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Lies That Bind: a Heart Brothers novel
It's been six years of anger simmering. Six years of lies growing into truths. Antoni only has a few more months until he turns 18. Then he'll be free of Child Protective Services and can leave high school behind. Everything's set in motion. His whole life's set before him.Leave it to Kyrah to ruin it all. It's just a few fake dates- nothing serious. But each day he spends with her unravels the lies he's bound by.
406 pages, Paperback
Published March 29, 2021
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33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 17, 2021
*I was provided an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Favorite Quote:
"Sure, we're a bit tattered with tears that can't be hemmed back up, but it's through these breaks that light spills through us. We're just like the sky, and the stars are like our cracks so that Heaven's light can shine through"
Synopsis:
Antoni is a young Latino teen who is about to turn 18 and age out of foster care where he can finally leave his traumatic past behind him and move on with his life. He is totally set on just surviving the days, counting them down until he finally turns 18 until he meets Kyrah and forms a "fake" relationship with her that turns more real than he had anticipated, Creating more problems than he originally saw coming. (I am awful with book summaries. So I hope this is decent.)
What I Liked:
-Versatility: This book deals with a lot of different topics: mental health, teens in foster care, trauma, but it handles these difficult topics beautifully. Kyrah and Ant are both very flawed and damaged characters, however I liked the focus of portraying them as damaged individuals still very worthy of love. This falls more along the lines of Ant's character who has quite a lot of baggage growing up in foster care, however I love how the author portrayed him in a way in which people were able to see him as "redeemable" rather than as a "bad boy who is just damaged goods". People who know me and my reading tastes know I hate the whole bad boy trope portrayed in books. This one doesn't follow this, which is what I love. Ant and Kyrah and what they struggle with will resonate with young people.
-Portrayal of foster care and the foster care system: This goes along the lines with versatility as mentioned above, but I am shouting this out here because it is a topic not often handled or talked about in YA. Maybe I haven't read enough YA, but I have not read a book other than this who dealt with a hero/protagonist in foster care. It was initially what intrigued me to this book so I found this aspect rather refreshing. I wish I saw it more in YA.
-Emphasis on Friendships and family: This was by far my favorite aspect of the book! I loved getting to see Ant meet different people over the course of the novel that help him see his life in a much different way and help see himself in a different way. I LOVE the aspect of choosing our family and how friends and people we meet along the way in life can easily become like family to us. The friendships between the Heart Brothers was very wholesome and not as toxic as some male relationships I have read in YA. I liked this aspect more than I liked the romance if I am being completely honest. It felt more real to me, not that I did not find the romance cute. I did, but this aspect was just another level for me. It was real and wholesome, an aspect that will resonate with people.
What I Didn't Like:
-Romance was a little insta-love: I felt their romance was a little too quick for my liking, however in this case with Ant's background I understood and accepted it a bit more. I usually DNF instalove YA romances, but this one did not bother me as much because I understood the reason it was portrayed in this manner. This of course is a personal preference. I prefer slow burn romances. Tbh, I don't really find myself enjoying YA romance because I usually just find them too cute for my tastes. I would have loved to see more development and build-up with the romance in this, however it was still cute though and I felt the characters complimented eachother quite well.
-Some plot points were handled or wrapped up too simplistically: I do not want to give anything away, but I would have liked some of the plot points to have had more development to make them feel realer and more raw.
-Fake dating trope not as developed: Again, just a preference, but I felt that the fake dating in this one was not followed through with to its extent because of the instalove nature of the romance between Ant and Kyrah. I would have liked more build up with the romance.
Bottom Line?
A versatile YA contemporary that handles very complex issues and topics in a beautiful way that will resonate with readers. I know so many of the topics handled in this book, such as depression is something I relate and resonated with as a reader. Another goodreads reviewer said this was a "YA novel with a lot of heart" and I absolutely agree with this statement. This is indeed a very versatile YA novel with a great deal of heart with a cute romance that does more than scratch the surface with difficult issues, but explores them in a way that will resonate with readers, rather than trigger them.
When I think of what to describe this book the thing that immediately comes to mind is versatile because that is what this book is. It is a contemporary with a lot of heart, but it is also very versatile with a lot of beautiful elements. It is more than just a cutesy, shallow YA romance. The romance is definitely cutesy, but the issues that Kyrah and Ant navigate both separately and together is real. It is versatile not just because of the issues discussed, but because of the emphasis on friendship and family. It is a YA contemporary with a lot of different elements, much more than what I was initially expecting
Final Rating: 4/5 Stars
CAWPILE Rating 7.83/10
*Check out my instagram (@gymnerd.reader) for a video review of this gem coming in the next few days*
Favorite Quote:
"Sure, we're a bit tattered with tears that can't be hemmed back up, but it's through these breaks that light spills through us. We're just like the sky, and the stars are like our cracks so that Heaven's light can shine through"
Synopsis:
Antoni is a young Latino teen who is about to turn 18 and age out of foster care where he can finally leave his traumatic past behind him and move on with his life. He is totally set on just surviving the days, counting them down until he finally turns 18 until he meets Kyrah and forms a "fake" relationship with her that turns more real than he had anticipated, Creating more problems than he originally saw coming. (I am awful with book summaries. So I hope this is decent.)
What I Liked:
-Versatility: This book deals with a lot of different topics: mental health, teens in foster care, trauma, but it handles these difficult topics beautifully. Kyrah and Ant are both very flawed and damaged characters, however I liked the focus of portraying them as damaged individuals still very worthy of love. This falls more along the lines of Ant's character who has quite a lot of baggage growing up in foster care, however I love how the author portrayed him in a way in which people were able to see him as "redeemable" rather than as a "bad boy who is just damaged goods". People who know me and my reading tastes know I hate the whole bad boy trope portrayed in books. This one doesn't follow this, which is what I love. Ant and Kyrah and what they struggle with will resonate with young people.
-Portrayal of foster care and the foster care system: This goes along the lines with versatility as mentioned above, but I am shouting this out here because it is a topic not often handled or talked about in YA. Maybe I haven't read enough YA, but I have not read a book other than this who dealt with a hero/protagonist in foster care. It was initially what intrigued me to this book so I found this aspect rather refreshing. I wish I saw it more in YA.
-Emphasis on Friendships and family: This was by far my favorite aspect of the book! I loved getting to see Ant meet different people over the course of the novel that help him see his life in a much different way and help see himself in a different way. I LOVE the aspect of choosing our family and how friends and people we meet along the way in life can easily become like family to us. The friendships between the Heart Brothers was very wholesome and not as toxic as some male relationships I have read in YA. I liked this aspect more than I liked the romance if I am being completely honest. It felt more real to me, not that I did not find the romance cute. I did, but this aspect was just another level for me. It was real and wholesome, an aspect that will resonate with people.
What I Didn't Like:
-Romance was a little insta-love: I felt their romance was a little too quick for my liking, however in this case with Ant's background I understood and accepted it a bit more. I usually DNF instalove YA romances, but this one did not bother me as much because I understood the reason it was portrayed in this manner. This of course is a personal preference. I prefer slow burn romances. Tbh, I don't really find myself enjoying YA romance because I usually just find them too cute for my tastes. I would have loved to see more development and build-up with the romance in this, however it was still cute though and I felt the characters complimented eachother quite well.
-Some plot points were handled or wrapped up too simplistically: I do not want to give anything away, but I would have liked some of the plot points to have had more development to make them feel realer and more raw.
-Fake dating trope not as developed: Again, just a preference, but I felt that the fake dating in this one was not followed through with to its extent because of the instalove nature of the romance between Ant and Kyrah. I would have liked more build up with the romance.
Bottom Line?
A versatile YA contemporary that handles very complex issues and topics in a beautiful way that will resonate with readers. I know so many of the topics handled in this book, such as depression is something I relate and resonated with as a reader. Another goodreads reviewer said this was a "YA novel with a lot of heart" and I absolutely agree with this statement. This is indeed a very versatile YA novel with a great deal of heart with a cute romance that does more than scratch the surface with difficult issues, but explores them in a way that will resonate with readers, rather than trigger them.
When I think of what to describe this book the thing that immediately comes to mind is versatile because that is what this book is. It is a contemporary with a lot of heart, but it is also very versatile with a lot of beautiful elements. It is more than just a cutesy, shallow YA romance. The romance is definitely cutesy, but the issues that Kyrah and Ant navigate both separately and together is real. It is versatile not just because of the issues discussed, but because of the emphasis on friendship and family. It is a YA contemporary with a lot of different elements, much more than what I was initially expecting
Final Rating: 4/5 Stars
CAWPILE Rating 7.83/10
*Check out my instagram (@gymnerd.reader) for a video review of this gem coming in the next few days*
April 11, 2021
4.5
Thank you the author and Feather and Dove Book Tours for providing me with a free digital copy of this book for exchange for an honest review.
Lies That Bind follows Antoni (Ant) and Kyrah on their journey of self acceptance, love, and grief. Ant and Kyrah start dating to show her brothers she can take care of herself and doesn't need them to protect her. For Ant, it mainly is just something to help him get through the last few months of being in CPS. But as fake dating turn into more and life gets a little bumpy, both must try and navigate their relationship, family, and future.
I really enjoyed this novel! It took really important topics like mental health, addiction, abuse, loss/grief, and foster care/CPS and talked about them in an effective way. (Please keep in mind these are also trigger warning for the book) It worked all of these topics into the storyline really well and didn’t take away from the story as they didn’t feel forced. There was some really great discussion about depression and grief, something that could really help someone who needed it.
The plot was really interesting and fun. The characters were all likeable and I really loved seeing Ant and Kyrah’s relationship flourish. Both of them were really interesting character and had great backstories and good backstories created. Allen did a great job at showing the ups and downs of a relationship and real life problems. There was some great foreshadowing and hints at different plot points (that definitely click once you read the plot). There were some parts that were pretty predictable and certain points felt a little off in the writing but it was still enjoyable.
Overall, really good! I definitely recommend this one!
Thank you the author and Feather and Dove Book Tours for providing me with a free digital copy of this book for exchange for an honest review.
Lies That Bind follows Antoni (Ant) and Kyrah on their journey of self acceptance, love, and grief. Ant and Kyrah start dating to show her brothers she can take care of herself and doesn't need them to protect her. For Ant, it mainly is just something to help him get through the last few months of being in CPS. But as fake dating turn into more and life gets a little bumpy, both must try and navigate their relationship, family, and future.
I really enjoyed this novel! It took really important topics like mental health, addiction, abuse, loss/grief, and foster care/CPS and talked about them in an effective way. (Please keep in mind these are also trigger warning for the book) It worked all of these topics into the storyline really well and didn’t take away from the story as they didn’t feel forced. There was some really great discussion about depression and grief, something that could really help someone who needed it.
The plot was really interesting and fun. The characters were all likeable and I really loved seeing Ant and Kyrah’s relationship flourish. Both of them were really interesting character and had great backstories and good backstories created. Allen did a great job at showing the ups and downs of a relationship and real life problems. There was some great foreshadowing and hints at different plot points (that definitely click once you read the plot). There were some parts that were pretty predictable and certain points felt a little off in the writing but it was still enjoyable.
Overall, really good! I definitely recommend this one!
April 7, 2021
Hooked within the opening pages!
The way this author started this story... Oh, my heart.
Kyrah and Antoni are both a bit damaged and hurting, but use their pretend relationship to find a little peace together. They are so real, and deal with real and emotional issues that I just couldn't help but to love them. I felt so sorry for what has happened to Ant, and for how he still couldn't let go. And Kyrah's determination was admirable. She had plenty of room in her heart to care for others, it was time for someone to take care of her, emotionaly.
There was a lot of heartache and deeply emotional and shocking moments that made me wish I could go in the book and hug them both.
I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to keep up with this beautiful story.
The way this author started this story... Oh, my heart.
Kyrah and Antoni are both a bit damaged and hurting, but use their pretend relationship to find a little peace together. They are so real, and deal with real and emotional issues that I just couldn't help but to love them. I felt so sorry for what has happened to Ant, and for how he still couldn't let go. And Kyrah's determination was admirable. She had plenty of room in her heart to care for others, it was time for someone to take care of her, emotionaly.
There was a lot of heartache and deeply emotional and shocking moments that made me wish I could go in the book and hug them both.
I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to keep up with this beautiful story.
May 15, 2021
TW: domestic abuse, CPS, foster system, neglect, bullying
Fans of Perfect Chemistry and To All The Boys I've Loved before will adore Lies That Bind, the first YA romance in the Heart Brothers series by Ami Allen. When Ant and Kyrah, two kids from seemingly opposite walks of life, decide to start fake dating, it isn't long before they realize that they might have more in common then their mutual desire for freedom.
Ant is not immediately likable, but he quickly grew on me as the story progressed. Kyrah I adored from her first introduction. I love her fire and passion. The two of them together gave me all the feels. There were definitely moments when I wanted to reach through the pages and smack them both, but, ultimately, I was rooting for them.
I stayed up way too late reading this. I just could not put it down. The writing is simple, but beautiful and the story grabbed me right from the start. I highly recommend Lies That Bind for any fans of YA romance and even those who don't often read the genre.
Thank you to Feather & Dove Tours for providing me a free copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Fans of Perfect Chemistry and To All The Boys I've Loved before will adore Lies That Bind, the first YA romance in the Heart Brothers series by Ami Allen. When Ant and Kyrah, two kids from seemingly opposite walks of life, decide to start fake dating, it isn't long before they realize that they might have more in common then their mutual desire for freedom.
Ant is not immediately likable, but he quickly grew on me as the story progressed. Kyrah I adored from her first introduction. I love her fire and passion. The two of them together gave me all the feels. There were definitely moments when I wanted to reach through the pages and smack them both, but, ultimately, I was rooting for them.
I stayed up way too late reading this. I just could not put it down. The writing is simple, but beautiful and the story grabbed me right from the start. I highly recommend Lies That Bind for any fans of YA romance and even those who don't often read the genre.
Thank you to Feather & Dove Tours for providing me a free copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 6, 2021
This book takes the reader through all the feels...every emotion and then some...loss, sacrifice, heartbreak...tragedy to triumph...finding love despite the differences.
I was incredibly invested in Antoni from the start and as the story progressed, so did my attachment to his character. He has a tortured soul, but a soul that’s so kind and he just needed to stop believing all the lies that lived inside him, binding him to his painful past and accept that he deserved happiness.
Antoni lives in a group home while Kyrah is living with her Dad and overprotective brothers. Although they attend the same high school, their lives appear to be vastly different. While they’ve crossed paths, it’s not until Kyrah asks Antoni to eat lunch with her one day that their relationship journey begins. This is when a deal to fake date is struck, under the pretence of Kyrah wanting to tick off her brothers by dating the bad boy, someone who’s forbidden. But what Ant doesn’t know is that she actually has a crush on him, and it takes no time at all for him to feel the same. It felt like the odds were stacked against them, however, most of those odds came from within Antoni himself.
Ami Allen broaches some tough and not often discussed topics with thoughtfulness and compassion. This is a must read for everyone!
I was incredibly invested in Antoni from the start and as the story progressed, so did my attachment to his character. He has a tortured soul, but a soul that’s so kind and he just needed to stop believing all the lies that lived inside him, binding him to his painful past and accept that he deserved happiness.
Antoni lives in a group home while Kyrah is living with her Dad and overprotective brothers. Although they attend the same high school, their lives appear to be vastly different. While they’ve crossed paths, it’s not until Kyrah asks Antoni to eat lunch with her one day that their relationship journey begins. This is when a deal to fake date is struck, under the pretence of Kyrah wanting to tick off her brothers by dating the bad boy, someone who’s forbidden. But what Ant doesn’t know is that she actually has a crush on him, and it takes no time at all for him to feel the same. It felt like the odds were stacked against them, however, most of those odds came from within Antoni himself.
Ami Allen broaches some tough and not often discussed topics with thoughtfulness and compassion. This is a must read for everyone!
March 15, 2021
A YA romance with so much heart!
Now, YA is not my normal go to, so before you pass this book by thinking the same thing, STOP, because you’re not going to want to miss this one!
I was incredibly invested in Antoni from the start and as the story progressed, so did my attachment to his character. He has a tortured soul, but a soul that’s so kind and he just needed to stop believing all the lies that lived inside him, binding him to his painful past and accept that he deserved happiness.
Antoni lives in a group home while Kyrah is living with her Dad and overprotective brothers. Although they attend the same high school, their lives appear to be vastly different. While they’ve crossed paths, it’s not until Kyrah asks Antoni to eat lunch with her one day that their relationship journey begins. This is when a deal to fake date is struck, under the pretence of Kyrah wanting to tick off her brothers by dating the bad boy, someone who’s forbidden. But what Ant doesn’t know is that she actually has a crush on him, and it takes no time at all for him to feel the same. It felt like the odds were stacked against them, however, most of those odds came from within Antoni himself.
This story takes the reader through all the feels...every emotion and then some...loss, sacrifice, heartbreak...tragedy to triumph...finding love despite the differences.
Ami Allen broaches some tough and not often discussed topics with thoughtfulness and compassion. This is a must read for everyone!
Now, YA is not my normal go to, so before you pass this book by thinking the same thing, STOP, because you’re not going to want to miss this one!
I was incredibly invested in Antoni from the start and as the story progressed, so did my attachment to his character. He has a tortured soul, but a soul that’s so kind and he just needed to stop believing all the lies that lived inside him, binding him to his painful past and accept that he deserved happiness.
Antoni lives in a group home while Kyrah is living with her Dad and overprotective brothers. Although they attend the same high school, their lives appear to be vastly different. While they’ve crossed paths, it’s not until Kyrah asks Antoni to eat lunch with her one day that their relationship journey begins. This is when a deal to fake date is struck, under the pretence of Kyrah wanting to tick off her brothers by dating the bad boy, someone who’s forbidden. But what Ant doesn’t know is that she actually has a crush on him, and it takes no time at all for him to feel the same. It felt like the odds were stacked against them, however, most of those odds came from within Antoni himself.
This story takes the reader through all the feels...every emotion and then some...loss, sacrifice, heartbreak...tragedy to triumph...finding love despite the differences.
Ami Allen broaches some tough and not often discussed topics with thoughtfulness and compassion. This is a must read for everyone!
March 18, 2021
I love love love YA books. Mainly because there are times I need to escape from the whole romance intensity and need reality brought back into my life.
I can already tell this author is going to be a favorite go to for me. You can tell she not only cares for her characters but also their story. She leaves out the wordy fluff and digs right into the core and purpose of the book and I LOVE her for it!
I felt like each moment in this book was significant. Antoni had my attention right from the prologue. His reality is something so many kids go through yet I honestly knew nothing about. Every character (even the ones you don’t like from their intro) has purpose in this book and the author did a fantastic job of showing growth in a very organic way. I can’t wait to see more of what these boys have in store!
Fav quote:
“I want to fall in love and get my heart broken, only to find someone else to fall in love with.”
“And get your heart broken again?” he signs back
“Over and over again.” I sign and drop my hands to my lap.
I can already tell this author is going to be a favorite go to for me. You can tell she not only cares for her characters but also their story. She leaves out the wordy fluff and digs right into the core and purpose of the book and I LOVE her for it!
I felt like each moment in this book was significant. Antoni had my attention right from the prologue. His reality is something so many kids go through yet I honestly knew nothing about. Every character (even the ones you don’t like from their intro) has purpose in this book and the author did a fantastic job of showing growth in a very organic way. I can’t wait to see more of what these boys have in store!
Fav quote:
“I want to fall in love and get my heart broken, only to find someone else to fall in love with.”
“And get your heart broken again?” he signs back
“Over and over again.” I sign and drop my hands to my lap.
April 8, 2021
I received a free copy through feather and dove tours.
Lies that Bind follows 17 year old Antoni who'll be ageing out of CPS soon and will be able to leave his dark past behind. Then a few fake dates with Kyrah threatens to change everything he had planned.
I absolutely loved the relationship in this book. Antoni and Kyrah are such a sweet couple and genuinely helped each other to grow and accept themselves. Both of them have been through so much but are still so caring and kind. I love the fake dating trope and it was done so well! I also loved the side characters, especially Eloise!
It discussed a lot of heavy topics like suicide, alcohol/drug addiction and domestic abuse. I believe they were handled well and I think a lot of people will be able to relate to at least one character. The plot was also amazing, we got to see all the ups and downs of the different relationships and I loved every minute!
Overall, it's a sweet story about found families, self acceptance and love.
Lies that Bind follows 17 year old Antoni who'll be ageing out of CPS soon and will be able to leave his dark past behind. Then a few fake dates with Kyrah threatens to change everything he had planned.
I absolutely loved the relationship in this book. Antoni and Kyrah are such a sweet couple and genuinely helped each other to grow and accept themselves. Both of them have been through so much but are still so caring and kind. I love the fake dating trope and it was done so well! I also loved the side characters, especially Eloise!
It discussed a lot of heavy topics like suicide, alcohol/drug addiction and domestic abuse. I believe they were handled well and I think a lot of people will be able to relate to at least one character. The plot was also amazing, we got to see all the ups and downs of the different relationships and I loved every minute!
Overall, it's a sweet story about found families, self acceptance and love.
April 11, 2021
Where do I start with this book? First of all the fake dating trope is a great addition to the story. I loved the relationship between Antoni and Kyrah and how it evolved throughout the book. Besides the romance, the book revolves around a ton of other themes such as the need of human beings to love and be loved even when they don't realize it, mental health and broken characters who were not written to be perfect but real.
Ami has blessed us with accurate mental health representation, heartbreaking moments, words coming straight from the character's soul and a story that will leave you full of emotions. I would suggest this book to all YA lovers. This sweet coming of age story has a bit of everything you want to see in a book. Also, isn't the cover just BEAUTIFUL?! I love it!
I'm definitely keeping an eye on what Ami has in store for us in the future!
Ami has blessed us with accurate mental health representation, heartbreaking moments, words coming straight from the character's soul and a story that will leave you full of emotions. I would suggest this book to all YA lovers. This sweet coming of age story has a bit of everything you want to see in a book. Also, isn't the cover just BEAUTIFUL?! I love it!
I'm definitely keeping an eye on what Ami has in store for us in the future!
April 27, 2021
So how do I start this review, maybe with a warning that you will need tissues. There is so much emotion in this story that you will find it very difficult not to need some tissues. It starts right from the beginning. I loved how the author showed us what it is like for children in the foster system and how other kids can treat them. Sure this is fiction but I’m sure there are some realistic things. I did struggle with some timeline issues and I was somewhat confused on the way the system was working. Without giving spoilers, there was an event that happened and for what sounded like was going to happen immediately it didn’t occur for a couple days. The story of Antoni and Kyrah was very emotional and they take you on one non-stop ride. Things you were going to expect to happen, always didn’t so this was great to not be able to predict things. The supporting characters really added to the story and I can’t wait for more in the series. At least I hope there will be more in the series as I need more. I just wish I was able to give it a five star review but with the things I struggled with, I can only give it a 4.5 rating.
April 10, 2021
I'm gonna start with how the book was set at a perfect pace, we recieved proper backstories for our characters and yet it didn't feel like the story was simply dragging along.
Our main characters Antoni and Kyrah had Greta character development throughout the story, they story also covered topics of mental health, and as someone who tries to spread awareness about such issues, I was really happy to see that they were portrayed and dealt with in the correct way.
Along with heart felt and tear jerking momenta we also saw cute and domestic moments between Antoni and Kyrah which I truly enjoyed. I think this book was really well balanced and kept the reader hooked from the start to the end.
Our main characters Antoni and Kyrah had Greta character development throughout the story, they story also covered topics of mental health, and as someone who tries to spread awareness about such issues, I was really happy to see that they were portrayed and dealt with in the correct way.
Along with heart felt and tear jerking momenta we also saw cute and domestic moments between Antoni and Kyrah which I truly enjoyed. I think this book was really well balanced and kept the reader hooked from the start to the end.
April 10, 2021
Lies That Bind is about Antoni, a 17 year old boy who had a dark past behind him. His life became more something eventful when he got tangled up with Kyrah for fake dates to help her.
Antoni and Kyrah has a lot of unresolve issues about their past, its fascinating when they both get through it together. This book also talks about mental health and the way they talk about it is inspiring and its also an awareness at the same time. Love love the other characters especially Eloise! I love her name and her personality too, she's a kind of friend that we need in our lives! Bubbly, supportive, and caring. The character development of 'em is *chef's kiss*😌 I love Tommy too!🥺
Overall, this book is a great read! Saying this again: so honored to be able to give a review for Lies That Bind🥰
Antoni and Kyrah has a lot of unresolve issues about their past, its fascinating when they both get through it together. This book also talks about mental health and the way they talk about it is inspiring and its also an awareness at the same time. Love love the other characters especially Eloise! I love her name and her personality too, she's a kind of friend that we need in our lives! Bubbly, supportive, and caring. The character development of 'em is *chef's kiss*😌 I love Tommy too!🥺
Overall, this book is a great read! Saying this again: so honored to be able to give a review for Lies That Bind🥰
March 21, 2021
Was sent an ARC of this book by the author. I started reading it yesterday and could not put it down until I finished it today. Such a great book. The story is to two part POV. Antoni is a teen who lives under the care of CPS in a group home and Kyrah is a teen who has her own issues in her life-since her mom died when she was a kid, and growing up with dad and three older brothers. What starts out as fake dating between Ant and Kyrah-turns into something much more. But both teens have too much in their pasts to make a good go at a successful relationship.
March 28, 2021
I received a complimentary ARC from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Lies that Bind is a thoughtful slice of life featuring unexpected romance and the dark realities of foster care, trauma, and mental illness. I was drawn in by the premise of a fake relationship, but I stayed for the realistic ways the author portrayed the darkness of family and society. I appreciated the Allen does not shy away from difficult conversations.
I highly recommend for fans of Patrick Flores-Scott (American Road Trip) and Rainbow Rowell (Fangirl, Eleanor & Park).
Lies that Bind is a thoughtful slice of life featuring unexpected romance and the dark realities of foster care, trauma, and mental illness. I was drawn in by the premise of a fake relationship, but I stayed for the realistic ways the author portrayed the darkness of family and society. I appreciated the Allen does not shy away from difficult conversations.
I highly recommend for fans of Patrick Flores-Scott (American Road Trip) and Rainbow Rowell (Fangirl, Eleanor & Park).
April 13, 2021
Prepare to have your heart broken and repaired in this emotionally raw story about love and self acceptance. This is such a perfect novel for those stuck in a phase of their life and trying to prove something to others. What’s important to take from this is that you don’t have to do anything to please anyone - it’s your life and you must make the choices to find your happiness.
The writer also tackles on tough issues such as foster care, addiction, abuse, grief and mental health which are such important things that must be brought to awareness to demolish the stigmas against them. Bravo for that!
The writer also tackles on tough issues such as foster care, addiction, abuse, grief and mental health which are such important things that must be brought to awareness to demolish the stigmas against them. Bravo for that!
April 9, 2021
Stunning! I figured Kyrah and Antoni's story was going to be "just another YA romance." Was I ever wrong! Ami Allen wrote a beautiful book that wasn't only a love story about two people, but a love story about finding family outside of blood. True, real life scenarios with all of the emotions involved! I'm sensing another book about the Heart Brothers! Fingers crossed!
March 25, 2021
I received an arc of this book from the author. What a fantastic read. I loved both Kyrah and Antoni. Both their pasts somewhat depicting their futures. A lovely YA book,which I highly recommend. I look forward to seeing what else this author releases
April 17, 2021
Lies That Bind by Ami Allen
***4 stars***
YA romance isn't my usual go-to genre but sometimes you need to mix it up, and I'm so happy I did. Ami Allen brings us a story that's gritty, soulful, and shows true love can find you when you least expect it.
Antoni's life has been far from easy. He's seen the absolute worst in people, therefore has trouble finding the good and trusting it. Besides his foster "brothers", he feels no one has his back.
Kyrah yearns to be loved and have a life that's hers and hers alone. Not being over protected and treated like a baby by her brothers. She knows it's out of love but it's also smothering her.
Antoni and Kyrah's relationship starts off rocky, the two of them not seeing eye to eye, and letting others around them interfere. That is, until they decide to put the power in their own hands and do what they like.
"I can't stain her heart with my blood." OMG! This coming out of Antoni's mouth was a heartbreaker! The guy wants to be loved and vice versa. He's so much more than what he thinks he is, and Kyrah slowly helps him discover that. She also discovers the truths from her past, and in that moment, needs Antoni more than ever.
These two kindred souls needed each other before they even knew it. I love them so much! Definitely a must read for any YA fans.
***4 stars***
YA romance isn't my usual go-to genre but sometimes you need to mix it up, and I'm so happy I did. Ami Allen brings us a story that's gritty, soulful, and shows true love can find you when you least expect it.
Antoni's life has been far from easy. He's seen the absolute worst in people, therefore has trouble finding the good and trusting it. Besides his foster "brothers", he feels no one has his back.
Kyrah yearns to be loved and have a life that's hers and hers alone. Not being over protected and treated like a baby by her brothers. She knows it's out of love but it's also smothering her.
Antoni and Kyrah's relationship starts off rocky, the two of them not seeing eye to eye, and letting others around them interfere. That is, until they decide to put the power in their own hands and do what they like.
"I can't stain her heart with my blood." OMG! This coming out of Antoni's mouth was a heartbreaker! The guy wants to be loved and vice versa. He's so much more than what he thinks he is, and Kyrah slowly helps him discover that. She also discovers the truths from her past, and in that moment, needs Antoni more than ever.
These two kindred souls needed each other before they even knew it. I love them so much! Definitely a must read for any YA fans.
April 8, 2021
Yay! One of my favorite authors is back in the HOUSE! I'm so happy your back!!
A beautiful written story of heartbreak & happiness. Cannot wait to read the next book!
A beautiful written story of heartbreak & happiness. Cannot wait to read the next book!
June 15, 2021
Review for Lies that Bind by Ami Allen
Where do I start?! This book was so amazing, the writing was so easy to get into, the characters were very well done and felt so incredibly real to me. The way mental illnesses,anxiety, and so much more was showed was done very well. Usually with books like these where such heavy topics are displayed while there’s supposed to be a romance the romance takes over but I strongly feel like Ami Allen did a great job at not only keeping up with the romance but also at making sure those important topics didn’t fade away throughout the story. Which I very much appreciated.
The romance in this book is a little bit of an insta love or at least the relationship aspect happened a little quicker than I was expecting considering Antoni’s character, however I felt like it was done nicely and fitting for the characters and I’m not one for insta love but this wasn’t bad and it didn’t take away from my enjoyment or investment in the characters/story.
Going back to the mental illnesses and a few of the triggers in this book I will say this doesn’t go crazy in detail on some of the triggers so it doesn’t make the book too heavy however the anxiety is represented throughout so that is something to be aware of.
The writing style was very easy to get into and very enjoyable which was something I was very happy about considering at the time of this book while I was reading it I was still in a slight reading slump so I felt like this definitely helped me get back on my reading vibe again.
Character wise I love Antoni he was just such an amazing character who’s emotions I could relate to so well and his reactions in certain situations was also very much relatable for me which made it easier for me to connect with him and the story. I found myself very quickly becoming invested with him and his life and overall how him as a character. Kyrah although she wasn’t AS much of a connection character for me she was still very much a character I cared about and adored. There were times where I found her to be annoying or at least frustrating but nonetheless I loved her character regardless. I love how the side characters were still relevant throughout the story that they weren’t forgotten and never heard of again however they weren’t also too much involved that it took away from our main two characters.
Overall this story was great! I highly recommend if you’re looking for a quick but still great read that’ll also make you feel something while reading it!!
Where do I start?! This book was so amazing, the writing was so easy to get into, the characters were very well done and felt so incredibly real to me. The way mental illnesses,anxiety, and so much more was showed was done very well. Usually with books like these where such heavy topics are displayed while there’s supposed to be a romance the romance takes over but I strongly feel like Ami Allen did a great job at not only keeping up with the romance but also at making sure those important topics didn’t fade away throughout the story. Which I very much appreciated.
The romance in this book is a little bit of an insta love or at least the relationship aspect happened a little quicker than I was expecting considering Antoni’s character, however I felt like it was done nicely and fitting for the characters and I’m not one for insta love but this wasn’t bad and it didn’t take away from my enjoyment or investment in the characters/story.
Going back to the mental illnesses and a few of the triggers in this book I will say this doesn’t go crazy in detail on some of the triggers so it doesn’t make the book too heavy however the anxiety is represented throughout so that is something to be aware of.
The writing style was very easy to get into and very enjoyable which was something I was very happy about considering at the time of this book while I was reading it I was still in a slight reading slump so I felt like this definitely helped me get back on my reading vibe again.
Character wise I love Antoni he was just such an amazing character who’s emotions I could relate to so well and his reactions in certain situations was also very much relatable for me which made it easier for me to connect with him and the story. I found myself very quickly becoming invested with him and his life and overall how him as a character. Kyrah although she wasn’t AS much of a connection character for me she was still very much a character I cared about and adored. There were times where I found her to be annoying or at least frustrating but nonetheless I loved her character regardless. I love how the side characters were still relevant throughout the story that they weren’t forgotten and never heard of again however they weren’t also too much involved that it took away from our main two characters.
Overall this story was great! I highly recommend if you’re looking for a quick but still great read that’ll also make you feel something while reading it!!
March 17, 2021
Don't miss out on this fake relationship, enemies to lovers romance with a fierce heroine and the bad boy who breaks her heart.
Releasing: April 8, 2021
Releasing: April 8, 2021
August 8, 2021
I was intrigued from the very first page
It started out with fake dating and then you think is it going to be one of those books, but it really isn’t. It’s so much more than just a romance story with kind of enemies to lovers. (I don’t think you could call it this because they weren’t really enemies if that is why you chose the book) The author really goes into a different world that I have never thought about before, but happens to so many kids. In the care system it’s really hard for Antoni but he has his friends and they are like his family and the connection between them was great.
The whole layout of the story was good. There was almost always something that made you want to keep reading. In the middle there was a small part where I was just dragging myself through but the end was worth it.
The characters were worked out well and the author did a really good job at that, because they are perfection. All the flaws they have work so well with what they’ve been through and they grow so much throughout the book as a person. I really felt for them all the time. When they laugh I laugh. And when they hurt my stomach tightens. They were just amazing.
I wish I could have some more of this story.
July 8, 2021
I'm going to start this by saying that YA is not my normal read, but something about this intrigued me and as you can see by the 5 stars, I was completely hooked and won over. This book deals with complex emotions that had me on a rollercoaster from the very start and I stayed up way too late as I just couldn't put it down. Antoni (Ant) is a 17 year old boy, who lives in a CPS group home as his father disappeared, his mother is incapacitated and he has been kicked out of several foster homes. Kyrah's mother died when she was six so she lives with her father, two older brothers and her twin brother, all of whom are overbearing and overprotective, and interfere in every angle of her life. What starts off as a few fake dates between Ant and Kyrah soon blossoms into so much more. But as the layers are peeled back, old feelings surface and threaten to ruin everything, and Ant and Kyrah need to learn how to be there for each other. Enjoy this story of trust, love, deceit, secrets and coming of age.
July 12, 2021
This was such a sweet, emotional, and beautiful story. Kyrah and Antoni will steal your heart from the start and you won't want it back. These two have been through the ringer, their experiences not to be taken lightly, and it has left an imprint on them. These two have gone to school together, but a moment where they actually interact and the sparks start flying. Kyrah and Antoni have that instant spark that will fly off the pages and have you rooting for these two to figure things out. However, Antoni always had a plan to eventually leave town and Kyrah wants to be seen as an adult and not a little kid in her brothers eyes, but what happens when these two take a chance? Will their pasts dictate their futures or will they forge their own way and make it work? This was a great book and you don't want to miss out on the beautiful, but difficult journey these two take us on, it's worth every emotion!
July 5, 2021
Antoni is a heart brother he lives in Heart house which is run by child protection services. He goes to the school in town and that’s where he meets Kyrah. She has a twin brother And two older brother who are overprotective. She comes up with this idea to fake date Antoni and go to homecoming with him so her brothers lay off her. As they start dating they get to know each other and real feeling start to develop. Can Antoni stop sabotaging his relationship? Great characters and storyline. Highly recommended. Awesome book
July 23, 2021
I enjoyed this story about Antoni and Kyrah. Ant and his "brothers" were seen as being from the wrong side of the tracks. I loved that even though the foster system isn't seen in the best light, there were some people who stepped up for Ant (and his brothers) and were bright lights in their lives. Of course, high school and growing up come with its own challenges, especially when Ant is counting the days until he ages out. There was so much to unravel when it came to both Ant and Kyrah's histories.
April 12, 2021
First of all, I'd like to thanks @featheranddovetours for choosing me as a host for this lovely book.
Lies That Bind is the first book in the Heart Brothers series. The author has discussed many crucial and attention worthy topics like childhood/ teen traumas, foster care, mental health issues, melancholic griefs which just hold your heart in its claws. And how all these can alter one's life and make it miserable that they stop believing in their selves b/c they don't think that they can be worthy of something good. Same happens with Antoni and you can understand him through this sentence:
"𝑰𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒐. 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒎𝒆. 𝑨𝒏 𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒐𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌."
The plot and storyline of this book is really fun and interesting. A cute YA romance to help you lift up your mood or get you out of your reading slump. Also, the pace of the book is really good. It's not fast paced, but neither will it seem dragged at any point. So a win-win situation we have here.
If you're looking for something light, fun and interesting, this book is for you, so do check it out!
Lies That Bind is the first book in the Heart Brothers series. The author has discussed many crucial and attention worthy topics like childhood/ teen traumas, foster care, mental health issues, melancholic griefs which just hold your heart in its claws. And how all these can alter one's life and make it miserable that they stop believing in their selves b/c they don't think that they can be worthy of something good. Same happens with Antoni and you can understand him through this sentence:
"𝑰𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒐. 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒎𝒆. 𝑨𝒏 𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒐𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌."
The plot and storyline of this book is really fun and interesting. A cute YA romance to help you lift up your mood or get you out of your reading slump. Also, the pace of the book is really good. It's not fast paced, but neither will it seem dragged at any point. So a win-win situation we have here.
If you're looking for something light, fun and interesting, this book is for you, so do check it out!
March 19, 2021
I absolutely loved this book! I laughed, cried, and was heartbroken for the characters! Ami Allen completely immersed me in their lives and made me feel their emotions. Reading this I can truly feel the amount of empathy and hope she has for each of the characters. I can’t wait to read the books for the other Heart Brothers and see where their adventures take them as well as what happened in their lives to make them the young men they are today. I know they are characters, but they feel so real.
July 9, 2021
I picked this up hoping for a lovely romance, with twists and turns and a very happy ending, and I was blown away by how good it was, just how much it made me feel, how much I was rooting for Ant and Ky to end up together despite every setback. It made me laugh, cry, and jump up and down. The characters were beautifully relatable and the overall story was amazing. If you love a good romance, then pick this up, I highly recommend it, and I look forward to more in the series!
July 27, 2021
Such an emotional read from the beginning. My heart broke for Antoni(Ant) with all he had to endure, but I was so glad that Kyrah was there to ask him to be her fake boyfriend. They are so sweet together and I loved how their fake relationship turned into something real and loving. Lies That blind was a great read that made me want to keep reading to make sure Kyrah and Ant got the HEA. Well done, Ami Allen
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