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Beautiful Liar
MacKayla Simone was beautiful. Irresistible.
She was also the setup.
We had one night.
A night that rocked my world.
Then burned it to the ground because the next thing I knew, she and I made the headlines of every paper, our faces and much more plastered on TV screens across the country.
That night cost me everything. I wasn’t a dangerous man until then, but things change when you have nothing left to lose.
And only one thing matters to me now.
Find the girl who destroyed me and ruin her.
She was also the setup.
We had one night.
A night that rocked my world.
Then burned it to the ground because the next thing I knew, she and I made the headlines of every paper, our faces and much more plastered on TV screens across the country.
That night cost me everything. I wasn’t a dangerous man until then, but things change when you have nothing left to lose.
And only one thing matters to me now.
Find the girl who destroyed me and ruin her.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2016
120 people are currently reading
954 people want to read
About the author
Natasha Knight
105 books5,271 followersNatasha Knight is the USA Today Bestselling author of Romantic Suspense and Dark Romance Novels. She has sold over a million books and is translated into six languages. She currently lives in The Netherlands with her husband and two daughters and when she’s not writing, she’s walking in the woods listening to a book, sitting in a corner reading or off exploring the world as often as she can get away.
Write Natasha here:
natasha@natasha-knight.com
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Write Natasha here:
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Check out her books here:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
May 11, 2016
3 Stars!!
Natasha Knight delivered an intriguing read about revenge, moving on and finding love that despite my 3 stars rating kept my interest from start to finish. 'Beautiful Liar' was my second book by this author and while I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first I think it was a good read that had a lot of potential. To be honest I have mixed feelings about this one. There are aspects that I liked, but there are also aspects that I found a little underdeveloped or OTT. I think it’s just me since once again I’m in minority, but sadly this is how I felt.
Slater Vaugh is a man who knows how it feels to lose everything. Until three years ago he was known as a respected politician, but his life changed in one single night, a hot night that he spent with HER, a woman who disappeared after she ruined his life. He doesn’t exactly want revenge, maybe because deep in his heart knows it’s not her fault his life was a mess for so long, but he wants for HER to pay in some way. She owns him. He has been looking for her for three years and now that he found her he’s ready to make her pay.
MacKayla still regrets what she did three years ago. She knows what she did was wrong, but she had her own reasons. She started her life over in another city, by day working in a bookstore and by night working as a stripper. She doesn’t like to be a stripper, but she has to do it if she wants to help financially her younger sister and her baby niece.
When MacKayla runs into Slater she knows he will make her pay for her sins and she’s ready to accept everything he has in store for her.
For so long Slater felt only hate and anger for this woman who helped the ones who wanted to destroy him take everything from him, but when he meets her again he feels something more for her. Despite the fact he feels a strong attraction towards her, he’s ready to make her pay her debts.
I liked this one, but sadly it didn’t wow me. I liked the premise and for some reason I expected the story to progressed differently. I expected something…grittier I guess since it’s a revenge story. I liked the plot until it became a little OTT, at least IMO. Why? Simply because the characters didn’t stay true to themselves. And I’m talking about our hero, Slater. At times his actions made no sense to me. On top of that the multitude of sub-plots felt a little bit too much. I would have preferred the author to focus on the two main characters’ relationship more than on the other issues that occurred as the story unfolded. Despite all that, like I mentioned above I was invested in the story until the end since I liked the premise and I was eager to find out how everything will progress.
Both main characters were flawed, likeable I guess in their own way and both of them were portrayed pretty great. I understood why MacKayla did what he did three years ago and I appreciate the fact that she was willing to do anything to help her younger sister. As for our hero Slater, I liked his possessiveness and the way he cared later into the story for MacKayla.
The steam aspect was pretty high. Honestly I didn’t expect the story to be so steamy, but I can’t complain since all the steamy scenes were satisfying to say the least. Also there are some light bandage scenes that I found to be pretty hot.
Overall, this was a good read IMO and even if it wasn’t a total winner for me I’m sure many readers will enjoy this one more than I did.
Natasha Knight delivered an intriguing read about revenge, moving on and finding love that despite my 3 stars rating kept my interest from start to finish. 'Beautiful Liar' was my second book by this author and while I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first I think it was a good read that had a lot of potential. To be honest I have mixed feelings about this one. There are aspects that I liked, but there are also aspects that I found a little underdeveloped or OTT. I think it’s just me since once again I’m in minority, but sadly this is how I felt.
“One night. A moment of weakness. And I’d paid. How I’d paid.”
Slater Vaugh is a man who knows how it feels to lose everything. Until three years ago he was known as a respected politician, but his life changed in one single night, a hot night that he spent with HER, a woman who disappeared after she ruined his life. He doesn’t exactly want revenge, maybe because deep in his heart knows it’s not her fault his life was a mess for so long, but he wants for HER to pay in some way. She owns him. He has been looking for her for three years and now that he found her he’s ready to make her pay.
“He was the one who held the key to my freedom. As strange as it sounded, he was my salvation.”
MacKayla still regrets what she did three years ago. She knows what she did was wrong, but she had her own reasons. She started her life over in another city, by day working in a bookstore and by night working as a stripper. She doesn’t like to be a stripper, but she has to do it if she wants to help financially her younger sister and her baby niece.
When MacKayla runs into Slater she knows he will make her pay for her sins and she’s ready to accept everything he has in store for her.
“He was the one who held the key to my freedom. As strange as it sounded, he was my salvation.”
For so long Slater felt only hate and anger for this woman who helped the ones who wanted to destroy him take everything from him, but when he meets her again he feels something more for her. Despite the fact he feels a strong attraction towards her, he’s ready to make her pay her debts.
I liked this one, but sadly it didn’t wow me. I liked the premise and for some reason I expected the story to progressed differently. I expected something…grittier I guess since it’s a revenge story. I liked the plot until it became a little OTT, at least IMO. Why? Simply because the characters didn’t stay true to themselves. And I’m talking about our hero, Slater. At times his actions made no sense to me. On top of that the multitude of sub-plots felt a little bit too much. I would have preferred the author to focus on the two main characters’ relationship more than on the other issues that occurred as the story unfolded. Despite all that, like I mentioned above I was invested in the story until the end since I liked the premise and I was eager to find out how everything will progress.
Both main characters were flawed, likeable I guess in their own way and both of them were portrayed pretty great. I understood why MacKayla did what he did three years ago and I appreciate the fact that she was willing to do anything to help her younger sister. As for our hero Slater, I liked his possessiveness and the way he cared later into the story for MacKayla.
“I own your nights, MacKayla. In the small hours, I am your master.”
The steam aspect was pretty high. Honestly I didn’t expect the story to be so steamy, but I can’t complain since all the steamy scenes were satisfying to say the least. Also there are some light bandage scenes that I found to be pretty hot.
Overall, this was a good read IMO and even if it wasn’t a total winner for me I’m sure many readers will enjoy this one more than I did.
May 13, 2016
3 Stars
This was my first Natasha Knight book and I can already tell the woman will be my guilty indulgence. Sometimes even when a book doesn't quite blow you away you still click with the writing style and become an instant fan. That was definitely the case here. Beautiful Liar is a little gritty, insanely hot, and certainly one entertaining as hell read.
One night three years ago cost Slater Vaughn everything. All he wants is revenge; to make those responsible for his destruction to pay.
MacKayla Simone may not have been the mastermind behind his set up, but she still had a role to play...even though he's fairly certain she was set up same as him. It doesn't matter because after three long years he's finally tracked her down, and now she'll be his one way or another. But while he may still lust for her, it's not just about making her bend to his will, it's about making her pay.
MacKayla escaped everything after what she did three years ago. She regrets what she cost Slater, but she had her reasons for doing what she did. Barely making ends meet working two jobs at a book store and a strip joint, the last face she expects to see during her dance is Slater. Slater isn't going to let her escape again and he's quite blunt in what he wants.
Now I'm one of those readers that loves a good revenge plot. There's something about the angst and all that hate lust that just tastes extra delicious on the tongue. Add in a little rough play and bondage, and hello ovary combustion!
While Beautiful Liar started out really strong, there were a few things here and there that I felt good do with a little smoothing out; some awkward phrasing and dialogues being the primary thing.
But that did nothing to ruin the book for me.
What ultimately brought this down my rating was the quick turn around in Slater and MacKayla's relationship. I had a hard time wrapping my mind around it. It goes from one extreme to another without a clear and smooth transition and considering the story, that transition was necessary here. I found the few other side plots to be fairly distracting as well. While some did serve to drive the plot, there was just too much focus on them at times. Almost the entire second half of the book had something to do with it and ultimately I just wanted more of the couple and less of the background noise.
But even my few quibbles aside, this was still a very solid 3 star read and one I enjoyed very much. Natasha Knight certainly has a new fan in this reader and I would gladly read any of her other books. As a matter of fact, I'm already stalking her backlist as I type this. If you're looking for a super steamy read with a side of revenge and a splash of grit to spend your afternoon with, I'd definitely recommend it.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
In this game, this play of power, only he had control. Absolute control.
This was my first Natasha Knight book and I can already tell the woman will be my guilty indulgence. Sometimes even when a book doesn't quite blow you away you still click with the writing style and become an instant fan. That was definitely the case here. Beautiful Liar is a little gritty, insanely hot, and certainly one entertaining as hell read.
One night three years ago cost Slater Vaughn everything. All he wants is revenge; to make those responsible for his destruction to pay.
MacKayla Simone may not have been the mastermind behind his set up, but she still had a role to play...even though he's fairly certain she was set up same as him. It doesn't matter because after three long years he's finally tracked her down, and now she'll be his one way or another. But while he may still lust for her, it's not just about making her bend to his will, it's about making her pay.
MacKayla escaped everything after what she did three years ago. She regrets what she cost Slater, but she had her reasons for doing what she did. Barely making ends meet working two jobs at a book store and a strip joint, the last face she expects to see during her dance is Slater. Slater isn't going to let her escape again and he's quite blunt in what he wants.
Now I'm one of those readers that loves a good revenge plot. There's something about the angst and all that hate lust that just tastes extra delicious on the tongue. Add in a little rough play and bondage, and hello ovary combustion!
While Beautiful Liar started out really strong, there were a few things here and there that I felt good do with a little smoothing out; some awkward phrasing and dialogues being the primary thing.
"I smell you, MacKayla," he whispered...
"I smell your sex." Before I could process his next move, his tongue licked my length.
But that did nothing to ruin the book for me.
What ultimately brought this down my rating was the quick turn around in Slater and MacKayla's relationship. I had a hard time wrapping my mind around it. It goes from one extreme to another without a clear and smooth transition and considering the story, that transition was necessary here. I found the few other side plots to be fairly distracting as well. While some did serve to drive the plot, there was just too much focus on them at times. Almost the entire second half of the book had something to do with it and ultimately I just wanted more of the couple and less of the background noise.
But even my few quibbles aside, this was still a very solid 3 star read and one I enjoyed very much. Natasha Knight certainly has a new fan in this reader and I would gladly read any of her other books. As a matter of fact, I'm already stalking her backlist as I type this. If you're looking for a super steamy read with a side of revenge and a splash of grit to spend your afternoon with, I'd definitely recommend it.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
May 5, 2016
༺**Complimentary Copy**༺ Kindly provided by the author
"Natasha Knight" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE: Beautiful Liar
AUTHOR: Natasha Knight
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: May 7th, 2016
MY RATING
GAH these authors are KILLING me with their HOT covers!!
BEAUTIFUL LIAR Is told in Dual POV'S (Slater & MacKayla)
One mission - Find her - Find the girl who'd fucked me - Find her and make her pay
Slater was on the hunt for the one woman who changed his life after only one night, it took him three long grueling years to find her, he'd lost everything, he finds her in at a twenty four hour establishment called Hello Kitty Kat, a little dive in the wall strip club.
Betrayed by ones he'd loved
What I like about this author is the fact that she never fails to disappoint, each book I've read of hers I've always found easy to get into and this one is no exception.
The trailer park trash who'd brought down a great man
An exotic dancer by night a woman in disguise by day
One judgement in error for $5,000 dollars cost one man everything, Mac would go to the ends of the earth and back to protect her sister, one seductive night, and once he's tracked her down how far will he go to punish her??
He’d found me. After all this time, he’d found me.
"You owe me, and tomorrow,
you start paying off your debt to me.
Tomorrow, at midnight,
I'll expect you.
I own your nights, Mackayla, In all
the small hours, I am your master.
Don't try to run.
I will find you, and your punishment
will be worse, understand?"
Throw in some HOT BDSM scenes, there is no limit to where this author will take you
I like to see rope around your wrists
Around your ankles, spreading your legs wide
Just be happy it isn't your pretty little neck
MY THOUGHTS
This book exceeded all my expectations, was nothing like what I expected, a really enjoyable read, ticked all my boxes, a slow burning love, a hot tatted up alpha male who had a bit of a dirty kinky side to him, and the likable strong heroine stripper, an unlikely couple but they just worked,from what started out as a man seeking revenge became so much more.
Beautiful Liar had me hooked as soon as I started it until that very last page was read, the story line just reels you in, dirty, seductive, and oh so hot..
"Natasha Knight" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE: Beautiful Liar
AUTHOR: Natasha Knight
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: May 7th, 2016
MY RATING
GAH these authors are KILLING me with their HOT covers!!
BEAUTIFUL LIAR Is told in Dual POV'S (Slater & MacKayla)
One mission - Find her - Find the girl who'd fucked me - Find her and make her pay
Slater was on the hunt for the one woman who changed his life after only one night, it took him three long grueling years to find her, he'd lost everything, he finds her in at a twenty four hour establishment called Hello Kitty Kat, a little dive in the wall strip club.
Betrayed by ones he'd loved
What I like about this author is the fact that she never fails to disappoint, each book I've read of hers I've always found easy to get into and this one is no exception.
The trailer park trash who'd brought down a great man
An exotic dancer by night a woman in disguise by day
One judgement in error for $5,000 dollars cost one man everything, Mac would go to the ends of the earth and back to protect her sister, one seductive night, and once he's tracked her down how far will he go to punish her??
He’d found me. After all this time, he’d found me.
"You owe me, and tomorrow, you start paying off your debt to me.
Tomorrow, at midnight,
I'll expect you.
I own your nights, Mackayla, In all
the small hours, I am your master.
Don't try to run.
I will find you, and your punishment
will be worse, understand?"
Throw in some HOT BDSM scenes, there is no limit to where this author will take you
I like to see rope around your wrists
Around your ankles, spreading your legs wide
Just be happy it isn't your pretty little neck
MY THOUGHTS
This book exceeded all my expectations, was nothing like what I expected, a really enjoyable read, ticked all my boxes, a slow burning love, a hot tatted up alpha male who had a bit of a dirty kinky side to him, and the likable strong heroine stripper, an unlikely couple but they just worked,from what started out as a man seeking revenge became so much more.
Beautiful Liar had me hooked as soon as I started it until that very last page was read, the story line just reels you in, dirty, seductive, and oh so hot..
May 6, 2016
***5 Bright Stars***
He was the one who held the key to my freedom. As strange as it sounded, he was my salvation.
Yes! I absolutely L.O.V.E.D. Beautiful Liar! Hot, alpha male Slater meets beautiful, sexy exotic dancer MacKayla. I was in it from the beginning and I had a hard time letting go.
Slater is mouth-wateringly sexy, sensual, and oh so HOT! MacKayla is a smart, feisty, independent woman who secretly has a part-time job working as a stripper in order to make extra money to support her sister and her little girl.
When she was eighteen years old, she was paid to take part in the conspiracy games of Nick, Slater’s best friend, aiming to ruin Slater’s life. One night of passion that cost Slater’s political career, his family and his leading position at the family charity. For three years, Slater has been looking for the woman who helped his enemies. She owed him and now that he has found her, Slater is determined to make her pay her debts.
I was pissed and three years had not tempered that rage. If anything, the fire burned hotter, the betrayal a constant, raw wound.
What brings him to her is hatred and anger, but also pure fascination and overwhelming desire. MacKayla is equally attracted to this magnetic man and their passion for each other ignites quickly! He wants MacKayla in his bed and makes plans to keep her there no matter what. Slater is very strong and dominant as well as a dirty talking man on the outside but what you will come to see, that lies beneath all that is one very, glorious, caring man! Their emotional baggage threatens to derail them constantly. When their worlds collide, will they be able to survive with their hearts intact?
Her face didn't betray what she thought as she lowered her lashes and nodded.
"Eyes on me."
Midnight blue and soft violet reluctantly met mine.
"Keep them there and strip."
Slater was split in his task. A part of him struggled to hurt me, even when I deserved to be hurt. He had a right to his revenge. But he was the one who was hurting.
The erotica writing is un-skimmable, and the story itself is rich and well layered. Absolutely fabulous! I loved every minute of it. There is some light bdsm in this story and an engaging plot, and I felt totally connected with the characters. The couple’s HEA is awesome and I loved every minute with these two!
When I finish Ms. Knight’s books I am left with the afterglow of a swoon fest. She writes heroes and heroines I like. I think the talent I appreciate the most is how she writes the smexy scenes. She can write holy hotness steamy scenes...guaranteed!!
ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
He was the one who held the key to my freedom. As strange as it sounded, he was my salvation.
Yes! I absolutely L.O.V.E.D. Beautiful Liar! Hot, alpha male Slater meets beautiful, sexy exotic dancer MacKayla. I was in it from the beginning and I had a hard time letting go.
Slater is mouth-wateringly sexy, sensual, and oh so HOT! MacKayla is a smart, feisty, independent woman who secretly has a part-time job working as a stripper in order to make extra money to support her sister and her little girl.
When she was eighteen years old, she was paid to take part in the conspiracy games of Nick, Slater’s best friend, aiming to ruin Slater’s life. One night of passion that cost Slater’s political career, his family and his leading position at the family charity. For three years, Slater has been looking for the woman who helped his enemies. She owed him and now that he has found her, Slater is determined to make her pay her debts.
I was pissed and three years had not tempered that rage. If anything, the fire burned hotter, the betrayal a constant, raw wound.
What brings him to her is hatred and anger, but also pure fascination and overwhelming desire. MacKayla is equally attracted to this magnetic man and their passion for each other ignites quickly! He wants MacKayla in his bed and makes plans to keep her there no matter what. Slater is very strong and dominant as well as a dirty talking man on the outside but what you will come to see, that lies beneath all that is one very, glorious, caring man! Their emotional baggage threatens to derail them constantly. When their worlds collide, will they be able to survive with their hearts intact?
Her face didn't betray what she thought as she lowered her lashes and nodded.
"Eyes on me."
Midnight blue and soft violet reluctantly met mine.
"Keep them there and strip."
Slater was split in his task. A part of him struggled to hurt me, even when I deserved to be hurt. He had a right to his revenge. But he was the one who was hurting.
The erotica writing is un-skimmable, and the story itself is rich and well layered. Absolutely fabulous! I loved every minute of it. There is some light bdsm in this story and an engaging plot, and I felt totally connected with the characters. The couple’s HEA is awesome and I loved every minute with these two!
When I finish Ms. Knight’s books I am left with the afterglow of a swoon fest. She writes heroes and heroines I like. I think the talent I appreciate the most is how she writes the smexy scenes. She can write holy hotness steamy scenes...guaranteed!!
ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
July 31, 2017
2 Stars
Overall Opinion: This is a hard one to rate. When I was reading it, and I was engaged and I didn't skim or get all that distracted -- so that's good. But when I slept on it and was thinking on the book this morning to write my review, there were some things that really bothered me to make me question why I even finished it! It seemed like there were 2 different stories going on. The first was a dark vengeful book where the H is trying to get some control back into his life by controlling the h. Then the second was after a time jump to them being in a loving relationship (still with kinky sex) and they were both so focused on helping their families and loving each other. I just didn't get how they worked together! I also had some BIG issues with how the H treated the h in the beginning (see triggers spoiler). It also felt like the epilogues were just thrown in because it didn't feel like a good progression until the end. Overall (especially with my trigger spoiler), it was just too inconsistent for me to like.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is MacKayla and Slater's story. MacKayla is hired to seduce Slater for money to help save her sister. He was a politician, husband, father, and head of a Christian charity that all had issues with his public infidelity, so he lost it all. 3 years later, Slater has tracked down MacKayla. She is working in a bookstore by day, and stripping at night. He works out a deal with her to pay him back, and she has to give him her nights to do whatever he pleases to her. Eventually the sex turns into more, and they fall in love. There is some kinky sex, some family and ex drama...but they get a HFN ending.
POV: This alternated between MacKayla and Slater's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Ok. There were time jumps and the abrupt ending that messed with the pacing for me.
Instalove: No. Even though it felt like all of a sudden they were in love and that confused me, I wouldn't call it instalove.
H rating: 2 stars. Slater. I'm not sure how to even rate this guy. I feel like he had 2 different personalities! One was a crazy revenge driven dominant. The other was a sweet guy that loved the h, made doll house furniture, and wanted his daughter so desperately. I couldn't keep up!
h rating: 2.5 stars. MacKayla. I appreciated how she took care of her sister, and how she had a conscious about what she did in the past. She does do the martyr act at times that was annoying to me.
Sadness level: Low. No tissues needed.
Push/Pull: Kind of...?
Heat level: Moderate/high. There were a lot of scenes, and I felt like they bordered on the line of taking the focus away from the story and making it more erotica than romance.
Descriptive sex: Yes
Safe sex: Yes. They use condoms at first, and then after a birth control and std status talk they go without. No mention of previous practices that I remember.
OW/OM drama: Mild
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Not between the h and H
Separation:Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had a really abrupt ending with what I would call a HFN ending. I needed way more closure, because there were too many unanswered questions.
How I got it: I paid the $3.99 on Amazon.
Safety: Safe with exception /Not safe depending on personal triggers
Overall Opinion: This is a hard one to rate. When I was reading it, and I was engaged and I didn't skim or get all that distracted -- so that's good. But when I slept on it and was thinking on the book this morning to write my review, there were some things that really bothered me to make me question why I even finished it! It seemed like there were 2 different stories going on. The first was a dark vengeful book where the H is trying to get some control back into his life by controlling the h. Then the second was after a time jump to them being in a loving relationship (still with kinky sex) and they were both so focused on helping their families and loving each other. I just didn't get how they worked together! I also had some BIG issues with how the H treated the h in the beginning (see triggers spoiler). It also felt like the epilogues were just thrown in because it didn't feel like a good progression until the end. Overall (especially with my trigger spoiler), it was just too inconsistent for me to like.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is MacKayla and Slater's story. MacKayla is hired to seduce Slater for money to help save her sister. He was a politician, husband, father, and head of a Christian charity that all had issues with his public infidelity, so he lost it all. 3 years later, Slater has tracked down MacKayla. She is working in a bookstore by day, and stripping at night. He works out a deal with her to pay him back, and she has to give him her nights to do whatever he pleases to her. Eventually the sex turns into more, and they fall in love. There is some kinky sex, some family and ex drama...but they get a HFN ending.
POV: This alternated between MacKayla and Slater's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Ok. There were time jumps and the abrupt ending that messed with the pacing for me.
Instalove: No. Even though it felt like all of a sudden they were in love and that confused me, I wouldn't call it instalove.
H rating: 2 stars. Slater. I'm not sure how to even rate this guy. I feel like he had 2 different personalities! One was a crazy revenge driven dominant. The other was a sweet guy that loved the h, made doll house furniture, and wanted his daughter so desperately. I couldn't keep up!
h rating: 2.5 stars. MacKayla. I appreciated how she took care of her sister, and how she had a conscious about what she did in the past. She does do the martyr act at times that was annoying to me.
Sadness level: Low. No tissues needed.
Push/Pull: Kind of...?
Heat level: Moderate/high. There were a lot of scenes, and I felt like they bordered on the line of taking the focus away from the story and making it more erotica than romance.
Descriptive sex: Yes
Safe sex: Yes. They use condoms at first, and then after a birth control and std status talk they go without. No mention of previous practices that I remember.
OW/OM drama: Mild
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Not between the h and H
Separation:Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had a really abrupt ending with what I would call a HFN ending. I needed way more closure, because there were too many unanswered questions.
How I got it: I paid the $3.99 on Amazon.
Safety: Safe with exception /Not safe depending on personal triggers
June 2, 2016
★★★★4 Stars★★★★
First off I think we should all give a round of applause for this GORGEOUS cover. I swear I needed a baby bib to help with my drooling when I saw this.LAWD HAVE MERCY!! I loved the danger and the forbiddeness of these messed up characters so much that I couldn't stop reading.
"One night with her had cost me everything.
Slater Vaughn is a man on a mission for revenge. Going from being a loving husband and father, and a well respected politician, the fall from grace was not an easy feat. Now he's on the hunt for the woman who ruined his life and he's not going to stop until she pays for what happened. It's been three years and he's thought of countless ways to execute his plan for Mackayla but what happens when he finally comes face to face with her?
Book store keeper by day,club Stripper at night.
Mackayla hasn't had it for the past three years. A notorious scandal has rocked not only her life, but the people that she loves and cares about. Trying to start her life over in a new city, she's starting to feel at peace with herself. If only for a little while.
That is until she runs into her worst nightmare who is 6 feet fu*king gigantic,covered in tattoos and looking at her like he wants to eat her alive. Three years ago she thought that she was doing something good for her family but ended up paying the ultimate price.
"In this game, this play of power. Only he had control. Absolute control."
How can one night ruin so many lives? Will Slater get his revenge or will Mackayla chang his mind and show him something good?
I really enjoyed this story.These characters were Beautifully flawed and you couldn't help but feel for them. Slater was possessive, fearless and even though he had a lot of anger at first, we saw the man he was before everything happened. I loved seeing his conflictions and emotions when it came to Mackayla and their passion for each other only made that much better.
Did Slater hate Mac for everything? Yes, but he knew deep down that she was going to change his life for the better and make him question his purpose. What started out as revenge became Slater and Mackayla's journey of healing old wounds and finding a love in each other that they desperately needed.
*Arc kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
First off I think we should all give a round of applause for this GORGEOUS cover. I swear I needed a baby bib to help with my drooling when I saw this.LAWD HAVE MERCY!! I loved the danger and the forbiddeness of these messed up characters so much that I couldn't stop reading.
"One night with her had cost me everything.
Slater Vaughn is a man on a mission for revenge. Going from being a loving husband and father, and a well respected politician, the fall from grace was not an easy feat. Now he's on the hunt for the woman who ruined his life and he's not going to stop until she pays for what happened. It's been three years and he's thought of countless ways to execute his plan for Mackayla but what happens when he finally comes face to face with her?
Book store keeper by day,club Stripper at night.
Mackayla hasn't had it for the past three years. A notorious scandal has rocked not only her life, but the people that she loves and cares about. Trying to start her life over in a new city, she's starting to feel at peace with herself. If only for a little while.
That is until she runs into her worst nightmare who is 6 feet fu*king gigantic,covered in tattoos and looking at her like he wants to eat her alive. Three years ago she thought that she was doing something good for her family but ended up paying the ultimate price.
"In this game, this play of power. Only he had control. Absolute control."
How can one night ruin so many lives? Will Slater get his revenge or will Mackayla chang his mind and show him something good?
I really enjoyed this story.These characters were Beautifully flawed and you couldn't help but feel for them. Slater was possessive, fearless and even though he had a lot of anger at first, we saw the man he was before everything happened. I loved seeing his conflictions and emotions when it came to Mackayla and their passion for each other only made that much better.
Did Slater hate Mac for everything? Yes, but he knew deep down that she was going to change his life for the better and make him question his purpose. What started out as revenge became Slater and Mackayla's journey of healing old wounds and finding a love in each other that they desperately needed.
*Arc kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2016
There is a fine line between love and hate and two sides to every coin...
I LOVED this book!
Absolutely loved every minute of it!!
I picked it up yesterday and couldn't put it down until now.
If you are into some good ol' sexy alpha male, this is for you!
Slater. Our main man here. One who lost everything in one night. Once an aspiring politician, and now a hot tattooed biker.
Comes from an old money, political family, and Mackayla -a part time stripper.
In this case, winning combo!
How to describe this in 5 words?
Revenge, lies, retribution, love and... hotness! :)
Not every erotica book I read is well written, but this one.. man, rocked my world!
Natasha Knight, take a bow!
I LOVED this book!
Absolutely loved every minute of it!!
I picked it up yesterday and couldn't put it down until now.
If you are into some good ol' sexy alpha male, this is for you!
Slater. Our main man here. One who lost everything in one night. Once an aspiring politician, and now a hot tattooed biker.
Comes from an old money, political family, and Mackayla -a part time stripper.
In this case, winning combo!
How to describe this in 5 words?
Revenge, lies, retribution, love and... hotness! :)
Not every erotica book I read is well written, but this one.. man, rocked my world!
Natasha Knight, take a bow!
June 16, 2017
***** 4.5 'Punish Me' Stars *****
"I would let him take what he needed. And I would hope in some way for absolution for my sin, for the role I'd played in his destruction."
I'm so close to licking my monitor. This book cover is GORGEOUS!!!
Natasha Knight did it again in Beautiful Liar! This is definitely my new favorite.
Slater lost everything due to his best friend and ex-wife. The only reason why he didn't seek revenge on them was because he didn't want to hurt his daughter in the process.
He didn't know where to go, but his mind was fixated on one woman.
"Maybe she could lift this veil of darkness, this emptiness that had become my existence."
MacKayla was in a tough situation, and she agreed to sleep with Slater. Everything was recorded, and the scandal went viral. She didn't know that she was part of an intricate plan to ruin Slater. She just needed fast cash.
This was her biggest regret.
Out of fear and embarrassment, she moved to a small town. It was only a matter of time until Slater found her.
And OH boy... did he find her. The chemistry was so hot! There some dirty talk, light bondage, and spanking. I loved every minute of it. If you have never read a book by Natasha Knight, Beautiful Liar would be a great place to start.
"I would let him take what he needed. And I would hope in some way for absolution for my sin, for the role I'd played in his destruction."
I'm so close to licking my monitor. This book cover is GORGEOUS!!!
Natasha Knight did it again in Beautiful Liar! This is definitely my new favorite.
Slater lost everything due to his best friend and ex-wife. The only reason why he didn't seek revenge on them was because he didn't want to hurt his daughter in the process.
He didn't know where to go, but his mind was fixated on one woman.
"Maybe she could lift this veil of darkness, this emptiness that had become my existence."
MacKayla was in a tough situation, and she agreed to sleep with Slater. Everything was recorded, and the scandal went viral. She didn't know that she was part of an intricate plan to ruin Slater. She just needed fast cash.
This was her biggest regret.
Out of fear and embarrassment, she moved to a small town. It was only a matter of time until Slater found her.
And OH boy... did he find her. The chemistry was so hot! There some dirty talk, light bondage, and spanking. I loved every minute of it. If you have never read a book by Natasha Knight, Beautiful Liar would be a great place to start.
June 14, 2017
One night. It only took one night for Slater Vaughn to lose everything he has: career, reputation and his family. Now, he seeks for the woman who ruined his life, MacKayla Simone. Finding her pole dancing and stripping in rural Oregon, Slater is so ready to collect what MacKayla owes him.
I don't usually do dark romance, but there's always an exemption to the rule right? Yes, it's dark. It's a story of vengeance and survival; love and forgiveness.
So what made me enjoy this book? Beautiful Liar took me out of my comfort zone, and it feels very good! The MCs, Slater and MacKayla are both broken, yet very unique. The emotions Knight written on this book are too real, they will mark your core.
As I read, I kept wondering if this ever ends well for the characters, because their situation's too messed- up. Beautiful Liar is filled with mysteries, realistically dark and sexual scenes, they sure will take your emotions over the edge.
This is my first ever Natasha Knight read, and I'm now a fan! I was too scared of the dark romance genre, I've been missing good authors like this woman. I now can't wait to read more of her work!
This is surely a 5 star read and I'm so recommending this to everyone. Even dark romance isn't your cup of tea, you will love this! Just a warning though. Slater is such a dirty talkin' alpha, spare undies are needed.
May 22, 2016
Slater Vaughn is out for revenge from the person that destroyed his life—MacKayla Simone. She had been desperate, so she did what she had to, to be able to help her sister. But, once it was all said and done, she realized the mistake she had made…
Reading Slater's hate for MacKayla was bone-chilling, yet he was determined to have her pay, come what may. Now, MacKayla did what she must in the moment, and I honestly think I might have done the same if I were in that situation. The more I read why she did what she did, the more I hated Slater for wanting revenge on her.
Actually, with Slater doing everything in his power to keep MacKayla down, I hated him Big Time!! Though, little did Slater realize that his hatred for MacKayla could turn into something more than that…
This was a fast-paced read that was panty-melting hot and had my thighs clenching so much I was sore. I have to say that this story was not I thought it would be—it was more!!! A must read! ~ Kara, 4.5 stars
Reading Slater's hate for MacKayla was bone-chilling, yet he was determined to have her pay, come what may. Now, MacKayla did what she must in the moment, and I honestly think I might have done the same if I were in that situation. The more I read why she did what she did, the more I hated Slater for wanting revenge on her.
Actually, with Slater doing everything in his power to keep MacKayla down, I hated him Big Time!! Though, little did Slater realize that his hatred for MacKayla could turn into something more than that…
This was a fast-paced read that was panty-melting hot and had my thighs clenching so much I was sore. I have to say that this story was not I thought it would be—it was more!!! A must read! ~ Kara, 4.5 stars
February 17, 2019
Jesus, I’m scarred for life. I knew this was going to be dark, I wasn’t prepared for how violent it was going to be, replete with non-con, humiliation and scenes that approach torture.
May 3, 2016
Slater Vaughan one night and he lost it all out for revenge mission find her and make her pay.
Mac would go to the ends of the earth to protect her sister, one night, easy money just for one night or was it ?
As time and slater catch up with Mac, Natasha enters you into the darkness of slater, the need for payback the belief that Mac owes him.
The chemistry spirals out of control winds you up to the very top and keeps you hanging wanting and needing more from the characters, there's some amazing twists along the way to keep you hooked.
Can the chemistry between slater and Mac triumph over the past, the need for revenge, the secrets hidden.
A first read for me by Natasha knight and oh my what a read a story that will leave you hot and have you 1 clicking more by Natasha.
Mac would go to the ends of the earth to protect her sister, one night, easy money just for one night or was it ?
As time and slater catch up with Mac, Natasha enters you into the darkness of slater, the need for payback the belief that Mac owes him.
The chemistry spirals out of control winds you up to the very top and keeps you hanging wanting and needing more from the characters, there's some amazing twists along the way to keep you hooked.
Can the chemistry between slater and Mac triumph over the past, the need for revenge, the secrets hidden.
A first read for me by Natasha knight and oh my what a read a story that will leave you hot and have you 1 clicking more by Natasha.
May 15, 2016
Loved.
I've read everything Natasha has wrote. And this one was phenomenal. Mac & slater were incredible. I finished this in one setting. Intriguing storyline.
I've read everything Natasha has wrote. And this one was phenomenal. Mac & slater were incredible. I finished this in one setting. Intriguing storyline.
June 22, 2021
So MANY thoughts don’t know how to rate this book
I feel like this was lacking something in the backstory between slater and nick like the story gave vibes that they could be brothers they were raised together and looked alike but than the story fell flat and didn’t explain why nick hated slater I liked the concept of the story but it was lacking and didn’t hold my interest which is a shame because I like Natasha knights writing Requiem of the Soul series (the society trilogy) was good and the (Benedetti brothers series) I would of liked a page or two just exposing where nick and Dinah where they were
I feel like this was lacking something in the backstory between slater and nick like the story gave vibes that they could be brothers they were raised together and looked alike but than the story fell flat and didn’t explain why nick hated slater I liked the concept of the story but it was lacking and didn’t hold my interest which is a shame because I like Natasha knights writing Requiem of the Soul series (the society trilogy) was good and the (Benedetti brothers series) I would of liked a page or two just exposing where nick and Dinah where they were
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2018
not one of my favs from this author. i fell in love with the dark mafia series. this one, not so much
May 4, 2016
Hello Ladies - Time to meet the deliciously seductive Slater Vaughn
Dark, dirty, dangerous & enough dominating alpha to literally leave you desperate for more. Beautiful Liar hooked me from the very start. With two amazing lead characters who moved me so completely & a story line that stole my heart as well my breath.
MacKayla, Mac to her friends & family made a decision that would haunt her for three desperate years. In doing something good, she also had to do something so wrong, something that she could never forgive herself for.. She tried so hard to keep her sister safe & provide for her family by any means she could. Beautifully lost, she tried to blend into the shadows, to be unimportant. She didn't bank on being found. She didn't bank on Slater Vaughn owning her so ruthlessly. She didn't bank on loving him.
Slater had nothing to loose, hell he had lost it all already. His only focus was to find MacKayla & make her pay. He is dark, dangerous & full of rageful hate. He spent three years tracking her, but when he finds her & takes her, he is totally lost & confused. How can he hate someone so soft & beautiful. Someone who is hiding behind their own shadows & sacrifices, as much as he is himself
The character development was fantastic, I found myself pulled into the darkness & the rage, wondering if these two tragically beautiful people would survive each other, survive their own demons & learn that love & trust is possible.
This is my first Natasha Knight book & it most definitely won't be my last. I absolutely loved her way with words, the way the story played out & how real her charaters were to me. A fantastic 5 start recommendation.
Dark, dirty, dangerous & enough dominating alpha to literally leave you desperate for more. Beautiful Liar hooked me from the very start. With two amazing lead characters who moved me so completely & a story line that stole my heart as well my breath.
MacKayla, Mac to her friends & family made a decision that would haunt her for three desperate years. In doing something good, she also had to do something so wrong, something that she could never forgive herself for.. She tried so hard to keep her sister safe & provide for her family by any means she could. Beautifully lost, she tried to blend into the shadows, to be unimportant. She didn't bank on being found. She didn't bank on Slater Vaughn owning her so ruthlessly. She didn't bank on loving him.
Slater had nothing to loose, hell he had lost it all already. His only focus was to find MacKayla & make her pay. He is dark, dangerous & full of rageful hate. He spent three years tracking her, but when he finds her & takes her, he is totally lost & confused. How can he hate someone so soft & beautiful. Someone who is hiding behind their own shadows & sacrifices, as much as he is himself
The character development was fantastic, I found myself pulled into the darkness & the rage, wondering if these two tragically beautiful people would survive each other, survive their own demons & learn that love & trust is possible.
This is my first Natasha Knight book & it most definitely won't be my last. I absolutely loved her way with words, the way the story played out & how real her charaters were to me. A fantastic 5 start recommendation.
February 8, 2021
3 It Wasn't My Fault stars
Verified Purchase
I finished this last night but needed to collect my thoughts on how I wanted to rate this book. This could have been a 5 star read for me, but there were two major points that just kept bugging me. Slater's best friend and wife were having an affair and paid MacKayla to lure him into a one night stand and videotape them having sex because they wanted the divorce to be Slater's fault. At the time, Slater didn't know his wife was having an affair when he had a one night stand with MacKayla..
Which leads me to my first point.........He didn't know it was a set up but he willingly and knowingly picked up a strange woman from a bar and had sex. I deducted a star because he wasn't forced, he chose to cheat. Additionally, he didn't take responsibility for his actions; rather, he blamed MacKayla, his wife and BF for the set up.
Secondly, the whole premise of the book was that Slater wanted to punish MacKayla for her part in the set up. He searched for her for 2 yrs so when he found her he would make her pay. Upon locating her, he decided spanking, and hate f@$king her was the best punishment. Yeah that lasted about twice because they both loved it! She must have had magic lady parts to not only inspire cheating but made him forget 2 yrs worth of pent up anger, blame and resentment with a few trips through the sheets.
There were a few more small details that bugged me, but I chalked them down to minor quibbles. Admittedly, this wasn't a bad read, however, the big issues hindered my enjoyment. Having said that, I encourage others to try it; different strokes.........d:)
Verified Purchase
I finished this last night but needed to collect my thoughts on how I wanted to rate this book. This could have been a 5 star read for me, but there were two major points that just kept bugging me. Slater's best friend and wife were having an affair and paid MacKayla to lure him into a one night stand and videotape them having sex because they wanted the divorce to be Slater's fault. At the time, Slater didn't know his wife was having an affair when he had a one night stand with MacKayla..
Which leads me to my first point.........He didn't know it was a set up but he willingly and knowingly picked up a strange woman from a bar and had sex. I deducted a star because he wasn't forced, he chose to cheat. Additionally, he didn't take responsibility for his actions; rather, he blamed MacKayla, his wife and BF for the set up.
Secondly, the whole premise of the book was that Slater wanted to punish MacKayla for her part in the set up. He searched for her for 2 yrs so when he found her he would make her pay. Upon locating her, he decided spanking, and hate f@$king her was the best punishment. Yeah that lasted about twice because they both loved it! She must have had magic lady parts to not only inspire cheating but made him forget 2 yrs worth of pent up anger, blame and resentment with a few trips through the sheets.
There were a few more small details that bugged me, but I chalked them down to minor quibbles. Admittedly, this wasn't a bad read, however, the big issues hindered my enjoyment. Having said that, I encourage others to try it; different strokes.........d:)
May 6, 2019
Slater had it all. A beautiful wife, lovely daughter, bright political career and a family business he was proud to run. Then he was setup. He lost everything and the worst part was discovering who the two people were who set him up. He knows MacKayla isn't the person to blame. Slater knows she was as much a pawn and he was, but he still has to find her and make her pay.
MacKayla has regretted what she did three years ago to Slater Vaughn everyday since. However under the circumstances, she had no other choice. She needed the money and didn't know who he was. Now that Slater has found her, Mac believes she deserves to pay for want she did. But how far is Slater going to push her, and how can Mac deal with the unexpected feelings she has for him.
Beautiful Liar sucked me right in from the beginning. I was mad right alongside Slater. I wanted to know what motive Mac had for participating in ruining his life. The more I got to know Slater, the more I loved him. Mac had secrets she didn't easily give up. I admired her for what she put herself through in both the past and present and her reason for doing it. The connection between Slater and Mac was intense and I liked watching them realize they wanted to spend time together. They become protective of each other and developed a friendship with more. I had an idea of the direction the story was going to take, but I still was surprised by a couple of things that happened.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It's a standalone book told by dual POVs and ends in a good place for the two main characters.
MacKayla has regretted what she did three years ago to Slater Vaughn everyday since. However under the circumstances, she had no other choice. She needed the money and didn't know who he was. Now that Slater has found her, Mac believes she deserves to pay for want she did. But how far is Slater going to push her, and how can Mac deal with the unexpected feelings she has for him.
Beautiful Liar sucked me right in from the beginning. I was mad right alongside Slater. I wanted to know what motive Mac had for participating in ruining his life. The more I got to know Slater, the more I loved him. Mac had secrets she didn't easily give up. I admired her for what she put herself through in both the past and present and her reason for doing it. The connection between Slater and Mac was intense and I liked watching them realize they wanted to spend time together. They become protective of each other and developed a friendship with more. I had an idea of the direction the story was going to take, but I still was surprised by a couple of things that happened.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It's a standalone book told by dual POVs and ends in a good place for the two main characters.
May 21, 2016
I really liked the fast pace of the story, there were no lagging or dull parts in it. The story itself had a lot in it, but nothing seemed rushed or too much. The trials and tribulations that made our characters who they are wasn't overblown or romanticized, it just was part of their life
It made it hard to rate the story, because as much as I loved the characters, I didn't feel that H and h ever really settled things between them. They did in their heads, but I didn't get where they did it with each other. They definitely connected on a physical level, and maybe even an emotional one, but the intellect side was left wanting. One moment, this was their relationship and then, without warning or lead up, it changed completely
In the end, I did love the story and the characters, main and side, so 4 stars seemed perfect, because it was near perfect, just a part of a piece missing that would take it to 5!
It made it hard to rate the story, because as much as I loved the characters, I didn't feel that H and h ever really settled things between them. They did in their heads, but I didn't get where they did it with each other. They definitely connected on a physical level, and maybe even an emotional one, but the intellect side was left wanting. One moment, this was their relationship and then, without warning or lead up, it changed completely
In the end, I did love the story and the characters, main and side, so 4 stars seemed perfect, because it was near perfect, just a part of a piece missing that would take it to 5!
May 26, 2016
there is Something i should point out first and that thing is that the book's name has Nothing to do with the story !!
the title : beautiful liar
the story : is about a man who was hurt and betrayed by his wife and best-friend , they set him up and used a girl to do so , the man wanted revenge since he lost everything , he found the girl who slept with him for money then tried to hurt her , to make her pay then fell for her and she did too
what i want to know who is that beautiful liar?? who has been lying ?
other than that the events were full of actions and the story ended how it should
the title : beautiful liar
the story : is about a man who was hurt and betrayed by his wife and best-friend , they set him up and used a girl to do so , the man wanted revenge since he lost everything , he found the girl who slept with him for money then tried to hurt her , to make her pay then fell for her and she did too
what i want to know who is that beautiful liar?? who has been lying ?
other than that the events were full of actions and the story ended how it should
May 17, 2016
I loved the cover!!! The book was bloody awful. I didn't mind her being a stripper or with addition of her step father, that she suffered but when Slater came into her life (and he was a major jackass) I said "enough". I was never going to love this guy who blamed Mac and to me I think he was as sleazy as Jack. The way he treated Mac was not how I featured a senator or someone who was part of a charity. So basically I couldn't care about Slater or his part in the story.
May 12, 2016
2.5 disappointing anticlimactic stars. This book started out very strong, I was hooked for the first 40%, but it went down hill after that. By 40% everything was happy in love and forgiven, the last half if the book filler. The writing started out strong, but fell flat the second half of the book. Bummed
June 24, 2016
I truly enjoyed the book but I thought that there wasn't enough of a story. The characters were all rushed and their backgrounds not really elaborated. There was no justice served and the whole premise in my opinion was sex....next thing you know it's happily ever after.
July 14, 2016
3 Stars
September 24, 2016
I liked this book but kept forgetting Slater was in politics I just can't picture him in that profession
May 12, 2016
3 Stars
July 13, 2016
Really great story telling!
May 25, 2016
“I own your nights, MacKayla. In the small hours, I am your master.”
Full Disclosure: I have never actually been jealous of a heroine before…until this book! There are certain heroes you covet to the point where the lines between reality and fiction become blurred, and you wish you could crawl inside the novel and swap places with the heroine. So move aside, MacKayla, because Slater Vaughn owned MY nights….! At six feet six and 250 pounds of muscle covered in tats, he is literally sex on a stick!! He is so PRIMAL and brazenly sexy, so unapologetically dominant and roughly possessive, pulsating with so much potent masculinity and “bristling, fiery rage,” that he literally leaps off the page and leaves me all aquiver.
Nothing thrills me more than a dark, brooding hero with an ax to grind and Slater Vaughn is so pissed his blood in boiling! But he’s about to collect his debt...big time.
Three years prior, MacKayla Simone was paid $5,000 to seduce newly elected Senator Vaughn—and catch it all on camera. She executed the plan flawlessly, preying on him in a moment of weakness, beckoning him with her intoxicating beauty and come hither smiles. But succumbing to one night of mind blowing passion with the cunning temptress ended up costing him everything. His career. His wife. His daughter. His name. And, most of all, his self-respect. But now the tables have turned and MacKayla Simone’s day of reckoning has come.
After years of planning, he finally tracks her down at the Hello Kitty Kat strip club. “Everything about her, her body, her face, her eyes—even from this distance—everything screamed erotic, right down to her pink tongue licking her full crimson lips.”
But he has not come here to drool. Or to get a private lap dance in the back room. He’s just relishing the moment before her whole world comes crashing down around her. For he’s temporarily moved in next door to her in North Bend, Oregon for one reason and one reason only. To punish her. However, when he finally advances on her, causing her to recoil in fear and shame and guilt, he is taken aback by his visceral reaction to her. For the vulnerable, teary-eyed woman who kneels before him, ready to submit to his cruel demands and pay the ultimate penance, is nothing like he pictured.
“I’d made her out to be a witch in my head. But looking at her here, all small and scared, I couldn’t reconcile that image with the reality. There was more here than met the eye.”
As much as he wanted to hate her, he couldn’t. She strikes a raw nerve in him, arouses his protective instincts, in ways he never anticipated. He tries to stay detached, to not care, to not FEEL anything for her, but the haunting sadness in her strangely beautiful eyes gets under his skin. Makes him momentarily waver in his plan that has been three years in the making. “In this game, this play of power, only he had control. Absolute control." Or so he thought!!
Turns out, MacKayla is tormented by her own tragic past, has pretty much only known hardship and sacrifice in her young life, and demanding restitution by making her his love slave fills him with self-loathing not vindication. He is drawn to her, wants to own her nights, mark her as his, take her to the heights of pleasure and pain, but the mere thought of truly hurting her, humiliating her, breaking her beautiful spirit twists him inside out.
"I didn’t understand this woman. I didn’t understand my reaction to her. I should only want to cause her pain, but I couldn’t. I’d thought it would be easy. I’d thought seeing her would bring all of my anger to the surface, making it easy to take what she owed, but it didn’t. The opposite, in fact."
Could it possibly be that the woman who he thought he loathed with very fiber of his being was a much a pawn as he was? MacKayla was the girl everyone loved to hate: trailer park trash who brought down a good man. But desperate times called for desperate measures and she did what she had to do save her family. She’s tired of always looking over her shoulder, of facing the accusing stares, and knows he has a right to his revenge. She owes him and deserves his cruelty, his hate.
“I wonder if you don’t need the release of punishment as much as I desire extracting the payment. I think the best way to look at this, Mac, is to understand that you live at my pleasure. Not only that, but you live FOR my pleasure.”
But he becomes much more than her Dom. He becomes her everything. Her master. Her lover. Her punisher. Her protector. But will bending to Slater's will bring him the vindication he thinks he so richly deserves or is there another way—a BETTER way--for them to both find absolution and peace?
BEAUTIFUL LIAR is beyond riveting! This tale is dark and gritty. Sweet and sordid. Passionate and provocative. Beautiful and gut-wrenching. And at the heart of this story is an underlying message of how love can trump hate, of how hope and forgiveness can permeate the suffocating darkness. This taut, emotionally tumultuous tale is chock full of twists and turns and it starts off with a bang! In fact, there was so much trepidation and mounting tension leading up to the pivotal moment when Slater closes in on an unsuspecting MacKayla, like a panther circling its prey, that when he finally pounced my heart nearly jumped out of my chest! The chemistry between this couple is so exhilarating, I felt it deep down in my marrow. MacKayla is drawn to his darkness and he to her light. They are both tethered together in shared pain and have a soul-searing connection that defies reason and logic. And although they were brought together under heinous circumstances, they just might be one another’s true salvation.
The characterizations in this book are multi-faceted and intricately drawn. Ms. Knight is a pro at interlacing eroticism with raw, aching emotion and my heart throbbed for Slayter and MacKayla to find a way to heal their long-festering wounds. Going into his book, I was shivering with excitement because Natasha Knight pens some of the most macho, uber-sexy, Alpha men I have EVER read. And Slater Vaughn is my favorite by far! But there is so much more to his appeal than the fact that he’s a hot, dirty-talking Dom! His hardboiled, angry exterior is really a mask to hide how emotionally shattered and profoundly broken he is inside. He is hurting terribly, and readers relate to him because Ms. Knight crafts him with so much depth and humanity. And sweet, brave-hearted MacKayla, with a backbone of steel, is the perfect balm to his tainted soul.
Another thing I truly appreciated about this story is the broad range and scope of this story. Sure the sexual power exchanges are BLISTERING HOT, but this is not a mere master/slave story that is basically contained to the candle-lit boudoir. There was a real, full-bodied, heart rendering story to be told here. The plot is complex and beautifully textured. And I particularly loved how the author interspersed steamy BDSM scenes with heartwarming familial exchanges throughout. Delving so intricately into their personal lives and backstories helped us gain a deeper understanding of their psyches and provide context to the catastrophic chain of events that forever altered their lives. I found it especially poignant seeing Slater pine for his little girl, Mel. Nothing makes readers’ hearts swell more than seeing a big, bad Alpha soften into a cuddly teddy bear around their little ones! Ahh…the paradox…
That said, I do have one qualm with this book that unfortunately relegated this fantastic novel from a five star read to a four star one. It is in regard to the resolution of the romantic conflict, which I feel happened prematurely. There was such intense, high octane tension simmering between MacKayla and Slater throughout but instead of drawing it out till the end to keep the momentum going, it was quickly resolved at 66% so the author could shift gears to tying up loose ends with the various subplots. And, as a result, I feel plotting in the last third of the book was uneven and we never got proper closure on the retribution storyline. Granted, there WAS a jaw dropping black moment that transpired beforehand (which I don’t want to spoil) but I felt as if it didn’t carry enough emotional weight and I kept waiting for it to lead to that big epiphany for the hero where he finally abandons his vengeful plans and allows love to illuminate the darkness. But it never came.
However, to the exquisitely talented Ms. Knight’s credit, everything came beautifully full circle in the end and we were treated to scorchingly sexy, sigh worthy HEA. So that one critique aside, Beautiful Liar is a MUST-READ for fans who have an affinity for lusty revenge to lovers tales that will leave you breathlessly turning the pages!
Full Disclosure: I have never actually been jealous of a heroine before…until this book! There are certain heroes you covet to the point where the lines between reality and fiction become blurred, and you wish you could crawl inside the novel and swap places with the heroine. So move aside, MacKayla, because Slater Vaughn owned MY nights….! At six feet six and 250 pounds of muscle covered in tats, he is literally sex on a stick!! He is so PRIMAL and brazenly sexy, so unapologetically dominant and roughly possessive, pulsating with so much potent masculinity and “bristling, fiery rage,” that he literally leaps off the page and leaves me all aquiver.
Nothing thrills me more than a dark, brooding hero with an ax to grind and Slater Vaughn is so pissed his blood in boiling! But he’s about to collect his debt...big time.
Three years prior, MacKayla Simone was paid $5,000 to seduce newly elected Senator Vaughn—and catch it all on camera. She executed the plan flawlessly, preying on him in a moment of weakness, beckoning him with her intoxicating beauty and come hither smiles. But succumbing to one night of mind blowing passion with the cunning temptress ended up costing him everything. His career. His wife. His daughter. His name. And, most of all, his self-respect. But now the tables have turned and MacKayla Simone’s day of reckoning has come.
After years of planning, he finally tracks her down at the Hello Kitty Kat strip club. “Everything about her, her body, her face, her eyes—even from this distance—everything screamed erotic, right down to her pink tongue licking her full crimson lips.”
But he has not come here to drool. Or to get a private lap dance in the back room. He’s just relishing the moment before her whole world comes crashing down around her. For he’s temporarily moved in next door to her in North Bend, Oregon for one reason and one reason only. To punish her. However, when he finally advances on her, causing her to recoil in fear and shame and guilt, he is taken aback by his visceral reaction to her. For the vulnerable, teary-eyed woman who kneels before him, ready to submit to his cruel demands and pay the ultimate penance, is nothing like he pictured.
“I’d made her out to be a witch in my head. But looking at her here, all small and scared, I couldn’t reconcile that image with the reality. There was more here than met the eye.”
As much as he wanted to hate her, he couldn’t. She strikes a raw nerve in him, arouses his protective instincts, in ways he never anticipated. He tries to stay detached, to not care, to not FEEL anything for her, but the haunting sadness in her strangely beautiful eyes gets under his skin. Makes him momentarily waver in his plan that has been three years in the making. “In this game, this play of power, only he had control. Absolute control." Or so he thought!!
Turns out, MacKayla is tormented by her own tragic past, has pretty much only known hardship and sacrifice in her young life, and demanding restitution by making her his love slave fills him with self-loathing not vindication. He is drawn to her, wants to own her nights, mark her as his, take her to the heights of pleasure and pain, but the mere thought of truly hurting her, humiliating her, breaking her beautiful spirit twists him inside out.
"I didn’t understand this woman. I didn’t understand my reaction to her. I should only want to cause her pain, but I couldn’t. I’d thought it would be easy. I’d thought seeing her would bring all of my anger to the surface, making it easy to take what she owed, but it didn’t. The opposite, in fact."
Could it possibly be that the woman who he thought he loathed with very fiber of his being was a much a pawn as he was? MacKayla was the girl everyone loved to hate: trailer park trash who brought down a good man. But desperate times called for desperate measures and she did what she had to do save her family. She’s tired of always looking over her shoulder, of facing the accusing stares, and knows he has a right to his revenge. She owes him and deserves his cruelty, his hate.
“I wonder if you don’t need the release of punishment as much as I desire extracting the payment. I think the best way to look at this, Mac, is to understand that you live at my pleasure. Not only that, but you live FOR my pleasure.”
But he becomes much more than her Dom. He becomes her everything. Her master. Her lover. Her punisher. Her protector. But will bending to Slater's will bring him the vindication he thinks he so richly deserves or is there another way—a BETTER way--for them to both find absolution and peace?
BEAUTIFUL LIAR is beyond riveting! This tale is dark and gritty. Sweet and sordid. Passionate and provocative. Beautiful and gut-wrenching. And at the heart of this story is an underlying message of how love can trump hate, of how hope and forgiveness can permeate the suffocating darkness. This taut, emotionally tumultuous tale is chock full of twists and turns and it starts off with a bang! In fact, there was so much trepidation and mounting tension leading up to the pivotal moment when Slater closes in on an unsuspecting MacKayla, like a panther circling its prey, that when he finally pounced my heart nearly jumped out of my chest! The chemistry between this couple is so exhilarating, I felt it deep down in my marrow. MacKayla is drawn to his darkness and he to her light. They are both tethered together in shared pain and have a soul-searing connection that defies reason and logic. And although they were brought together under heinous circumstances, they just might be one another’s true salvation.
The characterizations in this book are multi-faceted and intricately drawn. Ms. Knight is a pro at interlacing eroticism with raw, aching emotion and my heart throbbed for Slayter and MacKayla to find a way to heal their long-festering wounds. Going into his book, I was shivering with excitement because Natasha Knight pens some of the most macho, uber-sexy, Alpha men I have EVER read. And Slater Vaughn is my favorite by far! But there is so much more to his appeal than the fact that he’s a hot, dirty-talking Dom! His hardboiled, angry exterior is really a mask to hide how emotionally shattered and profoundly broken he is inside. He is hurting terribly, and readers relate to him because Ms. Knight crafts him with so much depth and humanity. And sweet, brave-hearted MacKayla, with a backbone of steel, is the perfect balm to his tainted soul.
Another thing I truly appreciated about this story is the broad range and scope of this story. Sure the sexual power exchanges are BLISTERING HOT, but this is not a mere master/slave story that is basically contained to the candle-lit boudoir. There was a real, full-bodied, heart rendering story to be told here. The plot is complex and beautifully textured. And I particularly loved how the author interspersed steamy BDSM scenes with heartwarming familial exchanges throughout. Delving so intricately into their personal lives and backstories helped us gain a deeper understanding of their psyches and provide context to the catastrophic chain of events that forever altered their lives. I found it especially poignant seeing Slater pine for his little girl, Mel. Nothing makes readers’ hearts swell more than seeing a big, bad Alpha soften into a cuddly teddy bear around their little ones! Ahh…the paradox…
That said, I do have one qualm with this book that unfortunately relegated this fantastic novel from a five star read to a four star one. It is in regard to the resolution of the romantic conflict, which I feel happened prematurely. There was such intense, high octane tension simmering between MacKayla and Slater throughout but instead of drawing it out till the end to keep the momentum going, it was quickly resolved at 66% so the author could shift gears to tying up loose ends with the various subplots. And, as a result, I feel plotting in the last third of the book was uneven and we never got proper closure on the retribution storyline. Granted, there WAS a jaw dropping black moment that transpired beforehand (which I don’t want to spoil) but I felt as if it didn’t carry enough emotional weight and I kept waiting for it to lead to that big epiphany for the hero where he finally abandons his vengeful plans and allows love to illuminate the darkness. But it never came.
However, to the exquisitely talented Ms. Knight’s credit, everything came beautifully full circle in the end and we were treated to scorchingly sexy, sigh worthy HEA. So that one critique aside, Beautiful Liar is a MUST-READ for fans who have an affinity for lusty revenge to lovers tales that will leave you breathlessly turning the pages!
December 29, 2017
I did enjoyed this s to but ...
MacKayla and Slater went through hell and came out on the other side! It is a story about survival of a wrecked life, the guilt both earned and perceived to be deserved that people feel when they review choices they have made in their past.. Unfortunately, we are sometimes far harder on ourselves than we are on those who helped in the destruction of out lives.
I found it ridiculous that Slater held the girl he screwed responsible for all his losses! He wasn't letting her spank him for what he did to her and when he finally sees the entire truth, he didn't even truly apologize for his wretched behavior! The writer lost a star there from me here! I believe the beautiful liar role was taken by Slater, his ex-best friend and his ex-wife far before MacKayla!
I did like the portrayal of MacKayla up until her last night at the club where the author lost another star! I simply couldn't believe anyone would hold themselves to the standards she did then on the last night with minimal pressure she caves and drops her standards and the remaining cloth she insisted on until the night she plans to quit? It lost me right there because either she is the most gullible moron ever or the writer lost track of what values she wanted in her character! The story could have been written without her devaluation of herself just as easily! I couldn't stomach the reasoning of the other girls having to work harder, no way! She insists until then when literally nothing holds her to the club after she covers one shift that she knows her friend would not have supported the decision the manager made! It was ludicrous and unbelievable!
The rest of the story was written well and works, but this book was the first book by this author that I have string objections as to how the story is written.
MacKayla and Slater went through hell and came out on the other side! It is a story about survival of a wrecked life, the guilt both earned and perceived to be deserved that people feel when they review choices they have made in their past.. Unfortunately, we are sometimes far harder on ourselves than we are on those who helped in the destruction of out lives.
I found it ridiculous that Slater held the girl he screwed responsible for all his losses! He wasn't letting her spank him for what he did to her and when he finally sees the entire truth, he didn't even truly apologize for his wretched behavior! The writer lost a star there from me here! I believe the beautiful liar role was taken by Slater, his ex-best friend and his ex-wife far before MacKayla!
I did like the portrayal of MacKayla up until her last night at the club where the author lost another star! I simply couldn't believe anyone would hold themselves to the standards she did then on the last night with minimal pressure she caves and drops her standards and the remaining cloth she insisted on until the night she plans to quit? It lost me right there because either she is the most gullible moron ever or the writer lost track of what values she wanted in her character! The story could have been written without her devaluation of herself just as easily! I couldn't stomach the reasoning of the other girls having to work harder, no way! She insists until then when literally nothing holds her to the club after she covers one shift that she knows her friend would not have supported the decision the manager made! It was ludicrous and unbelievable!
The rest of the story was written well and works, but this book was the first book by this author that I have string objections as to how the story is written.
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