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The Bargaining Series #2
Deceit and Devotion
Billie never imagined that her discovery of the fae would be the least of her life’s surprises. Barely holding it together after her desperate search for her best friend, Emma, she’s floored by the presence of a certain important figure in the Seelie court.
Despite all that she has done to secure Emma’s safety, she learns that they are still in peril. The politics of the fae courts are tumultuous, and violence is spilling over into the mountain valley. The Seelie king is struggling to keep his grasp on the court as a battle for inheritance turns into a blood feud between the two courts.
Desperate to protect the innocent and unsuspecting humans in her small town, Billie becomes embroiled in a plan that forces her to marry the king of a court that would rather see her dead. Torn between lingering loyalties and her blossoming feelings for Callum, Billie is pulled ever deeper into the dangerous world of the fae.
Despite all that she has done to secure Emma’s safety, she learns that they are still in peril. The politics of the fae courts are tumultuous, and violence is spilling over into the mountain valley. The Seelie king is struggling to keep his grasp on the court as a battle for inheritance turns into a blood feud between the two courts.
Desperate to protect the innocent and unsuspecting humans in her small town, Billie becomes embroiled in a plan that forces her to marry the king of a court that would rather see her dead. Torn between lingering loyalties and her blossoming feelings for Callum, Billie is pulled ever deeper into the dangerous world of the fae.
- GenresFae
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2023
8 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 28, 2022
I received this digital ARC from Darling.
Deceit and Devotion was a big step up from Blood and Bargains. The romance was a little spicier and a lot more dramatic, the stakes were higher, and Billie got some much-needed cathartic butt-kicking in. I was honestly surprised by how much darker this universe got. There are still clearly favorite characters with massive plot armor; that’s not necessarily a bad thing but it kept me from being completely emotionally immersed. I absolutely ADORED Billie’s character growth though. There were plenty of “good for her” moments and her spunk is contagious.
There were a handful of grammar and formatting errors I caught but fortunately most were pretty subtle. They’d be easy for another eye to notice but don’t distract too much from the surrounding story. There were noticeably more towards the end of the book than the beginning.
I’m very ready for more Billie content. I NEED to know what happens to Callum!!!
Deceit and Devotion was a big step up from Blood and Bargains. The romance was a little spicier and a lot more dramatic, the stakes were higher, and Billie got some much-needed cathartic butt-kicking in. I was honestly surprised by how much darker this universe got. There are still clearly favorite characters with massive plot armor; that’s not necessarily a bad thing but it kept me from being completely emotionally immersed. I absolutely ADORED Billie’s character growth though. There were plenty of “good for her” moments and her spunk is contagious.
There were a handful of grammar and formatting errors I caught but fortunately most were pretty subtle. They’d be easy for another eye to notice but don’t distract too much from the surrounding story. There were noticeably more towards the end of the book than the beginning.
I’m very ready for more Billie content. I NEED to know what happens to Callum!!!
June 26, 2022
This is the second book in the series and for me it just fell a little flat.. I still really liked Billie (a little whiny sometimes but she had a good heart) but every other character in this was just meh especially the love interest. So all in all I was mostly bored through out the book which is disappointing considering I did enjoy the first one in the series.
The cover is beautiful tho, also it’s on kindle unlimited for anyone who’s interested in checking it out.
The cover is beautiful tho, also it’s on kindle unlimited for anyone who’s interested in checking it out.
June 20, 2022
I was so excited to see where this book went after reading the first one and I was not at all disappointed. Billie really grows into herself in this one and kicks some a**! There's more spice in this one, and though we don't get the scene I'm sure we've all been hoping for, I won't stop waiting for it to crop up in any future books Darling graces us with. (Please- you're killing us- Just give us what we want! I'll beg if I have to!)
The two other relationships that blossom in this book are also heart warming. While one is super cute and you just wanna pinch them their so sweet and shy, the other you just wanna shake them and be like, "just do it already! You're incredibly, painfully obvious to everyone around you!" I will happily read about any of these three pairings... And maybe I've read too many RHs but with each character Billie got closer to I was rubbing my hands together wondering if things might heat up in different ways, if ya know what I mean 😏 I'll take it however Darling will give it to us!
The ending isn't necessarily a cliff hanger, but it leaves you wanting to know what happens next, and wanting to know right now! 😫 You truly start to adore these characters and I can't wait to see where they all go from here and that they all get their HEA.
The two other relationships that blossom in this book are also heart warming. While one is super cute and you just wanna pinch them their so sweet and shy, the other you just wanna shake them and be like, "just do it already! You're incredibly, painfully obvious to everyone around you!" I will happily read about any of these three pairings... And maybe I've read too many RHs but with each character Billie got closer to I was rubbing my hands together wondering if things might heat up in different ways, if ya know what I mean 😏 I'll take it however Darling will give it to us!
The ending isn't necessarily a cliff hanger, but it leaves you wanting to know what happens next, and wanting to know right now! 😫 You truly start to adore these characters and I can't wait to see where they all go from here and that they all get their HEA.
May 31, 2022
I was given this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. *TLDR: just go read Blood & Bargains (1st book) and then you'll be dying to read the sequel.
After the ending of the first book, I needed to know what happened next ASAP. I'm happy to say that the sequel did not disappoint. What I love about this story is that you're gradually drawn into the world of the fae instead of being thrown in suddenly.
The intensity from the first book slowly builds up and boils over at the end. Then the second book picks up right where the first left off and immediately the stakes are higher.
The author took the time to flesh out the characters and tell a story I couldn't get enough of.
I don't want to give any spoilers but I will say that if you: like books about the fae, strong female leads that are likeable, a love story that you're actually invested in...then you need to read this!
Even when I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about it. That's how you know it's good.
After the ending of the first book, I needed to know what happened next ASAP. I'm happy to say that the sequel did not disappoint. What I love about this story is that you're gradually drawn into the world of the fae instead of being thrown in suddenly.
The intensity from the first book slowly builds up and boils over at the end. Then the second book picks up right where the first left off and immediately the stakes are higher.
The author took the time to flesh out the characters and tell a story I couldn't get enough of.
I don't want to give any spoilers but I will say that if you: like books about the fae, strong female leads that are likeable, a love story that you're actually invested in...then you need to read this!
Even when I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about it. That's how you know it's good.
May 20, 2022
So first off I received this as an ARC and was requested to give my honest opinion. So here we go. I love this series! I love the character development of Billie along with the side characters. I am very interested to see where the story will go in the future and I am hoping for more content with Callum! The world building is done well. Also I like the way the different courts are explained and played out. The magic in the book is different and interesting as well! So excited for the next one!
June 26, 2022
I was gifted an ARC copy of Deceit and Devotion, however my thoughts and opinions are my own.
I read Blood and Bargains earlier this year and ADORED the first book in this series. Hollis somehow mixes the darkness of fae mythology with an ethereal quality that makes everything just magical.
The world she’s created gives you everything you long for when reading about fae, but it is also extremely unique.
Billie is one of my favorite main characters. She embodies real emotions and real struggles while being a badass. She serves as a reminder that those who tell pompous guards that they will force them to eat their own swords can still feel deeply and struggle. It makes her feel relatable.
I cannot stop talking about Callum. I am fully committed to this man, and I am in need of a healer always.
At this point, I really don’t think Hollis could disappoint me. I love the writing style, the characters, and the world. Couldn’t ask for more!
I read Blood and Bargains earlier this year and ADORED the first book in this series. Hollis somehow mixes the darkness of fae mythology with an ethereal quality that makes everything just magical.
The world she’s created gives you everything you long for when reading about fae, but it is also extremely unique.
Billie is one of my favorite main characters. She embodies real emotions and real struggles while being a badass. She serves as a reminder that those who tell pompous guards that they will force them to eat their own swords can still feel deeply and struggle. It makes her feel relatable.
I cannot stop talking about Callum. I am fully committed to this man, and I am in need of a healer always.
At this point, I really don’t think Hollis could disappoint me. I love the writing style, the characters, and the world. Couldn’t ask for more!
October 5, 2025
Enjoyable and fun! I sped through it because I need to know how Billie and Callum will get their happy ending.
April 19, 2024
rating: 3.5/5
I really loved the first book and was hoping that book 2 would deliver the same way for me but it was a little underwhelming. My biggest gripe with this second story are the characters themselves. I appreciate that we were introduced to more of them, but other than Callum, I didn't find myself really liking any of them much. I do think they have potential, so I am still planning to read the next book to see how the story unfolds, but as it stands, I found the second book to be forgetful. Billie was super frustrated with her poor decision-making and how impulsive she is. I know it's part of who she is but I liked her much better in the first book. The addition of Ethan was a fun one because it added depth to the story, but I don't like him in particular. But again, I do think there is potential so I am looking forward to the next one!
I really loved the first book and was hoping that book 2 would deliver the same way for me but it was a little underwhelming. My biggest gripe with this second story are the characters themselves. I appreciate that we were introduced to more of them, but other than Callum, I didn't find myself really liking any of them much. I do think they have potential, so I am still planning to read the next book to see how the story unfolds, but as it stands, I found the second book to be forgetful. Billie was super frustrated with her poor decision-making and how impulsive she is. I know it's part of who she is but I liked her much better in the first book. The addition of Ethan was a fun one because it added depth to the story, but I don't like him in particular. But again, I do think there is potential so I am looking forward to the next one!
November 1, 2024
This book focuses on Billie as she comes to terms with the fact that her husband who she had presumed dead for over a year (after seeing his dead body) is alive. Not only is he alive but he is the King of the Seelie Court. This leads to high tension as Billie’s life is in danger at every turn and her conflicted feelings between Ethan (her husband) and Callum (the faerie she had been falling for over in the last book). I’m curious if there’s going to be a third in the series, it doesn’t necessarily end on a cliffhanger or with a lot of open plot threads, but there is room for there to be more as far as the relationships are concerned between characters.
March 8, 2024
Amazing, loved this instalment
The evolution of the characters was exciting
Good to see Billie standing in her own
Bring on secrets and silver flames
The evolution of the characters was exciting
Good to see Billie standing in her own
Bring on secrets and silver flames
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews