Deception

Fractured Diamonds Saga

by Lisa Cullen

I had one
Expose a mafia king.
But I made one critical mistake.
I got pregnant with his baby.

The blizzard wasn't just snow—it was fate trapping me with Alessandro Diamante.
The most dangerous man in Italy.
Thirteen years my senior with hands that knew exactly how to make me surrender.

I came to his mountain fortress hunting evidence he murdered my brother.
I stayed because his touch became my darkest addiction.

"You think you can lie to me, Isabella?" he whispers, pinning my wrists above my head. "I own every inch of this body now."

Each night I spread my legs for the enemy.
Each day I search for his secrets.
Every moment a dangerous game where pleasure and betrayal blur into one.

I tell myself it's for justice. For vengeance.
But the truth burns hotter than his claiming kisses.
I’m falling for the devil himself.

When my real identity is exposed, so is the heir growing inside me.
The look in his eyes promises both punishment and possession as he grips my throat.

"A Diamante grows in your belly," he growls, something primal claiming his features. "You think I'll let either of you go?"

Now rival families close in, bullets fly, and blood stains the snow crimson.
The man who should want me dead becomes my only chance at survival.

As his brother whispers warnings and enemies hunt us both,
I face an impossible
Flee the father of my child and the hands that have marked me as his?
Or surrender everything to the monster whose darkness matches my own?

Book 1 in the Fractured Diamonds Saga.
Age gap, forced proximity, secret pregnancy, and steam that will leave you breathless.
HEA guaranteed.

Genres: Romance

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2025

Reviews

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Maureen Walsh · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF- This book started well until the main characters met then it went downhill. The FMC is annoying and she dreams of being a Private Investigator, Sherlock Holmes eat your heart out. The storyline is painful and sadly gets worse as the book progresses.
I know it’s fiction but the FMC bumps into MMC in the village pub then she knocks on the Dons door at 4am saying she is stuck in the snow. The big bad Don says in you come and heres a guest room for you.
Finally called it a day when the Big Bad Don shows her his play room full of BDSM gear, wait for it, he didn’t think he would ever get to play in it. I wonder why maybe because it is in a mountain holiday home that he hasn’t visited in bloody years. No romance came across it was more violent than loving.
A big fat no from me.

[Jayden Branch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book and even loved everything in it the most thing I liked was the betrayal the only thing I wanted was more grovel because she was locked up pregnant. The fmc portrayed an independent woman but she was much stronger at holding herself back together and searches for more answers. I perpendicularly enjoyed the moments where the mmc treated the fmc as the most beautiful girl in the world. This was one of my favourite reads I would give it a 8/10.

I didn’t know what was going to happen or even guess what the betrayal was going to be before the moment happened. The chemistry was off the charts and the plot was spectacular. The mmc’s love for the fmc is see through and blind-less and off the charts.

The grovel should have been better that was the reason I gave this book 4 stars. Lisa Cullen did it again and was once again one of my favourite authors.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by Lisa Cullen; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the part of the Fractured Diamonds Series; it is a stand-alone book. The story is about Isabella & Alessandro.

[Emma Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now how did a random girl track down a mafia boss? And why did he just let her live with him? I’m not sure.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deception is book one in the Fractured Diamonds Saga is a full-length dark and steamy standalone romance with no cheating and ends on a mind-blowing cliffhanger. This is Isabella and Alessandro story which is told from a dual POV. A brilliantly crafted story with driven by revenge that grabs the audience attention from the first chapter and keeps you riveted and turning the pages with it's pulse-pounding suspense, high-octane adventures and mystery. A definite page turner with enticing erotic scenes that will have you gasping for air. An absorbing addicting and unputdownable read. This thrilling story has non-stop action, secrecy and mind-blowing twists that captures my attention through achingly intriguing cliffhanger. Here's what you can expect:
✅️ Super Hot Scenes
✅️ Enemies-to-Lovers Romance
✅️ Close Proximity Romance
✅️ Hate to Love Vibes Romance
✅️ One Bed
✅️ Witty Banter
✅️ She got Secrets
✅️ Dark Secrets
✅️ Secret Pregnancy
✅️ Aged Gap Trope Romance
✅️ Forbidden Romance
✅️ Billionaire Romance
Deception is story of family, duty and love, betrayal, vengeance, mob war, drama, threats, attacks, attempted murder, power struggle, lies, deception, darkness, madness, violence, danger, enemies, rivalry, anger, angst, fear, hurt and pain, betrayal, tension, emotions, kidnapping, surprises, heartbreak, double-cross, dominance, submission, consensual intense rough sex, steam, revelations, taboo, love, passion, steam, possessiveness, obsession, retaliation and so much more. The premise is dark and gritty; the characters are dynamic. The romance is seductive and intense.
Alessandro is the Don of the Diamante mafia family. There was an attempt on his life by one of his enemies so he decided to go in hiding at one of his safe house in the Italian Alps. But he got some company when a beautiful woman Isabella showed up to his cabin in a snowstorm seeking shelter. She went to came to his mountain fortress hunting evidence he murdered her brother.
She stayed because his touch became my darkest addiction. The two was stucked inside because of a terrible storm and the two got closer lines got crossed they succumb to their attraction and Isabella got pregnant. Isabella was on quest fueled by revenge for the death of her brother to make the perpetrator. She had one job which was to expose the mafia king. However, she made one critical mistake she got pregnant with his baby. Alessandro Diamante was the most dangerous and ruthless man in Italy and thirteen years her senior with hands that knew exactly how to make her surrender.
There's war fast approaching between rival families. Now rival families close in, bullets fly, and blood stains the snow crimson.The man who should want her dead becomes her only chance at survival. As his brother whispers warnings and enemies hunt both of them.

I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I know—this novel has its fair share of moments that defy logic and stretch believability to its limits. I mean, the sheer improbability of Isabella stumbling upon Alessandro in a tiny, tucked-away Italian village or why Alessandro would keep evidence of her brother’s murder in a lodge his family hadn’t visited for two decades. But if you can set aside these little quirks, you’ll find a refreshing and unexpectedly nuanced take on the classic mafia romance trope. For starters, Alessandro isn’t your typical mafia don. There’s no omniscient, larger-than-life arrogance here. Instead, he comes across as a deeply human, even lonely, man. He’s fiercely devoted to his family, navigating assassination attempts, a turf war and betrayal from someone he once trusted. But make no mistake—he’s not soft. Except, of course, when it comes to Isabella. Despite his instincts screaming that she’s hiding something, Alessandro lets Isabella into his life, an act that ultimately proves devastating. And the heartbreak isn’t one-sided. By the time Alessandro uncovers her true identity, Isabella has long abandoned her original mission, carrying more than just memories from their passionate encounters. I appreciated Isabella’s boldness, though at times, her cockiness made me question whether she was overplaying her hand. Then again, her background as a scandal-chasing photojournalist might just have been the perfect training ground for sneaking around a mafia boss’s world. However, in the end, it was Alessandro who stole the show. His vulnerabilities, fears, and raw emotions made him a far more compelling—and human—version of the archetypal mafia kingpin. And that dramatic ending with its unexpected outcome felt like the perfect way to end. It left me utterly hooked on this series and all the more curious not only about Alessandro’s brothers, but their new boss, Domenico, as well.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Cullen absolutely wrecked me with Deception. I’m not even going to pretend I was emotionally prepared for this book. I went in expecting a fiery enemies-to-lovers story, but what I got was so much more: high-stakes suspense, scorching tension, betrayal that cuts deep, and a dark, dangerous man I had no business falling for—and neither did Isabella.

From the first chapter, I was hooked. The blizzard, the tension, the way Alessandro Diamante filled every scene with barely leashed danger and sinfully controlled desire—I felt it all. And the age gap? That thirteen-year difference hit just right. Alessandro is all hard edges and dominance, yet when it comes to Isabella, there’s this possessive tenderness that had me clutching my Kindle like it was oxygen.

Isabella is one of those heroines I instantly rooted for—clever, determined, willing to lie to a mafia king to get justice for her brother… until, well, her heart and her hormones had other plans. And oh, the internal war she fights between vengeance and the way her body craves the enemy? I lived for it.

The steam in this book? Off the charts. But it’s not just heat for heat’s sake—it’s layered with raw emotion and tangled loyalties. There were moments I was holding my breath, torn between screaming at her to run and begging her to stay because the chemistry between them is magnetic in a "you know it’s wrong but it feels so right" kind of way.

And the reveal? The pregnancy? The mafia power struggle? Chef’s kiss. When Alessandro finds out the truth… let’s just say I had chills. His reaction was everything I wanted from an alpha male teetering on the edge of obsession and devotion.

Deception is dark, seductive, and absolutely unputdownable. If you love morally gray heroes, fierce heroines, forbidden pregnancies, mafia secrets, and love that feels like war—this book will devour you the way it devoured me.

Lisa Cullen, take all my money. I need the next book yesterday.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pacing was super weird. The setup felt super weak and I had to majorly suspend my disbelief on that. And then it's just a lot a lot of sex. And then a super random reveal when the brother discovers who she is at the last second (convenient even though the papers have been missing for weeks?). And that's only the first half!

Ugh, IDK. I have a lot of complaints but I don't feel like listing the rest out.

I think my biggest one is that the blurb sets the wrong expectation. I hate when blurbs tease something only for it to not happen until like 75% of the way through. That's not what a blurb is for. Either get to the point faster or leave it out of the blurb. (Also, the quote from Aless in the blurb literally doesn't ever happen. Not only does he not say that, it doesn't even remotely happen that way and doesn't match his demeanor when he found out. AT ALL. Which is super fucking weird. Did you write the blurb and then change the last 30% of the book??)

Also also, for the title being "Deception" and the weight Aless apparently puts on being lied to, he gets over it real fucking quick.

Needed another run through with an editor, especially the last half. Repeated sentences, sentences not capitalized, just straight up wrong words used where the definition doesn't make sense. And the fact that Alessandro becomes Alessandra for a second. OOPS. HE'S ONLY THE MAIN CHARACTER. NBD

Overall, not the best. It was spicy, but very lackluster. The romance and plot and twists and reconciliations all felt very superficial.

Also -100 points for epilogue 1 only teasing spice and ending on what felt like a cliffy... only to have epilogue 2 be a preview for book 2. Don't do that. The epilogue is for these characters. If you want to entice your readers to read the next one, provide 1) satisfying ending to this one and 2) a separate actual first look/ teaser/ prologue of the next book.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family is important to Aless, especially after the loss of their parents and having to care for his three younger brothers: Adriano and the twins Ciro and Fiero (Ero). He then becomes Don after the death of Giancarlo, who overlooked his own blood, Domenico, in favour of Aless.

Isabella is trying to find out further information on the death of her brother, Gio, a policeman, which leads her to Aless Diamante. Did he have him killed?

While Aless is in Europe, Isabella chases him down and meets him under a pretense. Can she get close to get the information she needs?

Isabella, who wants to hate Aless and all he stands for, finds that she is drawn to him. The attraction is mutual. Aless, against his better judgment, lets Isabella in. Will this prove to be his downfall? How will he feel when he finds out who she is? And will Isabella be safe once he does?

The family is under attack from Dom; he is attacking and making plays, doing deals, and trying to undermine Aless's control of the family. Can Aless put out these fires and find and kill Dom once and for all? Can the brothers stick together and come out victorious?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Spoilers kind of.

It was a good story but it's an interconnected standalone so there's no resolving of the conflict in this story until I'm assuming all 4 brothers get their books. I wish I knew that beforehand since it's not my type of thing. Kind of annoying since I was hoping for an actual ending and for the villain to get his comeuppance. I won't be finding it out because I'm not reading the next ones. It's more of a HFN scenario with the second epilogue in the brothers point of view. There is a bunch of spice in it but I thought it worked. I however did not like the last scene since I felt like it was out of character for both of them and a bit weird. But that's just me. I do really like the twins personalities though, they're great side characters. The book doesn't really clear up why the FMC thought the MMC killed her brother in the first place. And one more thing about the ending SPOILER I hated how he had to fake his death and run from the villain. For some all powerful mafia guy it didn't make sense that he stayed away instead of having someone just kill the guy.

[Amber Keehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deception is book one in the Fractured Diamonds Saga, and what a steamy, wild ride it is. This is Alessandro and Isabella’s filthy, intense, age-gap, secret baby romance—and it absolutely delivers.

Alessandro Diamante is everything you’d want in a dangerous alpha: calculating, lethal, and completely obsessed with Isabella. He’s intense in the best way, and every move he makes feels deliberate and powerful. Isabella, on the other hand, starts off fueled by vengeance—she’s fierce, bold, and full of sass. But once these two collide, all bets are off. Their chemistry is explosive, raw, and addictively hot.

The world they live in is chaotic and thrilling—packed with danger, drama, betrayal, and enough twists and secrets to keep you flipping pages late into the night. And despite all the madness around them, they navigate it together with a magnetic, all-consuming bond that somehow feels both toxic and tender.

I’m hooked. I need book two immediately. This saga is off to a fiery start!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[SassyCM · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be completely honest, I actually had a bit of a hard time really getting into Deception. For the first couple of chapters I didn't quite know where the story would take me, what to expect and I didn't feel carried away by what I was reading, if that makes sense.

But this being only the second book I've read by Lisa Cullens I think I just needed a second to get familiar with a new style of writing.

After continuing to read I remembered WHY after finishing my first book by LC I really wanted to read more. Because her characters are just superb. The dynamic between the MMC and FMC is so different from most other mafia romance stories I've read so far and I enjoy that a lot.
Both characters being complex, him usually with deep feelings for his family, her with a lot of spunk and the chemistry between them off the charts.

Overheating is a real possibility with Lisa Cullens books.

But don't just take my word for it. Start reading and let yourself be convinced.

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deception is quite suspenseful and a page turning dark mafia romance. The story is phenomenally written, well balanced with action/romance and perfectly executed by Lisa Cullen. Lisa Cullen continues to showcase what a phenomenal author she is with each amazing book I’ve read by her thus far. The characters are fabulously written and beautifully executed throughout the story. Deception follows the story of Alessandro and Isabella. I absolutely enjoyed getting to know these two characters as well as witnessing their story come to life through the pages. The chemistry between Alessandro and Isabella is undeniably irresistible to the point where neither one of them could no longer ignore the feelings they have for each other. Deception is definitely a dark mafia romance that I would HIGHLY recommend for anyone to checkout and give it a read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patricia Ausmus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alessandro is a Mafia Don after his uncle names him his heir over his cousin Domenico which Dom doesn't take well. He leaves the family and starts attacking the families holdings. So after an attempted hit Alessandro and his brother Adriana leave the country going to metting with the heads of any family that has a daughter of marriage age as he needs a wife.
After a night of drinking in a little town in France they head up to their lodge in a snow storm. He is just heading to bed when there is a knock at the door. When he opens it he finds a young lady who is soaking wet after having walked thru the snow.
But she has an ulterior motive as she is searching for the man who killed her brother and she is sure that it was Alessandro.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ 📖: ᴅᴇᴄᴇᴘᴛɪᴏɴ
✩✩✩.5

This was a true mafia but an untraditional ending. This is listed as a standalone and for
Alessandro and Isabella it is but all the changes and Dom part and the brothers all the changes carries over into the next books. I absolutely loved Isa she totally used her skills learned from her father to track and learn what she could from Aless. She went toe to toe with him, fierce and a complete equal to him. Aless was the Don but I felt like he was coddled 🙈 a little to much. I did love the banter and the chemistry between the two of them. I liked the relationship he had with his brothers. I know that since it carries over we can’t get more of an ending for these two but I really hope at the end we get more.

▪️ Age Gap (13 yrs) ▪️ Forced Proximity ▪️ Surprise Pregnancy ▪️ Mafia ▪️ Snowed In

[LeMiliere · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Fractured Diamonds Saga, it tells Alessandro and Isabella's story. It's a hot, age-gap, secret baby story.

Both the main characters are well-drawn and interesting Alessandro is so intense he's also calculating, lethal and obsessed with Isabella. Whilst Isabella is strong, sassy and completely under Alessandro's spell. An unlikely couple who work!

They are explosive together and the world they inhabit is packed with drama, danger, lies, betrayals, surprises as well as lots of twists and turns I didn't see coming.

I am looking forward to the second book in the Fractured Diamonds Saga!

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story full of action, danger, tension, betrayal and more. The journey they make together is hot and dirty, forbidden and betrayal. Despite the age difference between them, they still click together. When all the secrets come out, that is not the only thing because she carries his child and after he knows that, Alessandro will not let her go because she is carrying his baby and therefore she is his. I enjoyed the journey that Isabella and Alessandro made, great, they kept me glued to their story so that I could not put the book down and I finished it in one go.





I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deception is book 1 in the Fractured Diamonds Saga and is Alessandro and Isabella's filthy, hot, age gap, secret baby story. Alessandro Diamante is calculating, lethal, intense and completely consumed by Isabella. Isabella, once seeking vengeance is fierce, bold, sassy and utterly swept away by Alessandro. These two are absolutely explosive together and the world they live in is full of danger, drama, lies, betrayals, twists, turns and surprises. But together, they navigate it beautifully. I can't wait for book 2 in the Fractured Diamonds Saga!

[Thea Kubicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deception

Alessandro and Isabella

Slow start this first book in the series; but, the final few chapters really packed a punch! Alessandro is a Mafia Don hiding out in the Italian Alps after an assassination attempt on his life. Isabella is trying to get the evidence on him that he killed her brother and creates a cover story to get close to him. Truth and Family means a lot to both of them and there is a lot of banter between Aless and his brothers. Looking forward to the second book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cindy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deception was so much better than I initially thought. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it as much as I did. Isabella was an amazing character, so strong and so relatable. She loved her family and fought for her beliefs in her family. Alessandro had the weight of his family on his shoulders. He had raised his brothers. When Isabella met him they had an instant connection. Their chemistry was so good. I enjoyed the side characters as well. I can't wait to read more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabella believed that Alessandro Diamante was responsible for her brother's death, she goes to his fortress in the Alps with the intent of finding evidence to the fact. She is stuck there during a snowstorm, the chemistry kicks up a notch.

Once the truth comes about why she is there, will he take a sign of betrayal? This has all the aspect of a mafia romance, drama, danger, action packed and plenty of steamy scene. It does end on a cliffhanger.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lony · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating 4.25

A must mafia read from Lisa Cullen.
This story is perfect for newbie dark romance readers. It has a right amount of mafia romance and suspense blended together.
The FMC was a bit lacking in character development but the MMC is swoon worthy and i Will definitely follow up with the series.
And the twist at the end was interesting 😏 waiting eagerly for the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow waiting for book two in the Fractured Diamond saga is gonna be a hard one to swallow.

Lisa does it again with two amazing FMC and MMC! Alessandro is much older than Isabella with all the angst, taboo and sexy filthy hotness. Not to mention a baby that is a secret. Danger lurks around every corner and these two together can accomplish anything.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alessandro is the Don and dedicated to his family while Isabella has plans to be an investigative reporter but works for a gossip rag. These two meet during a snowstorm under crazy chance of Isa finding Aless's hidden house and fall for each other among drama between them. Then there is the drama of what is going on in the Family. A fun action filled crazy mafia story that was steamy, had intrigue and a crazy ending. Fun to read and watch these two fall against their better judgement.

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fractured Diamonds Saga is a solid new series by Lisa Cullen. Alessandro and Isabella's story is a solid start. Full of sizzle, steam, action, drama, twists, turns, on top of well written characters and a fast paced storyline, all of this adds up to a great read and the start of the Diamante family's story. A solid 5 star read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! Deception by Lisa Cullen is the whole package!!! It follows Alessandro and Isabel. She wants the truth…and he is the means to that end. She works hard to infiltrate herself into his life…but, she doesn’t expect the unintended consequences.

Things heat up…what if he finds out the truth? What if he decides to punish her? This story was sooooo freaking good!!! This author is a master of suspense!!!

[Felicia's Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Cullen is one of those authors if you haven't tried you are missing out. Her mafia romance is one of my top authors to read. When I saw the blurb I knew I needed this book. Alessandro is Don and is hiding out in the Alps as things are getting heated. when Isabella runs into him in hiding because she is trying to find her brothers killer and thinks it Alessandro. When I tell you a snow in, age gap, secret baby...had me on the edge of my seat. That CLIFFHANGE OMG book two please.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a rollercoaster of a ride. This book offers everything a mafia loving reader can want.
It took me just a little bit to get into it, but once I did, so incredible. So raw, intense and a lot more than expected.
I am so looking forward to see how the lives of the brothers play out and if/when they will finally get their revenge.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alessandro and Isabella's story really hooked me from the start. There were so many twists and turns, plenty of angst and tension. Their story is interconnected over most likely all the brothers stories, which does mean you don't get the full conclusion to the story, but personally i don't mind that as much, especially when the plot is a decent one! I cant wait for more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.