The Head that Wears the Cruel Crown Always Lies Uneasy

In the end, you will be left just as changed by their profound love story as they were.

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1. DEVIOUS LIES by Parker S. Huntington

SYNOPSIS

She could enjoy her pretty, perfect world a little longer. Soon enough, everything she owned would be mine.

I had a plan to escape the friend zone. Step one: sneak into Reed’s room. Step two: sleep with him. But when the lights turned on, it wasn’t familiar blue eyes I saw. These were dark, angry, and full of demons. And they belonged to Reed’s much older brother.

Four years later, Nash Prescott is no longer the help’s angry son. I’m no longer the town’s prized princess. At twenty-two, I’m broke, in need of a job. At thirty-two, he’s a billionaire, in need of revenge. Who cares if my family ruined his? Who cares if he looks at me with pure loathing? Who cares if every task he assigns me is designed to torture? I need the money. Simple as that. I’ll suffer his cruelty in silence, knowing there’s one thing he wants more than revenge… Me.

BOOK REVIEW

Parker S. Huntington created a true masterpiece, a profound story about love that ‘deserves chasing to fuel it’. Devious Lies wasn’t a typical enemies-to-lovers slow-burn romance but so so much more! It was a book that spanned over many years of secret moments, missed opportunities and heartache, all wrapped up nicely in beautiful and mysterious words of devious lies.

Girls like Emery Winthrop were the finish line, the goal you worked for, the place you strived to reach, the smile you saw when you closed your eyes and wondered why you even bothered.

Emery was one of the most unique characters I've ever had a pleasure to get to know. She was everything I personally want and strive to be as a person, intelligent, independent, sincere, selfless, and courageous. She was wild, reckless, and fierce. Talent, determination, and pride prevailed in her oh not so simple life but never overwhelmed her. Em’s inherent goodness and almost desperation to stay connected to the good even in the darkness of the night inspired and gave the light of hope.

There was something arresting about someone who regarded the world for what it was. Even if he couldn’t see the beauty, he saw the truth. And because that truth was layered with ugly and flaws, I struggled to look at him most time.

Nash was one of the most gorgeous book men ever (I was seriously drooling over him), an angry bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, and a tormented soul. He was sinfully sexy, smart, brave, oftentimes cocky and bossy, but he always put those he loved first. He believed in penance (which stemmed from the guilt that he carried through his life for actions he both did and didn’t take) and breathed it. And no one was harder on him than Nash himself. My heart ached for him, my tears fell for him, my prayers for a happy ending went to him.

“Stupid that I once considered Reed a recipient of my love. He didn’t compare to Nash. With Nash… It’s vicious love, the kind that beats me down and robs me of all my possessions until I feel bloodied, worn, and bruised, stolen of everything that makes me… me.”

Emery and Nash were connected on a much deeper level than I originally anticipated and truthfully expected. Their relationship brought out the best and worst in each other while also helping them to heal and become better versions of themselves.

“Newsflash, Little Tiger, it’s life. There’s death, and betrayal, and revenge, and guilt everywhere you turn. It’s healthier to live it, breathe it, and participate in it than pretend it doesn’t exist.”
“And when you’re burnt everywhere?”
“Don’t succumb to the fire. Be the bigger flame.”

Emery and Nash were the ultimate power couple that could burn the entire world to the ground, and then appear godlike standing on the ashes of the past.

Devious Lies consumed me, I was completely enthralled with the main characters who kept my soul hostage during the reading and beyond and the perfectly paced storyline with all its twists and turns. This was the very first book I’ve read by the author. But given the beauty of the storytelling, it will most definitely not be the last one. Devious Lies was, hands down, one of my most favourite 2019 reads.

PS. One of the many things I adored about the book was the power Parker S. Huntington put into words. Emery’s magic words were such an important and unique part of this story, setting the general flow and the mood.

SPOILER! Here is one example from the book: Ya’aburnee. It’s Arabic for ‘you bury me’. It’s the hope that you will die before your one true love because you cannot bear to live without them…