Forgiving Lies: A Novel

PJV Quickie: I've read and enjoyed other books by Molly McAdams and I really wanted to like Forgiving Lies. Unfortunately, I found the story to be formulaic and the characters unlikable. At about the halfway point I started getting into the story, but then the epilogue ruined it for me (again).

Review:
Rachel Masters is finishing up her third year of college. Rachel's parents died at the beginning of her senior year of high school and her BFF Candice's family took her in for her senior year. Rachel followed Candice from their home in California to the University of Texas in Austin. Candice's cousin, Blake, whom Rachel had a crush on as a child, has also started working at UT as a personal trainer in the athletics department. Candice has been incessantly bugging Rachel to go out with Blake, and when Rachel finally agrees (to get Candice to stop whining about it), the date goes okay, but after they go out twice Blake gets weird and Rachel doesn't want to see him any more, which is difficult because he's Candice's cousin and works in the department Rachel's studies are in.

Logan "Kash" Ryan is an undercover cop in Tampa Bay, Florida, and after a violent gang puts out a hit on Kash and his partner, Mason, they are sent undercover to find a serial killer in Austin. They move in to the apartment across the walkway from Rachel and Candice, and a friendship develops. Kash knows Rachel is hiding secrets, but he can't tell Rachel he's got secrets of his own. When things get serious, will Rachel be able to forgive Kash his `necessary lies', or will he lose the best thing that's ever happened to him?

~~~~~~~~~~

*Warning - this book has a detailed rape scene in it, which can be an issue for some readers*

As I said in my PJV quickie, I wanted to like Forgiving Lies. I've read and enjoyed other books by this author and the blurb looked good. That being said, I had so many eyerolls reading Forgiving Lies that I may need to go see an optometrist. It's like she took a checklist of things needed in a NA and ticked them off to be sure everything was included:
~rape;
~dead parents;
~self-centered bff;
~tattooed hero (piercing optional);
~hero also rides a motorcycle and/or plays guitar (in this case, both);
~hero feels the need to keep the heroine "safe";
~cliffhanger ending

I think by this point it's obvious I had issues with Forgiving Lies. At first the writing read as awkward, but I just put it off to getting used to the tone of a new book. Then, in the first few chapters, Blake is acting weird and Rachel is all "oh, maybe I forgot my car died after I was already at the coffee shop and I also forgot I called my BFF and told her to send Blake to come get me." Blake comes off as a mustache-twirling villian and the whole setup in the first few chapters felt forced and obvious.

Kash came off as a pretty good hero (even with the swoon-overkill: tattooed, pierced, motorcycle-riding undercover cop who also plays guitar and sings) and I genuinely liked his character. He had a few issues of his own, and without getting into spoilers I can't go into specifics, but sufficeth to say the whole book I kept thinking "He does remember that in real life he lives in Tampa Bay, yes?"

Now, on to Rachel's BFF Candice: Seriously one of the worst BFFs ever:
~She ignores Rachel's repeated "no" and bullies her into accepting a date with Blake;
~She continuously locks Rachel out of the apartment without warning when she's having sex (instead of say, locking her own bedroom door so Rachel can use the rest of the apartment); and
~She doesn't believe Rachel when she tells her she's been raped and gets annoyed when Rachel wants to avoid her rapist.

All in all, I felt like for much of the story the characters were written to fit the plot: many of Rachel's reactions to Kash didn't ring true in light of the events at the beginning of the book, and I felt like the story still would have worked and would have been more believable if said events hadn't happened.

Now, the epilogue. Even though I got off to a rocky start, Kash kind of carried the story for me and I was enjoying it to the end...it was a good ending and this particular reader was satisfied. Then, the author pulls an out-of-the-blue cliffhanger out of her pocket that I guess is supposed to grab readers and leave them wanting the next book, but for me it just read like a blatant "buy my next book" ploy. Instead of being left satisfied, I was left annoyed by the whole thing.

Recommendations:
Based on goodreads reviews, I think am in the minority in not liking Forgiving Lies, so I think it will appeal to readers who like New Adult. Fans of tattooed cop heroes and angsty heroines will devour Forgiving Lies.(less)

Amazing!! I couldn't put the book down!! A real page turner!! Molly McAdams is one of my favorite authors definitely!!

Absolutely an amazing book! Couldn't put it down!

Loved it

This is an absolutely amazing book my Molly Mcadams. Kash and Rachel are such a beautiful couple. Kash and love for green Sour Patch Kids and pancakes makes him even. So glad we get more Kash.

I received a copy of this book from the publishers to read and review in preparation for a blog tour for the sequel.

I had heard such wonderful things about Molly McAdams and her New Adult books that when approached to review Deceiving Lies, I accepted right away. The publishers immediately sent me Forgiving Lies so I could follow the series easily. I am, currently, still waiting on my copy of the sequel I am supposed to read and review for a tour. I started reading the book as soon as it came in.

Kash is used to pretending he is someone else. As an undercover cop, he is well versed in moving to a new place and keeping his past a secret. He has never had the desire to deviate from protocol until he met Rachel. Kash is in Texas trying to find a murderer by pretending to be a bartender with his best friend and partner, Mason. He is also hiding from a hit that was placed on him and his partner after breaking up a drug ring. He was meant just to case the bar and wait for the murderer in question to appear so he could make an arrest. Instead, he starts spending more and more time with his spunky neighbor, Rachel. He never wanted to bringing a woman into his life due to the danger of it, but Rachel makes him wonder if it is possible to find happiness and love outside of his work.

Rachel has had a rough time with men lately. She was attacked and knows if she tells anyone, they won't believe her. She knows she needs to keep her distance from men entirely. Especially the bad boy next door, Kash. But for some reason she is drawn to him and finds the safety she so badly needs.

The friendship between Rachel and Kash grows until the attraction is undeniable. But their relationship is anything but easy. Rachel's attacker is on the prowl again and has his sights set, once again, on Rachel being his. Kash has to keep his true identity a secret to protect Rachel, but the secrets and unforgivable lies may be this couple's undoing.

I absolutely adored this book! Rachel was a wounded dove in need of care and respect. Kash was just such a guy to provide that. The danger each of them presented with Rachel's attacker and Kash's murderer was thrilling and riveting. I found myself transfixed and hungering for more and more story.

There was only one aspect of the book I didn't care for and that was how dramatic Kash's lies seemed to be. I didn't find them to be as big of a deal as the female protagonist did. Perhaps that was simply because Rachel had a rough go of things and just didn't like having opened up when Kash didn't. I can understand it, but I didn't really enjoy the wedge of tension it caused between one of my favorite fictional couples.

Forgiving Lies is the beginning of a contemporary series that will astound and delight. HIGHLY recommended read.

Review Posted on: http://www.ladybugliterature.blogspot.com

Loved

Read this book in one night- I just could not put it down!!! It was so good!

Rachel Masters is a cute, funny, and sassy “girl next door”. But that doesn’t mean her life has been perfect. After the death of her family, she lives with her best friend Candice. When Candice decides to move to Texas to go to school, Rachel decides to move with her. It’s not exactly what she’s dreamed of, but it works. Rachel has always had a little bit of a crush on Candice’s cousin, Blake. So when he moves to Austin and starts asking Rachel out, it should have felt like a good thing. However, he’s changed and Rachel really doesn’t want to get involved with him, but when Candice keeps pressuring her and she finally gives in. And that’s when things get weird. Blake turns super possessive and really intense after just one date. When she tries to give him the cut, Candice gets mad, but fortunately two ultra-sexy guys have just moved in next door that helps them find some common ground…..

Kash Ryan and his partner, Mason are working undercover in Austin to try to catch a serial killer. Not exactly their dream job since they are used to working more elaborate narcotics cases, but a hit was put out on them and they had to get out of town and lay low. But laying low turns out to be difficult when they see Rachel and Candice. Kash has a strict “no relationship” policy due to his work, but neither Kash nor Rachel can deny the attraction that is building between them. The more time they spend with each other, the more they begin to develop stronger feelings. When Blake starts harassing Rachel, Kash’s protective nature kicks in, and not a moment too soon. As Kash and Mason try to hide their real job and catch the killer, Rachel is trying to deal with Candice and Blake. But when situations arise that reveal the truth to Rachel, will she be able to forgive Kash and trust him enough to create a deeper relationship? And will Kash be able to catch the killer and keep Rachel safe at the same time?

I can’t say enough positive things about this novel!! With funny witty dialogue, tons of suspense and a fast paced plot, it will keep you turning page after page. And with all its twisted and turns, it will keep you guessing until the end. This one is not predictable! I loved Kash! He is most definitely swoon worthy, from the lip ring and tattoos to his fiercely protective nature. I admired and respected Rachel’s determination and strength along with her ability to overcome. I also loved how Rachel and Kash developed a “thing” with pancakes, I think every great storybook couple has something that makes them unique and this was theirs! I absolutely despised Rachel’s BFF Candice. From how she doesn’t believe Rachel about the rape to the way she locks her out of the apartment ho have sex with random guys, even the way she is never really there for Candice anymore even though it was her and her family who helped Rachel get through the loss of her own family. But again, isn’t it fun to read a novel when there is someone you can just detest? I will admit that I was rather frustrated by the epilogue, so much has already happened to Rachel, I just really wanted a happily ever after! So in other words, it’s a big time cliffhanger! Overall, I loved this book and can’t wait to read the second one in the series! This is definitely a “must read again”!

Rating: 5

Heat Rating: Hot

Reviewed by: AprilP

Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

really loved and enjoyed this book, i really loved the story line and the chemistry between characters and I know molly is famous for her ending and i have to stay i loved this ones ending and im not sure why but it was just perfect to me.