Member Reviews

Sent to Italy to uncover an Art fraud Mallory Storm finds she will be incovering a lot more.

Her abusive husband has died and soon after she is accused of his murder.

I loved this book. It is an exciting read and very descriptive, I was whisked to Italy in an instant and it was as though i was through the streets with Mallory.

It is a well developed story and the storytelling is brillaint, I do hope there is a follow up.. it's one of those books I want more from and I didn't want it to end..

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Oh my this book was a fantastic read it kept me wanting more lots of excitement from start to finish.
I really hope there is going to be a follow on to this book I really need to know if her new husband to be is safe or in danger from this woman

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Mallory Storm’s life was supposed to calm down after her abusive husband’s death—but “calm” goes out the window when she’s accused of his murder. Escaping to Italy on an undercover gig in the art world, Mallory’s tasked with catching a major fraud player, only to find herself entangled with Dylan Hyde: dangerously charming and possibly plotting against her.

While the setup promises a blend of art, suspense, and steamy tension, I found the story didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Mallory’s heart-wrenching paranoia and whirlwind romance with Dylan had intrigue, but the execution left me a bit unsatisfied. If you’re into high-stakes romance with a twist of mystery, it might be worth a try—just not my favorite.

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I started this book with such high hopes! I really enjoyed the descriptive writing. It really felt like I was experiencing Italy and traveling with Mallory on an art tour and who doesn't enjoy a secretive adventure full of action, romance and treasure?

I could not find it in myself to like our main characters however. Something about them never caught my attention or interest and I found myself wanting to get back to the adventure instead of focusing on their stories.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Mallory Storm, an art appraiser in New York, travels to Italy posing as an art buyer to expose a man suspected of passing off counterfeit paintings as real works of art. When she meets the man in question, the seductive and mysterious Dylan Hyde, she wonders whether she wants to bring him down. When desire and danger blend together Mallory questions if she can trust Dylan or will that lead to her ultimate demise.

The Lies that Blind Us was a quick read. Amora Sway did a great job transporting the reader to Italy. I could often picture the beautiful settings while reading. I enjoyed that the book was written from the perspectives of both Mallory and Dylan.

The plot summary piqued my interest, but the story left me indifferent. I could predict the twists ahead of time, which made the book less enjoyable for me.

The pacing of the story was uneven. Sometimes I had to scroll back to ensure I didn’t accidentally skip a page, but that wasn’t the case. Some scenes ended abruptly and then it was on to the next thing. I found myself wanting more from parts of the book, while at times the story dragged.

I struggled to care about Mallory. She came across as a lovestruck teenager who needed constant validation. Considering her backstory, I can see why she is that way, but I found the character exhausting.

If you’re new to thrillers, The Lies That Blind Us could be a good choice. Dedicated readers of the genre may find it very underwhelming.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Lies That Blind Us. To preface, I did DNF this at 50% after realizing I was not the intended audience.

The Lies That Blind Us is about Mallory Storm as she becomes a suspect in the death of her abusive husband. She decides to embark on a risky undercover role as an art dealer in Italy, sent to spy on a person of interest, the mysterious and handsome Dylan Hyde. Mallory becomes entangled in the world of art fraud and, running for her life, she is torn between her mission and her lust for Dylan, who may or may not be trying to harm her.

The premise of this novel was promising as I anticipated complex themes of art and personal struggle, but it fell short because of its overly simplistic narrative. The writing tends to detail the characters' actions in a way that lacks depth and nuance. For instance, Mallory often recounts her actions linearly, which feels almost step by step, diminishing the weight of her experiences.

While the theme of art within the story is a strong element that I did enjoy as it showcased the characters' knowledge and passion for the subject, the narrative did not hold my interest. Mallory's lust for Dylan felt rushed and one-dimensional, undermining the gravity of her situation. I believe there is promise in the novel, but the execution of the narration needs refinement to resonate with me. However, I think other readers who like forbidden love tropes and lust vs love concepts alongside an action-filled thriller would enjoy this.

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