Deception Island by Brynn Kelly
Release Date: May 31, 2016
Publisher: HQN
Pages: 336
Source: book provided by NetGalley for review
A stolen boy. A haunted soldier. A cornered con woman…
Rafe Angelito thought he was done with the demons from his past—until his son is kidnapped. Blackmailed into abducting an American heiress, the legionnaire soon finds himself trapped in paradise with a fiery, daring beauty who’s nothing he expects…and everything he desires. But when he uncovers her own dark secret, Rafe realizes he’s made a critical mistake—one that could cost him everything.
Playing body double for a spoiled socialite was supposed to be Holly Ryan’s ticket to freedom. But when she’s snatched off her yacht by a tall, dark and dangerous stranger, the not-quite-reformed con artist will make a desperate play to turn her captor from enemy to ally, by any means necessary.
Yet as scorching days melt into sultry nights, Holly is drawn to the mysterious capitaine, with his unexpected sense of honor and his searing touch. When they’re double-crossed, they’ll have to risk trusting each other in ways they never imagined…because in this deadly game of deception, it’s their lives—and hearts—on the line.
Review: This story begins with action and ends with action, is supercharged and fast paced, but somehow, the author manages to create a tender love story between the most unlikely of couples.
Debut novels can be tricky business. Sometimes they are written without a great deal of confidence, or come off as timid or tepid, while others burst from the gate as though they were born doing this, which thankfully was the case here.
I will admit I was not sure where all this was going at first, and while I was enjoying the little dance going on between Rafe and Holly, I was beginning to wonder if something more was ever going to transpire, or if this was just a stranded on a deserted island tale. But, once the truth is revealed, and the characterizations really start to take shape, the ground becomes solid enough for the story to slowly shift gears and blossom into one of harrowing suspense, action, betrayals, double-crosses, and revenge.
But, at the heart of the story is the love Rafe has for his son, which is only thing proving he has a heart and is capable of feeling anything at all, until he kidnaps Holly.
I love anti-hero stories, or novels that feature emotionally or physically flawed characters. These darker tones often expose raw emotions and plumb the depths of human nature which builds a much stronger story than the average boy meets girl setup.
The romance was interwoven evenly with the suspense elements which is often difficult to pull off in this genre, with even the most seasoned authors sometimes losing that balance. My only complaint was the sexy times stretched out over two whole chapters, which was a bit overboard, and could have killed the pacing, but it rebound nicely.
I also enjoy a story that takes me away from reality, is set in exotic locations, and challenges my imagination. Rafe’s struggle to win the war against the demons that plague him, his love for Theo and the many risks he takes in order to keep Holly alive make him a worthy hero, and Holly will no doubt finally have a life she never dreamed possible.
Although this novel is a real thrill ride, it is also a story is about second chances in life, about the determination to become a better person, despite overwhelming odds and is also a testament to the power of love and its ability to transform even the most hardened hearts.
Overall, this is a very solid debut novel and I really enjoyed the unique storyline.
