REVIEW: Don’t Lie to Me by Amber A. Bardan

In Don’t Lie to Me (Bad for You #3) by Amber A. Bardan, Avner was interested in Emma from the moment he laid eyes on her. But knowing that she’s best friends with his business partner’s wife makes things a little convoluted. The other issue is that he has secret projects in the works, very important projects that could save lives, and he doesn’t want to risk Emma’s safety if she should become involved with him. Avner isn’t really given much choice in the matter, however, when Emma sets out to seduce him. He’s a totally willing participant. Until her life is in danger. And then he must decide if it is safer to let her go or to keep her close, under his protection.

‘But someone was after her, and fate had me here. And yes, it felt like fate. Because this time with Emma, I wouldn’t fail. She was my chance to do right. Redemption. As though she were put in my path for me to save.’

After the crapstorm that was her childhood, Emma has made sure she sets the rules when it comes to her personal relationships. And that includes with her job as well in medical research. So when Avner enters the picture and wants to take control in the bedroom as well as the trajectory of her career, she’s not so keen on the idea. At all. But Emma feels a kinship with Avner she’s never experienced with a man and understands who he is deep down. All of his secrets and potential underhanded dealings can’t hide the fact that he’s out to do good in the world. She wants to put her trust in him. She really does. But her track record with men has her wondering if she can trust her instincts on this potentially life changing situation.

“You scare me, Avner.”
He turned to me, leaning his elbow on the armrest between us. “You have a stalker and I’m the one who scares you?”
My breath quivered. “I’m afraid of the means that achieve your ends. What you do to get what you want.”
He leaned closer, and his frown slipped. “You should be afraid.”

Fast-paced, complex, and erotic as all get-out, Don’t Lie to Me was another thrilling installment in the Bad for You series. If you thought Haithem and Angelina’s romance was dangerous and intense, then hold on–because Avner and Emma take things to a whole new exciting level.

“What do you do, Avner?” I whispered. “Unofficially, what do you really do?”
His grip tightened, then loosened on my skin. “I won’t lie to you–I’ve done many things I shouldn’t, and all the things that I must.”

Author Amber A. Bardan has continued with her Bad for You series in a big way. And while Don’t Lie to Me still had that suspenseful edge and (of course) had hot erotic romance, our hero and heroine this time were quite different than Angelina and Haithem in the first two books. I loved that the tone of Emma and Avner’s book reflected who they were as individuals and as a couple. They had a powerful connection from the beginning and we got to watch as a wonderful tenderness emerged from the intensity of their feelings and we saw them, Avner especially, figure out how to deal with it. Neither of them had known much love at times in their lives so being open and vulnerable was a tough thing for Emma and Avner to overcome.

What a pair Avner and Emma made. She was an unapologetic seductress who owned her sexuality, was fiercely independent, and made it through a childhood that would have broken most young women. And he was a somewhat shady businessman and hacker who also had lived through some horrific times but who always had the best of intentions. Avner and Emma’s chemistry was absolutely combustible, which made their every interaction extremely heated and kept me on my toes wondering what outrageously explicit thing they would do next. It was crazy, fueled by passion, and was so over the top that it worked just perfectly for them.

With both protagonists holding onto secrets that could potentially save or harm countless lives and their own out of control relationship gaining speed, this electrifying adventure spanned two continents with its drama. I think fans of high-octane romance will be impressed and most certainly happy with the outcome.

Book Info:

Publication: Published October 24th 2016 | Carina Press | Bad for You #3

Amber Bardan returns with a heart-stopping third installment in her high-octane, highly addictive Bad For You series

A fling with her best friend’s reclusive business partner should’ve been harmless.

When Emma meets him, the only way she’s looking to be tied down is in the literal sense. But Avner—shady hacker, off-the-books investigator, occasional spy—takes her breath away. He’s the first man who doesn’t turn to mush under her sexual spell: a fact that makes what’s between them very different, and very real.

Beautiful and uninhibited, Emma is everything Avner thought she would be and more. Yet his deadly past and dark duties can never be forgotten…not even as he succumbs to their seductive intimacy. But for the first time he’s after something of his own, as well.

And now that he’s found Emma, he’ll protect her, no matter what. Because anything worth loving is worth fighting for.

But nothing about Avner is remotely harmless.

Soon, Avner has infiltrated Emma’s personal life, stalled her career and nearly destroyed everything she’s worked for—all in the name of protection. Desperate and heartbroken, drawn into a secret criminal underworld in her quest for understanding, Emma discovers the truth: Avner’s secrets are far more devastating than his lies.

Book Three of the Bad For You series

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise! Find out more at CarinaPress.com/RomancePromise