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Hollow Boys #2
The Truths We Burn
Beneath the deepest parts of Ponderosa Springs lied secrets that we never meant to be uncovered.
Blood has soaked the hands of those we trusted most. Decrepit intentions finally come to light.
And now truths are ready to be incinerated in the open for everyone to witness.
I was ready to watch this town that made me the villain, Rot in front of my eyes, but it seems ghosts don’t stay buried here either.
Everyone’s favorite sweetheart has returned to Hollow Heights dragging nothing but unanswered questions and grim memories behind her.
A distraction I can’t afford with the police sniffing around.
A mistake that torched my last piece of humanity.
The dirty little secret that has returned searching for closure surrounding her sister’s mysterious death.
But I know the innocent, lost girl is an act. Underneath it’s just another part of her show.
They all are eating from the palm of her hand, puppets on her string.
But not me.
I see her for what she truly is, I always have.
A fake. A manipulator. A liar.
I won’t let her ruin all we have worked for. I refuse to let her derail our plan of vengeance.
I’ve played your game once before, Sage, now it’s time to play mine.
And you’re not making it out without getting burned.
Blood has soaked the hands of those we trusted most. Decrepit intentions finally come to light.
And now truths are ready to be incinerated in the open for everyone to witness.
I was ready to watch this town that made me the villain, Rot in front of my eyes, but it seems ghosts don’t stay buried here either.
Everyone’s favorite sweetheart has returned to Hollow Heights dragging nothing but unanswered questions and grim memories behind her.
A distraction I can’t afford with the police sniffing around.
A mistake that torched my last piece of humanity.
The dirty little secret that has returned searching for closure surrounding her sister’s mysterious death.
But I know the innocent, lost girl is an act. Underneath it’s just another part of her show.
They all are eating from the palm of her hand, puppets on her string.
But not me.
I see her for what she truly is, I always have.
A fake. A manipulator. A liar.
I won’t let her ruin all we have worked for. I refuse to let her derail our plan of vengeance.
I’ve played your game once before, Sage, now it’s time to play mine.
And you’re not making it out without getting burned.
473 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 16, 2022
About the author
Monty Jay
22 books1,361 followersMonty Jay is a dark romance author with titles published in multiple countries. Their books are for hopeless romantics with wicked hearts looking for their next morally grey hero. They call the Appalachian mountains home, along with their two furry friends, Poe and Maeve. When they aren’t writing you can find them reading anything Stephen King, in a tattoo chair or binging a new true crime documentary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,181 reviews
May 12, 2024
5 stars
I totally underestimated Rook and Sage, and this book completely shattered my heart! The emotional depth, the intense angst, and the pain it depicted were absolutely phenomenal. I might just cry my heart out – I devoured this book! 🥺💓
I just realized, they're kinda giving WillEmory vibes but I haven't read their book! (First michaelRika, then WillEmory and obv the third's gonna give DAMON).
I didn't expect to fall in love with Sage so deeply! Her backstory was utterly heartbreaking, and the hardships she endured were beyond terrible. While I liked Rook, Sage has an absolute hold on my heart – she's a queen! 💓
The enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-AND-AGAIN-lovers in this book was so goddamn good! The amount of pain Rook went through when Sage broke his heart, and how they both remained in pain for a year without forgetting about each other!
╰┈➤ Sage Donahue & Rook Van Doren:
Sage — she's the twin sister of Rosemary Donahue (who was killed in the events in Book 1) and made an appearance at the end of Book 1 after being released from a mental facility!
I LOVE HER SO MUCH! 🥺 She was so broken and alone and always hid behind masks! She hurt people through her words when she was hurt as long as she kept up her pretense! She's a Queen B and Cheerleader, and damn, she was actually full of power! I seriously thought all of this would fall flat, but SHE DIDN'T DISAPPOINT.
Rook — ughhh, his character was so good! Instead of all those goofy vibes I got from in book 1, there were real emotions and nothing funny about the situations he went through! The way he let anyone hurt him as long as he feels pain to atone for his sins (which he blames himself for, that aren't even his fault).
The way he pined for Sage and was so completely obsessed with her, and even though she crushed him badly and his trust, he was still torn between believing her because he just couldn't resist her! 😭
He was obsessed with fire and is seriously AN ARSONIST! He burned each and everything, including but not limited to THE LEFT SIDE OF SAGE'S SHITTY EX-FIANCE! (update: I'm dying because Rook's daughter is gonna fall in love with shitty fiancée's son 😭)
❝I shove the left side of his face straight onto my exhaust, plastering him to the side of steaming hot metal. My body buzzes with pleasure when I feel him try to pull away and hear him start to yell in despair.❞
╰┈➤ RATINGS:
The Lies We Steal - 3 stars
The Truths We Burn – 5 stars
The Blood We Crave pt 1 - 4 stars
The Blood We Crave pt 2 - 3.75 stars
The Oath We Give - 3 stars
❝You never truly realize how much you care about a person until they’re gone.❞
I totally underestimated Rook and Sage, and this book completely shattered my heart! The emotional depth, the intense angst, and the pain it depicted were absolutely phenomenal. I might just cry my heart out – I devoured this book! 🥺💓
I just realized, they're kinda giving WillEmory vibes but I haven't read their book! (First michaelRika, then WillEmory and obv the third's gonna give DAMON).
❝Show me all your truths, Rook. And I’ll show you mine❞
I didn't expect to fall in love with Sage so deeply! Her backstory was utterly heartbreaking, and the hardships she endured were beyond terrible. While I liked Rook, Sage has an absolute hold on my heart – she's a queen! 💓
❝She’s a liar. A manipulative bitch. A traitor. The enemy.❞
The enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-AND-AGAIN-lovers in this book was so goddamn good! The amount of pain Rook went through when Sage broke his heart, and how they both remained in pain for a year without forgetting about each other!
╰┈➤ Sage Donahue & Rook Van Doren:
❝I’d been here for eight months. Two hundred and forty-three days. Thirty-four weeks.❞
Sage — she's the twin sister of Rosemary Donahue (who was killed in the events in Book 1) and made an appearance at the end of Book 1 after being released from a mental facility!
❝I’d never been able to keep anything I cared about. I just want this one godforsaken thing.❞
I LOVE HER SO MUCH! 🥺 She was so broken and alone and always hid behind masks! She hurt people through her words when she was hurt as long as she kept up her pretense! She's a Queen B and Cheerleader, and damn, she was actually full of power! I seriously thought all of this would fall flat, but SHE DIDN'T DISAPPOINT.
❝I really love pain.❞
Rook — ughhh, his character was so good! Instead of all those goofy vibes I got from in book 1, there were real emotions and nothing funny about the situations he went through! The way he let anyone hurt him as long as he feels pain to atone for his sins (which he blames himself for, that aren't even his fault).
❝You’ve always had me, Rook. Always.❞
The way he pined for Sage and was so completely obsessed with her, and even though she crushed him badly and his trust, he was still torn between believing her because he just couldn't resist her! 😭
❝My pyromania is the drug and the cure.❞
He was obsessed with fire and is seriously AN ARSONIST! He burned each and everything, including but not limited to THE LEFT SIDE OF SAGE'S SHITTY EX-FIANCE! (update: I'm dying because Rook's daughter is gonna fall in love with shitty fiancée's son 😭)
❝I shove the left side of his face straight onto my exhaust, plastering him to the side of steaming hot metal. My body buzzes with pleasure when I feel him try to pull away and hear him start to yell in despair.❞
╰┈➤ RATINGS:
The Lies We Steal - 3 stars
The Truths We Burn – 5 stars
The Blood We Crave pt 1 - 4 stars
The Blood We Crave pt 2 - 3.75 stars
The Oath We Give - 3 stars
November 28, 2023
ೃ⁀➷ 3.5 stars *ੈ✩‧₊˚
This was sm better than the first for sure.
Rook my baby he’s so precious and deserves the world 😩 the way he felt too much and didn’t know how to handle any of it made me wanna cry for him sb
I liked sage the moment we saw her in the last book (even if it was for like point two seconds) and i was right to bc she was the heart of this book. What she went thru had me shaking w unshed tears omfds 😭❤️🩹
Silas was such a wild card in here wtf I wasn’t expecting to love him this much but I do and i cannot get over hm he loves Rosie it’s so heartbreaking 😭😭😭😭😭
The first part has me in a chokehold I loveeeed it, there was all the angst and tension with the soft tender moments but we got to the middle of the book and lost that which kinda ruined the momentum of their story (yes ik that was the whole point but it doesn’t mean I have to like it ugh)
And then there were all those analogies that were handed out like sweets (more like forcefully shoved into ur face) every other line. It was too much. I couldn’t escape or ignore it so it had me skimming full chapters. I understand why the author included them and the significance of them, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not my preferred writing style and kept taking me out of the story.
Also there were some vvv questionable moments in this book where I was like why is this actually happening lmao (the branding kink Iykyk)
Nevertheless, im willing to push thru for Silas and I’m def excited for thatcherlyra shjdhfjd that last chapter was so juicy 👹👹
𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:
This is the second time I wrote this review bc gr decided to shut down halfway thru my first one 😭🔫
𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀: 🎧
Jennifer’s body - Chris grey, plvtinum, Dutch Melrose
Feel something - Chris brown
Ride - Chris grey
This was sm better than the first for sure.
Rook my baby he’s so precious and deserves the world 😩 the way he felt too much and didn’t know how to handle any of it made me wanna cry for him sb
I liked sage the moment we saw her in the last book (even if it was for like point two seconds) and i was right to bc she was the heart of this book. What she went thru had me shaking w unshed tears omfds 😭❤️🩹
Silas was such a wild card in here wtf I wasn’t expecting to love him this much but I do and i cannot get over hm he loves Rosie it’s so heartbreaking 😭😭😭😭😭
The first part has me in a chokehold I loveeeed it, there was all the angst and tension with the soft tender moments but we got to the middle of the book and lost that which kinda ruined the momentum of their story (yes ik that was the whole point but it doesn’t mean I have to like it ugh)
And then there were all those analogies that were handed out like sweets (more like forcefully shoved into ur face) every other line. It was too much. I couldn’t escape or ignore it so it had me skimming full chapters. I understand why the author included them and the significance of them, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not my preferred writing style and kept taking me out of the story.
Also there were some vvv questionable moments in this book where I was like why is this actually happening lmao (the branding kink Iykyk)
Nevertheless, im willing to push thru for Silas and I’m def excited for thatcherlyra shjdhfjd that last chapter was so juicy 👹👹
𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:
This is the second time I wrote this review bc gr decided to shut down halfway thru my first one 😭🔫
𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀: 🎧
Jennifer’s body - Chris grey, plvtinum, Dutch Melrose
Feel something - Chris brown
Ride - Chris grey
February 14, 2022
📚'THE TRUTHS WE BURN'📚 is the second full length interconnected stand-alone book in Monty Jay's 'Hollow Boys' series.
MY REVIEW AND OTHERS: can also be found on my blog:
➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
Sage Donahue she the keeper of all secrets, so many secrets that could destroy the very foundation of this township. Daily she hides behind a mask of perfection never revealing her true self to the outside world, fake smile, fake happiness, they say she's heartless and a man eater, she's smothered under huge expectations of her parents and strives to fulfil them in order to protect her twin sister Rose, but at what cost?
Rook Van Doren, is what nightmares are made up of, an unpredictable pyromaniac with blood on his hands without an ounce of remorse. Who thrives in the darkness and lives on pain, most call him the Antichrist. Him and his band of brothers are feared by all.
These aren't the boys you bring home to mommy and daddy.
They are fun to look at,
but under no circumstances do you touch.
When their paths cross they both go up in flames, drawn to each other even when they shouldn't be, they are as different as chalk and cheese, but they do say opposites attract and in this case that is the truth. He sees all the masks she hides behind.
After inhaling and loving the previous book, this was one I was highly anticipating! And like the first book, this was demolished in no time at all. I loved jumping back in this fictional crazy world the author has created, more lies uncovered, bore blood on their hands, more insight into this township and the monsters that reside in it.
* Teaser used is off the authors facebook page *
May 6, 2024
4.5 🌟 ROOKSAGE >>>>
January 19, 2024
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾. pre-review
yup i’m ready for this power couple 💪🏼 let’s have it!!
thank you once again, gr bestfriends, for bringing me another series to obsess over 🍃🕊️ god forbid having some inner peace
there’s this super duper special place in my icy and subzero heart for all of you 😚💋
yup i’m ready for this power couple 💪🏼 let’s have it!!
thank you once again, gr bestfriends, for bringing me another series to obsess over 🍃🕊️ god forbid having some inner peace
there’s this super duper special place in my icy and subzero heart for all of you 😚💋
February 25, 2024
ೃ⁀➷
What can I say? I am truly a sucker for characters who are scarred souls. The angst that RookSage deliver is crazy likeeee they are for sure going to be my number one couple in this series. The way they ultimately felt safe amongst each other and can be each other peace🥹. But I knew Rook was a good man when he burned himself to have matching scars with Sage because he believe they are soulmates. Because THAT IS TRUE ROMANCE! Anyway, I am excitedddd to begin Thatcherlyra because Psychoxstalker is giving insanity but funnn.
The only real place I'd felt anything close to happy was when I was near her."
What can I say? I am truly a sucker for characters who are scarred souls. The angst that RookSage deliver is crazy likeeee they are for sure going to be my number one couple in this series. The way they ultimately felt safe amongst each other and can be each other peace🥹. But I knew Rook was a good man when he burned himself to have matching scars with Sage because he believe they are soulmates. Because THAT IS TRUE ROMANCE! Anyway, I am excitedddd to begin Thatcherlyra because Psychoxstalker is giving insanity but funnn.
February 13, 2022
4.5 stars
Welcome back to Ponderosa Springs - where secrets fester and lies corrupt you. Things are not what they seem. Evil lies beneath the ground of this sacred place. Don't worry though, those Hollow Boys we know and love will not allow for their secrets to lie dormant. They are coming and all should be living in fear.
Sage the town's sweetheart the one who boys want and girls want to be. She could possibly be one of the fakest of all though. She lives behind her mask of secrets. The masks of expectations, the mask of disappointment and the mask of needing more. She has lost herself and keeps going down the rabbit hole. She needs to break free... from everything! With the help of one guy she might be able to get back there, but it won't be easy. She might just get burned!
Rook is better known as the town fire starter. If there are flames, it could very well be his handy work. He is loyal to a fault and his boys are his brothers. He would do anything for them. That's why a person close to Sage is on "his list". He finds himself drawn to the girl despite despising all that she stands for.
These two are pure fire. They have immense chemistry - whether it be hate or lust it is powerful and so dang hot. I don't want to say too much, but just know that the plot in this is SOLID! MJ has a special way of captivating her readers. This is just another reason why she is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.
Welcome back to Ponderosa Springs - where secrets fester and lies corrupt you. Things are not what they seem. Evil lies beneath the ground of this sacred place. Don't worry though, those Hollow Boys we know and love will not allow for their secrets to lie dormant. They are coming and all should be living in fear.
Sage the town's sweetheart the one who boys want and girls want to be. She could possibly be one of the fakest of all though. She lives behind her mask of secrets. The masks of expectations, the mask of disappointment and the mask of needing more. She has lost herself and keeps going down the rabbit hole. She needs to break free... from everything! With the help of one guy she might be able to get back there, but it won't be easy. She might just get burned!
Rook is better known as the town fire starter. If there are flames, it could very well be his handy work. He is loyal to a fault and his boys are his brothers. He would do anything for them. That's why a person close to Sage is on "his list". He finds himself drawn to the girl despite despising all that she stands for.
These two are pure fire. They have immense chemistry - whether it be hate or lust it is powerful and so dang hot. I don't want to say too much, but just know that the plot in this is SOLID! MJ has a special way of captivating her readers. This is just another reason why she is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.
February 4, 2024
rooksage
my
eternal flames 4L 😕❤️🔥🤞🏻♾️
May 5, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ i am SO glad i reread this. i first read it in november last year and i was in a slump so i didn’t enjoy it that much, but i knew it was a book i would normally love so i’m so happy i gave it another chance !! i loved how this was dark romance but with second chance (my fave trope ever), and how you could tell how much rook & sage cared for each other even when they weren’t together, and how they felt as thought they were themselves only around each other.
April 20, 2024
I knew beforehand that this book was gonna hurt from the previous glimpses of both mcs, but I wasn’t prepared for a killing blow straight up to my heart. I shattered while reading this.
Sage and Rook, ugh, I adore them so much. Since the first moment I’ve read about Rook in the first book I knew he was gonna become special to me. There’s something about the typical funny brunette with a side kink that’s always joking but deep down is broken that does it for me. His backstory broke my heart, the way he suffered so much and still is always prioritizing the others above himself, worrying and trying to keep them safe. He’s such a sweetheart, and how he refers to the Hallow Boys as his family and how special their bond is to him made me cry so hard. I cannot with this man…also his dirty masochistic side omg that was hard to ignore. Literally on my knees🧎🏽♀️.
Then Sage, I don’t care what anyone says I’m gonna defend her till my very last breath. I love her character development through the ‘past’ and present moments, and how the view of ‘icy princess’ actually unfolds to be a facade. She’s the most sweet and sensitive girl and I relate to her so much. It hurt me everything she went through and more so how everyone invalidated her pain just because she acted like an ‘unfeeling bitch’. I want to give her a big hug, she deserves the absolute best🫂.
The relationship between the both of them was sooooo tense (sexy af), but at the same time perfectly balanced with tenderness. Their story was a roller coaster of excitement, sadness, frustration, pain, and happiness. I love how they have a deep emotional connection and helped each other heal their past traumas. They are literally made for each other, bye I’m gonna cry I already miss them😭.
In terms of plot I was HOOKED affff. The mystery and also development of the line from the first book was so well executed and had me with anxiety the whole time from what could happen at any time. I also cannot wait to see how it continues in the next book. Speaking of…THATCHER AND LYRA I'M COMING FOR BOTH OF YOU
Sage and Rook, ugh, I adore them so much. Since the first moment I’ve read about Rook in the first book I knew he was gonna become special to me. There’s something about the typical funny brunette with a side kink that’s always joking but deep down is broken that does it for me. His backstory broke my heart, the way he suffered so much and still is always prioritizing the others above himself, worrying and trying to keep them safe. He’s such a sweetheart, and how he refers to the Hallow Boys as his family and how special their bond is to him made me cry so hard. I cannot with this man…also his dirty masochistic side omg that was hard to ignore. Literally on my knees🧎🏽♀️.
Then Sage, I don’t care what anyone says I’m gonna defend her till my very last breath. I love her character development through the ‘past’ and present moments, and how the view of ‘icy princess’ actually unfolds to be a facade. She’s the most sweet and sensitive girl and I relate to her so much. It hurt me everything she went through and more so how everyone invalidated her pain just because she acted like an ‘unfeeling bitch’. I want to give her a big hug, she deserves the absolute best🫂.
The relationship between the both of them was sooooo tense (sexy af), but at the same time perfectly balanced with tenderness. Their story was a roller coaster of excitement, sadness, frustration, pain, and happiness. I love how they have a deep emotional connection and helped each other heal their past traumas. They are literally made for each other, bye I’m gonna cry I already miss them😭.
In terms of plot I was HOOKED affff. The mystery and also development of the line from the first book was so well executed and had me with anxiety the whole time from what could happen at any time. I also cannot wait to see how it continues in the next book. Speaking of…THATCHER AND LYRA I'M COMING FOR BOTH OF YOU
February 21, 2022
****Available Now***
4.5 STARS (I keep going back and forth)
I’m loving this world, the characters, the romantic couples, the friendship of the guys, and the revenge plot line. I enjoyed the first book, but I loved this one.
What I loved…
1. Rook Van Doren. That’s it. That’s the point. I kid. I loved this man. My heart broke for him, I was fascinated in how his trauma manifested in his self masochistic ways and his love of fire. Such a unique character. His love of Sage, sealed my fate. I’m his forever.
2. Sage…what can I say? I love a female forged in fire, who is tough for survival. Her dreams, her goals and her love of Rook softened her. Made her likable even though she was a thorny character.
3. These two were so good together. Their relationship allows readers to see their softer sides, how their damaged pieces fit together. Their love is strong, endless, enduring. Even through all the muck and dirt of their lives, the way they loved each other was romantic.
4. The steam and degradation kink was chef’s kiss. I really loved it and how it fit who they are as people.
5. The revenge plot line opened up to so much more. I’m excited to see where this is going to go.
6. All the literary allusions - the fall of Lucifer, The Crucible, Dante’s Inferno. God, so well done.
7. Silas. Thatcher. I can’t wait for their books.
What I didn’t love…
1. I felt like we had less of the guys, and I missed them together as a group. The moments were too few and far between.
2. I feel like this needed another go for proofreading. Things like chuck of hair vs. chunk of hair and various typos took me out of the story at times (and this was the final published manuscript, as I would ignore these things in an ARC).
3. The revenge plot line took a bit more of a back seat. It felt like more of this happened behind the scenes and pieces that should have been a bigger threat weren’t.
4. One scene - a bit unrealistic, a bit more prep work for that kind of action.
Overall, I really loved it. I’m obsessed with Rook and Sage and their love. I cannot wait for the next book.
This will have major TW/CW. Fee free to message me with any specific questions regard them.
4.5 STARS (I keep going back and forth)
I’m loving this world, the characters, the romantic couples, the friendship of the guys, and the revenge plot line. I enjoyed the first book, but I loved this one.
What I loved…
1. Rook Van Doren. That’s it. That’s the point. I kid. I loved this man. My heart broke for him, I was fascinated in how his trauma manifested in his self masochistic ways and his love of fire. Such a unique character. His love of Sage, sealed my fate. I’m his forever.
2. Sage…what can I say? I love a female forged in fire, who is tough for survival. Her dreams, her goals and her love of Rook softened her. Made her likable even though she was a thorny character.
3. These two were so good together. Their relationship allows readers to see their softer sides, how their damaged pieces fit together. Their love is strong, endless, enduring. Even through all the muck and dirt of their lives, the way they loved each other was romantic.
4. The steam and degradation kink was chef’s kiss. I really loved it and how it fit who they are as people.
5. The revenge plot line opened up to so much more. I’m excited to see where this is going to go.
6. All the literary allusions - the fall of Lucifer, The Crucible, Dante’s Inferno. God, so well done.
7. Silas. Thatcher. I can’t wait for their books.
What I didn’t love…
1. I felt like we had less of the guys, and I missed them together as a group. The moments were too few and far between.
2. I feel like this needed another go for proofreading. Things like chuck of hair vs. chunk of hair and various typos took me out of the story at times (and this was the final published manuscript, as I would ignore these things in an ARC).
3. The revenge plot line took a bit more of a back seat. It felt like more of this happened behind the scenes and pieces that should have been a bigger threat weren’t.
4. One scene - a bit unrealistic, a bit more prep work for that kind of action.
Overall, I really loved it. I’m obsessed with Rook and Sage and their love. I cannot wait for the next book.
This will have major TW/CW. Fee free to message me with any specific questions regard them.
May 12, 2024
“You decided to keep me ? You were the only one worthy of keeping.” rook and sage were everything🤍
January 30, 2024
★3/5! Silas deserves the god damn world, the amount of times I was crying because he was upset. I want to read Lyrathatcher so bad but at the same time I just want to jump to Silas book to see him happy, I NEED HIM HAPPY!!
SageRook I’m sorry but I didn’t enjoy them that much… loved Rooks character but Sage? 50/50. Personally BriarAllister book was better than this one, I enjoyed the plot more and the couple.
FOUND FAMILY DID NOT DISAPPOINT! LYRATHATCHER CRUMBS MY GODD I LOVE THEMM
SageRook I’m sorry but I didn’t enjoy them that much… loved Rooks character but Sage? 50/50. Personally BriarAllister book was better than this one, I enjoyed the plot more and the couple.
FOUND FAMILY DID NOT DISAPPOINT! LYRATHATCHER CRUMBS MY GODD I LOVE THEMM
November 18, 2023
Star rating: ★★★★☆
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book was so good, but low key hurt my feelings half the time. Rooke my poor baby is just in so much pain that all I wanted to do was HELP HIM😫 hurt my soul.
I am clamoring for Silas’s book tho… okay 2 more books left til I get to it🤪
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book was so good, but low key hurt my feelings half the time. Rooke my poor baby is just in so much pain that all I wanted to do was HELP HIM😫 hurt my soul.
I am clamoring for Silas’s book tho… okay 2 more books left til I get to it🤪
January 4, 2024
“I’m keeping you,”
[...] “You’ve always had me, Rook. Always.”
After Sage's sister was murdered she got into a psych ward (forced by her father) and stood there until she made a deal with him to get out: she had to spy and know what the Hollow boys were planning against him. However, Sage and Rook were lovers months earlier, until she broke his trust because she had to protect her sister from the fate that awaited her as Easton's wife. Now, Sage is back and in the same university and Rook wants to destroy her for what she did to him.
I love Sage (because I always love the broken mean girls so I already knew I would like her). She was such an interesting character and held my attention way more than Briar. And Rook was also great, he's so sexy and just. I adore him. He's my second favorite boy bc the first will always be Thatcher. But these two had so much chemistry and history together, I think they somehow are second-chance romance and mean girl x boy obsessed and these are my favorite tropes? It was a combination for me tbh.
Again, what I like about this and how it's different from other dark romance series: Monty Jay puts the effort to write a close and loyal girl group as much as she does for the boys. This is rare because these writers usually like to put the girls against each other and I love Briar, Lyra, and Sage's friendship.
I couldn't stand Alistair in this book, he was so annoying. I think he might be my least favorite of the boys. My heart breaks for Silas and I want him to have a happy ending because he deserves it so much. And Thatcher.. that man is so charming like, I know he's a psycho but that's husband material idc.
Now, in the last book, a girl was tattoed while unconscious and it made me hate the writer. In this one, I hate her even more because after choosing to tell Rook about her abuse and who her abuser was, he made Sage go tell her story to all his MALE friends so they could tell if she was lying or not, I know he had a reason to doubt her speaking the truth or not, but he didn't stop for one second to think if she would be comfortable to tell what happened to her, to think if she wanted to share it. As I said before I like dark romance and there are some things I can still enjoy reading in dark themes, but not this. This was so disrespectful to SA survivors. It was her story to tell, to whoever she wanted to, whenever she wanted to.
[...] “You’ve always had me, Rook. Always.”
After Sage's sister was murdered she got into a psych ward (forced by her father) and stood there until she made a deal with him to get out: she had to spy and know what the Hollow boys were planning against him. However, Sage and Rook were lovers months earlier, until she broke his trust because she had to protect her sister from the fate that awaited her as Easton's wife. Now, Sage is back and in the same university and Rook wants to destroy her for what she did to him.
I love Sage (because I always love the broken mean girls so I already knew I would like her). She was such an interesting character and held my attention way more than Briar. And Rook was also great, he's so sexy and just. I adore him. He's my second favorite boy bc the first will always be Thatcher. But these two had so much chemistry and history together, I think they somehow are second-chance romance and mean girl x boy obsessed and these are my favorite tropes? It was a combination for me tbh.
Again, what I like about this and how it's different from other dark romance series: Monty Jay puts the effort to write a close and loyal girl group as much as she does for the boys. This is rare because these writers usually like to put the girls against each other and I love Briar, Lyra, and Sage's friendship.
I couldn't stand Alistair in this book, he was so annoying. I think he might be my least favorite of the boys. My heart breaks for Silas and I want him to have a happy ending because he deserves it so much. And Thatcher.. that man is so charming like, I know he's a psycho but that's husband material idc.
Now, in the last book, a girl was tattoed while unconscious and it made me hate the writer. In this one, I hate her even more because after choosing to tell Rook about her abuse and who her abuser was, he made Sage go tell her story to all his MALE friends so they could tell if she was lying or not, I know he had a reason to doubt her speaking the truth or not, but he didn't stop for one second to think if she would be comfortable to tell what happened to her, to think if she wanted to share it. As I said before I like dark romance and there are some things I can still enjoy reading in dark themes, but not this. This was so disrespectful to SA survivors. It was her story to tell, to whoever she wanted to, whenever she wanted to.
April 15, 2024
Honestly, this was so fun to read.
I did not expect to have so much after the disaster that first book was but Rook is AMAZING. I always have a sweet spot for misunderstood 'mean' girls and Sage was exactly that. I was crying from the very first chapter and I could relate to Sage in many ways. The character development of RookSage was everything I wanted and more. I loved how their story started and progressed and they grew as individuals as well as a couple. Their individual growth with each other's support was beautiful and commendable.
The chemistry was insane and I LOVED how weak Rook was for Sage. He was obsessed with her. He believed in her, treated her like a queen from the very start. He gave her a safe space she never had and it meant everything to me. I loved the jealousy and the angst. I do wish we got to see more of it in the 'present' time but it was good nonetheless.
Secret relationship, cheating and everything was done perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I did not expect to have so much after the disaster that first book was but Rook is AMAZING. I always have a sweet spot for misunderstood 'mean' girls and Sage was exactly that. I was crying from the very first chapter and I could relate to Sage in many ways. The character development of RookSage was everything I wanted and more. I loved how their story started and progressed and they grew as individuals as well as a couple. Their individual growth with each other's support was beautiful and commendable.
The chemistry was insane and I LOVED how weak Rook was for Sage. He was obsessed with her. He believed in her, treated her like a queen from the very start. He gave her a safe space she never had and it meant everything to me. I loved the jealousy and the angst. I do wish we got to see more of it in the 'present' time but it was good nonetheless.
Secret relationship, cheating and everything was done perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
May 15, 2024
5⭐️ 3🌶️
this is really reigniting my love for reading, I have been LOVING things since throne of glass, but this has just come along and reminded me why I love reading, and why I love reading dark romance 🫶🏽
I’m just so impressed with how strong the plot is, the pacing of the plot and how it’s all coming together, the mystery, the intrigue, secrets, lies. The characters, the found family that’s slowly building between the group
Now onto Sage & Rook (Rook van doren is now of my top favourite mmc’s)
The attention to ALL the characters personalities is 10/10, Rook’s literally a pyromaniac, which is so psycho but then at the same time, there’s so many connotations as to why he’s like that, why he craves that, depth to his character to make us understand where this all comes from and then to top it off she makes him fucking sexy with it 😮💨😮💨 stop itttttt
Sage’s character is brilliant, the things she’s overcome, I really enjoyed her character arc in this after seeing how she was in part 1 which is set in the past 🙌🏼
I just love it all, I’m obsessed, the boys is this are sooo unhinged I can’t wait to read about Thatcher & Lyra who arguably have the most unique and interesting personalities in this whole series and probably of most dark romances I have read… (weird Tim burton-esque bug girl, meets, emotionless clinical, methodological Thatcher who’s father was a serial killer and he’s turning out to be just like him… bring it on)
IM OBSESSED OK BYE
this is really reigniting my love for reading, I have been LOVING things since throne of glass, but this has just come along and reminded me why I love reading, and why I love reading dark romance 🫶🏽
I’m just so impressed with how strong the plot is, the pacing of the plot and how it’s all coming together, the mystery, the intrigue, secrets, lies. The characters, the found family that’s slowly building between the group
Now onto Sage & Rook (Rook van doren is now of my top favourite mmc’s)
The attention to ALL the characters personalities is 10/10, Rook’s literally a pyromaniac, which is so psycho but then at the same time, there’s so many connotations as to why he’s like that, why he craves that, depth to his character to make us understand where this all comes from and then to top it off she makes him fucking sexy with it 😮💨😮💨 stop itttttt
Sage’s character is brilliant, the things she’s overcome, I really enjoyed her character arc in this after seeing how she was in part 1 which is set in the past 🙌🏼
I just love it all, I’m obsessed, the boys is this are sooo unhinged I can’t wait to read about Thatcher & Lyra who arguably have the most unique and interesting personalities in this whole series and probably of most dark romances I have read… (weird Tim burton-esque bug girl, meets, emotionless clinical, methodological Thatcher who’s father was a serial killer and he’s turning out to be just like him… bring it on)
IM OBSESSED OK BYE
November 1, 2023
rooksage, that’s it.
April 10, 2024
4.75/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️
Rook Van Doren can light me on fire and I would scream thank you while writhing in pain.
This poor, broken man. Ugh.. so our boy is a pyromanic. Ever since a tragic accident took his mother, he has blamed himself and has had this strange addiction to fire. His father abuses him and he's constantly riddled with guilt.
This book was much heavier than the first one, so definitely make sure you check your triggers.
Again, HIGHLY RECOMMEND the audiobook!
The way my heart broke for not only Rook and Sage in this one.. but Silas. Again, I was tearing up for this man.. I am anxious to get to his book, but only because I need to know that this poor guy finds happiness. 😭
This book was spicier than book 1. I LOVED that there was spitting, spanking, he was masked and chasing her in a mirror maze, there was a confessional church scene.. whew. THIS WAS THE ONE BABY.
Did I mention she called him a “good boy” at one point & I melted for her too? 🫠
Thatcher, I have no idea what I'm walking into with your book being next, but ready or not.. here I come. ❤️
3/5 🌶️
Rook Van Doren can light me on fire and I would scream thank you while writhing in pain.
This poor, broken man. Ugh.. so our boy is a pyromanic. Ever since a tragic accident took his mother, he has blamed himself and has had this strange addiction to fire. His father abuses him and he's constantly riddled with guilt.
This book was much heavier than the first one, so definitely make sure you check your triggers.
Again, HIGHLY RECOMMEND the audiobook!
The way my heart broke for not only Rook and Sage in this one.. but Silas. Again, I was tearing up for this man.. I am anxious to get to his book, but only because I need to know that this poor guy finds happiness. 😭
This book was spicier than book 1. I LOVED that there was spitting, spanking, he was masked and chasing her in a mirror maze, there was a confessional church scene.. whew. THIS WAS THE ONE BABY.
Did I mention she called him a “good boy” at one point & I melted for her too? 🫠
Thatcher, I have no idea what I'm walking into with your book being next, but ready or not.. here I come. ❤️
April 12, 2024
Ahhh! This second book in the Hollow Boys series is even better than the first! I love these boys and even though they are quite unhinged, they need to be protected at all costs. How dare anyone hurt these boys!! I legit hate some of their parents. The female characters are the boys perfect counterparts. I’m loving the character development. Bravo, Monty. Can’t wait to read the next book.
Okay, so I have been devouring these audiobooks. Lucy Rivers and Grayson Owens are freaking rocking this narration. I could not be happier.
Book: 5/5
Spice: 3/5
Narration: 5/5
Okay, so I have been devouring these audiobooks. Lucy Rivers and Grayson Owens are freaking rocking this narration. I could not be happier.
Book: 5/5
Spice: 3/5
Narration: 5/5
June 1, 2023
This book is fucking phenomenal! It is no doubt at the top of the list of my favourite reads of the year so far. I definitely went through a rollercoaster of emotions reading Sage and Rook’s story. I have sent my therapy bill to MJ and she agreed to settle it for everything she put me through.
Y’all I love this book beyond words. I had to say Sage and Rook really surprised me, in the best possible way. Sage was briefly mentioned in The Lies We Steal and I had little to work with so I didn’t know what to expect from the Ponderosa Springs sweetheart. As for Rook, I knew he was unpredictable, dangerous and broken but peeling off all the layers and seeing the real rook? My heart broke for him so many times and I just wanted to give him a hug.
Sage was the crown jewel of Ponderosa Springs. As the daughter of the mayor, she was always under the microscope, expected to look a certain way, act a specific way and keep up appearances. She became very good at keeping her inner self hidden from those around her, allowing them to see what she wanted them to see. On the flip side, her younger twin Rosemary had all the freedom to do what she wanted. When this cherished angel came into contact with the devil, Rook, she unmasked herself and let loose. She slowly found the way back to her old self. She felt seen, cherished and loved.
Rook was seen as a demon child. An antichrist from the moment he was born simply because of a birthmark. Having lived with the judgmental rumours and whispers, he grew up to become the monster people shaped him to be. He knew Sage because of Rosemary's relationship with his best friend Silas. At first, he wanted to toy with the spoiled, uptight princess and try breaking her. He did not expect to see her true form. Her fire, her passion, her damaged soul calling out to him. She was so much more
Sage and Rook had many obstacles in their way to finding truth, happiness and love. Yet it only made them stronger and more united. It was an arduous journey and as much as it hurt, MJ gave them the time to immerse in the pain, experience the loss and channel the rage. They also needed time to heal, reconcile and learn to trust one another again after all the deceit and lies.
Their love story was intense, maddening and emotionally complicated. Sage, the oxygen that fueled the flame that Rook was. Lilith to her Lucifer. They complemented each other perfectly and there would not have been a better fit for them.
MJ did an incredible job shining a spotlight on all four Hollow Boys throughout the book. Each of their personalities came through, whether it was from a conversation or action. I loved their “we don’t need to understand to do something for you” friendship and the Loner Society, growing from a duo to a trio. How I wished Rose could be part of it too.
And the ending?! I am hyperventilating, screaming, kicking… I need to know what happened with my babies Thatcher and Lyra
Y’all I love this book beyond words. I had to say Sage and Rook really surprised me, in the best possible way. Sage was briefly mentioned in The Lies We Steal and I had little to work with so I didn’t know what to expect from the Ponderosa Springs sweetheart. As for Rook, I knew he was unpredictable, dangerous and broken but peeling off all the layers and seeing the real rook? My heart broke for him so many times and I just wanted to give him a hug.
Sage was the crown jewel of Ponderosa Springs. As the daughter of the mayor, she was always under the microscope, expected to look a certain way, act a specific way and keep up appearances. She became very good at keeping her inner self hidden from those around her, allowing them to see what she wanted them to see. On the flip side, her younger twin Rosemary had all the freedom to do what she wanted. When this cherished angel came into contact with the devil, Rook, she unmasked herself and let loose. She slowly found the way back to her old self. She felt seen, cherished and loved.
Rook was seen as a demon child. An antichrist from the moment he was born simply because of a birthmark. Having lived with the judgmental rumours and whispers, he grew up to become the monster people shaped him to be. He knew Sage because of Rosemary's relationship with his best friend Silas. At first, he wanted to toy with the spoiled, uptight princess and try breaking her. He did not expect to see her true form. Her fire, her passion, her damaged soul calling out to him. She was so much more
Sage and Rook had many obstacles in their way to finding truth, happiness and love. Yet it only made them stronger and more united. It was an arduous journey and as much as it hurt, MJ gave them the time to immerse in the pain, experience the loss and channel the rage. They also needed time to heal, reconcile and learn to trust one another again after all the deceit and lies.
Their love story was intense, maddening and emotionally complicated. Sage, the oxygen that fueled the flame that Rook was. Lilith to her Lucifer. They complemented each other perfectly and there would not have been a better fit for them.
MJ did an incredible job shining a spotlight on all four Hollow Boys throughout the book. Each of their personalities came through, whether it was from a conversation or action. I loved their “we don’t need to understand to do something for you” friendship and the Loner Society, growing from a duo to a trio. How I wished Rose could be part of it too.
And the ending?! I am hyperventilating, screaming, kicking… I need to know what happened with my babies Thatcher and Lyra
November 7, 2023
This was a wild ride and I enjoyed it probably a little more than the first book in this series. Rook and Sage’s story was dark, heartbreaking and interesting at the same time. This book was definitely darker than the first one with some of the content but it fit so well into the story and romance. There are spicy scenes in this and they were a bit weird tbh but whatever lol. The Hollow boys are such a family and the way they care and do anything for each other was so good. Content warning: non suicidal self harm, cutting, mental illness, violence, homicide, neglect, abuse.
May 13, 2024
“he is my lucifer, and it's time for me to show him I could be his lilith.”
ROOKSAGE I LOVE YOU SO MUCH
ROOKSAGE I LOVE YOU SO MUCH
January 31, 2024
3/5★
i love love love sage so much. this book was ok I'm actually continuing this series for thatcher, lyra and sage. rook was amazing too, and I'm very interested in silas character
i love love love sage so much. this book was ok I'm actually continuing this series for thatcher, lyra and sage. rook was amazing too, and I'm very interested in silas character
October 15, 2023
3 stars
here i am 48 hours later and this book wasn’t that good. nothing happened in the book and i don’t care for rooksage. do i want to gobble rooks nuts? yes. do i love sage? absolutely. but that’s as far as my love goes.
10/13 review: MUCH better than the first book. and i have this nagging feeling in my chest as i write this, but in 24 hours this rating will probably go down.
here i am 48 hours later and this book wasn’t that good. nothing happened in the book and i don’t care for rooksage. do i want to gobble rooks nuts? yes. do i love sage? absolutely. but that’s as far as my love goes.
10/13 review: MUCH better than the first book. and i have this nagging feeling in my chest as i write this, but in 24 hours this rating will probably go down.
January 10, 2023
”I’m keeping you.”
“You’ve always had me, Rook. Always.”
I didn't expect my heart to break in the first pages of the book nor I expected this much angst. This book destroyed me in sorrowful cycles that went from making me angry to having me sobbing and then smiling and I loved every word of it. I feel like I should apologize to Rook and Sage. I underestimated them. I am not sure what I anticipated but it wasn’t this addictive, heart-wrecking story. I also have to note that Rook is the hottest of the Hollow Boys.
The author took the mean girl x bad boy trope, retained it throughout the book but elevated it with characters so complex and a very unique love that balanced between obsessive / toxic to healthy / heavenly. Their love, their fire, and their story were perfectly described by the idea of heaven and hell.
In the opaque darkness, we found a love that could never be contained.
It was expected by Rook to set everything ablaze, it is his element after all, but I wasn’t prepared for the wildfire that was Sage. There are couples that balance each other, like how Briar calms Alister’s anger. This wasn’t it. This obsession, this wild scorching love between Sage and Rook didn’t have any calming qualities. It was intense and liberating. Two fires that continually rekindled each other in such an erratic dance.
These two characters had to go through literal hell from their first chapters to the very end. Their story was saturated by their pain. Their backstories, their past until we reach the current timeline and then the continuation from where book 1 left, it is an intense struggle, a constant fight. From my perspective, Thatcher wins the award for the worse childhood but because of his lack of feelings, his book wasn’t as sorrowful as this one. The rest of the characters of this found family (except maybe Briar) feel via the limitations of their own spectrums. In contrast, Sage and Rook experience their feeling tenfold until they are suffocated by them. From their happiness to their devastation, they drown themselves and each other in it. Their love is explosive and utterly inflaming.
Their story is so much different because of their parents, who are popular members of the society of Ponderosa Springs. Both of our mcs are direct offsprings of that society, which offers a perfect view of the inner workings of this community. Although Rook was ostracized quite young, Sage is seemingly the perfect creation of that very toxic town. Of course, neither of them is what I or Ponderosa expected, especially Sage. I loved this infernal warrior so much. I loved both of them. They make mistakes and pay for them horribly, they burn themselves and then rebuild all on their own. At times I was angry at their choices, but in the end, all their actions were natural both to their age but also to the toxicity of this community.
I don’t know if I love them more or equal to Thatcher and Lyra but both of these couples leave their own mark with their books. Monty writes brilliant stories and I can’t wait for more.
Did I like it? Loved it.
Would I reread it? Yeees.
5/5⭐
3/5🌶️
“You’ve always had me, Rook. Always.”
I didn't expect my heart to break in the first pages of the book nor I expected this much angst. This book destroyed me in sorrowful cycles that went from making me angry to having me sobbing and then smiling and I loved every word of it. I feel like I should apologize to Rook and Sage. I underestimated them. I am not sure what I anticipated but it wasn’t this addictive, heart-wrecking story. I also have to note that Rook is the hottest of the Hollow Boys.
The author took the mean girl x bad boy trope, retained it throughout the book but elevated it with characters so complex and a very unique love that balanced between obsessive / toxic to healthy / heavenly. Their love, their fire, and their story were perfectly described by the idea of heaven and hell.
In the opaque darkness, we found a love that could never be contained.
It was expected by Rook to set everything ablaze, it is his element after all, but I wasn’t prepared for the wildfire that was Sage. There are couples that balance each other, like how Briar calms Alister’s anger. This wasn’t it. This obsession, this wild scorching love between Sage and Rook didn’t have any calming qualities. It was intense and liberating. Two fires that continually rekindled each other in such an erratic dance.
These two characters had to go through literal hell from their first chapters to the very end. Their story was saturated by their pain. Their backstories, their past until we reach the current timeline and then the continuation from where book 1 left, it is an intense struggle, a constant fight. From my perspective, Thatcher wins the award for the worse childhood but because of his lack of feelings, his book wasn’t as sorrowful as this one. The rest of the characters of this found family (except maybe Briar) feel via the limitations of their own spectrums. In contrast, Sage and Rook experience their feeling tenfold until they are suffocated by them. From their happiness to their devastation, they drown themselves and each other in it. Their love is explosive and utterly inflaming.
Their story is so much different because of their parents, who are popular members of the society of Ponderosa Springs. Both of our mcs are direct offsprings of that society, which offers a perfect view of the inner workings of this community. Although Rook was ostracized quite young, Sage is seemingly the perfect creation of that very toxic town. Of course, neither of them is what I or Ponderosa expected, especially Sage. I loved this infernal warrior so much. I loved both of them. They make mistakes and pay for them horribly, they burn themselves and then rebuild all on their own. At times I was angry at their choices, but in the end, all their actions were natural both to their age but also to the toxicity of this community.
I don’t know if I love them more or equal to Thatcher and Lyra but both of these couples leave their own mark with their books. Monty writes brilliant stories and I can’t wait for more.
Did I like it? Loved it.
Would I reread it? Yeees.
5/5⭐
3/5🌶️
February 11, 2022
Consider me a Monty Jay fan forever now. The Truths We Burn hit me hard with raw and gritty feels. All kinds of feels. It was perfectly angsty with absolutely brilliant writing. This enemies to lovers new adult romance was all about flawed and broken hearts finding peace and love in each other. I am still recovering from the impact of the adrenaline fuelled, soul deep and deviant story.
Sage Donahue is the sweetheart of Ponderosa Springs. She projects this perfect image because she has to protect her sister from her parents' expectations. Rook Van Doren is the exact opposite. The devil. The Antichrist. The pyromaniac. He and his friends are feared by everyone because they are the monsters in everyone's eyes. Their paths crossed. And they crashed and burned.
I deliberately kept that synopsis vague because you need to go in blind. And the story has so many twists and turns and secrets that you cannot even imagine. But at core, this is an angsty romance all the way. The good girl with secrets and the bad boy with broken pieces. A recipe for disaster but heaven for my angst loving heart. Rook is antihero at the best and at the worst. He is ruthless. Merciless. Unhinged. Dangerous. Edgy. There is nothing light or easy about him. Life has sucked out all his goodness and poured anger, hatred and pain inside his heart. He is only loyal to his friends. Sage has been hiding her jagged bleeding edge from everyone. She hides her heartbreak behind snark and sass but inside she is a lost sad soul. Rook filled her heart with fire and she gave Rook a way to channel his pain.
But that's a simplistic description of their journey. Because the level of heartbreak this story carries is just unreal. I am in love with the author's poetic style as she managed to weave raw emotions in every page. The evolution of the characters and their connection is amazing. You get to experience the full range of feels. And it was also insanely sexy.
If you are looking for a romance to break you and then get your pieces together, The Truths We Burn by Monty Jay is for you.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
Sage Donahue is the sweetheart of Ponderosa Springs. She projects this perfect image because she has to protect her sister from her parents' expectations. Rook Van Doren is the exact opposite. The devil. The Antichrist. The pyromaniac. He and his friends are feared by everyone because they are the monsters in everyone's eyes. Their paths crossed. And they crashed and burned.
I deliberately kept that synopsis vague because you need to go in blind. And the story has so many twists and turns and secrets that you cannot even imagine. But at core, this is an angsty romance all the way. The good girl with secrets and the bad boy with broken pieces. A recipe for disaster but heaven for my angst loving heart. Rook is antihero at the best and at the worst. He is ruthless. Merciless. Unhinged. Dangerous. Edgy. There is nothing light or easy about him. Life has sucked out all his goodness and poured anger, hatred and pain inside his heart. He is only loyal to his friends. Sage has been hiding her jagged bleeding edge from everyone. She hides her heartbreak behind snark and sass but inside she is a lost sad soul. Rook filled her heart with fire and she gave Rook a way to channel his pain.
But that's a simplistic description of their journey. Because the level of heartbreak this story carries is just unreal. I am in love with the author's poetic style as she managed to weave raw emotions in every page. The evolution of the characters and their connection is amazing. You get to experience the full range of feels. And it was also insanely sexy.
If you are looking for a romance to break you and then get your pieces together, The Truths We Burn by Monty Jay is for you.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
February 20, 2024
willemmy tethered
November 11, 2023
I loved this book, the plot couple was good. Even though, in this one the plot took way too long to get moving. But I have no complaints because Rook and Sage were everything 💜 They had good chemistry and were such a hot couple. The enemies to lovers to forbidden/secret relationship was so good. I wish we didn’t get the 2 month time jump because I would have loved to see more of their relationship at the start before they turned into “enemies” again. I loved how they both found comfort in one another and let themselves be real and raw. The second chance was done really good here, you could see how painful it was for both of them because of the love they have. This was better than first book both couple and writing wise. Writing got better but there were still mistakes and some stuff in the descriptions were just not it 😭
The stuff Sage went through just broke my heart 💔 Even though, she was the mean girl I loved her and once I got to know her and saw how broken and alone she was. I understood why she was hiding behind her brave and mean girl mask. The stuff that happened to her when she was a kid just broke my heart and made me feel sick. I hate her parents because they knew what was happening to her, but they never helped her or thought to stop what was happening. She was a freaking kid who had to go through this for years all alone, without anyone to save her 😭 The fact she accepted the engagement to Easton because her own father blackmailed her with Rose and then had to break up with Rook and hurt him because Easton found out and blackmailed her with Rose too. This part actually broke my heart “𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚛𝚞𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚍. 𝙲𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚗 𝚖𝚎 𝚒𝚗. 𝙼𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎. 𝚁𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝚠𝚊𝚜𝚗’𝚝—𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚗𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚞𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏𝚒𝚜𝚑.” 💔 After everything that happened to her she only wanted to leave this town, but at the end she lost herself, Rose and Rook. Her father is the most disgusting thing. Knowing he was the one who sold Rose to those people just to save his own life and seeing how his money hungry self didn’t care that his 10 year old daughter got assaulted by their family “best friend” was disgusting. What they did to her father and Cain was deserved (Cain got tortured well I just wished they tortured her nasty father more).
My heart broke for Rook and seeing how he blamed himself and said he deserves to get “punished” by his father because his mothers accident was his fault, which it wasn’t 😭 He didn’t like Sage at first, but once he saw the real her it changed. They way he was obsessed with her and would do anything for her. The way he let himself love Sage and believe he can have something good in his life just for her to break his heart 💔 It was sad to see the way he was hurting and asking Thatcher to hurt him for months because he blamed himself for believing and letting Sage in. I also loved how Sage was there for him and got him to stop punishing himself with his fathers abuse or his friends hurting him. Their first kiss and first time was done so well. All the cute moments before. Act II was all the sad, angsty and hot moments were good too. I cheered the loudest when he burned the left side of Sage’s nasty ex’s face (he said all they will do is talk and no action. Rook showed him action). I guess Easton has a part in the plot or his father does because his father is nasty and suspicious. I think his has a part in all the missing girl cases and the Halo itself 🤔 I don’t like the whole “branding” each other thing... Also Alistair tattooing A.C on Briar knuckles isn’t the same thing as her giving him B necklace. Sage saying “trust me” and playing with him to giving him blowjob versus him saying “trust me” and burning his initials on her ass isn’t the same either. I mean the Rook one was at least on her ass and in the past he cut himself so he can match Sage scar 😭
I loved the boys friendship and it showed that they’re not just friends, but a family. I loved Sage’s friendship with the girls too. She never had friends who loved and wanted to be with her since she was not the real her and now she had real friendship with Lyra and Briar 🫂
Thatcher and Lyra crumbs were so good. Thatcher‘a stuff in Lyra’s closet? Thatcher being worried about Lyra? Her killing a man who was threatening Thatcher 😳 I’m so excited to read their book. My heart broke for Silas, the way he was in so much pain and even worse in this book. We got to see his family and his parents and little brothers were so cute. I just love his family. He was having a lot of hallucinations and had an episode because he wasn’t taking his medication. At the end he was sent to a hospital 😭 I just hope he will get better and be able to heal after all the pain he went through.
Book Tropes 📝
— dark romance
— enemies to lovers
— secret romance
— second chance
— found family
The stuff Sage went through just broke my heart 💔 Even though, she was the mean girl I loved her and once I got to know her and saw how broken and alone she was. I understood why she was hiding behind her brave and mean girl mask. The stuff that happened to her when she was a kid just broke my heart and made me feel sick. I hate her parents because they knew what was happening to her, but they never helped her or thought to stop what was happening. She was a freaking kid who had to go through this for years all alone, without anyone to save her 😭 The fact she accepted the engagement to Easton because her own father blackmailed her with Rose and then had to break up with Rook and hurt him because Easton found out and blackmailed her with Rose too. This part actually broke my heart “𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚛𝚞𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚍. 𝙲𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚗 𝚖𝚎 𝚒𝚗. 𝙼𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎. 𝚁𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝚠𝚊𝚜𝚗’𝚝—𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚗𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚞𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏𝚒𝚜𝚑.” 💔 After everything that happened to her she only wanted to leave this town, but at the end she lost herself, Rose and Rook. Her father is the most disgusting thing. Knowing he was the one who sold Rose to those people just to save his own life and seeing how his money hungry self didn’t care that his 10 year old daughter got assaulted by their family “best friend” was disgusting. What they did to her father and Cain was deserved (Cain got tortured well I just wished they tortured her nasty father more).
My heart broke for Rook and seeing how he blamed himself and said he deserves to get “punished” by his father because his mothers accident was his fault, which it wasn’t 😭 He didn’t like Sage at first, but once he saw the real her it changed. They way he was obsessed with her and would do anything for her. The way he let himself love Sage and believe he can have something good in his life just for her to break his heart 💔 It was sad to see the way he was hurting and asking Thatcher to hurt him for months because he blamed himself for believing and letting Sage in. I also loved how Sage was there for him and got him to stop punishing himself with his fathers abuse or his friends hurting him. Their first kiss and first time was done so well. All the cute moments before. Act II was all the sad, angsty and hot moments were good too. I cheered the loudest when he burned the left side of Sage’s nasty ex’s face (he said all they will do is talk and no action. Rook showed him action). I guess Easton has a part in the plot or his father does because his father is nasty and suspicious. I think his has a part in all the missing girl cases and the Halo itself 🤔 I don’t like the whole “branding” each other thing... Also Alistair tattooing A.C on Briar knuckles isn’t the same thing as her giving him B necklace. Sage saying “trust me” and playing with him to giving him blowjob versus him saying “trust me” and burning his initials on her ass isn’t the same either. I mean the Rook one was at least on her ass and in the past he cut himself so he can match Sage scar 😭
I loved the boys friendship and it showed that they’re not just friends, but a family. I loved Sage’s friendship with the girls too. She never had friends who loved and wanted to be with her since she was not the real her and now she had real friendship with Lyra and Briar 🫂
Thatcher and Lyra crumbs were so good. Thatcher‘a stuff in Lyra’s closet? Thatcher being worried about Lyra? Her killing a man who was threatening Thatcher 😳 I’m so excited to read their book. My heart broke for Silas, the way he was in so much pain and even worse in this book. We got to see his family and his parents and little brothers were so cute. I just love his family. He was having a lot of hallucinations and had an episode because he wasn’t taking his medication. At the end he was sent to a hospital 😭 I just hope he will get better and be able to heal after all the pain he went through.
Book Tropes 📝
— dark romance
— enemies to lovers
— secret romance
— second chance
— found family
March 15, 2024
4/5 ⭐️ || 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
Well, honestly I liked it a lot more than the first and than I thought I would like because I ended up quite disappointed with the previous one, but I loved the story of the main characters together as much as separated, Rook and Sage earned my heart from the first moment, they are my babies, and I can confirm that mean girls will always be my comfort characters, Sage is my misunderstood girl and I love Rook with my soul, and although I suffered 80% of the book I think that the more painful the couple is, more I like it and they were definitely not the exception ✨❤️
Well, honestly I liked it a lot more than the first and than I thought I would like because I ended up quite disappointed with the previous one, but I loved the story of the main characters together as much as separated, Rook and Sage earned my heart from the first moment, they are my babies, and I can confirm that mean girls will always be my comfort characters, Sage is my misunderstood girl and I love Rook with my soul, and although I suffered 80% of the book I think that the more painful the couple is, more I like it and they were definitely not the exception ✨❤️
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