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susanw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
christinel's review against another edition
4.0
The drama here is operatic, but masterfully done. These characters are nothing like me, mostly because of my privilege of growing up in a stable (ish) middle class family. They didn't - the heroine grew isolated on a farm with a controlling, mentally ill mother, and the hero grew up with a family that loved him but could not keep their addictions to substances and violence from affecting his path. I love the way this book emphasizes that love is about authenticity and finding the person you can be yourself with, not a perfect person. And I love the way this book emphasizes that finding some kind of peace and equilibrium with your family can be a gateway to letting yourself be loved by someone else. And oh, the gift he gives her in the epilogue is so romantic!
jaimearkin's review against another edition
4.0
I’m going to be honest, these books weren’t even really on my radar until Everything I Left Unsaid showed up on my doorstep. When I looked at some of my trusted romance reviewers they were loving this and so I knew I had to give it a try!
I have to say that I wasn’t disappointed in the least in this first book. In fact, the only complaint I really had about it was the ginormous cliffhanger that the author leaves you on at the very end. The writing was solid, the story was intriguing and the characters were unique and interesting.
That said, when I got to that ending I was a little pissed off. Thankfully, I was able to grab an early copy of the second book on Netgalley.
The second book jumps right into the story where we were left hanging at the end of book 1 and O’Keefe actually resolves the cliffhanger in the first few chapters, which managed to make my suspense filled heart happy, but I realized that there was still a ton of book left and wondered where she would be taking this half of the story.
And I’ll be honest, for as much as I enjoyed the first one, the remainder of the second book kind of wasn’t quite as interesting to me. I don’t know if it was because we were in Dylan’s head for some of this, or if the story just wasn’t as intriguing to me, but either way, it was just missing a bit of the same spark for me.
What I did enjoy was the rebuilding of the father/son bond, and I am definitely interested in reading more about Joan, talk about an interesting character, and she definitely would be it… every page she was on had me wondering more and more about her and her past. It would be amazing to see what the future holds for her now.
Overall a great duology with some really well done, steamy, sexy scenes and an interesting and suspenseful story to go along with it. Fans of Erotic Romance definitely need to have these books on their to read list.
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I have to say that I wasn’t disappointed in the least in this first book. In fact, the only complaint I really had about it was the ginormous cliffhanger that the author leaves you on at the very end. The writing was solid, the story was intriguing and the characters were unique and interesting.
That said, when I got to that ending I was a little pissed off. Thankfully, I was able to grab an early copy of the second book on Netgalley.
The second book jumps right into the story where we were left hanging at the end of book 1 and O’Keefe actually resolves the cliffhanger in the first few chapters, which managed to make my suspense filled heart happy, but I realized that there was still a ton of book left and wondered where she would be taking this half of the story.
And I’ll be honest, for as much as I enjoyed the first one, the remainder of the second book kind of wasn’t quite as interesting to me. I don’t know if it was because we were in Dylan’s head for some of this, or if the story just wasn’t as intriguing to me, but either way, it was just missing a bit of the same spark for me.
What I did enjoy was the rebuilding of the father/son bond, and I am definitely interested in reading more about Joan, talk about an interesting character, and she definitely would be it… every page she was on had me wondering more and more about her and her past. It would be amazing to see what the future holds for her now.
Overall a great duology with some really well done, steamy, sexy scenes and an interesting and suspenseful story to go along with it. Fans of Erotic Romance definitely need to have these books on their to read list.
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
britishfictionfan's review against another edition
3.0
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway
Since it was the second in a series I HAD to read the first book Everything I Left Unsaid before I read this one. This is a good sequel to that well written extremely erotic & very graphic romantic suspense novel. Note both books are about domestic violence & its aftermath. Also both books contain numerous very graphic sex scenes. I did prefer the first book perhaps because the story seemed to have more definite direction. This book continues the story of Dylan & Annie but seems to get lost at times in supporting plot set ups etc. I see that a third book in this series will be coming out in the Spring, I will put it on my to read list because this author is quite talented & well edited --so I am interested to see where she takes the characters of Joan & Max because they are VERY unappealing to me now --will be interesting to see how she shifts the reader to feeling like reading about them.
For me these books are a break from the literary fiction that I usually read.
Since it was the second in a series I HAD to read the first book Everything I Left Unsaid before I read this one. This is a good sequel to that well written extremely erotic & very graphic romantic suspense novel. Note both books are about domestic violence & its aftermath. Also both books contain numerous very graphic sex scenes. I did prefer the first book perhaps because the story seemed to have more definite direction. This book continues the story of Dylan & Annie but seems to get lost at times in supporting plot set ups etc. I see that a third book in this series will be coming out in the Spring, I will put it on my to read list because this author is quite talented & well edited --so I am interested to see where she takes the characters of Joan & Max because they are VERY unappealing to me now --will be interesting to see how she shifts the reader to feeling like reading about them.
For me these books are a break from the literary fiction that I usually read.
ladyniki's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 so bumping this one up to four.
"Bedrock."
The first book ended in a major cliffy, so this one picks right up from there. That drama could have been dragged out but thankfully it's not. Bless! But don't get too comfortable more problems arise from Dylan's brother so this one brings the angst like Everything I Left Unsaid. The sex scenes are hot but the phone sex element is missing unfortunately. The ending was abrupt with over the top drama back to back which was unnecessary. Joan is getting a book, very intrigued to find out what is going on with her though.
"Bedrock."
The first book ended in a major cliffy, so this one picks right up from there. That drama could have been dragged out but thankfully it's not. Bless! But don't get too comfortable more problems arise from Dylan's brother so this one brings the angst like Everything I Left Unsaid. The sex scenes are hot but the phone sex element is missing unfortunately. The ending was abrupt with over the top drama back to back which was unnecessary. Joan is getting a book, very intrigued to find out what is going on with her though.
terriaminute's review against another edition
5.0
Everything You Left Unsaid and this one are possibly the most compelling story I've ever read. Singular. Buy them at the same time, read them as one story, and then buy the third one because by then you need to know Joan's story, too.
abailey410's review against another edition
4.0
What started in the erotically charged Everything I Left Unsaid, now comes to a gripping conclusion with The Truth About Him. I was immediately drawn in by Annie and Dylan in the first book and this one does not disappoint. Instead of a raging inferno, like the first book this is a slow burn, but just as intense and all consuming.
My Thoughts
This book picks up exactly where the last one left off, and while the first book was so full of erotic tension and mystery, this one is completely different and I can't figure out if it was a good or bad thing. Overall this book had a completely different tone, but was just as full of tension and mystery, just a different kind.
The book starts with Annie's past that she's running from coming back to claim her. We get to see all the people that Annie has forged relationships with come to help her get away from Hoyt, but the one that saves her is Dylan and the confidence that Dylan inspired in her.
This book is still in alternating points of view, but the focus shifts from Annie to Dylan, as do the mysteries and suspense. We learn little by little about his past, his family, and the demons he is trying to outrun. With Annie's love and help he slowly works to accept all the things in his life that he feels he doesn't deserve and let go of all the anger and resentment that was keeping everyone at an arms length. There is plenty of drama and suspense and danger, but it is faced with less fear than Annie had and more of a wariness or awareness of the final outcome and knowing you can't change it.
It was beautifully written and Dylan and Annie got their ending, but I wanted to see more of the other character's stories wrapped up too. Like Max and Joan, Blake, Tiffany, Margaret. They all had roles in the final outcome, but I wanted to see how they fit into the new roles that Dylan and Annie had taken on. I am hoping to see more of this world in the future. I highly recommend this series.
A review copy was provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
review originally posted at http://wp.me/pWRs7-MQ
My Thoughts
This book picks up exactly where the last one left off, and while the first book was so full of erotic tension and mystery, this one is completely different and I can't figure out if it was a good or bad thing. Overall this book had a completely different tone, but was just as full of tension and mystery, just a different kind.
The book starts with Annie's past that she's running from coming back to claim her. We get to see all the people that Annie has forged relationships with come to help her get away from Hoyt, but the one that saves her is Dylan and the confidence that Dylan inspired in her.
This book is still in alternating points of view, but the focus shifts from Annie to Dylan, as do the mysteries and suspense. We learn little by little about his past, his family, and the demons he is trying to outrun. With Annie's love and help he slowly works to accept all the things in his life that he feels he doesn't deserve and let go of all the anger and resentment that was keeping everyone at an arms length. There is plenty of drama and suspense and danger, but it is faced with less fear than Annie had and more of a wariness or awareness of the final outcome and knowing you can't change it.
It was beautifully written and Dylan and Annie got their ending, but I wanted to see more of the other character's stories wrapped up too. Like Max and Joan, Blake, Tiffany, Margaret. They all had roles in the final outcome, but I wanted to see how they fit into the new roles that Dylan and Annie had taken on. I am hoping to see more of this world in the future. I highly recommend this series.
A review copy was provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
review originally posted at http://wp.me/pWRs7-MQ
poisonivy70's review against another edition
4.0
Full review posted =>http://afterdarkbooklovers.com/2015/11/24/book-review-the-truth-about-him-by-m-okeefe/#more-8324
The Good: I loved Dylan and Annie. Full stop. They are one of those couples that you think about long after you finish the book. Answers are given, characters and their true motivations are exposed, and nothing is an “easy” answer. I think all of the players here are complex and drawn well. Ms. O’Keefe’s prose is still among the best I’ve seen of romance writers active today.
I’m keeping this review a bit vague as both books are best enjoyed without spoilers. Suffice it to say, I’m happy with the romance as well as the overarching mysteries and their resolutions. I thought that the cliffhanger paid off and sent the story spinning in the proper direction.
The Bad: Nothing that I can think of. I mean, ok, I’m not a fan of stories spread over multiple books, BUT I have to say that it works here and it is not dragged out just because. There’s a change in POV and overall tone from the first to the second that allows the reader to get to know Dylan and his past. It’s a tricky thing to pull off but it worked for me.
Everything in Between: This is slower in pace, though satisfying emotionally. I would have loved to see the action and tension have continued as it did in the first book. While several subplots percolate and bubble over, it felt as if all of the storyline tension was saved up for the finale, which was a bit rushed. Even so, I loved Dylan and Annie’s HEA and the way things ultimately end. Best yet, there are possibilities for more visits to this little ‘verse through supporting characters. The best of all worlds for me.
I really enjoyed this two parter, though it was different than I expected. The character development, the excellent prose, it’s all crafted so well. Cliffhangers are so not my thing but this story is an exception to my rule. I’d recommend it.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
“Love is a knife that really only cuts one way, and that’s deep.”
The Good: I loved Dylan and Annie. Full stop. They are one of those couples that you think about long after you finish the book. Answers are given, characters and their true motivations are exposed, and nothing is an “easy” answer. I think all of the players here are complex and drawn well. Ms. O’Keefe’s prose is still among the best I’ve seen of romance writers active today.
I’m keeping this review a bit vague as both books are best enjoyed without spoilers. Suffice it to say, I’m happy with the romance as well as the overarching mysteries and their resolutions. I thought that the cliffhanger paid off and sent the story spinning in the proper direction.
The Bad: Nothing that I can think of. I mean, ok, I’m not a fan of stories spread over multiple books, BUT I have to say that it works here and it is not dragged out just because. There’s a change in POV and overall tone from the first to the second that allows the reader to get to know Dylan and his past. It’s a tricky thing to pull off but it worked for me.
Everything in Between: This is slower in pace, though satisfying emotionally. I would have loved to see the action and tension have continued as it did in the first book. While several subplots percolate and bubble over, it felt as if all of the storyline tension was saved up for the finale, which was a bit rushed. Even so, I loved Dylan and Annie’s HEA and the way things ultimately end. Best yet, there are possibilities for more visits to this little ‘verse through supporting characters. The best of all worlds for me.
I really enjoyed this two parter, though it was different than I expected. The character development, the excellent prose, it’s all crafted so well. Cliffhangers are so not my thing but this story is an exception to my rule. I’d recommend it.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
samnreader's review against another edition
3.0
I found the character development and plot incredibly compelling-Annie's book is clearly the first & mostly focused on her growth. This is Dylan's book. Oddly, while I enjoyed the romance, I didn't find it half as compelling in either book as the actual plot & other characters. (I know, what gives?)
I really, really felt like this book was missing Joan.
That said, I would have maybe given this 3.5 or 4 had I felt a little more intrigued by the romance but that all seemed a foregone conclusion, particularly in the book. I may have given it that rating if the author didn't do that thing I find really jarring: 1st person then 3rd person from other MC POV. I don't know what to call that other than something I don't like.
I loved Dylan as a character and think he'll stick with me a bit more, and I think the family dynamic in this book was incredibly compelling. I will continue with the series, but on a borrowed basis...JUST for that POV thing.
I really, really felt like this book was missing Joan.
That said, I would have maybe given this 3.5 or 4 had I felt a little more intrigued by the romance but that all seemed a foregone conclusion, particularly in the book. I may have given it that rating if the author didn't do that thing I find really jarring: 1st person then 3rd person from other MC POV. I don't know what to call that other than something I don't like.
I loved Dylan as a character and think he'll stick with me a bit more, and I think the family dynamic in this book was incredibly compelling. I will continue with the series, but on a borrowed basis...JUST for that POV thing.
gerireads's review against another edition
4.0
It definitely was as good as the first book. It would have been a lot better but the ending felt rushed to me. It's still very good though and I'm definitely looking forward to more books in this series. I'm hoping Blake will get a book.
Full review to come.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Full review to come.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.