I’m Everly Marrs, and I’ll be damned before I lose myself to the men that kidnapped me. I had plans, big plans. I had my pretty little life outlined: Graduate school and get a job in social work—maybe even one day marry a nice man who actually knew what he was doing in bed. But everything changed when I woke up in a strange place with five men who insisted I call them D, W, J, K, and T. The … T.
The Letters.
They told me that the world wasn’t what it seemed. I lived my life thinking that I was in control of my own destiny, but in actuality they controlled everything. The world was their playground and I was just another ant, marching in line to the beat of their drum.
The Letters kidnapped me to force my father’s hand, and they couldn’t promise me safe passage. I knew my place in all of this but still found myself losing who I was to their games.
I’m Everly Marrs, and I’ll save myself if I have to.
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Such an amazing book! Dark, complex, unpredictable, sexy. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Oh, my goodness, this series. I died a little at the end of each one until the next book was available. The men–the “Letters”–are so intense. And Everly…so vulnerable and badass at the same time. I particularly loved the epilogue. No spoilers here…just read to see what happens.
I was searching for a new audiobook series, preferably contemporary to help break up my recent long list of PNR audiobooks, and this one has grabbed me by the collar and won’t let me go. I can’t stop listening, the story is intriguing and the characters are flawed but redeemable (ending of book 1 is hard to handle, but thank goodness the series is complete haha). I am already listening to book 2 and am sad I am almost done it
Story – 4-4.5/5 stars
– I thought the concept was cool, not as as dark as the blurb says it was going to be, but darkness is all subjective anyway. My dark is definitely not someone’s exact same dark, in terms of the themes and stuff in books. I really enjoyed the MC, liked her tenacity and not taking crap from the characters. Some of the men seemed sorta immature for their older age and sometimes their responses too perfect (like a woman wrote this and provided how a guy SHOULD react haha, not 100% how they probably would, if that makes sense). Despite those, I enjoyed it and it got me to download book 2 right away. I was really sucked in by their budding relationships and how hard they tried to fight things. I wanted to know more about why the ending happened the way it did, it would have been a hard pill to swallow if this series was completed because it was SO GOOD!!
Narration – 3/5 stars
– Unfortuntately, the narrator did not do this story any favors. Now, she does a good job as the MC, I would give her 4-4.5 stars for her performance as Everly. Her inflections were spot on. Now, for the guys, she was pretty bad, not going to lie. I usually have some redeeming qualities/feedback, but she rushed it, was very monotone, and they all sounded the same except when the accents randomly came in. At one point all the guys had Boston/New Englander accents, then they all had more southern drawls (I think its more prevalent in Book 2 in some instances though when they are all together). I would have given this a 5 star if she hadn’t done the male voices. I am definitely going to continue to listen because I am engrossed in these characters, but the narration hasn’t elevated the story like it should. I would be leery of listening to another series by this narrator if there wasn’t a male narrator as well.
Everly finds herself kidnapped. Her kidnappers share some hard truths with her that has her questioning everything she thought she knew. She shouldn’t feel drawn to the men that kidnapped her but she does. The characters are well written and there is a balance between mystery and romance. Warning it does end on a cliff hanger. I can’t wait to read book 2.
I was not expecting this book! I knew that Royce was going to be putting out a darker series, and I really enjoyed the other books I’ve read of hers, so picking this up wasn’t something I hesitated on. Its gritty, the characters are complex, layered and fascinating. With all the things they’ve done and seen the Letters seem hardened to the world, like calluses on a pair of strong, work-worn hands. Everly is strong, smart and adaptive. She rolls with the punches, and tries hard to do what’s right for herself, even if that means sticking around when opportunities arise where she could potentially free herself. Like Everly, I was looking for something in the letters that doesn’t immediately seem to be evident, a humanity, a decency that would make them redeemable. I don’t know if they were playing her the entire book, or if spots of that humanity, even if only for her, really were there. What they did show her really made me wonder, made me think at least one of their many layers held some warmth for her. I also liked that while yes, Everly jumping into bed with some of the guys so quickly seemed like it was moving fast, she is admittedly a sex addict, and what person, when faced with their addiction, is going to just say “nah, I’m good.” and move on? I felt that for her, the pace of the burn was appropriate, and the guys are just hot, so there’s that, lol. I was worried this would get Stockholm-y, that she’d fall for the letters and that would be that, but I should know better with Royces books, she’s good at what she does, and she’s given reason and woven a well written story that makes it seem possible. However, you’ll want to make sure you have book 2 handy, this does have a cliffhanger, one that makes you question some things. But what chapter of this book won’t make you question something? 🙂
Kidnapped but being somewhat treated like a guest, Everly has questions. Like millions of questions. Her captors K, T, J, D and W don’t seem to want her to know their names but they don’t care if she sees their faces. They need her father to correct something he changed that has caused numerous problems for them.
After determining their was no escape from where she was being held, Everly sets out to learn more about her captors. What she finds is disturbing, yet she is intrigued. The Alliance is something she shouldn’t know about, yet she is finding out because of her father and the things he has done.
Things heat up in more ways than one and being on the run with her captors proves to be interesting, educating and dangerous.
The places she ends up are truly unique as are the men associated with them. In spite of the circumstances that brought them together, they are forming relationships with Everly, extremely hot and sensuous ones.
I’m glad book two is out since I really need to know what happens next since it is a bit of a cliffhanger. I have a feeling book two will be as well but I can deal since the third book is already up for pre-order.
I could not put this book down! I am still unsure if anything that was said was the truth or just a means to an end. I love a book that keeps me thinking!
What would you do when world as you know it is one big fat lie?
How would you feel when the person behind it was someone you love?
As always, Rebecca Royce doesn’t disappoint. Hard Truths took me in a spin and left gasping for breath. The twists and turns, suspense, action and conspiracy theories gave me a Jason Bourne/ Dan Brown feels and then mixing it with RH theme? That is a winner book for me and that is pure genius of the author.
It is very well written, great world building and strong plot that will make you grab the edge of your seat as you experience Everly’s plight. Even its flawed characters, the Letters – K, T, D, J, and W, that you will love to hate or hate to love, whichever way you want go with it. I want more and I’m impatiently waiting for Book 2.
I can’t say I wasn’t warned- and I needed it. This story was just the beginning for Everly. There’s not much I can say without giving away anything. I was swept in with Everly and the situation she found herself facing. As the twists kept coming and the layers of each of the Letters were revealed, the story just kept me reading. And the ending…..crushed it! There is some serious psychological warfare and arse kicking coming due in the next book.
This one will not be your usual reading fair if chosen to dive into. I will not read too many reverse harem unless I know the author can do them up right. This author happens to be one with me diving into this one. Everly took me on a strange journey with her story. Do not know how I would act in her shoes. What you thought it was life that is and to wake up with it being nothing like that at all well would be a mind blower. In here this author shows us how Everly handles that with the five who hold her life in their hands. A bit bizarre also but compelled to read and see where this goes. This will also head into the deep leaving us on a ledge after the last page.
Hard Truths: A Contemporary Reverse Harem Romance (Kiss Her Goodbye Book 1) Kindle Edition
by Rebecca Royce (Author)
I received an eARC from the author and am choosing to leave a fair and honest review. Please note: the title of the book was originally Sacrificial Lamb.
In my world, smart is sexy and this is one of the sexiest, smartest romance novel I have ever had the delight to read. Whether it is an expansive knowledge of the conspiracy theories floating around – David Icke’s Lizard shapeshifters, black helicopters and the Illuminati are just a few – to subtle swipe at the fall in love with your kidnapper books that were everywhere in the1980’s, I am floored by the research or just plain info in Ms. Royce’s head. Also, we have in Everly, a smart, sexually aware, strong heroine who doesn’t lose her mind when she finds herself as a captive to five me, the Letters.
Everly wakes up to find herself in on a Vermont island, in the only house, held by five attractive men who only allow her to call them by their initials. Instead of melting down or putting on that spunky bit that seemed to be the norm of romance heroines in the last of the twentieth century. She remains mostly calm and pays deep attention to everything around her. At times, too much attention as she finds herself inexplicably attracted to K, T, J, D and W. They are members of a wide ranging, world controlling group and are holding her as extortion of her father, whom they want to fix a dastardly deed he committed.
She is dragged from place to place by the guys, spending time with four out of the five. And each of the men is severely damaged, in one way or another. Which, sorry, is so sexy! I love the damaged ones!
Everly is strong enough to survive the kidnapping and their unusual brand of attention.
The end, I warn you know, is like a heart punch. It left me gasping and growling for the next book.
This is not an HEA, right now. It is dark and dangerous.
Sexy, thrilling, smart with damaged boys
Rebecca Royce only gets better.
5 out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Truths-Contemporary-Reverse-Romance-ebook/dp/B07JYT9LWF