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Lies #1
Lies and Other Drugs
Killing my brother’s murderers has become my latest obsession.
Against the advice of my alcoholic therapist, I've left my life behind, moving across the country with just two goals in mind: Take down the elite Ivy League School that covered up my twin brother’s death, and seek revenge on the ones responsible.
But nothing is what it seems at Blackwood University, and it starts to feel like I'm grieving a stranger.
Although I’m prepared to do whatever necessary to bring his murderers to justice—nothing could prepare me for falling in love.
Against the advice of my alcoholic therapist, I've left my life behind, moving across the country with just two goals in mind: Take down the elite Ivy League School that covered up my twin brother’s death, and seek revenge on the ones responsible.
But nothing is what it seems at Blackwood University, and it starts to feel like I'm grieving a stranger.
Although I’m prepared to do whatever necessary to bring his murderers to justice—nothing could prepare me for falling in love.
197 pages, ebook
First published December 10, 2018
503 people are currently reading
1131 people want to read
About the author
Coralee June
76 books2,998 followersAuthor Coralee June has always been passionate about storytelling and impressed by the influence it has on people and the decisions they make in life. She loves engaging with the projects she works on, diving headfirst into developing real, raw, and relatable characters that are equally flawed and beautiful. Coralee lives in Dallas, Tx with her husband and two daughters. She's been known to frequently indulge in boxed red wine and day-old pizza. When she's not writing, June is reading or substitute teaching at the local middle school.
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December 13, 2018
I would really hesitate to call this book a romance.
The heroine, Octavia Wilson, was awesome - a total take-no-prisoners stone-cold bitch. The heroes however all had issues which - if this were a normal MF romance - would have me staying sixty miles away from this book. One hero had a child and ex-wife. Another is in love with Octavia's dead twin brother. The third... well, you'll see. These characters were messed up.
So yeah, I'm not reading this book for the romance. I'm reading it because Octavia is awesome.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
The heroine, Octavia Wilson, was awesome - a total take-no-prisoners stone-cold bitch. The heroes however all had issues which - if this were a normal MF romance - would have me staying sixty miles away from this book. One hero had a child and ex-wife. Another is in love with Octavia's dead twin brother. The third... well, you'll see. These characters were messed up.
So yeah, I'm not reading this book for the romance. I'm reading it because Octavia is awesome.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
February 12, 2019
🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
I wasn't sure about this book when I started it, but it won me over. There was something painfully sad about Tav and I was rooting for her the whole way. I wouldn't say I was surprised by who killed William.
Very well written. Imagery is excellent. I felt all the emotions and they were gut wrenching at times.
I can't wait until the next installment.
Tav goes to the East Coast to avenge her twin brother's apparent suicide. She believe's he was murdered and his boyfriend did it. Tav suffers some form or emotional or mental illness. Maybe she's a sociopath. She has trouble feeling emotions that come naturally to other's. I found her intriguing. She literally didn't give a crap about some things.
The ending of this book had me pretty mad. I'm hoping she turns this situation around and makes the people who put her there pay, and that includes Noah. I was on his side, but not anymore.
Safety: She has sex with all of them. It really is a harem of sorts. Condoms are mentioned at times. Basically, if you're concerned about only reading safe books, this probably isn't for you. And it's not a love story. Not really. It's about justice.
Bottom line.... I loved it.
I wasn't sure about this book when I started it, but it won me over. There was something painfully sad about Tav and I was rooting for her the whole way. I wouldn't say I was surprised by who killed William.
Very well written. Imagery is excellent. I felt all the emotions and they were gut wrenching at times.
I can't wait until the next installment.
Tav goes to the East Coast to avenge her twin brother's apparent suicide. She believe's he was murdered and his boyfriend did it. Tav suffers some form or emotional or mental illness. Maybe she's a sociopath. She has trouble feeling emotions that come naturally to other's. I found her intriguing. She literally didn't give a crap about some things.
The ending of this book had me pretty mad. I'm hoping she turns this situation around and makes the people who put her there pay, and that includes Noah. I was on his side, but not anymore.
Safety: She has sex with all of them. It really is a harem of sorts. Condoms are mentioned at times. Basically, if you're concerned about only reading safe books, this probably isn't for you. And it's not a love story. Not really. It's about justice.
Bottom line.... I loved it.
November 6, 2019
3 "I love you... And I hate you a little, too." stars
"I’m impulsive. Obsessive. Angry."
I loved Octavia! She is the best part of this book. She is a survivor, a fighter, she is passionate and fearless.
"I’ve got zero fucks and an expiration date.”
This read has a few twists and turns. An overall good read but I am not sure if I am going to continue on with the series.
"I’m impulsive. Obsessive. Angry."
I loved Octavia! She is the best part of this book. She is a survivor, a fighter, she is passionate and fearless.
"I’ve got zero fucks and an expiration date.”
This read has a few twists and turns. An overall good read but I am not sure if I am going to continue on with the series.
December 14, 2018
3,5*
Octavia can kick ass, she was the one i liked the most out of every character. I like those really messed up, dark and twisted characters that's fucking reckless . And Yeah i wanted more dark and twisted, i enjoyed the life and deaths moments and when all those boys get all worked up
Octavia can kick ass, she was the one i liked the most out of every character. I like those really messed up, dark and twisted characters that's fucking reckless . And Yeah i wanted more dark and twisted, i enjoyed the life and deaths moments and when all those boys get all worked up
September 19, 2019
I don't even know how to rate this. I would give it like a 1.5 maybe? I feel like rounding up to two starts is a little too high for how I felt, but I usually reserve one star for DNFs. I started out really enjoying the first half of this book. The second half was a MESS. There were also several unfinished sentences. I'm not talking grammar. One was just "There were" and then it jumps into the next paragraph, no punctuation.
This book tried to be everything, and it ended up falling extremely flat. It tried to be a reverse harem story that focused on revenge. It tried to be a story where we have someone who is lost because she lost the person closest to her. It had passionate hate fucking. It had really lovey-dovey, missionary position eye contact sex. It tried to have people who wanted monogamy. It tried to have people who were okay with having a lot of people involved in a romance. And because of all these things together, it didn't really have anything.
The Characters:
It's all in Octavia's POV. The first half of the book, I felt her grief driven revenge. I understood her reasoning, even though it isn't something that was particularly realistic. The second half, she flip flops on what she wants and what she does. She will do something, then we'll get a paragraph explaining her feelings in great detail. To me, it seemed like the author trying to explain why she was acting differently rather than an authentic reaction.
She says she's not close to people and she's fine with that, that she doesn't care what they think. Then she says that because she doesn't care what people think, that it's easy to make friends. It wants her to be a badass out for revenge and also a broken girl who seems to be doing a variety of things to avoid her pain.
The men in this are characterized by the way they want Octavia. Noah is her therapist that's in love with her, and one of the worst therapists I've ever seen. Samuel is the hate fuck, and he turns out to be the villain. He's best friends with Nathaniel. Nathaniel is the one that's infatuated with her because she looks like her brother. There's also an evil drug dealer thrown in there. He's dragged out of a restaurant screaming like a cartoon villain at one point.
The Plot:
This story follows Octavia. Her twin brother, William, is dead. He supposedly killed himself, but Octavia doesn't think so. She goes to his school to try to figure it out and to kill the people who killed him. All I have to say, is that this plot is absolutely not how universities work.
It started out as a revenge plot where she has a fucked up romance with the man she thinks killed her brother. She finds out that this man, Nathaniel Youngblood, was actually in love with her brother. He's using her because she looks a lot like her dead brother. She's using him because she wants to get close to someone her brother liked.
I'm going to sum up the plot and big reveals of this book below. It's kind of messy, so be warned. It's under the spoiler tags. I'm going to divide it into two halves, because that's how it felt reading the book.
So, that was like the first half of the book. The second half is just reveals, and it's fucking insane.
Did you follow all that? My explanation may sound off, but I felt like there was very little lead up to the events in the second half. I was also very confused.
All in all, I won't be continuing with this series.
This book tried to be everything, and it ended up falling extremely flat. It tried to be a reverse harem story that focused on revenge. It tried to be a story where we have someone who is lost because she lost the person closest to her. It had passionate hate fucking. It had really lovey-dovey, missionary position eye contact sex. It tried to have people who wanted monogamy. It tried to have people who were okay with having a lot of people involved in a romance. And because of all these things together, it didn't really have anything.
The Characters:
It's all in Octavia's POV. The first half of the book, I felt her grief driven revenge. I understood her reasoning, even though it isn't something that was particularly realistic. The second half, she flip flops on what she wants and what she does. She will do something, then we'll get a paragraph explaining her feelings in great detail. To me, it seemed like the author trying to explain why she was acting differently rather than an authentic reaction.
She says she's not close to people and she's fine with that, that she doesn't care what they think. Then she says that because she doesn't care what people think, that it's easy to make friends. It wants her to be a badass out for revenge and also a broken girl who seems to be doing a variety of things to avoid her pain.
The men in this are characterized by the way they want Octavia. Noah is her therapist that's in love with her, and one of the worst therapists I've ever seen. Samuel is the hate fuck, and he turns out to be the villain. He's best friends with Nathaniel. Nathaniel is the one that's infatuated with her because she looks like her brother. There's also an evil drug dealer thrown in there. He's dragged out of a restaurant screaming like a cartoon villain at one point.
The Plot:
This story follows Octavia. Her twin brother, William, is dead. He supposedly killed himself, but Octavia doesn't think so. She goes to his school to try to figure it out and to kill the people who killed him. All I have to say, is that this plot is absolutely not how universities work.
It started out as a revenge plot where she has a fucked up romance with the man she thinks killed her brother. She finds out that this man, Nathaniel Youngblood, was actually in love with her brother. He's using her because she looks a lot like her dead brother. She's using him because she wants to get close to someone her brother liked.
I'm going to sum up the plot and big reveals of this book below. It's kind of messy, so be warned. It's under the spoiler tags. I'm going to divide it into two halves, because that's how it felt reading the book.
So, that was like the first half of the book. The second half is just reveals, and it's fucking insane.
Did you follow all that? My explanation may sound off, but I felt like there was very little lead up to the events in the second half. I was also very confused.
All in all, I won't be continuing with this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2021
2,5
Octavia is grieving, she wants revenge... She was clinical diagnosed "crazy"and doesn't gives a f*ck...
This is not romance... She has sex with several guys but there's no love... Her condition makes her detached... The story is gripping but the guys feelings kinda ruined it for me...
They all became obsessed with her fanny...
Octavia is grieving, she wants revenge... She was clinical diagnosed "crazy"and doesn't gives a f*ck...
This is not romance... She has sex with several guys but there's no love... Her condition makes her detached... The story is gripping but the guys feelings kinda ruined it for me...
They all became obsessed with her fanny...
July 1, 2020
Wow.. just wow! Okay this chick is so messed up in the head! I didn't expect this kind of a story.. I mean don't get me wrong because the author was on point with her writing skills but the storyline just through me for loop and that's all I will say on the matter because I don't want to give away any spoilers..
Overall rating:
4* ~A Good Read
Overall rating:
4* ~A Good Read
September 20, 2019
This was not what I was expecting at all.. I am not even sure what to think about it really. I almost didnt finish the last few chapters since I went to sleep before binging the whole thing. But I did and I'm glad I finished but I'm still a bit wtf about it all.
I don't love it or hate it, I'm also not sure if there's anything pushing me to read the next one.
I don't love it or hate it, I'm also not sure if there's anything pushing me to read the next one.
July 10, 2022
Cliffhanger ending. Can’t wait for the next book. I’m fascinated by the h’s personality & the plot.
July 22, 2019
Queen Octavia Dark and Twisted Journey on seeking justice.
What did I just read...
Now before I start this book does contain some dark themes and also some subjects that may trigger people. This book does contain mental illnesses and Drug Overdose.
Octavia is on a mission to find out who murdered her brother. Let me just say this Octavia was awesome, she has this whole stone cold bi**h vibe to her. She is literally goals.
Octavia suffers from some sort of mental illness where she has trouble feeling emotions that other people naturally feel.
This book is reverse harem where we are introduced to a few boys. One of which is her therapist, the second who is in love with Octavia Dead Twin brother (Bombshell), the next girl well you’ll just have to read to find out.
All is not what it seems throughout, just when Octavia has figured out who killed her brother, another lead comes up making her rethink her decisions.
This book will take you on a dark and twisted roller coaster ride that you really don’t know how this book is going to end better yet how the next couple books in this series is going to pan out.
That ending though, I didn’t expect that, it made me angry. Now I am hoping that Octavia makes those people pay for what they did.
Overall this book was amazing! I loved it so much and I am obsessed and addicted and I need more.
What did I just read...
Now before I start this book does contain some dark themes and also some subjects that may trigger people. This book does contain mental illnesses and Drug Overdose.
Octavia is on a mission to find out who murdered her brother. Let me just say this Octavia was awesome, she has this whole stone cold bi**h vibe to her. She is literally goals.
Octavia suffers from some sort of mental illness where she has trouble feeling emotions that other people naturally feel.
This book is reverse harem where we are introduced to a few boys. One of which is her therapist, the second who is in love with Octavia Dead Twin brother (Bombshell), the next girl well you’ll just have to read to find out.
All is not what it seems throughout, just when Octavia has figured out who killed her brother, another lead comes up making her rethink her decisions.
This book will take you on a dark and twisted roller coaster ride that you really don’t know how this book is going to end better yet how the next couple books in this series is going to pan out.
That ending though, I didn’t expect that, it made me angry. Now I am hoping that Octavia makes those people pay for what they did.
Overall this book was amazing! I loved it so much and I am obsessed and addicted and I need more.
December 11, 2018
"I love you... And I hate you a little, too."
Another fantastic read by CoraLee June that I could not put down. I don't know what it is about her books, but they just grab you, and hold you, and rip your heart out all the while leaving you wanting more... Another dark, twisty, slightly crazy story that is not for the faint hearted.
This book truly has ALL. THE. FEELS! I also love the humour instilled in everything that Octavia (our FMC) does, thinks and says (case in point - when she's talking to Mrs Mulberry, her elderly roommate, about her vibrator running out of battery!). I also love that occasionally we'll get a little rhyming in the narrating dialogue of the story, a little quirk that adds to the personality of Octavia. But it's not all humour, and you'll soon find Octavia learning things about herself and her life in such a realistic way that we can relate.
I cannot wait to read Tears and Other Fears and only hope that I don't have to wait too long! (Though let's be real... I'll wait for the end of the world just to keep reading CJ's work!)
**I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author for review consideration**
October 20, 2019
Ready for next book
Tav is so very Girl, Interrupted. She is intelligent, unafraid to be completely herself, and doesn't spend much time second guessing herself. She is also independent and flawed to the point where she doesn't care about consequences ever to her own detriment.
The other male characters are all interesting and just as flawed, yet somehow drawn to her brand of witty banter, in your face self confidence, and her say anything charisma. I don't know if I can forgive Noah, much less if she could or should. Young has potential but how will she know if he sees her for herself or William? Samuel can go die in a fire choking on a bag of d*cks. Renon the drug dealer? I have to say...his brutal honesty is as refreshing as Tavi is. I think I like him best, though he hasn't had as "air time" as the others.
So, her harem? Who can guess at this point? Looking forward to finding out.
Definitely ready for the next book. Love how unique and honest Tav is. This was dark and emotional and raw. It was almost everything I love in a story. I wish it were a longer book because I was absolutely sucked into the story.
Tav is so very Girl, Interrupted. She is intelligent, unafraid to be completely herself, and doesn't spend much time second guessing herself. She is also independent and flawed to the point where she doesn't care about consequences ever to her own detriment.
The other male characters are all interesting and just as flawed, yet somehow drawn to her brand of witty banter, in your face self confidence, and her say anything charisma. I don't know if I can forgive Noah, much less if she could or should. Young has potential but how will she know if he sees her for herself or William? Samuel can go die in a fire choking on a bag of d*cks. Renon the drug dealer? I have to say...his brutal honesty is as refreshing as Tavi is. I think I like him best, though he hasn't had as "air time" as the others.
So, her harem? Who can guess at this point? Looking forward to finding out.
Definitely ready for the next book. Love how unique and honest Tav is. This was dark and emotional and raw. It was almost everything I love in a story. I wish it were a longer book because I was absolutely sucked into the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2021
There's a hell of a lot of messed up in such a small book.
Tav is one badass. She has so many emotions but feels nothing at the same time. She flicks between her emotions at a drop of a hat and can literally have a full on conversation while a gun is pointed at her chest, as if she's talking about her weekly food shop.
It's basically a guess who's done it, murder mystery and at every turn Tav was thrown off the scent of who she thought had carried out her brothers murder. There's just way too many players involved for it to be that simple and I have no idea where Tav is going to go with it because her mind is just crazy! I am intrigued where things are going with Young but I think it can only end badly.
It was a really quick read and I didn't get bored of the story or the characters because so much was happening and so many people were getting introduced. Saying that everything was too brief and I needed more detail in the scenes that played out for it to be a higher rating because we know nothing about the characters really. I want to know so much more!
Tav is one badass. She has so many emotions but feels nothing at the same time. She flicks between her emotions at a drop of a hat and can literally have a full on conversation while a gun is pointed at her chest, as if she's talking about her weekly food shop.
It's basically a guess who's done it, murder mystery and at every turn Tav was thrown off the scent of who she thought had carried out her brothers murder. There's just way too many players involved for it to be that simple and I have no idea where Tav is going to go with it because her mind is just crazy! I am intrigued where things are going with Young but I think it can only end badly.
It was a really quick read and I didn't get bored of the story or the characters because so much was happening and so many people were getting introduced. Saying that everything was too brief and I needed more detail in the scenes that played out for it to be a higher rating because we know nothing about the characters really. I want to know so much more!
September 9, 2019
Love!!
I love this story. I think Tav might be my favorite female heroine in all the books I’ve read! And I know Samuel Is an ahole but I kinda like him lol. Maybe there will be redeemed qualities in the next one!
I love this story. I think Tav might be my favorite female heroine in all the books I’ve read! And I know Samuel Is an ahole but I kinda like him lol. Maybe there will be redeemed qualities in the next one!
September 24, 2019
I really didn’t like any of the characters. They were all so messed up and not capable of having a relationship that the thought of any HEA was ridiculous. I definitely won’t be reading anymore. I barely finished this one. A torturous read full of the MCs manic episodes whilst declaring she feels nothing when she acts like a bitch. It’s put me off Coralee’s books big time.
February 12, 2019
I liked the heroine but I was kind of confused by the plot
April 10, 2019
READ. THIS. NOW.
I’m not sure there are words I can even string together that explain what this book did to me. Reading Octavia is like getting to know both a stranger and talking to a reflection all at the same time. In a really dark and twisted psyche kind of way. It’s the perfect cocktail to leave you, as the reader, feeling like you’re jonesing when you realize book two isn’t out yet.
This author knocked another one clear out of the park with this series debut. You should definitely invest the time but be ready for a hell of a ride.
I’m not sure there are words I can even string together that explain what this book did to me. Reading Octavia is like getting to know both a stranger and talking to a reflection all at the same time. In a really dark and twisted psyche kind of way. It’s the perfect cocktail to leave you, as the reader, feeling like you’re jonesing when you realize book two isn’t out yet.
This author knocked another one clear out of the park with this series debut. You should definitely invest the time but be ready for a hell of a ride.
December 29, 2018
Dark and so hot
Like fluffy unicorns? Don’t read this. Sunshine and daisies? Not your book. If you like dark, gritty, true to life feelings and all the f-Ed things that come with it, this ones your book.
Like fluffy unicorns? Don’t read this. Sunshine and daisies? Not your book. If you like dark, gritty, true to life feelings and all the f-Ed things that come with it, this ones your book.
January 1, 2019
This book was so depressing, I felt bad for the h. She was really messed up. This wasn't a love story yet, hopefully by the last book. But I still liked it and can't wait for more.
December 12, 2018
Holy crap!!
*slow blinks*
I’ve been broken. This book broke my soul. I’ve looked for a darkness and I’ve finally found it. The emotions attached to this book were real and legit. The feelings of what Octavia was feeling were perfect, dark, funny, and amazing.
I can’t wait to read the next
*slow blinks*
I’ve been broken. This book broke my soul. I’ve looked for a darkness and I’ve finally found it. The emotions attached to this book were real and legit. The feelings of what Octavia was feeling were perfect, dark, funny, and amazing.
I can’t wait to read the next
January 11, 2019
I am in total awe CoraLee June’s ability to breathe life into such beautifully damaged characters. Octavia may not be everyone’s preference but there is so much strength in her honesty and ownership of everything flawed with her.
This book was a dark and delicious journey and I can’t wait to see where book 2 takes us.
This book was a dark and delicious journey and I can’t wait to see where book 2 takes us.
January 27, 2019
Coralee June warned us wayyyy ahead of time that the FMC in this story was a girl who gave zero fucks, and she wasn't lying. Tav's on the path of destruction with an end game in mind, and I can't wait to see where this takes us. Her impulsive behavior was fitting and fantastic for her state of mind. It also gave this story a different feel because she's not in this to find love. She's in this for revenge and doesn't give two shits about the consequences. To have a FMC with that kind of IDGAF mentality made the whole story feel gritty and stone-hearted, which was a nice change of pace.
I'm eager to learn more about the men since we only get snippets into their lives so far. They're an intriguing bunch with some serious issues all the way around. If you love damaged ones, you'll love these guys and their girl. Loved the ending, it was brilliant and made me eager for the second book just to see where this goes next.
I'm eager to learn more about the men since we only get snippets into their lives so far. They're an intriguing bunch with some serious issues all the way around. If you love damaged ones, you'll love these guys and their girl. Loved the ending, it was brilliant and made me eager for the second book just to see where this goes next.
September 20, 2019
This book was so much more than I was expecting. I have read other things by CoraLee June and loved them, so I was already excited. But this book, from the very beginning, grabbed me and took me on a dark and twisty trip. It’s the first in the series and I think it balanced the dark with humor perfectly. Her roomie in the beginning of the book was absolutely hysterical, her interactions with the guys were intense but wild, but everything that Octavia did felt like she was daring herself to live.
She is the kind of main character that you will either hate or love, but you can’t help but be drawn in by. She knows and owns up to all of her flaws and charges forward with a single-minded selfishness that she says is born from only caring about herself, but I think is born from a desire to find a reason to live. She’s dark and crazy and challenges everyone in her path including the reader.
This is one of my favorite books I’ve read in a while.
She is the kind of main character that you will either hate or love, but you can’t help but be drawn in by. She knows and owns up to all of her flaws and charges forward with a single-minded selfishness that she says is born from only caring about herself, but I think is born from a desire to find a reason to live. She’s dark and crazy and challenges everyone in her path including the reader.
This is one of my favorite books I’ve read in a while.
December 17, 2018
***2.5 estrelas***
Eu não sei o que falar desse livro, tô bem dividida, ao mesmo tempo que gostei não achei que foi essa coca cola toda não.
Achei que a sinopse e o início do livro me prometeram algo que se perdeu no decorrer da história. O livro não foi ruim, porém eu queria mais ação, o que promete ter no livro dois (assim espero).
As cenas de sexo foram quentes, mas em vrs momentos desnecessárias, e o final deixou um bom gancho pro segundo, mas não vou criar expectativas pq a sinopse desse tbm prometeu, mas...
Gostei de Octavia e do seu jeito falho, gostei dos "mocinhos", mas não na mesma intensidade que gostei da mocinha, tlvz isso mude no próximo
A escrita da autora é fluída, e torço pra que ela ouse mais no segundo livro.
Eu não sei o que falar desse livro, tô bem dividida, ao mesmo tempo que gostei não achei que foi essa coca cola toda não.
Achei que a sinopse e o início do livro me prometeram algo que se perdeu no decorrer da história. O livro não foi ruim, porém eu queria mais ação, o que promete ter no livro dois (assim espero).
As cenas de sexo foram quentes, mas em vrs momentos desnecessárias, e o final deixou um bom gancho pro segundo, mas não vou criar expectativas pq a sinopse desse tbm prometeu, mas...
Gostei de Octavia e do seu jeito falho, gostei dos "mocinhos", mas não na mesma intensidade que gostei da mocinha, tlvz isso mude no próximo
A escrita da autora é fluída, e torço pra que ela ouse mais no segundo livro.
January 4, 2020
Enchanting layers of dark mystery
This book is as addictive as the drugs it talks about. Everyone in this story has a secret, some darker and more disturbing that others, and they each chain together in this dark tale of death and sex. I want to know more, there's definitely more to reveal and I can't wait to see what it is.
This book is as addictive as the drugs it talks about. Everyone in this story has a secret, some darker and more disturbing that others, and they each chain together in this dark tale of death and sex. I want to know more, there's definitely more to reveal and I can't wait to see what it is.
June 15, 2021
⎯»
Rating:
3.5 Stars
⎯» Genre: Dark Contemporary
⎯» POV: Single—First Person
❥
❥
This book is not a romance; while there is sex, any emotional intimacy is drowned out by lust, hatred, and the need for revenge.
Octavia is a female lead unlike anything I’ve read before. She is very self-aware, able to acknowledge that the way her mind works isn’t considered normal to the rest of society.
Yet, instead of feeling ashamed and trying to conform to the expectations of others, Octavia embraces the parts of herself that are seen as wrong. Doing so earns her the label of crazy, which she wears like a badge of honor.
The result of accepting her nature is that others stay away from her.
The only person who never turned their back on her was her twin brother, William. Since the day they were born, it was the two of them against the world. His love and acceptance made it so that Octavia never felt alone in a world that shunned her. So when he died, she was left with nothing. No love, no acceptance, no light.
Certain that William’s death was a murder, Octavia submerges herself in the only thing that gives her a reason to live in his absence—revenge. Which is where the story begins.
Coralee June did a phenomenal job of reflecting Octavia’s obsessive and self-destructive personality through the characters she surrounds herself with.
Coralee also shows us that underneath all of her bravado and I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude, is a girl drowning in grief and rage. Which is explored more in the next book.
❥
❥
⎯» Labels:
•First in Series
•Cliffhanger
•New Adult College
•Dark Romance
•Murder Mystery
•Reverse Harem
•Rich-Powerful-Corrupt Antagonist
•Cover-up/Murder Disguised as Overdose
•FMC Avenging Her Dead Twin
•Vengeful-Manic-Ruthless FMC
•Dysfunctional Relationships—Dead Brother’s Boyfriend, Alcoholic Therapist
•Deception, Secrets, Betrayal
•Tortured FMC
(FMC=Female Lead Character)
⎯» Triggers:
⎯» Genre: Dark Contemporary
⎯» POV: Single—First Person
❥
“Secrets, secrets, were no fun. Not unless you tell everyone.”
❥
This book is not a romance; while there is sex, any emotional intimacy is drowned out by lust, hatred, and the need for revenge.
Octavia is a female lead unlike anything I’ve read before. She is very self-aware, able to acknowledge that the way her mind works isn’t considered normal to the rest of society.
“I had an obsessive personality. I could only focus on one thing at a time. I let my passions consume me until there was nothing left. It was a blessing and a curse, living that way. Always observing. Always diving headfirst into my ideas. My passions.”
Yet, instead of feeling ashamed and trying to conform to the expectations of others, Octavia embraces the parts of herself that are seen as wrong. Doing so earns her the label of crazy, which she wears like a badge of honor.
“Didn’t they know the best people were fucked up? We were the ones not limited by society.”
The result of accepting her nature is that others stay away from her.
“I had that sort of social aversion and intensity that made people uncomfortable.”
The only person who never turned their back on her was her twin brother, William. Since the day they were born, it was the two of them against the world. His love and acceptance made it so that Octavia never felt alone in a world that shunned her. So when he died, she was left with nothing. No love, no acceptance, no light.
“Love was something I was borderline incapable of but also the thing I understood better than most. Love destroyed people.”
Certain that William’s death was a murder, Octavia submerges herself in the only thing that gives her a reason to live in his absence—revenge. Which is where the story begins.
“Sometimes revenge wasn't apparent. Sometimes it was a bunch of little moments leading up to a big explosion of triumph.”
Coralee June did a phenomenal job of reflecting Octavia’s obsessive and self-destructive personality through the characters she surrounds herself with.
“Fucked up relationships with quirky, damaged people were kinda my thing, I guess.”
“I only trusted alcoholics and the elderly with my secrets.”
Coralee also shows us that underneath all of her bravado and I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude, is a girl drowning in grief and rage. Which is explored more in the next book.
“Misery wanted company, but the company always left.”
“Wasn’t life just some stupid cycle of being okay and not being okay and then death?”
“We were all just a giant clusterfuck of epic proportions, and I couldn’t even bring myself to feel something other than blinding anger at it all.”
“I put my feelings in a pretty little box, tucked away for the day I could handle them.”
❥
“You're in love with your therapist and have plans on killing a man you know nothing about. I also know you're kind, in a really fucked up way. You don’t feel things the way other people do, and you’re stronger for it."
❥
⎯» Labels:
•First in Series
•Cliffhanger
•New Adult College
•Dark Romance
•Murder Mystery
•Reverse Harem
•Rich-Powerful-Corrupt Antagonist
•Cover-up/Murder Disguised as Overdose
•FMC Avenging Her Dead Twin
•Vengeful-Manic-Ruthless FMC
•Dysfunctional Relationships—Dead Brother’s Boyfriend, Alcoholic Therapist
•Deception, Secrets, Betrayal
•Tortured FMC
(FMC=Female Lead Character)
⎯» Triggers:
—————————— ❂ ——————————
January 31, 2019
....Holy moly, thats what I have to say! I love how Coralee June makes you fall in love with all her broken and dark characters, especially Tav! Just when I think CJ writes her darkest book yet, she goes and says "HA just kidding! Challenge accepted!" I mean, the premise of the story was intriguing from the start, and CJ amazingly delivered ❤️
Octavia is going through a really, really tough time in her life and decides that she is going to find out who murdered her twin brother, William. I thought I had each of the guys figured out and her harem buuuuut I was sorely mistaken. I had a guess on the killer and I was wrong; you will be shocked I think by the end of the book. The one guy I thought I would love was definitely my favorite, but with how it ended, I think he will have to work to get back into her good (really baaaad and dark) graces haha. Noah's backstory killed me btw and I loved how he stepped up and continued to be there for her no matter what. Is it sad I wish she kinda ran away/didn't go quietly?
Noah was a big surprise for me. I did figure out his 1 secret right away, but I didn't see his big dirty secret coming haha. I think his relationship with Tav is going to be the toughest for her, but I was happy with the ending and cannot wait to see where that goes in Book 2!! I loved him/was rooting for them by the end. I also hope Renon makes another guest appearance, he seems like a wild card and will help Tav with her personality/feeling too much but not feeling anything at all.
CJ has nothing to worry about with this story (that we wouldn't like Octavia). It grabs hold of your heart and squeezes it a lot (sometimes to the point of turning it to ash) but keeps you in check/grounded the whole time (doesnt go off to unicorns and rainbows, keeps reminding the reader what the characters are going through, all the darkness that is occurring that wont be overcome yet or if at all). I loved it so much. I think it was nice to read a book that doesnt shy away from mental illness, doesnt come out and give you a diagnosis because at that point, you would forget about Octavia as a person, and makes you want the darkness in each of the characters to meld with each other and help them. I thought some of the steam scenes were off the chart (definitely had to drink some cold water after a few!). I snorted a couple times with the humor that was added to the story (with some of Tav's quips or how she lacked sort of decency when it came to the other guys she was sleeping with/loved).
I definitely recommend this book, but do not expect it to be super happy/bubbly. I almost broke down when she continued to listen to the last VM William left her. It reminded me of loosing a dear friend and looking over our photos together. It will hit you in the feels, thats for sure!
Need Book 2 SOON ❤️❤️❤️
Octavia is going through a really, really tough time in her life and decides that she is going to find out who murdered her twin brother, William. I thought I had each of the guys figured out and her harem buuuuut I was sorely mistaken. I had a guess on the killer and I was wrong; you will be shocked I think by the end of the book. The one guy I thought I would love was definitely my favorite, but with how it ended, I think he will have to work to get back into her good (really baaaad and dark) graces haha. Noah's backstory killed me btw and I loved how he stepped up and continued to be there for her no matter what. Is it sad I wish she kinda ran away/didn't go quietly?
Noah was a big surprise for me. I did figure out his 1 secret right away, but I didn't see his big dirty secret coming haha. I think his relationship with Tav is going to be the toughest for her, but I was happy with the ending and cannot wait to see where that goes in Book 2!! I loved him/was rooting for them by the end. I also hope Renon makes another guest appearance, he seems like a wild card and will help Tav with her personality/feeling too much but not feeling anything at all.
CJ has nothing to worry about with this story (that we wouldn't like Octavia). It grabs hold of your heart and squeezes it a lot (sometimes to the point of turning it to ash) but keeps you in check/grounded the whole time (doesnt go off to unicorns and rainbows, keeps reminding the reader what the characters are going through, all the darkness that is occurring that wont be overcome yet or if at all). I loved it so much. I think it was nice to read a book that doesnt shy away from mental illness, doesnt come out and give you a diagnosis because at that point, you would forget about Octavia as a person, and makes you want the darkness in each of the characters to meld with each other and help them. I thought some of the steam scenes were off the chart (definitely had to drink some cold water after a few!). I snorted a couple times with the humor that was added to the story (with some of Tav's quips or how she lacked sort of decency when it came to the other guys she was sleeping with/loved).
I definitely recommend this book, but do not expect it to be super happy/bubbly. I almost broke down when she continued to listen to the last VM William left her. It reminded me of loosing a dear friend and looking over our photos together. It will hit you in the feels, thats for sure!
Need Book 2 SOON ❤️❤️❤️
January 1, 2019
Octavia has lost her twin brother. The official report is an accidental overdose but she knows better. It was murder. And her sole purpose in life, her obsession is to kill his murderer. So she drops her life as an artist in California and heads across the country to Blackwood University to destroy the ones responsible for his death. Justice. Revenge. At any cost.
I'm not sure what to say. If you know me, you know I am a Pollyanna (Look it up). I want everyone to hug it out, I demand the HEA. Coralee June took me out of my comfort zone with Sunshine and Bullets. She shattered me with this book. Each character is flawed, none are truly likable. It's ugly, dark, raw. It's powerful. Octavia is broken. Her mind is schizophrenic. She feels too deeply but not as a normal person feels. Her twin loved and hated her. It seemed he could only take her in small doses, he feared her on some level and hid parts of himself from her. Her closest relationship is with her alcoholic therapist Noah. He may really love her but it's toxic at this stage. Her brother's lover, Youngblood becomes Octavia's first target. Their time together is twisted. Young isn't a bad guy but he's weak and that makes him dangerous. Octavia's chemistry with Samuel is nuclear but he's just no good. Samuel is also weak. His obsession with appearance and not failing is common enough but the extremes he goes to show a complete lack of character. Renon would be the lowest character in their world but he's also the most honest. He never hides his motivation. His night with Octavia is interesting on every level. Even Mrs. Mulberry is a compellingly original character. I am not sure there has ever been a more complex or more disturbing cast of characters in any book.
This is not my kind of book. It upset me, destroyed me at times. I couldn't relate to any of the characters. I become the lead female in every book I read. We exist as one. Being Octavia hurt. Meeting the men made it worse. I would sympathize with the characters for a moment and then they would do something so upsetting, that I was repelled. There is not one lasting moment of sweetness or tenderness. It's page after page of pain. Yet it's enthralling. It's so well-written, so different. I couldn't put it down. I couldn't understand Octavia's harem or if it even qualified as a harem. Hook-ups with no emotional attachment, no affection. What does this mean? It drew me in with each increasingly disturbing revelation. The end left me desperate for more. This is a book that disturbed me, troubled me, hurt me, and possibly possessed me. I am fearfully awaiting book 2. I'm not sure how much more I can handle but I know that I have no choice. Octavia now owns me. We are on this journey together until the end.
I'm not sure what to say. If you know me, you know I am a Pollyanna (Look it up). I want everyone to hug it out, I demand the HEA. Coralee June took me out of my comfort zone with Sunshine and Bullets. She shattered me with this book. Each character is flawed, none are truly likable. It's ugly, dark, raw. It's powerful. Octavia is broken. Her mind is schizophrenic. She feels too deeply but not as a normal person feels. Her twin loved and hated her. It seemed he could only take her in small doses, he feared her on some level and hid parts of himself from her. Her closest relationship is with her alcoholic therapist Noah. He may really love her but it's toxic at this stage. Her brother's lover, Youngblood becomes Octavia's first target. Their time together is twisted. Young isn't a bad guy but he's weak and that makes him dangerous. Octavia's chemistry with Samuel is nuclear but he's just no good. Samuel is also weak. His obsession with appearance and not failing is common enough but the extremes he goes to show a complete lack of character. Renon would be the lowest character in their world but he's also the most honest. He never hides his motivation. His night with Octavia is interesting on every level. Even Mrs. Mulberry is a compellingly original character. I am not sure there has ever been a more complex or more disturbing cast of characters in any book.
This is not my kind of book. It upset me, destroyed me at times. I couldn't relate to any of the characters. I become the lead female in every book I read. We exist as one. Being Octavia hurt. Meeting the men made it worse. I would sympathize with the characters for a moment and then they would do something so upsetting, that I was repelled. There is not one lasting moment of sweetness or tenderness. It's page after page of pain. Yet it's enthralling. It's so well-written, so different. I couldn't put it down. I couldn't understand Octavia's harem or if it even qualified as a harem. Hook-ups with no emotional attachment, no affection. What does this mean? It drew me in with each increasingly disturbing revelation. The end left me desperate for more. This is a book that disturbed me, troubled me, hurt me, and possibly possessed me. I am fearfully awaiting book 2. I'm not sure how much more I can handle but I know that I have no choice. Octavia now owns me. We are on this journey together until the end.
December 14, 2018
**Trigger Warning-if you are not a fan of suicide or abuse (all forms it comes in), this may not be the book for you. It dives into some pretty hardcore subjects and may be difficult to read.**
Sweet Holy Jeezus!!
So amazing.
So twisted.
So did not see that coming!
My brain is having a hard time processing what I just read.
In a good way.
The best way.
But still....holy moly!
I knew CoraLee could write a dark and twisted story.
She proved that with Sunshine and Bullets.
And while I knew this information, this still took my breath away with its savagery.
Octavia was the twin sister to William.
The only person she really loved and cared about in the world.
When he attended college across the country, it was a physical ache in her soul every day but assumed that is what he wanted to do with his life and never questioned him.
Learning he has died, of apparent overdose, sets in motion plans Tav must due to allow her mind to rest.
She knows there is no way her brother would have overdosed.
Not after everything they put up with from their mother growing up.
He wouldn't betray her like that.
The more she learns, the more truths that unravel leaving her to question how close she thought she was with her brother.
So first things first.
While I have stated this as a reverse harem, I could kind of see this not ending up that way.
I hope it doesn't because I love the guys she is with (most of them) and would hate to see her lose one.
She is with three guys in this story.
And while they each know about the other, it's not like they are all in a serious relationship together.
It's a little complicated and I don't want to give too much away, but everything is a clusterduck.
Second of all.
So many twisted plot lines.
Some of them you can see them coming.
Like who the ex-boyfriend is.
But everything else was a complete mind twirl.
This story kept me on my toes with every page turn.
Lastly.
That ending!
I was not ready for this to end.
And watching it stop there, I wasn't not happy.
I am so excited to see what the next book will hold for us.
This book is so beautifully written.
While the content is so crazy, it flows so well.
The characters are amazing and their chemistry is off the charts.
I honestly don't know who is my favorite.
Though Octavia has the lead, I enjoyed all of them immensely.
Overall, if you haven't picked up this book, I highly suggest doing that right now.
It is that amazing.
That dark and twisted.
That I think everyone will fall deep into the world CoraLee reveals for us in the Lies trilogy.
I can see myself re-reading this one again and again.
And recommending the crap out of it.
Sweet Holy Jeezus!!
So amazing.
So twisted.
So did not see that coming!
My brain is having a hard time processing what I just read.
In a good way.
The best way.
But still....holy moly!
I knew CoraLee could write a dark and twisted story.
She proved that with Sunshine and Bullets.
And while I knew this information, this still took my breath away with its savagery.
Octavia was the twin sister to William.
The only person she really loved and cared about in the world.
When he attended college across the country, it was a physical ache in her soul every day but assumed that is what he wanted to do with his life and never questioned him.
Learning he has died, of apparent overdose, sets in motion plans Tav must due to allow her mind to rest.
She knows there is no way her brother would have overdosed.
Not after everything they put up with from their mother growing up.
He wouldn't betray her like that.
The more she learns, the more truths that unravel leaving her to question how close she thought she was with her brother.
So first things first.
While I have stated this as a reverse harem, I could kind of see this not ending up that way.
I hope it doesn't because I love the guys she is with (most of them) and would hate to see her lose one.
She is with three guys in this story.
And while they each know about the other, it's not like they are all in a serious relationship together.
It's a little complicated and I don't want to give too much away, but everything is a clusterduck.
Second of all.
So many twisted plot lines.
Some of them you can see them coming.
Like who the ex-boyfriend is.
But everything else was a complete mind twirl.
This story kept me on my toes with every page turn.
Lastly.
That ending!
I was not ready for this to end.
And watching it stop there, I wasn't not happy.
I am so excited to see what the next book will hold for us.
This book is so beautifully written.
While the content is so crazy, it flows so well.
The characters are amazing and their chemistry is off the charts.
I honestly don't know who is my favorite.
Though Octavia has the lead, I enjoyed all of them immensely.
Overall, if you haven't picked up this book, I highly suggest doing that right now.
It is that amazing.
That dark and twisted.
That I think everyone will fall deep into the world CoraLee reveals for us in the Lies trilogy.
I can see myself re-reading this one again and again.
And recommending the crap out of it.
December 11, 2018
I have no words
This was an absolutely amazing read. Its true that twins know each other better and worse than anyone else can. Octavia knew her brother so well that she knew he didn't kill himself but at the same time didn't really know him at all. While wading through all the kids and hurt she found out some hurtful truths that had her questioning of she even really knew herself, let alone her brother. Determined nonetheless she dug so far down the rabbit hole she's going to have a hell of a time climbing back out now.
CoraLee June has once again delivered an amazing story that offers up every emotion. This dark, twisted and emotion wreaking story was so much more than I expected it to be. I'm so glad this is a trilogy because I have to know how Octavia handles all that got thrown her way.
These characters are so incredibly close to my heart already and it was only a three hour relationship with them. First let me address the elephant in the room, you may all be wondering, how is it that CoraLee based a character off of me? Well, it wasn't easy but Mrs. Mulberry was the closest anyone could ever get! Haha I'm joking but really I felt like she was based off of me a little bit, honestly Octavia as well. I am very much outspoken, and I don't care to have any filter at all. So they both definitely resonate with me. Then there is Noah, oh poor Noah, yup that's all I'm going to say about him. Of course there is also Youngblood, that poor man, I'm not sure if I love him, pity him or maybe feel sorry for him? He's a much better man than I expected really, maybe too good, but also kind of a creep? Doesn't make me love him any less though, does that make me strange? Maybe, but I don't really give a damn. I'm not even going to go into my thoughts on William, Samuel and Renon. Not because they aren't fantastic characters (because they seriously are), but because I don't want to go on and on forever in this review and I don't want to give away too much of the story (which I totally will if I keep ranting like this).
So...if you didn't already extrapolate from my word vomit above, I absolutely loved this book. It deals with sensitive topics, is dark, sexy and for sure funny at times, and is a freakin amazing read. I one hundred percent recommend this read!
This was an absolutely amazing read. Its true that twins know each other better and worse than anyone else can. Octavia knew her brother so well that she knew he didn't kill himself but at the same time didn't really know him at all. While wading through all the kids and hurt she found out some hurtful truths that had her questioning of she even really knew herself, let alone her brother. Determined nonetheless she dug so far down the rabbit hole she's going to have a hell of a time climbing back out now.
CoraLee June has once again delivered an amazing story that offers up every emotion. This dark, twisted and emotion wreaking story was so much more than I expected it to be. I'm so glad this is a trilogy because I have to know how Octavia handles all that got thrown her way.
These characters are so incredibly close to my heart already and it was only a three hour relationship with them. First let me address the elephant in the room, you may all be wondering, how is it that CoraLee based a character off of me? Well, it wasn't easy but Mrs. Mulberry was the closest anyone could ever get! Haha I'm joking but really I felt like she was based off of me a little bit, honestly Octavia as well. I am very much outspoken, and I don't care to have any filter at all. So they both definitely resonate with me. Then there is Noah, oh poor Noah, yup that's all I'm going to say about him. Of course there is also Youngblood, that poor man, I'm not sure if I love him, pity him or maybe feel sorry for him? He's a much better man than I expected really, maybe too good, but also kind of a creep? Doesn't make me love him any less though, does that make me strange? Maybe, but I don't really give a damn. I'm not even going to go into my thoughts on William, Samuel and Renon. Not because they aren't fantastic characters (because they seriously are), but because I don't want to go on and on forever in this review and I don't want to give away too much of the story (which I totally will if I keep ranting like this).
So...if you didn't already extrapolate from my word vomit above, I absolutely loved this book. It deals with sensitive topics, is dark, sexy and for sure funny at times, and is a freakin amazing read. I one hundred percent recommend this read!
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