Deceive - Book Review

By Michelle Irwin

Synopsis

Straighten up, pull it around, and get back on the track.

Declan Reede’s life is in a tail-spin. Although he knows what he wants, he can’t see the road that will take him there. Wherever he turns, new secrets, lies, and half-truths threaten to send him crashing off-course. To deserve his family, he must fight his past mistakes and prove himself worthy.

But can someone out to deceive cost him the life he now craves?

Review

DECEIVE continues on from where the previous book left off. Declan has a long way to go before fully earning Alyssa’s trust, but he’s trying to grow up and wants to fix every relationship he’s damaged. He’s getting therapy and is probably being the most honest he has been in years. Unfortunately, he still has an attitude problem and his temper remains on a short fuse, but I guess you can’t expect miracles overnight. That being said, he really goes through the ringer in this book and as much as I couldn’t standing him in DECLINE, I felt really sorry for him here. Alyssa has a heart of gold and I truly believe she is too good for Declan, but he’s the one she wants and I like that she stands up for herself when others try to interfere thinking they know what’s best for her. As nice as she is, she comes across as a secondary character because the story is so focused on Declan and everything that’s going on in his life.

DECEIVE is part of a series and cannot be read as a stand-alone; you have to read DECIDE and DECLINE before reading this one. Fair warning, DECEIVE ends in a pretty big cliffhanger, because just when it looks like Declan’s about to get his life in order and things are looking up…BAM!!! His life is left in ruin and you are left hanging. You’ll be cursing your e-reader while contemplating burning an effigy of Michelle Irwin. Ok, so maybe I’m going overboard here, but seriously, you’ll be frustrated that you have to wait three whole months for the next book, while thanking the lord above that you only have to wait three months for the next book. Who is out to get Declan, and why? Hopefully we’ll find out in DECIPHER.