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Illusions Duet #1

Illusions of Evil

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CONFESS.

It's what he said to me across his altar, what he demanded so that I would be pure.

In the moment he blessed me with his virtue, I was no longer the woman I'd once been.

I was Eve.

His light. His salvation. His bridge to Heaven's gate.

I failed him because my faith was not strong enough.

He punished me for not giving in.

Resisting temptation is never easy.

Not when his hands, his teeth, his heat and hunger were the greatest of my sins.

**DISCLAIMER: This novel discusses sensitive subject matter and is intended for adults, 18+ or older. Readers who are sensitive to triggers are advised to proceed with caution.**

399 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 18, 2017

96 people are currently reading
1184 people want to read

About the author

Lily White

35 books2,683 followers
Lily White is a bestselling author who likes to dabble on the dark side of romance. She is most known for her Masters Series, Target This, Wishing Well, and The Five.

When she isn’t writing as Lily White you can find other books by her under M.S. Willis where she has penned the Control Series, the Estate Series, and Because of Ellison (contemporary romance).

Lily enjoys stretching her writing muscles by continuing to challenge herself with each book she publishes.

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5 stars
116 (31%)
4 stars
127 (34%)
3 stars
72 (19%)
2 stars
39 (10%)
1 star
17 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
Profile Image for Selene.
933 reviews267 followers
October 14, 2017
Father Jacob Hayle quickly jumps into action when he sees that a woman has collapsed in the courtyard of his parish. The stranger bears a striking resemblance to a woman he once loved and her safety becomes his priority until he finds out that his brother has brainwashed this woman into being the perfect submissive specimen. What Jacob doesn't realize is that his brother plans to resurrect the old games they once played together, and this time, it's Jacob who has to figure out how to stay five steps ahead.

Loved
I loved the idea of the Catholic priest going rogue and embracing his sinful nature once again!

Not so much
This story was really erotica fiction (not romance) with a quick pace, but the damsel-in-distress theme was too heavily played up for me, as was the "you're a whore" banter that was constantly vocalized by the leader of manwhores himself, Elijah. I'd hoped to add Elijah to my love-to-hate-villains list, but by the end of this book, I found that I didn't care much for him or any of the other characters. Jacob was okay, but I wasn't wowed by him or some of his scaredy cat ways. It also seemed like most of the side characters were planted without real purpose and were easily disposable.

► Ultimately, this story didn't grab me as passionately as some of this author's other stories and I craved more characterization. There were some parts that didn't quite add up and nagged at me, but hopefully those questions will be addressed in the next book to be released.

*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for ❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books.
2,632 reviews10.9k followers
October 14, 2017
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ILLUSIONS OF EVIL: is a standalone dark erotic thriller by Lili White.

Holy crappers!! Wow!! What a scintillating unputdownable sinfully sexy twisted read this was, what a fucked up crazy sick journey this one took me on. You know it's so so so wrong on so many levels but I shit you not the scenes in this were over the top hot!!

I hate doing this but I have to write up a no frills review for this one, because seriously you need to go into this book blind, that's the only way to give this book any sort of justice it deserves. Don't even sneaky peak!!

Ok so why I didn't give this 5 stars is because being honest I struggled with the very first few chapters, they felt disjointed, like it was explaining one scene in the past and then it jumped into the future leaps and bounds so I had to go back and re-read what I'd read then the story came into itself from about chapter 5 and from that point on I was sucked into this and for the life of me I couldn't put it down, visitors arrived, one coffee small chat and I was pushing them out the door only to hurry back to finish this.

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Don't be fooled by this author, I may have only read a few of her books and she may look all pretty and innocent but OMG let me tell you she runs towards the darkness, no tiptoeing for her and she will gladly take you down with her. And this book was no different, it was dark, twisted, sick get ready for this crazy ride because it's one you'll be wanting to take.

There is twisted evil everywhere in this world which we’re privy to encountering within this book, pure evil resides. Eve has been brainwashed at such a young tender age but with that comes denial. This is her tale, it's not an easy tale to read but it's one that has you questioning your own morals.

* Teaser is off the Authors FB page *

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Profile Image for CC.
1,257 reviews724 followers
October 19, 2017
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Jacob Hayle is a Catholic priest who runs a small-town church in a socio-economically depressed and fairly isolated locale. For 12 years, he abstained from his dark and sinful ways, but when a mysterious woman arrives on church grounds, Jacob begins to be truly tested with temptation in his sequestered sanctuary. Praying for strength to overcome, Jacob soon realizes someone else seems to be controlling his fate.

“How long do you think you’ll be able to hide from your past … to keep history from repeating itself?”

Eve represents all that is pure and offers her supplication with blind allegiance. Caught in the web of deceit and malevolence, she willingly chooses to obey as a means of absolving her masochistic guilt.

“I’m going to transform you.”

As the level of manipulation escalates, Jacob’s resolve begins to descend into temptation and the beast within craves to be sated. Though he tries to fight, Jacob’s past is a constant reminder of how destructive and evil he can be. For Eve, she readily accepts the pain and ultimately surrenders to the pleasure.

“I’m awake now, beautiful. I’m paying attention and I’m so damn hungry, there might be nothing left of you by the time I’m done.”

Told in multiple POVs but with a focus on Jacob, the character development is measured with an ominous tone permeating the landscape. Knowing Jacob laments his past adds to the internal battle of staying true to his vows as a priest. His fight is deeply interesting as this dynamic depicts a timeless conflict with the addition of good versus evil. With Eve’s perspective she actually causes more of an imbalance and adds tension due to her role.

From the beginning, I was intrigued by Jacob’s struggle and how it was going evolve for him personally and professionally. At times, I wanted Jacob to remain resilient but the moments when he exposed his vulnerabilities truly showed his flaws. As for the creator of this madness, his character and purpose remains an enigma but I am curious to know how far it will go. With Eve, she was the toughest character for me to understand in her completely brainwashed state. Despite knowing her background and comprehending how such a situation can arise, part of me was waiting for her moment of revelation.

This is a story that lures the reader from the first page and offers some twists while pushing the theme of virtuous against heretic. There are times when I wanted more action but I liked the tension and layers of mystery. I especially liked the sacrilegious actions that led to some hot moments.

In Illusions of Evil flaws and sins are pushed to limits. I recommend and look forward to reading the conclusion in book two!


Illusions Duet:
Illusions of Evil (Illusions Duet, #1) by Lily White Fear The Wicked (Illusions Duet, #2) by Lily White


*An ARC was generously provided for an honest review.


*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey and Loyda!*



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Profile Image for warhawke.
1,555 reviews2,233 followers
October 19, 2017
Genre: Dark Erotic Suspense
Type: Book 1 of 2
POV: First Person - Multiple
Rating:




Eve was the epitome of sin. Growing up, she was made to believe she existed for a purpose and the time had finally come for her to prove her faith. But the path to absolution was paved with endless temptations that she must endure in order to earn her place.



I'm attracted to faith based erotic books like the damned attracted to sins. So this book was like the Devil's calling haha!

She was the illusion of evil. Purity wrapped in the sinful cage of a woman who didn’t know any better.


Eve was not an easy character to like. Even though I understand her situation, personally is it hard for me to accept her mentality because her behavior is against my nature lol! Clearly I'm not a fan of hers.

He led us. He provided for us. He walked us down a path that would grant us entry into paradise. How could I not believe in him when all he’d done is guide me?


There's not much I can say without spoiling the story. But I can say, generally, the dynamic of the characters is one of my favorite. It's always interesting to analyze the characters' actions and reactions. However, I wish I had more opportunity to do that myself instead of being told of the reasonings.



Before starting the book, I expected it to be sinfully filthy. Earlier part of the book was so tame I almost lose faith. But after a certain point it became blasphemously dirty.

She was prey to the fallen, a lover for the cruel, a queen within the ever crumbling kingdom that whispers of sorrow and pain.


Illusions of Evil is a story of faith and temptations. It would appeal to readers who don't mind pushing boundaries.



⚜️ 🙏 ⚜️. . . (F)BR With Twisie CC & Loyda . . . ⚜️ 🙏 ⚜️





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Profile Image for Natalie  ~ The Biblioholic.
2,713 reviews1,419 followers
October 18, 2017
I swear, this book needs to come with HUGE warning labels. And I mean HUGE!! At one time, Eve was known as Sedra, a relatively ‘normal’ child with loving parents and a protective older brother. When she was 10 years old, her parents moved them to a community that was supposed to better for them - a nurturing environment. And that’s where Sedra’s life spiraled and she soon became Eve, the obsession of the cult leader, Elijah. Elijah was handsome and charismatic, convincing his followers that he was full of purity, that Eve was key to their salvation, and that together, the commune needed to help him either turn people to their cause or eliminate them. Jacob was Elijah’s identical twin brother, who also happened to be a priest, and his parish was in the neighboring town. These two brothers couldn’t be more alike and yet they were so different. This story tells of the darkness that lives inside each of these characters and it’s not only dark and depraved, it’s also twisted, eerie and wicked.

While I had sympathy for Sedra/Eve, I was a bit confused by her behavior. I guess I couldn’t understand how she was brainwashed so easily. She didn’t seem so susceptible in the beginning. Elijah definitely ruled this story. He was the beginning and the end and a part of me couldn’t help but see everything through his eyes and try to understand. Between him and Jacob, I wasn’t sure who to root for because both had a black hole growing exponentially within them. I honestly don’t even know how I feel about this story. It’s definitely not over and I’m curious to see if there will be any light in part two, Fear The Wicked .

Release Date: October 18, 2017
Genre: Dark Thriller
POV: Multiple - 1st person
Heat: 4.5 out of 5 (gritty and intense and taboo)
Type: Book 1

Profile Image for The Sassy Bookworm.
4,064 reviews2,872 followers
October 11, 2017
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descriptionI am giving this cover 4 stars but to be honest I am not sure if I like it or I don't. It is a perfect representation of the story. The composition is excellent. I am not a HUGE fan of the title work or the placement of the author's name. But my main issue is it is just SO bright white. It wouldn't be so bad if the title work were a dark color but the silver color with the white makes it all blend into something that is a bit too stark and needs something to add a little depth to it.description

descriptionWell, this was certainly an interesting little book. It wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be. That said, I enjoyed it nevertheless. This is the third book I have read by this author, and all of them have been unique and impressive. Miz White is quickly becoming a must read author for me.

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I think I am going to leave this review a bit on the vague side. I don't want to spoil any of the plot or twists and turns. The writing was fantastic, and it was well paced. The plot was engaging and multi-faceted and kept me turning the pages. The sex scenes were hot and reasonably plentiful. I wouldn't exactly call this romance, so I am not going to bother with outlining OW/OM drama. The characters were intriguing and relatively well developed. They were also nicely flawed. Slightly demented (OK maybe more than slightly). Suitably damaged and still, I found myself inexplicably drawn to them. I would have liked to have gotten a bit more background on the main ones but since there is going to be a book two hopefully more of that is coming. Fingers crossed...

Not much left for me to say about this one. I liked it a lot, and I'm intrigued to see where this author is headed with this story and with these characters. This gets a solid two thumbs up from yours truly.description

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Profile Image for Lo Bookfrantic.
843 reviews595 followers
October 18, 2017
 

3.5 - 4 ★★★★ Stars


 

Genre:  Dark Erotic Suspense 
Type: Book 1 of 2 
POV: First Person – Multiple

 

Illusions of evil teaser

Eve was raised in an environment she couldn't comprehend since the age of ten.  Eleven years later she couldn't tell what was real and what wasn't; what was evil and whatnot.  As a true follower and believer, Eve did everything she had been thought.  She wanted to prove she was of worth to her leader; she wanted to show him her faith and discipline.

 
"She only wanted to be good herself. Giving everything to a man she believed loved her. Sacrificing her own identity to fulfill whatever sick delusions he had of her. They were all symptoms of the good inside her."

 

I found this book interesting and the sins and erotic feels sometimes made me question my sanity but that didn't stopped me from wanting to read till the very end.  There was something about the secrets of a character I wanted to know so badly.  I felt I couldn't read fast enough to get to the bottom of everything.

 

I honestly felt frustrated with Eve.  I mean, I understand that sometimes if you grow up in a different environment your mind could be confuse and brained washed but also I feel she could have some common sense.  There were some scenes where I wanted to slap her; like honestly I think if she had a bit of common sense she could have noticed few things but clearly she needs help.  One character believed she was innocent which I agree to an extent.

 
"She wasn't evil. She was the illusion of evil. Purity wrapped in the sinful cage of a woman who didn't know any better."

 

This book was really good; I was not expecting the story to have such a twisted plot but yet so many things I cannot say because of spoilers.  The story itself kept me hooked from the beginning.  There were some twists I honestly didn't see coming but at the end I was still freaking full of questions which had me frustrated and screaming at my kindle.  I wanted one specific character to act a bit different; I still have my hopes so we shall see how this story will end in the conclusion on the next book. 

 
"We are all cast out into a world filled with both good and evil, with sadness and happiness, but mostly a world and life that has no directions. We are born to survive and eventually die, and there's not always a correct path to travel."

 Image result for gif welcome to your nightmare

Overall, Illusions of Evil would be appealing to readers who don't mind cult stories and don't mind stepping outside of their comfort zone.  This book will definably test your limits because is a story about temptations, desires and overall your faith.

 

Image result for gif we're all dark inside


 
★This was a F(BR) with CC & War★

Book order:
Illusions of Evil by Lily White

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Profile Image for Mirjam.
1,891 reviews112 followers
July 2, 2025
Her body still presented like it wasn't a temple shielding her soul, but a cage. Not just a cage. Her body was a weapon.





This was a total mindfuck! However, while I enjoyed the overall story and deviousness I did found the story a bit dragging. Yes, we got it that he was a devoted man and was not allowed to sin that we were told over and over again.

Through his kitchen window Father Jacob Hayle sees a young woman. She collapsed, her frail body crumpling, her head hitting painfully against the ground because she’d failed to brace herself.

He carried the woman, who had the face of an angel – the face of a memory I was fighting to forget, inside his church. Bringing this woman into his life is the start of a horrible chain of events to Jacob’s worst nightmare.



When Jacob learns that this woman was brainwashed to be the perfect submissive by his twin brother Jericho aka Elijah, who he hasn’t seen in almost eighteen years, he is shocked to learn that Sedra aka Eve is his brother’s gift to him.
“She’s not a possession to be traded back and forth. She’s a human being.”
“She was. Yes. Sedra was a boisterous child when she was brought to the compound. So beautiful, passionate, energetic … full of innocent youth. Enjoy Eve. Keep in mind that your time with her is limited.”




Recognising the perfect masochist that Eve is, it does not take long for Jacob to answer the call of his dark urges. Wearing temptation like a cloak, Eve was dangerous to a man like me.
I was a devout man, one falling into the depths of Hell happily staring up into the face of what had been my last temptation.




The way the story of the twin brother evolves is a colossal insidious intrigue and I am very much looking forward to the conclusion of their story and am anxious waiting for book 2, Fear The Wicked

"Pray louder, Sister. Because I can promise you, your God isn't listening."


Part of the Illusions Duet Series that must be read in order
Illusions of Evil (Illusions #1) by Lily White Fear the Wicked (Illusions Duet, #2) by Lily White

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Elle ✟ Søren's ♡ (i'm too old for this shite).
690 reviews481 followers
October 31, 2017
4* eve with adam(s) STARS!!

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WOWZA! I, honestly, no words. TOTALLY not what I have in mind. This is a "special" review for my beloved queen of mindfuck, Lily White on Halloween. This book has been on hold by the author for such a long time and really worth it. Based on the cover, you realize that it has religious theme and for some people may offended. Also, this is NOT A ROMANCE! Anyway, I hope this isn't too spoiler-ish for your eyes.

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Father Jacob Hayle found a mysterious woman in his church but she keep call him "Elijah". Sedra or "Eve" believe she's being tested by him because of the incident she caused. Confused yet intrigued, Jacob is trying to solve her existence by himself while his church attacked by someone he knows.

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As a man who grown up in a religious family, Jacob is not a saint. His calling to be a priest was caused by his dark past. It keeps haunting him everyday and he needs redemption. I didn't really connect with Jacob at first but, I enjoyed his POV. Yes, he's very devoted and faithful man but no one's perfect. In the end, Jacob didn't have enough power to stop the evil presence.

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The story was told from multiple POVs, but mostly between Jacob and Eve. There's not much info about the real Eve is. She was introduced as Sedra at first and there's some kind of initiation that transform her into "Eve". It isn't my first book about cult but this one really terrified me the most. I still couldn't understand what's the purpose of it. But, Eve is just a pawn on this disturbing game.

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Everything in this book are crazy! My logical brain still hurts to think about it. Honestly, I couldn't put this book down because there is always something surprising on each chapter. Anyway, the erotic scene only happened on a few last chapters. Jacob was so freakin' HOT! I think I missed his old-self. *pervy sigh* Overall, this book didn't satisfy my curiosity about what, when, how, ets. And I can't wait for the next.

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Profile Image for Dri ✰.
693 reviews239 followers
January 22, 2018
★ 4 stars!!! ★

What a ride!
Twisted. Dark. CRAZY! CRAZY! CRAZY!
Profile Image for Shabby  -BookBistroBlog.
1,943 reviews989 followers
October 31, 2017
God created Lily
Lily created Elijah
And we're going to Hell !
Meanwhile let's embrace our masochism and kinky minds and get aboard the bus that Lily drives .

We are all God’s creatures, the saints and the sinners, the saved and the damned. We were created in his image, we were given life through his vision, and if that is true, then the parts of me I was told should be hidden and ignored were parts God had wanted there all along. Perhaps His intent wasn’t for us to shun those parts, but instead we were to take them for what they were and glorify Him through the differences they created in us. Because if God is part of everything, then God can be found in the shadow as much as the light.

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At the centre is the Church, it's Flock, the parishioners, and the power struggle and the incessant craving for acting God. Why? .....why not!!
There's Elijah , who plays God . He "creates" Eve for his own Adam. And then like God demands faith from his followers
There's Father Hayle , who is to lead his Flock away from temptation and into salvation . What irony that the Smokey tentacles of temptation force him to abandon faith and sin absolutely.

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It wasn’t until I’d had it shoved in my face in the last few days that I realized I hadn’t become a priest out of some desperation to know and love God. I’d become a priest to hide from life, to seclude myself in an existence that kept me safe from the mistakes of my past, and especially a life that kept people safe from me. If I wasn’t strong enough to control myself, who was I to believe I could save another person’s soul?

And then there's Eve herself. Loyal in her submission , even subconsciously. Always looking for her husband to drive sin from her body so she can lead him to light. She truely believes her body is a receptacle to her husband's offerings , that will drive out the toxins and poisons that plague her pores and he in turn he will achieve divinity and arise as the ultimate God !

She was everything evil we’re warned about in the world just by merely existing. But yet, she wasn’t evil. She was the illusion of evil. Purity wrapped in the sinful cage of a woman who didn’t know any better.

See how twisted the thought process is ? . That's the comfort zone for Lily. Psychological thriller at it's best. I bet she writes such stuff with her eyes closed, her hands tapping away as the river of words flows out effortlessly. Very few authors show courage in embracing and pushing their dark limits , and with practice comes perfection , and we lap up every twisted word that she writes for us and devour her books like inky manna, what does that say about us ?
The story is disturbing , which is a given. Hints of cruelty scattered everywhere. There's Family Fists, there's women hung on crosses, there's markings, lashings, biting , in other words a typical Lily book.
Why does she write like she does. Exploring depths rather than heights, delving into shadows rather than riding the rainbows, meandering into Sleepy Hollows than sunflower fields ?
Well she gives us the answer herself ⤵️

Why couldn't people understand that sometimes evil occurs within the confines of a crowded world just because a sadist like me grew bored?

I liked and was equally fearful of the subject matter. It's not easy to challenge established norms and faiths and get away with it , but Lily does that excellently. Blind faith and religion used to cloak heinous intentions and nefarious deeds is part of the exposè. The Satan to be feared is not outside, it's inside men , some respectable, some esteemed and some revered.
Clothes don't make a man !
That's the undertone and scary part , cause how do you separate Satan from the God , Collar from Robes? I loved the story and the twisted characters. One lofty , one befallen , and one pawn between them
So when's the next book ?
5 Halle-Fucking-Lujah Stars
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Profile Image for ~IreneOust~.
509 reviews766 followers
November 7, 2017
I am mainly addressing fans of Lily White in this review ...

If you are a fan of Lily's twisted imagination [and I mean this in the most flattering way possible!] then, like me, you were probably super excited to hear about this release. To be quite honest, I didn't even read the blurb before I one-clicked this title. There is really no need. Lily have established herself as my go-to author for all things dark and twisted. I've yet to read better.

Moving on ... this story won't be for everyone. Clearly. I mean, it's so out there. So depraved. So ... unholly [see what I did there??] but I was entertained enough to say I enjoyed this book and can't wait for the sequel to come out later this month.

This book should definitely have a trigger warning and that trigger warning should say: Lily White. I mean, the woman doesn't do safe. Period. If hearts and flowers is what you are after, Contemporary Romance aisle is right over there. Have fun.

One thing I need to mention before I go: how in love I am with Lily's writing. It's so ... sophisticated?? I am not sure if that's the right word for it but if you read her work and love the way she tells a story, you'd agree with me that this author can write. End of.

Now, if anyone needs me, I'll be right over there counting days till the release of Fear the Wicked, the conclusion of this wicked duet!

Cheers!

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Profile Image for Philomena Callan Cheekypee.
4,018 reviews433 followers
January 30, 2018
I’ve read a few of Lily’s books and this is definitely my favourite so far. It’s so wrong yet so good. I read it in one sitting- staying up til the wee hours as I didn’t want to put it down.

I’m not gonna write anything about the storyline as I think you should go in blind. I didn’t even read the blurb before reading it. I felt the author threw me on a crazy rollercoaster and I loved every second of it.

I thought the storyline was brilliant and the sex scenes were hot. If your looking for a crazy, twisted taboo read then I recommend you read this. I’m looking forward to reading more.
Profile Image for  ✰  Charlie  ✰ Chisholm.
1,984 reviews22 followers
October 18, 2017
4.5 stars



I went into this book blind I didn’t read teasers or the blurb and Lily White never fails to disappoint. I enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed the story and it kept me turning pages to find out what was going to happen. It flows perfectly; it is intense, gritty and chilling at times. Lily takes you on a journey in this one, I felt emotional at some parts some twists and turns you do not expect.

Lily’s mind is a scary, brutal, crazy place to be and it shows through these characters. Some I loved some I could have easily stabbed. Some I just wanted to hug. You think you know where the story is going to go then Bam goes in the opposite direction from what I was thinking.
I did not find this one as dark as Lily’s other books, but still a good read. At times, I did find myself getting confused at parts; I am not going to go into details about the storyline. You need to read for yourself.
If you love Lily’s books, I recommend this one

Profile Image for Di Covey/TwistedBookReviews.
1,115 reviews215 followers
March 5, 2020
4.5 Stars!

Religion is fickle between the pages of this physiological, erotic thriller. If you've read a Lily White book, that's warning enough, if not, be sure to read the warnings.

Before I go into the storyline, I have to comment on the fluid, suave way the words just melted into me. I loved the flow in which gave a clear understanding of the character's voice. Even if it was jumbled to be that final act of mind-boggling puzzlement.

The story is mystery, mind control brilliance. Each piece giving you a taste of damage and dysfunction. The fall from grace with pure white passion. Seductive, dark eroticism to sate my love for twisted neediness. I can't go into the mess of how dark pasts led to retribution and revenge. I can say with all certainty, you will not know the final plan until all the pieces have been played. Conditioning of one's mind is a harrowing thought, the perfect balance of false guidance and acceptance. I was enthralled from start to finish.
Profile Image for SusanAhh.
486 reviews129 followers
February 21, 2018
"...she wasn’t evil. She was the illusion of evil." - Jacob



This is a spellbinding read about identical two twin brothers locked in a deadly game for control over the residents of a small appalachian town...One who dedicated himself to his religious tradition of Catholicism by becoming a Priest, Jacob and the other a religious cult leader over an extreme ideology which is a perversion of the major tenets of Christianity, Elijah named Jericho at birth.



Jacob becomes aware that his twin brother has had him in his sights when Jericho leaves a broken woman, Sedra (Eve) for him on the doorstep of his parish. Sedra simply thinks Jacob is Jericho and she had been "brainwashed" and is begging to submit sexually as a masochistic slave to Jacob. Jericho knew his brother's sexual proclivities before he took the vow of celibacy as a priest. Jericho (Elijah) makes of Eve the perfect foil to the godliness that Jacob wishes to maintain in his person. Jacob is left wondering what game his brother is playing.

It is a fascinating story with a gripping revelatory and shifting plot line. More than this, Lily White has so much to say and her narrative lends itself to a deconstruction of its elements, symbols, themes and discussions of right and wrong...ultimately, good versus evil. This is my first read from this talented author and I was delighted at the depth of her perceptions and ideas I gathered from reading this first part of this two part series. Moreover, while I looked forward to a continuation of the discussions began in this book in the next, this book was sufficiently weighty unto itself and having the two books made complete sense rather than some empty ploy to sell more books.



She presents a number of "Illusions of Evil". Has it not been the case in early Judeo-Christian belief that Eve perpetuated or tempted man to his downfall? Many other ancient religions see the woman as the temptress in paradise. "Femaleness" was the evil that lured man to his downfall into sinfulness. Just as our Eve (Sedra) is presented to Jacob as his perfect type of woman from eye and hair color to her trained submission with her innate masochistic nature. The sadistic Dom he once was is sorely tempted by this evil before him...



In warring with himself over the presence of Sedra/Eve, Jacob reaches the conclusion that she was not evil but only the "illusion of evil." In his awakening to this truth, he questions his nature and the very reasons he became a priest. As he begins to slowly slip in his vows of celibacy, Jacob's thinking reveals more of his past from his early youth and we as readers watch with hope for his eventual peace of mind and a happy ending because he is really a decent, passionate and charismatic hero, priest and all. But...there is this shadow of darkness known as Jericho/Elijah who is present on the horizon and our Eve is ever deluded about who it is that she is loving and who is loving her. Jacob knows she thinks it is her Elijah, his brother Jericho. That this is troubling him; could it be a symptom of something more happening to him?



"I was a fallen man, damned and doomed, and waiting for the hour when I could shed the cloth of the devout to unfurl my dark, razor edged wings and take what should have been mine from the fucking start." - Jacob



When Jacob utters these words, something pivotal in the plot happens. Does he become the "wicked" to which our author refers in the next book, "Fear the Wicked"? Can this be too another "Illusion of Evil"? Is a sado- masochistic relationship evil? Did Jacob visit evil upon Sedra/Eve? My friends, it has been enlightening and superb reading for me to be able to ask and answer these and many more questions. The ultimate question for me was what is truly evil and how much evil is perpetrated to guard the illusions of evil?
Profile Image for Cécile Smits .
1,466 reviews285 followers
November 5, 2017
I finished Illusions,but it’s not finished with me.....This wasn’t dark,it was black....there were parts i’d rather have skipped,but i didn’t....If you have a stomach for twisted evil,this is a must read for you. Otherwise,i suggest you stay clear....As for me,i’m left wondering what else lurks in the dark....in Fear the Wicked
Profile Image for Christina.
632 reviews26 followers
November 3, 2017
4 Stars - 3 Flames

I must confess...I feel incomplete. Like I'm half of what I thought or knew prior to reading this book. It sounds, odd. But let's face it. Every time we open a Lily White book, we're thrust in to an alternative way of thinking that somehow changes the way in which we think. Now normally, after writing a sentence like that, I'd look back and admit that it's because she's the queen of mindf-ery. But after this one? Dang. Maybe it's because there's a religious tone to it. Maybe because this dives in to acceptance of ones self, pushing the boundaries that have been places upon ourselves through our own beliefs? Too deep? Then good luck reading this...LOL

Elijah. Wow. Words completely escape me. There is no other way to define, characterize or even describe this man. This...being. I can only admit that the things that come out of his mouth are interesting to say the least.

Jacob. Poor Jacob. A man who once thought he knew who he was, only to reform, becoming something/someone else. All to escape the past, repent and cleanse. Too bad the past always comes back to bite you in the arse.

EveWhere we feel for Jacob, we weep for Eve. We can feel her turmoil, her devotion, her passion for the one and only thing that means anything to her. And when there should have been confusion, she somehow saw clearer than anyone else. Lucky girl.

I WILL NOT spoil this book. I KNOW that this is just the beginning. How? Well, decides the fact that this is labeled #1, there were a few things left undone. And I'm dying to find out what's next for the family.

*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Nadine Bookaholic.
3,730 reviews529 followers
November 18, 2017
This book is wrong on so many levels but I absolutely loved it! No matter how many times I get my knuckles hit with a ruler by the nuns they won’t change my mind about loving this story. AMAZING read, there just no other way to express my love for it! This was an amazing start to the series, duet, trilogy? Not really sure how long it will be but I do know for certain there is a book two coming, Fear The Evil, Which I can guarantee I will be reading!

You can see my full review along with a #giveaway here: https://nadineisobsessedwithbooks.blo...

Illusions of Evil by Lily White



Profile Image for Dani.
Author 123 books2,349 followers
October 18, 2017
Speechless. Lily White's writing is impeccable. I was gripped from the very first page. There's nothing that I can say that will properly explain the darkness, the intensity, and the sensual angst that runs through this taboo story.

Eve/Sedra is a broken, tormented woman and it seems like nothing will fix her. But when Jacob finds her all bets are off. In his own torment, he slowly wades through the murky waters of temptation and we're pulled in a long with him. I can't say too much because you should go in blind and be as captivated by this intensely wild ride as I was. I held my breath as I turned the pages in awe of this author's talented way of weaving magic in her words.

If you don't like dark, taboo reads, then please move along. But if you black heart and dark soul are needing a fix, then you HAVE to one click this beauty now!
Profile Image for Meredith is a hot mess.
808 reviews617 followers
March 15, 2019
4.5 stars. Read on Scribd. My favorite by Lily White so far; I haven't read a story this depraved in awhile. I could nitpick this book, point out little issues with characterization or the plot, but I enjoyed this so much it would be missing the point. This was pure dark erotic fiction, not a piece of literature, and I loved every second of it. I see myself rereading this and I'll be reading book 2. The ending was slightly cliffy, but I'm not compelled to immediately jump into the second book. Illusions of Evil can be enjoyed by itself imo.

What kept this from being 5 stars (Major Spoilers):

Profile Image for Kim BookJunkie ~ Editor & Proofreader.
2,138 reviews55 followers
November 30, 2017
I already knew Lily White was an amazing writer but this book demonstrates just how eloquent she is! ILLUSIONS OF EVIL is beautifully written, a true work of art! It’s also a compelling, suspenseful, sexy story.

“Her body was the perfect temptation, her submission the poison that could drag a godly man into Hell itself. She was everything evil we’re warned about in the world just by merely existing.
But yet, she wasn’t evil.
She was the illusion of evil.
Purity wrapped in the sinful cage of a woman who didn’t know any better.”


Having read and loved all of Lily White’s books, I was a bit disappointed at how slow the first 50% of this book was. As previously mentioned, the writing is stellar yet the pace during the first half was not ideal. I also didn’t fall in love with any of the characters or feel the chemistry between them as strongly as I’ve typically felt while reading books by Ms. White. I’m definitely reading book #2 though so hopefully I’ll feel a stronger connction to the characters then!

***ARC gifted from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Romance Readers Retreat.
2,346 reviews225 followers
October 17, 2017
Lily White's newest erotic thriller, Illusions of Evil is everything one comes to expect from her books. This is wrong in multiple levels, will make you feel uncomfortable, has tons of twists and turns and will make you ponder the mental stability of the characters (I'm pretty sure they were all mentally unstable to varying degrees) plus it has a priest and that is always a huge plus for me.

Father Jacob is shocked to find the woman who has passed out in his Church's courtyard has an uncanny resemblance to a woman he once loved. Things get even more complicated when he finds out his brother has brainwashed her. As he finds himself needing to play along to his brother's twisted games, he starts to go against his vows as he tries to stay ahead of his brother. I wasn't as in love with Jacob as I was expecting to, though I can get behind why he was written the way he was and I was very fascinated by Elijah, his brother (and equal parts disturbed/creeped out). Lily White always makes the twisted and disturbing fascinating and this holds with that tradition.
Profile Image for Vasiliki.
448 reviews28 followers
February 9, 2018
4 stars

The Illusions of Evil is a totally dark and disturbing book. I started this book, I stopped when things became too much, too dark, even for me and after few weeks I went on reading it! The plot was surprising, disturbing, full of twists and darkness! Ms. White is really a gifted writer! Ms. White writes wonderfully, giving actual life to her heroes and to the situations mentioned and at the same time to trouble my thoughts and knowledge about Church and religion. Everything felt so real and so intense! The story is said from different POV’s and it’s nicely done.

The heroes are unique! Their personalities have different layers but I couldn’t really connect, understand or accept any of them. Please do not take me wrong. I think that was the point of Ms. White as well. Her heroes are far from perfect and it’s obvious.

There were quite some hot scenes in this book that had always a purpose to serve! There were necessary in order to explain a situation or show the tension needed. Actually every word written was necessary in my eyes.

The end of the book was what it had to be! I mean, no other end would make sense at this point. I was upset, surprised, annoyed…I definitely had feelings after this book! The reason this book isn’t a solid 5 star book is because somewhere everything became a bit too much even for me. The darkness of this book is totally black! I was hoping for a bit of light that never came. Maybe in part 2…

I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves dark, violent, disturb books. Please take the warnings seriously.
Profile Image for  Tania.
755 reviews16 followers
October 18, 2017
Another eccentric read by Lily White.

It was beautifully imperfect, in it's own deranged way.

I don't know where to start with my review, im not giving any spoilers away so forgive the vagueness.

Some might find this book slightly unhinged, i on the other hand couldn't put it down.

This book is has alot of twists and turns. The sex scenes are smoking hot 🔥🔥

“Your needs are his. You are the gift that will open the gates…”

The characters and story flowed perfectly. I found the characters to be a little unbalanced, some may find them mentally unstable, but this works perfectly in this book.

"I've had disgusting thoughts,"
"Thoughts that no person should have."

This book gets 5 Unhinged stars from me.
I can't wait to read more from Lily White
Profile Image for J.M. Walker.
Author 103 books1,224 followers
October 18, 2017
I think every time Lily writes a new story, she has every intention of ripping out my soul. It's like she makes that her personal goal. This is a bit dramatic but once you read this story, you will probably feel the same way.

What can I say about the first book in this duet? It's intense. Page turning. Gripping and jaw dropping. 

Lily knows I'm in love with her boy Joseph from her book Joseph Fallen. I always thought she couldn't top him with her bad guys but she does and she does it well. Elijah is something else. He's the true epitome of evil and I can't wait to read more about him and find out just how dark and twisted he truly is.

Jacob has some issues. He likes to think that he doesn't but he really does. After an accident, he becomes a priest and thinks everything is all fine and hunky dory. Well, insert Elijah, and Jacob's faith is tested. Will he fall?

Also, I like Eve. I really like her. I feel bad for her. She drove me nuts at times much like she did Jacob but it's not her fault. You'll have to read to find out why.

This is by far Lily's best work to date and I can't wait to read more. This story is nothing like I've ever read. 
Profile Image for Michelle.
552 reviews44 followers
October 15, 2017
This is one of those times I wish I could rate a book more than 5 stars!

Illusions of Evil - OH MY GOD!!

Been waiting a long time for this book and wow it was so worth the wait, this is not your typical priest story , no this is so much more twisted.

The story starts of in one direction and you think you have the plot cracked and you are just waiting for the horror, you will be so very wrong because the plot just gets thicker & thicker.

This book is gripping, taboo, contains kinky sexual scenes, horrific violence and is one hell of a storyline.
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