Home, heartbreaking home.The last thing I wanted was to come back to Louisiana,but with my father reeling from a family tragedy,someone has to make the arrangements anddeal with the aftermath.I hold everything together,even while drowning in my own grief—both for my family and the perfect life I had at school.When Hendrix shows up trying to convince me to take him back,I push him away.Dealing … me to take him back,
I push him away.
Dealing with him on top of my dad’s drinking is just too much.
I don’t even know what to think.
But Hendrix is persistent,
writing to me,
being there for me,
letting me know that I still matter and that he’s not going anywhere.
His determination sparks a glimmer of hope,
but my dad once again finds a way to ruin everything.
More secrets.
More lies.
How can anything ever be right again?
more
Love & Deception
The Love & Ruin Series, Book 2
By: J.A. Owenby
Narrated by: Stephanie Nemeth-Parker
Ok, I admit it. I am totally hooked on this series. This is book 2 and no, I didn’t go to sleep until I finished the book! We pick up where book 1 leaves off, and Gemma has gone home after the untimely death of her mother. But what she goes home to is completely unexpected. She also had some disturbing news about Hendrix right as she was leaving, and she just can’t deal with him now. Love on the rocks, danger lurking, family secrets, you name it, this story has it all. And I could not get enough. It’s unpredictable and exciting! A book that will keep the intrigue high and the romance building is just what I love to listen to. Plus there are secondary characters that are fantastic! Ada Lynn is my favorite, protective, loving and will do anything for Gemma. And Mac is the best friend ever. Loved this installment and though still in shock as to some of the revelations in this book, it only makes me want to grab book 3 and get listening!
Stephanie Nemeth-Parker continues with a fabulous narration. From the aging Ada-Lynn, to the sensual Hendrix, to Gemma’s crazy father to Gemma, we are treated to an array of voices, perfectly suited to the character and brings them alive in your mind. I loved this narration and can’t wait for more.
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Audio Book Review
5
Wow! This is the second book in the Love & Ruin series. This book picks right up where book 1 left your jaw flapping in the wind. OH MY GOSH! This is a crazy emotional ride. Will Gemma and Hendrix ever get to be together? Can’t wait for the next book! Stephanie Nemeth-Parker did amazing again.
Love & Deception by J.A. Owenby is a new adult romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. This is the second book in The Love & Ruin series.
This book does come with a caution: “This book includes mature content and possible triggers.”
This is the second book of J.A.’s that I have read and it won’t be my last. I absolutely love the friendship between Gemma and Mackenzie. I am really enjoying the slow building relationship between Gemma and Hendrix.
Stephanie did an amazing job on the narration. She really knows how to bring a story to life. I look forward to listening to more of her work in the future.
I would recommend this book if you like slow burn romances, new adult romances, contemporary romance, or romantic suspense.
The Flock Team
Audiobook Obsession Reviewer
I love this series by J.A. Owensby.. Instead of sleeping last night I was up reading book 2. I would have started with book 3 but it was after 2 a.m. by then. You learn a lot in this book that will make your skin crawl and people who deserve punishment get it. I strongly recommend this.
Love & Deception – J. A. Owenby
Love & Deception continues Gemma and Hendrix’s story. This is where we find out just how and why Gemma is so damaged and why it is so hard for her to trust and believe in people.
Having just found out her mother has died in a terrible car accident, as she is leaving to return for her mother’s funeral Andrea accuses Hendrix of rape. That brings back her memories and having been raped when she was only 14 Gemma’s mind takes free reign over her thoughts.
Coming back is like closing the door to her recent past and just living in darkness. Her mother is gone, her father is behaving strangely and Hendrix is worried about her but she has nothing to give right now. She is overwhelmed and scared. Luckily she has Ada Lynn to talk to that is if she can ever move forward from the depression she has sunk back into. To add to her worries Mac surprises her by moving to the town. To keep everyone safe she has to figure out why her father is behaving the way he is. Why is he drinking so much? Why can she feel the veiled violence coming off him and why won’t Hendrix just let her be?
Days go by and things just seem to worsen for Gemma. She finds Ada Lynn on the floor of her bedroom. Ada Lynn had a heart attack and Gemma feels guilty because she knows Ada Lynn has been worried about her living with her father.
That night things come to a head with her father who calls her a liar, a thief, a whore and beats her until she passes out. Is this what the alcohol has done to him? Is he just grieving or has she missed something while growing up. She had been in such a depression and spent little time in the company of her parents after she gave birth and locked herself away. How could she have missed this?
Will he go after Ada Lynn as well at Gemma? Will he go after Hendrix and Mac if they come around to visit her?
J. A. Owenby moves us through this story of a love that was wonderful but ruined to a love that can end up rescuing Gemma from the darkness and lies that have come to a head. Again, I couldn’t put this book down as the story moves towards an explosive ending that moves us on to Book 3 of the trilogy. I can only say I’m now one of J. A. Owenby’s biggest fans!
Love & Deception by J. A. Owenby
In the continuing story of Gemma. Owenby has a way of telling a story that makes you, the reader feel what the characters are going thru. In this 2nd part of the trilogy, you find out even more of the terrible things that Gemma has had to endure, and just what lengths her friends will go thru to help her. Owenby sheds light on an ugly subject without glamorizing it. You need to read these books, you may cry, ok you will cry. But, read them, people need to know that these things go on in our world.
This book is Amazeballs (to take a term from Mac). Just when you think you know what is going to happen there is a surprise. But each surprise fits in the story and is not unrealistic. At times I gasped, swore, and wanted to throw the book. It was a great read, in fact I read it a second time right away to pick up on all the things I missed.
J.W. Owenby has done it again and I can’t wait to read the rest of the trilogy and all her other books.
Buckle up, Buttercup! If you thought Love & Ruin was an intense beginning to this trilogy … it was just the tip of the iceberg! Love & Deception is the perfect title for book two, the continuation of Gemma’s and Hendrix’s turbulent story. It’s heart wrenching and emotional and will keep you riveted to the pages as Gemma struggles to make sense of shocking secrets about her past and her uncertain future with Hendrix.
This is everything I want in the second book of a trilogy. Compelling writing, twists and turns to keep me on my toes, as well as character and plot development that take this beautiful story to the next level of amazing.