OUR FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS ARRANGEMENT IS PERFECT… UNTIL IT ISN’T.JaxI don’t date. Period.My life is all about those random one-time hook-ups–no expectations, no feelings, no commitment.Until I meet Lexi.One night with her just isn’t enough. And the only way I can keep her is by offering the only thing I can: my body without my heart.But she gets too close. All I want is to love her, but I … she gets too close. All I want is to love her, but I can’t. I’ve got wounds too deep to heal, and walls around my heart too thick to tear down.
The only way I can save her from the demons of my past is to let her go, even if it destroys me.
Lexi
After I caught my cheating fiancé in the act, I swore off men permanently.
Then I met Jax–he’s funny, flirty and gorgeous.
Best of all? He only wants to be friends…with benefits.
I can handle a temporary, no-strings-attached fling, right? I like a good time as much as anyone, and Jax’s chiseled abs set my body on fire.
Problem is, my heart didn’t get the message.
The more I get to know the former Delta Force soldier, the more I suspect this casual arrangement is his attempt to keep his heart closed off forever.
How can I convince him to drop his defenses, and let me in?
“Jax and Lexi are everything! They love so hard and their chemistry incinerates the pages – their story is an emotional one that will rip your heart out.”— Amazon Review
Fragile Lies is the 2nd book in the Fragile Hearts series and part I of Jax and Lexi’s duet. It contains a cliffhanger and must be read with Fragile Truths. Both books can be read as a standalone romance, but you first meet the couple in Fragile Scars.
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An entertaining story from start to cliffhanger finish. Lexi and Jax have such chemistry together and it shows in so many of the steamy scenes. However, they need to work through both their inner demons, and Jax’s PTSD issues to get to their HEA. This book goes through so many emotional ups and downs that it tears away at your heart and gets you more involved with the characters. As the story ends on a cliffhanger, I can’t wait to reach the next book!
I received a free advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a fair and honest review.
Why did I do this to myself. I am not a duet reader, well let me clarify that. I read duets but almost always after both books have been released because I know my impatient self just cannot handle the cliffhangers. That being said now that I am reading more and more advanced reader copies sometimes I am not given the opportunity to wait.
So no that I got that out of my system let’s talk about Jax and Lexi and how freaking awesome they are. Holy moly their chemistry is . Seriously some of the moments in this book left me a lot hot and bothered. Not only that but they were just cute together. Their banter was awesome, their friendship adorable. They could not be more perfect for one another.
Like Fragile Scars, Fragile Lies deals with a topic that is hard for everyday people to understand making getting frustrated with Jax very easy. I wanted to scream at Lexi to run, we all know friends with benefits never works out and oh boy was that quite the cliff hanger. I cannot wait to read part 2. So now I’m going to go a try to figure out how to stop obsessing over this cliff hanger of an ending. It’s totally worth every minute though. Such a fantastic story.
** I was generously provided with an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review**
I was so excited to read Lexi and Jax’s story, they were introduced in the first book Fragile Scars, and they had such an undeniable attraction towards eachother. I knew it would only be a matter of time before they’d have to act on it, I mean friends with benefits what could go wrong? I became so engrossed with this emotional story, that I read it all in a afternoon. I really liked these two characters, their back and forth banter, and texts had me laughing, but they also had real life issues to deal with. I really can’t wait to read Fragile Lies to find out what’s going to happen between them.
In Fragile Scars, book one in this series, the physical chemistry between Jax Perry and Lexi Philips was so evident you could tell things had progressed for them, this book finally explains how much and for how long it was going on. The intimacy between them is red hot as they burn up the sheets and anywhere else they happen to be!
Both lead characters hide their vulnerabilities behind facades of being tough enough to handle most things. For Lexi her sassy mouth is another cover as is Jax’s jokester ways. They are both characters that you can relate to easily, both are easy to like, however, I won’t lie, I did feel like shaking some sense into Jax a time or two. It will be very interesting to see what lies ahead for this couple.
The book has excellent descriptive passages about the characters and each scene as well as some fabulous expressions. Some expressions are so funny they leave you chuckling, all are very appropriate for each scene adding that little bit of extra sparkle. Yet, as much as there is mirth there is an underlying element of sadness in Jax. There are some very poignant scenes that do stir the emotions and you find that lump in your throat with tears pooling in your eyes.
What an ending! I need Fragile Truths now!
Reviewer: Robyn
Lexi carries the hurt left by her ex in her eyes, and it tortures Jax every times he sees her, he wants to wipe that hurt away and put the light back in her eyes. But he also knows he is not the right man for that job, he doesn’t do love, feelings, or attachments, and in his heart he knows that is what she needs.
But that doesn’t stop him from gravitating towards her, he just can’t help himself. She’s a beautiful angel, with tempting lips, and an attitude that keeps him on his toes, and the more he is around her the harder it becomes to stay away. Even if he knows it’s wrong…
Fragile Lies is one of those stories that grips your heart from the opening lines and won’t let go. This emotional soul touching story was impossible to quit, once I met these two I just couldn’t let go, I had to know everything about them. Lexi and Jax both carry a lot of demons, and those demons unite them in a way, both wanting to fix the hurt the other carries. But doing so would mean that they would have to open up to one another, and that is something Jax just won’t let happen. He has barricaded his heart and doesn’t plan on letting anyone in, he has deemed himself unlovable, and hides behind his playboy ways. While Lexi is scared to fully let herself love someone again, after being devastated by the man she was set to marry. She knows getting involved with someone like Jax is only going to end in more pain, but she too can’t let him go. My heart broke for these two, there was so much pain lingering between them, so many demons for them to slay. I can’t help but hope after that cliffhanger that there is some happiness lying ahead for them… I am dying to see how this one all plays out. If you like heart-wrenching, angst laden stories then I highly suggest you get your hands on this one, it bound to torture your heart.. in the best possible way of course!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
In Fragile Scars, book one in this series, the physical chemistry between Jax Perry and Lexi Philips was so evident you could tell things had progressed for them, this book finally explains how much and for how long it was going on. The intimacy between them is red hot as they burn up the sheets and anywhere else they happen to be!
Both lead characters hide their vulnerabilities behind facades of being tough enough to handle most things. For Lexi her sassy mouth is another cover as is Jax’s jokester ways. They are both characters that you can relate to easily, both are easy to like, however, I won’t lie, I did feel like shaking some sense into Jax a time or two. It will be very interesting to see what lies ahead for this couple.
The book has excellent descriptive passages about the characters and each scene as well as some fabulous expressions. Some expressions are so funny they leave you chuckling, all are very appropriate for each scene adding that little bit of extra sparkle. Yet, as much as there is mirth there is an underlying element of sadness in Jax. There are some very poignant scenes that do stir the emotions and you find that lump in your throat with tears pooling in your eyes.
What an ending! I need Fragile Truths now!
No no no no I NEED more ,you can’t leave me like this (stamps foot in a childish tantrum) haha
A fantastic angsty push and pull of a read , and I loved every minute of it..
both lex and jax are dealing with demons from the past and refuse to contemplate the fact that a relationship and love are ever on the cards, but the trouble with feelings is ,you can’t control them.
A fantastic read from Lilian, brilliant and relatable storyline with characters that make you laugh and swoon im loving these stories and i cannot wait for the conclusion of Jax and lexi’s story
Such an emotional and beautiful read. Lexi and Jax’s story is one that pulled me in from the beginning and I couldn’t stop reading until the end. Warning it does end on a cliff hanger but it is still amazing. Lexi goes through a rough breakup with her ex finance and is down and out until one day she meets Jax and they form this bond. They are highly attracted to each other and Jax lets her know from the get go he doesn’t do serious or want anything serious and later on we find out why and my heart goes out to him but at the same time I wanted to punch him. Lexi and Jax try to keep things casual but feelings start to get involved and Jax knows he will eventually have to let her go and break her heart, but Lexi still holds onto hope that they can work out. They were such emotionally charged characters and their chemistry was off the charts that they all bled off the pages. I can’t wait for more and to see how things will go even though I agree with Lexi’s friend, Lilah, that we need a Jax voodoo doll for now.
I loved Fragile Lies so much. It is a phenomenal read that will suck you in and will not let go. This is Lexi’s and Jax’s book. If you’ve read the first book you got a little bit more of an advantage going in with who they are. Jax will take your heart more so once you really get to know him. He has his demons he is battling and doesn’t let anyone in or really help him through them. But with Lexi she is what he needs. Lexi she is smart and you get why she doesn’t want a relationship. Watching Lexi and Jax get into their groove just burns up the pages. I love their chemistry. You ache for them just waiting for one to pull back. By the end you are just like what the heck……..and grumbling a little bit. I say that because I know have to wait until Fragile Truths to see where Jax and Lexi go. I really couldn’t put this one down and now don’t want to do anything else but sit here and wait for more Lexi and more Jax.
Jax and Lexi are explosively sexy and steamy in every way. Their story was a page turner, kept me glued to the pages and I didn’t want it to end. This was a roller coaster ride of emotions that you didn’t get off and wanted to buy another ticket to get back on. Lexi was destroyed when she found out her fiance was cheating on her and vowed never again. When she and Jax meet, well he’s sex on a stick and all Lexi wants is a little fun to get her out of her funk and Jax is the man to do it! No spoilers from me, loved this book and can’t wait for the next one to see where these two go. I received a copy of this book.
4.5 “really, really liked it” stars!
Gut-wrenching. Angsty. Emotional.
I didn’t know what to expect going into this, and dove in blind. Didn’t even read the blurb. And I am glad I did. It made it that much better, not knowing what was coming around the bend. Of course we all know that friends with benefits is a ticking time bomb… if it goes on for too long, someone WILL catch feelings. Every time. That, death, and taxes are the surest things in life.
This author kills it with writing feelings and angst. There is a particular part in the book that just spoke to me, deep down. Spoke to that bruised part of my heart that was hurt in previous relationships. The place where, even years later, it never quite healed. A truly brutal heartbreak can do that, leave that soft spot. This author found that spot, and gave it a sharp poke.
My poor heart aches for Lexi, already suffering with self-esteem issues after the discovery of her former fiance’s cheating ways, who now makes the terrible decision to engage in a friends-with-benefits situation with a charming, handsome man. What could possibly go wrong?
Everything, Lexi. Everything.
I loved the writing in this book. There is a particular part that I wish I could discuss in this review, but I don’t want to ruin the discovery for future readers so I won’t. Suffice to say, Jax is an idiot. But, in my experience that is the natural state of men until they pull their heads out of their behinds and fix themselves. Some do that in their twenties, some in their thirties, and some never manage it.
This book is the first of a duet within a series, and ends on a cliffhanger. It deals with a sensitive subject (trigger warning is provided within the book).
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I read this book in pretty much one sitting. I couldn’t put it down, I was a junkie needing my next fix. The chemistry between Lexi and Jax is absolute fire! They’re sexy and wonderful. While reading this book, I’ve felt every emotion the characters have felt. That’s truly an amazing feat when an author can produce such passion and feels via text. Lilian did a phenomenal job with this book, I can’t wait to see what else is up her sleeve. I feel if I write too much it will give too much away. Please pick up this book and fall in love with the characters as I have.Lilian Harris
Wow, ok! I loved this book. I laughed, I cried and I have never wanted to shake and hug a character more . Eagerly, desperately awaiting the next part of their journey. If you loved Fragile Scars you will NOT be disappointed with this book. Read it now, go, go, go!!!
4*
Lexi is lilah’s best friend and was with her the night she met Damian.
Jax was taken by Lexi and they exchanged numbers.
Shes sure hes a player, but having been hurt before by her cheating ex fiance she’s sworn of men.
I accept that this story came with triggers and respect the author incredibly, I found the story told with compassion and true emotion.
A fantastic story and I can’t wait to see where the author takes is with the rest of this series
I received an arc for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I feel like I am in the eye of the hurricane after reading this book. Of course, the eye is only halfway and these two amazing characters have already taken me on one hell of a ride. I just hope they both come out with unscathed. Lillian Harris has a way with words that speak deep to my soul.
“Somewhere between our yesterdays and our tomorrows, we fell in love. And falling in love with her was easy, it was like jumping into a turbulent ocean and begging not to drown.”
Lexi Phillips has just gotten out of a horrible relationship. Falling for a guy to have him only break her heart by not being honest. After hanging out with her bestie and doing something she never does, exchange numbers with a guy. She is now in a texting relationship with one Jax Perry. Figuring he is just like all the others with his play-boyish behavior, she keeps him at bay. Though Jax may not present his real self…will Lexi be able to get through and see the real Jax or will he remain hidden and locked up?
“Sometimes what we create from the discarded pieces someone leaves behind is far more beautiful than we could’ve ever imagined.”
Jax Perry is part owner of JDG Global Security. After serving time in the Army in Delta Force, he is now doing his best with civilian life. Things haven’t been easy for him unless you are talking about the many women Jax has entertained. Though none of those women spend more than one night with him. However, a curveball in the form of one Lexi Philips may knock him off balance. Jax knows his past is still haunting his present, but with Lexi around the storms in his head seem to calm. Will Jax be able to stay as friends with Lexi or will he have to cut her loose and lose himself to dark forever?
“Somewhere between our yesterdays and our tomorrows, we fell in love. And falling in love with her was easy, it was like jumping into a turbulent ocean and begging not to drown.”
Lexi and Jax are so cute and the banter between these two is off the charts. They match up to one another perfectly. Lexi doesn’t take ish and isn’t falling for Jax in the falling, that is until they both start letting their guards down and slowly let one another in.
“Oh Jax, you’re lucky you’re pretty to look at.” Lexi
“Pretty? That’s what you call me? Man, I feel my masculinity just deflating.”Jax
Jax has been dealing with something dark from his past. Something that you can’t snap your fingers and it will magically go away. It doesn’t help that Jax’s two best friends also want him to stay away from Lexi and remind him what he is doing will/may have consequences in the end. I love how he does what he wants to do and accepts the fact that he isn’t the best for Lexi, but she is light in the dark.
“For a moment she was a flicker of light in the hellish darkness of my mind”
I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the conclusion of Lexi and Jax.