Book Review: Deceiving Lies

Deceiving Lies (Forgiving Lies #2)

By: Molly McAdams

Published By: William Morrow Paperbacks

Publication Date: March 4, 2014

Page Count: 336

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: ARC Kindly Provided by Publisher via Edelweiss

Audience: New Adult - Contemporary Romance

Review of Book #1: Forgiving Lies

I have been craving this novel since I finished Forgiving Lies in September. I needed to know how things were going to end up for Kash and Rachel. I knew how I wanted things to go, but Molly McAdams typically has a few surprises up her sleeve, so I was incredibly nervous. I would love to discuss all the twists and turns in this plot, but that would be impossible to do without spoilers. I think everyone should be kept in that intense deliciously painful place I was in while reading so my lips are sealed concerning the plot.

I will say that I still love Kash and Rachel's relationship, but I also appreciated how things evolved in this one. Both characters grow emotionally and they find that this alters their relationship. I found this to be realistic and compelling. As in Forgiving Lies, McAdams uses alternating narrators. This time around I was drawn more to Kash's narration. 

While I enjoyed this one, I didn't love it like the first one. It was just missing something for me. I didn't like that there was so much miscommunication between Kash and Rachel. I also didn't really buy into Trent's motives and emotions. I found it difficult to like him. I also began to dislike some of Rachel's choices while she was around him; her choices didn't seem like ones that would be made by the Rachel I had grown to know and love. She loses some of the spark that drew me to her in the first place.

One thing that didn't change was Mason. I can only hope that one day Molly will give him his own story. I love the friendship between him and Kash as well as the friendship he has with Rachel. He is the epitome of what a best friend should be.

This review might be the most difficult one I have written for a McAdams novel. I adore Molly's work, but it's so hard to discuss this one without spoiling anything. I'll just close this out by saying this is a quick, enjoyable read that contains McAdams' trademark complex characters and steamy romance. This one kept me on edge because I honestly wasn't sure how things would end up. My heart has emotional whiplash.

One Last Gripe: I was so frustrated by Rachel in sections of this one that I wanted to reach into the story and shake her.

My Favorite Thing About This Book: I liked seeing a softer side of Kash emerge.

First Sentence: I nervously flipped my long hair over my shoulders and smoothed my hands down my shirt a few times as I took deep breaths in and out.

Favorite Character: Kash

Least Favorite Character: Trent

Summary:

The irresistible, blazing-hot sequel to New York Times bestselling author Molly McAdams's Forgiving Lies.

Rachel is supposed to be planning her wedding to Kash, the love of her life. After the crazy year they've had, she's ready to settle down and live a completely normal life. Well, as normal as it can be. But there's something else waiting—something threatening to tear them apart.

Kash is ready for it all with Rach. Especially if all includes having a football team of babies with his future wife. With his line of work, he knows how short life can be, and doesn't want to waste another minute of theirs. But now his past as an undercover narcotics agent has come back to haunt him ... and it's the girl he loves who's caught in the middle.

Trent Cruz's orders are clear: take the girl. But there's something about this girl that has him changing the rules and playing a dangerous game to keep her safe. When his time as Rachel's protector runs out, he will turn his back on the only life he's known, and risk everything, if it means getting her out alive.