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Nothing's As It Seems

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Thirty-one-year-old Dr. Chastity (Chase) Ann Morgan’s continued search to fulfill her romantic fantasy of a perfect marriage takes her to an unexpected place when she begins to have vivid, déjà vu dreams of a mysterious, otherworldly man who calls out to her in the most alluring sing-song voice. While the recurring dreams aren’t helping one iota in her struggle with romance, a structural engineering job opportunity along with a man who may be “the one” sends her back to Europe. What unfolds is not quite what she has in mind, and her life becomes more complex than expected, especially when her quirky family’s dysfunctionalities pop up at the most inopportune times.

To top it off, a secret journal surfaces, which reveals things from the past. How it’s supposed to fit into Chase’s life only adds to her growing confusion as a cryptic past seeps into her future. Can Daphne, her ten-year-old psychic neighbor, provide direction when the little girl comes up with her convoluted myriad of clues? Only time will tell if the current events will assist or hinder Chastity’s destiny, especially when she has to decide if blind trust in love will lead to a day of reckoning. Find out as you read along in Nothing’s As It Seems, the second novel in the Chastity Series.

458 pages, Paperback

First published November 27, 2021

3 people want to read

About the author

Holly Brandon

4 books3 followers

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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Nagma (Take A Look At My Bookshelf).
1,708 reviews100 followers
February 22, 2022
Nothing’s As It Seems is the second book in the Chastity series. It is presented as a standalone and picks up about six months after the first book in the series ends. I think I would have enjoyed this book more had I read the first book in the series.

Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me. I really tried to get into it, but there was so much going on and without the background information from the first book it was too much to keep track of. The book felt like it dragged for too long and there weren't necessarily smooth transitions between scenes.

I did like the characters as well as the author’s writing. I felt the characters were well developed. I also liked the cover and it was one of the first things that attracted me to this book.

Rating: 3/5 ⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Molly Fennig.
Author 2 books38 followers
November 28, 2021
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

DNF.

This series has glowing reviews and won a few independent press awards, so I was disappointed by the on-the-nose dialogue and lack of editing down of superfluous description, starting on the first page. I tried to read it a few times and unfortunately couldn't connect with the work or the characters.

As someone in the mental health field, it was disappointing for a book published in 2021 to use phrases such as "you're so ADD". It's a disorder, not a personality quirk.

The upside: if you can get into the book, lots of reviewers say its a page-turner. I'd recommend trying the first in the series, rather than reading this as a stand-alone.
Profile Image for Ana-Maria Derzsi.
363 reviews32 followers
January 18, 2022
◦ I've received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ◦

The book begins with Chase and her cousin, they’re both heading towards a restaurant to celebrate Chase’s 31’s birthday. Their road there is filled with some small events.

This book unfortunately was the first one I DNF (did not finish). I read 31% of it and I kept waiting for that moment to be hooked to the story and make me like it – unfortunately, that never happened.

The book was presented as a standalone novel to me, but unfortunately in my opinion is far from that. If you’ve not read the first book and you dive into this directly you’ll end up confused – so many names, so many backstories that you do not get info on the 2nd leaving you with questions about MC’s background and how / what happened on the 1st book. So if you really want to read this series – begin with the 1st book because is definitely not a standalone novel.

The book till where I stopped reading it felt very focused on the idea you have to find a husband and get married in order to be happy – even tho the MC kept repeating every couple of pages she doesn’t focus anymore on finding a husband and is career-driven the actions and events really said something else. Everyone around her was so invested in her love life and it felt so forced, nothing came naturally. Another thing that didn’t sit right was a mention "you're so ADD" – that’s a disorder, not some personality quirk, the joke in itself just felt out of place.

The on-the-nose conversations between the MC and other people that she JUST met made me feel very cringe, one thing is being upfront with the people and another thing is just to make a fool of yourself. Even tho the MC is presented as a 31yo her actions made me think she’s more like a teenager, the conversations she had, the way she acted were definitely not of a grown-up woman – including keeping nicknames still from high-school to her bullies.

Some of the silly moments she went through were funny and they made me giggle, but unfortunately, those moments were rare and eclipsed by so many other wrong things in the book. Sadly this book wasn’t for me and no matter what I did I couldn’t get to like it. I will not continue with this series.

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Profile Image for Billy Buttons.
Author 19 books192 followers
December 5, 2021
A WISHING SHELF BOOK REVIEW
3rd December 2021
TITLE: Nothing’s As It Seems
AUTHOR: HOLLY BRANDON

Star Rating: 5

‘A superbly written romantic novel populated by a smart female protagonist. Highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf

REVIEW
I very much enjoyed this romantic novel by Holly Brandon. Not only is the plot well-crafted and the characters, particularly Chase, developed and interesting, it is also very relevant in a world where many would love to fulfil the romantic fantasy of having the perfect man. The author’s smart too, in as much as she's given the reader a smart character to root for, Chase being Dr. Chastity, a top engineer who knows her stuff.
So, what's the story? In a nutshell, the story follows Chase who’s battling to juggle her complex life of work and romantic needs. Trust me when I say, it's all go for the protagonist; so much so, her life reminds me of a pan of water sitting on a hob. Any second now, it’s going to bubble over making a right mess! Well, there's plenty of bubbling over in this story - and plenty of romantic mess too. It's also funny, always surprising, and I think most readers will be rooting for Chase all the way to the last page.
In terms of writing style, this novel is pretty spot on for the genre. There's plenty of pace, but the author allows the story to progress naturally, keeping the focus on the central character and the ups and downs of her life in terms of her career and her hunt for the perfect man. There's a sort of chatty feel to the text; an informality that works very well and complements the story.
I would happily recommend this novel to anybody who enjoys a cleverly plotted romance. Also, anybody who's a fan of character-led novels will find this of interest. I've enjoyed many novels in this genre over the years, but this is particularly well written, the author offering the reader a complex and very likeable character in the form of Chase. She is, I suspect, the sort of person many women will relate to; and that is the novel’s strength.

A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
Profile Image for Literary Reviewer.
1,283 reviews102 followers
January 29, 2023
Nothing’s As It Seems by Holly Brandon lives up to its title in the best possible way. Chastity Morgan, also called Chase, is a romantic with the desire for marriage and a happily ever after. When Chase finds herself in her 30s after multiple failed relationships, she’s beginning to think that she’s never found “the one.” She fights the pressure of her family and their traditional views on the need to find a husband. Instead, Chase focuses on her independence and being happy without a man. She learns from her family, friends, and personal experiences that life is all about the journey, and love is about mutual respect and commitment.

Chase soon discovers other forces are at play, including Daphne’s psychic abilities and a questionable series of events that occur unexpectedly. She soon learns that the destiny she’s been chasing and the life she’s been looking for were in front of her all along, and essentially, nothing is quite as it seems.

I found the book to be fun, with quirky, likable characters and excellent development throughout the story. There is a significant dynamic between Chase and her cousin Roxie, with rich inspiration and empathy. I really enjoyed her family’s relationship, creating a sense of nostalgia throughout the book. It’s an enjoyable, creative story filled with original ideas that give the story more depth and thought-provoking ideas than I expected. I love how the dialogue between the characters shapes their relationships, and there is a good dose of humor driven by fate, the setting, and the characters. Chase’s journey is a must-read that I highly recommend.

Nothing’s As It Seems by Holly Brandon is a light, fun, and fast-paced book with loveable characters and an enjoyable plot. I recommend this entertaining tale that blends love, friendship, family, and a drive for more out of life.
1,151 reviews28 followers
February 23, 2022
After I started reading this, I found out that it was the second in a series, but I didn't feel like I had missed out on anything not having read the first one.
There are a lot of characters, and you are dumped in at the deep end meeting them, so that's the only thing that might have been easier if I had read the first book before.
The characters are quirky and colourful. Roxie has such a zest for life; you can't help but like her. Daisy is a wise, old woman trapped in a child's body. I love her relationship with all of the family members. Nana clearly has some secrets, but the matriarch of the family, often found with dirty martini in hand, is lovable and clearly wants the best for her family.
Chase is a strange one, and I went a bit hot and cold on her, to be honest. As a woman fighting for her place in a male dominated industry, she seemed to have some real moxie, which I liked, and I'd have loved to have more of the storyline dedicated to this. Her bad luck with men is laughable; it's that bad! You wouldn't believe it could be true that so many awful men would be set up with one poor girl, but she holds her own. At times, though I just didn't like her, she placed a lot of effort into men when she constantly told us how much she didn't need a man.
The writing was very descriptive and at times the tale was drawn out a bit much for me. I like short and snappy.
It ended on a complete cliffhanger which has left me definitely wanting more!
75 reviews
Read
November 19, 2025
Nothing’s As It Seems is a charming, unpredictable, and emotionally layered follow-up in Holly Brandon’s Chastity Series. At its heart is Dr. Chastity "Chase" Morgan brilliant, vulnerable, and endlessly relatable as she navigates the messy intersections of love, destiny, and self-discovery.

The novel shines in the way it blends reality with a touch of the mystical. Chase’s déjà-vu dreams of a mysterious, otherworldly man add a haunting intrigue that lingers, while her engineering career, romantic uncertainties, and family upheavals keep the story grounded and human. Holly Brandon captures that push and pull tension between logic and intuition beautifully.

One standout character is Daphne, the ten-year-old psychic neighbor. Her innocent yet cryptic clues add humor, depth, and a surprisingly powerful emotional layer to Chase’s journey. She’s the kind of character who steals scenes without trying.

The resurfacing secret journal, the European backdrop, and the unpredictability of Chase’s “meant-to-be” all come together in a story that is sweet, suspenseful, and full of heartfelt moments. A genuinely engaging read for fans of romantic women’s fiction with a touch of the extraordinary.
Profile Image for Pallavi Sareen.
Author 4 books94 followers
December 8, 2021

Who doesn’t like fantasizing? Romantic needs are not to be ignored. So, Dr Chastity, the protagonist who is juggling between her complex life is trying to meet her romantic needs as well. But she’s looking for the perfect guy!
Three things that I liked about the characterization in the book:
1. The protagonist is a go-getter. She’s smart. She’s a top engineer. Her work life is just as important to her as everything else.
2. All this doesn’t negate her romantic needs, nor do they make her uptight. Yes, it is OKAY to be career-oriented and still a hopeless romantic with strong fantasies.
3. The central character is neither vain nor cheesy.
But is it really possible to find someone you’ve only fantasized about? The book is really well-paced. Sometimes the story progresses nice and slow and in other areas, it can be really tantalizing. But the true strength of this book is in the characters. The writing is suggestive of the mood that the author wants the reader to be in. So, it worked like the perfect mix. I was glad that the dialogues were not too cheesy or too formal, which kills any romance novel. The informal chatty tone worked well.
Profile Image for Ashley.
309 reviews5 followers
February 18, 2022
Nothings As it Seems is the second in the Chasity series. This book can be read as a standalone, but more of the story may make sense if you have read the first. This story picks up about six months after the first one ended.

This book wasn't for me. There is a lot going on and I had trouble keeping track of the story, which didn't flow well. A character would come in the middle of a conversation and the conversation would go from one thing to another without a smooth transition. I felt lost most of the book. What I felt should have had more of a focus didn't like a certain love interest in the story. While I did like that the story left on a cliffhanger and how it ended, the story could have ended sooner than it did.

The family in the story was too involved and treated Chase as a child. They meddled too much in her life and kept pushing her in the wrong direction. It felt like they were controlling her life, but she went along with it. They were coming from a good place, but it was too much.

I did like the author's writing. I can see where she wanted the story to go and how she wanted it to progress. The characters are well developed and you can tell each person's personality. Daphne was my favorite and I liked her involvement in the story.

Thank you Holly Brandon and Love Books Tour for the opportunity to review this story.
Profile Image for Kayla Kramas.
31 reviews
March 4, 2022
3.5 star rating..

Nothing’s as it Seems is the second book and a stand-alone in the Chasity series, it picks up about 6 months after the first book in the series ends. I did not read the first in the series, but figured I’d give this one a shot.

It’s a fun read, although pretty slow for me, I think quite a bit could have been cut out of the book without us really even noticing it...which is why I rated it the way I did. I think the author did amazing at the first person narrative for Chase, it really feels like it’s putting you IN the book. You are inviting yourself along to go on her blind dates and finding a career with her newly earned engineering degree.

Nana was a big highlight in the book for me, she was amazing, and I love that she was never without a martini in her hand.

If you don’t mind a slow paced rom com…give this one a try.
Profile Image for Attiya Khan.
Author 3 books7 followers
February 6, 2022
While I like romance and fantasising about the perfect man this book was a bit too old fashioned for me. Old fashioned in the sense that it seemed like the most important thing in life is to find a man. There was so much pressure on the poor MC to find the love of her life from all her family and friends no wonder it was all she could think of. It was easy to read and I liked all the references to American culture but I think times have moved on and we want a more empowered woman, although it's mentioned that the MC is smart and intelligent and has a great job these details seemed added on. If you like a fun read though and a bit of nostalgic escapism I think you will like this book.
Profile Image for Anjali.
460 reviews24 followers
something-about-bookish
March 16, 2022
𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠?
- chick lit
- vivid dreams
𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙄 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙣... (has such a start of Rebecca feel to it)
- quirky family
- secret journal
- ten year old psychic

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠...

Chase's character is very smart, and quirky; she knows what she wants from her life... a successful career and a perfect romantic partner... it was fun going along with her for the ride that was this book. She made me laugh, and I could not stop rooting for her...

This is a book to take along on a long cozy vacation.

I would have loved to start with the first book though this book works as a standalone.
Profile Image for Peggy.
2,467 reviews51 followers
March 12, 2022
This book can be read as a stand alone and doesn't feel like you have missed anything but I would recommend that it be read after the 1st in the series. It was a good read but I think I would read the 1st book and then reread this one. For me it was more of one to read in order. Other then that it was a good read.
Profile Image for Ashley.
55 reviews2 followers
March 20, 2022
So I found out after i started this book that it is the second in the series but can be read as a standalone 🙂 The characters in this book are likeable, I especially liked the chase angel. And how pretty is this cover 😍 I love pretty pink book covers and I really enjoyed the authors writing style.
Profile Image for LuAnn.
580 reviews26 followers
February 28, 2025
I liked the story behind this book, but I thought it was a bit long-winded. At 476 pages, parts seemed to drag on and there were several redundancies. It was an interesting story concept though and I am glad I read it.
Profile Image for anie.
1,142 reviews46 followers
January 24, 2022
received from author

Chastity is still searching for her happily ever after.

Her adventure of finding love continues with a series of adventures that take her all over the place, meeting new people and hoping that her dreams come true.

Chase has a knack for getting herself into all sorts of situations in her search. And while she has a career (she is a structural engineer) that is very important to her, it's clear that that love is on her mind :)

I had a bit of a hard time getting into the book.

It's a fun story, but it's a bit too long and dialogues are a bit robotic.
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