a classic whodunnit with a side of steam?
Ilya and Alicia’s entire lives are intertwined - families, memories and almost every moment of growing up. Married for ten years and now divorced for another ten, they both reside in their childhood homes, across the street from one another, and run a scuba diving business, you guessed it . . . together. Talk about wallowing in a stagnant existence.
A sad situation brings Ilya’s mother and his brother, Niko, back home to Quarry Road and things get a little awkward. Who am I kidding, they get a lot awkward. I would totally be glossing over my feelings if I didn’t mention that the thought of Alicia having feelings for Niko rubbed me the wrong way. Her former brother-in-law . . . um, no. I didn’t see that turning out well in any scenario. As more of their tangled history was unraveled, it forced me to look at things in a different light though. I found myself on the opposite end of the spectrum - rooting for them to make a go of it, rather than cringing at the mere thought.
Niko and Alicia together weren’t without their faults. It's a lot of angsty - 'we shouldn't do this' and 'we need to define this relationship', oh and I can’t forget, 'let’s make the most of the time we do have.' This is one I consider to be high on the drama scale and light on the steam.
The author weaves a little bit of mystery into the storyline, but it’s never fully realized. What happened? Is there a mystery to be solved or is the suspense reader in me constantly trying to crack a case? Are all of the unanswered questions an attempt at leaving us with bated breath in anticipation of the next installment? Who knows. The one thing I do know for sure, I’m not completely sold on the idea of picking up a book from Ilya’s narcissistic perspective.
*Thank you to Montlake Romance and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2017
Intense, poignant and full of angst!
This is a dark, married-the-wrong-brother romance that highlights how tragedy affects us all differently; sometimes we cling to each other and sometimes we runaway.
The prose is fluid and smooth. The characters are troubled, complex but not entirely endearing. And the plot, which is ultimately about guilt, love, life, loss, heartbreak, yearning, sexual tension, friendship and family does have some of the sexy and steamy we've come to expect in Hart's novels but at the same time seemed to have just a little too much going on for me.
I have to admit that this wasn't one of my favourite novels by Hart but her exceptional ability to write stories about unconventional relationships and to push people to understand and accept that there is no one norm will always make me a huge fan.
Thank you to NetGalley, especially Montlake Romance, for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at http://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
This is a dark, married-the-wrong-brother romance that highlights how tragedy affects us all differently; sometimes we cling to each other and sometimes we runaway.
The prose is fluid and smooth. The characters are troubled, complex but not entirely endearing. And the plot, which is ultimately about guilt, love, life, loss, heartbreak, yearning, sexual tension, friendship and family does have some of the sexy and steamy we've come to expect in Hart's novels but at the same time seemed to have just a little too much going on for me.
I have to admit that this wasn't one of my favourite novels by Hart but her exceptional ability to write stories about unconventional relationships and to push people to understand and accept that there is no one norm will always make me a huge fan.
Thank you to NetGalley, especially Montlake Romance, for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at http://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
June 13, 2018
Loved this book! 2 very quirky families and one great story. Love, romance, death (murder?), sex and a few laughs. I'm really enjoying this author :)
October 14, 2025
3.5-4 stars
I've heard a lot about Megan Hart, but never read her books and I believe this is a departure from her normal style. I would class this as a family saga/women's fiction with a medium pace. The story rotates around Alicia from late adolescence to present day in her 30s and her relationship with two brothers. I wouldn't technically say this is love triangle territory but there is an element of forbidden love.
Whilst this isn't first and foremost a romance novel, that theme remains strong alongside a backdrop of intrigue, family feuds and love, death and complex connections. I found myself invested and mostly captured by the story and one of it's strongest points was that there was little ability to predict events. I'm definitely looking forward to catching the next instalment of these characters in book two.
The narration was great and I knew it would be because I've listened to Kate Rudd before. She excels at small nuances between character voices and she is able to convey male dialogue well.
I've heard a lot about Megan Hart, but never read her books and I believe this is a departure from her normal style. I would class this as a family saga/women's fiction with a medium pace. The story rotates around Alicia from late adolescence to present day in her 30s and her relationship with two brothers. I wouldn't technically say this is love triangle territory but there is an element of forbidden love.
Whilst this isn't first and foremost a romance novel, that theme remains strong alongside a backdrop of intrigue, family feuds and love, death and complex connections. I found myself invested and mostly captured by the story and one of it's strongest points was that there was little ability to predict events. I'm definitely looking forward to catching the next instalment of these characters in book two.
The narration was great and I knew it would be because I've listened to Kate Rudd before. She excels at small nuances between character voices and she is able to convey male dialogue well.
September 6, 2018
Rating: 3.0/5.0
This is a family drama with romance (lots of it). Some good characters, lots of relationships with trouble. The characters were well defined but not all of them had the scope I hoped for. I found Galina to be an interesting character and would have loved to read more about how she felt or her background story. The author has concentrated more about the volatile relationship between Alicia and the two brothers than other aspects.
I honestly felt that many of the romantic and sex parts of the book were not necessary. They should have been less expanded and that would have made a big difference to story specially if that space was reserved more to talk about how the characters felt about each other in a more depth.
This is a family drama with romance (lots of it). Some good characters, lots of relationships with trouble. The characters were well defined but not all of them had the scope I hoped for. I found Galina to be an interesting character and would have loved to read more about how she felt or her background story. The author has concentrated more about the volatile relationship between Alicia and the two brothers than other aspects.
I honestly felt that many of the romantic and sex parts of the book were not necessary. They should have been less expanded and that would have made a big difference to story specially if that space was reserved more to talk about how the characters felt about each other in a more depth.
June 20, 2017
Flat: characters, interpersonal relationships, sex, tragedy ... something should have tweaked my interest, but I hated everyone and couldn't have given a damn less what happened to them.
March 3, 2020
Review to come soon. This book was probably the perfect blend of slow burn family drama and romance, though it ended on a note that make me want to know what happens to all the characters after the events of this one. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 4 star read overall.
March 23, 2017
Originally posted in May issue of RT Book Reviews-https://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-re...
Guilt and forgiveness is the powerful base on which Megan Hart builds her story of two families who are torn apart and then rebuilt by tragedy. Poignant, heartfelt, and raw with realism, Hart writes in the past and the present to take readers on a journey that examines the intricacies of human nature and the choices that shape us. Rich in details with complex characters and bold honest dialogue, All The Lies We Tell stays with the reader long after they reach the end.
Guilt and forgiveness is the powerful base on which Megan Hart builds her story of two families who are torn apart and then rebuilt by tragedy. Poignant, heartfelt, and raw with realism, Hart writes in the past and the present to take readers on a journey that examines the intricacies of human nature and the choices that shape us. Rich in details with complex characters and bold honest dialogue, All The Lies We Tell stays with the reader long after they reach the end.
September 21, 2017
As I started reading I wasn't sure if this was a book for me. I didn't think I could get into the storyline of sleeping with the ex-husbands brother. But I was surprised by how quickly I changed my mind. Megan Hart did an amazing job with her characters and the plot. I really fell in love with the relationship between Alicia and Nicholoi. I am so glad I was given the opportunity by NetGalley to read this novel. I look forward to the second book in this series.
April 28, 2017
I just wanted the mystery to be solved. I wanted one thing.
And I did not get it.
And I did not get it.
July 15, 2020
July, 2020
One death tore them apart. Another death brought them back together.
Two houses. Two families. Friendship. Love. Death. Mistakes. Loss. More love and lots of complications. Family drama. Romance. Mystery. It's all part of All the Lies We Tell, the first book in Quarry Road series that introduces us to the Stern and Harrison families.
There were several characters that needed introduction, the relationships among them, past and present. A lot of ground needed to be covered. It was only in the second half that Alicia and Nikolai's relationship was the focus of the story. I'd forgotten that. I've considered this their book all this time. The mess they kept making of it left an impression, apparently. Idiots! Seriously...
January, 2017
4.5 stars.
It's been three years and change since I read my very first Megan Hart book. It was one of those books that made me go: I must read more by this author! Much more! Now, many Hart books later, I can say those novels I read way back then are my favorite. All the Lies We Tell isn't like the other books by Ms. Hart I've read, but reading it felt like I was reading one of those earlier ones. It reminded me why I fell in love with her work in the first place. For this reason I kept smiling while I was reading it even though the story wasn't exactly a happy one. Weird? Maybe.
Like I said, I found this novel different from all those other books by Ms. Hart I've read. I'm aware she's a prolific author writing in several genres, but for the most part, I've stuck to her romance novels. All the Lies We Tell has romance, but it's also a story about two families and the ways their lives were connected over many years. The book has multiple POVs which was something new for me in the author's work. Plus, there was mystery surrounding a death of a family member. Mystery which will be unveiled in the second book, I assume. So, to me this is something of a romance mixed with family drama with a dash of mystery.
The story is told from the perspective of a few characters, but the main couple here is Alicia and Nikolai. They had brief romantic past which ended when Niko left town. As it would happen Alicia ended up marrying his brother Ilya. Their marriage is another thing of the past. Speaking of the past, Ilya used to be in love with Alicia's sister. Oh, yes, Megan Hart has cooked up some pretty complicated drama which would get even more complicated when Niko finally returns from his journey, and old feelings of attraction, hurt, resentment, and love come to surface. However, even as old flames were reignited and Alicia and Niko were older, more mature people, they kept secrets from each other, and doubted each other making their relationship even more difficult than it had to be, but it sure made for an interesting read.
What I've come to realize over years of reading is that I love it when the story is told in both the present and the past, and this book had that. Besides Alicia and Niko and their relationship, the present is about Ilya, and his relationship with Alicia, and Niko, and it's about Ilya and Niko's family that has loads of drama on their own. The past covered some significant moments in all of their history which helped to get a clearer picture about these characters and the ties that bind them. I'd rather not get more specific than this. Some things are better left to be read by oneself.
All in all, All the Lies We Tell was a book which reminded me why I'm a fan of Megan Hart's storytelling.
Book two All the Secrets We Keep will be available only little over one month after this one, and I'm excited to read how the story of these two families from Quarry Road will be concluded.
***ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
May 8, 2017
Megan Hart is an author I will always read. Even though All the Lies We Tell isn't the most emotionally intense book by her, she still has a way of writing her main characters that allows the reader to have an intimate relationship with them. In this book, I'd say there are three main characters (maybe four) and we learn of their story, of their grief and how they all tangle together.
Alicia and her ex-husband, Ilya, still work together in their dive shop, even though they haven't been married for some time. They actually live across the street from each other, just as they did growing up, so they are each a big presence in each other's lives. Growing up, Alicia, Ilya, his brother Nikolai and Alicia's sister Jennilyn hung out together almost on a daily basis. While the boys constantly teased the girls, there was a deep connection between them. Ilya and Jennilyn had a thing. Nikolai and Alicia had a thing...but it was all secrets and messy kisses. In their late teens, tragedy strikes as Jennilyn is found dead. Ilya was in love with her and is devastated. Alicia and Nikolai are as well. Fast forward, Ilya and Alicia end up getting married, devastating Nikolai who had been traveling. He takes off for a job in Israel and Alicia and Ilya start their ill-fated marriage.
In current day, Nikolai and Ilya's beloved grandmother dies, bringing everyone back together. Things are still very messy in this family as only Megan Hart can write. I love her imperfect, flawed characters and relationships. They feel so realistic, especially in this book. I don't want to give too much away, as I went in with a blank slate and liked that I had no idea what was going to happen. Ilya is selfish, and jerky and drinks too much. He lashes out at people, and uses them, and is lazy and yet you still feel for him and his grief for his dead grandmother,
Alicia and Nikolai still have a spark of passion between them, not having seen each other for many years. They are the hero and heroine in this book and their journey of figuring out if they want to pursue their attraction yet again, and what they want for the future, is presented well. We spend time in the past as well, getting to know Jennilyn a little and some mystery that surrounds her. We don't get answers though, which leads me to the part where I say I had few problems with this book. The first half was strong as we get to know everyone, but by the second half I was wondering where we were headed. Nikolai and Alicia were on their way to a HEA (let me quickly say a Megan Hart HEA isn't always the most solid, but I do have hope for these two). I thought there was going to be a big reveal about Jennilyn's death and we don't quite get that. I still feel like there is foul play, and per the blurb it looks like that mystery goes into book two.
I felt like the end of the book kind of rambled on. I still enjoyed this one, but I lost a little interest towards the end. But I'm ready for book two and to see how Ilya, who is not romance hero material yet, can be redeemed.
Grade: B-
Alicia and her ex-husband, Ilya, still work together in their dive shop, even though they haven't been married for some time. They actually live across the street from each other, just as they did growing up, so they are each a big presence in each other's lives. Growing up, Alicia, Ilya, his brother Nikolai and Alicia's sister Jennilyn hung out together almost on a daily basis. While the boys constantly teased the girls, there was a deep connection between them. Ilya and Jennilyn had a thing. Nikolai and Alicia had a thing...but it was all secrets and messy kisses. In their late teens, tragedy strikes as Jennilyn is found dead. Ilya was in love with her and is devastated. Alicia and Nikolai are as well. Fast forward, Ilya and Alicia end up getting married, devastating Nikolai who had been traveling. He takes off for a job in Israel and Alicia and Ilya start their ill-fated marriage.
In current day, Nikolai and Ilya's beloved grandmother dies, bringing everyone back together. Things are still very messy in this family as only Megan Hart can write. I love her imperfect, flawed characters and relationships. They feel so realistic, especially in this book. I don't want to give too much away, as I went in with a blank slate and liked that I had no idea what was going to happen. Ilya is selfish, and jerky and drinks too much. He lashes out at people, and uses them, and is lazy and yet you still feel for him and his grief for his dead grandmother,
Alicia and Nikolai still have a spark of passion between them, not having seen each other for many years. They are the hero and heroine in this book and their journey of figuring out if they want to pursue their attraction yet again, and what they want for the future, is presented well. We spend time in the past as well, getting to know Jennilyn a little and some mystery that surrounds her. We don't get answers though, which leads me to the part where I say I had few problems with this book. The first half was strong as we get to know everyone, but by the second half I was wondering where we were headed. Nikolai and Alicia were on their way to a HEA (let me quickly say a Megan Hart HEA isn't always the most solid, but I do have hope for these two). I thought there was going to be a big reveal about Jennilyn's death and we don't quite get that. I still feel like there is foul play, and per the blurb it looks like that mystery goes into book two.
I felt like the end of the book kind of rambled on. I still enjoyed this one, but I lost a little interest towards the end. But I'm ready for book two and to see how Ilya, who is not romance hero material yet, can be redeemed.
Grade: B-
March 28, 2019
Having read only one other title by Megan Hart (The Favor), I went into All the Lies We Tell with high hopes of enjoying it, and boy was I not disappointed. Megan Hart has a very distinct writing and storytelling style that is refreshing, dark, and leaves you feeling conflicted for days on end as you mentally digest what you've read. To sum up my feelings, I like this aspect of her books so much. And I don't want to say her books are formulaic--because they really aren't--but comparing The Favor and All the Lies We Tell, I can see some similarities that might be a staple to her stores: kids who are neighbors growing up and having complicated romantic relationships that have betrayal and accidents at the heart of their problems. (That was a poor summation, but there you have it.)
With All the Lies We Tell, in particular, I liked the burn between Alicia and Niko. It was sexy, it was hot, it wasn't meant to last, and--in a way--it was almost trespassing into forbidden territory because she and Ilya, Niko's younger brother, had been married and things fell apart between them. But with all the mess between them, I rooted for Alicia and Niko.
Two of my favorite aspects of Megan Hart's writing, which are HUGE in this book, is how she brings angst out from the dusty depths of my punk rock infested closet and gives it a fresh, mature feel, and how she uses alternating past and present timelines. With the angst, she doesn't make it cool, not like how we were as kids trying to be something else. Oh no, she makes it real, tangible, alive and not at all attention grabbing. It simply is. And with the timelines, they flow so well. I was never lost or left confused as to where I was. I was just floating along in time as Megan led me through her story. And it all together, the angst, the messy love, the different timelines, it all worked well for me.
Do I recommend? Yes. Absolutely, yes.
With All the Lies We Tell, in particular, I liked the burn between Alicia and Niko. It was sexy, it was hot, it wasn't meant to last, and--in a way--it was almost trespassing into forbidden territory because she and Ilya, Niko's younger brother, had been married and things fell apart between them. But with all the mess between them, I rooted for Alicia and Niko.
Two of my favorite aspects of Megan Hart's writing, which are HUGE in this book, is how she brings angst out from the dusty depths of my punk rock infested closet and gives it a fresh, mature feel, and how she uses alternating past and present timelines. With the angst, she doesn't make it cool, not like how we were as kids trying to be something else. Oh no, she makes it real, tangible, alive and not at all attention grabbing. It simply is. And with the timelines, they flow so well. I was never lost or left confused as to where I was. I was just floating along in time as Megan led me through her story. And it all together, the angst, the messy love, the different timelines, it all worked well for me.
Do I recommend? Yes. Absolutely, yes.
March 24, 2018
Disclaimers: The synopsis section is ©Goodreads but the rest of the reviews are completely my words and of course the quote section is obviously from the book reviewed.
I don't know how to feel about this, it was decently written and I was drawn to it at first but it just got too saucy for me. xD It was very off and on, I liked some parts and the other parts were bland. I liked how Allie and Niko meshed together despite Allie and Ilya's divorce. It was kind of cute but reminded me of high school even though they're adults. I didn't feel anything, which is terrible but when I read good books I usually feel....something, anything. Loss, melancholy, joy, but I was bored with it. Hopefully someone else will enjoy it a lot more than I did.
I don't know how to feel about this, it was decently written and I was drawn to it at first but it just got too saucy for me. xD It was very off and on, I liked some parts and the other parts were bland. I liked how Allie and Niko meshed together despite Allie and Ilya's divorce. It was kind of cute but reminded me of high school even though they're adults. I didn't feel anything, which is terrible but when I read good books I usually feel....something, anything. Loss, melancholy, joy, but I was bored with it. Hopefully someone else will enjoy it a lot more than I did.
July 29, 2017
3.5 stars
April 30, 2017
"I'm going to miss you,
Every single day."
I'm a fan of Megan Hart. She has a way of threading and delivering unique stories. That's why I like her books.
In her latest novel, All the Lies We Tell, Megan Hart, brings us a mixture of what could have been loaded with past mistakes and hidden desires between two neighbor families.
Alicia Harrison and her sister Jennilyn have always had a friendship with their neighbor's sons: Ilya and Nikolai Stern. Growing up they did most things together until tragedy strikes. During a time of unresolved grief, Alicia and Ilya decided to elope and get married. Their marriage lasted a decade but their divorce was amicable. But, nothing has really changed. They are still living in the same place, as neighbors and they are also business partners. Then another tragedy brings old players back into town. Nikolai is back and Alice questions her attraction towards him. She knows it could certainly end up being a mistake and she has made enough of those. Theresa, Ilya and Nikolai's step-sister, also comes back. Even Galina, Nikolai and Ilya's mother, makes an appearance too. Neither son has had a good relationship with her but they can't push her away.
As you can tell, there was plenty of drama to keep me entertained. I thought Ilya was egocentric and thoughtless. He drank too much and he was way too angry. He hurt everyone around him. Theresa is still a mystery to me. What is she hiding? Why is she back?
It was easy to root for Alice and Nikolai. Their story was a lot of missed opportunities. It started as the boy who mistreats a girl because he likes her and it progressed to something that they couldn't avoid any longer. I just wished there had been more groveling from Nikolai. Alice was my favorite character. I don't know, but I thought she deserved a chance at happiness. She had pretty much lived her life trapped in the past and her grief.
"You don't get over it. You just get through it."
One thing which wasn't clear to me is what happened to Jennilyn. Was there foul-played involved? I wish I knew if it was just an accident or if her secret relationship brought her own demise. I'm hoping the next book gives me the answers I need.
Overall, I thought All the Lies We Tell had an enjoyable pace with a good narrative, multiple POVs, and alternating past and present chapters.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Montlake via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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June 11, 2017
I have mixed feelings with this book. It never really felt like a romance novel, more just a family drama story. That's typically not my kind of read but it was very well written. I never once thought of stopping and I was never bored with it, but I didn't like the characters.
This book is Alicia and Nikolai's story but there are 5 other characters that were in it so much that they all felt like main characters. It's based around the two families who were neighbors and grew up together
Jennilynn - popular girl in school who partied too much and was in love with Ilya even though they were never really a couple. She drowns when she is 18 but plays a huge role throughout the book.
Alicia - the less noticeable sister who had a thing for Nikolai. Nikolai left right after graduation to get away from his family drama. Alicia then leans on Ilya after her sisters death and Nikolai's absence. They get married and built a business together. My biggest thoughts on her is she was pretty much treated like crap. Constantly being compared to her dead sister and left by the guy who was suppose to love her, only then to be pursued by the brother who couldn't let her sister go.
Babulya - Mother to Galena, Grandmother to Ilya and Nikolai. Was well loved and passes in the beginning of this story that brings everyone back together.
Galena - Mom to Ilya and Nikolai. Galena is the very definition of family drama. She is flaky and had major mood swings that made her sons tip toe around her. She was not a likable character. she seemed very selfish.
Ilya - In love with Jennilyn, but marries Alicia and starts a business with her not long after Jennilyn's death. I really didn't like his character. He seemed very selfish and needed to grow up. It seemed like he used Alicia to keep a tie to Jennilyn.
Nikolai - Leaves right after graduation. He loved Alicia but not enough to stay for her. I didn't dislike him but felt he needed to man up...even when he came back.
This book is Alicia and Nikolai's story but there are 5 other characters that were in it so much that they all felt like main characters. It's based around the two families who were neighbors and grew up together
Jennilynn - popular girl in school who partied too much and was in love with Ilya even though they were never really a couple. She drowns when she is 18 but plays a huge role throughout the book.
Alicia - the less noticeable sister who had a thing for Nikolai. Nikolai left right after graduation to get away from his family drama. Alicia then leans on Ilya after her sisters death and Nikolai's absence. They get married and built a business together. My biggest thoughts on her is she was pretty much treated like crap. Constantly being compared to her dead sister and left by the guy who was suppose to love her, only then to be pursued by the brother who couldn't let her sister go.
Babulya - Mother to Galena, Grandmother to Ilya and Nikolai. Was well loved and passes in the beginning of this story that brings everyone back together.
Galena - Mom to Ilya and Nikolai. Galena is the very definition of family drama. She is flaky and had major mood swings that made her sons tip toe around her. She was not a likable character. she seemed very selfish.
Ilya - In love with Jennilyn, but marries Alicia and starts a business with her not long after Jennilyn's death. I really didn't like his character. He seemed very selfish and needed to grow up. It seemed like he used Alicia to keep a tie to Jennilyn.
Nikolai - Leaves right after graduation. He loved Alicia but not enough to stay for her. I didn't dislike him but felt he needed to man up...even when he came back.
April 7, 2025
3 stars
Another so so read for me. It had the perfect set up...two sisters and two brothers, neighbors in a small town where they are the only two houses at the end of a street near a quarry. The older sister dies under mysterious circumstances when they were young. The older brother and younger sister get married for 10 years but at the beginning of the book, they are already divorced. The boys' grandmother is dying so the younger brother, who has been away all these years, returns. There is also a stepsister who returns, who lived with the brothers for a year before the parents broke up. That is a recipe for intense drama and angst and mystery!
BUT....then nothing of any significance really happens. There is a bit of a lukewarm taboo romance between two of the MCs but where there should be jealousy, there was "oh well". We don't find out the answer to the mystery of the oldest sister's death. One of the MMCs is a total ass so no one wants to see him have ANY sort of HEA and honestly, I didn't actually feel the pain of his loss when the oldest sister died. The only interesting thing about him was the fact that he didn't shower for two weeks, causing wrinkling of noses and comments of how he smelled. There is no good background on how the two MCs got together and then married or what it was like when they were married. The connection the FMC has with the younger brother from when they were younger amounts to a few kisses and maybe trying to get one over on the other but for that to create the supposed angst didn't really ring true to me. I kept waiting for something... anything, really...to happen and it didn't....
The end of the novel seemed to create resolution for one couple and the second book seems to focus on the other couple but I have NO interest in reading about them. WHO CARES? There's a third book that seems to focus on how the older sister died.
Sorry, but I was kind of bored. Moving on.
Another so so read for me. It had the perfect set up...two sisters and two brothers, neighbors in a small town where they are the only two houses at the end of a street near a quarry. The older sister dies under mysterious circumstances when they were young. The older brother and younger sister get married for 10 years but at the beginning of the book, they are already divorced. The boys' grandmother is dying so the younger brother, who has been away all these years, returns. There is also a stepsister who returns, who lived with the brothers for a year before the parents broke up. That is a recipe for intense drama and angst and mystery!
BUT....then nothing of any significance really happens. There is a bit of a lukewarm taboo romance between two of the MCs but where there should be jealousy, there was "oh well". We don't find out the answer to the mystery of the oldest sister's death. One of the MMCs is a total ass so no one wants to see him have ANY sort of HEA and honestly, I didn't actually feel the pain of his loss when the oldest sister died. The only interesting thing about him was the fact that he didn't shower for two weeks, causing wrinkling of noses and comments of how he smelled. There is no good background on how the two MCs got together and then married or what it was like when they were married. The connection the FMC has with the younger brother from when they were younger amounts to a few kisses and maybe trying to get one over on the other but for that to create the supposed angst didn't really ring true to me. I kept waiting for something... anything, really...to happen and it didn't....
The end of the novel seemed to create resolution for one couple and the second book seems to focus on the other couple but I have NO interest in reading about them. WHO CARES? There's a third book that seems to focus on how the older sister died.
Sorry, but I was kind of bored. Moving on.
October 6, 2017
I always enjoy reading books that tell different stories! stories of real people that go through real things. I think Alicia, Nikolai, Ilya, and Jenni all went through things and lived through them like any human being would! I was really impressed by the writing and the different perspective and points of view! I began reading and could not stop thinking what would happen next!! Would they or wouldn't they and when they did I did not judge because it's ok for people to feel it's ok for people to make mistakes and be able to redeem themselves. Sometimes tragedy brings people together and Alicia couldn't have said it any better. They got together because they both loved her. I have my theories about Jenni, and Theresa, and Barry!! Can't wait to read the next installment.
July 7, 2017
B- at AAR so 3.5 stars Megan Hart is an autobuy author for me. And even though this particular book didn’t entirely work for me, she’s still going to be an autobuy author because it contains much of what makes her work unique. Technically, she’s a solid and often vivid writer, she creates unique characters and she puts them in situations that really make them dig deep into their emotions. Hart also takes risks, whether it’s jumping back and forth across subgenres or putting characters in situations uncomfortable enough to make readers squirm. Some of what she does in All the Lies We Tell didn’t work for me, but I did find myself thinking about her characters even after I’d finished reading.
This novel is first in a duo, and collectively, the books deal with a group of people who grew up in the two houses that once sat isolated on a stretch of Quarry Street. In this first book, we learn that Alicia Harrison married her neighbor, Ilya Stern. Things didn’t work out between them and they divorced, but continue to operate their small business together. One wouldn’t call them content, but they did at least settle in and stagnate a bit for several years.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
This novel is first in a duo, and collectively, the books deal with a group of people who grew up in the two houses that once sat isolated on a stretch of Quarry Street. In this first book, we learn that Alicia Harrison married her neighbor, Ilya Stern. Things didn’t work out between them and they divorced, but continue to operate their small business together. One wouldn’t call them content, but they did at least settle in and stagnate a bit for several years.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
October 3, 2018
While I didn't think this book was that engaging, I did like it and I plan to continue the series. The story is about family, love, loss, reunification (or not), death, and romance.
Ilya and Niko are brothers, Niko being the younger of the two. They have something in common: Alicia. While it is what I would call a triangle, I don't want to say what happens but it is very intricate and somewhat complicated as far as a life situation.
Ilya and Niko's grandmother is in her last days, so they both go to be with her which is sadly something that they hadn't been doing. When to go to see Babulya (their grandmother) their former stepsister shows up and let's just say that family reunions can be difficult.
There is also a mystery, and one that wasn't answered to my satisfaction. I hope that it will be addressed in book 2. Someone die and her death is a huge part of what happens and why but we only know that she died of an accident; however, it definitely was possible to me that it was murder.
Recommendation: I think it's a good enough book that I would say to read it and judge for yourself. There's no reason for me to highly recommend it nor to say not to read it.
Ilya and Niko are brothers, Niko being the younger of the two. They have something in common: Alicia. While it is what I would call a triangle, I don't want to say what happens but it is very intricate and somewhat complicated as far as a life situation.
Ilya and Niko's grandmother is in her last days, so they both go to be with her which is sadly something that they hadn't been doing. When to go to see Babulya (their grandmother) their former stepsister shows up and let's just say that family reunions can be difficult.
There is also a mystery, and one that wasn't answered to my satisfaction. I hope that it will be addressed in book 2. Someone die and her death is a huge part of what happens and why but we only know that she died of an accident; however, it definitely was possible to me that it was murder.
Recommendation: I think it's a good enough book that I would say to read it and judge for yourself. There's no reason for me to highly recommend it nor to say not to read it.
January 28, 2018
This story is so heart breaking and complicated I dont know that I care to finish. As with all Megan Hart books it really tears you up inside, but this one just didn't catch me, while I empathized with the characters, none of them makde me feel anything more than surface emotions, I didn't connect they were all just a but too cold for me and their intertwined backgrounds didn't work for me either. Maybe it was just me.
May 17, 2017
This had a different feel than the other Megan Hart books I have read and loved. And I loved that about it. It felt fresh. It has her same dynamic writing style that always calls me to her books, whether it is erotica or woman's fiction. I love how she always makes me think!
May 1, 2017
A new book by Megan Hart is cause of celebration for me. Back when I started getting back into reading contemporary romance, she was the author I devoured. There's so much depth to her characters. They're not perfect, they're just real. Flaws, bad decisions and all.ALL THE LIES WE TELL marks the beginning of a duology about a few people. Allie and her sister grew up next door to the Stern brothers. Ilya who always had a bit of a crush on her sister, and Nikolai who was Allie's sort of nemesis. All their lives drastically changed when Allie's sister is found dead as a teenager. Nikolai moves away and Allie ends up marrying Ilya. A marriage doomed from the start and that ended in divorce after many years of trying to make it work. When the the health of the Stern grandmother takes a turn for the worst, Nikolai comes back to town and faces Allie for the first time since hearing of her marriage to his brother. Back together, they can't continue hiding their feelings for each other and things get a little tricky.
This is obviously a story about a forbidden romance in a way just because of the taboo subject of dating your siblings ex. Not unheard of, but not the easiest subject to tackle. This is perfectly done by Ms. Hart and I, for one, was always rooting for their love to persevere. Brother or no brother, their chemistry and connection couldn't be denied. I loved seeing these two together!
As for thee overall plot of this duology, in the next book we'll get the HEA for Ilya and dig deeper into what really happened with Allie's sister. Was it an accidental death as it's always been believed or is there more there? I certainly have my suspicions and if they are true they would make for some interesting friction between the H/h in the next one. I can't wait to find out if I'm right.
Megan Hart's writing has a way to get under your skin. It makes you think, it makes you feel, and in a way experience the story along with the characters. You get upset at their decisions, or you suffer along with them for them. Feel the pull of attraction, the fear of discovery. ALL THE LIES WE TELL is a story about a small town, life long friendship that left two families totally intertwined. Through love and loss. I can't wait for the conclusion containing the rest of the answers I need.
*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Francesca❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
May 19, 2017
A new book by Megan Hart is cause of celebration for me. Back when I started getting back into reading contemporary romance, she was the author I devoured. There’s so much depth to her characters. They’re not perfect, they’re just real. Flaws, bad decisions and all.
ALL THE LIES WE TELL marks the beginning of a duology about a few people. Allie and her sister grew up next door to the Stern brothers. Ilya who always had a bit of a crush on her sister, and Nikolai who was Allie’s sort of nemesis. All their lives drastically changed when Allie’s sister is found dead as a teenager. Nikolai moves away and Allie ends up marrying Ilya. A marriage doomed from the start and that ended in divorce after many years of trying to make it work. When the the health of the Stern grandmother takes a turn for the worst, Nikolai comes back to town and faces Allie for the first time since hearing of her marriage to his brother. Back together, they can’t continue hiding their feelings for each other and things get a little tricky.
This is obviously a story about a forbidden romance in a way just because of the taboo subject of dating your siblings ex. Not unheard of, but not the easiest subject to tackle. This is perfectly done by Ms. Hart and I, for one, was always rooting for their love to persevere. Brother or no brother, their chemistry and connection couldn’t be denied. I loved seeing these two together!
As for thee overall plot of this duology, in the next book we’ll get the HEA for Ilya and dig deeper into what really happened with Allie’s sister. Was it an accidental death as it’s always been believed or is there more there? I certainly have my suspicions and if they are true they would make for some interesting friction between the H/h in the next one. I can’t wait to find out if I’m right.
Megan Hart’s writing has a way to get under your skin. It makes you think, it makes you feel, and in a way experience the story along with the characters. You get upset at their decisions, or you suffer along with them for them. Feel the pull of attraction, the fear of discovery. ALL THE LIES WE TELL is a story about a small town, life long friendship that left two families totally intertwined. Through love and loss. I can’t wait for the conclusion containing the rest of the answers I need.
February 5, 2017
Since I've never read anything by this author, I really had no idea what to expect besides the synopsis which is basically thus: Allie (along with her sister, Jennilyn) grew up across the street from Ilya and Nikolai. Tragedy tears them apart and catapults her into an ill-fitting marriage and business partnership with Ilya. Ten years later, the business is limping along and the marriage is over. When Nikolai returns, Allie realizes that she was with the wrong brother all along...
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the author's writing. I read a lot of ARCs that are barely palatable. The pacing (even with the "then" and "now" flashing, which I don't love) was great, the characters were mostly realistic, and the language read well. The sex was what I'd say is a mid-level of steam and nothing in those scenes struck me as off-putting.
However, the story just didn't work for me, mostly because I felt like this book was trying to make up it's mind about what it wanted to be. Is it a love story? Is it a whodunnit mystery? Is it a thriller? It had elements of all three and it just didn't work for me. If the author is setting up a murder mystery across several books, she's really making some big hints as to who's guilty. Also, the characters and their individual stories fell a bit flat to me. Everyone is unhappy, but no one is really dealing with it. Sure, Allie left Ilya, but she literally lives across the street and shares a business with him. Not exactly trying her hardest to move on, there. The world building wasn't great, either. Secondary characters come off as one-dimensional (Galina). It feels like the author sets up barriers just to quickly knock them down (Allie & Nikolai get over their years-long spat in the course of a single hug).
This definitely wasn't a bad read, by any means, but I'm still split as to whether or not I care enough about any of these characters to read a sequel.
* Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the author's writing. I read a lot of ARCs that are barely palatable. The pacing (even with the "then" and "now" flashing, which I don't love) was great, the characters were mostly realistic, and the language read well. The sex was what I'd say is a mid-level of steam and nothing in those scenes struck me as off-putting.
However, the story just didn't work for me, mostly because I felt like this book was trying to make up it's mind about what it wanted to be. Is it a love story? Is it a whodunnit mystery? Is it a thriller? It had elements of all three and it just didn't work for me. If the author is setting up a murder mystery across several books, she's really making some big hints as to who's guilty. Also, the characters and their individual stories fell a bit flat to me. Everyone is unhappy, but no one is really dealing with it. Sure, Allie left Ilya, but she literally lives across the street and shares a business with him. Not exactly trying her hardest to move on, there. The world building wasn't great, either. Secondary characters come off as one-dimensional (Galina). It feels like the author sets up barriers just to quickly knock them down (Allie & Nikolai get over their years-long spat in the course of a single hug).
This definitely wasn't a bad read, by any means, but I'm still split as to whether or not I care enough about any of these characters to read a sequel.
* Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2017
Childhood friends torn apart by one tragedy are brought back together by another. Secrets of the past bring up old feelings making everyone question choices of the past and choices for the future. Emotionally driven, All the Lies We Tell, alternates between the past and present. It plays to our human nature with how we deal with loves, losses and facing our future while healing from our past. Megan Hart is one of my favorite authors, and Lies, is a prime example why. A contemporary love story with a touch of mystery, All the Lies We Tell, will draw you in from beginning to end.
July 11, 2017
Not very enthused with this book. It was a little dreary. Even though I liked the story, I didn't like the characters very much. What I did like was that the story is very convoluted, and the character's lives made me reflect. The story takes place in a little town in New Jersey called Quarrytown. And this town had, you guessed it, a quarry. It is used as a beach and there's a dive shop called Go Deep. They do dive classes, dive trips, etc. All the characters live in, yep, Quarry Road, and it involves two families who are neighbors, have known each other all their lives, and the kids, two sisters and two brothers, have unrequited feelings.
The action takes place in two time frames; alternating chapters take place in the present, the others take place around 20 years ago. You don't understand a thing at first, and as the flashbacks occur, you start understanding some of the actions that the characters are taking in the present. Of course, if I go into the past actions, I would be spoiling the book, so won't go there. All the characters are involved in some way. Alicia is Ilia's Stern ex-wife. She's unhappy, she's been yearning to be free to travel and yet is still stuck in Quarrytown. Her ex-husband is co-owner with her of the quarry and the dive business. He's some sort of loser, player, lazybones, who coasts through the jobs, doing the diving classes and trips, and leaves her the dreary job of managing the business. She does the finances, the scheduling, trip coordination, all the boring job, while he gets the perks of traveling. Nikolai Stern is Ilia's brother. He left right after high school, travelled the world doing odd jobs around and ended up working in a kibbitz in Israel. He comes to town suddenly to attend to their grandmother's last days.
Alicia and Ilya have a strange relation, more like fighting siblings than an ex-couple. They grew up together, were married for ten years, are now divorced and are still neighbors across the street. They get along mostly but squabble a lot. Nikolai and Alicia have a strange vibe and I got the feeling there was something there when they were kids but the marriage to Ilya killed any expectations. At this time, I had no idea why the heck Alicia married Ilya. That understanding comes later, in one of the flashback chapters.
Galinda, Ilya's and Niko's mother, arrives back to town for her mother's funeral, and she's another uneasy element, because she was not the best of mothers. Martha, a former step sister also arrives in town for the funeral. Her father was briefly married to Galinda when she was 12 years old, and she kept contact with the grandmother only. She has a second agenda in her visit and in time it comes out. Galinda assumes ownership of the house where Ilya lives amd assigns Niko to update the house. She had lived in North Carolina for over twenty years and siddenly decided to move back home. She's a strange character, and her intentions are not completely revealed in the book, so she remains sort of a mistery.
The feeling that comes out stronger in this book is yearning. All these characters took decisions, based on a tragedy that occurred 20 years ago, and it has shadowed their lives. Instead of dealing and overcoming the situation, they lived through the situation, and they are still heavily affected. There's a strong feeling of "should haves" about actions they didn't take years ago, and that lack has caused this big hole in their souls. Therefore, their conversations, their interactions, are fraught with disillusion, yearning, and a sort of cowardice to confront their inner desires. I felt some situations kept going in circles, generating discord, but no resolution. And then, all of a sudden, it got fixed. And I had no idea what happened!
The action takes place in two time frames; alternating chapters take place in the present, the others take place around 20 years ago. You don't understand a thing at first, and as the flashbacks occur, you start understanding some of the actions that the characters are taking in the present. Of course, if I go into the past actions, I would be spoiling the book, so won't go there. All the characters are involved in some way. Alicia is Ilia's Stern ex-wife. She's unhappy, she's been yearning to be free to travel and yet is still stuck in Quarrytown. Her ex-husband is co-owner with her of the quarry and the dive business. He's some sort of loser, player, lazybones, who coasts through the jobs, doing the diving classes and trips, and leaves her the dreary job of managing the business. She does the finances, the scheduling, trip coordination, all the boring job, while he gets the perks of traveling. Nikolai Stern is Ilia's brother. He left right after high school, travelled the world doing odd jobs around and ended up working in a kibbitz in Israel. He comes to town suddenly to attend to their grandmother's last days.
Alicia and Ilya have a strange relation, more like fighting siblings than an ex-couple. They grew up together, were married for ten years, are now divorced and are still neighbors across the street. They get along mostly but squabble a lot. Nikolai and Alicia have a strange vibe and I got the feeling there was something there when they were kids but the marriage to Ilya killed any expectations. At this time, I had no idea why the heck Alicia married Ilya. That understanding comes later, in one of the flashback chapters.
Galinda, Ilya's and Niko's mother, arrives back to town for her mother's funeral, and she's another uneasy element, because she was not the best of mothers. Martha, a former step sister also arrives in town for the funeral. Her father was briefly married to Galinda when she was 12 years old, and she kept contact with the grandmother only. She has a second agenda in her visit and in time it comes out. Galinda assumes ownership of the house where Ilya lives amd assigns Niko to update the house. She had lived in North Carolina for over twenty years and siddenly decided to move back home. She's a strange character, and her intentions are not completely revealed in the book, so she remains sort of a mistery.
The feeling that comes out stronger in this book is yearning. All these characters took decisions, based on a tragedy that occurred 20 years ago, and it has shadowed their lives. Instead of dealing and overcoming the situation, they lived through the situation, and they are still heavily affected. There's a strong feeling of "should haves" about actions they didn't take years ago, and that lack has caused this big hole in their souls. Therefore, their conversations, their interactions, are fraught with disillusion, yearning, and a sort of cowardice to confront their inner desires. I felt some situations kept going in circles, generating discord, but no resolution. And then, all of a sudden, it got fixed. And I had no idea what happened!
November 13, 2017
All the Lies We Tell by Megan Hart is a novel about lust and love and family and finding out too late who you really love. Why in premise, brothers in love with sisters and then ending up with the wrong ones, may seem a little stretched, Hart's ability to tell the tale makes this one engaging and bittersweet.
"...It's Babulya,' Niko said with an edge in his voice. 'She's...they say she doesn't have long to live. You need to get over there right away..."
Alicia Harrison's marriage to Ilya Stern was doomed from the beginning. The ghost of Alicia's older sister haunted their relationship from the very beginning. No matter what Alicia did, she could never be Jennilynn. In life it was difficult, but in death, the spectre of Jennilynn was far too much to overcome. Alicia and her sister Jennilynn. Ilya and his brother Niko. Two sets of siblings, growing up on the same street in two homes across from one another. But then Jennilynn goes missing and Niko leaves and all that is left is the broken pieces. The pieces that are Ilya and Alicia. But they could not repair the broken parts of one another. They could only cut themselves on them. Alicia and Ilya divorced but live across the street from one another and in this small town, they are still considered married. Alicia finds herself responsible for the immature acts of her ex-husband. Their business, built while they were married, keeps them together on a daily basis. But the emptiness that is in Alicia's soul is opening and there has to be more for her than living in this small town, caring for a man she does not love, and trying to be the sister that is gone from them all.
Then Babulya dies and the final ties that bind them together begins to unravel. Babulya was Ilya's and Nikolai's grandmother and the woman who raised them and Alicia alike. Now, with her passing the whole clan is coming home. And now, Alicia will be face to face with the brother she let go and the one she stayed with. She will have to face the truth of her desires and the lies she made herself believe all those years before.
What Alicia feels for Nikolai is what she once made herself believed she felt for Ilya. But after all this time will they continue to deny the truth. But she knows Nikolai, he will not stay and she cannot leave. All they can share is a brief time of pleasure. But can they keep it secret from the rest of the family and will it be enough.
Megan Hart is a storyteller whose talents and craft are on full display. She infuse erotica, romance and human angst into a tale of lost love and grief. She also offers her characters the hope that change can happen if they are willing to take the chance. Change that comes with heartache and risk but with the rewards of love and happiness.
For Alicia, the reward is not the love of Nikolai. It is in fact the chance to take her life back. From the responsibilities of her broken marriage and the failing business that ties her down. From the grief and obligations of her sister's memory and for once, to live her life for herself. Nikolai is simply the catalyst. The spark that makes her believe that she a right to live. A right to find herself and her own happiness.
Megan Hart writes beautiful erotic romance, but what makes it so; is that Megan Hart can create characters you will care about.
Another good read from Hart.
"...It's Babulya,' Niko said with an edge in his voice. 'She's...they say she doesn't have long to live. You need to get over there right away..."
Alicia Harrison's marriage to Ilya Stern was doomed from the beginning. The ghost of Alicia's older sister haunted their relationship from the very beginning. No matter what Alicia did, she could never be Jennilynn. In life it was difficult, but in death, the spectre of Jennilynn was far too much to overcome. Alicia and her sister Jennilynn. Ilya and his brother Niko. Two sets of siblings, growing up on the same street in two homes across from one another. But then Jennilynn goes missing and Niko leaves and all that is left is the broken pieces. The pieces that are Ilya and Alicia. But they could not repair the broken parts of one another. They could only cut themselves on them. Alicia and Ilya divorced but live across the street from one another and in this small town, they are still considered married. Alicia finds herself responsible for the immature acts of her ex-husband. Their business, built while they were married, keeps them together on a daily basis. But the emptiness that is in Alicia's soul is opening and there has to be more for her than living in this small town, caring for a man she does not love, and trying to be the sister that is gone from them all.
Then Babulya dies and the final ties that bind them together begins to unravel. Babulya was Ilya's and Nikolai's grandmother and the woman who raised them and Alicia alike. Now, with her passing the whole clan is coming home. And now, Alicia will be face to face with the brother she let go and the one she stayed with. She will have to face the truth of her desires and the lies she made herself believe all those years before.
What Alicia feels for Nikolai is what she once made herself believed she felt for Ilya. But after all this time will they continue to deny the truth. But she knows Nikolai, he will not stay and she cannot leave. All they can share is a brief time of pleasure. But can they keep it secret from the rest of the family and will it be enough.
Megan Hart is a storyteller whose talents and craft are on full display. She infuse erotica, romance and human angst into a tale of lost love and grief. She also offers her characters the hope that change can happen if they are willing to take the chance. Change that comes with heartache and risk but with the rewards of love and happiness.
For Alicia, the reward is not the love of Nikolai. It is in fact the chance to take her life back. From the responsibilities of her broken marriage and the failing business that ties her down. From the grief and obligations of her sister's memory and for once, to live her life for herself. Nikolai is simply the catalyst. The spark that makes her believe that she a right to live. A right to find herself and her own happiness.
Megan Hart writes beautiful erotic romance, but what makes it so; is that Megan Hart can create characters you will care about.
Another good read from Hart.
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