Title: The Lies that Bind Us
Author: H. P. Davenport
Series: Woods Grove Series, Book 1
Genre – New Adult / Contemporary Romance
Tropes – Small Town Romance / Friends to Lovers / Second Chance Romance

My life was perfect: the school of my dreams with the boy of my dreams, playing the sport of my dreams.

Until that boy destroyed our future – now I’m numb, each day passing in a colorless void.

When joy comes from the last place I could have imagined, I pick up the pieces and put together a new life.

Now that boy is back, and the man he’s become wants to right the past and discover a new beginning.

It’s up to me to decide if we can overcome the lies that bind us.

Purchase Link

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Review

Feels 5
Steam 3
Storyline 4
Overall Rating 4.5
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Stephanie

This second chance love story was one hell of an emotionally intense roller coaster. It had so many ups and downs, twists and turns that my head felt like it would never stop spinning. It’s a story that held the promise of that sweet and special forever kind of love. The kind some people wait their whole life for and still may never find. But for Raya and Nolan, it always lived next door. That is until a lie took the lives they knew and their plans and destroyed it all.

“My future was all planned out, one I thought I wanted. One I know I will regret walking away from in years to come.”

Raya and Nolan grew up next door to each other. Their families shared an amazing bond. Once the two became more than friends, it was clear to them and everyone around them that they were forever. They planned to go to college together with this bright and beautiful future but Nolan made a choice. He kept a secret from Raya and right before they were to go away to school, he took her heart, held it in his hands and shattered it. His lie and betrayal irrevocably destroyed all they were.

“What I’m about to do will alter my life forever. I will hurt the one person I promised I never would. I’m a fucking coward. If I’d only been honest with her, things would be different.”

I loved Raya. She was fierce, determined and didn’t let what happened harden her. Yes, it may have broken and changed her. But in time she rebuilt herself into a stronger more confident Raya and discovered she had so many other beautiful things to live for and love. I struggled big time with Nolan. I didn’t understand the need for his secret. Or why he chose to do what he did to Raya. Why do things that way? Why be a coward? I will be honest…I despised him most of the book.

“Our futures were meant to be together. But his love is now my enemy.”

I really enjoyed this story. I was a mess for a while with a pile of tear soaked tissues and a half drunk bottle of wine by my side to keep me company as the author broke our hearts over and over again. But then she slowly and carefully put the pieces back together. This is not an easy story and as much as I loved Raya, I hated Nolan. Most of the book but Nolan did grow on me. There were parts of the story where I was rooting for a few other key players to make their moves. I found myself thinking they would have been better choices…easier choices but love isn’t always easy. I think the only reasons this wasn’t a five star read for me is because at first I struggled with how part of the story started out…when Raya was at college and went back home but it all came together as it should have. The other reason was Nolan and his choice…his secret. I had a hard time getting past that. But overall, I really did love this book and the author is such a fantastic storyteller. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for the Callahan family and friends.

“Let me love you. Let me fix what I broke.”

About H.P. Davenport

Paralegal by day, romance genius by night! When she’s not tending to her furry children and her handsome husband, H.P. DAVENPORT is seamlessly carving beautiful stories from her mind in her comfy PJs in New Jersey.