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Kiss Her Goodbye #1
Hard Truths
I’m Everly Marrs, and I’ll be damned before I lose myself to the men that kidnapped me.
I had plans, big plans. I had my pretty little life outlined: Graduate school and get a job in social work—maybe even one day marry a nice man who actually knew what he was doing in bed. But everything changed when I woke up in a strange place with five men who insisted I call them D, W, J, K, and T.
The Letters.
They told me that the world wasn’t what it seemed. I lived my life thinking that I was in control of my own destiny, but in actuality they controlled everything. The world was their playground and I was just another ant, marching in line to the beat of their drum.
The Letters kidnapped me to force my father’s hand, and they couldn’t promise me safe passage. I knew my place in all of this but still found myself losing who I was to their games.
I’m Everly Marrs, and I’ll save myself if I have to.
I had plans, big plans. I had my pretty little life outlined: Graduate school and get a job in social work—maybe even one day marry a nice man who actually knew what he was doing in bed. But everything changed when I woke up in a strange place with five men who insisted I call them D, W, J, K, and T.
The Letters.
They told me that the world wasn’t what it seemed. I lived my life thinking that I was in control of my own destiny, but in actuality they controlled everything. The world was their playground and I was just another ant, marching in line to the beat of their drum.
The Letters kidnapped me to force my father’s hand, and they couldn’t promise me safe passage. I knew my place in all of this but still found myself losing who I was to their games.
I’m Everly Marrs, and I’ll save myself if I have to.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2018
775 people are currently reading
1112 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Royce
193 books1,430 followersAuthor of science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
September 29, 2023
I really enjoyed this it has a reverse harem secret society theme and is all told from the heroine Everly’s POV. Everly finds herself kidnapped from her mundane life she’s a twenty-two-year-old girl completing a degree in social work. Raised by a distant father an accountant and a cold grandmother after her mother ran off when she was small she’s just ordinary, or is she?
Now Everly has to rethink everything she thought she knew as she finds herself a guest of a group of five men who claim her father is a member of a secret organisation called the Alliance as they all are, but even worse is he’s done something to piss them all off and they are now holding her life as collateral to encourage him to play ball. In an attempt to create distance, they Initially Introduce themselves as just letters J, K, W, T and D these men all in their late thirties promise Everly she will be fine as long as her father cooperates and delivers what they need from him.
But there’s an internal power struggle taking place within this powerful group of world domination and front runners and now Everly finds herself caught in the crossfire as Kade, Derrick, Warden, Trace and Judson suddenly find themselves all with targets on their heads. Everly now gets to spend individual time with each male as they shunt her across the country in an attempt to lie low whilst they regroup and Everly inexplicably finds herself now drawn to each and every one of them.
This was an easy read this first book wasn’t particularly dark and actually Everly is treated well more like a guest and she doesn’t really act like much of a prisoner. She’s also a girl who knows what she wants and isn’t ashamed of taking it either and I liked that about her. She’s slightly emotionally distant able to detach most probably because of her cold upbringing. She’s also not one of those TSTL heroines she recognises and quite early on, that these men are the only thing standing between her and a very bad end they are the lesser of two evils and as she has a very healthy dose of self-preservation she plays ball and doesn’t try to escape realising she’s safer with them.
I found all of the men here to have different traits so they were distinctive my favourite was Derrick for obvious reasons. The chemistry wasn’t as full on as some I’ve read but it was still there I’d maybe have liked a more gradual switch from sacrificial lamb to I’m now totally obsessed as there didn’t seem to be any defining moment that I could pinpoint other than with Derrick, it mostly seems that she has a mouth on her and that she’s hot.
Now the ending here that did shock me so I can’t wait to discover what happens next. I’m expecting book two to get darker with the consequences of Everly’s situation and overall I enjoyed this and I’m hoping it now manages to keep up the momentum as we move forward.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
February 3, 2019
Not bad but slow
I feel weird saying this book was slow because Everly was constantly getting passed around to the different guys. She traveled all over and never seemed to stay in one place for a long. But I felt like the plot itself moved too slow for what I wanted. I had a hard time liking any of the characters including Everly, it just seemed like she fell for them to quickly, even after how they treated her. And they were all over the place emotionally. It's not that they are in a secret group that runs the world, it's that they seem so callous towards other people including her. The ending does make me kind of want to read the next book so we'll see.
I feel weird saying this book was slow because Everly was constantly getting passed around to the different guys. She traveled all over and never seemed to stay in one place for a long. But I felt like the plot itself moved too slow for what I wanted. I had a hard time liking any of the characters including Everly, it just seemed like she fell for them to quickly, even after how they treated her. And they were all over the place emotionally. It's not that they are in a secret group that runs the world, it's that they seem so callous towards other people including her. The ending does make me kind of want to read the next book so we'll see.
May 15, 2019
That ending saved it for me! Onto the next book.
March 2, 2020
On the fence
2.5 rounded up to 3. I’m iffy on this book. The only thing that is making me read the next book is the cliffhanger. Other than that, there is no relationship building at all! This is a reverse harem dark romance but so far our main character is super weak and just unbelievable. She’s supposedly a girl who likes random hookups instead of relationships but then she meets these 5, who kidnapped her, has sex with them because she likes sex, and then is supposedly head over heals just because they had sex? Wait, but she’s supposed to be a fan of meaningless sex... so how are these guys wrecking her just with sex? Also, one of the guys names are Kade, the author wrote him as Kane a few times, that bothers the crap out of me. Honestly the whole idea about a secret organization running the world is believable to me, it’s the fact that she is kidnapped, has sex immediately and is supposedly in love that isn’t believable. Derrick lost his wife, he talks to our main character one time and is all “she’s mine”. Dude, your whole mission is about getting revenge for your murdered wife and you meet this girl and fall in love at first sight?! Come on. And it’s honestly like that with all of them almost, they all just expect that she’s going to have sex with them. And all 5 guys are described to be around 40 years old but they honestly act a little immature. One more thing, they’re supposedly this elite group who kill people and such, so tell me why they are dumb enough to take go out into public to drink and such while they are supposed to be in hiding?! What! I will continue just because I’m curious, damn curiosity. And because I actually like the overall storyline, it’s just the inner details that aren’t working for me. Here’s to hoping the next book is better!
2.5 rounded up to 3. I’m iffy on this book. The only thing that is making me read the next book is the cliffhanger. Other than that, there is no relationship building at all! This is a reverse harem dark romance but so far our main character is super weak and just unbelievable. She’s supposedly a girl who likes random hookups instead of relationships but then she meets these 5, who kidnapped her, has sex with them because she likes sex, and then is supposedly head over heals just because they had sex? Wait, but she’s supposed to be a fan of meaningless sex... so how are these guys wrecking her just with sex? Also, one of the guys names are Kade, the author wrote him as Kane a few times, that bothers the crap out of me. Honestly the whole idea about a secret organization running the world is believable to me, it’s the fact that she is kidnapped, has sex immediately and is supposedly in love that isn’t believable. Derrick lost his wife, he talks to our main character one time and is all “she’s mine”. Dude, your whole mission is about getting revenge for your murdered wife and you meet this girl and fall in love at first sight?! Come on. And it’s honestly like that with all of them almost, they all just expect that she’s going to have sex with them. And all 5 guys are described to be around 40 years old but they honestly act a little immature. One more thing, they’re supposedly this elite group who kill people and such, so tell me why they are dumb enough to take go out into public to drink and such while they are supposed to be in hiding?! What! I will continue just because I’m curious, damn curiosity. And because I actually like the overall storyline, it’s just the inner details that aren’t working for me. Here’s to hoping the next book is better!
December 7, 2018
The world that we know is an illusion. Puppets, chess pieces, ants, normal people. Regular people don't matter, they have no say, no control. What they believe either doesn't matter or isn't true. Everly's eyes have been opened. She now knows. One day she's in school studying to become a social worker, sleeping with random guys, getting by. The next she wakes up a prisoner on an island, held as leverage in a deadly fight for power. The Alliance. Deadly men who go by letters D, W, J, K, and T quickly strip her of any and every belief that she has ever held about her family, her life, her world. Nothing is sugarcoated, especially her well-being. If she isn't useful, if she's too much of a bother, she's expendable. She should be terrified. And she is. But she also feels more alive, more vital than ever before. And heaven help her, she's never been more attracted to a man, more specifically men, in her entire life. This whole experience has revealed a dark, twisted part of herself that may lead her down a path of total destruction.
Hard truths is a sensational dark RH by one of the most talented authors in the genre. This is a departure from her normal writing. Yes, the lead female is a strong, impressive lady and she promises an HEA but the journey to forever will be a twisted, ugly path. I loved it and gladly embrace this more naughty side of Ms. Royce. This book has the exact amount of darkness and kink to enthrall me but never crosses the line. Everly is destroyed in the best possible ways. And she's always willing. She's a victim of her circumstances but never a victim. She's brilliant, feisty, owns her sexuality, maybe too critical of her looks, but confident. Her decisions may not always be the best and may upset some readers but she owns them. I love this. The letters are not your typical Alpha males. We don't have the guy who works on cars, the cook, the brooding one, the oversized teddy bear or the tech geek. Sure, the guys can cover all of these characteristics or skills but there's nothing as simplistic about the letters. There's no warm and fuzzy, no soft, loving words or tender glances and soft touches. These men don't care. They want. They demand. They expect. The ruin lives, destroy the path to get to their destination. They don't even call each other friends. It's interesting to me that as brilliant as each man is, they maybe overestimate their cruelty. Yes, they are willing to kill, kidnap, steal. Possibly they are every bit as cruel as they claim and Everly is only a toy. But as cold, power-hungry, and savage as they are at times, they each have moments of vulnerability and touches of humanity. I believe Everly is their one weakness, their saving grace. She has the power to soothe their inner beast, reach the broken soul, calm the psychopath if only they are brave enough to be the men not only the letters.
This storyline is well-thought out and executed. The background information is nicely detailed. It's an intelligent read which I find very sexy. The constant action, danger, suspense, and locale changes keep the reader on edge. The sexual tension is delicious. The ending is stunning. I had an audible gasp and literally reached out to the author wanting a release date for the next book. Truly, I will be haunted by these characters until the story continues.
Hard truths is a sensational dark RH by one of the most talented authors in the genre. This is a departure from her normal writing. Yes, the lead female is a strong, impressive lady and she promises an HEA but the journey to forever will be a twisted, ugly path. I loved it and gladly embrace this more naughty side of Ms. Royce. This book has the exact amount of darkness and kink to enthrall me but never crosses the line. Everly is destroyed in the best possible ways. And she's always willing. She's a victim of her circumstances but never a victim. She's brilliant, feisty, owns her sexuality, maybe too critical of her looks, but confident. Her decisions may not always be the best and may upset some readers but she owns them. I love this. The letters are not your typical Alpha males. We don't have the guy who works on cars, the cook, the brooding one, the oversized teddy bear or the tech geek. Sure, the guys can cover all of these characteristics or skills but there's nothing as simplistic about the letters. There's no warm and fuzzy, no soft, loving words or tender glances and soft touches. These men don't care. They want. They demand. They expect. The ruin lives, destroy the path to get to their destination. They don't even call each other friends. It's interesting to me that as brilliant as each man is, they maybe overestimate their cruelty. Yes, they are willing to kill, kidnap, steal. Possibly they are every bit as cruel as they claim and Everly is only a toy. But as cold, power-hungry, and savage as they are at times, they each have moments of vulnerability and touches of humanity. I believe Everly is their one weakness, their saving grace. She has the power to soothe their inner beast, reach the broken soul, calm the psychopath if only they are brave enough to be the men not only the letters.
This storyline is well-thought out and executed. The background information is nicely detailed. It's an intelligent read which I find very sexy. The constant action, danger, suspense, and locale changes keep the reader on edge. The sexual tension is delicious. The ending is stunning. I had an audible gasp and literally reached out to the author wanting a release date for the next book. Truly, I will be haunted by these characters until the story continues.
January 23, 2019
3,7*
It kept my interest the whole book and i could not stop reading until the end.
But i don't find it as dark as i imagined it to be, i liked it and i fucking need the next one now
It kept my interest the whole book and i could not stop reading until the end.
But i don't find it as dark as i imagined it to be, i liked it and i fucking need the next one now
December 20, 2018
Hard Truths is the first book of the Kiss Her Goodbye series. Be ready for the book to be immediately change from one line to the next.
Everything Everly Marrs knows will be turned upside in an instant, when she looses time and works out she’s been kidnapped by 5 men called D, J, K, T and W - aka The Letters.
Their reason for kidnapping her...
...well, you’ll just have to read Hard Truths to find out.
This is a fast paced, addictive, beautifully written story, with an epic cliffhanger. Rebecca Royce will not disappoint you with this Dark Romance.
Everything Everly Marrs knows will be turned upside in an instant, when she looses time and works out she’s been kidnapped by 5 men called D, J, K, T and W - aka The Letters.
Their reason for kidnapping her...
...well, you’ll just have to read Hard Truths to find out.
This is a fast paced, addictive, beautifully written story, with an epic cliffhanger. Rebecca Royce will not disappoint you with this Dark Romance.
December 27, 2018
I felt like once Everly started getting involved with the men it was like watching the movie Groundhog Day. Stay with man, learn about and connect with man, sleep with man then next day get found by bad alliance. I don’t know, I feel like this wasn’t very dark as the author said it was going to be, in fact it was kind of boring. There were times when I wasn’t sure who was supposed to be talking until I read farther and then I had to go read it again to get the context right. I probably won’t read the next book.
May 14, 2020
This was a great start to a RH series.
I love that the main female MC is not perfect, super pretty, and a virgin. Everly was such a refreshing character to read especially for a woman in her 40s.
I don't know if I would consider this book to be dark, but the main guys are definitely bad guys and I like that. They never pretended to be anything but bad men and I loved that.
I hated that it ended on a cliffhanger.
I love that the main female MC is not perfect, super pretty, and a virgin. Everly was such a refreshing character to read especially for a woman in her 40s.
I don't know if I would consider this book to be dark, but the main guys are definitely bad guys and I like that. They never pretended to be anything but bad men and I loved that.
I hated that it ended on a cliffhanger.
May 6, 2019
DNF 31%
MINOR SPOILERS THROUGHOUT:
This book was one I had wanted to read for months and sounded right up my alley. And, in a way, I suppose it was. There was nothing wrong with the story elements (that I read). The plot and especially the characters seemed pretty great and unique. My problem with this book, was the pacing. It fluctuated between going super fast and extremely slow and was slightly disorienting.
Another thing that I disliked was the setting. I like for the settings of my books to mainly be in one place. I was elated when I found out that Everly had been kidnapped and taken to a deserted island. It meant more character interaction and less plot. Unfortunately, the whole "you're kidnapped and have no where to go" thing was over within two book days. Everly was taken off the island by one of her kidnappers who suddenly wanted her help. This was just highly unrealistic to me. Who takes their hostage away from where you have them for their help with a project?! Plus, I felt a little bit of insta-love between Everly and that kindnapper.
MINOR SPOILERS THROUGHOUT:
This book was one I had wanted to read for months and sounded right up my alley. And, in a way, I suppose it was. There was nothing wrong with the story elements (that I read). The plot and especially the characters seemed pretty great and unique. My problem with this book, was the pacing. It fluctuated between going super fast and extremely slow and was slightly disorienting.
Another thing that I disliked was the setting. I like for the settings of my books to mainly be in one place. I was elated when I found out that Everly had been kidnapped and taken to a deserted island. It meant more character interaction and less plot. Unfortunately, the whole "you're kidnapped and have no where to go" thing was over within two book days. Everly was taken off the island by one of her kidnappers who suddenly wanted her help. This was just highly unrealistic to me. Who takes their hostage away from where you have them for their help with a project?! Plus, I felt a little bit of insta-love between Everly and that kindnapper.
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August 22, 2021
Dark dark romance
I was unprepared for the turn this took! As a first foray into dark romance it was different than I'm used to but very enjoyable
I was unprepared for the turn this took! As a first foray into dark romance it was different than I'm used to but very enjoyable
April 19, 2019
‘Hard Truths’ is the first book in the ‘Kiss Her Goodbye’ series by Rebecca Royce. Firstly, I’d like to thank Rebecca’s assistant Michelle for sending me a copy of this book, via the Royce Pack, for me to review. Please read on for the review and pleased be warned if you haven’t read this book or the series so far, my review WILL contain spoilers. Stop reading at this point if you don’t wish to know what happens. Thank you!
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We meet the protagonist, Everly, who at first seems like your average teenage girl, set to complete her college education in the near future. Only, everything about her, or rather, everything that surrounds her, is everything but average or normal. After a less than satisfactory night between the sheets, she wakes up to start the day without making the same mistake again. However, her day soon takes a turn for the unexpected, as when she opens her fridge to grab a drink, all goes to black.
Waking up in a mysterious, dark and different place than her college dormitory, Everly meets five men simply known as ‘K’, ‘T’, ‘D’, ‘W’ and ‘J’ . Five men in which she knows she won’t remember easily, thus coming up with amusing and inventive ways of remembering who’s who. As she becomes somewhat familiar with the new environment she plans to make her escape from, the men one by one reveal to her that they need her. Or rather, they need and plan to use her as a bargaining chip to lure her father in to get what they want from him. The only thing she has been forbidden to do while at the house, owned by one of the men, is enter the basement. Very ‘Beauty and the Beast’, with resemblance to not being allowed to enter the castle’s west wing.
Confessing to Everly that the five of them know more about her than she ever would imagine, this ultimately kick-starts her plan for survival. Not primarily of her own life singularly, but against the five mysterious men and her brewing, conflicting feelings for them as her sleeping sexual seductress within her slowly awakens with the realisation that while each of them in their own right terrify her, they’re also sinfully and irritatingly attractive. Not like most kidnappers at all, according to her.
Revealing to her that she is in fact in a house in Vermont, not her native Baton Rouge in Louisiana, Everly is also in for several more surprises which start to rock the very roots, images and memories she’d held foremost in her memory for as long as she remember. Talking with her father via one of her captor’s phones, he confirms that he had her mother killed when she ran off with a motorbike MC. Though Everly once held hatred in her heart for her mother doing so, she now has another conflicting thought running through her head. Did her father really kill her, or did he hire someone to kill her. Not that it matters to her. The fact is, someone killed her only mother and who she thought her father was, was not the man he’s slowly being revealed to her to be at all. After the phone call ends, ‘W’ reveals to her that twenty-two years ago, he became involved with a group calling themselves ‘The Alliance’, a group that he and the four other “letters” were not currently a part of, but soon planned to be via their confidential plan, with the use of Everly’s father, as the tool and key to get them back into the group in order to run it in the manor that they believe to be the correct one. A plan that was set to place in a year’s time. Only, it’s not a year that this would take place. Instead, it happens a lot sooner than Everly or the “letters” expected.
Looking like she would be there for quite some time, Everly sets herself the task of looking for something to do around the house, as normally she’d be studying in college were she not kidnapped and held prisoner or sorts, with these five men. Due to a stroke of luck before being given her first task, Everly learns the name of one of the letters, thanks to one of the servants speaking ASL just like she’s able to. ‘T’ stands for Trace. One “letter” down, five to go. It’s not long before the ball starts rolling, snowballing and revealing what each man’s letter means in terms of their real name, as at an altercation down by the lake behind the house, ‘D’ reveals his name to Everly to be ‘Derrick’, and ‘W’ following shortly, revealing his name to be ‘Warden’. Now very quickly, she knew three out of the five “letters”. Three down, two to go.
The revelations however, do not stop there. Once forbidden at ‘J’s order not to go into the basement, Derrick decides to forego all the rules and take Everly down to show her the “real” world. This unsurprisingly, reveals another “letter” when taking her down there, with ‘K’s name being revealed as ‘Kade’. Four down, one to go. Seeing the real horror of what world the five men live in and run, Everly is spooked and under her own decision, heads back to her room with the intention of trying to forget. Only, her plans are cut short with the arrival of Trace at her door a short while later, telling her to pack as he’s taking her somewhere for a few days. Everly knows this is against what was first told to her upon her arrival when waking up, but when she sees the opportunity to plan her escape from her kidnappers, she jumps at the chance to go with Derrick and see where things take her. Or rather, them. As after waking up from being ‘drugged’ on the helicopter ride out of the property, Everly admits that she “might” want to have sex with Trace. Her inner sexual desires piquing now that she’s one-on-one with one of the men, rather than in a dominantly powerful group. Question is, would they stop with just Trace?
After meeting a client where Trace takes her, the two inevitably end up in bed together. Though, their happiness was not meant to last as when on the beach the following day, they’re ambushed by those they’re hiding from with surprisingly, ‘J’, now revealed to be Judson, coming to their rescue. This ambush pushes the men into making a decision none of them envisioned. Agreed by all five men, Everly is to be swapped around every two weeks between them, keeping her on a rotating pattern for her safety. That time is only to be cut short should their location be discovered.
Warden is the first to take Everly to Massachusetts, before they two inevitably sleep with one another. Their time is cut short of the agreed two weeks, with the ball rolling when two men ask a convenience store worker about the two of them, which forces Warden to hand Everly over to the next man. His plan is to take her to New Orleans where he’s sure Kade has fled to. He’s correct.
Everly enters Kade’s safe house which as it turns out to Everly’s surprise, is not so safe. As during her stint with Kade, she watches one of his rivals get taken out in a casino by a much familiar, and crazy, face that is Derrick. After venturing out onto Bourbon Street following this shocking incident, the two spend ‘quality time’ with one another before heading once more back to Kade’s place, where he falls ‘victim’ to being the third man to successfully be seduced by the alluring Everly.
Satisfied, Kade and Everly continue to live within the temporary normality the two of them have been forced into, including Everly being on the receiving end of a camera looking rather rough, while Kade tries to get her father to hurry up and do what they need him to do. Their cover is shortly blown when unannounced, Judson shows up, forcing them once more to move Everly along to the next man. Whoever that will be is unknown to Everly, who once more has to go with the unpredictable flow that is the world she was unconsciously kidnapped into.
Landing sometime not too far in the near future in Boston, and after sharing a meal together while watching a cooking show, Judson reveals to Everly that he won’t have sex with her like the three men before her, due to her lack of education into the way Judson likes to have sex. Namely and specifically, in the world of BDSM. Kinks and kinkiness. This surprises Everly, as she’s surprised at how he’s managed to hold out whereas the other three out of five didn’t, as Derrick hasn’t had his way with her. Not to mention that she’s extremely open to the idea of how Judson likes his sex, being an openly sexual creature herself. Though as is the running theme throughout the book with the men, her time is cut short with Judson when it’s revealed to her that her dad is done and that she’d be heading to New York.
Boarding a plane bound to New York with Judson, the two are surprised to see that Derrick is already on board. During the flight, it comes to light that the five men have been accepted back into The Alliance, and that they’ll be landing in Seattle, where Everly will be free to leave them, and not New York as previously planned. Taken to a house where she’s met with the remaining three men, Everly is given a choice. Stay with them, or go her own way and worry that nothing in her life might be true and untouched by the influence of The Alliance. Torn up by her choice, Everly flees their company to the room she’s been assigned. While in her room, she’s firstly joined by Constance where she’s warned to run as far away from the men as possible. She’s then later joined by Derrick, telling her to get the sleep as she’ll need it, hinting that something immanent, and mysterious, would soon be happening. If only she knew what that would be.
Once asleep in her cosy bed, Everly is woken suddenly by a man going by the name of Benjamin Gray and a man who he’s mentoring, both holding her down in her bed so she can’t move. He tells her that she’s now his by default in result of a trade that Judson had made for his place in The Alliance’s council and for his seat on it. There’s not much time for her to process or act upon this piece of news, as she’s knocked out with a cloth to the face, letting the darkness embrace her once more. Waking up God knows how much later, Everly finds herself in a small, dark basement, where she’s sure to see the near future for as long as she could see.
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‘Hard Truths’ is the perfect introduction into the ‘Kiss Her Goodbye’ Series, promising plenty of dark, mysterious and steamy moments. It’s hinted at the beginning from her first introductions of the five “letters”, whose names are slowly revealed, that she might be bedded by one or more of them, though it is unclear just how many until you actually read the book for yourself.
Many questions have been posed while I was reading through this and some remain a mystery, like who are the five men really if they have possibly lied to her and kept her in the dark while in their care, what price did her father pay for his part in this to be ‘done’, who this Benjamin Gray is besides his admittance to her as to who he was as he could’ve easily been lying to her, apparently like the five men, if Everly will ever get back to her normal life and escape this cycle of being passed around from one man to another, put in danger and kidnapped. Only time will tell and it might take a book or two as said by Rebecca Royce herself, to get there.
I felt myself enthralled by this read, as it’s not usually my go-to genre of book to read, not being able to put down my phone until I’d reach a stage where I’d be able to sleep and not NEED to know what happened next. If you’re looking for a read to please you, to entertain you, to keep you on your toes and guessing as to what’s going on, even when you think you’ve figured it out and are prepared to read a series to get the answer, then ‘Hard Truths’ is the book for you!
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We meet the protagonist, Everly, who at first seems like your average teenage girl, set to complete her college education in the near future. Only, everything about her, or rather, everything that surrounds her, is everything but average or normal. After a less than satisfactory night between the sheets, she wakes up to start the day without making the same mistake again. However, her day soon takes a turn for the unexpected, as when she opens her fridge to grab a drink, all goes to black.
Waking up in a mysterious, dark and different place than her college dormitory, Everly meets five men simply known as ‘K’, ‘T’, ‘D’, ‘W’ and ‘J’ . Five men in which she knows she won’t remember easily, thus coming up with amusing and inventive ways of remembering who’s who. As she becomes somewhat familiar with the new environment she plans to make her escape from, the men one by one reveal to her that they need her. Or rather, they need and plan to use her as a bargaining chip to lure her father in to get what they want from him. The only thing she has been forbidden to do while at the house, owned by one of the men, is enter the basement. Very ‘Beauty and the Beast’, with resemblance to not being allowed to enter the castle’s west wing.
Confessing to Everly that the five of them know more about her than she ever would imagine, this ultimately kick-starts her plan for survival. Not primarily of her own life singularly, but against the five mysterious men and her brewing, conflicting feelings for them as her sleeping sexual seductress within her slowly awakens with the realisation that while each of them in their own right terrify her, they’re also sinfully and irritatingly attractive. Not like most kidnappers at all, according to her.
Revealing to her that she is in fact in a house in Vermont, not her native Baton Rouge in Louisiana, Everly is also in for several more surprises which start to rock the very roots, images and memories she’d held foremost in her memory for as long as she remember. Talking with her father via one of her captor’s phones, he confirms that he had her mother killed when she ran off with a motorbike MC. Though Everly once held hatred in her heart for her mother doing so, she now has another conflicting thought running through her head. Did her father really kill her, or did he hire someone to kill her. Not that it matters to her. The fact is, someone killed her only mother and who she thought her father was, was not the man he’s slowly being revealed to her to be at all. After the phone call ends, ‘W’ reveals to her that twenty-two years ago, he became involved with a group calling themselves ‘The Alliance’, a group that he and the four other “letters” were not currently a part of, but soon planned to be via their confidential plan, with the use of Everly’s father, as the tool and key to get them back into the group in order to run it in the manor that they believe to be the correct one. A plan that was set to place in a year’s time. Only, it’s not a year that this would take place. Instead, it happens a lot sooner than Everly or the “letters” expected.
Looking like she would be there for quite some time, Everly sets herself the task of looking for something to do around the house, as normally she’d be studying in college were she not kidnapped and held prisoner or sorts, with these five men. Due to a stroke of luck before being given her first task, Everly learns the name of one of the letters, thanks to one of the servants speaking ASL just like she’s able to. ‘T’ stands for Trace. One “letter” down, five to go. It’s not long before the ball starts rolling, snowballing and revealing what each man’s letter means in terms of their real name, as at an altercation down by the lake behind the house, ‘D’ reveals his name to Everly to be ‘Derrick’, and ‘W’ following shortly, revealing his name to be ‘Warden’. Now very quickly, she knew three out of the five “letters”. Three down, two to go.
The revelations however, do not stop there. Once forbidden at ‘J’s order not to go into the basement, Derrick decides to forego all the rules and take Everly down to show her the “real” world. This unsurprisingly, reveals another “letter” when taking her down there, with ‘K’s name being revealed as ‘Kade’. Four down, one to go. Seeing the real horror of what world the five men live in and run, Everly is spooked and under her own decision, heads back to her room with the intention of trying to forget. Only, her plans are cut short with the arrival of Trace at her door a short while later, telling her to pack as he’s taking her somewhere for a few days. Everly knows this is against what was first told to her upon her arrival when waking up, but when she sees the opportunity to plan her escape from her kidnappers, she jumps at the chance to go with Derrick and see where things take her. Or rather, them. As after waking up from being ‘drugged’ on the helicopter ride out of the property, Everly admits that she “might” want to have sex with Trace. Her inner sexual desires piquing now that she’s one-on-one with one of the men, rather than in a dominantly powerful group. Question is, would they stop with just Trace?
After meeting a client where Trace takes her, the two inevitably end up in bed together. Though, their happiness was not meant to last as when on the beach the following day, they’re ambushed by those they’re hiding from with surprisingly, ‘J’, now revealed to be Judson, coming to their rescue. This ambush pushes the men into making a decision none of them envisioned. Agreed by all five men, Everly is to be swapped around every two weeks between them, keeping her on a rotating pattern for her safety. That time is only to be cut short should their location be discovered.
Warden is the first to take Everly to Massachusetts, before they two inevitably sleep with one another. Their time is cut short of the agreed two weeks, with the ball rolling when two men ask a convenience store worker about the two of them, which forces Warden to hand Everly over to the next man. His plan is to take her to New Orleans where he’s sure Kade has fled to. He’s correct.
Everly enters Kade’s safe house which as it turns out to Everly’s surprise, is not so safe. As during her stint with Kade, she watches one of his rivals get taken out in a casino by a much familiar, and crazy, face that is Derrick. After venturing out onto Bourbon Street following this shocking incident, the two spend ‘quality time’ with one another before heading once more back to Kade’s place, where he falls ‘victim’ to being the third man to successfully be seduced by the alluring Everly.
Satisfied, Kade and Everly continue to live within the temporary normality the two of them have been forced into, including Everly being on the receiving end of a camera looking rather rough, while Kade tries to get her father to hurry up and do what they need him to do. Their cover is shortly blown when unannounced, Judson shows up, forcing them once more to move Everly along to the next man. Whoever that will be is unknown to Everly, who once more has to go with the unpredictable flow that is the world she was unconsciously kidnapped into.
Landing sometime not too far in the near future in Boston, and after sharing a meal together while watching a cooking show, Judson reveals to Everly that he won’t have sex with her like the three men before her, due to her lack of education into the way Judson likes to have sex. Namely and specifically, in the world of BDSM. Kinks and kinkiness. This surprises Everly, as she’s surprised at how he’s managed to hold out whereas the other three out of five didn’t, as Derrick hasn’t had his way with her. Not to mention that she’s extremely open to the idea of how Judson likes his sex, being an openly sexual creature herself. Though as is the running theme throughout the book with the men, her time is cut short with Judson when it’s revealed to her that her dad is done and that she’d be heading to New York.
Boarding a plane bound to New York with Judson, the two are surprised to see that Derrick is already on board. During the flight, it comes to light that the five men have been accepted back into The Alliance, and that they’ll be landing in Seattle, where Everly will be free to leave them, and not New York as previously planned. Taken to a house where she’s met with the remaining three men, Everly is given a choice. Stay with them, or go her own way and worry that nothing in her life might be true and untouched by the influence of The Alliance. Torn up by her choice, Everly flees their company to the room she’s been assigned. While in her room, she’s firstly joined by Constance where she’s warned to run as far away from the men as possible. She’s then later joined by Derrick, telling her to get the sleep as she’ll need it, hinting that something immanent, and mysterious, would soon be happening. If only she knew what that would be.
Once asleep in her cosy bed, Everly is woken suddenly by a man going by the name of Benjamin Gray and a man who he’s mentoring, both holding her down in her bed so she can’t move. He tells her that she’s now his by default in result of a trade that Judson had made for his place in The Alliance’s council and for his seat on it. There’s not much time for her to process or act upon this piece of news, as she’s knocked out with a cloth to the face, letting the darkness embrace her once more. Waking up God knows how much later, Everly finds herself in a small, dark basement, where she’s sure to see the near future for as long as she could see.
---
‘Hard Truths’ is the perfect introduction into the ‘Kiss Her Goodbye’ Series, promising plenty of dark, mysterious and steamy moments. It’s hinted at the beginning from her first introductions of the five “letters”, whose names are slowly revealed, that she might be bedded by one or more of them, though it is unclear just how many until you actually read the book for yourself.
Many questions have been posed while I was reading through this and some remain a mystery, like who are the five men really if they have possibly lied to her and kept her in the dark while in their care, what price did her father pay for his part in this to be ‘done’, who this Benjamin Gray is besides his admittance to her as to who he was as he could’ve easily been lying to her, apparently like the five men, if Everly will ever get back to her normal life and escape this cycle of being passed around from one man to another, put in danger and kidnapped. Only time will tell and it might take a book or two as said by Rebecca Royce herself, to get there.
I felt myself enthralled by this read, as it’s not usually my go-to genre of book to read, not being able to put down my phone until I’d reach a stage where I’d be able to sleep and not NEED to know what happened next. If you’re looking for a read to please you, to entertain you, to keep you on your toes and guessing as to what’s going on, even when you think you’ve figured it out and are prepared to read a series to get the answer, then ‘Hard Truths’ is the book for you!
January 24, 2019
My first Rebecca Royce, officially a huge fan, love and I mean loved this book. The writing style is captivating, the characters are well-developed. The twist the turns, the unexpectedness, the book does end in a HUGE cliffhanger, so prepare yourselves to rage at your kindle!
Everly’s character has an inner strength that keeps her going through her kidnapping, being shot at and having her heart ripped out and stomped on not once or twice but many times! She is a bit quirky but does not really ruffle the feathers once she is off on her adventure with Trace, and no really a kidnapped victim per se. I love Everly, it is not just one thing but several things that makes her so enduring to the reader. I do question her mindset at the end, why she chose what she chose.
Oh, the letters of this book! Derrick who is a complete psychopath and hands down is my fav of this story, why because he is so out there, he is the only one who has true consistency, and I think truly wants no harm to come to his Everly. Kade, Warden, Trace and Judson are all complicated characters, who show both their enduring qualities and parts of them that makes you seriously consider throating punching them all. Everly gets the chance after being kidnapped to spend quality time with the different guys one on one, but it is so very difficult to determine if they are liking/loving her or if she is simply a convenience for them. This is supported with the ending of this book, it starts you rethinking the entirety of the book.
I 100% hate how this book ends, why, simple it’s a massive plunge into the cliffhanging world, and the wait to see what happens next has left me in a book depression. So many questions, and no way to know what happens. This book was a recommend from a good friend, and I highly recommend this read to all!
Everly’s character has an inner strength that keeps her going through her kidnapping, being shot at and having her heart ripped out and stomped on not once or twice but many times! She is a bit quirky but does not really ruffle the feathers once she is off on her adventure with Trace, and no really a kidnapped victim per se. I love Everly, it is not just one thing but several things that makes her so enduring to the reader. I do question her mindset at the end, why she chose what she chose.
Oh, the letters of this book! Derrick who is a complete psychopath and hands down is my fav of this story, why because he is so out there, he is the only one who has true consistency, and I think truly wants no harm to come to his Everly. Kade, Warden, Trace and Judson are all complicated characters, who show both their enduring qualities and parts of them that makes you seriously consider throating punching them all. Everly gets the chance after being kidnapped to spend quality time with the different guys one on one, but it is so very difficult to determine if they are liking/loving her or if she is simply a convenience for them. This is supported with the ending of this book, it starts you rethinking the entirety of the book.
I 100% hate how this book ends, why, simple it’s a massive plunge into the cliffhanging world, and the wait to see what happens next has left me in a book depression. So many questions, and no way to know what happens. This book was a recommend from a good friend, and I highly recommend this read to all!
December 23, 2018
Dark-ishly great
This was a nice dark contemporary RH novel. You may have some mixed feelings towards the Letters like I did. You will hate the guys at first but as the story progresses see the change and reasons for their darkness and come to like/love them. This is the case for kidnapped college girl, Everly. The world is not as civilized as she thought. There are certain hard truths that she learns about who actually runs things in the world. I love how Everly, even in these crazy circumstances, is not a wilting flower, not a damsel in distress. She talks back, desn't take any crap, and questions what is going on. It is also refreshing that for the most part she is unapologetic about her sexual attraction to the guys. Stockholm syndrome at its finest. She does not spend half the book questioning her attraction...well only the part that she is crazy because they are her kidnappers. Lol.
The only thing to rob a star for me was that it started to follow a script midway through. When s*** hits the fan and bullets flying, she is whisked away with one of the guys. The guy tells her she is nothing but a pawn or any and do as she is told. She goes shopping for clothes (never has any after being taken away) and has one-on-one time with the guy (dinner, beach, etc). You get a tad more backstory into the guy's past and then sex afterwards. She develops feeling for him as he does for her. Then more danger and it happens all over again with a different Letter guy.
I wanted a bit more from the interactions I guess to justify the feelings being developed between the guys and Everly.
A plus though is that each guy is unique and none of them blend together as with some RH male characters. It makes them incredibly attractive so I can see where some of the relationships can be developed. Everly and the guys fell hard a bit too fast for my liking.
The ending though... it was one of the most amazing cliffhangers ever. If Rebecca wanted you to be so pissed off and manic to read book 2, she succeeded. I cannot stand that ending. I need more! Overall great read.
This was a nice dark contemporary RH novel. You may have some mixed feelings towards the Letters like I did. You will hate the guys at first but as the story progresses see the change and reasons for their darkness and come to like/love them. This is the case for kidnapped college girl, Everly. The world is not as civilized as she thought. There are certain hard truths that she learns about who actually runs things in the world. I love how Everly, even in these crazy circumstances, is not a wilting flower, not a damsel in distress. She talks back, desn't take any crap, and questions what is going on. It is also refreshing that for the most part she is unapologetic about her sexual attraction to the guys. Stockholm syndrome at its finest. She does not spend half the book questioning her attraction...well only the part that she is crazy because they are her kidnappers. Lol.
The only thing to rob a star for me was that it started to follow a script midway through. When s*** hits the fan and bullets flying, she is whisked away with one of the guys. The guy tells her she is nothing but a pawn or any and do as she is told. She goes shopping for clothes (never has any after being taken away) and has one-on-one time with the guy (dinner, beach, etc). You get a tad more backstory into the guy's past and then sex afterwards. She develops feeling for him as he does for her. Then more danger and it happens all over again with a different Letter guy.
I wanted a bit more from the interactions I guess to justify the feelings being developed between the guys and Everly.
A plus though is that each guy is unique and none of them blend together as with some RH male characters. It makes them incredibly attractive so I can see where some of the relationships can be developed. Everly and the guys fell hard a bit too fast for my liking.
The ending though... it was one of the most amazing cliffhangers ever. If Rebecca wanted you to be so pissed off and manic to read book 2, she succeeded. I cannot stand that ending. I need more! Overall great read.
April 21, 2019
Hard Truths is a really good contemporary reverse harem - book 1 in a series. It was originally titled Sacrificial Lamb and honestly, I kind of liked that title better for it but in the end titles don't really matter, stories do, and this one was pretty darn good. I'm always a fan of a "taken/kidnapped/hostage" scenario so that was a plus for me, though it certainly is not the kind of dark scenario of that I usually read. I like all of The Letters in the book, love the heroine Everly - how she talks back/doesn't take any crap from them and how she is unapologetic about her sexual wants/needs. There is a teensy bit of a feeling of a checklist when it comes to the one-on-one time she spends with The Letters - a unique activity, a conversation about how they can't have a relationship/no emotions, sex, then her having emotions (and them too, though we only get her thoughts since it is her POV), then something happening to shuffle her to the next guy. I can honestly say I liked all of the things involved, it just felt a little requisite, if that makes sense. They also don't spend enough time together on page to really support the emotional connection for me, though I certainly understand the attraction because as I said previously, I like all of The Letters, they are all interesting in their own ways, and the situation that has brought them all together is very intriguing. It ends on a kind of cliffhanger, though I don't mind that. That and the fact that this is so far my favorite book by this author has me really looking forward to book 2.
April 19, 2021
I was searching for a new audiobook series, preferably contemporary to help break up my recent long list of PNR audiobooks, and this one has grabbed me by the collar and won't let me go. I can't stop listening, the story is intriguing and the characters are flawed but redeemable (ending of book 1 is hard to handle, but thank goodness the series is complete haha). I am already listening to book 2 and am sad I am almost done it ❤️
Story - 4-4.5/5 stars
- I thought the concept was cool, not as as dark as the blurb says it was going to be, but darkness is all subjective anyway. My dark is definitely not someone's exact same dark, in terms of the themes and stuff in books. I really enjoyed the MC, liked her tenacity and not taking crap from the characters. Some of the men seemed sorta immature for their older age and sometimes their responses too perfect (like a woman wrote this and provided how a guy SHOULD react haha, not 100% how they probably would, if that makes sense). Despite those, I enjoyed it and it got me to download book 2 right away. I was really sucked in by their budding relationships and how hard they tried to fight things. I wanted to know more about why the ending happened the way it did, it would have been a hard pill to swallow if this series was completed because it was SO GOOD!!
Narration - 3/5 stars
- Unfortuntately, the narrator did not do this story any favors. Now, she does a good job as the MC, I would give her 4-4.5 stars for her performance as Everly. Her inflections were spot on. Now, for the guys, she was pretty bad, not going to lie. I usually have some redeeming qualities/feedback, but she rushed it, was very monotone, and they all sounded the same except when the accents randomly came in. At one point all the guys had Boston/New Englander accents, then they all had more southern drawls (I think its more prevalent in Book 2 in some instances though when they are all together). I would have given this a 5 star if she hadn't done the male voices. I am definitely going to continue to listen because I am engrossed in these characters, but the narration hasn't elevated the story like it should. I would be leery of listening to another series by this narrator if there wasn't a male narrator as well.
Story - 4-4.5/5 stars
- I thought the concept was cool, not as as dark as the blurb says it was going to be, but darkness is all subjective anyway. My dark is definitely not someone's exact same dark, in terms of the themes and stuff in books. I really enjoyed the MC, liked her tenacity and not taking crap from the characters. Some of the men seemed sorta immature for their older age and sometimes their responses too perfect (like a woman wrote this and provided how a guy SHOULD react haha, not 100% how they probably would, if that makes sense). Despite those, I enjoyed it and it got me to download book 2 right away. I was really sucked in by their budding relationships and how hard they tried to fight things. I wanted to know more about why the ending happened the way it did, it would have been a hard pill to swallow if this series was completed because it was SO GOOD!!
Narration - 3/5 stars
- Unfortuntately, the narrator did not do this story any favors. Now, she does a good job as the MC, I would give her 4-4.5 stars for her performance as Everly. Her inflections were spot on. Now, for the guys, she was pretty bad, not going to lie. I usually have some redeeming qualities/feedback, but she rushed it, was very monotone, and they all sounded the same except when the accents randomly came in. At one point all the guys had Boston/New Englander accents, then they all had more southern drawls (I think its more prevalent in Book 2 in some instances though when they are all together). I would have given this a 5 star if she hadn't done the male voices. I am definitely going to continue to listen because I am engrossed in these characters, but the narration hasn't elevated the story like it should. I would be leery of listening to another series by this narrator if there wasn't a male narrator as well.
December 6, 2018
Hard Truths: A Contemporary Reverse Harem Romance (Kiss Her Goodbye Book 1) Kindle Edition
by Rebecca Royce (Author)
I received an eARC from the author and am choosing to leave a fair and honest review. Please note: the title of the book was originally Sacrificial Lamb.
In my world, smart is sexy and this is one of the sexiest, smartest romance novel I have ever had the delight to read. Whether it is an expansive knowledge of the conspiracy theories floating around – David Icke's Lizard shapeshifters, black helicopters and the Illuminati are just a few – to subtle swipe at the fall in love with your kidnapper books that were everywhere in the1980's, I am floored by the research or just plain info in Ms. Royce's head. Also, we have in Everly, a smart, sexually aware, strong heroine who doesn't lose her mind when she finds herself as a captive to five me, the Letters.
Everly wakes up to find herself in on a Vermont island, in the only house, held by five attractive men who only allow her to call them by their initials. Instead of melting down or putting on that spunky bit that seemed to be the norm of romance heroines in the last of the twentieth century. She remains mostly calm and pays deep attention to everything around her. At times, too much attention as she finds herself inexplicably attracted to K, T, J, D and W. They are members of a wide ranging, world controlling group and are holding her as extortion of her father, whom they want to fix a dastardly deed he committed.
She is dragged from place to place by the guys, spending time with four out of the five. And each of the men is severely damaged, in one way or another. Which, sorry, is so sexy! I love the damaged ones!
Everly is strong enough to survive the kidnapping and their unusual brand of attention.
The end, I warn you know, is like a heart punch. It left me gasping and growling for the next book.
This is not an HEA, right now. It is dark and dangerous.
Sexy, thrilling, smart with damaged boys
Rebecca Royce only gets better.
5 out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Truths-Co...
by Rebecca Royce (Author)
I received an eARC from the author and am choosing to leave a fair and honest review. Please note: the title of the book was originally Sacrificial Lamb.
In my world, smart is sexy and this is one of the sexiest, smartest romance novel I have ever had the delight to read. Whether it is an expansive knowledge of the conspiracy theories floating around – David Icke's Lizard shapeshifters, black helicopters and the Illuminati are just a few – to subtle swipe at the fall in love with your kidnapper books that were everywhere in the1980's, I am floored by the research or just plain info in Ms. Royce's head. Also, we have in Everly, a smart, sexually aware, strong heroine who doesn't lose her mind when she finds herself as a captive to five me, the Letters.
Everly wakes up to find herself in on a Vermont island, in the only house, held by five attractive men who only allow her to call them by their initials. Instead of melting down or putting on that spunky bit that seemed to be the norm of romance heroines in the last of the twentieth century. She remains mostly calm and pays deep attention to everything around her. At times, too much attention as she finds herself inexplicably attracted to K, T, J, D and W. They are members of a wide ranging, world controlling group and are holding her as extortion of her father, whom they want to fix a dastardly deed he committed.
She is dragged from place to place by the guys, spending time with four out of the five. And each of the men is severely damaged, in one way or another. Which, sorry, is so sexy! I love the damaged ones!
Everly is strong enough to survive the kidnapping and their unusual brand of attention.
The end, I warn you know, is like a heart punch. It left me gasping and growling for the next book.
This is not an HEA, right now. It is dark and dangerous.
Sexy, thrilling, smart with damaged boys
Rebecca Royce only gets better.
5 out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Truths-Co...
December 16, 2018
Everly's world is completely turned upside down. Everything she thought she knew was a lie. Her father, her mother, EVERYTHING. The days of going to class, sleeping with random men and floating through college are over. The Alliance has taken her and her life will never be the same. Five men. Five letters. They want something from her father and are using her to get it. If she becomes too much trouble for them though, they will find another way. In other words, just because they need her doesn't make her safe.
This book is a little different than what we normally get from Rebecca b/c it's dark. Everly reminds me a little of Giovanna from Unconventional though. It could just be the way she talks and words things. She speaks what she thinks and usually knows what she wants. However, Everly finds out that she didn't know everything about herself. When she is placed in a situation that should have her fearing for her life, she isn't. When she knows better than to give in to the games these dangerous men play, she does anyway.
While this book is listed as dark, and it is, there's nothing extreme. Yes there is kidnapping and violence. I don't think there was anything that really needs a trigger warning though.
I really enjoyed this book. Everly is a good, strong leading lady. The guys all have their issues but you can't help but like them. D might be my favorite and he's the crazy one. They are all dangerous, cunning men.
This book does leave off on a hell of a cliffhanger. I was like what the actual fuck, are you kidding me right now. You are left wondering what the hell is going on. I have it on good authority that we won't have to wait past March to get Dark Truths, book two. And good freaking thing b/c I have to know. Did they or didn't they? Absolutely you need to read this book. Then you can talk to me about what you think.
This book is a little different than what we normally get from Rebecca b/c it's dark. Everly reminds me a little of Giovanna from Unconventional though. It could just be the way she talks and words things. She speaks what she thinks and usually knows what she wants. However, Everly finds out that she didn't know everything about herself. When she is placed in a situation that should have her fearing for her life, she isn't. When she knows better than to give in to the games these dangerous men play, she does anyway.
While this book is listed as dark, and it is, there's nothing extreme. Yes there is kidnapping and violence. I don't think there was anything that really needs a trigger warning though.
I really enjoyed this book. Everly is a good, strong leading lady. The guys all have their issues but you can't help but like them. D might be my favorite and he's the crazy one. They are all dangerous, cunning men.
This book does leave off on a hell of a cliffhanger. I was like what the actual fuck, are you kidding me right now. You are left wondering what the hell is going on. I have it on good authority that we won't have to wait past March to get Dark Truths, book two. And good freaking thing b/c I have to know. Did they or didn't they? Absolutely you need to read this book. Then you can talk to me about what you think.
April 9, 2019
Must read!
This book has been on my To Be Read list for a long time and the only reason that made me postpone reading was the fact that I know it was going to break my heart at some point. Dealing with an unfinished series was something I wasn't ready for. But now the time is near, the release of the last book in the series is approaching and I started reading.
Hard Truths managed to capture me from the very beginning to the last page of the book. Everly is a witty, no nonsense FMC I can relate to. She's an observer, doesn't mope around. There are a lot of things that are being thrown at her, but she manages to keep calm without coming across as naive.
I absolutely loved how the author anticipated people having problems with the use of the letters and had Everly make mental lists about them. I was actually afraid that I wouldn't be able to keep them apart, but that really helped.
Rebecca Royce manages to show us humanity and a certain hint of vulnerability in each one of the letters which is one of the things I like most about Dark Romance. The character development of the (seemingly) villains/bad guys that shows us how they became who they are, why they do what they do, the morally grey area's. As a reader you actually see the bigger picture and that is something that I find invaluable.
The ending had me in shock... The suspense and mystery woven in this book are masterfully executed. It never overwhelmed me, but was always present in the back of my mind. It is clear that there's a storm brewing.
Side note: This was my first encounter with a book written by Rebecca Royce and I'm definitely hooked. Her writing skills are on point, English isn't my native language but I was never lost in the plot descriptions. Very well done indeed!
This book has been on my To Be Read list for a long time and the only reason that made me postpone reading was the fact that I know it was going to break my heart at some point. Dealing with an unfinished series was something I wasn't ready for. But now the time is near, the release of the last book in the series is approaching and I started reading.
Hard Truths managed to capture me from the very beginning to the last page of the book. Everly is a witty, no nonsense FMC I can relate to. She's an observer, doesn't mope around. There are a lot of things that are being thrown at her, but she manages to keep calm without coming across as naive.
I absolutely loved how the author anticipated people having problems with the use of the letters and had Everly make mental lists about them. I was actually afraid that I wouldn't be able to keep them apart, but that really helped.
Rebecca Royce manages to show us humanity and a certain hint of vulnerability in each one of the letters which is one of the things I like most about Dark Romance. The character development of the (seemingly) villains/bad guys that shows us how they became who they are, why they do what they do, the morally grey area's. As a reader you actually see the bigger picture and that is something that I find invaluable.
The ending had me in shock... The suspense and mystery woven in this book are masterfully executed. It never overwhelmed me, but was always present in the back of my mind. It is clear that there's a storm brewing.
Side note: This was my first encounter with a book written by Rebecca Royce and I'm definitely hooked. Her writing skills are on point, English isn't my native language but I was never lost in the plot descriptions. Very well done indeed!
December 17, 2018
I’m Everly Marrs, and I’ll be damned before I lose myself to the men that kidnapped me.
I had plans, big plans. I had my pretty little life outlined: Graduate school and get a job in social work—maybe even one day marry a nice man who actually knew what he was doing in bed. But everything changed when I woke up in a strange place with five men who insisted I call them D, W, J, K, and T.
The Letters.
They told me that the world wasn’t what it seemed. I lived my life thinking that I was in control of my own destiny, but in actuality they controlled everything. The world was their playground and I was just another ant, marching in line to the beat of their drum.
The Letters kidnapped me to force my father’s hand, and they couldn’t promise me safe passage. I knew my place in all of this but still found myself losing who I was to their games.
I’m Everly Marrs, and I’ll save myself if I have to.
This is the first book on this new Series by Rebecca Royce and she has given us somethings we haven't seen in previous books.
A reverse harem ,dark ,twisted and ohhhh sooooo good.
The Letters....o h my God!
D, W, J, K, and T. Each one a well written character with their unique quirks and behaviours that i so loved and hated at the same time!
Everly so lost and so powerful and so broken yet so right!
I really can't wait for the next book
A really really well done job by Rebecca ROyce!
I had plans, big plans. I had my pretty little life outlined: Graduate school and get a job in social work—maybe even one day marry a nice man who actually knew what he was doing in bed. But everything changed when I woke up in a strange place with five men who insisted I call them D, W, J, K, and T.
The Letters.
They told me that the world wasn’t what it seemed. I lived my life thinking that I was in control of my own destiny, but in actuality they controlled everything. The world was their playground and I was just another ant, marching in line to the beat of their drum.
The Letters kidnapped me to force my father’s hand, and they couldn’t promise me safe passage. I knew my place in all of this but still found myself losing who I was to their games.
I’m Everly Marrs, and I’ll save myself if I have to.
This is the first book on this new Series by Rebecca Royce and she has given us somethings we haven't seen in previous books.
A reverse harem ,dark ,twisted and ohhhh sooooo good.
The Letters....o h my God!
D, W, J, K, and T. Each one a well written character with their unique quirks and behaviours that i so loved and hated at the same time!
Everly so lost and so powerful and so broken yet so right!
I really can't wait for the next book
A really really well done job by Rebecca ROyce!
December 22, 2018
Hard Truths was everything I anticipated and more! I'd been eagerly waiting for this book to release ever since the author released the blurb on facebook and it did not disappoint.
Everly is just a normal college girl finishing her degree until she wakes up on an island with five kidnappers all going by one letter names. As if that's not enough of a shock, she learns that these guys are part of the Alliance, a secret organization that runs the world, something that her dad is also a part of. Stuck in the middle of a power struggle in a world she knows nothing about, Everly is just trying to stay alive, but K, T, J, W, and D open her eyes to some hard truths she might not be prepared for.
I really really enjoyed this book. I was expecting it to be a very dark read, but throughout the first 99% of the story I didn't think it was that dark. Obviously the whole kidnapping and secret world-running organization produces some dark possibilities, but this book didn't really get too twisted for me until the very end. That ending was just WOW. I was totally not expecting that ending and it took the book to a whole other level. It is a crazy cliff-hanger that made me so hyped for book 2!
I've read a few other books by Rebecca Royce (Reverse Harem Story series, Planet Bear, and some of the Wings of Artemis) but Hard Truths is totally different from any of those series. It is definitely my new favorite of hers and I cannot wait for the next book in the Kiss Her Goodbye series!
Everly is just a normal college girl finishing her degree until she wakes up on an island with five kidnappers all going by one letter names. As if that's not enough of a shock, she learns that these guys are part of the Alliance, a secret organization that runs the world, something that her dad is also a part of. Stuck in the middle of a power struggle in a world she knows nothing about, Everly is just trying to stay alive, but K, T, J, W, and D open her eyes to some hard truths she might not be prepared for.
I really really enjoyed this book. I was expecting it to be a very dark read, but throughout the first 99% of the story I didn't think it was that dark. Obviously the whole kidnapping and secret world-running organization produces some dark possibilities, but this book didn't really get too twisted for me until the very end. That ending was just WOW. I was totally not expecting that ending and it took the book to a whole other level. It is a crazy cliff-hanger that made me so hyped for book 2!
I've read a few other books by Rebecca Royce (Reverse Harem Story series, Planet Bear, and some of the Wings of Artemis) but Hard Truths is totally different from any of those series. It is definitely my new favorite of hers and I cannot wait for the next book in the Kiss Her Goodbye series!
January 13, 2020
I really loved this series. First, review of this book. Then review of series.
The characters are confusing in this one because there are so many, but then you get the character building and you start to understand it more.
The concept is really unusual and to be honest, I wasn't sure I was going to love it. I really loved the "but can you really trust them" aspect. The energy and craziness that ends up happening had me on edge with all of the action going on. Everly was really cool to read. She had hot and cold moments but I loved the sass.
I found myself figuring out the guys more. Especially by her descriptions. I pictured Alcide Herveaux from True Blood as Warden. Just the way she described his nose and jaw and the ferocity in his nature. For Derrick, I pictured a really long haired Chris Hemsworth in Thor (especially with the hooded eyes). Judson, for Colton Haynes. For Trace I pictured Kit Harrington with long hair. For Kade, I pictured Chris Evans. I think I'll list this with the first book so people can kind of get maybe a look at what they would look like....in my opinion anyways.
For the series: LOVED IT! I would 100% read this series again. My only strife, the 3rd book got just a little bit cheesy but that's alright. All of the action and the dark creepy stuff... I never knew what was real or what was going to blow up in their face. There were things she would say that I wondered if things had been a setup. There was a predictable moment for me of what was going to happen, but not in the way it happened. Anyway, loved the series.
The characters are confusing in this one because there are so many, but then you get the character building and you start to understand it more.
The concept is really unusual and to be honest, I wasn't sure I was going to love it. I really loved the "but can you really trust them" aspect. The energy and craziness that ends up happening had me on edge with all of the action going on. Everly was really cool to read. She had hot and cold moments but I loved the sass.
I found myself figuring out the guys more. Especially by her descriptions. I pictured Alcide Herveaux from True Blood as Warden. Just the way she described his nose and jaw and the ferocity in his nature. For Derrick, I pictured a really long haired Chris Hemsworth in Thor (especially with the hooded eyes). Judson, for Colton Haynes. For Trace I pictured Kit Harrington with long hair. For Kade, I pictured Chris Evans. I think I'll list this with the first book so people can kind of get maybe a look at what they would look like....in my opinion anyways.
For the series: LOVED IT! I would 100% read this series again. My only strife, the 3rd book got just a little bit cheesy but that's alright. All of the action and the dark creepy stuff... I never knew what was real or what was going to blow up in their face. There were things she would say that I wondered if things had been a setup. There was a predictable moment for me of what was going to happen, but not in the way it happened. Anyway, loved the series.
December 11, 2018
Hard Truths: A Contemporary Reverse Harem Romance by Rebecca Royce
*I received an ARC of this novella from the author in exchange for honest review*
4 Stars!
Warning, there is a cliffhanger at the end of this book, expect complete frustration for having to wait for the sequel!
One thing that caught my eye from the beginning would be Everly’s confidence. Just reading about her life and understanding her personality was inspiring, and it actually helped me come out of my shell a bit too 😊
I could complete relate to Everly’s frustration from being left out of certain thing’s due to her gender. It happens so much in real life, that it’s nice to see a nod to the problem and be confronted in fiction (hopefully, even more-so in the sequel).
And of course, I have a favorite ‘letter’ -D. He starts out as the roughest, most broken man out of all the letters, but he has this incredible loyalty to those he loves. I won’t go into any spoilers, but I can say that he was so refreshing!
Also, it was so nice to see the author dedicate this book to her fan group on Facebook!
In the end, I recommend this book to anyone who likes dark RH stories!
*I received an ARC of this novella from the author in exchange for honest review*
4 Stars!
Warning, there is a cliffhanger at the end of this book, expect complete frustration for having to wait for the sequel!
One thing that caught my eye from the beginning would be Everly’s confidence. Just reading about her life and understanding her personality was inspiring, and it actually helped me come out of my shell a bit too 😊
I could complete relate to Everly’s frustration from being left out of certain thing’s due to her gender. It happens so much in real life, that it’s nice to see a nod to the problem and be confronted in fiction (hopefully, even more-so in the sequel).
And of course, I have a favorite ‘letter’ -D. He starts out as the roughest, most broken man out of all the letters, but he has this incredible loyalty to those he loves. I won’t go into any spoilers, but I can say that he was so refreshing!
Also, it was so nice to see the author dedicate this book to her fan group on Facebook!
In the end, I recommend this book to anyone who likes dark RH stories!
December 29, 2018
Rebecca did it again...
I've read LOTS of Rebecca's books and I usually wait until I can read the whole series at once. Otherwise I live in hell while waiting for the next book to come out!!!! They're all so good and when you reach the end of a book but not the end of that story line you feel so INCOMPLETE & SAD.
What do you mean I have to go back to my life? What do you mean I have to leave these characters????? Ugh!!!!!
This book is great, despite me HATING that it ended. Everly is so human, full of mistakes and doubts, but somehow she keeps her head on her shoulders... I see myself in her sometimes and other times she makes me think how completely unalike we are. She's complicated. I like her, I'd be her friend. Of course I'm ticked at her for leaving me after 350 pages & now I am waiting for her to come back and hang out with me. (Seriously, I'm not completely insane - I just love books that draw you in and stay with you long after you've finished.)
Rebecca Royce is a WONDERFUL writer and I would recommend her to anyone. Just read slowly and postpone the end of the book as long as you can. ;)
I've read LOTS of Rebecca's books and I usually wait until I can read the whole series at once. Otherwise I live in hell while waiting for the next book to come out!!!! They're all so good and when you reach the end of a book but not the end of that story line you feel so INCOMPLETE & SAD.
What do you mean I have to go back to my life? What do you mean I have to leave these characters????? Ugh!!!!!
This book is great, despite me HATING that it ended. Everly is so human, full of mistakes and doubts, but somehow she keeps her head on her shoulders... I see myself in her sometimes and other times she makes me think how completely unalike we are. She's complicated. I like her, I'd be her friend. Of course I'm ticked at her for leaving me after 350 pages & now I am waiting for her to come back and hang out with me. (Seriously, I'm not completely insane - I just love books that draw you in and stay with you long after you've finished.)
Rebecca Royce is a WONDERFUL writer and I would recommend her to anyone. Just read slowly and postpone the end of the book as long as you can. ;)
December 31, 2018
This book is seriously dark, twisted, captivating. It kidnaps your soul and holds it hostage until you finish.
I couldn't help but fall for each of the guys - something I tried really hard not to do. Rebecca Royce has written Hard Truths with a timeline that allows for Everly, the main character, to get to be with each of the guys individually. This helps us to differentiate each characters personality and learn their quirks. We also have Everly, who knows that she could be experience Stockholm Syndrome, but believes that maybe she's been captivated by this world she never knew existed.
There is also the growth of trust and acceptance from beginning to end - mainly in the way that Everly sees her captors. At first, we have only letters representing each of the five. But as time goes on, and she begins to feel closer to each guy, she uses their names (which she finds out along the way) depending on her mood and the situation.
I could not put this book down and cannot wait to see what is to come for the Kiss Her Goodbye series... because I do NOT accept that ending for what it appears to be.
I couldn't help but fall for each of the guys - something I tried really hard not to do. Rebecca Royce has written Hard Truths with a timeline that allows for Everly, the main character, to get to be with each of the guys individually. This helps us to differentiate each characters personality and learn their quirks. We also have Everly, who knows that she could be experience Stockholm Syndrome, but believes that maybe she's been captivated by this world she never knew existed.
There is also the growth of trust and acceptance from beginning to end - mainly in the way that Everly sees her captors. At first, we have only letters representing each of the five. But as time goes on, and she begins to feel closer to each guy, she uses their names (which she finds out along the way) depending on her mood and the situation.
I could not put this book down and cannot wait to see what is to come for the Kiss Her Goodbye series... because I do NOT accept that ending for what it appears to be.
March 22, 2019
Kidnapped but being somewhat treated like a guest, Everly has questions. Like millions of questions. Her captors K, T, J, D and W don't seem to want her to know their names but they don't care if she sees their faces. They need her father to correct something he changed that has caused numerous problems for them.
After determining their was no escape from where she was being held, Everly sets out to learn more about her captors. What she finds is disturbing, yet she is intrigued. The Alliance is something she shouldn't know about, yet she is finding out because of her father and the things he has done.
Things heat up in more ways than one and being on the run with her captors proves to be interesting, educating and dangerous.
The places she ends up are truly unique as are the men associated with them. In spite of the circumstances that brought them together, they are forming relationships with Everly, extremely hot and sensuous ones.
I'm glad book two is out since I really need to know what happens next since it is a bit of a cliffhanger. I have a feeling book two will be as well but I can deal since the third book is already up for pre-order.
After determining their was no escape from where she was being held, Everly sets out to learn more about her captors. What she finds is disturbing, yet she is intrigued. The Alliance is something she shouldn't know about, yet she is finding out because of her father and the things he has done.
Things heat up in more ways than one and being on the run with her captors proves to be interesting, educating and dangerous.
The places she ends up are truly unique as are the men associated with them. In spite of the circumstances that brought them together, they are forming relationships with Everly, extremely hot and sensuous ones.
I'm glad book two is out since I really need to know what happens next since it is a bit of a cliffhanger. I have a feeling book two will be as well but I can deal since the third book is already up for pre-order.
February 18, 2019
Very entertaining read !!!
I am excited about reading book two. I have found a new favorite author. I loved her writing style in this book. I stayed engaged could not wait to see what was going to happen next. So much mystery to each one of the male characters, the secret society they are a part of, and then the main mystery of what's going to happen as events unfold in the story. It is very intriguing I kept reading throughout the day until I finished book one. I like reading a book that I can lose myself in, this is one of those books for me. Some readers may not like how quickly the female in the story attaches herself so quickly to each of her male captors. I myself would like to have seen her have a stronger relationship with each one. I guess more build-up before she just sleeps with 3 out of 5 of her captors so quickly. But it does make sense she is young, she has been kidnapped, the male captors are older, more experienced, and are in control.
I am excited about reading book two. I have found a new favorite author. I loved her writing style in this book. I stayed engaged could not wait to see what was going to happen next. So much mystery to each one of the male characters, the secret society they are a part of, and then the main mystery of what's going to happen as events unfold in the story. It is very intriguing I kept reading throughout the day until I finished book one. I like reading a book that I can lose myself in, this is one of those books for me. Some readers may not like how quickly the female in the story attaches herself so quickly to each of her male captors. I myself would like to have seen her have a stronger relationship with each one. I guess more build-up before she just sleeps with 3 out of 5 of her captors so quickly. But it does make sense she is young, she has been kidnapped, the male captors are older, more experienced, and are in control.
December 18, 2018
Well, I have one word for Rebecca Royce’s first foray into dark romance: Bravo! This story and these characters are practically insidious. They burrow into your consciousness before you even realize it, and before long, you’re completely obsessed. There’s just something about a bad boy with a heart of gold, even if you have to dig really deep to reach that golden goodness. These men, the letters, absolutely define the word “intriguing”. And let’s not forget our kick a$$ heroine, Everly. She has the innate magic required to tame the savage beast, or beasts in this case. This story completely hooked me right from the start, and I cannot wait for the next book. Well done, Ms. Royce. Well done, indeed.
*I was given an ARC of this book and voluntarily chose to review. All opinions are my own.
*I was given an ARC of this book and voluntarily chose to review. All opinions are my own.
December 22, 2018
Wow
So I actually had to take a time out before I did a review . Normally , if I don’t like a book I just don’t review at all . I figure this is someone’s hard work , their baby and nobody has the right to tear it down, plus my bad review may stop a potential reader that might have loved it , my likes aren’t always going to match someone else’s . So don’t like it ? Walk on and say nothing . This said ...
I was so angry at the characters that I was just going to walk on . Then I realized , Holy author mindf*** Batman !! She got me so invested in this story I’m legit angry !!! That people is the mark of a true writers skill . This was actually a VERY good book , my emotions were tied in knots , and after I calmed down lol I realized I NEED to know what happens next , so ... Bravo , an amazing book , you got me hooked ;)
So I actually had to take a time out before I did a review . Normally , if I don’t like a book I just don’t review at all . I figure this is someone’s hard work , their baby and nobody has the right to tear it down, plus my bad review may stop a potential reader that might have loved it , my likes aren’t always going to match someone else’s . So don’t like it ? Walk on and say nothing . This said ...
I was so angry at the characters that I was just going to walk on . Then I realized , Holy author mindf*** Batman !! She got me so invested in this story I’m legit angry !!! That people is the mark of a true writers skill . This was actually a VERY good book , my emotions were tied in knots , and after I calmed down lol I realized I NEED to know what happens next , so ... Bravo , an amazing book , you got me hooked ;)
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