From USA Today Bestseller Ava Harrison comes a new STANDALONE romance.I needed to get away.My ex was getting married.So, I left.The English countryside was a picture-perfect escape.The dashing stranger an even better one.And what started as a chance encounter quickly became more.He promised to show me how to live, how to feel alive and forget a past best forgotten.He made me believe things could … forgotten.
He made me believe things could be different.
That was until I found out who he was . . .
He was Oliver Blackthorn.
The 16th Earl of Lockhart. Thirty-third in line to the throne.
And a liar.
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So a Brit and an American meet in a pub…sounds like a bad joke, but their story is anything but. The basis of their relationship is a lie, but the chemistry is so real and entertaining. Oliver makes you love him and the affection he puts into the relationship, while Addison makes you want to push her from her comfort zone toward happiness. The passion, emotions and overall intensity make for a good read. Olly and Addy = cuteness overload. You’ll root for them while silently cursing the two for their blindness/stubbornness. All in all, another good one from Ava!
How can something real come from secrets and lies?
That’s the question that Addison Pierce is left to struggle with once she learns who Oliver Blackthorn after her body and her heart were already his.
In Ava Harrison’s latest release, Deceit, she crafts quite the tumultuous love story – one that will hurt readers’ heads and hearts as they witness Addison and Oliver’s sizzling chemistry followed by a series of revelations that destroy a connection that could have been everything they had ever wanted in a partner.
In my opinion, Addison and Oliver’s story would have been a much different one if Harrison wouldn’t have allowed readers to be privy to both characters’ perspectives, especially when it comes to Oliver’s secrets. I don’t think I would have understood why Oliver chose to hold back the information that he does or what was at stake for his family if not for the ability of hearing his internal musings as well as just how real his feelings for Addison are.
Addison’s stubbornness was a bit of a point of contention for me when it came to her unwillingness to hear Oliver out and her extreme tunnel vision when it came to moving on from Oliver and everything she felt for him before she learned the truth of his deceit. But while I did struggle with Addy’s words and actions at times, I did appreciate her honesty and her independent nature and Harrison does illustrate the evolution of Addie’s character extremely well.
As a reader of romance – one who loves her happily ever afters – I’ll admit that I struggled with the amount of time that Oliver and Addison remained apart; logically, I understood why Addie cut ties with Olly even without the kind of closure needed, but I wanted them to sort through all of the secrets and lies and be as open and honest as they can be in order for them to move forward together.
Despite the fact that Oliver had his work cut out for him in order to fix things between him and Addy, he never gives up, even when it seems that there was no hope for anything more than regret.
Readers better hold onto their heart and emotions as they traverse through the rollercoaster that is Oliver and Addison’s story; there are so many ups and downs and twists and turns that it’s unclear up until the very end if what began under false pretenses is something worth fighting to get back.
4 Poison Apples
Lies. Can any relationship survive when it begins with lies?! Is that something you can come back from?! This is the biggest obstacle Olly and Addy will face as their relationship progresses. Sometimes secrets aren’t yours to tell and that’s the situation these two find themselves in.
Addy is strong, fierce and has built walls around her heart so high she’s convinced herself there is no room for love in her future. She’s so successful she’s never sure of men’s true intentions. She’s guarded and keeps her romantic feelings in check, that is until Olly brings out a side of her she keeps locked away.
Olly is arrogant and sure of himself to a certain extent, he is of course the Earl of Lockhart. But he’s so endearing and not over the top, that’s what I loved that about him the most. He treated Addy as an equal and loved all facets of her tough exterior.
I felt their connection in my heart. They both struggled in their relationship and I struggled with them. I was broken when they were broken. It was not an easy rode for Olly and Addy, their journey took time and understanding and I’m thrilled to have traveled that adventure with them
Ava Harrison is fast becoming one of my go-to authors. She ensnared me with Intention and has dragged me down deeper with Deceit.
The characters, the settings and the storyline all combine to deliver a five star read. Oliver, Lord Lockhart, deceives Addison in the most cruel of ways, albeit reluctantly. It starts out as a little white lie, but the more he’s attracted to her, the bigger the lies become.
Whilst this is the main arc of the story, there are also other threads which allude to the theme of deceit. Many of the characters are guilty of keeping secrets and telling lies both to themselves and others. If a lie is told to protect another, is it forgivable? Can it be justified?
These moral questions aside, the relationship between Oliver and Addison is red hot. Their initial romance in England is just to die for; the author paints such a vibrant picture of a reckless love affair that shouldn’t go anywhere but is doomed to haunt them both.
I can’t recommend this book and this author enough. This is a book that you can get lost in and feel as though you’re walking through the story with the characters. Brilliant.
Deceit makes you breathless and wary. You know all along there are lies. The title tells us so and yet you hope for more. The budding relationship is filled with possibilities, potential, and all the feels. It’s just that niggling lying that makes it so devastating. It’s easy to fall hard and fast for Olly. It’s even easier to severe ties. But it’s impossible to forget, it’s impossible not to feel, and impossible not to be broken. It’s impossible to forgive. Apparently we are all liars in this story…
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
This is my first Ava Harrison book and I’m still trying to decide what I really think.
I liked Deceit, but I struggled a little bit with our female lead, Addison. I wonder if some of my struggle with her is because of not having the full back story of who she is and why she’s important to the author.
Olly, our main male character is another character that while I liked him, I didn’t fully connect with. Some of his actions in the second half of the story felt repetitive and didn’t necessarily advance his cause.
In terms of plot and conflict I’m, well, conflicted. Part of this comes from my struggle with Addison and Olly as characters. Deceit is well written and I did enjoy it. It definitely has me curious about the author’s back list.
Deceit by Ava Harrison tells the story of Oliver and Addy. Addy’s ex is getting married and she wants to get away and mend her broken heart. Addy was determined and strong, if very guarded. Oliver Blackthorn is the 16th Earl of Lockhart, thirty-third in line to the throne. He was cocky but caring and not at all what you would imagine. Their chemistry is strong and undeniable, and I loved how he challenged Addy.
Deceit by Ava Harrison was a story was full of surprises, secrets, twists and great characters! Though they share some intense chemistry, the secrets between them can destroy what they are starting to build. I loved watching them fall, though their journey was not an easy one.
Read and reviewed for Reviews From the Heart.
Happy reading!
Wow, what a book hangover I am currently experiencing.
When I was reading this fantastic story, I was constantly looking at the percentage left at the bottom of my e-reader. I thought for sure it wasn’t going to turn out the way it did! Ms. Harrison is going to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end of this story.
Ms. Harrison’s storytelling talent shines with this story. Her descriptions of places and scenes are so vivid, I felt like I could actually “see” them in my mind.
This story of Addison and Oliver is filled with lust, love and of course deceit. Their chemistry is white hot and even though both have kept secrets from each other, they have their reasons. Both Addison and Oliver are looking for an escape from their worlds and they find it with each other and the lovely countryside of Wiltshire.
The twist is going to floor you, I know it did me. What was so important about this piece of land? Read this story and find out!
I never know what I am going to get when I dive into an Ava Harrison story, but I know I will not be disappointed! Deceit is another amazing story, well written and just wow!
Fall in love with Oliver! A wonderful, gripping romance! Now I want to read all of Ava’s books! Highly recommend!
DECEIT by Ava Harrison is the story of Addison Pierce and Oliver Blackthorn the 16th Earl of Lockhart.
Addison is a strong, successful independent women but she is having mixed emotions about her former boyfriend getting married. Addison thought he would be the love of her life. Addison heads to a village in England to escape her feelings, this puts her into meeting Oliver. Oliver is sent to the village to handle a Estate Land issue which leads him to befriend Addison to succeed at his mission. What he didn’t count on were the feelings she brings out in him…but their relationship is built on lies.
Enjoyed their story and I will be looking for more from this author.
Another phenomenal release by Mrs. Harrison!
Deceit was hands down incredible. I loved every second I was drowned in this book and this world with these characters.
The story kicks off with a heartbroken Addison who goes to London to get over or mend her broken heart. That is where she meets our hero, Oliver.
The two have the start of what I’d call an incredible, angsty, hot affair. But is Oliver everything he says he is? Is everything as good as it seems?
Addison was a fierce, head strong, independent woman who made mistakes of her own but owned them. Learned from them. Was better because of them. Oliver was a dream, handsome, charming, intelligent, a tad arrogant that just adds to his charm and attractiveness. But can love really flourish if it begins with deceit? An amazing love affair and incredible story but would it really be an Ava Harrison book if she didn’t pack it with a HUGE twist and a punch to the gut?
I can’t recommend Deceit enough.
* Reviewed by Ali at Fallen For Books
The truth shall set you free or in this case, you can only hope. Ollie & Addy’s story was so well written with intrigue, steamy, passion. I loved every word and was hooked like only Ava’s books can do to me.
Well ladies and gentlemen Ava has done it again and Better!!!! Oliver and Addison’s love story is so beautiful! Olly is this amazing and charming earl who happens meet the beautiful Addison at the one and only pub in town and make Addison forget why she was drinking! Their chemistry is simply off the charts!! Addison is so bad ass and runs the world but isn’t living!!! Oliver opens her eyes to what life should be like, and then has to go and ruin it for a while! Will or won’t she forgive him? Will she go back to doing instead of living??
These characters were so amazing and felt so real!!! They are by far my FAVORITE from Ava and I just want more and more and more
Deceit by Ava Harrison proves again that she is brilliant at writing a heartbreaking, deeply moving and passionate story. This story aimed to please me with wonderful characters and heartwarming emotions. And it was one hundred and ten percent on point.
The story is told in dual POV. She did an excellent job of writing in that way because the characters were absolutely opposite and she managed to capture the quirks of different cultures. Olive was British aristocracy and Addison was American Entrepreneur. But they both are running from something. Addison has come to the small village of England to escape her ex’s marriage while Oliver has been forced to come back to the same village to handle a very important Estate land related matter that may or may not concern Addison. A seemingly innocent plan of Oliver to befriend Addison backfires when he ends up falling for her. But secrets never stay in dark for long. The lies and mistakes Oliver tried to hide will come back to hurt the only woman he ever loved. Can their love survive the “deceit”?
I loved Addison. A smart, intelligent and successful business woman, she still has insecurity and vulnerabilities. And Oliver has filled her boring workaholic life with colours of excitement. Of course I am loving and lusting after him. Who can resist a charming , gorgeous and smooth talking British man with super power in bed AND kitchen? And his dark shadows added to his attractiveness. I was so amazed with the storyline. It could have ended as a typical opposites-attract-and-fall-in-love story. But Ava Harrison gave it a grand twist and it became a lot more captivating. I enjoyed how she burnt down their hearts and then rebuilt their relationship stronger and brighter. I had to go through some excruciatingly heartbreaking chapters but it was so worth it.
I know a story is great when I start cheering the characters , feeling sad with their sadness and smile like a lunatic when they find their happily ever after. It happened with Deceit for sure. I was caught in the intricate and mesmerizing web of Ava Harrison’s storytelling. It was sensual, emotional and poignant.
Received ARC for Honest Review
This story has all the feels!! The steamy moments are sizzling HOT and the angst scenes will leave you reeling for relief! Sexy British Earl of Lockhart Oliver Blackthorn is ruled by loyalty to his family or following his heart. Gorgeous American Addison Price, a strong willed woman who is also rich and powerful in her own right,yet she is suffering from a broken heart. When these two characters meet, look out because anything can happen, and it does! Unfortunately for Oliver and Addison, they must now deal with the fallout from Deceit, with lies that have grown so large there’s no return. I truly loved Oliver and Addison, they were so natural together, she kept Oliver on his toes and I enjoyed their banter! Ava developed the characters so well, their relationships, the tension,the plot, the secondary people were great and life like. (Hoping there will be books about them in the future) I loved this book and I would highly recommend it to all!
Deceit by Ava Harrison was an agnsty, heartbreaking story about two people who met by chance but are doomed by their past. Pasts that aren’t even of their choosing or making.
Addison is a wealthy heiress, she holds the deeds to a particular piece of land in the English countryside. When she decides she wants to finally be rid of said land she has two choices, sell or lease to her ex-fiance or a complete stranger.
The impending nuptials sends her off to the UK to see the plot for herself, and it’s there she mets Olly.
Olly’s sexy and funny, he’s the complete opposite of her ex and just what she needs. They embarks on a whirlwind romance. But, Olly is hiding something. A lot of somethings, and he can’t tell her any of them.
Oh what a tangled web Ava has woven into this story. It’s at times sweet and sexy, others heartbreaking and frustrating. I so wanted these two to get their happy ending but with all the lies in their way it’s gonna be hard. Add in a hoity, toity Dowager mother, interfering brothers and you have some twists you might not see coming.
This was another great book by Ava Harrison, be sure to grab your copy today.
Lies, betrayal, pride things that can doom anyone are things she deals with on a regular basis. Who do you trust, who can you believe, who can you love. A life filled with reasons to not trust and let those walls done. She fights it tooth and nail and then when it’s only her pride in the way the betrayal comes from an unexpected source. There is so much of this throughout the book and it’s all over money and property. The author does a wonderful job of making you feel what’s going on and being invested in the characters. These characters have found a deep rooted passion for each other and the gap they fill with each other is a completion for them. They say that having money can make everything better but it’s a world of pain and loss, betrayal and lies, where the truth is not always apparent or easily discerned. Sometimes that deceit is not done with malice and a heart willing to forgive can allow what’s been damaged to be healed.
Oliver and Addison’s story is beautiful. They share a sizzling chemistry. Oliver Blackthorn is an handsome character. The storyline is filled with love, but also lies, deceits, secrets, twists and turns. I love Oliver’s persistence and protectiveness. Addison’s brothers, Grayson and Jax, are also protective and supportive. The story has a beautiful ending. This is another great story written by Ava Harrison. She never disappoints. I enjoyed reading this story, and now I can’t wait to listen to it!
4 1/2 stars
“Live… Let me show you how.”
Once I began reading the first few chapters, I started getting a bad feeling. That feeling where you know the decisions of the some characters are going to have a ripple effect that will cause massive consequences. And yet, you can’t look away, you have to devour every page. Oliver and Addison are great characters and have immediate chemistry. Oliver is a compassionate man who knows his way around women. Reading about him made me think of the song Smooth Operator by Sade. But he is also funny and cheeky. Addison is a strong, independent woman and yet she feels weak around men. Two in particular. One she was running from and one she accidentally found. I did love Oliver’s outlook on life and how he nudged Addison into breaking free from her routine to stop living day to day and actually live. But someone isn’t being truthful and you know what they say, the truth always comes out. I was interested to see what would happen once the chips had fallen.
I think what I enjoyed the most about this story was Addison’s strength to move past Oliver’s betrayal. The way she went about it was not the best but the thought behind it was good. So many times you see female leads take back the male protagonists so easily after an indiscretion that it always leaves me frustrated. If he hurt you that badly, why are you taking him back so quickly? That’s why Addison was a great female character because through her journey she realised that there were other options besides choosing a man: “I’m not defined by a man or how they love or treat me. I’m defined by how I love and treat myself.”
I really wanted to hate Oliver more than I did. His means were not the best but I can understand why he needed to go through with it. He might have been able to achieve his end through a different means. Plus he was guilt ridden about his decision so that made me feel like angry towards him. One that didn’t cause so much heartache. The story had some twists that I wasn’t expecting but I think that’s what made it engaging. Add in great characters and an interesting storyline and this story was everything you could want in a page turner.
Addy + Olly = LOVE. Addison + Oliver = Lies + Deceit!
What a story by Ava Harrison! It was full of angst and pain and love and joy all at once. Addison is strong and powerful yet has regrets from her past. Oliver has current regrets he cannot get over. This book tears at the heartstrings- as you want happily ever after for Addy and Olly but can they get there.
The book has great supporting characters, some twists and turns and two people who truly are drawn to each other and love each other. How they get there is a great story!