This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
About The Book
Danger threatens to shatter the hope for a new beginning in a world of angels and demons in this explosive paranormal romance by author Brian Feehan, son of legendary #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.
After being forced away for seventeen years, Alice is finally home. But home isn’t what she thought it would be, and every day the secrets she holds from her parents grow with weight. But how do you tell your mother and father that you’re not normal? That the world is a far more dangerous place than they have ever known and you are anything but the small, innocent child that was torn from their arms all those years ago?
Owen can’t say goodbye, and Alice can’t hold on to him tightly enough as the pressures of danger and obligation grow stronger and stronger. With a broken heart, Owen is headed to San Francisco with his crew of musicians. But the Golden City is filled with history and secrets, and brutal deaths are just lying in wait for Owen and his people. To survive these trials and this city, Owen will need everything he has–even the broken parts he gave to Alice–to have any hope of doing the impossible one more time.
My Review
First Impressions
Harmony of Lies is the second installment in the “Alice & Owen” series by the newest author ‘Brian Feehan’, who made his debut last year with “Harmony of Fire”. In “Harmony of Lies” this is where we get the continuation of the journey of Owen and Alice. I was so blown away by the first book, so I was super stoked to be able to pick up “Harmony of Lies”, I was so eager to return to this brilliantly captured world of fantasy and music toned feeling to it. I would highly recommend that you need to read these books in order, if you don’t, you will feel a bit lost as this book picks up just a couple weeks following “Harmony of Fire”. Now this one was such a solid installment and I loved getting back to Owen and Alice and while there was a bit less focus on their relationship as they each have to do their own journey for a portion of the story, you really see their relationship grow in ways that I didn’t honestly expect considering how much time they are actually on the page together. We get the continuation of the world building and its highly impacting and was just as impressed as I was with the first book “Harmony of Fire”
Summary
Alice and Owen are learning what it means to be a true team. Owen is feeling antsy and its been building within him for weeks, and he knows that soon he and his troupe will need to move on and their next spot to head to will need to be San Francisco. But his heart is torn because he loves Alice and he knows that he will have to fight for her to have her be willing to choose him. But Alice needs to settle things with her own family and find out her own purpose. Owen and his group of musicians head to San Francisco, hoping that this will be a quick and easy trip, but what they find is not going to be so simple. There are deaths of musicians, and there are magic and secrets happening with a piano, and intrigue and mystery surrounding the intentions of politicians. Owen will have to determine whom he can trust as some are friends and enemies alike. But for him and his people to survive, he will need everything he has at his disposal including the woman who is his true partner and strength because this will be his greatest test ever…
What I Loved
“Harmony of Lies” was such a brilliant story and my heart became so woven in with Owen, Alice and their group of musicians. I was completely humbled to be able to pick up this author’s work again, and I can tell you, if you love paranormal/UF sub genres in romance, then Brian Feehan is an author that you need to pay attention to, because I have a feeling he is going to deliver some brilliant work. In Harmony of Lies I was so endeared by the characters once again. We do see that Owen and Alice have to follow their own paths for a short time. For Alice, she has just been reunited with her family and she needs that quality time with them but also to reveal her past to them but also for Alice she will also discover what is needed to help Owen at his time of need. Then on the other end of the story, we have Owen’s journey. Where he will take his group and he will have to face the greatest danger he has ever had to face. We also get introduced to some new characters and getting a deeper perspective on Owen’s past and his character. There is something so intriguing about Owen, he has such a commanding presence. He is the alpha of the group, the leader, but also works with his musicians as a team. He does get lost in some ways in how he handles some delicate situations, but his devotion to them is so endearing at times. The romance between Owen and Alice is definitely present but its definitely lower than what we got in the first book as they are separated for atleast half of the story. So be prepared for that, but what you see is essential for their relationship. The moments that we do see them together was so powerful and filled with intention! The way that these two are willing to fight for each other works its way to the heart. The spice of the story is so well done, so romance readers who need their steam, this author handles it just perfectly!
What I Struggled With
The only thing that I struggled with is not seeing more couple page time as I was expecting. Its the only reason the rating isn’t higher for me. But I am hoping book 3 will really deliver more couple page time and seeing more growth and depths to their relationship! Everything else in the story was perfection!
Overall View
Harmony of Lies is a continuation of Owen and Alice, a couple that find their own paths which are filled with historic mystery, legends and myths, a edgy packed plot to battle the trials of battle ahead! It’s a story guaranteed to keep your thrilled from head to toe and deliver in brilliant emotion, bright imagery and impactful storytelling!
Title: Harmony of Lies
Author: Brian Feehan
Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Berkley Publishing House
Length: 332 Pages
Book Links
Amazon| Barnes and Noble| Kobo| Goodreads| LibraryThing| StoryGraph| Literal Club
Book Evaluation
Storytelling Quality: 5
Story Itself: 4.25
Character Development: 4.25
Writing Style: 4.5
World Building 5
Feels + The Romantic Heart 3.5
Pacing 4
Plot 5
Cover Art 4
Ending 4.5
Book Ratings
Overall Rating of the Book
Steam Level
Simmering—soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warm- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin’ up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
Series Order
Alice & Owen
Harmony of Fire-Pub 2022 #1 in the Series
Harmony of Lies-Pub 2023 #2 in the Series
About The Author
Brian Feehan is a 2nd generation author, son to #1 New York Times Bestselling author Christine Feehan. He lives in a small coastal town in Mendocino County Ca with his son and the love of his life Michelle. He loves spending time with family, playing tennis, cooking, reading, and of course writing.
I haven’t read his books yet but it does sound pretty good.
Yes, more couple time would have been nice, but I enjoyed the story.