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Love Isn't What It Seems #2

Adoration Isn’t What It Seems

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From the moment Liberty laid eyes on Alexander, she knew he wasn’t her type.

The arrogant, frigid and pompous billionaire was a sure recipe for heartache. She didn’t need any more of that; she had plenty of it when Callen left her at the altar.

Yes, Alexander was hot as sin and made her heart race. But she couldn’t stand him. Right?

Then sudden loss of her sister forces her to get her shit together. She begs him for a job and things between them quickly start to shift. The passion burning between them is undeniable but there are secrets all around them that could break their fragile bond.

Will they be able to overcome their past and leave all their fears behind?

Unknown Binding

First published February 11, 2021

157 people are currently reading
790 people want to read

About the author

Eva Winners

49 books3,534 followers
Eva released her first novel Second Chance At Love in 2020 and has been writing feverishly ever since. She writes about everlasting romance for every century focusing on characters emotional development and always guarantees an HEA.

She loves yoga, wine and her kiddos. In her spare time, she seeks adventures either hiking through trails or exploring the beaches.

Writing books has always been her passion and she brings real life to the forefront in everything she writes about.

Deeply passionate characters and stories will draw you in and you'll never want to leave.

Follow her on social media to stay up to date with all her new releases!

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5 stars
260 (48%)
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158 (29%)
3 stars
80 (15%)
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25 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
Profile Image for v.e.e.r.e.a.d.s.
79 reviews718 followers
December 14, 2024
4.25 ⭐️
3.5 🌶️

Workplace romance
Billionaire romance
Secrets
Tension
Forced Proximity
Marriage of convenience

This book was amazing! I was in a slump before reading it and I read it in one sitting. To be honest I usually do with an Eva Winners book, her writing just has me immersed into the plot and the characters.

The book follows Livy, who is helping her sister out but working for a rude Billionaire and his company. She is still dealing from her mothers death and the secrets she kept and took to the grave with her.

The tragedy mentioned in the blurb??? Yeh, I did not see that coming at all!

The book was perfect, it had heart, banter, tension and a hell of a plot to back it up.

Another Eva Winners banger!
Profile Image for Memphisgirlreads.
223 reviews1 follower
March 2, 2021
I literally read this in one sitting, I was so intangled in their love story I feel like I stopped breathing a few times. Amazing story line. Even better ending, there were definitely happy tears. This is the type of book you read when you want that warm fuzzy feeling in your heart!
Profile Image for Erin Ramsey .
110 reviews4 followers
January 27, 2021
ADORATION: deep love and respect. “All my love and adoration belongs to you, Alexander.” The beginning of the book left me weeping, what a way to connect with a character! Liberty believes everyone leaves. But Alexander is here forever, whether she knows it or not. Alexander Caldwell is a man who knows what he wants and is willing to get it by any means. Aka arrogant, rude, and a Neanderthal. I won’t give details on Liberty because her characters life is tragically beautiful and it’s worth a read, that’s the only way to do her justice! This is book 2 of the Love isn’t what it seems series,(and my new favorite, sorry Lachlan🤣). This book was like a storm for me I cried through the hard parts but in the end I made it to the other side and saw beautiful clear skies aka a happy ending X’s 3 😉‼️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and if you haven’t read anything by Eva Winners this book would be an EXCELLENT place to start you will not be displeased. Also shoutout to little towns in Maryland and may we all dance to a country song with our loved ones🥰.

“I wanted those eyes worshiping me, full of adoration for me, everyone before us forgotten.”
Profile Image for Susan Hutchinson.
Author 2 books16 followers
January 27, 2021
Eva Winners does it again. And each time, the books get better and better. I thought that Devotion, the previous book in this series was good and the hero, Lachlan was drool worthy. But he has nothing on Alexander. The focus of his possessive, over the top, “she’s mine” thoughts and actions is Liberty, a woman who has lost just about everyone in her life and may lose the last one without Alexander’s help. Will their business arrangement become more? Will past secrets bring them closer together or will they tear them apart? Winners weaves a delicious tale of love, betrayal and redemption in this wonderfully crafted story of broken people coming together to become whole. A must read.
Profile Image for Tamara.
146 reviews19 followers
January 29, 2021
Where to start with this, I bawled during this book! And not in a gosh this sucks but omg I was feeling what the characters where! I got sucked into this book and didn’t put it down stayed up till 2am reading it, was beyond worth the lack of sleep, I loved the characters in this book and even if Alexander made me wanna smack him a few times he still was amazing! Trust me you want to read this book just have tissues near by.
12 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2021
LOVED IT! All the drama, steam and intensity.
Profile Image for Ariel.
170 reviews2 followers
February 1, 2021
I completely wrapped myself up in this story from the first page. I loved how Alexander and Livy really challenged and questioned their chemistry because it was so intense. Definitely a slow burn considering what it took for them to finally come together but thats also when their relationship was truly tested since there was so many hidden truths.
I loved the sweet moments and couldn’t get enough of the steamy scenes.

Highly recommend and I can’t wait to see who gets their story told next
Profile Image for Ritu.
1,300 reviews7 followers
January 26, 2021
Liberty goes to work for Alexander's company. There is friction between the 2. Liberty suffers several losses, and does not know much about her past. Love between Liberty and Alexander grows, but so do the secrets.

I absolutely love this book, beautifully written, endearing, l felt every emotion possible!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emma Joyner.
152 reviews4 followers
February 2, 2021
Get your tissues ready!!! This book had me sobbing, the emotion in it was so strong. As much as i loved the first book in this series this one is my favourite. I'm eagerly awaiting book 3 ❤
1,328 reviews5 followers
March 8, 2021
I jumped right in!
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and to say I was pleasantly surprised is more than an understatement. Drawn into the emotional morass of Liberty’s life I never knew what to expect next. Will Alexander be able to break down her emotional walls and win her love? Be prepared to put the book aside for short “emotional recovery” breaks, as the story is exceedingly emotional!
Definitely not “light reading”!
(I’m planning on reading Devotion shortly!)
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Profile Image for _booknerd.4ever_.
1,504 reviews9 followers
March 5, 2021
Oh my gosh! There are no words to describe how amazing this book is. I was blown away from the beginning to the very end. The plot was exceptional. Lots of twist and turns to keep you guessing. The characters are extremely well developed. I could easily relate to Liberty. The chemistry between her and Alexander was so explosive my iPhone almost melted (BTW my panties did!)The storyline flowed smoothly throughout. This is my first time reading this author. I can tell you it won’t be the last! I’m hoping maybe we’ll get Maxim’s story in the future.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy of this book.
Profile Image for Lucid Quill.
Author 10 books24 followers
March 8, 2021
Alexander and Liberty give you all the feels! Alexander the brute is possessive in all the best ways and has you head over heels the whole way. Liberty is doing her best to recover from her loss and convince herself that not everyone leaves. If a snotty nose and drama are your thing then this is a must read! You won't put it down once you start!
Profile Image for Melissa.
717 reviews9 followers
March 3, 2021
This is the first book I have read from this author and I am a huge fan now! Adoration was such a good read. I had only read the first couple of sentences of the synopsis so I didn’t see the accident with her sister coming. I could not put this book down. I was on the edge of my seat to see what was going to happen next. It was a touching story with all the emotions. And a hea. I cannot recommend this book enough!
Profile Image for Daisy Sauceda.
1,809 reviews21 followers
February 13, 2021
First off this is NSFW!! If you plan on reading this book make sure you have tissues on hand. So if you read Devotion then you will notice we have a returning character. So when I started reading this book and Calen's name came up and reading what he did, I was shocked. I did not see that coming. So Liberty becomes a jilted bride on the day of her wedding. Well as time goes by she remains to herself but you see that she has issues. Which stem from many different things. Her and her sister moved from the US to Scotland to start over. Why does she need to start over you ask? Well its heart breaking to tell you. So you need to read to find out. So as she is making ends meet, her sister asks for her help to do a secretarial job for a big time company. Now the elevator scene is hilarious and I loved it. So when she meets Alexander he pretty much takes her breath away but also rubs her the wrong way. He seems to a have a RDF you know the male version of RBF. He is seems to have that whole I own everything, and he gets what he wants. So Liberty cannot stand it and she is not afraid of him which is funny. He seems to be entranced by her but does not show it. Then Liberty's world gets turned upside down and Alexander is there for her. She sees a different side of him. He gives her an offer to help her out. She is doesn't think that it will work but it could if she gives it a chance. However there are secrets that could destroy them or will she manage to ruin it herself. Alexander just wants her to adore him and no one else. He will not give up and will do whatever because he needs her in his life. What will she do? This is definitely heart-breakingly good. As you learn more about both Alexander and Liberty, you can clearly see that they are meant for each other. Their chemistry is off the charts and hot as hades. Eva Winners this book is amazing and I cannot wait to read more of your work.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Rina.
64 reviews
April 6, 2023
dnf @ 47%
wow the characters were so flat and 2D, the dialogue was so cringe. i cannot believe how many 4 and 5 star ratings this book has. maybe im the one not reading the same book as everyone else 😭
Profile Image for Deb.
7,251 reviews31 followers
Read
February 22, 2021
I chose to read this book based on the incredibly evocative blurb. It was a thoroughly entertaining story filled with unbelievable emotion and love. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books from this author.

I requested a copy of this book so I could provide an honest review.
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.7k reviews182 followers
February 11, 2021
I do so love a Eva Winners story as her talent is so amazing that we all need her books in our lives! Holy hell, poor Liberty, the things this girl went through with life's mean hits would have had me under my blankets never to get up, and I could totally feel her pain like it was my own. She told herself she couldn't stand the arrogant billionaire, Alexander, who really did come off rude quite a bit. She has to get it together, and pleads to him for a job, so from there on out, their real journey begins. Alexander knows what he wants, and he wants Liberty but it is slow going. There's no doubt that the sparks they create are potent and it's only a matter of time before those sparks really ignite.  And if that wasn't enough goodness, there are secrets that don't make friends swirling about and it's only a matter of time before they're revealed which left me on the edge of my seat waiting. Adoration is an emotional story that I couldn't get enough of, and I believe you'll feel the same way so what are you waiting for?! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL! 
2,517 reviews9 followers
February 20, 2021
loved it !!! love this series !!! Love Alexander !!! swoon worthy , truly !!! Love liberty !!! so broken... fast paced emotional heart breaking story...keep tissues ready.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
18.9k reviews236 followers
February 10, 2021
This is the 2nd book in this awesome series and is Alexander and Liberty’s story. Alexander is sexy, arrogant, and rude, but he is a man that knows what he wants, and nothing will deter him until he gets it. Liberty has had all those she loves to leave her, and she has built up impenetrable walls around her heart. This is a beautifully written emotional roller coaster, which has secrets, betrayal, redemption, sizzling and undeniable chemistry, and is a steamy and all-consuming tale. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Profile Image for caffe.and.books (Aimee).
537 reviews53 followers
February 11, 2021
4.5 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗌 𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝗎𝗉- 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗆𝗒 𝖿𝗂𝗋𝗌𝗍 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝖻𝗒 𝖤𝗏𝖺 𝖶𝗂𝗇𝗇𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗂𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝗀𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍 𝗉𝗅𝖺𝖼𝖾 𝗍𝗈 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗍- 𝗌𝗈 𝗂𝖿 𝗒𝗈𝗎'𝗋𝖾 𝗇𝖾𝗐 𝗍𝗈 𝖤𝗏𝖺 𝗃𝗎𝗆𝗉 𝗂𝗇!

𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗍𝗌 𝗈𝖿𝖿 𝖿𝗎𝗅𝗅 𝗈𝖿 𝖾𝗆𝗈𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇- 𝗋𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗆 𝗉𝖺𝗀𝖾 𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖫𝗂𝖻𝖾𝗋𝗍𝗒! 𝖫𝗂𝖻𝖾𝗋𝗍𝗒 𝗁𝖺𝗌 𝗁𝖺𝖽 𝖺 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝗍𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝗌𝗍𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗈𝖿 𝗅𝗎𝖼𝗄- 𝗌𝗁𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗄𝗌 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗏𝖾𝗌, 𝗌𝗁𝖾 𝗁𝖺𝗌 𝖻𝗎𝗅𝗂𝗍 𝖺 𝗐𝖺𝗅𝗅 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗐𝗈𝗇'𝗍 𝗅𝖾𝗍 𝖺𝗇𝗒𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝗉𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗍𝗋𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝗂𝗍.

𝖮𝗁 𝖠𝗅𝖾𝗑𝖺𝗇𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗌𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗆 𝖺𝗅𝗉𝗁𝖺 𝗆𝖺𝗅𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖨 𝖺𝗆 𝗍𝗈𝗍𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝗌𝗐𝗈𝗈𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀. 𝖲𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺𝖻𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝖫𝗂𝖻𝖾𝗋𝗍𝗒 𝗁𝖺𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝖼𝗈𝗆𝖾 𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗈𝖻𝗌𝖾𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗁𝖾 𝖽𝗈𝖾𝗌𝗇'𝗍 𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗉 𝗎𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗅 𝗁𝖾 𝗀𝖾𝗍𝗌 𝗐𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗁𝖾 𝗐𝖺𝗇𝗍𝗌. 𝖡𝗎𝗒 𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝗁𝖾 𝖻𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗄 𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝗐𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗌?

𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗉𝗅𝗈𝗍 𝖽𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗈𝗉𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖿𝖺𝗇𝗍𝖺𝗌𝗍𝗂𝖼, 𝗂𝗍 𝗁𝖺𝗌 𝗉𝖾𝗋𝗂𝗈𝖽𝗌 𝗈𝖿 𝗌𝖺𝖽𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗀𝗋𝗂𝖾𝖿, 𝗂𝗍 𝗁𝖺𝗌 𝗆𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗌 𝗈𝖿 𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗋, 𝗅𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾. 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒𝖾𝖽 𝗐𝖺𝗍𝖼𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝗅𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗉 𝖾𝗏𝗈𝗅𝗏𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖤𝗏𝖺 𝗄𝖾𝗉𝗍 𝗆𝖾 𝗈𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖾𝖽𝗀𝖾 𝗈𝖿 𝗆𝗒 𝗌𝖾𝖺𝗍 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖧𝖤𝖠. 𝖨 𝗁𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗅𝗒 𝗋𝖾𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄.

I am voluntarily reviewing an advance complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed are my own and I have not been compensated for this review.
Profile Image for Christine Stephens.
533 reviews8 followers
February 12, 2021
Adore this

So many secrets, pain, loss and love. This book has it all. Livy has been through so much and it feels like the hits keep on coming, but she is strong and loves fiercely. Alexander is hard and ruthless, but when secrets are revealed and truths come to light, will these two survive?? Definitely a must read romance.
143 reviews2 followers
February 11, 2021
WOW!!! Eva is such an amazing writer. Fell in love with this book from the first page. Had me hook line and sinker. I cried through this to know how much one person can lose the people that she loves the most in the her world and then to fight to love again to not get hurt. To have that one person rock your world in so many ways.
I had trouble putting it down.
Profile Image for Aziadée.
82 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2023
I did not expect to cry THIS MUCH !!!
OMG why did no one tell me that it would be so sad *some part of the book was really really freaking sad* Anywho, I loved it but still, there were some incoherent events happening to me, and my mind could not stop thinking about it. And the ending felt rushed ? And a bit tooo pretty happy for me, cause the storyline was pretty heavy, all the things Livy went through, and the trauma everyone endured was pretty heavy, I guess I wish it was developed more with logic facts, and be a bit more realistic ? Yes, I know we read to escape reality, but still the story was good, but some events were too big to just be brushed off, or for the H to be so passive and accepting about it. So I wish it would have been great. But all in all it was really a sweet story. LOVED the family moments, the reunion ant the love they showed Brandon it was really sweet.
Profile Image for Nikki Costello ***Crazy Cajun Book Addicts Blog***.
2,031 reviews54 followers
March 30, 2021
4.5 Stars

I totally lost myself in this book. It was a heartbreaking but bittersweet story.

For Liberty everyone she has ever been close to has left and she doesn't open her heart easily. She has a new job and Alexander Caldwell's secretary and to begin with she thinks he's an arrogant jerk but when tragedy strikes she starts to see him in a whole new light.
Alexander has a past with Liberty and her family even if Liberty may not know that yet. He's a guy that always gets what he wants and is willing to play dirty to get it. As secrets and lies start to unravel where will it leave Liberty, Alexander and their relationship?

This is my first read by Eva Winners but it definitely will not be my last.
Profile Image for Nicole Hale.
955 reviews30 followers
February 5, 2021
Goodness I am a wreck.

Eva Winner why do you do this to me. These books always make me so emotional in the best of ways. I fell in love with this authors writing in Devotion, the way she brings out all of my feelings in her storytelling.

Liberty is an FMC you just want to hug and tell her everything will be okay. And Alexander the arrogant and over the top alpha, I didn’t know wether to love of hate him most of the book. But when these two come together it’s explosive. There is no doubt they are healing each other.

This book broke me and put me together again. Definitely another 5⭐️ from me.
Profile Image for Faith89 .
2,842 reviews44 followers
April 2, 2021
contemporary steamy romance with all the feels. you may want to grab a tissue. Possessive alpha hero. Alexander is confident in what he wants and will do a lot to get it. Liberty couldn't understand her attraction. He was cold and arrogant, not her type at all. She is cautious with good reason; her story is tragic. She is not a stranger to loss but she proves to be a strong individual. She will bend but not break. There are moments in this book when the emotions get the best of you. Great story and worth the journey. This book will make you put Eva Winners on you auto read list. I didn't read the first book but will now go and pick it up. great story and characters.
205 reviews12 followers
February 25, 2021
So he's basically the reason her mother killed herself and she's all "Aw, my poor, protective husband."

No. Your dumb, impulsive husband.


She wasn't going to smear their family name she was going to save it and the stupid asshole couldn't, idk, request a manuscript first.

Idk why authors go all out to create absolutely unforgivable actions. Yes, he deserves a happy ending too BUT NOT WITH HER.

Somethings are not forgivable and that's perfectly okay. He can get his Happily Ever After with someone else. I just don't know how the Heroine can forgive him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tasha Talks Books Blog.
1,124 reviews36 followers
April 6, 2021
Wowsers!!!

Let me just say, amazing! This story is one of my favorite stories I have read this month. One of my top reads of the year, matter fact. The story of Alexander and Liberty was one that you would laugh, cry and just enjoy. I can't even lie, I cursed the story for a moment when I had the boohoo bawling cry. I think this is one of my first stories read by Eva Winners, but definitely not my last.
Profile Image for Rosa Dunahue.
1,287 reviews24 followers
July 9, 2021
Adoration by Eva Winners

Adoration is book 2 in the series. And this is first book I read by Eva Winners. I wished I could said I enjoy reading Adoration but I didn’t. The journey of the characters in the books are good and the flow of the story is done well. But I did have trouble getting into the story. Would I recommend this Adoration yes. Because someone else might enjoy. I would read another book by Eva Winners.. I did enjoy flow of story.
Profile Image for Kirstie Barr.
98 reviews6 followers
July 30, 2021
Just Wow Again!

It’s hard to put into words what this book made me feel, if I thought book 1 was emotional it didn’t hold a candle to book 2!

Every piece of me was totally gripped with this story, so much heartache, lies & deceit. But so much love and passion as well! Eva really knows how to pull on your heartstrings ❤️ 💔

Really looking forward to book 3, I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Can’t express how much I really loved this! Fab job Eva!
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