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alwaysbereadin's review against another edition
5.0
Nova and Lila
I don't know why I put this off for as long as I did, but I'm kicking myself because this was just as great as everyone said it would be. Almost every book in this series has been a massive hit for me, because the writing is so good and I am a sucker for MC romances with angst. Add in to this the brother's best friend trope and the unrequited love..how could I possibly rate this any lower than 5 stars?? Nova and Lila do not have the best of starts but they nearly always have each other. It might have taken me a while (by my standard) to read this but it was worth every tear I shed reading it.
I don't know why I put this off for as long as I did, but I'm kicking myself because this was just as great as everyone said it would be. Almost every book in this series has been a massive hit for me, because the writing is so good and I am a sucker for MC romances with angst. Add in to this the brother's best friend trope and the unrequited love..how could I possibly rate this any lower than 5 stars?? Nova and Lila do not have the best of starts but they nearly always have each other. It might have taken me a while (by my standard) to read this but it was worth every tear I shed reading it.
cverdeja's review against another edition
5.0
Just when I thought the highlight of this series was King and his Queenie, this book happened. The plot was good from start to finish. The relationship between Nova and his Flower Child has so much complexity and depth. I was hypnotized by every detail of their story as it unfolded from beginning to end. The ultimate ship.
warrior219's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
bookish_sheila's review against another edition
5.0
"Inked in Lies" by Giana Darling is an absolute ride, and I’m giving it a solid 5 stars! Jonathan, or Nova, is the perfect mix of handsome, funny, and kind. He’s always looking out for Lila, even when his feelings for her get all tangled up with duty and guilt. Lila is just as amazing, brave and loving, fighting through everything life throws at her.
Nova's struggle with his self-worth is one of the most compelling parts of the story. He thinks he’s not worthy of Lila's love because of his past mistakes and the darkness he carries. He’s haunted by the idea that he has nothing to offer but his smile and his tattoos, believing Lila deserves someone better.
The romance here is intense, filled with unspoken feelings and emotional suspense. Nova's protective nature and Lila's unyielding love make for a heart-wrenching yet beautiful love story. The Fallen motorcycle club adds a layer of rough and chaotic charm, with loyalty and brotherhood taking center stage.
I loved seeing Nova and Lila grow, face their pasts, and learn to open up to each other. Their love is the definition of unconditional. The Booth family’s foster dynamics bring warmth to the story, making it even more relatable and real.
The confessions of love between Nova and Lila are raw and honest, making my heart race. They overcome so many obstacles together, proving their love can withstand anything.
"Inked in Lies" is a must-read for any romance lover, especially if you're into romantic suspense and motor club vibes. This book is everything I hoped for and more. Can't wait to dive into the next one!
Nova's struggle with his self-worth is one of the most compelling parts of the story. He thinks he’s not worthy of Lila's love because of his past mistakes and the darkness he carries. He’s haunted by the idea that he has nothing to offer but his smile and his tattoos, believing Lila deserves someone better.
The romance here is intense, filled with unspoken feelings and emotional suspense. Nova's protective nature and Lila's unyielding love make for a heart-wrenching yet beautiful love story. The Fallen motorcycle club adds a layer of rough and chaotic charm, with loyalty and brotherhood taking center stage.
I loved seeing Nova and Lila grow, face their pasts, and learn to open up to each other. Their love is the definition of unconditional. The Booth family’s foster dynamics bring warmth to the story, making it even more relatable and real.
The confessions of love between Nova and Lila are raw and honest, making my heart race. They overcome so many obstacles together, proving their love can withstand anything.
"Inked in Lies" is a must-read for any romance lover, especially if you're into romantic suspense and motor club vibes. This book is everything I hoped for and more. Can't wait to dive into the next one!
livinglifewithhanna's review against another edition
5.0
I am obsessed, with this series, with Lila and Nova.
I love how we now get both perspectives from the characters.
I love how we now get both perspectives from the characters.
smertens's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.25
marsreads1's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book so much. I honestly couldn’t handle it, the love they have for each other is just so beautiful! Nova and Lila owns my heart <3
vanessas_reading_list's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars!
"'Get that through your head, yeah? I don’t need another pathetic girl trailin’ after me lookin’ for scraps.'"
My thoughts when I read this?: Oh HELL NO! I was so pissed off at Nova and wanted Lila to make him regret those words. I get that Nova doesn't think he's worthy of Lila and he doesn't want to taint their relationship, but this was the worst way he could have handled this.
So, when Lila's fiance tells him this:
"'You want her,' Jake said, each word a whip lashed at Nova. 'And now you can’t have her. You should have loved her while you had the chance.'"
It was like he took the words right out of my mouth.
This seems to slap at least some sense into him and we start getting a bit more sexual tension between our leads.
Hence these text messages:
"Nova: Was in the mood for you.
Lila: I’m busy.
Nova: I’m always in the mood for you, if I’m bein’ fuckin’ honest."
Setting aside the romance for a second, can we take a moment to appreciate what a freakin' bada*s Lila is?! She is easily my favorite leading lady of this series. She puts herself in very dangerous situations, not because she's naive about the risk, but because she's willing to lay it all on the line for her loved ones.
Also, the Booths are the best. The way they welcomed Lila and Dane into their home (and their hearts) made me fall in love with them just as much as Lila did.
Okay, now back to the romance...Though Nova is willing to admit his attraction for Lila, he's still in denial about what his heart wants.
"'There’s no part of me worth even an inch of you, and you gotta get that, know it, and forgive me for pointin’ it out to you, yeah? You gotta believe I’ve always got you at my heart, on my mind, thinkin’ about what’s right for you. And me? I’m not it. But fuck me, that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. It’ll never mean that.'"
I mean COME ON, how is this girl supposed to keep things platonic when you say things like that?!
When he finally realizes what he wants, I was desperately hoping that Lila would make him grovel a bit, but sadly we didn't get that. But we at least get beautiful declarations that would make anyone go weak in the knees.
"'I hope you know, Li,' he murmured, stroking a hand down the long line of my hair. 'I do love you. It’s never gonna be enough, but it’s as much as I got in me to give, yeah?' He paused, sensing perhaps how deeply his words scored through me. 'But it’s more than anyone else in the whole fuckin’ world, okay?'"
This is my favorite book so far and I'm excited to see more of these two in later books.
Spoiler
These two have the strongest bond of all the couples (IMO). The flashbacks were great because we get to see just how much these two genuinely love each other. Though he doesn't see her as a romantic interest (at least not initially), to Nova, Lila is the most beautiful thing in the world, the light of his life, his "flower child"; and he is fiercely protective of her. Lila gets to see a side of Nova that he doesn't share with anyone else and this strengthens their bond. He shows her his love in so many ways that she really "had no choice but to grow to love him back." But he's also her biggest heartbreak."'Get that through your head, yeah? I don’t need another pathetic girl trailin’ after me lookin’ for scraps.'"
My thoughts when I read this?: Oh HELL NO! I was so pissed off at Nova and wanted Lila to make him regret those words. I get that Nova doesn't think he's worthy of Lila and he doesn't want to taint their relationship, but this was the worst way he could have handled this.
So, when Lila's fiance tells him this:
"'You want her,' Jake said, each word a whip lashed at Nova. 'And now you can’t have her. You should have loved her while you had the chance.'"
It was like he took the words right out of my mouth.
This seems to slap at least some sense into him and we start getting a bit more sexual tension between our leads.
Hence these text messages:
"Nova: Was in the mood for you.
Lila: I’m busy.
Nova: I’m always in the mood for you, if I’m bein’ fuckin’ honest."
Setting aside the romance for a second, can we take a moment to appreciate what a freakin' bada*s Lila is?! She is easily my favorite leading lady of this series. She puts herself in very dangerous situations, not because she's naive about the risk, but because she's willing to lay it all on the line for her loved ones.
Also, the Booths are the best. The way they welcomed Lila and Dane into their home (and their hearts) made me fall in love with them just as much as Lila did.
Okay, now back to the romance...Though Nova is willing to admit his attraction for Lila, he's still in denial about what his heart wants.
"'There’s no part of me worth even an inch of you, and you gotta get that, know it, and forgive me for pointin’ it out to you, yeah? You gotta believe I’ve always got you at my heart, on my mind, thinkin’ about what’s right for you. And me? I’m not it. But fuck me, that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. It’ll never mean that.'"
I mean COME ON, how is this girl supposed to keep things platonic when you say things like that?!
When he finally realizes what he wants, I was desperately hoping that Lila would make him grovel a bit, but sadly we didn't get that. But we at least get beautiful declarations that would make anyone go weak in the knees.
"'I hope you know, Li,' he murmured, stroking a hand down the long line of my hair. 'I do love you. It’s never gonna be enough, but it’s as much as I got in me to give, yeah?' He paused, sensing perhaps how deeply his words scored through me. 'But it’s more than anyone else in the whole fuckin’ world, okay?'"
This is my favorite book so far and I'm excited to see more of these two in later books.