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Sugar & Vice #1
Liar City
A murder has Seattle on edge, and it falls to a pacifist empath—and a notorious empath hunter—to find the killer before it's too late
It’s the middle of the night when part-time police consultant and full-time empath Reece gets an anonymous call warning him that his detective sister needs his help. At an out-of-the-way Seattle marina, he discovers that three people have been butchered—including the author of the country’s strictest anti-empathy bill, which is just days from being passed into law.
Soon, Reece’s caller a shadowy government agent known as The Dead Man, who is rumored to deal exclusively in cases involving empathy. He immediately takes over the investigation, locking out both local PD and the FBI, but, strangely, keeps Reece by his side.
As the two track an ever-growing trail of violence and destruction across Seattle, Reece must navigate a scared and angry city, an irritating attraction to his mysterious agent companion, and a rising fear that perhaps empaths like him aren’t all flight and no fight after all…
"Readers will be yearning for more the minute they finish the final page." — Library Journal , starred review, on Starcrossed
Sugar & Vice
It’s the middle of the night when part-time police consultant and full-time empath Reece gets an anonymous call warning him that his detective sister needs his help. At an out-of-the-way Seattle marina, he discovers that three people have been butchered—including the author of the country’s strictest anti-empathy bill, which is just days from being passed into law.
Soon, Reece’s caller a shadowy government agent known as The Dead Man, who is rumored to deal exclusively in cases involving empathy. He immediately takes over the investigation, locking out both local PD and the FBI, but, strangely, keeps Reece by his side.
As the two track an ever-growing trail of violence and destruction across Seattle, Reece must navigate a scared and angry city, an irritating attraction to his mysterious agent companion, and a rising fear that perhaps empaths like him aren’t all flight and no fight after all…
"Readers will be yearning for more the minute they finish the final page." — Library Journal , starred review, on Starcrossed
Sugar & Vice
416 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2023
About the author
Allie Therin
10 books699 followersAllie Therin is a bicultural author of award-winning romance and urban fantasy. She also is, or has been, a bookseller, an attorney, a Parks & Rec assistant, a boom operator, and a barista for one (embarrassing) day.
A longtime fan of romance, mystery and speculative fiction, she now strives to bring that same delight to her readers. Allie grew up in a tiny Pacific Northwest town with more bears than people, although the bears sadly would not practice Spanish with her.
A longtime fan of romance, mystery and speculative fiction, she now strives to bring that same delight to her readers. Allie grew up in a tiny Pacific Northwest town with more bears than people, although the bears sadly would not practice Spanish with her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 432 reviews
April 22, 2023
— 5 stars ☆
for some reason, sweater weather was playing constantly in my head when Grayson gave Reece his jacket, lmao. anyway, this was so good!
it was honestly such a masterpiece. the world-building was done so well, the alternate universe of Seattle created here?? chef's kiss. the banter was ✨immaculate✨ to say it in one word, the characters were so deeply fleshed out, I LOVED.
the idea behind this was so unique - a world where empaths exist, where they're feared for their abilities, where the line between being a monster and being a hero was so thin. where the hunter has to work with the "evil", where connections bloom from unexpected places.
the action. PERFECTION. i don't usually read much mystery/suspense, bc i'm not immediately sucked into it. and i wasn't, here too. but something about this just pulled me in and before i knew it, i was immersed! it was definitely not a love at first sight with me and this book, lmao, but safe to say i am now hooked. I NEED MORE. i need to know what's going to happen next!
Reece was such a softie sassy KING, i adored him to bits. everyone detested him for his abilities, what he could do, so he just built a layer of sarcasm and snark to shield himself. pacifist. sweet. loveable. ADORABLE. he had so many cute lil quirks i could just so completely relate to, and i loved that! 💗
Evan Grayson. the Dead Man. where do i start? he was so cold, emotionless, detached from everything. it seemed like he didn't care about anything or anyone at all. but then we see him opening up slowly, showing his personality, his utter humaneness sometimes, the way he'd always protect Reece. plus his southern accent, oh my gosh.
the romance - well, i didn't go in expecting much of that, and there wasn't. but ngl, it still managed to hook me SO SO MUCH and the torturous slow-burn - i cannot wait for more from that part. the banter between Reece and Evan had was show-stopping fr. each of those lines is etched into my head, omg. i love it. i've only read one book of them and i already know evanreece are perfect for each other. i swear tho, i already know this is gonna be soo slow and i'm going to be LIVING for the crumbs of it.
so i just have to say - the slow building trust between the two of them, the betrayals i didn't count on, the murder mystery, the cinnamon roll that Reece was, the slow-burn, the SIDE CHARACTERS who stole my heart (looking at you, Jamey) - put together a perfect read for me.
i do have to say this tho - (might have already said it once, but this needs repeating lol) don't go in expecting romance, you won't get much. i mean, i didn't really mind even tho i'm a total romance girly, bc the mystery kept me hooked enough (again, unexpectedly). but it was quite a slow start and the romance is just starting to simmer! basically, not even a kiss or touch or anything here except banter, haha.
basically, HOLY SHIT this was so good. i loved it!! i can definitely see myself rereading this gem sometime soon, bc i ADORED it. <3
thank you so much, Iz, for putting this on my radar. i've definitely found one of my faves for the year bc of you! 💗
for some reason, sweater weather was playing constantly in my head when Grayson gave Reece his jacket, lmao. anyway, this was so good!
it was honestly such a masterpiece. the world-building was done so well, the alternate universe of Seattle created here?? chef's kiss. the banter was ✨immaculate✨ to say it in one word, the characters were so deeply fleshed out, I LOVED.
the idea behind this was so unique - a world where empaths exist, where they're feared for their abilities, where the line between being a monster and being a hero was so thin. where the hunter has to work with the "evil", where connections bloom from unexpected places.
the action. PERFECTION. i don't usually read much mystery/suspense, bc i'm not immediately sucked into it. and i wasn't, here too. but something about this just pulled me in and before i knew it, i was immersed! it was definitely not a love at first sight with me and this book, lmao, but safe to say i am now hooked. I NEED MORE. i need to know what's going to happen next!
Reece was such a softie sassy KING, i adored him to bits. everyone detested him for his abilities, what he could do, so he just built a layer of sarcasm and snark to shield himself. pacifist. sweet. loveable. ADORABLE. he had so many cute lil quirks i could just so completely relate to, and i loved that! 💗
Evan Grayson. the Dead Man. where do i start? he was so cold, emotionless, detached from everything. it seemed like he didn't care about anything or anyone at all. but then we see him opening up slowly, showing his personality, his utter humaneness sometimes, the way he'd always protect Reece. plus his southern accent, oh my gosh.
the romance - well, i didn't go in expecting much of that, and there wasn't. but ngl, it still managed to hook me SO SO MUCH and the torturous slow-burn - i cannot wait for more from that part. the banter between Reece and Evan had was show-stopping fr. each of those lines is etched into my head, omg. i love it. i've only read one book of them and i already know evanreece are perfect for each other. i swear tho, i already know this is gonna be soo slow and i'm going to be LIVING for the crumbs of it.
so i just have to say - the slow building trust between the two of them, the betrayals i didn't count on, the murder mystery, the cinnamon roll that Reece was, the slow-burn, the SIDE CHARACTERS who stole my heart (looking at you, Jamey) - put together a perfect read for me.
i do have to say this tho - (might have already said it once, but this needs repeating lol) don't go in expecting romance, you won't get much. i mean, i didn't really mind even tho i'm a total romance girly, bc the mystery kept me hooked enough (again, unexpectedly). but it was quite a slow start and the romance is just starting to simmer! basically, not even a kiss or touch or anything here except banter, haha.
basically, HOLY SHIT this was so good. i loved it!! i can definitely see myself rereading this gem sometime soon, bc i ADORED it. <3
thank you so much, Iz, for putting this on my radar. i've definitely found one of my faves for the year bc of you! 💗
Read
September 1, 2023God, I feel like I’m reading this book for ages. I can’t seem to finish it. And I’m so pissed off because I WANTED to like it like everybody else here did !!! It started so good and the world building is fabulous (I wish we had more of it ).Unfortunately Reece is not too bright (poor guy) and so impossibly immature I just can’t.. I don’t care about him (he has no notable qualities - his sarcasm is cheap and juvenile and sometimes even assholish, he’s not even that good of an empath, his dialogues are inane and he seems too stupid to live) and I don’t care about all-mighty Grayson (I can’t seem to grasp if he’s a supernatural being or he’s just OTT omnipotent) .
Example of a “sarcastic” dialogue:
“Mr. Lane was a marine,” said Grayson, “and has black belts in three martial arts.”
“Please, Diesel’s fine,” the bouncer said.
“Diesel,” Reece repeated. “Is that your name or your engine?”
“I drive a Prius.”
Reece scrunched his nose.
“Not too bright,” Diesel said to Grayson. “That’ll be another point in his favor. The clientele isn’t looking for Einsteins.”
Even the night club bouncer deduced Reece is a bit…..dense.
His sister is not too bright either to be honest. I mean , an experienced detective to trust a stranger , (even FBI) , to follow your empath brother in such a delicate moment ..A stranger who was very much dismissive of the empaths the night before. I can’t believe she could be so gullible..Also too many POV , too many small characters it’s …bewildering .
The book oscillates between intriguing/smart AND childish/amateurish. I will finish it because I payed for it (quite a lot) and I’m curious about the mystery but I’m not yet decided if I should go on with the series. We shall see how I feel after finishing this one.
PD. The cover is gorgeous.
Example of a “sarcastic” dialogue:
“Mr. Lane was a marine,” said Grayson, “and has black belts in three martial arts.”
“Please, Diesel’s fine,” the bouncer said.
“Diesel,” Reece repeated. “Is that your name or your engine?”
“I drive a Prius.”
Reece scrunched his nose.
“Not too bright,” Diesel said to Grayson. “That’ll be another point in his favor. The clientele isn’t looking for Einsteins.”
Even the night club bouncer deduced Reece is a bit…..dense.
His sister is not too bright either to be honest. I mean , an experienced detective to trust a stranger , (even FBI) , to follow your empath brother in such a delicate moment ..A stranger who was very much dismissive of the empaths the night before. I can’t believe she could be so gullible..Also too many POV , too many small characters it’s …bewildering .
The book oscillates between intriguing/smart AND childish/amateurish. I will finish it because I payed for it (quite a lot) and I’m curious about the mystery but I’m not yet decided if I should go on with the series. We shall see how I feel after finishing this one.
PD. The cover is gorgeous.
June 25, 2024
An absolute knockout. Once I started I had to force myself to quit reading at 3:30 in the morning, before I got too tired to absorb the details.
The twisty mystery/suspense plot is built on a premise I've seen versions of before but never worked out with such thoroughness and complexity. A mutation has turned some people into empaths, who if they touch other people can feel their emotions and physical pain; even the prospect of danger to other people appalls them. The twist here is that non-empaths are, by and large, terrified of empaths, ascribing to empaths the power to control others' emotions and behavior. Empaths are shunned socially and are legally obliged to wear gloves that block their empathy. Legislation even threatens to strip them of basic civil rights.
The whodunit question about the murders discovered at the opening is answered quickly, but the more terrifying mysteries under the surface drive the plot. The emotional arc is equally satisfying and complicated, too. Is Evan Grayson, the holy-cats-he's-not-just-an-urban-legend known as the Dead Man, an enemy of empaths or their ally or both or neither? Why has our POV character, the empath Reece Davies, become able to sense when people are lying, and why did that ability surface after a traumatic event? The complicated relationship between the two shifts between enmity and reluctant allyship, trust and betrayal, over and over; although the mystery is resolved at the end, the emotions are very much not. Neither are questions about how exactly Evan Grayson became the Dead Man, about where Reece's abilities will lead him, about how Grayson will respond, and when (please not if! WHEN) the slowly growing connection between them will be fulfilled.
Reece's characterization was a special pleasure. His empathy shapes him in surprising ways, many of which are moving and/or sad and/or noble, some of which are straight-up funny (the running bits about his driving wound up someplace I did not in the least expect).
I suppose I could pick a few nits. One of the secondary villains is no more than a caricature. Grayson's above-the-law status and his logistical reach could maybe have used more elucidation. Do I care? Nah. I'm just panting for the next in the series and hoping that Allie Therin doesn't make me wait too long.
Thanks to NetGalley and Carina Adores for the ARC!
The twisty mystery/suspense plot is built on a premise I've seen versions of before but never worked out with such thoroughness and complexity. A mutation has turned some people into empaths, who if they touch other people can feel their emotions and physical pain; even the prospect of danger to other people appalls them. The twist here is that non-empaths are, by and large, terrified of empaths, ascribing to empaths the power to control others' emotions and behavior. Empaths are shunned socially and are legally obliged to wear gloves that block their empathy. Legislation even threatens to strip them of basic civil rights.
The whodunit question about the murders discovered at the opening is answered quickly, but the more terrifying mysteries under the surface drive the plot. The emotional arc is equally satisfying and complicated, too. Is Evan Grayson, the holy-cats-he's-not-just-an-urban-legend known as the Dead Man, an enemy of empaths or their ally or both or neither? Why has our POV character, the empath Reece Davies, become able to sense when people are lying, and why did that ability surface after a traumatic event? The complicated relationship between the two shifts between enmity and reluctant allyship, trust and betrayal, over and over; although the mystery is resolved at the end, the emotions are very much not. Neither are questions about how exactly Evan Grayson became the Dead Man, about where Reece's abilities will lead him, about how Grayson will respond, and when (please not if! WHEN) the slowly growing connection between them will be fulfilled.
Reece's characterization was a special pleasure. His empathy shapes him in surprising ways, many of which are moving and/or sad and/or noble, some of which are straight-up funny (the running bits about his driving wound up someplace I did not in the least expect).
I suppose I could pick a few nits. One of the secondary villains is no more than a caricature. Grayson's above-the-law status and his logistical reach could maybe have used more elucidation. Do I care? Nah. I'm just panting for the next in the series and hoping that Allie Therin doesn't make me wait too long.
Thanks to NetGalley and Carina Adores for the ARC!
March 5, 2023
NOTE: February 28th. Carina Press isn't included in the dispute with Harper Collins (which I believe is now in talks over a solution) and, as the book is now out, I have restored my original review.
*****
NOTE: November 9th. In support of the Harper Collins strike action, I have temporarily removed my review of this book as the publisher is a subsidiary of HC.
See either Allie Therin's Instagram or Twitter account for her support of this action and the striking workers or check out the Union's Tweet below.
This is effectively me not crossing the picket line.
https://twitter.com/hcpunion/status/1...
*****
This book kept me up until 4.45am because once I started reading it, I simply couldn’t stop until I knew what was going to happen to Reese, his half-sister Jamey and the mysterious Evan Grayson.
And one thing I can tell you is that never, not if I’d sat and thought about it for yonks, would I have come up with this ending.
It’s a trilogy, so of course there’s threads left open and this one has no romantic relationship between Reese and Evan yet, but you can feel the palpable tension and mysterious connection which grows between them.
The murder mystery element of this paranormal is really clever and creepily disturbing, Allie Therin has a fantastic ability to take something commonplace and switch it into something deadly.
There’ll be no spoilers here though, you need to experience this book alongside Reese and Jamey as they get dragged into the seriously scary world of The Dead Man.
There’s also a side order of sarcasm, snark and spikey banter between Reese and Evan each time their paths cross and while Evan’s Dead Man status makes him impossible for Reese to read, it’s pretty obvious to me that the sparks are there to completely ignite a fire that’s unlikely to ever burn out.
With some fabulous side characters including Jamey, her boyfriend Liam, Evan’s Medical Examiner colleague, some really horrible villains – and a serial killer that actually raises an element of sympathy – this opener delivers on all fronts.
Honestly the only thing I didn’t like about reading this book is how long I’m going to have to wait to get the second one!
I am so in love with this alternative reality Seattle that Allie has created and the fascinating characters she’s populated it with.
#ARC kindly received from the author and Carina Press via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review.
*****
NOTE: November 9th. In support of the Harper Collins strike action, I have temporarily removed my review of this book as the publisher is a subsidiary of HC.
See either Allie Therin's Instagram or Twitter account for her support of this action and the striking workers or check out the Union's Tweet below.
This is effectively me not crossing the picket line.
https://twitter.com/hcpunion/status/1...
*****
This book kept me up until 4.45am because once I started reading it, I simply couldn’t stop until I knew what was going to happen to Reese, his half-sister Jamey and the mysterious Evan Grayson.
And one thing I can tell you is that never, not if I’d sat and thought about it for yonks, would I have come up with this ending.
It’s a trilogy, so of course there’s threads left open and this one has no romantic relationship between Reese and Evan yet, but you can feel the palpable tension and mysterious connection which grows between them.
The murder mystery element of this paranormal is really clever and creepily disturbing, Allie Therin has a fantastic ability to take something commonplace and switch it into something deadly.
There’ll be no spoilers here though, you need to experience this book alongside Reese and Jamey as they get dragged into the seriously scary world of The Dead Man.
There’s also a side order of sarcasm, snark and spikey banter between Reese and Evan each time their paths cross and while Evan’s Dead Man status makes him impossible for Reese to read, it’s pretty obvious to me that the sparks are there to completely ignite a fire that’s unlikely to ever burn out.
With some fabulous side characters including Jamey, her boyfriend Liam, Evan’s Medical Examiner colleague, some really horrible villains – and a serial killer that actually raises an element of sympathy – this opener delivers on all fronts.
Honestly the only thing I didn’t like about reading this book is how long I’m going to have to wait to get the second one!
I am so in love with this alternative reality Seattle that Allie has created and the fascinating characters she’s populated it with.
#ARC kindly received from the author and Carina Press via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review.
June 17, 2023
This is a book that takes place in an alternate world where empaths exist and not everyone is a fan of them. An investigation ensues when a politician is found murdered. This politician was spear heading a bill against empaths.
Even though I did not exactly enjoy this book I do believe there is a story here. The problem was the execution of the story and the characters. The problem with the story was the author fell into several tropes. I felt like these tropes happened because the author wanted them to happen and she did not flesh them out properly. I believe I felt this way because of my beef with the characters and the lack of characterization with some of them. I think the author was trying to have a mystery within a mystery. There was the mystery of the culprit of the crime. We also had the mystery of why the characters were the way they were and this was not revealed to the end. I did not care for this. As I was reading this book I kept on wondering why this character acted this way and I could not connect with the majority of them. By the time of the reveal it was too late.
I did like the main plot of the story with the crime and who committed this crime. I liked the reasoning behind it. Unfortunately most of the characters including the main character did not do much for me. In my eyes to be so mysterious with them was a mistake that led to me not connecting with them. They would make decisions that I could not understand because there was no build up of character at that particular moment. This led me to not connecting with them which led me to not really enjoying this book. If there is a sequel I would pick it up because their reveals finally came about and I would not have to worry about that in the second book.
Even though I did not exactly enjoy this book I do believe there is a story here. The problem was the execution of the story and the characters. The problem with the story was the author fell into several tropes. I felt like these tropes happened because the author wanted them to happen and she did not flesh them out properly. I believe I felt this way because of my beef with the characters and the lack of characterization with some of them. I think the author was trying to have a mystery within a mystery. There was the mystery of the culprit of the crime. We also had the mystery of why the characters were the way they were and this was not revealed to the end. I did not care for this. As I was reading this book I kept on wondering why this character acted this way and I could not connect with the majority of them. By the time of the reveal it was too late.
I did like the main plot of the story with the crime and who committed this crime. I liked the reasoning behind it. Unfortunately most of the characters including the main character did not do much for me. In my eyes to be so mysterious with them was a mistake that led to me not connecting with them. They would make decisions that I could not understand because there was no build up of character at that particular moment. This led me to not connecting with them which led me to not really enjoying this book. If there is a sequel I would pick it up because their reveals finally came about and I would not have to worry about that in the second book.
March 25, 2023
2.5/5 stars. I thought this was poorly executed and am surprised by all the five star reviews because this book has issues that would normally lead to complaints.
To start, the worldbuilding was superficial and insufficiently explained. I felt like the author started with elements she knew she wanted to include (common traits of empaths, empaths being persecuted, empath-specific government agencies) and then added the minimum amount of connective tissue necessary to get from our existing world to one where these elements exist. Empaths are so rare that there are only two known to exist in Seattle, a city with a population of more than 700,000 people, yet in “one generation” (I’m convinced the author doesn’t know a generation is defined as 20-30 years) they’ve become the most feared element of American society to the point that an entire systems of laws and economic infrastructure has sprung up in response. And this has happened even though empaths can only feel someone’s feelings by touching them – something easily avoided and that’s nowhere near the mind-reading it’s treated as. While some of this is excusable as a metaphor for how society scapegoats minority groups and gives them outsized importance in narratives about society’s problems, I simply can’t buy that such a uniform, universal worldview would arise about such a tiny segment of the population in only one generation or that the ability to detect feelings through touch would lead to being universally shunned. No explanation is ever given of how this ability materially differs from simply having high affective empathy.
Most aspects of the worldbuilding are presented without the explanation they badly need (like why it’s illegal to impersonate an empath; I can forgive the author for not realizing that such a law would almost certainly be unconstitutional for the same reasons as the Stolen Valor Act, but I don’t feel like any thought went into how or why such a law would even arise in these circumstances, except that it was needed for plot reasons).
Worse from a storytelling perspective is that Reece’s own experience of empathy does not make sense, nor do the generalizations about how “all empaths” think and behave. Reece is so worried about anyone feeling physical pain that he cannot even talk about violence or be exposed to it in any way, even in fiction. Yet his powers are supposed to be primarily emotion-focused, and he doesn’t care at all about hurting people’s feelings by acting like a snarky asshole, which he does basically 100% of the time. It isn’t that he thinks about how his actions will hurt others but decides to act anyway for specific reasons – he just doesn’t think about it at all. This makes no sense, especially in comparison with his reaction to physical pain (which, again, is not the primary focus of his abilities). He’s also extremely moralistic but only about following existing laws (he refuses to text and drive but drives with plenty of other distractions anyway) or superficial and frankly stupid things like angrily insisting that window washers be given nets even though that’s not how window washing safety systems work. But the book never explores how he developed any of these character traits or why his empathy doesn’t affect him in more significant ways. One would expect that being born with a widely reviled power that dramatically changes your relationships with almost everyone, and that makes you think differently about human interactions, would have deep, fundamental impacts on your thoughts, values, and belief systems. But instead Reece is just your bog-standard snarky asshole character with some additional pacifism.
Characters also constantly react to him as though these behaviors are universal to all empaths, which makes even less sense. I was frustrated that the author didn’t do even the bare minimum to establish how Reece’s abilities led to this set of character traits, and that we’re supposed to believe that having the ability to detect feelings through touch would give everyone these exact same traits. Why on earth is it completely predictable empath behavior to insist that window washers be given nets???
None of this was helped by the frequent use of unnecessary storytelling shortcuts. Reece’s POV is supplemented with brief POV sections from other characters, including side characters who only appear once. This is done only to give the reader information Reece doesn’t have – and all of that information is eventually conveyed through Reece’s POV anyway. The most egregious of these is a fairly early scene of a side character encountering the murderer, which is the first time the reader learns who the murderer is, and which significantly decreases the impact of the scene where Reece finally figures it out for himself. The addition of these side character POVs makes the book worse, and I’m perplexed that more readers aren’t complaining, since this is being marketed in the romance genre where side character POVs are extremely rare and usually disliked.
The book also begins each chapter with an excerpt of a document giving us some background or flavor. Some of these are just snippets of pop culture that do add to the worldbuilding, but others are a cheap way to provide exposition that could have been worked into the narrative. And some are segments of documents that none of our POV characters have access to, so the reader learns information from them way before the POV characters do. It felt like the author either didn’t want to do the necessary work to figure out how the POV characters could give the reader all the information, or didn’t trust the readers to be able to be able to figure out these (very obvious) things without extra help.
Finally, I know this author has warned everyone that it's an extremely slow burn romance, but this first book didn't feel like a romance to me at all. What felt like 90% of the book is either dialogue or exposition, and we barely get to know Reece as a person, much less Evan. There's maybe the barest hint of attraction between them, but that's it. So I really don't recommend this if you're hoping it's going to have some pre-relationship pining, longing, attraction, etc. Reece noticing a few times that Evan is attractive does not count.
The poor worldbuilding is something I might overlook enough to give the next book in the series a try, in case it improves, but the lazy writing killed any interest I had in continuing with this series.
The 2.5/5 rating is because I got a bit more enjoyment out of the book than those I’d rate a 2.
I received an ARC in exchange for my review.
To start, the worldbuilding was superficial and insufficiently explained. I felt like the author started with elements she knew she wanted to include (common traits of empaths, empaths being persecuted, empath-specific government agencies) and then added the minimum amount of connective tissue necessary to get from our existing world to one where these elements exist. Empaths are so rare that there are only two known to exist in Seattle, a city with a population of more than 700,000 people, yet in “one generation” (I’m convinced the author doesn’t know a generation is defined as 20-30 years) they’ve become the most feared element of American society to the point that an entire systems of laws and economic infrastructure has sprung up in response. And this has happened even though empaths can only feel someone’s feelings by touching them – something easily avoided and that’s nowhere near the mind-reading it’s treated as. While some of this is excusable as a metaphor for how society scapegoats minority groups and gives them outsized importance in narratives about society’s problems, I simply can’t buy that such a uniform, universal worldview would arise about such a tiny segment of the population in only one generation or that the ability to detect feelings through touch would lead to being universally shunned. No explanation is ever given of how this ability materially differs from simply having high affective empathy.
Most aspects of the worldbuilding are presented without the explanation they badly need (like why it’s illegal to impersonate an empath; I can forgive the author for not realizing that such a law would almost certainly be unconstitutional for the same reasons as the Stolen Valor Act, but I don’t feel like any thought went into how or why such a law would even arise in these circumstances, except that it was needed for plot reasons).
Worse from a storytelling perspective is that Reece’s own experience of empathy does not make sense, nor do the generalizations about how “all empaths” think and behave. Reece is so worried about anyone feeling physical pain that he cannot even talk about violence or be exposed to it in any way, even in fiction. Yet his powers are supposed to be primarily emotion-focused, and he doesn’t care at all about hurting people’s feelings by acting like a snarky asshole, which he does basically 100% of the time. It isn’t that he thinks about how his actions will hurt others but decides to act anyway for specific reasons – he just doesn’t think about it at all. This makes no sense, especially in comparison with his reaction to physical pain (which, again, is not the primary focus of his abilities). He’s also extremely moralistic but only about following existing laws (he refuses to text and drive but drives with plenty of other distractions anyway) or superficial and frankly stupid things like angrily insisting that window washers be given nets even though that’s not how window washing safety systems work. But the book never explores how he developed any of these character traits or why his empathy doesn’t affect him in more significant ways. One would expect that being born with a widely reviled power that dramatically changes your relationships with almost everyone, and that makes you think differently about human interactions, would have deep, fundamental impacts on your thoughts, values, and belief systems. But instead Reece is just your bog-standard snarky asshole character with some additional pacifism.
Characters also constantly react to him as though these behaviors are universal to all empaths, which makes even less sense. I was frustrated that the author didn’t do even the bare minimum to establish how Reece’s abilities led to this set of character traits, and that we’re supposed to believe that having the ability to detect feelings through touch would give everyone these exact same traits. Why on earth is it completely predictable empath behavior to insist that window washers be given nets???
None of this was helped by the frequent use of unnecessary storytelling shortcuts. Reece’s POV is supplemented with brief POV sections from other characters, including side characters who only appear once. This is done only to give the reader information Reece doesn’t have – and all of that information is eventually conveyed through Reece’s POV anyway. The most egregious of these is a fairly early scene of a side character encountering the murderer, which is the first time the reader learns who the murderer is, and which significantly decreases the impact of the scene where Reece finally figures it out for himself. The addition of these side character POVs makes the book worse, and I’m perplexed that more readers aren’t complaining, since this is being marketed in the romance genre where side character POVs are extremely rare and usually disliked.
The book also begins each chapter with an excerpt of a document giving us some background or flavor. Some of these are just snippets of pop culture that do add to the worldbuilding, but others are a cheap way to provide exposition that could have been worked into the narrative. And some are segments of documents that none of our POV characters have access to, so the reader learns information from them way before the POV characters do. It felt like the author either didn’t want to do the necessary work to figure out how the POV characters could give the reader all the information, or didn’t trust the readers to be able to be able to figure out these (very obvious) things without extra help.
Finally, I know this author has warned everyone that it's an extremely slow burn romance, but this first book didn't feel like a romance to me at all. What felt like 90% of the book is either dialogue or exposition, and we barely get to know Reece as a person, much less Evan. There's maybe the barest hint of attraction between them, but that's it. So I really don't recommend this if you're hoping it's going to have some pre-relationship pining, longing, attraction, etc. Reece noticing a few times that Evan is attractive does not count.
The poor worldbuilding is something I might overlook enough to give the next book in the series a try, in case it improves, but the lazy writing killed any interest I had in continuing with this series.
The 2.5/5 rating is because I got a bit more enjoyment out of the book than those I’d rate a 2.
I received an ARC in exchange for my review.
March 7, 2023
2.5-3 stars
I really enjoyed the beginning but for a romance, there was nothing. Like you could feel the chemistry but no romance happened since Reece is an empath and Grayson is an empath hunter…I mean specialist haha so not even hand holding or touching of any kind happened. So if you are looking for a romance, this is slow burn to the extreme, I hope the following books have something. Being an empath in this world is frowned upon and they are the pariahs of the world. If they touch you people think they can control and manipulate you.
The premise was interesting, I was hooked from the beginning, but then Reece became a little too stupid to be alive with all his actions… and I got annoyed. Like listen to those people who are trying to keep you safe!
I think for the kindle price of $9.99 is WAAAAY over priced. Yes the writing was good but soo not worth the almost $10. I am just glad this book was on Scribd, Joel Leslie did a great job with the narration.
I was hoping for more romance, at least a kiss, hell I would have gone for a hug haha but the mystery was good..kinda.. kept me entertained at least.
Also shocked that the whole book took place in a day, like I thought at least a week went by with all that happened, but nope it was all done in 24 hours.
This also was a multiple pov book told in 3rd person. The only pov we didn’t get was Grayson’s which I felt was a disservice, but hey what do I know? Haha
I would say if you wanted a book that has mystery, some sexual tension that is very unresolved, with pretty good writing then I’d say this is the book for you haha
I really enjoyed the beginning but for a romance, there was nothing. Like you could feel the chemistry but no romance happened since Reece is an empath and Grayson is an empath hunter…I mean specialist haha so not even hand holding or touching of any kind happened. So if you are looking for a romance, this is slow burn to the extreme, I hope the following books have something. Being an empath in this world is frowned upon and they are the pariahs of the world. If they touch you people think they can control and manipulate you.
The premise was interesting, I was hooked from the beginning, but then Reece became a little too stupid to be alive with all his actions… and I got annoyed. Like listen to those people who are trying to keep you safe!
I think for the kindle price of $9.99 is WAAAAY over priced. Yes the writing was good but soo not worth the almost $10. I am just glad this book was on Scribd, Joel Leslie did a great job with the narration.
I was hoping for more romance, at least a kiss, hell I would have gone for a hug haha but the mystery was good..kinda.. kept me entertained at least.
Also shocked that the whole book took place in a day, like I thought at least a week went by with all that happened, but nope it was all done in 24 hours.
This also was a multiple pov book told in 3rd person. The only pov we didn’t get was Grayson’s which I felt was a disservice, but hey what do I know? Haha
I would say if you wanted a book that has mystery, some sexual tension that is very unresolved, with pretty good writing then I’d say this is the book for you haha
March 5, 2023
So many people
So many names!
Many POV’s
In the audiobook it left this reader scratching her head
I think it went something like this:
MC is empathic
Wears gloves—it’s the law
Anti empath folk want more a it empath laws
Anti empath senator murdered
Who did it?
Lots of stuff happens with lots of people whose names I can’t remember
One MC (it took me a while to figure out who the other MC was) doesn’t feel anything—why?
Investigation stuff
Oh, that person did it
But who’s the real baddie?
Uncovering lies
The end
And not even a snuggle
I didn’t enjoy this. Maybe if I had read it instead of listening to it, I would have processed all the names better.
You? Well, it’s a cool cover, maybe that will make up for not knowing who is who or who the MCs are.
So many names!
Many POV’s
In the audiobook it left this reader scratching her head
I think it went something like this:
MC is empathic
Wears gloves—it’s the law
Anti empath folk want more a it empath laws
Anti empath senator murdered
Who did it?
Lots of stuff happens with lots of people whose names I can’t remember
One MC (it took me a while to figure out who the other MC was) doesn’t feel anything—why?
Investigation stuff
Oh, that person did it
But who’s the real baddie?
Uncovering lies
The end
And not even a snuggle
I didn’t enjoy this. Maybe if I had read it instead of listening to it, I would have processed all the names better.
You? Well, it’s a cool cover, maybe that will make up for not knowing who is who or who the MCs are.
March 29, 2023
Allie Therin: Who doesn’t love the “must protect this fragile baby bird by lying to them repeatly” trope??
Me: Yes, hello, I am hater #1 of this trope. You called?
AT: …But see, what if I specifically design the paranormal premise to make lying to some people good actually? See, there are these people called empaths, and if they hear too much bad stuff, they literally lose it. They’re just fragile baby birds and lying to them is actually the *only* moral and practical thing to do, and they should and will thank you for it!
Me: …oh damn. Oh no.
Here’s the situation. I DNFed Spellbound by this author and subsequently read a review that said it gave off the aura of being based on Stucky fanfiction. And now I just can’t get that possibility out of my head. Have I been Marvel-pilled?? I can’t remember if being something-pilled means you hate it or you love it, but in this case it means that when I read this book I saw Marvel EVERYwhere I looked.
Marvel politics? Check. The plot centers around a minority group with special powers which is trying to do the right thing but being persecuted by small-minded bigoted conspiracy theorists. It gives an eau de anti-discrimination, but when you dig an inch deeper you realize the minority group IS concealing the truth about their actually very dangerous and creepy powers from the public, and shadowy forces ARE breaking laws/violating rights as part of a massive coverup. Oops. 😬 Violating rights/laws/policies is bad, except when the people you like do it, and then it’s cool and good? Shout out to the police PR guy putting his personal defense of his secret coworker girlfriend into a press release and then publishing it without clearing it with the bosses first. In the story’s view, a heroic move! Classic Marvel vibes tbh.
Marvel choppiness? Check. Logic will always be sacrificed in favorite of a gag or a zinger. Like this: “’Not my fault no one pays me piles of money to hunt rich dicks who probably jerk off to their own reflection.’ Reece immediately winced. ‘I didn’t mean that.’” I get what this is meant to accomplish from a story perspective - Reece takes his righteous indignation a little too far and ends up saying something uncharitable to Grayson. Then he feels bad (see, he’s an empath but that doesn’t mean he always does the right thing - he’s a person too!) and Grayson gets a lil bit of high ground, as a treat. But all Reece said was that Grayson gets paid piles of money to hunt down people who suck….. What’s insulting about that??? If you actually think about the content of the words rather than the way they’re framed, they make no sense. Again, definitely a Marvel “we spliced the actor saying this in front of a green screen into a new scene where they’re saying it to someone new, but it still basically makes sense if you don’t think about it too hard” kind of thing.
Marvel sexlessness? Check. Look I realize this is somewhat due to the premise (it’s the “they’re into each other but they can’t touch or very bad things will happen” vibe) but like - has Allie Therin maybe not seen Pushing Daisies? There is so much potential for slow burn fun, and yet this book treats the “romance” “plot” as though it’s nonexistent. 😭 Give me a frisson at the very least!! But there’s enough about it to cover the requisites (Reece thinks Grayson is hot. Check.) and just… absolutely no more. Even any reference to sex/romance is truly in that Marvel movie PG-13 “we can make jokes about sex but NO VIBES, actors, please treat it like a Ken doll situation!” kinda way.
Look… I could keep listing Marvel-a-likes but at a certain point I do have to admit that I *did* see pretty much all of the Marvel movies (if you couldn’t tell lol), so my complaining about the style is clearly uh half-hearted.
And I want to give this author serious credit because the “must protect innocent squawky fragile little bird by controlling and manipulating them” thing being SO completely baked into the story - what a bold, funny swing! I really was not expecting that.
And the plot was actually quite good - excellent fast pace and there were some twists later on re. the empath ~mythology~ that I thought were really interesting and unexpected.
If anything I would have loved for this book to have more *story* and more *characters* and fewer zingers/punchy action moments.
The 4th/5th Amendment stuff at the beginning was also really fun for this attorney to think about - while I don’t know that I agree with the way this author has chosen to apply those amendments to the empath concept, she did it with enough detail that I wasn’t annoyed, I just wanted to discuss it with people further, which lbr for a legal topic is the ultimate compliment. Maybe all I have to say is that these authors should start giving me a call before they write this pro-cop/DOD/natsec content into their books without thinking it through. It’s possible to be bad-ass and stop the bad guys and not violate people’s rights along the way, I promise! Your characters can do it, I believe in them!
Idk in sum I guess I will say that this author is in the category of authors where if they took my extensive feedback to heart I would probably love their books! However, as it is… enh lol. I will say for anyone who did like this a lot, may I recommend No Gods For Drowning by Hailey Piper, which I had a very similar reaction to!
Me: Yes, hello, I am hater #1 of this trope. You called?
AT: …But see, what if I specifically design the paranormal premise to make lying to some people good actually? See, there are these people called empaths, and if they hear too much bad stuff, they literally lose it. They’re just fragile baby birds and lying to them is actually the *only* moral and practical thing to do, and they should and will thank you for it!
Me: …oh damn. Oh no.
Here’s the situation. I DNFed Spellbound by this author and subsequently read a review that said it gave off the aura of being based on Stucky fanfiction. And now I just can’t get that possibility out of my head. Have I been Marvel-pilled?? I can’t remember if being something-pilled means you hate it or you love it, but in this case it means that when I read this book I saw Marvel EVERYwhere I looked.
Marvel politics? Check. The plot centers around a minority group with special powers which is trying to do the right thing but being persecuted by small-minded bigoted conspiracy theorists. It gives an eau de anti-discrimination, but when you dig an inch deeper you realize the minority group IS concealing the truth about their actually very dangerous and creepy powers from the public, and shadowy forces ARE breaking laws/violating rights as part of a massive coverup. Oops. 😬 Violating rights/laws/policies is bad, except when the people you like do it, and then it’s cool and good? Shout out to the police PR guy putting his personal defense of his secret coworker girlfriend into a press release and then publishing it without clearing it with the bosses first. In the story’s view, a heroic move! Classic Marvel vibes tbh.
Marvel choppiness? Check. Logic will always be sacrificed in favorite of a gag or a zinger. Like this: “’Not my fault no one pays me piles of money to hunt rich dicks who probably jerk off to their own reflection.’ Reece immediately winced. ‘I didn’t mean that.’” I get what this is meant to accomplish from a story perspective - Reece takes his righteous indignation a little too far and ends up saying something uncharitable to Grayson. Then he feels bad (see, he’s an empath but that doesn’t mean he always does the right thing - he’s a person too!) and Grayson gets a lil bit of high ground, as a treat. But all Reece said was that Grayson gets paid piles of money to hunt down people who suck….. What’s insulting about that??? If you actually think about the content of the words rather than the way they’re framed, they make no sense. Again, definitely a Marvel “we spliced the actor saying this in front of a green screen into a new scene where they’re saying it to someone new, but it still basically makes sense if you don’t think about it too hard” kind of thing.
Marvel sexlessness? Check. Look I realize this is somewhat due to the premise (it’s the “they’re into each other but they can’t touch or very bad things will happen” vibe) but like - has Allie Therin maybe not seen Pushing Daisies? There is so much potential for slow burn fun, and yet this book treats the “romance” “plot” as though it’s nonexistent. 😭 Give me a frisson at the very least!! But there’s enough about it to cover the requisites (Reece thinks Grayson is hot. Check.) and just… absolutely no more. Even any reference to sex/romance is truly in that Marvel movie PG-13 “we can make jokes about sex but NO VIBES, actors, please treat it like a Ken doll situation!” kinda way.
Look… I could keep listing Marvel-a-likes but at a certain point I do have to admit that I *did* see pretty much all of the Marvel movies (if you couldn’t tell lol), so my complaining about the style is clearly uh half-hearted.
And I want to give this author serious credit because the “must protect innocent squawky fragile little bird by controlling and manipulating them” thing being SO completely baked into the story - what a bold, funny swing! I really was not expecting that.
And the plot was actually quite good - excellent fast pace and there were some twists later on re. the empath ~mythology~ that I thought were really interesting and unexpected.
If anything I would have loved for this book to have more *story* and more *characters* and fewer zingers/punchy action moments.
The 4th/5th Amendment stuff at the beginning was also really fun for this attorney to think about - while I don’t know that I agree with the way this author has chosen to apply those amendments to the empath concept, she did it with enough detail that I wasn’t annoyed, I just wanted to discuss it with people further, which lbr for a legal topic is the ultimate compliment. Maybe all I have to say is that these authors should start giving me a call before they write this pro-cop/DOD/natsec content into their books without thinking it through. It’s possible to be bad-ass and stop the bad guys and not violate people’s rights along the way, I promise! Your characters can do it, I believe in them!
Idk in sum I guess I will say that this author is in the category of authors where if they took my extensive feedback to heart I would probably love their books! However, as it is… enh lol. I will say for anyone who did like this a lot, may I recommend No Gods For Drowning by Hailey Piper, which I had a very similar reaction to!
September 11, 2023
Always a joy to (re-)read. <3 I can't wait for book two, I AM OBSESSED WITH REECE AND EVAN'S DYNAMIC.
______________________________
"Liar City" was freaking incredible. Absolutely wonderful, utterly addictive, and by far, one of my top reads of the 2022.
Scratch that, my favourite read of 2022.
Allie Therin has been one of my favourite authors these past few years, and her books have been my comfort reads for months and months now. But with this brand new, paranormal series, I think she's outdone herself: "Liar City" is an absolute gem of a book, and I'm pretty sure this is only the start of what will surely be a gut-wrenching, action-packed, emotional ride of a book series. If I'm feeling this unhinged about this first book, I can only imagine what the next two books will be like for Future Me: it will probably involve a lot of screeching and screaming and sobbing.
"Liar City" features some of my absolute favourite tropes, and all the stuff I adore in my reads: heaps and heaps of action and mystery, a setting and a world-building that are damn fascinating (and vividly stark, highly unusual and creative), and a cast of characters that are unforgettable.
This book is also the slowest-burn to ever burn: the romance aspect is very, very minimal in this first installment, but the enemies-to-lovers framework of their (future) romance is impeccable, and the chemistry and barely-there-but-definitely-there tension is so damn palpable, so damn delicious, I can already see myself going absolutely FERAL over them both.
I cannot wait to witness their journey towards love: it's going to be freaking great.
Individually, they are equally fantastic characters. Reece is literally the sweetest, most lovable human ever: he needs to be protected at all costs. His sarcasm, his enormous mouth, his recklessness, his obsession with careful driving, every single one of his quirks and insecurities made him an utterly lovable, unforgettable protagonist: he's an overly stressed, anxious little bean and I love him with my whole heart. The way his empathy works was so very fascinating, so kudos to Allie Therin for creating such a complex and ridiculously lovely protagonist.
Evan, on the other hand, is a whole mystery; we hardly know anything about him, but he still has me in a chokehold. His lack of emotions, his peculiar way of dealing with his enemies (or literally anybody standing in his way), his ruthlessness, his mysterious past... He's shaping up to be as unforgettable as Reece. I literally lived for any single crumb we got of his real personality; and the way he was with Reece? His Southern Gentleman act? All the nicknames? His very peculiar protectiveness and his gruff care? INJECT IT INTO MY VEINS.
“Oh, good.” Reece scrubbed the glove over his hot face. “I was wondering where we were going to have angry hate-sex.”
Oh no, his stupid fucking mouth—
“What kind of man do you take me for,” Grayson said, deadpan. “We only just met. I save hate-sex for second dates.”
Anyway, I'll be praying all the literary gods that Allie Therin will bless us with his POV for the sequel: I'd sell my soul to be able to read his thoughts and his real feelings towards Reece.
All the other side characters were as fantastic and vividly characterized as Reece and Evan: especially Jamey. She was a favourite of mine: she could walk all over me, run me over with a bus, and I'd cheerfully thank her.
And the plot? GAH, where do I start. It's brilliant and thrilling: an action-fuled murder mystery, where the heroes and villains aren't what they seem, and the lines between good and evil, between monsters and victims, are constantly blurred. I was completely addicted from the start, and I managed to devour the whole thing in literally two sittings, work obligations be damned.
So, what else can I say? Allie Therin, brava.
Her writing is majestic, and exciting and emotional and it flows wonderfully. Every time I read one of her books, I'm amazed by how much they seem to be made specifically for me: every single one of those has been a 5 star read (actually, more like 6 or 7, or 10!) and "Liar City" is no exception. It's an utterly marvelous book, an incredible, heart-stopping start to a brand new series, and I'd literally sell my soul (and quite possibly, a few of my non-essential organs) to get my hands on its sequel.
I cannot wait, and I'm not sure how am I supposed to wait: maybe by re-reading this one, and highlighting half (or all) of Reece and Evan's interactions? Yes, I think so.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
______________________________
"Liar City" was freaking incredible. Absolutely wonderful, utterly addictive, and by far, one of my top reads of the 2022.
Scratch that, my favourite read of 2022.
Allie Therin has been one of my favourite authors these past few years, and her books have been my comfort reads for months and months now. But with this brand new, paranormal series, I think she's outdone herself: "Liar City" is an absolute gem of a book, and I'm pretty sure this is only the start of what will surely be a gut-wrenching, action-packed, emotional ride of a book series. If I'm feeling this unhinged about this first book, I can only imagine what the next two books will be like for Future Me: it will probably involve a lot of screeching and screaming and sobbing.
"Liar City" features some of my absolute favourite tropes, and all the stuff I adore in my reads: heaps and heaps of action and mystery, a setting and a world-building that are damn fascinating (and vividly stark, highly unusual and creative), and a cast of characters that are unforgettable.
This book is also the slowest-burn to ever burn: the romance aspect is very, very minimal in this first installment, but the enemies-to-lovers framework of their (future) romance is impeccable, and the chemistry and barely-there-but-definitely-there tension is so damn palpable, so damn delicious, I can already see myself going absolutely FERAL over them both.
I cannot wait to witness their journey towards love: it's going to be freaking great.
Individually, they are equally fantastic characters. Reece is literally the sweetest, most lovable human ever: he needs to be protected at all costs. His sarcasm, his enormous mouth, his recklessness, his obsession with careful driving, every single one of his quirks and insecurities made him an utterly lovable, unforgettable protagonist: he's an overly stressed, anxious little bean and I love him with my whole heart. The way his empathy works was so very fascinating, so kudos to Allie Therin for creating such a complex and ridiculously lovely protagonist.
Evan, on the other hand, is a whole mystery; we hardly know anything about him, but he still has me in a chokehold. His lack of emotions, his peculiar way of dealing with his enemies (or literally anybody standing in his way), his ruthlessness, his mysterious past... He's shaping up to be as unforgettable as Reece. I literally lived for any single crumb we got of his real personality; and the way he was with Reece? His Southern Gentleman act? All the nicknames? His very peculiar protectiveness and his gruff care? INJECT IT INTO MY VEINS.
“Oh, good.” Reece scrubbed the glove over his hot face. “I was wondering where we were going to have angry hate-sex.”
Oh no, his stupid fucking mouth—
“What kind of man do you take me for,” Grayson said, deadpan. “We only just met. I save hate-sex for second dates.”
Anyway, I'll be praying all the literary gods that Allie Therin will bless us with his POV for the sequel: I'd sell my soul to be able to read his thoughts and his real feelings towards Reece.
All the other side characters were as fantastic and vividly characterized as Reece and Evan: especially Jamey. She was a favourite of mine: she could walk all over me, run me over with a bus, and I'd cheerfully thank her.
And the plot? GAH, where do I start. It's brilliant and thrilling: an action-fuled murder mystery, where the heroes and villains aren't what they seem, and the lines between good and evil, between monsters and victims, are constantly blurred. I was completely addicted from the start, and I managed to devour the whole thing in literally two sittings, work obligations be damned.
So, what else can I say? Allie Therin, brava.
Her writing is majestic, and exciting and emotional and it flows wonderfully. Every time I read one of her books, I'm amazed by how much they seem to be made specifically for me: every single one of those has been a 5 star read (actually, more like 6 or 7, or 10!) and "Liar City" is no exception. It's an utterly marvelous book, an incredible, heart-stopping start to a brand new series, and I'd literally sell my soul (and quite possibly, a few of my non-essential organs) to get my hands on its sequel.
I cannot wait, and I'm not sure how am I supposed to wait: maybe by re-reading this one, and highlighting half (or all) of Reece and Evan's interactions? Yes, I think so.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read
February 25, 2023I’ve read the first two of Allie Therin’s Magic in Manhattan series, and for the most part really enjoyed them. Insofar as I had reservations, it was that I dug the characters, but the worldbuilding and magic stuff kind of imploded.
In this case, I had pretty much the opposite reaction. I am intrigued by the setup and the outlines of this world of (newly discovered) empaths – and the backlash sparked by their supposed mind control powers – but I just couldn’t with the main character. For all that Reece is an empath, he reads like someone with the emotional intelligence, maturity, and impulse control of your average 5-year-old – with the equally strong conviction that he is RIGHT!, everyone else is WRONG! *tantrum* *woe is me*.
The constant POV shifts at least got us out of Reece’s head for a while, at the cost of being too many and too much, creating a stop-start narrative that was frustrating rather than tension-raising. Indeed, I found myself befuddled much of the time, either from baffling logic leaps Reece was making that had no grounding in the text, or obvious logic leaps Reece wasn't making that made him seem like a dunderhead.
After pulling myself through the first 20 percent or so, I put this aside in exasperation since the HCP strike had started and I figured I would be holding the review anyway. I resumed reading with a resolution to stop being Mean! Kathleen, but alas. Mean! Kathleen can only be held off so long. Indeed, it only took another section of Reece for Mean! Kathleen to come roaring back. At which point I realized that I will never buy Reece as a convincing romantic hero (I should note that the author has advised that the romance is a very slow burn, stretching out over the course of the series – so adjust expectations accordingly). And because I simply wasn’t invested enough in the mystery to push on considering my antipathy to one of the main characters (Mean! Kathleen is impatient) -- dnf with no hard feelings at 34%.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC! Much as I dislike dnf'ing ARCs, I think it's better for everyone if I peace out here. This is (obviously) my unvarnished review.
In this case, I had pretty much the opposite reaction. I am intrigued by the setup and the outlines of this world of (newly discovered) empaths – and the backlash sparked by their supposed mind control powers – but I just couldn’t with the main character. For all that Reece is an empath, he reads like someone with the emotional intelligence, maturity, and impulse control of your average 5-year-old – with the equally strong conviction that he is RIGHT!, everyone else is WRONG! *tantrum* *woe is me*.
The constant POV shifts at least got us out of Reece’s head for a while, at the cost of being too many and too much, creating a stop-start narrative that was frustrating rather than tension-raising. Indeed, I found myself befuddled much of the time, either from baffling logic leaps Reece was making that had no grounding in the text, or obvious logic leaps Reece wasn't making that made him seem like a dunderhead.
After pulling myself through the first 20 percent or so, I put this aside in exasperation since the HCP strike had started and I figured I would be holding the review anyway. I resumed reading with a resolution to stop being Mean! Kathleen, but alas. Mean! Kathleen can only be held off so long. Indeed, it only took another section of Reece for Mean! Kathleen to come roaring back. At which point I realized that I will never buy Reece as a convincing romantic hero (I should note that the author has advised that the romance is a very slow burn, stretching out over the course of the series – so adjust expectations accordingly). And because I simply wasn’t invested enough in the mystery to push on considering my antipathy to one of the main characters (Mean! Kathleen is impatient) -- dnf with no hard feelings at 34%.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC! Much as I dislike dnf'ing ARCs, I think it's better for everyone if I peace out here. This is (obviously) my unvarnished review.
March 12, 2023
I'm kinda maybe addicted.
March 30, 2023
I've given this an A- at AAR, so 4.5 stars rounded up.
Allie Therin moves from East to West and from the 1920s to the present day for her new Sugar & Spice series of paranormals set in an AU Seattle. Her début series – Magic in Manhattan – is a clever and imaginative combination of romance and magical adventure set in prohibition-era New York, and I enjoyed it a lot, even though I felt the overarching plot took a while to really hit its stride. But Ms. Therin’s latest release, Liar City, comes strong out of the gate and had me hooked right from the start. The story is an intriguing, fast-paced murder mystery where nothing is quite as it seems, the lines between good and evil are blurred and you’ll find yourself thinking about who the real monsters are and who the victims. It’s a strong start to what promises to be a compelling series, but one thing I have to say right now is don’t go into this book expecting an HEA or HFN, because there isn’t one. Even though it’s published by Carina Adores (an LGBTQ+ romance publisher) and is very clearly labelled as a romance on Amazon, it is NOT a romance in the generally accepted sense. (The two leads don’t even touch deliberately – their one accidental touch knocks one of them unconscious!) That said, this is only the first book in a series and it’s clear the author is setting up a very slooooow-burn.
Reece Davis is one of only two empaths in Seattle. Empaths can read other people’s emotions, but are subject to very strict regulations – such as having to wear special gloves whenever they are out in public, which not only identify them but also prevent them from reading people should they accidentally touch them. Empaths are avowed pacifists who are incredibly sensitive to acts of violence and would allow themselves to be hurt rather than hurt someone else – but despite that they are feared and mistrusted by many, who believe they are a threat to democracy, and this has given rise to conspiracy-theorist lobby groups and think-tanks, companies like Stone Solutions (which develops and manufactures anti-empathy devices), and to a new anti-empath bill designed to strip empaths of basic civil rights.
Reece is battling yet another bout of insomnia when he gets a phone call from an unknown number telling him that his sister, who is a detective with the Seattle PD, has just landed the biggest case of her career and needs his help. When asked, the caller says he’s Evan Grayson – which means nothing to Reece – but if there’s even a chance that Jamey needs him, Reece is going to be there. Detective Briony St. James has been called to the small Orca’s Gate Marina where three people – including a US senator, the originator of the new anti-empathy bill – have been brutally murdered aboard the yacht belonging to Cedric Stone (CEO of Stone Solutions). When Reece arrives, he can see Jamey is more than a bit rattled, and when he tells her who called him, she becomes even moreso, practically marching him towards one of their makeshift tents and instructing him firmly to stay put. The name Evan Grayson clearly means something to her, but she refuses to discuss it, saying only that she’s worried he’s going to show up.
When Reece gets the chance to check Google, he realises why Jamie was so squirrely and intent on getting him as far away from Seattle as possible. Evan Grayson is the Dead Man – but the Dead Man is just a scary story, isn’t he? A kind of bogeyman invented to frighten empaths into toeing the line, an agent who operates in the shadows and outside the law to protect the public from the perceived dangers of empathy should an empath so much as think about pushing the boundaries. But Evan Grayson – the Dead Man – is no myth. He’s real. And he has Reece’s number.
The author keeps a lot of plates spinning in this story, and does it very well indeed. While Jamey is investigating the murders from one angle, Reece has no choice but to tag along with Grayson for his own protection while Grayson pursues other lines of inquiry. Reece is not best pleased with the situation, and is never sure whether Grayson is friend or foe – remaining unenightened by the man himself who, on the one hand, seems disposed to keep Reece out of trouble, and on the other insists no empath – Reece especially – should trust him. With the death toll increasing, Reece starts to realise some pretty disturbing truths, ones he finds hard to accept at first, but which he nonetheless knows to be true, and to understand more about exactly what triggered the Dead Man’s involvement in the case. Worse, Reece is starting to realise that the change in his own abilities over the past few months may somehow be an indicator of an encroaching kind of madness which could easily be turned against everyone around him. The big question is – is the Dead Man here to help him… or stop him?
As I said at the outset, Liar City isn’t really a romance, but there’s more than a hint at the possibility of one in the slight-but-definitely-there tension that underlies the relationship between Reece and Grayson. It’s complicated, shifting between animosity, betrayal and uncertain collaboration, eventually settling on a kind of mutual respect and, on Reece’s part at least, a teeny bit of attraction. But there’s a lot in between, not least because Grayson is so inscrutable. On the one hand, there’s his gruff protectiveness towards Reece, the gentle teasing and the nicknames (Care Bear!); on the other, he’s ruthless and completely unemotional, he appears to be above the law and to have unlimited resources to do whatever the hell he wants. He’s a complete mystery and only at the very end of the book do we learn even a tiny bit about why he’s the way he is, and even then, it poses more questions than it offers answers.
I liked Reece a lot. Like Rory in the Magic in Manhattan books, he’s small in stature but snarky as hell; his propensity for sarcasm frequently lands him in hot water (and goes straight over most people’s heads) but he doesn’t suffer fools and I’m a sucker for his particular brand of scrappy. Reece may be a pacifist who throws up at the faintest hint of violence, but he’s not afraid to fight with words or stand up for what he believes in.
The story is told in both Reece’s and Jamey’s PoV, which allows the reader to follow the different aspects of the murder investigation. Jamey is great – she’s totally kick-arse, takes no crap and I enjoyed her dynamic with Grayson – but I can’t deny that the PoV switches were sometimes a bit frustrating. Also a bit odd is the fact that the Dead Man is widely believed to be an urban myth, but he inspires a very real fear, and although nobody is supposed to have met him, suddenly everyone knows who he is and what he looks like. I wanted to know more about how it was that Grayson was able to take precedence over both local law enforcement and the FBI and do whatever he wanted, although I hope that maybe that will become clearer in future books.
Despite those niggles, Liar City gets a big thumbs up from me. I liked the characters – much as in her earlier series, Allie Therin has created a small ensemble cast around her leads – the setting and the worldbuilding, and the anti-empathy sentiment is written so chillingly that it has a visceral impact. As I said at the beginning, this is a mystery with just the tinest hints of a potential romance somewhere down the line, but I think it’ll be worth the wait. I’ll definitely be continuing with the Sugar & Vice series, and I’m looking forward to finding out what’s in store for Reece and Grayson next.
ETA: The author has said in her newsletter that there will be an HEA, and that there are three books in the series.
Allie Therin moves from East to West and from the 1920s to the present day for her new Sugar & Spice series of paranormals set in an AU Seattle. Her début series – Magic in Manhattan – is a clever and imaginative combination of romance and magical adventure set in prohibition-era New York, and I enjoyed it a lot, even though I felt the overarching plot took a while to really hit its stride. But Ms. Therin’s latest release, Liar City, comes strong out of the gate and had me hooked right from the start. The story is an intriguing, fast-paced murder mystery where nothing is quite as it seems, the lines between good and evil are blurred and you’ll find yourself thinking about who the real monsters are and who the victims. It’s a strong start to what promises to be a compelling series, but one thing I have to say right now is don’t go into this book expecting an HEA or HFN, because there isn’t one. Even though it’s published by Carina Adores (an LGBTQ+ romance publisher) and is very clearly labelled as a romance on Amazon, it is NOT a romance in the generally accepted sense. (The two leads don’t even touch deliberately – their one accidental touch knocks one of them unconscious!) That said, this is only the first book in a series and it’s clear the author is setting up a very slooooow-burn.
Reece Davis is one of only two empaths in Seattle. Empaths can read other people’s emotions, but are subject to very strict regulations – such as having to wear special gloves whenever they are out in public, which not only identify them but also prevent them from reading people should they accidentally touch them. Empaths are avowed pacifists who are incredibly sensitive to acts of violence and would allow themselves to be hurt rather than hurt someone else – but despite that they are feared and mistrusted by many, who believe they are a threat to democracy, and this has given rise to conspiracy-theorist lobby groups and think-tanks, companies like Stone Solutions (which develops and manufactures anti-empathy devices), and to a new anti-empath bill designed to strip empaths of basic civil rights.
Reece is battling yet another bout of insomnia when he gets a phone call from an unknown number telling him that his sister, who is a detective with the Seattle PD, has just landed the biggest case of her career and needs his help. When asked, the caller says he’s Evan Grayson – which means nothing to Reece – but if there’s even a chance that Jamey needs him, Reece is going to be there. Detective Briony St. James has been called to the small Orca’s Gate Marina where three people – including a US senator, the originator of the new anti-empathy bill – have been brutally murdered aboard the yacht belonging to Cedric Stone (CEO of Stone Solutions). When Reece arrives, he can see Jamey is more than a bit rattled, and when he tells her who called him, she becomes even moreso, practically marching him towards one of their makeshift tents and instructing him firmly to stay put. The name Evan Grayson clearly means something to her, but she refuses to discuss it, saying only that she’s worried he’s going to show up.
When Reece gets the chance to check Google, he realises why Jamie was so squirrely and intent on getting him as far away from Seattle as possible. Evan Grayson is the Dead Man – but the Dead Man is just a scary story, isn’t he? A kind of bogeyman invented to frighten empaths into toeing the line, an agent who operates in the shadows and outside the law to protect the public from the perceived dangers of empathy should an empath so much as think about pushing the boundaries. But Evan Grayson – the Dead Man – is no myth. He’s real. And he has Reece’s number.
The author keeps a lot of plates spinning in this story, and does it very well indeed. While Jamey is investigating the murders from one angle, Reece has no choice but to tag along with Grayson for his own protection while Grayson pursues other lines of inquiry. Reece is not best pleased with the situation, and is never sure whether Grayson is friend or foe – remaining unenightened by the man himself who, on the one hand, seems disposed to keep Reece out of trouble, and on the other insists no empath – Reece especially – should trust him. With the death toll increasing, Reece starts to realise some pretty disturbing truths, ones he finds hard to accept at first, but which he nonetheless knows to be true, and to understand more about exactly what triggered the Dead Man’s involvement in the case. Worse, Reece is starting to realise that the change in his own abilities over the past few months may somehow be an indicator of an encroaching kind of madness which could easily be turned against everyone around him. The big question is – is the Dead Man here to help him… or stop him?
As I said at the outset, Liar City isn’t really a romance, but there’s more than a hint at the possibility of one in the slight-but-definitely-there tension that underlies the relationship between Reece and Grayson. It’s complicated, shifting between animosity, betrayal and uncertain collaboration, eventually settling on a kind of mutual respect and, on Reece’s part at least, a teeny bit of attraction. But there’s a lot in between, not least because Grayson is so inscrutable. On the one hand, there’s his gruff protectiveness towards Reece, the gentle teasing and the nicknames (Care Bear!); on the other, he’s ruthless and completely unemotional, he appears to be above the law and to have unlimited resources to do whatever the hell he wants. He’s a complete mystery and only at the very end of the book do we learn even a tiny bit about why he’s the way he is, and even then, it poses more questions than it offers answers.
I liked Reece a lot. Like Rory in the Magic in Manhattan books, he’s small in stature but snarky as hell; his propensity for sarcasm frequently lands him in hot water (and goes straight over most people’s heads) but he doesn’t suffer fools and I’m a sucker for his particular brand of scrappy. Reece may be a pacifist who throws up at the faintest hint of violence, but he’s not afraid to fight with words or stand up for what he believes in.
The story is told in both Reece’s and Jamey’s PoV, which allows the reader to follow the different aspects of the murder investigation. Jamey is great – she’s totally kick-arse, takes no crap and I enjoyed her dynamic with Grayson – but I can’t deny that the PoV switches were sometimes a bit frustrating. Also a bit odd is the fact that the Dead Man is widely believed to be an urban myth, but he inspires a very real fear, and although nobody is supposed to have met him, suddenly everyone knows who he is and what he looks like. I wanted to know more about how it was that Grayson was able to take precedence over both local law enforcement and the FBI and do whatever he wanted, although I hope that maybe that will become clearer in future books.
Despite those niggles, Liar City gets a big thumbs up from me. I liked the characters – much as in her earlier series, Allie Therin has created a small ensemble cast around her leads – the setting and the worldbuilding, and the anti-empathy sentiment is written so chillingly that it has a visceral impact. As I said at the beginning, this is a mystery with just the tinest hints of a potential romance somewhere down the line, but I think it’ll be worth the wait. I’ll definitely be continuing with the Sugar & Vice series, and I’m looking forward to finding out what’s in store for Reece and Grayson next.
ETA: The author has said in her newsletter that there will be an HEA, and that there are three books in the series.
November 9, 2022
thank you to netgalley for this arc -
I have been struggling with a way to convey how much I LOVE this book that isn't just a sequence of keyboard smashes ala a 2012 Tumblr blog and then only other way I can think to express myself is that HOLY SHIT THIS BOOK IS AMAZING.
I will say right now that this is the best book I have read this year, maybe in the last two or three years, and since it releases in 2023 it will probably be the best book I read next year too. It's like the book was handwritten with me in mind.
It's like X-Men, but you add a lot of bisexuality and the Sentinels aren't giant murder robots but instead there's only one and he's gorgeous southern man who doesn't outwardly display emotion but it's somewhere deep under the surface. The world building is brilliant, in the story itself and ingeniously done in small asides from various corners of the universe at the beginning of every chapter, you learn so much about the world from small 1--
Reece is probably one of my favorite main characters I've read in a long time. He's a pacifist by genetics, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have bite. He may not hut people physically but his sarcasm should be registered as a deadly weapon. I thought it was a brilliant way to create a pacifist character who is non-violent by design but isn't afraid to fight with his words. He's adorable, he's spicy, and he made my heart swell.
There isn't much I can say about Grayson without getting too spoilery, and I think people really need to read for themselves and find out. But what I will say is that I love him, I need to know everything about him, and that I love him.
The breakout star of the book to me though, was Reece's sister Jamey. I would read an entire book about her. She's fearless, she's a bad ass, and I'm terrified and in love with her. So much about her was a mystery through the book, but the things you learn are such a great payoff and the unique dynamic she has with Grayson is amazing. I would 100000% read a dysfunctional buddy cop book about them and love every minute.
To make a long review short, buy this when it is out, read this when it is out, and fall in love with this when it is out just like I did.
I need the second book yesterday kthnksbye
I have been struggling with a way to convey how much I LOVE this book that isn't just a sequence of keyboard smashes ala a 2012 Tumblr blog and then only other way I can think to express myself is that HOLY SHIT THIS BOOK IS AMAZING.
I will say right now that this is the best book I have read this year, maybe in the last two or three years, and since it releases in 2023 it will probably be the best book I read next year too. It's like the book was handwritten with me in mind.
It's like X-Men, but you add a lot of bisexuality and the Sentinels aren't giant murder robots but instead there's only one and he's gorgeous southern man who doesn't outwardly display emotion but it's somewhere deep under the surface. The world building is brilliant, in the story itself and ingeniously done in small asides from various corners of the universe at the beginning of every chapter, you learn so much about the world from small 1--
Reece is probably one of my favorite main characters I've read in a long time. He's a pacifist by genetics, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have bite. He may not hut people physically but his sarcasm should be registered as a deadly weapon. I thought it was a brilliant way to create a pacifist character who is non-violent by design but isn't afraid to fight with his words. He's adorable, he's spicy, and he made my heart swell.
There isn't much I can say about Grayson without getting too spoilery, and I think people really need to read for themselves and find out. But what I will say is that I love him, I need to know everything about him, and that I love him.
The breakout star of the book to me though, was Reece's sister Jamey. I would read an entire book about her. She's fearless, she's a bad ass, and I'm terrified and in love with her. So much about her was a mystery through the book, but the things you learn are such a great payoff and the unique dynamic she has with Grayson is amazing. I would 100000% read a dysfunctional buddy cop book about them and love every minute.
To make a long review short, buy this when it is out, read this when it is out, and fall in love with this when it is out just like I did.
I need the second book yesterday kthnksbye
February 8, 2023
5 / 5 ⭐️‘s
“Liar City” by Allie Therin @allietherin
"You don't have to cuff me. I'll stay put."
"You haven't stayed put even once today. You think I'm gonna take chances now?"
Admittedly, I was drawn to this book by the cover. I knew immediately seeing the Space Needle on it that it would be set in Seattle and PNW area.
I was hooked right off the bat with the Sci-Fi & Fantasy elements of the story and each chapter left me wanting more.
The sexual tension between Reece and The Dead Man is palpable and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!
(Pub Date: 02/28/23)
Thank you to @allietherin & @netgalley for the eARC!
“Liar City” by Allie Therin @allietherin
"You don't have to cuff me. I'll stay put."
"You haven't stayed put even once today. You think I'm gonna take chances now?"
Admittedly, I was drawn to this book by the cover. I knew immediately seeing the Space Needle on it that it would be set in Seattle and PNW area.
I was hooked right off the bat with the Sci-Fi & Fantasy elements of the story and each chapter left me wanting more.
The sexual tension between Reece and The Dead Man is palpable and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!
(Pub Date: 02/28/23)
Thank you to @allietherin & @netgalley for the eARC!
December 19, 2022
The good
+ Reece's sarcasm
+ Reece's excessive need to keep people on the right track, and compliment them for good decisions. Professional driver is an asshole to Reece? Compliment him for drinking water instead of alcohol. Security officer gets laid off for trying to remove Reece from a building? Argue for him to be reinstated, because he was just doing his job
+ Reece being such an angry, angry cinnamon roll
+ Reece's obsession with responsible driving
+ Jamey. She's the best sister ever
+ Liam. Jamey got damn lucky with that one
+ True enemies to lovers. I mean, I think and a few death threats count as enemies, right? Not that Reece would dare blame Grayson for any of that...
+ Reece's certainty that somewhere under the blank face, Grayson has emotions
+ Grayson protecting Reece
+ The slowburn. With characters like these, anything close to a romantic connection couldn't grow within one book. And it doesn't
+ That texting conversation in the end.
The neutral
o I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. My review remains honest and unbiased
o This book is written in third person, with multiple POVs. These include some chapters from the bad guys and minor side characters
o I have so many unanswered questions! Now I have to read the next book and hope all of them get answered
The bad
- I only got two hours of sleep because I read this book instead of sleeping
- Everyone was all "Oooh The Dead Guy is just a myth" and stuff, and nobody really knew what he looked like. But in the book suddenly everyone knew who he was and what he looked like, and he inspired a lot more fear than an urban legend should. Confusing
Quotes
x "Is all of Stone Solutions' security watching me have a panic attack?" "There are no cameras in here and it's soundproofed." "Oh, good. I was wondering where we were going to have angry hate-sex." "What kind of man do you take me for? We only just met. I save hate-sex for second dates."
Right. So. This book was great. You should read it.
+ Reece's sarcasm
+ Reece's excessive need to keep people on the right track, and compliment them for good decisions. Professional driver is an asshole to Reece? Compliment him for drinking water instead of alcohol. Security officer gets laid off for trying to remove Reece from a building? Argue for him to be reinstated, because he was just doing his job
+ Reece being such an angry, angry cinnamon roll
+ Reece's obsession with responsible driving
+ Jamey. She's the best sister ever
+ Liam. Jamey got damn lucky with that one
+ True enemies to lovers. I mean, I think and a few death threats count as enemies, right? Not that Reece would dare blame Grayson for any of that...
+ Reece's certainty that somewhere under the blank face, Grayson has emotions
+ Grayson protecting Reece
+ The slowburn. With characters like these, anything close to a romantic connection couldn't grow within one book. And it doesn't
+ That texting conversation in the end.
The neutral
o I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. My review remains honest and unbiased
o This book is written in third person, with multiple POVs. These include some chapters from the bad guys and minor side characters
o I have so many unanswered questions! Now I have to read the next book and hope all of them get answered
The bad
- I only got two hours of sleep because I read this book instead of sleeping
- Everyone was all "Oooh The Dead Guy is just a myth" and stuff, and nobody really knew what he looked like. But in the book suddenly everyone knew who he was and what he looked like, and he inspired a lot more fear than an urban legend should. Confusing
Quotes
x "Is all of Stone Solutions' security watching me have a panic attack?" "There are no cameras in here and it's soundproofed." "Oh, good. I was wondering where we were going to have angry hate-sex." "What kind of man do you take me for? We only just met. I save hate-sex for second dates."
Right. So. This book was great. You should read it.
July 10, 2024
Ahhhhhh I loved it!!!
Excellent plot, amazing characters, a slow burn romance spanning the whole series, banter galore; just simply everything I love.
On one side we have Reece who is an empath and sassy and doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. On the other side we have the Dead Man, a cryptic mysterious man of few words who has come to investigate a crime and wants Reece by his side. To keep and eye on him, to help him, to keep him from being a menace to society with his mouth every time he gets interviewed? All of the above.
I just loved how the story started with the murder, the mystery, the introduction to a world with empaths who feel sick even just seeing violence in tv, and the way the POVs jumps from one character to the other to show us different sides of the mystery. I feel the need to have the dead man's POV in the next book, please and thank you.
While it is a murder mystery with a romance subplot, it is very slow burn, so slow that'll take the whole series for those two to have their HEA. And I'm weirdly okay with the wait because with how we saw these characters in Liar City, I feel the build it was just perfect and everything else would've felt rushed. The ending had me squealing! I do need more. Asap!
Excellent plot, amazing characters, a slow burn romance spanning the whole series, banter galore; just simply everything I love.
On one side we have Reece who is an empath and sassy and doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. On the other side we have the Dead Man, a cryptic mysterious man of few words who has come to investigate a crime and wants Reece by his side. To keep and eye on him, to help him, to keep him from being a menace to society with his mouth every time he gets interviewed? All of the above.
I just loved how the story started with the murder, the mystery, the introduction to a world with empaths who feel sick even just seeing violence in tv, and the way the POVs jumps from one character to the other to show us different sides of the mystery. I feel the need to have the dead man's POV in the next book, please and thank you.
While it is a murder mystery with a romance subplot, it is very slow burn, so slow that'll take the whole series for those two to have their HEA. And I'm weirdly okay with the wait because with how we saw these characters in Liar City, I feel the build it was just perfect and everything else would've felt rushed. The ending had me squealing! I do need more. Asap!
May 4, 2023
I listened to this on audible. I could propably listen to Joel Leslie narrating an inner monologue of a tree growing.
This is not a romance. There is no romance. There is no slowburn. There is maybe a hint of attraction between the MCs. There is no HEA, no HFN and it’s unfair to market it as such.
To be honest I don’t see a possibility for a romance in the near future for the MCs. The worldbuilding imo is limiting. Every single thing our empath MC does or says is somehow connected to him being an empath. I’m not a fan of reducing a person to a stereotypical checklist. The repetition killed me. If the romance aspect is developed in future installments I hope it’s not the idea of a perfect empath that Grayson falls for.
Grayson was an interesting character. I think the decision to deprive the reader of his POV bore fruit.
Overall I found this book interesting. Might continue the series if the romance moves faster than a snail in book two.
This is not a romance. There is no romance. There is no slowburn. There is maybe a hint of attraction between the MCs. There is no HEA, no HFN and it’s unfair to market it as such.
To be honest I don’t see a possibility for a romance in the near future for the MCs. The worldbuilding imo is limiting. Every single thing our empath MC does or says is somehow connected to him being an empath. I’m not a fan of reducing a person to a stereotypical checklist. The repetition killed me. If the romance aspect is developed in future installments I hope it’s not the idea of a perfect empath that Grayson falls for.
Grayson was an interesting character. I think the decision to deprive the reader of his POV bore fruit.
Overall I found this book interesting. Might continue the series if the romance moves faster than a snail in book two.
February 27, 2023
4.5 Stars!
I love me some Allie Therin. There's something about how she writes that just does it for me.
So, when I found out she was beginning a new urban fantasy ? Sci fi? series, I jumped at the chance to read and review this initial book.
In this alternate universe that the author has built, Empaths are individuals(because of how rare they are) who have the ability to "read" people's thoughts and emotions so strongly that they are pacifists, vegan and overwhelmingly law abiding. Wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings even when held at gun point(it happens in this and yes it was funny 😂)
Unfortunately, as with any minority group there HAS to be politicians pandering to xenophobic bigots who are filled with hate. And it's the demise of one of such politicians that triggers the events of this fantastic book.
We meet Reece (an empath) who frustrated me to no end. Why? Because ALL throughout this book he was determined to endanger himself at every point. Some of his actions were so reckless I had to pause reading just to stare at my kindle in shock.
I acknowledge and felt bad for all he had to go to through( the discrimination and all the struggles with his abilities) but by God he was so so so frustrating. As Grayson said, he didn't have the self-preservation instincts God gave a rock. At first it was understandable but he began to wear me out pretty quickly.😒
Speaking of Grayson, I didn't expect to like him but rather ended up loving him. He was....unexpected.
The Dead Man was surprisingly witty and occasionally genuinely funny for someone so fearsome. He went toe to toe with Reece which I appreciated because everyone else(who wasn't busy discriminating against him) treated him with kid gloves(side eye to you Jamey).
Despite all my gripes with Reece above, the writing was as great as always and although some things were pretty obvious(at least to me), I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t let go( I read this all at a go-all within a day!).
Fortunately, this did not end on a cliffhanger making me super grateful but it is worth noting that it IS the initial book in a yet-to-be-numbered series so expect a lot of unanswered questions and zero romance from our MCs.
Knowing Allie Therin though(or I hope I do at least know her a bit from reading her other works), I trust 100% that the wait will be MORE than worth it in the subsequent books. So excited!
*** eARC Provided by Publisher in Exchange for An Honest and Unbiased Review ***
I love me some Allie Therin. There's something about how she writes that just does it for me.
So, when I found out she was beginning a new urban fantasy ? Sci fi? series, I jumped at the chance to read and review this initial book.
In this alternate universe that the author has built, Empaths are individuals(because of how rare they are) who have the ability to "read" people's thoughts and emotions so strongly that they are pacifists, vegan and overwhelmingly law abiding. Wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings even when held at gun point(it happens in this and yes it was funny 😂)
Unfortunately, as with any minority group there HAS to be politicians pandering to xenophobic bigots who are filled with hate. And it's the demise of one of such politicians that triggers the events of this fantastic book.
We meet Reece (an empath) who frustrated me to no end. Why? Because ALL throughout this book he was determined to endanger himself at every point. Some of his actions were so reckless I had to pause reading just to stare at my kindle in shock.
I acknowledge and felt bad for all he had to go to through( the discrimination and all the struggles with his abilities) but by God he was so so so frustrating. As Grayson said, he didn't have the self-preservation instincts God gave a rock. At first it was understandable but he began to wear me out pretty quickly.😒
Speaking of Grayson, I didn't expect to like him but rather ended up loving him. He was....unexpected.
The Dead Man was surprisingly witty and occasionally genuinely funny for someone so fearsome. He went toe to toe with Reece which I appreciated because everyone else(who wasn't busy discriminating against him) treated him with kid gloves(side eye to you Jamey).
Despite all my gripes with Reece above, the writing was as great as always and although some things were pretty obvious(at least to me), I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t let go( I read this all at a go-all within a day!).
Fortunately, this did not end on a cliffhanger making me super grateful but it is worth noting that it IS the initial book in a yet-to-be-numbered series so expect a lot of unanswered questions and zero romance from our MCs.
Knowing Allie Therin though(or I hope I do at least know her a bit from reading her other works), I trust 100% that the wait will be MORE than worth it in the subsequent books. So excited!
*** eARC Provided by Publisher in Exchange for An Honest and Unbiased Review ***
January 1, 2024
I'm only mad because the next book isn't out and I have a desperate need.
This book was so fun. It was a change from the genres I'm usually in and I am dying for this super slow burn. In one corner, we have the emotionless myth of a man who is shockingly young and good looking to be The Dead Man. He's sent when people are messing with empaths and fixes the problems without jurisdiction rules from any organizations. In the other corner, we have an empath who has more sass than sense and is completely exasperated to learn The Dead Man is not only real but is someone who texts when he drives and is fussy about his hair.
This was a really quick read and I loved it. There's no real romance in this one but the foundations for potential romance are laid and waiting. We have kind of a murder mystery, dysfunctional buddy-cop, paranormal book and it was so fresh.
I'm already halfway into one of Allie's other books because I'm really into her writing style. 1920s prohibition era paranormal urban fantasy here I come.
This book was so fun. It was a change from the genres I'm usually in and I am dying for this super slow burn. In one corner, we have the emotionless myth of a man who is shockingly young and good looking to be The Dead Man. He's sent when people are messing with empaths and fixes the problems without jurisdiction rules from any organizations. In the other corner, we have an empath who has more sass than sense and is completely exasperated to learn The Dead Man is not only real but is someone who texts when he drives and is fussy about his hair.
This was a really quick read and I loved it. There's no real romance in this one but the foundations for potential romance are laid and waiting. We have kind of a murder mystery, dysfunctional buddy-cop, paranormal book and it was so fresh.
I'm already halfway into one of Allie's other books because I'm really into her writing style. 1920s prohibition era paranormal urban fantasy here I come.
March 3, 2023
Absolutely loved this book. It most definitely is not a romance, there isn't even a chaste kiss in the whole book. To be honest, although I strongly suspect at least 1 of the MCs is gay, its not said and the other MC seems very macho.
However, you know what. I really liked the fact that there was no sex in the book. The story was a real page turner ( for me anyway) with a good mystery element. As Reece was an empath there were several lol moments especially when he was driving.
As this is book 1 in the series, I am hoping for further books where the 2 MCs might get together.
The only negative thing for me was the $9.99 kindle price.
However, you know what. I really liked the fact that there was no sex in the book. The story was a real page turner ( for me anyway) with a good mystery element. As Reece was an empath there were several lol moments especially when he was driving.
As this is book 1 in the series, I am hoping for further books where the 2 MCs might get together.
The only negative thing for me was the $9.99 kindle price.
March 11, 2023
4.25 stars
This took me a very long time to read. I picked this up months ago but I wasn’t ready to read it. I really enjoyed Allie Therin’s other books so I knew I would enjoy this but once I finally committed to reading this I was so confused!
This is a great book, there’s no doubt about that. It’s a different story than most and the multiple POV’s were actually exciting and drove the story along. The story felt a bit all over the place at first and I felt like I had to really push myself to keep going for a bit. Once I finally started to wrap my head around things and Reese gets to be alongside Evan I was finally invested!
I loved the multiple POV’s, which totally surprised me. I thought it was refreshing and so unique but most of all I think it worked best for the storyline. I knew who the main characters were but I loved seeing others having their own moments too.
Reese is such a lovable character. His sister, Jamey, was one of the best characters ever. Their bond was beautiful and I adored them. Evan Grayson, or the Dead Man, is a total mystery and I just wasn’t sure what to think of him but somehow by the end he won me over.
There was no romance in this book and I was ok with that. This romance is not going to be an easy one and it wouldn’t have fit in this story. Therin is setting this relationship up and before I read the last page I saw the beginning of it. I can’t wait to see where it goes!
I am happy I kept reading this book and if you go in thinking there will be a love story then you’ll be disappointed. Just have faith, I know Allie Therin will get us there. This is a interesting story that once it gets moving is breathtaking. If I didn’t struggle in the beginning this would have been 5 stars. The ending left me wanting the next book now. Alas, I’ll have to wait, but I know it will be worth it.
**ARC received via NetGalley
**All thoughts and opinions are my own
This took me a very long time to read. I picked this up months ago but I wasn’t ready to read it. I really enjoyed Allie Therin’s other books so I knew I would enjoy this but once I finally committed to reading this I was so confused!
This is a great book, there’s no doubt about that. It’s a different story than most and the multiple POV’s were actually exciting and drove the story along. The story felt a bit all over the place at first and I felt like I had to really push myself to keep going for a bit. Once I finally started to wrap my head around things and Reese gets to be alongside Evan I was finally invested!
I loved the multiple POV’s, which totally surprised me. I thought it was refreshing and so unique but most of all I think it worked best for the storyline. I knew who the main characters were but I loved seeing others having their own moments too.
Reese is such a lovable character. His sister, Jamey, was one of the best characters ever. Their bond was beautiful and I adored them. Evan Grayson, or the Dead Man, is a total mystery and I just wasn’t sure what to think of him but somehow by the end he won me over.
There was no romance in this book and I was ok with that. This romance is not going to be an easy one and it wouldn’t have fit in this story. Therin is setting this relationship up and before I read the last page I saw the beginning of it. I can’t wait to see where it goes!
I am happy I kept reading this book and if you go in thinking there will be a love story then you’ll be disappointed. Just have faith, I know Allie Therin will get us there. This is a interesting story that once it gets moving is breathtaking. If I didn’t struggle in the beginning this would have been 5 stars. The ending left me wanting the next book now. Alas, I’ll have to wait, but I know it will be worth it.
**ARC received via NetGalley
**All thoughts and opinions are my own
March 1, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
I absolutely loved Allie Therin’s Magic in Manhattan series, so I was really excited to see what the author would do with a contemporary story. And wow, did this one blow me away! I was caught up from the first moments and I just could not put down this twisty, fascinating story. Clever and original world building is something that just gets me so excited and this book is full of it. I have read plenty of stories featuring people with empathic abilities, but Therin gives such an interesting take here. It is not just that empaths have the ability to read other people through touch. It is also that they are so incredibly sensitive to others’ feelings that it impacts pretty much everything about them. They are pacifists, unwilling to harm anyone, even to defend themselves.
I will note that this story is not a romance; we get just the barest spark of an emotional connection between Reece and Grayson, just an ember that has the potential to grow into more. But beyond Reece noting that Grayson is objectively handsome and a sense that he finds him attractive, there is nothing physical or romantic that happens between them at all. By the end of the story, the men have found some sort of understanding, a sense of caring what happens to the other, and just maybe, the idea of wanting to see each other again. It is so tantalizing, this slowest of slow burns.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
I absolutely loved Allie Therin’s Magic in Manhattan series, so I was really excited to see what the author would do with a contemporary story. And wow, did this one blow me away! I was caught up from the first moments and I just could not put down this twisty, fascinating story. Clever and original world building is something that just gets me so excited and this book is full of it. I have read plenty of stories featuring people with empathic abilities, but Therin gives such an interesting take here. It is not just that empaths have the ability to read other people through touch. It is also that they are so incredibly sensitive to others’ feelings that it impacts pretty much everything about them. They are pacifists, unwilling to harm anyone, even to defend themselves.
I will note that this story is not a romance; we get just the barest spark of an emotional connection between Reece and Grayson, just an ember that has the potential to grow into more. But beyond Reece noting that Grayson is objectively handsome and a sense that he finds him attractive, there is nothing physical or romantic that happens between them at all. By the end of the story, the men have found some sort of understanding, a sense of caring what happens to the other, and just maybe, the idea of wanting to see each other again. It is so tantalizing, this slowest of slow burns.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
February 20, 2024
This reminded me of Charmed, wasn’t empathy Prue’s power🤔? I remember an episode of her crying cause it was too much.
Anyway, the events in this book take place in one day. I know A LOT happens but you cannot be disappointed in telling me it is the slowest of burns, it’s the right amount! and at this rate, the MCs should not get together until book three. At the earliest!! The ending made me go all ‘awwhh’ though🫢♥️.
Great characters, loved them all (main&side). Good development, even for the smallest of side characters. Interesting plot, with a good mystery, suspense and action sequences that kept me interested in figuring out each character’s story and they were freaking awesome. And I cannot wait till I get the next one!
Only downside for me was the many POVs, but it kind of worked? I felt like I was watching a movie. And I approve of not having Evan Grayson’s side, he’s still a delicious mystery.
Anyway, the events in this book take place in one day. I know A LOT happens but you cannot be disappointed in telling me it is the slowest of burns, it’s the right amount! and at this rate, the MCs should not get together until book three. At the earliest!! The ending made me go all ‘awwhh’ though🫢♥️.
Great characters, loved them all (main&side). Good development, even for the smallest of side characters. Interesting plot, with a good mystery, suspense and action sequences that kept me interested in figuring out each character’s story and they were freaking awesome. And I cannot wait till I get the next one!
Only downside for me was the many POVs, but it kind of worked? I felt like I was watching a movie. And I approve of not having Evan Grayson’s side, he’s still a delicious mystery.
June 23, 2023
This was terrific. I'd found Therin's Magic in Manhattan series a bit meh, but here she has ramped up the stakes, characterisation and tension a thousand-fold. The dialogue is taut, the shifting PoVs really play off each other, and I cannot wait for the next books in the series.
September 20, 2023
Absolutely cannot wait for the sequel. Slowly dying inside knowing there will be one and that I cannot read it right now. I adore Evan and Reece.
March 11, 2023
Kind of upset at how little I enjoyed this. I love Allie Therin's previous books, but this one didn't quite live up to my expectations. Firstly, it is not an MM romance, there's not even a hint of a ghost of a romance. I'm not even sure that the protagonist is queer. So tags are wildly inaccurate. It's a kind of modern AU where certain people are empaths, and able to 'read' people by touching them. Reece, our MC, is an empath and I found him profoundly annoying. I get that he was written as obstinate and plucky, but I just found him irritating. He seemed to always make the stupidest possible decision in any given situation. He becomes embroiled in an anti-empathy conspiracy and is dragged further into it by an enigmatic secret agent, who I can only describe as giving off young Matthew McConaughey vibes. The whole 400+ page book takes place over the course of about one day and so much stuff happens that I found it difficult to keep up, the plot just rocketed ahead, frenetic and inaccessible at times. I am not sure who labelled this an MM romance, I mean, I understand why - all her previous work has been, but I felt cheated hoping for something that never materialized. So probably this is why I found this so, so unsatisfying, but here we are. Hopefully Therin's next act will be better for me.
February 6, 2023
Actual rating: Instant favourite!!!! This is not a 5 stars, this is a million stars!
Next book when??!
Ever since reading Allie Therins Magic in Manhattan series last year I’d inhale everything she writes.
So when I saw that there will be a new series I immediately ran to get that book.
.
Reece is not able to talk without sass. And it gets him in lots of trouble. He’s an empath and a short bisexual disaster king.
When a senator who’s openly anti-empathy gets murdered he and a notorious empath hunter called “The dead man” have to work together to solve the case.
But as more bodies keep piling up Reece has to hide that he can do a little more than just normal empathy…and figure out why The dead man is rescuing him over and over again and taking care of him whenever he can.
.
You guys this booook! It’s absolutely gripping!!! I’m normally a pretty good detective, but I had zero clue what was going on here 99% of the time. The banter, the sarcasm, the sass. I loved everything about it!
The ending had me smiling like a total lunatic.
It became an instant favourite and I can’t wait to read the next book because this is the slowest of slow burns!!!
Best book I’ve read so far this year!
Next book when??!
Ever since reading Allie Therins Magic in Manhattan series last year I’d inhale everything she writes.
So when I saw that there will be a new series I immediately ran to get that book.
.
Reece is not able to talk without sass. And it gets him in lots of trouble. He’s an empath and a short bisexual disaster king.
When a senator who’s openly anti-empathy gets murdered he and a notorious empath hunter called “The dead man” have to work together to solve the case.
But as more bodies keep piling up Reece has to hide that he can do a little more than just normal empathy…and figure out why The dead man is rescuing him over and over again and taking care of him whenever he can.
.
You guys this booook! It’s absolutely gripping!!! I’m normally a pretty good detective, but I had zero clue what was going on here 99% of the time. The banter, the sarcasm, the sass. I loved everything about it!
The ending had me smiling like a total lunatic.
It became an instant favourite and I can’t wait to read the next book because this is the slowest of slow burns!!!
Best book I’ve read so far this year!
March 20, 2023
LIAR CITY is the first book in a new LGBTQ fantasy series entitled Sugar & Vice by Allie Therin. The book follows the story of Reece, an empath who receives anonymous calls warning him that his detective sister, Jamey, is in danger. The calls are from Grayson, also known as The Dead Man, a government agent rumored to deal exclusively in cases involving empathy. As the two dig deeper into the gruesome murder of an anti-empathy senator, they find themselves embroiled in a dangerous web of secrets and lies that puts Reece and Jamey's lives in jeopardy. The plot is well-crafted, and the characters are vividly drawn, with Reece and Grayson's partnership providing an intriguing dynamic. Overall, LIAR CITY is a fast-paced and exciting read that will appeal to fans of crime thrillers and urban fantasy. The novel's unique blend of supernatural elements and crime drama make it a standout in its genre. I am looking forward to the next book and seeing where Reece and Grayson's relationship will go.
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March 1, 2023
Do you ever get that giddy feeling in your chest when you're reading a book that you want to devour but are also afraid to because you don't want it to ever have to end?
I had that with Liar City, and I'm very happy since it's been a while since I last had that experience.
This book has like all the awesome tropes and executed amazingly! I can't resist the "snack-sized" grouchy-but-actually-cinnamon-roll MC Reece who is LITERALLY too-good-to-pure for this world and the mysterious, stoic-to-emotionally-constipated, possibly-slightly-a-lot-vain badass agent LI who protects him.
Oh, and did I mention that MC is touch-starved but can't touch people, and particularly not LI, for plot reasons? I'm so here for it.
Also, I'm wholly convinced that the cinnamon roll meme must have been the original book prompt for Liar City. Prove me wrong!
I had that with Liar City, and I'm very happy since it's been a while since I last had that experience.
This book has like all the awesome tropes and executed amazingly! I can't resist the "snack-sized" grouchy-but-actually-cinnamon-roll MC Reece who is LITERALLY too-good-to-pure for this world and the mysterious, stoic-to-emotionally-constipated, possibly-slightly-a-lot-vain badass agent LI who protects him.
Oh, and did I mention that MC is touch-starved but can't touch people, and particularly not LI, for plot reasons? I'm so here for it.
Also, I'm wholly convinced that the cinnamon roll meme must have been the original book prompt for Liar City. Prove me wrong!
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