A Beautiful Lie by T.E. Sivec - Review

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?

~~~~

I was so excited when I found out that Tara Sivec was releasing a new book.  Writing under T.E. Sivec she switches gears from the raunchy and ridiculously hilarious Chocolate Lovers series to a more suspenseful genre.

I can't even imagine the pressure she was feeling from switching genres.  As a huge fan of her Chocolate Lovers series, I was wondering how well she would make the switch.

Let me tell you, she made the switch and she did it good.  This book hooked me and I immediately was engrossed in it.  

The characters are likeable and for once the chick in the book did not annoy me!  (I apologize if you are offended by the term "chick.")  Annabelle Parker is strong willed and independent and doesn't need the love of a man to make her feel like she was important.  She has the confidence to hold her own when she didn't have much else to lean on.  She works as a freelance photographer and is very talented and well known for her work.  She doesn't have any family to run to and doesn't keep friends other than Garrett and Milo.  She prides herself on being able to stand on her own two feet without having to depend on others.

"Here's a lesson for you, asshole.  Don't fuck with me."

Garrett McCarthy and Milo Roberts are Navy SEALs.  Not to be biased or anything, but I'm pretty sure Navy SEALs are the baddest mother effers on the planet.  My bias stems from the fact that I almost signed up for the Navy, met with a recruiting officer but then chickened out.  I've had a crush on all things Navy for the longest time.  So imagine my excitement when I read that the 2 guys in the story are Navy SEALs.  HELLLLLOOOOO.

"Do you have any idea how much p***y you'll get as a Navy SEAL?"

I'm totally on Team Garrett.  Like I would go out and make t-shirts and wear them out in public.  I would leave my husband for Garrett, but I don't know if the courts will take "Falling in love with a fictional character" as a valid reason.  Hubby, you're safe for now.  Garrett is everything a woman could want.  He loves with everything that he can give.  He's a loyal best friend, sacrificing his own happiness for the happiness of those he loves.  Plus, he's a Navy effing SEAL.  If your panties aren't on the floor already, my only explanation is that you weren't wearing any to begin with.

"The bad stuff is always easier to believe.  So I walked away before I could get hurt."

I can't go into much detail about the story because there are so many twists and turns that even saying a little bit might give it away.

This book will have you on the edge of your seat (not to sound cliche) and wishing you could read faster so you can find out what is going to happen next.

I loved that the book was written in third person.  It gives you insight to what all the characters are feeling which I loved.  I love reading stories in a character's point of view.  I also like it when authors write the same story in the other character's point of view.  But I miss reading stories in third person when you can find out what everyone is thinking at the same time.

The flashbacks are well written and well placed.  They don't get confusing at all.  I find that sometimes I have to re-read sections of a story that have flashbacks to solve any confusion going on in my head.  I didn't have to do that what A Beautiful Lie.

So many questions arise the further you delve into the story.  Every time you think you are getting closer to figuring things out, Sivec smacks you in the face and says, "Not so fast!"

I felt like running out to the middle of the street and screaming to the sky, "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"  Then proceeding to throwing my Kindle at a tree.

Let's not forget, that this is book is a romantic suspense book.  Romance.  Love scenes.  The love scenes are hot.  Like hot HOT.  But not in a corny, forced way.  They were realistic, raw and full of passion.  

I envy authors that have the talent to write a story that takes control of your emotions and keeps you invested in the story.  My husband tells me that I have the attention span of a carrot, so to keep my attention is no easy feat.  I think some people think that because I'm a speed reader that I'll read anything.  Trust me, there are a lot books that I couldn't even make it through one chapter. 

I think it takes a special kind of writer to not only write a story interesting enough for people to want to read it, but to also making details subtle yet significant.  I loved how different parts of the story were connected in some way.  I'm a sucker for attention to detail and the last time I remembered an author being able to do it so seamlessly is J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series.  Tara does it in this book and it's so well done.  *Golf clap for Ms. Sivec.*

T.E. Sivec's A Beautiful Lie will not disappoint long time fans of Tara Sivec.  Even though she's doing something completely different, this book is going to make her fans very happy.  I think she will also gain new fans by branching out to a different audience.  

I can honestly say there is nothing I didn't like about this book.  Well, other than the whole "Garrett not really existing" thing, but there's not a whole lot I can do about that.

If you want suspense, romance, twists, turns and hot guys.  Pick up A Beautiful Lie.  You won't be disappointed and if you haven't read her Chocolate Lovers series, you need to get those books too!

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T.E. Sivec is the pen name for Tara Sivec. Under T.E. Sivec, she delves into a more serious genre that is her absolute favorite to read - romantic suspense.  She loves reading a book and feeling her heart speed up with anticipation and wanted to be able to give that feeling to her fans.

T.E. lives in Ohio with her husband and two children, living the dream of being a full-time writer.

Go ahead and stalk Ms. Sivec:

Good Reads - T.E. Sivec

Facebook - Tara Sivec

TaraSivec.com/T-E-Sivec/

Check out the rest of the stops on the A Beautiful Lie promo blog tour hosted by Madison Says!