REVIEW: Lies by Kylie Scott

In Lies by Kylie Scott, It wasn’t necessarily an easy decision to break things off with her fiance Thom Lange, but Betty Dawsey has simply had enough. Enough of him never being home, supposedly away on work as an insurance adjuster, and when he is home, well, he barely pays her any attention. Not that she expects flowers and diamonds every day. Betty is too much of a realist for that. But is it too much to ask for some flirting or to fan the attraction between them? It’s when she begins to move out of their apartment that things go south big time, starting with said apartment exploding. Being taken hostage right after was just one more bad thing to add to Betty’s already crappy day.

“I figure if anything, Betty, you knowing should make our relationship better. In the long-term. Once we get through this somewhat rocky period.”
“Only you would describe being on the run for our lives as a *somewhat rocky period*.”

When Betty gets a good look at they guy who comes to her rescue after being kidnapped she can’t believe it’s Thom. Gone is the average but good-looking guy who was laid back and a bit of a nerd. In front of her is a badass, intense guy with apparently a whole different side to his personality he’s never shown her. And that doesn’t sit too well with Betty. She sure gets a crash course on his real life, though, as they go on the run from someone trying to take them out. As an operative, Thom can protect her. Which she appreciates. Although it will take some time for Betty to wrap her mind around her fiance’s true identity–and to decide if they can salvage their relationship. But they’ll have to figure out who’s double-crossing them and stay alive first.

“You’re handling this well.”
I laugh. “Oh, really? Because inside my head, I’m basically alternating between this freaked-out, endless, high-pitched screaming noise and an all-consuming need to kill you for the fucking lies.”
“Huh. Well, it doesn’t show too much so…good work.”

So. Much. Fun!! LIES is the newest Kylie Scott novel and boy if you like sassy heroines, sexy heroes, tons of yummy attraction, and even thrilling spy action, you will fall head over heels for this couple and their insane path to a HEA.

‘I know he’s dangerous. I also know he says he’s on my side. I think I trust him. But none of this really helps answer the fundamental question: Who the hell have I been sleeping with?’

I always have a great time with Kylie Scott’s books so I was happy to give this one a try. It totally worked for me on many levels, but it might not for readers who don’t like a “love on the run” kind of story. Or if you don’t dig spy/operative storylines with intense fight scenes (some graphic) and subterfuge. I, personally, thought it was exciting and loved meeting our hero Thom at the same time as his fiancee, unsuspecting Betty, was getting to know him as the operative he actually was. And what a hoot she was through the whole process! Betty didn’t hold back her emotions or let Thom off the hook easily, thank goodness. She had a smart mouth but was super likable, and turned out to be as badass and talented at the spy business as he was. (lol)

I have to mention that I adored how Betty was a curvy girl and that she owned it and even flaunted it a bit at times. She did have a few moments of doubt about herself–who doesn’t?–but it was refreshing to have a realistic woman with honest, raw feelings portrayed in a contemporary romance. And it worked well for this situation.

Betty and Thom had a pretty cool connection as their story progressed. It started off with animosity thanks to the double life he’d been leading, unbeknownst to her, and after some verbal sparring, the attraction started building. Which was ridiculously fun to watch. Thom was adorably clueless when it came to, ahem, anything other than his job. Particularly about women, emotions and love. He had his reasons. But Betty, being the straight-shooter she was, made sure Thom knew when he needed to smarten up. And I loved that Scott included a kickass cast of secondary characters who also kept Thom on his toes. As you would expect, it was tough to tell who was on the up and up, with it being the spy business and all, but I had a great time figuring out who was an ally and who was double-crossing the team.

Nothing–not even her fiance–was as it seemed for our heroine in this exciting spy-caper style romance. LIES was a mile a minute whirlwind that will make you chuckle, gasp, fan your face from the sexy times, and definitely keep you glued to the pages. Highly recommended.

Book Info:

Publication:  July 21st 2019 | Pub: Kylie Scott |

Betty Dawsey knows that breaking things off with Thom Lange is for the best. He’s nice, but boring, and their relationship has lost its spark. But steady and predictable Thom, suddenly doesn’t seem so steady and predictable when their condo explodes and she’s kidnapped by a couple of crazies claiming that Thom isn’t who he says he is.

Thom is having a hellish week. Not only is he hunting a double agent, but his fiancé dumped him, and thanks to his undercover life, she’s been kidnapped.

Turns out Thom is Operative Thom and he’s got more than a few secrets to share with Betty if he’s going to keep her alive. With both their lives on the line, their lackluster connection is suddenly replaced by an intense one. But in his line of work, feelings aren’t wanted or desired. Because feelings can be a lethal distraction.