Sweet Anarchy

The Lies We Keep #4

by Steph Macca

Coming soon....

Sweet Anarchy is a reverse harem taboo romance - meaning the main female character will have more than one love interest, and yes - it's downright dirty and taboo. The characters are morally grey, hot, toxic as hell, and questionable. It contains adult themes, course language and is solely intended for mature audiences over 18. Sweet Anarchy is book 4 in The Lies We Keep series.

Genres: Dark Romance, Why Choose, Dark, Romance, Audiobook, College, Menage

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2023

About the author

Bestselling Dark Romance Author
Author of Unhinged 🔪

Knock Knock, Little Killer

Reviews

[Shelby 🩷 · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 - Stepbrothers / Taboo / Why Choose
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 - THE MEADOW!

Okay, I'll just say it. Rylee Selwood had got to be the dumbest FMC I've ever read about. She's lucky her boyfriends were so damn hot. You get your ass kicked not once, but twice by the SAME people. Get attacked in your car not once, but twice by the SAME people. AND nearly get roasted alive in a bar...you guessed it. BY THE SAME PEOPLE?!

Girl has seriously no fear, or brains for that matter.

While I liked this series as a whole, but I truly don't think four books was necessary. Two could have covered everything that was needed. The weird sub plots like Phoebe and her dad, and her random roommates and co workers...I don't know it just seemed forced. 🤷🏼‍♀️

However, the spice....was nice! 😏The meadow is genuinely a scene that will live rent free in my mind forever. 🥵

Series rating overall...3.5/5 stars 🖤

[Ari Loves All The Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was amazing!! The final installment was worth the wait to finally be able to read this book!! The characters' development throughout the whole series was great, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll miss these characters!

As much as I loved the characters, especially Chuck, I don't think this book was needed. Nothing really happens until the big showdown with the bad bikers but it happens at 92%!!! AND it lasted a few pages and it was done. It could've been added to the end of book 3. However, I certainly didn't mind more of Rylee and her boys!

Chuck, all day long! 💜💜💜💜
Asher
Zane
Blake

[Shen]

Don’t play with me now…Chuck is my favorite

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rylee and the guys

This was hands down one of my favorite reads ever! These 5 will forever live rent free in my head lol! Steph is an amazing writer, if you haven’t read any of her books go now!!!

[ɢʀᴇʏッ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️ 4 🌶
🎧Release: 01.14.26
⏳6hrs 4mins

MCs: rylee selwood ♡ asher, zayn, & blake taylor, & chuck

💭 as the series finale of The Lies We Keep , it def finished stronger than i xpected. more tense events once the 🏍club drama became fully involved & loads of spice as usual (perks of having multi-men in her life) to distract me from my dislike of rylee. her character may not have developed as much as i hoped she would have, but atleast in the end she figured out what she wants to do with her life.

🎧 it almost makes me sad that its over coz the narrators did fantastic thru'out the whole series!! like i said... i was here for the smvt & they delivered!! michelle sparks, joe arden, sean masters, anthony palmini, & aaron shedlock def did their thaaang🙌🏽

✨ thankU Steph Macca & Blue Nose Audio for this ALC🔥
‼️ ur mental health matters. ✔️🆃🆆/🅲🆆

[Lisa Garrido · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF'd at 67%

Honestly - WTF was that?! Basically no plot and at this point, I cannot deal with Rylee ANYMORE.

This girl is the worst... she does not deserve a boyfriend let alone four with how petty and entitled she is. Her "I'm the victim attitude" got old super fast, I was done with it in book two.

What continued pushing me through this series were the cliffhangers, which Macca is really good at, the MMCs, and the audiobook performances.

But even the MMCs started to piss me off due to their worshiping of this brat. I also feel that Chuck as a BF was unnecessary.

Sorry Steph, this was not it for me.

[Jacqueline Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sweet Anarchy by Steph Macca absolutely owned me 😭🔥
The banter? Flawless. The emotions? Gut-punch level. The chemistry? Off the charts.
Steph, how do you make me laugh, cry, and scream into my pillow all in one chapter?!

And don’t even get me started on The Lies We Keep series — every single book hits harder, the characters are perfection, and the emotional rollercoaster is worth it. 🎢💔

If you want something that’ll have you unwell in the best possible way, this is your sign to dive in. 💋✨

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice ending to the series as a whole, but this was the slowest book for me. It was too much of them waiting around to wait out the Norsemen. It seems like the only reason they did anything is because they cornered Rylee again. Although, I must say I would have liked it much better if Rylee shot the blow to Jimmy then Butch. He put her through so much hell, but at least Butch was there when Rylee needed her. I did like that Rylee rebuilt a bar where Wheels was and started her own business though.

[Emily Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

not bad

Ok so I feel the 3rd and 4th books could have been combined as one.

This book kinda started the same as the 3rd. lol 😂 literally another hospital stay. But I did enjoy it. The climax wasn’t as anxious as I was hoping it would be but I liked the ending and how she showed support to her dad and basically ended the book how it started.

Chuck is my fave lol

[Laineypops 1990 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an ending to an epic series! I couldn’t put this down and finished it in one evening. So good!

[Natalie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

November 2024
Kindle edition

Yay for Chuck survival. For a group that vowed revenge and pay back, there wasn't that much of it. Oof to the parents finding out. I liked that the core group survived. Butch, V and V were great. The lack of self preservation that led to the final chase was a bit wtf, but delicate situation. Glad things ended well.

[Miasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freaking finally! This was a long ride to this series but it was definitely never boring. There was always something and the fact that everything exploded in the last book made it absolutely worth it. Everything came to head and was wrapped up nicely.

I listened to this entire series on audible and it was absolutely perfection! Joe Arden, Aaron Shedlock, and Anthony Palmini was a dream team; it was everything. And of course Michelle Sparks bright Rylee to life

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well the ride is over and what a ride it was!!

Sweet Anarchy picks up right where the last book ends so the last cliffy that left everyone barely breathing gets resolved pretty quickly and you can just enjoy the rest of the story.

This book showcases a ton of growth and character development especially for Asher. This book is action packed with a ton of spice like most of Steph's books. A perfect ending to the story. I love how Steph gave everyone a happy ending even Jenny.

Sad to see Rylee and her men go but who knows maybe we will get to see them again. Maybe Butch, Vito and Volts can get a book?

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
😈
🥵🥵

Brilliant ending

[Bookish Spy · Rating 3 out of 5]

• Audio Re-Read •
I still love all of these men with my whole heart. Yes, even Asher. But lawd Rylee is still dumb af. Why on earth Rylee ever left the house is beyond me. Especially just to be attacked in the same way over and over. It was insanely dumb 🫠

But the men make it worth it 😍

And gosh, the audio is EVERYTHING! Chucks voice! OMG and BLAKE! I could've melted! Totally worth listening to even if this book was a bit on the pointless side compared with the others. The spice was everything 🤭

•••••
• Original Review •

As much as I loved this series, I truly don't think it needed four books..

Not much happened in this one, and unlike the first two, I was not gasping, nor was I surprised at all by the twists in this book

I am a bit sad that we didn't get as much Chuck as I would've hoped. For someone so important, we didn't even know his first name until this book. I truly think he needed more of a spotlight

Also, Rylee has to be the most incompetent person in the world sometimes.. like just stay home and you'll be fine, and don't go out alone

Anyways ignoring all of that, I really did enjoy this series! The first few books had me hooked so fast, and it was impossible to put them down

I'm really going to miss these characters 🥹

➛ 𝟑 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

[Medallio · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the last book in the series, thank goodness. I've read the whole series, and here are my thoughts:

Pros: Each main character has their own personality and it's fairly easy to distinguish them from each other. The story picks up where it left off in book 3. We get a fair amount of action from the biker's issues with each other. Love that Chuck is added to the harem officially. Love me some Chuck.

Cons: The writing is kind of juvenile and Riley doesn't seem to mature to me anyway. The men grow, which I loved to see. There's not a lot of spice in this book, the story is mainly centered around the plot. I don't fully understand why the Norsemen declared war and why innocent bystanders weren't hurt or were causalities of this war. The police are absolutely useless in this world that's supposed to be rooted in reality.

I recommend the series, it's a short read luckily.

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this book but for the ten pages of resolution we got with the Nordemen this book effectively was redundant and could have been put with book three

I like that Rylee carved her own path where it felt like home though

November reread

I haven't got much more too add their dynamic was endearing at times and frustrating at others. I like Rylees relationship with Chuck the best of all the guys as it feels the most organic

[Eleanor Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Was Never Meant to Be Gentle—Sweet Anarchy Proves It.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧Audiobook Review
Sweet Anarchy by Steph Macca!
Book 4 in the Lies We Keep series

🎙️Performed in full cast duet by
Michelle Sparks, Aaron Shedlock, Anthony Palmini, Joe Arden & Sean Masters

〰️〰️〰️💚〰️〰️〰️

Sweet Anarchy didn’t just pull at my heart — it wrecked me quietly and completely, then stitched me back together with hope, pain, and love that felt real.

This is the kind of story where the characters are already broken when you meet them. They don’t fall in love easily, and they don’t heal all at once. Their connection is messy, emotional, and achingly honest. Steph Macca allows the pain to exist without rushing it, and that made every soft moment, every breakthrough, and every bit of happiness feel deeply earned as the thrilling story continues and soar to the end.

𝒯𝒽ℴ𝓊ℊ𝒽𝓉𝓈💭
The characters all carry deep emotional wounds, and Steph Macca doesn’t rush their healing process.
Every moment feels earned. The pain is raw, the connection is intense, and the love that grows between them is messy, imperfect, and achingly beautiful. This audiobook had me heated and made my chest hurt in that way only truly emotional stories do — the kind that sit with you long after the last chapter ends

✍︎ℱ𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓉𝒽ℴ𝓊ℊ𝒽𝓉𝓈:
It’s the way how Rylee, Asher, Zane,Blake and Chuck all worked out and found their rhythm despite the mayhem of their respective lives.


🎧But Listennnn
It’s The narration that took this story to another level. You can hear the hurt, the longing, and the vulnerability in every chapter. The emotional delivery made the characters feel raw and real — it’s the kind of performance that makes you stop listening just to breathe and feel everything especially when you have a phenomenal banger cast of voices on this series!

Every. Single Narrator on this series gave a performance that can never disputed denied or forget and I loved it!


♡What Hit Me the Hardest:
    ♡•  It’s The Characters carrying deep emotional scars
    ♡•    The Love that grows from understanding, Shared emotions and shared pain
    ♡•    The Healing that isn’t linear or easy
    ♡•    And The Quiet after the stormy moments that hurt more than the loud ones.

✍︎Steph Macca gave us one hella conclusion to this series that I can’t seem to get enough of.

This audiobook is for readers who love emotional damage, slow healing, and intense connection. If you want a romance that makes your chest ache but still leaves you hopeful, sweetly infuriating with spice to make you sweat, then Sweet Anarchy is unforgettable.

⸻💚———

♥︎Tropes & Vibes ♥︎
💚Broken characters
🖤Banter
💚
🖤Emotional / angsty romance
💚Slow-burn connection
🖤Healing through love
💚Trauma & recovery
🖤Messy, imperfect love
💚Deep Emotional bond
🖤Character-Driven Story

Absolutely 💯 recommend you listening to this block buster of a series.. because the cast on this one didn’t come to play!





Shout out to Blue Nose Audio and to you for reading my review and ramblings.
Until next time bestie
One Love 💕 one Book at a time.
🦋𝒢ℯℴ𝓇ℊ𝒾ℴ𝓊𝓈🦋✍︎☕︎

[Randa Audiobooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audio for this series is amazing! Can't go wrong with the voice actors/narrators.us they were all casted perfect for their characters. Sean Masters (Zane) he was a great jokesters. Anthony Palmini (Blake) he always is great as a stoic character with a little humor. Aaron Sherlock (Chuck) was just perfect for the mix between jokesters and stoic. Joe Arden (Asher) was great as a moody youngest brother with a few jokes and good banter. Michelle Sparks (Rylee) was just perfect for Rylee.

Review for book 4. Book 4 had a good amount of filler. BUT I enjoyed the filler or fluff as some call it. I enjoyed the banter between the characters.


Spoilers Below 👇







The end of the war between the biker clubs was short and I actually looked up before finishing book 4 if I missed that there was going to be a book 5 as I only had about an hour left.


Somethings about the series. I did really enjoy this series but I had some problems.

Now let's talk about Rylee does this woman EVER learn? I do like her as a character and she is really not stupid.... but she is soooooo stupid always leaving alone. Jimmy was one lucky guy to ALWAYS run into her alone, but also very unlucky or plan stupid that he get beat by her when she is alone over and over. Plus he normally has one or more guys with him.

I get we had to have her in trouble or some trouble to add to the plot. Just maybe something other than her driving off alone over and over and over again. Jimmy maybe could have followed her or Zane to the cabin or even home. Maybe Asher could have been taken during one of his runs he did alone. I will say the one thing about her driving off alone repeatedly is that all the characters did stay true to who they were from start to finish (even if they didn't learn any lessons)

I did like the start of book 4 how we had little look into how Rylee and Butch became friends. Learning it was just not because of playing poker and seeing he was looking out for her from the first moment and she trusted him from the first moment.

One part I just don't see the point in was Rylee calling Jenny to chat. I guess maybe just to close out relationship between a main character and aide character? It was not a big deal to have that thrown into the book but the book/series would have been just as good without it.

I also liked to see Asher stand-up for Rylee to their parents. Him calling them out for how she was kind of treated like black sheep of the family. I already figured Zane and Blake would have standed up for her.

I do wish the Chat between the Taylor Brothers and their Dad was included.

Anyways even with my little frustrations, very little frustrations of repetitiveness for Rylee driving off throughout the series. I still really enjoyed this series and give it 5 stars! I may have given the series 4 stars but the audio decisions pushed it over the top to 5 stars..it just gave it that final push to 5 stars.

[Emmi (bookish_redpanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Format: 🎧 Audiobook 🎧 (ALC)
Performed by: Michelle Sparks, Joe Arden, Sean Masters, Anthony Palmini and Aaron Shedlock.
Style: duet multi-cast
Production: Blue Nose Audio
Check CWs before listening. This is the final book in the series, and as such must be listened to after the previous three.

What an ending to this series! Twists and turns, laugh out loud moments as well as ones that have you close to tears, and even a few moments that have you yelling out loud at the characters like you're watching a bad horror movie - if you know the scene, you will know what I mean. But what a great way to wrap up Rylee, Asher, Blake, Zayne and Chuck's story.

After the cliffhanger of book 3, I was unsure of where Macca was taking our group, but what unfolded was a fun, action- and emotion- filled ending that wrapped up the series well.

I won't lie, some parts felt a little repetitive, and at points, I wondered if there was almost too much spice (in saying that the spice was off the charts, and some of the situations Rylee got herself in were just *fans self*) - part of me wonders if this could have been condensed into a trilogy with slightly longer books (and less heart-stopping cliffhangers).

In saying that, I adored the progress made with other side characters through this, and the epilogue? Bittersweet, hard fought for, and wrapped the series up beautifully.

This was yet another amazing performance from Sparks, giving us such an emotionally charged performance, that I was feeling everything with Rylee. I love that between Arden, Masters, Palmini and Shedlock, we have such a vast variety of voices being lent to the male characters of the story, so that no two people ever sound the same. This cast brings depth and emotion and is genuinely outstanding - and they're what have kept me listening.

Also, fantastic production from the Blue Nose team with this one - the MMCs shouting things together was perfection, and as I've constantly said about this series - perfectly cast.

Thank you to the author and BNA for the ALC opportunity. These are my honest thoughts that I have provided voluntarily.

[Patricia Charlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Series

This is book 4 of 4 and you must read the other 3 books in order to understand the storyline.
I love that Chuck is still with her as I have loved him from his first introduction and Zayn & Blake also as Zayn was just so loveable from the get go and Blake may have hurt her feelings but he was actually making sense at the time but he wasn’t all out mean to Rylee.
Asher took me a little longer to like due to the start of the series and the animosity and dirty games he played along with the cheating on Jenny with Rylee but like the other 3 once I knew he wasn’t playing Rylee anymore I grew to like him, I even think he was more obsessed with Rylee than any of her other men.
The 5 of them together make a great team and I’m glad her Mom & Gareth came around to them in the end and I did like that ending it suited her perfectly alongside her men.
I wish the fights with The Norsemen had been a bigger part of the book as from book 1 they threatened her and beat her up and we don’t even know what happened to Leo and he was the biggest instigator in her beatings.
I expected more as they have been a threat throughout all 4 books and their demise was over far too quickly for my liking.
If I am being honest I think this could have been a 3 book series as book 3 wasn’t really needed and 3 & 4 could have been condensed to one book.
However I have really enjoyed this series and some of my favourite characters outside the main group were Butch, Vito, Volts and Phoebe.
If you like a RH with a bit of a bite with some beatings and even death/murder then this is one you will enjoy.

[Lovedarkbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Anarchy is the fourth and final book of 'The lies we keep' series.

Book 3 ended on a cliffhanger, and we pick up right where we left Rylee and Chuck.
Tensions are high with the impending threat of the norseman.
Rival MCs come together to protect Rylee and the territories they cover.

Rylee continues to try and take control of her life but circumstances keep arising that make it difficult for her to achieve her happiness but her men are beside her, supporting her and protecting her, every step of the way. But Rylee continues to question her worth of their affections.

Chapter 22 was of the charts on the spice scale .. geez 🥵 these men get creative 😆

I would definately say this series is on my lighter scale in terms of plot but the spice is SPICEY.

The narration team were amazing and honestly, it was the narration that had me following this series to the end. Their performances brought a depth to the characters and story that if i was just reading, i probably wouldN't have finished the series as it just didn't grip me enough plot wise.

If your looking for something to step into the mc world, this is a perfect series to start with.

Forbidden romance - Reverse harem - Why choose - Twins - Found family - Step sibling - MC drama - Action - Spice and a well deserved HEA.

As always please familiarise yourself with the content before reading.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Anarchy delivers a satisfying conclusion to the Lies We Keep series. This final installment picks up immediately after the previous cliffhanger, which I was so glad about because that last one was a doozy.

One of the strongest elements of this book is the character growth. Seeing how far these characters have come over the course of the series was rewarding, especially for Asher. There’s plenty of action, intense moments, and Steph’s signature heat woven throughout, making it an engaging listen from start to finish.

Sparks once again delivers an emotionally charged performance, and the full cast was perfectly chosen. Huge kudos to the Blue Nose production team for creating such a dynamic listening experience.

That said, looking at the series as a whole, it did feel at times like certain plot threads were revisited more than necessary. Personally, I think this story could have been just as impactful if told in fewer books rather than stretched across four. That doesn’t take away from the enjoyment, but it’s something I noticed as a listener moving through the series.

Still, this book wraps up Rylee and her men in a way that feels complete and emotionally fulfilling. Everyone gets their moment, and it’s bittersweet to say goodbye.

A powerful ending to the series and an audiobook absolutely worth listening to.

[The Bodacious Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine, I guess.
I mean nothing really happened at all till the last couple of pages and even that was hard-core anti-climactic.
To think of it, the whole series was anti-climactic and it was a whole lot of nothing really. These books are extremely short and it’s all kind of fluff.
Nothing to deep or poetic, no real relationship, progression or character progression and the plot is is very much in the background and with not much at all going on.
I did enjoy the characters, even though we didn’t get to know them too much outside of the couple of sex scenes.
As much as I love Chuck because I really do, I don’t really feel or understand that he should’ve been a part of the harem. It should’ve just been her and the three brothers.
But the biggest disappointment for me was the epilogue. Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy that we got to know what she’s going to do with the rest of her life I guess. But we should’ve gotten a second epilogue maybe a couple years down the line to see that they’re still together and maybe they’re engaged or married or a pregnancy . I really feel like we missed that.

[newborn reader - 74 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this series, particularly considering I listened to the first book, narrated with some really good artists. I read the 2nd, 3rd and 4th books.

Unfortunately I just could never get into it. Yes it’s fiction, but the idea of the FMC being involved with (and the happily sharing her) with not just 3 step-brothers but another biker friend I just could never gel with. Yes she was not blood related to them, but for the 3 blood brothers to want to share her? The last spicy scene was just so out there I was basically cringing. The funny thing is I love a good reverse harem / why choose, this one didn’t hit the mark for me.

I really enjoyed Steph’s Dance With My Demons series which is why I gave this series a go. The FMC despite her past trauma of being with her Dad when he died and the fact that her Mum was a bit of a cow didn’t make up for how unlikeable she was as a character.

My fave characters were the twins Zayne and Blake and frankly I think they deserved better!

This final book I give a 2.5 stars.

[Merrit Townsend (always1morebook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Anarch by Steph Macca
The Lies We Keep, Book 4
4 book series
Narrated in duet with a full Cast including: Michelle Sparks,Joe Arden. Anthony Palimony, Aaron Sherlock and Sean Masters.

The perfect ending to a very dark but delicious series. I was so nervous and on the edge of my seat the entire time. I wasn't sure at one point if we were going to get our HEA...but we do. Thank goodness!!!! I am not going to say anything else about this book/series...trust me, you will want to devour it without spoilers....Thank you Steph for giving me another series to obsess over. Well done!

I had the ultimate pleasure of consuming this book on audio and am always surprised by how good these narrators are. Their range and ability to switch from good to bad, scary to nice, or sweet to naughty....well you get the point. THEY ARE TALENTED and PHENOMENAL! They can all do crazy like no other! And if you love audio, I highly suggest reading the book this way. This story was the perfect ending..Even though we had to go through some stuff...I Loved how the series was completed

[EchoWithATBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Anarchy by Steph Macca just clawed into my soul and refused to let go. 🖤🔥

I absolutely loved this book and this series, and I am not okay about it. These characters own me now. I just want more of them. I love them so much and I miss them already and it’s only been five minutes since I finished. Steph, if you ever read this… pleaseee give me more. I am feral. I am unwell. I am on my knees, screaming into the void for extra chapters. 😩📚

This story was chaos and softness and intensity all tangled together like a beautiful emotional wrecking ball. The emotions hit. The bonds hit. The everything hit. I laughed, I swooned, I internally screamed, I stared at the wall after finishing like my life had lost all meaning. 🥺🔥💀

Sweet Anarchy didn’t just end a series, it branded itself onto my reader heart. Permanently. And Steph Macca? You are officially on my favorite author list now. No take backs. Ever. 💖✨

5⭐

[Christy Blackburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sweet Anarchy is the final book in The Lies We Keep series, and it jumps right in after the cliffhanger in book three. This one is more about wrapping things up. MC drama, old threats, and Rylee finally figuring out what she wants for her life.

There’s a lot of tension with the rival clubs, and I really liked seeing the guys work together as a unit instead of just being love interests. It felt more about loyalty, protection, and found family than anything else. Rylee can still be frustrating at times, but by the end, she shows real growth and starts making choices for herself, which I appreciated.

I did the audiobook while following along with the e-book, and the narration honestly carried the series for me. The multi-cast was terrific, making every scene feel more intense and emotional.
Overall, it’s a solid ending with a satisfying epilogue. Not the strongest plot-heavy book, but a good finale if you’ve invested in the series, especially on audio.

[Kimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Anarchy is exactly what the title promises: messy, violent, emotionally charged, and unapologetically toxic. This is the payoff book—war finally breaks out, alliances shatter, and Rylee and her men are pushed to their limits. When it works, it works hard.

That said, this didn’t need to be a standalone installment. The pacing drags in the first half, retreading familiar ground, and the actual climax lands late and resolves fast. It feels more like the final act of book three than a full book four.

Still, the character bonds carry it. The boys remain the strongest element, the spice hits when it’s supposed to, and the ending delivers emotional closure even if the plot mechanics are a little thin.

If you’ve made it this far in The Lies We Keep, you’ll want this ending. Just go in knowing it’s about resolution, not escalation.