Never Leave, Never Lie - by Thea Verdone (Paperback)

About the Book

Savant pianist Alek needs a guarantee that his lover, historic home restorer Ian, will never leave. But the only thing Ian wants is the one thing Alek can never give him-the truth about his past.

Book Synopsis

The lies that brought them together will tear them apart.

Alek and Ian's relationship is built on lies and the cracks are starting to show.

A pianist gifted with synesthesia, Alek sees sounds and hears colors and transforms all of his emotions into music. But no matter how hard he tries to hide behind a facade of apathy and seduction, he can't escape the dark past that haunts him.

Contractor Ian sees the beauty in something destroyed by neglect and his obsession with fixing extends beyond historical buildings. But when Alek's self-destructive tendencies turn their relationship to ruins, Ian fears Alek is the first project he'll have no choice but to abandon.

Now the Gothic Victorian mansion they're renovating is the only thing connecting them. Alek will do anything to keep Ian with him.

Except tell the truth.

Because Alek is lying about everything, starting with his name, and when Ian learns the truth, their house of cards will collapse.

Never Leave, Never Lie is an angsty MM modern gothic romance that features mental health representation and a hard-fought happily ever after.

Review Quotes

Reader Reviews

"Verdone has a unique voice that can be clearly heard without being so stylized that it makes the reader feel isolated by being so intricate that it's hard to follow. There is a cadence to every sentence that makes for an absolutely hypnotizing read."

"Thea's writing is atmospheric and captivating from the very beginning. I have read my fair share of books with mental health rep, but none have ever captured the absolute desolation and reality of depression quite like Thea Verdone has. It was painful and cathartic, and so beautiful even though it hurt. The way that she described Alek's synesthesia and its significance to him was unlike anything I've ever read before too."

"It's been a long time since I've read a book like this, a book so beautiful that it reignites my faith in the sheer power of literature."

"I was unprepared. Wholly unprepared for this book. There are ten days left in 2023 and not only did I read one of the best books of the year, but this is one of the best books I have ever read. Full stop."

"This book is a work of art, from the beautiful cadence of the sentences, to the vivid imagery, to the impeccable diction."

"This book is simply stunning. The writing is so captivating and will have you enthralled from the very beginning."

"Reading a book that portrays the very realistic emotions and feelings of loving someone who doesn't love themselves was an emotional journey; it was beautiful. This is a raw, guttural story of what it's like to love enough to let go, and what can happen when you do."

"It's gothic, it's sexy, with a pair of very distinct POVs which only reinforce the fantastically tight writing of the two main characters. Alek and Ian are a heartwrenching match. Their story is desperate, but their character arcs hopeful and immensely satisfying. All of their misadventures are presented with gorgeous, synesthetic, almost poetic prose, and appear very authentic... This novel is about fixing things that are broken. Whether it's yourself or your relationship, the lesson of Thea Verdone's Never Leave, Never Lie is that nothing is too broken to be fixed. It's to never give up on the things that matter most."