Liars Like Us Summary, Characters and Themes

Liars Like Us by JT Geissinger is a contemporary romance novel that explores themes of manipulation, trust, and personal growth. The story centers around Emery Eastwood, the owner of a small, struggling bookstore, and Callum McCord, a wealthy and enigmatic billionaire.

As Emery faces financial ruin, she is presented with an unconventional proposition from Callum: to marry him in exchange for ten million dollars to save her business. What follows is a complex, often tumultuous journey that combines business arrangements with emotional conflict, as the characters navigate their desires, past secrets, and the lines between manipulation and genuine love.

Summary

Emery Eastwood is a woman whose life is teetering on the edge of financial collapse. Her independent bookstore, Lit Happens, located in a small shopping center, is struggling to survive against stiff competition from ValUBooks, a massive corporate bookstore chain.

As the business continues to lose customers, Emery’s financial troubles escalate. Her landlord informs her that the rent for her shop will double, which only makes her situation worse.

Faced with mounting debts and dwindling hope, Emery becomes desperate to save her family’s bookstore, which has been passed down from her late parents.

One day, her life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Callum McCord, a wealthy and mysterious billionaire. Callum proposes a strange and unconventional solution: he offers Emery ten million dollars to marry him.

The arrangement is not driven by love but by Callum’s personal need to marry before December, or he will lose his inheritance. While Emery is initially skeptical and assumes the offer is a joke or some form of manipulation, she is eventually intrigued by the prospect of financial security and the potential to save her beloved bookstore.

Despite her reservations, Emery is swayed by the reality of her worsening situation. A massive tax bill arrives, adding nearly two million dollars to her already overwhelming debt.

Her apartment is condemned, and her life becomes a chaotic mess. As the pressure mounts, she becomes more inclined to consider Callum’s offer, although she continues to resist the idea of entering a marriage based on money and convenience.

Callum’s persistent and calm demeanor both irritates and fascinates her, and she starts to question her feelings toward him.

The relationship between Emery and Callum develops through intense exchanges, where their personalities clash. While Emery tries to maintain a level of independence and sarcasm in the face of Callum’s arrogance and wealth, she finds herself increasingly drawn to him.

Meanwhile, Callum’s wealth, power, and mystery make her feel both fascinated and repelled. As she learns more about him, she discovers that Callum is not just a rich businessman but also part of a powerful family with deep secrets.

His personal life is filled with intrigue, including ties to a mysterious organization, and his complicated family dynamics become a source of tension.

At the same time, Emery’s friends and family try to advise her, though they are divided. Some encourage her to take the money and secure her future, while others are more concerned about the moral implications of such a deal.

Despite the conflicting advice, Emery’s internal struggle continues as she weighs the pros and cons of marrying a man she hardly knows for the sake of her business and personal survival.

The tension builds when Callum’s true motives are gradually revealed. He admits that he orchestrated many of the events that led Emery to consider his proposal, including creating the false lawsuit and tax issue.

He has been watching her for years, even before their first meeting, and admits that he manipulated her into a corner to force her into accepting his marriage proposal. This revelation stuns Emery, and she feels deeply betrayed by Callum’s actions.

Despite this, Callum expresses his obsessive love for her, claiming that he did everything for her, believing it was the only way to make her his.

As the story unfolds, Emery is torn between her anger at Callum’s manipulations and her undeniable attraction to him. She becomes more conflicted about her feelings, as the attraction grows stronger despite the betrayal.

She learns that the marriage proposal has legal consequences, including the fact that the marriage is binding in Vatican City, making divorce an incredibly complicated and difficult process.

Eventually, after much emotional turmoil, Emery agrees to marry Callum, not out of love but as a way to start over and secure her future. Though the marriage is unconventional, it offers Emery the chance to finally stabilize her life and rebuild her bookstore.

As the couple moves forward, the relationship remains complicated and strained. Their marriage is marked by power struggles, manipulation, and emotional conflict.

Despite their differences and the emotional walls they both maintain, moments of vulnerability and attraction continue to surface.

However, the complications don’t end with the wedding. Emery starts to investigate a company called Dolos Inc., which is tied to Callum’s business empire.

She discovers that Dolos was involved in the acquisition of ValUBooks, the very company that contributed to her bookstore’s decline. This investigation leads her to uncover more about Callum’s family and their role in her life, deepening her suspicions of his true intentions.

She learns that Callum’s obsession with her may go even deeper than she initially thought, with connections to criminal activities and a global conspiracy.

In an emotionally charged confrontation, Callum admits to orchestrating the entire series of events that led to their marriage, including the tax fine, the lawsuit, and even the acquisition of her bookstore. He confesses that he did it all for her, driven by his obsessive love for her.

Though devastated by the betrayal, Emery cannot fully escape her feelings for him. Their complicated relationship continues to evolve, marked by a mix of manipulation, obsession, and emotional turmoil.

The story concludes with Emery living with Callum in a luxurious suite at the Four Seasons in Maui. Despite the unresolved anger and betrayal, Emery finds herself still drawn to him.

They begin to navigate their complex relationship, working through issues of trust, power, and love. Though the future is uncertain, they are both committed to forging a future together, albeit with many complications.

The novel ends on a note of ambiguity, with the possibility of both happiness and continued conflict ahead for Emery and Callum.

Characters

Emery Eastwood

Emery Eastwood is the resilient and resourceful protagonist of Liars Like Us who is struggling to keep her small bookstore, Lit Happens, afloat. Her life is marked by financial hardships, which only intensify when her landlord increases her rent and a large corporation opens a competing store nearby.

She faces multiple crises, from mounting debts to a serious tax issue, but despite the pressure, she remains determined to preserve her family’s legacy through her bookstore. Emery is initially skeptical of Callum McCord’s offer to marry her in exchange for a significant sum of money, seeing it as an absurd proposal.

However, as her situation worsens, she begins to consider it more seriously, torn between the pragmatic solution it offers and her emotional resistance to Callum’s manipulative tactics. Throughout the story, Emery demonstrates a complex blend of skepticism, emotional vulnerability, and strength.

She is conflicted about her growing attraction to Callum, especially after uncovering the dark truths behind his involvement in her life. Emery’s journey is one of personal growth and survival, ultimately making difficult decisions to navigate her tumultuous relationship with Callum while grappling with the moral implications of her choices.

Callum McCord

Callum McCord is a wealthy and enigmatic billionaire whose initial appearance in Liars Like Us is as a man of mystery. He first proposes a business-like marriage to Emery, offering her a life-changing amount of money to save her bookstore.

However, it soon becomes clear that there is more to Callum than meets the eye. Beneath his suave exterior, Callum is revealed to be obsessive and manipulative, orchestrating events in Emery’s life to force her into his marriage proposal.

He has a history of control and secrecy, with a deep connection to a powerful, hidden network. Despite his criminal behavior, Callum is portrayed as someone deeply in love with Emery, willing to go to extreme lengths to make her see his affection.

This makes his character both magnetic and unsettling. His wealth, power, and air of mystery mask his vulnerability, and over time, it becomes clear that his manipulations stem from an obsessive desire to possess her.

Callum’s struggle is one of love and control, as he tries to balance his feelings for Emery with his need for dominance in their relationship. His actions, while morally questionable, stem from a deeply felt emotion that complicates the reader’s perception of him.

His character is both alluring and dangerous, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable in the name of love.

Dani

Dani, Emery’s best friend, plays an important supporting role in Liars Like Us, acting as a voice of reason and encouragement amidst Emery’s tumultuous situation. While Dani is initially skeptical of Callum’s offer, she eventually urges Emery to consider the financial freedom it could bring.

Dani serves as both a sounding board and a guide for Emery, offering practical advice and emotional support. Though not as central as Emery and Callum, Dani’s presence is crucial in pushing Emery to confront the complexities of her life, especially when she is torn between her values and the overwhelming pressures of her circumstances.

Dani represents the voice of pragmatism and loyalty, providing Emery with an anchor as she navigates the emotional and financial chaos surrounding her.

Cole McCord

Cole McCord, Callum’s brother, is an intriguing secondary character who adds depth to the McCord family dynamic in Liars Like Us. His appearance signals tension between the brothers, particularly as Cole disrupts Callum’s plans and adds complexity to the story’s family relationships.

His interactions with Callum are marked by conflict, revealing that Callum’s persona is not just shaped by his wealth but also by his strained familial relationships. Although Cole’s role is brief, his presence hints at the complicated history and power struggles within the McCord family, further emphasizing the high stakes surrounding Callum’s motivations and the manipulative nature of his behavior.

Tracy

Tracy, Callum’s secretary, emerges as a key figure in Liars Like Us, though her role is more peripheral. Her interactions with Emery spark feelings of jealousy and insecurity, particularly as Emery begins to suspect that there may be something more between Tracy and Callum.

Tracy’s cool, professional demeanor contrasts sharply with Emery’s growing emotional turbulence. While she does not play a central role in the plot, Tracy’s character highlights the tension and possessiveness that runs through Callum and Emery’s relationship, underscoring the manipulative and controlling aspects of Callum’s character.

Tracy’s involvement serves as a catalyst for Emery’s feelings of being controlled and her desire to assert her independence in the face of Callum’s overwhelming presence.

Mr. Murphy

Mr. Murphy, a quirky and endearing employee of Lit Happens, adds a touch of humor and charm to the story. Though his role is not central to the plot, his presence provides a sense of warmth and lightheartedness amidst the tension and conflict that dominate the story.

As one of Emery’s loyal employees, Mr. Murphy plays a small but significant part in the sense of community and family that is central to Emery’s character. His interactions with Emery and the other employees showcase the personal bonds that keep her grounded, even as she faces enormous challenges in her professional and personal life.

Mr. Murphy represents the loyal, supportive figure in Emery’s life, serving as a reminder of the importance of human connections in the face of adversity.

Themes

Power and Control in Relationships

In Liars Like Us, the theme of power dynamics plays a central role, particularly in the relationship between Emery and Callum. Callum’s offer of marriage is not just about financial stability for Emery, but a way for him to exert control over her life, manipulating her into a corner where the only viable solution seems to be accepting his proposal.

Initially, the nature of their connection is business-like and transactional, but as their interactions evolve, it becomes clear that power dynamics are at the heart of their relationship. Callum’s wealth, status, and ability to control situations give him the upper hand, while Emery’s vulnerability and desperate circumstances place her in a subordinate position.

Even though Callum claims to have feelings for Emery, his actions betray a possessive, controlling streak, revealing that his obsession with her is as much about dominance as it is about love. Emery, on the other hand, constantly tests these boundaries, rebelling against his control with sarcasm and defiance, creating a complicated dance of attraction, resistance, and manipulation.

Their relationship, which begins with business motives, becomes a tangled web of emotional manipulation, where the lines between love, control, and power are often blurred. This theme explores how love and manipulation can coexist in toxic ways, with both parties trying to gain control over the other in a battle of wills, making the emotional stakes for both characters much higher.

Manipulation and Deception

The theme of manipulation is intricately tied to the story’s plot, where the web of lies spun by Callum McCord shapes the entire trajectory of Emery’s life. Initially, Callum presents his marriage proposal as a solution to Emery’s financial troubles, but as the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that his actions are far more calculated.

He orchestrates a series of events—ranging from fabricated lawsuits to the financial struggles Emery faces—to push her into a corner where accepting his offer becomes the only viable option. His manipulative tactics are not just about coercion; they also demonstrate his deep-seated obsession with Emery, as he carefully curates the circumstances of her life to force her hand.

The revelation that Callum had been orchestrating her problems for years—while hiding behind a façade of charm and affluence—serves as a major turning point in the novel. The lies he tells and the way he exploits Emery’s vulnerabilities create a deep sense of betrayal, as she realizes that everything, including their initial connection, was part of his grand plan.

This theme delves into the darker aspects of relationships where one person is willing to deceive and manipulate another for their own gain, showing how love and control can be distorted in toxic ways. It raises questions about trust, the ethics of relationships, and how far someone will go to get what they want, even at the expense of another person’s emotional well-being.

Financial Struggles and Power of Wealth

Throughout Liars Like Us, financial hardship plays a pivotal role in driving the story forward. Emery’s bookstore, once a cherished legacy of her parents, faces imminent closure as a result of increasing competition from corporate giants and the mounting financial pressures of running a small business.

This financial struggle encapsulates the challenges many face when trying to hold on to something meaningful in the face of overwhelming economic forces. However, as the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that financial struggles in the book are not just about survival—they are about power.

Callum’s wealth represents an enormous advantage, and his ability to solve Emery’s financial problems with a single proposal demonstrates how wealth can shift power dynamics in relationships. The difference in their financial situations becomes a constant point of tension between them, with Emery feeling both attracted and repelled by Callum’s fortune.

Her eventual acceptance of his proposal is not just a choice based on love or affection, but a pragmatic decision to regain control over her life. The theme of financial power speaks to the broader societal context, where wealth has the ability to influence relationships, personal choices, and even one’s sense of self-worth.

Emery’s struggle highlights how financial stability can be a means of empowerment, but also how it can be a tool for manipulation when wielded by someone with the resources to control another’s fate.

Personal Identity and Growth

Emery’s journey in Liars Like Us is also deeply tied to her search for personal identity and growth. At the beginning of the story, she is defined by her struggles—her business, her family’s legacy, and her precarious financial situation.

Throughout the novel, she grapples with how much of her identity is shaped by external circumstances, particularly by her business and her relationship with Callum. The emotional turbulence of being pushed into a marriage for financial reasons forces Emery to confront her sense of self-worth and her understanding of love and loyalty.

As she navigates the complexities of her marriage with Callum, Emery is forced to reevaluate her beliefs about herself, her future, and her ability to find personal freedom. The development of her character is marked by moments of introspection, rebellion, and realization.

Her acceptance of the marriage proposal, despite its flaws, represents a turning point in her life where she chooses to take control of her future, even if it means embracing an unconventional and uncertain path. This theme explores the ways in which personal growth can arise from even the most challenging circumstances, showing how adversity can push individuals to discover strengths they did not know they had.

Emery’s growth is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even when faced with manipulation, betrayal, and loss.

Trust and Betrayal

Trust and betrayal are fundamental themes that underpin the relationship between Emery and Callum. At the start, Emery is cautious about Callum’s offer, sensing that there is something off about it.

However, as their interactions continue, she begins to lower her guard, even as she remains conflicted about the nature of his intentions. When the truth about Callum’s manipulations is revealed—his orchestrated scheme to force her into marriage—the betrayal cuts deep.

Callum’s confession that he had been watching her for years, manipulating events to push her into a corner, shatters any remaining trust that Emery may have had in him. This betrayal is not only about the romantic manipulation but also about the ethical breach in using someone’s vulnerability to achieve personal goals.

The theme of trust is explored through Emery’s fluctuating feelings towards Callum, torn between her attraction to him and her understanding of his deceptions. Despite his actions, Emery’s complex emotions show that trust is not easily severed, especially when feelings of love or attachment are involved.

The story highlights the difficulty of rebuilding trust once it has been broken, and the emotional turmoil that comes with trying to navigate a relationship that is marked by deceit and manipulation.