When Kate finds her world crumbling around her, she does everything possible not to crumble with it by building castle-strong walls to hide behind. A person can only hide for so long. Thrust back into the life she’s been running from, she’s forced to confront the damage she left in her wake. Working to repair fractured relationships, she discovers one that just might save her from all the … from all the wreckage.
The only one who can save her is herself.
Realizing she might be on a broken path to healing, Kate must make a choice—a choice that could be her defining moment.
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Blair spotlights the secret epidemic in women world. It is lethal and dangerous, and it’s Remains hidden in shame- The insecurity of Never Being Enough. It’s shameful, embarrassing and humiliating to a point that they justify it in heir hearts as “I Deserved It” or “It was MY fault”
It never was…….It never is. Period.
“Fear has a funny way of silencing a person, so I lie here in the dead of night with his taste in my mouth and a thousand unspoken words dancing on my tongue.”
It’s a heavy subject that EK deals with and she offsets the oppressing heaviness of the dilemma and self doubt with her brand of slapstick snazziness. She creates a lovable rascal of a character- Trent. He’s naughty, sexy and could knock your socks off with his flirtatious charm. I was starved for him in book 1 and so EK replenishes my cup with his presence…aplenty.
There’s lots of surfing, funny banter and Trent’s weird comebacks that made me laugh wholeheartedly. I had a perpetual grin on my face and I wish he could just come to life, for real!!
And he has the most sensitive and straight forward heart hidden away behind his carefree person.
Nevertheless you shouldn’t take your eyes off the important matter at hand. A young impressionable girl, who loves her boyfriend with all her heart, all the time disbelieving her luck.
Her mind reverberating with echoes of – What did I do to deserve him?
“I wanted so badly to believe I was made of courage and strength, built to castle standards, sturdy and steadfast. Truth was, I was made of chaos and scars that bled and burned. I was a battleground of love and fear, of silence and rage.”
Her unconditional love just suffers the same fate as her confidence, when they’re shattered she can’t even keep stock of the number of prices she has to collect.
The progress graph is slow and steady, with one small, tender gesture at a time.
Blair showcases the dual power of love in stark reality. It can damage and heal, annihilate and nurture, drain and replenish. Just depends on who your care person is
It’s a story that forces you to think and entertain in the same breath. Astute, nuanced and heart touching tale of hurt love that is on a path of recovery with one of the best book Boyfriends you could ever find
4.5 stars for Truest Thing in the Fake World
I loved this book! It was such an emotional rollercoaster!!! This book gave me all the feels! What a way to finish Kate and Trents story! This book was raw and gritty. I found my self laughing one minute (thank goodness for Trents sense of humor) and reaching for the tissues the next. I found myself unable to put this book down! I would absolutely recommend this book!
Was given an arc for an honest review
Wow!! Such an emotional roller coaster! Insecurities, patience and love! E.K. Blair took me on an emotional journey where i fell in love with the characters and their trials! Fantastic duet!!
An incredible conclusion to the Secrets & Truths Duet! Kate endured the unthinkable in Book #1. No one willing goes into a relationship, falls in love, only to realize that their partner is uncontrollably violent and abusive. At first it seems so unreal that it has to be dismissed. Then when the partner seems so remorseful it feels right to minimize what happened. But when a repeated pattern occurs and you realize you are alone and scared, it’s time to reach out for help. Just like Kate did. The problem is the psychological damage. Kate has kept herself physically safe now for a year but she continues to hear the same messages given to her about not being good enough, she caused this, she could have done things differently. This pain is as difficult as the physical. Fortunately, Kate has support and love to help her heal.
Through that healing Kate is able to learn to love again. And it’s great to see that the friendship with Trent moves so organically into romantic. Trent is so perfect. He has his own healing to go through, but he was deeply affected by what Kate had gone through and this changes him. The journey is not always easy for Kate & Trent but it definitely is worth it. Definitely want to 1 click!!!
What an amazing conclusion to this heartfelt duet. I had so many questions running through my head after reading book one and thankfully they were all answered in this one. A very powerful and emotional rollercoaster ride. A story of hope, love and moving forward.
An incredible conclusion to the Secrets & Truths Duet! Kate endured the unthinkable in Book #1. No one willing goes into a relationship, falls in love, only to realize that their partner is uncontrollably violent and abusive. At first it seems so unreal that it has to be dismissed. Then when the partner seems so remorseful it feels right to minimize what happened. But when a repeated pattern occurs and you realize you are alone and scared, it’s time to reach out for help. Just like Kate did. The problem is the psychological damage. Kate has kept herself physically safe now for a year but she continues to hear the same messages given to her about not being good enough, she caused this, she could have done things differently. This pain is as difficult as the physical. Fortunately, Kate has support and love to help her heal.
Through that healing Kate is able to learn to love again. And it’s great to see that the friendship with Trent moves so organically into romantic. Trent is so perfect. He has his own healing to go through, but he was deeply affected by what Kate had gone through and this changes him. The journey is not always easy for Kate & Trent but it definitely is worth it. Definitely want to 1 click!!!
By Lulu
*sigh* My most favorite romance so far this year and i just finished, I’m having the worst book hangover ever! How do I put my words together for this review? I’ll try my best without blabbing on.
This continuation of Trent and Kate’s story is an emotional one, my stomach was on edge from the start, settled in the middle then bam I was ready to throw up towards the end! I love when the book feels run rapid!
Ek continues their story with strength, passion and truth! I truly loved these characters, even when I thought they were so wrong and my heart was cracking. I felt very protective over Trent, I don’t think he could do wrong in my eyes. I’m not a surfer by any means but for him I’d put my shark and jelly fish fear aside and ride the waves! (Here goes my babbling)
Point is Trent and Kate’s story is a must read, you’ll be hooked from the start, you’ll get emotionally invested in all these character’s and want to get deep into their story!
“You’re the realest feeling I’ve ever known.” ~ Trent
Moving, heartfelt story of healing and self discovery.
This is book 2, and the hauntingly beautiful conclusion of the Secrets and Truths Duet. It starts right where book 1 ends, and it unfolded flawlessly!
The anticipation to learn the secrets made this story a real page turner.
Kudos to the author for giving us a gut wrenching, thought provoking story about a subject that is so important and rarely spoken about openly.
I will not lie, this book was a hard one to read (along with the second book in this duet – The Truths We Told). First off, this deals with the female heroin, Kate, and her abuse that she suffers at the hands of her boyfriend, Caleb. If that is something you can read without triggers, then read this duet.
With The Truths We Told (#2), Kate has finally left her abusive boyfriend, Caleb. She is completely lost. She handles the ending of this relationship by hiding into herself and keeping her walls up in ALL situations. But wouldn’t you know who breaks those walls down?!?! Along comes Trent…
In this book, I fell completely in love with Trent. He was the guy that Kate needed at the right time in her life. Oh wait, maybe she should have gone out with Trent at the beginning…. But, that wouldn’t have been appropriate to making a strong foundation for their relationship that develops in this book.
I was so loving Trent’s way with Kate. He pushed her what she needed it, and loved her through all of the crazy that happened between the two of them. Their love story was perfect for them. It set them up for a long HEA.
Although the subject matter in this book made my tummy sick, I did love reading Trent & Kate’s love story. It was brilliantly written with each word meaning something and made this story amazing!!
I am such an E.K. Blair. She has a way of twisting and turning your heart along the way to a HEA. This book was no different. If you are and E.K. Blair fan, then you need to add this to your next TBR list!
~ Review by Heidi Pharo
What an amazing journey E.K. Blair takes us on in The Truths We Told, book two in the Secrets and Truths duet! This heartfelt, emotional story brings to light a subject that SO many face yet feel as though they are alone. Kate and Trent take through self-healing and a process of learning to love yourself. Their story was wonderful and I could just not get enough!
Firstly I just need to say I was asked to read this book in return for an honest review.
Secondly this book is book 2 of the Secrets and Truths Duet, you need to go read book one before this one as this story continues from that book.
Ok review time
Wow just wow , I did not think I could of loved this book more than the first book but I really did. Gosh the emotions I felt reading this were through the roof!!! E.K.Blair really made us feel the feels with this one.
There was one question on my mind starting this book!! Who was knocking on her door???
Was she going to let her abuser back in to her life or was she going to put her own safety first!!
You could actually feel the fear Kate was feeling drip off the pages, E.K did an amazing job of telling a story about partner abuse!! Those who go through this feel embarrassed, ashamed, dirty, not enough but weirdly they feel loved. I just hope that by reading this story it will give some people out there the courage to walk away because you are always enough and you most definitely deserve better. Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed, just ask for help!!
I have to say as much as the turmoil and pain Kate was in, I felt so sorry for Trent, that boy had some serious patience and so much love for Kate, I just hope in the end that Kate has enough respect for herself and these two can sort out their feeling for one another. Kate deserves to feel pure love and Trent is desperate to share that with her.
Thank you so much E.K for an amazing emotional read! I am so looking forward to your next book.
Time has passed, but Kate’s wounds are not healed. She’s returning to Miami, to school, but the embarrassment, the fear, the judgement she knows is awaiting her makes the return difficult. Running would only last her so long though, so she’s forcing herself to face what she left behind. Repairing the broken relationships she misses makes her realize she hasn’t repaired things with herself and she must choose between healing or running again.
“I was a battleground of love and fear, of silence and rage.”
I knew The Truths We Told was going to be heavy, but my word does E.K. Blair takes us through the ringer. Our once bright, confident, tom-boy Kate now holds her insecurities in front of her like a shield. She struggles to accept that her friends are not judging her and struggles even more with believing them when they say it wasn’t her fault. I already loved Kate, but I loved her even more in this book. Facing your fears, overcoming something that has changed the course of your life is so difficult. I think E.K. Blair wrote Kate and her experience so incredibly well. Her healing is so powerful, especially as she learns to lean on her friends and family again, accepting that not everyone will judge her or hurt her. Of course, we get a romance and she so deserves one. It isn’t an easy romance, Kate’s healing comes first, but it is a profound and beautiful relationship. It’s impossible to say much without giving it all away, but let’s just say that this book features all the secondary characters you loved in the first.
“All her cracks and broken parts expose themselves, setting me on fire like a thousand suns, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for this girl.”
Emotional, heart-wrenching, and written in such a personal way, The Truths We Told is an incredible final novel in the Secrets and Truths Duet. I highlighted so many passage; the setting, the characters, the dialogue ringing so true to real life. I love E.K. Blair for always being willing to write the realities of life, no matter how hard, and her characters aren’t broken, but rather putting their pieces together in beautiful new ways. I loved this duet and I cannot wait to see what’s next from E.K. Blair.
The Truths We Told is the incredible conclusion to this duet by EK Blair. This series should be read in order and if you read the first, you know how heartbreaking the ending was with Trent and some of Kate’s other friends learning her secret, the mental and physical abuse she had been receiving from Caleb. Then the very end and not knowing who was banging on her door… wow
The Truths We Told takes place a short time in the future and Kate is still suffering. Trying to get back in to school, she is struggling… struggling with her feelings for Caleb, for the embarrassment that some of her friends know what was being done to her, for her feelings for Trent, and so much more. Trent, a player to all others, is a one of a kind man meant just for Kate. He is patient and understanding on so many levels and has the funniest sayings, but can he truly help her get through her own insecurities. It was so well written and I feel justice was done to Kate in understanding her thoughts and reasons for doing/not doing something that would normally seem trivial to most. I absolutely loved Kate and Trent’s story! <3<3<3
The Truths We Told is the second book in the Secrets and Truths Duet and picks up where we we’re all holding our breaths as to who was behind the door.
Now that her friends know the truth, Kate’s embarrassed and her first reaction is to run away from it all by going back home. She’s no longer the girl she used to be. Instead of opening up to her family, she keeps it all hidden. The time has come for her to return to Miami to face what she left behind.
Once she returns, she feels lost, scared and alone. She thought her friends hated her for lying to them. When she sees Ady at school, the last thing she expected was for her to be supportive and what she desperately needed. Ady reveals a big secret she’s been hiding that brings them closer.
Not only has things changed for Kate but for Trent too. We see a shift in him. He opens his heart and wants to care for her in every way to help her heal. Slowly, he breaks down her walls. She sees him in a different way she had with Caleb. He’s sweet, funny, saying all the right words and loving her in the way she deserves. They fall for one another but struggle to let go of the past.
This was a heartbreaking and emotional read. An amazing duet. One that will give you all the feels.
The Truths We Told is book 2 in the Secrets & Truths Duet. It was a book about healing and love, and all the battles to find yourself again, and trusting in someone else after such a horrific trauma. This book was hard to read but even harder to put down. Trent and Kate’s love story will forever be burned into my heart.
Oh how I have missed E.K.! The conclusion to this duet was just as good as the beginning! I love Kate’s story! E.K. wrote it in a way that her readers could easily connect with these characters and the story… even if you have not lived the same struggles, chances are you know someone that has. Even of you haven’t/don’t, you can feel the emotion and strength. The characters show such strength! I love this story!
Excuse me while I write this review through all the tears in my eyes. This book is everything!
We pick up right where we left off, only about year later. We discover who was on the other side of that door and what immediately followed. After taking time for herself, Kate goes back to school to pick up her life. This story is so moving. We see just how low Kate is, even after a year away from everything. We see the toll that abusive relationships take on women. The abuser isn’t the only one blamed for how the victim’s life is destroyed. Friends can’t understand what happened and why the victim withdrew. We see exactly how hard it is for Kate to pick up the pieces and mend the relationships her abusive relationship unraveled.
The story was hard to read at times. It is such a good insight into how difficult it is to leave something that hurts you, even when you know it is bad for you. It shows how hard it is for victims to continue on with life. The Truths we Told is written poetically, beautifully. I loved it and you will, too.
Welp. This story was an emotional journey.
I knew that EK would put my heart back together after The Secrets We Held but it left a scar.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers so this is going to be vague.
Not everything you see about someone is as it seems. You never know what demons a person is facing. And true friendship, is overlooking mistakes made and sticking by that person. That’s what spoke to me so much about this portion of the story. The capacity for forgiveness and being able to pick someone up and save them when they are so far down. Kate didn’t always make the best decisions, but that is hard to do when you are so broken. Watching her fight back put a smile on my face. It was nice to see the progression in Trent’s character from a party-going surfer to a real man who is a fierce protector of the people he cares about.
EK writes about gritty, raw and real things and I think that’s why I am drawn to all of her stories. The characters are rarely perfect just like real life, but you can learn to appreciate them and their struggles.
The Secrets and Truths duet is now complete! The Truths We Told by EK Blair was emotional and heartbreaking and so much more. After the ending in the first book, I was eager to see where this story would lead. It was not an easy journey, but it was one I could not put down. Kate broke my heart with her struggles. Her journey was difficult and full of so many insecurities. I just wanted to hug her. I absolutely loved Trent. He was not perfect in any way, but he was with she needed. Though dealing with his own issues, he was there for her every step of the way.
The Truths We Told by EK Blair was an emotional roller coaster. The author gave us an honest and raw story. It will touch your heart and make you feel every step of the way.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
This is a very emotional and inspiring way to end this series…great story and amazing characters