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36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Breathtaking, Wonderful Tear Jerker, January 5, 2006
One little lie becomes two, then three, four and so on, until a person doesn't quite remeber how or why they got into the sticky situations they find themselves in. Just about everyone has possibly told a little lie, something they said rashly, thinking to protect themselves or someone else perhaps. But what happens when what goes around, comes around? "Two little Lies" by Liz Carlyle brings into focus the effect of many little lies on a couple that is destined to be together, despite their best efforts to stay apart.
At the age of twenty-two, Viviana Alessandri is the most celebrated opera singer in England, possibly even the world. Living in London, at the behest of her equally talented father, with a friend of the family, she meets young Quinten Hewitt, heir to the earldom of Wynwood. Despite her best efforts to avoid becoming a kept woman, she finds herself involved in just that situation with the rash, impetuous and strong-willed younger man. Unable to resist his beautiful and passionate facade, they have the kind of secretive, torrid affair that leaves a mark forever upon them both. When Viviana comes up pregnant, she takes a stand with her young man, asking for the one thing from him that he cannot, and will not, give her. This is where two hurtful lies begin what is almost a small lifetime of hurt, regret and anger, for both Quin and Viviana. Torn between her love and her desire to give her future some semblance of normalcy, she returns home to her father and another man who has always wanted her. But the life she had no choice but to accept turns out to be no life at all, for her husband was a cruel and brutal man. Nine years later, Viviana returns to England with her father to visit and help create a new opera, and of course cannot avoid a confrontation with Quin. Both try their best not to revive old hurts, but they are helpless to avoid it. The passion is still there, and even if they don't want to admit it, the love is too.
This book floored me. I've enjoyed some of Carlyle's books before, but never on this emotional a level. I've wept when reading books before, but for gosh sakes! I all out bawled my eyes out during some parts of "Two Little Lies". Many readers enjoy characters that are believable, that they can relate to. Both Quin and Viviana are so multidimensional, so vivid, that readers will instantly recognize them as people that could exist with the same passions and emotions in today's day and age. Is the story a little formulaic? Possibly so, but Carlyle writes this story with so much verve and emotional honesty that it stands alone in an ocean of formula stories. The imagery throughout was absolutely spectacular too, as Carlyle minces no words, takes no shortcuts in delivering to her readers one of the best books written in recent months. I've never read a book before so late into the night, and by the time I was through I only had four hours in which to get any sleep. This book had me that much in its thrall. I cannot express in enough words, the right ones even, what a wonderful, breathtaking romantic novel this was. I am most assuredly a brand new all out fan of Liz Carlyle's books now and I cannot wait to read Merrick's story (entitled "Three Little Secrets"), the next in the series, as well as backtrack to the first book, "One Little Sin". If you like your historicals to be gut-punching and emotionally packed, then "Two Little Lies" is for you. One of the all-time best historical romances I have ever read.
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love this author!, December 26, 2005
And I don't say that lightly. I've known other authors that I liked that had books tank and I either say so or remain silent. Liz Carlyle is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors right up there with Jo Goodman and Mary Balogh.
This is a second book in the trilogy after One Little Sin. One of the reasons I love Ms. Carlyle is that she gives me what I love in romance books, interesting heroes, strong and capable heroines and the happily ever after (with some passionate lovemaking thrown in), but with plots that are unusual and a certain realism that just makes it all believable.
In this book Quin, the Earl of Wynwood and Viviana Alessandri, a singer with a remarkable voice, met and fell in love when they were both too young and inexperienced to know what they were doing. The title of the book is most appropriate, because two little lies makes sure that both of them are unhappy until they meet again 9 years later. How they find each other and what happens next is where the story really begins.
I thought the characters were superbly written. I loved that Quin was so obsessed with Vivie and vice versa. The things keeping them apart didn't seem so much like plot devices but more like life that had conspired against them. And if they made mistakes, well, at least they owned up to them. I felt the passion raging between the two as well as the fear and uncertainty. And I like how Ms. Carlyle often manages to slip in some social commentary or heavier themes than you usually find in a romance book but doesn't beat you over the head with it. This was an extremely satifying book for me and I can't wait to read the last book in the trilogy.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Strong Second Story in This Trilogy!!!, January 6, 2006
Viviana Alessandri came to London in order to find success as an opera singer. She found that and more in the arms of Quin Hewitt, the future Earl of Wynwood. These two passionate people love as fiercely as they fight and live. Both young and inexperienced these two have more pride then sense, and one thing leads to another, they part never having shared what they both felt for the other. The love they shared would remain a secret...
Almost ten years later these two come face to face yet again. Old hurts, past betrayals, and two lies stand in the way of their future. Viviana has returned to England in order to help her father with an opera. She has no idea Quin is getting ready to announce his engagement to a proper English miss. When Quin sets eyes again on Viviana the past comes rushing back and what seemed easy and a good idea becomes even more overwhelming and negative. All of the passion he felt both love and anger seems to swamp him and he has no idea how to react. He's saved from the parson's mousetrap when Esmee cries off, only to have to face the love of his life time and again. Will these two finally face and admit they've loved each other from the start, and admit to the lies they've been telling each other, or will pride get in the way and prevent them from finding a love of a lifetime?
This was an incredibly emotional read! Ms. Carlyle has penned two very strong protagonists who are their own worst enemies. Still she manages to create a very moving and believable romance that will thrill her readers. This book is the second in her latest series and I greatly anticipate the final title yet to come.
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