Monday, November 14, 2016

REVIEW: "Dealing in Deception" by Samantha Joyce (New Adult, Romance)

DEALING IN DECEPTION
by Samantha Joyce

Publisher: Pocket Star/Simon & Schuster
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Publication Date: November 14th 2016


Series: Love in Disguise, #2
Standalone: Yes



Other Books in the LOVE IN DISGUISE Series

#1 Goodreads
My Review
Description from Publisher:
In this companion to Samantha Joyce’s Flirting with Fame, Veronica Wilde finds that playing make-believe isn’t all it’s cracked up to be—especially when it’s keeping her from pursuing the one man who makes her heart go wild.

As an actress-for-hire, Veronica Wilde has made a living out of pretending to be other people. It’s the one thing at which she’s always excelled: taking on someone else’s personality and running with it. So after Elise Jameson, author of the bestselling Viking Moon series, decides she no longer requires Veronica’s services, she needs to find a new gig—and fast.

But when her newest client hires Veronica to help him make his small business look more successful than it actually is, the sparks that fly between them are definitely not part of the act. Suddenly, Veronica finds she’s tired of playing pretend for a living. She’s been acting for so long, she’s blindsided by the one man who sees her for who she really is. And the most terrifying part? She might actually like it.
My Rating:
Heat Rating:

My Musings:
This was fantastic. Samantha Joyce is a wonderful storyteller and I seriously love how deep her characters are and the gentle and light way she includes serious issues.

This is the second book in this series and is Veronica's story. If you haven't read the first book, Veronica was a bitch in it and not especially likeable. The same can be said for the beginning of this story! (Don't worry, this is a standalone, but also a "companion" so the first book is referenced and Elise & Gavin crop up here and there). I was intrigued at how Joyce would make the previous book's "villain" someone I would eventually cheer for, and that is most certainly what happened! Veronica's character development is so well done from start to finish and she has so much more depth than you initially think, that she becomes endeared to you fairly quickly!

There is a "trigger warning" assault scene in this that helps to turn Veronica's world upside-down. It's written incredibly well and is a very believable catalyst to her accidentally allowing herself to be more vulnerable and open to what Baxter has to offer.

Baxter is a do-gooder but also grows throughout this story, seeing the world more for the many colors and shades of gray it is rather than just his early black & white. He is sweet but strong enough that he also puts Veronica in her place from their first meeting, which is always something I enjoy with a couple! There were so many fun scenes with these two and it was a delight to see Bax & Veronica's bond and trust growing in each one.

The deeper issues - homelessness, family problems - don't hit you over the head but make a solid impact on you and there is no mistaking how they affect the characters.

I honestly loved every minute of this!


My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and my 100% own.

About the Author: Samantha Joyce
Samantha has wanted to be an author since she picked up her first book and realized authors get to create new worlds with just a pen and paper (or laptop, if you will). She loves to write about romance because, as someone who married her high school sweetheart, she absolutely believes in true love. She also loves making people laugh and feels love and laughter go hand in hand. If she can make someone both swoon and giggle with her words, she considers that a success. When not writing or at her day job, Samantha can be found either singing and dancing on stage in local musicals, or at home watching geeky television shows with her husband.
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