Two equally determined men, built to survive and knowing their strengths. However, there's something stopping August from taking advantage of Keaton, and no it's not the ropes Keaton tied him up with. Keaton knows he can't trust August, but he can't leave him behind either, and maybe with August's help they both can survive, together.
From the blurb:
AUGUST
They say the world was better before the Red Rain―before the skies grew toxic and the virus transformed people into mindless savages.
I disagree.
There’s beauty in the wreckage, if you know where to look.
Desperation is profitable. Hope is a commodity. Dreams? I sell them daily.
Keaton Levine was supposed to be just another mark.
Until he wasn’t.
Because he sees me—really sees me.
And in this shattered place we call home, I’m not sure I’m ready to be someone worth saving.
KEATON
I lost everything when I got bitten.
Discharged, discarded, diseased. All I have left is vengeance.
Then came Tobias… August, whatever the hell his real name is.
He promised answers. He gave me lies.
But in peeling him open, I found something I didn’t expect.
A reason to fight. A reason to feel.
Maybe he is the answer.
And I asked the wrong question.
KING OF LIES is a full-length enemies-to-lovers M/M romance set in the 1nf3ction multi-author post-dystopian zombie apocalypse universe. Each book can be read as a standalone.
Expect: power struggles, a morally grey antihero, a mad scientist with a god complex, a cult holed up in a castle, (fireman’s) pole dancing, and two dominant forces crashing together in a world that wants them dead.
If they can learn to trust, they might discover something more precious than survival—each other.
CW - violence.
SNik's review:
Part of a multi-author series (Mayhem Manuscripts Season One: 1nf3ction), but can be read as a standalone. Dystopian. Adversarial to lovers. Forced proximity. Slow burn. Dual POV. Heed content warnings.
August is a skilled con man, taking advantage of people desperate for saving from the red rains that can turn someone feral at any time. Former soldier Keaton needs August’s help, but once he finds that there is no relief from the toxic rain, maybe he can get August to help him on his mission of revenge anyway.
This is an engaging adventure story with a redemption arc, two men that can’t trust but need to rely on each other to survive, and a solid backstory for both men and their motivations. Both August and Keaton were relatable, and when the initial attraction moves from surviving to wanting to survive together it really hit those notes well, even though it was fairly quick in the timeline. The ever present danger and sorrow of the current state of the world is well written and I did root for these two to get their HEA in any way they could as long as they were together.
Molly Otto's review:
When the world around us crumbles you learn to do what is needed to adapt and survive. August goes the not so honest route of using his charms to convince what he is selling is the truth. Keaton choose the military route until he no longer could serve, when he comes upon August he hopes his story is truth to avenge those he lost.
What starts on a not great route leads to two men allowing each other slowly in. August just has a charm about him that even when you want to throttle him, you cannot help but admire his adaptability to situations around him. Keaton has a sweetness about him that shows pureness can still happen in these broken times. Yet they both challenge the other throughout to be better and maybe hope for a better ending than they thought they'd have. This was a fun new take on a genre that has always been a hit or miss for me, glad to see how HL took it and made it their own.
Angel's review:
Tobias, aka, August, is a conman, had been for a long time. He swindles whoever believes his tales and doesn't feel an ounce of guilt about feeding them lies and nonsense. When an ex military soldier sneaks into his room to confront him about his miracle cure, he has a choice to make; continue with the con and play the man? Or come clean and finally let someone in?
I won't spoil the mystery for you but let's just say their journey is NOT an easy one... It's full of battles, snarky and sharp dialogue with flirty undertones, and a human who's more of a monster than the zombies.
I liked both of the MC's in this story but Keaton has my heart. Even though he's seen the cruelty of the world first hand, he's still so hopeful in believing in something good. He doesn't view everyone's words as lies, he takes them at their word. Considering the world he lives in, that's quite a special attribute, so is being so kind and caring about someone who has been caught lying to you... Repeatedly.
I thought these guys are absolutely great together! I love the opposites attract component and all of their snarky and snappy dialogue was amusing to read through. I liked that they had to warm up to each other first, it made their relationship feel more believable. I enjoyed the scenery this story takes place in, this story doesn't just take place in one location but in multiple. And all those locations were described with great detail and was written quite well.
And I also must bring up Caroline, she's the standout character for sure! I love her! She was there when the world ended and still lives to tell the tale, among other things... She's sassy, smart as a whip, and loves mercilessly teasing August.
King of Lies is currently available as an e-book and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription
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