A Beautiful Lie (Playing With Fire #1) by T E Sivec

SYNOPSIS

USA Today Best Seller.

The Playing With Fire Series will include 4 books. Some of the characters will reappear in the books, but each book can be read as a stand alone.

He saw her first, but his friend made the move.

She settled for the safer choice, but her heart knew the truth.

They love, they crave, they lie.

Garrett McCarthy, Annabelle Parker, and Milo Roberts were as close as friends could get. They shared in each other’s joy during graduations, promotions, and engagements. They consoled one another through heartache and loss.

When one of the friend’s life is tragically cut short, it’s up to the two left behind to pick up the pieces and find out the truth – no matter the cost. As they slowly start to uncover the nature of his deception, and the very powerful people behind it, they begin to question everyone and everything, even themselves.

Everyone has secrets – some do it for love while others do it for power. Those secrets can change perceptions, alter reality and sometimes destroy lives.

What do you do when you find out your whole life has been a lie?

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Reviewed by Jenny

Jenny:  4.5 stars

I have to honest and say  when I initially picked this book up I went into it with reservations.  Not about T E Sivec’s (Tara Sivec) talent because I had loved her Chocolate Series and know she can write wonderful characters and engaging stories, but this book about Navy Seals, which has suspense, romance and drama was such a departure from her previous work I did wonder how she was going to pull it off.

Well  how misplaced were those concerns and how clueless was I to ever question if she could do this! There is no doubt in my mind that this author nailed this genre! This book had it all.  It was intriguing, romantic, suspenseful and not only that but this felt like more than a story, this book was like an adventure on pages and it was a journey I was on all the way!

The story does build quite slowly at first while we’re introduced to the main characters Annabelle (Parker), Garrett (be still my book boyfriend heart!) and Milo and acquire background detail on their story. Three friends who are as close as friends could get.  These three have an unbreakable bond.  They’ve shared and experienced so much together and you really feel the camaraderie between them.

I loved the characters of Parker and Garrett instantly.  I connected with them and I was invested in these two from the very first page.   I liked Milo, but he didn’t have the same pull for me that the other two did.

I know the third person writing can be a distraction for some people but I never felt it in this book at all.  I felt the moments and I loved the switch between Parker and Garrett which allowed me to see both sides of the story and therefore feel an all round connection with what was going on around them.

Parker has to be up there as one of my favourite book heroines.  This girl has it all.  She’s confident, kick ass, full of personality,  is strong yet incredibly vulnerable at same time.  There are times I just wanted to give her a big.  This girl really does get put through the wringer.  What a wonderfully refreshing female character Parker was.

I loved the way the story unfolded, I loved the flashbacks which gave us glimpses into their pasts and I was left positively  gasping in parts due to the pure suspense of the story.  Talk about getting the adrenaline pumping!  I have to be honest and say I haven’t read many suspense stories, but if this is anything to go by I need to venture out more because this one definitely kept me on my toes.

I was there every step of the way, I went everywhere they went, I saw it through their eyes and I felt  everything they felt and at times it left me breathless!

I was astounded at the level of detail T E Sivec brought to this book.  It floored me how realistic the scenarios were that played out before my eyes.  I’m guessing a lot of research went into writing this story.

Be sure to dust off a spot on the book boyfriend shelf ladies because Garrett McCarthy is going to steal your heart!   This alpha, hot Navy Seal definitely had me fanning myself on more than a few occasions.  If I was ever caught in a dangerous situation this is the guy I want by my side.  Oh hell, even if I wasn’t in a dangerous situation I’d want Garret beside me!

Did I forget to mention the steam factor in this book?  Yep, it’s pretty steamy that’s for sure, but the sex scenes aren’t contrived and felt real.  They were passionate, romantic and hot indeed with the chemistry and sexual tension making me anticipate every moment.

As I said before, this story is a slow burner and I urge you to hang on and strap yourself in because once it takes flight you will eventually be taken on a ride through some intense, suspenseful, emotional, dramatic and passionate scenes, in a story that I hope will bring as much to you as it did me.

The conclusion was perfect, the epilogue was beautiful and I even shed a few tears.  All in all this was an enjoyable reading experience.

ARC supplied for an honest review

A BEAUTIFUL LIE by TARA SIVEC
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