What do you think?
Rate this book
Only the Lies
Him: Six foot, four inches. Thor look-alike. Kickass black belt ninja man, and gym owner
Me: Barely five foot. Resembles an overstuffed dumpling. Semi-decent receptionist of the office across the road.
Match made in heaven? I think so. Which is why I get to work early each morning, and stare longingly out the window, desperate for my daily glimpse of him.
The man doesn’t know I’m alive, and I don’t have the lady balls to do anything about it. Until the postman delivers the gym’s mail to my office. It’s the perfect excuse to strut over there and introduce myself, right?
Wrong.
When he mistakes me for someone else, I’m so blinded by his abs that I don’t correct him. And now he’s calling me someone else’s name, and I don’t know how to turn this around apart from to bolt back to my desk with my ass jiggling behind me.
I never expected he’d follow me.
Or anything that happened next.
Me: Barely five foot. Resembles an overstuffed dumpling. Semi-decent receptionist of the office across the road.
Match made in heaven? I think so. Which is why I get to work early each morning, and stare longingly out the window, desperate for my daily glimpse of him.
The man doesn’t know I’m alive, and I don’t have the lady balls to do anything about it. Until the postman delivers the gym’s mail to my office. It’s the perfect excuse to strut over there and introduce myself, right?
Wrong.
When he mistakes me for someone else, I’m so blinded by his abs that I don’t correct him. And now he’s calling me someone else’s name, and I don’t know how to turn this around apart from to bolt back to my desk with my ass jiggling behind me.
I never expected he’d follow me.
Or anything that happened next.
122 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2019
6 people are currently reading
476 people want to read
About the author
Elle Thorpe
61 books4,748 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Elle Thorpe is the author of over thirty romance titles, including Amazon top ten books, Start a War and Locked Up Liars. She is best known for her dark reverse harems, and sexy small town romances.
When she's not writing, she's probably out on her family's alpaca farm in rural Australia.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ellethorpebooks
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ellethorpebooks
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellethorpebooks
When she's not writing, she's probably out on her family's alpaca farm in rural Australia.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ellethorpebooks
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ellethorpebooks
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellethorpebooks
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 29, 2019
Cleo & Beau
This was a nice quick read. Cleo is obsessed with the stranger across the way and stalks him every minute she can with her bff through the office shades 😆.
Beau meets Cleo unexpectedly at his gym thinking she’s someone else...
And the lies begin. Cleo is so tongue tied whenever she’s around Beau she can’t control it!
Beau is beginning to fall for Cleo until a surprise is about to ruin everything.
A great novella! I hope Elle continues it, I enjoyed Cleo and Beau story. Love their chemistry!
June 16, 2025
I was so happy but sad to see the end of this series on audio but I enjoyed every story from this series. I would give this final novella a 4.5 stars!
I liked the premise of this super awkward, shy, not stick skinny FMC falling for the gym rat who doesnt see her weight as an issue/deterrent and as a woman of the same size I can only dream of finding a guy like that for myself!! I loved how she got him out of his rut/shell and he grounded her and helped calm her energy and heal her pain from her brothers and dad who would make fun of her weight and not include her in family things. I am glad at the end the dad and brothers realized what they were doing and they could start to repair their relationship but during the book you just wanted to shake them.
I laughed at Cleo's antics, she was so quirky and awkward and funny when she wasn't trying to be haha. I laughed when she kept lying when she didnt need to. I felt for the big lie/omission she did that put Beau's gym as risk. I am glad it wasn't a long time to resolve it but I felt my heart break for them. I will say the side characters really elevated this story, I loved Beau's kids and how they didnt take over the story and I appreciated the connection Cleo had with his son. I loved how things went after everything was out in the open with the painting and refurbishment of the gym. Made me smile! And the STEAM between these two. Like I said as someone larger, it was refreshing to see our curvy girl get some loving from a smoking hot man.
Narration was good again, laughed and smiled and shook my head with all the emotions we got in this short story and the narrators really did a good job to make all the scenes count and hit us with all the feels. I wanted to get wrapped up in Beau's embrace (even if he made me work out before hand haha) and wanted to have a drink with Cleo and laugh my butt off at her remarks.
I liked the premise of this super awkward, shy, not stick skinny FMC falling for the gym rat who doesnt see her weight as an issue/deterrent and as a woman of the same size I can only dream of finding a guy like that for myself!! I loved how she got him out of his rut/shell and he grounded her and helped calm her energy and heal her pain from her brothers and dad who would make fun of her weight and not include her in family things. I am glad at the end the dad and brothers realized what they were doing and they could start to repair their relationship but during the book you just wanted to shake them.
I laughed at Cleo's antics, she was so quirky and awkward and funny when she wasn't trying to be haha. I laughed when she kept lying when she didnt need to. I felt for the big lie/omission she did that put Beau's gym as risk. I am glad it wasn't a long time to resolve it but I felt my heart break for them. I will say the side characters really elevated this story, I loved Beau's kids and how they didnt take over the story and I appreciated the connection Cleo had with his son. I loved how things went after everything was out in the open with the painting and refurbishment of the gym. Made me smile! And the STEAM between these two. Like I said as someone larger, it was refreshing to see our curvy girl get some loving from a smoking hot man.
Narration was good again, laughed and smiled and shook my head with all the emotions we got in this short story and the narrators really did a good job to make all the scenes count and hit us with all the feels. I wanted to get wrapped up in Beau's embrace (even if he made me work out before hand haha) and wanted to have a drink with Cleo and laugh my butt off at her remarks.
November 7, 2021
This is a great read for those who wanted a book you can finish in just a few hours, which is one of the reasons why I rate it 4 stars!
Being a plus size woman myself, I can relate to Cleo a lot and I understand what it’s like to not have confidence in our own bodies but I’m so glad Cleo gets to have that Thor look-alike guy that she’s been crushing on. I think I can use her method to get a guy but of course, nooo lies. Cleo is just sweet and I’m just so happy for her while reading the entire book! 💜💜💜
Being a plus size woman myself, I can relate to Cleo a lot and I understand what it’s like to not have confidence in our own bodies but I’m so glad Cleo gets to have that Thor look-alike guy that she’s been crushing on. I think I can use her method to get a guy but of course, nooo lies. Cleo is just sweet and I’m just so happy for her while reading the entire book! 💜💜💜
May 3, 2023
A great holiday read novella.
A sweet read about a curvy wowan who finds it hard to believe that the over 6ft gym owner Beau, who Chloe has been admiring across the building from her work each morning, could possibly be interested in a wowan who doesn't look like the wowen who frequent his gym.
What Chloe soon finds out after their first encounter is that she is not only very bad at telling lies is that Beau seems to want to get to know her.
A feel good storyline.
A sweet read about a curvy wowan who finds it hard to believe that the over 6ft gym owner Beau, who Chloe has been admiring across the building from her work each morning, could possibly be interested in a wowan who doesn't look like the wowen who frequent his gym.
What Chloe soon finds out after their first encounter is that she is not only very bad at telling lies is that Beau seems to want to get to know her.
A feel good storyline.
January 22, 2024
A quick read, 90 minutes or so, that was great for breaking up a run of longer, grittier books. This was funny, relatable & Elle has a way of writing that means you can visualise the awkward scenes. Cleo defaults to random, inexplicable lies whenever Beau talks to her & these could be her downfall. Beau is the hot single dad that scrambles Cleo's brain, but he is also sure of his attraction to her & not immune from acting on impulse.
May 25, 2025
Only the Lies is a cute, sweet, short read about a plus size girl that fall for a hot gym owner. I love how they meet and the sweet progression of their relationship. I love how she feels comfortable enough with Beau to go back to practicing martial arts and how sweet he is to her. I also loved the short storyline regarding Beau's son and how Cleo could relate to him. I don't really get why Clio had to lie so much but despite that I really enjoyed the story.
April 23, 2025
This was a quick spicy read with some heart. Cleo has been obsessed with the gym owner across the parking lot for a hot minute. Then she has a run in and misunderstanding which leads to her taking taekwondo lead by Beau the hot gym owner. Cleo has some hang ups when it comes to her body, her size and her level of physical fitness and has a history with taekwondo as well. But Beau is amazing at helping her through her insecurities. These two are spicy and I loved every second of it.
August 6, 2025
I am always VERY hesitant to read a romance featuring a plus size heroine when weight loss or fitness is a key part of the plot. But I do trust Elle Thorpe and the way she made this novella about reclaiming a love of martial arts was very well done. Cleo was adorably flustered, and Beau was ridiculously charmed by her. Adorable and hot!
February 17, 2021
Cute, short read. Cleo is all of us girls looking at the cute guy through the blinds... or is it just me? I liked how her relationship with Beau developed, and how it helped her heal her relationship with her family.
March 21, 2021
“Only the Lies” by Elle Thorpe is a sweet story of a woman suffering with no confidence but crushing on a man that owns/runs the gym across from her job. Sweet moves toward sexy with some sass added in. Really liked the story.
January 15, 2023
A companion to the Only series and one I enjoyed. We get to see Cleo - Damien's secretary - have a chance at finding her happily ever after with Beau - the hottie gym owner from across the road. These two have their struggles but at it's heart this is a beautiful story.
May 8, 2023
This was a cute novella. The owner of a mixed martial arts gym and the daughter of a more well known gym end up together. What are the chances of that happening? She tells quite a bit of lies, hence the title of the book. It was a quick and cute read and I enjoyed it.
May 31, 2023
Watching your crush from afar and then it leads to this… Cleo and Beau’s story was one that many people in regular life would love to come true. A nice and sweet quick read!
The best part? It’s free when joining Elle Thorpe newsletter mailing list.
The best part? It’s free when joining Elle Thorpe newsletter mailing list.
January 5, 2024
This was a really good short read. I definitely needed this after the heavier book I read before. A perfect palette cleanser. Beau and Cleo were just so cute. I couldn’t stop smiling or blushing at them. ❤️
February 28, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Elle Thorpe is a wonderful author and really knows how to tap into the deep emotions and also spicy parts of stories to make the readers want/need more! I am one of those readers. I am now all in to reading more of this series and exploring more of her books! Woo!
February 15, 2021
Short and entertaining. Colourful characters and plenty going on.
February 23, 2022
Read on Radish. Beau and Cleo have something worth fighting for.
7-tbr-ooit
September 24, 2022Free when joining newsletter mailinglist.
October 21, 2022
Beau and Cleo.... their story was one that many people in regular true blue life would love to come true. Watching a crush from afar and then it leading to this. Sorry trying not to spoil this book.
March 31, 2024
The book was a great novella my only complaint was I needed more. Loved the plot and relationship build up between the FMC and mmc
September 14, 2024
This is the sweetest, most authentic contemporary romance I've read in a long time. Elle Thorpe never disappoints!
September 3, 2025
This was such a quick easy read. Nice pallet cleanser.
November 2, 2025
Cute short story, very light spice…like 2? Spice scenes FMC is funny
November 25, 2019
I love single dads romances. There is just something about a man who puts his kids first and does everything in his power to raise them right. Which in most single dad romances the guys end up needing a little help from a soon to be romantic source.
The storyline is full of fun, passion, sweetness with a little bit of zany thrown in. I must admit I fell in love with Cleo and Beau's story. Probably because Cleo reminded so much of myself. She’s not the sexy model type, she’s a little overweight, not in the best physical shape (Boy could I relate to her attempt at running - lol) yet she’s funny, smart and managing life on her own.
Cleo has a secret thing for, Beau, the owner of the gym across from where she works. She peeps out the window everyday just to see him walk from his car to the gym. But she’s way too shy to just walk up and say hi. But fate steps in when the mailman accidentally leaves a letter for the gym at her office and Cleo has to return it to its rightful owner. This is where the story takes off and the fun begins. Cleo is mistaken by Beau for a new client, he has an appointment with and Cleo is too awestruck seeing him up close to correct him. But that one little white lie (who she really is) turns into a whole mess of crazy fun trouble.
2 Thumbs up and 5 Stars for a quick outstanding read. This was originally part of 4 story anthology that you don’t want to miss out on (all 4 books were great reads). I Highly Recommend grabbing this one up ASAP
The storyline is full of fun, passion, sweetness with a little bit of zany thrown in. I must admit I fell in love with Cleo and Beau's story. Probably because Cleo reminded so much of myself. She’s not the sexy model type, she’s a little overweight, not in the best physical shape (Boy could I relate to her attempt at running - lol) yet she’s funny, smart and managing life on her own.
Cleo has a secret thing for, Beau, the owner of the gym across from where she works. She peeps out the window everyday just to see him walk from his car to the gym. But she’s way too shy to just walk up and say hi. But fate steps in when the mailman accidentally leaves a letter for the gym at her office and Cleo has to return it to its rightful owner. This is where the story takes off and the fun begins. Cleo is mistaken by Beau for a new client, he has an appointment with and Cleo is too awestruck seeing him up close to correct him. But that one little white lie (who she really is) turns into a whole mess of crazy fun trouble.
2 Thumbs up and 5 Stars for a quick outstanding read. This was originally part of 4 story anthology that you don’t want to miss out on (all 4 books were great reads). I Highly Recommend grabbing this one up ASAP
July 18, 2025
* Oh, Cleo! That poor girl can’t keep her foot out of her mouth to save her life, when she first meets Beau. I mean, who can really blame her?? He is super sexy, tall, built, killer smile, perfect scruff, and those abs…uh oh, did he just ask a question???
* Beau *sigh* He is so confused by Cleo’s first lie—a little pissed, too. That lie cost him a client, and he can’t afford to lose one. The image of that confusing, cute redhead keeps popping in his head. There’s something about her that warms his blood in a whole different way. And, let’s not forget massages…*sigh* again
Cleo is keeping secrets. Big secrets. She needs to come clean—has TRIED to talk to Beau—but, something always interrupts. You gotta read this awesome, quick read!
Deserves a great BIG ‘Bacio del Cuoco’!
Tropes:
* Mistaken Identity
* Curvy FMC
* Size Difference
* Single Dad
* RomCom
* MMA
* MF
* Angst
Triggers:
* Mature Themes
* 18+
* Fellatio
* Lies—of course!
* Some cursing
* Family Conflict
* Weight Bias
* Body Dysmorphia
Burn Speed:
* Smedium-ish
Spice Level:
* 🌶️🌶️ 1/2-🌶️🌶️🌶️ (depending on your level of pearl clutching)
* Beau *sigh* He is so confused by Cleo’s first lie—a little pissed, too. That lie cost him a client, and he can’t afford to lose one. The image of that confusing, cute redhead keeps popping in his head. There’s something about her that warms his blood in a whole different way. And, let’s not forget massages…*sigh* again
Cleo is keeping secrets. Big secrets. She needs to come clean—has TRIED to talk to Beau—but, something always interrupts. You gotta read this awesome, quick read!
Deserves a great BIG ‘Bacio del Cuoco’!
Tropes:
* Mistaken Identity
* Curvy FMC
* Size Difference
* Single Dad
* RomCom
* MMA
* MF
* Angst
Triggers:
* Mature Themes
* 18+
* Fellatio
* Lies—of course!
* Some cursing
* Family Conflict
* Weight Bias
* Body Dysmorphia
Burn Speed:
* Smedium-ish
Spice Level:
* 🌶️🌶️ 1/2-🌶️🌶️🌶️ (depending on your level of pearl clutching)
March 12, 2025
Tropes: Opposites attract, sports romance novella featuring gym owner and a curvy FMC
********************
Triggers: none
********************
No favorite quote
********************
Funny little novella featuring Cleo, a plus sized receptionist, who has a crush on the hardbody gym owner from across the parking lot. Their meet cute starts a series of misunderstanding, the biggest being that she is the daughter of his biggest competitor. It’s a cute little story, with just enough angst to qualify as a good romance. As with all Elle Thorpe stories, the characters are real, sympathetic, and their dialogue is witty.
Movie rating R. Cover 3/5, overall 4/5, romance 3/5, violence 0/5, spice 2/5. I would recommend.
********************
Triggers: none
********************
No favorite quote
********************
Funny little novella featuring Cleo, a plus sized receptionist, who has a crush on the hardbody gym owner from across the parking lot. Their meet cute starts a series of misunderstanding, the biggest being that she is the daughter of his biggest competitor. It’s a cute little story, with just enough angst to qualify as a good romance. As with all Elle Thorpe stories, the characters are real, sympathetic, and their dialogue is witty.
Movie rating R. Cover 3/5, overall 4/5, romance 3/5, violence 0/5, spice 2/5. I would recommend.
November 13, 2019
This is a great short story set in the Only series. Cleo works in the doctor's office with Damien & Bree and every day she sees the owner of a nearby gym. Cleo is attracted to Beau but has never interacted with him until she has to make a delivery to his gym. She gets tongue tied and even though Beau gets a little upset with her, he also is intrigued by her. He is also going through some personal things but I have to say I loved reading about his 2 children. It was great to see how Damien & Bree are doing in this story too.
February 7, 2024
This was a very short, cutesy read. Beau and Cleo were adorable. I read this before I read any of the other Only You books and I definitely had to continue them. I think I got it from Elle’s newsletter or website.
❤️Plus Size FMC
💪Trainer MMC
🪪Mistaken Identity
📒Novella
📖Standalone
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
❤️Plus Size FMC
💪Trainer MMC
🪪Mistaken Identity
📒Novella
📖Standalone
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
December 2, 2019
Cleo & Beau have a quick yet intense story! Very sweet! : )
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews