She is already scared, insecure, and full of guilt and self loathing, She's afraid of the threats, her past catching up to her, and her attraction to her professor. He does not fit with her previously set plans. She was so marked by her past that she tried to reinvent herself and leave it all behind.  But it never really leaves her mind, and with new threats stalking her it is just adds more fear and tension. But she does not like to be a burden to those she cares about, so tries to be strong and handle everything herself. 

Tristan is taking time away from his real life to do some investigating. He needs answers. He is angry and set on revenge based on one side of a story he has been privy to. He feels like people do not really know who he is and he might not have all of the answers himself, He is ruthless in business, but not so secure regarding real relationships, He needs order and control to keep his life compartmentalized and safe. But Lisa brings some messiness, disorder, and makes him feel. In order to get the answers he seeks, he has to be secretive himself. And as the story unfolds he begins finding more questions than answers. 

But their circumstances also add a forbidden element. There is a pull that they both should resist. But when that proves difficult, there is more at risk than they think...feelings, trust, reputations, and their safety. Evil manipulative games from her past are haunting both of them in the present. There is the dichotomy of good vs. evil and truth vs. lies. 

I will admit it took me a bit to warm up to Tristan and even to them together. But as they story got more convoluted, motivations were questioned, and decisions were made, I could feel their connection and emerging feelings. I began to see them more as a couple. They were two people with facades that had to be broken down bit by it. Half truths, hidden agendas, and  misconceptions were in play from the beginning. Trust and security are difficult when there are so many secrets and insecurities. But deep down they both had their demons to fight and could provide strength to each other in their battles.

"The broken pieces are the prettiest ones, Lisa. The demons the proudest scars."

This one was full of secrets, subterfuge, deceit, and emotional and psychological warfare. There were some very toxic and manipulative people in this one. It was truly disturbing and downright creepy at times. There was a layered plot with many twists and turns. I will say that I figured it out by really analyzing it all, but it did not lessen the tension or anxiety I felt. It was a nerve wracking, appalling, infuriating, heartbreaking, suspenseful, yet inspiring story. It was told in Lisa and  Tristan's points of view in the present and the teasers at the top of the chapters were from journal entries of her ex, or from Lisa or her past alter ego Melanie. And there was an epilogue in another point of view that made me smile. This is another book in the series that grabs you, frustrates and angers you, makes you feel, builds you back up, breaks you down again, and leads you on a wild ride...but once you finally get there it is the beauty in healing that makes it worth the fight to get there.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.