The Lie

The Lie is a tragically beautiful love story. Karina did it again and created a beautiful, emotional love story. Not only does this story suck you, emotionally wreck you, make you laugh out loud and blush from the sex scenes...it also reminds you that we are all human and that sometimes we don't get to choose who we fall in love with or when we fall in love. I absolutely love Professor Blue Eyes, Brigs and Natasha. The struggles, guilt and obstacles they have to overcome to find true love are horrendous, but at the end of the day are worth it. Thank you Karina for sharing this story with us! As an "(Anti)Hero" we support you completely in everything you do! This book is truly amazing and once again, shows what an amazing writer you are!

I just finished this book and thought I needed to immediately get my review written. Sometimes I think about a review for a few days, but decided better with this one.
The struggle is real for me. Being part of the Anti-hero's group, I knew that the author was struggling with how this book would be perceived and now I truly understand why. But honestly, I really didn't even think about what this book was about or even read the blurb because this author is an automatic one-click for me. I have loved this series so very much and truly loved The Play best of all.
Infidelity is hard for me as a reader to read about and grasp. To me, it's the lowest of lows that one can do to another, the ultimate betrayal. I have such a hard time reading about, understanding why someone would do it. I guess because I get so emotionally involved in the books I read. I guess because I like to visualize the books that I read. I guess because I tend to put myself and feelings in the books that I read and feel the way I think they "feel".
This was a hard book for me. Infidelity is usually a hard limit for me. But...this was still a good story. It made me sad, made me mad, made me happy. Most of all it just made me feel.

This was an Amazing, tragic love story for me. Karina has you feeling every single word of this story. So many feels for these two. I love how it's present day and flashes back, but she does it so well you don't detatch from a single part with the back and forth. Even though it gutted me through out the book it is definitely a top 5 for me and I will be reading it again. Amazing job!!!!

I never expected to start and finish this book in less than a day. I did though and would do it all over again. I love flawed characters. Brigs captured my attention in The Play and I knew his broken story would suck me in. It's the perfect blend of edgy and honest with the topics covered in this story. I'm glad Karina kept to her heart and published this as it was. Loved it!

I was very excited about this book and lucky enough to win an ARC courtesy of Karina. This was exactly the book and the message that I needed right now and I loved every minute of it. I read it as slowly as possible - making myself walk away and take time to absorb each section as I went. This was not an easy hearts and flowers read and I love Karina for writing with such realness and not shying away from what will be controversial for some readers. It's that truth though that makes Brigs and Natasha so relatable and gives this story such impact. For me the book book comes down to these lines that really spoke to me and maybe I just needed them at this time in my life: "The human heart isn't meant to be caged by someone that doesn't feed it" and "We are forever surrounded by ashes - but we are fire - and fire rises". The Lie is an emotional journey for sure and truly a real life messy beautiful love story. Don't worry there are plenty of Karina style sexy times too and of course moments that make you giggle. I loved it - now I'm off to buy some Spongebob panties.

This book felt so long. Soooooo. Long. It took me four attempts to read it. I finally finished and I kind of wish I hadn't. It wasn't a terrible story but it wasn't very believable. the big bad sort of came out of nowhere for me so i had a hard time buying the whole "set up". The character, setting and deep back stories for each of then are what saved this book for me.

I was completely drawn in from the first page. This series of interconnected stand alone books has been wonderful. The author writes books that I just must read, I fall in love and I feel the feelz. I don't write big spoilery reviews, all I can say is to please start reading this (and the others in the series) and become just as enchanted as I am.

Karina Halle is a wonderful writer who has earned her stripes. This is a beautifully written story about indifference, love, heartbreak and love again. It is a powerful look at traditional relationships and pushes your comfort level. In my opinion, this is not a book about infidelity but about death and rebirth on many different levels.

The writing of Karina Halle goes straight to your heart, rips it out, and methodically places the pieces together again. I have read all of her books and each one is like a puzzle. Her writing is phenomenal. In The Lie, we learn the real reason why Brigs, Laclan's brother is so haunted and full of guilt. Another winner for Karina!

I really debated on whether I wanted to read this one even though I have read all of Karina's other books. The subject of this one hit a little too close to home and was worried it would bring back bad memories. Boy am I glad that I decided to give it a try. Karina handled this subject with such class and compassion. This book had me laughing, crying and overcome with happiness.

I really enjoyed Brigs and Natasha's story. Somewhat of an emotional roller coaster with high highs and low lows but worth it in the end. I just couldn't put this book down - I always needed to know what was going to happen next.

The writing of Karina Halle goes straight to your heart, rips it out, and methodically places the pieces together again. I have read all of her books and each one is like a puzzle. Her writing is phenomenal. In The Lie, we learn the real reason why Brigs, Laclan's brother is so haunted and full of guilt. Another winner for Karina!

I really debated on whether I wanted to read this one even though I have read all of Karina's other books. The subject of this one hit a little too close to home and was worried it would bring back bad memories. Boy am I glad that I decided to give it a try. Karina handled this subject with such class and compassion. This book had me laughing, crying and overcome with happiness.

I really enjoyed Brigs and Natasha's story. Somewhat of an emotional roller coaster with high highs and low lows but worth it in the end. I just couldn't put this book down - I always needed to know what was going to happen next.

I loved Brigs' and Natasha's story - another fantastic book from this Author. I love the characters she develops and they all make me want to live in their story and be friends with all of them! There was heartbreak, angst and plenty of hot steamy moments. There's something about those McGregor men!!

While the outcome of the book was very predictable...I still LOVED this book!!! It was emotional and the characters drew you in. A subject matter like this has to be very hard to write... Kudos to my all time favorite author for taking a risk!! You hit another out of the ballpark!!! CANNOT WAIT for SMUT!!!!

Brigs and Natasha have a beautifully messy relationship that is nothing short of epic. Their love is true and lasting and they handle the blows as they come. I appreciate Karina for writing this novel because love isn't always cut and dry and that's exactly what she showed us. Absolute perfection!

The Lie was also, in fact, a truth. Tragedy marred the lives of all involved, and yet life went on, as it does, not always fairly. At the heart of this story is love lost and love reborn. Natasha and Brigs share an unspeakable pain that can only be healed by one another. Well told.

This book has the capability of not letting you put it down once you open it! The characters stay in your thoughts for a while even after that. It's a hauntingly beautiful, raw and emotional second chance romance story that is also so much more at the same time. Karina did great job of balancing the past with the present in dual POVs to bring out so many feels that just capture you into falling in love with the characters despite the touchy subject that most may not agree with. If you can get past that gray area and push forward, you'll learn to love this story just as much as I did! Now, I normally don't write reviews but this is one story that was definitely worth writing about! 4.5 stars!

Lies & love, secrets & shame, grief & guilt.
Ms. Halle addresses the taboo subject of infidelity with grace and finesse. From the very beginning, the Prologue, this book grabs your emotions and does not let go until the very last page.
It is raw and painful and beautiful and inspiring. Oh, I can't recommend this book enough.
Grab a box of tissues (and maybe a bottle of something grapey) and enjoy this soul-achingly beautiful book.

"Our love was wrong. 
A lie we told ourselves. 
And it cost us the world."

The Lie is a raw, palpable romance plagued with devastation, heartbreak and uncertainty. It's a powerful story of longing and ferocious love written in Halle's lush, fiery writing style. This is a taboo story, a forbidden romance, a heartbreaking tragedy, a second chance wrought with passion and sensuality and stellar characterization, all swathed together by Halle's exquisite writing. This story is magnificent. Truly. I want to weep because I loved it so much, loved these characters so deeply, and because I'm moved and awe inspired by what this author can create with some choice word placement. It's amazing to me that we're all given the same 26 letters in the alphabet to use each day yet Karina Halle is able to mix them up in such a way that this devastating, unforgettable piece of magic was born.

Within a handful of paragraphs upon starting this book, several things became abundantly clear. First, this story would gut the hell out of me. Brigs McGregor has a tragic story to tell and it was going to hurt. Second, Karina Halle's writing, I swear, is far more stunning than I remembered, and I remember it being pretty freaking beautiful. Her sentences, her words, are simply breathtaking. Third, I'd decided that if, between the stunning cover, the captivating prologue, and the superb writing that seemed to just wind and melt and flow from the pages, this didn't turn out to be one of my absolute favorite stories from this author, I'd be stunned. And yes, I'd decided all of this midway through chapter one.

This is a story that forces the reader to see rightness in all the wrongness. It doesn't make excuses for impropriety, it doesn't try to justify betrayal. It's simply an authentic, honest depiction of humanity. It's a story of love and chemistry born in the most unexpected circumstances. Its about decent people doing the decent thing and it still not being enough to prevent the catastrophic effects of colliding hearts. You may only see selfishness in this type of romance, but all I see is sacrifice. You may think that this is a black and white story of emotional infidelity but I see a story of honor and respect. You may believe this is a story of lies and deception, but all I see is truth. So much truth. 

Halle's scintillating writing style and ardent storytelling set all of her books apart for me. She's one of the most versatile romance authors I've ever read. The pithy prose and the crisp voice exclusive to this author juxtaposed with the profoundly magnetic characters and their emotional journey in The Lie makes for a story a reader will undoubtedly get lost in. I certainly did. You should never open one of Halle's books expecting it to feel similar to one you've read before and that's never been more true than with The Lie. The previous books in this series are all unforgettable love stories in their own right, but they feel much more modern compared to this book. The Lie has such a unique tone, fitting for such extraordinary characters and an even more extraordinary love story. The Lie feels more classical, transcendent, timeless. The Lie is everything an epic romance was ever intended to be and I won't soon forget it.

The heartbreak, the honesty, the love and the forgiveness are the things that make this book amazing. Karina does it again with another book that claws at all of your emotions and never lets go. Brigs' and Natasha's story was tragic yet incredibly beautiful, making it another favorite among her most loyal fans. #antiheroes

I think the guilt they harbored was a bit tortuous throughout the story. Both of them went through such trauma when they could've just talked it out over that four years they lost. Other than that, this was a great book. The writing was impeccable. Highly recommend.

Such a phenomenal story. I know the author said she struggled as to whether or not to write Brigs and Natasha's story, but I am so glad she did. Karina Halle's ability to write real and raw characters never ceases to amaze me. Brigs and Natasha are flawed. They aren't the perfect hero and heroine that so many romance novelists write about-- they're real and easy to connect to, which makes reading their story effortless. Loved it!

This novel was a little different than the others because there were two timelines. I enjoyed it but the guilt both parties felt was awful. I didn't like it as much as the other three starting with the pact.

There are defined three main characters in this one - Brigs, Natasha and Guilt. If you are looking for a love story that makes its characters pay their dues, this is it. Made me cry, laugh and finally sigh. You NEED to read this book.

I very rarely leave reviews but, for this author, she is the exception. I loved this book. I'll keep this simple because I hate the reviews where they go into every detail. I will just say that the feels, the angst, the love in this book made me want to go into a book coma. I truly have enjoyed every book I've read by this author but, this one definitely brings everything you could ever want.

This is an amazing book. It grabbed me and pulled me into this deep and complicated story with every emotion and feeling possible. Both the story and the characters are still lurking in my brain long after I devoured it! Must read!!

I have loved reading Karina's books about the McGregors. This book was a one click buy just like all the previous ones. I always know I will be left wanting more. So happy Brigs found his happiness after so much angst in his life.

Anyone who follows my reviews knows Karina Halle is one of my favorite authors; I have read all her books and will read anything she writes. However, this book made me more hesitant than any of her previous books. After reading the synopsis and knowing some of backstory from reading The Play, I had an eerie feeling the book would focus on a trope I usually shy away from reading. Due to my immense love of this author, I put aside my apprehension and dove into Brigs and Natasha’s world. What I found was a moving and beautiful story about forgiveness and a second chance at love.

“You are my salvation….You save me from the world. You save me from myself.”

The Prologue is haunting and drew me in immediately to Brig’s heartbreak. While he moves forward, it is evident Brigs is a shell of his former self. That is until until four years later when he once again sees Natasha, and the world stands still for both. I literally felt the tension these two share with one other; it is all consuming. There is so much pain and guilt but also intense love, and the tension is off the charts.

Second chance romances are a delicate balance of past and present. I prefer those books that focus on the here and now rather than the past. Halle does a tremendous effort with flashbacks throughout the story. It is never overwhelming or past driven. As painful as it was, it is important to learn about the events leading to their breakup. However, its a perfect balance of the two stories.

"We are forever surrounded by ashes. But we are fire. And fire rises."

I appreciate that both Brigs and Natasha are flawed. Both make mistakes in their relationship. However, it makes them human. It is easy to understand how quickly events can spiral out of control. Often times, people make mistakes, but it doesn’t make them an evil person. While the circumstances are questionable, their love never is. I admire Halle for undertaking this story line and allowing readers to feel it firsthand. I will be less likely to shy away from forbidden stories in the future.

I highly recommend this book to any second chance romance fan. You’ll find yourself looking for Professor Blue Eyes in your next college class, or enrolling in one just to find him.

5 Professor Blue Eyes Stars. I loved everything about Brigs and Natasha. I adored their banter and connection and the idea of love versus settling. I loved how they handled the messy bits. I loved more Lachlan and Kayla.

I really wanted to enjoy this story, the first 30 percent I was all in and it seemed very promising, the writing was very slow paced but I thought the author was doing a great job setting up Brig and Natasha's relationship so I respected that until it just kept going on and on with no progression with these characters and the read being at a snail's pace. At the 50 percent mark of this book I was losing interest and struggling to stay into the read, that's never a good sign.The author just over explained some areas to the almost overdone level yet than she didn't show enough or give enough story for the more crucial parts.For example I wanted to really know what happened to Brig and his wife's relationship ,what brought them together in the first place and the real inside understanding of what destroyed them as a couple. Why Marissa was just staring out the window when he talked with her, why she wanted seperate bedrooms, why he stopped being sexually attracted to her.Was she a alcoholic or was that night of drinking rare for her.Again I get that this is a fictional read but what decent man would let his drunken wife drive away in the dark in a horrible rain storm with his toddler in the front seat of car without a car seat. That part of the storyline was just a bit of a reach for me.You are a man you could have easily overpowered a thin drunk woman who was taking your son away from you, just not as good as it could have been written for what happened next.Now back to other confusing matters that this story focused on , Melissa the supposed "best friend and room mate "what was all that about??? . Just plain dumb and brought nothing to this story I thought. What was the point to it all.???, it wasnt needed it didn't add anything in my opinion, it was unnecessary and the outcome was boring and very YA .And that is what happened in the last 40 percent of this story it just went plain YA.I felt like it was a YA read by the 60 percent mark with all the behavior of these characters. Brig's is pushing mid to late 30's , and Natasha and Melissa are almost 30 years old and it started reading like someone 's high school years.The end was just a massive sex scene and about sponge bob square pants underwear and it just was so juvinelle and forgetable for me.I tried this author once before a few years back and it was the same sort of read , a read that starts off with so much promise only to crash and burn in the end for me.It almost feels like two authors wrote this book, one in the beginning of this bookand then another one for the end , just such different writing ways from the first part which was overwritten yet thoughtful and showed promise to the last part that just became YA ridiculous. Seriously how many times could Natasha run away only to come back and say "sorry I've come back to you yet again" Ughhh. Sorry to say it turned out for me to be a waste of my time read.Disappointed to say the very least. I think I'll pass on this author in the future or until she can either commit to her reads either the story is a new contemporary read or its a YA read but this author has to pick one writing style for a book and stick with it, just my advice.

Never doubted her skills. Karina is a great story teller and I am always pulled into the story to ride along with every breath and every heart ache. She tackled a topic a lot of people would look down on, but I feel it was done gracefully. Thanks for another great read, and I look forward to many many more!