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It Started with a Lie
When Gemma lied and said he was her boyfriend, Gun helped her by playing the part. Now he's asked her to be his fake wife. However, he forgot to tell her he's a 9-tailed fox. As the pair spend time together, their feelings grow. However, lies and jealousy will lead Gemma to the land of dragons, where she enters the palace of the third prince, a dragon named Ryu. Loving one man is hard enough. What happens when there are two?
This is a just kisses reverse harem.
This is a just kisses reverse harem.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2022
5 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 14, 2023
"It Started with a Lie" by Erica Laurie is a captivating romance novel that takes readers on a journey filled with deception, love triangles, and a touch of fantasy.
The story revolves around Gemma, who initially fabricates a lie about Gun being her boyfriend. As their relationship progresses, Gun unexpectedly proposes that they become fake spouses. What Gemma doesn't know is that Gun is actually a 9-tailed fox—a fascinating supernatural twist that adds an intriguing layer to the narrative.
Laurie skillfully explores the complex emotions that arise as Gemma and Gun spend more time together. Their connection deepens, and their feelings grow, but complications arise due to lies and jealousy. Gemma finds herself torn between two men—the charming Gun and the alluring dragon prince Ryu, whom she encounters in the land of dragons.
The author expertly weaves together elements of romance and fantasy, creating a world that is both enchanting and emotionally charged. The reader is drawn into the dilemmas faced by Gemma as she navigates her heart's desires and wrestles with the difficult choice between two compelling suitors.
Laurie's writing style is engaging, with well-paced storytelling and well-developed characters that elicit empathy and curiosity. The love triangle aspect adds tension and keeps readers guessing about the outcome of Gemma's journey.
In "It Started with a Lie," Erica Laurie crafts a captivating tale of love, deception, and the complexities of the heart. With its blend of romance and fantasy, this book offers a delightful escape for readers who enjoy emotionally charged stories with a touch of the supernatural. Fans of intricate relationships and unexpected twists will find themselves thoroughly engrossed in Gemma's captivating journey.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story revolves around Gemma, who initially fabricates a lie about Gun being her boyfriend. As their relationship progresses, Gun unexpectedly proposes that they become fake spouses. What Gemma doesn't know is that Gun is actually a 9-tailed fox—a fascinating supernatural twist that adds an intriguing layer to the narrative.
Laurie skillfully explores the complex emotions that arise as Gemma and Gun spend more time together. Their connection deepens, and their feelings grow, but complications arise due to lies and jealousy. Gemma finds herself torn between two men—the charming Gun and the alluring dragon prince Ryu, whom she encounters in the land of dragons.
The author expertly weaves together elements of romance and fantasy, creating a world that is both enchanting and emotionally charged. The reader is drawn into the dilemmas faced by Gemma as she navigates her heart's desires and wrestles with the difficult choice between two compelling suitors.
Laurie's writing style is engaging, with well-paced storytelling and well-developed characters that elicit empathy and curiosity. The love triangle aspect adds tension and keeps readers guessing about the outcome of Gemma's journey.
In "It Started with a Lie," Erica Laurie crafts a captivating tale of love, deception, and the complexities of the heart. With its blend of romance and fantasy, this book offers a delightful escape for readers who enjoy emotionally charged stories with a touch of the supernatural. Fans of intricate relationships and unexpected twists will find themselves thoroughly engrossed in Gemma's captivating journey.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 29, 2023
I read this book so quickly once I started it. It was well written and the characters all interacted so well. While there was no stereotypical villain driving the plot forward there were some instances driven by not so savory choices by certain characters.
The main character, Gemma, is relatable and just trying to trudge her way through life with the few friends she has. Falling in love with a man, who turns out to be something more she tries to deny it given how she feels he is out of her league and can't fathom he would care for her. She's wholesome and has good intentions even as others treat her poorly. While this all starts from a lie it's a kind of lie that many people have done to just try to pass with their social groups. The story ends up with her falling in love with two men which perturbs and makes her anxious but in such a short story one of the characters does a good job of explaining how a polyamorous relationship can work.
The story is short but sweet and with no explicit content but very loving characters and consensual polygamy instead of drama and turmoil over the relationships. I love the author's writing style and will definitely check out some of her other works. I already have a soft spot for nine tailed fox stories which she seems to have many of. :).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The main character, Gemma, is relatable and just trying to trudge her way through life with the few friends she has. Falling in love with a man, who turns out to be something more she tries to deny it given how she feels he is out of her league and can't fathom he would care for her. She's wholesome and has good intentions even as others treat her poorly. While this all starts from a lie it's a kind of lie that many people have done to just try to pass with their social groups. The story ends up with her falling in love with two men which perturbs and makes her anxious but in such a short story one of the characters does a good job of explaining how a polyamorous relationship can work.
The story is short but sweet and with no explicit content but very loving characters and consensual polygamy instead of drama and turmoil over the relationships. I love the author's writing style and will definitely check out some of her other works. I already have a soft spot for nine tailed fox stories which she seems to have many of. :).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 24, 2025
When you see the cover with a dragon on it, your mind typically wanders to Chinese historical cultural and the atmosphere it presents. This book certainly did the trick! I was amazingly surprised that I read this in a day, A WHOLE DAY! Like whom in their right mind would do such a thing??? I WOULD! Especially how well the author wrote every detail into existence. I was enjoying much of the commentary throughout the book though as it made for a relatable story to much humor even my husband has. I was worried near the end of the book if the MMC & FMC would eventually get their happy ending as much as they went through. What turned out to be a lie in the beginning gradually unraveled itself like most lies do. However, as the FMC progresses, she brings the ability to break a curse that is bound to the realms she partakes in. The sweet surprise at the end of the story really has me wanting a second book to be made to continue their story!
September 21, 2022
I've read several books by Ms. Laurie and have thoroughly enjoyed them all! I find her characters to be sweet and easy to root for. I also love that everything I've read by her includes mythology and magic - I am always intrigued by these aspects of the stories and they help draw me in.
In this case, with It Started with a Lie, Gemma meets Gun and travels to an alternate realm where mythological beings exist. Their relationship develops in a really sweet way, so when she's taken away from there, he goes after her. In the meantime, she meets Ryu who is also very kind, moral, and protective of her. Although I normally do not go for the "why choose" type of romances, I found that Ms. Laurie handled the situations in such clean, open-hearted, compassionate ways that I loved the storylines and conclusion.
In this case, with It Started with a Lie, Gemma meets Gun and travels to an alternate realm where mythological beings exist. Their relationship develops in a really sweet way, so when she's taken away from there, he goes after her. In the meantime, she meets Ryu who is also very kind, moral, and protective of her. Although I normally do not go for the "why choose" type of romances, I found that Ms. Laurie handled the situations in such clean, open-hearted, compassionate ways that I loved the storylines and conclusion.
August 20, 2023
Ughhhh this book is so good!!! Gemma has her a nine tailed fox and a dragon as lovers!! I don't know about any of you but that sounds pretty amazing to have two men love you as much as they both love her. We get to see Gemma be able to fall in love with each of them without it seemed rushed or forced which is truly amazing 💗💗. The communication between all three of them made this so good too because I dislike reading about miscommunication so seeing them be able to talk about how they feel for one another was so sweet. I'd love to know their daughter's name 👀👀.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 14, 2023
I was so excited to read this novel!
This book seemed to have everything I like. South Korean mythology, Romance, Fantasy, Intrigue and lots of Angst. Oh and did I forget an interesting romance dynamic?
I could not stop reading. I would have if I could read it in a day or two because I just could not stop myself from wanting to read more. This book is so well written and the characters were perfect. This story does not have a major villain per se, but the reader encounters characters with dubious actions.
If you have a soft stop for nine-tailed fox stories and dragons this story is for you and well, this author does not disappoint. Don't worry about a thing. She got you covered and satisfied with her books. And this one is no exception!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book seemed to have everything I like. South Korean mythology, Romance, Fantasy, Intrigue and lots of Angst. Oh and did I forget an interesting romance dynamic?
I could not stop reading. I would have if I could read it in a day or two because I just could not stop myself from wanting to read more. This book is so well written and the characters were perfect. This story does not have a major villain per se, but the reader encounters characters with dubious actions.
If you have a soft stop for nine-tailed fox stories and dragons this story is for you and well, this author does not disappoint. Don't worry about a thing. She got you covered and satisfied with her books. And this one is no exception!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 8, 2023
A cute and a little naïve story, with characters that feels definitely not their age and juvenile problem settings. I am left with a so-so feeling as I read this. I liked parts of the book, but as some parts made me roll my eyes hard, I did not fully enjoy the ride. I believe that this type of literature may be more adapted to younger reader (late teens/young adults?), but I don't think I can accurately judge this age category.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 22, 2024
For me, this didn't feel as magical as the others I've read by this author. I still appreciated the effort to bring the characters and story to life, but I didn't connect with it. The romance was there, but on this occasion, the magic just wasn't. I would still recommend this author though.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read
March 29, 2023Oh man, I should have read the reviews a bit better on this one. DNF- I skipped to the end to see who Gemma would choose…and spoiler….it was both guys. She married both guys! Ah! I am glad I am a habitual skipper, and always read the end of a book. Saved myself some time on this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2023
It was a very clean, very sweet, very romantic reverse harem. In all honesty I think Mina needed a little more punishment but that's just me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 22, 2022
What an intriguing story. Pretending to have a boyfriend and then being asked to fake a marriage. Great characters to make you love them and wish you could be in their world a bit longer.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews