The Brutal Truth

Super story, but it does take its time to unfold – 4 StarsMadeleine (Maddie) Grey finds that pursuing her dream career as a journalist in New York isn’t what she expected. Life in The Big Apple leaves her feeling strangely alienated. Maddie can never resist a good story though, and when she meets boss, Elena Bartell, Maddie becomes determined to uncover what lies beneath her icy façade…With themes of age-gap, workplace, and ice queen all interwoven into a story that takes the reader from New York to Australia, this is a romance with plenty to grab the attention. Both the lead characters are interesting, although it’s that of Elena that really takes centre stage. Introduced as a ruthless but extraordinarily successful business woman, the key to the story is how Maddie gradually chips-away at the hard-hearted image Elena projects to reveal the woman beneath.This is a slow-burn romance that really does take its time and, even though I generally enjoy this type of novel, I did find myself wanting to shake Maddie into action on more than one occasion. There is however much to recommend: The story is a good one, Elena Bartell’s character is a delight and, as always with a book by Lee Winter, the quality of writing and presentation is excellent.Overall: Entertaining, and Elena Bartell’s character is fabulous as the ice queen of the piece.

One word for this book…CLASSIC!This wonderful, exciting, fashionable, story is the ultimate, and contains everything I love. Drama, conflict, passion, ice queen, age gaps, humour, style, seriously, there are so many ways to describe this book, but perfect sums it up.From the very first page, I was hooked, and I made sure to savour every bit of it and make the reading experience last as long as I could. (And seriously I purchased it over a year ago, so why I waited so long to read it…I don’t know!) The main characters, Maddie, and Elena couldn’t be more different, and yet the same if they tried and they are a match made in heaven.Everything about Elena is just amazing, and Maddie was a cool and refreshing contrast to her power and authority that really intensified the relationship between them.The best thing, and I mean the best thing was Lee Winter’s ability to really bring this story to life with vivid imagery, an exciting, intense plot, and brilliant characters that felt so real you just had to close your eyes and you were right there with them in the story. There really was no reason not to love this book, at all. It really is everything.Then we come to the talent in making the Duchamp characters, Natalii and Veronique so amazing you could really hear their dialogue in a French accent as you were reading it. Pure genius.I highly recommend this book, and if you haven’t read it yet…seriously why not?If you have been putting off reading this book, and already have a copy, or it is sitting in your wish list, then seriously – treat yourself. You won’t regret it. What are you waiting for?We’re done.

The characters, the story, the slow burn. Amazing. The two mains played off each other so well. It's morning as I write this. A quick 10 minute read before saw me stay up all night to see how it ended.

Phew.... This book grabs hold of you and takes you on a journey so engrossing you can hardly think of anything else. The way the book unfolds is genius. I totally love the way Lee Winters is able to create such depth and colour to the characters and the story. I loved every page of this book, and can't wait to read more by her. What a talented writer.

This was a recommendation in a review group and the reviewer was really passionate about it so I gave it a go.Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. Mardy is such a character and she had me chuckling many times. The unravelling of the depths of the tiger shark was numerous and insightful.I couldn't put it down. How an ordinary girl goes from a dead end job to award winning journalist by caring about people and ends up with her romantic interest.The tidbits about the shy (Not reclusive) French fashion designer made me gurgle with laughter.Buy it.. read it. You won't regret it.I missed meals because I was so enthralled by the story it's that good!

As a non fashion person, I chose this purely from the positive reviews. Altough it felt a little slow midways, (apologies but in general at 50% into a similar read you can usually expect some physical action!) as the story progressed the pace created a sense of journey. The build up was well worth the read and the development, real and engaging. It`s sometimes frustrating to be expected to like the "villian" suddenly at the end but not in this case as she evolved with the story. I loved the serendipity, the additional cast and that fluidity of sexuality being appreciated without the need to be explained in detail. Great read.

I am a fan of Lee Winter’s books every one is so well written and thought out. Totally loved Maddie and Elena such depth to their characters. The relationship and interaction between these two were at times fascinating, funny and sad. Perfect. Captivating Story one to be re-read many times.

I cannot believe how unbelievable amazing this book was. This is the first book I have read by Lee winter and I will be the first of many.The characters where well written. Elena's cold characteristics (major ice qeen) still managed to supprise you at all the right places. And adorable Maddie was such a wonderfully honest down to earth woman.I cannot recommend this book more highly. Five stars. Thank you Lee for such a wonderfully well written book.