Title: All the Little Lies
Author: S.J. Sylvis
Genre: Mature Young Adult - High School Bully Romance
Release Date: June 18, 2020
Cover Design:Author Taylor Danae Colbert
"This is THE story. The one that makes an author's whole career." -Goodreads Reviewer
"A little enemies to lovers, a little second-chance romance, a little friends to lovers, a little mystery & suspense... it was like all the best tropes mixed into one!" -Author Kristen Granata
"I knew right from the start this book was going to grab me. The emotional connection started on the first page. I've read all day. Couldn't put it down... and it's six minutes till midnight. I love reading a storyline that draws me in, makes me feel. All the Little Lies does that and more."-Goodreads Reviewer
English Prep stands tall with its ivy-covered exterior and old, wrought-iron doors. The stone gargoyles sit at the school’s entrance, knowing just as much as anyone: I don’t belong.
Once upon a time, I did. I belonged in the “it” crowd with all the other well-endowed kids, but now, I am no longer welcome.
Not after five years away from this place.
Not after the scandal that landed me on the wrong side of the tracks.
I’d be lying if I said I’m not looking forward to seeing the one person who was always by my side. My old best friend. My safe place.
Only, Christian isn’t the same boy I left behind. His cold, brooding, devastatingly attractive glare sends chills down my spine. My old best friend doesn’t welcome me with open arms, and I have no idea why. Lies continue to fall from our lips.
Christian wants me gone.
But I’m determined to stay.
My heart tumbled in my chest as I blew out a shaky breath. I didn’t think I’d be this nervous. The amount of times I’d walked into a new school should have prepared me for this moment. If I was good at anything, it was putting on a brave face in front of my new peers. Squaring my shoulders and straightening my spine was like second nature to me. But there was a pit deep in my belly. My bravery was wavering. I was standing on a cliff, looking down into the depths of fear and humiliation. Would Christian remember me? Would anyone? I wasn’t popular by any means in middle school, but was anyone, really? We were all awkward and trying to find our footing in the midst of going through puberty. I might not have been memorable from middle school, but my parents surely were.
I remembered how these families worked. I knew that social hierarchies determined the food chain in this town. Screw the natural revolving of the world—the richest of the rich turned the planet on its axis. I used to be one of them. But now I wasn’t.
My heart climbed into my throat as the door swung open. The small receptionist pushed me forward and mumbled something to the teacher. I kept my eyes locked onto the green chalkboard instead of swinging my gaze around the room. I reread the words “20th century poets: Sylvia Plath”, but between each word I read, I silently muttered, “If you show them fear, they’ll eat you alive.” And if I looked at any of my new classmates in the eye right now, I’d blow my poker face. I needed to find my footing. The anxious and panicky girl inside of me was trying to claw her way out to find some type of anchor to hold her steady. And that was when I did it. That was when I let my eyes scan the room, and I found him almost instantly.
Christian Powell. My old best friend. Our eyes caught, and hope blossomed through my chest like a sunflower finding the sun. His eyes were the same shade of gray: stormy, grounding, always pinning me to my spot with comfort. But then his eyes narrowed, and his razor-sharp jaw became even sharper. The gray of his eyes turned to stone the very second the teacher introduced me.
“Class, this is Hayley Smith. She’s new here; please welcome her and offer help when needed.”
The entire classroom was silent. No one muttered a single syllable. I didn’t even think a breath was let out. Except for Christian. He was fuming in his seat. His fists clenched tightly. I wanted to turn around on my heel and go right back to Oakland High.
But I wasn't that girl anymore. I didn’t bow down to anyone.
Welcome to English Prep, Hayley.
S.J. Sylvis is a lover of reading and writing and just recently graduated with her graduate degree focusing on English and Creative Writing (the only fun parts were the writing classes). Besides writing, S.J. Sylvis loves coffee (specifically caramel iced coffee, but really, any coffee will do), binge-watching Gilmore Girls, going to the beach and spending time with her family! She currently lives in North Carolina but is often moving as her husband is in the United States Marine Corps and they go where the military sends them!
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