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The Italian Cartel #10
Twisted Lies
When you’re born into a lie, trust will never be your strong point. I should have never existed. My father didn’t want me, my mother was killed trying to get us away from him, and although my siblings knew of our father’s sick and twisted games, they followed his footsteps instead of creating their own. My imprint on the land was basically non-existent, but since it was far from the controversy of my family’s ‘business’, I was living my best life. That was until the embers of my past sailed back in so furiously they burned. She was the woman I had failed to protect, the one I was living the life of a hermit for, but since her very existence was now dangerously entangled with mine, she was also the one I had to let in even with it doubling the chance she wouldn’t make it out the same. Jae Ward was once my savior, but now I must be her captor because when lies are twisted, the only person you can trust is yourself.
** This is a special edition discreet cover **
** This is a special edition discreet cover **
312 pages, Paperback
Published December 24, 2021
281 people are currently reading
3132 people want to read
About the author
Shandi Boyes
98 books2,201 followersShandi Boyes is a USA Today Bestselling Author who was an avid reader for many years before she discovered the love of writing in February 2016. Her first penned novel 'Perception of Life’ is a new adult rockstar romance that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat until the very last word.
In September 2016, her focus shifted to hot alpha men in steamy contemporary reads that sizzle off the pages. Shandi’s novel ‘Enigma of Life’ is an award-winning story on an FBI agent and the subject she was assigned to investigate. Her men are swoon-worthy, devoted, and alpha; and her heroines are strong-willed, determined, and loveable. You should start her stories first thing in the morning, or you may not sleep.
You will laugh and you will cry, but Shandi's characters will stay with you for a lifetime!
Join my newsletter: subscribepage.com/authorshandi
SERIES ORDER:
Perception of Life (Noah and Emily #1)
Reality of Life (conclusion of Noah's story #2)
Fight of Life (Jacob's story - standalone #3)
Player of Life (Nick & Jenny - standalone #4)
Beats of Life (Slater's story - standalone #5)
Enigma:
Enigma of Life (Isaac #1) - ** FREE **
Unraveling an Enigma (Isaac #2)
Enigma: The Mystery Unmasked (Isaac #3)
Enigma: The Final Chapter (conclusion of Isaac's story #4)
Beneath the Secrets (Hugo #1)
Beneath the Sheets (Hugo #2)
Spy Thy Neighbor (Hunter's Story)
The Opposite Effect
I Married a Mob Boss
Second Shot
Bound:
Chains
Links
Bound
Restrained
Russian Mob Chronicles:
Nikolai: A Mafia Prince Romance
Nikolai: Taking Back What's Mine
Nikolai: What's Left of Me
You will laugh and you will cry, but my characters will stay with you forever!
I love writing and reading. They are both my passion. My genre is generally set to new adult and contemporary, with a few twists thrown in.
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Author-Shand...
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01D8C13WU
Enjoy reading!
In September 2016, her focus shifted to hot alpha men in steamy contemporary reads that sizzle off the pages. Shandi’s novel ‘Enigma of Life’ is an award-winning story on an FBI agent and the subject she was assigned to investigate. Her men are swoon-worthy, devoted, and alpha; and her heroines are strong-willed, determined, and loveable. You should start her stories first thing in the morning, or you may not sleep.
You will laugh and you will cry, but Shandi's characters will stay with you for a lifetime!
Join my newsletter: subscribepage.com/authorshandi
SERIES ORDER:
Perception of Life (Noah and Emily #1)
Reality of Life (conclusion of Noah's story #2)
Fight of Life (Jacob's story - standalone #3)
Player of Life (Nick & Jenny - standalone #4)
Beats of Life (Slater's story - standalone #5)
Enigma:
Enigma of Life (Isaac #1) - ** FREE **
Unraveling an Enigma (Isaac #2)
Enigma: The Mystery Unmasked (Isaac #3)
Enigma: The Final Chapter (conclusion of Isaac's story #4)
Beneath the Secrets (Hugo #1)
Beneath the Sheets (Hugo #2)
Spy Thy Neighbor (Hunter's Story)
The Opposite Effect
I Married a Mob Boss
Second Shot
Bound:
Chains
Links
Bound
Restrained
Russian Mob Chronicles:
Nikolai: A Mafia Prince Romance
Nikolai: Taking Back What's Mine
Nikolai: What's Left of Me
You will laugh and you will cry, but my characters will stay with you forever!
I love writing and reading. They are both my passion. My genre is generally set to new adult and contemporary, with a few twists thrown in.
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Author-Shand...
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01D8C13WU
Enjoy reading!
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 146 reviews
January 10, 2022
The thing that sold me on this was a tiktoker who, by my very useless memory, said something to the like of, 'he held her neck to feel her scream as he fucked her.' quickly they added he's deaf and a virgin and I thought, yes! This is the smut to start the year.
I was, of course, very wrong.
I was, of course, very wrong.
January 13, 2022
Let me just say that if you came from booktok… don’t. Lmao, it’s not worth it
January 9, 2022
a 3.5 ⭐️s. i loved the beginning bc of the whole captor trope and him being deaf and whatever.
i was extremely confused for the rest of the book with SO MUCH INFO being uncovered super fast. the pacing was weird and i was tempted to dnf but i love Jae and JR sm i wanted to see how their story ends. i read this bc of how the author advertised it on her tiktok (yes the whole tying her to bed thing sold me sjjdj) and it delivered for the first half but not the rest for me. also tiktok is mentioned in the book which i HATE when that happens but i pretended not see it otherwise i’d dnf SO FAST. would not reread
i was extremely confused for the rest of the book with SO MUCH INFO being uncovered super fast. the pacing was weird and i was tempted to dnf but i love Jae and JR sm i wanted to see how their story ends. i read this bc of how the author advertised it on her tiktok (yes the whole tying her to bed thing sold me sjjdj) and it delivered for the first half but not the rest for me. also tiktok is mentioned in the book which i HATE when that happens but i pretended not see it otherwise i’d dnf SO FAST. would not reread
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January 19, 2022dnf @ 16%
January 10, 2022
One thing off the bat, it’s disappointing how the book normalized the use of derogatory or belittling terminology against other female characters. We’re introduced to our MC, Jae, as she encounters her fiancé, Cedric, cheating on her with another woman, Rosha (in which our MC introduces her as a “whore”). I understand that she’s upset, but I can’t stand how the author directed her anger towards the woman-who is also being cheated on-rather than the cheater. Jae continues to make sly remarks referring to Rosha as a “bimbo”, an airhead, and degrades her character throughout the first two chapters. What bothered me the most was that the remarks the author made towards Cedric were basically a tap on his wrist as the remarks she made were worded in a way that was intended to be humorous.
This book also has a strong hold romanizing and/or sexualizing situations the MC is in that normally a hostage wouldn’t. CJ, our main male lead, basically kidnaps our MC, Jae, after helping her recover from a car accident. Despite Jae displaying fear in her current situation, and countless remarks of wanting to go home, the author has a habit of using words and depictions to describe the captor as someone who is: caring; physically attractive; and, ironically enough; safe. Mind you, our captor ties up our MC, denies any will of letting her leave, and even briefly sexually assaults her. The author even goes the extra mile to have Jae describe CJ’s ‘desperate act to keep her alive’ as “kind of hot” (???).
On a lighter note, personally, there’s phrasing and descriptive words that could use a bit of work. As well as working on simplifying sentences with unnecessary information. A few similarities or attempts at humor also felt oddly placed. For example, I’m unsure as to how someone can ‘gallop down the stairs’ ~ Also unsure as to how ‘your half Australian, half Korean heritage can echo through your ears’ as you shout (???). It was such an odd way to describe physical aspects of a character.
I won’t comment negatively on the sudden name drops of characters and information as this seems to be a spin-off, or rather, part of a series I’m assuming with the books that have a similar cover. Would be unfair if I count that against the author, but it’s important that you know as a reader considering a few of us are coming from TikTok and jumping into the series. The book will cause a bit of confusion and is noticeable as you can tell throughout the comments which of us started off on this book.
This book also has a strong hold romanizing and/or sexualizing situations the MC is in that normally a hostage wouldn’t. CJ, our main male lead, basically kidnaps our MC, Jae, after helping her recover from a car accident. Despite Jae displaying fear in her current situation, and countless remarks of wanting to go home, the author has a habit of using words and depictions to describe the captor as someone who is: caring; physically attractive; and, ironically enough; safe. Mind you, our captor ties up our MC, denies any will of letting her leave, and even briefly sexually assaults her. The author even goes the extra mile to have Jae describe CJ’s ‘desperate act to keep her alive’ as “kind of hot” (???).
On a lighter note, personally, there’s phrasing and descriptive words that could use a bit of work. As well as working on simplifying sentences with unnecessary information. A few similarities or attempts at humor also felt oddly placed. For example, I’m unsure as to how someone can ‘gallop down the stairs’ ~ Also unsure as to how ‘your half Australian, half Korean heritage can echo through your ears’ as you shout (???). It was such an odd way to describe physical aspects of a character.
I won’t comment negatively on the sudden name drops of characters and information as this seems to be a spin-off, or rather, part of a series I’m assuming with the books that have a similar cover. Would be unfair if I count that against the author, but it’s important that you know as a reader considering a few of us are coming from TikTok and jumping into the series. The book will cause a bit of confusion and is noticeable as you can tell throughout the comments which of us started off on this book.
Want to read
January 11, 2022** UPDATE **
After consulting with beta readers, it was determined that Twisted Lies could be set as a standalone. After releasing, then seeing reviews in regards to this story, it has come to my attention that it cannot be read as a standalone.
I have since removed posts regarding to it as a standalone and have added it into the enigma series. I apologise for any confusion this may have caused.
Cheers
Shandi xx
Twisted Lies is set to be released on December 24! It is a little different than the stuff I usually read. CJ (who'd rather you call him JR) lives in the wilderness. He's a beast of a man who had no intentions of coming out of hiding until Jae crashes into his woods with more than a suitcase worth of secrets.
I can't wait to share this story with you!
After consulting with beta readers, it was determined that Twisted Lies could be set as a standalone. After releasing, then seeing reviews in regards to this story, it has come to my attention that it cannot be read as a standalone.
I have since removed posts regarding to it as a standalone and have added it into the enigma series. I apologise for any confusion this may have caused.
Cheers
Shandi xx
Twisted Lies is set to be released on December 24! It is a little different than the stuff I usually read. CJ (who'd rather you call him JR) lives in the wilderness. He's a beast of a man who had no intentions of coming out of hiding until Jae crashes into his woods with more than a suitcase worth of secrets.
I can't wait to share this story with you!
April 6, 2022
Not as much romance as I wanted
It just wasn’t what I was looking for. This felt more like a thriller/mystery with romance elements to me than an actual romance. It got a little boring for me honestly. I read this as a stand-alone and that’s possible for sure but there were so many interconnected story lines that it would bring me out of the current story a bit to try to remember the people and what was going on.
It just wasn’t what I was looking for. This felt more like a thriller/mystery with romance elements to me than an actual romance. It got a little boring for me honestly. I read this as a stand-alone and that’s possible for sure but there were so many interconnected story lines that it would bring me out of the current story a bit to try to remember the people and what was going on.
January 18, 2022
One crash and things get really twisty
Twisted Lies is the twenty-first book in the Enigma series which has an overarching story-line and character cross-over. This story is about JR and Jae and it is a wonderful read. It starts off action packed and sucks you in without you even realizing it. Then it keeps you hooked and reading early into the next morning as the story enthralls. Jae is a gifted surgeon who works at the Ravenshoe Private Hospital. She is engaged to Cedric and they are about to take an eight week holiday in Paris. But things go horribly wrong when she leaves a day early to meet Cedric before they leave the next day, only to find him in bed with someone else. So instead of heading to Paris she decides to drive and ends up in a major accident, while avoiding hitting a deer and her fawn. When she ends up pinned in her car and barely conscious it is a big, bear like man who comes to her rescue. He is a hermit who lives on the land and hides from his father and family. He is also deaf which makes things must more interesting between them as he cares for Jae since she was badly injured.
This book is well written with a very engaging story and interesting characters. I quite enjoyed the twists and turns that the story and characters take.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
Twisted Lies is the twenty-first book in the Enigma series which has an overarching story-line and character cross-over. This story is about JR and Jae and it is a wonderful read. It starts off action packed and sucks you in without you even realizing it. Then it keeps you hooked and reading early into the next morning as the story enthralls. Jae is a gifted surgeon who works at the Ravenshoe Private Hospital. She is engaged to Cedric and they are about to take an eight week holiday in Paris. But things go horribly wrong when she leaves a day early to meet Cedric before they leave the next day, only to find him in bed with someone else. So instead of heading to Paris she decides to drive and ends up in a major accident, while avoiding hitting a deer and her fawn. When she ends up pinned in her car and barely conscious it is a big, bear like man who comes to her rescue. He is a hermit who lives on the land and hides from his father and family. He is also deaf which makes things must more interesting between them as he cares for Jae since she was badly injured.
This book is well written with a very engaging story and interesting characters. I quite enjoyed the twists and turns that the story and characters take.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
December 17, 2021
Twisted Lies
This book will take your emotions on a path in so many directions you will feel them all.
The lies
The hurt and heartbreak
The betrayal
The depths of evil
The characters RJ and Jae are so beautifully written. Their journey will at times be heartbreaking to read such pain.
The love surrounding these characters however is written in such a way, that you will travel back through time to see where all the characters are interwoven with their hearts and memories.
I love when book characters crossover through different series and pull you into each.
Highly recommended reading. It has it all.
This book will take your emotions on a path in so many directions you will feel them all.
The lies
The hurt and heartbreak
The betrayal
The depths of evil
The characters RJ and Jae are so beautifully written. Their journey will at times be heartbreaking to read such pain.
The love surrounding these characters however is written in such a way, that you will travel back through time to see where all the characters are interwoven with their hearts and memories.
I love when book characters crossover through different series and pull you into each.
Highly recommended reading. It has it all.
December 14, 2021
I am not sure what I was expecting when I started this book but it surely wasn’t this! This is a fascinating read and will leave you reeling halfway through. Every time I read about Col Petretti it makes me wonder how someone can be so evil and I get angry and sad at the same time. It was so interesting to read another perspective of the fight and accidents following it and it rounded out my understanding. JR and Jai are so sweet and deserve the happy ending they got. A wonderful story full of excitement, love and redemption.
dnf
January 8, 2022DNF @51%
JR was hot and all their intimate scenes were fire. Ultimately I ended up DNFing this book because I was so confused, there were so many things happening that felt thrown together sloppily. I also didn’t like how the author described the gay hotel worker with a lot of cliches and stereotypes. Overall tried to stay for the spice but it was bogged down with too much confusing plot.
JR was hot and all their intimate scenes were fire. Ultimately I ended up DNFing this book because I was so confused, there were so many things happening that felt thrown together sloppily. I also didn’t like how the author described the gay hotel worker with a lot of cliches and stereotypes. Overall tried to stay for the spice but it was bogged down with too much confusing plot.
September 9, 2023
3.5⭐ from me.
January 6, 2022
Okay so I didn’t know this was sort of a spin off series to the Enigma series by this author. The concept of this story hooked me so fast, but I just feel like it was just thrown in my face with so much extra plot. The story obviously had characters with backgrounds that just confused me. I felt like the story wasn’t paced all that well and this book could have easily been better with an extra 100 pages to pace it perfectly. I was honestly confused half of the book. The author recycled phrases throughout the book as well. It’s the little things like that. I want to read more by this author because I feel like there’s a lot of depth in her writing and in her stories, but I just wish the execution was better.
July 26, 2022
I almost forgot the story/plot hahaha. I forgot to make a review about this book. But it's very similar to Archer's Voice feeling. Just like a soft male lead. I really like the mute, can't speak fml or ml trope haha. I just like to know how they handle them with their love. It was very hard to both of them, but thankfully they did trust themselves and to each other. A good read one.
April 27, 2022
This was a mess. And booktok lied. A lot. It was confusing and way to detailed about histories with 9 billion names and connections suddenly thrown at you in the second half. Also the beginning was odd. She's a doctor for fucks sake and she couldn't figure out he was deaf until almost a third of the way through the book? Dude.... No.
January 16, 2022
The last time I'm tricked into reading something because of TikTok, this whole romance was borderline, if not full-fledge Stockholm Syndrom. Also, the way CJ's literal sexual harassment and imprisonment of Jae being re-written as a romantic gesture, and desperate need to keep her safe is... something. It was also really weirdly written, especially when it comes to Jae race... like how does being half Australian and Korean echo through one's ears!?!??!
January 10, 2022
I feel like this had so much potential but just ended up having me confused the whole time and around the halfway mark wanting to DNF so bad.
It starts out good don’t get me wrong, we have a cheating fiancé, our MC driving off a cliff where some brute of a man saves her. Find out he’s deaf and not just ignoring her the whole time and I will say I did stay for their relationship which was adorable but apart from that I honestly cant tell you what else happened.
There was just huge information dumps throughout, loads of characters just randomly being introduced and storylines going everywhere. After about halfway it didn’t feel like the relationship between the two MC was even mentioned because there was so many throwbacks.
It starts out good don’t get me wrong, we have a cheating fiancé, our MC driving off a cliff where some brute of a man saves her. Find out he’s deaf and not just ignoring her the whole time and I will say I did stay for their relationship which was adorable but apart from that I honestly cant tell you what else happened.
There was just huge information dumps throughout, loads of characters just randomly being introduced and storylines going everywhere. After about halfway it didn’t feel like the relationship between the two MC was even mentioned because there was so many throwbacks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2022
DNF
It was awful. Good ideas but the execution was really bad. None of it made sense half the time from what I read.
It was awful. Good ideas but the execution was really bad. None of it made sense half the time from what I read.
May 10, 2022
Absolutely disastrous.
Truly empty characters, messy descriptions of both action and places and the general storytelling was a mess!
You know the "show, don't tell" rule? Well, this author did not. The first half of the book is a confussing chain of actions which make absolutely no sense, while the later half is a long detailed monologue of the dude remembering all his life's events so that everything else makes sense. The author could have explained the motives of all characters in conversations or actions rather than having one guy narrate everything in his head.
Also the guy is deaf and mostly non verbal but at some point it is disclosed that he can sign, so there are dialogues happening in the sign language. Funny story though, the one time he signs a full sentence admiting to a murder or something, the evil ex boyfriend of the female protagonist, who was suddenly in the room with them with a poor explanation behind, tells him he is now going to be arrested because he got that confession recorded in a mic. Let that sink in.
Also the bad guy in the end was not the evil, mafia boss, abusive father of the male protagonist but rather a guy who was just described a few chapters before the ending. And to complete the epic fail the ending is, the girl goes to the forest hoping to find evidence of a suicide which was really a murder from 10 years back and omg she finds a gun in the dirt in the exact place she first kneels dowm on to search. Not only that was completely unrealistic, she also arrives to that place purely by magic and magically knows the exact place the man who died fell on the ground. MAKES NO FUCKING SENSE.
To wrap everything up, the bad guy is finally defeated by a woman making the first appearance in this book in this very last scene, claiming she is a reporter or something with a shitty backstory barely coherent to fuel her motivations, and is able to catch the man because she had previously installed a videocamera in the fucking tree in the middle of the forest. Misteriously knowing that the bad guy and the female protagonist were going to appear in that place just at that time.
UTTER BULLSHIT AND A WASTE OF TIME.
Truly empty characters, messy descriptions of both action and places and the general storytelling was a mess!
You know the "show, don't tell" rule? Well, this author did not. The first half of the book is a confussing chain of actions which make absolutely no sense, while the later half is a long detailed monologue of the dude remembering all his life's events so that everything else makes sense. The author could have explained the motives of all characters in conversations or actions rather than having one guy narrate everything in his head.
Also the guy is deaf and mostly non verbal but at some point it is disclosed that he can sign, so there are dialogues happening in the sign language. Funny story though, the one time he signs a full sentence admiting to a murder or something, the evil ex boyfriend of the female protagonist, who was suddenly in the room with them with a poor explanation behind, tells him he is now going to be arrested because he got that confession recorded in a mic. Let that sink in.
Also the bad guy in the end was not the evil, mafia boss, abusive father of the male protagonist but rather a guy who was just described a few chapters before the ending. And to complete the epic fail the ending is, the girl goes to the forest hoping to find evidence of a suicide which was really a murder from 10 years back and omg she finds a gun in the dirt in the exact place she first kneels dowm on to search. Not only that was completely unrealistic, she also arrives to that place purely by magic and magically knows the exact place the man who died fell on the ground. MAKES NO FUCKING SENSE.
To wrap everything up, the bad guy is finally defeated by a woman making the first appearance in this book in this very last scene, claiming she is a reporter or something with a shitty backstory barely coherent to fuel her motivations, and is able to catch the man because she had previously installed a videocamera in the fucking tree in the middle of the forest. Misteriously knowing that the bad guy and the female protagonist were going to appear in that place just at that time.
UTTER BULLSHIT AND A WASTE OF TIME.
January 20, 2022
4.5 stars
There are not enough words to describe how much I love this author and the characters that she creates. I'm always in awe of how she creates interconnected stories while keeping the timeline and events straight.
I loved Cj/JR. Good lord, this beautiful behemoth of a man. This book gave him the happily ever life he deserved, especially, having grown up with the father he had. Jace was another strong character. I loved getting to see her in a starring role. I loved the moments where the past timelines connected this book and it's events.
This author is wicked good. Seeing Isaac again makes me want to do a re-read of this amazing series.
There are not enough words to describe how much I love this author and the characters that she creates. I'm always in awe of how she creates interconnected stories while keeping the timeline and events straight.
I loved Cj/JR. Good lord, this beautiful behemoth of a man. This book gave him the happily ever life he deserved, especially, having grown up with the father he had. Jace was another strong character. I loved getting to see her in a starring role. I loved the moments where the past timelines connected this book and it's events.
This author is wicked good. Seeing Isaac again makes me want to do a re-read of this amazing series.
October 14, 2024
I want to start by saying that I have worked my way through the bulk of Shandi's books on a complete reading binge and I'm so happy to have done so. The world that she created, starting with Enigma, was absolutely mind-blowing. How she captured my attention with details of the story was on par with brilliant. As the series progressed, each of the characters were developed such that they were given their back story, but then they were thrown into the same story line as Isaac and Isabelle (from the very beginning) and the story unfolded from the very different perspectives. Of course, there were additional details added to the story with each additional character/perspective. It was an absolutely fantastic romp through an amazing world. I enjoyed the character development and how each story just added more to the overall story/world.
Having just finished with CJ in the Italian Cartel, I found myself falling in love with his character the hardest (aside from Hawke) as he just kept getting sucked into the mafia life by his asshole father. My heart really tugged for CJ. I'm glad that I read the entire world in the order I did rather than through the timeline as Shandi suggests on her website. Having a little bit of knowledge of each character gave me the ability to really engage emotionally. Granted, at first I felt like there were gaps in the story line along the way, but as each character got their own story, those gaps were SO TOTALLY filled in.
Here is my reading order and it worked for my brain:
Enigma (the complete series)
Enigma: An Isaac Retelling
The Beneath Duet
Spy thy neighbor
The opposite effect
I married a mob boss
Second shot
The way we were
The way we are
Sugar and Spice and all things nice
Lady in waiting
Man in queue
Couple on hold
Enigma: the wedding
Silent vigilante
Hushed guardian
Quiet protector
The Nikolai collection
Asher
Trey
The Italian Cartel series (wrap up with CJ)
Just read The Misfits today and HOLY HELL what a mind fuck!
Starting the Bobrov Bratva series tonight
#WorthIt #CrazyRide
Having just finished with CJ in the Italian Cartel, I found myself falling in love with his character the hardest (aside from Hawke) as he just kept getting sucked into the mafia life by his asshole father. My heart really tugged for CJ. I'm glad that I read the entire world in the order I did rather than through the timeline as Shandi suggests on her website. Having a little bit of knowledge of each character gave me the ability to really engage emotionally. Granted, at first I felt like there were gaps in the story line along the way, but as each character got their own story, those gaps were SO TOTALLY filled in.
Here is my reading order and it worked for my brain:
Enigma (the complete series)
Enigma: An Isaac Retelling
The Beneath Duet
Spy thy neighbor
The opposite effect
I married a mob boss
Second shot
The way we were
The way we are
Sugar and Spice and all things nice
Lady in waiting
Man in queue
Couple on hold
Enigma: the wedding
Silent vigilante
Hushed guardian
Quiet protector
The Nikolai collection
Asher
Trey
The Italian Cartel series (wrap up with CJ)
Just read The Misfits today and HOLY HELL what a mind fuck!
Starting the Bobrov Bratva series tonight
#WorthIt #CrazyRide
January 23, 2022
DNF at around 80%
I dropped this book like four days ago and couldn’t really pick it up again. It’s not that it’s a bad book I just got bored af and honestly that’s what I get for choosing this book for the smut knowing damn well I don’t read this type of genre. If anything I genuinely found this book from tiktok so I need to stay in my place. That being said im still giving it two stars. This is very clearly a porn plot book and I’m very much okay with that and the fucking author ate with the sexual tension and it’s evident that this spurred from a fantasy from the author. I also fw that. However, There’s too much descriptive words during a smut scene. I’m trying to be engrossed in some hardcore absolutely fucking filthy smut not break it down like a Shakespeare poem.
Another thing is, there’s a plot twist around halfway through the book and I have a feeling that it was supposed to be a big plot twist however the development up to this twist is not great enough to give it momentum. Since this is very clearly a porn plot book and it’s only 400 pages and we’re literally only halfway through the book there wasn’t enough pages written to build up said plot in the first place much less put in hidden language so we can piece everything together for a great twist.
The author decided to drop in hella flash back scenes too and they’re long af. Like just back to back to back. Not only was that annoying af but at the halfway mark where this shit was happening with the foul plot twist we were just getting spoon fed information. That’s what that whole part of the book was. Just catching us up on what we missed reading smut.
I dropped this book like four days ago and couldn’t really pick it up again. It’s not that it’s a bad book I just got bored af and honestly that’s what I get for choosing this book for the smut knowing damn well I don’t read this type of genre. If anything I genuinely found this book from tiktok so I need to stay in my place. That being said im still giving it two stars. This is very clearly a porn plot book and I’m very much okay with that and the fucking author ate with the sexual tension and it’s evident that this spurred from a fantasy from the author. I also fw that. However, There’s too much descriptive words during a smut scene. I’m trying to be engrossed in some hardcore absolutely fucking filthy smut not break it down like a Shakespeare poem.
Another thing is, there’s a plot twist around halfway through the book and I have a feeling that it was supposed to be a big plot twist however the development up to this twist is not great enough to give it momentum. Since this is very clearly a porn plot book and it’s only 400 pages and we’re literally only halfway through the book there wasn’t enough pages written to build up said plot in the first place much less put in hidden language so we can piece everything together for a great twist.
The author decided to drop in hella flash back scenes too and they’re long af. Like just back to back to back. Not only was that annoying af but at the halfway mark where this shit was happening with the foul plot twist we were just getting spoon fed information. That’s what that whole part of the book was. Just catching us up on what we missed reading smut.
December 20, 2021
Twisted Lies
Wow this was so unexpected in the series of books I’ve read from Shandi.
It takes us down avenues of Dr Jae who has been a consistent person popping in throughout these novels.
Then when we are introduced to JR I was completely gobsmacked to discover his true identity.
This Mountain of a Man who’s Big all over has lived for years off the grid and is exactly how you would picture anyone who has done this, But and that’s a huge But.... without any modern conveniences we all take for granted. This man lives solely off the land. You can just imagine Jae’s reaction!!!
When Jae ‘finally’ realises this man is trying to help her, she understands. Jae has always been great at putting puzzles pieces together through her doctoring and helping people. Little does she realise that this is her chance at happiness. I sigh just thinking about what these two went through. I want to say so much more but don’t want to spoil it for you the readers. Just know that this story is heart warming and in places scorching 😉 and I’m so happy to say is incredibly well written you can visualise the beautiful nature in this story.
Once again Shandi you’ve given us another superb story that once started you can’t put down.
Another 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Rating and A Definite Must Read!!!
Wow this was so unexpected in the series of books I’ve read from Shandi.
It takes us down avenues of Dr Jae who has been a consistent person popping in throughout these novels.
Then when we are introduced to JR I was completely gobsmacked to discover his true identity.
This Mountain of a Man who’s Big all over has lived for years off the grid and is exactly how you would picture anyone who has done this, But and that’s a huge But.... without any modern conveniences we all take for granted. This man lives solely off the land. You can just imagine Jae’s reaction!!!
When Jae ‘finally’ realises this man is trying to help her, she understands. Jae has always been great at putting puzzles pieces together through her doctoring and helping people. Little does she realise that this is her chance at happiness. I sigh just thinking about what these two went through. I want to say so much more but don’t want to spoil it for you the readers. Just know that this story is heart warming and in places scorching 😉 and I’m so happy to say is incredibly well written you can visualise the beautiful nature in this story.
Once again Shandi you’ve given us another superb story that once started you can’t put down.
Another 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Rating and A Definite Must Read!!!
February 27, 2022
I will say upfront that some of the writing could be slightly hard to follow once we get to the mystery/crime aspect of the story. Alot of names get dropped very quickly, so you have to pay close attention. However I was so in love with RJ's character by then I didnt even care. I was able to keep up with what was happening and thats all that mattered.
I absolutely loved RJ's character. He was the biggest cinnamon roll. I have seen some reviews not liking his character because of the captor aspect, but I personally didn't feel like it was ever a captor situation. It seemed more like he was trying to keep her from hurting herself more after being severely injured in a car accident, not to mention the major communication barrier due to his inability to hear that Jae doesn't discover until later.
I could completely understand Jae's fears in the beginning, but for a character with no pain tolerance she was on that busted ankle ALOT! She gave RJ hell in the beginning and I was lived seeing them finally come together.
I think the only thing that could have made this better is if we got more of RJ's perspective. I would have loved to see into his POV, and think it could have added another layer of depth to both his character and the story as a whole.
I absolutely loved RJ's character. He was the biggest cinnamon roll. I have seen some reviews not liking his character because of the captor aspect, but I personally didn't feel like it was ever a captor situation. It seemed more like he was trying to keep her from hurting herself more after being severely injured in a car accident, not to mention the major communication barrier due to his inability to hear that Jae doesn't discover until later.
I could completely understand Jae's fears in the beginning, but for a character with no pain tolerance she was on that busted ankle ALOT! She gave RJ hell in the beginning and I was lived seeing them finally come together.
I think the only thing that could have made this better is if we got more of RJ's perspective. I would have loved to see into his POV, and think it could have added another layer of depth to both his character and the story as a whole.
December 18, 2021
Un-put-downable!
For those familiar with Ravenshoe and the Petretti's this book's title says it True.
This story is so not what I expected yet exceeded everything I thought it would be.
We didn't know CJ (who prefer to be called JR) well, apart from being Col Petretti’s son and having to fight Isaac that fateful night. We have all met and admired Doctor Jae in her cameo appearances throughout the series.
Jae leaves her fiancé’s place after catching him doing the deed with another woman. His total disregard for her feelings makes us all happy she caught him out and broke it off. After leaving him she gets into an accident and is saved by a mountain man, as hairy and big as Big-Foot.
However, I was not prepared for the turn of events the story then takes. The unknown history between JR and Jae and the journey they must travel to put the past right.
Once again, we are given insight into the depth of depravity and evil that is Col Petretti.
It unravels some of the mysteries surrounding CJ's and Isaac's fight and what happened after. but this story is so much more.
I could not put it down, and I am so glad this courageous couple got their happily ever after.
For those familiar with Ravenshoe and the Petretti's this book's title says it True.
This story is so not what I expected yet exceeded everything I thought it would be.
We didn't know CJ (who prefer to be called JR) well, apart from being Col Petretti’s son and having to fight Isaac that fateful night. We have all met and admired Doctor Jae in her cameo appearances throughout the series.
Jae leaves her fiancé’s place after catching him doing the deed with another woman. His total disregard for her feelings makes us all happy she caught him out and broke it off. After leaving him she gets into an accident and is saved by a mountain man, as hairy and big as Big-Foot.
However, I was not prepared for the turn of events the story then takes. The unknown history between JR and Jae and the journey they must travel to put the past right.
Once again, we are given insight into the depth of depravity and evil that is Col Petretti.
It unravels some of the mysteries surrounding CJ's and Isaac's fight and what happened after. but this story is so much more.
I could not put it down, and I am so glad this courageous couple got their happily ever after.
January 29, 2022
This book was recommended to me by booktok and I foolishly thought that it would be good. It wasn’t….. It really really wasn’t. So lets dive into why I DNF’d at 16% shall we.
From the beginning it was very obvious that this book was on a train ride to the depths of hell. From this paragraph alone I knew i was going to hate the book but decided to be a big girl and skip past it.
“My green, almond-shaped eyes paired with my father’s tanned skin gives me a distinct look not many mixed-race women have, and when added to the fact I’m a stickler for believing ”
Excerpt From
Twisted Lies (CJ & Jae Book 1)
Shandi Boyes
This material may be protected by copyright.
“you are what you eat, I have unblemished skin that hides the fact I’m rarely seen without a book in my hand.”
Excerpt From
Twisted Lies (CJ & Jae Book 1)
Shandi Boyes
This material may be protected by copyright.
WTF that’s really all that I thought when i read it. It baffled me that someone could put this in a book and be satisfied to publish it to the mass public . The book is just bad save yourself from the trauma of having to finish it
From the beginning it was very obvious that this book was on a train ride to the depths of hell. From this paragraph alone I knew i was going to hate the book but decided to be a big girl and skip past it.
“My green, almond-shaped eyes paired with my father’s tanned skin gives me a distinct look not many mixed-race women have, and when added to the fact I’m a stickler for believing ”
Excerpt From
Twisted Lies (CJ & Jae Book 1)
Shandi Boyes
This material may be protected by copyright.
“you are what you eat, I have unblemished skin that hides the fact I’m rarely seen without a book in my hand.”
Excerpt From
Twisted Lies (CJ & Jae Book 1)
Shandi Boyes
This material may be protected by copyright.
WTF that’s really all that I thought when i read it. It baffled me that someone could put this in a book and be satisfied to publish it to the mass public . The book is just bad save yourself from the trauma of having to finish it
January 14, 2022
I was under the impression this was a standalone book. It is definitely not. I love love LOVED the beginning but along the way everything became too confusing. Pacing was a lil weird. Bit by bit everything is revealed about how they know one another. I thought they may have been ex lovers in the past and when she lost her memories she may have forgot him. Turns out that’s not the case and I can’t help but feel that would have been a better plot point.
I loved the male lead though and the female lead is pretty perfect too. Just the way the story progresses and how fast everything is revealed about JR’s past wasn’t for me.
ALSO,
there’s one awkward scene in which her ex fiance comes back to ‘expose’ JR but JR is stood there butt naked WITH HIS BALLS HANGING and he continues to stand in the nude for a long ass time with no shame 😳😳. I was cringing of second hand embarrassment.
Sex scenes - I believe there is only smut scene (I may be wrong). I picked this book up after coming across the authors tiktoks about JR choking Jae during sex because he was mute and wanted to feel her screams. I don’t remember this happening at all?? Maybe I skimmed over it.
Overall, loved the characters and not the story. Often in series, when other couples are introduced it feels like only the first couple are given a well rounded story and the rest of them are given a poor book plot. I thought this book would be different :/
I loved the male lead though and the female lead is pretty perfect too. Just the way the story progresses and how fast everything is revealed about JR’s past wasn’t for me.
ALSO,
there’s one awkward scene in which her ex fiance comes back to ‘expose’ JR but JR is stood there butt naked WITH HIS BALLS HANGING and he continues to stand in the nude for a long ass time with no shame 😳😳. I was cringing of second hand embarrassment.
Sex scenes - I believe there is only smut scene (I may be wrong). I picked this book up after coming across the authors tiktoks about JR choking Jae during sex because he was mute and wanted to feel her screams. I don’t remember this happening at all?? Maybe I skimmed over it.
Overall, loved the characters and not the story. Often in series, when other couples are introduced it feels like only the first couple are given a well rounded story and the rest of them are given a poor book plot. I thought this book would be different :/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2022
Twisted lies by Shandi Boyes.
Enigma Book 21.
When you’re born into a lie, trust will never be your strong point. I should have never existed. My father didn’t want me, my mother was killed trying to get us away from him, and although my siblings knew of our father’s sick and twisted games, they followed his footsteps instead of creating their own. My imprint on the land was basically non-existent, but since it was far from the controversy of my family’s ‘business’, I was living my best life. That was until the embers of my past sailed back in so furiously they burned. She was the woman I had failed to protect, the one I was living the life of a hermit for, but since her very existence was now dangerously entangled with mine, she was also the one I had to let in even with it doubling the chance she wouldn’t make it out the same. Jae Ward was once my savior, but now I must be her captor because when lies are twisted, the only person you can trust is yourself.
A good read with some good characters. Likeable story. 3*.
Enigma Book 21.
When you’re born into a lie, trust will never be your strong point. I should have never existed. My father didn’t want me, my mother was killed trying to get us away from him, and although my siblings knew of our father’s sick and twisted games, they followed his footsteps instead of creating their own. My imprint on the land was basically non-existent, but since it was far from the controversy of my family’s ‘business’, I was living my best life. That was until the embers of my past sailed back in so furiously they burned. She was the woman I had failed to protect, the one I was living the life of a hermit for, but since her very existence was now dangerously entangled with mine, she was also the one I had to let in even with it doubling the chance she wouldn’t make it out the same. Jae Ward was once my savior, but now I must be her captor because when lies are twisted, the only person you can trust is yourself.
A good read with some good characters. Likeable story. 3*.
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