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Tell me a secret... CJ Carmichael hasn't been able to get the vivacious blonde he spent four delirious days with off his mind. The blonde who was completely off-limits, but he couldn't deny. Tell me a secret.... CJ had no intention of pursuing her, but Tara Stevens knew what she wanted and it was him. Now six months later, their time together still haunts him. As much as he's tried to talk himself out of seeing her again, the craving is just too powerful. Tell me a secret... Tara is more than willing to spend an entire fantasy weekend with CJ. More than willing to hand herself over to him completely and fulfill his every desire. More than willing to pretend he owns her despite their age difference and Kayne's disapproval. Tell me a secret... Sometimes fantasy becomes a reality. Sometimes people fall in love before they even know it - before they even know each other - and after it's too late. Tell me a secret... Sometimes, beneath the sweetest secrets are the most deceptive lies. *Lie With Me is a dark erotic romance and can be read as a standalone novel. Please pay close attention to the use of the words dark, erotic, and romance. It has intense sexual situations, mild abuse and some violence. Reader discretion is advised.*

226 pages, Paperback

First published November 25, 2015

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About the author

M. Never

28 books3,712 followers
M. NEVER RESIDES IN NEW York City. When she's not researching ways to tie up her characters in compromising positions, you can usually find her at the gym kicking the crap out of a punching bag, or eating at some new trendy restaurant.
She has a dependence on sushi and a fetish for boots. Fall is her favorite season.
She is surrounded by family and friends she wouldn't trade for the world and is a little in love with her readers. The more the merrier. So make sure to say hi!

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973 (51%)
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232 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 253 reviews
Profile Image for 1-Click Addict Support Group.
3,749 reviews482 followers
December 23, 2015
I’ve got a girl crush, or that’s what I’m singing while I’m typing this! I’m hard core crushing on M Never, as I can’t decide who is my favorite alpha, hardcore, sexy piece of man candy she writes. But I reserve the right to decide until Jett’s book (because really, he doesn’t know it, but he’s my MAN!). Until then CJ, I FLOVE you! Your badassness, hardcore loving, sweet and tender side, and never say die attitude is my kind of man! Tara is sweet, hardcore and determined to take care of herself. When CJ walks into her coffee shop, all bets are off. She may not know it, but he does (and so do he rest of us)!

HOLY SPITBALLS! (damn autocorrect) The chemistry JUMPS off the page! The sex is unequivocally F’ING HAWT! Did you get that? F’ING HOOOOOOTTTT!! Grab your significant other, drop your panties, turn on the music and get busy! It’s sexy time for sure. Then head back to CJ and Tara. Rinse. Repeat! The hot flashes you’ll have won’t be from a change or from the heat outside, but from your body burning from the inside out! There’s a bit of mystery, intrigue, some cat and mouse, and more. I couldn’t read this book fast enough and at the same time, I didn’t want to finish it!

The feels in this book are beyond sexy time. They are all about love and overcoming. Both people are strong in their own way and on their own, together they are a powerhouse! Oooohhh, Give. Me. More!!

M.— I promise to kindly stalk, love, send you good vibes, or whatever else I can, to get more of Kayne, Ellie, CJ, Tara, Jett and London! <3 ~ Heather, 5 stars

~~~

CJ Carmichael can’t get Tara Stevens out of his mind… he really hates that she’s out of his bed! After spending four days with her after Kayne and Ellie’s wedding, it still wasn’t enough. He wants more—too bad she’s off limits according to Kayne. But sometimes it’s good to be bad, right?

When CJ shows up making an offer Tara just can’t refuse—a decadent weekend in between the sheets—Tara is hoping it’s just what she needs to move on from her desire for CJ. But a little something called love ends up sneaking up on them before they recognize the signs. Can CJ and Tara keep their love alive once the deception and secrets are revealed?

Holy hell, M Never! I think CJ Carmichael has replaced Jett as my top dirty-talking book boyfriend. CJ is one hot, tough, ruthless, sweet, sexy man and Tara is the just the woman to take him down...hard. Each hiding their own secrets—secrets that could tear them apart or draw them closer when they're revealed. They are combustible together... and their sexy times are panty-melting. I love this dark, dirty series and cannot wait for more Jett and London in 2016! ~ Missy, 5 stars

~~~

CJ. Oh, CJ, please be a real person so you can swoop in and ravage me… Yes, I may be a tad delusional but I am okay with that.

So, if you haven’t guessed already, or read the blurb, this is the story of CJ and Tara, and it was so hot it fits right in with the other stories in the series.

CJ is not like Kayne and Jett, but in a sexy, still-an-alpha-and-will-pleasure-you-in-any-way-he-can way. And when he can’t get Tara out of his head, he travels across the country to make her an offer that is too good to be true.

Tara is strong willed and stubborn and perfection. When CJ shows up in New York, she is hard pressed to say no to him. When past meets present, she is determined to handle it come hell or high water.

So, holy mother of sexy talking alpha males everywhere… As I said above, CJ is DAMN FINE and a dirty talker that puts in him a category all his own! Basically, the moral of the review is: buy this book. Buy one for you, one for your friend and one for the old lady up the road who secretly reads smut. They will all thank you for it! ~ Devlynn, 5 stars
Profile Image for Candace.
1,179 reviews4,583 followers
February 9, 2017
*** I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley.com, in exchange for honest feedback. ***

Although 'Lie With Me' is part of the 'Decadence After Dark' series, it could easily be read as a standalone. Having read the earlier books in the series provides some background details and information about the secondary characters, but wasn't crucial to understand this story. That being said, it is hard not to compare this book to earlier books in the series if you have read them.

This book tells the story of Tara and CJ. As Ellie's sister, Tara was strictly off-limits to CJ when they met. Despite being warned off, CJ braves the wrath of his friend and has a fling with Tara while they're in Bora Bora.

After their fling is over and they return to real life, neither of them is able to quit thinking about the other. Before long, CJ finds himself boarding a plane to head to NYC to visit Tara. The two pick up right where they left off, growing closer together and crossing lines that they hadn't planned on crossing.

However, while Tara is falling in love with CJ, she's also hiding a secret life. Afraid for the lives of her loved ones, she's forced to be at the beckoned call of her ex-boyfriend, Nino. Now she's in so deep that she doesn't know how to get out.

When Tara's secret comes to light, everything in her life falls apart. She's on a fast-moving downward spiral and has no idea of how to save herself. Ultimately, she'll lose herself before she's found.

Up until about halfway into this story, I spent a lot of time skimming. I just wasn't feeling it. Too much gratuitous sex and a dialogue between Tara and CJ that seemed immature had me turned off. Don't get me wrong, some of the sex was hot, but you can only cram so much sex into the book and actually have a story.

The second half of the book proved to be pretty entertaining. This is where the story really takes off and becomes something more than a smutty read about a secret affair. From this point forward, I was completely tuned in to this story.

Lies. Betrayal. Danger. Check! There were some big twists and turns in store that I didn't see coming. It was nice to be surprised, just when I was starting to think it was going to be a copycat of the first book in this series.

All in all, I liked it, but didn't love it. I think that I would have liked it more if the first half of the book had been condensed. Too much time was wasted on gratuitous sex scenes that didn't add anything to the story.
Profile Image for Erth.
3,895 reviews
May 26, 2019
Damn I loved this book!
CJ and Tara are one hot couple, but also so passionate and loving and at times carefree. Their chemistry was instant, intense and off the charts! It's hard to decide what character of M. Never's I love most. But regardless CJ and Tara are definitely up there.
I love Tara's spirit. I love that she embraces her sexuality and isn't afraid to ask for what she wants, to be adventurous. I also love how she loves fiercely and fully.
CJ...ugh how can you now love this man. He charming, loving, fiercely protective and definitely knows how to use his "assets" 😉 When he meets Tara he just knows that this woman is going to give him a run for his money and his heart.
Even after every Tara and CJ refuse to let distance and age keep them apart. And after Tara's secrets come to the surface they stick by each other, consequences be damned. The fight for each other refusing to let anything keep them apart.

I loved CJ and Tara's story so much!
I can't wait for Jett and London's story. I have come to love these characters so much!
December 6, 2017
4.5 'Love is truly a strange and powerful thing' Stars

“Have you ever made a decision you believed to be the right one, only to regret it in the end? Have you ever walked a path that seemed adventurous at first, only to find out it was perilous instead? I’m not a stupid girl. I knew what I was getting into. I took a risk thinking there would always be a way out because that is what I was led to believe. But I understand now you can’t always see the forest for the trees. You can be blindly enchanted by the most charming individual, and then trapped before you even know it.”
- Tara Stevens

* * *
“My entire life I have been strong. My entire life I have always risen to the occasion, and this situation is no different. I know right and wrong. I know what needs to be done, no matter how badly it hurts, because that is who I am. Selfless acts reap no rewards except a conscience of clear.”
- CJ (Christopher John Carmichael)

* * *
“Everyone has a public life, a private life, and a secret life.”
- Slade

* * *
“Tara, you are the most unexpected, but best thing, that has ever happened to me. I have let plenty of women into my bed, but none of them into my heart.”
- CJ

* * *
“Love is truly a strange and powerful thing.”
- CJ

* * *
“I realize as I stare at the tattered couple in the mirror that we have a very long road ahead of us. But at least I know we’ll be walking it together. Side by side, hand in hand.
CJ’s right—in the end, we’re together and we’re the only thing that really matters.”
- Tara

* * *
“I vowed that my love would roar louder than her demons, and it did. Because here we are.
Love won out.”
- C J
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,447 reviews81 followers
June 10, 2018
ARC received for review

I wanted this book. It was so hot that I almost needed to turn on the a/c. Then I got to 60% and said what the feathers is going on. I about put it down at that point, but I needed to see how it ended. Once you get past that revelation it's back to amazing. I was just in utter shock.

CJ and Tara sure could burn up some sheets, and windows, and floors, and counters. I don't think anything was safe from these two. There was great stuff outside of the sex too. A seriously demented bad guy or two to take out. Plus we get to see Kayne, Ellie and Jett.
Profile Image for Ellen Gail.
862 reviews404 followers
February 7, 2017


Two stars is kind of generous, tbh. A big disappointment. *Mild spoilers for earlier books in this series.*

I still can't exactly wrestle my feelings for Owned, this first book in this series. It was beyond frustrating, and infuriating. I can't tell you how many times I hit rage mode. There were some shitty issues with consent and that's putting it pretty damn mildly. It feels like it wants to be erotica, but I can't shelve it as such. I should have hated it, but I couldn't. The characters and the writing were too good. I cared too much what happened to these stupid fuck-ups. So despite hating like 90% of everything everyone did, I couldn't put it down.

The second and third books were good as well! Better than I expected honestly.

Oh we're talking about this book? The crappy one? Right.

Lie with Me rehashed the best elements of Owned without adding anything new or interesting. Narrative tension? Nope. Natural plot progression? *shakes head* Chemistry? Lie to Me has never heard of it.



CJ and Tara are boring shadows of Kane and Ellie. I guess it's not really a rip off since it's the author's own work, but if any other author had written this I'd be calling blatant plagiarism.

Example #1: Kane's nickname for Ellie is cupcake. CJ calls Tara shortcake.
Example #2: Both Kane and CJ are super serious "black ops" types (although they do work together, so I'm willing to overlook this one.)
Example #3: Each protagonist has a super gay best friend and coworker.
Example #4: The sex, to a degree.
Example #5: Very similar endings.
Example #6: Ellie and Tara both have very-scary ex-boyfriends who tend to fuck up their lives.

There's a shit ton of other stuff that bothers me. The plot doesn't do anything exciting. Seriously, a game of 20 Questions, and I guarantee you have this thing figured out. Characters literally reverse opinions 180° with little explanation or insight into their thought process. Literally 6 pages later, he falls all over her apologizing. *eye roll*

Lie with Me's greatest sin, next to the lack of originality, is being boring. The characters are underdeveloped and lack chemistry, and the plot is a sad wheezy old man snore.

I can forgive so many things if I'm entertained. I was not.

Profile Image for Laci .
1,012 reviews
December 23, 2015
Omg, I love this author. I swear this is the best kinky series, every. Like Every.

If you like kinky dominate dirty talking men, then you need to read these books. A fabulous plot and kick ass heroines are just a bonus!!!
Profile Image for Sabrina.
497 reviews261 followers
October 31, 2018
A big, big disappointment.
I really don’t like this series.
There is always things that bother me. Like almost everything.
Profile Image for Samantha.
571 reviews43 followers
January 23, 2016
4 heated and wicked stars. CJ and Tara have some seriously hot sex. Their sexual appetites are incredible and it is mind boggling. I loved it! Furthermore, I loved that while they were always ripping each other's clothes off, there was still a story to be told and feelings to be developed and understood.

CJ had a fling with Tara hidden away from prying eyes. He wasn't supposed to be with her but he couldn't help himself. He also wasn't supposed to still be hung up on her but he was. After a nice pep talk, CJ flies to Manhattan to spend some time with Tara and hopefully fuck her out of his system. They say the best laid plans tend to unravel, though.

Tara enjoyed every moment of being with and under CJ. When he shows up in Manhattan offering to spend some exclusive time with her for a weekend, she accepts readily. A chance to enjoy multiple orgasms from the one man who rocks her world? She'd be a fool to turn it down.

As CJ and Tara realize they want more than just sex, CJ comes to realize there are things going on that aren't good. Tara hides what she's gotten herself into until CJ sees it first hand and absolutely loses it. There's some struggle, a bit of coming to terms with feelings, a turn you never see coming and a sweet happy ending.
Profile Image for Sonia N..
788 reviews57 followers
September 10, 2019
Explosive Hot Romance!!!!!

I listened to this on Audible and I love Muffy Newtown and Sam Crowley performed amazingly!
I really enjoyed CJ and Tara's story the most. CJ lives and works in Hawaii with Kane and Jett. Ellie is Tara's sister, Eliie is married to gorgeous alpha male Kane!
A few months ago Tara met CJ at a wedding in Hawaii and they had a hot sexual one week fling. But, CJ can't get his mind off of her. He takes a surprise trip to NY to see Tara, and OMG!! The chemistry, the sexual attraction between them is at boiling point!! Gorgeous CJ extends his stay in NY for Tara. They realize they have more than just hot sex between them, but CJ is unsure about how to make it work.
Tara has a crazy ex-boyfriend who will not give up on her, he stalks and threatens her. I can't understand why she doesn't tell CJ, but.
I love, love M. Never!!!! She is just amazing. This story line is gripping, hot and suspenseful. The characters are familiar, and the unexpected secrets and excitement had me listening to this book in anticipation and feeling giddy!!
A must read or listen and a guaranteed 5 Star experience!!!!
Profile Image for zgredek- czytelnik.
145 reviews7 followers
July 29, 2016
Właśnie zakończyłam przygodę z tą serią i powiem jedno pomimo tego że temat już powielał się w wielu seriach jakie czytałam to składam hołd przez autorką że potrafi tak dozować emocje że nie sposób się oderwać, ja po domu chodziłam wszędzie z czytnikiem a ostatnią część czytałam od 2 w nocy do rana aż skończyłam wtedy na moment zamknęłam oczy, ale niestety rodzinka nie jest wyrozumiała na mój nałóg i musiałam wstać , co teraz płacę ogromnym bólem głowy ale nie żałuję ani minuty spędzonej z Tarą i JC uważam że Tara przeszła znacznie więcej i doświadczyła większego okrucieństwa niż jej siostra gdyż hm jak to ująć w słowa zaufała komuś, pozwoliła dostać tej osobie to co chciała i została zdradzona przez bestię...
GORĄCO POLECAM !!!
Profile Image for Kimothy.
1,299 reviews22 followers
November 23, 2015
M. Never has not once disappointed me with her writing. She writes such luxuriously sexy books that you will have a hard time wondering where she gets her ideas for some of the scenes. This book felt different to the rest,but that is good as we are dealing with other characters than in the previous books. So when a night of sexy decadence with a hot partner is finished and you meet up again could it be as good as you hoped for? Well for CJ and Tara it can be, but the problem with these encounters is secrets can become exposed and it is unsure if what was new and flourishing will survive. My heart was pounding with all the intense sex scenes and the secret that was revealed. Loved it
Profile Image for RuHa75.
165 reviews9 followers
March 28, 2021
M Never tell me a secret….. how do you do this? You get me every single time with your twist and turns but that is why I have a lot of love for you and your sexy sexy books.

4th book of the Decadence series is Tara & CJ´s story, although the heat is still sizzling in this book, the BDSM we experienced in the first 3 books takes a backseat. CJ and Tara´s story feels sweeter and more tender but still gives the intensity, suspense, and shock moments we grave.

Ahhh CJ, what’s not to love about this sweet, kind-loving badass and his infatuation for Tara, even though she hides something from him that he might never forgive.

Tara is not the girl I thought her to be, but I had my suspicions, although strong and fierce she got herself into a situation, and there might be nowhere out. Will her secret destroy what they just started or does love conquer all.

One of my favourite quotes in the book:
CJ: “My two favourite flavours. Macallan and you.”
Profile Image for Kathleen R..
1,408 reviews43 followers
November 28, 2015
Overall Stars: 5 STARS

BDSM
Alpha male

From four days to wanting forever, two lovers will wonder if they are able to trust in love

Tell me a secret...
CJ Carmichael hasn't been able to get the vivacious blonde he spent four delirious days with off his mind. The blonde who was completely off-limits, but he couldn't deny.
Tell me a secret....
CJ had no intention of pursuing her, but Tara Stevens knew what she wanted and it was him. Now six months later, their time together still haunts him. As much as he's tried to talk himself out of seeing her again, the craving is just too powerful.
Tell me a secret...
Tara is more than willing to spend an entire fantasy weekend with CJ. More than willing to hand herself over to him completely and fulfill his every desire. More than willing to pretend he owns her despite their age difference and Kayne's disapproval.
Tell me a secret...
Sometimes fantasy becomes a reality. Sometimes people fall in love before they even know it - before they even know each other - and after it’s too late.
Tell me a secret...
Sometimes, beneath the sweetest secrets are the most deceptive lies. (Amazon Blurb)

It’s that moment when you close a book and while walking past a bedroom, happen to look in the mirror, realize that your face is flushed, you know that it was great. In her first novels, M Never introduced us to Kayne and Ellie in Claimed, Owned and Ruined, showing us glimpses of CJ and Tara, making readers beg to know this duo that you secretly wanted to hate. Made for one another, CJ and Tara are hot, unforgettable, and the perfect way to spend your evening blues; not only has M Never kept the passion that we had with Kayne and Ellie (secretly I will admittedly say that CJ and Tara brought the house down and kicked it a notch higher than my favourite could have) and made it steaming to a point where I reached for cold water to drink more than once. The action aspect ensured that there was more to the storyline than two individuals looking for a master/slave relationship. Because of this, between the drinks of cold water, I was at the edge of my seat debating going to bed or continuing to read. I kept reading and next thing I knew, it was morning and my day had to begin anew. Simply put, it was a great addition to the Decadence After Dark series and if this is any indication of M Never’s capacity of writing standalone novels – only because I could have easily read this as a standalone since the story focused primarily on CJ and Tara and not on Kayne and Ellie – then I am very excited to find out what is the next project for this author.
.
**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Read and reviewed by Kathleen for Alpha Book Club**
Profile Image for Kalanisi.
80 reviews3 followers
January 31, 2016
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lie with Me to 4 część serii Decadence after Dark.. Podobnie jak 3 poprzednie, ta również przypadła mi do gustu..

To historia CJ'a , przyjaciela Kayne'a, który był bohaterem poprzednich części oraz Tary, siostry żony Kayna.
Tych dwoje łączy tak niesamowita chemia, że mimo różnicy wieku i innych przeciwności, po prostu nie mogą o sobie zapomnieć..
Będąc w swoim towarzystwie wprost nie mogą się od siebie oderwać, tak więc ta historia jest pełna gorących scen..
Nie brakuje też zaskakujący zwrotów akcji i sekretów, które mogą zagrozić nie tylko temu co łączy tych dwoje ale i życiu Tary..

O tym, że postać CJ'a poruszy nie jedną kobietę, chyba wspominać nie muszę.. ;)
Seksowny, zabawny, tajemniczy i piekielnie męski.. Bardzo fajny facet. M. Never stworzyła ciekawą postać, której nie da się nie lubić ;)

Nie będę zdradzać szczegółów, ale moim zdaniem to przyjemna i fajnie czytająca się książka.. Choć różni się od poprzednich części, to myślę że nikogo nie zawiedzie..

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Lie with Me is a 4th part of Decadence after Dark series. I liked it just as I did the previous ones.

It's a story of CJ- Kayne's friend, whom we met in first 3 books, and Tara-sister of Kayne's wife.

CJ and Tara have such an amazing chemistry, that they just can't forget about each other even though there is a big age difference between them and an even bigger distance between where they live..
When these two are in one room, they can't keep their hands off of each other, so you can expect a lot of hot scenes in this book.

Unfortunately, there are some big secrets there that might ruin their relationship before it even started.. We already knew CJ's secrets, they weren't bad, but I have to say that those that Tara was hidding really took me by surprise.
When you add some unexpected twists of action in the story you will get a really interesting book.

And of course there is also CJ. He's sexy, funny, misterious and so manly. I bet he will appeal to a lot of women ;) M. Never managed to create a man you just cannot dislike.

I will not tell you all the details of the story, but I can tell you that Lie with Me is an interesting and captivating book. It's different to the previous parts of the series, but it will not dissapoint you.
Profile Image for Melissa Mendoza.
2,551 reviews53 followers
November 23, 2015
“‘I could never reject you.’ That’s all I need to hear. I lift my head and shove my tongue right between his lips, kissing him like the desperate woman I am. Like the needy, wanton emotionally-impoverished beggar I’ve become.”

5 I want to Lie with CJ stars!! When you hear the name M. Never, you know exactly what you are going to get. Dark, sexy, and super hot! And let me just say, I love Kayne, but CJ is giving him a run for his money!

CJ and Tara have a hot a sexy weekend together but they both live on separate coasts. So they make promises of a fun weekend and that’s it. Well, not really. CJ is still thinking about Tara and wants just one more moment with her. After some urging from Jett, CJ decides he’s going to head to New York so he can see Tara again and have another sexy and passionate weekend together. One last hurrah if you will. Once in NYC, he meets up with Tara and she’s thrilled to see him again, she never wanted their time to end either. They agree to meet up with promises to fulfill their needs and trust me those needs are met, beyond met!!! Everything is bliss between these two, but little does CJ know, Tara has secrets, dark secrets, a secret she’s too ashamed to even tell her sister about. When those secrets catch up to her and threaten to take away the very thing she loves, what will she do?? How will CJ react when he finds out her deepest secret??

Once again M. Never knocks it out of the park with this next installment of the Decadence series. It’s twisty, dark and full of surprises!! I will say I didn’t see the plot twist that came my way while I was reading! Besides the twists, let me just say the sex is off the charts hot!! Let me just say I’m not a fan of chocolate but after reading this, I’m ready to start being a fan!!! I loved CJ, he’s compassionate, tough and beyond sexy. He may be my new favorite character, but shhh don't’ tell Kayne!

**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Read and reviewed by Melissa for Alpha Book Club**
Profile Image for Mindy Lou's Book Review.
2,775 reviews716 followers
February 9, 2016
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by M. Never and it's a spinoff from another series so I did feel like I was missing a bit of information, however, that did not detract from me enjoying the storyline. In fact, I now want to go back and read the first three books since the main characters from those books made appearances in this book and left me intrigued to learn Kayne and Ellie story.

As for this story with CJ and Tara, I didn't get to see their beginning but once I got more into the book the more I was hooked. There was mystery about who Nino was and what hold he had over Tara. I don't know if that is explained in Kayne and Ellie's story but I actually liked not knowing what was going on. The ending took a dark turn, which I really wasn't expecting and ramped up the excitement of the story line. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of M. Never's books!
Profile Image for Ivette.
292 reviews9 followers
November 30, 2015
It is excellent addition to this series. I could not put this book down. CJ and Tara’s age difference may bring some issue but not enough to keep them apart. They both have secrets that can ruin the relationship. CJ is sexy in every way and Tara a spitfire. I was not expecting this story to have so much excitement and drama. I thought CJ was quiet and reserved but he has a dark side that I loved! CJ fit right in with Kayne and Jett he loves fiercely and he’s loyal. M. surprised me with Tara’s story I did not expect her secret to be such a shock. I absolutely loved everything about this book. Can wait for any additional books for this series. GREAT JOB!
Profile Image for Jos.
1,725 reviews135 followers
December 4, 2015
100 Stars....FREAKING AWESOME

OMG I finished this today and let me tell you in a word because I am at loss, lol......PERFECT!!!!!! I loved everything about this book. Raw, real, DIRT as hell, sexy, caring, loving, twists and delicious turns I didn't see coming, yeah, this was mind-blowing beautiful and I am now hooked on Author M. Never and I will be reading ALL of her books in the future:)

CJ and Tara, oh gosh, you couldn't help but love these 2 HARD!!!!!!
Profile Image for Itsy Bitsy Book Bits.
699 reviews51 followers
January 4, 2016
Lie with Me (Decadence After Dark #4) by M. Never was absolute perfection. If I could give more than 5 Stars, I would in a heartbeat! This book had every single element that I love in a story all the while pulling my heart and head in so many directions.

I have so much to say about this book but honestly, I am having the hardest time articulating my thoughts in the same breath. First let me start by saying, that this is the first book that I have read by this author. I have the first book on my Kindle but haven’t gotten to it yet but you can bet that I will be reading the previous books in this series because I fell hard for all of these characters. Why would I read this book if I haven’t read the series from the start you may ask, well, for me I absolutely love, love, love more than anything a story featuring an older man and younger woman scenario and yep, you guessed it because the minute I read the synopsis…..I HAD to one-click this story. One more crucial piece to my beautiful reading experience was that I went into this story blind and omg, I am so glad that I did. Why, you ask, because I do that from time to time and because there were twists and turns that I never saw coming. When I say never saw coming, I was completely blindsided, in one way my heart literally stopped and in the other way…..Oh gosh, I can’t even put it into words except for the fact it was one of the hottest scenes I have ever read and went back to re-read it twice! The first time I was in such shock that I read it and then had to go back and re-read to register it and then the third time, well, it was something so erotic and delicious I just had to read it again for my own pure wicked pleasure:)

I am not going to give much away to the story because I am begging you to delve into this story completely blind, trust me, you will appreciate it. I am also not one for highlighting and taking notes during my stories but this was the first time that I ever did that because it provoked such strong emotions in me. There were a few scenes that were so overwhelming and emotional between CJ and Tara, I couldn’t help but want to remember them. I was so overcome with emotion by a few of their scenes together especially where they ask each other to “tell me a secret”, oh my, now those interactions between the two had my heart melting. I was so engrossed and invested with CJ and Tara that I was completely and whole-heartedly smitten in every single way possible. I know it sounds crazy to have that much of a “connection” but I am telling you once you start their journey it’s immediate, it’s intense and it was so “real” that I can’t describe it any other way.

CJ, oh boy, did I love this man. He had every single quality and more that I look for in my male lead and he couldn’t have been more perfect. CJ was a man any woman would want in their life. He was so caring, he was loving, he was hot and oh so very sexy, he was perfection at its finest! He was forgiving, determined, he was fierce and protective and he had so much love in his heart for this girl that it literally brought me to tears.

Tara, oh yeah, this girl was a spitfire, a sexual hellcat and I loved her as fierce as I did CJ. She was so sexually matched for CJ that the sparks flew off of my Kindle during every single sex scene. Now, I love a great sex scene and some books can get boring maybe even play out the same scene over and over and at times, and yes, in the past, I have skimmed but NOT with CJ and Tara. I wanted to slowly devour every single sex scene, every word spoken and unspoken, every move they made, I didn’t want to miss a beat! Their sexual chemistry together was phenomenal!

Although CJ and Tara were sexually compatible, beyond even their wildest dreams and mine for that matter, what made it so great was that the sex was not what defined their relationship, oh no, these two were hands down and without a doubt made for each other. They were the other half of each others hearts, they were soul mates to the end. To say I loved this couple to the moon and back is a gross understatement! Words alone don’t do CJ and Tara justice, you need to read their story to truly understand their connection, it was magical in every sense.

Now as I said earlier, there were twists and turns that totally came out of left field and that I never saw coming and my heart was in my throat at times. This story had every element of surprise for me, mystery, suspense, a huge shock factor for me, it had THE best and hottest sex scenes, I mean I was squirming in my seat and giddy with excitement, it gave eroticism a whole new name in my book and yet it was absolutely beautiful. Underneath all of that action packed suspense was a genuine love story and let me tell you I could cry (happy tears) because the love between CJ and Tara radiated straight out of my Kindle and landed deep into my heart. I was in love with them hard from the start and by the end I was smitten, head over heels in lust and love with them. There is no better feeling for me as a reader to feel such a strong connection with my main characters and my feelings for CJ and Tara are so strong that it’s hard to put into words.

Now with that being said, this was not all hearts and flowers and it may have elements that some readers may not like and/or enjoy but don’t let that scare you either. If you are a reader such as myself who likes to mix things up, who yearns for different and unique, someone who wants to add that spark to “safe” reads and doesn’t want just another “vanilla” read then grab this book immediately. If I am being honest, I am not a “vanilla” reader by any stretch of the imagination but I also have certain hard limits at times that I only cross when the mood strikes me and when I do cross that line I want it all and this book gave me everything and so much more.

Before I leave you, please allow me to post a few quotes that touched my heart, I was melting while reading, my panties as well as my heart:)

“I pull out my phone and deliberate for a split second before I type away.
Me: Tell me a secret
Moments tick by, too many for my liking before she responds.
Tara: I wish you would stay”

Oh god, let me tell you, this little game that CJ and Tara played got me straight to the heart, I was swooning, I was a big puddle of mush, I was completely smitten! I have one more that was beyond achingly beautiful.

“Tell me a secret, he urges, driving into me again. My stomach muscles contract in distress.
I love you. The words leave my lips before I can even attempt to stop them. It’s my truest of truths. CJ told me to tell him a secret before I left Hawaii; it’s how the whole thing started. So I did………”

Can I tell you that I could cry happy tears just re-living those couple of moments during their “secrets” game and although there are a few times they played that game, those two moments touched me in ways that I can’t even begin to describe, that was how connected I was with these characters!

M. Never, congrats to you on one of the best books that I have ever read. This book will definitely be a part of my very own personal book shelf that I keep separate and just above the 5 star reads. I like to think of my “shelf” as my own special platinum book pedestal where I only allow certain books to reside and this is one of them. I am a picky reader and it takes a special story and a truly talented author to make my insides melt and you have done just that in the very best way possible and I thank you!
Profile Image for Jessica Cox.
697 reviews14 followers
November 24, 2019
Tell Me a Secret
Gah, I loved that sentence that was used throughout the book. Tara Stevens is the younger sister of Ellie, and CJ works with Kane. These two hit it off in Hawaii and the feelings and thoughts never seemed to go away. CJ goes to visit Tara to get her out of his system once and for all. The chemistry between these two is Crazy like catch on fire, I don't understand how they can walk, it's very intense. Instead of getting tired of one another the feelings grow stronger until CJ finds out Tara is mixed up with some bad people, who are making her work for them. This book has plenty of surprises and sex lots and lots of hot sex.
Profile Image for Expresso.
873 reviews132 followers
May 30, 2018
Tara and CJ..... I opted for the audiobook because of time and the narrators. The narrators are fabulous and I absolutely LOVE listening to them!

Lots of drama as expected. I wish it was a bit longer.
Profile Image for Nay Denise.
1,557 reviews84 followers
January 25, 2016
Received a review copy through NetGalley.

This was a great addition to the Decadence After Dark series. I loved the first three books there were centered around Ellie and Kayne's love life. Now with the next two books we get insight on their friends and family members. M. Never has an extraordinary way with combining abuse with the worlds or BDSM and prostitution that really grips me from beginning to end. I can always sit and read her books in a day. Phenomenal erotic writer.

This book was full of twists, excitement, danger and hot sex! Tara Stevens and CJ Carmichael had a fling six months ago during the time that Ellie and Kayne got married. They had to keep it a secret because the life that CJ lives isn't pretty and they are 10 years apart not to mention they lives miles apart (her in NY and him in Hawaii). What they thought would be a fun night, turned out to be more of a burning passion that could never be extinguished.

Tara Stevens is the younger sister of Ellie. Tara's story isn't as brutal as Ellie's but she still stayed strong. She was smart, talented, outspoken and always into sex. The secrets she had going on blew my mind away! I couldn't believe what she really did for a living and her ex (Nino) was a major douche-bag for trapping her into it.

CJ is freaking phenomenal. He is definitely my third favorite because Kayne and Jett take the cake for first and second, but I do love him. He's an alpha male, hardworking, loving, protective and downright sexy in and out of the bed. I loved his story about his military background. CJ was just awesome! That fight scenes -- I drooled because the words made me visualize him in the ring and when he was out of it sweaty! Even though he had his moment when I wanted to jump in the pages and beat him senseless, he apologized and came to his senses, so I still love him!

Let's talk about all those hot, steamy sex scenes! Gosh, they blew my mind to places I would never like to discuss. I adored the sex in this book. It wasn't as hardcore as what was in the first three books in the series, but they were A M A Z I N G! Let's not forget to mention that fantasy Tara had -- the one that CJ so graciously fulfilled for her...no words, just all the feels in the world.

The whole dynamic of this story was pretty awesome. I love the new characters such as Philly, Slade and Nino. Even though I hated Nino from the start and thought Slade was cool up until the end they all played a great part in the story. I loved the appearance that Kayden and Jett made. I mean seriously -- I cannot get enough of them!

I am so obsessed with this series and who real and raw (pun intended) it gets. I'm excited for the 5th book which will be all about Jett!!! Super stoked for his story.
1,296 reviews15 followers
September 25, 2016
Another fantastic book by M Never.
I really enjoyed the decadence after dark series and I absolutely loved this edition to it.
CJ and Tara are made for each other and it really shows in this book.
It was also nice to catch up on other characters.
This story was very entertaining and definitely kept you on your toes with all the plot twists going on.
I am now eagerly awaiting book 5 in the series as I need to know what's going on with Jett and London.
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