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A review by thebritishbibliophile_
Cruel Lies by Lilian Harris
5.0
'Lilian Harris does it again. She's going two-for-two in her smash-hit series. Watch this space, ladies and gentlemen. Watch. This. Space. You have a shelf-worthy series right here. - The British Bibliophile_
Thank you to Lilian Harris for sending me an ebook Advanced Readers Copy for me to read and leave an honest review as part of her ARC team
I was first made aware of Lilian Harris with the first book in the Messina Crime Family series, Sinful Vows, and immediately I knew I had found a top-quality author right off the bat. I was so blown away with the sheer prowess of Sinful Vows, that I made it my first ever top read of 2023. I said in my review for SV that I was 'in it for the long haul', a statement I fully back up and am so glad I said because book two? W.O.A.H! Though it wasn't long between the two books, the haul to get here was definitely worth it!
Cruel Lies picks the Messina Crime Family story up focusing on two different main characters, Nicolette and Raph. Raph is the brother to the main mafia man we met in book one, Michael Marino. A man not to be messed with and would do anything for the little girl woven around his finger, he's also fiercely loyal and would mess up anyone who messed with his family. Even if it was family themselves. This protective streak extends to Raph, who we got to briefly meet and get to know. Now all his mysteries, his past and everything that surrounds him or lurks in the dark, will be brought into the light. Nicolette going with him.
Nicolette as told to us in Sinful Vows, is the younger sister to Raph's late wife. A young lady with a complicated and troubled background, she's brought into the world of the mafia's underworld--though not an active member--thanks to her sister's connection to Raph. Even in the afterlife, that connection ties Nicolette to what the Marino men are trying to shield her from. But even the toughest of shields have a weak spot, and Nicolette IS that weak spot for their underworld empire, thanks to his late wife. He sees no other option but to do his best in shielding her from that world, one-on-one, alone, in a cabin. Yay for the forced proximity trope!
Having pushed her away all those years ago when Nicolette's young heart and soul was as fragile as a dove, how will things go between her and Raph when the two are hunkered down together in the cabin? Tensions and tempers sizzle, and it's only a matter of time before one or even both of them, answer the call of temptation. Bets are on for who will be the one to cave first. Place them now, folks.
(Oh, and did I mention this is also an age-gap romance? No? Now you know. Yay for another one of my favourites!)
Now twenty-one and under Raph (and his protection), it's only a matter of time before the past and the people wanting to hurt her and the Marinos come to call. Raph will need all of his focus to protect both of them, which is not easy when Nicolette is no longer the slip of a girl with her innocence, but is a grown woman with curves, only retaining one slither of her innocence which belongs to Raph and only Raph. Bring a cool drink with you folks, you'll need that cool down because goodness gracious me, what a man! What a performance! If you know, you know.
It's not all what goes on between the sheets, you'll be pleased to hear. I signed up originally to read Sinful Vows because I am a sucker for dark mafia romance, and this book gives it all the delicious dark mafia goodness. Along with a few surprises I certainly did not see coming! Love those moments! I'm seeing more and more of them pop up in the books I love by authors I cannot get enough of, and I'm thrilled Lilian has now joined those ranks. You'll be as pleasantly surprised as I was, trust me. She's THAT good and I can say with full confidence that book three will no doubt only continue to emphasise the message that Lilian is an author who has not only got talent in her fingertips, but is one to watch and belongs on the shelf of every die-hard dark romance/mafia romance lover.
Cruel Lies, although consumed in a day (because it was THAT good, again!) is a book I will one hundred percent be visiting again and will have along with Sinful Vows, on my bookcase with much pride and admiration. I'm beyond happy and blessed to have chosen Lilian Harris as a brand new author to read, and I'll definitely be sticking around for long into the future for as long as she'll have me at her mercy.
Five stars!
------------------------
Audiobook ALC Review - November 17th, 2023
Cruel Lies , book two in Lilian Harris’ Messina Crime Family series, narrated by Troy Duran and Brooke Daniels.
After immersing myself head-first into a series which still to this day has me in the ultimate bookish chokehold, I'm back in the world of the Messina Crime Family with another audiobook adaptation. This time we're being treated to book two in the series, which is another standalone read/listen, where two new sets of main characters--who have made an appearance in book one--, get their own story told.
After listening to the audiobook for book one, Cruel Lies, I was more than sold and down for listening to the next audiobook. My wish was granted and I didn't have to wait long for that to come true. This audiobook was much welcome into my growing Audible library, and it's one I will definitely come back to again at some point in the future. It's not a one-and-done kind of listen. You'll keep coming back for more, and more, and more.
So, who are we getting to guide is on this audio-journey this time? Some of you may have spotted their names at the start of this ALC review, but let's introduce you to them properly. Taking the reins as Raf is the incredible Troy Duran. I've had the immense pleasure of listening to him before on a few audiobooks, so I'm thrilled to add to my listening repertoire this co-narration with himself and Brooke Daniels. Brooke steps up as Nicolette, a strong and determined-to-survive young lady with plenty of fire. To my knowledge, I don't think I've listened to an audiobook with Brooke Daniels in it before, so this was a chance for me to get to know her and her narration style.
If you've read the book version of Cruel Lies, you'll know just how charged it is with passion, tension, steam, angst, drama and oh so much more. Take that and crank it up tenfold, because this audiobook is bringing you the feelings and emotions out of the pages and into your ears. Thanks to the outstanding narration by these two, you'll feel every word. Troy embodies everything that is Raf. Every grumble, growl and even grin--like with the first book--required some much-needed pause time to recover before continuing on. I'd give Troy's performance a resounding 10/10 on the blush-0-meter. Brooke in her respective performance as Nicolette elicited a whole host of other emotions and feelings, including relatability. I felt Nicolette's pain, upset and hurt. Did I weep a little? Of course I did. She. Was. That. Good. Brilliant pairing, brilliant co-narration. Brilliant casting choice.
Though I knew what was coming having read the book previously to listening to this audiobook, I was transported right back to the beginning and told their tale from a whole new angle. It's one thing to read the book and have it in your imagination how things appear in the mind, how things come across in our hearts, but to hear the essence of the author's story and its intended meanings brought to our ears? It's a whole other experience. One I felt like I was experiencing all over again as if it were the first time. From the first second to the last, I was mesmerised.
I've even bookmarked certain chapters/moments within this audiobook to specifically go back to, because Troy and Brooke just nailed them--as frankly they did the whole book--, they've become moments to go back to and indulge in over and over. Hopefully you'll have your own moments to go back to once you've listened to this book.
Thank you to Lilian for having me on your ARC and now your ALC team. This is the second audible treat that I highly recommend others to listen to if you want a thrilling tale, ten-star narration and repeat-worthy listening book.
Five stars!
Thank you to Lilian Harris for sending me an ebook Advanced Readers Copy for me to read and leave an honest review as part of her ARC team
I was first made aware of Lilian Harris with the first book in the Messina Crime Family series, Sinful Vows, and immediately I knew I had found a top-quality author right off the bat. I was so blown away with the sheer prowess of Sinful Vows, that I made it my first ever top read of 2023. I said in my review for SV that I was 'in it for the long haul', a statement I fully back up and am so glad I said because book two? W.O.A.H! Though it wasn't long between the two books, the haul to get here was definitely worth it!
Cruel Lies picks the Messina Crime Family story up focusing on two different main characters, Nicolette and Raph. Raph is the brother to the main mafia man we met in book one, Michael Marino. A man not to be messed with and would do anything for the little girl woven around his finger, he's also fiercely loyal and would mess up anyone who messed with his family. Even if it was family themselves. This protective streak extends to Raph, who we got to briefly meet and get to know. Now all his mysteries, his past and everything that surrounds him or lurks in the dark, will be brought into the light. Nicolette going with him.
Nicolette as told to us in Sinful Vows, is the younger sister to Raph's late wife. A young lady with a complicated and troubled background, she's brought into the world of the mafia's underworld--though not an active member--thanks to her sister's connection to Raph. Even in the afterlife, that connection ties Nicolette to what the Marino men are trying to shield her from. But even the toughest of shields have a weak spot, and Nicolette IS that weak spot for their underworld empire, thanks to his late wife. He sees no other option but to do his best in shielding her from that world, one-on-one, alone, in a cabin. Yay for the forced proximity trope!
Having pushed her away all those years ago when Nicolette's young heart and soul was as fragile as a dove, how will things go between her and Raph when the two are hunkered down together in the cabin? Tensions and tempers sizzle, and it's only a matter of time before one or even both of them, answer the call of temptation. Bets are on for who will be the one to cave first. Place them now, folks.
(Oh, and did I mention this is also an age-gap romance? No? Now you know. Yay for another one of my favourites!)
Now twenty-one and under Raph (and his protection), it's only a matter of time before the past and the people wanting to hurt her and the Marinos come to call. Raph will need all of his focus to protect both of them, which is not easy when Nicolette is no longer the slip of a girl with her innocence, but is a grown woman with curves, only retaining one slither of her innocence which belongs to Raph and only Raph. Bring a cool drink with you folks, you'll need that cool down because goodness gracious me, what a man! What a performance! If you know, you know.
It's not all what goes on between the sheets, you'll be pleased to hear. I signed up originally to read Sinful Vows because I am a sucker for dark mafia romance, and this book gives it all the delicious dark mafia goodness. Along with a few surprises I certainly did not see coming! Love those moments! I'm seeing more and more of them pop up in the books I love by authors I cannot get enough of, and I'm thrilled Lilian has now joined those ranks. You'll be as pleasantly surprised as I was, trust me. She's THAT good and I can say with full confidence that book three will no doubt only continue to emphasise the message that Lilian is an author who has not only got talent in her fingertips, but is one to watch and belongs on the shelf of every die-hard dark romance/mafia romance lover.
Cruel Lies, although consumed in a day (because it was THAT good, again!) is a book I will one hundred percent be visiting again and will have along with Sinful Vows, on my bookcase with much pride and admiration. I'm beyond happy and blessed to have chosen Lilian Harris as a brand new author to read, and I'll definitely be sticking around for long into the future for as long as she'll have me at her mercy.
Five stars!
------------------------
Audiobook ALC Review - November 17th, 2023
Cruel Lies , book two in Lilian Harris’ Messina Crime Family series, narrated by Troy Duran and Brooke Daniels.
After immersing myself head-first into a series which still to this day has me in the ultimate bookish chokehold, I'm back in the world of the Messina Crime Family with another audiobook adaptation. This time we're being treated to book two in the series, which is another standalone read/listen, where two new sets of main characters--who have made an appearance in book one--, get their own story told.
After listening to the audiobook for book one, Cruel Lies, I was more than sold and down for listening to the next audiobook. My wish was granted and I didn't have to wait long for that to come true. This audiobook was much welcome into my growing Audible library, and it's one I will definitely come back to again at some point in the future. It's not a one-and-done kind of listen. You'll keep coming back for more, and more, and more.
So, who are we getting to guide is on this audio-journey this time? Some of you may have spotted their names at the start of this ALC review, but let's introduce you to them properly. Taking the reins as Raf is the incredible Troy Duran. I've had the immense pleasure of listening to him before on a few audiobooks, so I'm thrilled to add to my listening repertoire this co-narration with himself and Brooke Daniels. Brooke steps up as Nicolette, a strong and determined-to-survive young lady with plenty of fire. To my knowledge, I don't think I've listened to an audiobook with Brooke Daniels in it before, so this was a chance for me to get to know her and her narration style.
If you've read the book version of Cruel Lies, you'll know just how charged it is with passion, tension, steam, angst, drama and oh so much more. Take that and crank it up tenfold, because this audiobook is bringing you the feelings and emotions out of the pages and into your ears. Thanks to the outstanding narration by these two, you'll feel every word. Troy embodies everything that is Raf. Every grumble, growl and even grin--like with the first book--required some much-needed pause time to recover before continuing on. I'd give Troy's performance a resounding 10/10 on the blush-0-meter. Brooke in her respective performance as Nicolette elicited a whole host of other emotions and feelings, including relatability. I felt Nicolette's pain, upset and hurt. Did I weep a little? Of course I did. She. Was. That. Good. Brilliant pairing, brilliant co-narration. Brilliant casting choice.
Though I knew what was coming having read the book previously to listening to this audiobook, I was transported right back to the beginning and told their tale from a whole new angle. It's one thing to read the book and have it in your imagination how things appear in the mind, how things come across in our hearts, but to hear the essence of the author's story and its intended meanings brought to our ears? It's a whole other experience. One I felt like I was experiencing all over again as if it were the first time. From the first second to the last, I was mesmerised.
I've even bookmarked certain chapters/moments within this audiobook to specifically go back to, because Troy and Brooke just nailed them--as frankly they did the whole book--, they've become moments to go back to and indulge in over and over. Hopefully you'll have your own moments to go back to once you've listened to this book.
Thank you to Lilian for having me on your ARC and now your ALC team. This is the second audible treat that I highly recommend others to listen to if you want a thrilling tale, ten-star narration and repeat-worthy listening book.
Five stars!