Review: Truth (#2, Consequences) by Aleatha Romig

My Thoughts

More intensity. More twists. More shock.
This heart-stopping sequel had my emotions in a frenzy. It consumed me from beginning to end as the mystery continues to thicken before truths are revealed. Absolutely riveting and suspenseful. This series has become an all-time favorite.

• Related Posts: 2013 Favorites, Mega Alphas, Dark and Intense,  My review of Consequences #1, My review of Convicted #3

Synopsis

Claire Nichols endured the CONSEQUENCES of Anthony Rawlings’ vendetta. 

When she first arrived to his home, her goal was survival. Through strength and compartmentalization Claire captivated her captor. Her resilience in the face of his rule threatened Anthony’s well developed plan. He thought he taught her to behave-but domination became desire and Claire taught Tony to love. 

Their passion and adoration in a world of opulence appeared perfect, yet the reality was a roller coaster of emotion. Claire’s world teetered on the edge of sanity as Antony monitored her every move. When given the opportunity to flee, Claire drove away—a fateful decision which began a well laid plan. 

Unbeknownst to either of them, there were others who saw past the perfect facade of Anthony Rawlings. There were others who saw the TRUTH. Conspiracy and unfulfilled promises result in an early prison release for Claire. Not just a release—a pardon. According to the law, her crime never happened! 

Will it be that easy? Faced with freedom from her past—can Claire seize it? Can she build a new life, mend her broken spirit, become the woman she once was, and seek her own revenge? Or is it all a game? And does the game master have different plans?
How does Sophia Burke fit into the puzzle that is Tony and Claire? Will her presence affect the future of this well esteemed man? Can he dominate twice? Is that his goal? 

TRUTH continues the tumultuous saga of CONSEQUENCES,introduces new players, and uncovers more intrigue. Aleatha Romig skillfully weaves past transgressions through current deception to create a fervent world of obsessed desire. In this reality can an all-consuming relationship survive? 

When buried sins are discovered they threaten not only Tony and Claire’s future—but their very lives! Will the TRUTH be revealed in time?

My Review

Claire is in jail. That fucker, Tony Rawlings!!! I could not believe it. Even after finishing book 2, I still can’t believe he allowed that to happen. The book begins over a year later, with Iowa governor Richard Bosley reviewing pardons. Mysteriously, someone has submitted a request to pardon Claire Nichols, attaching a $100,000 check made out to CASH and asking Claire’s lawyer, Jane Allyson, to file at the governor’s office. The governor signs the pardon last minute, without releasing her name to the media.

Gaaahhhh! Yes!!! Yes!!!

And so Claire is released from prison without anyone knowing. She leaves to begin anew, to begin enacting her revenge against Tony. With the help of Amber (Simon’s ex-fiance) and Harry (Amber’s brother) she settles in California, fearful to be seen,  fearful for her loved ones and fearful to be found by Tony. After all, the entire country believed she was capable of murdering her now ex-husband.

And then Tony finds out she’s been freed. And he has NO idea where she is. But we all know money can buy anything and Tony Rawlings gets what he wants. He hires private investigator Phil Roach to track Claire down. Meanwhile, with the help of Harry and Amber, Claire continues her research in efforts to put the puzzle pieces together and try to understand the past in order to formulate her future plan.

Concurrently, a secondary story begins to unfurl and centers around a woman named Sophia Rossi Burke, an artist married to Derek Burke, who signs on to work for Shedis-tics a subsidiary of Rawlings Enterprises. I deduced that the last name Burke was significant, but the how and why was not clear. There are multiple, possible connections, but I couldn’t piece it together yet.

Claire begins to re-build her life and gets some extra cash after selling the jewelry Tony gave her… including her wedding rings. A celebratory dinner is in order and Amber, Harry and Claire go out! Her cellphone buzzed and thinking it’s Emily, she quickly picks up.

“The voice in her ear caused her knees to buckle and her face to blanch. Good Evening, Claire.”

My blood pressure dropped, my heart clenched and I was both frightened… and excited? What?! But then again, after the first book, I had concluded something was wrong with me, without a doubt!!!

Tony tracks Claire in Palo Alto. What transpires is thrilling. Their interactions become an well-strategized game of chess, each trying to exert control over the other, each trying to gain the advantage.

In addition to Sophia’s story weaving through Claire and Tony’s, we continue to unravel the mysteries of the Rawls family. Despite Claire’s work to piece it all together, too many questions remain unanswered. What happened to Samuel’s sister? Who killed Anton’s parents? Who is Marie? And, amidst spending time together, Claire and Harry begin to get closer to each other. Yet, Claire can’t seem to forget Tony.

“Could it be possible to hate and love someone too? Claire wondered… As her unconsciousness flooded with memories, feelings stirred deep inside. Concurrently, her consciousness screamed for her to remember his atrocities, the cruelties which outnumbered the kindnesses. However, her heart ached and argued — perhaps, his positives could overtake his negatives? After all, doesn’t everyone have a good and a bad side?”

At this point in the book, the anxiety is killing me. I’m dying for them to meet again. I wonder what will happen. I’m confused and I couldn’t put the book down… not for a single minute. And soon, the long-awaited reunion is scheduled and each prepare their first real move in this latest round of the game.

“Maintaining her mask of calm, she watched as the archway filled with the man from her past.”

I’m on the edge of my seat as this scene unfolds. My heart is pounding.

“My, Claire, you continue to amaze me. I see you’re trying to show me the new independent Claire Nichols.”

These moments between Claire and Tony are electric.

“The secret to getting away with lying is believing it with all your heart, that goes for lying to yourself even more so than lying to another.”

There is no denying the pull these two people feel for each other. And Tony grows so much during the course of this book! He tries SO hard. There are HUGE changes and advances. So much so that… okay… sigh… I realize I love him. I love Tony. There,  I said it. Sweet Harry who?

It’s difficult to write more than what I’ve written as I don’t want to give anything away, but again, this book is spectacular. I find that my favorite books tend to have a “plus.” Whether it be a clever paranormal angle, a shocking premise, or like this one, the thrill of the unknown. I LOVE this series and even though they are longer books, I read Truth in less than 24 hours. Aleatha Romig is so clever and her words are so engaging… It’s hard to imagine waiting MONTHS for book 3. I had lots of questions at the end of this book… I would say it’s definitely a cliffhanger or rather, it’s the precipice of what I think will be the final, exciting culmination. I do however, make some assumptions at the end, but Aleatha’s final quote makes me question those assumptions.You never know what comes next.

“You must stick to your conviction, but be ready to abandon your assumptions.”

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