Tragic Lies

Rixon High

By: L.A. Cotton

Narrated by: Stefanie Kay, Tyler Darby

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

From USA Today best-selling author L.A. Cotton comes a forbidden age gap romance. Angst...drama...friendship...and football. Will you survive senior year?

Peyton Myers has always been the life of the party.

But behind her smile and sass is a girl lost and alone, searching for her place in the world. 

Xander Chase has always been on the outside looking in. 

But behind his cool indifference and hard exterior is a guy afraid to open his heart to anyone. 

When he saves Peyton from a tragic accident, their lives are entwined forever. But Xander's not the hero of her story...no matter how much she wants him to be.

She’s a girl with her whole life ahead of her. 

He’s a guy who is drifting through life. 

And although these two lost souls might be able to heal each other, there's one glaring problem. She's still in high school...

And completely forbidden.

Tragic Lies is a 100,000-word stand-alone romance in the Rixon High series. It deals with some sensitive issues that some listeners may find distressing. This book is recommended for listeners 17 and older.

©2021 L.A. Cotton (P)2022 L.A. Cotton

Rixon High!!!

Tragic Lies (Rixon High # 2) is the next generation kid's and I didn't read the synopsis as I love everything La Cotton writes. However, when I realized it was Cameron's brother Xanders story I was so excited. I loved Cameron so much and my heartbroke for him and Zander losing their mom at such a young age. I adored Zander as a supporting character and now getting him all grown up was awesomeness. Xander and Peytons story is a forbidden age-gap romance blended with angst, drama, and physical chemistry. An addictive storyline, loved it.

Stefanie Kay, Tyler Darby dual narration brings Zander and Peytons story to reality.

Intense and Beautiful!

This is the second book in the Rixon High series. Peyton and Xander's age gap and forbidden romance is intense, complex, and beautiful. They are both two broken and lost souls, and they are perfect together. Peyton is such a wonderful and strong character. Her story is heartbreaking. Xander is handsome, enigmatic, and caring. Their story is grippingly well written, and captivating, filled with angst, and heartbreaking scenes. The supporting characters are great. I like the friendship in this story. The ending is beautiful and heartwarming. Stefanie Kay and Tyler Darby did a fantastic with the narration. They are perfect as Peyton and Xander. I am looking forward for more in the series. #TheFlock

great story

i like how this series brings subject matter to the front that real life people struggle with
. it was easy to empathize with the characters. looking forward to the next book.

Awesome read

Actual rating 4.5
Want a story that will pull at the heart strings? Then look no further.

I absolutely love this series. It has everything, angst, swoon, tragedy, relatability, drama and so much more.

These characters are probably the most relatable to me in the series so far. Both of them have been through so much and you can definitely sympathise with them in some way. Their chemistry and connection is undeniable and I enjoyed their journey. Both grew in different ways that really complimented each other and they work so well.

The narrators did a great job at bringing this story to life. Each reflected the characters amazingly. Their voices added so much personalities to the characters and added a new experience to reading the story. Their voices complimented each other and their tones were easy to listen to.

Great book in the Rixon series. I can’t wait to see more.

Xander the broken hero and Peyton the broken girl….

When Xander saves Peyton from the river.. she feels like he saved her. But who saved who remains to be seen.

There is so much going on here that may seem wrong to people.. but these two people work.

When it gets rough, Jason reels Xander to leave…. And he does.. but will he stay away?

When the other half of your soil is taken from you, how do you survive?

Awesome book with great narration by Stefanie Kay and Tyler Darby.

age gap romance

Peyton didn't have a great life. Her mom was a drug addict and had men over all the time. She learned to take care of herself at a young age. It wasn't much of a life, but it was life as she knew it.
When her mother killed herself, it broke something inside ner. She felt betrayed, unloved, tortured.
Peyton was drunk, when walking by the river trying to make sense out of life, she ended up almost drowning in the river.
Xander , saw her, dragged her from the river. Wondering if she did this on purpose??
He was assistant coach, she was a student. This makes it taboo.
Both have a darkness inside, Xander trying to stay away from her. she kept trying to get close to him. He was her savior, her hero and lover.
LA Cotton masterfully written this age gap romance with angst, love/hate, the push/pull emotions.
Stephanie Kay, Tyler Darby narration is very good. I enjoyed listening to this story.
🎧🎧audiobookObsession 🎧

Angsty!

I loved this book when I first read it but hearing it on audio is a whole new experience. Stephanie Kay and Tyler Darby did a great job bringing Peyton and Xander’s story to life. The angst hits you straight in the feels and you can’t help but root for this pair to get their hea. Such a great audio.

Tragedy and Love

Bound by tragedy torn apart by forbidden love Xander and Peyton find a bond in each other that others can’t understand but with him being older than her and part of a family she feels she doesn’t truly belong how could they ever be together? How will others perceive them and what will lie in store for their futures or will it all just crumble because things should not workout for them? I have loved this story from the start and usually I am always iffy when it comes to age gap but I think I handled this one well because I still see Xander as that little guy who depended on Cam so much and loved his family so hard. This book was tragic yet beautiful, the world created by the author came to life while I read it but now getting to hear these characters it adds another level of beauty to it. The narrators bring the emotions to a next level to where you are immersed into their story and can feel everything the characters do but with a little more realism added to it. I loved it!!!

Tragic Lies

This is book 2 of the Rixon High series. Wow what an emotion filled ride. This book may contain some triggers for some. Peyton has not had an easy life. She looses her druggy mother her senior year of high school. Eventhough her mother was always worried about her next fix rather then the well being of her only child. Peyton didn't realize how much she would miss her mother. No one could understand the pain and loss she was experiencing, except Xander. Xander was known as the could-have-been-great loser of Rixon. He could have possibly made it all the way in football but blew his chance senior year of high school. Peyton and Xander both understood the pain and loss they have experienced. Their darkness called to each other. They should not be together in society's eye. This is a dark emotional age gap. I love this book. L.A. Cotton writes all her books with that edge of darkness and angst. This is a spinoff series to the Rixon Raiders series. I can't wait for Ashley and Ezra's book next. Tyler Darby and Stefanie Kay both did an amazing job narrating these characters.

Tragically Beautiful! Exceptional Story & Listen🎧

L.A. Cotton continues to wow me with another novel set in her “Rixon” world and this one not only captivated my attention, it also tugged on my heartstrings the entire book. The story is moving like no other and the emotions just poured off the pages and into my heart. The characters are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with. I adored both lead characters, Peyton Myers and Xander Chase, each struggling with their own demons. Peyton never had a great home life, a father she never knew and a mother who loved her drugs more than she loved her own daughter. Those drugs ended her mother’s life, and it was Peyton who found her. Peyton was lucky to have good friends and a family who opened not only their doors to her, but their hearts, too. But she still felt lost and like she was drowning in sorrow and she almost drowned, but Xander saw her fall into the water and saved her. Xander is an assistant coach in Rixon High, he is good at what he does, but he is not sure if he belongs there, he is not sure where he belongs because he is not in a good place in his life. He knows his brother is getting fed up with him, but he is not sure how to get out of his funk. And then he met her, Peyton, he gets her and what she is going through and it seems like she gets him too. He knows she is off limits for several reasons: age, her grief, she is a student and her connection to his family, but she is determined to make him see otherwise. I loved how everything played out in this book, it is a beautifully written and beautifully plotted story with plenty of drama, angst, heartfelt emotions and a slow burn romance. L.A. Cotton, thank you for another amazing story and emotional rollercoaster ride. I also loved how much the characters grew as their story progressed, especially in the end. I am looking forward to what comes next in Rixon High series, I am loving these characters and the world you created.

🎧📚🎧 And for the fabulous narration, Stefanie Kay and Tyler Darby did a great job bringing these characters to life, humanizing them, giving each their own distinct voice and personality. They had a complete understanding of the characters they portrayed, sounding believable in the roles they played and just as I pictured the characters to sound. Stefanie Kay killed it as Peyton, had you feeling her every emotion, Tyler Darby’s Xander was spot on too. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and projected them into his performance. These talented narrators and a versatile voice artists are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this fantastic listen.

Thank you @PinkFlamingoProductions The Flock! @AudiobookObsession AudiobookObsessionReviewer🎧

Incredibly realistic!

Peyton and Xander. Two people that came together because of a tragic situation. Peyton has had it extremely rough. But she has found the one person that totally understands her in Xander. Xander has made some bad decisions, but everything is due to the devastating circumstances of his childhood. He two finds himself drawn to Peyton. But there is a hitch. She is a senior in high school. Xander is a football coach at the school. Age-gap the problem. These two don't think so. Xander being an employee of her school? That could be devastating if they are uncovered. Worthy to be each other's forever? Depends who you ask. LA Cotton has created this Rixon High School community that I have fallen in love with. This spin off is giving us the kids of the original team and getting to see the future of the ones we originally fell in love with is a treat! And no one writes new adult angst like Cotton. She sucked me in, had me captivated, and I listened constantly so I could see how it would all turn out! With relevant topics that are so important to discuss, Cotton has given us a love story like no other. It's an amazing listen and should definitely be on the one click list!

Tyler Darby and Stefanie Kay pour all the emotions into this one. Incredible story telling kept me engaged and invested in this couple. Darby has a great vulnerable quality to his voice, perfect for the damaged Xander. Kay has the best voice for new adult romance, and she gave Peyton all the feels. These two are a wonderful team and made for a fantastic listen.

My Thoughts on Tragic Lies

Normally the age factor in this book would have made it an absolute no for me. I’m all for age gap books when both parties are of age, meaning 18 or older. I even enjoy high school romance, I just normally prefer them both to be 18. Especially in regards to any steamy moments. This book was a combination age gap and high school romance. Except very much with a twist. I wouldn’t even consider it teacher/student. Because Peyton and Xander didn’t interact with each other in that capacity. But as much as I would probably dislike this situation under different circumstances then exactly how it happened in this book, this situation just felt unique and not at all what I was expecting.

Both of these characters were broken. They had both lost so much in their lives and a life altering event brought them together. But they weren’t drawn to each other just because of lust or attraction. There was a connection because of similar experiences and feelings of self-worth and belonging. I don’t know why but in this situation, it didn’t send me running in the other direction. I actually enjoyed listening to the story unfold. And by the end I was happy for them. Well, I was happy until that shocking ending that sets up the next story. Talk about mind blown. And now I can’t wait to hear the next one.

The narration was great. Both narrators did an amazing job and I didn’t have a single complaint. They enhanced the experience for me which is my number one hope with any performance.
🎧The Flock🎧

beautiful

I loved the previous 2 books and I had high expectations for this one. it didn't disappoint. loved the characters and the story was well written. great build up. narration was perfect, particularly Stefanie has a very sweet voice and Tyler sounded exactly like Xavier was supposed to sound. looking forward for the next one in the series as the epilogue promised a great book 3.

I really liked this book

I genuinely sympathized with Peyton. This book had me a mess, and I could not put it down. I made it through and thoroughly enjoyed the story. The narration was well done and fit the story. The characters were realistic and the dialogue was amazing.

🦩🦩 Flock Review 🦩🦩

An Age Gap/Forbidden Romance

Peyton and Xander are two lost souls who have grief and loss in common. They form a reluctant bond that they cannot deny even though their romance is forbidden and taboo since she is in high school and he works at the school. Their story is emotional, intense and heartbreaking. Tragic Lies is a nice addition to the Rixon High series. I was excited to get Xander's story after reading about him as a child in the Rixon Raiders series. I'm looking forward to listening to more books in this series. Stefanie Kay and Tyler Darby both did a good job bringing these characters to life.
🎧Pink Flamingo Productions, The Flock Reviewer

Loved it

📚 AUDIO REVIEW 📚

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I loved narrators for this one, was so easy to listen to and get lost in the story.

Am totally biased as I love everything l.a cotton but I loved this new story.

If your looking for two damaged souls that come together this is for you.

It an age gap and forbidden romance but their chemistry and build up is worth reading.