Lie With Me: A Fake Engagement That's More Real Than They Bargained For
D.L. Darby’s Lie With Me, the second book in the Angels of Désirer series, masterfully blends the high-stakes drama of a dark romance with the swoon-worthy, "he falls first" tropes of a contemporary romance. While marketed as an interconnected standalone, the shared world of the exclusive adult club, Désirer, adds a layer of intrigue that rewards those who've ventured into this author's past works. This is a story that proves the most authentic connections are often found in the most inauthentic situations.
The Anatomy of the Trope
The premise is a classic that has been given a fresh, modern coat of paint: fake engagement. Lenni (aka Valentina) and Tripp have a passionate one-night stand, only to be thrown back into each other's lives as the best man and maid of honor at a mutual friend's engagement party. A little white lie to a pesky ex spirals into a full-blown charade for the sake of Tripp's sanity and his mother's incessant meddling. The chemistry is electric, but the arrangement is just that—an arrangement, a means to an end.
What elevates this familiar trope is the context. Lenni is an "Angel" at the exclusive sex club, Désirer, a fact that is both a source of her self-worth issues and a point of immense conflict in her blossoming relationship with Tripp. His discovery of her profession and his subsequent struggle with jealousy is the real-world grit that gives this fantastical fake dating scenario emotional depth. It's a love story where the primary obstacle isn't a misunderstanding or a love triangle, but the protagonists' own insecurities and the very real demons from Lenni’s past.
The Characters & The Spicy Librarian's Take
Lenni is a beautifully crafted contradiction: a woman with the strength to survive a childhood from hell who is also deeply vulnerable. She is sharp, resilient, and fiercely independent, but her past trauma has taught her that she is not worthy of true, unconditional love. Her work at Désirer isn't just a job; it's a reflection of her core belief that she is only valuable when she is what men want her to be. Her journey is a testament to the power of finding genuine love that doesn't demand a persona.
Tripp, our millionaire MMC, is a walking, talking subversion of the dark romance archetype. He is possessive, yes, but it stems from a place of overwhelming affection. He is a golden retriever who can be cinnadom when it counts. He falls for Lenni first, and he falls hard. The core of his character is his unwavering love and devotion, a love so powerful it literally breaks through Lenni’s self-imposed walls. He doesn't want to fix her; he simply wants to love her, flaws and all, and that’s what makes him such a compelling and refreshing hero.
The author doesn’t shy away from the darker themes, including sexual assault and drug use, but she handles these heavy topics with grace and sensitivity. This isn't a story that fetishizes trauma; it's one that explores it as a part of a character's journey, making her eventual healing and happiness all the more impactful.
Ultimately, Lie With Me is a powerful testament to the idea that love is an act of seeing. Tripp sees Lenni for who she truly is, not just the persona she presents to the world, and in doing so, gives her a chance to finally see her own worth. It’s a beautifully emotional and incredibly spicy ride that will leave you wanting more from this series.