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Lies We Tell

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One lie. One crazy, dark, dirty lie turned my world upside down. It dug its claws into my life, altered my future, and clouded my past.

I thought I was over him. The one who lied. I thought I’d moved on with a successful career, a fat bank account, and a sexy boyfriend.

All that changes when Owen Henry walks back into my life. He’s out on parole, standing on my front porch, looking sexier than ever. I want to hate him for what he’s done, but all I can do is think about how great his lips felt on mine the last time we kissed.

I’m so screwed.

*This book was formerly released as Monster Love and contains new content.

First published May 14, 2018

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About the author

Jeana E. Mann

45 books908 followers
Jeana E. Mann is the award-winning author of billionaire and bad boy romance. Her books focus on second chances and workplace relationships while touching on real-life topics like autism, drug addiction, mental illness, and family dynamics. Her latest release, THE EXILED PRINCE, is available now!

You can find her here:
Website: http://jeanaemann.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeanaEMann
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/JeanaEMann
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jeana-E.-Mann/...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeana.e.mann/

Standalone Series:
THE PRETTY BROKEN SERIES
Pretty Broken Girl
Pretty Filthy Lies
Pretty Dirty Secrets
Pretty Wild Thing
Pretty Broken Promises
Pretty Broken Dreams
Pretty Broken Baby
Pretty Broken Hearts
Pretty Broken Bastard

FELONY ROMANCE SERIES
Intoxicated
Unexpected
Vindicated
Impulsive
Drift
Committed

ROYAL SECRETS SERIES
The Exiled Prince
The Dirty Princess
The Rebel Queen (Releasing Fall 2018)
The Bastard King (Releasing Fall 2018)

STANDALONE ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Monster Love

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5 stars
87 (35%)
4 stars
104 (42%)
3 stars
37 (15%)
2 stars
14 (5%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews4 followers
Want to read
March 24, 2020
💝FREE on Amazon today (10/11/18)!💝

Blurb:
How far would you go for love?

Owen is sexy, dangerous, and filled with demons. One look into his turbulent eyes and I’m sucked back into my high school obsession. I want him, but I can’t risk my future over a convicted murderer. If I do, everything we've sacrificed will be for nothing.

The thing is, I know he’s not the monster they say he is. But telling the truth about our past will unravel our carefully fabricated web of deceit.

When a journalist, the sheriff, and my district attorney boyfriend begin digging into our history, I’ll have to choose between continuing the lie and living without Owen or unveiling the truth and risking the consequences.

Profile Image for Lisa Aiello.
980 reviews22 followers
May 17, 2018
3.5 stars and rounding up, just because I really liked the writing!

This is truly second chance, done right! Stella, a foster child, meets Owen, an abused son and brother in a family alcoholics and just plain mean people, in their early teens. They have a connection and romance blooms. But Stella knows it is short-lived, because everyone she loves leaves. One night, Owen's brother turns up dead, and fingers point to either Stella or Owen. Owen confesses to the murder and goes to prison for a long time. Jump ahead 18 years, and Stella is back in town (her foster father left her his house), and is working to renovate it. Owen is out of jail and just happens to be part of the crew working on the house. They are now forced to face their past and the untold stories/secrets.

There was something missing for me, and I can't quite put my finger on it. Owen was a fantastic male character, but I didn't connect with him or swoon over him. Stella also was amazing and grew to be a strong woman. There was some angst and a few moments that made my heart stutter, but I was left wanting a bit more.
Profile Image for Karin.
2,171 reviews
March 16, 2020
Second chance love story with a twist. Stella and Owens story was a good one and sad for how certain events transpired. Owen and Stella were high school sweethearts with plans that never came to fruition due to a tragic event. Fast forward 18 years later and they are back in each other orbit and there connection is just as as strong. I adored Owen and my heart broke for him, Stella was a bit more challenging for me but I began to connect with her as the story went on understanding she really had more then her fair share of responsibilities on her shoulder.
Profile Image for Avidez Literaria.
534 reviews26 followers
March 23, 2020
“Can two people still love each after so much time and so many lies?”


Stella did not expect that when she returned to the only place where she had a home reference, she would be opening the door to the past. When she inherits a house, she decides to renovate it and maybe take root, but discovering that her ex-boyfriend is part of the renovation team will reopen old wounds and will dig up old unanswered questions.
Owen just wants to start a new life. The decision he made 18 years ago, changed the course of his entire future and now finally free, seeing the woman for whom he sacrificed himself, will bring dormant feelings to the fore. Hatred, anger, hurt and love will mix. After all, in order to survive he had to drive her away. But the ghost of her memories has haunted him for all these years.
Stella never got answers to what really happened in the past. Nor did she ever believe Owen's guilt. Now a famous photographer, she traveled the world, got married, divorced, reinvented herself. But the memories of the only person she loved decided to return with strength and this time she wants the truth. Whatever it takes.
Two people separated by the tragedy. A boy guilty of a misunderstanding. A girl afraid to face the truth. And a sister who can be the key to all this mystery.
With a touch of suspense and a great secret that unfolds throughout the plot, the book alternates present and past to tell the story of these two and the tragedy that occurred.
Owen and Stella suffered. The way he was and is treated by people in the city, especially by the police, is heartbreaking. Stella saw the world, but she never really lived. The weight of what happened has shaped these two.
A great book, with a dramatic load, interesting characters, a victim with questionable attitudes, a lot of emotional baggage and above all a lot of love. A good reading.


*ARC provided in exchange for an honest Review *

https://avidezliteraria.wordpress.com/
Profile Image for Jenny Hockings.
456 reviews2 followers
May 12, 2018
A good read, I was a little confused at first because I thought the story was about a monster but once I got into the story I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
With the main characters both hiding secrets it kept me on the edge of my seat waiting for the 'boom' when their secrets would be revealed and their relationship would be in trouble...……….
I will leave it there so if you want to know how it ends and if they get their HEA, grab the book the answers in there!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for FictionalDen.
254 reviews240 followers
March 14, 2020
Received a ARC for an honest review

This is a second chance romance novel told in past and present tense.

Stella is in foster care with her sister Lanie. She has moved to Indiana with her sister to stay with a new foster family. She doesn’t like getting attached to people as she is constantly thrown from one house to another. But then comes our hero Owen. They get to know each other and fall in love. But then a tragedy strikes in the small town of Indiana, a murder of a boy named Chris AKA Owens brother. Owen admits to killing him and is sent to jail. He breaks up with Stella and does not respond to any of the letters sent my Stella.

18 years later Stella has come back to Indiana because her Foster father had left a house in his will for her. So she is back and has called a contractor to renovate the house for her. Also let me just point out and say the contractors name is “Dad”.

Anyway one of the workers working with “Dad” is Owen. They meet again and try their best to fight the feelings they have for each other. But eventually they both give in and a twist is revealed.

Honestly I have read so many books with the same plot that I got kind off bored in between. The only reason I continued was to know the actual truth about what happened that night.
Profile Image for Dark Side of the Book.
355 reviews27 followers
March 17, 2020
Lies We Tell


„Lies We Tell” was my first book written by Jeana E. Mann. I read this book, because I really like to meet a new authors. Now I know that I must read next book written by this author, because „Lies We Tell” doesn't have only pretty cover. This story is awesome too.

Stella is a foster kid. She met Owen and with the time they fall in love each other. Both of them had a really tough childhood, so they caught the touch on the first meeting. But life always has the suprises for us and their paths went in two different ways. 18 years later, when Stella has her life straight, Owen meets her again. And nothing can be like always, because the real feeling woke up.
Again.

„Lies We Tell” is a truly second-chance romance. I am bought with this idea about read present and past. We can see how the friendship between Owen and Stella evolved and when everything crashed. Also we can see how Owen is fighting for Stella attention and her feelings.
We have here a lots of twists and a lot of true when our heroes are talking about their lives. Jeana E. Mann wrote a really good book. We are in this story after three chapters and we can't exit this world until the end.
I highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Katrece Nelson.
306 reviews5 followers
March 17, 2020
Gah this cover alone makes me want to drop everything and read this book. It was nice reading a romance with some mystery and suspense to it and Owen Henry....MY GOD!! My weakness for the bad boy was strong in this book.

Stella was so easy to relate to. Even if you didn't grow up in foster care, I totally felt for her when she said everyone leaves her. The walls a person puts up due to that are very hard to break. Owen having spent 10 years in prison seems to have adjusted well and I love that there is still some of the boy Stella used to love in him.

🌟🌟🌟💫(3.5 out of 5 stars) As much as I loved Stella and Owen's story I was a little disappointed that once sex was involved that is pretty much all that happened for the remainder of the book. It was such an interesting story and could have really had more suspense but the author seemed to focus more on sex scene and then just kind of wrapped everything up really quick at the end.
Profile Image for Viper Spaulding.
2,983 reviews23 followers
March 10, 2020
Second-chance romance haunted by secrets and lies

Stella is back in town after eighteen years, and runs into Owen, her high-school boyfriend who ended up serving ten years for killing his brother. Stella always suspected there was more to the story than what she was told, but everyone - including Owen - wants to keep the past buried where it belongs. Only Stella can't envision a second chance with Owen until all the secrets are unearthed.

Owen and Stella have the kind of chemistry that makes it impossible for them to be around each other without acknowledging the simmering heat that drew them together in the beginning. As romances go, theirs was written in the stars and was as inevitable as the sun rising each day. I loved Owen's determination to make their own rules as they write their second chance, and his selfless protection and dedication to Stella could make even a nun swoon.

One of the things I liked best was the rarely seen amicable relationship with Stella's ex, and the hints about his future were quite satisfying. I was confused and pulled out of the story a couple times by a few continuity issues, but overall the story was gripping and passionate and kept me glued to my kindle.

Overall, it's a terrific romance that was a long time coming and all the sweeter for the waiting. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Lindsey  Domokur.
1,469 reviews120 followers
March 18, 2020
3.5 stars. I really loved Owen and Stella and their love story that transcended time. Stella hasn't seen Owen in 18 years. Owen went to prison for voluntary manslaughter so the town he grew up in is trying to push him out. He is working on a construction crew that starts work on Stella's house she inherited and sparks fly immediately. Stella doesn't think that Owen committed the crime he was punished for and I really liked trying to figure out the mystery. The enjoyed the story jumping back and forth between then and now so we could understand what they shared when they were younger, but it felt very rushed towards the end of the book.

I also understood why Michael was there, but he was such a terrible person and had such double standards I wanted Stella to stick up for herself and basically she just was made to feel bad about herself. The story line with Michael was all over the place for me and not really feasible. The premise of the book was so interesting and I did enjoy the outcome.
Profile Image for Kari Hansen.
10.1k reviews84 followers
March 16, 2020
Stella and Owen both had painful childhoods even though their circumstances were very different. As teenagers they fell in love and thought that nothing could come between until Owen finds himself in prison and leaves Stella devastated when he ends all contact with her.

Eighteen years later Stella is back in town to renovate the home she inherited from her father. The last person she expected to see again is Owen or that the chemistry and connection between them was stronger than ever. Will they be able to work through the secrets and lies of the past and have a second chance or is the past too much to overcome?

There is so much more to Owen than first appears and there is not doubting that he and Stella are meant to be together, but their journey wasn’t without its obstacles.
Profile Image for Ga Books LoverX.
2,356 reviews22 followers
March 16, 2020
If you are looking for a steamy and suspenseful book, Lies We Tell is definitely one that will interest you! There were lies, secrets, suspense, and drama that goes along with an interesting story that will keep your interest.

There is good mix of the past and present and getting to know these characters and showcasing that there can be a second chance at romance and was so happy that Owen and Stella were able to continue their story! All in all, if you are looking for a romance that is emotionally charged with steam and angst, I totally recommend the book and give it a 4 outta 5 stars!

PS: Thank you to Jeana E Mann and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for allowing me an advanced copy of the book to read and review honestly.
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
16.8k reviews200 followers
March 15, 2020
Stella and Owen were together in high school until a tragedy separated them, and now 18 years later Stella is back in town to renovate a house that has been left to her. Owen is part of the construction crew, but can they deny the explosive connection between them? No spoilers: this is a definite must read, you will not be disappointed. This is a well written flawless tale which is filled with angst, suspense, emotion, heartbreak, secrets, twists and love. I was totally enthralled throughout this riveting story and I highly recommend for all readers.
Profile Image for Maria Angie Mendoza.
2,954 reviews20 followers
March 16, 2020
My first read by this author and certainly not my last.
Well written, this second chance romance captivated my attention as Owen and Stella’s story developed.
Owen and Stella’s story starts well enough until tragedy strikes and the life and their plans as they knew, suddenly changes.
When they unexpectedly see each other 18 years later, they soon discover things are not what they appeared and new discoveries and secrets are revealed.
Emotional, how they make their way to each other made this read worthwhile!
8,414 reviews113 followers
March 15, 2020
This is a well written second chance romance with strong,well developed characters and an intense story line. The author does a great job building the story and pulled me in with the suspense as well as the steamy romance, She takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride reading Stella and Owen's story and had me glued to the pages from start to finish. I loved and highly recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Profile Image for confessions of a book addict .
272 reviews14 followers
March 16, 2020
I’ve been reading a ton of New Adult romances lately so this book was a nice departure from the high school and college crowd. Owen and Stella meet as teenagers and are in their mid 20’s when they cross paths later in life. If you are looking for a more serious romance ~ this book is for you.

✔️ Second Chance Romance
✔️ Murder
✔️ Mystery
✔️ Heartbreaking Love

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ & 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Profile Image for Brandy Roberts.
2,082 reviews60 followers
March 16, 2020
I really liked Lies we tell it was one of those stories that draws you in from start to finish , this would be another book that I've read by the author and I can't wait for more by her . The characters just really had me wanting them to have a happy ending .
Profile Image for Kimberly.
546 reviews14 followers
March 15, 2020
This is my first book by Jeana E. Mann and I really enjoyed it. I really liked her writing.

This was a second chance Romance about Owen Henry and Stella Valentine who were high school sweethearts that were separated when Owen went to prison.

This was a good book. Owen and Stella both had a rough childhood, and connected right away. I really liked the hero Owen. He had been through so much but still just wanted to protect Stella.

The first half of the book is told with Stella's POV in the present and Owen's POV telling the past.

This book is full of secrets, lies, and lots of drama. It's a second chance you dont want to miss.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants a second chance story full of drama

I received a free copy via Booksprout and am leaving a voluntarily review
Profile Image for Jeanette Oglesby.
556 reviews15 followers
March 14, 2020
Lies We Tell is such a great second chance romance that is full of suspense that will keep you guessing until the very end. I love discovering new to me authors. This is the first book that I've read by this author and I absolutely loved the writing, characters, and the whole story. I fell in love with Stella and Owen's story and how that their love shows to what extent that each of them will go to for their strong love for each other. This is a really great read with lots of hotness, suspense, and emotions. Loved it from beginning to end!!

Happy Reading Everyone!!!
Profile Image for Melanie S.
1,742 reviews28 followers
March 17, 2020
Wonderful story of love and sacrifice

Once upon a time, a man named O. Henry wrote a classic love story about an impoverished young husband and wife who loved each other so much that each one sold their most precious possession to give the other a worthy Christmas gift. ("The Gift Of the Magi" by O. Henry - read it. It is unforgettable.)
Jeana E. Mann's Lies We Tell is O.Henry's story on steroids. High school lovers Owen and Stella are the real deal, but what Owen sacrifices for love, what Stella sacrifices for love and duty, and what other people around them sacrifice to keep things quiet is monumental, life-changing, heartbreaking - and something that can never be undone... Eighteen years later, when their lives unexpectedly intersect, the under-the-table truth they have resisted for so long calls that permanence into question. But Stella and Owen are scared, and scarred, and they must risk everything they've worked to protect if they wish to claim the love they still have for each other. The author's keen sense of conflicting human emotions and her skilled characterizations put readers into Owen's and Stella's lives and hearts, and make us care so much about their outcome. Parts of this book are emotionally raw and hard to read, but Mann never milks it for melodrama, and the HEA ending soothes the readers' grief and outrage with peace restored and justice served. Fabulous! (This is a voluntary ARC review)
1,293 reviews8 followers
May 26, 2018
Stilla and Owen are both people from bad circumstances who find each other and find something they are both looking for in the other. Stella feels like it won’t last as everyone she loves always leaves. Owens brother is found dead and they find both of their finger prints on the body. He confesses and ends up in jail. Jump ahead 18 years she is back in town working on the house her foster father left her. Owen is out of jail and is on the crew that is working on the house. These two now face the secrets and untold stories of the past. Good read

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Debra Richardson.
996 reviews2 followers
May 24, 2018
This is an emotional sweet romance that is very interesting and enjoyable. Suspense, intrigue and excitement are some of what you can look forward to in this amazing book! The story is well written with a well-developed, consistent plot. Story is a fast pace page-turner and will really tug on your heart strings. Stella and Owen are strong and loveable; the chemistry and love between them is real and scorching. This is a really great enjoyable read; one that I highly recommend.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ewa.
2,259 reviews
May 25, 2018
Beautiful story.
When monster is still the same man who broke her heart and is still in love with her
After so many years they meet again but he wants to bury past and move from ,she wants clean slate,she wants to understand what’s happened. He confesses to murder to protect her,he taught it was her. It wasn’t.
So what’s happened that night? She will fight to find out,she will fight for him.
When old feelings coming to the surface both of them understand that not being together is not option.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Misty Goan.
2,809 reviews14 followers
May 31, 2018
A nice interesting second chance romance with lots of twists and surprisingly unexpected confessions. Owen and Stella were together in high school when an expected tragedy happened ruining the future they had planned out. Owen seems to take the blame for his brothers murder for Stella in a manslaughter plea deal. 18 years later they unexpectedly are reunited but years of anger, lies, and hurt has made it a struggle to move forward to their second chance romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Judy Phillips.
190 reviews
May 22, 2018
Talk about a complicated romance that is a real eye opener and you would be describing this book. The story-line was so fantastic and the characters grabbed at my heart because of their past and also because what happened to them was unfair. I lost myself in this book and fell in love with it. A must read book that deserves the five stars I gave it. I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book.
13.2k reviews61 followers
May 24, 2018
He is back after being in prison for murder. She is glad to see him but they have to hide the past they had. Her boyfriend, the sheriff and a journalist. Will they hide the past or let it out with consequences that may ruin them. See what they will do

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sherry Westendorf.
4,507 reviews22 followers
May 25, 2018
Excellent book. Has excitement, suspense, fun, emotions and is so much more. The characters and story fit so well together. I really enjoyed it. I recommend it and no spoilers. I received this book by booksprout and voluntarily review it.
Profile Image for PP's Bookshelf.
2,337 reviews358 followers
March 16, 2020
Lies We Tell by Jeana E.Mann was a gripping tale of second chance love! The story was a riveting mix of heartbreak, sweetness and angst. The author succesfully put loads of emotions in the characters and and I am in love with their love.

Stella is back to the small town holding bad memories and good moments from her complicated past. Her foster parents have left her the house in their will. And she is here to renovate it. She had no idea she will meet Owen again. The boy who stole her heart eighteen years back. Her first love. Her first heartbreak. The murderer. But is he really guilty? The sweet, happy and cheerful jock has disappeared in rude reality of prison days. Can she trust this jaded and broken man?


Owen is the dream man. The kind of boy who sweeps your heart with his boyish charm and swoonworthy caring gestures. But his love and protection goes deeper. He has a big secret that destroyed his life completely and changed him forever. And my heart is hopelessly in love with this brooding, hurting and vulnerable man. Stella had a tough beginning as she bounced from one foster home to another with her sister. It hardened her and she used to be a rebellious teenager. But Owen changed her. First by making her feel special and then pushing her away. She has made a name as celebrity photographer but she is still lonely. She has responsibilities for her sister and her kids and everyone. But no one is there for her. Her character is really inspiring with her fierceness and ability to love everyone unconditionally. Owen and Stella has this electrifying energy between them. They have a history but moreover they have chemistry. They have years of misunderstanding and guilt and suffering. But their love is totally palpable in every encounter. The romance was steamy and angsty and intense! Their happily ever after brought me to tears.


Lies We Tell by Jeana E.Mann was a loving and intense romance with raw and gritty emotions! I loved the characters. I loved the writing. There is nothing much I did not like.

Received ARC for honest review
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews

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