A Lie for a Lie by Helena Hunting

Category: Contemporary Romance
Publication date: 10/15/2019
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Cliffhanger: No

I pretty much love everything this author writes. This one was no exception. 

Plot overview: Hockey star Rook meets the charming and quirky Lainey while on vacation in Alaska. A hot fling ensues, but circumstances force the couple apart. They’re eventually reunited, but Lainey has a secret that could either bring them together, or tear them apart for good.

This one isn’t going to be for every reader. I understand that. There’s a trope in here that is NOT popular with every reader. I’m not going to spoil anything, but it’s a polarizing trope. But here’s all the stuff that worked for me”

Rook is a pretty great hero. He’s sweet and charming and a total cinnamon roll--but he’s still a big, strong, tough, HOT guy who is alpha without being an alphahole. Yes, he does a stupid thing in the beginning of the story and doesn’t tell Lainey the truth about who he is and what he does for a living. He was an idiot. But...I kind of understood why he did it. It can’t possibly be easy to be famous and never know when people are really interested in you, and when they’re only using you for your fame. So I don’t hold it against him (too much) that he kept certain aspects of himself secret from Lainey--because even though their relationship was intense, it was young. His actions were forgivable. 

Lainey is a good heroine, too. She has some issues, sure. But hey, who among us doesn’t have some fears and emotional issues? I found her to be adorable and relatable. And the secret she kept from Rook? Also understandable. She tried to get in touch with him. She didn’t want to keep that secret. But she really didn’t have any other options. And when Rook did find out her secret, she handled it all in a fairly mature way. I’ve seen some other reviewers mention that they didn’t like Lainey because she was weak. But I didn’t find her weak at all. She has some things she has to work through. I didn’t hold that against her. Overall, I liked Lainey a lot.

This also reads as a standalone. It’s a spin-off series from the Pucked series, but you won’t be lost while reading if you aren’t a fan of Pucked. 

As always, the writing style is fun, light, and has a great flow to it. The dialogue is realistic, the banter witty and adorable. All the things you’d expect from Helena Hunting. 

That’s about all I can say without giving away the plot. So, I’ll just say it’s yet another winner from Helena Hunting and y’all should give it a try. That is all.    
 
Does this book contribute to or help crush the romance stigma?
It’s clean and sober. No rehab needed.

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