LIPS: Kiss The Lips That Lie

LIPS: Kiss The Lips That Lie features Davis Beckwith, heir to the Beckwith Accounting empire, who goes through life following a pre-laid outlook set by his living predecessors. He soon finds himself in an intimate relationship with a sensually attuned woman who seems to disrupt his conservative, reserved routine for an intoxicating intimate journey, despite a shadowed suppressed loss. Selene Ormond, stunning daughter of a retired major who manages a major bank in London, works as an English au pair for the meticulous Alison Mortenson. She finds a connection with a privileged rich heir and hopes for a meaningful relationship despite her past. But for how long will the past remain as such without slipping into the present? Peter Gooch takes the reader through an intense journey of several distinct individuals from high society and the outsiders who seek to associate with them. The author narrates the reality of the middle class interacting with high society through the experience of Selene, who hopes to find intimacy as an outsider but with a shadowed past that seems to be blurring the lines between past and present. I liked how Peter Gooch shows the struggles of each character despite the societal class expectations they were trying to fit in. Peter Gooch narrates all characters in such a descriptive way that highlights the diverse reality they all live in, from the meticulous control of Miss Addy, an unhinged Glory, the debauchery of the Nottingham group, and the reality of other characters. The author was particularly good with giving detailed narration of the artwork, the lakes, and the settings that made the world feel real and vivid. I liked how LIPS moved through a steady flow, not overtly rushed. It moved at a natural pace that kept me on a thrilling precipice wondering when the deceptive reality will come crashing down. I recommend LIPS: Kiss The Lips That Lie to readers seeking a sensory, psychological romance between the unlikely worlds of the elite and middle class. I received an advanced reader's copy from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Engaging with this book is a treasure for a word enthusiast, transporting the reader to a realm of sensations. Boating in the same waters where her husband had perished, troubled DB’s mother, Addy. She was tormented by the sight of her husband's body submerged in the lake's cold darkness. Selene, an English au pair, encounters DB —Davis Beckwith, a quiet CPA. Their bond was undeniable, with both holding secrets. The Oedipus complex, a term introduced by Sigmund Freud, is a psychoanalytic concept that outlines a child's subconscious and deep longing for the opposite-sex parent and feelings of envy or animosity toward the same-sex parent. Selene and DB's relationship was clouded by DB’s mother after his father's death. In this narrative, the writer conveys his characters' actions that stem from biological instincts and the need for survival. From a Freudian perspective, DB's father—passing away so quickly—left his son in turmoil. As lives became entwined, so did the network of deceit. The novel is artfully crafted. The title, Lips, carries a particular reference to the biblical betrayal by Judas Iscariot, which resulted in Jesus’s arrest. The Kiss represents misleading and insincere gestures of friendship aimed at concealing a malicious, deceitful act, where a show of love masks profound, deliberate treachery. The Kiss symbolizes false and hypocritical acts of friendship to disguise a harmful, deceitful action where an outward display of affection hides deep intentional betrayal. Secret cravings would persistently surface. Selene would lie to hide her compulsive sexuality. She wanted real love, not something fabricated or just lips telling lies. Selene’s wanted to disentangle herself from perversion by “dusting her palms to rid of something toxic.” Her narratives recount the moments when Glory ruthlessly enticed her — in a bar crowded with inebriated students. “Her eyes gleamed with narcotic energy” and “Sinking under the surface—exhaling a chorus of bubbles” are striking phrases that would astonish readers. The author tells little fables — from culture, society, psychology, architecture, and environmental riches. The reader will find fundamental truths specifically of the human psyche stating that love contains three different worlds: flesh, mind and soul. “If you don’t have all three, then you have nothing at all.” This book is an eye-opener and has life lessons. I fully recommend this well-written book.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a blend of family drama, then this book is certainly for you. You might want to take note if youre sensitive to explicit content, though. So the book starts by telling about DB’s dad, who had committed suicide by drowning in 1987, when DB was just a child. Fast forward to the present, where DB is now an adult, and he is in a relationship with Sele, so he is very good at making up stories, or should I say lying. Now, not only is she in a relationship with DB, but she also has some sort of a relationship with Gillian, who is also a woman. Aside from the relationships and drama, Selene struggles with fully owning her man, as Addy has a strong hold on him, not just as a mother but also as a boss, as she handles his family finances. One of the main things I like about this book is Selene’s stories and how she mixes them with her past, as well as uses them to manipulate DB. Her stories kept me asking what was true and what part of it was made up. On the downside, I think DB was a bit too nonchalant for his role and could have done better both for Selene and their relationship. However, I enjoyed Gillian's presence there as it somehow kept DB on his toes. The characters are not your average characters, but it is certainly worth the read. I would rate it a 4 out of 5 stars.

The truth is that the book held my focus right away. From the opening image, which is a person diving into Lake Michigan after dark, vanishing beneath, I felt a shiver stay with me even as time jumped ahead to 2017. Out here, things unfold through DB and Selene, hanging out at his mom's vintage cottage near the lake. On paper, it looks like any pair passing summer days; scrubbing walls, walking sandbars, sharing memories one by one. Yet the words carry weight, each moment peels back a layer, showing what stays hidden when people simply exist alongside each other. Over in England lives Selene, who brings a sharp gaze when looking at America. What stands out is the way she takes in DB’s life; the homes, the habits, the ease with which his family moves through the world. Notice how she points out buildings wear slower than back in London. Then there's the way DB wears fine outfits and treats paintings like they belong on walls, she doesn’t blink at it. Something shifts when she shares what once frightened her back in childhood. The moment lands heavily, yet you cannot turn your eyes elsewhere. Heavy stuff sits behind DB’s quiet moments. A boy without a father early on that mark runs deep. You see it in how he moves beside Selene, cautious like he's walking through someone else's memories. His words about his mother hang differently from the others', even though she appears only in absence. That absence? It fills rooms it isn’t in. What stands out is the way the lake acts like a living thing. Beautiful when still, inviting kids like Selene to dive in and move without worry. Yet shifts, becomes somber, almost threatening. A quiet echo of what happened at first, along with secrets left unspoken between them. Something lingers just below the surface; a faded picture, odd trinkets, silence where questions might go. Dad's past feels incomplete, like pieces never quite fit. Mom seems to hold something back, though her hands stay still. Selene leaves gaps, not because she hides them, but because she never fills them. Truth is, the rhythm moves slower than most things I pick up. No real rush, hardly any movement as we expect. That works just fine since the whole point sits in just how close you get to people, sensing quiet strain between them. When it finished, curiosity had already taken hold. Would truths surface? Could DB and Selene hold steady? Would they at last look their history straight in the eye near that haunted water? Speedy thrills? You won’t find those here. Still, if heavy thoughts mixed with real emotion are what pull you in, then maybe take a moment to start down that path.

So this book LIPS is basically about a guy and a girl who have this really complicated relationship. They meet, fall into something that feels like love, but nothing is ever as simple as it seems. The story starts slow with guy finding a piece of land and planning this fancy house. The girl shows up as this nanny working for his friend's wife. They get together, she meets his weird but charming mom, and everyone seems happy. But then things get messy real fast. What works about this book is that the characters feel like real people. The guy names DB is this rich guy who is kind of lost inside, trying to figure out what he actually wants. They girl, Selene is prettier and more complicated than she looks at first. His mom is absolutely mad in the best way. The writing is good and the dialogue feels natural. You actually care about what happens to these people even when they are being stupid. The relationship between DB and Selene is the heart of everything. They have intense moments but there is always something off underneath it all. You keep waiting for things to get better, but they just keep getting weirder. The only thing that I did not like is that some parts go on way too long describing scenery and landscapes. Also the ending feels like it is not really an ending. You finish reading and you're like what the hell just happened? That could be on purpose, but it's frustrating. If you like books that mess with your head about relationships and make you question what is real between two people, this will do it. It is not a happy love story. It is darker than that. It is about people who want each other but maybe should not.

In any relationship, it's important on how well people know each other. Peter Gooch's LIPS: Kiss The Lips That Lie brings us a love story that so much tells a love that seeks oneness and honesty. Davis is the only son of Augustus and Alice Beckwith, in his thirties who's good with numbers but clueless about women. Get-togethers every once in a while, here and there, with his family, not just for all atingle moments alone, but for knowing each other better. But Walter Blanchard wants to talk to him, and Selene finds a picture of a woman in his apartment. Will he let Selene get back to England with her doubts? Are they going to have that distance forever, on a significant milestone of their lives? LIPS: Kiss The Lips That Lie is one of those love stories that tells myriads of important concerns about our intimate relationships. Selene's family oriented nature in getting along with Davis's family and skeptical nature are good characteristics in balancing and nurturing relationships. Davis's character portrays shrewdness, self-restraint and teaches about fidelity. The story teaches trust, professionalism and respect as well. Slight profanity is present but tolerable. I give a four-star rate then for the remarks above. Therefore I recommend to readers most especially to the ones having relationship issues, not only to relate from, but to enlighten and give hope thru the elements of the story.

In any relationship, it's important on how well people know each other. Peter Gooch's LIPS: Kiss The Lips That Lie brings us a love story that so much tells a love that seeks oneness and honesty. Davis is the only son of Augustus and Alice Beckwith, in his thirties who's good with numbers but clueless about women. Get-togethers every once in a while, here and there, with his family, not just for all atingle moments alone, but for knowing each other better. But Walter Blanchard wants to talk to him, and Selene finds a picture of a woman in his apartment. Will he let Selene get back to England with her doubts? Are they going to have that distance forever, on a significant milestone of their lives? LIPS: Kiss The Lips That Lie is one of those love stories that tells myriads of important concerns about our intimate relationships. Selene's family oriented nature in getting along with Davis's family and skeptical nature are good characteristics in balancing and nurturing relationships. Davis's character portrays shrewdness, self-restraint and teaches about fidelity. The story teaches trust, professionalism and respect as well. Slight profanity is present but tolerable. I give a four-star rate then for the remarks above. Therefore I recommend to readers most especially to the ones having relationship issues, not only to relate from, but to enlighten and give hope thru the elements of the story.

Reading this book was such an amazing experience for me! From the very first chapter, I was drawn into the world Peter Gooch created, and I honestly didnt want to put it down. The story kept me hooked with its mix of intrigue, passion, and unexpected twists. We follow Selene Ormond, this gorgeous English au pair wrapping up her year in the States, who falls hard for Davis a buttoned-up CPA who's next in line for his family's big shot accounting firm. Their chemistry? Electric. Like, you can feel the sparks flying off the page and keeps you guessing if their love is the real deal or just a steamy gap-year fling. What I liked most was how Gooch nails the cultural clashes. Selene's from a middle-class English background, all witty banter and understated charm, while Devis' this privileged American guy trying to navigate her wild ex-pat crew. The sensual journey between Selene and Davis is another highlight; it's passionate and Gooch's descriptive writing paints these vivid pictures of emotions and settings that pull you right in. I felt like I was strolling through Chicago's fancy spots or eavesdropping on family secrets. Themes of deceit and family ties are woven in so cleverly, making you think about how we all kiss the lips that lie sometimes, you know? My absolute favorite thing from the book has to be the prologue, it's dramatic and gives you this peek into Davis' upbringing that echoes through the whole story. And those moments where Selene and DB confront their damaged pasts? Heart wrenching and real. As for my favorite character, hands down it's Miss Addy. She's not the lead, but man, does she steal the show! This formidable, charismatic powerhouse of a mom who's shaped Davis into who he is, her forceful personality adds so much tension and depth. You love to hate her, but you can't help admiring how she drives wise, This book's pretty polished and the flow is smooth. Gooch's prose is elegant and immersive, with no awkward phrasing. It's clear a lot of care went into it. This was such a rewarding read. Its a story thats engaging, emotional, and definitely worth recommending. Im rating it a 4.7 stars, not because it wasnt excellent, but because for me, it was one of those books that left me both satisfied and wishing I could spend even more time with the characters, this book is perfect for a cozy weekend binge.