What do you think?
Rate this book
Pretty White Lies
Love was the sensation that set me free.
It was in those stolen moments and forbidden touches I found who I belonged to.
Held in your arms, I finally saw what forever could look like, and when I sank into your kiss, heaven revealed itself to me.
Your love was my elixir, my muse. It gave me life, and I offered it to you freely, and you took it without remorse.
You let it feed you, and in return, you woke something inside me. Or maybe you simply made me aware of what lingered there all along, hiding underneath sweet, pretty smiles.
I love you, and I know you love me, but what is love but chaos set loose?
And can we really call it that if no one gets hurt?
It was in those stolen moments and forbidden touches I found who I belonged to.
Held in your arms, I finally saw what forever could look like, and when I sank into your kiss, heaven revealed itself to me.
Your love was my elixir, my muse. It gave me life, and I offered it to you freely, and you took it without remorse.
You let it feed you, and in return, you woke something inside me. Or maybe you simply made me aware of what lingered there all along, hiding underneath sweet, pretty smiles.
I love you, and I know you love me, but what is love but chaos set loose?
And can we really call it that if no one gets hurt?
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2022
92 people are currently reading
844 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
August 3, 2022
Pretty White Lies is like no other student/ teacher romance I have ever read before, and I loved it!
Age gap ✔️
Forbidden love ✔️
Dark undertones ✔️
Original plot ✔️
Spicy ✔️
Unpredictable ✔️
Shocking ending
Let me tell you, the classroom Rendezvous and late-night trysts are on fire.
Scarlett, eighteen, senior to a new school mid-year, is not only attracted to her smoking hot history teacher but seems she has caught his attention. Theodore Ellis, late thirties to early forties history teacher, married the town “ sweetheart.” I use that term loosely; she is far from a sweetheart.
The book is written in two acts. Act one past, how the two fell in love, and act two present. I felt act two could have been a little longer with a few minor plot holes; I still have a few questions unanswered.
The book is well written, and the ending did leave me wanting more; overall, it’s a delightful book, and yes, I do recommend it.
Age gap ✔️
Forbidden love ✔️
Dark undertones ✔️
Original plot ✔️
Spicy ✔️
Unpredictable ✔️
Shocking ending
Let me tell you, the classroom Rendezvous and late-night trysts are on fire.
Scarlett, eighteen, senior to a new school mid-year, is not only attracted to her smoking hot history teacher but seems she has caught his attention. Theodore Ellis, late thirties to early forties history teacher, married the town “ sweetheart.” I use that term loosely; she is far from a sweetheart.
The book is written in two acts. Act one past, how the two fell in love, and act two present. I felt act two could have been a little longer with a few minor plot holes; I still have a few questions unanswered.
The book is well written, and the ending did leave me wanting more; overall, it’s a delightful book, and yes, I do recommend it.
July 31, 2022
*ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review*
4/5 ⭐️
3.75/5 🌶
Tropes:
- age gap (21yrs?) ~ 39 & 18 maybe?
- student x teacher
- forbidden love
- classroom rendezvous
- late night trysts
- new girl at school
- hero in abusive marriage
- technically cheating (NOT on each other) *i don’t see it as cheating if it’s an abusive relationship bc f*ck that b*tch*
- plot twist (kinda) + suspense
- no third act break up
- insta love/love at first sight
POV: first person - dual + some other important characters
Type: stand-alone
Starting a new is school is never fun, but what Scarlet doesn’t expect when walking into a history class she has no business being in, is a man with a taste for dominance and whole lot of chaos.
It’s safe to say I have never read anything like this before. Totally not what I was expecting but it got my blood pumping nonetheless.
It is split in two acts. Act one focuses on the relationship and act two is all hell breaks loose. No time jump, thank goodness.
The only downside for me was the “epilogue”. There was spice (just for the sake of it) in the first half of the “epilogue” then a GREAT conclusion to the story/plot BUT not the couple/romance aspect. There was no in depth sneak peek into their future plus there were a few loose ends.
It was a HEA technically since it is a romance book so of course the couple is together in the end but what comes after? No talk of healing, marriage, children, future jobs, family relationship update, and how they plan to make everything work in the end with her “beginning” life since she’s so young and him already having lived and starting all over. What makes the age gap trope so fun is getting to see how everything is handled but there was non of that.
4/5 ⭐️
3.75/5 🌶
Tropes:
- age gap (21yrs?) ~ 39 & 18 maybe?
- student x teacher
- forbidden love
- classroom rendezvous
- late night trysts
- new girl at school
- hero in abusive marriage
- technically cheating (NOT on each other) *i don’t see it as cheating if it’s an abusive relationship bc f*ck that b*tch*
- plot twist (kinda) + suspense
- no third act break up
- insta love/love at first sight
POV: first person - dual + some other important characters
Type: stand-alone
Starting a new is school is never fun, but what Scarlet doesn’t expect when walking into a history class she has no business being in, is a man with a taste for dominance and whole lot of chaos.
It’s safe to say I have never read anything like this before. Totally not what I was expecting but it got my blood pumping nonetheless.
It is split in two acts. Act one focuses on the relationship and act two is all hell breaks loose. No time jump, thank goodness.
The only downside for me was the “epilogue”. There was spice (just for the sake of it) in the first half of the “epilogue” then a GREAT conclusion to the story/plot BUT not the couple/romance aspect. There was no in depth sneak peek into their future plus there were a few loose ends.
It was a HEA technically since it is a romance book so of course the couple is together in the end but what comes after? No talk of healing, marriage, children, future jobs, family relationship update, and how they plan to make everything work in the end with her “beginning” life since she’s so young and him already having lived and starting all over. What makes the age gap trope so fun is getting to see how everything is handled but there was non of that.
August 31, 2022
this is the single worst fucking book i’ve read in a while. spoilers ahead
first, the way she just had to call her mom mommy and her dad daddy. wtf is this? as an 18 year old LITTLE GIRL you still had to do that? also who tf writes this or arc reads this and is okay with that??
the heroine was certifiably INSANE. she wanted attention all the time, she was horny 24/7 and she just had to have the guy 😞😞😞😞😞
fuck off. then she became a fucking killer and it was ridiculous i could not stop laughing
the dude wasn’t that bad. he was okay but the fact that he was okay with the way the heroine was acting???
yeah the way they handled the villain in this was RIDICULOUS. i literally laughed when it happened
yep that’s my rant for the 2⭐️ book
first, the way she just had to call her mom mommy and her dad daddy. wtf is this? as an 18 year old LITTLE GIRL you still had to do that? also who tf writes this or arc reads this and is okay with that??
the heroine was certifiably INSANE. she wanted attention all the time, she was horny 24/7 and she just had to have the guy 😞😞😞😞😞
fuck off. then she became a fucking killer and it was ridiculous i could not stop laughing
the dude wasn’t that bad. he was okay but the fact that he was okay with the way the heroine was acting???
yeah the way they handled the villain in this was RIDICULOUS. i literally laughed when it happened
yep that’s my rant for the 2⭐️ book
August 7, 2022
This was a fantastic student/teacher age gap forbidden romance it’s dark suspenseful and twisted the spice was really good and that plot twist I didn’t see coming it left my jaw on the floor! Definitely recommend the writing is excellent the characters are complex and intriguing this was a unique spin on the student/teacher forbidden trope! It’s captivating intense and so twisted I Loved it!
August 4, 2022
idk what i was expecting in the second part of the book but it definitely wasn’t THAT
should-i-shouldnt-i
October 8, 2022📚Maybe when I need drama in my life
August 5, 2022
3.5 ⭐
Pretty White Lies is a unique twist on the student/teacher age gap trope! Forbidden romance is my favorite so I was instantly hooked into the story.
I did have a hard time rating this book. The story was interesting but I didnt feel a connection to either character and they fell into instant love which isn't my favorite, I need that slow burn and more angst. I was going to rate it a solid 3...until the second act happened. 😱
The "twist" completely changed the plot , I was NOT expecting it to go in that direction. It had me flipping pages eager to see how everything was going to end up , it was insane!! I would rate the first act 3 and the second 4 so I decided to go for 3.5 but closer to 4. I loved the suspense!!
I recommend this book to people who love forbidden , student/teacher , age gap romance with some suspense. Go in blind , you don't want this one spoiled!!
Pretty White Lies is a unique twist on the student/teacher age gap trope! Forbidden romance is my favorite so I was instantly hooked into the story.
I did have a hard time rating this book. The story was interesting but I didnt feel a connection to either character and they fell into instant love which isn't my favorite, I need that slow burn and more angst. I was going to rate it a solid 3...until the second act happened. 😱
The "twist" completely changed the plot , I was NOT expecting it to go in that direction. It had me flipping pages eager to see how everything was going to end up , it was insane!! I would rate the first act 3 and the second 4 so I decided to go for 3.5 but closer to 4. I loved the suspense!!
I recommend this book to people who love forbidden , student/teacher , age gap romance with some suspense. Go in blind , you don't want this one spoiled!!
August 4, 2022
What did I just read??
That ending was not at all expected and I never could have imagined how this story evolved!!
It's like I read 3 in one, but in a really clever and gripping way.
Sweet and innocent can be brutal and sadistic.
A modern day Bonnie and Cyde!!
This story was captivating, intense, and filled with madness in the most alluring ways!!
Thank you C.A. Mariah for the ARC to your new book!! Job well done again. You girl know how to write sick and twisted on a whole new level.
That ending was not at all expected and I never could have imagined how this story evolved!!
It's like I read 3 in one, but in a really clever and gripping way.
Sweet and innocent can be brutal and sadistic.
A modern day Bonnie and Cyde!!
This story was captivating, intense, and filled with madness in the most alluring ways!!
Thank you C.A. Mariah for the ARC to your new book!! Job well done again. You girl know how to write sick and twisted on a whole new level.
September 30, 2022
I had a difficult time deciding what to rate this book. I was given an advanced copy of this so decided to wait some time to post my review.
I am a huge fan of age gap romances especially when it comes with the teacher/student trope. I was excited to read this and liked it for most of the book but to be honest the "twist" of the book really took me out. Yes, I know it was supposed to be unexpected and I was all for that but I felt like I was reading two completely different books. What attracted me to the characters in the first place in the first half had me disliking them in the second half. Scarlett turned into someone I didn't know anymore and Theo, while I found his character super interesting considering marital issues (don't want to give away spoilers), I found him kind of spineless in the second half. I didn't even know who they were which I don't know if that was the point.
Anyway, I did enjoy the writing style and for the most part did enjoy the book. I just felt like I was reading two different books but will definitely read more from this author since I really liked her writing style. I know she has a new release coming soon, The Black House, so I will definitely be checking that one out. Hopefully, I enjoy that more than I did this.
I am a huge fan of age gap romances especially when it comes with the teacher/student trope. I was excited to read this and liked it for most of the book but to be honest the "twist" of the book really took me out. Yes, I know it was supposed to be unexpected and I was all for that but I felt like I was reading two completely different books. What attracted me to the characters in the first place in the first half had me disliking them in the second half. Scarlett turned into someone I didn't know anymore and Theo, while I found his character super interesting considering marital issues (don't want to give away spoilers), I found him kind of spineless in the second half. I didn't even know who they were which I don't know if that was the point.
Anyway, I did enjoy the writing style and for the most part did enjoy the book. I just felt like I was reading two different books but will definitely read more from this author since I really liked her writing style. I know she has a new release coming soon, The Black House, so I will definitely be checking that one out. Hopefully, I enjoy that more than I did this.
August 1, 2022
“𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝… 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭… 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞.”
Pretty White Lies is a whole new dark romance standalone by C.A. Mariah and let me tell you… if you’ve never read a single book from her yet, let this be your first.
This book gives you: age gap, teacher/ student, plot twists, mystery, and steam. Compared to her first two books, just know that she really outdid herself with the spice in this one cause, man, it made me wish I pursued my teacher back then. HAHAHA.
Scarlett Dane is senior in high school from California, an artist, brilliant, beautiful, confident, and has a father that’s a homicide detective. Due to her father’s job, her life took a turn when they had to move to Rhode Island. Things were great, well, till her first day of school. Till she first laid eyes on her fifth period history teacher, Mr. Ellis.
Theodore Ellis loves what he does and is married to the towns “darling,” Beth. Even though his parents never approved of his career and wife, but Beth is anything but. I’m going to say it right now and tell you that there is cheating in this book, but you’ll come to understand. Trust me.
Scarlett and Theodore’s attraction was instant; at first sight. The push and pull was entertaining, till they finally collided. Their chemistry was raw, passionate, and intense. So full of love. Meant for each other.
To be honest, I thought this would be just a forbidden romance driven story, although it was the main focus, it was the sub plot that gave me a mind f*ck. This author took me by surprise because holy. Sh*t. That’s all I’ll say because I don’t want to spoil that for anyone.
Although lighter compared to “Hunted” and “Salvation,” this book was well written. I highly recommend this book to anyone, well, this author in general. This book specifically if you’re new to her, especially if you’re a lover to true crime. *winks*
READ TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING.
*ARC for honest review.
Pretty White Lies is a whole new dark romance standalone by C.A. Mariah and let me tell you… if you’ve never read a single book from her yet, let this be your first.
This book gives you: age gap, teacher/ student, plot twists, mystery, and steam. Compared to her first two books, just know that she really outdid herself with the spice in this one cause, man, it made me wish I pursued my teacher back then. HAHAHA.
Scarlett Dane is senior in high school from California, an artist, brilliant, beautiful, confident, and has a father that’s a homicide detective. Due to her father’s job, her life took a turn when they had to move to Rhode Island. Things were great, well, till her first day of school. Till she first laid eyes on her fifth period history teacher, Mr. Ellis.
Theodore Ellis loves what he does and is married to the towns “darling,” Beth. Even though his parents never approved of his career and wife, but Beth is anything but. I’m going to say it right now and tell you that there is cheating in this book, but you’ll come to understand. Trust me.
Scarlett and Theodore’s attraction was instant; at first sight. The push and pull was entertaining, till they finally collided. Their chemistry was raw, passionate, and intense. So full of love. Meant for each other.
To be honest, I thought this would be just a forbidden romance driven story, although it was the main focus, it was the sub plot that gave me a mind f*ck. This author took me by surprise because holy. Sh*t. That’s all I’ll say because I don’t want to spoil that for anyone.
Although lighter compared to “Hunted” and “Salvation,” this book was well written. I highly recommend this book to anyone, well, this author in general. This book specifically if you’re new to her, especially if you’re a lover to true crime. *winks*
READ TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING.
*ARC for honest review.
August 1, 2022
Listen, listen, listen - PWL is for the Wattpad girlies and the Wattpad girlies only, okay? No, but, seriously, PWL reminded sooo much of my Wattpad days and I was LIVING for it. Obviously, better written and over all just… better, but it just has that spice and drama and twists that we all knew and loved when Wattpad was all we had to get our twisted little fixes. I was hooked. Scarlett is a bad B and I lowkey wish we would’ve delved even deeper into that dark side of Scarlett we saw in the last half of the book. Such a good little forbidden, fun, SPICY book - like CA really out did herself with spicy scenes y’all. PICK THIS UP.
September 28, 2023
Holy cow! This student-teacher is like nothing I have ever read, imagine, multiply and add a twist. Jeez, holy cow! Loved, Loved all the twists and turns this book took! It's definitely a must read for anyone who enjoys a taboo dark romance!
August 7, 2022
When 18 year old Scarlett enrolls at her new school and ends up in Theodore’s class, it’s lust and heat at first sight and everything about the pair is pure chemistry and hot tension. I love the student/teacher and age gap trope so everything about this book was right up my alley. This book is both parts amazing spice and equally as amazing plot
January 22, 2023
Holy sht. This started off exactly how I expected and ended how I did not in the best ways.
If you like age gaps. Student teacher and dark dark stuff. This is it
I had no idea I was getting such a twist lol. I’m here for it.
Enjoy this and just go in raw. Lolol. Don’t read about it. Just let it ride. This stuff is great
If you like age gaps. Student teacher and dark dark stuff. This is it
I had no idea I was getting such a twist lol. I’m here for it.
Enjoy this and just go in raw. Lolol. Don’t read about it. Just let it ride. This stuff is great
January 18, 2024
2 ⭐️
I wanted a taboo forbidden student teacher romance and technically this fits the criteria but at the same time... not the best. Im really sad i didnt like this one
I wanted a taboo forbidden student teacher romance and technically this fits the criteria but at the same time... not the best. Im really sad i didnt like this one
August 2, 2022
WOW! I am blown away right now after finishing this phenomenal story. Not only is it super sexy and suspenseful but it took some very unexpected twisted turns towards the second half of the story that have just left me speechless! I was not expecting it to end the way it did but damn that was one hell of a way to finish a story!
Scarlett is an exceptional character. She comes off sweet and innocent but with so much confidence that makes her badass too. When her eyes lock with Mr. Ellis’ for the first time, you just could feel that instant spark between them. And it only gets hotter, wilder and sexier as they start their illicit love affair. OMG these two are filthy. They had my toes curling and my panties combusting and that was before they finally gave into their desires.
This story was outstanding from start to finish. Filled with some amazing characters that you either loved or really hated and with a plot that had twists and turns throughout keeping me on the edge of my seat, biting my nails with anticipation and having to pick my jaw up off the floor at the way it all ends.
I loved every delicious second of this amazing story.
Scarlett is an exceptional character. She comes off sweet and innocent but with so much confidence that makes her badass too. When her eyes lock with Mr. Ellis’ for the first time, you just could feel that instant spark between them. And it only gets hotter, wilder and sexier as they start their illicit love affair. OMG these two are filthy. They had my toes curling and my panties combusting and that was before they finally gave into their desires.
This story was outstanding from start to finish. Filled with some amazing characters that you either loved or really hated and with a plot that had twists and turns throughout keeping me on the edge of my seat, biting my nails with anticipation and having to pick my jaw up off the floor at the way it all ends.
I loved every delicious second of this amazing story.
July 31, 2022
WOW!!! 🤩 That twist threw me! I was not expecting that plot twist and ending!
CA killed it with this story.
The spice - wow.
The drama - wow.
It was interesting to read about a DV situation where the wife is the abuser. That’s not something you read often so it was refreshing to have that surprise. This book kept me on my toes the entire time and at no point did I anticipate what was going to happen.
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT and it’s def not your typical story!! Read it! You will not be disappointed! 🤍
btw, don’t piss off CA… she knows how to hide a body.
CA killed it with this story.
The spice - wow.
The drama - wow.
It was interesting to read about a DV situation where the wife is the abuser. That’s not something you read often so it was refreshing to have that surprise. This book kept me on my toes the entire time and at no point did I anticipate what was going to happen.
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT and it’s def not your typical story!! Read it! You will not be disappointed! 🤍
btw, don’t piss off CA… she knows how to hide a body.
August 2, 2022
I went into this story blind, not having any idea what it was about and damn, when I say it blew me out of the water, I’m not kidding! This was actually not only my first age gap romance, but also my first student x teacher one as well - and it did not disappoint. While I’m usually not a fan of fast burn romances, I really enjoyed this one. And act two!? I was so not expecting that. This story was absolutely amazing and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes an age gap, student x teacher romance with some dark undertones and a little bit of crime.
August 4, 2022
"I’ve never wanted to lay claim to a person, but Mr. Ellis, well… I want to make him mine."
4.5 stars
oh my my myyyyyyy. this book was such a fun and refreshing take on a teacher/student romance. It was so fricken spicy and fun with some dark elements sprinkled in. I loved their romance, but I think Scarlett as an FMC really stole the show. She was fierce and determined and never let anything get in her way.
I really enjoyed this authors writing and I'll be reading more of her work in the future!
4.5 stars
oh my my myyyyyyy. this book was such a fun and refreshing take on a teacher/student romance. It was so fricken spicy and fun with some dark elements sprinkled in. I loved their romance, but I think Scarlett as an FMC really stole the show. She was fierce and determined and never let anything get in her way.
I really enjoyed this authors writing and I'll be reading more of her work in the future!
June 8, 2023
Cuando empecé a leerlo me pareció una gran red flag 🚩 y lo fue. De todo lo que pude esperar, me sorprendió el giro que dio la historia, lo empecé sin información así que si fue un sorpresa que fuera tipo Dark romance
Read
August 16, 2022what in the actual fuck did i just read.... when I tell you that I've never been so fucking shocked about the direction a book went..
August 14, 2022
3/5
Spice 4/5
Characters 3/5
Plot 3/5
My reviews are always spoilerish. Because I like to delve into things. So take that as you will.
Overall thoughts
That got dark fast. This book needs another edit there are some spelling errors and things of that nature. Would I recommend? Probably not because this is dark as fuck. The first half of this book was super hot and taboo but the second half was fucked up. It kind of grossed me out there at some points.
Tropes and Kinks
Age gap, taboo, teacher/student, you're mine, choking, spanking, anal, praise, good girl.
Spice
Hot. Definitely hot. Lots of going down and juices flowing. A little butt stuff.
Characters
Theodore is hot. But he is kind of a bitch. Other than when he's with Scarlett.
Scarlett is fucking mental. But I love her. But she is definitely unhinged.
Plot
I thought this was going to be a normal teacher/student romance but its not. It is dark and twisted.
Trigger Warning
The H is married and cheats on his wife. She's a cunt but still. Domestic abuse from the wife. Wife cheating on H. Dead bodies. Gruesome detail about dead bodies. Violence.
Spice 4/5
Characters 3/5
Plot 3/5
My reviews are always spoilerish. Because I like to delve into things. So take that as you will.
Overall thoughts
That got dark fast. This book needs another edit there are some spelling errors and things of that nature. Would I recommend? Probably not because this is dark as fuck. The first half of this book was super hot and taboo but the second half was fucked up. It kind of grossed me out there at some points.
Tropes and Kinks
Age gap, taboo, teacher/student, you're mine, choking, spanking, anal, praise, good girl.
Spice
Hot. Definitely hot. Lots of going down and juices flowing. A little butt stuff.
Characters
Theodore is hot. But he is kind of a bitch. Other than when he's with Scarlett.
Scarlett is fucking mental. But I love her. But she is definitely unhinged.
Plot
I thought this was going to be a normal teacher/student romance but its not. It is dark and twisted.
Trigger Warning
The H is married and cheats on his wife. She's a cunt but still. Domestic abuse from the wife. Wife cheating on H. Dead bodies. Gruesome detail about dead bodies. Violence.
March 20, 2023
5 stars ✨✨✨✨✨
Scarlett is so fucking crazy I swear I didn’t see the plot twist coming lmao, I just thought this was going to be a student x teacher + age gap + cheating + delicious tension but instead while I got all the said tropes I also got crazy heroine 🦸♀️ ready to save the Hero not complaining I mean I loved Scar, she is the best 🫶🏻
Scarlett is so fucking crazy I swear I didn’t see the plot twist coming lmao, I just thought this was going to be a student x teacher + age gap + cheating + delicious tension but instead while I got all the said tropes I also got crazy heroine 🦸♀️ ready to save the Hero not complaining I mean I loved Scar, she is the best 🫶🏻
November 3, 2023
REVIEW COMING SOON!
December 30, 2025
Rating: 1.5
Spice: 4
Tropes: age gap [18 / 40] / student x teacher / insta-love / cheating (with - he's married) / suspenseful (partly) / instant obsession (both) / dark themes / forbidden romance
This was honestly a total miss. It wasn't even remotely good. There was so much wrong with it, let me start from the beginning.
In short, the story follows Scarlett and Theodore. The former is a daughter of a homicide detective and needs to finish her senior year at a new school after her dad relocates for work, and the latter is her advanced history teacher who is also married to a total unhinged psycho named Beth.
I'll tell you that the concept was great and the prologue reeled me right in! Unfortunately, that's where the positives end as the execution leaves a lot to be desired. It wanted to be Veiled Innocence (Ella Frank) - which is AMAZING - but completely failed in every respect.
Firstly, I don't love insta-love at the best of times, but in a forbidden & age-gap romance? Absolutely not. I read these types of books FOR the build-up and the f***ing tension, of which there was none here. Again, I can overlook it if their connection warrants it, but these two have ZERO chemistry. Not when they meet and certainly not afterwards. Dude literally sees her and bam, in love. How? This is a MARRIED man in his 40s who instantly falls for an 18 year old child (yes, child because that's how she behaves) on sight. They literally exchange "I love you" a week or so later. I really didn't understand the attraction as these two shared, as they exchanged no conversation outside of sex, ever.
Speaking of the characters, they had zero substance to them. None, which frankly was a shame given how much depth they could have had.
Scarlet was a weak and immature brat whose character made no sense, and Theodore was a spineless doormat. Frankly, he also gave me creeper vibes. I also failed to understand why he put up with Beth for so long.
The spice too, although frequent, lacked any sort of intimacy or connection and felt very gratuitous.
Secondly, so much here made NO FUCKING SENSE. Literally none. The entire book was one big question mark, and I'm not even talking about the big plot points (of which the holes were gaping like swiss cheese), but the little things. For example, you expect me to believe that a homicide detective - who is currently working on missing children's cases - is taking sleeping pills together with his wife while his teenage daughter still lives under his roof? In a new town? While he's actively searching for missing kids? IN WHAT WORLD?!?!?!?!? There's no way this author is a parent, because there is simply no way.
I understand that it's fiction and I'm happy to suspend my beliefs to a certain degree, but this was absurd. It really bordered on fantasy and after 350 pages, still leaves the reader with multiple questions. It's not good enough. Also, the multiple POV in the second half of the book is great, but it wasn't utilised at all.
The plot was MESSY. Seriously. There was a good idea here, but it lacked any sort of direction and its execution was, unfortunately, extremely subpar. It felt like two very disjointed books plopped into one with no shred of cohesiveness. Also, for a story that was meant to be suspenseful, it was incredibly predictable.
Overall, I'm actually sad I didn't DNF this one. I was bored out of my mind until 65%, which is when it finally picks up. I did enjoy the writing style and for the most part, it wasn't the worst thing I've read, but it certainly wasn't even remotely good.
Consequently, my rating goes solely towards the fact I didn't hate it, I finished it, it was entertaining enough in the scheme of things, and the spice was objectively decent. But I still wouldn't recommend it.
Spice: 4
Tropes: age gap [18 / 40] / student x teacher / insta-love / cheating (with - he's married) / suspenseful (partly) / instant obsession (both) / dark themes / forbidden romance
This was honestly a total miss. It wasn't even remotely good. There was so much wrong with it, let me start from the beginning.
In short, the story follows Scarlett and Theodore. The former is a daughter of a homicide detective and needs to finish her senior year at a new school after her dad relocates for work, and the latter is her advanced history teacher who is also married to a total unhinged psycho named Beth.
I'll tell you that the concept was great and the prologue reeled me right in! Unfortunately, that's where the positives end as the execution leaves a lot to be desired. It wanted to be Veiled Innocence (Ella Frank) - which is AMAZING - but completely failed in every respect.
Firstly, I don't love insta-love at the best of times, but in a forbidden & age-gap romance? Absolutely not. I read these types of books FOR the build-up and the f***ing tension, of which there was none here. Again, I can overlook it if their connection warrants it, but these two have ZERO chemistry. Not when they meet and certainly not afterwards. Dude literally sees her and bam, in love. How? This is a MARRIED man in his 40s who instantly falls for an 18 year old child (yes, child because that's how she behaves) on sight. They literally exchange "I love you" a week or so later. I really didn't understand the attraction as these two shared, as they exchanged no conversation outside of sex, ever.
Speaking of the characters, they had zero substance to them. None, which frankly was a shame given how much depth they could have had.
Scarlet was a weak and immature brat whose character made no sense, and Theodore was a spineless doormat. Frankly, he also gave me creeper vibes. I also failed to understand why he put up with Beth for so long.
The spice too, although frequent, lacked any sort of intimacy or connection and felt very gratuitous.
Secondly, so much here made NO FUCKING SENSE. Literally none. The entire book was one big question mark, and I'm not even talking about the big plot points (of which the holes were gaping like swiss cheese), but the little things. For example, you expect me to believe that a homicide detective - who is currently working on missing children's cases - is taking sleeping pills together with his wife while his teenage daughter still lives under his roof? In a new town? While he's actively searching for missing kids? IN WHAT WORLD?!?!?!?!? There's no way this author is a parent, because there is simply no way.
I understand that it's fiction and I'm happy to suspend my beliefs to a certain degree, but this was absurd. It really bordered on fantasy and after 350 pages, still leaves the reader with multiple questions. It's not good enough. Also, the multiple POV in the second half of the book is great, but it wasn't utilised at all.
The plot was MESSY. Seriously. There was a good idea here, but it lacked any sort of direction and its execution was, unfortunately, extremely subpar. It felt like two very disjointed books plopped into one with no shred of cohesiveness. Also, for a story that was meant to be suspenseful, it was incredibly predictable.
Overall, I'm actually sad I didn't DNF this one. I was bored out of my mind until 65%, which is when it finally picks up. I did enjoy the writing style and for the most part, it wasn't the worst thing I've read, but it certainly wasn't even remotely good.
Consequently, my rating goes solely towards the fact I didn't hate it, I finished it, it was entertaining enough in the scheme of things, and the spice was objectively decent. But I still wouldn't recommend it.
February 7, 2023
“𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙄 𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙮, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮’𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩, 𝙄’𝙢 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙖 𝙥𝙪𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨. 𝘿𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙?”
I can't believe the chokehold this book had on me. When I tell you I kept my breath throughout ALL of it because I wasn't sure how this will end.. it's not even a joke. I almost died. 😳
This teacher/student romance is quite different than anything I've read before. I mean yes there's the usual angst and tension and the whole "forbidden" thing sure.
But there was also an overall darkness because I knew.. I FUCKING KNEW.. we were going to have some kind of a crime. How could we not when the professor is married to a cunt of a wife that abuses him? 🤬
Look. If you told me that I'd be applauding a man cheating on his wife with his student I'd tell you to shut up. There'd be no way! But here I am doing exactly that.
I was so happy when Theo and Scarlett fucked around 😭🦋 no fucks given for his wife. She's a bitch and on top of that an abuser. 💔
Scarlet is literally such a unique heroine. I know I've described strong and sassy other heroines before but she's the big MOMMY. She sends nudes to Theo, sexually arouses him and overall has this big ole self esteem..
When time came and he needed help to get away with something she was there to cover for him and save his ass.. like girl please share some of this badassness with us 😩✨
Many would say that they did not see that ending coming. I'll say that I DID see it coming. I saw it coming quite early actually after I realised the whole dynamic between the three of them.
Was I happy? *Aggressively nods*
Fuck yeah. Theo and Scarlett almost lost everything in their journey to save their relationship but it was all worth it. I can't even describe the satisfaction I felt after that shocking scene towards the end 👀
🅷🅸🅶🅷🅻🅸🅶🅷🆃🆂
🦋 𝘼𝙜𝙚 𝙜𝙖𝙥
🦋 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙗𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚
🦋 𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙮
🦋 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙩
🦋 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙫𝙞𝙗𝙚𝙨
July 31, 2022
📖 𝕖𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 📖
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚: 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘴
𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧: 𝘊.𝘈. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘩
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨: 347
𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙜: 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘺 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘺 𝘔𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘻
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
*** Thank you to the author @c.a_mariah for giving me a change to read this book.**
___________💭𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜💭_____________
⚠️ 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 ⚠️
"𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥...𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵... 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦."
Pretty White Lies is a new dark romance standalone by C.A. Mariah and let me tell you...this book was something else. I did NOT expect all of that to happen.
This book has: age gap, teacher/student trope, plot twists, mistery and spice. Sooo much spice. This was the first book I read by Mariah and let me tell you this book made my teacher/student fantasy come to life.
When I went into this book, I have to admit I didn't expect all of the dark stuff that happened. The Act II of the book was WOOOW. A lot happened and to be honest I am glad that all the stuff happened the way they did, because Theodore's wife was a real b*tch with a capital B.
Scarlet Dane is a senior in high school from California, brilliant, smart, confident and beautiful. She also had a dad who is a homocide detective. His new jos is the reason they move and she has to a new school 5 months befiore the end of school.
Theodore Ellis is a history teacher who loves what he does and he is married to the towns "darling" Beth, who isn't such a "darling" person AT ALL. I don't wanna say too much but let me just tell you, you won't be fond of her at all.
Overall, this was a surprising and amazing read. I read this book in a day. That is how invested I was in the story. This was the first book by Mariah I read, but it sure won't be the last one.
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚: 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘴
𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧: 𝘊.𝘈. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘩
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨: 347
𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙜: 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘺 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘺 𝘔𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘻
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
*** Thank you to the author @c.a_mariah for giving me a change to read this book.**
___________💭𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜💭_____________
⚠️ 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 ⚠️
"𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥...𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵... 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦."
Pretty White Lies is a new dark romance standalone by C.A. Mariah and let me tell you...this book was something else. I did NOT expect all of that to happen.
This book has: age gap, teacher/student trope, plot twists, mistery and spice. Sooo much spice. This was the first book I read by Mariah and let me tell you this book made my teacher/student fantasy come to life.
When I went into this book, I have to admit I didn't expect all of the dark stuff that happened. The Act II of the book was WOOOW. A lot happened and to be honest I am glad that all the stuff happened the way they did, because Theodore's wife was a real b*tch with a capital B.
Scarlet Dane is a senior in high school from California, brilliant, smart, confident and beautiful. She also had a dad who is a homocide detective. His new jos is the reason they move and she has to a new school 5 months befiore the end of school.
Theodore Ellis is a history teacher who loves what he does and he is married to the towns "darling" Beth, who isn't such a "darling" person AT ALL. I don't wanna say too much but let me just tell you, you won't be fond of her at all.
Overall, this was a surprising and amazing read. I read this book in a day. That is how invested I was in the story. This was the first book by Mariah I read, but it sure won't be the last one.
October 3, 2022
4.25 ⭐️ This book was a bloody wild ride! It took a turn I was not expecting but I’ve gotta say it was interesting as hell 😂
Two cheating books in a row, who even am I?! 👀 Existential crisis aside… This started off as a taboo/forbidden romance between Scarlett (18) and her history teacher Mr Theodore Ellis (39). ❗️Tw for domestic abuse❗️ Theodore has been married to Beth for 12 years and not only has she been emotionally abusing him, openly cheating on him and treating him like the shit beneath her shoe, in recent years she’s turned physically abusive. It was heartbreaking to see the lengths she went to, to tear him down and crush any shred of joy or happiness he found. Because of this, he finds love and comfort in the arms of Scarlett and thus begins their steamy, secret affair 🔥
That’s all well and dandy until shit hits the fan… I’m so glad I went in blind because the second act of this book is not where I saw this going at all! It’s messed up how much I enjoyed it 😅 I loved Noah’s POV and being in his head, I ended up really loving his character by the end of the book. I found the epilogue very entertaining, the smut wasn’t necessary but the outcome was twisted as hell and amazing. My only complaint is that I wish there was an extended epilogue further into the future.
Overall it was quite the unique spin on your average taboo student / teacher romance and I had a lot of fun reading it ✨
Two cheating books in a row, who even am I?! 👀 Existential crisis aside… This started off as a taboo/forbidden romance between Scarlett (18) and her history teacher Mr Theodore Ellis (39). ❗️Tw for domestic abuse❗️ Theodore has been married to Beth for 12 years and not only has she been emotionally abusing him, openly cheating on him and treating him like the shit beneath her shoe, in recent years she’s turned physically abusive. It was heartbreaking to see the lengths she went to, to tear him down and crush any shred of joy or happiness he found. Because of this, he finds love and comfort in the arms of Scarlett and thus begins their steamy, secret affair 🔥
That’s all well and dandy until shit hits the fan… I’m so glad I went in blind because the second act of this book is not where I saw this going at all! It’s messed up how much I enjoyed it 😅 I loved Noah’s POV and being in his head, I ended up really loving his character by the end of the book. I found the epilogue very entertaining, the smut wasn’t necessary but the outcome was twisted as hell and amazing. My only complaint is that I wish there was an extended epilogue further into the future.
Overall it was quite the unique spin on your average taboo student / teacher romance and I had a lot of fun reading it ✨
July 31, 2022
Holy shit! This was a highly anticipated read of 2022 and it SO lived up to the hype.
“She comes to realize that she belongs to no one, and the only one in control is her.”
Pretty White Lies is a forbidden teacher x student romance that has dark subject matter.
Scarlett comes into the school as a new girl, having just moved to town. Mr. Ellis is a beloved history teacher that all the female students obsess over. Theodore and Scarlett are two characters that shouldn’t be together, but they are, and OMG, I’m all for it. These two have a wild, steamy affair, and what happens between these two, I never, EVER, saw it coming. This book has so many twists and turns. It really kept you on your toes.
Scarlett is a savage little psychopath. She’s the type of FMC that I love. She doesn’t put up with anyone’s nonsense. My only issue with her was calling her parents mommy/daddy so much. It’s just a weird thing to me.
I don’t care either way about cheating in books… but, with the way Mr. Ellis’ wife treats him and acts, you can SO understand why he steps out on the marriage and falls for Scarlett. I mean it’s not like Beth, the wife, is innocent either.
With Pretty White Lies, you have the tabooness of teacher x student/age gap and then you have a mystery and suspense.
The ending – DAMN! Definitely didn’t see that coming. While this is a complete book, I wish we had a tiny bit more at the ending… a bit about how things were between them a bit into the future. There’s no cliffhanger whatsoever but it does feel a little open ended like another book could eventually follow it up.
I’m so proud of you C.A. Mariah! This is a must-read book.
“She comes to realize that she belongs to no one, and the only one in control is her.”
Pretty White Lies is a forbidden teacher x student romance that has dark subject matter.
Scarlett comes into the school as a new girl, having just moved to town. Mr. Ellis is a beloved history teacher that all the female students obsess over. Theodore and Scarlett are two characters that shouldn’t be together, but they are, and OMG, I’m all for it. These two have a wild, steamy affair, and what happens between these two, I never, EVER, saw it coming. This book has so many twists and turns. It really kept you on your toes.
Scarlett is a savage little psychopath. She’s the type of FMC that I love. She doesn’t put up with anyone’s nonsense. My only issue with her was calling her parents mommy/daddy so much. It’s just a weird thing to me.
I don’t care either way about cheating in books… but, with the way Mr. Ellis’ wife treats him and acts, you can SO understand why he steps out on the marriage and falls for Scarlett. I mean it’s not like Beth, the wife, is innocent either.
With Pretty White Lies, you have the tabooness of teacher x student/age gap and then you have a mystery and suspense.
The ending – DAMN! Definitely didn’t see that coming. While this is a complete book, I wish we had a tiny bit more at the ending… a bit about how things were between them a bit into the future. There’s no cliffhanger whatsoever but it does feel a little open ended like another book could eventually follow it up.
I’m so proud of you C.A. Mariah! This is a must-read book.
August 1, 2022
✨ ARC Review ✨
Pretty White Lies by C.A. Mariah
——————————————————
“Theodore was gentle and vicious, loving but hateful. I became his toy to use and abuse, and I fucking loved it.”
——————————————————
⭐️: 4/5
🌶: 4/5
——————————————————
One of my favorite tropes is student/teacher romance, so is it really surprising I really liked this book? The answer is no, it’s not surprising. That being said, this is a warning for those who don’t like cheating - its a heavy element in this story.
I’m obsessed with Scarlett and Theodore. They never questioned their feelings for each other or the status of their relationship. They both decided to take that leap and not give a crap about the consequences as long as they had each other. Seriously, the genuine, unfettered devotion between those two was hot. As was the fact that there was an age gap, and it was also a student/teacher romance. The story was also pretty intriguing. There was definitely a lot at play in the town of Riverton - it was not as safe and picturesque as it first comes across. I will say that I did still have a couple of unanswered questions after I finished the book, but other than that this was pretty good read. If you’re looking for a dark student/teacher romance involving an artsy student and a history teacher, go ahead and add Pretty White Lies to your TBR!
Pretty White Lies by C.A. Mariah
——————————————————
“Theodore was gentle and vicious, loving but hateful. I became his toy to use and abuse, and I fucking loved it.”
——————————————————
⭐️: 4/5
🌶: 4/5
——————————————————
One of my favorite tropes is student/teacher romance, so is it really surprising I really liked this book? The answer is no, it’s not surprising. That being said, this is a warning for those who don’t like cheating - its a heavy element in this story.
I’m obsessed with Scarlett and Theodore. They never questioned their feelings for each other or the status of their relationship. They both decided to take that leap and not give a crap about the consequences as long as they had each other. Seriously, the genuine, unfettered devotion between those two was hot. As was the fact that there was an age gap, and it was also a student/teacher romance. The story was also pretty intriguing. There was definitely a lot at play in the town of Riverton - it was not as safe and picturesque as it first comes across. I will say that I did still have a couple of unanswered questions after I finished the book, but other than that this was pretty good read. If you’re looking for a dark student/teacher romance involving an artsy student and a history teacher, go ahead and add Pretty White Lies to your TBR!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews