The Lying Tree

With the Band #1

by Sundae Leighton

I'm his little sister's best friend. He's the lead singer of the world's biggest rock band.

Four years ago; Killian Hampton (the blued-eyed boy I had been in love with since forever) found me bleeding, broken, and hiding in his treehouse and it changed everything. He knows I play for the other team; but up until that moment, I wasn't aware that he did.

Stolen kisses, dirty secrets, out of town dates, everything had to be hidden behind closed doors. What we did in the dark could not been seen in the light. I didn't want to hide; but I wanted him, and was willing to play by his rules if it meant I got to keep him. For a little while... before he shattered my life into pieces.

Now Killian's back; only he's different.

Empty. Mean. Dejected. Worn-out.

I try to stay away. He's the villain in my story, no longer the hero. I attempt to convince myself the love I felt is gone; until it's too late, and I start to drown all over again.

This book contains dark themes that might be triggering. It contains self-harm, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health issues, as well as LGBTIAQ+ hate that some readers might find troubling. Please read at your own risk. This is a love story first and always between two troubled boys who found one another when they needed it most.

Genres: M M Romance, Dark, Romance, Second Chance, Dark Romance, Contemporary, LGBT

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 29, 2022

About the author

Sundae Leighton writes romance novels that are sweet with a dark twist. She got her start writing fanfiction with her friends in school, but didn’t take the plunge to publish her first book (Picture Perfect) until 2020. Born and raised in Connecticut, where she currently resides with her husband and their cats. She sometimes scares herself when she writes things darker than intended, considers coffee the nectar of the Gods, and once ran the NYC marathon (OK - half marathon). When she isn’t writing down what the voices in her head tell her to, she likes watching murder shows, NASCAR, and reading romance books with lots of dark angst.

You can keep in touch with Sundae at SundaeLeighton.com and find her on most social media platforms.

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Reviews

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I wasn't comfortable enough with myself to hold his hand in public, but I loved kissing him in the dark."

The Lying Tree was my first book by Sundae Leighton and it was a heart-wrencher of an introduction to her work!

This is a love story at its heart but these boys had to go the long, hard way around to find their HEA.

This is Matthias and Killian's story, and it contains several TWs from the author, so do be aware before reading. Mental health issues figure highly and made for some tough reading, particularly when reading from Killian's POV.

That said, if you love:

🖤high angst
🖤rock star
🖤best friend's older brother
🖤second chance
🖤first times

....then you will adore The Lying Tree.

4 angsty, steamy stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[yaishin · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok so I'm a pretty hard believer of 'people don't change' and not one book has ever convinced me of the opposite and this book is why.

honestly? i thought Matty was better off without Killian's special brand of bullshit. the way he turned all their arguments so that Matty seemed like the bad guy? classic sign of an abuser and he didnt learn that in a day.

the way josie treated Matty, what a joke. ok Killian helped her, but what's that got to do with why Matty should give him another chance? i was genuinely confused. was she there when Killian decided it was fine that Matty was so depressed he wanted to kill himself when Killian broke his heart for the hundredth time or when Killian honestly seemed to think emotionally blackmailing someone into a relationship wasn't downright abusive or when he chose his band- that's filled with bigoted bandmates with shitty personalities btw- over a guy who only ever made the mistake of loving him over and over again or even when he just treated Matty like shit on the bottom of his shoe, which was most of the time. she saw one side of a person, who's now finally desperate to keep the only thing that keeps him sane and all of a sudden she's an expert on what Matty should do? fuck that. and worse is that Matty, who's been a total doormat till now continued being a doormat because some lady he doesn't even know told him to. side note: that sure as shit doesn't look like character development to me.

i get that Killian is going through some stuff but that does NOT excuse him from being an abusive asshole.

in my opinion Matty hasn't done one thing wrong except love the wrong guy but I've seen him say sorry more times than I could count. so did Killian but fuck if even one of them sounded actually honest and not manipulative.

[E.L. Ough · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW please read.

Well I just don’t know where to start, I was not prepared for this book. I’m not sure I’m going to review this well, the book actually gave me a stress headache! But the boys, god I loved them and I hated them, they put me through the ringer that’s for sure! But love wins thank god!

Mathias often found himself on the receiving end of his fathers fist, he would hide out in the tree house in the woods where he was safe, until he heard his best friends brother climb up. Killian the boy he loved, the boy he would end up doing everything for, until he broke his heart.

Killian lived with his sister and grandmother after the death of his parents, he was a troubled boy who struggled with his mental health and was on a downward spiral. When he found his sisters best friend bleeding in the tree house he often used, he found himself become very protective and soon realised he liked the control he had over him, which soon turned into feelings he didn’t know what to do with, so he done the worst thing he could and broke his heart.

This story has TW so please read them, it deals with mental health, sexuality, drug use and suicide, it’s done well but it can be hard to read. You go through every emotion in this book and it’s a hard fought HEA. I loved both these boys, but at the same time I just wanted to shout at them! Mathias for repeatedly letting Kill treat him so bad but still going back for more, and Kill for using Matty and being so bloody mean and horrible to him because he was struggling with his sexuality and his mental health. I’m glad we got to go on this journey with them both as they dealt with all consuming, passionate, possessive and very toxic love and watch them grow, learn and heal. Their love was everything.

I can’t recommend this book enough and if your a crier keep this tissues handy.

This book is one of my top reads this year.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

Full review on instagram emmareads40

[loverexreads · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

When I decided to pick up this book, I found that it had several elements that are normally things I love (rock star, dark, enemies to lovers). Although everything was there to make it the perfect book for me, I wasn't able to enjoy The Lying Tree.

The relationship between Killian and Matthias was one of the most toxic I've read so far. The way Killian treated Matthias throughout the book was truly awful and although he said he loved Matthias, I wasn't convinced. Even in the moments when he tried to make up for it and do better, he inevitably did something that made me dislike him even more. I'm someone who likes toxic, dark, morally grey characters, but I need to feel that there's something inside them that allows me to understand why they are the way they are and to connect with the luminous part in them. I found it very hard to empathize with Killian, and I think if we could have had even more access to his past traumas, maybe I could have connected with him more. It was only touched on superficially in the book.

What took up a lot of space in the story and bothered me the most was this « I love you, I hate you » dynamic between the MCs, always followed by Killian crying and apologizing. It was non-stop and sometimes even several times in the same chapter. It felt like the plot was going in circles. Killian was also a loose cannon, suddenly becoming violent out of nowhere, and I often felt that his reactions weren't nuanced enough.

The writing could have done with a bit more editing, and there was also some information about mental health that wasn't quite right.

I hoped that by finishing the book I'd be able to make peace with Killian's character, but unfortunately that wasn't the case.

The following review is based on my opinion and The Lying Tree has mostly 4 and 5 star ratings. So it's quite possible that this book just wasn't for me, but might be for you if you decide to read it.

[LifeReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m going to go straight in here to say that I have never hated and equally loved a character like Killian before. My emotions about him in this book were all over the place. He would test my limits that’s for sure!

I genuinely mean it when I say my brain feels like it has gone through a blender reading this. Matthias and Killian have so many emotional issues I don’t know where to start.

What I will say, is that Sundae’s writing of Killian’s mental health was brilliant. You really did feel like you could see his mind, so fragmented, all his emotions tied up and confused which made his behaviour so erratic and the highs and lows were just exhausting to witness. Such a great experience for the reader to be involved in his complexities to that level.

Matthias I felt conflicted as part of me was saying to him “be stronger” but then I would think, “aww bless him I would probably have done the same”.😂 I did admire him though, never put himself first. He loves hard.

On the flip side their love was intense. Probably on the verge of too much if that’s possible. Not very healthy but who wants healthy in a book like this! It gave it that edge.

This is not an easy going love story, it’s a tough ride to witness and you feel you will have a strong opinion on everything that happens. It never lets up on the emotional hits. Their relationship at points felt like psychological torture that they put on eachother. I do now feel that I was in this relationship and I’m exhausted! Sorry Killian and Matthias, but we need to go on a break 😂. Loved this story. You should definitely give it a read.

[alex :) · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book made me want to throw my kindle across the room. i need matthias to grow a backbone yesterday. idc how in love and obsessed you are, if killian is calling you a groupie and saying that the moments you shared together meant nothing to him, you should not forgive him and make out with him on the VERY NEXT PAGE. and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

i swear every time killian messed up, it was matthias running back to him and apologizing. it literally was a constant cycle until like 10% of the book was left. only then did killian try to fix his mistakes, which of course matthias forgave 2 pages later. absolutely ridiculous. overall, killian didn’t grovel enough for me at any point in the story and i just about dnfed. killian was manipulative and matthias was naive.

[readingwithmiaa]

DNF @61%



Listen Y’all I Was Really Excited To Read This Because The Beginning Was Really Good, Until It Started To Drag Out And I Lost Interest With Our Main Couple Here So I Had To DNF I’m Sorry, I Really Did Try To Get Through This, But Unfortunately It Was Way To Dragged Out. BUT I Will Be Reading The Rest Of The Series Because I Overall Love The Authors Writing And How She Writes Characters.🫶💕

[Simone Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Steaminess: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Tropes: MM contemporary romance, best friends brother romance, rock star romance

Triggers: Violence, physical abuse, addiction, mental illness, self-harm, LGBT+ hate, mention of death

Standalone or series?: Standalone

POV: Dual

Well other than that it was relatively steamy this one hasn’t got a lot going for it. Killian was a horrible character with an unpredictable behavior, and he was honestly childish and immature. I know he suffered from a mental illness, but it didn’t excuse all his actions. He played so many mental games and emotional blackmail with Matthias throughout the story. Matthias was a good person, but he was such doormat and pushover, who forgives Killian several times despite him not redeeming himself at all. The first time after those 4 years Matthias seems steadfast in not forgiving Killian (which he shouldn’t) and then a few days later they decide to start dating like Killian didn’t humiliate him and more those 4 years ago.

And Josie telling Matthias of? I mean that was laughable. He had every right to want to leave Killian and she had no right because she doesn’t know how things had been for Matthias.
I also think the story should have started with telling how their relationship started 4 years ago instead of it being told in flashback scenes. Normally it’s fine when authors do this, but it didn’t work for this story. I felt like we needed the background story before the author introduced us to the here and now, because it was such an essential part of the plot.

[Xochilt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC And to be honest I did not like it. I thought Matthias What's the push over. He always was too easy to convince or change his mind. I felt like he didn't have a backbone and Killian was just dick. He was selfish and only thought about his feelings.

[Laura Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review

This is the hardest book by Sundae Leighton that I've read so far, and while I struggled a lot with Killian & Matthias's story, I think as always Sundae handled the sensitive issues and complexity of these two in the best way, especially towards the end, plus it made me really happy to know how it all connects and re-read some of my favorite characters.

Matthias was the one who broke my heart the most, his family history and all the abuse he has to endure from his schoolmates are heartbreaking, but the saddest thing was reading him suffer from Kill's betrayal and his constant cruelty towards him. Matty is a good boy, with a huge, understanding heart, who does his best to protect those he loves and who has found the family he deserves together with Helena, Kill's younger sister, whom I loved so much for the way she supports, loves and protects him.

Killian is a much more complicated character: she has a strong trauma due to the death of his parents and it's very difficult for him to accept his feelings for Matthias, especially in front of other people, which was quite sad, however, Kill is difficult to understand as his situation leads him to make many mistakes, bad decisions and behave in very horrible ways with Matty, something that made me VERY afraid for the progress of the story, and that although I understand his situation, I'm not going to justify it because Sundae has wonderfully created this character and given him the ending that these kinds of stories should have! so I really enjoyed reading him growing up, asking for help, and making the right decisions for himself.

And although throughout the book it's obvious that Matthias & Killian love each other, I cannot deny that their relationship is more than problematic due to their personal circumstances, traumas, bad decisions, insecurities and fears. Kill is quite cruel to Matty, especially early in their relationship, and that's why his progress throughout the book is so evident: because even as he keeps making bad decisions and hurting Matthias with it, he's also willing to recognize his mistakes, try to solve them and ask for help, I also think that the constant support that Matthias gives him, despite everything, is one of the most beautiful things that his story has, and one of the things that helps Kill the most. And as a fan of this author's books, I was very happy reading the last chapters of the Matty & Kill story, not only because of the way Kill chooses to redirect his life, but because reading many of my favorite characters was one of the best surprises.

🌳Killian: 4.5/5
🌳Matthias: 5/5
🌳Plot: 5/5
🌳Love story: 5/5
🌳Secondary characters: 5/5
🌳Universe: 5/5
🌳Cover: 2.5/5
🌶️: 2/5

🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada a cambio de una reseña honesta

Ésta es la historia más difícil que he leído de Sundae Leighton hasta ahora, y aunque sufrí mucho con la historia de Killian & Matthias, creo que como siempre Sundae manejó los temas delicados y la complejidad de estos dos de la mejor manera, especialmente hacia el final, además, me hizo muy feliz saber como todo se conecta y volver a leer a algunos de mis personajes favoritos.

Matthias fue con quien más se me rompió el corazón, su historia familiar y todos los abusos que tiene que soportar por sus compañeros de escuela son desgarradores, pero lo más triste fue leerlo sufrir por la traición de Kill y su constante crueldad hacia él. Matty es un buen chico, con un corazón enorme, comprensivo, que hace lo posible para proteger a los que ama y que a encontrado la familia que merece junto a Helena, la hermana menor de Kill, a quien amé demasiado por la forma en la que lo apoya, quiere y protege.

Killian es un personaje mucho más complicado: tiene un fuerte trauma debido a la muerte de sus papás y le resulta muy complicado aceptar sus sentimientos por Matthias, especialmente frente a otras personas, lo cual fue bastante triste, sin embargo, Kill es difícil de comprender ya que su situación lo lleva a cometer muchos errores, tomar malas decisiones y comportarse de maneras muy horribles con Matty, algo que me hizo temer MUCHO por el progreso de la historia, y que aunque entiendo su situación, no la voy a justificar porque Sundae ha creado este personaje de manera maravillosa y dándole el final que este tipo de historias deberían tener! así que en realidad disfruté mucho leyéndolo crecer, pidiendo ayuda, y tomando las decisiones correctas por él mismo.

Y aunque a lo largo de todo el libro es obvio que Matthias & Killian se aman, no puedo negar que su relación es más que problemática debido a sus circunstancias personales, traumas, malas decisiones, inseguridades y miedos. Kill es bastante cruel con Matty, especialmente al principio de su relación, y por eso es que es tan evidente su progreso a lo largo del libro: porque aún cuando sigue tomando malas decisiones y lastimando a Matthias con ellas, también está dispuesto a reconocer sus errores, intentar solucionarlos y a pedir ayuda, además creo que el apoyo constante que Matthias le da, a pesar de todo, es una de las cosas más hermosas que su historia tiene, y una de las que más ayudan a Kill. Y como fan de los libros de esta autora fui muy feliz leyendo los últimos capítulos de la historia de Matty & Kill, no solo por la manera en la que Kill elige reencaminar su vida, sino porque leer a muchos de mis personajes favoritos fue una de las mejores sorpresas.

🌳Killian: 4.5/5
🌳Matthias: 5/5
🌳Trama: 5/5
🌳Historia de amor: 5/5
🌳Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🌳Universo: 5/5
🌳Portada: 2.5/5
🌶️: 2/5

[Kristen's Fantasy Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

MM Dark romance
Hurt/comfort
Bi- awakening
Rockstar romance
Told in a then and now style.
I really enjoyed this book!

It's complicated when a person that hurt you is also your comfort.

These guys had quite a bit to work through. Their relationship was a little forbidden, he's attracted to his little sisters best friend and he's never been attracted to another guy before or since.

There are dark themes including self harm related to one of the main characters.

[Vero Exposito · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

A sweet and emotional romance I very much enjoyed. Jillian and Matthias melted my heart and I really liked reading about their love.

Although, the only thing I didn’t like was that Matthias's and Killian's relationship was like a cycle, still I would definitely recommend this book. Toodles!

[peoniesandmm · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the easiest 5 stars ever.
second chance, mental health rep, all of the possessive love.. this was written so beautifully. i was more emotional reading this than i thought i would be. matty and killian definitely earned their happily ever after.
i’ll never recover from this book, infinity stars forever!!

maverick… we have beef. 🙄

[Kim BookJunkie ~ Editor & Proofreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great characters and premise, yet there were several times when things dragged on and felt super slow.

[kitamikeita · Rating 1 out of 5]

1

Review to come

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 🌟
I really wanted to love this book. When I read the blurb, it sounded like something definitely up to my taste, and I dived in being very optimistic.
Unfortunately, I just couldn't connect with these characters. I don't remember last time when I hated the mmc so much and felt sorry for him at the same time. Killian was absolutely horrible towards Matthias. Their relationship was so toxic. The back in time chapters just confirm it more and more for me. Don't get me wrong, I love the push and pull energy in stories, and I like complicated relationships, but I think there was a little bit too much of it all here.
Chance after chance Killian was hurting Matthias even after his declaration of love he still managed to cut Matthias deeply to the point I wasn't convinced if it was actually love he felt. And Matthias, no matter what, after each heartbreak always went back. They both made promises to each other only to break them.

One thing that I like was the fact that Killian finally decided to get help.

This book has so many high reviews, and maybe it's simply something not for me.
These are only my personal thoughts, and not everyone might agree. So give this book a try and see for yourself.

[Alex Mullinix · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
3 Spice

First things first, there are slight spoilers included in this book for a couple of other of Sundae Leighton’s series. Many characters make appearances crucial to this plot so their stories aren’t completely revealed, but there are some teasers (i.e.: Picture Perfect, Piece of Cake, Out of the Dark). I had not read the other series before reading this, and they both have made their way to my TBR. I am so excited to read more about them.

This book begins with Matthias and Helena at their high school, during the last few months of their senior year. Matthias praying for time to move faster so he can graduate and join Helena’s brother, Killian (the love of his life), in California. But things don’t work out that way. Matthias’ heart gets shattered and his life turns upside down. While Killian is off enjoying the benefits of being a member of the hottest new band.

Fast forward four years and Killian is back in town and this time, Matthias isn’t going to stand for the cruelty that is Killian. But Killian had decided his is done hiding who is his and who he loves, so he is bringing the big guns to get back in Matthias’ good graces.

“‘I just made you a sinner babe and you’re going to hell with me.’”-Killian

I loved and hated Killian and Matthias throughout the entire book. Killian for being so cruel and manipulative and Matthias for being such a push over. But in the end, I fell for them both. Mental illness can cause problems in all facets of someone’s life, and the people that love them go through so much alongside them.

Matthias was the more likable character for the majority of the book. The majority of the events that happened “Four Years Ago” make you very much sympathetic to Matthias. But the sympathy sort of dies off when he continues to fall into and follwo the same behaviors, repeatedly. Even so, any of the tearing up I did while reading this were Matthias-centered tears. When Matthias would show a little vulnerability and ask Killian not to hurt him, man dagger to my heart.

“‘Please don’t break me.’”-Matthias

Killian was a character that I wanted to figure out the inner working for, because he was always all over the place. I needed him to work through all of his inner demons, but not at the expense of Matthias.

“He could make me better. He would make this feeling I carried around with me disappear. Matthias was all that I needed.”-Killian

I do wish there was more angst. I LOVE a good, angsty story, so when there wasn’t enough resistance or push back, I was a little let down. Although, the amount of angst did play well with the character development.

While I am all for angst, and tension too, I loved that this was a less stressful ‘best-friend’s brother’ romance. Helena was Matthias and Killian’s biggest cheerleader.

I did think this book was going to be so much darker than it actually was, but maybe I have a higher threshold for dark romances since that’s the majority of what I read. Yes, there are darker subjects included, so check the TWs if you need to.

Fun Fact about me; As a NASCAR fan, I love seeing it featured in romance books.

Tropes:
MM
Dark Romance
Second Chance
Enemies-to-Lovers
Rockstar
Mental Illness

[Amy Voce · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑛 ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒. 𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑𝑛’𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑚 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑦; 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠𝑛’𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑦𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑑 ℎ𝑖𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑐, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝐼 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑘𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑘.”

“𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑎 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡.”

My word, I was not prepared for this emotional rollercoaster of a story! This was heartbreaking and I'm not completely sure this hasn't rehashed some old pain somewhere inside my heart. I felt undeniable connection to Killian and the trauma, heartache and mental health issues that are dealt with brutally honest clarity.

The Lying Tree, wasn't an easy read, at least not for me! It deals with some heavy issues, such as death of parents, suicidal ideation, drug use and so much more. Please heed the warnings.

That being said this story was hauntingly beautiful. My heart absolutely goes out to Killian and Mathias, their story was one fraught with personal battles, so many pitfalls and heartache in the face of prejudice, but hang on in there. There is light at the end of the tunnel! And it was well deserved HEA. This was a perfect best friends brother, Rockstar romance! With hurt/hurt and more hurt themes! 😂

I know for a fact this story will lay in the depths of my being, well after reading it. It's not hard to sympathise for these two, even if our stories are not one and the same. Mathias and Killian's triumphs and downfalls became my very own and I have never cheered on for two troubled souls happiness like I did in The Lying Tree.

This is a beautifully poignant story and I can't recommend it enough! Just make sure to have several boxes of tissues at the ready.

[thehotmesslibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lying Tree by Sundae Leighton is a M/M contemporary romance read. The story looks at the characters Killian and Matthias. Matthias has been in love with Killian for a long while and even though they have a secret relationship, he believes that Killian is his white knight. That is until he does the unthinkable and breaks Matthias’s heart into small pieces and moves away, leaving Matthias devasted in a small town with small-minded people. Fast forward many years and Killian the rock star is back with really heavy baggage and a world full of hurt, especially when he knows how much he has hurt Matthias and he doesn’t know if he will ever be able to redeem himself.

The story closely follows Killian’s mental health issues as well as his erratic behaviours, his feelings for Matthias and the confusion he has in being honest with himself. Matthias is also going through his own journey of forgiveness when it comes to Killian and whether putting his heart on the line is worth the risk.

The love both characters feel for one another at times is intense and emotional with lots going on and lots as a reader to break down. Whether you love or hate Killian as a character, you’re going to want to know what happens between Killian and Matthias.

ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review. All opinions are my own. 😊

More of my reviews can be found on my blog: http://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com

[Claire Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lying Tree is an m/m standalone romance.
Please read any trigger warnings from the author as deals with some sensitive topics.

I’ve read a lot of emotionally charged books but this one really got me!

An incredibly written emotionally devastating rollercoaster of a read.
I truly felt heartbroken, drained, so sad and then happier to repeat the cycle.
It’s written in such a way I could really feel the pain, anguish, everything these boys go through, all the challenges they face, it’s not been an easy ride for them and it’s not easy to read at times BUT I can promise you it’s so so worth it.

The chemistry and love between them is intense, but there’s so many demons in the way.
That being said the book is still hot & heavy with lots of steamy scenes and some sweetness thrown in the mix.

I loved how the story goes between past and present. It gives a much better understanding of where their at and what their thinking.
The characters were amazing. Even when I thought I wanted to throw my iPad I equally wanted to give these guys a hug. I was routing hard for them!!

I take my hat off to this author for bringing such and raw and real story to life. I was completely immersed in their story instantly.
I’ve had the book hangover but I’m equally so excited to see what this author brings us next.

This book deserves so much more than 5 stars and it’s definitely not one to be missed.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤Review🖤

“Matthias had been more than just my sister’s best friend. He had been the love of my life.”

Just finished The Lying Tree, by Sundae Leighton, and my poor heart. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster and hard earned HEA. 🖤😬🌈

Killian and Matthias had me questioning if they were ever going to get their happy ever after. My heart broke for Matthias due to Killian’s constant back and forth, but then I also felt the anguish that Killian was going through. I seriously wanted to strangle Killian through my kindle more than a few times, but he got his shit together—finally!! Their relationship was obsessive and toxic for the majority of the book, but it made the ending all the better! It was quite a lot on my emotions. By the end of the book, I was a mess—a happy mess—but a mess. 🖤

I also want to mention the author’s description of mental health and the struggles Killian was going through. I actually could feel Killian’s manic episodes and his extreme lows through the writing. At times it was hard to read, but I think the author did a fantastic job connecting the reader to Killian. 👏🏻👏🏻

All that being said, I really loved this book! I might need a nap and a cozy blanket after this book, but damn, did I enjoy it. Definitely recommend!! 🖤

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

M/M , Dark romance , rockstar, enemies to lovers , little sisters best friend and second chance . Sundae Leighton has taken so many of my all time favorite tropes to read and entwined them in the most wonderfully written story . A story that is guaranteed to grab onto all your emotions so tightly , pull at your heartstrings so completely and Just suck you right in . From the moment I met both Killian and Matthias they pretty much had my heart , both characters are so beautifully written as well as unique and multi layered. Their journey is definitely not a easy one , it’s heartbreaking as well as heartfelt , it’s full of angst , and obstacles, second chances, hurt , emotional baggage , love , mental illness , growth , redemption, secrets , off the charts chemistry, unexpected surprises, family , friendships, drama and so much more . I was definitely not prepared for all the unexpected emotions I was going to feel while reading . There were moments I had a smile on my face and others I found myself crying for everything that Killian endured . The Lying Tree truly is a emotional rollercoaster In every sense of the word as well as one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lying Tree by Sundae Leighton

🖤Best Friends Brother
🖤M/M romance
🖤Rockstar Romance
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🖤Mental Health Awareness
🖤Check TWs

"He's the villain in my story, no longer the hero. I try to convince myself the love I felt is gone; until it's too late, and I start to drown all over again."

And you as the reader will, you will drown time and time again as you navigate this story. Just as you think you can't possibly hold your breath any longer; you will gasp, find renewed strength and push yourself towards the end because you can't give up, you can't let go. This story is a heartbreak worth experiencing.

The Lying Tree gives us a glimpse into the heartbreaking tale of Matthias and Killian. This is not the first M/M romance I've read but it is most definitely one of the very best! This story was a very accurate emotionally charged journey on loving someone through their mental health struggles and the fear, loneliness, hurt and frustration it often brings.

Sundae Leighton was a new to my author. That was quickly corrected through The Lying Tree. I look forward to reading more of her work!

**Arc Review**

[INeedABookBreak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this emotional, spicy, and toxic MM rockstar romance.

Killian is Matthias’s best friend’s older brother. Matthias had feelings for Killian, who was straight and mostly ignored him. The two had a connection, but then Killian hurt Matthias. He was having a hard time admitting his feelings, which is a recurring theme for him. Killian then leaves their small town and becomes a famous rock star. Years later, he returns home after the death of his grandmother. He discovers that he and Mattias still have a strong connection, but is he ready for that?

Although this is a love story, a big focus of the book was Killian’s mental health. I loved how the author portrayed him. This book was a great example of how you can really enjoy a story while disliking the characters. I felt so hard for Matthias and Killian, but they both frustrated me. Killian was so cruel. Matthias was a doormat. They were so toxic for each other for a majority of the book, but those are realities for people experiencing both mental health and trauma. I was so happy when they got their HEA.

This book is kinda dark, so please make sure you check trigger warnings before reading.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

DAMN! This story was insanely emotional and incredibly angsty. It had me laughing, crying, and reeling with so much anger over what kept transpiring between Matthias and Killian. These two were going to kill me with all their toxicity and the constant push and pull between them. I loved them but I also hated them and what they did and said to each other continually throughout the story. I wanted so badly for them to finally find their rhythm and have the well deserved happy ever after that they both so desperately needed.

This story was really well written and dealt with some very heavy mental health issues that will be tough for some people to read. Matthias and Killian are the definition of toxic. They continually hurt each other and then in the next breath forgive each other. It really had my head spinning and my heart aching. Their story will have you on the edge of your seat, gripping your kindle tightly, hoping that you won’t end up smashing it against the wall! It will definitely hit you hard in the heart continually throughout, so be ready to be taken on one hell of an intense emotional rollercoaster ride!

FYI - I loved the story!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sundae really brought the emotional damage in the form of Killian his denial and spiraling depression. Matthias is broken by the actions of the one he loves but no matter how much time passes his love doesn't fade.

This story is painful to read and every step forwards they take they only seem to take 5 backwards. Killians denial breaks them both and we experience the emotional and physical damage that inflicts on both of them.

Killian can be viewed as toxic but at the heart of it he broke himself and has never been able to deal with the result of his actions and their far reaching implications.

Matthias has never healed, never moved on, never stopped loving Killian. So when he comes back into his life 4 years later he tries to fight fate but they keep being drawn together.

This book is filled with angst and a little bit of steam but I feel the boys got the life they deserved, eventually.

[Collandherbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Thanks for the heartache Sundae! It came at me at full force in this book.

I wanted to be so mad at Killian. The way he just kept breaking Matthias' heart. And not just breaking it either, full on stamping on it, kicking it about. And Matty just took it. His capacity to forgive was amazing.

But, I couldn't stay mad at Killian. It was clear he didn't want to intentionally hurt Matthias. Killian had a lot going on that caused him to behave the way he did. And he put a lot of work into trying to be the man Matthias deserved and needed.

Matthias was always there for Killian. He gave Killian the strength, loyalty and love he needed.

Their love story was turbulent - there was this constant push and pull. Times when sweet words were shared and others where actions crumpled the connection they'd started to rebuild.

Matthias and Killian worked so, so hard for their HEA.

I really enjoyed this book. If you like hurt/comfort, I recommend giving this a read.

[Brooke Greathouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was so fucking weird! The only reason why I finished it was because I have absolutely nothing else to read right now!

So many grammatical and spelling errors! When there is that many error it takes away from the story!

The pacing was just all over the place. It made no sense once so ever! It’s as if the author just had one idea after another and wrote them out and uploaded the damn rough draft to KU!

Killian needs to be on psych meds and needs serious therapy! Dude needs help!

Matthias needs to grow a spine and do better!

There were some really sweet spots though and some pretty good angst!

I just realized this is the same author that wrote Gravity which I hated and DNF’d because of how terrible the writing is. Well, the writing in this isn’t any better! I swear these KU versions are not edited at all and are just rough drafts uploaded! I swore if this author then!

[Anshul (stories.buddy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a beautiful story of heartbreak, love, inner struggle, and making up of lost time, in short it’s perfect package for the romance lovers who want to experience every aspect of emotions flowing between two person. Killian and Matthias are the MC and they both are poles apart but understand each other on a level that everybody wants. They are calm for each other but their journey is full of bumpy roads with no cushion. It hurts seeing them like this, it saddens me to know how much deep the heartbreak goes and how everything has affected because of it. The book is easy read with lots of spiciness. The angst between them and the struggle they do to find their HEA is commendable. These boys need all the love they can get, so just go and read them.

[Sandy Demuynck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Sundae Leighton and what an entrance it was.

I believe this is an epic love story and one that doesn't get to the HEA in 1, 2, 3.

Be sure to check out the trigger warnings.

This book is a rock star, best friend's older brother, second chance love book.

Matthias and Killian have so many emotional issues.

I loved how Sundae's writing of mental health, it was amazing. We could feel everything that Killian felt.

The tied up emotions, his erratic behaviour, his highs and lows we could witness it all.

Their love was so intense to right level for this book.

We see the rough ride of a relationship like we have in real life.

I really recommend this story.