Twisted Truths

Second Chance Chigago #2

by Gina Azzi

The Duet is COMPLETE! Twisted Truths is book 2 in The Regretful Lies Duet. Broken Lies, book 1, should be read prior to Twisted Truths to enjoy the full story.

Eli Holt swallows the lies I feed him and exhales them as twisted truths.

He believes in our future; he believes in us.

At least he did until I force him to hate me.

Witnessing Eli retreat into himself, erecting walls too high for me to scale cuts me to my core.

I lie to protect his future but I never anticipate Eli discovering my secret, learning my truth.

The moment he does, he embraces my anguish, his love healing all the dark parts of my soul.

Relentless. Determined. Desperate.

I couldn't push Eli away again if I tried, even if keeping him destroys us both.

Genres: Romance, Celebrity, Fiction

238 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2020

About the author

Hi! I'm Gina and I write realistic, relatable, sweet New Adult and Contemporary Romance books. A NJ native, I have lived and worked abroad before settling in Canada with my husband and Littles. Although I can't iron (at all), I am a passionate reader, frequent globetrotter, and aspiring baker (recipes appreciated!). I love hearing from fellow readers so please connect!

VISIT MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE!
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00YVOGEO2

FOLLOW ME!
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/gina_azzi

Instagram:
https://instagram.com/gina_azzi

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ginaazziauthor

Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/gb346806/

Reviews

[Ana Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I swear! I try to be brief in my reviews, I try to be less critical, but some authors have made it practically impossible. And this story? It's just another one with pathetic, weak, selfish and despicable characters. See for yourself: (Natalie is the OW)

"I’m pregnant.”
The emotion in their faces, the depths of their gazes unsettles me. It pulls back the curtain on a past I know little about and reveals inklings of a future that punches me forcefully in the stomach.
I was going to tell Eli I loved him. Am in love with him.
And now…now it looks like Natalie’s going to say the words residing in my soul before I have a chance to
......................
“Natalie’s baby isn’t mine. I’m not the father.”
“Why was she in your room?”
“She sent me a message when she landed. It was only a few hours ago. I told her we’d talk tomorrow but then she called when she got here.”
“And you jumped to her rescue.” I can’t keep the derision from my tone.
“Things with Natalie…they’ve always been complicated.
.....................
“Yeah. Why the hell was Natalie here, Holt?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Everything with Natalie is complicated.”
“What do you want me to say, Harlow? There’s a history there. I can’t just turn my back on her.”
“She needs me,” I offer by way of explanation, the constant guilt I feel about Natalie ballooning in my chest.
Harlow plants a hand on her hip, her eyes fierce. “Did you ever consider that maybe Zoe needs you too?”
.........
“What are you doing here, Natalie?” I repeat, my voice hard.
“I need to talk to you, Eli. I need…I need you.” She glances up, naked innocence in her expression. A long time ago, I fell head over heels in love with Natalie Beck.
Staring into her open face and cornflower blue eyes, I sigh, my anger whooshing out of me as quickly as it escalated. “I’m right here,” I say the words without considering them.
“Seriously?” Harlow mutters, stalking off.
“Natalie, are you okay?”
She shakes her head. I hate the red that rims her eyes. She’s been crying. Her skin is blotchy, the tip of her nose red. She doesn’t look anything like the Natalie I remember…and still I want to protect her.
She’s not yours anymore.
But do you ever completely give up on the first person who made you feel everything at once? Do you ever walk away from your past entirely?
“Find me after shooting today. We’ll talk.” I gently squeeze her shoulder.
“I will.” Her voice is small, timid. So different than I remember.
An irrational surge of anger sweeps through me as my gaze collides with Gray’s. Did he make her worse? Did their divorce shred her the way she once shredded me?
Why do I even care? Why do I still want to wrap my arms around her and shield her from herself?
......
“It’s lobular carcinoma in situ.”Dr. Salinas explains as I grip the phone against my ear.
“Cancer,” I murmur, my heart falling to my feet.
However, given your BRCA results and your family history, your results are more alarming than someone without increased odds.”
Given your situation, you may wish to consider a prophylactic mastectomy.”
“I’m already considering a prophylactic oophorectomy. What the hell kind of a woman will I be? No boobs, no ovaries, no family.”
Unable to commit to the man I love. Unable to give him the one thing he wants more than anything in the world. Unable to live up to my own biological purpose.
......
Why did I think I could do this? Work with him and not be with him? Be near him but not the way I desire?
(...)
He’s not looking at me. For the first time since we’ve met, his gaze is taken with something else. His expression transforms from surly to almost beaming as he looks over my shoulder.
“Hey babe.” He lifts a hand in greeting.
Dread drops into the pit of my stomach and my shoulders tense. Without even turning around, I know who it is.
It has to be her. Natalie Beck.
Eli moves to stand beside her, his palm skimming the small of her back. “I’m done now. Hungry?”
She nods, offering him a quick grin before turning back to me. “Are you going to introduce us, Eli?” I can tell she doesn’t recognize me. Why would she? I was sopping wet in a stolen robe the last time she saw me, and the time before that, I was thirteen.
He falters, and for the briefest of moments I see hesitation sweep over his features. He knows that I know her. He knows she was the person my mom liked in her final days.
“Babe, this is my trainer, Zoe. Zoe, this is Natalie.” He stares at me, his eyes hard and daring. A challenge.
.......
“Who’s the baby’s father?”
“Gray.”
“You guys are divorced.”
“We’d been trying for two years,” Natalie continues, her voice wavering. “Fertility specialists, hormone treatments, two miscarriages. I thought God was punishing me, you know?” She dips her head before her gaze returns to me. The hurt that swirls there cuts at me and I swear, reaching out a hand to cover hers.
Natalie wants to be taken care of. She wants to be shielded and protected. Zoe wants to prove herself. To be taken seriously. They’re so different and yet, they both spit lies that make my heart turn to a lump of shaved ice in my chest.
........
“I thought God was punishing me for having an abortion. I was young, Eli. And scared.”
“I could have been there for you,”
“No. You would have convinced me to keep the baby.”
“Would that have been so terrible?” I ask the question that has kept me up at night for years. Why didn’t she want our baby? How could she terminate our pregnancy?
“I was planning to break up with you,” she whispers, her body tight.
“What?”
“I wanted to end it. Then I found out I was pregnant.” Her eyes fill with tears, one slipping over to glide down her cheek. “I felt like I was suffocating. I know you, Eli. You would have talked me into keeping the baby, into being a family. I didn’t want that, so I didn’t tell you.”
.......
“That’s why you’re here? For Gray?”
“I’m here for my family.”
Hurt scrapes against my heart at that. She’s here for the family she wants, not the one she callously discarded.
Seeing the love flash across her face for the tiny miracle inside of her, they die on my lips.
I know what it’s like to yearn for a child. I know what it feels like to want the expression she’s wearing right now.
I know, and I won’t take that away from her.
“I need to tell Gray the truth. About the abortion.” “I want you to tell him with me. I need your help.”
“Jesus, Natalie.” I hang my head, confusion rocking through me. Is she really asking me to help her convince her ex-husband to give her a chance at raising their child together? I glance back up, meet her glistening blue eyes.
I blow out a breath. Leaning back, I cross my arms over my chest and stare at the woman I once thought made up my whole world.
The word is on the tip of my tongue. I should tell her no, push back my chair, and slip from the restaurant. I don’t owe Natalie anything, especially after all the years of her lies and all the times I’ve cleaned up her messes. But staring at her, all the selfish things she’s done to hurt me fade away, and I still see the woman I once gave my heart to. That woman is the one I want to help. The sober, trying, mother-to-be. “Fine.”
.....
Keep your thoughts of professionalism and friendship to yourself, Zoe. I could still have you naked and writhing beneath me in three seconds if I wanted to. I just don’t want you anymore.” He turns, chuckling as he leaves the beach.
.....
I glance between Natalie and Gray again. It stings like a bitch. Their love for each other is so damn obvious, and watching their interactions is a painful reminder that, even divorced, they have what Natalie and I never had, even when I thought we did.
......
My heart sinks to my toes and I fist the hem of my shirt. The indifference in his tone skates over my skin in flurries, not cold enough to sting but present enough to warn of impending winter.
“Hey.” His face brightens, his eyes losing that faraway distance he holds onto when speaking to me.
She’s here. Again.
How can Eli forgive her for not telling him she was aborting his child but he can’t forgive me for not wanting to be his girlfriend?
..........................
But Zoe knows we share a history. If I were to draw upon that knowledge, her jealousy, in this moment to produce a kick-ass scene, well, that’s all part of my job, isn’t it?
Brooke’s hand reaches for me, cupping my cheek as I gaze longingly into her eyes. Her lips part, the smallest breath escaping as her eyes cloud with a lust so deep, it’s almost believable.
I lose myself in the moment.
Seeing amber irises instead of midnight, violet streaks instead of black, my mouth arcs over hers, her lips soft and warm. Her hands trail down the sides of my body until her nails pierce my ribs, and she arches into me. I slant my mouth, taking from her greedily, hungrily. My hands, shadowing her hips moments ago, now grip her tightly, erasing the space between us until air ceases to exist.
Her breasts press into my chest as a sweet moan drops from her lips. She’s nearly breathless, and I’m losing my limp grasp on reality. Brooke disappears, the periphery of her frame blurring, as my Violet blossoms in front of me.I inhale her coconut scent. My fingers weave through her hair and anchor her head so I can deepen our kiss. The sounds she makes when I’m working her over ring in my mind like a symphony.
My skin burns under her touch. My mouth clashes with hers, taking, taking, taking. My heart gallops in my chest as I move over her, our bodies acting out the natural rhythm that’s prevailed for centuries.
The breeze rustles over my back, the sea whispers around us. The entire set falls away. Everything stops except for this moment.
.....
“Because I love you, Violet. And I know you love me.” (...) "And I’m going to prove it."
.....
“It’s like an early marker for breast cancer,”
“Is that what happened? What changed between us?”
I nod, forcing a swallow as his eyes swell with hurt.
“And you didn’t…you never thought to confide in me?” His voice strengthens now, his hand slapping against his chest hard enough to leave a red streak. “I could have…Jesus Christ, I would have been here for you.”
......
“I couldn’t risk it.”
“Risk what?”
“Your future. Your film.”
“Fuck that, Zoe. Fuck the movie. And what the hell kind of logic is that?"
......
“Where they remove your breasts?”
“Yes. And possibly an oophorectomy to also remove my ovaries.”
......
“I’ll make some calls this morning. I think it may be best for you to go home.”
“You should be with family right now. Your dad, Charlie…” He trails off, moving to the door and sliding into his sneakers.
“Eli.” My tone is begging.
Please don’t leave like this.
“I don’t want to talk right now, Zoe. I can’t.”
.......
“I don’t deserve her. I never have. All this time, I’ve been making her jealous, blowing her off, messing with her head. And why? Because I felt like she scorned me? She’s…Jesus, she’s trying to manage a diagnosis like…” I trail off, my voice breaking. Turning away from Harlow, I hang my head. “I don’t fucking deserve her.”
........
“I can’t focus with you here. It’s too much. You, the worrying, the drama on set. I look at you and I want to protect you and fix everything, and I can’t. I need you to go.”
“I need you to go home, Zoe. It’s what’s best for you, for the movie, for everyone.”
“So you were saying goodbye? You made me believe in a future for us…for what? Just so you could take away my hope?”
Her words slaughter my heart, making me hate myself with an intensity that scorches me from the inside out. “I’m a selfish man, Zoe. I always have been. And I don’t fucking deserve you. Please, baby, just take care of yourself.”
.........
“And Zoe? Have you heard from her?”
“No.” I clear my throat. It shouldn’t bother me that Zoe hasn’t messaged me or reached out at all. I made her leave. I essentially let her go.
.......
“Have you talked to Zoe at all?”
“No,” I rasp out.
“It’s her dad,” Harlow rushes to explain, her hand outstretched. “I spoke to Zoe last night. She’s worried about her dad. The doctors have given him six months or so before he loses the rest of his vision.”
......
Eli: Hey. I heard about your dad and just wanted to see how you’re doing? I’m really sorry the news blows so hard. Thinking of you. If you want to talk, hit me up.
(...)
I’ve called Zoe three times and she hasn’t answered.
Shit. Did I already blow it because it took me so long to respond to her text?
After shooting for hours, I came back to my room and passed out. I forgot all about my phone, which I’d left on the couch. In fact, I forgot where I left it at all.
“I forgot to message her last night.” I admit.
"Jesus, what if I pushed her into the arms of another man because I didn’t answer her goddamn message?"

WAIT! WAIT! I REALLY READ THIS??HE THINKS HE MAY HAVE PUSHED HER TO ANOTHER BECAUSE HE DIDN'T ANSWER THE MESSAGE ?? WHAT ABOUT YOU ARE YOU AN IDIOT, EGOIST WITHOUT CONSIDERATION ??😤🤬
......
“Tell me what you need.”
“A miracle,” she whispers.
“How about a friend?”
“Friends would be nice.”
Just because wesaid we’d be friends doesn’t mean a friendship effortlessly blossoms between us.
No, that’d be too damn easy. And ridiculous. Instead, a hesitant and tentative testing of the waters occurs.
She doctors up photos of me printed in Gossip or some other magazine, adding Devil’s horns and a crazy moustache and forwards it to me. Or, whenever I’m pictured with a new love interest, she decorates it in wild hearts. She laughs at my jokes, asks questions about my workouts, inquiries about the film, and wishes me luck on my scenes.🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️
.......
AAAAND I'M DONE WITH THIS SHIT! So this asshole has an ex who purposely aborted their son and for years he was unable to turn his back for her but when HE DISCOVERS THAT THE WOMAN HE "SUPPOSEDLY" LOVES HAS CANCER HE TURNS HIS BACK FOR HER AND THIS IS FOR HER OWNS GOOD?? WHAT KIND OF PATHETIC EXCUSE IS THAT?? OH NOOOO THIS IS BECAUSE BOOOHOOO "I DON'T DESERVE HER"😭!And when he finds out that her father is going to go blind what does he do ?? Yep, he sends her a message! Wow! How much consideration! Of course, the DOORMAT soon responds to him, but do you think he was worried about returning it?? NOOOOP, he was more concerned with interviews, drinks and parties 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️And her own friend saying that he turned his back on her because he cared so much about her and was terrified ?? Is that what you should expect from a man who says he loves you ?? No, this you expect from an excuse for a cowardly and selfish human being who was clearly much more concerned with solving his ex's problems than being with the woman he says he loves in the moment of life that she most needed. He only decided to look for her after he heard that she had fainted, and only decided to stay by her side after he found out she was pregnant with the son he so wanted to have with OW.🤢🤮I'm sorry, but if the author intended to show that h was more valuable to H than a receptacle for the son he always wanted, then she failed miserably.😒

[Dora Koutsoukou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ❤️💔❤️🌟s

Eli and Joe loved each other so much that they exchanged many lies in order to protect one another.
Both characters were great and likeable and their journey was not smooth.

I was not excited with Eli’s relationship with his ex girlfriend, Natalie. It was far fetched, just an extra addition to the drama.

Overall, it was a good read and there were sensitive health issues that were treated with care and sensitivity.

[Robin Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I messaged the author and asked for an ARC of book two the second I finished book one because there was no way I could wait 20 more hours for my preorder to hit my kindle. She generously obliged and I devoured it. I love Hollywood romances and this duet is definitely one of my favorites. Eli and Zoe are refreshing MCs and the supporting cast is fantastic. I don't typically couple jump in a series, but I'll make and exception when Evan and Charlie's book releases.

If you're looking for a swoony, angsty, page turner of a romance that will suck you in from the very first page, I highly recommend this duet.

[Rejane]

I think 🤔 someone ate weed and smoked the rest. 🤣🤣🤣 Reading reviews I gather the hero was more into his ex (who looks like is a big part of the story 🤢🤮🤢🤮🤢🤮) than into heroine. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️
***keep in mind NATALIE is the ex.. not heroine
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[diann bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted Truths! The sequel to Broken Lies!
Zoe & Eli’s story continues!
Well done Gina Azzi!
I could not put it down! All the emotions and the story keeps you hooked to the very last page!
Now we wait to see who’s story is next!
Five Bursting with color stars!

[Beeg Panda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have no idea why these two are even together.
There's absolutely nothing between them at all.
She's a second thought.
He's indecisive.
He's either with the ow or thinking about the ow
ewwwww

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so worth waiting for. You need to have tissues ready when reading the book. It touched me even more as I have dealt with breast cancer and am still winning the battle! I got so frustrated with Eli and Zoe as they were too afraid to tell the other how they felt. Plus they were both trying to protect the other in their own way. It broke my heart to see how in love they are with each other, but still hurt the other. Eli is a wonderful person if you are part of the few he lets into his inner circle. This can be a problem for him when an ex takes advantage of his kindness. Zoe’s has had so many bad things happen in her life, I so wanted her to get a break. Zoe’s dad and so many friends were such wonderful people to be there for her when she needed someone. I so loved this book and strongly encourage you to read it. I was given a copy of the book and and voluntarily wrote a review.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning of Twisted Truths, Zoe comes to a realization that will change her relationship with Eli, but it's a realization she has to act upon, even though the truth of it isn't something she can reveal to him. She needs to do things for herself, by herself, and it was heartbreaking for her (and for me as a reader) to go through alone.



Eli knows how much he loves Zoe. He bared his heart to her and she still let him down, so he's done. And that's one of his problems - he isn't used to fighting for things he wants because everything has always come so easily to him. Now he'll need to make a decision - fight for his love, his truth, even if it hurts like hell, or walk away and go back to his easy Hollywood life of empty pleasures.



Damn but these two frustrated the hell out of me! I felt for them even as I wanted to scream at them to just communicate with each other. Zoe tried to protect Eli but didn't tell him what she was doing and why. Eli tried to not let down the one person who had hurt him, even though it had the potential to sever his relationship with the woman he loved. Sigh...so freaking frustrating! And yet, this conclusion is easy to read, easy for me to fall in love with this couple, and easy to love. Zoe and Eli's journey is fascinating, emotional reading.



ARC via Give Me Books Promotions for an honest review.

Review & Release Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.

Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

[Ashley Estep The Art of Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a conclusion Twisted Truths was! I cannot think of a better end for Eli and Zoe's story than Gina Azzi delivered with Twisted Truths. I read this book in one sitting and I'm not even sorry.

Sometimes the truth is worse than they lie being told. Sometimes the truth is better said than not. But sometimes telling the truth is admitting it to yourself. Zoe faced some hard truths at the end of Broken Lies that continue to Twisted Truth. Eli faces the reality of having of losing the woman he loves, and for reasons he doesn't understand.

Oh the angst and sexual tension in this book. Both Eli and Zoe made me want to reach through my kindle and smack some sense into them. They were stubborn and frustrating as hell to read. My heart hurt for both. Zoe was facing life threatening decisions by herself. She never wanted anyone to worry about her. When Eli found out the things he did the way he did I just hurt for him. Each made the decisions they did thinking what was best for the other person. The only problem neither one asked the other and well things went bad real quick.

I did guess the twist that happened at the end but it did not take anything away from the book. I would have been more disappointed if I had been wrong. They both deserved and wanted it so much.

I cannot say how much I loved both Twisted Truths and Broken Lies. These were my first Gina Azzi books but they will not be my last. This duet has left me wondering how I have not read her before. All the stars for Eli, Zoe, and Twisted Truths!

[World Of Books 65 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well...........this final book in the duet was everything that I hoped for. A story of what one person is willing to do for the love of another was truly inspiring. Of course at times I was shouting at Zoe and asking her 'what the hell are you doing'. I think she heard me by the end of the story.

For years Eli has lived with the guilt of his past which struggling with things he should have done different wishing for things he never will have. When Eli's ex Natalie returns at a time when Zoe is closing herself of from him Eli's just doesn't know which way to turn - you do at this point want to give him a virtual kick - well I did and a small slap around the head not that I condone violence.

Zoe does the most selfless thing that anyone can do she lets Eli go and keeps her secrets to herself- oh my god the emotional roll a coast ride that this story portrayed will have you tearing up in places. There are some sensitive subjects in this book but it was so well written that it did not detract from the story it only enhanced my love of Zoe.

@ginaazzi - I would like Charlie and Evans book next please!!!!!

[Ebonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pulled an all-nighter and finished this book in one sitting. That's how hooked I was once I (virtually) cracked open this book. What I loved about this book was that I didn't feel shortchanged on the ending. I was genuinely surprised by the turns the story took, by the vulnerability that both Zoe and Eli showcased - and how they grew from those vulnerabilities. There were times where I could feel their heartache, their pain, their joy...their emotions ran so deep in this duet, but it kept me reading to find out how it would all end.

I did get frustrated with both characters at points because they were being so freaking stubborn, but that made this story more real - their problems humanized them while they were living the Hollywood glitz and glamour (of sorts). But man. That ending was perfection. The other storylines that we got a glimpse of during this duet left me wanting more, too.

Thanks so much to the author for an advanced copy of this book. I was hoping to love it, and I absolutely did. I want Charlie and Evan's story next! There's one heck of a story brewing between those two!

[JadeReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is for both books , it was just too meh for me
I couldn’t get in to the characters at all , Insta love and too much sex and too much babe
I also didn’t like how the hero was still pinning for his and at her beck and call . Ugghhhh am just disappointed I joined the hype of this books .

[Within The Pages Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why Can't It Last Forever

In Broken Lies book 1, Gina Azzi introduces us to Zoe and Eli and how a chance meeting brings them together when he offers her a job as his personal trainer.

Zoe and Eli have a magnetic connection that can not be denied which causes them to cross the line of professionalism of Boss and Employee.

Well in this 2nd half they are faced with obstacle after obstacle and it tears them apart. Zoe has a secret that she is keeping from Eli and she feels the best decision is to say they should go back to the original plan of her just being his trainer. This breaks both of them more they want to admit.

Zoe finally feels the courage she needs to open up and let Eli in, but before she can he stumbles across the truth of why she is so distant. The shock factor is just too much and they are pushed to go thir separate ways. Is the saying true, absence makes the heart grow fonder? Well if you want to see if that is true, add this to your To Read list, you won't be disappointed.

All I can say is Gina, I can't wait for the continuation. I am hooked.

[The Book Fairy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets revealed and hearts mend in this the continuation to Broken Lies. Zoe and Eli find their way through all of their pain, pride and stubbornness. Finding the person that understands is scary but when you do you fight for it. That is what happens in this book Eli proves to Zoe just how to trust in the strength of the love he has for her. Sharing fears things they never had to or wanted to do before.
Gina Azzi wrote amazing characters and supporting characters that I hope will give us more books in the future. A family of friends that are tighter than blood and blood family that can never be replaced.

[Cierra McCauley (Cierra's Corner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh My Lanta! My heart! This book really digs deep into your heart and make you feel! It picks up right where book one left off, with that heart-pounding revelation. But what really hit home with me is how Azzi gives you the hard truth of what someone like Zoe experiences with everything she's going through, and it's pretty raw. This book had my heart in my throat! Twisted Truths is a gripping read, that's heavy on the angst. It will fire you up and have you rolling in tears, but it's such a beautiful read! These characters grew on me and stole a piece of my heart. I also got caught up in the background characters, I'm dying to see if they will get their own books. I Loved our miracle, it was such a touching surprise! I really enjoyed this couple's journey and their all consuming passion for eachother. I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Ola Adamska · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked book one - it had set up the whole story nicely and ended with a shocking sentence. And Twisted Truths starts where book one had left us.
I wanted to love those characters, but... somehow I could not feel anything for them. Zoe and Eli were as disjointed with each other as I could imagine it. I know that some people have connection problems, but... even so, I could feel them and their feelings ripping my soul.
I loved another series by Ms. Azzi, but this one was a miss for me, unfortunately.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for A Book Nerd, A Bookseller, and a Bibliophile

Well Gina Azzi hit it out of the park with this one! The second book in this duet about Zoe and Eli was all over the place with emotions. Do they love each other, do they not? Are they friends or are they more? And why is Natalie there and pregnant!? It kept me hooked from beginning to end and I didn’t want to put it down! Now the question is will we read about Charlie and Evan next or Harlow and Connor?

[Lindsey Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an awesome two-day read. It’s quick and fast-paced. It’s a page-turner that was absolutely worth the wait! I was absolutely hooked from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down!

[A.BookNerd.Bookseller&Bibliophile.Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Gina Azzi hit it out of the park with this one! The second book in this duet about Zoe and Eli was all over the place with emotions. Do they love each other, do they not? Are they friends or are they more? And why is Natalie there and pregnant!? It kept me hooked from beginning to end and I didn’t want to put it down! Now the question is will we read about Charlie and Evan next or Harlow and Connor?

~Alexis💜

[Alida Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book picks up where Broken Lies ends, and kept moving from there. With so many twists and turns it kept me guessing as to what would happen next.

Broken Lies lays the ground work for this amazing part two. I was crying, laughing, gasping, and wishing for more. This book has all the feels.

The only bad thing with this book is it had to end. Definitely worth the read!!!

[Jenifer Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't read this author before this duet, but you can now bet that I will be reading EVERYTHING she writes. Holy cow! What an emotional book! And the sexual tension? SO HAWT.🔥🔥🔥

At the end of the first book, Zoe had to face a really tough situation head on, and not wanting to be a problem/burden to anyone, and pushes Eli away thinking that's the right thing to do.. only she should have held on for dear life. My heart broke for her.. beast cancer is one if my greatest fears (especially since I have a higher chance of getting it since I'm genetically predisposed) but I thought that it was handled in such a real, honest way. I shed many tears, even when I wanted to read through my kindle and slap her silly for all the deicuons she was making, but seeing them finally come together? SO perfect!

Eli is one of the kindest heroes I've ever has the pleasure of reading. He is such a good man, and doesn't understand why Zoe is suddenly pushing him away. Watching these two say and do hurtful things to one another, all the while seeing the obvious love they had for each other broke my heart. As much as I wanted to rush for them to be together again, their time apart gave them the chance to really tackle on their separate issues head-on, and there's something really beautiful and real about that. And then having them learn to lean on each other just brought more tears!!

This is a wonderful duet, but I do have to say that this is my favorite book in the series! The lack of sleep is definitely worth it for these beautiful books!!!

**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!**

[MusingsofRu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed to know what happened next and immediately bought this book after reading book one.
There was so much drama in book one and it ends on a cliffhanger. It felt a bit like I was reading a soap opera. Normally miscommunication would have me wincing, cringing and closing my book but the writing was so well done and I was so invested in these characters. The story focuses on the strength of family and friendships with a nice bow at the end to make the middle worth the strife.

Be aware there is some major medical content warnings so check that if you have any triggers.

[HANNAH (Books, Films, and Tea) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisted Truths by Gina Azzi is the second book in this duet. Book one is Broken Lies and ends on a cliffhanger. Twisted Truths picks up right where Broken Lies ended, which I liked. Eli and Zoe are struggling with their own demons and fears, but they both care for each other. They start off with Zoe having broken things off after her discovery of a lump on her breast and the potential for it to be cancer. Eli is lost and doesn't know why Zoe has pulled away from him and what she's hiding. On top of that, he has two exes, Brooke and Nicole, that he must deal with while on set. Eli fights to be with Zoe even though she's pushed him away. I thought there was a lot of great character growth, much more so than in book one, with Eli and Zoe. Both of them must work through their pasts and their fears in order to have the future they want. I loved Laurence, Harlow, and Charlie, and how they helped support Zoe. Evan, Ollie, and Connor were great as well. I felt that there were quite a few situations where there was a friend putting thoughts into either Zoe or Eli's head about the other that weren't true, and it was a bit confusing. Especially with the contradicting actions of the actual character. Other than that, this book was really good. There were a lot of communication issues because of the weirdness of explaining Eli and Zoe in poorer lights, but it stopped after the second half of the novel. I really liked the ending and seeing how everything played out. This was a great conclusion to Eli and Zoe's story.

[Deb Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted Truths
Gina Azzi
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I can’t even tell you how much I floved this series, my only downfall is how abruptly it ended, I wanted more of Zoe and Eli… I can’t give you anymore details for fear of destroying the read for you. You definitely need to read Broken Lies before starting this… if you haven’t read it, I suggest you stop reading this review now.

With a cliffhanger in Broken lies I couldn’t wait to dive into Twisted Truths & when I did 💥, the simple 2 words “I’m pregnant” turned Zoe’s world on its head. Running from Eli, running from her life, running from her future Zoe spirals. Her hate for Eli rears its head creating another drama in their complicated world. Gone are the working relationships, now it’s all hate.

When Eli turned and saw Zoe soaking wet and in a robe he knew that those 2 words would throw her off. As they continue their training with many hate words, he turns into a horrible person, he doesn’t know the secrets Zoe keeps. And when he discovers them all bets are off. The nastiness disappears and a sweet Eli arrives.

As Eli and Zoe side step the obvious everything changes when a fall brings a new surprise to their entwined lives. Changing everything, mr Hollywood makes life decisions I definitely approve! Eli and Zoe are everything different, everything opposites and perfecting together!

[L.A.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, after getting the first book (which ended on a cliffhanger) for free for signing up for her newsletter, I had to get this one to find out how Eli and Zoe found their HEA. I wasn't going to, but their story stuck with me enough that I had to find out. And, of course, they do get to their HEA but with a shit-ton more drama. (And I'm still questioning whether *all* that drama was really necessary.)

I did feel that the story dragged with all their internal dialogue and incessant lies/miscommunications/omissions because of the age-old excuse, "I'm doing this for him/her." And for as long as that dragged out, I got whiplash with the fast turn-around to the HEA. Particularly with Zoe because one minute she's all doom and gloom about everything and the next she's all embrace the joy, rah-rah. Eli's transition had less whiplash, but his still lacked transitional development from his past pain that he's carried into his present. His was more smashed against the glass instead of developed. A bit better character development and better pacing, along with combining these two novellas into one book, would make this a 4 star read for me.

[Dani_b1821 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow.. What an emotional conclusion to this duet! The first book, Broken Lies, ended on a cliff hanger, but this story was well worth the wait. It broke my heart on one page only to put it back together on the next. I love Gina Azzi writing style. I can't wait to see what else she comes out with.

Zoe is dealing with so in this book. It pulled at my heart strings. There were many times I wish she would just talk about her issues. I also felt like Zoe made things so much more complicated then it had too. There was a lot of miscommunication because she didn't want to talk or tell anyone anything. Zoe was in denial, but she had every right to be.

Eli still has my heart. He tried so hard to be there for Zoe, but she kept pushing him away. I understood why he was angry and wanting to lash out. I still don’t understand Eli's complicated relationship with Natalie. I'm happy they finally got their happily ever after. Zoe deserves it after the life she has been dealt.

I recived an ARC for a honest review.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted Truths is the conclusion to this Duet, so MUST READ Broken Lies (Book 1) FIRST! And this means that I'm not going into a ton of details since it would add innocent spoilers to the first book. I will say this, OH MY HELL! I swear I was going to end up curled up in a ball while reading the angst filled piece of goodness, and I'm still very mad at Eli to be honest. Zoe's life just hasn't been pretty, and I wanted her to get a break so badly, which had me murderous at everyone hurting her, intentionally or unintentionally. With the titles of both books, it should clue you in to the fact that there are all kinds of secrets which don't make friends, so there are twists are definitely f-bomb dropping worthy for real. I was filled with rage throughout which took over those extreme emotions, as it was fiery hot. Yeah, I'm repeating my rage issue, but it's true, and it's still ever present even after I know how it all plays out. So, that's all from me, just hit those one click buttons to run the gambit on your extreme emotions! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the moment that Broken Lies ended, I knew I had to immediately jump into Twisted Truths, and I ams so glad I did. I had to know what was happening between Zoe and Eli. How was their relationship going to be repaired? How were they going to reconnect? Would Zoe ever tell Eli about what was happening with her? How it was the reason she was pushing him away?

This conclusion to their story gave me just about everything I wanted.

Did Eli drive me crazy at times? Abso-freaking-lutely! Ugh, that man. I mean I get it, I do, but still.

There were times that I even found myself a bit frustrated with Zoe.

Thankfully both of them redeemed themselves. I'm so glad that they finally had their happily ever after.

This couple drew me in, but I can't lie, my curiosity is now with Harper and Connor, as well as Charlie and Evan. I need their stories NOW!

[Bibliophile Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy heart through a wringer!! This final book in the duet starts off right where the first book leaves you dangling!

This is the conclusion of the story of Zoe & Eli and what an emotional ride it is!

To read both Eli and Zoe's POV's as they navigate through their relationship and through their own pain, tragedy and miracles was riveting and I couldn't put it down until the very end and then it made me beg for more!

I applaud Ms. Azzi for creating Eli as a temperamental artist type. He was brash, bold and sometimes his own worst enemy! Also for creating Zoe as a strong character facing some insurmountable odds. Zoe too became her own worst enemy in her relationship with Eli.

You are gonna get all the feels in this book! You get heartbreak, swoons aplenty and above else love, hope and the belief in miracles.  

The secondary characters are amazing and I am hoping that we get to see their own stories in future books! 

[Zilpha Owens · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Why do we think we know best? Why do we think we can make decisions for others without giving them the chance to make that decision for themselves? I’m sure we are all guilty of it. It’s frustrating to read characters not allowing others that opportunity all in the name of knowing what’s best. Especially if I can’t really understand the reason for it. We really can’t do it on our own. We need each other. So the sacrifices and lack of communication in this story really just confused me. But then I guess there wouldn’t have been much of a story without it. I’m not saying that I didn’t like parts of Eli’s and Zoe’s journey because I did. Eli could be quite swoon-worthy and Zoe was much stronger than she gave herself credit for. But the parts where they pushed each other away seemed self-serving not selfless. And the instances where they kept each other hanging on and giving that ounce of hope was selfish. In the end, I half liked it and half didn’t.