I have mixed feelings about this novel. It feels like a romance novel, and has the outline of being one, however, it falls a bit flat and ends up being a long drawn out family drama. Once I wrapped my head around the fact that it wasn't a romance, I managed to stick it out, in large part because it is so well written and I never got bored with it. I did hate every single one of the characters though as I felt that they all needed to grow up, treat each other better and stop acting like they were still in high school.

If you can get past the complicated story line this isn't a bad book. It's well written and the flashback scenes are well done but if you're looking for a Suspense packed novel this isn't it. Fans of the Romance genre style books would probably enjoy this more so then Suspense fans.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. Interesting story with lots of sexual chemistry between the characters - I didn't want to put this book down. I can't wait for the next book in this series.

I really enjoyed reading this book! I liked how the story of their past unfolded gradually throughout the book. I can't wait to read Theresa's story and find out why exactly she needs the deal so badly!

A new book by Megan Hart is cause of celebration for me. Back when I started getting back into reading contemporary romance, she was the author I devoured. There’s so much depth to her characters. They’re not perfect, they’re just real. Flaws, bad decisions and all.

ALL THE LIES WE TELL marks the beginning of a duology about a few people. Allie and her sister grew up next door to the Stern brothers. Ilya who always had a bit of a crush on her sister, and Nikolai who was Allie’s sort of nemesis. All their lives drastically changed when Allie’s sister is found dead as a teenager. Nikolai moves away and Allie ends up marrying Ilya. A marriage doomed from the start and that ended in divorce after many years of trying to make it work. When the the health of the Stern grandmother takes a turn for the worst, Nikolai comes back to town and faces Allie for the first time since hearing of her marriage to his brother. Back together, they can’t continue hiding their feelings for each other and things get a little tricky.

This is obviously a story about a forbidden romance in a way just because of the taboo subject of dating your siblings ex. Not unheard of, but not the easiest subject to tackle. This is perfectly done by Ms. Hart and I, for one, was always rooting for their love to persevere. Brother or no brother, their chemistry and connection couldn’t be denied. I loved seeing these two together!

As for thee overall plot of this duology, in the next book we’ll get the HEA for Ilya and dig deeper into what really happened with Allie’s sister. Was it an accidental death as it’s always been believed or is there more there? I certainly have my suspicions and if they are true they would make for some interesting friction between the H/h in the next one. I can’t wait to find out if I’m right.

Megan Hart’s writing has a way to get under your skin. It makes you think, it makes you feel, and in a way experience the story along with the characters. You get upset at their decisions, or you suffer along with them for them. Feel the pull of attraction, the fear of discovery. ALL THE LIES WE TELL is a story about a small town, life long friendship that left two families totally intertwined. Through love and loss. I can’t wait for the conclusion containing the rest of the answers I need.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I have been a fan of Megan Hart for quite a while, having read around 20 of her books. When I saw that she had two available on NetGalley, I was so excited!

All the Lies We Tell had what I expect from Megan, in a good way. Angst, and a high level of feelings were here and so much more. I loved the ending and how the author leaves you feeling satisfied, yet with some openings in the end.

When you live your life the way everyone expects you end up where you don't want to be. That is what happens in this story. Alicia is still lives in the house she grew up in on the same street in the same town. She is stuck in the business she owns with her ex who lives across the street in the house he grew up in. Things get complicated when his Grandmother becomes ill and the family all comes back.
When they are faced with dealing with the past and future things get a little crazy for this group.

I felt this was a well written book that had some romance but it was more of a story of life and how people deal with it.

** I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

Megan Hart's romances are realistic and bittersweet. The characters are flawed yet loveable. Can't wait for the next installment.

All the Lies We Tell was such a deep and soul searching novel about the lies we keep and how they can impact. It was such an emotional and angsty book that I was simply moved by this story. Megan Hart gave me a story that definitely touched my soul in a much deeper level. I was completely put in a spell when I read it. I adored this book and it is certainly a must read.

This book should be, in my opinion, categorized under family drama, more than romance.
An alcoholic jerk ex-husband, a crazy (literally) ex-mother-in-law, the former stepsister that didn't deserve to have her own point of view, the older sister that slept with old guys and the returned ex brother-in-law
I thought that the whole "falling-in-love-with-the-ex-brother-in-law" was a little awkward, but the same thing happened with Theresa and Ilya, they were step-siblings! That should be incest
The only "normal" person in the whole story seems to be, unfourtunately, Babulya.
The narration in two times is interesting, especially to understand the background in Nikolai and Allie's relationship or how Allie and Ilya got together. But it'd have been better if they were chronological because sometimes it was a little bit confussing.
Also, some things were a little bit confussing: How many years were Ilya and Allie married? Because sometimes I thought they were early-30s and other times that they were past 35. The thing going between Theresa and her ex-boyfriend in their house was a little weird and she sould have had explained that more if she really was a "main" character. The situation with Galina is not resolved at the end. Did she get a job? Was her "friend" a new boyfriend? Allie thought about getting a new career as a nurse or a teacher, but... what did she do at the end? The end was great, with the airport scene and everything, but they could have "talked" at least about it so it didn't look so "open".
Although it's the first book I read from this author, due to her fame I expected something better. But because of the cute end, I gave it 3 stars.

Too much graphic sex and not enough plot made this a no for me. I didn't like the characters. Did not finish.

You know, it wasn't terrible but I was not impressed by it either. Most of the time I couldn't figure out if it was a romance or a mystery, or both? it didn't really stick to a side. As usual Hart delivers the hell out of a steamy read though, and that I have to give a high five for. I don't know how i missed the fact that this is a series though, and it's not something iM normally interested in.

I usually like a more seductive romance, but as Megan Hart proves time and time again is there is also seduction in story telling beyond the sheets. Great novel!

Everyone knew Alicia Harrison’s marriage to Ilya Stern wouldn’t last. They’d grown up on a remote stretch of Quarry Street, where there were two houses, two sets of siblings, and eventually, a tangled mess of betrayal, longing, and loss. Tragedy catapulted Allie and Ilya together, but divorce—even as neighbors—has been relatively uncomplicated.

Then Ilya’s brother, Nikolai, comes home for their grandmother’s last days. He’s the guy who teased and fought with Allie, infuriated her, then fled town without a good-bye. Now Niko makes her feel something else entirely—a rush of connection and pure desire that she’s been trying to quench since one secret kiss years ago. Niko’s not sticking around. She’s not going to leave. And after all that’s happened between their families, this can’t be anything more than brief pleasure and a bad idea.

But the lies we tell ourselves can’t compete with the truths our hearts refuse to let go…

Review:

Not your typical romance.

This piece is of a dysfunctional family who are shaped by hurt, love and tragedy. An interesting and well written story about Alicia who is divorced from Ilya her childhood neighbor that she married after her sister died. This was never a love match, but one of broken hearts looking for comfort. When Ilya's grandmother passes it brings Ilya's mother, brother and one time step-sister back for the funeral. Everyone seems to have ulterior motives, some are clear, but even after finishing the book some are still unclear. Also, I still have suspicions and questions about Alicia's sisters death. Nickolai, Ilya's brother comes back for the funeral and the past feelings he and Alicia drive the romance of the story. It is not a typical romance and ends with a promise of things to come, but not a clear cut HEA. The story had me running the gamut of emotions while reading this too. It is the first book in a two book series, so I am curious to see if all the loose ends get wrapped up.

3.5Stars

*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

Alicia Harrison grew up in the shadow of her sister. Jennilyn was everything that she wasn’t. Beautiful, outgoing and desired by Ilya Stern.

Ilya and Nikolai Stern were as wild as they were gorgeous. And they were also the reason that the sisters existed so very far apart.

Now many years and an unbearable tragedy later, she’s still buried under the weight of her guilt and her desire for a man that she can never have.

He shook his head, then pressed his face to the side of her neck. Holding her close. Breathing against her skin.
“No. That’s not what I want.”
“What do you want?”
It should’ve been easier to tell her. He’d thought about it so much over the years, after all. Yet words failed him, as they almost always did. All he could do was scrape his teeth along her throat to make her moan again. He pushed his hand between her legs, pressing against the heat there.
“This.”
“Then take it,” Alicia whispered into his ear. “Take all of it.”

Nikolai Stern always dreamed of a life far away from Quarry Street. The minute he could escape, he was gone. From Antarctica to Israel, he ran to forget her face and the fact that she was now his brother’s wife.

But fate is as harsh as the Pennsylvania winter and sometimes going back is like never leaving at all.

“Sometimes you love someone who can’t give you what you want, so what can you do but love them enough to let them go?”

All the Lies We Tell is something totally different from Megan Hart. It’s more than just the story of two people – it’s the story of how tragedy can define the lives of so many people.

The cast of characters are as delicately intertwined as a spider’s web. They are both fragile and explosive in ways that will break your heart and heat your blood. It’s not what you would expect but it’s more than enough to keep you thoroughly obsessed until the very end.

No one believed that Alicia Harrison's marriage too Ilya Stern would last. Catapulted together by the tragic death of her sister, it was inevitable that divorce would soon follow. Even though the divorce is final they still live across the road from each other and run a business together. When Ilya's grandmother dies it has a huge affect on the entire family. When Nikolai comes home for the funeral the reminder of a secret kiss between him and Alicia is brought to the surface.

With the knowledge that he will be leaving again soon, Alicia tries to keep her distance. Unfortunately she is drawn to him no matter how hard she tries to stay away.

This is a good strong start to a new series, interested to see where Megan takes us next.

*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***

Thank you for allowing me to receive an early copy of this book, however at this time I have chosen to not review it. I had trouble staying connected to the storyline and the characters but I understand that just because I did not love it doesn't mean other readers won't. I will still be sharing the book and advertising it on my blog.

3.75-4 STARS

One isolated street. Two lone homes. Two sets of siblings. And one life-altering tragedy. Bound together by their mutual grief, childhood friends Alicia Harrison and Ilya Stern marry. But the love they shared was not for one another, but for the one person they both had loved and lost. 10 years later, Allie stops fighting the inevitable, and walks out of their home and away from their disastrous marriage. Still, between the business they co-own and their long-suffering history, Allie and Ilya remain a constant in each other lives.

When the health of Ilya’s grandmother drastically declines, his absentee brother—Niko—returns to his family home. Years earlier, Niko left town without nary a good-bye or a glance back in Allie’s direction. Now that Niko has returned, old feelings begin to resurface and reignited sparks begin to fly. Although each try to ignore the pull they feel towards one another, some truths are just too difficult to deny. And as other displaced and wayward family members reemerge, a light is shone on this dysfunctional family, showcasing their familial discord.

Early on, this story drew me in. But despite the initial draw, in the end, it failed to meet my expectations and lacked the emotional punch I so desperately craved. Overall, the premise itself was a bit confusing and, ultimately, disappointing. But that’s not to say the story is without its merits. Along with the bad, there is a lot of good. So while “All The Lies To Tell” is not the book I wish it was, it’s still a story worthy of giving a try.

"I'm going to miss you,
Every single day."

I'm a fan of Megan Hart. She has a way of threading and delivering unique stories. That's why I like her books.

In her latest novel, All the Lies We Tell, Megan Hart, brings us a mixture of what could have been loaded with past mistakes and hidden desires between two neighbor families.

Alicia Harrison and her sister Jennilyn have always had a friendship with their neighbor's sons: Ilya and Nikolai Stern. Growing up they did most things together until tragedy strikes. During a time of unresolved grief, Alicia and Ilya decided to elope and get married. Their marriage lasted a decade but their divorce was amicable. But, nothing has really changed. They are still living in the same place, as neighbors and they are also business partners. Then another tragedy brings old players back into town. Nikolai is back and Alice questions her attraction towards him. She knows it could certainly end up being a mistake and she has made enough of those. Theresa, Ilya and Nikolai's step-sister, also comes back. Even Galina, Nikolai and Ilya's mother, makes an appearance too. Neither son has had a good relationship with her but they can't push her away.

As you can tell, there was plenty of drama to keep me entertained. I thought Ilya was egocentric and thoughtless. He drank too much and he was way too angry. He hurt everyone around him. Theresa is still a mystery to me. What is she hiding? Why is she back?

It was easy to root for Alice and Nikolai. Their story was a lot of missed opportunities. It started as the boy who mistreats a girl because he likes her and it progressed to something that they couldn't avoid any longer. I just wished there had been more groveling from Nikolai. Alice was my favorite character. I don't know, but I thought she deserved a chance at happiness. She had pretty much lived her life trapped in the past and her grief.

"You don't get over it. You just get through it."

One thing which wasn't clear to me is what happened to Jennilyn. Was there foul-played involved? I wish I knew if it was just an accident or if her secret relationship brought her own demise. I'm hoping the next book gives me the answers I need.

Overall, I thought All the Lies We Tell had an enjoyable pace with a good narrative, multiple POVs, and alternating past and present chapters.

Cliffhanger: No

3/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Montlake via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Intense, poignant and full of angst!

This is a dark, married-the-wrong-brother romance that highlights how tragedy affects us all differently; sometimes we cling to each other and sometimes we runaway.

The prose is fluid and smooth. The characters are troubled, complex but not entirely endearing. And the plot, which is ultimately about guilt, love, life, loss, heartbreak, yearning, sexual tension, friendship and family does have some of the sexy and steamy we've come to expect in Hart's novels but at the same time seemed to have just a little too much going on for me.

I have to admit that this wasn't one of my favourite novels by Hart but her exceptional ability to write stories about unconventional relationships and to push people to understand and accept that there is no one norm will always make me a huge fan.

Thank you to NetGalley, especially Montlake Romance, for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.