book cover of The Lies We Tell
 

The Lies We Tell

(2025)
A novel by

 
 
My story is about forbidden love. I’m 19 and he’s 29.

He’s my brother.

STEPBROTHER.


Sort of.

***

CLARA: My parents pseudo adopted him when he was seventeen because he’d lost both parents in a plane crash. Even though I was eight years old at the time, I knew from the first moment I met him that we’d be together forever. I just didn’t know how much we’d have to fight to stay that way.


After my accident I needed Jackson, and he needed me. Our friendship grew into need and need turned into desire. Our all-consuming love blossomed behind closed doors, even as it betrays the trust of my family—the ones who took Jackson in when he was orphaned.

Fast forward ten years, and we’ve been together secretly for the past two years. We said when I turned 19, we’d tell the family. The time is now but with Jackson working as a firefighter EMT and completing his hospital residency, our time together is a luxury. Plus, I’m not ready to tell my brother, who is Jackson’s best friend and boss at the firehouse, about us because I know he’s going to go all kinds of crazy.

For the life of me I can’t understand how our love, a devotion that is beautiful and pure, can be considered wrong. For me, there is nothing I want more than to be consumed by Jackson's protective embrace. Even if it means I’ll have to sacrifice my family to get it.

***

JACKSON: I can’t let Clara make the choice that will cause her to lose her family. I’ve made the anguished decision to let her go for her own good. My heart is bleeding for us, but I’ll deal with it tomorrow. The only thing that matters now is that she has the love and support of her family. I’ll figure out how to survive without her or her family. I’ve had to do it before.

Thing is, Clara won't surrender so easily. She's willing to fight against familial and societal scorn for our once-in-a-lifetime love, even if it means sacrificing her family's acceptance.

Now I’m fighting against Clara and her family, but I’ll do it. For two broken souls who found wholeness in each other's arms, giving up seems impossible, but I’ll keep fighting. Even if it means pushing her away from me.

***

Will Jackson decide to sacrifice his heart to protect Clara’s bond with her family?

***

One-click now to dive into Clara and Jackson’s unforgettable love story!


Genre: Romance

Used availability for Gina Watson's The Lies We Tell


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