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Author: J.S. Wonda is a bestselling contemporary and dark romance author known for her intense, emotionally charged storytelling and addictive series. With a focus on power dynamics, complex relationships, and psychological tension, her books — especially the Kingston University series — have built a loyal international readership. We’ve previously covered two books in this series, and now continue with the next installment, “Very Bad Liars”, as theVery Bad Liars continues the dark college romance storyline set at Kingston University, following Mable as the web of secrets, power, and manipulation around her tightens further. After the events of the previous books, the dynamic between Mable and the Kings shifts noticeably. What once revolved around control and humiliation begins to evolve into something more dangerous: trust mixed with deception.

Summary: Very Bad Liars continues the dark college romance storyline set at Kingston University, following Mable as the web of secrets, power, and manipulation around her tightens further. After the events of the previous books, the dynamic between Mable and the Kings shifts noticeably. What once revolved around control and humiliation begins to evolve into something more dangerous: trust mixed with deception.

As the story moves into the next phase of the semester, Kingston University becomes the center of growing tension when authorities begin investigating a violent incident connected to the elite circles on campus. The presence of the FBI raises the stakes dramatically, forcing everyone involved to protect their own secrets. Mable finds herself caught between what she knows, what she hides, and what the Kings are willing to do to maintain their influence.

The Kings—still powerful, calculating, and emotionally distant—start revealing cracks in their carefully constructed personas. Their interactions with Mable become more complex as seduction replaces overt cruelty, and subtle psychological games take center stage. Each of them has their own motives, and Mable is increasingly pressured to navigate shifting alliances while being drawn deeper into their world.

Spring Break becomes a crucial turning point in the story, blurring the lines between safety and danger. Mable’s past, the truth behind the attack, and the hidden structures of power within Kingston University slowly intersect, creating a narrative driven by secrecy, emotional tension, and escalating risk.

Very Bad Liars expands the series’ central conflict, focusing on manipulation, loyalty, and the consequences of lies—setting the stage for the next installment as unanswered questions and unresolved threats continue to loom.

Personal opinion: Very Bad Liars continues the Kingston University series in a way that is highly readable and fast-paced, making it easy to move through the story in just a few sittings. J.S. Wonda maintains her familiar writing style, which relies heavily on emotional tension, short chapters, and constant shifts in power between the characters.

Compared to the previous books, the dynamic between Mable and the Kings becomes noticeably softer. While manipulation and control are still present, they are increasingly replaced by seduction and psychological games. This shift keeps the story engaging, but it also makes the plot feel more repetitive, as many scenes revolve around similar emotional patterns rather than deeper character development.

The book focuses more on atmosphere and tension than on narrative depth. The investigation and external conflict raise the stakes, yet they remain mostly in the background, serving as a framework rather than a fully explored storyline. Readers looking for complex psychological exploration or major plot twists may find the content rather surface-level, especially as the emotional and sexual tension remains the dominant driving force.

Overall, Very Bad Liars works well as a continuation of the series, maintaining momentum and setting up future events. It is clearly designed to keep readers invested in the characters and their relationships, even if it offers limited progression in terms of depth or resolution.

Part 1: “Very Bad Kings” by J.S. Wonda – BooksTerra
Part 2: “Very Bad Elite” by J.S. Wonda – BooksTerra