Lies That Bind

Spicy is an understatement for this book. As long as the reader pays attention to the content warnings, they are in for a thrilling ride with “Lie That Bind.” While it is at first difficult to adjust to the rhythm and style of writing, the book quickly picks up and the mystery begins to unfold. Readers looking for a lighthearted read should not look here - rather those drawn by the dark underbelly of life and the complicated realities of desire.

I love a messy queer relationship and Rae Knowles certainly knows how to deliver in that department. The story took a number of turns that I wasn't expecting, and the conspiracy unraveling throughout the book was complemented by the fascinatingly complex characters. Also, I'm a sucker for anything spiritualism related.

This is one deliciously sexy, intense, graphic, dark, horror romance. It was full of twists and turns and played all.of it's cards real close to the chest. This is a story that took its time revealing its layers.

What started a subtly paranormal simple story of 2 young women going through the tests and struggles of a wlw relationship slowly morphed into a cultlike, bloody, horrifying adventure. It was never what I expected and all the better for it.

From unexpected connections to a very intricately and well built web of secrets. These characters were always engaging, and rarely predictable.

Please be aware of your tw's this book was very descriptive, and very graphic. Keep your mental health in mind and make sure you're ready for this one.

The one thing I struggled with, which is just a trope I'm mot good at comprehending, was the swapping of the character voices with both in first person. I often had to slow down and back track to keep up with which character was talking. But that's mostly my brain struggling with it and not as much a note about the authors or their story.

I will not forget this book anytime soon.

Oh the adventures of Lorelei and Adele! Great and interesting characters that kept me invested in the story. Parts of this were very intense and hard to read at times but it was so satisfying. Some cool twists and the horror elements were cool. Definitely a fun read I would love to spend more time with these characters again sometime and see what other shenanigans they’ve gotten themselves into!

Wow. What a journey this book was from start to finish. This was my first ever erotic read, and I feel like this was a perfect introduction, and the horror elements added a brilliant & gory touch. A rule of thumb for my reading, is that if a book makes you feel physically uncomfortable and invokes feelings, it is a well written piece, and this was fantastically written. Viola invoked anger as a character, Lorelei and Adele's relationship invoked sadness and frustration and although a lot of the topics explored in this book are rather taboo, they were written about in a way that just made me want to keep reading. A credit to both the authors!

Lies That Bind was a deliciously dark and sexy collaboration, blending elements of period romance with heavy doses of Hellraiser-esque erotic gore.

Lorelei and Adele masquerade as mere business partners, running a charlatan séance parlor for the wealthy and gullible; in reality they're lovers and business is not doing well, and Adele is a runaway from an American society family. Lorelei conceals carnal preferences she fears would scare off Adele, who hides secrets of her own, and a power beyond that displayed during her séance charades. Soon, a mysterious woman named Viola appears, equal parts alluring and dangerous, and she has plans for them.

There are elements of found family, the Occult, and the old adage, that to appreciate something, you must first lose it.

I love that this story examines so many dichotomies: consensual dominance and outright abuse, physical pleasure and emotional contentment, even the contrasting privileges of the wealthy and the not, such as choices in marriage. It also explores weaponized lust, as Viola soon becomes a blade with which both Lorelei and Adele trade emotional blows. And lust of a different kind, for power, drives the story to a wicked and wholly satisfying conclusion.

Knowles and Yates' sharp, seductive prose proves how terrible deeds can unlock one's power just as well as heroic acts.