Twisted Deceit

Deceit #3

by Autumn Winchester

Koda was first introduced in “Shattered Deceit.”

Who am I? Isn't that a question that crosses everyone's mind at some point in their lives? But for me, the sense of self was slipping away.

I was freed from bondage. I was no longer devoid of love or cast aside. Yet, what did that mean for my identity?

I was merely Koda. A regular individual who transitioned from a boy to a man, perhaps lost in the vastness of the world, yet rooted firmly in reality. A man who endured mistreatment and abuse in his formative years until destiny intervened and rescued him.

Genres: M M Romance

446 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2024

About the author

I’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.

Reviews

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dang another deeply emotional story with so much hurt my heart couldn’t handle it at times.

Koda was saved just as the other boys, saved from the monsters of men who used them for their pleasure. Used and abused, heavily.


But Koda was lucky his aunt had been looking for him for ages already. She took him in and didn’t ask for a thing. He’s just a boy, doesn’t use his voice anymore, and he only wants to die, because he’s miserable all the time.

We can watch him over the years when he meets their lovely neighbor, who’s like a grandma.
He meets her grandchild Jasper who is years older than Koda. Jasper is a caretaker and would love to take care of Koda. 

The healing process and Jasper’s place in Doka’s life are what this story is about.
It has a period of six years and some. 
The story is super intriguing, the helplessness is heartbreaking.
If you are familiar with this author’s work, you know there are mountains of hurt to overcome, to have at some point, a sort of livable life.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This was not quite the emotionally wringing minefield of the previous books, possibly because the severely traumatic experiences Koda suffered from were described more in detail in Asher's book. The focus of this book was on the after-effects that Koda would struggle with for the rest of his life, just trying to survive and often not sure why he wanted to. The slow progress he made trying to trust and the tentative start of a relationship with Jasper were beautifully described. A reread of the whole series is definitely to be planned in my near future.

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the blurb states, we met Koda in book 1 while the boys were captives. This story picks up with Koda still in the hospital after being anonymously dropped off. Thankfully, his aunt Dawn has come forward to take him in. Koda was captive for a long time, so to say the outside world is a scary place, even given all he has experienced, would be an understatement. He is often close to giving up, feeling like he has no purpose and no energy to keep going. Much of this story is about him adjusting to life with Dawn, who provides a safe place and helps him with all of his needs, i.e. medical appointments, schooling, etc.

Jasper arrives with his younger brother to help their grandmother who lives next door. It takes a lot of adjusting for Koda to be comfortable around anyone, let alone other men. And while he never really achieves that with Jasper’s brother, he doesn’t seem to have the same issues with Jasper. Jasper has experience with abused children and seems to know how to handle Koda and make him feel comfortable. Again, much of this story is about Koda’s growth in the trusting anyone department.

I tagged BDSM in this review because there are some elements interspersed throughout. The other characters are in the lifestyle, and Jasper if often referred to as a Daddy. But, this isn’t introduced to Koda until the very end, and even then, it is highly tailored to Koda’s needs. Koda has been used and abused by men in unimaginable ways for years. But, he’s still a teenage boy through most of this story, and some things just naturally take place. It’s just another thing for him to accept and overcome really, and in the grand scheme of things, it was nice to see he had that ability.

Jasper and Koda go through a bit of time where they both are being stubborn, and a lack of communication has caused a little damage. But, as Koda grows, so does his understanding of things and Jasper eventually makes it his mission to earn back Koda’s trust.

This story moved a little slow for me, although I’m not sure there was a way around that given all the healing Koda need to do. All in all, I was happy with the way everything played out and to see Koda find some peace. It was also nice to see Asher doing so well with his recovery and relationship. This series, although tough at times given the content, has been an overall enjoyable read.

Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.

[Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most emotional series. This story is a great addition.

Koda is ready to die. He just can’t take anymore when his situation has changed and he finds himself saved. The trouble is his life after being saved has given him a different prison. He has mental after effects that leave him scared of everything and imagining the worst constantly. He has to learn to live a life of freedom and he doesn’t know what to do. Luckily he has his aunt Dawn helping him.

Then he meets Jasper and his world is turned upside down again. He has to deal with a whole different set of emotions. This story tore me apart wanting to help Koda.

Jasper is an angel but has his own issues to resolve. His dedication to his grandmother is heartwarming.

Koda finding out what has happened to Asher causes a whole other set of feelings to deal with. And then there is Noah who gave me a few laughs. He really is a unique character and adds a little lightness to the story. Having the characters from the previous story added another layer to this story.

I can’t wait to see what is next.

[Syd Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book but please check the warnings. I really enjoyed Koda in Asher’s book and I am so happy that Koda got his own book and how strong Koda is. Things have been really rough for Koda and my heart for him but I love his fight and want to find his true self. I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for more.

I received an e-book copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Lizzy Colbourne · Rating 3 out of 5]

oh how I wanted to love this

This book had almost everything to have made it a five star read, the storyline, the trauma, the hurt comfort, bdsm vibes. Such a good build then we got sooooo very little of them together.
I needed so much more of their story with them actually together I’d have preferred to see less of the time they built up together for just a few more chapters of their happiness and building their relationship together.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book of the series. We meet Koda is the first book. Now it is time for him to have his own happy ending. It is a very hard fought happy ending. Koda’s life has not been easy. He does not trust easily and once the trust is broken. Will have to find out what happens. This book does have some pretty heavy triggers so you’re going to want to make sure you read the trigger warnings.

[Li Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

An excellent story if a young adult who was abused as a child and their struggle to come to terms living back in the real world away from their abusers. Great story . Highly recommended

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted Deceit is the third book in the Deceit series and is a very emotional series. We met Koda in the book Shattered Deceit and I was so happy to get his book. There is lots of angst and trauma described in the book and I do suggest checking the warnings if you have any triggers.

[Crystal Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Kota and Jasper. Kota didn't think he should be alive anymore. Kota his out of the bondage but his mind and mind isn't out of it. Jasper and the rest of of his friends try to help him

[Nabanita Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it....sweet, inspiring, encouraging....💖

[FHR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having met Koda in the previous book, one knows the trauma Koda has experienced. Having being rescued, Koda is now adrift and is relearning how to cope with life and the struggles that come with it.
Into his life comes Jasper and so to the challenges of navigating a relationship.

This was an emotional read as one goes through the journey of life with Koda as he learns to live life one day at time.
Do heed the trigger warnings.