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Romantic Truths #1
Truths in Deception
Dark truths can spawn dark desires…
With a past that refuses to let her go, Gwendolyn Jacobs has had to make her own way in life. When a traumatic situation with her ex leaves her broken—in more ways than one—she runs to a new city to start over.
That was six years ago…
Despite two best friends and a therapist who want to help her heal, Gwen feels she doesn’t deserve happiness. Her predisposition to gravitate toward toxic men keeps her in the lane of one-night stands and tequila-fueled hangovers.
Until him…
Marcus Reider is an alpha male who loves control and getting what he wants. He’s also Gwen’s new boss. After a rocky and confusing start, Marcus can’t stay away, and neither can Gwen. For the first time in years, Gwen’s darkest desires come to light, and with them, her darkest truths. And against her better judgment, she wants Marcus and all of his truths.
But truths can be deceiving…
With a past that refuses to let her go, Gwendolyn Jacobs has had to make her own way in life. When a traumatic situation with her ex leaves her broken—in more ways than one—she runs to a new city to start over.
That was six years ago…
Despite two best friends and a therapist who want to help her heal, Gwen feels she doesn’t deserve happiness. Her predisposition to gravitate toward toxic men keeps her in the lane of one-night stands and tequila-fueled hangovers.
Until him…
Marcus Reider is an alpha male who loves control and getting what he wants. He’s also Gwen’s new boss. After a rocky and confusing start, Marcus can’t stay away, and neither can Gwen. For the first time in years, Gwen’s darkest desires come to light, and with them, her darkest truths. And against her better judgment, she wants Marcus and all of his truths.
But truths can be deceiving…
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2023
6 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 3, 2026
Forbidden romance: YES PLEASE! The spice 🌶️🌶️ the ending!!!! I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop & when it did…. IT DROPPPPPED! I had to immediately read book 2 & can not wait for book 3!!!
December 27, 2025
Well, shit.
I was so up and down with this book! I thought there were plot holes and character development that just didn’t make sense until everything came together. I love that the author “got me”. Very well plotted book with intentional writing. I liked this and I’m jumping right into the second one after that gut wrenching cliff hanger that I did NOT see coming!
I was so up and down with this book! I thought there were plot holes and character development that just didn’t make sense until everything came together. I love that the author “got me”. Very well plotted book with intentional writing. I liked this and I’m jumping right into the second one after that gut wrenching cliff hanger that I did NOT see coming!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2026
This book! I don't know where to start. This was a book for my Book Club. The theme was Local Authors. So I didn't know what to expect. I love how the Author talks about mental health a domestic violence. I feel like both are not talked about enough.
That said... The Bdsm triggers her trauma but she loves it, and the way he takes care of her soothes her. The way he was gone multiple times on Weekend Business trips, I had a feeling something was up. I just didn't know what. That ending blew my mind, and I am immediately starting Book 2!
That said... The Bdsm triggers her trauma but she loves it, and the way he takes care of her soothes her. The way he was gone multiple times on Weekend Business trips, I had a feeling something was up. I just didn't know what. That ending blew my mind, and I am immediately starting Book 2!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2023
Firstly I was *not* prepared for the *throw your kindle across the room whilst yelling* cliffhanger...I am not ok WHAT!!! I absolutley loved this! The spice is spicy 🌶 but this also has some really cute moments that at times made me feel like a giggling teenage girl writing their crushes name on their notebook (i didn't do this, I wrote my enemies and crossed them off, so you can understand HOW cute these moments were😅) I love Gwen and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, highly recommend if you enjoy dark romances and strong female characters
January 4, 2026
**READ FOR BOOK CLUB**
Loved it. Where was the BDSM tho?
Overall i didn't want to put it down, I needed to keep reading and finished this book so fast.
Loved it. Where was the BDSM tho?
Overall i didn't want to put it down, I needed to keep reading and finished this book so fast.
March 22, 2023
*Free ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Omg you didn’t, that cliffhanger 😱😭
Absolutely loved the characters in this book. Gwendolyn is so fierce and sarcastic, even though she is a little broken I still love her. Her best friends are goals and Marcus…
I cannot wait to see what happens next!
Omg you didn’t, that cliffhanger 😱😭
Absolutely loved the characters in this book. Gwendolyn is so fierce and sarcastic, even though she is a little broken I still love her. Her best friends are goals and Marcus…
I cannot wait to see what happens next!
January 4, 2026
Oh Marcus you POS! I need answers now! Onto the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2023
Adrienne absolutely smashedddd this debut.
This book.
If I had known that it would leave me wanting to thrown my kindle half way across the room I wouldn’t have started it at 1 in the morning.
Gwendolyn jacobs is a girl after my own heart, drinks too much when she can’t control her emotions and feelings, has a sarcastic mouth and has a thing for alpha males.
Throughout this book we see Gwendolyn battling her demons and her own darkness and it’s refreshing as she’s so open and honest with herself and Marcus turns out to be such a sweetheart and let’s her open up to him at her own pace.
The spice is absolutely fabulous and while it’s plentiful there’s some really lovely wholesome moments between the FMC and MMC that just make you giddy.
It’s a book you could definitely read in one sitting ( like I did ) as the writing is nice and easy to get through.
Warning that this book ends on a cliffhanger and it will make you want to tear your hair out and doubt all the feelings you had throughout the book - I would recommend this book and I’m very excited for the next one 🫶♥️
This book.
If I had known that it would leave me wanting to thrown my kindle half way across the room I wouldn’t have started it at 1 in the morning.
Gwendolyn jacobs is a girl after my own heart, drinks too much when she can’t control her emotions and feelings, has a sarcastic mouth and has a thing for alpha males.
Throughout this book we see Gwendolyn battling her demons and her own darkness and it’s refreshing as she’s so open and honest with herself and Marcus turns out to be such a sweetheart and let’s her open up to him at her own pace.
The spice is absolutely fabulous and while it’s plentiful there’s some really lovely wholesome moments between the FMC and MMC that just make you giddy.
It’s a book you could definitely read in one sitting ( like I did ) as the writing is nice and easy to get through.
Warning that this book ends on a cliffhanger and it will make you want to tear your hair out and doubt all the feelings you had throughout the book - I would recommend this book and I’m very excited for the next one 🫶♥️
March 31, 2023
* arc received for honest review *
Oh miss Adrienne, what a debut!
I had such a blast reading this that I ended up staying up waaaaay later than I should have to finish it - AND IM GLAD I DID!
Whilst I thought the initial get together of the fmc & the mmc happened quite quickly (I am a slow burn lover) I think the pacing after that was really good.
I loved the way Marcus helped Gwen, but didn’t try to change her. He listened to her struggles and let her tell her story at her own pace without pressure. Watching their love blossom really have me heart-eye-emojis.
The spice? It was damn SPICY! Look, I new our girl would not hold out on us when it came to spicy scenes. There are quite a few, but some that are so sweet and wholesome that they melt your heart. And then others that just have you there fanning yourself like you’re on a tropical beach in summer.
Also, just a note for that ENDING! I love and hate you miss because that ending will mess me up until I can read book two 💕
Oh miss Adrienne, what a debut!
I had such a blast reading this that I ended up staying up waaaaay later than I should have to finish it - AND IM GLAD I DID!
Whilst I thought the initial get together of the fmc & the mmc happened quite quickly (I am a slow burn lover) I think the pacing after that was really good.
I loved the way Marcus helped Gwen, but didn’t try to change her. He listened to her struggles and let her tell her story at her own pace without pressure. Watching their love blossom really have me heart-eye-emojis.
The spice? It was damn SPICY! Look, I new our girl would not hold out on us when it came to spicy scenes. There are quite a few, but some that are so sweet and wholesome that they melt your heart. And then others that just have you there fanning yourself like you’re on a tropical beach in summer.
Also, just a note for that ENDING! I love and hate you miss because that ending will mess me up until I can read book two 💕
April 11, 2023
HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT, THE CLIFFHANGER, THE EFFNG PLOT TWIST IN THE END, OMFGGGGGG.
Wow, this book is really good, I'm really happy about the mental health representation and that sometimes time doesn't heal everything but the wounds stay open or they get infected, I'm really glad there were deep discussions about mental health and trauma.
I love Gwen, she's an amazing sarcastic bitch who is a badass but also broken because of her past, I'm glad she's healing and that she found Terry and Kat and I sincerely hope they are with her through the rough process she's going to go through in the next book.
Marcus is amazing, through the whole book up until you start noticing a pattern, and then that last chapter by the time you finish this book, I assure you you will hate him, but up until the last chapter he's an amazing partner, well not amazing, cause you know only human but he's good and he's gonna be the luckiest son of a bitch in this world if Gwen ever forgives him.
Wow, this book is really good, I'm really happy about the mental health representation and that sometimes time doesn't heal everything but the wounds stay open or they get infected, I'm really glad there were deep discussions about mental health and trauma.
I love Gwen, she's an amazing sarcastic bitch who is a badass but also broken because of her past, I'm glad she's healing and that she found Terry and Kat and I sincerely hope they are with her through the rough process she's going to go through in the next book.
Marcus is amazing, through the whole book up until you start noticing a pattern, and then that last chapter by the time you finish this book, I assure you you will hate him, but up until the last chapter he's an amazing partner, well not amazing, cause you know only human but he's good and he's gonna be the luckiest son of a bitch in this world if Gwen ever forgives him.
April 5, 2023
Thanks for the advanced copy of your book!
My rating: 3.75⭐
WOAHHHH! THE CLIFFHANGER!!!!!
When am I getting the second book? Tell me now or I'll go out of my mind waiting for it!!!
This book was really amazing. I loved the characters and the story altogether. But I was rooting for Terry from the beginning, and I knew that he was in love with Gwen before it was even said. And you did me wrong with that!
Anyway, moving on, the way the story unfolded was really mind-boggling. This book has all the feels from a past trauma, great friendship, daddy issues to taking care of her when she's hungover to hot and spicy scenes that will leave you all sweaty even after it is finished!! It was so steamy and hot, I loved it!
Please check TW before reading!
My rating: 3.75⭐
WOAHHHH! THE CLIFFHANGER!!!!!
When am I getting the second book? Tell me now or I'll go out of my mind waiting for it!!!
This book was really amazing. I loved the characters and the story altogether. But I was rooting for Terry from the beginning, and I knew that he was in love with Gwen before it was even said. And you did me wrong with that!
Anyway, moving on, the way the story unfolded was really mind-boggling. This book has all the feels from a past trauma, great friendship, daddy issues to taking care of her when she's hungover to hot and spicy scenes that will leave you all sweaty even after it is finished!! It was so steamy and hot, I loved it!
Please check TW before reading!
March 26, 2023
If you're reading this review, this is your sign to read this book! It is honestly the best book I've read this year. It draws you in from the very first page, and it for sure doesn't disappoint the more pages you read. I never wanted to put this book down, but every time I had to, I was itching to get back to it and continue reading. If you want to completely switch off from reality and get lost in a book, this is the book for you. The spice is top notch, 5/5. I honestly couldn't rave about this book more if I tried. You'll know the feeling I had once you've finished reading it. Trust me, it's amazing.
January 10, 2026
I knew there was a disconnect.
There was something missing between Gwen and Marcus. I couldn’t explain it. There wasn’t much yearning or obsessive behavior, so it felt like this relationship was just a fling in the beginning, but omg. What a cliffhanger. 😮
3.5⭐️ - I’m sorry.. Gwen really irked me. But I realized that the type of trauma that she went through was absolutely devastating. So. Her way of coping was maybe a little harsh, but nonetheless valid.
There was something missing between Gwen and Marcus. I couldn’t explain it. There wasn’t much yearning or obsessive behavior, so it felt like this relationship was just a fling in the beginning, but omg. What a cliffhanger. 😮
3.5⭐️ - I’m sorry.. Gwen really irked me. But I realized that the type of trauma that she went through was absolutely devastating. So. Her way of coping was maybe a little harsh, but nonetheless valid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews