The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Welcome to the The Kiss of Deception Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on May 1st and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 05/01
May 1st: Chapters 1-8
May 2nd: Chapters 9-16
May 3rd: Chapters 17-24
May 4th: Chapters 25-32
May 5th: Chapters 33-40

Week of 05/06
May 6th: Chapters 41-48
May 7th: Chapters 49-56
May 8th: Chapters 57-64
May 9th: Chapters 65-end


PARTICIPANTS
~ Sophie
~ Leslie

I started today and I’m really loving it so far. I’m so glad we have alternating povs because I tend to struggle connecting to characters when I’m not in their head. I adore the setting. It sounds like something out of a Disney movie.

Lia’s bond with Pauline is so sweet. I’m curious to learn more about the assassin and the prince. They’re both pretty ominous at the moment. It would be nice to at least know their names lmao.

How’re you liking it so far? :)

I do really like it so far too. Of course trying to refer back to the map in the digital version is a pain (I'm kind of a map freak).
Of course I spoiled a little when I looked up the description of the next two books.
Our ending point for yesterday felt like a perfect cliffhanger with the prince and the assassin meeting looking for the same person but not knowing the other is or why. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. That and those whispers Lia keeps hearing - I wonder how they will figure into the plot.

I'm little behind schedule (still on chapter 13) but so far so good. There was this particular scene where Lia admits that she favours one over the other.... I wonder who she is referring to (I prefer Rafe) And yes I too love the bonding between Pauline and Lia. I wonder where Mikael is? Why is he taking so long? I bet there's something fishy. Looking forward to read more

Leslie, I completely agree about the map thing. I’m also reading it digitally, luckily I’ve had this issue before so I had already screenshotted before I even started reading it.

I feel so awful for Pauline. When she inevitably finds out that she was lied to about Mikael, it’s going to blow up in Lia’s face. Lia’s reunion with her brother was really sweet, but I am curious to know what she stole from the sorcerer? (I think it a sorcerer, I can’t really remember).

I would also like to know what Lia’s mother put on her back, the part of the Kavah that won’t scrub off. It’ll be interesting to see if it’s going to positively or negatively impact her.

I’m now up to chapter 25, and I’ve noticed that when the chapter is in Rafe or Kaden’s pov (if that’s really their names), it’s now back to saying princes or assassin. I swear it said their names at one point. Speaking of the chapters in their pov, I kinda wish they were a little longer, we get so much of Lia, who I do love, but it would be nicer to have the pov’s be more equal.

Yeah, I think Pauline's story is going to end up tragic somehow. I think it was actually a Scholar, but they almost act like a sorcerer.

I noticed the switch too in the POV chapter naming. I think it relates to how they perceive their relationship with Lia. When the assassin was interacting with her and having "feelings" it was "Rafe" but when he was more focused on his assassin duties it was "The Assassin". And yes, I wish we had more of the men's POV too.

I am way ahead now - I got sucked in and as a result I might finish it later tonight. It picked up around chapters 30-31. And oh, there is a reason for those name/role switches.
Through chapter 32: (view spoiler)[ ooh, the little flirtation is so beguiling and I really felt her frustration, but THAT CONFESSION from Rafe and the KISS! (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 40: (view spoiler)[ It was good to see Pauline back to more of her old self, but the Gwyneth revelation that she was once a spy surprised the heck out of me. I really liked the priest (will he be featured later on?) but the book mystery seems to get more intriguing. I wish this wasn't as geared toward the young adult group because I could have dealt with some more details on the escalation of Lia and Rafe's relationship. Then Walther - I was so sad and angry for him and his loss. I'm still not clear who was attacking the bridge though - rebels? Dalbreck attacking? Venda sabotaging? (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 48: (view spoiler)[ after the sweet goodbyes.... WHAT the ever-loving hell!!! First, I obviously got who was which guy wrong (probably why the identities kept being switched - to shock you when the betrayal inevitably happens). I was worried for Pauline there for a short bit, but I'm glad she was able to get back and that Rafe went back. I am enjoying having Lia toy with Kaden and the rest given what they are putting her through... (hide spoiler)]

I’m now up to chapter 41-

Leslie, I completely agree with you. The Gwyneth being a spy thing was totally out of the blue. I suspect that she may be a spy for the royals. Or possibly Rafe’s employer to keep an eye on him. It definitely should’ve been adult, because I found myself re-reading parts for clarification when it came to Rafe and Lia. I feel so awful for Walther. It was obvious how infatuated he was with Greta and how excited he was for the baby. I’m amiss to who is responsible, but if I had to guess, possibly Rafe’s employer, maybe in retaliation to not assassinating Lia? I know I’m grasping at straws, but that whole situation is ominous to me.

I finished and, um, when are we going to read the next one? This ended with such a cliffhanger and I must know more.......

I haven’t finished yet but I’m loving it so much so I’m definitely down to read the next one. I don’t have the physical copy yet so if you want to make a schedule we can do that :)

@Sophie @Leslie
If you make a schedule or at least some plan when/how much I could make you a thread later today, tomorrow.

@Sophie
The Heart of Betrayal
How does starting on the 15th and ending on the 19th sound? I DL'd it on KU so I have the chapter count (64). If you agree to the timeline, it would be:
May 15: chapters 1-11
May 16: chapters 12-24
May 17: chapters 25-37
May 18: chapters 38-51
May 19: chapters 52-64/end

wow! you guys are awesome! @Leslie @Sophie I'm such a slow reader. Still on chapter 46 (heheh...sorry I've got a busy hellish schedule) I really wanted to join in the discussion... I thought maybe it could motivate me to read more quickly...but I think that's my limit...only 7 to 8 chapters a day. I definitely can't read 11 chapters a day. Can't join for the heart of betrayal thread. But when I'll finish reading it I'll definitely go through your comments on that thread. And yes I'm loving this book.......

The thread has been made with the given schedule.. you can change it and read by another schedule but the important thing is that you have a thread.

That works perfectly for me!

@Mina you’re the best! Thank you