The Second Deception

by N.H. Steele

One pregnancy. Two possible fathers. And a man who refuses to let her go.

Olivia Hart thought the worst of her secrets had already been uncovered.

She was wrong.

When Olivia discovers she’s pregnant, the truth becomes impossible to ignore—the father could be either her devoted husband, Daniel… or Ethan Sterling, the powerful billionaire who has become dangerously obsessed with her.

With her pregnancy classified as high-risk, Olivia is forced into an arrangement she never moving into Ethan’s mansion under the pretense of protecting her health.

But Ethan has never hidden what he wants.

Her.

The baby.

Everything.

His charm is intoxicating. His power undeniable. And the closer Olivia moves into Ethan’s world of wealth and control, the harder it becomes to resist the dangerous pull between them.

Meanwhile Daniel refuses to surrender the life—and the woman—he believes is still his. Determined to save their marriage, he fights against Ethan’s growing influence and the secrets threatening to tear them apart.

Caught between two men and two possible futures, Olivia must navigate a web of lies, desire, and impossible choices.

Because when the truth about the baby finally comes out…

someone will lose everything.

The Second Deception is the explosive second installment in the Shadows of Deception trilogy, a dark romantic suspense about obsession, betrayal, and the devastating power of desire.

Continue the obsession today.

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2025

Reviews

[Wendy McQuiston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never wanted to punch a character in the face until I listened to this book.

[AddysBookishAddiction · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the blurb says that one of the men has an obsession with the FMC, just take that as an understatement. This book is a wild freaking ride, honestly.

3.5 stars

[Laura Peters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved first book in series. Ridiculous Olivia never spoke up to Ethan etc
Annoying
Won’t read 3rd

[Roger Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 Book Review 📚
The Second Deception
By
N. H. Steele

⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Second Deception is the second book by N.H. Steele's Shadows of Deception series picks up with Olivia waking up after the auto accident (or attempt on Ethan's life) and finding herself confined with Ethan in his mountain cabin. Ethan explains to Olivia that someone is trying to kill him, and brings her to the cabin for her protection until his father can resolve the problem. The extent to which Ethan’s father goes is both shocking and extensive. The two return to their complicated lives, and soon Olivia learns that she is pregnant, but doubts who the father is comes to light and adds additional pressure to an already tense situation. Olivia has also learned that she is having a high-risk pregnancy, and Ethan takes advantage of this situation to insist Olivia move into his mansion to receive the best possible care for both her and the baby. Her husband Daniel, who continues to be manipulated by Ethan, is devastated when he learns that the baby is not his, giving in to Olivia moving into the mansion.
This book is engrossed with ample tense and suspenseful drama. The inter-character relationships were complicated, with unwanted desires, hate, and love all intertwined to present a gripping story. The plot continues to be well-developed and Olivia’s plight seems overwhelming, with no easy solution to be had. Emotions run high between the characters and the pregnancy only intensifies the circumstances for all involved. The well-written, unpredictable plot twists and tense drama make this book hard to put down. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the third and conclusive book in the series. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Readers Copy

[Julie Carithers Overstreet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm just blown away by this series😱 There are no words to explain what I'm feeling for Olivia or Daniel. I can't even think of a terrible enough word to say what Ethan is, but I'm reminded of this quote when I think of him...."Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive". I can't even imagine how this will turn out in book 3. Just WOW!!!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Cathy Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hmmmmmmm…….seems to me they are forgetting one simple thing! How about we ask for a due date????? But I am really enjoying the story, the characters are well-developed, the bad guy is evil and he is surrounded by a bunch of gossip mongers and drama queens and ass-kissers!!!

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

First, I didn’t realize this was a series. Second, the writing was just okay. And third, the storyline. . .OMG! Olivia has to be on bed rest because she’s having normal pregnancy symptoms??? This stated during her first OB visit.

[Julie Kamalakis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn’t finish it. It had the makings of a good book but got so ridiculous and repetitive. If I hear the phrase “ pinched features” one more time it will be too soon. I really tried to finish but just can’t. Who the heck uses pinched features that often. Ughh

[Karen OShaughnessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a good book but make sure you start the series with the first book. This book is the second book. Good narrator - kept the story engaging. I didn’t expect the story to just end - I have to read the 3rd book to finish the story. Good book

[Debbi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry I hate to give a bad review but as a woman, the female lead is a joke. If I had to guess, this book was written by a man that thinks all women can be pushed around & they don’t have a back bone.
This is a really bad book!!!

[Angelalynn Kramer-Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

the second deception

Wow another. Wow. Leaving me interesting. From the first page. Eager to keep reading on. Now I can’t wait for the next book..awesome surprises.

[Carol DeAbreu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Olivia is annoying. Why does she let him walk all over her. She has lost her voice

[Clark Beach · Rating 2 out of 5]

I cannot explain the compulsion to finish this series. Once I painstakingly completed the first book, I figured wth
Equally disappointing with increasingly problematic mains.