The Truth About Lies

Review for The Truth About Lies by Aly Martinez5 Star, New-To-Me-AuthorIf you need content information, please read the blurb. I do not discuss content in my reviews. The blurb gives you the information that the author wants the reader to have prior to reading her book.This is a new author to me. God, why have I not heard of her before? No matter, because after reading this book, I will rectify that situation and read all of her other books. So yeah, I definitely recommend this book as well as this author.Now… How to put my feelings into words? Oh. That’s a great start. It made me feel. It made me feel everything. In this very emotional darkish, angsty and gritty story, you can find heartbreak, utter desperation, hold-your-breath suspense, jaw unhinging twists and revelations, steamy scenes, heartwarming moments, and, wait for it…. hilariously funny scenes. So yeah, you get the point, all the feels.The plot building and flow is, while intricate and intense, impeccable. There are no boring, unnecessary details, descriptions, or dialogue. It grabbed me from the first paragraph and I found myself unable to put the book down. Even with a cliffy, it is a Duet, with the final book released in less than a month, there is NO filler. Character development and consistency was perfect. Writing flawless. God, if I’ve forgot anything, it was perfect.For me, this was a unique story. That is always refreshing, but what I really liked, no loved, is that the very handsome sort-of-kidnappers-for-forced-prostitution were the actual villains, just like they would be in real life. Other than their looks, they are very ugly. There is nothing redeeming about them. They are truly despicable. Another thing that is different that I liked? NO instant love. Yeah, there was the instant attraction, but they did not fall in love immediately, nor did they fall in bed, and, as you can imagine, this resulted in intense smexual tension that was off-the-charts- HOT.For those of you who detest any OW stuff, you’re safe with this one; we’re all friends here.I have to mention one more thing and then I’m out. By the way, I hate long reviews. And yet, here I am…The writing. It is exquisite. The author found the perfect balance of everything to put the reader in the story, to make you feel like you are a part of it, to make everything feel real. It’s brilliant, actually. The analogies were beautiful. I have several quotes, but this review is just too long. You will see them when you one click and read and, again, I recommend you do that, like, right now.Happy Reading!Kathy,JustLetMeRead

***4.5 Stars***I didn’t read the blurb. Well, I probably did when Aly Martinez did the cover reveal yonky donks ago, but I haven’t looked at it since. I went into The Truth About Lies not necessarily blind but without following my usual pre-read checklist. If I pre-prepared myself for an Aly Martinez then there would be a bloody good chance I’d never start it. Aly's stories are emotional, gritty and completely suck you in.The Truth About Lies took me days to read. I’d start, take a few licks, then scurry off to distract myself from my heart breaking. LIFE SUCKS!! Luckily, not in my world but in poor Cora and Penn’s world it bloody SUCKED MONKEY’S BALLS!!I kept telling myself I don’t need to torture myself with this…as I turned to the next page and kept going on. The first half took me three days to get through, the second half, a couple of hours. I was determined to not wuss out again. I even told myself *Sassy, turn off your bloody emotions and just get it done already…* See, the picture I was shown wasn't at all what I wanted to see. These two and their lies, cover-ups and secrets, made my eye twitch and my teeth grind. Well, I got it done and I only have a few open wounds…so, I call that SUCCESS!!I kind of feel that if you know too much about this story before starting you won’t get the full impact of the journey. But, saying that, you kind of need to know that it’s not an easy or light-hearted read.OMG!! I just read the blurb. Holy Heck!! How on earth did I sign up for this ARC? That opening line would have normally had me RUNNING for the hills. Geez, I can’t handle dealing with a hero whose wife was murdered in front of him… Hang on, wait for a second, I just did… 😉OK, this story is SOOO much more than the dead wife and a husband dealing with the emotional fallout. This story is a lot about Cora and the prison she’s living in and Penn's part in breaking her out...or...not. Her story will break your heart but it will also inspire you to be a better, stronger and more thoughtful person. Cora has been broken so many times and yet still makes it a priority to look after and protect those who are under her care.I really enjoyed The Truth About Lies and this emotional journey Aly Martinez takes us on. Yes, at times it’s hard to witness and you question how and why Cora goes back for more. Then, another jigsaw puzzle piece is laid, and, you too decide you’d go back for more if you were in the same place. Well, you hope you would be strong enough to, anyway.This is a duet so we don’t have the full story yet. Sure, I want more but I’m kind of glad that I get a break, to be honest. I mean geez, it took me days to get this far, this gives me a chance to put my heart back in my chest and prepare for the coming onslaught.The Truth About Lies is emotional, gritty, and real in an *I wish it wasn’t so* kind of way. Both Cora and Penn will break your hearts with what they have already faced. After getting to know them better, I am convinced that these two deserve a HEA. If I get it (I mean, they get it), I will be that crazy woman at the finish line bawling and jumping up and down with joy. Come on Aly, you’d like to see that wouldn’t you? Pretty please with sugar on the top…