Rich boys don’t fraternize with the help.They don’t care about the help.They don’t protect the help.I should’ve remembered those lessons before I handed over my trust to four gorgeous, domineering boys.But I didn’t.And now, I’m not the only one who’s been hurt.Someone out there is toying with me and my family, and I don’t know who to turn to or who to trust.I never wanted to play this game. But … to or who to trust.
I never wanted to play this game. But since the pieces are already on the board…
I’m sure as fuck gonna play to win.
***AUTHOR’S NOTE: The Lie is a reverse harem high school bully romance, the second book in the Kings of Linwood Academy trilogy. It contains cursing and sexual situations.
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I have no words. This series keeps on getting better and better.
The Lie follows the events that concluded The Help . Harlow’s mom has been arrested for crime that she did not commit, the four boys have seemingly betrayed Harlow and now she won’t talk to any of them, and her classmate is messing with her schoolwork. Lets just say that Harlow has not been having the easiest of times. Lincoln has been trying to explain why they did what they did, but she is having none of it and won’t listen to a word he has to say.
Thankfully it does not take long before Harlow and the boys reconcile and everything is right in the world. Well, as right as can be with Harlow’s mother in jail for something she didn’t do. I love the dynamic between the boys and Harlow. It is blatantly obvious and they would jump through burning hoops for each other. They have such a unique bond and it is great that they don’t care what other think about their not-so-conventional relationship. And that strip poker scene! Someone please douse me with bucket of water because I’m pretty sure I’m on fire.
I love that Harlow does not jump into having sex with all four boys but rather takes her time, having to make sure that it is truly alright with the other boys. They all have such trust in each other and instead of being jealous of one another, it makes them happy to see Harlow being close the other. At this point she only had sex with two out of four boys and both times was unique and special in its own right.
Dax chuckles. His green-blue eyes have heat in them, but something else too. Something I like even more. “It’s just-you’re not what we expected, Harlow. You’re so much more than that. I don’t think any of us saw you coming.”
There are just a couple of things that do not make sense to me. First, how is Savannah getting away with the tampering of Harlow’s tests? I mean, in the first book the boys are trying to get blackmail on Troy in order to keep him in line. It is a bit unbelievable to think that the boys don’t have anything on Savannah to make her stop messing with Harlow. And it’s a bit embarrassing to be called “kings” if they just let Savannah get away with murder (figuratively speaking). Doesn’t really set a good example, does it?
Another thing that I don’t find believable is that Harlow’s mom has been appointed state attorney because she can’t afford to pay top-notch lawyer. The boys do not even offer to pay for Harlow’s mother to make sure she has a fair chance at the trial. I know that they are teenagers and they probably don’t have their own money, but Harlow’s mother has been working for the Blacks for several months and their son is dating her daughter. I would like to think that they would offer to help out. The Blacks after-all donated crazy amount of money to support the upcoming senator’s campaign so it’s not like they don’t have money to throw around. Besides, Linc’s dad offered to help however he can, but he does not help in the most obvious way and instead allows Harlow’s mother to have disaster of an attorney? Those two things drove me crazy.
Anyway…
The clock is ticking and the plot thickens. Harlow’s mom has only two months before her court date and they’re not even close to finding evidence that’s needed to show that her mom is innocent. The real culprit is someone neither of them expected and unfortunately for them it is someone with immense power who has a lot of people in his pocket. The Lie , same as its predecessor, ends on a cliffhanger. It’s time for the final showdown.
This series will definitely grip you and not let go. Callie Rose brings mystery to RH and it’s so good. I read this series almost a year ago and since I’m now listening to the audio, I’m refreshing my reviews.
“So, how do you like swimming?”
…
“It’s… I like it. A lot.”
— The Lie (Kings of Linwood Academy Book 2) by Callie Rose
And just like that, I’ll never look at a pool in the same way. I’ll never ask anyone if they want to go swimming without having a private smile. I’ll think of Harlow, Lincoln, River, Dax, and Chase. I’ll think of cool water and warm bodies and staying in the shallow end. (If you know, you know)
And if that isn’t enough to intrigue you, Harlow’s mom is now in jail, awaiting trial for a murder she didn’t commit. Harlow and the boys are navigating falling in love and solving this mystery.
A solid second book in a series dear to my heart.
Well, slap my hinny and call me critter. I did not see that coming.
Spoilers if not read the first book.
Things are heating up between Harlow and the guys. With them trying to dig deeper into getting Harlow’s mom out of jail, things are starting to add up, until they don’t. I thought I might hate the guys with the way the first book ended, but they are growing on me. My favorite is River. But I do wish for some more sexy time. Maybe in this next book. Hopefully.
I was so expecting it to be one person in particular, but that ending. Man, that ending…
Damn!
Oh, I so need the next book.
I love this book, and of course the series as well! The storyline is unique and full of action, suspense, love, plenty of sexiness, and so much more! You will fall in love with the characters! The audiobook is fantastically done and the narrator is great! You do not want to miss out on this one! I cannot wait to read the next book!
And I thought the Help was intense. Things really intensify in this sequel. Lies, angst, suspense and the mean girls are all at play. Harlow and the Kings become their own detectives to try to save Harlow’s mom. But as they dig deeper, they uncover more and more lies. As they work together, the relationship of the 5 grow more intense. I loved everything about this book. If it were not for the occasion mention of classes and tests, I would have forgotten they were all in high school. The Kings and Harlow dealt with some major adult topics that had me hooked from the first book. I could not stop listening and had to immediately jump into book 3. This is one series that will grab you and not let you go.
Amanda Stirling once again brought this book to life. She kept all the characters consistent and easy to follow. Her inflictions brought the suspense to a whole new level. I was captured by Stirling’s narration and felt as if I was running beside Harlow. Stirling enhanced the experience of this story.
Phew, gonna need a cold shower after every time I listen to Callie’s books! Book 2 in the Kings of Linwood Academy series definitely upped the ante in terms of heat .
I definitely fell in love with Lincoln and River in this one. I love how Lincoln is so possessive yet so sensitive and gentle, then gets all rough and domineering in the bedroom! He pretty much covers it all haha. He isn’t the best with his emotions and expressing himself, but the other guys help out in that front. River is someone I want to cuddle forever and never let go. I love his story and relate (I am almost legally blind, so having that almost handicap makes it sometimes difficult in the real world). I love how Harlow is with him and how the group is getting more cohesive together. And daaaang that poker scene was amazing! There is a lot of action in this book (in terms of the plot, and yes with Harlow and primarily Lincoln hahaha). I kinda could guess the big reveal at the end, because the people they were focusing on was too easy. And holy moly, if you wanted to kill Savannah in book 1, just wait for book 2! She is an amazing villain and bully and I cannot wait for her to see her comeuppance. Hopefully she has as an amazing demise as the evil witch in Callie’s other bully series hahaha.
For narration, again Amanda did a fabulous job. The whiny part when Harlow was super upset kinda got on my nerves even more in this one. I think Harlow normal and the rest of the characters was amazing, but instead of being upset, she just sounded like she was complaining/getting more high pitched where the tone was an odd frequency/noise level for me. Might just be personal preference, but again why I couldn’t give her a 5 star (close 4.5 stars!).
If you loved book 1, book 2 is even better. I already started book 3 tonight and bet I will be finished before the end of the week because I will NEED to know what happens. Amazing job again Callie and Amanda. Highly recommend this series and especially the audiobooks
Audibook Obsession Reviewer
5 stars for The Lie by Callie Rose. This is book 2 in The Kings of Linwood Academy. Holy Crap I didn’t think book 2 would beat book 1 but it did. Book 2 had me on the edge the whole way through. Not only is there suspense and drama , there is some steamy scenes. Wow are they hot . ““There is no only between us. Ever. When we’re talking about how long it’s been since I’ve been inside you, that word doesn’t exist.” Oh shit” ( Let me just leave that here for you ) . I can not wait to start book 3 now. I am not stopping till I know what happens.
The mystery surrounding Iris death has the Linwood 5 deciding to investigate for clues themselves. What possibly Harlow suspects could tear apart an already fractured family. Harlow continues to visit her mom in jail, during each visit hope for her, grows dimmer as the trial becomes nearer. The public defender is inexperienced and inadequate, to represent her for the multitude of her trial. The Linwood 5 get closer and , their bond becomes more than friendship, much more.
Lies, , mystery, steamy sex, emotional..The Kings of Linwood are there to always protect what belongs to them. This series is getting better and better, Whats going to happen next? Amanda Stribling narration portrays all the feels anguish, love, devastation that all the characters are going through.
audiobookobsessionreview
Love this series!
A great addition to this story! We start off right after where we left in The Help and the search for the killer is on again. Harlow goes through so many issues when it comes to school, boys and her mom being in jail and yet she shows the strength to try to dig her way out with everything. I really though this was the last book when I began, but it turns out there is more! This cliffhanger is one of the biggest I’ve read in the past. I need the next!
The Lie by Callie Rose was an excellent continuation to the Kings of Linwood Academy series. This novel begins right where book one left off and it was intriguing engrossing and will have you hooked until the very end. This book was steamy, full of angst, suspense, lies and drama. I enjoyed this book more that book one because we see the progression of the relationship between Harlow and the 4 guys and the story had me guessing throughout. Then there was that cliff-hanger ending that shocked me speechless. OMG… I need book 3 now. The Lie was a fantastic tale and I would highly recommend it to all lovers of YA Reverse Harem romance.
The audio version was narrated by Amanda Stribling. She did an exceptional job with the characters giving them each their own voice and personality. Her pace and timing was good and she was able to infuse emotion into the story. I really enjoyed listening to her narrate this novel.
AudiobookObsession
“What if this is the beginning of something incredible.”
That line just sums up the whole book, because this series is incredible!
The Lie is Book two in the Kings of Linwood series and I can’t get enough of this plot and these boys!!
The angst, the suspense, the lies, mystery and betrayal had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put this book down.
I had my theories about what was going to happen just like with book 1… were any of them correct though? HELL NO I was way off base but I love that because when I read what actually happened I didn’t know whether to slow clap Callie Rose or shout at her!
I need more words! I need book 3! I can’t take the anticipation of what is to come.
Also those damn boys! *FANS SELF*
I want to go swimming in the deep end with the Kings of Linwood… when you read this book you’ll get what I mean and you’ll want too as well! Holy hell!!
Read this series. Right now
I need to jump inside this author’s mind and see how she creates these worlds. They are so amazingly epic!! I’m dying for the next book!!
Well hot diggidy this series just keeps getting better and better. I love Harlow and the four boys. They’ve become really close and there are no more secrets between any of them.
They are fighting hard in this book and it is one of those that will have you sitting at the edge of your seat throughout the book.
I just couldn’t get enough of them and whoa those scenes in the book were really HOT!
This book was well crafted and mind blowing. I just can’t wait to get the Risk and find out what in the world is going on and how they are going to solve the mysteries that revolve around them. But I do have to say, Harlow is one tough cookie that will not let anything or anyone get in her way of getting what she needs.
Total mind blowing 5 Stars
Callie Rose has done it again! “The Lie: Kings of Linwood Academy: Book 2” is so freaking good and I am chomping at the bit for the third in the series. In this second installment, Rose has amped up the suspense and the heat factor. Harlow is stuck between her mom’s innocence and her need for the Kings of Linwood, Linc, Dax, Chase, and River. There is more of a RH to this book, the burn has definitely been turned up several notches.
Sometimes, the second book in a series can be kind of so-so..often an information dump. That is NOT the case here and I am here for that. The author fleshed out the characters, amped up the plot even more, and brought the heat.
In “The Help,” the Kings have left Harlow, or Low, out to dry. Her mother has now been taken to prison for a crime that Harlow knows she didn’t commit. Harlow has to pull her life together, prove her mom’s innocence, and deal with the betrayal of the Kings of Linwood…oh, and her all-consuming attraction to them as well. The author takes us on several twists and turns throughout the story up until the very end.
Can I just say how phenomenal Callie Rose’s writing is? Her sentence structure, her phrasing, and her style are all captivating. She is able to keep the reader hooked and turning pages (or at least this reader anyway) and waiting impatiently (okay, so, I am totally willing to wait because this one was worth it!) for the third book in the series. I can’t wait to see where she takes Low and the Kings of Linwood next.
This book did end on a cliffhanger, but it is one that is completely worth it.
Since this first book in this series and the ending of it I had been waiting on this one so much and it was definitely worth the wait. I was in NO way disappointed at all. I truly love Harlow and all her guys. The fact that her or the guys wont give up on her mom was so great and something I adored. Can not get enough of these people and now I desperately need the third book to see what will happen!! So great.
Lies (like the title suggests) are throughout book 2 in this series and Harlow is in the middle of all of it. Not knowing who she can trust makes finding the answers she needs a lot harder to find. Boy there are some brilliant truths found out in this book that genuinely had my jawing dropping. I really loved that it kept me on my toes and glued to the story right up until the very end. Just a pleasure to read
Four days ago her mother was taken from her. Four days ago her boys lied to her face. Four days ago life became real.
Alone in her mind, and on the receiving end of pure hatred and unwarranted accusations, much like her falsely accused mother they battle on.
He watches her, tries to approach her but shes frozen him out.
She may live with him but shes become a stranger.
How can he get her to listen to him, come back to him.
He needs her, they need her and she needs them….
This book continues on from book one in the series “the help” and oh my gosh I dont think my heart can take much more. Yet I want it, need it, crave and desire it.
The angst and drama draw you in whilst the drip fed information turns you into a detective, as you become determined to know the answer before its given.
The scenes of love, affection, desire and wanton lust are divine! the way it’s written will drive you to the edge yourself.
Four boys and one girl will simply steal your heart, make it bleed and kiss it better.
A truly astonishingly beautiful read. I stumbled upon Callie and now I’m never letting go.
Her words are magic, her characters are uniquely stunning, and the storyline in this series, is completely out of this world.
To say I love this book is not enough. To say it’s my perfect read is not enough.
My words simply arent enough, but my stars will do the talking for me.
Dont count my 5 stars, count the night sky and then you will know what I truly give this book.
I read the first book in this series entitled The Help and I was hooked then. The writing and story building were so impressive. Believe it or not, in this story, The Game, the tale just keeps getting better and better. I’m so invested in where this is leading that I’m anxiously awaiting the third and final book so that I can see where all of this will end up.
Harlow, Lincoln, River, Dax and Chase are embroiled in an adventure of mystery and danger. A murder, an innocent accused, and more than one suspect. Who to trust and who not to… so well done as to engage the reader fully until the last page. Really good story telling, Callie Rose! Very nicely done, I must say.