lianareadsblog's review
3.0
3.5 stars
It was an interesting read, with scenes that you didn’t knew if they were actually happening or the heroine was dreaming, a long time families cursed and secrets that come out in the light just to make everything end in a very unexpected way.
Personally I didn’t liked the ending but it’s a quick read and if you’re interested in superstitions and fables , this book might be for you.
It was an interesting read, with scenes that you didn’t knew if they were actually happening or the heroine was dreaming, a long time families cursed and secrets that come out in the light just to make everything end in a very unexpected way.
Personally I didn’t liked the ending but it’s a quick read and if you’re interested in superstitions and fables , this book might be for you.
gabookaholics's review against another edition
5.0
For the full review, please check it out here:
https://gabookaholics.blogspot.com/2020/12/fables-other-lies-by-claire-contreras.html?fbclid=IwAR3lgAYckiWLRsom8CjvbbkAO6iIYiA7SELrLneVqorrQUUB2YgHu8kG-hQ
"I pity those who can't get lost in fictional worlds." - Claire Contreras, Fables & Other Lies
I mean, come on! You can't be a reader and not love that line! Even more so, it's from our leading man who said it...swoon! River is giving me real Jess vibes from Gilmore Girls and I am HERE FOR IT!
Just FYI:
Fables & Other Lies releases on December 21st (I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review) and I can't wait for you to read it! The cover hasn't been revealed yet, otherwise I'd be putting that beauty right about here ;)
Without further ado...
This book was so good! It’s so different from the other books this author has written, but I love that. Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge Claire Contreras fan and pretty much adore every word she’s ever written! This one was just different, though. She described it one day in her reader group as weird online, and it was a little weird, a little mystical, and so addicting, all of those in the best ways possible!
The setting of this book makes such a big difference, and I've never wanted to know more about a fictional place more!
At first, hearing this book described as a “gothic romance” caught me off guard and made me a little hesitant, to be honest. I was afraid it would be creepy or too off base from what I normally read, but I was so wrong and now I want to find more gothic romances!! Yes, there’s a little bit of creepiness, mystery and intrigue, but that just kept me guessing and flipping the pages quickly!
Throughout the book, I often wondered if the story was going to end up more in the paranormal spectrum than what I am used to reading. I was constantly questioning, constantly wondering how the story would end up, and that’s one of the things I love most about a good book. I hate it when a book is so predictable and this one was far from it! I was really happy with the end result of this book and may have a new Claire Contreras leading man I love!
https://gabookaholics.blogspot.com/2020/12/fables-other-lies-by-claire-contreras.html?fbclid=IwAR3lgAYckiWLRsom8CjvbbkAO6iIYiA7SELrLneVqorrQUUB2YgHu8kG-hQ
"I pity those who can't get lost in fictional worlds." - Claire Contreras, Fables & Other Lies
I mean, come on! You can't be a reader and not love that line! Even more so, it's from our leading man who said it...swoon! River is giving me real Jess vibes from Gilmore Girls and I am HERE FOR IT!
Just FYI:
Fables & Other Lies releases on December 21st (I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review) and I can't wait for you to read it! The cover hasn't been revealed yet, otherwise I'd be putting that beauty right about here ;)
Without further ado...
This book was so good! It’s so different from the other books this author has written, but I love that. Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge Claire Contreras fan and pretty much adore every word she’s ever written! This one was just different, though. She described it one day in her reader group as weird online, and it was a little weird, a little mystical, and so addicting, all of those in the best ways possible!
The setting of this book makes such a big difference, and I've never wanted to know more about a fictional place more!
At first, hearing this book described as a “gothic romance” caught me off guard and made me a little hesitant, to be honest. I was afraid it would be creepy or too off base from what I normally read, but I was so wrong and now I want to find more gothic romances!! Yes, there’s a little bit of creepiness, mystery and intrigue, but that just kept me guessing and flipping the pages quickly!
Throughout the book, I often wondered if the story was going to end up more in the paranormal spectrum than what I am used to reading. I was constantly questioning, constantly wondering how the story would end up, and that’s one of the things I love most about a good book. I hate it when a book is so predictable and this one was far from it! I was really happy with the end result of this book and may have a new Claire Contreras leading man I love!
nikki_mcclaran's review
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, and if I'm to be honest, I did stay up way too late in order to finish it. But in the end, it just felt... confusing.
Fables & Other Lies is a short read and it succeeded in bringing me into the spooky, gothic world that was fun to spend the night in. However, have you ever watched one of those overly artsy short films with an onslaught of random images and storylines that by the end, you're not sure what you just watched? That's how I felt by the end of this. In an effort to create mystery and suspense, I feel like too many details were left out, resulting in an overly confusing read.
As a final sidenote, I'm not really sure this can be considered a "enemies to lovers" romance as they had almost no reason to "hate" each other besides the family feud that both didn't seem to particularly believe in. Several times throughout the story, both characters even made comments about how it was unfair to hold each other to the sins of their past relatives. Rather than enemies-to-lovers, this romance seemed more insta-love to me.
I hate leaving negative reviews, and I'm sure others will completely love this novel, it just wasn't my particular cup of tea.
Fables & Other Lies is a short read and it succeeded in bringing me into the spooky, gothic world that was fun to spend the night in. However, have you ever watched one of those overly artsy short films with an onslaught of random images and storylines that by the end, you're not sure what you just watched? That's how I felt by the end of this. In an effort to create mystery and suspense, I feel like too many details were left out, resulting in an overly confusing read.
Spoiler
Specifically, what curse was actually *the* curse causing everything, or was it a combination? What even were the curses? What deals were actually made since she saved both her mother and River? If the tree has been destroyed, what are the scars she's now destined to deal with (it said "the souls he'd taken in"-- but is that... for everyone in the world... just the island? how in the hell is she still alive unless there are some kind of boundaries for this?)As a final sidenote, I'm not really sure this can be considered a "enemies to lovers" romance as they had almost no reason to "hate" each other besides the family feud that both didn't seem to particularly believe in. Several times throughout the story, both characters even made comments about how it was unfair to hold each other to the sins of their past relatives. Rather than enemies-to-lovers, this romance seemed more insta-love to me.
I hate leaving negative reviews, and I'm sure others will completely love this novel, it just wasn't my particular cup of tea.
apagetoturn's review
5.0
This book had all the elements I wanted Mexican Gothic to have + a great slow burn romance! This was a fun and different read. Set during Carnival in the Dominican Republic, there was some very fun scenes and interesting traditions to read about, as well as a ghost story woven in. An incredible story to start my 2021 reading challenge with.
madieanne's review against another edition
5.0
HOLY SHIT THIS WAS INCREDIBLE I NEED MORE I NEED MORE
julie_loves_books's review
5.0
“What are you?” I asked after a moment. “What are you, really?”
“Yours. If you’ll have me.” I laughed through the tears, because of all of the things he could have said, that was the most perfect.
"Anywhere? Any time?"
"Until the end of time."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I adored this book! As a child, I loved to read fables and this felt like a modern day cross between an old-fashioned fable and a fairy tale. There's a legend, a curse, mysterious characters and an old, gothic manor.
Penelope Guzman and River Caliban have been raised as enemies, as one family put a curse on the other. But, they are inexplicably drawn to each other...first by attraction, then eventually by something much deeper. I just loved these two. River is truly a charming gentleman and totally gave off this sexy, old Hollywood vibe and it only added to the fabulous banter that these two shared between them.
C.C. did such a great job of squeezing this story in to a longer novella. I totally would have loved to have had even more of the story though. I think there's so much we could explore with each of their characters and the history of their families. But, this was great as it was.
I will say that the first 25% was a bit on the slower side, but once you get past that, you won't be able to put it down. It's original and such a great concept that I'd love to have a whole anthology of stories like this.
Nickname: Little Witch
“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said, and his voice, a low, sexy growl, vibrated through me.
The most powerful man on the island, the most sought after, the most mysterious, the one I was told to never, ever summon by name, was holding my hand.
“Why’d you pick me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“There are a lot of women on the island.”
“Why’d you stand in line?”
“I thought it was the bathroom.”
“Really?” He brought a fist up to cough into it, hiding a laugh.
“I’m not joking.” I clenched my shaky hands into fists.
“I didn’t think you were.” I swallowed.
“So, why would you pick me?”
“Why would I not?”
“Do you dance?” I glanced at the people around us.
“Only with beautiful women.”
“Oh.” I bit my lip.
“Do you dance?”
“Only with handsome men.”
“Well, then, you’re in luck.” He set down his now empty glass on the table beside him and closed the distance between us, offering me his hand.
“I didn’t say you were handsome.” I put my hand in his.
“You didn’t have to.”
“You just assume everyone thinks you’re handsome?”
“I just assume people who look at me the way you do, like it’s a struggle to look away, think I am.” I rolled my eyes.
“So arrogant.”
“Rightfully so, some would say.”
The only thing I could think was, What the hell just happened? And the only answer I could come up with was River Caliban. He happened.
“What’s the matter, afraid they’ll think you like me?”
“Who says I like you?” I raised my chin defiantly, meeting his dark expression with my own.
“No one has to say you do.” His eyes danced. “But we both know that doesn’t mean it’s not true.”
“I had a dream about you.” I licked my lips.
“A good dream?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Hm.”
“Do you dream?”
“Everyone dreams.”
“Do you have good dreams?”
“Only when you’re in them.”
“People call my family witches. They want to cast stones at us, burn our land.” His mouth pulled up slightly. “But you’re the one who’s bewitched me."
Behind my eyelids, I saw colors flashing, the stars shooting to and from their place in space. With his tongue, he drew another constellation, a private one, just for me, and when I orgasmed, it was his face that I saw painted in all those colors.
“You have a very dirty mind, little witch. I like it."
“I love you,” I whispered. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.” He kissed me then, deeply, with an ardor and longing I knew I’d have for him as long as I lived, and when we found ecstasy, he smiled down at me.
“Your love sustained me and made up for a lifetime of loneliness," he said. "I'll love you for eternity."
“You’re so much more beautiful than I remembered, little witch."
“What are you?” I asked after a moment. “What are you, really?”
“Yours. If you’ll have me.” I laughed through the tears, because of all of the things he could have said, that was the most perfect.
"Anywhere? Any time?"
"Until the end of time."
“The only thing that feels like home to me is you.”
“Good, because the feeling’s mutual.” He pressed his lips against me then and kissed me with the fire of a thousand souls trying to get back to their other half.
“Yours. If you’ll have me.” I laughed through the tears, because of all of the things he could have said, that was the most perfect.
"Anywhere? Any time?"
"Until the end of time."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I adored this book! As a child, I loved to read fables and this felt like a modern day cross between an old-fashioned fable and a fairy tale. There's a legend, a curse, mysterious characters and an old, gothic manor.
Penelope Guzman and River Caliban have been raised as enemies, as one family put a curse on the other. But, they are inexplicably drawn to each other...first by attraction, then eventually by something much deeper. I just loved these two. River is truly a charming gentleman and totally gave off this sexy, old Hollywood vibe and it only added to the fabulous banter that these two shared between them.
C.C. did such a great job of squeezing this story in to a longer novella. I totally would have loved to have had even more of the story though. I think there's so much we could explore with each of their characters and the history of their families. But, this was great as it was.
I will say that the first 25% was a bit on the slower side, but once you get past that, you won't be able to put it down. It's original and such a great concept that I'd love to have a whole anthology of stories like this.
Nickname: Little Witch
“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said, and his voice, a low, sexy growl, vibrated through me.
The most powerful man on the island, the most sought after, the most mysterious, the one I was told to never, ever summon by name, was holding my hand.
“Why’d you pick me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“There are a lot of women on the island.”
“Why’d you stand in line?”
“I thought it was the bathroom.”
“Really?” He brought a fist up to cough into it, hiding a laugh.
“I’m not joking.” I clenched my shaky hands into fists.
“I didn’t think you were.” I swallowed.
“So, why would you pick me?”
“Why would I not?”
“Do you dance?” I glanced at the people around us.
“Only with beautiful women.”
“Oh.” I bit my lip.
“Do you dance?”
“Only with handsome men.”
“Well, then, you’re in luck.” He set down his now empty glass on the table beside him and closed the distance between us, offering me his hand.
“I didn’t say you were handsome.” I put my hand in his.
“You didn’t have to.”
“You just assume everyone thinks you’re handsome?”
“I just assume people who look at me the way you do, like it’s a struggle to look away, think I am.” I rolled my eyes.
“So arrogant.”
“Rightfully so, some would say.”
The only thing I could think was, What the hell just happened? And the only answer I could come up with was River Caliban. He happened.
“What’s the matter, afraid they’ll think you like me?”
“Who says I like you?” I raised my chin defiantly, meeting his dark expression with my own.
“No one has to say you do.” His eyes danced. “But we both know that doesn’t mean it’s not true.”
“I had a dream about you.” I licked my lips.
“A good dream?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Hm.”
“Do you dream?”
“Everyone dreams.”
“Do you have good dreams?”
“Only when you’re in them.”
“People call my family witches. They want to cast stones at us, burn our land.” His mouth pulled up slightly. “But you’re the one who’s bewitched me."
Behind my eyelids, I saw colors flashing, the stars shooting to and from their place in space. With his tongue, he drew another constellation, a private one, just for me, and when I orgasmed, it was his face that I saw painted in all those colors.
“You have a very dirty mind, little witch. I like it."
“I love you,” I whispered. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.” He kissed me then, deeply, with an ardor and longing I knew I’d have for him as long as I lived, and when we found ecstasy, he smiled down at me.
“Your love sustained me and made up for a lifetime of loneliness," he said. "I'll love you for eternity."
“You’re so much more beautiful than I remembered, little witch."
“What are you?” I asked after a moment. “What are you, really?”
“Yours. If you’ll have me.” I laughed through the tears, because of all of the things he could have said, that was the most perfect.
"Anywhere? Any time?"
"Until the end of time."
“The only thing that feels like home to me is you.”
“Good, because the feeling’s mutual.” He pressed his lips against me then and kissed me with the fire of a thousand souls trying to get back to their other half.
linzreadz13's review
5.0
Absolutely addicting!
I didn't even read the blurb before diving into this story. I was told that it was a gothic romance and I was sold! I wanted to dive in right away. This story sucked me in and still hasn't let me go!
The folklore aspect of this story was so wonderful. It was so unique and I enjoyed every detail. This story is romantic, magical, mysterious, and addicting.
Please don't read much about this book, just dive in and see where it takes you!
Grateful to have received a complimentary ARC copy to honestly review.
I didn't even read the blurb before diving into this story. I was told that it was a gothic romance and I was sold! I wanted to dive in right away. This story sucked me in and still hasn't let me go!
The folklore aspect of this story was so wonderful. It was so unique and I enjoyed every detail. This story is romantic, magical, mysterious, and addicting.
Please don't read much about this book, just dive in and see where it takes you!
Grateful to have received a complimentary ARC copy to honestly review.
talonvictoria's review
4.0
First off I just really need to compliment Claire and tell her that I am so super impressed with her story-telling ability with this book. What a great story! Fables and Other Lies was yet another book of Claire's that I just knew was different for her to write, but she killed it. Something that I wouldn't typically pick up, but since I have complete trust in Claire-- I knew it would be good.
I feel like the more and more that Claire branches out in the writing genre game, she really grows so much. I can say that I have read all of Claire's books dating back to her first one and seeing how much she has branched out and really challenged herself to create original and different stories for us is fascinating to me.
The whole way through, I was enchanted. The setting was dark and mesmerizing and the plot was perfectly tasteful. Fables and Other Lies kept me guessing and 100% kept me wanting more and more. I was not disappointed in the least and I don't think that you will be either. Go in blind, buckle up, and have a great time!
I feel like the more and more that Claire branches out in the writing genre game, she really grows so much. I can say that I have read all of Claire's books dating back to her first one and seeing how much she has branched out and really challenged herself to create original and different stories for us is fascinating to me.
The whole way through, I was enchanted. The setting was dark and mesmerizing and the plot was perfectly tasteful. Fables and Other Lies kept me guessing and 100% kept me wanting more and more. I was not disappointed in the least and I don't think that you will be either. Go in blind, buckle up, and have a great time!
bellebookcorner's review
3.0
Haunted island and a spooky manor with a curse surrounding it definitely catch my attention. The plot concept is very interesting and this story really brought the creepy spooky feeling.
Although I kind of wished for more development in terms of explanation regarding the background of the curse and families in the island.
Also I wished the story was longer because I didn't really connect with the main characters and how they feel for each other. It seems that they know each other before all this but it was never really shown in the book. Regardless that they may know each other way back, but since it wasn't shown their relationship felt more like an instant-love relationship.
The ending left an unsatisfied feeling for me because it left me with more questions when it was supposed to makes me feel satisfied with answers for all those mystery at the beginning.
The story and the setting itself were great and I enjoy reading it. However, I would have liked it more if the romance was more developed and have more explanation to the background.
Although I kind of wished for more development in terms of explanation regarding the background of the curse and families in the island.
Also I wished the story was longer because I didn't really connect with the main characters and how they feel for each other. It seems that they know each other before all this but it was never really shown in the book. Regardless that they may know each other way back, but since it wasn't shown their relationship felt more like an instant-love relationship.
The ending left an unsatisfied feeling for me because it left me with more questions when it was supposed to makes me feel satisfied with answers for all those mystery at the beginning.
The story and the setting itself were great and I enjoy reading it. However, I would have liked it more if the romance was more developed and have more explanation to the background.
elizabethsprettylittlereads's review
5.0
“I’ll settle for living inside of you. Deep in your bones. You’ll always feel me there, with every breath you take.”
What did I even read?! This was a story I had NO IDEA I needed, and I feel like anything I say will not do it justice. I also don’t want to give anything away because I literally went into this book blind. I read the words “Gothic Romance” and was like...”okay, let’s give this a try.” BEST DECISION EVER! And this is coming from one of the world’s biggest scaredy-cats, so don’t let the word “gothic” discourage you. This book was magical!
I reveled in the mystery, uniqueness, and pure romance between Penelope and River. Seriously. We can chalk it up to me being an emotional reader, but I teared up a few times and I wasn’t expecting it.
The entire world building, history, and the forbidden edge made Fables & Other Lies one of the most enthralling books I’ve read all year. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something a little “different” to read. I LOVED IT SO MUCH!
What did I even read?! This was a story I had NO IDEA I needed, and I feel like anything I say will not do it justice. I also don’t want to give anything away because I literally went into this book blind. I read the words “Gothic Romance” and was like...”okay, let’s give this a try.” BEST DECISION EVER! And this is coming from one of the world’s biggest scaredy-cats, so don’t let the word “gothic” discourage you. This book was magical!
I reveled in the mystery, uniqueness, and pure romance between Penelope and River. Seriously. We can chalk it up to me being an emotional reader, but I teared up a few times and I wasn’t expecting it.
The entire world building, history, and the forbidden edge made Fables & Other Lies one of the most enthralling books I’ve read all year. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something a little “different” to read. I LOVED IT SO MUCH!