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Deceit #2
Shattered Deceit
This is Asher’s story. He was introduced in “Bought Deceit.”
He was trained to be perfect. Now he has to learn how to be real.
Asher’s life shattered long before he was sold. Born to chaos—drug-addicted parents, neglect, and abandonment—he was easy prey for a system that turns broken boys into obedient property. By sixteen, he’s been reshaped into something flawless: submissive, silent, and trained to please.
But being rescued doesn’t mean being free.
Asher is placed in a home that promises safety, love, and family. He tries to believe it. Tries to be content. But contentment is fragile—and when his best friend shows up at the door, everything shifts. Then comes the man who sees through Asher’s mask. Who wants to help. Who wants more.
Asher doesn’t know how to accept care without control. Doesn’t know how to want without guilt. And when desire tangles with friendship and protection, the lines blur into something dangerous—and maybe healing.
This is a story of three men bound by trauma, proximity, and the aching need to belong. But can Asher survive being wanted for who he is, not what he was trained to be?
Author’s Note: This novel contains themes of slavery, age gap romance, forced proximity, regression, daddy/little dynamics, sub/dom relationships, and MMM pairing. Reader discretion is strongly advised.
He was trained to be perfect. Now he has to learn how to be real.
Asher’s life shattered long before he was sold. Born to chaos—drug-addicted parents, neglect, and abandonment—he was easy prey for a system that turns broken boys into obedient property. By sixteen, he’s been reshaped into something flawless: submissive, silent, and trained to please.
But being rescued doesn’t mean being free.
Asher is placed in a home that promises safety, love, and family. He tries to believe it. Tries to be content. But contentment is fragile—and when his best friend shows up at the door, everything shifts. Then comes the man who sees through Asher’s mask. Who wants to help. Who wants more.
Asher doesn’t know how to accept care without control. Doesn’t know how to want without guilt. And when desire tangles with friendship and protection, the lines blur into something dangerous—and maybe healing.
This is a story of three men bound by trauma, proximity, and the aching need to belong. But can Asher survive being wanted for who he is, not what he was trained to be?
Author’s Note: This novel contains themes of slavery, age gap romance, forced proximity, regression, daddy/little dynamics, sub/dom relationships, and MMM pairing. Reader discretion is strongly advised.
417 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2024
13 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Autumn Winchester
30 books177 followersI’ve always been passionate about storytelling and impressed by the influence it has on people and the decisions they make in life. My novels are something that won't be found anywhere else.
I live in a small town in Colorado. I have 4 kids, 4 dogs, and a cat.
I love to write. I am more than just an author; I'm a storyteller.
I live in a small town in Colorado. I have 4 kids, 4 dogs, and a cat.
I love to write. I am more than just an author; I'm a storyteller.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 15, 2024
Darling , I'm damn sure I found a new kink. Cuz' every time he said it, my heart would skip a beat.
🛑🛑maybe mild spoilers ahead?🛑🛑
Damn! If I ever come across a book that caught me off guard, this would be it. A polyamorous relationship is developing—cooked on my stove, and I was none the wiser to notice. I only caught on about 50% into the book! I think I should have known, but it completely slipped my mind. Maybe I was just too occupied with our baby's state of mind?
If you are looking for an erotic book, this one is definitely not for you. We hardly have any sexual scenes, as this is not the focus of the author. Near the end, there is a single short yet breathtaking scene. Speaking of breathtaking, when Ash I think that scene was written so beautifully. It's definitely my favorite.
While some of the monologues became a bit repetitive at times, I really felt all the emotions the author wanted to convey—and then some. I loved the author’s narrative style. The way we got to see into Ash's past in the first few chapters was fantastic. It helped me comprehend how he became the broken mess he claimed to be. No-No is so cute I could chew him.
March 30, 2024
ALL the heartbreaking stars!
It’s just a matter of time but Asher will die, being kept for years, used as a slave, with no joy or anything, he knows now at sixteen his time has come to die, and he’s glad. Finally!
Among all the devils who kept the boys (yes there are more), there was a soul who freed him, he was the lucky one, others didn’t survive.
Following Asher through all the years we end up where he’s twenty-one. Super vulnerable, much stronger than he realizes, and in need to get on his knees for a Sir.
Asher’s journey is hard, really really hard, he didn’t know how to live, there was a circle of people who were there to help if he needed it, (he never asked).
There was only one bright light in his life, Noah! Noah, dear precious Noah, I loved him so hard.
My heart shuddered and cracked, I’m not sure how it kept beating, I was convinced it would stop, all the pain Asher had been through, used and abused by many, kept only just alive. It was so hurtful.
Gosh, I cried, finally, FINALLY the time was there, our dear sweet strong, deeply scarred boy Asher was capable of accepting what he deserved his whole life, living without fear, feeling safe, and above all being loved not by one but two men.
Yes, the author did it again, writing an utterly hurtful, heartbreaking story, deep bow!
No need to say mind the trigger warnings!
It’s just a matter of time but Asher will die, being kept for years, used as a slave, with no joy or anything, he knows now at sixteen his time has come to die, and he’s glad. Finally!
Among all the devils who kept the boys (yes there are more), there was a soul who freed him, he was the lucky one, others didn’t survive.
Following Asher through all the years we end up where he’s twenty-one. Super vulnerable, much stronger than he realizes, and in need to get on his knees for a Sir.
Asher’s journey is hard, really really hard, he didn’t know how to live, there was a circle of people who were there to help if he needed it, (he never asked).
There was only one bright light in his life, Noah! Noah, dear precious Noah, I loved him so hard.
My heart shuddered and cracked, I’m not sure how it kept beating, I was convinced it would stop, all the pain Asher had been through, used and abused by many, kept only just alive. It was so hurtful.
Gosh, I cried, finally, FINALLY the time was there, our dear sweet strong, deeply scarred boy Asher was capable of accepting what he deserved his whole life, living without fear, feeling safe, and above all being loved not by one but two men.
Yes, the author did it again, writing an utterly hurtful, heartbreaking story, deep bow!
No need to say mind the trigger warnings!
February 16, 2024
Shattered deceit is not for the faint of heart. Be sure to read the trigger warnings as this book has a lot of them. It follows the story of Asher and how hard he works to run from his past. There is a happy ending that is very hard fought in this book. It may not be the happy ending that everybody is looking for, but it is happy nonetheless. If you were looking for a book that contains a lot of spice, this book may not be the one for you. It does contain a lot of dark themes and angst between the main characters.
March 8, 2024
Please pay attention to the trigger notes, because this story is not an easy read. Neither was the first volume and that's where we briefly met Asher.
Asher is enslaved at a young age and only his absolute will to survive allows him to fight and live on. It was very tough, but at the same time incredibly grippingly written. I started the book and wanted to have a quick read, guys, let me tell you, my night was very short.
I really wanted to know how Asher's story would continue. After his rescue, he is faced with new challenges. One of them is Noah, who he meets and who just won't let go and eventually they become best friends. Asher is trying to cope with his life, which is not easy and a life partner is not part of it. Until he meets someone he feels attracted to. But taking the initiative himself is out of the question for Asher. After a visit to the club, Noah ends up dating Beckett of all people and Asher puts his friend's happiness above his own.
Asher's story broke my heart. It was shattered into a thousand pieces and I would have loved to mold myself into a ball with Asher and bury myself in his pain. The story is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, I could really understand why Noah reacts the way he does.
The story was a tough read, but incredibly well written with fascinating characters. A book that will stay with you for a long time.
Asher is enslaved at a young age and only his absolute will to survive allows him to fight and live on. It was very tough, but at the same time incredibly grippingly written. I started the book and wanted to have a quick read, guys, let me tell you, my night was very short.
I really wanted to know how Asher's story would continue. After his rescue, he is faced with new challenges. One of them is Noah, who he meets and who just won't let go and eventually they become best friends. Asher is trying to cope with his life, which is not easy and a life partner is not part of it. Until he meets someone he feels attracted to. But taking the initiative himself is out of the question for Asher. After a visit to the club, Noah ends up dating Beckett of all people and Asher puts his friend's happiness above his own.
Asher's story broke my heart. It was shattered into a thousand pieces and I would have loved to mold myself into a ball with Asher and bury myself in his pain. The story is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, I could really understand why Noah reacts the way he does.
The story was a tough read, but incredibly well written with fascinating characters. A book that will stay with you for a long time.
June 14, 2024
As the blurb mentions, this is Asher’s story whom we met in Bought Deceit. While I recommend reading Bought Deceit, I don’t think it’s necessary to follow this story. Asher is one of the sex-trafficked slaves who was saved by undercover FBI agent Allister, who saved Dakota in Bought Deceit.
This story goes a little into Asher’s time as a slave since that was much of his upbringing. It then moves forward to current time where he is now working and living on his own. All is not going as well as Asher lets others believe though, and it isn’t until his best friend, Noah, moves in after leaving an abusive boyfriend that things start to unravel a bit for him.
Much of this story is Asher trying to survive in a world he never thought he would see. Wishing death over his current situation more than not was the norm for him. He then becomes torn with wanting Noah to find happiness and coming to grips with the kinks he longs to explore while simultaneously finding it harder and harder to handle his anxiety and panic attacks.
Noah finds what he’s looking for in Beckett, a dom he meets in a club visit. Noah is the little of the daddy/little duo. He loves and will do anything for his best friend, Asher, and watching him struggle is hard on him. He and Beckett have to put in a little work to get the stubborn Asher on board with Beckett providing everything both Noah and Asher need, but they eventually get there.
Asher’s stubbornness to his own detriment was a bit frustrating for me, and I really struggle with the daddy/little kink. However, I loved seeing Asher find happiness and a new lease on life and this trio seemed to be perfect for each other. The slavery details are a bit rough, so if that’s a trigger, you might want to be prepared although the details aren’t too explicit. I would have like to have seen a bit more of the transition from rescue to functioning adult in society, but overall, this was a well-rounded story from Ms. Winters.
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
February 16, 2024
This is a dark story so please read all the warnings.
This author doesn’t just follow the cookie cutter formula to writing stories and this is another that kept me up late page turning.
Asher is a guy who has faced enslavement since he was eleven. He suffers the unimaginable time and again. Just when he has all but given up life changes for him. But being saved also brings about challenges. Interaction with others is something that he isn’t comfortable with so when Noah attaches himself to Asher learning how to deal with a bff is hard. Then as he has his mind set on his bff finding his happy ever after again things change for him.
This is a story full of struggle that just broke my heart. This author has a talent for grabbing my emotions and not letting go long after I finish the book.
This author doesn’t just follow the cookie cutter formula to writing stories and this is another that kept me up late page turning.
Asher is a guy who has faced enslavement since he was eleven. He suffers the unimaginable time and again. Just when he has all but given up life changes for him. But being saved also brings about challenges. Interaction with others is something that he isn’t comfortable with so when Noah attaches himself to Asher learning how to deal with a bff is hard. Then as he has his mind set on his bff finding his happy ever after again things change for him.
This is a story full of struggle that just broke my heart. This author has a talent for grabbing my emotions and not letting go long after I finish the book.
February 26, 2024
4.5 Stars
This book can be triggering for some so please read the TW. I really enjoyed this book and I am so glad that we have Asher’s book now. The struggles of life and mental are brough forward in this book; the angst is real in this book. While some may say that there is not an HEA in this book, there is a happiness after everything Asher has been through. I thought that this was really good book and I am looking forward to more from Autumn soon.
I received a free e-book copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This book can be triggering for some so please read the TW. I really enjoyed this book and I am so glad that we have Asher’s book now. The struggles of life and mental are brough forward in this book; the angst is real in this book. While some may say that there is not an HEA in this book, there is a happiness after everything Asher has been through. I thought that this was really good book and I am looking forward to more from Autumn soon.
I received a free e-book copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
February 28, 2024
The story is of significant trauma and how a human trafficking victim adapts and changes after they find freedom. It focuses on how the trauma affects the main character and his relationships with others.
This is not a romance book though there is romance. The actual romance part does not occur until the last 15% of the book.
Safety info: there is significant sexual abuse of a minor. This book only contains vague mention of abuse and does not provide details. This is IMO a fantastic change from the other book in the series. This character is an adult prior to any “spice” occurring in the book.
I usually am not a fan of books that have a significant portion of time as a child but I enjoyed the first third of the book. I really liked seeing the change in personality as Asher adapted to freedom and the beginning of his friendship with Noah. I struggled some with the middle of the book. It was very slow and lots of the self deprecating, I don’t deserve to be happy trope. That makes sense given the trauma history but it was annoying how much of the book it took up. This combined with miscommunication trope made me struggle with caring for a bit. My favorite part of the book was Asher and Noah’s friendship. I enjoyed watching that grow over time. The beginning was funny with Asher immediately rejecting Noah’s attempt to become friends. I wish there was more building of the actual romantic relationship. It felt very rushed with very few details. This is common in the author’s writing so it isn’t a critique, just a wish.
This is not a romance book though there is romance. The actual romance part does not occur until the last 15% of the book.
Safety info: there is significant sexual abuse of a minor. This book only contains vague mention of abuse and does not provide details. This is IMO a fantastic change from the other book in the series. This character is an adult prior to any “spice” occurring in the book.
I usually am not a fan of books that have a significant portion of time as a child but I enjoyed the first third of the book. I really liked seeing the change in personality as Asher adapted to freedom and the beginning of his friendship with Noah. I struggled some with the middle of the book. It was very slow and lots of the self deprecating, I don’t deserve to be happy trope. That makes sense given the trauma history but it was annoying how much of the book it took up. This combined with miscommunication trope made me struggle with caring for a bit. My favorite part of the book was Asher and Noah’s friendship. I enjoyed watching that grow over time. The beginning was funny with Asher immediately rejecting Noah’s attempt to become friends. I wish there was more building of the actual romantic relationship. It felt very rushed with very few details. This is common in the author’s writing so it isn’t a critique, just a wish.
February 21, 2024
4.5 stars. Very difficult subjects but really rewarding reading. This author is really admirable as she doesn't shy away from showing the hideous and utterly depraved things people can do. The journey to better mental health and finding happiness in a relationship beneficial to all three is well portrayed.
March 1, 2024
This is the second book in the Deceit series and I really suggest you check the trigger warnings, it's very dark. We met Asher in the book Bought Deceit and it was so good to get his story, tragic though it is.
March 15, 2024
I loved Asher. This is a story about his life. Asher had a hard time coping with being free of slavery. Asher decided to go to the BSDM munching and see if there's anything to help him with being outside with the world
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2024
excellent
Another hit from Autumn and I loved it. A dark tale of a boy who was badly abused as a child and young adults and theirs he comes to terms with living in the world after rescue.
Great characters and plot can’t wait for more.
Highly recommended
Another hit from Autumn and I loved it. A dark tale of a boy who was badly abused as a child and young adults and theirs he comes to terms with living in the world after rescue.
Great characters and plot can’t wait for more.
Highly recommended
March 1, 2024
Wanted to love the book and its good but there is so realationship between the three until 82% of the book.
So just be aware of that. Disappointed
So just be aware of that. Disappointed
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June 9, 2024Free June 7-11, 2024 on Amazon as a part of Zero Penny Reads Pride Promo.
February 27, 2024
A gut wrenching read at times as we see Asher’s life change from one of slavery to forming friendships and to finally finding himself.
This definitely a plot full of triggers so do heed the warnings but it’s a read that will stay on your mind long after you have finished it.
This definitely a plot full of triggers so do heed the warnings but it’s a read that will stay on your mind long after you have finished it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews