Pretty Savages

The Lies We Keep #2

by Steph Macca

They say you can’t run from your past. But damn, I am determined to try.

I had finally escaped as I had always planned. Things were going great - I had new friends, a job, and a new life.

When I’m called back home to deal with an emergency, I do my best to fly under the radar. But I should know by now it’s never easy when it comes to the three Taylor brothers. They’re charming, arrogant, and downright dangerous.

It’s a catastrophic domino effect, and even though I try as hard as I can to move forward, there’s one rule I had forgotten:

The games are never really over.




Pretty Savages is a reverse harem taboo romance - meaning the main female character will have more than one love interest, and yes - it's downright dirty and taboo. The characters are morally grey, hot and questionable. It contains adult themes, course language and is solely intended for mature audiences over 18. Pretty Savages is book 2 in The Lies We Keep series.

Genres: Dark Romance, Audiobook, Romance, Why Choose, College, Enemies To Lovers, Spicy

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2022

About the author

Bestselling Dark Romance Author
Author of Unhinged 🔪

Knock Knock, Little Killer

Reviews

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

imma say it again.
CHUCK 👏🏽BETTER 👏🏽 BE 👏🏽 PART 👏🏽 OF 👏🏽 THE 👏🏽 HAREM 👏🏽

[⋆˚°✩*˖ Gohnar23 (•˕ •マ.ᐟ ˚⟡˖ ࣪ · Rating 3 out of 5]

#️⃣4️⃣8️⃣7️⃣Read & Reviewed in 2025 💔🩸
Date : 🚀 Friday, September 19, 2025 🚫🔻❌
Word Count📃: 63k Words 🧨🔪🎈

⋆⭒𓆟⋆｡˚𖦹𓆜✩⋆ >-;;⁠;⁠;€ᐷ °‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡

( ˶°ㅁ°) !! My 61th read in "READING AS MANY BOOKS AS I CANNN 😢 cuz smth....happened.....irl.........😥" September ⚡

3️⃣🌟, Blake get out of this stupid dark romance book and start your own literary fiction story that details this struggles of someone innocent surrounded in a world filled with atrocities and violence.
——————————————————————
➕➖0️⃣1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣7️⃣8️⃣9️⃣🔟✖️➗

Thank you @Courtney for the buddy read!

Typical typical dark romance. Of course there are three or more different men with the same exact personality obsessing over the exact same boring basic girl. Asher, Zayn (Supposedly Chuck) AND BLAKE MY BABY BOII BEING CASTED OFF TO THE SIDELINES BY HIM BEING JUST A RANDOM SIDE CHARACTER.... WHICH IS THE BEST FATE THAT HE COULD HAVE EVER GOTTEN.

I'M A SAY THIS ONE TIME 👏BLAKE👏YOU👏DID👏THE👏RIGHT👏DECISION👏OF👏REJECTING👏HER👏BECAUSE👏YOU👏DON'T👏DESERVE👏BEING👏IN👏A👏DARK👏ROMANCE👏BOOK

While everyone else is busy doing the most stereotypical things as their personality is flushed out too many times already. Blake is chilling in the sidelines being the best written character ever and doing what uniquely great vivid characters do best. Being authentic and original 👏👏👏. The entire book is focusing around romance but BLAKE here is having actual meaningful struggles and a character arc that has a great plot (if expanded enough)

5 stars for my baby boi blake (i hope he gets his own book that isn't a dark romance), 1 star for literally everyone else. Average is 3. Definitely goes to show how even just a single character can change an entire rating 🤣🤣🤣

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently at 19%...
I'm all for this RH with Asher, Zayn and Blake but I will raise all kinds of Hell if "my" Chuck doesn't get to be a part of it all!!!! I absolutely love Chuck. 💜 So yeah, I'm not too happy right now.

The book is great so far though. I'm just really not loving that ⬆⬆⬆

[beth m · Rating 2 out of 5]

most annoying FMC ever

The storyline for the most part is decent. I just can’t stand the Fmc. She is literally so annoying- supposed to be a strong kick A girl, she reeks of pick me vibes and the dumbest decisions. She was told to stop going to this one biker bar- told like a million times nicely by her best biker friends. And what does she do? Go back. She goes back multiple times, after being told multiple times another g@nġ is after her. She’s all about her “freedom” she finally goes after it and she keeps returning home. She has been best friends with this one biker g@nġ but she doesn’t understand biker culture? Doesn’t understand her biker friend is blooded in and can’t leave the bonds of brotherhood to play house with her permanently? How is such a “smart” woman who’s “so independent” not understand biker culture? She practically goes to this bar to hang out with her friends over the past few years. How does she not get it? She’s best friends with the chapters high ups?

On top of that She can’t survive without a Di*k, she legit needs to have one so much so that she keeps hopping in bed with guys that aren’t that great just because of the dares. “I dare you” and just because someone dared her that means she sets aside any self respect or intelligence and goes for it. It’s like any character that throws her a wink and her panties soak and then her clothing disintegrates. I could overlook some of it but I’m having trouble with her always being a victim. She plays the victim of almost every situation, poor her, she got the end of the stick in every life situation. Any accountability factor falls to the side- she finally has to tuck her tail between her legs and even then the guys cover for her so that her mom doesn’t know she’s back.

This girl is so dumb and her personality is so childish. If this was a movie she’d be the classic victim that immediately gets offed first. Probably running away topless because she can’t keep her pants on in nearly every scene and running with her vape in her hand puffing away. I don’t care about any other character enough in this book to make any other comments because I just can’t stand the Fmc so much that it eclipses everything else.

Aside from that there’s inconsistencies in the story that were dumb and nitpicky but still something an editor or alpha/beta team should’ve caught. I think there was mention at one point it was so cold they forgot to turn the heat on, but then later that day it was so hot and ppl are sweating and they go swimming in basically a muddy puddle. So is it summer? Fall? Spring? Who knows.. will I continue to read this dumpster fire series of FOUR books? Idk only if they’re free.

[ɢʀᴇʏッ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ 3.5 🌶
🎧Release: 11.06.25
⏳6hrs 56mins

💭 as a series... the storyline is good. the tropes hooked me. but rylee? this girl🙄🤦🏽‍♀️ back at it again with her shenanigans !! ill leave her part at that. atleast asher showed a sliver of growth. chuck faded this round with his MC duties but completely understandable (even if... *shocker* ...the girl who "supposedly" hung out with bikers dont get it why he cant juz walk away). zayn is mischievious as always & blake... my dude!! ur still the only 1 with the MOST sense in the bunch!! a breath of fresh air as he & the delicious spice saved my rating.

🎧 hearing this on audio def leveled it up. the narrators did a fab job at bringing the characters to life in this full cast duet. michelle sparks captured rylee's stubborn brattiness while joe arden, anthony palmini, aaron shedlock, & sean masters voiced the men in her life so well in a way that would make u melt!! juz need more of them!! 1 things for sure... ive never been this xcited about a cliffy😅 on to the nxt♥️

✨ thankU Steph Macca & Blue Nose Audio for this ALC🔥
‼️ ur mental health matters. ✔️🆃🆆/🅲🆆

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

November 2024
Kindle edition

Huh. Chuck was a surprise. They made a nice couple. I'm surprised Asher hadn't tracked her down. Gutted when he had to leave. I liked that she'd made friends and the whole bar family. Blake was still the same. Asher, seemingly hadn't learnt a thing, but Zayn was the surprise. The end was ouch but an intro to multiple POVs. It was halfway through the book I realised I was reading a motorcycle club series.

[Denna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book! I fell in love with Chuck, and that ending…
Are we getting multiple POVs? I can’t wait.😍

[Bookish Spy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook re-read!
I still absolutely love this series! Devoured it all over again and I LOVE Blake 🥹
Chuck is bae
Asher is a dweeb currently still
And Zayn can come home with me any day 🤭
The narrators are absolutely perfect for this and I can't wait for the next one now!

•••••
Omg that ending?! I will immediately be reading the next book

Also, if I don't get to see more of Chuck, I will throw hands. He deserves so much and I love him 🥹

Blake, how is he so easy to like already? Like, I thought I'd hate him for longer, but nope, he's great

Asher is a little redeemed but not much. He's still a whiny man-child who needs to grow up, and if I could choose any man over him, I would at this point. I don't buy their "love" at all.

Zayn is hilarious, and honestly, I love every scene with him in, though I wish he had more of a personality at times

Plot? Idk what the plot really is at this point, but I'm still enjoying it, so who cares 😂

Okay, I'm off to read the next book. See yall in another couple hours when I'll have inevitably finished that one too 😘

➛ 𝟒.𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

[Jay Pyard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh I wanted to keep reading this series, but in what world would multiple brothers be okay in this scenario!? Also the FMC is beyond annoying and just densely think. Putting herself in the most ridiculous situations and not understanding why people perceive her the way they do.
2 stars simply for the delicious Joe Arden and Anthony Palmini in the audio books.

[Jess McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, oh man!! I love this series! I didn't want to put this one down. I was just waiting for Asher or Zayn to show up and take her back home, but they were giving her the space she needed. I loved seeing Rylee thrive on her own!

I love that they're all wanting to protect her, even if she doesn't want it or need it. There's trouble following her. She doesn't actively seek it out, but there's some out there that think she needs to be put in her place. I did shout out loud over a victory outside of the post office, but then I felt like I was screaming at Blake to GET IT TOGETHER, MAN!

The end of this one we see Rylee really vulnerable. It's a bit heartbreaking with what she's been through in the past. I need Recklessly Damaged!!

[Erica Brink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well F*ck. This cliffhanger was big. (Literally!) I really want to dive into the next book, but the audios are so good, so I’m going to be a “good girl” and wait. Give and take as Zayn says 😉

This was angsty and fun. The banter is so good. It had me lol’ing multiple times.

I love watching Rylee’s relationships develop with her stepbrothers. They are all so different and I love them all! And I am dying to know what’s going on. There’s so much going on, but also so much we don’t know! I feel like there are so many secrets. It’s killing me!

This full cast audio is so good. Every single narrator was so good and perfectly cast for their role! Amazing audio!

I loved Michelle Sparks as Rylee. She is the perfect mix of sassy and sweet.

And Aaron Shedlock as Chuck was perfect! I’m so glad we got more of him in this one! That man and his mouth. 🥵

Joe Arden was amazing as Asher. I loved getting his POV and his emotion and angst in the last chapter.

Sean Masters was incredible as Zayn. His spicy scenes were so hot. I love his dominant personality and his playful side.

Anthony Palmini was amazing as Blake. He definitely brought the broody dad of the group to life. I love his tone. I cannot wait to see him lose control.

🖤 Morally Grey
🖤 Stepbrothers
🖤 Why Choose
🖤 Tab00

[Rebecca Zecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

FMC makes the WORST decisions! The constant reference to her vaping completely grossed me out. MMCs save this book.

[Lucy Mason · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like I’m reading a different book to everyone else?

I plowed through the first book, hoping to actually have some plot by the second but it’s like a fever dream, a very bad fever dream.

I do feel feel for the FMC and mental health does fuck you up but can she not keep her legs closed for 5 freaking minutes?? what’s so special about her step bro’s, what do they do? How old are the twins? I honestly couldn’t tell you, she’s too busy fucking them. Also why is she so stupid? Clearly she’s in trouble with the bikers but she’s still driving by the bar, and looking for bikes - does she have no self awareness?? Does she not understand danger? Is she that dumb that she doesn’t understand these guys want payback?

The guys are all over her but why? There’s nothing but lust and everything is a goddamn game.

[Daniela Saucedo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ LOVED CHUCK. But, listen, it’s a good storyline but the FMC annoys me. I understand why she had to come back however, if MULTIPLE people are telling you to avoid certain places, IT IS FOR A GOOD REASON. If you fuck around, you will find out and I get that she stopped because she had to pee (because same gorl) BUT you stopped in hopes of seeing someone who was probably never there to begin with and then poof, you found out someone WAS there just not the one in your best interest!!! Like GIRLY POPPP…. (Still going to read the rest of the series though) 😂

[Emily Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again IDK.

I keep reading right because I guess I’ve invested enough time but my gosh the filler 😩 I understand she has multiple partners but holy banana pants, it’s like every other chapter is just smut

I feel like there’s a good story here so I’ll keep reading. I didn’t think I realized it was a motorcycle club until like halfway through this book.

Let’s see what Rylee gets herself into in the next book lol

[JENNY · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better, but not

I wouldn't call this dark by any means, maybe on a YA scale? Taboo, yes. Dark, not even close. I also read a lot of dark romances, but this falls flat which sucks because it has the potential of being great. I caught myself skimming when I realized the FMC was weak. Loathe weak FMCs.

[Lovedarkbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing you can bank on with a Steph Macca book is; she'll have you gasping and left open mouthed at her cliffhanger endings!
'Pretty Savages' is no different.

I have to admit, I'm starting to like Asher 🤭 I feel hes redeeming himself 😄 but I'm rooting for Blake 🤭

Rylee continues to be an absolute spitfire. Hell hath no fury, where she's concerned, she'll do what she wants and noone will make her back down.
Rylee thought leaving home was the fresh start she needed. New town, new home, new job .. but the Taylor brother's are not quick to let their sis go and bite at every opportunity to bring her home, but she doesnt make it easy for them.

Definately felt this book was a bit more plot driven, prepping us (edging us 😄) for what's to come.

Taboo Step-brothers - check .. 3s a party right 😆
MC clubs - check
Vicious Games of truth or dare - check
Suspense and action - check

Can't deny the announced narration team aided my fast selection of this audio and they have not disappointed - they never do.
Michelle Sparks leads the narration from Rylee's POV, with Aaron Shedlock (Chuck), Anthony Palmini (Blake), Joe Arden (Asher) and Sean Masters (Zayn) as strong supporting narrators.

That final chapter from Ashers POV 😱

Biggest question is, what will become Rylee and will her stepbrothers make it on time? 😬

[Brittany Pickard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god!!!! The ending has me in a chokehold!!!! I need to know more!!! Talk about a cliffhanger!!! Seriously though this book was so good! The smut was top notch!! Hot, sexy, taboo! Ry has so many emotions in this book, she still has the no f*** given attitude but you can tell it all gets to her. This book is intense, addictive, and has a fast-paced storyline. The dynamic with all the brothers is getting interesting, especially with Blake! And you really just want to know what the heck is going on with the bikers. Can’t wait to read the next in the series!

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty Savages - book 2 in the Lies We Keep series and it starts up right where book 1 ended. With Rylee (FMC) starting her new life away from her mother, Asher and the twins - Zayn & Blake. Only for outside influences and events to draw her back to her old life. As well as all of the complications that that brings. Action packed and steamy as hell this book definitely keeps you on your toes. Especially with that killer cliffhanger ending. I cant tell you how much i want to get my hands on book 3 now

[Fallon Story · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of the series did not disappoint. We picked up right where we left off with Riley and chuck leaving town and starting fresh. Even though she plans on staying away life and friends bring her back home. We have more fuckery and games and unlocked feelings in this one as well. Really liked getting more of Blake in this book and finally had a sharing moment. The cliffhanger ending has me needing the next audio asap.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was light most of the book, but that ending. What the fuck is Leo and the Norsemen's problem? They lost fair and square! Get over your ego, and move the fuck on. I really hope Rylee survives, and will be starting the next book immediately.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel sorry on Rylee she is trying so hard to moveon and keeps being pulled back but goddammit girl stay away from wheels

I prefer the twins over Asher but they all have some redeeming qualities

[Nicole Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok this was good!!! I liked this and that cliff hanger just made the whole book!!! I love Zayn he’s my favourite!! And I can’t wait for book 3 to get all their POVs! Going straight in!! 🔥🔥

[Brittany Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars from me

I feel like this book was a set up for the rest of the series

[livblovesbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I loved this book, it only gets a 3 star. During this book we spend so much time with Rylee and Chuck that I was genuinely rooting for them and got attached. It was a bit weird to spend so much of the book with Rylee in a relationship with him, living in another town and not with the actual love interests that we are supposed to be reading about. Once Rylee moves back home, things start to get back on track and I really enjoyed how the relationship was starting to form deeper connections. BUT as soon as this happens, the book ends on a huge cliff hanger. I am very much looking forward to book three and hope it will focus more on their relationship.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG THE Taylor brothers

Steph leaves you on the edge of your seat waiting for the next thing to happen. I finished book 2 in a few hours on top book 3 and I can’t want!

[Alexis Luck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one too! So she leaves and starts a new life away from where she called home. But she’s not alone! I can’t believe he went with her! She’s settling in and gets a call and has to return to take care of some stuff. And guess who she runs into? And whose hand is he holding???? Maybe her reaction was a little much but what is a girl to do?? She ends up back home and learns to deal with her step brothers. Well at least as much as she can.

[Chrystal S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this!!

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
🥵🥵
😈😈

I’m loving this series now, lots of triggers

[Patricia Charlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Argghhh Rylee what are doing with those damn dares.

Before I discuss Rylee and her stupidity I have to say I absolutely love Phoebe, Con, Carmen, Jasmine, Jeremy, Chuck, Volts, Butch & V and at 46% in to this book I really wish Butch, Chuck & V and even Volts were the men she was with as she deserves men who adore and love her for who she is.
I also prefer books with the men’s pov and this series so far lacks this, I like to know what all of the main characters are thinking I tend to get bored from just the female pov.
Ok back to Rylee and her stupidity.
No no no I just can’t with Rylee at all right now she is not the strong woman I thought she was, and a man with a nice body and nice d**k who treats her like 💩 isn’t who she should be fawning over.
I loved her with Chuck and really thought he was going to be in the mix even though this is a RH with stepbrothers I really like Chuck.
Then with Zayn… just WTH 🤦🏼‍♀️
I actually like Zayn (so far) if I’m being honest as he doesn’t tell her lies and is quite flirty and fun and he doesn’t pretend he doesn’t actually want her but that coffee and dare game… WHY 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️
Absolutely NOT and I can’t believe she was dumb enough to play again, I get that pride is something she will die on a hill for but come on Rylee right now you’re actually acting like a dumb little girl who can’t control her god damn body for 5 minutes and that takes away from her strength for me as if she were the strong independent woman we are led to believe she is then why does she act so stupid around stupid egotistical men.
I think I like Blake so far after he came to warn her and was watching out for her however that pot brownie and bed incident just didn’t sit right with me and Blake was right to walk away.
I loved the Jenny part and the secrets she knows and getting her out their lives, however even after Blake warned her not to go to wheels because of the Norsemen she stupidly drove past there and automatically thought when she saw bikes it was the rebels.
How stupid does she have to be she could have called Butch from down the road to se did it was them and turned around if it was, she stupidly put herself in danger.
I did like the last chapter from Asher’s pov as I have said I like all the main parties pov, I’m still not loving him yet though as he still got himself a girlfriend and still cheated on that girlfriend and that’s not a good character trait.
Loved the ending and I hope Asher has hurt them but we will see what happens next.