Cold Hard Truth

Arc review coming soon

Pana

149 reviews23 followers

May 15, 2024

Thank you Author Agency & Eva Simmons for this ARC!
I haven’t read many Motorcycle Club books, but this book has me hooked!

Cold Hard Truth by Eva Simmons
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

This is the third installment of the Twisted Roses series.

𝙎𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙅𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙡𝙖𝙜. 𝙈𝙖𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙨. 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙞𝙩. 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙞𝙩. 𝘽𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙙—𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙞𝙩.

This is my first Eva Simmons book and she did not disappoint! This will not be my last of her books and I can’t wait to read more.

Lyla and her twin sister grew up in the MC full of bikers with bad reps. Then she meets Sage at a young age and he is obligated to make sure Lyla and Ellie stay out of trouble, that’s until Lyla reaches the age of 18.

I just love when there is an off limits character and another character who doesn’t oblige or obey the rules 😈😈😈
It makes the characters and the storyline that much more fun to read.

I’m here for Sage! He’s just purely sin and hot AF!
The nickname butterfly >>>
The tattoo chair scene 🥵🥵🥵🥵. The forced proximity, the pining, the banter 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 the undeniable attraction, and the FORBIDDENNESS. I’m obsessed with this book!

Release Date: 5/17

Tropes:
🦋Forbidden trope
🦋Second chance
🦋Hate to Love
🦋Motorcycle Club
🦋F*ck boy
🦋Revenge
🦋Forced Proximity
🦋The tattoo chair scene

CoffeeAndBooksWithSarah

23 reviews1 follower

May 11, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book was 🔥 🔥 🔥

I devoured this book!!! I absolutely love the trope of a bad boy falling HARD for his woman and Sage fell hard.
Sage (resident bad boy) and Lyla ( MC president’s daughter) were destined to be together — her words. It was not an easy road for them and they had to go through quite a lot to get back to each other.

I loved how this book had it all— LOTS of spice, found family, revenge and demons they had to get through together and just overall great story telling.
If you enjoy spice, drama, heavy subject matters and the MC trope then you should definitely check this one out. I can’t wait to read more from this author and I will be checking out Reeds story as soon as possible!!

What to expect:
🔥Her father's enforcer
🔥MC Prez's daughter
🔥Revenge
🔥The past catching up with them
🔥She'll never escape him
🔥Hate to love
🔥Resident F*ck boy falls HARD
🔥Unapologetically HOT

neus.dreamybooks

133 reviews3 followers

bikers boy-obsessed brother-s-bestfriend

Sage and Lyla were fated since they meet when she was 10 and he 13 yo. She and her twin are the daughters of the president of Twisted Kings MC in LA and he is their VP's son, so since their arrival he keeps protecting them and his little sister.

When Lyla became 18 she got him to tattoo her a butterfly in her inner tight so her father wouldn't know.

She didn't want to be with a biker but she was obsessed with Sage and he with her, and when she and her twin get kidnapped because of her father, she runs from that life.

Eight years later she comes back and Sage, who didn't get patched, has to keep her safe from who kidnapped her and who still wants revenge from her father. How much time will they try to fight their chemistry and their love?

I really enjoyed their story, how when Lyla comes back Sage finally can be who he really is because he is whole again.

I'm excited for Mason and Reed's story.

- ARC review -

Amoy

86 reviews

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

MC Romances are just 💋*chef’s kiss*🫠🫠

This story had so many twists and turns, and I enjoyed it so much!! Sage and Lyla growing up in this environment was so difficult to navigate when anything bad could just happen, & it did😣

Lyla is so strong for having to deal with Kane and his club, but luckily she had some people to make it better! Every step of the way, Sage was their for her & he was so devoted even with the threat of others finding out. He waited on Lyla and and that really warmed my heart because she needed that love from him after all that happened to her.😤

I really liked the progression of their relationships as well!! If I had a hot biker waiting for me back home, I would definitely come back🙂‍↔️

Loved this book, thank you to Eva for this arc🫶🏾🫶🏾

thebeespot72

801 reviews60 followers

May 19, 2024

Cold Hard Truth is the third book in the Twisted Heart Series. Sage and Lyla grew up together in the same motorcycle club “world,” understanding how brutal it can be. Though they were their first loves, Lyla parted ways with Sage due to unfortunate circumstances. He, however, stayed with the motorcycle club life. When Lyla returns, they both find that emotional wounds never healed from the past. And their feelings toward one another never went away either.

I liked how the story established Sage and Lyla’s friendship early on when they were young versus just having the reader have flashbacks. ”Cold Hard Truth” was a bit angsty and emotional like the previous books in the series. I didn’t find it as dark as usual but read relatively dark stories. There are CWs listed on the author’s site.

Doris

2,826 reviews113 followers

arc biker wordsmith-publicity

Another Great Addition to the Series

If you like your books on the darker side and with great characters this is a book you want to get your hands on. This is a second chance enemies to lovers MC romance that pulled no punches. Sage and Lyla’s story was so full of ups and downs and heartfelt all at the same time.

I love how this author spins her stories drawing me in and keeps me on the edge of my seat. Be prepared to set some time aside because for me, I couldn’t put this book down. I always look forward to see what she has coming next.

K Webz

599 reviews

Sarah~ Book Obsession Confessions

Sage and Lyla’s story is a gripping and enthralling page turner. Lyla is such a survivor. Love the strength and perseverance she showed. And Sage, he had so many layers to him…he could be sweet and vulnerable but he also was violent and vengeful.
I loved how the story gave insight to their relationship from the time they met at the age of ten, up until the tragic event that tore them apart.
As adults, they navigate a difficult chemistry between hate, lust and love. They share what happen eight years prior and it will break your heart.
A wonderfully written story that keeps the pages turning.

Rachel

37 reviews3 followers

May 19, 2024

✨Book Review✨
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️ 🌶️

Tropes:
🦋revenge
🦋hate to love
🦋she’ll never escape him
🦋her fathers enforcer
🦋MC Prez’s daughter

Review: This book had me aching to see the main characters come together. It is no doubt that Sage and Lyla were being pulled together by anything but destiny. I’m absolutely a sucker for when the MC’s are privately pining after each other when they know they shouldn’t be and the chemistry/banter between these two was fantastic. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed Sage and Lyla’s story.

1,102 reviews78 followers

close-proximity danger-stalker-kidnapping dirty-talker

🖤🦋 This gritty MC romance is written with beautiful words and heartfelt emotions. The romance feels as though written in the stars despite the many roadblocks and the couple’s time apart. There’s the forbidden aspect as well which makes it even hotter.
Sage and Lyla have had tragedy change both of their lives, separating them for many years and leaving them broken hearted.
When they’re brought back together in a forced proximity situation it is angsty, tense and full of emotions.
There is danger lurking, there’s a foreboding feeling hanging over them.
The bond they share and the way they know each other is so dreamy. The banter is entertaining and full of repressed emotions and chemistry. The fact that Sage was her protector from a young age and still is makes him so swoon worthy.
Lyla is feisty, fierce and she’s also very caring. Both of them feel strongly for each other, lifestyle and circumstance makes Lyla uncertain they can work as a couple.
It’s really steamy and super romantic. I adore these characters so much.
Towards the end many secrets come to a head in an epic way. Things won’t be the same after some very explosive events.
The story doesn’t end the way I expected, it’s even better! I love that I didn’t see the twist and turns that happen. This is such a fantastic, beautiful story with characters I love, beautiful romance and intriguing characters. I can’t wait for more in this world of interconnected standalone’s.

Becky

1,083 reviews107 followers

May 13, 2024

Sage and Layla's love story is a captivating journey of second chances and personal growth. Despite the challenges they face, their evolution feels organic and genuine, making it a compelling read. Sage's regret and Layla's understanding add depth to their characters. It's a quick read that's hard to put down, with just the right amount of steaminess to keep you hooked.

Full Review at Https://bookcaseandcoffee.com

Hannah

177 reviews15 followers

May 13, 2024

Miss Eva you’ve done it again!!! You never deliver anything less than the best and this was no exception. Lyla and Sage have been to hell and back and their relationship was delicious to watch unfold. The trials and tribulations they went through had me emotional as shit and the SMUT? Divine. Watching Sage become who he was always meant to be and watching Lyla embrace herself was everything I’d hoped this book would be.

.
.

I’m on Eva’s ARC team!

Sissy's Romance Book Review

8,912 reviews16 followers

2024-read 5-star amazon-unlimited

COLD HARD TRUTH by Eva Simmons is book three in the Twisted Roses Series. This is the story of Sage and Lyla. Lyla's father was the president of the Twisted Kings MC and Sage's father was the VP when they where younger. Sage was in his teens when he was task to look after a young Lyla along with the other kids. But when they got a little older their feelings started to grow. But then something happened and Lyla left. Now she is back seeking revenge and this puts her meeting Sage again.

Trishh_Reads

91 reviews6 followers

I am really enjoying this series and was super excited for Sage’s book! There has always been so much mystery around him! This is a past/present telling and boy did we need the historyyy!! They both had been through so much!!! I was super excited to get to the present though as I needed to know what was going to happen! So much tension and angst!!! There was never a doubt that these two weren’t absolutely meant to be ♥️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Lakshmi Praveen

275 reviews18 followers

May 7, 2024

Oh my, MC romance , have that forbidden romance aspect. Your prez daughter whom you know from when you are a kid!! Hello Lyla and Sage. This story hits all the points you want in an MC romance. Can't wait to read the rest of the series

Kristina

205 reviews49 followers

May 6, 2024

Ugh they’re my favorites. Sexy, emotional and addicting. Absolutely loved this book.

Review to come!

Kailey

93 reviews3 followers

"Run all you want, but I'll find you, Lyla. And I'll drag you back here when I do. I gave it all up for you once. That's not happening again."

Eva has done it again!! This is by far my favourite book of the series!! I felt all the feels and did not want the book to end!! I can't wait to read the next book!

Briana Bailon

534 reviews12 followers

May 6, 2024

*Thank you to Wordsmith Publicity and Eva Simmons for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*PLEASE CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING.

4.75⭐️/ 4🌶️

Omg we are back in the world of Twisted Roses, with morally gray characters, intriguing storylines, spice galore, and bad boys to steal the golden girl or bad girls heart. Eva Simmons always creates such great stories with the elements of darkness that vary from really dark to just enough darkness that is enough at least for me haha. This followed another friend from Jude’s friend group, but with the added fun of being part of an MC club and falling for the MC’s president’s daughter!!!! OMG! Sage was on his way to becoming an even more prominent member within the MC club he grew up in, but with the forbidden aspect of the MC’s daughter, Lyla constantly on his mind it became more glaring he couldn’t avoid her any longer. For Lyla, she grew up around things most kids shouldn’t see, but with the protection of Sage always keeping an eye on her, she always had feelings for the dark haired, tattooed MC prospect. This story was dark, spicy, focused on the ever growing connection between Lyla and Sage, and more!

I’ve only ever read one MC romance story before so, when I read that Eva Simmons next book was going to revolve around an MC president’s daughter and forbidden romance, I was so EXCITED! I liked seeing how Sage was when it came to the Twisted Kings (MC club name) and it was slightly different compared to when he was at the tattoo shop his friend, Jude ran. Sage had a lot of responsibilities when it came to the club, but namely making sure Lyla didn’t get into trouble which was most of what he dealt with throughout his life. Lyla was a bit of a fiery person who wanted adventure and often times trying to get into trouble that resulted in Sage dealing with. Lyla and Sage had grown up together, but as much as Lyla had a crush on Sage, there was always something that prevented them from fully being together.

OMG! The way this book started was both very intriguing, but also showed the level of darkness that both Sage and Lyla experienced. Having the book start off in the past really highlighted the way Sage and Lyla grew up in the Twisted Kings club, but also how their relationship became much more over the course of years. Yes, Sage started off as a prospect for the Twisted Kings, but seeing the protectiveness he had over Lyla was great as well as seeing him unable to deny the deep chemistry they had. As much as I had high hopes for Lyla and Sage in the beginning, I just KNEW something was bound to happen that would break the little moments of happiness they had. With that in mind, please check trigger warnings before reading this book because, it isn’t all sunshine’s and rainbows and more so dark, heavy, and twisted.

Nonetheless, with the first part of the story, I was hooked and safe to say I was unable to put it down! You know a books is good when you refuse to stop reading, and you’re trying to keep your eyes open in order to see what’s going to happen next! That was literally me the whole time while reading! Reading this story made me remember why I’ve enjoyed reading Eva Simmons stories before. The way Eva Simmons writes about morally gray men, how obsessed they are over the women they love, and how absolutely unhinged they are makes me adore them! I had such a great time reading this story, and for it being my second MC (motorcycle club) romance to read, THIS WAS AMAZING!

When it comes to Eva Simmons’s male character’s in her books, from the ones I’ve read I’ve loved them, but my goodness Sage was another level of OBSESSED! A few times I threw my feminism OUT THE DOOR, and it was all for SAGE! Sage was a man on a mission determined to keep Lyla safe, but also ensure she never left him again. Sage dealt with a lot from Lyla leaving after the events in part one to the losses he experienced, and feeling like his life wasn’t the same in the years following. I liked how Sage wasn’t just a certain type of man, he was unhinged when the occasion was “appropriate”, and when it came to Lyla’s wellbeing, he did anything to protect her. If you love a fictional man who gives off, “I will burn the world for you” vibes or, “I’ll unalive anyone who tries to harm you”, then you’ll definitely love Sage.

My poor sweet Lyla suffered so many losses and traumatic experiences, but despite all that she rose from the ashes and found her strength again. Throughout the whole story, Lyla was faced with the reality her nightmares weren’t over, and without putting an actual face to those trying to harm her, she felt unsafe. The only person who did make Lyla feel safe was, Sage, MC enforcer, and the man who still held Lyla’s heart. Lyla was a lovable character and seeing her over the course of the story I saw her grow stronger and find her place in the world, even in the place she never really imagined herself ending up, it made sense when she was alongside Sage.

Overall, this was a highly addictive story! Eva Simmons just knows how to write morally gray men, but also showing how far men like Sage will do in order to protect their loved ones like Lyla. The chemistry between Lyla and Sage was crystal clear from the moment they met, and it was nice to see how far they had come from growing up to becoming adults and finding their ways back to each other. The spice was hot, and oh my, Sage had a DIRTY MOUTH! All in all, if you’ve read Eva Simmon’s spicy scenes before, you’ll enjoy the ones Sage and Lyla have. My favorite part of this story was seeing the deep love Lyla and Sage had for each other. From being back in each others lives, to facing danger, and almost death, nothing was going to stand in the way of Lyla and Sage getting their happily ever after. This story had suspense, danger, spice, romance, overprotective ML, found family, heartbreak, grief, and an interesting look into an MC club. Throughly loved Sage and Lyla, loved the way the book ended on an amazing note, but also that cliffhanger in the epilogue left me with questions/ theories on the next book!!!! Can’t wait to read more within this series, and IT KEEPS GETTING BETTER!!!!

Erin Hardee

178 reviews9 followers

(Advance Readers Copy)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

This was such an amazing book. If you have trigger warnings, please check them before reading them. There is no deserving couple in a book than these two. Between everything they've been through and the depths their relationship took. Yes, these two came out on the other side stronger and more in love than ever. I loved that Sage and Lyla got their HEA.

Tropes:
🏍 MC Romance
🦋 Dark/Emotional
🏍 Reformed Playboy
🦋 Second Chance
🏍 Found Family
🦋 Friends to Lovers
🏍 He Falls First and Hard
🦋 Forced Proximity
🏍 She's Mine
🦋 Shared Trauma
🏍 Suspense

This book brings you through Sage and Lyla's whole life together. Starting off when Sage was 13. The son of the VP MC crew Twisted Kings. Lyla and her twin sister Ellie were dropped off at the compound to live with their dad, the president of the MC. Sage was told to look out for them like he does his sister Reed. To be their protectors. They were all one halt family. Even though Sage was always caught off guard by the twin with the people eyes, Lyla.

It skips farther into the book when Sage was 21 or 22 when Lyla was turning 18. It was the start of their beautiful yet tragic story. Lyla's sister had left to start her life, and Sage's sister, Reed, had left for college. Lyla had stayed behind because she didn't know what she wanted to do. She just knew that Sage was her destiny.

Lyla read tarot cards and claimed she saw the future. Hence why she said that Sage was her destiny. Sage never bought into that while tarot thing, but couldn't deny Lyla anymore. They both lost their virginities together. It was beautiful and everything. Then Lyla tells She that being an Old Lady isn't something she ever wanted for her life. She wants or and away from her father's mc, and Sage wants nothing but to be in it. She told Sage she needed space and walked away.

In the next section of the book, it was short and left you wondering a lot of stuff. You can tell that something traffic took place, and it made Lyla run and leave for the next 8 years. It didn't exactly say what Lyla and Ellie went through, but you could tell it was tragic. Lyla ran that day. She thought she had to go because of what she went through, but she didn't realize she took Sage's heart and soul with her.

The next section of the book is 8 years later. Lyla gets a text that causes her to return back to LA. It was a trap to get her home because, once again, he life is in danger due to who he dad is. She gets swept back up in Sage's world because he father only trusts Kane with her well-being. So much had changed with Sage. He's not the person she left behind. He looks like he hates her. She had no clue what Sage had been through over these last 8 years.

Sage is a different person than before Lyla left. He's now a player. They have so much to learn about each other, again. Lyla goes into recoding what happened to her and Ellie. Let me tell you that it's going to break your heart. My heart also hurt for Sage and all that he lost that night, 8 years ago. Both of their stories are overwhelming and heartbreaking.

They become close again, and Sage says he's not letting Lyla go again. Even when Lyla says that she knows the future yet again. That love will be the death of her. Boy, how right she was. Even though Sage got her back and Lyla's is living with him, doesn't mean he forgot why he brought her back. The same person that was after her then is back out for her.

But when these two get together, the chemistry and romance are all consuming. It wraps you up. You can feel it as though you are right there witnessing it yourself. How when Sage walks into a room and his eyes go directly to Lyla. He never takes his eyes off her. You can feel that pull between them. These two deserve every bit of happiness they can get. This is a love story with twist, turns, suspense, tragedy, and death. No matter what, as long as these two have each other, everything else will be OK. This is a must-read book.

Trigger Warnings ⚠️
- Kidnapping
- Death of parent
- Death of sibling
- Torture
- Gore
- Chained up
- Murder (Revenge)
- Mutilation
- Sexual Assult
- Bombings
-Abandonment of a Parent
-Abandonment of lover

arc dark forbidden

Katy

976 reviews88 followers

2024-5stars arc dark-romance

(I received an ARC for this book)

trigger warnings will be at the bottom of this review, to avoid spoilers
mentions of cancer and the loss of a loved one, mentions of child kidnapping and threats of sexual assault, torture, mentions of SA, violent death of family members, MC violence including kidnapping, torture, murder, cum and breath play
evasimmons.com/contentwarnings

From the moment they lock eyes as kids, Sage and Lyla were always destined to have their lives intertwined in the deepest of depths. It’s a dark and overwhelming feeling. And not just for them! My poor heart went THROUGH it with them! But I loved every second of it. I was attached to Sage and Lyla instantly. And no amount of them was enough. When destiny does the work and brings them back together again, it doesn’t make anything easier. They’re both still weighed down by the past, haunted by their shattered hearts. Once their hearts are reunited, it’s as if no time had passed. Their broken pieces form the same puzzle. Sage Jackson is the perfect balance of morally gray and the sweetest of souls. (For his soulmate, at least.) And Lyla…her resilience alone made me cry more than once. I want to hide them, and protect them forever. There was all kinds of crying going on. Through the pain, the happiness, the heartbreak, the fear. This was my 9th Eva Simmons book, and she has made me cry reading every single one of them. But these tears were more for these characters than they ever were for me. Getting to spend time with my loves felt like a comforting hug though!

butterfly: 22

My Favorite Quotes:
• “You’re going to get me killed, you know that?” “Then die happy.”
• “Keep running that sassy little mouth, and I’ll put you on your knees just to shut you up.”
• “I’m going to f!ck you until we’ve made up for every minute I’ve lost with you. Until you can no longer run because your legs will be useless. Isn’t that right? Good girl.”
• “You don’t have to hide from me. I want to see everything when it’s you.”
• “You’re beautiful in every way. And no one can take that from you.”
• “This is my p!ssy. My body. My home.”
• “I don’t deserve it. But I’m going to take it anyway.”
• “You like it when I fight you.” “And you like it when I make you submit.”
• “You’re going to be the death of me. But do you want to know something? You’re worth it. The torture. The pain. You’re worth every. Fucking. Ounce. Of. Pain.”
• “I always needed you. I always will.”
• “Don’t you dare talk destiny to me right now. Don’t you fucking dare.”
• “My heart’s always safe with you.”
• “You’re where I belong.”
• ‘Together we’re stronger. We’re limitless.’
• “I never know what to expect with you, but it’s always worth it as long as you’re by my side.”

8/10 Dirty Birdy
6/10 Dark Romance
4/10 Forbidden
9/10 Second Chance
7/10 Tearjerker
9/10 Series

This is my review for Lies Like Love
This is my review for Heart Sick Hate

Trigger Warnings include:
The FMC is kidnapped, held hostage, and violently tortured/sexually assaulted by captors (NOT the MMC). Morally gray hero who murders for the heroine, violence, torture, murder, mentions of sexual assault, drug use, violent death of family members, cancer. Rough sex, cum play, breath play. Some details shown on page, and some just explained or inferred on page
evasimmons.com/contentwarnings

Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾

2,140 reviews13.2k followers

bikers dark-read second-chance

4.5 STARS

Sage is a Twisted King, and I’m the daughter of one. Destined or not, this is never going to be what I want.

Oh the way I binge read this series and dare I say, this one was my favorite so far. Sage and Lyla were everything. This series is what I would call grayish dark. It's the perfect series for those that want to get into the dark romance genre, but don't want all of the gory and dark details. The story itself touches some very dark topics, but keeps the disturbing parts off the pages, which worked perfectly.

If walls can hold ghosts, then so can bones. And every time I look into his eyes, I’m reminded that Sage is haunted. I get it. So am I.

Lyla never wanted to live the biker life. But when her father is the MC president and the boy you're in love with is a prospect, there's not much hope to escape it. Lyla and her twin sister get thrust into the MC life even if they want nothing to do with it. But the one good thing for Lyla is Sage. What starts as an unwilling friendship soon turns into something more. Only for life to tilt on its axis for Lyla and for everything to come crashing down around her forcing Lyla to run.

She was mine all those years ago, and she’s mine now.

When a clue for the answers she desperately seeks brings her back, she doesn't expect to run into Sage or her father again. The last thing she expects is for them to lure her back into a life she wants nothing to do with. Sage is determined to protect her from the danger of her past and Lyla is still adamantly determined to avoid the MC life. But Sage is not the boy she knew eight years ago. He's grown up and not into the MC man she thought.

I won't go into any detail because trust me, you want to experience it for yourself. But I will tell you to prepare for an action packed ride with dark secrets, sizzling romance, and a man obsessed. If you love watching the bad boy fall and fall hard, you'll love Sage. Lyla is a force to be reckoned with and Love the way she matches Sage's hard core energy. The two of them together is absolutely incendiary.

She screams into my mouth, and I steal it with a kiss. I’m going to take every piece of her—body and soul.

I was so obsessed with this second chance romance that I binge read it in one sitting. It was deliciously spicy with just the right amount of grit and suspense. I can't wait for the next installment!

ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

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Franjessca

1,424 reviews91 followers

May 19, 2024

After reading Sage and Lyla’s story, I was an emotional mess, and I needed a few days to think about what to write about in my review of this book. I’ve read pretty much every one of Eva Simmons’s books and loved every one of them in different ways. Cold Hard Truth, though, tugged on my heartstrings and broke my heart at times, and I can, without a doubt, say that Sage and Lyla’s story will be the top favorite in the Twisted Roses series. This is coming from someone who loved the first two books in the series, but there was something about Sage and Lyla that I will never be able to get over what they endured to have their HEA finally.

After reading Cold Hard Truth, I now understood why Sage was the way he was in the first two books and why the others gave him a hard time. He was trying everything to forget what happened in the past and also get over the one girl who walked away from him years ago. Now, the girl who broke his heart is back, and someone is determined to finish what they started years ago. It’s up to Sage to find out who wants to hurt Lyla and protect her, especially since she’s the Twisted Kings MC President’s daughter.

Lyla’s character was a strong one, and I felt for her, especially after what she endured. She knew from the beginning that her life would never be easy and that her father’s enemies would always target her, which is why she escaped when she did to get away from it all, including the one person who would do anything for her. She never thought she would be pushed back to the MC world when someone was out to harm her again. She’ll be forced under Sage’s protection by her father, and it won’t be easy for either of them. The issue is those feelings they had for one another will come back in full force, and this time, there’s no stopping it, especially when fate has plans for them.

Eva gave us past and present moments between the characters and how they ended up meeting. What I loved most, though, was how Eva is setting up for her MC series, which is coming later in the year. The Twisted Kings MC is a central part of the story that plays a significant role in the characters’ lives. She’s only touched a bit about the Twisted Kings in the previous books in the Twisted Roses series, but in Sage and Lyla��s book, we get more into the MC world and the characters to come.

I’m going to admit that I was not prepared for what happened in this book, and I wish I had had tissues on hand. Eva’s writing style, which is raw and emotionally charged, made the events in the book even more impactful. I ended up rereading that chapter to make sure I was reading it right because there was no way Eva would do that to her characters. No way, but she did, and I wasn’t well afterward. I needed a hug from my husband, who didn’t even ask why I needed a hug because he already assumed it was due to the book I was reading.

Eva is one author who definitely makes her characters go through a lot before they can eventually have a HEA. I don’t even know how she managed to write and get through the scenes in this book because if I was crying, she had to be crying, too. I can’t wait to see where Eva takes us in the last book in the Twisted Roses series, especially when she gives us a sneak peek of what is coming.

Sage and Lyla’s forbidden love story was heart-wrenching, action-packed, spicy, and unforgettable. I give it five stars, but I wish I could give it more.

If you haven’t read the Twisted Roses series, you are missing out.

Check out all my book reviews at A Book Lovin' Mama's Blog

Twisted Roses Series:

Lies Like Love (Twisted Roses #1) by Eva Simmons

(Book One - Jude and Fel)

Heart Sick Hate (Twisted Roses #2) by Eva Simmons

(Book Two - Crew and Echo)

5-star-rating arc author-eva-simmons

Teresa Williams

371 reviews4 followers

May 9, 2024

Cold Hard Truth (Twisted Roses Book 3) by Eva Simmons is a dark romance full of action and suspense about Sage, the son of the MC Vice President, and Layla, the MC President's daughter, who grew up together in the L.A. Twisted Kings MC compound. When Layla and her twin sister Ellie's mother brought them to the MC compound at age 10, Kane, the MC President, charged Sage to be sure and watch out for his girls. Layla was always challenging Sage to see how much she could push and get away with, which also brings to the forefront the attraction both have for the other but never acted on until after Layla turns 18 and has Sage tattooed her. Sage is a tattoo artist and a Twisted King prospect who wants to be part of the club life. Layla is afraid that the mc life will destroy their relationship. Her fears overwhelm her until she leaves the compound to try and have a clean break from Sage and the MC lifestyle. But the MC's life is strife with danger, and it comes for Layla and Ellie because of their MC President's father, whose club enemies seek revenge by going through them to get to Kane. Sage and his dad, Hawk, go on an MC emergency mission that becomes a pivotal moment that will forever change not only his life but Layla, whom he rescues. Layla is allowed to leave the MC club and Sage for a 2nd time. Their parting tears them apart, leaving their hearts carved out of their souls with a gaping bleeding hole that neither can heal. Both react to the 8-year separation differently. Layla goes into hiding, just trying to survive and outrun her demons. Sage leaves the MC club and becomes a successful tattoo artist and co-owner of Twisted Roses with his friends, Jude and Crew. Then, the plot thickens as threats to harm Layla surface, and Kane needs Sage's help to keep Layla safe. Layla moves in with Sage in his apartment above the tattoo shop, and part 2 of the story takes off. The suspense is palpable, with danger escalating in warnings and threats against Layla. Sage and Layla's feelings are in turmoil, on the brink of a soul-shattering love that will either leave them in tatters or forever bonded. Will the MC life destroy them both or bring them closer together? Will they survive the danger Kane has placed Layla in by just being the Twisted Kings' President? Eva Simmons delivers a suspenseful romance that keeps one reading until the end. The end will not disappoint with a satisfying HEA that every reader will sigh over. Eva Simmons is an author, that as soon as I finish one of her books, I am ready for her next book to come out! The good news is that another Twisted Rose book about Sage's sister is being written, and MC President Jamison Stelle is starring in a new MC series about the Vegas Twisted Kings.

Cara

310 reviews1 follower

I don't think there is a trope that Eva Simmons cannot write. From a rockstar romance, to an MC romance, every story is written fabulously.
Everything she writes comes to life, there's so much emotion in Eva's writing that you can't help but feel everything the characters are feeling.
Sage and Lyla are destiny. You can feel it in the stolen looks they give each other. Lyla and her sister are dropped off at the Twisted Kings compound where they spend the next few years living with the MC president father. Here they meet Reed and Sage, two more biker brats growing up in the MC life. Sage wants to be a Twisted King and Lyla never wants to turn into her mother.
As the years go by, they grow and soon their annoyance with each other turns into something else and they succumb their growing desire for each other. Sage is a very reserved, quiet character, but you feel the underlying ripple of something more. He's an observer, and he can't help but watch Lyla. She comes across as the more outgoing, get into trouble kind of character and I love how drawn to each other they are. Destiny after all.....
Sage gets called on a run and it's here that Lyla realises she's turning into someone she didn't want to be, so she makes a decision for the both of them. You could feel the hurt and heartache coming off the page and I wanted to yell at her and tell her that they're different people to her parents! Or his!
After going through something terrible, she flees and it's not until years later she's lured back because she's searching for the truth of what happened to her and her sister. The tension between these two when they came face to face after so long, was palpable, I felt like you could cut it with a knife. They've both changed since that fateful night, they're not the same people.
Sage is tasked with looking out for Lyla while they try to figure out who is behind everything. To say there's hurt between these two is an understatement. A lot has happened, things have changed and Sage is a lot more angrier. And Lyla is just broken. While we never really get a detailed view of what happened to Lyla and her sister, we get an understanding. Something Sage couldn't quite fully comprehend until he saw the evidence with his own eyes.
This was a beautifully written love story about two people destined to be together and no matter what happened, fate always bought them back together. Both Sage and Lyla were broken by what happened and it changed them in different ways. You hurt for both of them because you could relate to both of them and the pain they felt. I honestly didn't think Eva could top her men, but I think Sage has won my heart! His change the minute he stopped fighting what they had was perfection. His rough exterior was in stark contrast to all the beautiful (ok and dirty!) words he said to Lyla. I really loved the strength Lyla had, because despite what she went through, she got through it and she got through it alone. I can't picture anyone more suited to each other than these two. Lyla is a spitfire and loves to challenge Sage, and he loves that about his butterfly.
For anyone that hasn't read an Eva Simmons book, you really need to. Each story gets better and better and I love the fact we get to see more of the characters from the other books.
You have hit another one out of the park. Absolutely brilliant!!

alpha-male angst angsty

Renee's Reading Nook

210 reviews4 followers

May 13, 2024

Sage and Layla are pretty much everything! I think Sage may (very strong on the may) now be right up there with Crew in fictional spank bank material.

📨Side note, I am now expecting big things from Mason (Crew and Sage have now pushed the bar even higher after Jude). I just get a very, very spicy vibe from him, so 🤞 he exceeds my expectations.

Ok, back to Layla and Sage, I loved the flow of the way their story unraveled. Really seeing as Sage falls for Layla, not just the first time but all over again, fighting himself both times for different and yet the same reasons. The way you could really see how Layla changed from the girl he first met to the wild, almost carefree girl who believes in destiny and then to the woman she becomes pulls you even deeper into the story. Honestly, the way this story flows has to be one of my favorities I've read. A lot of times when I read books with time jumps they can seem disjointed or choppy, or the character evolution doesn't make sense in relation to the story, or you're told the character has evolved or changed but they don't act any different from start to finish. Layla's evolution has that same flow, even given the situation and events that occur. Where a lot of books take a similar situation and do a 180 on a character from start to finish, Layla's feel more natural and realistic. It feels more like you see her grow rather than become a completely different person.

Sage, my darling Sage, did you really need to be such a manwho-er all those years? I think that is one of my biggest grumbles when it comes to the second chance trope. That being said, it's probably one of the more relatable attributes of this trope. I've known way too many men that get their heart broken, wax poetic about how they were the love of their life, and then bang everything in a hundred mile radius. The thing with Sage that redeems him for me is that he's regretful but unapologetic, and Layla sees that. It drives me absolutely batty when one or the other "tries to move on" and is then essentially punished by the other for it when they come back together. I'm then over here channeling Ross from Friends yelling into my Kindle that they were on a break. Both Sage and Layla are able to recognize that they weren't together, and while Sage wishes he had been with Layla during those years, he can't go back and change reality. And I love that even though Layla hates it (you and me both girl), she realizes it's not something she can really hold against Sage.

This entire series so far has been ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and Cold Hard Truth is no exception. I think it took me longer to get my drawing out than it did to read the book it sucked me in so hard. Speaking of sucking, I think 🌶🌶🌶🌶 about sums that up.

Jules

38 reviews1 follower