All-American boy meets broken girl… at rehab?It will never work.How could it? Alex is Chicago royalty. Harley considers herself Las Vegas trash. While he’s been handed everything his entire life, she scrapes to make ends meet. Still, the chemistry between them is undeniable. Both long to break free from the stereotypes of their upbringing and embrace each moment together. Yet, neither are ready … together. Yet, neither are ready to share all of who they are.
Their secrets.
Their fears.
Their bitter realities.
Does their budding relationship stand a chance under a blanket of secrecy? Or will owning their truth set them free?
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This book made me cry countless times.
The story follows Alex and Harley. Harley is a therapist at a drug rehabilitation center. Alex has admitted his sister, Daphne, at this center when he finds that she had overdosed. When the only apartment that Alex finds is the one across from Harley, he decides that he wants to become her friend. Both have secrets that they keep hidden and away from the other. These secrets may even destroy their relationship.
I love the background that you made for Alex and Harley. I understood all their actions based on their past. I also loved Pheonix and Daphne. They both have strong personalities that can easily run the show. I loved the writing style. I wasn’t able to put this book down until I read the last page.
I wrote this voluntary review in exchange for an ARC copy.
Have truths it’s all they could share. Meeting by happenstance fate or whatever reason floats your boat these two meet and the attraction of course is immediate but there’s so much more to what they are. No matter what they did they tried to stay away but they’re half truths would be the death of them. A wonderful emotional read from this author who does them well. Emotional battles not only between the two of them but also from their past. This author does these types of reads very well and her characters draw you in and hold you tight as you hope they can get there at hea because that’s what it’s all about.
4
This is my first ARC from the author. I’ve read the blurb and signed-up.
The story started slow for me. I expected it to be angsty, and it was. For a second there, I almost gave up on reading because the dynamic between Alex and Harley was frustrating and it wasn’t relatable. But it picked around the middle and I eventually warmed up.
It was definitely a unique, heart-wrenching and heartwarming tale of giving people second chances and rising up to the occasion… that sometimes in life, we only need one person to believe in us to have a different outcome.
This slow burn romance was a beautiful story about two people who are completely opposite yet are so perfect for each other and how they are brought together by lies. Alex is from a wealthy family that lives in Chicago, and Harley grew up poor with a drug addict for a mother. They have in common the fact that they are both hiding from people in their lives and that they both can’t afford to let the other know the truth, so ss they get to know each other, they only share half the story. Over time, they can tell the other is hiding things, but that doesn’t stop their growing feelings for each other. Alex is so patient with Harley, and he understands that she has responsibilities that need to come first. When their truths come out, will their love for each other be enough? Or will the lies tear them apart?
Rachael Brownell wrote such a sweet story. Alex and Harley were great, along with the few side characters. Harley’s character had a lot of responsibilities dropped on her plate at a young age and she had a lot of sacrifices that she had to make in order to take care of her family. She overcame a lot throughout this book. Alex was not shy about his feelings for Harley one bit. He was very open with her but understood that her responsibilities came first, so he would take any part of her that he could just to spend time with her. Their attraction to each other was instant but their love was really slow burning. Another great read by this author!
ARC generously provided for an honest review.
Do y’all see that cover? I dove right into this book as soon as I got it and boy am I happy I did. This was an emotional read and I really loved it. The author takes some hard subject and I thought she did a great job of it.
These characters both have a journey to take in this novel starting with facing truths.
Both of the characters are hiding for different reasons and at the end by facing reality and putting in the work they have a chance at a future. I loved that both Harley and Alex might not meet under the best of circumstances but fate doesn’t let that stop it.
This story does feature some addiction related content and rehab, but the author does a stellar job of it and I commend her for how she wove the story with these themes included. He characters were flawed and in the end it made for an even better story. Though Harley and Alex are not the ones in Rehab, that situation is still influences by it.
Dive in, you will fall just as deep and fast as these two did.
Alex is the son of a rich property magnate and is expected to follow in his fathers footsteps, but when he returns home from college he finds that his sister with a serious drug problem, so he has to tell a few lies to get his sister into rehab.Harley is the daughter of a single mother who also takes care of her little brother Phoenix (who she claims to be HER son!) and she works at the rehab facility. There are so many “lies and half truths” that this pair tell each other but underneath are they more alike than they realise?, this is a good read with twists and turns and emotions a plenty!. I’d definitely recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When a young man tells the lie that his parents were deceased in order to get his sister into treatment, is it really hurting anyone? When a young woman lets people believe that she’s a single mom to a little boy when in actuality she’s his sister trying to do everything she can to keep him safe from a drug abusing mother; is it really wrong? And when this young man and woman meet at the treatment facility, and then later find themselves living in the same apartment complex, is it wrong for their half truths to become omissions as their interest grows in each other? I was intrigued with this story and was happy to see how things all came together in the end.
Beautiful! I’ve volunteered to review this book for United Indie Book Blog. This is my first time reading one of Rachael Brownell books. This is Alex and Harley’s story. Alex is a rich boy from Chicago, the son of a real estate magnate. Harley is his sister’s counselor, at a rehab place. Half Truths is slow burn romance that is filled with angst, drama secrets and romance. What started as a friendship and a common goal turned into so much more. Loved the chemistry and attraction between them. This story shows how lies brought together two people who were perfect for one another. But with half-truths you will be facing some lies and exposing the truths puts them both at risk. Will their lies and half-truths ruin their relationship? I can’t wait to read more from this author. Keep up the great job!
5 Cranky Stars
Alex and Harley are both living in half truths about their lives and the lives of the people they are trying to protect. Alex is trying to protect his younger sister from not only herself, but from their parents. The parents that are so self-absorbed by the family image and work that they didnt see their daughter turning to drugs for escape. Harley is trying to protect her younger brother from their drug addict mother. Harley raised him on her own and took him from there as soon as she could; they have been on the run since posing as mother and child. Harley works with other drug addicts to help them beat their demons when Alex brings in his sister. Fireworks dance and attraction is instant. Neither one wants to have their lies found out, so they tread lightly.
This is an epic story, one filled with more hard truths than most people have to deal with in life, and a smoking hot romance!
What happens when a relationship is built by sharing only half-truths? It’s destined to break down sooner than later.
Half Truths is the first book I’ve read by Rachael Brownell, and I enjoyed it. I love nothing more than meeting new authors and reading their works.
Half Truths is about two people that meet at rehab. They are NOT in rehab though. That’s where I made the mistake. I thought it was going to be a love story about two drug addicts… So, I was a bit disappointed in the beginning. But I opened my mind, and I was ready to get introduced again to a different concept then I had in mind.
Harley is a counsellor at rehab while Alex is only there to drop off his sister, Daphne. But the moment those two meet… it’s lust at first sight. And the more page you turn how greater it becomes until slowly it turns into to love. But the road to get there is filled with secrets none of them wants to share. Instead, they feed each other half-truths, but a healthy relationship isn’t built on lies. So the moment secrets come to light, it burns painfully.
I enjoyed the storyline and the depth of the characters. They were intriguing, fresh and layered. But from the very start, I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two. It might be just me though. I just didn’t feel it. So it was hard to read a book where the characters fall in to lust the very first pages. And every page I turned I hoped I would, but no. Sadly.
And that made the experience of reading a romance book less exciting and almost difficult.
But in general, I did like the book. The writing was good, and it sparked my interest in reading more of this author. The storyline had all aspects that a romance book needs. A flavour of heartbreak, a sparkle of joy and a ton load of love. But the fact that I missed some of the love and lust made me settled on a three-star rating.
If you end up reading this book, let me know your thoughts and if you agree or disagree.
First book that I have read from this author and I found it enjoyable. Alex and Harley were a great couple. They were from two different sides of the track but brought together to help his sister. What started as a friendship and a common goal turned into so much more. Loved the chemistry and attraction between them. This story will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. Great read and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
I read an early review copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Alex has just graduated when he comes back home and he finds his little sister, Daphne, passed out on her bed after she took too many pills and drugs, so he decides to fly from Chicago to San Diego to sign her into a rehab.
Harley is the counselor assigned to Alex’s sister.
They are instantly attracted to each other, and when they find out to be neighbours it becomes even more difficult to follow the rules and to stay aways from each other.
They are both running and hiding from their families for very different reasons and they can’t risk to reveal their secrets and jeopardize their lives.
Will their lies and half truths ruin their relationship? Or will they finally trust each other letting their love to blossom?
I was so engrossed in this story and characters that I’ve finished to read Half Truths in a day.
I have appreciated how Harley and Alex fought to become better adults than their parents, they want to be worthy to be admired by their loved ones. Even if they know that they have to roll up their sleeves to succeed they are not scared by the hard work and the sacrifice.
I’ve enjoyed this story that fortunately wasn’t too crude and descriptive about addiction.
“The hardest part about sharing your truth with someone is saying it out loud. Accepting that once it’s out there, they may never look at you the same way again.”
From the start, Half Truths sucked me into its well-established world and captivated me as I watched the characters grow and learn to trust not only each other, but themselves as well. This angsty, slow burn romance is one you don’t want to miss!
Wow!!! I was blown away with this book. It was beautifully written and I loved the story. Alex and Harley were great characters that took me on an emotional rollercoaster. It was definitely worth the wait!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Half Truths is something special. It shows what some people are willing to go through to protect their loved ones. This was witty and fun, yet very deep and emotional. Alex and Harley have a lot riding on their shoulders. Too much for any one person to have to deal with alone.
I gladly took my time reading this one. Absorbing and appreciating the slow-burn story between Alex and Harley that was beautifully written.
Alex is a rich boy from Chicago, the son of a real estate magnate and expected to follow in the family foot steps. But when Alex returns from college and finds his little sister overdosing on drugs and his mother and father won’t acknowledge her drug problem. He takes it upon himself to sneak her across the country to southern CA and check her into a rehab facility where his sister’s counselor, Harley, is like no one Alex has ever met.
Harley keeps her lies close and her truths buried deep. She won’t let anyone into her life for risk of her past and that of the little boy, Phoenix, she takes care of. They have been on the run for a few years, hiding from a dangerous past, but her attraction to Alex has her questioning letting down all her barriers. But she takes too much pride in her job and her first responsibility is to her patient Daphne, Alex’s little sister.
A beautiful story about how lies brought together two people who were perfect for one another, but facing those lies and exposing the truths puts them both at risk. How far will you go to have real love? Will you expose everything you’ve been afraid of? Or will you walk away.
I adored the characters in this story, relating very closely with Harley. Coming from a family that chose drugs over responsibilities in more cases than one, I know what that pain feels like. Watching how strong she is and how she’s overcome those pains, I can appreciate that as well. It’s never an easy road and letting people in when you fear being hurt, is always a challenge. The little boy Phoenix, while a supporting character, brings out important traits in both Alex and Harley.
This is a beautiful and timeless love story that should be cherished and read thoroughly; appreciated for its depth and heart-aching pathway to finding love.
Having not had read this author before but having the books on tbr it seems this one won out. The two characters are like day and night as way of life goes. Alex and Hailey are the ones dreams are made of. When they come together you could light a match with them. Can that be all in a relationship? This tells how there are many elements to it for them but fear seems to be the ring leader. This one handles issues and searches the heart. Thanks to their beginnings that has been the foundation of fantasy when it comes to others but this one we want them to wake up and smell the coffee. You also get bits and pieces of each in the lie and truth department. This is one I was glad I opened the pages and discovered what this author can write.
So this was a lovely, sweet romance, it was a slow burn with added tension and lots of emotion. I really liked the characters and the overall story, especially the way it was written from both the Main characters POV. The book was written really well and flowed, i didn’t once feel the need to put it down, i just couldn’t get enough of the characters. I can highly recommend
Half-Truths by Rachael Brownell is a slow burn romance that is filled with angst, drama secrets and romance. The characters are interesting and likable… even though there are times when they are a bit hypocritical and made me want to interrupt their story to point that out… then again, that adds to the drama, right?! Harley and Alex have conflicts to overcome for sure, and the journey is worth a read.
I couldn’t look away. This isn’t like any book I have read before. The drama that surrounds every character in this book starts at page one and doesn’t stop until the end. I wanted to cheer sometimes and slap a girl others, the emotions Rachael can evoke on paper is astounding, she does it every time, I should be used to it by now.
If your looking for a drama filled, dysfunctional family, and a hiding from the truth story, this is the one for you!