The more I read of these books the more sucked into this world of the Bratva I become, and I love every second of it. From previous books we did see glimpses of Adrian and his relationship with his wife, but now we get a more in depth look at the man behind the cold and heartless soul. Adrian is a high rank in the Bratva, he has secrets on everyone and every dealing to ever exist, but now thins have happened that have a few questioning his loyalties so he is under a lot of stress and add to the mix the craziness behind Lia and Winter. I don’t want to give anything away because trust me when I say that this cliffhanger leaves the reader breathless, well it did me because I honestly never saw any of that coming. I’m dying for more, but I will wait patiently since the next isn’t too far away. This book is one that you will want to experience because it is visceral, steamy, entrancing, and twisted. I could not stop reading even if I never wanted it to end, I wanted to see what would happen next. An insanely brilliant way to start a trilogy that left me craving more. ( )

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.25

First Impressions
Vow of Deception is the first book in the "Deception Trilogy" and I really went into this book blind and the blurb is a bit vague into what is actually happening with this book. This book was really hard to get engaged with so my best piece of advice with this one is be patient with it and stick with it and if by halfway you aren't into it, then it might not be for you. Sometimes Rina Kent's books aren't going to be for everyone and I really had to be patient with how this one was written here. I really found it so intriguing and the way in which this author developed this book was so well developed. At first, I didn't know what she was really going on with this story, but it turned into something so much more deeper than even I expected but the hero is one of the darkest heroes I think she has written.

First Line
Death can come in the form of a doppelganger.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Adrian Volkov
Works for the Bratva, Assassin, Works Remotely, Is a single father

The Heroine: Lia (Winter)
Started out as a professional ballerina, lost her way when she had a miscarriage and ended up on the streets and an alcoholic.

Summary
Lia is taken from her home of the streets and being homeless and forced into the home of Adrian Volkov where she is forced to pose as his wife and the mother to their son who is just a lost child yearning for his mother. Lia is at a loss because she is in a difficult position, Adrian is not a man to disobey but Winter finds her own way to disobery him to stand her ground and retain her independence but she also knows how dangerous Adrian is and there is a bond that she is forming with Adrian that she doesn't want to fully admit to. But there are secrets, she is having nightmares and she ends up learning secrets, secrets that could destroy them all...

What I Loved
Vow of Deception had some aspects to the story that just intrigued me. First off, the chemistry in this book is off the charts. The way in which these two connect in the smexy moments between them is very intense. I was intrigued by the premise of the story and you could tell pretty quickly that the author was really digging deep to write such a complex story that had so many layers to it. Just when you think ( as the reader) that you have it all figured out, then something new enters into the story that completely blows you away. I was shocked in where the author led this book because I was NOT expecting that ending, because that reveal in the ending, oh boy. The author really throws you for a loop into this one. I absolutely love what she wrote here, I wasn't sure I wanted to continue this series until the later half of the book. The first half of the book is very slow going and doesn't make sense but I do think if you are patient, it will give you the rewards you can expect from this author and I can't wait to jump into the next book. This is definitely a trilogy you want to read together.

What I Struggled With
The first half of the book is really hard to keep up with. There were many times I wanted to DNF this one, but I wanted to give this trilogy a good chance as I really wanted to read Adrian's book and have been curious about his character as there has always been so mystery surrounding him. But the pacing was really off and it could have been me, it just starts off really strange and can be hard with at times. I really was intrigued by the characters but it just didn't make sense in the first half, but I promise if you keep up with, then it will bring out rewards.

Overall View
Vow of Deception was a captivating, angst filled romance that kept me on the edge of my seat...all the intrigue and dark vibes will carry you through and keep the reader fascinated to read the next one.

Favorite Quote(s)
The big deal is that no one looks at you the way I do. No one get's a glimpse at what's mine."

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Romantic Suspense, Dark Romance
Character Types: Mafia, Assassin, Anti Hero, Alpha Male, Ballerina
Themes: Danger Elements, Kids involved
Tropes: Mistaken Identity, Forced Relationship, Kidnapping

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend of both

Song This Book Inspires
What Have I Done by Dermot Kennedy

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes you need to read this trilogy in order

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. ( )

Au début c’était un peu confus. Je déteste Adrian et son caractère de merde mais je pense aussi que c’est un psychopathe de penser que Winter c’est sa femme. ( )

I am a huge fan of this author. Her books are always in my favorites of the year for a reason. However, nothing, and I mean nothing, could have prepared me for this book/start of this trilogy. From the opening paragraphs of a prologue that had me instantly on the edge of my seat to the very last paragraph, I was 1000% invested.

The author did a great job at creating scenes that had me wondering what was real and what was imagined. Moreover, she had me questioning how certain things were even possible? It almost felt supernatural, which in turn, made it so that I wanted to know even more. I felt for Lia/Winter as she struggled to traverse between two worlds. Once learning her backstory I fell in love with her a little more and her connection to Jeremy.

Yet, the real standout in this story was Adrian. This author has created some amazing leading men, but I have to say, Adrain is special and might take the top spot. There was something so untamed and wild in his persona that I found myself beguiled. There was nothing artificial. He was callous but also endearing. As the story progressed I wanted to know more about this character and why was so adamant about having Winter be Lia. I still don't have the answers because just when I thought I had it figured out something would happen and change things up.

I have no idea how everything ties together, or the mysteries yet to be solved. All I know is that I am here for it. I need the next book like I need air to breathe because this one ends on a whopper of a cliffhanger. This book has it all from suspense, a touch of angst, fantastic characters, and some of the steamiest smexy times ever, which makes it a definite must-read for 2021. ( )

In my opinion, this is Rina Kent's best book yet! I loved the plot line and the unique way the characters were introduced, all of it!

The heroine in this story is Winter, a homeless woman who Adrian makes his "wife." I won't delve into the plot with detail in this review because that's what the book is for, but basically they go from enemies to something...not quite lovers...he shows affection because he wants his mind to believe that Winter is Lia, his dead wife. In the end, Winter has a flashback-and she realizes she actually is Lia and then the book ends there.

It's an impressive idea, I must admit, and I love the way Rina Kent tangled up all the mafia and romance themes with it.

I'm very much looking forward to reading the second and third book! ( )