Book review: Bound by Lies ~ Rebecca Shea

Title: Bound by Lies
Author: Rebecca Shea
Series: Bound and Broken #2
Release date: June 7, 2015
(Sub)genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 269
Buy: Amazon US ~ Amazon UK
Rating:
I received this book from Inkslinger PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Torn between two men; one was what I needed, the other was what I wanted.
One man was safe and the other was dangerous.
But both men would lay down their lives to save me.

ATF agent Sam Cortez is fighting to bring down the Estrada family empire, which was built on murder and corruption.
Alex Estrada did what was needed to keep me safe…and paid with his life.

Starting over as I try to rebuild my life, it’s clear that the past is never what it seems.

What no one knew was that we were all bound by lies.

Bound by Lies by Rebecca Shea picks up right were the previous book in the series – Broken by Lies – left of. To say the story can’t be read as a standalone is an understatement, given the cliffhanger of book one. While I wanted to shake some sense into a few characters throughout the book, I’ve enjoyed reading Bound by Lies.

“Pain. That’s all I’m capable of feeling in this moment. My lungs burn. My heart aches. My head screams. Physical. Mental. Emotional. Pain. That’s all I feel.”

Emilia is devastated by the events from the previous book. She’s hurt by all the lies and what she saw happen right in front of her eyes. Luckily, she doesn’t have to grieve alone; Sam is right there to help her and support her. When she finds out what’s truly going on, Emilia has to decide which man is right for her, the safe one or the dangerous one.

“I can’t stop. But I need to. After a moment, I find the strength and resist, finally pulling away. Our breaths are ragged as we come to the realization of what’s happening and a look of pain and apology flashes across his face. His hands fall from my hair, and he pulls away from the wall. “I can’t do this.”

Although Alex has known Emilia for a short time, he knows she’s the one for him. He also knows that if he wants to keep her save and alive, he needs to be gone from her life. And that’s what he does, even though it hurts. Being involved in the whole situation, and also enamored by Emilia, Sam steps up and offers Emilia a place to stay. Both men love Emilia and wants what’s best for her, but only one can have her.

“I’ll tell you what I can.” “The truth?” she asks. I hate that she even doubts me, but she should. Alex and I both lied to her. “Yes, the truth.”

While I love the story and the whole twist and all, I was a bit upset with some of the characters in this story. No, that’s wrong… I’m upset with Sam, not with Emilia. While Emilia knows only a fraction of the story, Sam is on the inside and knows everything. I understand he’s in love with her, but I don’t like how he makes a move on a grieving woman. Especially when he’s in contact with Alex on a regular basis, who’s struggling just like Emilia. Sam, not cool dude! Nevertheless, I’ve enjoyed the journey Emilia and Alex make (heartache and all), and I love the ending they get.

“There’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be than with you,” I tell him as he looks in my eyes. “It’s you and me forever,” I whisper to him. “Forever,” he repeats.”

Despite my issues with one of the characters I’ve enjoyed Bound by Lies, I give it 4 stars.