Little Lies, an all-new, angsty and emotional new adult romance from New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting writing as H. Hunting is out now!
I don’t want you.
You mean nothing to me.
I never loved you.
I turned my words into swords.
And I cut her down.
Shoved the blade in and watched her fall.
I said I’d never hurt her, and I did.
Years later, I’m faced with all the little lies, the untruths, the false realities, the damage I inflicted, when all I wanted was to indulge my obsession.
Lavender Waters is the princess in the tower. Even her name is the thing fairy tales are made of.
I used to be the one who saved her.
Over and over again.
But I don’t want to save her anymore.
I just want to pretend the lies are still the truth.
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Excerpt
The front door swings open, and the never-ending nightmare that is this day smacks me in the face like a long-expired sausage. Kodiak stands in the doorway wearing only a pair of swim shorts, wet hair sticking out all over the place, water dripping on the damn floor. But God, is he ever glorious. Muscle layered over muscle, thick biceps flexing as he holds the doorjamb, a mischievous grin popping the dimple in his left cheek.
My heart seizes and gallops. I miss this version of him: the
one that smiles and doesn’t hate me.
He ruins everything a moment later by bellowing, “Who’s fucking in the driveway?”
His gaze moves to Dylan, who looks as horrified as I feel, but as it shifts to me, his smile drops and my stomach tightens.
“You should really go,” I tell Dylan.
“I’ll see you around.” He disappears into his car and barely has the door closed before he’s backing out of the driveway and screeching down the street.
I adjust my backpack on my shoulder and head for the house, steeling my spine and my nerves because Kodiak is still standing in the middle of the doorway, his face a mask of indifference. I try to brush by him, but he stays where he is, making it impossible.
I sigh, exhausted beyond belief. I just want to go upstairs and have a good, cathartic cry. I try to mirror his apathy. “Can you move so I can get into my house?”
His brow furrows as his eyes move over my face. He lifts his hand, like maybe he’s thinking about touching me. There’s no way I can handle that. I jerk back and swat his hand away. “What are you doing?”
“Your lip is bleeding.”
“Don’t act like you actually give a shit, Kodiak.”
“Tell me what happened.” His voice is low and soft, and for whatever reason, that makes me even angrier, so I lash out, wanting to wound him the way he keeps wounding me.
“You, Kodiak. You happened, and you ruined my goddamn life. Now get the hell out of my way.” I elbow past him, almost tripping over several sets of running shoes.
I head straight for my bedroom and lock the door behind me. I slide down the wall until my butt hits the floor and close my eyes, taking deep breaths.
I imagined the concern in his voice.
I imagined the pain that sat heavy behind his eyes.
We see what we want to, not the truth, especially when it hurts.
Review:
4-4.25 stars
****
This was a really good book! Little Lies is by Helena Hunting, writing as H. Hunting, and getting back to her more angsty, new-adult side. This book is Kodiac's (son of RJ and Lainey from the All -In series book, A Lie for a Lie) and Lavender's (daughter of Violet and Alex from Pucked) story. The two met as kids and grew up together as good friends and neighbors, because their parents were good friends as well. When Lavender was a little girl, she underwent a traumatic experience that triggered some terrible anxiety in the years afterwards. Kody became her best friend and the person she turned to to help cope and calm her down, but it also triggered anxiety in him. But their relationship turned out to be unhealthy for them because they weren't learning healthy ways to cope individually. They were forced apart and didn't keep in touch over the years. Now Lavender is joining her brothers at college as a sophomore, where senior Kody is their friend and neighbor. Things are not good between them. Lavender is confused and hurt by Kody's pushing her away. The two must deal with their past problems, admit their true feelings, and work through their issues together so that they could see that they are meant to be together forever.
Yes, this book was angstier than Helena Hunting's usual books, but it was a welcome change of pace. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I am so glad I gave this book a chance. It was more NA feeling and college themed, but there was no big betrayal or hurtful drama. I really enjoyed the delicious push and pull while Kody and Lavender got their act together. Kody pushed her away for the first part of the book, but I understood why and was able to forgive him. Lavender did not make it too easy on him, but it was obvious that they were soulmates and it was inevitable that they were meant to be together. Both of their anxieties were heartbreaking and relatable. I really loved Lavender's character. She had been through a lot but she truly conquered her fears and came out on top. I really liked Kody and Lavender together and definitely felt the love between them. It was fun seeing the Pucked couples as parents of college age kids and seeing how they dealt with their problems. I also loved meeting the other Pucked kids and can't wait to read their stories in the future.
Overall, this was an angsty, but also sweet and sexy, enjoyable read. Kody and Lavender were a great couple and I was so happy to see them get their happy ever after. Even though they were young, it felt like they were meant to be together forever and were mature enough to handle an adult relationship. I can't wait for more from this version of Ms. Hunting, as well as her Helena side in the future.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.
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