The Truths we Burn (The Hollow Boys) Paperback – February 15, 2022

Wow. The Truths We Burn completely blew me away! This second installment in The Hollow Boys series took everything I loved about the first book and elevated it to a whole new level. Monty Jay has crafted something truly special here, and I couldn’t put it down. From the first chapter, I was hooked, and I couldn’t stop reading until I’d devoured every single page.The character development in this book is phenomenal. We get to see a whole new side of the characters we met in the first book, and the growth they go through is so satisfying to witness. The emotional depth is much stronger in this one, and there were so many moments that hit me right in the feels. I felt for them more deeply this time around, and their personal struggles and growth were just as captivating as the plot itself.The romance is intense and full of heat, but it’s also nuanced and real. There’s so much vulnerability between the characters, and that made their connection all the more compelling. The tension between them was palpable, and there were moments that had me both holding my breath and rooting for them every step of the way. I loved how their relationship unfolded—it wasn’t just about the attraction but also about trust, healing, and redemption.As for the plot, The Truths We Burn is packed with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. Just when I thought I had things figured out, Monty Jay would drop a bombshell that left me reeling. The suspense is off the charts, and the stakes feel higher than ever. I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next, and the pacing kept me glued to the pages.The world-building in this series continues to impress. Monty Jay has created such a rich, complex world that I get lost in every time I pick up the book. There’s an atmosphere of danger, mystery, and raw emotion that makes this world feel alive and real.If you loved The Lies We Steal, you absolutely need to read The Truths We Burn. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, a thrilling ride, and an unforgettable read. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next—I’m all in, and I have a feeling Monty Jay has even more surprises in store.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

⭐️⭐️⭐️.7️⃣5️⃣My God, the inner monologue! There was too much of it. I kid you not - a character would say something and 10+ paragraphs later the other character would respond. I actually had to go back several times to reread what the initial dialog was. It was exhausting. Holy jeez was that book packed with characters needing to have a lot of thoughtful and silent conversations with themselves... for extended periods of time.Monologue rant aside, it's still a darn good story. The fmc, Sage, is a force of perseverance that I was enthusiastically rooting for. The mmc, Rook, is a full package. He's broken. He's broody. He's possessive. He's dark and twisted... torchered. And he's absolutely redeemable. What more could you possibly ask for?I don't want to speak on the plot because it's for the reader to experience. When an author puts a lot of care and work into creating a steller plot (a rarity in these types of books) I wouldn't dare risk spoiling it. I'll just say it's well crafted and stays interesting.As much as I want to jump into the next book immediately, I'm also a bit hesitant. With the 1st book, my issue was the lack of time the mc's interacted. It was too plot heavy and not giving enough in the romance department. In this second book, it was (surprise, surprise) the overabundance of inner monologues. Those hangups leave me with reservations. I might have to briefly cut away to read something else to take the edge off my frustrations before jumping in. It, somewhat, plants the notion of it being a chore. However, continue on - I will, but... I need a break. I'm wondering what issue the next book might have? I'm hoping none.I said this in my review for book one of this series as well... I hope the author received feedback and doesn't repeat these mistakes. There is no way readers didn't take issue with the crippling and excessive inner monologue. Heck, I almost have to wonder if the author is not confident in writing general dialog and supplements with the inner??? It begs the question.