Vow of Deception

Deception Trilogy, Book 1

By: Rina Kent

Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Desiree Ketchum

Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

My husband. My tormentor.

The most notorious man in the city offers me a job.

Act as his dead wife.

Adrian Volkov isn’t the type of person who takes no for an answer.

He commands with an iron fist and all his orders are met.

When he approaches me with the offer, I have two options.

Go to prison or put myself under his wrath.

I choose to have a roof over my head. What’s so hard about acting, right?

Wrong.

The moment I step into his wife’s shoes, everything spirals out of control.

My only way of survival is through Adrian.

Or is it?

Vow of Deception is book one of a trilogy and is not stan-dalone.

©2021 Rina Kent (P)2021 Rina Kent

10⭐️ PERFECTION ALL THE WAY.. until the cliffhanger

Rina Kent has my undivided attention when she releases a new book and, despite my “never touch a Trilogy until Book 3 is out” convictions, my resistance is futile when it comes to one of her books. But now I’m suffering BIG TIME and desperate for more in this Bratva cat and mouse suspense, intrigue and friction-filled hot story.

Winter was one of New York’s unseen and she wanted to keep it that way.. she’s been living on the streets in the shadows and survives with stolen alcohol to numb her memories and food when she can get it. Until the day a dark Russian comes into her life and, without remorse after setting her up, takes her. A mansion, a fortress, armed guards, another woman’s identity, secrets, rules, obedience, possession, discipline, submission, dominance, pain, penance, multiple ‘Os’, sexual awakenings and pleasure.. all for a purpose and some of the puzzle pieces are waiting to be put together.. but the chapters will keep you guessing.

Right from the start, every single chapter drew me in, consumed me and the mystery deepened as I tried to unravel the truth from the narrative.. all while Adrian aligns his pawns and his dutiful Queen for a game of winner takes all.. and the losers must die. He’s a possessive, jealous anti-hero and I loved loved loved him. Every well-plotted scene was a carefully placed brick from Rina Kent’s world-building tub of talent. The mind-games and action were vague outlines waiting to be filled in with truths. The sexual chemistry and underlying possessive dominant demands was hot and every feisty snark-filled comeback earned its skilled punishments and pleasures. There’s also a sweet little five year old who absolutely stole my heart. There’s so much more in store for Leah and Adrian and I can’t wait to see what revelations come next. The dual POV was acted out perfectly by Desiree Ketchum and Jason Clarke (.. with Russian and Italian accents girls💕 ) he moved with ease from the cast of character’s various accents and genders and the conversations flowed so well.

Worth a credit? There’s intrigue and suspicion around every corner as well as tension, suspense and danger in a complex layered multi-gemmed bedazzled storyline with mystery, secrets and, of course, the aaaarrrgghhhh WTF of a shocking cliffhanger ending.

Well Done!

Vow of Deception by Rina Kent

*Updated with Audiobook Review, at Bottom.

I Give This Book a 4.5-5/5 Star Rating, Listing as 5.

***
I Do Advise that You Read the >Free< Prequel: Dark Deception
Please do not skip reading it, it contains important insight and should be read before this book ☺️
***

No Spoilers.

Cliffhanger(?): YES!!! 😍😍
I’m so glad this is a Trilogy, cause then I know this Adrian & Lia/Winter’s story isn’t close to being done yet!
Relationship Type: MF
Heat: 5/5
Romance: 2-2.5(?)/5, Completely fits the storyline and love it!, it’s not insta, it’s twisted and confusing in the best way...Gosh... I love how this is going! Won’t spoil, sorry! 😆
Dark(?): 2/5, as of right now in the trilogy.
Drama: 3.5/5, not much drama to me, but man..the suspense!!!
Suspense: 5/5, I kid you not I was in the edge of my seat while read this! I love not knowing what the heck is going on! 😍
So Good! It’s such a great puzzle to try and figure while waiting for the Next Book.

This Trilogy looks like it most likely be one of my top favorites of Rina’s Works if not the Top, in all seriousness.
I cant wait to see what the heck is going to happen in Book 2!

**New**
Audiobook Review:
Overall: A Flat out Honest 5/5 across the board.
Story: 5/5!
Performance: 5/5!
Narrators: Jason Clarke & Desiree Ketchum
Holy Cow! Hearing Jason Clarke voice Adrian is incredible! He fits so well! I couldn’t get enough of him. He sounds like what an anime villain sounds like, and I mean that in the highest of compliments.
Its perfect!
I’ve gotta listen to more books with him narrating.

Desiree Ketchum is a very good narrator, I had to get used to her voicing Winter but the more I listened the better it got, and her voicing men is really good. And she is a Perfect for for Winter.

Formats Read: Ebook & Audiobook.
I literally just finished this Book and when the Audiobook came out, I was so eager to jump right back into the book again and this time listen to it.

After Listening:
My Mind Plays Audiobooks like a movie, and this was such addictive ADDICTIVE ‘Movie’! The ‘Visuals’ in every aspect of this book were so vivid to me.
This is definitely one of Rina Kent’s Best works, and having these two narrating together is/was sincerely a great decision, I am so excited to hear them Narrate the Next Two books.

I will definitely and most happily be listening to this particular Audiobook over and over again.

wow!!

WHAT A STORY!
WHAT AN ENDING!
WOW WOW WOW!
This author blows me away.
Every single time. I can NEVER get enough. The twists and turns never stop. I am salivating for book 2. I need it NOW. 5 STARS!

Wowza!!!

Gosh, this book was an amazing start to Kent’s latest trilogy! Doppelgängers, the Russian mob, mysterious elements, steamy scenes, and an adorable 5 year old boy!!! The storyline was all-consuming - I couldn’t stop listening as the questions and suspense continued mounting. I need answers!! Can’t wait to dive into the second installment and find out what happens next for Adrian and Winter/Lia. This narration duo is one of the best around. You won’t regret this purchase!

Worth every minute

This book was off the charts awesome!!!! I am an audible listener so I’m not happy, only the first book has been recorded but if you’re one of those people who have the time to actually read it’s worth it!!!!

The hero is definitely an Alpha male and strong, complex, character; the heroine is the same....The storyline, characters, and all is very intense, well written, and hot. The characters have great chemistry and make sense. This story was so great I may have to actually read it after all....We’ll see.....

The narrators definitely brought a life to these characters my voice can’t😂😂😂 Anyway, this book will definitely go on my favorites and re-read lists! I’m sure the whole series will. Btw this is part of a series 3 book series.....but trust me you will find it worth it and want to read! Couldn’t put it down....

"Oh no please" give me a dame break!

I'm not into weak FMCs and surprise, here's one. Didn't take much for her to be taken. Didn't take much for her to just do what ever he says for absolutely no real reason. 3 hours of "oh no please" later and he spanks her and now she's dripping wet. Eww, LAME, completely lame and can we all just say unoriginal. I mean come on, I feel like a teenage boy wrote this, based on what he thinks a mafia man is suppose to be. I see that that the high rating for this one is for those who don't mind weak FMCs that don't stick up for themselves. That's not a good time for me. It just makes me sick that someone thought that was suppose to be something at all believable. DNF all day!

AMAZING Dark Romance

when Rina Kent tells you this book and series is going to be a twisted marriage, villainous hero, suspenseful mindf*k you need to believe her. I loved this book from the beginning and in some parts it gave me chills, I felt like I was there watching this story playing in front of me 😱 soo good. The book is extraordinary on it's own but add two great narrators like Jason and Desiree you'll get an unbelievable experience. cannot wait for the second book.

Major Trigger Warnings for this Book!!!

SPOILERS AHEAD - READ WITH CAUTION!

The voice actors were fabulous. I enjoyed the storytelling very much.

I have incredibly mixed feelings regarding this book/audiobook. I was prepared for a dark mafia romance, but this was more than that (or less than), and had I known what I'd be getting in to, would've passed.

First, it's Stockholm Syndrome 100%. Developing feelings, especially romantic, with an abuser or captor is an interesting phenomenon, but when there is constant abuse, physical, mental and emotional, I just can't buy it.
Given the circumstance of the FMC in book 1, her situation is appalling, and that she develops feeling for him is crazy because he doesn't have any redeeming qualities. He's unkind, murderous, and harsh, and in true "intermittent reinforcement" dynamics, she thrives on the occasional grin or erection. "That he can have that reaction to me..."

The sex scenes are spicy, yes, but they're ALL rape. The FMC express her sick satisfaction at the abuse/whippings and ability to get aroused and "finish" despite his treatment of her, but she never really wants it because she hates him. Her arousal response is off the charts in response to physical violence, a type of violence and brutality that is difficult to stomach. There is never tenderness or care. At best it's coercion, at worst, it full on rape. I like a kinky book, don't shy away from explicit sex, but this is not BDSM where both parties feel safe in their core but let the role play take over. It's more than dark. It's advertised as romance, but it's not. It's a sick power dynamic.

Overall, there is a great deal of confusion and lack of clarity. As a reader, I'm lost to what is really going on. It's a lot of building up just to end at a cliffhanger.

Cliffhanger: Finally, this does not end in a cliffhanger. It's worse. It just stops abruptly at an "ah-ha" moment and the story continues in book 2.

I finished listening, and since I had already purchased book 2 on major sale, continued on. (Thank goodness I only paid a few bucks for these books.)
Book 2 clarifies much of the confusion found in book 1, but the themes are the same.
Book 2 actually takes you back to events that took place before book 1.

I can't say I would recommend this book solely because it's advertised as romance. In that genre, it totally misses the mark.

Holy... WOW!!!

I am still fairly new to the world in which Rina Kent writes but holy... WOW!!! I was not expecting this book. I was absolutely sucked into this book and before I knew, I was finished and diving into the second book. The concept, plot, execution... I am just floored. It all flowed seamlessly together. I don't know why I waited so long to dive into this series.

Adrien Volkov is a member of the Russian mob. He is second in command in the brotherhood, just under the Pakhan, the brains of all operations, he has a stunningly beautiful wife and son, and over all seems to have a great life. But that's not what the prologue has you believing.

Winter's past is nothing but a mystery; homeless and livings on the streets, she has to fend for herself after an accident took both her mother and baby girl. Everything is dismal and bleak, until a handsome stranger sweeps in and makes her an offer.

The chemistry between Adrien and Winter is so off the charts, there is no way to explain it expect it is absolute FIRE!!! Who better to stoke that fire and really bring them to life than Jason Clarke and Desiree Ketchum. Vow of Deception is some of Jason's best work. He jumped seamlessly between Russian, Italian, and American accents. He gave me chills for days!!! Every time I listen to Desiree, I fall a little more in love with her each time. I can't get enough of her and hope that there is more to come from her and Jason.

YOU WONT GET BORED WITH THIS ONE FROM THE FIRST PAGE TO THE LAST!!

Rough and fulfilling sex scenes, exciting story line, and hot alpha, what more could you want!! Cant wait to get my hands on book 2!!

4.75 Stars

Every time I think I've read my favourite book by this author something else comes along to say Nuh Uh. Because this was a rollercoaster of so much tension, suspense and wildness, I could barely stop my head spinning. We first met Adrian in the Throne Duet but we only saw one side of him. In this we get just a taste more because if I know anything about Ms. Kent, she's only just opened the door to Adrian. His love interest Winter on the other hand is the real dark horse here and while I can't give much away, I know I'm counting down the days for book 2 and I cannot wait to see how this plays out. I volunteered to listen and review a complimentary copy of this. All opinions are my own.

5 Stars

I received this audiobook via a promo code and this is my voluntary review.

"What are you going to do with me?"
"Whatever I wish."

Winter has been plucked from the streets where she's been living after being framed for the murder of a guy running the local homeless shelter. Unfortunately for Winter, her captor is a Mafia man. A man who insists that she's going to be his new wife because shes a doppelganger.
“From now on, you’re Lia Volkov. Wife of Adrian Volkov.”
Shes hardly in a position to argue as he's made it clear that with his Russian mafia connections, he will throw her to the police to spend her life behind bars if she ever tries to leave him. Though as she gets to know her new "son" and the cute Bratva brat steals her heart, and complicated feelings about Adrian begin to stir desire, she might not want to escape after all.

Told in fantastic dual POV I really enjoyed the narration.

This book is part of a trilogy with an awesome twist in the final chapter.

Fantastic!

The mystery surrounding Adrian and Lia in the first book of The Deception Trilogy is thrilling! The storyline is intriguing and exciting with plenty of heat and danger. There were times I didn’t like Adrian’s dominance and arrogance but with each book he grew on me… a lot!

Saved by the Bell

Everything about this was largely uncomfortable. Regardless of the ending throughout its filled with nonconsensual kink, blatant emotional abuse and manipulation, and misogyny. The only redeeming factor is that it's well written and throughout there's never an excuse made to validate the treatment. If it wasn't for how it ends I wouldn't even consider reading the next in the series but as it stands I will.

DNF - waste of money

Sorry but I got to 70% and before losing the will to live!

Basically the h is hijacked by the H and forced to pretend to be his wife.

She has hallucinations so you have no idea of what on earth is going on. Who knows what's happened to his wife? Frankly I couldn't care less about either of them.

I know this trilogy has been raved about, but frankly to me it was an utter waste of time and money. Each to their own.