Black Lies Review

Author: Alessandra Torre

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Dark

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Alessandra Torre once again surprises everyone with a dynamic and complex story of love, devotion and decisions. This summer, Hollywood Dirt was released and to be brutally honest, it didn't live up to my expectations from such a authentic author! This right here, reading Black Ties, restored my faith in Alessandra Torre. She has an epic craft of creating the most original and entertaining love stories out there. It is an ingenious craft. 

The synopsis remains intentionally vague and indistinct. For this reason, my review will take on the same theme. I beg anyone planning to read this to go into to blind. Having a blank slate makes the reading experience so much more vibrant and enjoyable. It is like going to a horror movie and knowing what will happen; it takes off the edge factor.... You REALLY don't want to lose the edge factor with this novel. 

“You been hurt?” 

“Not yet.” 

He stared at me so steadily, an odd emphasis placed on the words, as if he was giving his heart to me with both hands, certain that it would lead to his demise.

At the age of 29, Layanna is placed at the pinnacle of her life, she loves two men wholeheartedly. Now some people would justifiably say that is not a good enough excuse for "stringing" along two men. However,  Alessandra Torre takes us into this world of greyness, a world where everything isn't as seems. One has to maintain their wit in the hopes of not being too disillusioned. More than being a good read, the novel is a real life game between reality and abstraction. 

“Yeah. I couldn’t even tell you where I’ve been. Everything…” he grew quiet. “Everything fades unless I’m with you.” It should have been a compliment. Instead, it felt more like a prison sentence. A statement of fact. 

I didn’t respond.

The characters were all so complex and evolutionary. The development is phenomenal and really bring together the ending (can we call it an ending with that prologue though? who knows...). They were all so distinct, flawed and human. Torre personified human ambitions and faults through her characters, adding substance and complexity to Black Lies. 

“Why’d you leave with me?” Open curiosity in his eyes. Like any woman needed to explain running off with a billionaire. “I figured you should have one night you didn’t have to pay for.” 

His eyes smiled. “I like paying.”

 I was honestly enamoured throughout Black Lies. It pulls you into the core and everything else around ceases to be real. I was hypnotised and spellbound. I really recommend this novel for anyone who loves romance and is willing to have your mind challenged, if not, misled. 

“I loved you. I still love you. Even when I hate you, I love you. I always will. I’m not a smart man, but I know that."

Find this gem on Goodreads or Amazon!

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Before We Were Strangers Review

Author: Renée Carlino
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 5 stars

We both cried together, surrendering to the reality that we had to accept. 

I have been so scared of reviewing Before We Were Strangers by Renée Carlino for some particular reason. Maybe it's the fact that it affected me so much that every time I think about the novel, I want to burst into tears. This is not a normal reaction. It is also not a rational or explainable reaction. It is what it is. And Before We Were Strangers is definitely brilliant.

Friends forever might have been a tired expression, but when he asked, it was like music or poetry. I knew it meant something else. I knew it meant I need you in my life.

Matt and Grace met in NYU at what was arguably the best time of their lives. They were both artists with strong pasts. They became fast friends, creating such a unique and poignant bond that almost nothing could tarnish it. Both leaned on each other and complemented each other on a physical, emotional and psychological level. This is hard to achieve. It is even harder to create such a distinct and raw relationship in a novel; Renée Carlino achieved it all. 

Three seconds doesn’t seem like a long time, but when you’re gazing into someone’s eyes, it’s long enough to make a silent promise.

The operative word used previously was "almost" when stating that few things could have endangered Matt and Grace's relationship. There were a few instances where their relationship was tested and pulled. What I loved most about this story was the authenticity and rawness in the conflicts. It felt so authentic, mimicking real life and its struggles. This makes the reader relate to the issues presented. It makes you care. It makes you feel. It makes you think and question your own life. While reading, thoughts popped up like; I am truly happy? I am living to my most potential? When I look at myself, am I the person I wanted to be? These are simple thoughts but the fact that someone else story could make me question my own was a bit unnerving. 

Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash.

A truly great novel doesn't need flash, glitter or a production. It just needs to break the barrier between the reader and touch the heart. Great novels makes you feel. I state this a lot in my reviews, but its the truth. Feeling reminds us we are human, we are vulnerable and susceptible to the world. Before We Were Strangers felt like drinking wine after a long day. The writing was poetic and basically flowed across the page,as if a song and dance was going on.  The plot remains haunting beautiful, tragic and so so raw. It was gut wrenching and somber. The characters.... were not characters in the manner where you know they are fictional. Before We Were Strangers felt like a glimpse into the genuine lives of two individuals and the world around them.

I became acutely aware of everyone around me carrying on, living life. I was static, standing on the platform, watching train after train go by, wishing I knew which one to be on.

Matt and Grace fought fate and ended up together at the end. The fact that they conquered all odds is heart warming. I really, really enjoyed this novel. It just made me wonder and hope... 

She was perfect . . . poetry in motion—the evidence of a life burning well and bright.

Find this novel on Goodreads and Amazon! 
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Introduction

There is this vision, a vision of a small girl laying flat on the floor with a book in her arms. The name of the novel isn't apparent, but you can just tell that the girl is enamoured by it. Her eyes are dilated, moving back and forth, absorbing everything as if this moment wouldn't last. She knew when she shut the novel, she would have to say goodbye to a bunch of friends she had got to know in such a short time.  Anyone passing her in that moment would know she was happily lost to the world around her. Laying in that unremarkable room, her passion for stories shone. The little girl knew from then on, she would give a little piece of heart to every story she loved. Until one day she would grow up, walk into a library and she would see the books as not inanimate objects, but as her friends, her family, her future, her passion, her struggle, a reflection of herself.... 

This was my vision, my memory, of my first time falling in love with a book. It has become a recurring dream and nightmare. The memory compounds the moment where my life altered. As sappy and cliche as that sounds, its the truth. Because of novels and stories, I see and comprehend the world so differently; I am more open-minded, pensive, and worldly. Now sometimes, the dream shifts and I see myself and where I would be if it weren't for novels, and the picture isn't pretty. This might seem as a harsh judgement and can hear the jury shouting : Diana! Just because people don't enjoy reading doesn't mean they will turn out HORRIBLE. And they are right! Of course they are! However, from my point of view, my life wouldn't have been as unfulfilling thus far. I grew up in Kenya and even with the country thriving, education and learning are seen as a privilege. I have grown knowing the importance of knowledge and the gift I was given; being able to read and write. We all have our vices and novels, the romantic idea of escaping into a world completely different than my own, is mine. 

Despite this, I have always been so apprehensive about sharing my views and thoughts on novels, with the fear that I will be criticised back. There is always someone who knows more , does more, is better. That doesn't give you the excuse not to try. This is me trying. This is me broadcasting my thoughts, emotions, knowledge on issues that are important me. 

I am Diana, and if you want to be part of my journey, there is an abundance of space and acceptance. You have probably realised that I love books (If it hasn't clear thus far, either I am doing something wrong or its you ;) ). So many of them, I literally cant even count. It is one the hobbies that will never cease to lift my spirits, make me think, make me feel. My only hope is to spread my passion and aspirations so that the rest of the world can feel this BLISS that comes from them. 

With that said....

Thanks guys! Let this begin!