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deepbutdazzlingdarkness's review
5.0
Ahhhhhhhh this was so good!!!!! Definitely mind the trigger warnings, it was hard to read at times, especially as the book progressed but I absolutely loved it overall. I didn’t have a problem with the intensity of the sex, but the gore/self-harm aspects of it did get to me. I liked the supernatural elements, it reminded me so much of Penny Dreadful but I did have to skim whenever stuff happened to Adele’s body.
ladyramakin's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When going into Lies That Bind I knew some of what to expect and was thrilled to see two very talented authors collaborating. From Rae Knowles I had already read Merciless Waters and deeply enjoyed it Queer Female Rage meets Pirates story, and from April Yates I had picked up City of Snares a Sapphic horror meets old Hollywood that dug into what fame is. Knowing I had enjoyed both of those I knew I would most likely enjoy Lies that Bind, what I was not expecting though was to read a novel that was both an amazing exploration of complex love between women, and the horror of being trapped by your own nature in such a graphically disturbing, and yet deeply pleasurable manner.
Lies that Bind is the story of Adele Hughes and Lorelei Keyes, a couple running a sham seance business, both with deep secrets of their own. Their quiet life of four years is completely upended by the arrival of Viola. who seems to know exactly how to tempt and hurt both women in deeply personal ways. To say really anything more about the plot would be to spoil it.
What I will state is that both Adele and Lorelei are deeply relatable and interesting leads, often with dual POV one POV is clearly more intriguing and draws you in more, that was not the case here with me both dreading the POV jump as it meant moving away from one section of the story and being desperate for it to get back to the other half of it. On the flip side Viola very quickly establishes herself as someone you hate while she drivings the plot forward with her endless machinations.
With this novel I would pick it up if you enjoy any of the below:
- Sapphic Stories
- Horror
- Body Horror
- Fantasy Horror
- Slow Burn
- Deeply moving Prose
- Dark Romance
- Gothic settings
- Horror and Romance mix
My final note is to read the trigger warnings, this is not a novel to jump into without checking them as it is quite dark and many scenes go to places you may not wish to read. Check the warnings and know that it really means them.
I received an advance review copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are wholly my own and unbiased.
Lies that Bind is the story of Adele Hughes and Lorelei Keyes, a couple running a sham seance business, both with deep secrets of their own. Their quiet life of four years is completely upended by the arrival of Viola. who seems to know exactly how to tempt and hurt both women in deeply personal ways. To say really anything more about the plot would be to spoil it.
What I will state is that both Adele and Lorelei are deeply relatable and interesting leads, often with dual POV one POV is clearly more intriguing and draws you in more, that was not the case here with me both dreading the POV jump as it meant moving away from one section of the story and being desperate for it to get back to the other half of it. On the flip side Viola very quickly establishes herself as someone you hate while she drivings the plot forward with her endless machinations.
With this novel I would pick it up if you enjoy any of the below:
- Sapphic Stories
- Horror
- Body Horror
- Fantasy Horror
- Slow Burn
- Deeply moving Prose
- Dark Romance
- Gothic settings
- Horror and Romance mix
My final note is to read the trigger warnings, this is not a novel to jump into without checking them as it is quite dark and many scenes go to places you may not wish to read. Check the warnings and know that it really means them.
I received an advance review copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are wholly my own and unbiased.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Dysphoria, Classism, Body horror, Gaslighting, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Incest
kemorgan4's review
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“Lies that Bind” is THE book that braids together lust, power, love, and control all together. This was a phenomenal read. The “main” character, Adele is plagued by a dark secret that she cannot even tell to her partner, Lorelei. When a stranger comes to visit Adele, the stranger dips into Adele’s darkish secrets and lures Adele with secret promises and riches. Adele and Lorelei must contend with this newcomer, and dive into every dark corner of their mirrored pasts.
CONTENT WARNINGS: severe intimate partner violence, drugging, sexual assault, connotations to incest
CONTENT WARNINGS: severe intimate partner violence, drugging, sexual assault, connotations to incest
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse
Minor: Incest
nostoat's review
4.0
I received an eARC from Netgally in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a little late on this review because I've been struggling to focus on and finish books but I only had a few days left on this eARC, and I was already halfway through so I buckled down and made myself finish it. And I'm so glad I did! This is a messy, dark, kinky erotic romance, involving lots of sapphic sex. The plot is a little thin but I don't read messy queer erotica for the plot so I wasn't much bothered. The main relationship had so much delicious angst and miscommunication (but in a "I see why you're not saying anything but oh my god" not a "PLEASE just open your mouth" sort of way), combined with a third woman swooping in to add her own schemes and wiles to the mix. Everything becomes tangled. The sex scenes are well-written in my (ace) opinion, and the chemistry between the characters feels charged and real.
I'm a little late on this review because I've been struggling to focus on and finish books but I only had a few days left on this eARC, and I was already halfway through so I buckled down and made myself finish it. And I'm so glad I did! This is a messy, dark, kinky erotic romance, involving lots of sapphic sex. The plot is a little thin but I don't read messy queer erotica for the plot so I wasn't much bothered. The main relationship had so much delicious angst and miscommunication (but in a "I see why you're not saying anything but oh my god" not a "PLEASE just open your mouth" sort of way), combined with a third woman swooping in to add her own schemes and wiles to the mix. Everything becomes tangled. The sex scenes are well-written in my (ace) opinion, and the chemistry between the characters feels charged and real.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Incest
yvesreads's review
4.5
4.5 ⭐
There's a lot I wanted to say about this book but I don't know how to express them well so I'll do my best 😊💙
This is not my first book written by April Yates though this is my first book with Rae Knowles; they co-written this book. And when I thought April's style of writing was already dark and heavy it became even more intense now that there were two of them in this one. I want to say that I was in awe with this book both the story and the style of writing. Though there were bits that were a bit difficult for me to comprehend since the style reminds me of reading classical novels (very poetic). If you are into that, definitely read this one! It really compliments the story itself too and helps you really feel that you are in the same period as them.
About the story, it was a mixture of heartbroken, nuisance, pity, and disturbing. I really recommend you read the trigger warnings because I almost did not finish this book because of certain parts. BUT the story is very intriguing that I know I have to finish it to understand the whole point of it and I'm glad I did because I got my closure 😩👌🏻 When I say it is worth reading, it is worth reading
It is a fantastic read if you are into Erotica + Horror + Lesbian romance. I have to say but I think I found my new favorite genre and authors. I never expected that I would enjoy a story like this because it felt challenging to read but here I am wanting more.
The characters themselves are intriguing as well. Viola, if I could only enter the book and rip her apart myself I would (that's how annoyed I was with her). And not to mention the decisions the two main characters were making that there was a point that I had to close the book and pinch the bridge of my nose while hoping that the two characters would get their act together because I am so done with them.
Overall, this is a great book though I understand why this will not be everyone's cup of tea but if you are willing to try out new things, start with this one!
💎 Thank you Netgalley, publisher, and authors for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily
There's a lot I wanted to say about this book but I don't know how to express them well so I'll do my best 😊💙
This is not my first book written by April Yates though this is my first book with Rae Knowles; they co-written this book. And when I thought April's style of writing was already dark and heavy it became even more intense now that there were two of them in this one. I want to say that I was in awe with this book both the story and the style of writing. Though there were bits that were a bit difficult for me to comprehend since the style reminds me of reading classical novels (very poetic). If you are into that, definitely read this one! It really compliments the story itself too and helps you really feel that you are in the same period as them.
About the story, it was a mixture of heartbroken, nuisance, pity, and disturbing. I really recommend you read the trigger warnings because I almost did not finish this book because of certain parts. BUT the story is very intriguing that I know I have to finish it to understand the whole point of it and I'm glad I did because I got my closure 😩👌🏻 When I say it is worth reading, it is worth reading
It is a fantastic read if you are into Erotica + Horror + Lesbian romance. I have to say but I think I found my new favorite genre and authors. I never expected that I would enjoy a story like this because it felt challenging to read but here I am wanting more.
The characters themselves are intriguing as well. Viola, if I could only enter the book and rip her apart myself I would (that's how annoyed I was with her). And not to mention the decisions the two main characters were making that there was a point that I had to close the book and pinch the bridge of my nose while hoping that the two characters would get their act together because I am so done with them.
Overall, this is a great book though I understand why this will not be everyone's cup of tea but if you are willing to try out new things, start with this one!
💎 Thank you Netgalley, publisher, and authors for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily
kaylee2222's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
oddeyeris's review
3.75
please check trigger warnings before reading
I really enjoyed this story.
The writing style is beautiful, which brings the world the story is playing in really nicely to life. The characters were also really thrilling and executed quite well which made the story really enjoyable.
But I also found parts of the story to be quite predictableand the ending with their escape in chapter 35 (I think) happend a bit too fast and easy for my liking. I think there is potential for a few more chapters missed, because it almost seems to go too easy for the two girls and Chester.
I really enjoyed this story.
The writing style is beautiful, which brings the world the story is playing in really nicely to life. The characters were also really thrilling and executed quite well which made the story really enjoyable.
But I also found parts of the story to be quite predictable
bookboxbabe's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
*thank you netgalley and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review*
erotic horror is not a genre i thought even existed but here we are
firstly, the prose was so lovely in this. it’s so beautiful and i found myself rereading passages just because they flowed so nicely. these writers are definitely talented.
secondly, this was dark and hard to read at moments (in a good way) because it deals with some heavy topics. i’m not sure why the climax of the book was just “tell me what you want in bed” but no mind. it was delightfully creepy and had a bite to it…literally.
erotic horror is not a genre i thought even existed but here we are
firstly, the prose was so lovely in this. it’s so beautiful and i found myself rereading passages just because they flowed so nicely. these writers are definitely talented.
secondly, this was dark and hard to read at moments (in a good way) because it deals with some heavy topics. i’m not sure why the climax of the book was just “tell me what you want in bed” but no mind. it was delightfully creepy and had a bite to it…literally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Self harm, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Infidelity, Rape, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Violence, Drug abuse, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Incest and Emotional abuse
questionablereads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Lies that Bind is a sapphic erotic horror with the most toxic of characters I have ever read. This has a bit of a supernatural horror as well, but the horror truly lies within human behavior and power imbalances. This is such sinister story about people simply doing bad things because they want to, they get off on it, and because they can. Erotic horror is one of my favorite genres, and I loved the blend of maniacal actions mixed with spice, and while the progression of the story was a bit slower than what I usually gravitate towards, I loved how it all comes together within the last 40 pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Self harm
amyashby's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Incest, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual violence, and Physical abuse