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Book Review – Black Lies by Alessandra Torre

Black Lies by Alessandra Torre

Black Lies by Alessandra Torre

Standalone Dark Romance

If you have been a follower of my blog for some time, you know there are a few things I don’t usually like to read about: cheaters and liars are at the top of the list. Yet I decided to read a book called Black Lies! I don’t even think I read the blurb before deciding to read it. Since Alessandra will be at Wicked Book Weekend in February, I wanted to make sure I read one of her books, so I just dove in. I knew I may have problems with the storyline. I really haven’t loved a few other very popular books featuring lying, cheating heroines, but I can also think of a few exceptions to my rule. And I’m so, so glad I took a chance on Black Lies and stuck with it.

WARNING: AVOID SPOILERS TO THIS BOOK. THERE WILL BE NONE HERE.

Black Lies

Layana Fairmont grew up in the upper echelons of society, as much as she tried to get away from the scene, it just pulled her back. A trust fund baby, Layana didn’t have any real connections except the ones at HYA-Homeless Youths of America, where she enthusiastically volunteered and set up fundraisers. Layana met Brant Sharp, the young billionaire computer genius at an HYA fundraiser. Brant is the charity’s largest contributor. He was everything that would normally turn Layana off, at least on paper, but she didn’t expect more.

“What I didn’t expect was everything that he was not. Quietly confident. Unassuming. Gorgeous. Intense interest that didn’t play games.”

Brant has been sequestered at home since he turned 11 years old and started inventing some of the worlds greatest computers. He runs his company with his Aunt Jillian, who keeps him focused and on track. Despite his looks, the only regular female contact he has is of the paid variety. That is until he meets Layana.

Despite Jillian trying to buy her away because Brant “doesn’t need the distraction of a relationship“, Layana bided her time until she met Brant again.

When they begin a passionate affair, you can really feel the connection. Brant is a savant, able to invent some of the most high tech computers in the world. But with that drive comes missed dates and canceled plans. But Brant makes it up to Layana in many ways.

“Ways that will make your legs tremble around my neck. Ways that have me so hard and ready that I may not make it all the way there. Ways that will have you screaming my name and–“

They fall for each other completely, Brant a very generous lover whose focus was always on her pleasure first.

“Brant’s goal, each and every time, was to leave me sated, every possible orgasm pulled, tugged and yanked from my body with his greedy hands, mouth, and cock.”

But there was a mystery surrounding him. Why was she his first relationship? Why was his Aunt Jillian so intent on breaking them up?

“I love her completely. She returns the love wildly. This love is worth the unsaid truths. The hidden lies.”

From the prologue, however, we know there is someone else. Someone Layana is willing to lie and stalk to keep. Lee gives her everything Brant doesn’t. He is rough and dirty to Brant’s quiet, genteel nature. Lee takes what he wants, he is light and playful, while Brant is giving and serious.

“The manliness in every movement, the smell of him, one of earth and grass and sweat. Masculinity personified, and proved legitimate in how he had fucked me against the wall. Hard, invasive. For his own need more than mine. Greedy, animalistic. Marking me with his cock. He was the type of man I had always run from, but might just be the type I had always needed.”

From the prologue, we know that Layana does sneaky, almost heinous things to keep them both in her life. But at the end of each chapter we are teased about “the secret”.  I have to say, at one point I thought about not finishing. I have to really like my heroine to enjoy a book. And despite seeing a really good side to Layana, the bad side was really overpowering. And I was getting frustrated about the secret. I had so many ideas in my head, but then I’d come up with something totally different.

Since I don’t normally read this kind of book, I didn’t want to write an unfair review. The writing was fabulous, with some almost poetic prose that was never hard to read. But I was just starting to think that perhaps it wasn’t for me, so I contacted Alessandra and gave her a heads up that I wasn’t sure if I should continue.

She told me to hang in there….
I did.
Maybe I should have put my seatbelt on.

HOLY SHIT.

I am so freaking glad I didn’t put it down, because I think this will be the most memorable book of the year for me.

I need to re-read it.

8273283

mind blown

MIND.BLOWN.

621180

Likes:
  • The writing was excellent.
  • I loved Brant. He loved her so completely.
  • There was no doubt how much Layana loved Brant, despite her actions proving otherwise.
  • I did not guess the story, but I think it would be great even if you did.
  • It makes me need to re-read it right away.
  • Completely engrossing.
  • Lee was so freaking sexy, I don’t know how she could choose.
  • Very unique storyline.

Dislikes:

  • The teasing got a little frustrating.
  • The end was tied up just a little too quickly and neatly.
Rating: 4.5 Stars (Would be 5+ if I loved dark reads) 4.5 Heat.

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Flame_FOURHalf copy

Black Lies by Alessandra Torre was totally out of my comfort zone. It is a darker read, and has cheating, something which I usually hate in a book. I am so glad that Alessandra convinced me to stick with it, because while I may have had a problem at the beginning, it was more than worth it to read to the conclusion. And then read again. My not giving it 5 stars is because I did question whether I should continue at one point, and I was a little frustrated. But once I did continue–holy shit. 6 stars.

I have to say that Black Lies is a book that will totally stick with me, and I recommend to everyone–even if like me, you hate cheating liars. The writing was impeccable. The need to figure out the puzzle was consuming. The outcome was mind blowing. This is a MUST READ. But please, avoid spoilers!

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Purchase Black Lies by Alessandra Torre

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | BN.com | Smashwords

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Black Lies

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Comments

  11. Alissa Marino says

    Alessandra is one of my favorite authors! Reading Black Lies now and it’s amazing so far. Thanks for the chance!

    Reply

  14. Bella boo says

    This looks like a great book, has a great excerpt with a sassy cover!! Thanks for the giveaway

    Reply

  27. Karen G. says

    Thanks for the post, I have not read any of her work yet and would love to check this out.

    Reply

  37. Tracie G. says

    Alessandra Torre is one of my favorite writers and she is so down to earth as a person, Can’t wait to read this one!!!!

    Reply

  43. Jenn McElroy says

    I’ve been seeing such great reviews of this release. Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂

    Reply

  46. Boz says

    I’m just about to start this book!!! I love everything I’ve read by Alessandra Torre so far and have no doubt I will love this too!! Thanks for the giveaway

    Reply

  48. Heather says

    I’m current;y reading this book and its so hard to put down! Can’t wait to finish it. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂

    Reply

  66. Jeannie L says

    I don’t typically read dark reads too. I’m not that anal about cheating but as long as it’s not a malicious act or something. I’ve not read any of Alessandra Torre’s books but I am intrigued especially after reading your review. Will be checking her out. Thanks.

    Reply

  72. Dana Fiore Stusse says

    Alessandra Torre simply rocks my reading world. Hail to Alessandra, definitely one of the best out there~

    Reply

  80. Shannon says

    I’ve heard awesome things about this book! Can’t wait to read it!!! <3 AT and this blog 🙂

    Reply

  90. Stephanie Lashbrook says

    Ur review just made me want to read this even more. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  97. Shannon Cole says

    Thanks for the chance!
    I loved Sex, Love, Repeat so I’m definitely excited to read Black Lies!!

    Reply

  106. Julie Cole says

    Loved your review, I have been sceptical about reading this and your review has convinced me to read it. Thanks!

    Reply

  110. Nikki Flannery says

    Love the book. It would be so amazing to win the signed copy. Thank you for the chance

    Reply

  111. Andrea Hess says

    Alessandra is easily one of my FAVORITE authors. I fell in love with her while reading Sex Love Repeat. Thanks for the chance to win such an awesome prize!

    Reply

  116. Katie Harris says

    I just bought it. Will see if I like it. Much like you I don’t much care for cheaters.

    Reply

  122. Katie Harris says

    Wow!! Downloaded on Tuesday and just finished reading it. What can I say other than wow!!! The only thing I could say is, would have liked a better epilogue. Have not read anything like it.!!! must read

    Reply

  129. Nicole Johnson says

    Wonderful review. I like that you included what you liked and didn’t like. Thanks for the giveaway also. <3

    Reply

  133. cyndi flores says

    Wow if this is one of the most memrible books of the year for you it must be some major major hell balls good!!! So I am gonna have to get it!! Thank you all

    Reply

  137. Melissa Jones says

    Black Lies is by far the best book I’ve read this year! Thanks for the giveaway!!

    Reply

  139. Ana Pereira says

    Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity! I’m so curious about this book 🙂

    Reply

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