This book was a lot better in some ways than I thought it would be. For some reason, I was expecting a quick trashy novella. It was trashy, but there was a lot more plot and depth. Slade has wanted Jessie since she was 16. But refused to touch her until she was 21. And boy did he ever touch her when he had the chance. But his job interfered and he had to leave her. Five years later, he forces his way back into her life, and her bed. The whole truth behind his absence comes out and they live happily ever after. It was dramatic and messy, but they figure it all out. This is one of those books where there's almost too much sex because the story is actually compelling and you want to see what all shakes out with that. I'm not sure I loved the secondary characters that much to continue on with the series, though. ( )

Jessie has waited for Slade since she was 16 years old, but on her 21st birthday, she no longer has to wait. Slade thought his time with Jessie had come, but when his handler for Homeland Security informs him that he is going to be needed for a three year undercover assignment which involves marrying his partner, Amy, he vows that one day, he will come back for Jessie. Slade leaves Jessie in the dark about his assignment and asks his friend Jazz to watch over her. Five years later, Slade's partner/wife has been killed and he is back to claim Jessie, but she is not the innocent that she once was and has established a life of her own.
Loving Lies includes almost no character development and the only question is how long it's going to take before Jessie caves in and takes Slade back. Almost nothing about Slade's assignment is included, making this a very weak story with almost no plot. ( )

Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Men of Summer
ISBN: 1-59998-056-8
Genre: Erotic Romance

3 Hearts

Description:
Love will find a way…

Slade was Jessie’s life, the first love that filled her heart and soul and bound her woman’s spirit. Years of waiting culminating in an incredible weekend of sexual abandon—teaching her everything she needed to know to be his woman and branded her as Slade’s woman for life. Jessie was certain Slade had to love her.

Until he whispered the lie, the ultimate betrayal, and walked away only to wed another woman.

Now five years later Slade returns, his soul has withered without Jessie’s presence, and now he’ll have her, one way or the other. The love for her, the fierce overriding hunger and need consumes his heart and binds his soul. No matter the obstacles, Slade will get her back.

Whatever it takes.

Whatever he has to do.

My View:
Just two words: "Sex Fest". This book was is one of Lora's older novels, written in 2006. I happened to see a print version on B&N's shelf and decided to give it a try. Honestly, I love Lora Leigh. Even some of her really way out there titles like the August Men series. This book wasn't bad, but not one of Lora's best. She had a good story line going, but I really would have liked to have read more of the other side of the couples life than just their sex life. The characters needed to be expanded on a bit more. I kept asking myself, if Slade owned part of a construction company what was he doing working for Homeland Security. A little more development into Jessie's character would have made it so that she didn't seem like such a twit for waiting around for someone she had no idea she would ever see again. I thought the rest of the scenes in the book were well written and worth reading. Just dont go into reading the book thinking the style will be up to Lora current books. She's definitely improving with age. ( )

Slade has wanted Jessie since she was 16 but held off till her 21st birthday, and then went for it. They have an amazing w/e (involving every position you can imagine) but that night Slade comes to her and says she's too immature and he leaves her and marries another woman. Five years later he returns and they the fighting and sex ensue.

I felt sorry for Jessie and her suffering during the 5 years Slade was gone - she buys his car, moves into his old apartment and basically can't let go. She does sleep with his best friend/foster brother and in an odd spin he tells her to pretend he's Slade and that makes it all okay...

It's actually a very hot novel, even though the hero, Slade, is a complete idiot, not telling Jessie really vital information just so he (or the author) can extend the dramatic tension. This is not a deep or meaningful romance, but it's a hot read and the sentences all made sense.

Very quick read and but also engrossing while you're in it, I actually rate it a keeper. ( )