A Lesson in Deceit

by Allie Shante

Riley Monroe has a pretty normal life, well, as normal as it gets being a human living in a world where magic can exist freely.
She’s been surrounded by magic users her whole life to the point that she hardly notices anything abnormal in her quaint suburb. She didn’t expect her world to change the night she meets River St. James at a bar. He’s charming, confident, and just so happens to be able to read her mind.
The tattooed telepath piques her interest, even when he tells her he’s a student at the institution where her father works: the notorious Mystic Riegan University, a school that caters to both humans and magic wielders.
When a mysterious tragedy strikes and Riley’s world is turned upside down, she is left with more questions than answers. She’ll have to take matters into her own hands to find the truth, starting with enrolling at Mystic Riegan. However, flying under the radar won’t be as easy as Riley hoped when she catches the attention of not only River’s best friend, Grayson but also his older brother, Asher.
Riley begins to unravel secrets within the seemingly prestigious university, discovering that some puzzles are better left unsolved. As truths began to surface, Riley will begin to question her new university friends while seeking help from others…including the three men that don’t mind sharing.

Genres: Why Choose, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Dark Romance, Magic, Paranormal Romance

325 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 19, 2025

About the author

Allie Shante was born and raised in Georgia, but now gets to move around with her military husband and her two fur babies, Barry Allen & Loki. She has always had a love for books and that love has never faltered. At the ripe old age of 13, Allie knew she would write a book and many ideas later, Living Legend started to unravel itself into the book it is today. The unraveling took many many years, by the way.

When she isn’t diving into her mind palace, Allie likes to snuggle with the pups, read a good book, feed her online shopping habit and conquer escape rooms with her husband.

Reviews

[Rebecca F. Kenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read, with the relationships developing naturally (and with delicious tension) throughout the story. Mysteries, mayhem, and magic, plus three hot guys? What's not to love? You'll definitely be eager for book 2!

[Tay_is_reading_again · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lesson in Deceit by Allie Shante
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Allie Shante has been on my TBR for far too long and I’m glad to FINALLY read one of her books. When I saw this one involved a mystery to solve at a paranormal college with why choose I was SO IN.

Riley was a strong FMC, especially considering her age, and she was smart and possessed gumption. I also loved the MMCs and their different relationships with each other. Riley and River who is pansexual himself. Then we see the romance evolve and expand and the journey is red hot. We have tons of sexual tension between the characters and this romance really complimented the plot SUPER well.

There are some other great side characters including Riley’s roommate who is a witch and wants to help Riley solve the question of who was the murderer.

This does end on a pretty big cliffhanger so be forewarned!!!

Read this if you like:
📓 Why choose with ⚔️ (MMFM)
📓 Solving the mystery of a suspicious death
📓 Paranormal College
📓 Teacher x Student
📓 World with shifters, witches, and other magical creatures
📓 “good girl” 🫠
📓 Duology

Thank you so much to Allie Shante for the electronic advance reader copy!

[Cydney]

I DNF'd A Lesson in Deceit at 52%.

I stuck around longer than I should've because I was curious about the whodunit aspect of this story. However, I was really thrown off by the pacing and really disliked the characters. I found the dialogue to be stiff and at times unnatural, and I got into this knowing it was a why choose, but I did not expect to not understand the "why" among the group because they all seemed to lack chemistry in such a jarring way. Each of the MMCs occupy their slotted tropes, but the FMC is very insecure and, not to mention, shockingly *not focused* on the mystery of what happened to her father enough for me!! I wish that since various forms of magic are present that each were fleshed out more beyond feeling like it was mighty convenient for certain characters to possess certain types of magic.

I just don't think the writing style was for me. I did enjoy the overall trajectory, but it took a bit too long to get where it needs to be. At 52%, there was very little story or plot to keep me hanging in—not even any ~group~ scenes had happened by that point, so it wasn't like this book was spice and nothing else.

[KMart Vet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like romantasy lovers are seriously SLEEPING on Allie Shante’s books

This has everything I want: a mystery; healthy relationships even when they lean into taboo territory, and an interesting world. Riley is relatable and I adored her relationship with her mom. River and Riley are perfection; he’s a consent king and absolutely delivers in the bedroom scenes. Honestly, I would’ve been fine if the story had stuck with just him. But then Shante layers in Asher and Grayson, and instead of diluting the romance, it makes their dynamic even more fun. Grayson and River’s emotional ties made the setup feel even more natural. It has a balance of steamy spice and genuine connection.

Add in animal companions (always a win for me), a cast with diverse magical powers, and a mystery that keeps the pages turning, and you’ve got a book that’s both easy to devour and deeply entertaining. ALSO it has a cliffhanger ending that makes you NEED the next book immediately.

Thanks so much to the author and R&R Booktours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Jess *lovetolovebooks* · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the midst of trying to figure out where she wants her life to go, community college, and an ongoing fantastic relationship with a mind reader, Riley loses someone who meant the world to her: her father. He worked as a counselor of sorts at Mystic Riegan college where humans and those with supernatural powers (witches, shifters, telepathic, etc) can go to school together. His death was ruled as a suicide but that never sat right with Riley so she transfers to Mystic Riegan and is determined to find answers and the truth about her father’s sudden and tragic death. What she doesn’t factor into her equation is falling for her boyfriend’s best friend and her new psych professor who also happens to be her boyfriend’s brother. Lucky for her though all 3 are good at sharing.

I loved A Lesson in Deceit but I knew I would. Having read an Allie Shante book before, I knew she would bring the plot, the romance, amazing writing and the spice. I saw the “what to expect” list for this book and immediately ran to sign up for an arc and I’m really glad I did. I loved how we started off with an already solid relationship in place between Riley & River and then brought Grayson and Asher into the picture as well as intimate partners. There’s also a great mix of friends to lovers with Grayson and Riley and this kind of dislike to love/forbidden thick tension with Riley & Asher. Like you really get the variety pack here and I’m obsessed. Remember when I said I had read an Allie book before? Well I must have forgot how brutal her cliffhangers could be because the on in this book? Brutal. That was crazy and mean Allie.

5⭐️
4🔥

What to expect
Diverse cast/rep
LGBTQIA rep
Urban/paranormal college
Shifters, Magic, witches, supernatural powers/abilities and more
MMFM (boyfriend, boyfriend’s brother, boyfriend’s best friend)
Found family
Student x Teacher
Age gap
Shadow play
A bit of exhibitionism/voyeurism
Light degradation and praise

TW/CW: loss of a parent/grief, blood, on page murder/death, alcohol consumption including underage drinking, suspected suicide (brief mentions), explicit sexual content and language

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: A Lesson in Deceit (The Mystic Riegan Duet Book 1)

After a heart-shattering loss, Riley enrolls at Mystic Riegan University in search of answers. Her telepath boyfriend River and his best friend Grayson help her settle in but tensions mount as their relationships shift. Enter River’s broody older brother Asher and Riley’s got her hands full between her secrets and awakened desires.

Tropes:
👀multi POV
🤝MMFM
🏫college setting
💫modern magic world
👀multi pov
⏱️age gap
💕LGBTQIA/diversity rep
🧑‍🏫professor/student

Magic and mystery wrapped up in a why choose? SAY LESS. Allie never fails to bring the wicked banter, heartache, and heat. A Lesson in Deceit is no exception. I adore these new characters and loved watching their connections deepen and evolve throughout the story.

With dark twists and delicious spice, A Lesson in Deceit will leave you reeling and eager for the next book!

Thank you to the author and Good Girls PR for the ARC opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review

[Mel Weisbecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mystic Riegan Duet Book 1

📓 PNR college
📓 Magic, witches, shifters
📓 Multi POV
📓 MMFM why choose
📓 Mystery to solve

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Holy spicy paranormal mystery romance, Batman. This sucked me in and I flew right through it. If I didn't have a day job I would have had this finished in one day. I even stayed up way past my bedtime multiple nights and fell asleep glasses on, Kindle open 😂

The main character Riley is strong, smart, beautiful, and an FMC you can root for. I found myself wanting answers just as badly as she did. I was expecting about only half of the reveals. The other half had my face like 😳

The relationship between Riley and the guys? The build up, the tension, the communication all hit in all the best ways. I am a lover girl of why choose but it isn't always written in the smoothest way. This was natural, full of communication, bumps, and consensual exploring you can get behind.

I may never forgive Allie for the ending but she did it so well I fell even more in love with her writing.

Thank you Good Girls PR and Allie Shante for my advance reader copy! This is my honest and unbiased review.

[Lexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

That ending has me all fucked up

[ᴊᴇꜱꜱᴛʜᴇʙᴏᴏᴋᴅᴇᴍᴏɴ ☾ ✧˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

i have a lot of thoughts about this book. the overall premise was intriguing and i was curious to figure out the direction it was going to go in. it also had all the parts of a why choose magical academy book that i love. mixed supernaturals, professor x student, and obviously a building why choose relationship. but i felt like i was dropped into a world and story without a lot of information and the pacing felt off throughout the entire book.

i wasn’t expecting Riley and River to already be in a relationship. the prologue shows their meeting for the first time, but it’s not my preference to have a preexisting relationship going into a book. i felt like i was missing a lot of the building of their relationship, esp since Grayson is River’s best friend and so the friendship was also already established between Riley and Grayson. (there’s a reason friends to lovers is one of my least favourite tropes.) i also didn’t feel the tension between Asher and Riley like i knew there was supposed to be. Asher and Riley were supposed to have only have met once briefly but it felt like there was already something there which wouldn’t make sense. i think what really bothered me the most tho was there was no real conversations about the dynamics of their relationships. Asher was just happy and okay with Riley having a sexual relationship with Grayson and Asher. no further conversation about, is it just sex or does this mean she was going to have an actual relationship with them.

however the ending got me. that was a cliffhanger i was NOT expecting. definitely has me wanting to know what happens in the next book.



✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
MMFM
building group, pierced 🐓, professor x student, DP, MM scene, group scene, bisexual mmc, pansexual mmc, brothers in group, lesbian best friend, nonbinary secondary character, no OW drama, cliffhanger

[GoldenEyeOfHorus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the stars were from the interesting storyline, I did like the magical murder mystery. However, the pacing seemed off to me. There was lots of page dedicated to enthusiastic consent or hangout time but not so much towards the mystery to be solved. Also, not much time spent on making these relationship connections (mainly Grayson and River) make sense. We know a bit more about Grayson but hardly anything about River. River is just there being at the FMC's feet and only ever caring about making her happy. That's nice but, is he not a person with dreams and thoughts?

I didn't like how Grayson and River violated the parameters of the triad they were forming. All that talk about consent and boundaries and the first opportunity they disrespected that. The FMC said she wanted to be present for the first time (since before River met the FMC) that Grayson and River were together and a day later when they were alone together at Grayson's parent's house they were fooling around. That didn't even get told to the FMC and wasn't addressed.

The ending, which I knew would be a cliffhanger, was a little too abrupt. Half the MMCs don't even know what the heck happened to her. I think the ending would have benefited from having a full revealing to all MCs and an initial reaction from her. She was just confused and wondering what was going on and then the book was done. It was a good shocking twist though.

The spice was well done.

[Ali Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

My rating: 5 slipping stars & SPICE
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I am so pleased to inform you all that yet another BANGER 😉 by the truly talented Miss Allie Shante is out NOW! You can find it at your local retailers, order it on #amazon and it is available through #ku 🙌 so no excuses lol

If you like:
✨spice
✨why choose (MMFM)
✨age gap
✨found family
✨bad boy x good girl
✨teacher x student
✨supernatural powers
✨interracial/multicultural
✨nonbinary rep
✨shmurder mystery

Oh yeah….and don’t forget the head demon’s usual CLIFFHANGER 😭 lol just makes me sweat even more for book two!!! 😮‍💨

Come meet Riley (our FMC) and her gaggle of boy toys River, Grayson & Asher 😍 yes it is #whychoose and my goodness the tension is amazing 🙌 I found myself giddy with the build up, while also completely enthralled in the mystery of shmurder and “who done it?” Allie’s writing is flawless as usual with the plot plotting and spice spicing without overshadowing anything in either direction. Oh, did I mention the freaking cliffhanger ALLIE?!?!?! I cannot sing her praises as the queen of epic banter any higher though haha 😆 come enjoy heart wrenching moments, hilarious banter, emotions so thick you can cut them with a spoon (yes, you read that correctly) and questions you’ll be yearning to have answered. Five stars and absolutely nothing less!

[Megan Todaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book but the premise sounded intriguing and it did not disappoint! It did take me a bit to get into the story but once it got going I was hooked! The world building was simple and to the point (gave me Urban fantasy vibes). The spice was HOT AS HELL, and I liked that the RH was different than most I’ve read bc the FMC is already with one of the guys and then his best friend and older brother (who is her professor) gets brought into the harem as well (and yes there is sword crossing). I was intrigued by the murder mystery element but would have liked a bit more on that front, but that ending definitely had me questioning everything I thought I knew. I just wish the pacing included more twists with the murder mystery bc we really only see it mention a few times (twist wise). However, I really enjoyed the story, I loved the characters, and the overall concept was very unique!

I cannot wait for book 2 bc I NEED answers now! That ending was CRIMINAL!

This was my first book by Allie and it is definitely making me want to grab her other books off the shelves and add them higher up my TBR!

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy yes!!! Allie Shante is the kind of author where if you read one book, you have to read them all. Her first foray into why-choose romance and it was scrumptious. Having very little exposure to this style of romance, I was worried it wouldn’t be for me. BUT Ms. Shante made me a whole ass believer!

Riley and River and Grayson were such lovable and layered characters and Asher was brooding and harboring all of the family dynamics. Their relationships truly had me giggling and kicking my feet and reading entire chapters with my jaw on the floor. And the book sets up for a complete shock to the system at the end that had me so eager to read book 2 in the series. If you like why-choose, some 10/10 sexy banter, and ‘mess with your head’ mind magic, please give this a try.

[Hollee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank so much for this ARC! This was one of my most anticipated reads of the summer! Things that intrigued me! Why choose romance, mystery, academia, and a variety of magical beings! There is high heat in the book but something I find left out of many books is the mental load and hesitancy that can come from first times for anything new/different! I loved that the author depicted that on page with fantastic communication romantically between the characters as needed. The PLOT. I’m not saying anything besides I needed more and am itching for book 2!!!

[Tabitha Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It’s okay to be greedy..” - IYKYK SAY LESS!

Prepare to be HOT from this upcoming release from Allie. This book had scenes that made me leave the room to collect myself. Spicy isn’t even the word I’d use - baby this was next level 👏 🥵 Riley is a FORCE to NOT be f**ked with! She knows her limits and what she can handle.

* SPICE: 5+ 🌶️
* PLOT: 5+ ⭐️

🔥 WHY CHOOSE 👏👏🌶️
🔥 MMFM
🔥 Teacher/Student
🔥 Shadow Daddy
🔥 Good Girl 🥵

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

The sexual tension with her and the guys? Ahh chefs kiss how it all played out! You could feel the heat from reading it! River was respectful of what she wanted - what else could a woman want? She so desperately wanted answers about her father and she’s determined to find them!

But the freaking ending? OMG, I need book 2 like yesterday 😩😩 such a GREAT read!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I don’t think I’ve read a book this fast in a long time, and I think that has to do with all the spice and mystery.

The spice level was off the charts with this one! MMFM which included the boyfriends best friend & the boyfriends older brother, whose also the fmcs professor 🥵 (there’s a lot going on here lol) Although I loved and appreciated the great communication between the characters, at times it seemed unbelievable because of how young they were but we can dream can’t we 😅

This urban fantasy takes place in a magical university setting with witches, shifters and shadow daddies. There’s also multi POV which I’m always a sucker for. I did predict early on what one of the secrets was BUT the ending did take me by surprise! I can’t wait til book 2 comes out cuz that cliffhanger was no joke!

[Alyssa Waltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You don't get to close your eyes. You like being watched like a pretty little s**t, then it seems fair that you watch them while they see you come apart all over my hand."

♡ Paranormal
♡ Dark Academia
♡ Polyamorous Romance
♡ Professor/Student (Age Gap)
♡ Boyfriend's best friend
♡ LGBTQIA & Diversity Rep
♡ Campus Secrets

Can we get a round of applause for not only pansexual representation (River) but also, poly rep?! 👏👏 Two things I would LOVE to see more in romance books, and Allie did a wonderful job (in my personal pansexual opinion) portraying these sexualities and relationships.

The relationship between Riley, River, and Grayson formed so naturally that it was like they were always meant to be together. We love to see open and honest communication, am I right? 👌

As for Professor Asher 🥵 he was the little bit on grumpy, dominance that we needed to balance our happy little polycule out.

I'm intrigued by the magic system and all of the secrets that we were just beginning to get glimpses of by the end of book one, and I am eager to find out how things will play out in the sequel. Holy cliffhanger, batman!

Thank you so much to Good Girls PR and Allie Shante for the advanced reader copy!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun world! I loved the dynamic with the magic users and humans at the same university. This is a why choose/poly romance and absolutely loved it! The tension, some angst and the spice! And the mystery throughout the book, super fun! It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger - which I did not see coming! Excited for book 2!

[Brittni W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idk, this started off pretty strong but I think I mostly finished this out of spite? I love a dark academia why choose and the spice and general premise was good. Dialogue started to annoy me, scenes were cheesy and predictable, and there were some typos that made it hard to read. I will say the special illustrations for the different POVs were really nice though

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT

Firstly the spice was incredible but the story THE STORY i was gagged. Literally yelled at my coworkers to leave me alone because I needed to finish it. I need book two IMMEDIATELY

[The Bookworm Hermit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about plot twist!!! As a cliffhanger too … well I am in serious need of book two now. I love Riley’s determination to find out what happened to her dad and while doing that embracing what she wants

[NellaBella · Rating 4 out of 5]

gobsmacked 😦

[Britt 🐺 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot bf more than willing to share ✅
Hot best friend who wants to be your good boy ✅
Hot professor with a “f*ck it” moment ✅

A Lesson in Deceit has it all 🫠

Dare I say Allie’s best work thus far? Idk I love them all but GODDAMN this was good. I devoured ALID and am already itching for the next book because that ending!? Criminal but also I loved it. I can’t say much but I loved the twists at the end. This book was so nostalgic in a way to those like 2000s paranormal romances you’d watch on the CW but if the CW was spicy af and why choose 🤭 I have 0 complaints about the book. I love a why choose where the FMC is already with one of the guys, it’s so refreshing and unique. Allie SLAYED this book.

[Taylor Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and her team for the ARC of a lesson in deceit!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I’m here for the vibes and the vibes were 5 stars.
This was such a fun, fast paced read. Love the magic academy/urban setting. I would say this was 50% plot and 50% spice and Allie Shante writes top tier, inclusive spice - having 2 boyfriends who are also boyfriends???? ✅ forbidden romance, professor/student?? ✅

Aside from the fun AF spice I was actually really hooked on the plot of Riley going away to school and trying to figure out who killed her father.
Now the ending is an absolute WTF just happened, slap in the face but in the best way possible. Will be waiting very impatiently for book 2

[theincrediblesulk · Rating 4 out of 5]

the eDisclose on this one would go crazy tbh

[M’ya Forcum · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was absolutely amazing!! the dynamic between each character was just perfect
all the mystery shit was so good & that ending??? oh wow i’m so excited for the next one
Riley is that girl cause she got two brothers & the best friend jesus 🥵🥵

thank you to the author for this ARC!

[Alexandria Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎉 DECEIT 101: FINAL EXAM UNLOCKED
📚 Class is officially in chaotic, sexy session.

🖤 A Lesson in Deceit by Allie Shante is OUT NOW!! 🖤

You’ve survived the telepaths, the shadows, the suspicious professors, and the morally questionable hookups but now it’s time for the real test:

🔥 Can you handle MMFM spice without combusting?
💋 Will you fall for just one? (LOL, nope.)
🎭 Can you spot the liars?

Because here’s the truth….this book has it all:
✨ A heroine you’ll root for
✨ Three men who will ruin your life in the best way possible. River’s tattooed telepath chaos, Grayson’s shadow daddy daredevilry, and Asher’s professor with no mercy energy.
✨ Spice levels that will send you straight to the dean’s office.
✨ Mystery, banter, betrayal, found family, grief, magic, and that one line….“It’s okay to be greedy.” Yeah babe. You’re not surviving that either.

And then there’s the ending. The cliffhanger. The soul crushing, jaw dropping finale that Allie Shante delivered like the true villain she is.💀

So sharpen your pencils, hide your heart, and get ready to fail this class spectacularly.

Because falling hard is the only way to pass.

Review……


🌟✨ HAPPY PUB DAY ✨🌟
It’s here. It’s live. It’s everything.
A Lesson in Deceit by Allie Shante has officially claimed a top spot on my “favorite paranormal romances of the year” shelf and I will not be accepting arguments.

This book is spice and shadow, grief and laughter, mystery and magic all stitched together with Allie’s signature wicked banter and a cast of characters I would die for (and also let ruin me, let’s be honest).

Let’s talk about it:
📚 Mystic Riegan University is the dark, magical campus of my dreams…complete with secrets that should never be uncovered.
🖤 Riley Monroe? A heroine who is smart, strong, and relentless. She’s the kind of FMC you root for while also wanting to hug.
🔥 The men. THE. MEN. River, Grayson, and Asher each bring something so different to the table….tattooed telepath trouble, shadow daddy chaos, grumpy professor energy and yet their dynamic together is so natural, so consensual, communicative, and deliciously filthy that I melted straight through my Kindle.
🌶️ Speaking of….yeah, the spice is SPICING. Like, leave the room to catch your breath levels of spice. And yet, it never overshadows the plot.

The balance? Chef’s kiss.

And then there’s the ending. The cliffhanger. The soul crushing, jaw dropping, why would Allie do this to us finale. I may never forgive her, but I’ll still be first in line for book two because this duet is shaping up to be legendary.

✨ If you’re craving:
✔️ MMFM / Why-Choose with actual communication
✔️ Teacher x Student taboo tension
✔️ Paranormal college vibes with witches, shifters, telepaths, and chaos
✔️ Banter sharp enough to cut glass
✔️ Representation that matters (pansexual rep, diversity, found family)
✔️ Mystery that keeps you guessing until the last page
…then you need this book in your life immediately.
💀 "It’s okay to be greedy…" and that line lives rent free in my head.

Wicked, smart, emotional, and hotter than hell.
A Lesson in Deceit is everything I hoped for and more.

[Trinity · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶🌶/5

TW - parental death (mentioned, plot point), suicide (speculated, briefly mentioned), underage drinking, alcohol consumption, grief, manipulative parent, brief sexual harassment (sc to the FMC), manipulation, blackmail, murder

CW - light degradation, exhibitionism, voyeurism, light spanking, hand necklace, public play, shadow restraints

Tropes - why choose, magic school, urban paranormal, teacher x student, boyfriend’s best friend, boyfriend’s brother, “fuck it”, dark, murder mystery, friends to lovers

Representation - polyam - MMFM, queer rep, bi rep, pan rep, Black FMC, Filipino MMC, Latine scs

This was such a fun read! We meet Riley (FMC) who is a human in a world where there are both magic wielders and humans. Her and River (MMC) have a meet cute in a bar and immediately hit it off but, things go left when Riley’s dad dies.

Riley, and others, find the circumstances of her dad’s death to be a little shady so naturally, she transfers to the uni he worked at in attempt to uncover the truth. I love when romance books have a murder mystery plot so I really enjoyed the storyline of this book.

Amidst all the chaos, we meet Grayson (MMC), River’s best friend, and Asher (MMC), River’s brother. All the characters are distinct from each other, they each have their own dynamics separately and together which I liked.

This ends on a criminal cliffy so I’m eager to see what happens in book 2 🤩

Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪

🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List / The Naughtier List

TW/CW not to be repurposed by authors / publishers for website / book / content use without permission

[whimsy_bookowl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is for the book lovers and their partners who appreciate them for *other* reasons.

I'm just excited every time you want to try something new because of your books. Just because I don't want to read every single one doesn't mean I don't appreciate them.

I absolutely loved this world, humans and magic-users existing side-by-side. The magic system was super intriguing with all different kinds of magical powers and dynamics (witch covens, shifters, etc). The three MMCs are all super different from each other and really offer something for everyone: the cocky bad boy, the sensitive best friend and the grumpy teacher.

"It's okay to be greedy, saying you want both of us, gorgeous"

This was my first time reading a why choose which included boyfriends being boyfriends, so I was super curious to read how that dynamic would be presented. Overall, I felt like it was a shame that most of the emotional connection between the FMC and the MMCs happened off-page. I would've loved to see that in order to understand their relationship dynamics, since as a reader it came off as insta lust (despite the characters knowing each other for the same amount of time).

Without going into details, but the FMC was exclusive with one MMC for an entire year until they expanded the relationship (however, NOT an open relationship) with no real reason as to why they are switching things up.

"Oh honey, we live in a world where magic and monsters are real. A little teacher-student relations is not going to kill you."

I LIVE for a student x teacher dynamic, there is just something about the taboo that does it for me every single time and this one is no exception! Make him grumpy and you've given me a man to obsess over.

sometimes a girl just wanted her dog and a good book to help the pain fuck off

That ending was absolutely brutal and I may have screamed in Allie's DMs (love you!). Can't wait for book 2!

genre: paranormal romance
pages: 324
rating: 4stars
writing: multi POV
spice: explicit

Tropes & themes
-paranormal university
-murder mystery
-virgin trope
-student x teacher
-boyfriend's brother
-the boyfriends are boyfriends
-MFMM romance
-"good girl"
-spice-driven / insta lust
-taboo romance
-queer & non binary rep
-BIPOC FMC
-ethnic diversity

[Casey Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided an ARC of this title for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Your mental health is important. Please do be advised of content warnings and keep yourself both aware of and safe from any triggers you may have.

A Lesson in Deceit is the first title of Allie Shante’s The Mystic Reigan duet and follows FMC Riley following the tragic and sudden death of her father, as she transfers to a magical university in attempt to gain answers to the many questions she has surrounding his death.

She’s a human in a world of magic and secrets. Plus side? Her boyfriend River and his equally good looking and charming best friend Grayson both also attend the school and are more than happy to show her the ropes…and even more, as they explore the heat of their individual dynamics and the resulting inferno when the three come together. Down side- or is it? His broody older brother is also a professor and she finds herself seated in his classroom, leading to a war of wills and some spicy in class daydreaming.

But it’s not all sugar, spice and everything nice. There are secrets abound at Mystic Reigan University, secrets that run much deeper than just what happened to Riley’s father, and she’s landed dead center in their tangled web. Can she fight her way out, or will her every effort ultimately be the cause of her undoing?

I tend to think that I’m usually pretty okay at figuring out the plot twist before it twists, but I can honestly say this one took me completely by surprise and knocked my jaw off its hinges for a hot minute. With the question we came into this story answered by the end of the book, I look forward to book two and answers to those that ending created!

Read this if you love:
Magic
Shifters
Magic academy
LGBTQIA+ Rep
Virgin FMC
Tattooed MMC w a dimple
Tension
Reader FMC
Witches
Time jumps
A search for answers
“Good girl”
“Good boy”
Secretive mmc’s
rh/ why choose
Shadow daddy
Sassy FMC
“Sir”
Professor x student
Boyfriend’s best friend
Brothers who share
Poly vibes
Hand necklace
Nicknames
Controlled MMC losing control
Consent and communication
BETRAYAL
Twisty/ Cliffy ending

Thank you so much to Allie Shante & R&R Book Tours for the gifted digital ARC!