Deceiving Their Minds

Leanne (Queen_and_the_wolf)

I have no clue what is going on lol! I know we have an initiation into a secret society, power families and many many secrets. Audrey is the hiding many things from those around. And Miss mamas if something else. Then there’s a Shadow and then there Aleksandr. Aleks and Audrey have a twisted history. I can tell this man is down bad for her and vice versa. There is so much going on and I’m starting to put some things together I think lol! Lilah, Audrey’s friend I don’t trust her, maybe she’s deceiving me I don’t know. I adore Cameron. I had a suspicion about someone and it was confirmed, and that’s about the only thing I know for sure. Audrey is that girl, you don’t want to mess with her. Aleks is crazy and will harm you if you mess with his woman. I love how they speak to each other and the nicknames. Aleks is very much secure in his manhood and is like “yeah my woman is a queen in her own right.” I love how he adores her. They are the perfect power couple, would definitely be scared to cross them. These two, Aleks and Audrey are nasty if you know what I mean. And I am living for it! There was even towards the end that was doublely delicious, wink wink. But there some foulness to it as well and I know it has something to do with the bigger games they are playing. So we made it to the end and sh*t got real and fast. I’ve pieced together some things but I’m still confusion. This book ain’t nothing but a puzzle that I need to solve immediately. I was on the edge of my seat the entire book, there was no rest. The last chapter got me, my eyes were so wide. I knew a cliffhanger was coming but I was not prepared. I’m going to need book two like now. Brava Laiken!

87 reviews6 followers

I received this advanced copy from the author.

This page turner was devoured in one night. I couldn’t put it down.
It’s dark and unhinged (please check the TRIGGERS)

The relationship between our MMC and FMC is twisted, semi controlling and in parts absolutely smutty and nothing is off limits 😍 and I’m here for all of it all.
I think there’s aloe more to learn from each of these characters
The plot of the founding families and the trials is gripping and leaves you wanting more which is exactly why there’s a cliffhanger ending making me need book 2 ASAP

If 🖤forced proximity 🖤secret society 🖤morally grey almost black MMC 🖤spice 🖤billionaires are your tropes then get this on your TBR

This is book one in a 4 book series …cannot wait for more !!

Casey Voisine

41 reviews1 follower

Review of advance copy received from Author

*Review of advanced reader copy received from author*

Thank you to the author Laiken Rhodes for the opportunity to read and review Deceiving Their Minds.

Unfortunately, this novel was a DNF at 30%.

I really tried hard to get into the story but honestly I was so confused. I felt my mind drifting, the pacing was slow and the sexy scenes came out of no where. I’m not one to shy away from dark romance but I just couldn’t get on board.

Make sure to throughly read through all of the triggers; just in case you’re more sensitive because things went from zero to one hundred!

2/5⭐️
4/5🌶️

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Tehmeena

184 reviews9 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

arc-reviews cliff-hanger dark-romance

CONTENT WARNINGS; Check your triggers, please!

Thank you to the author Laiken Rhodes for an advanced copy of this book. I'm leaving a voluntary review.

Tropes;
⚜🖤𝑫𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝑶𝑽𝒔
⚜💋𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
⚜🖤𝑭𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆 & 𝑽𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝑭𝑴𝑪
⚜💋𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒚/𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑴𝑴𝑪
⚜🖤𝑯𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑻𝒐 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒀𝒐𝒖
⚜💋𝑱𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒚 & 𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔
⚜🖤𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝑺𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒕𝒚
⚜💋𝑽𝒆𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝑨𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔
⚜🖤𝑩𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒔 & 𝑯𝒆𝒊𝒓𝒔
⚜💋𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒚
⚜🖤𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚
⚜💋𝑬𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕
⚜🖤𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑨𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒔
⚜💋𝑻𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝑯𝒆𝒓 & 𝑫!𝒆
⚜🖤𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝑽𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒔/𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝑴𝒂𝒏
⚜💋𝑴𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 & 𝑻𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆
⚜🖤𝑯𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑴𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔
⚜💋𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝑰𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒚
⚜🖤𝑪𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒇-𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓

This is the first installment in the series!🔥

"𝕬𝖗𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖌𝖔𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖇𝖊 𝖒𝖞 𝖌𝖔𝖔𝖉 𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑, 𝕻𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖘𝖊𝖘𝖘𝖆?"

This is a dark one, so please do check out the triggers very carefully. I enjoyed this one so much. The plot is deep and keeps you guessing, isn't predictable, and leaves you gasping in stunned silence after the daunting, harrowing cliff-hanger, even though I was expecting one, but not to this extent! That was something. Oh my gosh, what a ride. Wild, unhinged, and chilling! It's only book one, and I'm blown away. Talk about mind games.

The storyline overall is brilliant and sucks you in from the start from the invitation to the secret society, spoilt heirs and trials, and what not! There's so much going on, and in some places, I do get slightly baffled and need to read it again to regain a better understanding. And although the pacing of the book is on the slower side for me, it doesn't drag. There are plenty of delicious twists and turns to get your blood pumping, too, and the cogs in your brain turning! It's such an excitingly dark and immersive world. Love it. And the writing style feels so new to me, so beautiful!

Audrey, our FMC, is an absolute babe and a badass. I love her personality, and the girl will unleash vengeance! Next, we have our MMC, who is super possessive and protective of his love. Ughh, he's so hot. The rest of the characters are awesome, each bringing in their versatile personalities and auras. Very well thought out and written people, I must say. Oh, and the chemistry between the main MCs is so good! And spice? SIMMERING HOT. I can't tell you how many times I pause and take a breather. The man is FINE.

"𝖄𝖔𝖚'𝖗𝖊 𝖒𝖞 𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖊, 𝕷𝖊𝖓𝖔𝖈𝖍𝖐𝖆, 𝖒𝖞 𝖉𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖒. 𝕵𝖚𝖘𝖙 𝖕𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖊, 𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖒𝖎𝖘𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚'𝖑𝖑 𝖆𝖑𝖜𝖆𝖞𝖘 𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖊 𝖇𝖆𝖈𝖐 𝖙𝖔 𝖒𝖊."

If you like a dark romance that's embroiling with a dark secret society, trials and tests, mystery and danger, obsession and love, spice and suspense, and more, then this one is for you.

ﾒ૦ﾒ૦💋

Out of Fives;
⚜🖤𝑪𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓:✨✨✨✨✨
⚜💋𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆:🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
⚜🖤𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔:🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
⚜💋𝑩𝒖𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔:🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
⚜🖤𝑼𝒏𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅:🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
⚜💋𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆:🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
⚜🖤𝑴𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒚:🔎🔎🔎🔎
⚜💋𝑬𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔:🎲🎲🎲🎲🎲
⚜🖤𝑺𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆:🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
⚜💋𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆:🫀🫀🫀🫀🫀
⚜🖤𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚:‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
⚜💋𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒕:💔💔💔💔
⚜🖤𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚:⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
⚜💋𝑨𝒖𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒚 𝑭𝑴𝑪:🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
⚜🖤𝑨𝒍𝒆𝒌𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒓 𝑴𝑴𝑪:🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶
⚜💋𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆:📝📝📝📝📝
⚜🖤𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈:⏳⌛⏳⌛
⚜💋𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕:🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
⚜🖤𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈:🌏🌎🌍🌏🌎
⚜💋𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅: 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪/𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆.
⚜🖤𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: 𝑻𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝑶𝒃𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒆, 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑶𝒏𝒆.
⚜💋𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓: 38 (𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆, 𝒆𝒑𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆, & 𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒔).
⚜🖤𝑷𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔: 441.
⚜💋𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚, 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌, 𝑺𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆.
⚜🖤𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅: 10 𝑨𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒍 2026.
⚜💋𝑾𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝑰 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅: 𝒀𝒆𝒔.
⚜🖤𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

WinkingReads

147 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦, 𝐜𝐫𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞... 𝐖𝐓𝐅?!!What in the mindfuck was that? My head is still spining from the Luda games, they're so soul crashing, I wasn't sure i was going to finish this book or it would finish me.

Those last chapters absolutely broke me. I'm left confused, wrecked, in chaos and desperate for answers i cannot get. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬, 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫...*exhales*

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗦! 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗦! 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗦! 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦! 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗟𝗦!
Had my mind-blowing, like suddenly the supposed to be dead are alive, hidden identities revealed..

The Guilda isn't here to play, and I'm afraid that by the time they're done with Aleks and Audrey, there will be nothing left of my sanity! 𝘓𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘺, 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴, 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴, 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥. Innocent or not, It doesn't matter. The Guilda will go to any extreme to get their desired outcome.

“𝙈𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚…𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙨𝙝,” I truly understood what the shadow meant by that the hard way.

And 𝐎𝐌𝐆!! 𝐅𝐔𝐔𝐔𝐔𝐂𝐂𝐊𝐊𝐊𝐊 can we 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 about 𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 14!! What the HELL did you put in there Miss Laiken??!!! ,girl i was on my damn knees screaming, gasping, and sweating, taking a moment to breathe, picking my jaws from the damn floor just trying not to faint from the scene... don't even get me started on 𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 33🔥❤️‍🔥..no words because those two scenes had no reason to be that hoottt

I enjoyed reading this book so much, everything is perfection from the gripping refreshing plot, to the characters, the tension, the spice, and the brutal trials. I was invested(locked in) and i still am. My mind is still scattered trying to make sense of everything and absorb it, and honestly, I'm not recovering soon.

The Dark Secret Society trope in this book is 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨..𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁.And may God help me by the time this series will finished.

🎀𝕱𝖆𝖛 𝕼𝖚𝖔𝖙𝖊𝖘:
✨️𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
✨️“𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶…𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦, 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘭𝘴. 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘦.”
✨️“𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦, 𝘓𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘬𝘢, 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸��𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦.”
✨️сила в правде
𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘢 𝘷 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘥𝘦.
𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩
✨️“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘦, 𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.”
✨️𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘺 𝘌𝘭𝘭𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩. 𝘓𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘬𝘢. 𝘔𝘺 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢. 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘦.
✨️“𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘦…𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘴𝘩”

❤️𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
• 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
• 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲
• 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐬
• 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲
• 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞
• 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
• 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝
• 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲
• 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝!𝐞
• 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐌𝐂

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 𝓛𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓵: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

Nicole

512 reviews5 followers

Orphaned at the age of 6 when a fiery crash claimed the life of her entire family, Audrey was taken in by an American family, but her arrival in Alabastor Cove was nothing like the idyllic life she was promised. Now at the age of 21, she is invited to participate in the Viperae Rosarum Ludi, a secret society determined to break potential members before welcoming those who survive into the fold, but the secrets she keeps put more than just her own life at risk, and if she is forced to reveal the truth, she will make sure to take down everyone in her path along with her.

The Shadow as been obsessed with Audrey for longer than she’s realized, and now that she’s being initiated, he is forced to confront not only his feelings for her, but his loyalty to the Guild itself. But he and Audrey share secrets, and they have made a vow to protect those secrets at all cost. As ghosts from their past come into play, all bets are off, and all he can hope is that those he loves will be able to survive the trials to come.

I received an early copy of this book from the author, and with all the hype over the past few months, I’m happy to say it definitely delivered! While some parts made me feel like I was missing information, the author made it clear in the foreward that this was intentional, given that this series is comprised of four books, including a prequel to help fill in some of the blanks. That said, I loved that readers were left in the dark, because it gave us the chance to make our own assumptions of the direction things were headed, and as much as I was right about some, I couldn’t have been more wrong about others. I felt both Audrey and the Shadow’s pain viscerally, and now knowing who they can trust left me waiting to see how things would play out. The cliffhanger ending left me reeling and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Jovie Robin

129 reviews1 follower

Review of advance copy received from Author

April 2, 2026

This book was a refreshingly honest book that threw one into the chaos in the best way possible. Even at the beginning, there are too many moving parts with secret societies, influential families, and underhand schemes to keep you guessing at every turn what is really happening. I will confess that I did not grasp all of it immediately, which is also one of the reasons why it became so addictive.

Audrey is a powerful and interesting protagonist. It is evident that she is concealing much, and the more you get to know her, the more complicated she is. She is a person who should not be underestimated. Then there is Aleksandr, who is passionate, erratic, and who is fully devoted to her. Their history is not easy, and that tension can be felt in every interaction. Their tone of voice and the relationship between them is quite impressive. They are dangerous as a duo, as a real power couple that no one is supposed to cross.

I also enjoyed the fact that the side characters contributed to the mystery. You are always left wondering because you have this constant feeling that not everybody can be trusted. There are those that were not so difficult to figure out and there are those that certainly surprised me.

It is fast-paced and nothing is ever dull, and that made it difficult to put down. Towards the end of the book, I found myself with more questions than answers as everything became a lot to take in within a very short period. It was particularly dramatic at the end and prepares the next book in a grand manner.

On the whole, it is a dramatic and twisty read that could be compared to the solving of a puzzle bit by bit. In case you like intricate storylines, characters that are morally grey, and relationships that are very intense, this one will certainly make you addicted. I am already anticipating the second book.

arc read

Crystal Register

59 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

March 27, 2026

🚨 ARC READ 🚨

girllllll WHAT did I just read 😭

This book is literally one big mind game and I’m still trying to process it. The beginning had me hooked immediately, the middle (especially the trials) was INSANE, and the ending??? I was NOT expecting that at all. Like… what 😭

The writing was beautiful, and I loved all the twists and turns. It did get a little confusing at times, and I felt like new characters were being thrown in, so I kept going back trying to piece everything together, but honestly, that just added to the chaos in the best way.

The trials, though??? SO GOOD. Watching everyone go through them was genius. It's definitely my favorite part of the book.

MMC is very vocal about his possessive tendencies, and yeah… if that’s your thing, you’re gonna eat this UP. He was BAD for the FMC, and I loved it. And the FMC??? She was such a badass.

It is a bit slower paced at times, especially when you’re trying to fully understand everything and everyone, but the beginning, trials, and ending more than make up for it. Also, this is definitely a dark romance. Check your triggers because it does NOT hold back (including the spice).

Overall, I devoured this in one sitting, and I’m still left with a million questions. That cliffhanger was CRUEL, and now I have to patiently wait for the rest of the series because I’m pretty sure it’s going to be four books 😭

If you like chaotic mind games, unreliable narrators, dark romance, and plots that keep you confused but obsessed… go in blind. Trust me.

D.3.b.0.r.a.h

81 reviews3 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

I just finished part one of Deceiving Their Minds by Laiken Rhodes, and honestly… I’m still trying to process everything.

This really feels like the beginning of something much bigger. There are so many unanswered questions, and I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of what’s actually going on. It definitely leaves you with that “what did I just read?” feeling—in both a good and slightly confusing way.

The story pulls you in quickly and has this constant sense of mystery. With multiple POVs and a lot of moving pieces, you’re never entirely sure who to trust or what’s really happening. At times, I did find myself a bit confused—especially with all the characters and trying to keep track of everything—but I feel like that might also be part of the experience.

What stood out to me the most is how intriguing and unpredictable it is. It has that chaotic, mind-game energy that keeps you reading, even when you don’t fully understand everything yet.

Since this is only part one, it’s hard to fully judge the story or characters, but it definitely did its job in making me curious for what’s next. And that ending… yeah, I’m left with a lot of questions.

Overall, this was a strong and intriguing start, even if it left me slightly confused at times. I’m really interested to see where the story goes from here.

MsAprilreadswhat

154 reviews3 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

March 28, 2026

This was my first time reading from this author, and I am completely, undeniably captivated. From the very first pages, I was pulled into a world that feels both intoxicating and unsettling a perfect storm for anyone who loves secret society stories. There’s a constant undercurrent of tension, like something is always just about to unravel, and it kept me hooked in a way that’s hard to shake.
What truly stands out is how intricately the plot is. Every chapter seems to introduce new questions, and just enough clues to keep you guessing without ever giving too much away. I found myself second guessing everything every interaction, every confession, every quiet moment that felt like it was hiding something darker beneath the surface.
The world itself is rich with mystery, filled with hidden agendas, whispered alliances, and power plays that blur the line between love and manipulation. The relationships are especially compelling charged with emotion, but laced with doubt. You’re constantly wondering who is genuine and who is simply playing the long game.
I’m genuinely itching to dive deeper into this story uncover the truth behind it all. Because right now, it feels like no one can be trusted, everyone has something to gain, and the question of who will come out on top?

Sara

48 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

March 23, 2026

There’s so many things I want to say about this book but I also don’t want to spoil it as I read it as an ARC. This book was beautifully written, some parts were honestly like poetry. I loved all of the twists and turns and how all of the narrators are unreliable so you truly have no idea what’s going on. This whole book is one big mindf*ck but that’s what made me absolutely love it. I recommend just going into this book blind and letting the mysteries unfold how the author intended. My only solace was knowing it would end on a cliffhanger so at least I know I’m not the only person finishing the book with a million questions. I did find the book a little confusing at some parts as I felt as though new characters were thrown in and I found myself constantly checking the lineage from the beginning of the book to look for the names but some are not included but maybe that was just a me issue. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book enough to finish it in one sitting and now I will have to patiently wait for the next 3 books to come out as I’m pretty sure this is supposed to be a 4 book series.

Joanna Marzetti

150 reviews1 follower

Review of advance copy received from Author

ARC REVIEW: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

What in the world did I just read! I’m speechless, truly. This book was one huge mind F and I’m here for it! Am I beyond confused, yes. Do I love it, also yes! Everything was purposeful and everything has hidden meaning. I felt like I was in the matrix going back to family trees and the beginning and highlighting like crazy.

Audrey and Aleksander are chef’s kiss perfection. Audrey, the queen, the bad ass who no one should mess with. And she has men falling all over themselves to protect her, but who’s who is anyone’s guess. The push and pull with these two was elite and unmatched. The kinks were kinking and the spice was spicing.

There’s secrets, lies, backstabbing, the list goes on and on. This is truly how every secret society book should be written. I absolutely love the world that Laiken Rhodes is building and she’s very up front with the fact that we will be left hanging which I appreciate. My mouth was on the ground the majority of the book and the end 🤯🤯🤯. The 2nd book cannot come quick enough!

Thank you for the ARC and I will be keeping my eyes out for the 2nd book!

dark-secret-society

Taylor Priem

86 reviews10 followers

January 1, 2026

🚨ARC READ🚨

girlllllll whattttttttt

First off what did I read like I mean this as genuine as I can what was this….. the beginning was like omggg middle near the trials was OH MY and parts kinda were like confusing but the ENDING?!?!? Like whatttttttt I wasn’t expecting thatttttt

I really thought the trials was so GOOOOOD…. Like having everyone go through them and everything that was genius….

Like I said parts did get lost and repetitive but like the beginning and the trials and the ending made up the feeling of being lost.

MMC was very vocal in his possessive tendencies- you’ll eat this up if you like that… he was not, down bad for the fmc yessss… he was so fineeeeee.

I also thought it was a slow paced book, it did take me longer to read the parts I got to understand the characters better.

Overall the world the book was set in was very interesting an I loved the Russian parts to it, and how badass the FMC ISSSSSS like POP OFF QUEENNNNN.

Nicole

39 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

🔥ARC REVIEW🔥
Thank you to author Laiken Rhodes for the opportunity to indulge in this masterpiece!

“I would follow her into Hell obediently, tethered to one another even in death.”
4.5 ⭐️ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
🖤 Morally Grey/Black MMC
🖤 Touch her and 💀
🖤 Secret Society
🖤 Fierce FMC
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 Primal Play
🖤 Hidden Identity

There’s so much I could say but I fear it would absolutely spoil the book and this is definitely one where I suggest to go in blind and allow it to have your FULL attention.
Me and a cliffhanger? Never have been friends, so I will say I am one salty SOB having to wait to learn more about the past that haunts Lenochka and her King, but there was never a dull moment reading this book and I was always left wanting to continue to the next chapter because I couldn’t bear not knowing what happened next (that makes for a great read IMO).

I am anxiously awaiting Tactum Obscuare #2 !

Amber

336 reviews19 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

4.5 stars rounded up bc wow wow wow what a story and a cliffhanger ..... I don't know how it am gonna be able to wait for the next book in June!!!! I need to know it all !!!! this is going to be a booktok hit series !!! there is a lot happening so you definitely need to pay attention or you could get confused but once you know what's going on ... mind blowing .. I love that we have a bad @$$ fmc in Audrey ... super hot and possessive mmc ... and lots of other fun and exciting characters!! it's hot snd spicy too !!!

What to expect: Dark Secret Society Hate To love you Forced Proximity Touch Her & Primal Plav Morallv Grev to Black Characters Hidden Memories Romantic Suspense Brutal Cliffhangers
thank you to the author for allowing me to read and review this amazing start to a series !!! I am a fan !!

netgalley-arcs

Stephanie Bates

32 reviews1 follower

Wait… WHAT just happened?! 🤯🔥

This book had me in a chokehold—and I did not see that coming.

I went in with high expectations, and I won’t lie… at first, I was a little thrown. There’s a lot happening, a lot of characters, and it took me a minute to get my footing. BUT trust me—hang in there. Once it clicks? You’re DONE FOR.

This story turns into an absolute whirlwind of twists, tension, and “just one more chapter” moments. Every time I thought I had it figured out… nope. Plot twist. Again. And AGAIN.

And let’s talk about the spice 👀🔥
Because WOW. This one delivers. Easy 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ from me.

The only real problem? That ending.
That brutal, soul-crushing cliffhanger that now has me counting down the days until book two like my life depends on it.

If you’re debating starting this one—DO IT. Just be prepared to lose sleep and your sanity along the way.

Cassi Olazabal

71 reviews

March 27, 2026

ARC Reader and what a trip that was!
For the lovers of Rina Kent, indeed. This is a dark romance, and it is not for the faint of heart. Seriously, read the triggers. Know them. Live by them. No shyness there.
The book doesn't shy away from lots of things, including the spice.
I wasn't expecting such a trip in the mind games. Though I probably should have been, just due to the title and the fact of the note at the beginning of the book. Though that is what makes mind games truly interesting, isn't it? One never knows just how trippy those games will end up being.
I truly loved everything about this book. The characters were great, and I can't wait to learn more about them all. That cliffhanger was cruel and makes me want more. At least book two isn't that long of a wait.

Carolina Brady

37 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

I’m honestly stunned into silence. I’m not sure how to feel except impatient to know what happens next!

I will say it was difficult for me to get into the story, not because it wasn’t interesting but trying to keep all the information in order was A LOT. There were points in the book where I thought I figured something out just to get confused on the next page so it did get a bit frustrating. If you don’t like secrecy and not being in the know, this book might not be for you.

The story kept me hooked and the more that was uncovered only kept me in the chokehold.

Second book cannot come out fast enough!

Jamie Wright

158 reviews8 followers

Review of advance copy

Oh My Gosh!!!! This is absolutely incredible!!!!!!
Why did she have to fight so hard for her seat- damn men!!!!!! She def proved herself to be a fighter and stronger than any could have guessed!!!!
A woman one mission of revenge is the most dangerous weapon there is.
Alek my Alek!!!! 6 and a half feet of Russian unhinged man meat? Yes pls!!!! Said man meat only wanting her and will take on all her enemies and with help. Again yes pls!!!
I absolutely fell in love with this books!!!
That ending!!!! I have so many questions and I can’t wait to get them!!!! What a freaking roller coaster of a read and I enjoyed that ride!!!

GKP2460

4,499 reviews73 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

Deceiving Their Minds is book 1 in the Tactum Obscurae series. It's also this authors debut and what a way to come onto the indie scene! This is a great secret society story but keep in mind it's dark romance so be sure to check the trigger warnings before you start reading. It also ends on a cliffhanger and while that doesn't make me happy, this book is so definitely worth it. Deceiving Their Minds is Audrey and The Shadow's story and it's quite a ride. This story is completely consuming and is absolutely a must read. Once I started reading it quickly turned into a one sitting read. I couldn't put it down!

Natasha

152 reviews3 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

March 28, 2026

I'm grateful I was able to Arc read this book, it was a rather enjoyable read and I will definitely be looking out for further books from this author. The stroyline was intriguing and compelling with a well thought out plot. The characters themselves were clearly also well thought out, each serving a purpose as opposed to being filler characters who only appear to bulk out the story. The cliff hanger however left me with far too many questions, although that is usually the point, I look forward to discovering the answers in future.

S Caudill

27 reviews1 follower

Review of advance copy received from Author

March 28, 2026

I received this as an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

First off if you don't like Dark Romance this book will not be for you the trigger warnings are extensive.

That being said, I did like it the spice was there, the depravity amazing, did it get slow in places? Yes it did it took me a little while to read because I would find my mind wandering. Other spots like the trials kept my attention just fine and I sped through them. Overall I would say very good for the first book of the series and I am excited to see where the series goes from this point.

Besem Chu

61 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

♥︎Obsidian°Scorpio°Reads♥︎

4.5⭐️ 4.5🌶️

this story was insane and the pain and love between the both of them alone was everything. to feel both of those things so deeply simply just coexisting together.

to see that they can coexist with each other. one of the many things that i loved about this story and what stood out to me the most was them not only loving each other regardless of their scars and pain. taking those things and turning them into reasons to love each other so deeply and so wholeheartedly. love in its rawest form.

355 reviews7 followers

Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers

“You better run, pretty girl. Because I’m going to find you… And when I do, I’m going to fuck you. Make you beg and plead until the only thing, only person, you can see and hear…is…me.”

DTM is something absolutely special, the characters building to the questions and mind f*^k of twists and the heart break at some parts.. this was an absolute pleasure of a read. Aleks is a gem an one he'll of a man. Audry is a force, the way she overcomes some of the obstacles she put in was well deserved for some and sacrificed for others. I absolutely can't wait for book 2!.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½/5
🌶🌶🌶½/5

Cindy

54 reviews8 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

If you loved The Hunger Games, buckle up—this story feels like it’s on absolute steroids with a seductive Fifty Shades twist woven in.

Our MFC is a Queen thrown headfirst into brutal, unpredictable trials that force her to confront who she really is—while navigating a dangerously addictive connection with the MMC. The chemistry? Off the charts. The spice? Fully delivered. And the twists in those trials? You won’t see them coming.

Yes, it ends on a cliffhanger—but honestly, I didn’t even care. If anything, it just made me crave the next book that much more.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Breezy

78 reviews1 follower

March 24, 2026

bitch my mind is BLOOOOWN oh my god. i literally have no words besides you need to read this and i need book two like right now. i can’t even begin to tell you how much this book pulled me in. the trials? omg i’m a sucker for the trials. the fmc? badass as all can be. the mmc? WOOF.
this was SPICY so bare that in mind and plz read the trigger warnings.

Natalie’s_world_in_books

263 reviews14 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

March 25, 2026

Wow! Wow! What a read!
My mind is blown!
So this review is hard as I won’t be giving ANYTHING away!
The twists and turns - amazing!
FMC - badass MMC - yummy
Ended on a cliffhanger!
I will wait patiently for the next book!

If you like
♥️hate to love
🖤morally grey to black MMC
♥️hidden identity
🖤touch her & 💀
♥️forced proximity
🖤primal play
♥️dark secret society
you will love this book!

The Bookworm Hermit

564 reviews7 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

Breathless. This book laid out the groundwork beautifully and the story is amazing. There are still so many questions and things i think i solved but look forward to finding the truth as we continue into book two. Aleks loves Audrey and it shows from the very beginning. This story is one of will she fall or turn away from him? Over it all is the secret society, bratva, and the trails

Stephanie Pate

13 reviews2 followers