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Delectable Lies

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Never feed your fears, Saoirse, because if you do, they will eat you alive.

Those were the last words my mother uttered before the masked men arrived.

She begged me to run, to save myself from the past she kept hidden.

But here's the thing, the past doesn't stay buried forever, and somebody has to pay the price for the choices she made.

All the King's horses and all the King's men... He's coming for me, and he's out for revenge.

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2022

148 people are currently reading
958 people want to read

About the author

Shauna Mairéad

12 books303 followers
Dark. Devious. Damaged.

Shauna Mairèad writes dark, emotionally charged romance—where magnetic villains meet their match in fierce heroines, and darkness mingles irresistibly with humor. Born and bred in Dublin, Ireland, Shauna blends her distinctively Irish wit and irreverent style into stories filled with passion, intrigue, and a healthy dose of romantic chaos.

A self-confessed character tormentor and master of emotional whiplash, Shauna thrives on crafting messy, complex dynamics that feel as real as they are unhinged. She's drawn to morally grey love interests, vulnerable strength, and the kind of tension that smolders slow before it snaps. Her readers know to expect layered storytelling, raw vulnerability, and a touch of madness stitched into every page.

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5 stars
306 (64%)
4 stars
122 (25%)
3 stars
35 (7%)
2 stars
13 (2%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
Profile Image for Carla .
1,672 reviews540 followers
June 1, 2022
I liked this twisted book!
Only problem I think is that the characters are more mature in their actions then their ages.
It’s worth the reading.
Profile Image for ari.
409 reviews106 followers
July 15, 2022
“Sometimes the devil you think you know is far worse than the devil you don’t.”

Holy wow….Now THIS is what you call a rollercoaster of a book!

Yeah 100/5 stars. That’s all I need to say. I loved the suspense throughout the book and this may not apply to others but I love when there’s secrets throughout a book that do not get revealed until the end or in future books and that is what this story had which made me love it all the more.

The characters were amazing, the events and themes were amazing and the steam was BEYOND amazing. The cliffhanger at the end though?! What was that! I have a feeling I know what happened and what will happen. I’m so excited to read the next book.
Profile Image for Nikki J Summers.
Author 19 books1,544 followers
November 25, 2022
My dark heart absolutely devoured this book. It’s so so good. Liam is a sweetheart, but I’m team Rohan. He’s my King. 😉 I cannot wait for the next instalment of this amazing series. I’ll be dropping everything when it hits my kindle.
I have my theories on that ending and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
A fabulous read. All the stars!
Profile Image for Brittany (happy.ending.always).
1,253 reviews48 followers
May 13, 2022
Jaw Dropping Incredible!!! Steamy, Twisty, Funny & Wicked Amazing!!!

Stop!!! Nooooooo! Noooo why! That ending. My heart! Wow! This story is amazing and it is only getting started. So many secrets. So many twists and turns! My heart is legit in my stomach. Their is so much steam within this story, I loved every second of it. The chemistry flew off the pages. From Liam to Rohan back to Rohan, I wasn’t sure where this story would go. Would they fight for her, holy incredible!

Saoirse is in deep, being torn from the life she knows to a place familiar and yet so strange. Meeting these new people who know all about her and yet she is left in the dark is driving her crazy. And yet, she is fitting in so perfectly. Enter jaw dropping hot Rohan! 🥵 I mean seriously. This guy can do no wrong in my book. He is hot, steamy, serious, funny and a protector. I love everything about this hothole. His fierce protectiveness toward Saoirse is amazing to read.

Shauna Mairéad was made to write dark and twisty. She does it so well and with so much passion and fire! I loved everything about this book, even that crazy cliffhanger, because that means book two is going to be soooo good! I’m ready! More Rohan please!!! Bring it on! This is a must devour read! You will not want to put it down!
Profile Image for Andrea.
121 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2023
*Warning* This novel is so hot it caused personal injury!! My poor husband blew out his knee and I have rug burns on my face and knees. It was glorious!! I highly recommend sharing the plot with your significant other.
The plot: Rohan and Liam. They left me panting for more with each scene. I can only imagine how Saorise feels being the object of their obsession!
Saorise Ryan is the heir to a Mafia syndicate and is discovering just how many lies have been told to cover up her true identity. In her search for answers she is caught between two kings fighting for their place by her side. Or are they?
Please read trigger warnings before reading. There is a cliffhanger…. I don’t believe it!!! I refuse!!
Profile Image for BLuvsBooks.
686 reviews128 followers
June 2, 2022
“You are love. I am hate.
But who will win these wicked games we play?”

Set in Ireland with Family secrets, suspense, love triangle, “you’re mine” and spice in this new to me author read. Although the families are in the syndicate (mafia) nothing intense violent other then Fist fighting/MMA. I enjoyed the banter and premise.
A good debut for this new author.
That cliffy has me looking forward to the next.

New Adult. Dual POV.
Triggers- fist fighting, SA.
Profile Image for Samantha Lynn.
780 reviews46 followers
June 23, 2022
So Ready For Book 2

I am so ready for Book 2. Shauna caught me interest for this book with her TikTok’s and this book did not disappoint. The start to this book was a little slow, but once the plot picked up, I couldn’t stop.

I needed to know everything. My friends poke at me for rooting for Liam for awhile there. But I did enjoy Liam as a character at the beginning. But holy Hannah, Rohan just complete steals the book and my heart.

Reading Saiorse and her struggles was powerful and really makes you feel for her. And Rohan is everything I needed and wanted in a book boyfriend. He really shows that he really do anything for his Queen. And omg the nicknames!! And the things he would say to her had me blushing at times.

One of my favorite things is the way Shauna included a pronunciation guide at the beginning for the character’s names and she included translations for any Irish words/sentences. Sometimes authors will leave that out which can take away from the story especially if you can’t tell what’s being said in a foreign language.

I have no idea how Shauna is going to wrap this up in two books, but I am here for it. I’m hoping for a lengthy novel since there’s so many questions left unanswered. But I also secretly hope for a third book. Especially a book about Adohán.

AHHH omg. I just … please write more novels. I will read and buy them all.
Profile Image for Neshaisabookworm’s Book Review.
851 reviews62 followers
May 19, 2022
Holy fucking shit y’all!

Okay first off I FUCKING LOVE THE GAELIC/IRISH IN THIS BOOK!!! I’ve been obsessed with Gaelic for so long, I even tried to learn it but alas my American ass can’t say those beautiful words. 😆

I COULD NOT GET ENOUGH OF THE CHARACTERS!
All of them stuck with me. I carry them all in my heart now and probably will forever. That’s the power of an amazing writer!

This book is sexy af! Get ready for crazy chemistry!

This book will make you laugh, cry, scream, rage, and feel allllllll the feels!

I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!!!
Profile Image for Joanna Banana.
272 reviews
May 11, 2022
I received an ARC of this book for my honest review. So here it is, my review. Not my summary or synopsis but my bloody true thoughts of this book. And all I can say is….

I found that I had a problem with the author….does she not realize that I have twin toddlers and cannot stay up all night reading…much to my own protest??? As much as I tried not to, knowing that I would need extra caffeine the following day, I couldn’t put this down. I devoured it.

Shit….this a good book.

Right from the get go your adrenaline gets fired and there’s no stopping it. All the way up to the last page. The characters are well described and you find yourself thrown into a world you don’t want to escape from. And you get just enough to keep you lapping page after page.

But, I wouldn’t be being honest if I didn’t explain why it wasn’t a 5 star since I loved it so much. The only thing I had trouble with is that the FMC is 17 and we read very detailed sex scenes. I know that she’s close to 18. Three weeks shy or something like that. But the underage sex was my only cringe. The MMC just turned 18 so it’s not a creepy dude or anything.

I will fully recommend this book. It was a great adventure. Please don’t make us wait too long for the next in the series.

I NEED MORE!!!
Profile Image for Katelin S.
474 reviews19 followers
July 9, 2022
Oh my god!

First of all, swooning over the Irish. Second, wow! I couldn’t put this down from start to finish. At no point did I ever know where the story was going and usually I’m pretty good at guessing what the plot twists will be! I hated Rohan at first, thought he was an a$$, but of course grew to love him. But that ending! THAT ENDING! Why?! I really love Liam too, he’s so sweet with her. I’m torn! So much secrecy, lies, and such an amazing plot with twists. Really, really enjoyed this book! Dying for the next one!

Side note: the translations throughout the book for the words/phrases said not in English was so helpful and lovely. Who said reading smut isn’t educational?! 😏
Profile Image for Jennifer.
932 reviews25 followers
May 31, 2022
If you are looking for steamy out of the box crazy Shauna Mairead is your fix and she takes it to the very edge with sharp turns and amazing twist in Delectable Lies, the first book in her Kings of Killybegs series!

From the start this book took off for a wild ride. The unexpected soon became the expected as one revelation led to another and nothing was as it seemed. The pages were full of well-executed action that kept this work, for a good portion of it, cranked on high. This author played ambiguity like chess pieces insuring that readers would be guessing to the end and left with a lot of questions for Ms. Maired's next installment of her Kings of Killybegs.

This story centered on Saoirse, who had always led a life of uncertainty, moving regularly for almost the entirety of her life. It was the failure of her mother to be one step ahead of their past that threw Saoirse into a whole new world where she had to understand the dark agendas of the other players to survive. The Killybeg syndicate was a huge learning curve for Saoirse. With lots of misleading attractions and interactions it was all Saoirse or readers could do to keep up with the intrigue busting out of this work. Rohan and Liam, good guys, bad guys, either character could easily fit into those roles and their pursuit of Saoirse was as relentless as it was hot and heavy.

Shauna Mairead brings to her work plotting that is as sharp as it is irresistible. The saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer is a full on maybe in this story because from the start no one's status was assured thanks to the adept writing of this author. With a good sense of her characters this writer shared portrayals that were as interesting as they were memorable. Delectable Lies was the perfect rabbit hole to get caught up in, great read!

*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. *
*This work ends on a cliffhanger.*

Profile Image for B. C. Booklover.
784 reviews55 followers
May 27, 2022
A dramatic introduction into Shauna Mairead's dark new world. I can safely say, I need more of it!

With vivid descriptions of her dangerous criminal underworld, Shauna Mairead sets the stage and leads her readers into the darkness and privilege of the Irish mob with this first book in this new series she has created. With suspense that almost killed me, it's twists turns and wth's...I was flipping pages as quickly as I could, trying to dig for the clues that might show me exactly what sweet, clueless Saoirse had inadvertently gotten wrapped up in.

Delectable Lies is an enemies to lovers dark romance with alpha anti heros whose strong personalities jump from the pages and right into your head. I wondered- who were the good guys and who were the ones to avoid here. The lines were blurred and it was hard to figure out who to trust.  A battle was brewing for the young woman who been hidden safely away, until now when running became her only option. Saoirse ended up far from the nomadic lifestyle her mother subjected her to for her entire existence and for her own good. Why though? The protection and secrets lead to every question you can imagine needing an answer to in this thrilling rollercoaster ride of a story. This is only the beginning of what's to come in Shauna Mairead's addictive new series, The Kings of Kellybegs.

Left with a cliffie but dying for more...multiple POV's will have you pulling at your hair and wanting to throw your kindle across the room...but isn't that the best kind of story? I say yes, MORE please and the sooner the better. In the town of Killybegs there can only be one King and one Queen but who will hold the title when the dust settles.

I was given an early version of this book to read and review. This is my honest opinion of Detectable Lies.
Profile Image for Jenni Catherine.
Author 2 books25 followers
May 31, 2022
OMFG this book, this book has changed me. I got lost in the story and part of me wishes Killybegs was real so I could go there and grab Rohan for myself (sorry Saoirse). The two male love interests are amazing, both strong alpha types but Rohan is the alphahole to end all alphaholes. I want him I need him. Saoirse is strong despite all the things thrown at her in the course of the book as well as what we learn about her life before. This ends on a cliffhanger (Shauna I love you but hate you!) But that cliffhanger is so good and I know it's worth it.

The plot is amazing, the writing style is fucking out of this world and the smut by Jesus it's earth shattering. One handed read y'know.

This is a dark romance so check triggers.
Tw/CW:
Violence
S.A
Profile Image for book_fairy13.
514 reviews12 followers
May 14, 2022
***RECEIVED FREE ARC FOR HONEST REVIEW***

A roller coaster of emotions.

Saoirse has just been through a traumatic experience, which lands her in Kingsville.
Having just lost her mother, she is forced to face her Mum's mysterious past.

In search of understanding her Mum's past and her new life, she is caught between 2 guys.
Liam "the protector" and Rohan "the destroyer".

I liked the plot, there is mystery, suspense, and the twist and turns that shocked me. That being said Rohan won me over. He is the perfect anti-villain, I love to hate and need him.
Profile Image for j a y • d e p r a v e d - .dammnitjay..
721 reviews29 followers
December 31, 2022
HOLY HELL. What a ride !! The twists and turns this book brings you and the use of Gaelic in it is amazing. This is a secret society mixed with straight mafia crime family style. It gives all the dark romance feels with that hint of danger. It shows such a wide range of dynamic layers and introduces such a vast amount of characters. Great book - the cliffhanger got me - can’t wait for book two !
Profile Image for Chani Bonner.
76 reviews1 follower
May 31, 2022
4 Stars ⭐️

I received the ARC for this book and I loved it. This book has it all Secret lies sexy Bad boys and yea Plot twists. Saoirse Life got flipped on it’s A** one night with her mom past coming to find them Saoirse was left with a box and a lot of questions but one last note from her mom Trust can only be earned not freely given freely. When saoirse gets to Killybegs is when things get interesting and when I say interesting I mean enters Liam and Rohan what are yu doing still reading my review 🗣Go read!!!
Profile Image for Ode to my book boyfriends.
531 reviews
May 17, 2022
Well, hot DAMN! Shauna, a new to me author, blew me away with this book and I NEED the rest of the series, I'm absolutely addicted!

Saoirse has lived in 23 houses in over 12 counties and attended 11 schools in her seventeen years. She knows her mom is on the run, but doesn't know why, she still doesn't have all the answers. I really have no idea where the rest of this journey will take us, but I am totally here for the ride!!

Rohan was raised in the Killybegs syndicate and oozes danger and power, Saoirse is not immune. Curiosity killed that cat, and Rohan King may be the death of me.

THAT CLIFFHANGER -- GAH! I need more of the mystery, chemistry, suspense, spice, all of it!

Favorite Spoiler Free Quotes:
“Saoirse means freedom. My intention was never to lock you up. It was to give you a life where you could fly. Soon, sweetheart; soon, you will soar.”

“Time to open your eyes, love. A hero disguised as a villain is still a hero.”

“The feisty fighter hiding beneath the sadness in your eyes.” He winks. “Question is, are you ready to let her come out to play? After all, you are a queen, and queens protect their kingdom.”

This man before me is deadly, a lethal force that’s impenetrable. Fear crawls through my veins, but it’s mixed with a deranged sense of lust. What the fuck is wrong with me? How can this sociopathic lunatic pull such contradictory responses from me?

Saoirse Ryan is no fucking angel. Wrapped in temptation and dripping with sin, a woman like her was crafted behind the gates of hell.

My attraction may seem crazy, but the danger — the deceit, the desire, all of it — is alluring. But isn’t that how angels fall? The devil was the most strikingly beautiful man. A temptation we should never indulge in, a sin we must not commit. But even so, the stories say he was once God’s favourite creation. Rohan King is my very own devil, a beautiful enigma wrapped in thunderclouds and coated in the most tempting of sins.

We exchange no words, solely feeding off the magnitude of the moment. Some looks can kill, but in her eyes, she holds a far greater power, the power to bring this king to his knees.

“The swords piercing through a crown represent loyalty, respect, and strength. Then the crown is who we do it all for. Remove the crown, and the swords will fall.”
2 reviews
July 11, 2022
HARD to put down

The cliffhanger got me all sorts of frustrated. Hope I don’t forget about this book when the sequel comes out.
Profile Image for Libby.
313 reviews16 followers
June 1, 2022
I went into this with some trepidation, as I am not a huge fan of bully romance. In fact, I said I wouldn't be able to, but I told myself that I needed to break out of my comfort zone and this debut is the one I decided to take on. Oh, I am in so much trouble.

Saoirse Ryan is shocked to learn about this life she had no clue existed. For all her life, it's just been her and her mom surviving as best they could. Discovering that she is not who she was led to believe, by way of a tragedy that robs her of everything but what she was able to grab. A box of secrets holds the key to her past and it resides in Killybegs.

Now, thrust into a world she never knew about, she needs to work fast to figure out who she is and who she can trust. The Devereux's, Liam and his twin Beibhinn, who her mother said will keep her safe? Liam acts as her protector, like he really cares for her.

Or Rohan King, the young man who gives her emotional whiplash? The one who keeps hinting that "things are not what they seem"... that he's not the villain of her story." He even claims that she is his long lost 'queen'.

Oh ya, I was blown way out of my comfort zone. The secrets that are revealed left my head reeling! The heat/spice had me stopping to catch my breath... and this was only part 1! I hope my heart can hold on for part 2.
Profile Image for Erika.
61 reviews3 followers
May 10, 2022
EMOTIONAL WHIPLASH. Literally. My sanity is hanging on by a thread. Shaunas’ writing is seriously diabolical. I am freaking out. The story is captivating. It’s easy to love Liam and his “traditional” like golden retriever boyfriend vibes, especially when delicious dominance peaks through. ““I really want to fuck you, free bird. But not while his cum is still dripping from your pussy.” Absolutely one of my favorite lines in the book! But Rohan… ugh Rohan with his tension, & his eyes, & the brooding, “love”… it’s easy to see why Saoirse struggles with who she’s more drawn to. At one point, I found myself wishing that Liam and Rohan would share Saoirse; that this would turn into some magnificent thropple where the girls gets the best of it all. What a fool I was. Shauna gave me just enough and had me hanging onto every word, so she could slam me into a wall… a beautiful, arrogant, chiseled wall with captivating green eyes…

The ending has me reeling. I was blindsided for sure. Still in shock.

I absolutely can not wait for Destructive Truths to release!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kelsey Hughes.
346 reviews27 followers
June 30, 2022
4.5 stars ⭐️

I absolutely loved this book! So many twists and turns, it was fantastic. A little slow to start, and I was properly confused, but it all came together. I do wish that the characters were a little older, because I felt that they were very mature but they were only 17/18. I cannot wait for book 2, major cliffhanger at the end and it was something I wasn’t expecting at all! Can’t wait to find out what happens next.
Profile Image for Traci Sek.
Author 11 books47 followers
March 10, 2023
I can not say enough about this book!! I was lucky enough to read this as a beta reader and I about died!

In a good way 😉

This book made me cry, gave me chills, and made me cross my legs. This story is spicy 🌶 sexy and a giant puzzle that will leave you guessing to the bitter end. This will be THE book of 2022 for dark romance series.

Rohan is death by sex and poor and let’s not forget about Liam. Saoirse has no idea what she’s in for! The suspense and twists, deceit and edginess will have you reading this into the early hours of the morning!

Five stars I highly recommend this book!

Warning triggers!
Profile Image for Ashley Alexander.
Author 6 books60 followers
December 29, 2022
I’m the reader who has to be in the mood for dark romance but boy I could’ve picked up this book at any moment and be sucked in. There’s intrigue, mystery, tension, sexy moments, the word choices, the way she writes paints vivid pictures in my mind! I love the characters and cannot wait to read more!!
Profile Image for Cali Mafiaa.
403 reviews23 followers
June 1, 2022
Oh my gosh this was such a great book!! Aahhh this amazing book will definitely having you feel all the feels & you won’t be able to put it down!! I know I couldn’t lol!! The characters are freak’n amazing & you can’t help but to fall in love with them!! I just couldn’t get enough & I can’t wait until the next book comes out!! 💕


“This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review."
7 reviews
January 15, 2023
Was not sure what to expect, but this book grabbed me from the first page and would not let me go until I finished. So,so good.
Set in Ireland 🇮🇪, so some of the language may be difficult for people of other nationalities to grasp.
Can't wait to read the next book in the series
Profile Image for Stacey.
897 reviews
June 22, 2022
I loved everything about this EXCEPT the cliffhanger and the next book not being released for 9 months 😭 please write faster I need closure.
Profile Image for Jiji.
165 reviews
June 3, 2022
great debut!!! Can't wait for book 2
Profile Image for Kolleen.
375 reviews18 followers
January 3, 2023
FMC: Saoirse (Sir-sha)
MMC: Rohan (Row-en)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶.5

I will preface this by saying I read this book in one day. This book grabs you right from the beginning. It is a rollercoaster of emotions and I just couldn’t get enough of it. I love a dark romance with great plot and suspense. The cliffhanger at the end knocked me on my a**, but I have my theories. The plot and character development 10/10. I am obsessed with this series!

This is a high school dark romance. Saoirse is embarking on her 18th birthday and she has discovered her entire life has been a lie and the secrets run deep. She is forced to live with family friends she doesn’t remember and no one seems to want to give her the truth about her family.

She ends up falling for the one person she shouldn’t. He turns out to be the only person who is willing to tell her the truth. Is he her hero or was her initial instincts right, and he’s been the villain all along.

Check Triggers

Dub-con
Non-con
Violence
Forced proximity
Bullying
FMC technically a minor - few weeks from 18
Profile Image for Krista Barton.
129 reviews10 followers
June 8, 2022
Wow!

Rohan and Saiorse will live forever rent free in my mind! This has it all! Its dark and twisted with all the spice and it has an incredible plot too! I'm obsessed and can not wait for book 2 to release!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews

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