3.5 stars
Steph Macca left us with another jaw-dropping cliffhangers in Pretty Savages. This second book in the Lies We Keep series picks up right where book 1 left off, with Rylee trying to start fresh in a new town, only to be pulled back into the chaos of her old life. The Taylor brothers, particularly Asher, Zayn, and Blake — have a way of complicating everything, and Rylee’s independence only seems to spark more trouble.
While the first book focused heavily on Rylee’s relationships, Pretty Savages dives deeper into the plot, cranking up the tension, taboo drama, and steamy chemistry. With stepbrother love triangles, MC clubs, and twisted games of truth or dare, the action never slows. The suspense is palpable, and the stakes are higher than ever, especially with that heart-stopping cliffhanger ending. Rylee’s complicated love life (Chuck vs. the stepbrothers) takes center stage, and let’s just say, I’m still not sure who I’m rooting for, but the story’s definitely keeping me on my toes.
I do often find myself frustrated in the 2nd book of a RH series, particularly when the "harem" is not defined and the heroine starts to do stupid-girl stuff. We've unfortunately got some of that here. Not listening to common sense, being stubborn to be stubborn. And, if you're more black-and-white when it comes to relationship rules, you might not like Rylee's bed hopping choices here. I know this is part of building the ultimate harem (or at least I hope so), so it bothered me less. The plot twists, the intense chemistry, and the unraveling relationships have me hooked. With secrets around every corner and so much still unknown, I can’t wait to dive into the next book, especially after that cliffhanger. And hoping Rylee gets her act together.
The audio though is FANTASTIC. The full-cast audiobook is the perfect companion to this high-stakes drama. Michelle Sparks is spot on as Rylee, capturing her sassy, yet vulnerable side. Aaron Shedlock as Chuck continues to shine, and Joe Arden is perfect as Asher. His emotional depth in the final chapter made me feel everything. Add Sean Masters as Zayn with his playful dominance and Anthony Palmini as the brooding Blake, and this audiobook is a must-listen. I mean I'll worship anything with Sean Masters, I only wish we had even more of him.