Liar - M.C. Stokes

This book touches on a subject that may be triggering for some readers, so definitely check the TWs before diving in.

Tucker, Theo, Trace, and Stacey have been friends for years, and when Tucker is hit with a lie that shatters his entire world, his friends never hesitate. They believe him instantly and stand beside him without question, the kind of loyalty most people can only hope to experience.

At the beginning of the book, my whole heart went out to Tucker. He is perfect in every way that matters, and yet one lie is enough to send his life into a tailspin. The way he continues to carry himself, even while breaking internally, was both heartbreaking and beautiful.

His friends are willing to do anything to protect him, and while I’m glad they didn’t make the choice they were tempted to, their desperation shows just how deep their love for him runs. That same bond becomes what allows each of them to open up and be vulnerable. Going from friends to something more is terrifying enough… but navigating feelings within a group of four? It’s a whole new level of fear.

I loved how the group comes together as a whole, but I also appreciated the individual couple moments. Those quieter, intimate scenes were necessary to cement each relationship and make the emotions feel real. Every person brings something unique to the dynamic, their fears, their strengths, their softness, their fire, and it all blends into a connection that feels both fragile and powerful.

This story is emotional, intense, and full of heart. It’s about love, loyalty, fear, and the courage it takes to choose each other even when everything feels like it’s falling apart. By the end, I felt every ounce of what these characters carried , and I loved watching them find something beautiful on the other side of the pain.

This whole time, it should’ve been you.

I received an ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily.