Spin-off Saturdays: On Saturdays, I will review a series that is a spin-off series. It is recommended that you read the original series first in order to get the most out of the spin-off series. Here is this week’s offering:
The Lies Series is a spin-off of the Truth or Lies Series
SERIESous’ Top Picks: Must Read Author
Series: Lies
This is a part of the Truth or Lies Series Universe.
Author: Ella Miles
# of Books: 6 (Full Reading Order Here)
There is a prequel novella: #0.5 Lies We Share
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Adult, Dark, Contemporary, Action
Heat Rating: Smokin’ **mature subject matter*
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Date: September 2020 – February 2021
Source & Format: Author–eARC
WARNING: If you have not finished the original series, this review may have spoilers!
My Expectations?
I loved the original Truth or Lies Series. It was unlike anything I had ever read before with a great blend of romance, danger and suspense. I was immediately sucked in and really grew attached to the characters. So I was really excited that a few of the characters were going to get their own series.
Langston and Liesel’s story was probably the one I wanted to read the most. After a collective 12 books of watching these two dance back and forth, I couldn’t wait to uncover their mysterious past and see what their future held.
How Does It Compare To The Original?
–Similar Plot Progression As Truth or Lies–
More so than the Sinful Truths Series, this series had more of an overarching plotline as Liesel tries to find her family’s treasure. The secrets and danger lurking in the shades just gave this series an edge to it that kept me hooked. And I really liked how each book built upon the last. I always worry with book series that have more than 3 titles in them that the storylines will get stretched out but this had a good pacing to it.
–Forbidden Love–
Liesel and Langston’s story is complicated–even more complicated than I had originally thought. It took a lot for me to let go of my previous assumptions and just embrace the reveal of their characters. That’s quite the task for someone who has invested as much time in this universe as I have.
Anything I Didn’t Like?
–The Use of Rape in the First Book–
I like dark romances but all the mentioning of rape and being forced-on was just too much for me. I get the importance of it for understanding Liesel’s past but for a few chapters there, the threats of it were constant and that just stopped me from fully embracing the story.
Series Rating: 4/5
[Fated Lies 5/5] | Vicious Lies 3/5 | Desperate Lies 3/5 | Fated Lies 4/5 | Cruel Lies 4/5 | Dangerous Lies 4/5 | Endless Lies 3/5
Overall, I have mixed feelings for this series. I really loved these two as characters but I didn’t always enjoy their story. But it was great to return to this world and these books never failed to surprise me.
Read if You Like: dark romances, adventures
Avoid if You: dislike reading about forced sexual situations
- Sinful Truth by Ella Miles (Sinful Truths Series #1)
- First Touch by Laurelin Paige (First and Last Series #1)
Synopsis for Vicious Lies (from Goodreads):
This isn’t a love story. This is a story of all the reasons we can’t be together. Reason number one: we lie.
Liesel Dunn has a secret. One I literally ripped from her hands when we were kids. Her secret was in a letter that I tore in half. I have half the secret. She has the other half. We’ve always refused to share our part of the truth, so we’ve lived separate lives. Until fate brings us back together. She needs a hitman. I answer her call. I’ll do her this favor. But she’ll owe me a debt. And I plan on collecting…
Vicious Lies is book 1 in a dark romance series. It ends on a cliffhanger.
