The Lies We Steal

Hollow Boys, Book 1

By: Monty Jay

Narrated by: Lucy Rivers, Grayson Owens

It's been months since the day we stood above that empty grave that stunk of burnt flesh and secrets. All of us were dressed to the nines, one of us wearing a wedding dress, a day that was supposed to mark the beginning of a new adventure. It marked the bitter end of our vengeance.

We have done things that have marked our souls for eternity. But before we get there, we have to go back. Back to where it all started. The place I could find in my sleep.

Hollow Heights University in the macabre, somber seaside town of Ponderosa Springs. A college for prestigious, wealthy children to receive the highest education. A town drowning in treachery and secrets that became our damnation. But it wasn't the forest surrounding the grounds or even the mysterious hidden mausoleum that haunted me.

It was them. The ones that lurked in the night, things so wicked, so twisted, so evil, they would become the rulers of my nightmares. The Hollow Boys. One wrong move and I landed myself directly in their line of fire.

This is not a story about love, it is not a story of happy endings. Love just happened to blossom in our sorrows, in our pain, our fear, our blood.

Every terrible thing they ever did, we watched, we helped, we loved them anyway. Some run from their monsters, we fell in love with ours.

Contains mature themes.

©2021 Monty Jay (P)2024 Tantor

Such a great story

This is a great story! So many twists and turns, and so many feels in this story! The narrators were great; however I didn’t like how the female narrator did the male parts, but the male narrator is one of my new favorites!!

Mah

What I loved:
The narration was fantastic – she chose amazing narrators who did an incredible job. I loved the "weird" roommate and that the heroine has an unconventional pet 🐀.
I really enjoyed the "outcast" element – I have a weakness for misunderstood heroes who are angry at the world. I also appreciated the mystery and investigation; it felt well-developed and not half-baked. Lastly, the hero’s group of friends intrigued me.

What didn’t work for me:
I’ve already read Penelope Douglas’ "Devil’s Night" series, and sorry, but this felt like a knockoff. It’s like, “We already have Devil’s Night at home,” and then you discover this book.

Insta-lust – Sorry, but anyone who knows me knows I can’t stand this trope. How can you stalk her and torment her, and then, a second later, she’s the only thing you can breathe for? Like, if she’s not next to you, you’re losing your mind? Calm down, dude.

The lack of originality and the cheesy dialogues – there were so many moments that felt like things I’d already read in other books or seen in movies. Honestly, girl, enough with the same old formula. Give me something fresh for a change.

Despite all the negatives, I’m still curious about the other guys in the group. I’ll continue reading once I’m in the mood again for arrogant alpha males who make my foolish heart giggle like a smitten teenage girl.

awesome

started off a little slow but turned out to be freaking awesome I couldn't even put it down great read

The female voice actor is so bad

I almost stopped listening to this book because of the female voice actor. It sounds like someone copied and pasted the words into an app to have a computer read her part. The story is great and the male actor is good, but she was so so bad.

wonderful story

Love the plot and the male reader. NOT a fan of the female reader as it sounds like a robot and choppy, with no emotion.