While this messy love triangle was interesting, I kind of hated how long readers were kept in the dark about the big secret. Jillian was annoying and overbearing, and the whole episode later on with her after the secret was revealed was a bit of a stretch. It was such a big build up for me, and the ending was kind of flat.

Thank you to Netgalley, Select Publishing, and Alessandra Torre for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Publish date for A Divided Heart is expected August 18, 2023 ( although this is a republishing from 2014 with the title Black Lies)

A rerelease of Alessandra Torre's popular Black Lies novel, A Divided Heart follows Layana as she deals with the inner turmoil of loving her tech-billionaire boyfriend, Brant, and her secret side piece, Lee. Things aren't what they seem though and Layana will do whatever it takes to keep both. Layana is presented as the wealthy, spoiled girl who likes to break the rules from the very start. We aren't set up to like our narrator, with each glimpse into Brant's head we like her less, but Torre does a great job of weaving in little reveals to keep us hanging on. Despite how things are presented, we are given everything to know there's a reason and it's totally worth the reveal.

Almost a romantic suspense, A Divided Heart toes the line of angsty romance and dramatic thriller, as readers are left in the dark as to just why our heroine believes she's doing the right thing. We're given everything to judge her mercilessly, but we're also given everything to empathize with her, even if it takes time. I ended up liking Layana, but not loving her. However, I still sided with her and as I dove deep into the love-triangle that is Brant, Lee, and Layana I fell in love with the story. It's twisty, it'll mess with your mind, and it won't be for everyone, but I happen to love stories about this topic and I think going in blind like I did made it all the more interesting.

Actual rating: 3.5 out of 5

I thought this book was just ok. I found it annoying that the protagonist found out the big "secret" early on the book but the readers were kept in the dark. I get the whole twist reveal but it was still infuriating. As always, the writing is great. Unfortunately I did not find the story line believable. Honestly, Layana and Brant are both messed up and probably should not be together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alessandra Torre for an ARC of "A Divided Heart".

I just didn't get this book at first. I didn't like the main characters but felt I had to give it a decent chance so I kept going and boy I'm glad I did. Once you get into it its a fantastic read. Covers a fascinating subject with some interesting twists. Wasn't as hot as I'd expected from the write-up.

Thank you for the opportunity in letting me read this book. Overall the twists were great and unexpected, the character depth was good, the writing flowed well, and the steamy scenes were hot! Great book

The premise of the story was unique however it was easy to guess early on and there wasn't a mystery, Layana had a bit more character development than Brant and I was a little confused by some of the flashbacks.. The ending was not satisfying and the final paragraphs seemed a little out of left field

I was underwhelmed with the relationships in this story. It felt shallow and by the end of the story, I still couldn't tell you much about the characters themselves. I needed more depth, more insight into the relationship itself.

The twist, though it was interesting and very different, made me dislike the story even more. I honestly felt like I was duped.

Again if we got to see the dynamics between the couples, how they came to be, how they function together, I would have been more invested.

3.5 stars! Wow, the characters in this book are a mess. First of all, I have really enjoyed Torre's suspense novels, so I was eager to try one of her romances - especially with the early high ratings for A Divided Heart. There are some aspects of this book that are really well done, and others that didn't click with me. There is a fabulous twist that had me reevaluating my thoughts and feelings about the main characters, which was good because it helped me to appreciate and understand them better. There are secrets, lies, deceit, repressed memories, control, lots of money. And there are plenty of vivid sex scenes which demonstrated the raw desire between the characters. But even though characters would say they loved each other, those feelings did not always come through. I think this book would make a great movie - although the sex scenes might have to be toned down. Overall, it was a good read. Thank you to NetGalley and Select Publishing LLC for the eARC.

I thoroughly loved reading the amazing, awesome, and fantastic story. Layana discovers a shocking secret about the man she loves, Brant, the tech billionaire, and when he asks her to marry him, she tells him she's not ready. Layana meets Lee who is the opposite of Brant in every way, and even though she is in love with Brant, she finds herself also falling for Lee. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written full of twists and turns, and a must read riveting storyline engaging the reader from the first page of the story until the last page of the story.

I read Black Lies when it came out about 8 years ago or so. I thought it was so original and this new expanded version is just as good!
I honestly think you go into this one not knowing much and just let the story take you for a ride.
Fast paced and suspenseful!

Lies. Secrets. Mind blown.
"Keep the secret."
"It was time to pull the roof off all of our lies."
"This… all of this… could only end in disaster."

My jaw is on the floor! Holy damn! Years and years of built up hidden secrets, lies, life altering decisions. When signs of those come into the light for you, you'll be questioning everything that was ever said or every interaction had in the whole book before you knew!

If anything personifies the phrase "you think you know but you have no idea," this book is it! This was awesome!!

Loved this story! Couldn’t put it down. Unique storyline and great characters. Recommend to everyone!

Thank you so much for granting me access to this book. I'm a big fan of Ms Torre's work. This book was nothing I expected and I was pleasantly surprised at the end of it. The subject matter is something I've seen in crime thrillers and the way it has been handled here is so clever. I love love love love everything about this book!

Long before there was Verity, there was a book called Black Lies. Now, Torre has added new material to Black Lies creating this stunner, A Divided Heart. If you are a fan of that twisty, blow my mind, what in the actual f*** kind of reading experience, then run to grab this one! I don’t read much romance, and it’s usually a romcom, but this author is one of my favorites so I will read what she writes. Her thrillers are all A++ in my opinion. Her books are tightly plotted and written to thrill, all with absolutely no fluff. So I don’t even want to talk about the storyline because I know I’ll spoil it. It’s best to just go in blind and enjoy the ride! Thank you Netgalley, Select Publishing and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book is available now!

An absolute masterpiece!

Infinite stars reduced to boring standard 5 stars
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

"Go ahead. Judge me. You have no idea what my love entails.
I love two men. I fück two men.
If you think you've heard this story before, you haven't."

A Divided Heart by Alessandra Torre is the rebranded and reworked (with added content) version of Black Lies, my first ever Torre book which introduced me to an instant favorite author.

What can you expect?
🔺Love triangle
🔺Nerdy, brilliant billionaire
🔺Bad boy gardener
🔺Lots of steam
🔺Increasing angst fest
🔺HEA
🔺Plot twist(s) that will make your jaw drop to the floor

This book and the story it tells is so captivating, I absolutely devoured it. It's unputdownable, even as a reread (which is a feat in and of itself if you ask me).

When I first read this book, I fell in love with Brant and was intrigued by the mystery surrounding THE SECRET. So even though this book is already brilliant on a first read, rereading it brought this whole new depth to the story. It was always there, but can only be caught when you know THE SECRET. I felt for every single character, and was able to understand them in a way I hadn't been able to before. The added content mixed in really well with the older content, and elevated the story and relationship arcs beautifully.

Layana and Brant's relationship made my romantic little heart so happy, the swoons were overflowing. Their utter devotion to and fierce love for each other are #goals like the kids say. Where can I find a man who gives me his full focus and looks "at me like I was his world", because I will settle for no less.

Lee, however... He's the character you hate to like, to reluctantly feel for. I wasn't a fan of the (sometimes disrespectful) way he treated Layana, but his growing vulnerability sliced my heart open right alongside Layana's. He even got me as far as tearing up, and that is a rare occurrence for me while reading!

I honestly cannot recommend this book enough, and I'll never write a review that does it justice. This one is available in KU so just go read it and then come discuss in my dms!

*I read an ARC through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Brilliant Writing!!!!

An absolutely Brilliant read!

This book was original and hooked me from page one!

Storytelling at its Best! This book has it all! Romance, heartbreak, lots of twists and steam!

Character development was phenomenal!

I gave this book 5 stars! If I could give more I would!

I had not read the original version of this book. I can say this is a must read for 2023!

This book brought the HEAT!

No spoilers with my review!

Well done Alessandra Torre!

A Divided Heart by Alessandra Torre is a contemporary billionaire romance with elements of suspense. It’s told mostly in dual POV, but there are a few chapters told from the perspectives of other characters. The story follows the wealthy Layana Fairmont in her relationships with genius tech-billionaire Brant Sharp and rough-around-the-edges landscaper Lee.

I hadn’t read the previous version of this story, Black Lies, so I didn’t know what it was about. I pretty much went in blind, and I’m glad that I did. I thought it was going to be a love-triangle romance. And in some ways, it is—but in others, it’s not. This story was not at all what I expected, and it’s not like anything I’ve ever read before.

At first, I didn’t like Layana at all, but the story was so intriguing and compelling that it didn’t really matter. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. Then there came a point where my mind put together all the pieces, and my opinion of Layana completely shifted. And the fact that I figured out the big twist didn’t lessen the impact when it finally happened.

A Divided Heart is a dark and dirty, gritty and smutty, mysterious and mind-blowing romance. Masterfully written, full of fascinating characters and surprising twists, it’s a wild ride from beginning to end. Highly recommended!

“She couldn’t have him. He was mine.” I did not see that coming!!!🤯 I am completely blown away and you will be too.

Layana has her own money and does not need a man but she definitely wants one. Then she runs into Brant. Who is an elusive billionaire bachelor and philanthropist.

“I’d spent two minutes in his presence and had experienced about nine spikes of arousal.”

They hit it off so fast even when you add the meddling Aunt Jillian. Something is seriously wrong with that lady! The ending had me laughing so hard because she deserved that!

“This love was worth the unsaid truths. The hidden lies.”

“But I am terrified to tell her my secret. And I am terrified to hear her tell me hers.”

Along comes Lee who is rough around the edges and completely different from Brant. He works in construction, drinks, and has a mouth on him.

Can you handle juggling both men? Or will she have to choose between them?

“My love burns bright as hers, as does my possession. But my anger, my emotion, doesn’t simmer on the surface. It hides in wait for the moment when it needs to erupt.”

So many twists and turns! This book grabbed my attention the moment I started it. I could not put it down! Each part had me turning the pages so fast! But part 3 when it’s time for the secret to come out. I was not expecting that. Definitely threw me off from the assumption that I had.

Stop what you’re doing and grab this book!🔥🔥

“It was worth it as soon as I saw you.”

Thank you Victory Editing and Netgalley for the EARC! As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared on my Instagram (@Alexandriavwilliams_) shortly.

This book has been on my radar for years, as Black Lies, so I was really excited when it got revamped. It was so good! The angst, the suspense, the twists and turns! I couldn’t put it down.

This is dark and slightly twisted albeit a truly romantic love story at heart.
I was gripped from the very moment I started reading and I enjoyed all of the characters. Our main female lead is awesome she straddles being wealthy and yet down to earth and certainly not entitled so makes her an easy character to get behind and root for.
Her love for Brant is clear and their love is beautiful so it certainly took a while for me to understand why she would consider anyone else and the writing by Alessandra Torre made it all so accepting and believable so that when the big reveal came it was something I had only just managed to work out and then the heartbreak began but there was so much emotion to how the story came to it's end that you just can't put this book down until you understand what is happening and how this love story ends.

I received this free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.