DIRTY LITTLE LIES (Men of Summer #3) by Lora Leigh-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 30, 3016

THE HEART HAS ITS SECRETS.
Zack Richards knows he’s asking for trouble. Trying to protect a member of the notorious Maddox family could get a man killed—even a battle-scarred, muscle-ripped alpha like Zack. But the woman who has captured his wildest fantasies is nothing like the rest of her power-hungry clan. She’s innocent, beautiful, and has quickly become the one shining light in his dark, desperate world. The only woman worth fighting for…and dying for…

BUT PASSION NEVER LIES.
Her name is Grace Maddox—and everybody knows that she is a marked woman. Targeted for her family’s sins and hunted like a wild animal, Grace has no choice but to accept Zack’s protection. In his arms, she finally feels safe. In his eyes, she sees an insatiable desire that mirrors her own. But the truth is dangerous—and could end up tearing them apart. Will surrendering to Zack end up being the biggest mistake of Grace’s life?

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REVIEW: DIRTY LITTLE LIES is the third installment in Lora Leigh’s contemporary, adult MEN OF SUMMER erotic, romantic suspense series. This is Zack Richards and Grace Maddox’s story line. DIRTY LITTLE LIES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual third person points of view DIRTY LITTLE LIES focuses on the hunt for the truth. Someone has targeted Grace Maddox and our heroine is but a small diversion in a larger plot conspiring against two families, power and control. Enter Zack Richards, the man who has loved Grace Maddox for a number of years, and the man who is willing to place himself in danger to protect Grace from the person(s) intent on destroying her life. What ensues is the search for the truth; the uncovering of years of lies and deceit; and the heartbreak of betrayal and loss.

The relationship between Grace and Zack is one of unrequited love. Grace has loved Zack since she was a young child but has never felt Zack’s love and acceptance in return. Zack is a man determined to keep his distance; his secrets could destroy Grace, and with it any love the couple would have shared if given the chance. The $ex scenes are intense and erotic.

DIRTY LITTLE LIES is a detailed story line with an infinitely large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters, and herein lies a bit of a problem: too many characters, too many potential sub plots and ongoing issues, and too many marriages, affairs, half-siblings, and extended family members requiring an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of the connections and relations. DIRTY LITTLE LIES is a story of romance and suspense but I found myself lost too many times trying to keep straight the relationships, the names and the affiliations thusly forgetting there was a building story behind the numerous characters.

DIRTY LITTLE LIES is an exciting and sexy story of betrayal, deceit and lies; of family and deception; of forgiveness and love. The premise is intriguing and imaginative; the romance is emotional and intense; the characters are spirited, tenacious and impassioned. Lora Leigh’s DIRTY LITTLE LIES is a provocative tale about greed, tragedy and ultimately, revenge.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Loving Lies
Wicked Lies
Dirty Little Lies

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy