Deceitful

by Victoria Ellis

Librarian note: An alternative cover for this ISBN can be found here.

As a bestselling author, Marlowe strives to live the simple life while saving the intense storylines for her readers. So far, she’s succeeded...
Until she wakes up one day in a cabin she doesn’t recognize. A year is missing from her memory, and the man serving her breakfast? That’s Nate, her long-time boyfriend she just dumped. Or so she thought.
While Nate has all of the perfect answers to her persistent questions, she can't help but feel as if there is more than he is telling her...
And that he has much more to do with it than he lets on.

252 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2021

About the author

This author is also published under the pen name Eve Parrish.

Victoria Ellis (V.K. Ellis) is a multi-genre author that publishes Psychological Thrillers, Suspense, and Romance novels. She is also the author of two poetry collections.

Victoria is the founder of Cruel Ink Publishing, LLC.

She resides near Chicago, Illinois with her husband, newborn daughter, and an abundance of animals.

Reviews

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Books like this are the reason I love to try new or new (to me) authors. I liked this one a lot. Was it perfect? No. The writing was a little clunky and hard to get into at the start. However, I soon found myself drawn into the story. The plot itself was quite original. The characters intriguing (although the heroine was seriously TSTL at times...lol). The first 60% built up the suspense and I was flipping pages like a crazy person. The last 40% made a turn into rushed far-fetched land.. That said, I was still completely hooked on the story. I just think everything needed more fleshing out to make it a little more believable. I rolled my eyes many times at the improbability of a lot of things that happen in the second half of this book. Last, this ends in an opening ended way. Perhaps there will be another book?

So yea, I liked it. Some parts could have been better, but overall it was an enjoyable way to spend this rainy Saturday.

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this one was slightly swings and roundabouts for me.
It wasn't a full house from my camp but there was still plenty to recommend it there were just some things here that ultimately prevented me from rating this higher than I did.
So the positives for me here was this had at its centre a really interesting premise, this was what initially hooked my attention and this did deliver in as such that I wanted to finish this just to discover the deeper mystery held within these pages.
The concept here was definitely unique in that respect.
This was told in a series of flashbacks from Lo's POV and was predominately a psychological suspense which are certainly my jam.
My negatives, well I thought the characters themselves could have done with a tad more fleshing out and I did find some of the scenarios here very far-fetched indeed.
There were certain situations that I didn't even believe were possible medically, I can't really elaborate on this without spoiling but if you want to know here it is

After being in a coma for a year I am pretty sure your muscles would seize hindering movement for a time but Lo just got up out of bed like she had just had a few hours kip, I am not a doctor but unlikely

Despite the above, I did still enjoy this and I was invested enough to continue and finish.
This one is going to be down to your personal taste and once I suspended my disbelief slightly we managed to rub along quite well.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Deceitful.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com

[Nerdy Dirty & Flirty · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars ~ Jess

This is a hard book to review. The idea was really interesting and the story really grabbed my attention. There were twists and turns and I was completely into it. Marlowe has a mystery to figure out and it will be anything but simple.

This book was certainly twisty but there were some pieces that were a bit too far-reaching and at times the story felt clunky. But still, I couldn't put it down. I needed to see what the secrets were and I needed to see how or if it would work out. Marlowe was the main character of this and her thoughts were a mess, much like anyone would feel in her situations. The whole thing was convoluted and add on top things just not matching up, you have yourself a wild ride. I am interested to see if there is a part two because things are left on an unfinished note and I'm not sure if the reader is supposed to assume what happens next or if there will be more to come.

This is definitely for someone who is looking for a suspenseful, light on the romance, intriguing read.

[Clara · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so unserious. I think the book could have been great if Ellis had leaned into the silliness and made Deceitful a satire. I laughed too much while reading this to shelve it under thriller/mystery. The characters are in no way 'complex' or 'intriguing'. Marlow finds out that her husband kept her sedated for over a year and erased her memory, and decides to not call the authorities. Instead, she confronts him in their secluded cabin. Which is just dumb. Her husband is supposed to be this super smart scientist (Ellis keeps mentioning that he is a research analyst scientist who is supposedly trying to cure cancer), but he comes across as cartoonish and the fact that he is plotting world domination with his memory erasing serum doesn't help.  1 star because it was a quick read.

[S.A. Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story had an original plot. But the writing was slightly confusing and at times I could not understand the choices of the heroine. Some of the occurring events were slightly difficult to believe. However, the story was definitely an interesting suspenseful and intriguing read.

[Kristen Castaneda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. Once I started I just couldn’t put it down!

[Christine C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap what a book.

A good psychological suspense novel keeps you questioning everything, and this one definitely does that. Marlowe wakes up with a headache, apparently married to the boyfriend she dumped last night which is now over a year ago. He has answers for all of her questions and logical explanations for the lack of photos, but her instincts tell her that something is very wrong. What follows is such a mindfuck that the reader doesn’t even know what to believe. Is she believable? Is Nate telling the truth? Is she really losing her mind? And then the ending – holy crap. I won’t spoil anything but I completely did NOT see that coming.

This book is most definitely worth reading. I usually reserve 5 stars for books I want to re-read but this one is like The Sixth Sense – it isn’t the same when you already know what will happen so a reread just doesn’t have the same effect. But this definitely deserves a five star rating.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really conflicted on how to rate this story to be honest. There were a few minor details that just didn't make sense but I won't be naming them because it would be spoilers, and Deceitful is a suspenseful thriller cover to cover. But when push came to shove, at the end of the day, I couldn't deny that I was turning the pages as quickly as humanly possible as I was so into the story, plus the new to me Victoria Ellis totally shocked the hell out of me with the big reveal, basically beating me. And the twists were of the loud f-bomb dropping variety, which is a big positive for me, with so many of them I was like OH MY HELL! Then there was that ending, was it a cliffy?! Or was it just left open ended. That was my big question when deciding on the rating because it was out of left field, so I'm praying for cliffy. Anyway, that's all out of me, because I really can't go into more detail since spoilers are just criminal when it comes to books like Deceitful. HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Janey G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Holy CRAP did I love this book. It kept me entertained from start to end and I honestly can say it is one of my top 5 from the year so far.

The book is incredibly suspenseful and takes you into the mind of a very likable MC, Lo. There are things that are maybe far-fetched to some but that is what a book is! They are allowed to be! I loved getting into the twisted dark side of a domestic relationship. Ending was open-ended and I seriously hope there is a sequel because I loved these characters, especially Lo and Pete! <3

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is certainly an author to look out for in the future! This story had me struggling to connect from the beginning, but I am glad I did not give up, as once my attention was snagged I had to finish the novel. This is a dark and twisted story, which has suspense, with intriguing characters and plot. The ending of this story is very open ended, so I am not sure if there is a continuation, however, I look forward to reading more from this author, and recommend for all.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Ellis is a new author for me. This book has a lot for me to recommend. I loved the plot! As a reviewer, you really cannot say a lot about it, without having to mark it a spoiler alert. I think I could have used more character back ground, however, since it ends rather open ended, I wonder if there is a plan for book two, where we do learn more? Ultimately, Ms. Ellis entertained me enough that I'll be looking for more by her.

[Geri Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and while I do not rate books much or leave reviews I am constantly reading and Deceitful caught my attention from start to finish. Great new author. Really dig this one. Sinners' Retreat was awesome, too. I *think* that was her 1st. But not positive. Anyways, pick it up! Won't be disappointed!

[Christine Woinich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. Some parts were predictable, yet others surprised me. I don't want to give anything away so all I will add is Marlowe had one heck of a time figuring this out with an unanswered question of an ending. It did keep me turning pages.

I received a copy this story through Enticing Journey Book Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.

[Caitlin Foland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every bit of this book! The writing is soooo good.... keeps you guessing the whole time. You don’t know what to believe and who to trust.

[Jessica Hunnel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! That is all I can say. This book is amazing and kept me guessing from the very beginning, I was on an amazing emotional roller coaster the whole time. This was my first book by her and definitely not my last. I truly enjoyed reading this book. Marlowe was truly a great character and you root for her the whole time. When you get to the twist of the twist I was like wait maybe she is crazy. This is a must read.

[LMB · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out kinda slow and I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue reading it or not. I kept reading and was glad I did. It gets interesting fast and I really started enjoying it and wanting to find out what was going on. I am not sure I like the way it was open ended to finish off. I like books to have a clear ending. With that being said I would recommend this book and will be looking for more from this author.

[Shannon O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOD. What the hell did I just read? I’m seriously going to need a moment to collect my thoughts because wow. I honestly consumed this book because it was that good. I couldn’t put it down if I tried. A jaw dropping ending and story that keeps you on your toes.

[starrgaze. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The overall idea of the book had a great possibility of being one mind-blowing psychological thriller, but the execution, in my opinion, could've been better. Not to mention that some things were just... way too unbelievable and medically impossible to happen.

[Jecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars ~ Reviewed for Nerdy Dirty& Flirty

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So freaking trippy. TRIPPY. I desperately need a sequel.