Gilded Lies
£3.59
Arthur Pendelton, a lonely billionaire trapped in a gilded cage, finds passion and connection with Leo, a beautiful art student. Drawn into Leo’s glamorous world, Arthur is seduced by a visionary crypto investment promising freedom and staggering returns. But the dream is a sophisticated fraud. The romance is a con, the returns are phantom, and Arthur is the mark in a ruthless “Honeypot Protocol” scam.
When Arthur tries to escape, he finds himself financially and emotionally trapped. To survive, he must turn double agent from within the snake’s nest, leading to a violent confrontation that costs him everything. Shattered and haunted, Arthur must use the painful truth to rebuild. He channels his grief into creating a foundation for vulnerable youth and a watchdog to fight the very scams that destroyed him.
Gilded Lies is a gripping psychological thriller and a tragic romance about the price of freedom, the masks we wear, and the devastating power of the lies we tell ourselves. It’s a story of betrayal, loss, and the long, hard road to redemption.
A king in a gilded cage. A beautiful stranger with a key. A fortune that could cost him everything.
Arthur Pendelton, a fifty-eight-year-old billionaire, has everything and nothing. Trapped in a loveless marriage and a life of quiet desperation, he secretly longs for the connection he’s denied himself for decades. In the discreet digital world of an elite dating app, he finds it in Leo—a handsome, charming art student whose intellect and vulnerability feel like a lifeline.
Seduced by Leo’s affection, Arthur is drawn into his dazzling inner circle: the charismatic philosopher-king Viktor, the razor-sharp tech genius Jin, and the silently menacing Marcus. They offer him more than passion; they offer a new family, a sanctuary of acceptance, and a visionary investment in the volatile world of cryptocurrency that promises unimaginable returns and ultimate freedom.
Blinded by love and the intoxicating sense of belonging, Arthur pours his fortune into their exclusive fund, watching his digital wealth skyrocket into the millions. The parties are more decadent, the intimacy with Leo more profound. He believes he has finally found the life he was meant to live.
But paradise is a meticulously crafted hell. The staggering returns are a phantom, the platform a sophisticated fraud. The romance, the trust, the entire relationship is part of the “Honeypot Protocol”—a ruthless con designed to exploit wealthy, lonely men. When Arthur attempts to withdraw his money, he discovers the terrifying truth: he is not an investor, but a prisoner in a gilded cage of his own making. The man he loves is a weapon, and the future he dreamed of is a lie.
As the SEC and a bitter divorce close in, Arthur realizes he is fighting for his life. With the help of a ruthless crisis manager, he turns double agent, using his wits to gather evidence from inside the snake’s nest. But the final, violent confrontation doesn’t just cost him his fortune—it costs him the one thing he never meant to lose.
Shattered and haunted, Arthur must rise from the ashes of his old life. Using the remnants of his wealth and the painful, hard-won truth, he embarks on a nearly impossible quest for atonement. He builds the Luminescence Foundation, a sanctuary for at-risk LGBTQ+ youth, and the Digital Guardian Initiative, a transparent watchdog designed to combat the very scams that destroyed him. His journey forces him to confront the ghost of his fractured family, the architect of his misery from a prison cell, and the devastating legacy of a love that was both his salvation and his ruin.
Gilded Lies is a sweeping, heart-pounding novel that is both a high-stakes psychological thriller and a heartbreaking, tragic romance. It’s a story about the masks we wear, the corrosive power of secrets, and the seductive, dangerous allure of the lies we tell ourselves. This is a tale for anyone who has ever wondered about the price of freedom and whether it’s ever too late to break out of the cage and build a life that is truly, authentically your own.
2 reviews for Gilded Lies
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Add to cartSix gay couples. One paradise island. A single rule: don’t break up.
In the ultimate test of love, twelve men from across the globe are isolated on a stunning island for a reality show. The prize is a new home, but the real challenge is resisting the sizzling chemistry with eleven other irresistible men. The rules force them apart all day, pushing them into intimate partnerships with their rivals. Alliances form, passions ignite, and loyalties are shattered.
Witness the dramatic collapse of seemingly perfect relationships and the unexpected birth of new, powerful connections. From the passionate Italians and the stoic Nigerians to the all-American influencers and the rugged Australians, no couple is safe from the temptation and emotional turmoil.
*Global Glue: The 90-Day Test* is a steamy, emotional rollercoaster that explores the raw reality of love under pressure. This is a story of betrayal, desire, and the heartbreaking question: is your bond strong enough to survive paradise?
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Add to cartA lonely student. A weary farmer. One Christmas that changes everything.
Leo, a broke art student in New York, can’t afford the perfect Christmas tree, but he can’t stop visiting the handsome farmer who sells it. Elias, struggling to keep his family farm alive, is drawn to the sad-eyed young man who admires his trees but never buys.
When the market closes, Elias offers Leo an invitation that will alter both their lives: don’t spend Christmas alone. Come to the farm.
Amidst the snow-blanketed fields and warm firelight of Hawk’s Peak Farm, a tentative friendship blossoms into a deep, emotional, and passionate romance. Leo discovers a sense of home he never knew, while Elias finds in Leo the strength and hope to fight for his legacy.
But after the holiday magic fades, real-world challenges await. Distance, financial strain, and family prejudice test their fledgling relationship. A fierce winter storm will force them to rely on each other, proving that their love must be as strong and resilient as the spruce trees Elias nurtures.
The Spruce and the Student is a heartfelt MM romance about finding love in the most unexpected place, and having the courage to build a future together. It’s a story of miracles, hope, and the enduring power of coming home.
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Add to cartTwo enemy princes. One secret that could end a war—or destroy them both.
For generations, the kingdoms of Aethelgard and Valerius have bled each other dry. Prince Kaelen, the ruthless “Hawk” of the mountains, and Prince Rhys, the intellectual “Falcon” of the sea, are heirs to this bitter hatred. A chance meeting in a forbidden forest reveals a shocking truth: they are not enemies at heart, but kindred spirits trapped by legacy.
Driven by a connection that deepens into desperate love, they embark on the most dangerous conspiracy imaginable. From coded messages and clandestine trysts, they wage a secret war against the warmongers in their own courts, risking treason and death to steer their nations toward peace. Their love becomes the foundation for a breathtaking gamble: to shatter their fathers’ thrones and merge two warring kingdoms into one unprecedented realm—the Concord.
The Prince’s War is an epic MM fantasy romance that spans a lifetime. Follow Kaelen and Rhys from secret lovers to co-regents, as they battle assassins, political sabotage, and the weight of their own secrets to build a legacy that will outlive them. This is a tale of forbidden love, political intrigue, and the monumental courage it takes to choose peace over power. Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers romance and epic political fantasy.
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Add to cartCole Hendricks, “The Wall” of American polo, has it all: fame, strength, a perfect brand. But his eyes keep straying to his rival, British aristocrat Ash Chamberlain. It’s more than competition; it’s a terrifying, undeniable attraction that defies everything he knows about himself.
Bound by family legacy and expectation, Ash fights a silent war between duty and the dangerous pull he feels toward the powerful American. A single, reckless moment of passion in a horse stall ignites a secret that could destroy them both.
From Palm Beach to Argentina, London to Dubai, they navigate a double life of stolen touches and public performances, their hidden love flourishing in the shadows of the world’s most glamorous sport. But the weight of lies, the threat of exposure, and the cold force of tradition push them to a shattering choice: sacrifice the gilded futures laid out for them, or sacrifice the only real love they’ve ever known.
The Open Field is a sweeping, emotional saga of forbidden love, personal courage, and the high-stakes world of elite polo. It’s a story about the cost of living a lie and the breathtaking freedom of choosing your truth, no matter how hard the ride.
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Add to cartThe King’s Gambit Accepted: A Tragic and Romantic Gay Chess Love Story
Leo Vassar is America’s golden boy—world chess champion, handsome, successful, and adored. But behind the smile, he is drowning in a secret he has never dared speak. Alexei Volkov is his Russian rival: tall, beautiful, with diamond-sharp eyes and an icy demeanor that hides a similar truth. He is a prisoner of his country’s expectations.
When they meet for the World Championship, their rivalry ignites something neither expects—a forbidden, magnetic attraction that shatters their carefully constructed lives. What begins as stolen glances and secret analysis sessions erupts into a passionate, clandestine affair. But one leaked photograph destroys everything.
Leo loses his sponsors, his reputation, and the woman he loved. Alexei faces something far worse: exile, disownment, and the terrifying wrath of the Russian system. Stripped of their titles and forced into hiding, they must fight not only for their future but for their very survival. As Alexei sinks into a devastating depression, Leo must summon the courage to save the man he loves.
The King’s Gambit Accepted is an epic gay romance of sacrifice, identity, and hard-won hope. Perfect for fans of Call Me By Your Name and The Queen’s Gambit, this MM romance will captivate you with its emotional depth, intense passion, and unforgettable love story.
18+ for adult content.
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Add to cartStep Out of the Shadows and Into Your Truth
“Coming Into the Light: 60 Ways to Share Your Authentic Self” is more than a book—it’s a supportive companion for one of life’s most personal and courageous journeys. Whether you identify as gay, bisexual, queer, or are still exploring your identity, this comprehensive guide provides a roadmap for sharing your truth with family, friends, and the world, on your own terms and at your own pace.
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readwithpride.comis the first portal dedicated to connecting LGBTQ+ authors with specialized publicists – but using it effectively requires insider knowledge.This 35‑chapter guide walks you through every step: creating a profile that attracts publicists, mining your manuscript for marketing gold, writing targeted pitches that get responses, and negotiating fair rates. You will learn to leverage beta readers, community forums, and live Pitch Parties to get noticed. Real case studies show how romance, memoir, and YA fantasy authors succeeded.
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Add to cartThe Granite Creek Vet: A Story of Heart, Home, and Second Chances
An American veterinarian seeking escape finds more than he bargained for in a remote Canadian village. Dr. Tom McCarthney’s arrival in Granite Creek is met with cold resistance, especially from Jacob Miller, a handsome, stoic dairy farmer who sees him as an unwanted outsider.
Their frosty beginning is shattered when a devastating illness threatens to destroy Jacob’s herd and his family’s legacy. Forced into a desperate, round-the-clock battle to save the farm, the two men discover an unexpected connection in the sweat and straw of the barn. A tentative, secret romance blossoms between the city-educated vet and the rugged farmer, challenging their deepest insecurities and transforming their lives.
But building a future together means facing external pressures from a skeptical community, confronting painful ghosts from Jacob’s past, and deciding if their love is strong enough to overcome any storm. The Granite Creek Vet is a heartfelt, emotional MM romance about finding home, healing old wounds, and the transformative power of a love that is hard-won and worth every fight.
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Add to cartLiam is the perfect golden boy. Caleb is the all-star baseball captain. Their love is the town’s best-kept secret—and its greatest threat.
In Oak Creek, a town where reputation is everything, Liam Hayes and Caleb Miller have mastered the art of performance. Liam, the school president, uses his charm and a promise of piety to hide his truth. Caleb, the team captain, uses his athletic prowess to mask his own. Their only real moments are stolen—in a secret treehouse, in whispered notes, in the life-saving touch of a hand in the dark.
Bound by a love they dare not speak, they dream of a future far from their suffocating hometown. But when a jealous classmate uncovers their secret, their carefully constructed world implodes. Exposed and facing ultimatums from their horrified families—including being sent to conversion therapy—Liam and Caleb are forced to make an impossible choice.
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Add to cartTwenty years ago, they were a secret. Now, they’re building a forever.
Alex Vance and Liam Hayes were the golden boys of Northwood High—the football captain and the school president. Behind closed doors, they shared a forbidden love: a first kiss full of promise, and a heartbreaking breakup fueled by fear.
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The Unspoken Chapter is a deeply emotional MM romance about forgiveness, resilience, and the courage to claim a second chance at love. Follow Alex and Liam’s journey as they prove that some loves are worth the wait, and that the most beautiful future can be built upon the repaired foundations of a broken past.
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Add to cartHe was a billionaire heir trapped by duty. He was a butler bound by tradition. Their forbidden love was a paradise they were never meant to keep.
Alexander Vanderbilt escaped his gilded cage for a holiday in Sharm El-Sheikh, seeking anonymity. What he found was Karim, a young Egyptian butler whose genuine warmth and perceptive beauty saw through his lonely facade. A single, caring touch in a private steam room ignited a passionate, secret affair, offering Alex a taste of a life he never thought possible.
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Forced to choose between his own heart and his lover’s entire future, Alex makes a sacrifice that will haunt them both for years to come. The Valentine’s Villa: A Love Never Meant to Last is a poignant and deeply emotional MM romance about a love that was too beautiful to survive in a world of harsh realities, yet too powerful to ever be forgotten. This is a story of ultimate sacrifice, enduring memory, and the permanent, defining mark a once-in-a-lifetime love leaves on the human soul.
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A Masterpiece of Modern Tragedy and Redemption
“Gilded Lies” is not just a book; it’s an experience that lingers long after the final page. This novel masterfully blends the high-stakes tension of a financial thriller with the deep, aching emotion of a tragic romance. The author’s portrayal of Arthur Pendelton is a stroke of genius—he is both a powerful CEO and a profoundly vulnerable man, a combination that makes his seduction and downfall utterly believable and heartbreaking. The slow, meticulous unraveling of the crypto scam is as educational as it is terrifying, rooted in a chilling realism that will make you look twice at any too-good-to-be-true opportunity.
But the true power of this story lies in its soul. The relationship between Arthur and Leo is painted with such tenderness and authenticity that you feel every moment of their connection, making the eventual betrayal a physical blow. The supporting cast—from the chillingly charismatic Viktor to the brilliantly cold Jin—are not mere villains but complex architects of a devastating psychological operation. The narrative doesn’t flinch from the brutal consequences, culminating in a warehouse confrontation that is both shocking and inevitable.
What sets “Gilded Lies” apart is its profound and earned redemption arc. Arthur’s journey from ruin to rebuilding is not a simple victory. It’s a messy, painful, and deeply human process of atonement. The creation of the Luminescence Foundation is a powerful testament to the idea that we can build something beautiful from our deepest pain. This is a smart, suspenseful, and ultimately hopeful novel about the cost of living a lie and the transformative power of embracing your truth, no matter how painful. A stunning achievement.
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A Heart-Pounding Thriller with a Shattering Emotional Core
Prepare to have your heart ripped out and meticulously stitched back together. “Gilded Lies” is a tour de force that operates on two equally compelling levels. On the surface, it’s a propulsive, intelligent thriller about a sophisticated cryptocurrency scam, filled with enough digital intrigue and dangerous players to satisfy any fan of the genre. The mechanics of the “Honeypot Protocol” are fascinating and frighteningly plausible, making the financial trap Arthur falls into feel terrifyingly real.
Beneath the thriller exterior, however, beats the heart of a devastating love story and a profound character study. Arthur’s loneliness is palpable from the first chapter, and his relationship with Leo is crafted with such warmth and intimacy that you are completely swept up in the romance. This makes the reveal of the con not just a plot twist, but a deep, emotional betrayal that resonates on a personal level. The book forces you to ask yourself: in a world of curated online personas, how can we ever know what’s real?
The final third of the book is a masterclass in pacing and emotional payoff. The action culminates in a tense, tragic climax, but the story doesn’t end there. It beautifully explores the aftermath—the grief, the guilt, and the slow, arduous work of rebuilding a life and a soul. Arthur’s transformation into a guardian for others, using the very tools that were once used to destroy him, is a powerful message of resilience. “Gilded Lies” is more than a cautionary tale about greed; it’s a moving exploration of identity, forgiveness, and the fragile, beautiful hope that can be found even in our greatest tragedies. Unputdownable and unforgettable.