NMmomof4's Reviews > Tangled In Lies

3 Stars

Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise and Holden's (side character) relationship with the h

The Not-So-Good: The lack of connection I felt towards the characters.

The Bad: The ending was very much focused on setting up the next book, which is a pet peeve of mine (and I ended up skimming tbh)

Overall: This was alright. It took me a while to read and I think that alone says a lot. I wasn't all that eager to get back to it when I would get distracted. I guessed pretty much right away who the bad guy was and his motives, so that took away from it for me too. I felt indifferent towards the characters, and that became a struggle when being motivated to finish this. It seems like I'm in the minority yet again, so it very well could be the book funk I find myself in where I'm not feeling all that inspired...

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Evangeline and Phoenix's story. Phoenix surprises Evangeline by showing up at her parents' party for her birthday after being in prison for years. They have a past together that makes her all of a sudden having to marry him complicated. Phoenix is out for revenge after Evangeline put him in prison and forcing her to marry him is one of the first steps. They also have a mysterious stalker that is very much contributing to their relationship. Some major secrets get revealed, some old feelings come rushing back, and there are some sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.

Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Evangeline and Phoenix's POV.

Overall Pace of Story: Good for the most part. I did end up skimming here and there because I wasn't really engaged.

Instalove: No, but residual feelings are there from before.

H (Hero) rating: 3.5 stars. Phoenix. I liked him more than the h, but barely.

h (heroine) rating: 3 stars. Evangeline. She was alright. I think I didn't really feel one way or the other about her.

Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed

Push/Pull: Yes (view spoiler)[ they both push away and I'd say the H is the main pursuer of the relationship (hide spoiler)]

Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.

Descriptive sex: Yes

OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No

Sex scene with OW or OM: No

Cheating: No

Separation: Not between the mcs on page

Possible Triggers: Yes (view spoiler)[Blackmail/Assault/Kidnapping/Drugging/Attempted Murder (on page), murder/loss of a loved one/imprisonment (off page), and the H was going to marry the h's sister (view spoiler)[more of a help a friend out thing and not romantic/intimate (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Closure: This ends in a good place with what I would call a HEA ending (view spoiler)[they're married (hide spoiler)]

Safety: This one should be either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
(view spoiler)[
- Does Not have cheating
- Does Not have a descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
- Does have both the h and H pushing away
- Does Not have an on-page separation between the h and H
- Does Not have abuse by mcs
- Does have a HEA ending (hide spoiler)]