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kitcat_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Mental illness and Stalking
lololovesthings's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
If Claire Contreras writes it, I will read it. "When We Lied" is excellent: scandalous, surprising, deliciously spicy, and it blurs the lines between what's appropriate and what's not appropriate. Let's just say: I wouldn't want to have a boyfriend or husband who does the things that Finn does (staking, jealousy, etc), but in this book, Contreras made me a fan (in fiction, LOL). We've got Finn, a grumpy hockey player MMC, and a sunshine basketball player FMC, who dislike each other at first, but quickly become obsessed with each other. They have both experienced severe amounts of trauma and bond in their shared misery. At first, their pairing is purely physical, driven by jealousy and need and the thrill of the unattainable. Slowly but surely, they both begin to fall in love. There are a surprising amount of tender moments between Finn and Jocelyn sprinkled between the spice, too. Around the romance aspect is a thrilling mystery full of suspense and intrigue that I did not see coming. I read this book in a day and a half because I just couldn't put it down! Claire Contreras sure knows how to hook her readers with the drama! I loooooved the dual audiobook narration by Stephen Dexter and Janine Granda. They were *perfect* for this book. They bring the characters to life in such a salacious, wonderful way! I absolutely recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Claire Contreras, Dreamscape Select, and The Wicked Pen for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
haneyhayespr's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This is a perfect fit for readers who crave a steamy and suspenseful romance with a possessive hero, a dash of mystery, and a strong focus on the emotional intensity of a second-chance love story, all set against the backdrop of the high-stakes world of professional hockey. Get ready to be kept on the edge of your seat!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Death, Toxic friendship, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Death of parent, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, and Addiction
Moderate: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Violence, Stalking, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Addiction
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicide, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Stalking
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Vomit, and Pregnancy
confvndus's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, and Suicide
raquel28's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
"There's no doubt in my mind that if something happens to this girl. i'll die. Literally, physically, and metaphorically, i will cease to exist."
"'I’m serious, Josslyn. You own me,' I repeat, my voice hoarse. 'My love for you is a living thing inside me. You’re everywhere all the time—on my mind, in my blood, in my bones. I don’t think we can get much closer than that.'"
✨ arc ✨
4,5 🌟
Have you read anything by Claire Contreras?
If not, what are you waiting for?!
If yes, can we talk about her talent for keeping us on our toes?! I love a good mystery, and Claire definitely knows how to keep us entertained.
After reading “Until I Get You,” I had high expectations for this one, and well, IT. DOES. NOT. DISAPPOINT! 🔥
Finneas Alexander Barlow has become my new book boyfriend, and I loved how his character evolves from being a playboy to being completely in love (obsessed!) with Josslyn. (I mean, he gave her sunflowers because they represent loyalty, longevity, and adoration, soooo... 😫)
I also loved Josslyn! Despite everything she went through, she always maintained her kindness and ability to care, even for those who hurt her deeply. Her resilience and warmth make the history more engaging and leave you wanting to see more of her.
I must confess, I found the first few chapters a bit slow, but once you get into the story, it’s hard to put the book down. The suspense was nicely executed, and I didn't see that twist coming at the end. (I think I suspected everyone except the real villain! 🤡)
Filled with revenge, betrayal, and A LOT of chemistry, "When We Lied" is an emotional rollercoaster that will keep you hooked until the last page. If you enjoy spicy romance with mystery and suspense, you need to add this book to your list.
Thank you, Claire Contreras and Valentine PR, for the ARC.
Note 1: since the story is set in Fairview, we get a glimpse of Lachlan, Layla, and Theo’s lives, and it’s adorable 🥲🥰
Note 2: (for those who read “Until I Get You”) If you thought Lachlan was obsessed, get ready because Finn gives him a run for his money in the stalker department 😂🥵
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicide
Minor: Drug use
strawberrei's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
spicycronereads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The timeline is dual POV between the MCs. FMC Josslyn is a college basketball player and social media influencer who has a brief encounter at a seggs club with Finn, who is a player both for the NHL and of hearts. Josslyn is friends with Finn‘s sister, Mallory, who is unalived. The book unfolds over repeated encounters between Finn and Josslyn as they separately try to figure out what happened to Mallory.
The timeline is occasionally confusing. I think partly because there is a mystery so there are red herrings and twists. And, for me at least, it took me a while to realize that there are two seggs clubs (seriously Fairview must be the capital of untimely unaliving and seggs clubs per capita for whatever state it is in!) I was wishing I had read it in print so I could annotate and tab it, which I think would have helped me keep things straight. But any confusion is worth powering through, made up for by great characters, amazing plot twists, and lots of romance and spice.
Josslyn is such a great character. She’s smart and independent and kind. Finn is the kind of alphahole MMC who quickly became a book boyfriend. And his character arc is really great. They both have traumas they are dealing with and their relationship becomes a catalyst for healing. Their chemistry and banter are off the charts.
And speaking of characters, Lyla and Lachlan from Until I Get You make multiple appearances here as Josslyn is related to Lyla by marriage and Lachlan knows Finn through business and hockey. So that was fun and I appreciated seeing how their relationship progressed.
There is some interesting commentary in the book about social media, influencer culture, and intense sports fandom. I need to sit with it a bit longer to really unpack that critique, I think.
The spice is plentiful. It starts off early and like a five alarm fire. Since they start with a hookup and move into romance, there is lots of really hawt spice at the beginning, that tempers a bit as lot of swooniness is added as the narrative progresses. It is a great balance of 💖 and 🌶️. It’s a 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ for me, with the understanding that it is also really swoony in parts.
In terms of diverse representation , Josslyn and her bio family are Cuban American. There are other Latine characters among the secondary characters as well. There are queer characters, namely lesbians or bi women. And there is class diversity. Many of the characters have multi generational wealth, but Joslyn’s family is more middle class (and consequently more down to earth, more welcoming, and less toxic than the other families depicted).
Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this, practically devouring it in a little over a day. I was only slowed by my kindle running out of battery! 😂 With that kind of intensity, I have to rate it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. And 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicide, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Drug use and Stalking
kenzieburke's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, and Violence
hopecobbledpots's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicide, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol