As promised for my April 4th post, today I am reviewing Beautiful Liar, the second book in the Arcadia U series by Roxas Winters, a m/m mafia, new adult romance. You can check out my review of the first book, Beautiful Dark Temptation, here.
Title: Beautiful Liar
Author: Roxas Winters
Genres: MM Contemporary Romance, mafia, college age
Tropes: Second chances. forbidden love, obsessive love, secrets, alpha male
Themes: Hurt/Comfort, healing from abuse (abuse happens off page)
Length: 80 000 words
Release Date: March 21, 2025
Kieran
I gave in to temptation, but happily ever after was never part of the deal.
I am heir to a mafia kingdom and taking my place means leaving Arcadia behind. Arcadia U was built to house bastards of the criminal elite and wayward children of soldiers loyal to the four founding families. I am neither. When a death at the school puts everyone at risk, I return to keep my friends safe. But things have changed since the three months I’ve been gone. Loyalty must be earned, and my secrets revealed. But is it too late to save what I want most?
Tomás
I chose the enemy. I chose to be a secret. Kieran asked me to wait until he was ready, and I fell easily into the lies. But I have a lie of my own. After a death puts the school on lockdown, I’m forced to face a past I buried. A past that threatens everyone I love, including Kieran. To protect him, I must lie to him.
But lies fester. And the rot always finds a way out.
Note: This story is best enjoyed after reading book one. It does not end on a cliffhanger.
Available at:
****
This is the second book in this duet. As the blurb states, Kieran returns to protect Tomas after a tragic death at Arcadia U.
Do I think Kieran returned to protect Tomas? Of course not. Well, yes, protect Tomas. But it was so much more. After being apart for three months, naturally, Kieran wanted to see Tomas again, even if he was in denial about his feelings. As for Tomas, it’s quite clear how he feels regarding Kieran.
In the previous novel, Kieran was my fave, but in this one, I adored Tomas. He really showed me how strong he was and what loyalty is. I really enjoyed that aspect of his character. He’s willing to risk it all to protect Kieran, even though Kieran believes he’s protecting Tomas.
I enjoyed the growth of their relationship that didn’t move swiftly but became a nice progression to the inevitable. Well done, author!
I also enjoyed the secondary characters, along with everything that was revealed. Just like the previous novel, the answers come that the author lays out like bread crumbs.
This duet has it all: suspense, romance, danger, family, and friendship.
Although Kieran and Tomas get their HEA, not all the loose ends are tied up. I think there is another book coming that might involve two secondary characters. Maybe Lucas? I must say I really liked him. He intrigued me.
Anyhoo, if you enjoy m/m romance with lots of spice and organized crime, do yourself a favour and get a copy. It’s a great duet.
Maggie Blackbird 