The Book Beehive: Book Review and Giveaway for The Truth Pact by CM Albert

THE TRUTH PACT

by CM ALBERT

Ryan Wells
Olivia North was everything I always wanted. From the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew nothing would stop me from having her. Not even being her professor. In the end, I got her. Got the white picket fence and historic home, too. But nothing could replace the babies we lost before they were ever born, or the sleepless nights that followed.

We made a pact once, in those early days of grief. We would always put each other first and be honest about everything. Because the only way through our mourning would be together. Until it wasn’t. When our last baby was stillborn, I was afraid I’d lose Olivia forever. The vibrant woman I’d married was slipping away under the weight of her unbearable pain. So, when Brighton Kerrington moves in next door to renovate his uncle’s property, and I see light return to those haunted blue eyes, what do I do? The one thing that could cost me my entire world.

I’d do anything to see Liv happy again—even if it means ripping my own heart in two to sew hers back together again. But when pleasure replaces pain, the truth exposes more than we bargained for. What was meant to bind us together in love might be the very thing that tears us apart.

They say the truth shall set you free. They never tell you the cost.

Trigger Warning: The main character is dealing with grief as a result of miscarriages and a stillbirth.

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REVIEW: 4+ STARS

"The eyes held feelings one couldn't speak from the heart."

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: I’m not here to judge anyone’s personal beliefs or ideas or desires. I like different things and the excitement of discovering new things. So naturally, gravitating towards this book was a no-brainer for me - I knew what I was getting into. I knew the premise down to the very reason for this kind of storyline, so with that in mind - I enjoyed this one immensely. The taboo thought process and how well it all fell into place was of great interest to me. And, might I add, the WTF moments correlated well with the OMGosh moments. This won’t be for everyone – but I liked following Ryan, Olivia, and Brighton as they made their way through a time when feelings trumped morals, whether it was right or wrong....and in whose eyes. There was an unmasked desire that flowed through all three of these characters, and for once - I loved the breakdown of communication, but also the pickup that resulted from it - THE TRUTH PACT. I'm still smiling thinking about how this all came about: how curiosity and need turned sexy and, eventually, tumultuous.

NOT ONLY was this a new to me author, it was a story that wasn't exactly mainstream and I loved the taboo side of it, as well as all the feelings that this one encompassed. Innocence and guilt shared the same lines. There was a bevy of emotions to dissect within the pages of this book. The hurt, the unchecked hurt, the hidden and very apparent anger, the happiness....and, in turn, the cause of the happiness. It could be perceived as so, so wrong- on a moral compass of sorts. So so wrong, but there was energy in their touches, electricity in the air between them, and emotion thick in their lungs. You can completely visualize their reactions to each other and that was fun to experience. I mean, at that point....who's to say it's wrong?

"The feeling of two sets of hands, and two sets of lips, worshiping every inch of my body as if I were the most precious treasure on earth was more intoxicating and all-consuming than I ever could’ve dreamed."

So many things run through my mind, mainly the thought wondering what Olivia's actually feeling at that very moment Brighton takes her hand. First kisses her? Takes her? Is she feeling alive for the first time in months? A weight off her shoulders but heavy in her heart knowing this shouldn't feel so right? That warring feeling has to be hard mentally and emotionally on all of them involved because emotions....those pesky emotions, can be volatile things. But, honestly watching the love of your life light up again and the conflicted nature of your own feelings has got to be devastating for Ryan, to top it all off.

I couldn't get enough of the emotional impact every action and reaction had on these people. I was thoroughly intrigued beyond words...

A few times Brighton had a more feminine, more softer tone to his thoughts and actions, but I imagine that part of the draw for Ryan and Olivia was his emotional availability - as much as he wanted to hide it, they saw it. No doubt he was ALL man; he was a very strong and humble man. But I found myself questioning, how do you go into this type of an arrangement with a clear mind? With the best of intentions (and desires) and not expect to come out with a jumbled heart or questions and emotions you don't know how to internally process, let alone discuss? My emotions were all over the place with this one. I can’t imagine trying to make something work like this and not knowing how intense emotions can and will affect everyone involved. I fell hard, so very hard for Brighton, and HE had my heart during this entire story. He was one of my favorite characters.....ok ok, I’m lying. He’s my favorite out of this throuple - he has me giggly and weak-kneed. I understand now why she called it The Brighton Effect.

I LOVED this story for the push and pull that this type of relationship offers and what this book actually provided in terms of emotional chaos. It really worked for me. My gosh - this throuple was exactly what I needed in this story. The men were both great guys and didn’t provide much animosity when it came to me falling for either of them, and my empathy for Olivia was definitely there. While I haven’t been in her shoes, I’ve been in her situation, so I could feel her pain and I’m sure that endeared me to her a little bit more. I suppose she may irritate some, but at some point, my heart could release any perceived misgivings and understand the needs of Ryan's desperate need to help his wife heal....and Brighton's willingness to help. Best intentions and all, right?

In the truest of truths, I have to admit that I initially struggled with Ryan’s push more than anything else. It didn’t sit well with me in the beginning. It had nothing to do with adding a third - because, yummy. I had no issues with that at all. It certainly wasn’t my reasoning for feeling off about it because I've read and loved many throuple stories. It was more to do with how Ryan presented it. But, as I got deeper into the story, I noticed the trust Olivia had with him - it was earned for a reason, because she gave that willingly to him. But going deeper into the context, the memories they had and shared... it all lined up and made a lot more sense. It was just the original way it was presented that caught me off guard. And of course, that was the added benefit for the turmoil NECESSARY to carry this type of book for me. And I loved it!! HA!

This read won’t be for everyone and I walked into this knowing that very truth. But for those of us that like these kinds of stories that don’t necessarily follow a normal path and like to explore the opportunities other relationships provide - this one is for us. It’ll fit the reader that has the ability to walk away from normalcy and add a different thought process to their imagination. It definitely takes a special kind of man/men to go along with this type of plan. And that is exactly why I couldn't put it down and I couldn't walk away. If you're looking for a moral, or safe story, this isn't it. If you're looking for a story that allows three people to test the boundaries of their emotions with an entanglement worthy of a few gasps and some angst to top it off, this just might be for you. I personally loved it. As in, I cannot wait to read more of this throuple.

One of my favorite things is to find a book that makes me think, one that draws me in and makes me feel. The discovery is the best part of the journey and when a book makes me think or makes me feel outside of my own comfort zone, that’s the kind of book that I can and will recommend. Props. Serious props for thinking up, writing and releasing this story. I, for one, am glad she did. And now, I (im)patiently await Brighton’s POV because I’m a thousand percent invested in him. For my first read of Ms. Albert’s, what an impression. Thank you!

"Nothing turns me on more than watching the two of you surrender together."

~BEE

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THE BRIGHTON EFFECT

Releasing May 6th

Brighton Kerrington

Olivia North was everything I always wanted. From the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew nothing would stop me from having her. Not even her husband, Ryan. In the end, I got her. Maybe it wasn’t all to myself, but Olivia was worth every sacrifice I made to be with her.

What started as a chance to help Olivia heal from the loss of her babies, ended up changing us all forever. Because there wasn’t anything Ryan and I wouldn’t do to make her happy—including sharing her love. Forgiveness and healing are strange bedfellows, but when it comes to love, nothing is off limits.

But everything comes at a cost, and there are key moments that end up changing our lives forever—altering the trajectory we were once on. Before all is said and done, the three of us end up paying more than we ever bargained for. Could our unorthodox love survive the hands of fate, or was it all just the beginning of the end?

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~MEET CM ALBERT~

USA Today bestselling author C.M. Albert writes heartwarming romances that are "sexy and flirty, sweet and dirty!" Her writing infuses a healthy blend of humor, high-heat romance, and most of all--hope. When not writing, or kid-wrangling with her handsome hubby, she's either meditating, kayaking, reading, hugging a tree, or asleep. But first, coffee. #TonyStarkForever

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