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The Impossible Julian Strande #2
Ghosts & Liars
All Alice wanted was a job. As the caretaker of the Strande Mansion, she got far more than she bargained for. Between trying to crack the code of the sinister Julian Strande and her new love affair with Charles, the current owner of the museum, she has a lot to balance.
Alice didn’t believe in ghosts. That was until she met Julian Strande. Unfortunately, it seems the legends of the ghost of the estate are all very real, and he seems to have become obsessed with her.
Charles has promised her that Julian is harmless and just playing pranks. That he enjoys the company after all those years alone. It’s too bad that Charles may not be all he seems…
_____
Author’s Note: This book is what I would call “villain romance.” This story is for anyone who always finds the villain more interesting than the hero. That said, they are therefore sometimes not the nicest of male heroes. This story has a HEA, but it may be a tough ride getting there. This story has mature themes and content.
Alice didn’t believe in ghosts. That was until she met Julian Strande. Unfortunately, it seems the legends of the ghost of the estate are all very real, and he seems to have become obsessed with her.
Charles has promised her that Julian is harmless and just playing pranks. That he enjoys the company after all those years alone. It’s too bad that Charles may not be all he seems…
_____
Author’s Note: This book is what I would call “villain romance.” This story is for anyone who always finds the villain more interesting than the hero. That said, they are therefore sometimes not the nicest of male heroes. This story has a HEA, but it may be a tough ride getting there. This story has mature themes and content.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2020
149 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Ann Kingsley
66 books2,451 followersKathryn has always been a storyteller. Years of scriptwriting for performances on stage and for tourism in Boston led her to writing romantically dark, fantastical tales, which was an obsession of hers that began once seeing The Phantom of the Opera at a young age.
When she isn’t penning new villainous leads, she works in video game development. There, she has been everything from Creative Director to Chief of Staff, Design Manager, Executive Producer, and Principal Writer for various companies in the industry.
She shares her antique home with three very fluffy animals and one very patient and loving husband.
When she isn’t penning new villainous leads, she works in video game development. There, she has been everything from Creative Director to Chief of Staff, Design Manager, Executive Producer, and Principal Writer for various companies in the industry.
She shares her antique home with three very fluffy animals and one very patient and loving husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
March 1, 2021
Well, that took a turn. I’m not loving the idea of villain heroes winning the girl. Not sure that trope teaches women good things about loving a dangerous, evil man. Seems difficult to redeem Julian because the author has him do some pretty bad things. It felt like two very different parts of the novel, hence the two stars. Some good parts. Others are not so good. Again, felt pretty naughty for reading this one. I liked the mansion and the mystery but the second half of the novel was rough.
May 29, 2020
Holy moly this was fantastical and Julian really came into his own in this second book so sinister with such devilish intent, a master of manipulations and half-truths.
He is a master at his trade and knowing when to play his hand.
I adored that the cat had been let out of the bag in regards to Charles real identity and loved how devilishly mischievous Julian was while re-aquatinting Alice with his extra ghostly abilities.
I adored Julian he’s such a conundrum of contradictions and I don’t think even he is fully aware of what he really wants.
Wanting to protect Alice while at the same time also being her greatest threat.
We get such an in-depth glimpse of the inner workings of Julian here and start to understand just why he is the way he is.
I swung from being sympathetic because of his deep-buried fears while at the same time shaking my head in pure disbelief.
But even when he was at his worst I still wanted to put my arms around him and give him a big hug.
He was so beautifully contrite and sorrowful when he knew he had done wrong and gone too far and he just seemed so alone.
It was like he just couldn’t help himself when temptation was put before him and he was his own worst enemy.
Julian at heart was lonely and empty and Alice is the spark that jumpstarts his cold heart and though he thinks he doesn’t deserve her love he is still prepared to do whatever necessary to possess and keep her for his own.
He’s ruthless and pragmatic and believes the end justify the means.
Alice well it’s her love and free choices that will ultimately save Julian.
Her ability to eventually accept all his parts even the ones that frighten and disgust her was a challenge but nothing worth really having is easy.
The chemistry between Julian and Alice was electric and made me tingle right down to my toes.
Every erotic encounter was delicious and made me practically shiver in delight.
Lucky lucky Alice is all I can say.
I adored these two together and loved where they eventually ended up.
The fact that Julian was so far from a hero really made it that much more delicious.
Both Julian and Alice grew a lot as individuals throughout and I loved that Alice accepted her man despite his flaws that she was able to look beyond the surface to what was beneath.
Julian and Alice have got to be one of my favourite book couples ever and I also really appreciated the epilogue.
This really was such a fabulous duet and I highly recommend this unique read.
I could wax lyrical all day about this masterpiece I am that enthused with it.
And If I could give this more than five stars I bloody would it was that good.
This one gets a massive hell yeh from me, give it a try it’s fabulous.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of Ghosts & Liars (The Impossible Julian Strande #2).
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
July 6, 2020
I have to begin by saying that I loved the first book, to me, it kept me intrigued and heart racing to see what Julian would do next. Overall, even though he had his slight dominating qualities, I felt the overall theme was still mystery and fun.
The problem I felt with this book is that only the first 50% or so was like that, the second half was something else entirely. I will admit that I am not a fan of heroes who hurt their heroine. I thought I loved villain romances but turns out after reading a few, I was surprised that I really don’t. Nevertheless, I didn’t want that to bias my view of this book, so that is not the reason I’m giving 2 stars.
My issues were:
1. The rushed ending. It felt it went from 0-100 in a very short time. We’ve been building up to the reveal of his mausoleum for so long that it felt that once it ended, all this unpleasant shit came out and we were racing to the end for Alice to just die and get it over with.
2. The emotional pain + insensitivity of Julian. I get he’s a villain, I do. The problem is his claims of never wanting to hurt Alice and yet he does this both physically and emotionally and only AFTER feels bad. Oh fuck off, I get that thats the part that makes him a villain but he’s basically saying “Well, what do you mean you don’t want to die??!!”
He wants to kill her but he also wants her to be perfectly okay with it because HE wants it and it prevents him from a life of solitude. Sorry love, but that is not Alice’s responsibility. NO true lover would ever ask someone to give up their right to life because of your selfishness. I guess thats what makes a villain, a villain. There is no love that they possess that would surpass the love for themselves. He truly should have let her go way sooner than he did. I thought Alice put up a good fight for her life until the end which brings me to the next point.
3. Alice forgave too easily. I read a few reviews before reading the book that said: “He does some awful things but redeems himself somehow at the end.” If they are referring to the 40+ dead bodies of innocents in the basement that he killed, you have to then enlighten me on where he does this redeeming. I don’t see how she could have been so distraught and upset and unforgiving or his murders one minute and then the next her lust overtaking so thoroughly that she’s able to ignore it. She basically says: “Despite all this awful stuff, deep down I still love him, let’s fuck.” Sorry but what changed about the horror of what he’s done one chapter ago?? Its all okay you see because her lust is strong enough.
4. Alice never left. I hate that she was so weak as to not leave in that very last attempt when Julian finally let her. She needed to leave and for a while too, to properly process what happened. The fact that she went back up almost instantly, was in my mind, exceptionally weak.
5. Too many bloody tears. Everyone is crying all the fucking time yet nobody does anything productive to rectify the reason why they’re crying.
Overall, to me this was a disappointment compared to the first because all I wanted was more fun and games, not an emotional cluster fuck and selfishness.
The problem I felt with this book is that only the first 50% or so was like that, the second half was something else entirely. I will admit that I am not a fan of heroes who hurt their heroine. I thought I loved villain romances but turns out after reading a few, I was surprised that I really don’t. Nevertheless, I didn’t want that to bias my view of this book, so that is not the reason I’m giving 2 stars.
My issues were:
1. The rushed ending. It felt it went from 0-100 in a very short time. We’ve been building up to the reveal of his mausoleum for so long that it felt that once it ended, all this unpleasant shit came out and we were racing to the end for Alice to just die and get it over with.
2. The emotional pain + insensitivity of Julian. I get he’s a villain, I do. The problem is his claims of never wanting to hurt Alice and yet he does this both physically and emotionally and only AFTER feels bad. Oh fuck off, I get that thats the part that makes him a villain but he’s basically saying “Well, what do you mean you don’t want to die??!!”
He wants to kill her but he also wants her to be perfectly okay with it because HE wants it and it prevents him from a life of solitude. Sorry love, but that is not Alice’s responsibility. NO true lover would ever ask someone to give up their right to life because of your selfishness. I guess thats what makes a villain, a villain. There is no love that they possess that would surpass the love for themselves. He truly should have let her go way sooner than he did. I thought Alice put up a good fight for her life until the end which brings me to the next point.
3. Alice forgave too easily. I read a few reviews before reading the book that said: “He does some awful things but redeems himself somehow at the end.” If they are referring to the 40+ dead bodies of innocents in the basement that he killed, you have to then enlighten me on where he does this redeeming. I don’t see how she could have been so distraught and upset and unforgiving or his murders one minute and then the next her lust overtaking so thoroughly that she’s able to ignore it. She basically says: “Despite all this awful stuff, deep down I still love him, let’s fuck.” Sorry but what changed about the horror of what he’s done one chapter ago?? Its all okay you see because her lust is strong enough.
4. Alice never left. I hate that she was so weak as to not leave in that very last attempt when Julian finally let her. She needed to leave and for a while too, to properly process what happened. The fact that she went back up almost instantly, was in my mind, exceptionally weak.
5. Too many bloody tears. Everyone is crying all the fucking time yet nobody does anything productive to rectify the reason why they’re crying.
Overall, to me this was a disappointment compared to the first because all I wanted was more fun and games, not an emotional cluster fuck and selfishness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2020
Do you know how hard it is to find good sexy ghost gifs? Well, I'm here to tell you, it's not easy. Or perhaps I just lack that set of skills.
This one came up in my search and even though I don't understand why, I'll leave it here for your enjoyment. Jason Momoa grinding in his skivvies is always relevant. Right? 😉
Right. Okay. So...on to the review!
This is part two of the story of Julian Strande and the love of his (un)life, Alice Monroe. It picks up right where the first book left off, and announces a few of its secrets right off the bat. A lot of the mystery surrounding Charles and Julian is cleared up by the first few chapters, at least to the reader. Alice isn't so lucky.
We follow Alice as she solves the intricate puzzles of the mansion and Julian, which honestly got a little monotonous to read after a while. You can't really solve them yourself, you just have to take her word for it. So I was a bit bored with that, but shockingly it was all over within the first 20% of the book.
Then we got the goods... a whole lotta ghost sex, baby!
Of course, they can't just have an HEA. Julian is dead for chrissakes, and he's a huge villainous asshole. He's not exactly a good guy. As Alice learns more about him, he becomes quite horrible to her. There's some sort of boyish charm about him, though. I found that I couldn't really decide how I wanted it all to end. Does she get away? Does she get trapped? Does she decide to stay? I didn't know what I wanted to see happen. Because of that, I think I was happy with how it all played out. And the epilogue was cute as hell, I can't lie.
All in all, this was a really fun and unique read! The writing was great, and there were very few parts that dragged. It was exciting and suspenseful and just super entertaining. Yay, magic! Yay, ghost sex!
This one came up in my search and even though I don't understand why, I'll leave it here for your enjoyment. Jason Momoa grinding in his skivvies is always relevant. Right? 😉
Right. Okay. So...on to the review!
This is part two of the story of Julian Strande and the love of his (un)life, Alice Monroe. It picks up right where the first book left off, and announces a few of its secrets right off the bat. A lot of the mystery surrounding Charles and Julian is cleared up by the first few chapters, at least to the reader. Alice isn't so lucky.
We follow Alice as she solves the intricate puzzles of the mansion and Julian, which honestly got a little monotonous to read after a while. You can't really solve them yourself, you just have to take her word for it. So I was a bit bored with that, but shockingly it was all over within the first 20% of the book.
Then we got the goods... a whole lotta ghost sex, baby!
Of course, they can't just have an HEA. Julian is dead for chrissakes, and he's a huge villainous asshole. He's not exactly a good guy. As Alice learns more about him, he becomes quite horrible to her. There's some sort of boyish charm about him, though. I found that I couldn't really decide how I wanted it all to end. Does she get away? Does she get trapped? Does she decide to stay? I didn't know what I wanted to see happen. Because of that, I think I was happy with how it all played out. And the epilogue was cute as hell, I can't lie.
All in all, this was a really fun and unique read! The writing was great, and there were very few parts that dragged. It was exciting and suspenseful and just super entertaining. Yay, magic! Yay, ghost sex!
October 27, 2020
As the first read this was a really enjoyable read also an I found myself really wanting to see how it all turn out. I have to say this author keept me off balanced enough that I never truly knew how it would end which I really loved.
June 13, 2022
well, this was enraging. and my review is about to be an unorganized mess, so bear with me if you're reading this.
to preface: i love villain MLs, and i like dark stories when they're done right. i don't want or need the villain to be redeemed—i loved simon from harrow faire, if that says anything.
but this book just made me very, very mad.
the main reason behind my anger is that the FL is so incredibly weak. the ML wronged her so many times—lied about his identity? check! hung a boy for flirting with her and made her find his dead body? of course! planned to KILL HER so she would be trapped with him forever? you bet!
and honestly, that level of obsessiveness is normally what i like in a deranged ML.
what i DON'T like is a FL who just sits back and takes it. at one point she says “i'll hold a grudge for a while. i'm really good at it.” and that is a LIE.
no matter what the ML does, the FL almost immediately gets over it. she claims that she "hasn't forgiven him," yet she's still having sex with him. she's still cooking for him. she's still sleeping in his bed, and bantering with him, and laughing with him. nothing has changed; their relationship is the same as it always was. is that not forgiveness???
even towards the end, when he tossed her down onto a pile of the CORPSES of the people he killed over the years and proceeded to tell her that he was planning to kill her and that she couldn't escape—she forgave him.
she even let herself be comforted by him when she was hysterical over the thought of dying because ~her body betrayed her~, of course.
the FL's one redeeming moment was when she was smart enough to outwit the ML and had the opportunity to leave before he killed her, but she "couldn't do it" because she "loved him so much," and then she willingly died and they all lived happily ever after.
great. amazing.
i hate her.
i also hate the ML, because that man does not grovel. i guess he doesn't have to, since the FL FORGIVES HIM IMMEDIATELY NO MATTER WHAT HE DOES, but it's so, so infuriating.
if he's going to mess up so HORRENDOUSLY, then the least we deserve is to have him beg and plead for the FL to forgive him—and we deserve for her to NOT forgive him at the drop of a hat. is that too much to ask for?
also, he slapped her and then blamed it on the ~trauma~ from his father abusing him as a child, so there's that.
also also, the steam in this... wasn't really good. i don't know. i noticed it in harrow faire too, but it all feels very oriented on the ML and i'm not sure how the FL is supposed to be coming from the abysmal foreplay she's receiving. man sucked her tiddy once and then she came and he called it a day.
in short, this was immensely disappointing. i wanted to love it because the first book was alright and the premise was so interesting, but it was awful in every way that counted.
to preface: i love villain MLs, and i like dark stories when they're done right. i don't want or need the villain to be redeemed—i loved simon from harrow faire, if that says anything.
but this book just made me very, very mad.
the main reason behind my anger is that the FL is so incredibly weak. the ML wronged her so many times—lied about his identity? check! hung a boy for flirting with her and made her find his dead body? of course! planned to KILL HER so she would be trapped with him forever? you bet!
and honestly, that level of obsessiveness is normally what i like in a deranged ML.
what i DON'T like is a FL who just sits back and takes it. at one point she says “i'll hold a grudge for a while. i'm really good at it.” and that is a LIE.
no matter what the ML does, the FL almost immediately gets over it. she claims that she "hasn't forgiven him," yet she's still having sex with him. she's still cooking for him. she's still sleeping in his bed, and bantering with him, and laughing with him. nothing has changed; their relationship is the same as it always was. is that not forgiveness???
even towards the end, when he tossed her down onto a pile of the CORPSES of the people he killed over the years and proceeded to tell her that he was planning to kill her and that she couldn't escape—she forgave him.
she even let herself be comforted by him when she was hysterical over the thought of dying because ~her body betrayed her~, of course.
the FL's one redeeming moment was when she was smart enough to outwit the ML and had the opportunity to leave before he killed her, but she "couldn't do it" because she "loved him so much," and then she willingly died and they all lived happily ever after.
great. amazing.
i hate her.
i also hate the ML, because that man does not grovel. i guess he doesn't have to, since the FL FORGIVES HIM IMMEDIATELY NO MATTER WHAT HE DOES, but it's so, so infuriating.
if he's going to mess up so HORRENDOUSLY, then the least we deserve is to have him beg and plead for the FL to forgive him—and we deserve for her to NOT forgive him at the drop of a hat. is that too much to ask for?
also, he slapped her and then blamed it on the ~trauma~ from his father abusing him as a child, so there's that.
also also, the steam in this... wasn't really good. i don't know. i noticed it in harrow faire too, but it all feels very oriented on the ML and i'm not sure how the FL is supposed to be coming from the abysmal foreplay she's receiving. man sucked her tiddy once and then she came and he called it a day.
in short, this was immensely disappointing. i wanted to love it because the first book was alright and the premise was so interesting, but it was awful in every way that counted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2020
Okay that's a nope nope noooooope for me, stopped right HERE. I enjoyed the first book SO MUCH and I was sincerely hoping that the second book didn't go to the direction I thought it was going, especially with the H's plans with the h aaaaaaand nope!
June 1, 2020
I would've wanted Julian to be less aggressive but I think I'm okay with it. That's the only reason I didn't give it five stars.
May 22, 2020
This book completes the duet of the Impossible Julian Strande novels, all written in a span of about 2 weeks by the author! (**thunks head on table***..wow. just...wow!).
We pick up where we left off with the last book, with Julian continuing his game of cat and ...rabbit...with Alice, leaving her clues all the while about how and where to find him. It starts off rather slowly, as Alice continues to get close to who she thinks is Charles, so much so that they become engaged. I have to say, by about the 50% point (when much of what seemed to be the "big reveal" was resolved), I was left wondering what the rest of the book was to be about. I felt like there was an axe (or perhaps a platform full of spikes) dangling overhead, waiting to fall.
The author gave us a break-neck bit of conflict in the last 30% of the book, which gave it overall a bit of a rushed feel, at least for me. I would have liked to have seen . It might have helped overcome the bit of whiplash/frantic quality to the last 10% of the book.
I also kept waiting for the trick-within-the-trick. Kingsley alluded to this quite a bit as a part of Julian's act, and I wondered what it would have been like for Alice to turn from the "rabbit" to the hunter. What if it was all an act--Alice had it all figured out--and she was biding her time to one-up Julian at his own game?
A warning to those with triggers (which..uh, why are you reading a book about a psycho-killer ghost love interest? No offense, but he's evil, dude!), there is a bit where Alice gets hit and pushed around by Julian. Its not my favorite part (I mean, other villains in Kingsley's books do far, far, worse, but I suppose it's within a supernatural context--and the character regenerates herself-- so it's easier to write it off). Anyways, just a heads-up that its there. It's an incredibly prickly topic to jump into at the last 10% of the book (why Julian is the way he is and how that informs his actions), and I feel it could have been handled a bit more deftly.
**I received an ARC of this book**
We pick up where we left off with the last book, with Julian continuing his game of cat and ...rabbit...with Alice, leaving her clues all the while about how and where to find him. It starts off rather slowly, as Alice continues to get close to who she thinks is Charles, so much so that they become engaged. I have to say, by about the 50% point (when much of what seemed to be the "big reveal" was resolved), I was left wondering what the rest of the book was to be about. I felt like there was an axe (or perhaps a platform full of spikes) dangling overhead, waiting to fall.
The author gave us a break-neck bit of conflict in the last 30% of the book, which gave it overall a bit of a rushed feel, at least for me. I would have liked to have seen . It might have helped overcome the bit of whiplash/frantic quality to the last 10% of the book.
I also kept waiting for the trick-within-the-trick. Kingsley alluded to this quite a bit as a part of Julian's act, and I wondered what it would have been like for Alice to turn from the "rabbit" to the hunter. What if it was all an act--Alice had it all figured out--and she was biding her time to one-up Julian at his own game?
A warning to those with triggers (which..uh, why are you reading a book about a psycho-killer ghost love interest? No offense, but he's evil, dude!), there is a bit where Alice gets hit and pushed around by Julian. Its not my favorite part (I mean, other villains in Kingsley's books do far, far, worse, but I suppose it's within a supernatural context--and the character regenerates herself-- so it's easier to write it off). Anyways, just a heads-up that its there. It's an incredibly prickly topic to jump into at the last 10% of the book (why Julian is the way he is and how that informs his actions), and I feel it could have been handled a bit more deftly.
**I received an ARC of this book**
June 21, 2020
Soo... this book made a liar of me. When I read the first one, I thought that it walked the line of dark that I like without getting too dark. Yeah Charles and Julian liked to scare and freak Alice out, but not cross the line into evil.
Of course Billy’s death was suspicious but ....
Yeah, when it turns out Julian killed him... it really was it for me. And then he wanted to kill Alice, which I guess I knew was his plan all along - and I was curious how the author was going to get Alice on board with it- but in the end ... I don’t know. If Alice wanted to die to be with him- how very Bella from Twilight, gag- then fine, but killing Billy and the others ... not for good reasons, not like his dad, but from cold hearted evil. Ick.
I gave it a second star because I finished it- so, that happened.
Ok, more thoughts.
Alice.
I liked her at first but by the end of book 2... I didn’t. What if Jane Eyre has stood at the door of Thornfield and said ‘okay- you’re a bigamist but I love you’ and then stayed— would that have been ... okay? No. No and she’d have been less for it.
Alice is weak and just ... erased by the end of this book. ‘Oh, it got easier when my aunt and uncle died’ ? What? Even Harry Potter didn’t talk about his family like that.
And Julian is never redeemed. Just because he can’t kill her... sorry, not enough.
In the end, this book has no... goodness to it. It started it interesting and complicated and then... ick.
Spoiled selfish murdering ghost replicates himself inside vapid Stockholm-syndrome heroine ...and ghost sex.
Of course Billy’s death was suspicious but ....
Yeah, when it turns out Julian killed him... it really was it for me. And then he wanted to kill Alice, which I guess I knew was his plan all along - and I was curious how the author was going to get Alice on board with it- but in the end ... I don’t know. If Alice wanted to die to be with him- how very Bella from Twilight, gag- then fine, but killing Billy and the others ... not for good reasons, not like his dad, but from cold hearted evil. Ick.
I gave it a second star because I finished it- so, that happened.
Ok, more thoughts.
Alice.
I liked her at first but by the end of book 2... I didn’t. What if Jane Eyre has stood at the door of Thornfield and said ‘okay- you’re a bigamist but I love you’ and then stayed— would that have been ... okay? No. No and she’d have been less for it.
Alice is weak and just ... erased by the end of this book. ‘Oh, it got easier when my aunt and uncle died’ ? What? Even Harry Potter didn’t talk about his family like that.
And Julian is never redeemed. Just because he can’t kill her... sorry, not enough.
In the end, this book has no... goodness to it. It started it interesting and complicated and then... ick.
Spoiled selfish murdering ghost replicates himself inside vapid Stockholm-syndrome heroine ...and ghost sex.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2024
Nahhhh.
I hoped it would get better in the second one but eh.
It felt like the beginning dragged and then rushed to the end. I get Julian is a villain so he is not going to be a great guy but there is more realistic “villain” aspects to him that I could see being triggering to people. Some parts remind me of harrow faire makes sense with both being written by the same author and eventual tie in. I feel like the “psychotic immortal villain” was written better in HF.
I hoped it would get better in the second one but eh.
It felt like the beginning dragged and then rushed to the end. I get Julian is a villain so he is not going to be a great guy but there is more realistic “villain” aspects to him that I could see being triggering to people. Some parts remind me of harrow faire makes sense with both being written by the same author and eventual tie in. I feel like the “psychotic immortal villain” was written better in HF.
March 13, 2024
Alice ignores all the red flags for love but that’s what makes it fantasy and good!
Despite it all, you get a happy ending. Julian is truly a villain but just because his love for Alice redeems him enough to make you love him.
The starting was promising but as always it fizzled out! I skipped few chapters here and there!
‼️no cheating, no ow drama‼️
Despite it all, you get a happy ending. Julian is truly a villain but just because his love for Alice redeems him enough to make you love him.
The starting was promising but as always it fizzled out! I skipped few chapters here and there!
‼️no cheating, no ow drama‼️
May 17, 2020
I cannot say enough, how much I loved this book! It was a continuous rollercoaster ride from the start and I loved every moment, twist and turn. Julian and Alice are so deep and filled with emotion, especially for each other it was a joy to read. I love the way that Kathryn writes, as it made me feel like I was actually the character as I was reading, from her being so realistic with her wording and packing it full with emotions. Once again the character development was great to see throughout the book, I also really enjoyed being able to see how Julian though things through or read about many of the internal debates he would have in his head. Poor Alice goes through the emotional wringer but she endures and couldn't be happier. I love that we see how evil and twisted Julian can be and see all the past horrors he's committed, and how he also shows us his vulnerable side and also the past trauma he had went through as a child, and Alice is still able to love him. I do also have to say that one of my favorite parts in this book (which I admit I have a ton) is the timed handcuffs 😉 This book is a MUST READ!!! I'm also just a bit sad that its over, but happy with how it closed.
**ARC Review**
**ARC Review**
November 17, 2021
November 2021
Re-read before moving onto Harrow Faire. Still didn’t click until after I was done that of course there was going to be a ghost cat. There’s no Alice without Chesh. I enjoyed this one more than the first time around, since the mystery was already solved. Still cringed every time Julian stuck his foot in it. The magic tricks were interesting and the rabbit hole was brutal. Mixed feelings with Julian. It was either must protect or run. Bounced up a star. Really enjoyed it.
June 2020
I liked the first part more than the second. I sort of felt embarrassed for Alice bouncing around and showing Charles the clues she finds. I did like the Julian parts when he calls her pretty rabbit. The game was twisted but sweet and then it’s like a false bottom down the rabbit hole and things get a whole lot of messed up. The abusive parts were uncomfortable.
I got to 80% and was wondering how things were going to get wrapped up. It felt a little rushed through the characters’ desperation. I didn’t have a clue how it was going to end. But I liked how it played out and how things ended. Not sure who was crying the most out of the two. Favorite part was the minute and a half escape, as well as Julian and Loki being adorable. Really enjoyed it.
Re-read before moving onto Harrow Faire. Still didn’t click until after I was done that of course there was going to be a ghost cat. There’s no Alice without Chesh. I enjoyed this one more than the first time around, since the mystery was already solved. Still cringed every time Julian stuck his foot in it. The magic tricks were interesting and the rabbit hole was brutal. Mixed feelings with Julian. It was either must protect or run. Bounced up a star. Really enjoyed it.
June 2020
I liked the first part more than the second. I sort of felt embarrassed for Alice bouncing around and showing Charles the clues she finds. I did like the Julian parts when he calls her pretty rabbit. The game was twisted but sweet and then it’s like a false bottom down the rabbit hole and things get a whole lot of messed up. The abusive parts were uncomfortable.
I got to 80% and was wondering how things were going to get wrapped up. It felt a little rushed through the characters’ desperation. I didn’t have a clue how it was going to end. But I liked how it played out and how things ended. Not sure who was crying the most out of the two. Favorite part was the minute and a half escape, as well as Julian and Loki being adorable. Really enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2020
I LOVE Katheryn Ann Kingsley...but...
I am so disappointed by where this story ends. I loved the first book on the series and got book 2 the day it was released. That same day, I made it to about 45% in, and realized I didn't like where the story was going. It took me another couple of days, to make myself read the rest, hoping it would redeem itself. It didn't.
There's some themes of morality in this tale. I did NOT like the darker side to Julien and Alice's ready acceptance of it. Without saying too much that would spoil the book for other readers, there are some very uncomfortable scenes where Julian subjects Alice to physical and emotional abuse, and she just kind of accepts that, "because she loves him". That just isn't a good enough reason to me to stay with someone forever. I didn't like how Alice and Julien both excuse his ability to perpetrate abuse and then continue on as though everything is hunky-dory. She is painted is quite a naive victim in the end, in my opinion. I just did not like how this ended.
I am so disappointed by where this story ends. I loved the first book on the series and got book 2 the day it was released. That same day, I made it to about 45% in, and realized I didn't like where the story was going. It took me another couple of days, to make myself read the rest, hoping it would redeem itself. It didn't.
There's some themes of morality in this tale. I did NOT like the darker side to Julien and Alice's ready acceptance of it. Without saying too much that would spoil the book for other readers, there are some very uncomfortable scenes where Julian subjects Alice to physical and emotional abuse, and she just kind of accepts that, "because she loves him". That just isn't a good enough reason to me to stay with someone forever. I didn't like how Alice and Julien both excuse his ability to perpetrate abuse and then continue on as though everything is hunky-dory. She is painted is quite a naive victim in the end, in my opinion. I just did not like how this ended.
May 16, 2020
Wow, that was an intense ride!
I was massively impressed how the author was able to string so many different emotional responses out of me, one after the other!
If you liked the first book then you will definitely like this one.
One of this author's real strength is writing villains who are actually villains, yet you can't help but feel something for them and understand why the girl falls for them, even if you sort of want to tell them to run the hell away.
I'll admit there was a chunk towards the end where I seriously wanted Alice to burn that fucker and run away, but then the author managed to change it all up again.
This book won't be for everyone. If you found issues with some of Aon's behaviour then I think you'll have some similar issues with Julian here. He is not a good guy and never pretends to be. But if you like villain romance then I highly recommend this series and all of the author's previous works. What she does she does very well, in my opinion.
I was massively impressed how the author was able to string so many different emotional responses out of me, one after the other!
If you liked the first book then you will definitely like this one.
One of this author's real strength is writing villains who are actually villains, yet you can't help but feel something for them and understand why the girl falls for them, even if you sort of want to tell them to run the hell away.
I'll admit there was a chunk towards the end where I seriously wanted Alice to burn that fucker and run away, but then the author managed to change it all up again.
This book won't be for everyone. If you found issues with some of Aon's behaviour then I think you'll have some similar issues with Julian here. He is not a good guy and never pretends to be. But if you like villain romance then I highly recommend this series and all of the author's previous works. What she does she does very well, in my opinion.
March 30, 2022
Edit: I am literally so disturbed I can’t concentrate on my homework.
NOPE. Nope nope nope. That one was too much. Too crazy even for me. The most toxicity. I am writhing. In a bad way. Ack. Nope.
This was so wrong on so many levels. And so abusive. I thought I liked antiheroes but this was just too much. Like genuinely damaging to read. I am just left feeling awful. I feel so gross.
This was horror, not romance.
NOPE. Nope nope nope. That one was too much. Too crazy even for me. The most toxicity. I am writhing. In a bad way. Ack. Nope.
This was so wrong on so many levels. And so abusive. I thought I liked antiheroes but this was just too much. Like genuinely damaging to read. I am just left feeling awful. I feel so gross.
This was horror, not romance.
June 22, 2020
Ghost & Liars is the second book in The Impossible Julian Strande Duet, and as such YOU MUST READ Illusions of Grandeur (Book 1) FIRST! I don't even know how to talk about the goodness that is this series. Julian Strande is the ultimate anti-hero that I can't help but wanting for my own, even at his worst no matter how angry I got at him, and holy hell did I become enraged at many of his actions. Ms. Kingsley gave us more of his history which made him the intense, ruthless being he is. Alice is the person who brings out some of his goodness, but she's also a woman that he's willing to do anything to have even though he also treats her badly. She just wanted a job, but she got so much more like we, the readers are. Kathryn Ann Kingsley is one of the few authors who can create an anti-hero who captures my heart, and that's gold to me. This is a book that everyone needs to go into blind so that's all from me. Hit those one click buttons to see how it plays out. HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
May 19, 2020
Received as an ARC in return for an honest review. The sequel and finale to Illusions of Grandeur did not disappoint. I found myself reading the whole thing in one sitting as I just couldn’t put it down!!!
The story picks up where it left off with the three intertwining main characters, Alice, Charles and our enigmatic villain, Julien and their developing relationships in the beautiful puzzle of the Strande mansion.
The plot again is intriguing with plenty of twists and tangles as Julian reveals more of his nature. He is as mercurial as his tricks and just as we think our villain is repentant and a reformed character due to Alices influence, off we are thrown again at a tangent. We see the true Julian Strande in all his glory.
The book is darker than the first and the reveals more sinister. It walks a very fine moral line that is consistent with the Authors other works. It’s pushes us to a level of discomfort where we question whether we will get our HEA or indeed want it at all for the main character Alice. It gives you goosebumps, fills you with hope and dread in equal measures and makes you want more and the passionate intimacy scenes are well written. In conclusion a fitting end.
The story picks up where it left off with the three intertwining main characters, Alice, Charles and our enigmatic villain, Julien and their developing relationships in the beautiful puzzle of the Strande mansion.
The plot again is intriguing with plenty of twists and tangles as Julian reveals more of his nature. He is as mercurial as his tricks and just as we think our villain is repentant and a reformed character due to Alices influence, off we are thrown again at a tangent. We see the true Julian Strande in all his glory.
The book is darker than the first and the reveals more sinister. It walks a very fine moral line that is consistent with the Authors other works. It’s pushes us to a level of discomfort where we question whether we will get our HEA or indeed want it at all for the main character Alice. It gives you goosebumps, fills you with hope and dread in equal measures and makes you want more and the passionate intimacy scenes are well written. In conclusion a fitting end.
January 23, 2021
Holy wow
Where has this story been all my life. Such an amazing unique story. Super amazing sexual tension and hot as fire steamy scenes. You somehow end up falling in love with this amazingly terrifying man. So incredibly well done. The book hangover is real with one. Not sure how I'll find something comparable.
Where has this story been all my life. Such an amazing unique story. Super amazing sexual tension and hot as fire steamy scenes. You somehow end up falling in love with this amazingly terrifying man. So incredibly well done. The book hangover is real with one. Not sure how I'll find something comparable.
April 26, 2021
3.5☆
Too stupid to live..
Well yea, both of the main characters were. Not to mention crazy.. 😅
Anyway, I liked this one a bit better than the first book, only because the last quarter made up for the blandness of the first three quarter. Although the ending was a little rushed in my opinion, I got to read a darker, more conniving Julian, which was what I had been looking for since book one. This was my first read about romance between ghost and human, and it was okay, I guess... I get to read something different once in a while.
Too stupid to live..
Well yea, both of the main characters were. Not to mention crazy.. 😅
Anyway, I liked this one a bit better than the first book, only because the last quarter made up for the blandness of the first three quarter. Although the ending was a little rushed in my opinion, I got to read a darker, more conniving Julian, which was what I had been looking for since book one. This was my first read about romance between ghost and human, and it was okay, I guess... I get to read something different once in a while.
March 27, 2022
Darker than the first
Kinsley knows how to write a villain as a hero without a redemption storyline and making the reader love him anyway. This was an excellent end to this story as Alice was able to choose what her fate would be in the end.
Kinsley knows how to write a villain as a hero without a redemption storyline and making the reader love him anyway. This was an excellent end to this story as Alice was able to choose what her fate would be in the end.
June 2, 2020
Amazing
Had me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen, I loved the character Julian. The story is really worth a read, compliments to the author 👍
Had me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen, I loved the character Julian. The story is really worth a read, compliments to the author 👍
June 3, 2020
Absolutely loved this series! is it too soon to re-read it?!
May 22, 2020
5 stars
* An advanced reading copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. *
It's been done many times before. 'A girl falls in love with a lonely ghost and they start a doomed love story full of anguish because they can't be together forever. What can they do?! '
They can read this series because it's one of few ghost stories that wasn't boring, ridiculous or cliche.
This second book was... darker. Crazier. It came pretty close to my limits. Stretched my principles a little. The level of violence and cruelty was a bit much at times. But still acceptable and it didn't spoil my enjoyment of this book.
For everyone wondering if they should give this a try, the answer is yesss.
The ending was sweet and nice and a bit sad for some reason.
This series is unusual and unexpected and terrible but it still managed to convey and present such a beautiful and fierce romance.
10/10 would definitely recommend
* An advanced reading copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. *
It's been done many times before. 'A girl falls in love with a lonely ghost and they start a doomed love story full of anguish because they can't be together forever. What can they do?! '
They can read this series because it's one of few ghost stories that wasn't boring, ridiculous or cliche.
This second book was... darker. Crazier. It came pretty close to my limits. Stretched my principles a little. The level of violence and cruelty was a bit much at times. But still acceptable and it didn't spoil my enjoyment of this book.
For everyone wondering if they should give this a try, the answer is yesss.
The ending was sweet and nice and a bit sad for some reason.
This series is unusual and unexpected and terrible but it still managed to convey and present such a beautiful and fierce romance.
10/10 would definitely recommend
October 23, 2024
[dnf @ 85%]
July 14, 2020
This.... definitely took a turn I never would've expected! This is probably the first time I read about this..... I still can't believe it happened but boy what an ending!!!! Definitely has Julian as the definition of VILLAIN in capital letters and all. I'll be honest, I didn't realise this was the second book of the duet, so this will be fun... reading the first volume. I'll spoil it again for my future self, but I'm 10000% sure I will NEVER forget this book. Julian, the ghost that haunts the mansion Alice, our h happens to work at, finally reveals himself to her as the poltergeist that has been tempting her from her truelove... which is himself actually. She forgives him this (of course) but what she can't forgive is the fact that he blatantly kills one of her co-workers simply because he was flirting with her. She attempts to leave Julian once and for all, seeing that it's the final strike for her after all the things he's done, but he won't take no for an answer. He has plans that include her in them, and a future he sees with Alice, even if she's as dead as him. I still can't fathom what made her choose to do it in the end, of course this is fiction and it's meant to be taken lightly but it certainly turned dark fast, and that's the appeal to this book, that the villain never redeems himself and remains rightly so. Kudos to the author for having this crazy plot twist. This is the first time I've ever read a book where the H willingly kills the h to have her live with him forever in the afterlife.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2020
I didn’t think I would love this one as much as the first and I was right because I loved it even more
August 2, 2020
This book left me feeling kinda empty.
I loved the first half of this book, it was great, the second half however was a complete shock.
It picked the pace up and went at breakneck speed and boy it did get a whole lot darker.
I had many of issues with this book -
1. I understand that Julian is a anti-hero and I am okay with that, but the problem I had with his character is that he has no humanity left, (I doubt he had any while he was alive but I am just gonna focus on his dead-self here). He has no humanity and no remorse for his actions and I was desperately trying to find someway/something that would redeem him in my eyes and I just wasn't able to.
2. Despite repeatedly promising Alice that he won't hurt her, he hurts her so many times.
3. Alice is a grown ass woman but insists on seeing Julian through rose tinted glasses. Despite him having lied to her, she trusted him blindly. A little bit of weariness and caution would have made her more realistic.
4. Alice never fucking left. I wanted her to burn that place to the ground or run and never come back. I just couldn't believe she stayed with him and died for him. She has serious issues and is totally messed up.
Reading the last few pages were a shock and I couldn't believe this is how the book ended.
It was a very gripping read and kept me hooked throughout but in the end it just left a bad taste in my mouth.
I loved the first half of this book, it was great, the second half however was a complete shock.
It picked the pace up and went at breakneck speed and boy it did get a whole lot darker.
I had many of issues with this book -
1. I understand that Julian is a anti-hero and I am okay with that, but the problem I had with his character is that he has no humanity left, (I doubt he had any while he was alive but I am just gonna focus on his dead-self here). He has no humanity and no remorse for his actions and I was desperately trying to find someway/something that would redeem him in my eyes and I just wasn't able to.
2. Despite repeatedly promising Alice that he won't hurt her, he hurts her so many times.
3. Alice is a grown ass woman but insists on seeing Julian through rose tinted glasses. Despite him having lied to her, she trusted him blindly. A little bit of weariness and caution would have made her more realistic.
4. Alice never fucking left. I wanted her to burn that place to the ground or run and never come back. I just couldn't believe she stayed with him and died for him. She has serious issues and is totally messed up.
Reading the last few pages were a shock and I couldn't believe this is how the book ended.
It was a very gripping read and kept me hooked throughout but in the end it just left a bad taste in my mouth.
January 28, 2021
I dunno man....Julian is not for me. I'm a big fan of a villian romance when the villian is redeemed or changed by said romance but Julian is nothing but awful, selfish and unkind to the bitter end. He only cares for his own feelings. He constantly tells Alice he doesn't want to hurt her...but then continues to hurt her. He feels no remorse, ever and he makes Alice feel so awful that she feels like she HAS to stay with him - literally forever. It's a true stockholm syndrome situtation and it's dreadful.
The first book was so clever and I loved the twists and turns, but this book made me feel ill. And sad :( for Alice...but also for me because I had to sit through it.
The first book was so clever and I loved the twists and turns, but this book made me feel ill. And sad :( for Alice...but also for me because I had to sit through it.
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