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Precious #1

Precious Lies

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Hell. That was my life.

Every waking moment, I feared what sort of abuse would be thrown my way.

I was Scarlett Adams, invisible to the world.

That is, until I learned the truth.


*This book is not for the faint of heart. It is dark and emotional. If you are sensitive to dark material, please be warned.

383 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2019

130 people are currently reading
230 people want to read

About the author

Autumn Winchester

30 books177 followers
I’ve always been passionate about storytelling and impressed by the influence it has on people and the decisions they make in life. My novels are something that won't be found anywhere else.
I live in a small town in Colorado. I have 4 kids, 4 dogs, and a cat.
I love to write. I am more than just an author; I'm a storyteller.

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5 stars
102 (43%)
4 stars
49 (20%)
3 stars
54 (22%)
2 stars
13 (5%)
1 star
18 (7%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
2 reviews
March 12, 2021
DNF. I got through about 40% of this book and just couldn't continue. The relationship between the main character and her "real" family in the beginning half of the book was just unrealistic. As a mother myself, you can't tell me that if a family's child was kidnapped and they found out where she was years later that they would have waited as long as they did to take action to get her back. And how they treated her when she was first living with them is VERY far fetched! After she gained consciousness in the beginning no one explained what was happening to her so why in the world would she trust them? Duh she wouldn't. The family would have had more patience, understanding, and forgiveness especially since she didn't have any memory of them and therefore they were basically strangers to her. Also, no father who cares about their child would EVER EVER EVER threaten to return their abused daughter back to their abuser/rapist just because they mouthed off. With the knowledge she had at the time she mouthed off, she was entirely justified in her betrayed feelings. The interactions between the characters was just frustratingly unrealistic to the point I just couldn't continue with the book. This book missed the mark for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews131 followers
Want to read
May 16, 2023
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/14/2019)! 🎁
Profile Image for Amy M. (Amy Loves Reading Blog).
739 reviews50 followers
June 10, 2019
Not for the fainted heart. This author has a way of taking a story and making you feel each part in your mind and soul. I couldn’t stop reading...I read until I couldn’t keep my eyes open but I needed every moment of this book.

Scarlett is such a torn up young lady. She’s gone to hell and back more than a few times and it pained me to read her going through the things she went through. I am extremely eager to see where her story takes her next! I have never been in her position but this author describes each moment she has to a perfect heartbreaking, shattering your soul moment. Part of my heart now belongs to her and I have so many things I wish for her. With men like Dominic and Zevon and even Collin make me wish things were different for her, that she would have this future I have all planned out in my head.

I don’t know what the next book holds for Scarlett or anyone else but you can believe I will be hanging on by a thread waiting to see. I am so consumed by this story it’s gonna take me a moment to go to my next book. It’s dark, twisted, horribly sick at times and you think you’ve seen darkness in books but you haven’t. This had my attention from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down to even sleep! I know this book isn’t for everyone but the story behind it all I feel like it’s worth reading. Way more than worth reading!! So fucking crazy but captivated my attention!
Profile Image for Nerd Girl Vixen.
231 reviews32 followers
September 26, 2020
What happens to a spirit once it’s broken? It either stays that way or it can start healing and rise through the ashes.

Scarlett has endured unspeakable horrors. She had wished for death a million times. Suddenly her world changes. A new path is possible. Along with hope.

This story is really about hope. It is not an easy read, proceed with caution. I shed more than a few tears while reading. My heart went out to Scarlett. Following along her journey you can see her start to transition and its really heartbreaking but also optimistic. As a whole, this is a good read. The cover is beautiful. I need to read the second book ASAP! I give this 4 stars.

**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng**
Profile Image for Etta Henderhan.
19 reviews
November 17, 2019
Couldn't put it down!

I highly recommend this book! It was very easy to get into with its twist and turns at every direction ,but what touched me most was I was able to identify with the main character Scarlett, some of her experiences I myself have have had to deal with and feel. Its always nice to be reminded we are not alone. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
33 reviews
June 20, 2019
Loved it

I read this book in a short amount of time. It was hard to put down. Cant wait for more.
Profile Image for Lauren Baxter (Starr).
19 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2019
My heart broke for Scarlett in this book. It is not an easy read whatsoever but I could not put it down! I needed to know what happened to her. I can’t wait for the next book to continue on Scarlett’s journey
Profile Image for Latifa Morrisette.
2,579 reviews63 followers
June 10, 2019
This book is not for the faint of heart or those easily triggered. Scarlett grew up in hell. From the time she could remember her father would do the unspeakable to her. Until one day when everything she knew turned out not to be true. This book is no way a romance but it it very dark. Scarlett's story had me hooked and I'm hoping there is more for her to tell.
Profile Image for Lyryoazul.
11 reviews
June 24, 2019
Get ready for the water works

If you are a type of person that cries easily through movies, etc. Please have a box of tissues handy. This book is so emotionally driven and so well written that I read this book within a few hours. I could not put this book down. I cannot wait to continue to read what life has in stock for Scarlett. They fact that she has these 3 men looking after her and are patient with her as she goes through her hardship i am taken by. The next book needs to come out ASAP.
Profile Image for Reckless Readers.
1,707 reviews89 followers
July 1, 2019
Reading Precious Lies, my emotions ranged from horror to crying for a young woman who had suffered more than anyone should ever have to from her abuser. Scarlett was forced into a hell no one should be in and once freed must now find her way out of this hell her mind and body is still in. Even after being rescued, she has to learn to be free, yet there is still danger around every corner.

Abuse for centuries has been hidden and whether it be physical or mental, is very real and can affect anyone. Thank you to Autumn for reminding us that just because one has gotten away from their abuser, this does not mean that they are okay and Scarlett reminds us of that and the real struggle she has to learn to live.

My wish is that Scarlett finds her way out of the hell she is in a she was forced to lead. While there are clues on every page, there is still mystery surrounding the Vicci/Voss family, why she was held captive for so long.

This book definitely has trigger warnings including rape and physical and mental abuse.

**Reviewed by Kathy**
Profile Image for Carolyn Muller.
133 reviews2 followers
June 18, 2019
Precious Lies by Autumn Winchester 4 stars
This story was very difficult to read, the triggers here are plentiful and the tears in my eyes were plentiful. When you get past the nightmare that is Scarlet’s life up until just before her 18th birthday the story moves a different direction and while I found it somewhat confusing at least the direction changed. I do believe some readers will have a seriously hard time getting past the first half of this book, I’m sure they will find a good story. Scarlet suffered for years and prayed for her life to end to escape the life she was living, just before her 18th Birthday her life takes a sudden turn and she finds herself part of something that resembles normal but she’s unsure and with good cause. I’m so glad this book rounded that turn. Im not sure how much longer I could have read about Scarlet’s home life with the man who claims to be her Father. I’m hoping the Author has plans for another book where this one leaves off as I would love to see where life takes Scarlet and the men who have become her protectors.
Profile Image for Tee Cullen.
136 reviews2 followers
October 11, 2020
You better have your tissue ready. This story will make you cry, laugh sometimes and even hate sometimes. Watching Scarlett come to terms with her life and have to except things aren't always as they seem. Will she be able to move on from her past and forgive those who love her for something that wasn't their fault. Read this story and watch her journey to become the young lady she deserves to be.
8 reviews
April 25, 2021
Made me physically nauseous. Had to stop reading it when the "real" dad threatened to send her back to her rapist as PUNISHMENT for yelling at her mother (who was completely useless as far as I'm concerned) after her mother told her they'd known where she was for a year but didn't think it was THAT bad so they just left her there. Awful. Literally the most disgusted I've ever felt from a book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mia.
457 reviews11 followers
December 22, 2022
Sooooo, it was good. I truly found it heart wrenching and touching, but the ending isn’t one I would’ve picked. I hope the boys will go with her and I’m still unsure if Collin is too old to be a love interest
Profile Image for Varya.
768 reviews100 followers
April 29, 2022
Dnf @69%

The main reason for me ditching this book was that it had NO FEELINGS OR EMOTIONS. The writing style was bland and sort of like reading a school book instead of a novel. I didn't feel or experience anything while reading it and that's just a travesty for any novel in my opinion.

Other minor reasons include:

1) Everyone kept telling Scarlett how lucky she was...for every damn thing. Considering what she suffered, I'd think she'd hate the word. It was annoying.

“I’m not lucky.”
“Oh, you so are, dear girl,” he said. “You weren’t even supposed to be born. Hannah struggled to get pregnant with both you and your brother. Both of you are very lucky to be alive and healthy"


Oh yeah, old man, she was lucky to be born (I guess she prayed to get a life when she was a sperm) and then get raped, beaten and abused most of her life. Wow, look at how lucky she was. 🙄

2) Everyone also kept saying that she won't get hurt again...but she did. And also, no one let her control her own life. They were making decisions for her all the time without even considering her opinion. It was making me frustrated.


3)Also, the following dialogue in this book made me so so angry. I don't know if it was meant the way I interpreted it but goddamn.

"Now, we knew you liked to wander, and trouble found you too easily, I knew without a doubt that someone had to have taken you. I just didn’t know who, or where to look to figure that out"

Was he actually trying to insinuate that it was her fault she was kidnapped when she was just 5 yrs old?!! I give up.

4) Why did no one from her family rescue her when they knew where she was?! Even if they didn't know about her abuse, they must have known that a kidnapper won't keep her to shower her with love and gifts?! I couldn't, AT ALL, wrap my mind around why her family didn't rescue her an year ago.

Even Lisa not running away with Scarlett after she found out about the rape doesn't make any sense....considering Scarlett's real family was so lovable and safe. Major plot hole!!!
Profile Image for Megan Wielt.
1 review1 follower
July 23, 2020
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!
There was so much wrong with this book. Don’t get me wrong, the writing was done really well- that’s why I’m giving it three stars- however, it was the content that I had issue with. Our main character, Scarlett, was being physically, mentally and sexually abused by her “dad” since she was young. When she told her aunt (who had always been more like a mom to Scarlett) that her dad had been raping her for the last two years, what did her aunt do? Bought her birth control! WHAT?!
No calling the cops? No getting her out of that house? And what I had issue with even more than that, is that Scarlett didn’t even see the betrayal in that, just saw that as her aunts way of protecting her. It was almost like the author thought that that would actually be someone’s normal thought process. Later on she is “rescued” -when I say rescued, I mean drugged and kidnapped- by her real family who keep her drugged for, like, an entire month because she was “freaking out”...
Duh!
You freaking kidnapped her and kept her drugged and refused to tell her who you were! Not only that! But when her family found out that she was pregnant because HER FATHER RAPED HER they wouldn’t let her terminate the pregnancy!!
On top of all this, she was raped at another point in the book and not once did they talk about that or the sexual abuse that she had endured from her father. The author just brushed it under the rug. No body talked about it and even Scarlett’s inner monologue never mentioned it. It was almost like “hey I was raped”. Cool, next. “Oh I was raped again”. Awesome, thanks for mentioning that. Next.
Like...What??? Are we not going to at least talk about this a little bit? Seeing as how it seemed to be the entire basis of the book. At least Give us some insight on Scarlet’s thoughts and emotions and journey to healing.
Rant over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
944 reviews2 followers
October 3, 2020
This book is gripping, captivating and draws the reader in and does not let go even after the last page. This book is exceptionally well written, the plot astonishing, characters have depth and growth tangled with realistic array of emotions ranging from hatred, sorrow, protection and love.

The emotional and heart wrenching with the trauma that Scarlett went through and was still subjected to was appalling. When she is drugged and kidnapped and taken away from her father she is terrified as the new people/captors tell her they are saving her and helping her escape her demon.

Scarlett is not talking and the new captors are desperate to get her emotional help after she tries to take her own life. It takes her a while to realize they are not what they seem but that she can trust them and as she talks to them, she shares some heart breaking emotional details. Her father, has been using her for years for his personals pleasure, slave and punching bag and intended to sell her as soon as she complied with his demands to sign over her money. Sadly Alan, her "father" was so manipulative that everyone else turns a blind eye and causing Scarlett to be isolated and at the mercy of her father.

I enjoyed this heartbreaking emotional book, and I can’t wait for the next book in the trilogy. A must read, however if you are a sensitive reader you need to avoid this book as the dark, gritty details of abuse is not pretty.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kathy Dunn.
1,311 reviews24 followers
June 19, 2019
Reading Precious Lies my emotions ranged from horror to crying for a young woman who had suffered more than anyone should ever have to from her abuser. Scarlett was forced into a hell no one should be in and once freed must now find her way out of this hell her mind and body is still in. Even after being rescued, she has to learn to be free, yet there is still danger around every corner.
Abuse for centuries has been hidden and whether it be physical or mental, is very real and can affect anyone. Thank you to Autumn for reminding us that just because one has gotten away from their abuser, this does not mean that they are okay and Scarlett reminds us of that and the real struggle she has to learn to live.
My wish is that Scarlett finds her way out of the hell she is in; a hell she was forced to lead. While there are clues on every page, there is still mystery surrounding the Vicci/Voss family, why she was held captive for so long.
This book definitely has trigger warnings including rape and physical and mental abuse.
Profile Image for Sandra Loves Reading.
741 reviews10 followers
September 29, 2025
This is such a dark read!
If you have triggers you do not want to pick this up.
Scarlett Adams was so abused. By her father. I found some bits very hard to read. Her existence is absolutely horrendous. With no other family or friends she waited to die.
Her desperation is so well written.
But when her chance to escape happens, she runs, expecting her father to catch up with her at any moment.
Not wishing to say more about the story, from this point it changes and morphs into more.
I've just bought the second book as I want to know what happens next.
As many have pointed out in their reviews, the book needs a good editing, but for me, once I knew mistakes were there, I got on with the actual story and the errors didn't make a great difference to the enjoyment of a hard read. I've given 4 stars due to the need for an edit, not for the actual story.
123 reviews
July 22, 2022
not a bad read

The story line was good but the narrative was at times hard to follow. Somethings the author assumed you would understand with minimal description were things that were missed and had to be deciphered later in the book. It just wasn't clear. There were many many grammar and spelling mistakes. Enough to wonder if the book was at all edited. The author has some literary talent but needed a better editor to polish her work. The characters were good but almost zero description of any of them. Rarely were physical attributes expressed and the lack of information made several parts confusing.. The overall idea for the book was good but the lack of clarity and descriptions made it a 3star rather than a 5. Proofreaders needed!!
1,413 reviews9 followers
September 20, 2020
Scarlett's life is a horrific nightmare. Her father is her nightmare and being rescued does not make her safe. It does bring her a healing that she never thought to find and family she never imagined. Can she trust these people who come for her? Who ask that she let them love her when she feels worthless? Can't wait to continue to read her journey of discovery and love. Please note that this story continues on in the next book because you will become invested in this shattered girl's story. There are also triggers for anyone who has been pushed past their emotional and physical limits

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ginger  Snaps .
141 reviews6 followers
August 3, 2019
This girl has had it rough!

Precious Lies definitely brought out some intense emotions within its readers! Throughout the whole story you’re just wondering how exactly Scarlett is still standing after all that has happened. But Scarlett proves she’s not willing to go down easily even after lies are exposed. And with the help of a few good people she begins to realize she can stand on her own no matter what.
Those of you that can’t handle possible triggers please pay attention to them this story is not for light hearted readers and also cliffie haters beware! Lol
Profile Image for Elsie Pitt.
1,753 reviews13 followers
October 2, 2020
I was so not expecting what I got from this story. It is heartbreaking and emotional to say the least. I was able to empathize with this character on an emotional level. Autumn wrote Scarlett to be anyone of us, and none of us at the same time. My breath was stolen from my chest just reading about the things that have happened to her. I am amazed at how much I adore her and want only the best for her. This was a great beginning and I am looking forward to the next book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sharon.
4,152 reviews31 followers
October 19, 2020
This book is not for the faint of heart, if you have triggers then be careful before reading this book as it goes to some very dark places. That being said, it’s not all dark as there is some hope and light starting to shine through. The plot is a difficult one to read, heartbreaking at times whilst also being intriguing at other times. The characters are very well written. This is book one in a series and so all questions are not answered in this first book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
171 reviews
June 7, 2021
Being awareness to human trafficking and abuse as well as suicide.

This book to me was just ok. There were some grammar and spelling error but not enough to his any points of the story. There were dark parts of this story but the over all book was a little lacking. It was tough to finish and not sure I want to read the next. This author has great story ideas that cover hard topics but just not to my liking.
If you read this book I hope you enjoy it and don't let my review keep you from it. Everyone has different tastes in books.
5,924 reviews29 followers
October 13, 2020
Loved the book it was great, the story was well written and the characters are interesting. This story of Scarlett was so emotional, she has gone through so much because of her father even treated as a slave but constant lies, on top of that she was kidnapped. Now Scarlett does not know who to trust. It is really dark emotions.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
545 reviews1 follower
October 25, 2020
This story was gripping! This is the first book I've read by author Autumn Winchester but I will be reading more in the near future! This book is very dark and you'll feel like your emotions are in a blender. The author did a great job of telling Scarlett's story so the readers actually feel the trauma that Scarlett endured. This book is a must read and I highly recommend this book and the book that follows. This book is a cliffhanger.
Profile Image for Dawn Foster.
1,319 reviews18 followers
June 21, 2019
When I started reading Precious Lies, my heart just broke for Scarlett. For everything she went through and continues to go through. I found the devotion of Zevon, Collin, and Dominic heart warming in the way they will do what is needed to help her heal. I look forward to reading what happens next with Scarlett.
Profile Image for Jennifer Turner.
903 reviews18 followers
July 31, 2019
All of that to end it like that??

The book wasn't all that bad but I have to admit I'm very disappointed in how it turned out I don't recall reading anything in the description about a Cliff Hanger and yet this story is incomplete. I also don't see anything about a second part so don't waste your time investing in this one
Profile Image for Joan Waite.
349 reviews6 followers
October 4, 2019
My only disappointment in this book is that it is a cliff hanger. I like a nice tidy ending. That said, it was a quick read, and my heart went out to Scarlett, a victim of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and I will need to find out the end of her story. Thank you Autumn Winchester for my signed copy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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