Caveat: I am a BIG KBR fan. Even though I deeply love and appreciate their work, I still have critiques. However, I am (generally) going to be biased towards anything they publish (unless proven otherwise). I think that every review I write should be taken with a grain of salt (at the end of the day I’m just a bookish person online) but specifically with Dishonestly Yours starting with that allows you to understand the way I approached this book. I know the strengths and weaknesses of KBR’s books and have a general idea of what to expect.

4.5⭐️

Being with Rocky feels lethal- like it could end me at any moment- and yet, I loathe the very idea of stopping

*content sigh* I LOVE KBR’S MINDS. I mean this is in the nicest most non-threatening way possible but that second book better be written or in editing or drafting or however the fuck publishing works. This book ends on A cliffhanger but not a “WAIT WHAT’S HAPPENING HUH???” type of cliffhanger more like a “ OH SHIT NOOOOOOO WE WERE JUST GETTING STARTED”

The inciting incident of this story forces childhood best friend pair, Phoebe Graves and Hailey Tinrock to ditch their lives of conning with their families to live honestly in the affluent town of Victoria, Connecticut. However, (multiple) things don’t go to plan when Hailey’s older brother (and Phoebe’s…something wedges himself into their new life. Though physically separated from their family, Hailey, Phoebe and Rocky are still deeply entrenched in the web of their families’s chaos which directly threatens their fresh start. Will they commit or revert to what they know?

Dishonestly Yours is the start of what could be an incredible series from the Ritchie sisters, showcasing their knack for writing excellent, nuanced found family dynamics with strong interpersonal bonds but with a new cast, setting and a darker, grittier tone (given the whole con artist past thing). A lot of this book is just setting the groundwork, establishing the characters, setting etc.. Whilst providing context is necessary, the first bit of this book felt disjointed pacing wise. I also thought that the writing style was very…literal? I don’t know how to explain it but it felt like they didn’t trust the reader to infer. DON’T HOLD OUR HANDS, I PROMISE YOU I CAN THINK CRITICALLY AND CONNECT THE DOTS.

After that though, I was fully and wholly roped into the story. the flashback chapters were my favourite I don’t want to say too much because of spoilers but the last 10% genuinely had me spiralling right alongside our main cast.
BOOK 2 WHEN?????

OMGGG THE TENSION!!! To be completely honest, I did not want to like this book but I ate this uppp! This was so messy and had so many secrets but I could not put it down! The drama, the angst, the tension!!!! I was so invested in the characters and the world. The chemistry between Phoebe and Rocky just hit! It was unlike anything I’ve read recently! If it’s one thing that kbritchie knows how to do well, it’s the found family trope.

I thought it was a great first book to a new series and I’ll be looking forward to the next one!

🍓🕷️🕸️✨🤑😈

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Berkeley Publishing and Becca and Krista Ritchie for the gifted arc for an honest review! ◡̈

Very different from what I’m used to by K&B but no less entertaining, full of emotions and all around good read. This story takes us through so many ups and downs, they do a great job with the then and now timeline as well.

I unfortunately did not enjoy this book. About two con-artists best friends - who are trying to leave the con life and dealing with life in general. The only problem is Rocky, Hailey's big brother tags along. I could not get invested into the characters. The overall experience was lacking for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! In all honesty, I requested this book based off the cover, which I was drawn to immediately, but once I read the synopsis, I was a little hesitant. I wasn't a huge fan of the Addicted series by the same authors and thought it would be similar to that, but I was wrong. The beginning started a little slow for me but as it progressed and the relationship between the two MC's developed more, I was hooked! What I didn't realize, that I wish I did, was that this book is a series so it left off on a major cliff hanger and I was shocked and upset because I wanted more immediately!! Looking forward to the rest of this series!

This book was a bingeable MASTERPIECE. Dishonestly Yours was like nothing I’ve ever read before. I was honestly captivated and need to know every single detail about these two families. Phoebe and Rocky, our main characters, have a perfect “there’s a thin line between love and hate” and "will they won't they" AND "omg just kiss already!!!" relationship. While I LOVED reading about them, this book was a PERFECT balance between character and plot driven. It’s been a while since I’ve been more excited about the plot of a story as compared to the romance aspect, and I was on the edge of my seat or had a pit in my stomach throughout, not to mention I physically threw my kindle down in multiple parts.

There are so many questions I still need answered and I need book 2 like immediately!!!

✨Read if you love
- high angst
- best friend’s older brother
- plot driven books
- morally grey characters
- wealthy coastal small town
- con artist families
- twists and turns
- found family
- the ABC show “Revenge” — similar vibes/ish

Thank you so much @berkleyromance  and @kbmritchie for the ARC!!! This book was seriously SO good.

Not going to lie, I never read anything by them however I heard good things about their addicted series, and I thought I'd give this a shot. However, it was so hard to get it and I almost DNFd the book not going to lie! however, I pushed through it and finished! I will give the addicted series a chance, but I think I had higher standards for them and didn't get much! However, I did really like the characters in the book! I will give this book another chance to see if maybe it just wasn't the mood book I needed and will rerate it if I need to!

This might be my book of the summer…
This one is twisted and entertaining and spicy and romantic and I can’t even list all the adjectives to describe it. There is SO MUCH happening, but it’s not overwhelming it’s like a slow burn of events and plot twists.

K&B seriously played with all my emotions in this one, and I absolutely cannot wait to see how this plays out in book 2!!

THE CLIFF HANGER YALL!!

I honestly feel like the last few chapters hit me like a freight train, but I would happily do it again.

P.S. I love Phoebe and Rocky and want to give them the world.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8XoAweSv8s/?igsh=MTV4cTVpb3V4NDE0aQ==

I liked the idea of the plot, and the cover. It could have been a lot better if the writing and the characters weren't so cringey.

I have to say that I was gravely disappointed with this book. I love the authors previous series (Addicted, as well as the spinoffs) and was expecting something new & different… but the beginning felt just like Addicted. I wasn’t getting the main plot point of the characters being con artists and it was more of a forbidden love type of tension. The smut was alright but I can’t say that I was left wanting more. I was more wanting explanations because of how confused I was.

Dishonestly Yours by Krista Ritchie is a captivating and emotionally charged romance novel that had me hooked from start to finish. With its fresh and compelling storyline, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a slow-burn romance filled with angst and tension. Get ready to be swept away by the sizzling chemistry between the characters as you dive into the pages of Dishonestly Yours.

4.5 * * * * *

Thank you to Berkley Romance for giving me the chance to review this ARC!

WOW. STUNNED. STUNNING. IMPECCABLE. I NEED MORE.

What an original storyline about two con families in a small town setting. This story is Mr. and Mrs. Smith meets Gossip Girl meets Hallmark meets Romeo and Juliet in the wildest and most unexpected ways possible. There wasn't a single moment of this book that I could predict or dream up myself and every single chapter brought something new to light.

The characters in this novel are so well thought out in their motivations and values and ambitions and I fell in love with so many of them while reading. Rocky and Phoebe are two incredible characters that I thoroughly enjoyed being able to read from both of their POVs. AND LETS GIVE A MOMENT FOR A SLOWWWW BURNNNN BABY. You know I love you.

The pacing was INCREDIBLE with little flashbacks to offer little bits of information to fill in the knowledge gaps for the audience. I thought they perfectly broke up the monotony of certain segments and made the reading so much more enjoyable.

LETS TALK ABOUT THE TENSION. THE ANGST. WOW. THE PINING. Literally these two characters could set a room on fire with their chemistry on page. Their story was perfectly timed and felt so organic. Morally grey in every perfect way. I do love when the woman is just as cunning as the man. It just hits different. & the closet scene?? A classic.

By the end of the story I was literally falling out of my chair because of the twists that we discover. When I finally reached the Acknowledgments section I had to gasp because there was no way it could be over. ON THAT NOTE?? It's sick and twisted and I demand the second book now. Please.

HIGHLYYYY RECOMMEND!! Once again thank you Berkley Romance for allowing me the opportunity!

This is my first Ritchie book outside of the Addicted series but somehow I still found myself addicted to this book? This book had some messy characters, but not in a bad way - messy in the way that they are authentic, and relatable, and human which a fellow human being can appreciate. If you are a fan of the Addicted series or the Magnolia Parks universe I think you would really enjoy this. Can't wait for the next books to follow!

🍓Dishonestly Yours🍓
Krista & Becca Ritchie

If there is one thing the Krista and Becca can do, it is write some characters that you become immensely attached to.

This book is no different. I adore Rocky, Phoebe, Hailey, and the rest of the two sets of siblings! I want all their stories!

As the first book in a series we get a lot of world building and history of the characters to bring us into the story. Let me tell you, I cannot wait to see what happens next!

This veered away from the Addicted Series/ Like Us Series and entered into a world of cons. We still got a few little Easter eggs hidden in though, which always makes me giddy.

I will say, if you enjoyed Luna’s books, this has more of those action filled vibes in it!

This book releases on July 2, 2024 and is available for preorder now!

I received an arc copy of this book, and this is my honest review.

This is one of my most anticipated books of the year, esp after finding these two amazing authors when I found my favorite series ever: the addicted/Calloway sisters series. So of course I knew going into their new series the found family aspect would be phenomenally executed. Two sets of 3 siblings. Two con artist families. And all the family drama you could imagine that comes with that lifestyle. This was a book that every time I put it down I couldn’t get it off my mind. I wanted and needed to know more. The angst and forbidden romance between Rocky and Pheobe was so honest and heartbreaking. Pheobe and Hailey’s friendship is one we all wish we could have. Plus the ending. I’m still in shock that that is where it was decided to end but it just makes me even more excited for book 2! I’m already missing these characters. Hopefully I’ll see them again VERY soon 😉

Thank you Krista and Becca & Berkeley publishing for the e-arc.

Only a few more weeks til pub day!

After reading the synopsis, I wasn't sure if Dishonestly Yours was a book I would normally pick up, but I'll read anything Krista and Becca write so here we go...

This book follows Rocky and Phoebe, and also their siblings. They come from two con families and have grown up doing cons together, as their mother's are best friends. Rocky's sister and Phoebe's best friend Hailey wants out of the life, so Phoebe joins her and they move across the country for a fresh start. Rocky follows.

It seems like Rocky can't stay away from Phoebe and honestly the feeling was mutual. These two have a history and throughout the story we get to read about some of their cons and their relationship. I'll be honest the first half of the book was a bit rocky for me, but the last half picked up and I got really into this one.

I'm so curious about the other siblings and about the shock at the end. I can't wait to see where this goes. I loved the family dynamics and of course the found family which is always a favorite.

Reading the summary of the book threw me off. It isn't something I would normally pick up. There are a lot of characters and it gets confusing but other than that the story was enjoyable. There was strong chemistry between the two main characters and I cannot wait to read the next one.

The story dives into the lives of Phoebe Graves and her best friend Hailey as they try to ditch their shady past for a new start in a small Connecticut town. But things get complicated with Hailey’s brother, Rocky, who brings a ton of drama from their past that Phoebe isn’t sure she can handle. It’s the beginning of their "Webs We Weave" series, and it’s packed with romance, suspense, and some serious emotional twists. If you’re into stories about fresh starts and complicated pasts, this one’s got all that plus some intense character journeys. It's a bit slow and may take some time to stay fully engaged.

I really enjoyed this one. I absolutely loved Phoebe. As the story goes on you realize so much more about how she has been used in cons. I am rooting for her to be able to get out and get her happy ending within this series. I really love her relationship with Rocky. There was so much chemistry and tension. This was an easy read and I can't wait to see where these characters go next.

Dishonestly yours was fun to read because the characters are, for the most part, unapologetic villains who you can't help but root for. I mean, who doesn't want to read about the forbidden romance between two childhood friends who participate in their families' cons by pretending to be in a relationship? Conmen/women + fake dating + forbidden romance = exactly what I wanted to read.