Honey Cut by Sierra Simone
The Lyonesse Trilogy Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 18 June 2024

Isolde Laurence, raised to value elegance and duty, is secretly a spy for the Church, working for her uncle, a cardinal. Her latest mission is to marry and seduce Mark Trevena, the owner of a notorious club in DC. However, Isolde's assignment becomes complicated when she falls for Mark's emotionally scarred bodyguard, Tristan, and starts developing feelings for Mark himself—a mistake she has regretted in the past.

As she navigates her tangled emotions, Isolde discovers that Mark harbours dangerous secrets, threatening to destroy all three of them. The turmoil of hidden agendas and forbidden love poses a perilous risk to their hearts and lives.

This book is a whirlwind of lies, cheating, pain, and regret, masterfully conveyed by Sierra’s beautiful and poetic writing. The characters—Tristan, Mark, and Isolde—are deeply compelling, even more so than those in “New Camelot”.

Mark is as arrogant and aristocratic as ever, while Isolde's toughness and depth were pleasantly surprising. Sierra described Isolde and Mark as lions and Tristan as a sweet, vulnerable gazelle, which perfectly captures their dynamics.

Tristan, with his gentle heart and sweet green eyes, is everything. His enduring strength despite daily suffering is heart-wrenching. The bond between Mark and Tristan is addictive, with Mark's care and Tristan's complete devotion creating a powerful connection.

The cliffhanger left me eager for more, especially after learning new facets of Mark's character through Tristan's persistence. Sierra Simone masterfully crafts characters and stories filled with poignant moments, making every emotional high and low worth it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Bloom Books, and the author, Sierra Simone, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Sierra Simone is a master at writing stories that draw you in and make you want to keep reading. This is the second book in the Lyonesse trilogy. We pick up back on New York and Mark, Tristan, and Isolde are all together for the first time. Holy love triangle. This book has so much angst, passion, and intrigue and as always with Simone’s books a hefty amount of kinky spice. My only complaint about this book is that the majority of it was from Isolde’s POV and I wanted more from Tristan and Mark. Eagerly looking forward to the next book in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Oh my God! What did I get myself into?! This book isn't even out yet and I'm going to be in anguish until the 3rd part of the trilogy comes out.

The use of dual POVs to show the story through Isolde and Tristan's eyes was so good. We got to see what they were experiencing while battling with their secrets and their hearts as they come to terms with the feelings that they have for each other and Mark. I can't wait until book 3 when we'll hopefully get to see more of things from Mark's POV.

This book was beautiful and poetic. It was a mess of lies and deceit. The intrigue and mystery adds a thriller element to this novel. It was angsty and tense. Add in some of the spiciest scenes I've ever read and it's perfection 🫠🥵

That ending...I'm temporarily maintaining a feeling of dislike towards Sierra Simone because I don't think I can survive hanging on this cliff. I need to know what is going to happen...NOW!

SIERRA PROMISED US A HAPPILY EVER AFTER FOR THESE THREE IN THE ACKNOLWEDGEMENTS AND SHE BETTER DELIVER. Because that ending freaking broke me!
*Me sobbing over that ending*
Normally I'm so okay mid series. You know in romance that they happily ever after is coming but this one is killing me!! HOW ARE THINGS GOING TO BE OKAY??!?!?!
Isolde, Mark, and Tristan are tied together in such a deep way that makes you ache. Sierra describes how much Isolde and Tristan need the pain that Mark gives them, and OH MY GOD SIERRA, you have made me a masochist. The 'slow burn' and FIRE HOT SPICE combined kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Every moment you're in the best kind of agony, praying that things will work out. THEY BETTER!
Also, there is no way that Mortimer isn't a manipulative piece of shit.

Side notes- I adore this universe. It's so fascinating and I loved the sneak peaks at characters from her other books. Especially Embry and Greer. Ooh and Ash, in the beginning! So great, I will definitely be waiting with bated breath for book three.

I have been waiting so patiently for this book to be release and when I saw that I was approved for an ARC, I practically squealed from joy. Thank you to NetGalley, SourceBooks/Bloom Books, and Sierra Simone for an ARC!

I love the Lyonesse series; It's full of intrigue, espionage, and secrets with the spiciest scenes and heartrending longing and anguish. Mark, Tristan, and Isolde are so full of life and their anguish feels so real. The spicy scenes and the kink club scenes are *chef's kiss*.

With the last book ending on a bit of a cliffhanger, I was nervous as to the fates and loves of Mark, Tristan, and Isolde. This book sank me further into the rabbit hole of their plans and loves -- and heartbreaks. I was aching for them to just air their secrets and form their own secret organization to right the wrongs done to them.

Honey Cut, written by Sierra Simone, is the second title in Lyonesse series. This books is a continuation from the first book, and should be read in order to avoid confusion. This is a MMF book.

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, Romance

Isolde (FMC)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mark (MMC1)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tristan (MMC2)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So again, this book should be read after the first title in the series. I did not do that. 🤪 I own a physical copy of the book, I just haven’t gotten a chance to read it just yet. Then I was offered an arc copy of this title and of course I couldn’t pass it up!

I was a little lost when some of the people and events in the book but the three of these characters together are so freaking hot!!! 🥵

Fans of Sierra Simone will love this addition to the series! The book does end on a cliffhanger, but she promises a HEA is insight!

Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title!

I was very exited to receive this book from net galley, I have been wanting to read it for a while and I enjoyed this book thoroughly. this book was very fast passed and was very easy to read, it was sexy and entertaining. my one criticism is that I did not enjoy reading this book as much as I did the book proceeding it, however this is not a criticism of the writing, I just enjoyed the first book so much and its hard to beat! I work at a book store and will likably be recommending this book to customers I speak to

Absolutely devoured this, I loved every second and then some, I keep thinking about it and I'm sad I have to wait for the next book already.

This book was a lot but the right amount of a lot! I recommend it, I should have waited until the full trilogy was out!

I devoured this book! I was not at all ready for that cliffhanger ending. This story is full of suspense, mystery, steamy scenes, death and betrayal. Isolde and Mark believe that they can continue pretend but when feelings get involved and are deeper than intended how can they not only protect themselves but also protect those they love. Feelings are hidden but they can't be denied, and pleasure is not only a release but a need and a show of love. The hidden truth between Mark, Isolde and Tristan come to light and it as much as it hurts them, it's also done out of love. However, there are those that will exploit it to get what they want, but it seems as if everyone is a chess piece on the board. I'm loving the way the main players are moving but at the same time I'm also devastated by how things played out with that cliffhanger ending. I cannot wait to get more of Mark, Isolde and Tristan because I can't get enough of them, and this cannot be the end. There are still a lot of players in this game and Ys seems to be a big one. I need the next book asap because I can't wait to read what moves Mark makes.

Sierra Simone does it again!! Thank you NetGallery and Bloom Books for the ARC!! I loved this read and getting to see the sequel of this new series, I need the third back asap after that ending. Can’t wait to reread it again when it gets out in the world!

Honeycut, the second book in the Lyonesse Trilogy, continues with the story of the arranged marriage between morally grey characters Mark and Isolde, and their love for Tristan, their bodyguard. Told in Isolde and Tristan’s POVs, Honeycut delves deeper into the motivations, emotions, and backstories of the three main characters.

Honeycut fulfills what longtime readers of Sierra Simone have come to know; emotional depth, intricate storylines, and the hot and spiciest spice.

Book #3 cannot come soon enough.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for an advanced copy of Honeycut in exchange for my honest review.

one of the only books that has survived me docking a star for a stressful cliffhanger ending(AGAIN). I knew when I saw this was dedicated to Flavia I'd be in for a wild ride. This series feels a lot like this author's other New Camelot series but without everything I disliked in that one. I am obsessed with this Lyonesse series and need book 3 immediately. Though the wait for this one was well worth it.

Sierra Simone never fails to write a story thats as spicy as it is beautiful. I don't think this tops Salt Kiss for me but I love the continuation of the story and am so so so obsessed with the cover. Can't wait to have it in store and convince everyone to read it.

Sierra Simone is the undisputed queen of spicy polyamory! I absolutely devoured Honey Cut - a fantastic sequel to Salt Kiss that just left me begging for more.

I preferred the first book in the series, but this was entertaining none the less. I think that the connection to the American Queen trilogy was smart!

This book is definitely classic Sierra Simone in full form. Just on steroids. With a little touch of magic. Her writing is always exquisite, but in this one? It’s a pure art form. I had to stop and marvel at so many passages most of my kindle is now highlighted. The prose is evocative, breathtaking, tortured poetry. Both Ms Simone and Mark are freaking wordsmiths, playing with our hearts and minds until we are but putty in their hands

Let me start by saying that I’m going to try not to spoil Salt Kiss and what happened. If that sounds vague, I’m trying not to share too many details. However, there are certain plotlines that are carried from the previous book so it’s just best if you’ve read it before reading this review.

With that out of the way, Honeycut started off with a bang but not in the way you might imagine as we’re learning more about Isolode. While the book focuses on Mark, Isolde, and Tristan, the first book felt like Tristan’s and this one feels like Isolde's. She’s such a complex character and the more we learned about her, the more complicated things got.

In learning the background of Isolde, the plot is also moving forward for both her, Tristan, and Mark as they’re all trying to figure out the best course of action for themselves. This is where Sierra Simone really shines because she’ll lead you one way before changing course and making you question everything you ever knew about these characters.

Of course, she brought her trademark steam and these scenes were extra hot. I feel like we all knew how these three were going to end up but honestly, some of the scenes had me blushing. I feel like that is Sierra Simone’s gift, though. She’s one of those authors who can have you blush with a spicy scene and then have you aghast over the plot on the next page.

If you’ve read Salt Kiss, then I feel like you’re going to enjoy Honeycut and it sets everything up for the final book in the series. As Sierra Simone said, the HEA is coming and truly, it couldn’t come fast enough.

Holy cow. This series. I read a prequel, the one before and this one. Wow. Wow. Wow. It's hard to find words to describe this title. It's hot, in all the best ways, but the vulnerabilities of the characters were what got me. I'm still thinking about it.

This book rocked me to the core. I loved the Priest series, and the first book Salt Kiss *chefs kiss*. But Miss Simone, may I bow before your throne! I wait with bated breath for the conclusion in the trilogy and… I don’t know what else to say. I loved it.