Deceive Me: Broken People Duet (A Dark New Adult Bully College Romance)

Vi Carter

Mar 2022 · Broken People Duet Book 1 · CARTER BOOKS

About this ebook

A New Adult College Bully Romance

Jared

They say love and hate dance together along the same line.

My feelings for Layla don’t dance on the line; they destroy it.

It’s been seven years since she disappeared without a trace.

And now she’s back, but things have changed—I’ve changed.

I’m no longer the Jared she remembers, the boy who wanted to protect her.

I’m very much my father’s son, and I take what I want, and what I want is Layla.

But this time, I’m keeping her forever.

Layla

Seven years—that’s how long it’s been since I’ve seen him.

After painstakingly putting myself back together, I’m finally ready to start a life without his memory chasing my every step.

Imagine my surprise when my new beginning leads me straight back to him.

Only he’s not the boy I remember.

He’s angry.

Damaged.

Hiding secrets that want to destroy him.

He hates me. He wants me.

I’m not sure I will survive the man he has become. His demons that threaten to destroy us both.

***Part One of the Broken People Duet***

KEYWORDS: New Adult Romance, Duet, Bully Romance, Bully College Romance, University Romance, High School Bully Romance, Irish Romance, Irish College Romance, Obsessed Romance, Alpha Male, Romance Books, Romance Novels, Suspenseful Romance, Billionaire Romance, New Adult Romance, Romance eBook, Romance Series, Top Romance Reads, Dark Romance, Hot Romance, Alpha Hero, Feisty Heroine, Wealthy, Billionaire, Romance Novel, Romance Books, Seduction, Sexy, Sensual, Current, Vi Carter Books, Series, Story, Suspense, Thriller, Action Adventure, Hot Sexy Read, Love Story, Alpha Male, Happy Ever After, Suspenseful Read, Book, Rich, Quick read, New Adult, Romantic Suspense, HEA, Curvy, Cliffhanger, Popular Series, Top Rated Books, Millionaire, , Romance Books, Essential Reads, Adventure Books,

Ratings and reviews

This is part one in The Broken People Duet and it is Jared and Layla's story and it is definitely a must read. This story takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions. Jared and Layla were in the foster care system together and then one day Layla just disappeared and even though they both looked and tried to find each other it was always one dead end after another. Seven years later and they meet again at college as they are in the same class but Jared is not the same person that she remembered and things get even more complicated. There are twists and turns along with fear, violence, betrayal, secrets, anger, lies, and painful memories of there past. I couldn't put this book down as it was so addictive and a real page turner that kept you on the edge of your seat and I can't wait to read the next book to see what the outcome will be for them. I definitely recommend you read this book but remember that it is not a standalone one and you will need to read the next book but it will be worth reading. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This book is definitely about some very broken people from the main MC's to the people and other characters in the book. Both Jared also know as Jay grew up in foster care together but seven years ago they stopped being there for each other something awful happened to Layla who was 10 and Jarod disappeared when he was 12 he was her protector then he was gone what or who kept them apart. Jarod now Jay has everything going for him from his good looks his wealth and the perfect cold but beautiful girlfriend and all he has to do to keep everything is please his wealthy but cold father and forget that he was ever Jarod and that he ever knew Layla why. Layla has come to Kingscourt College with her adoptive parents for a new start what happened she seems broken and scared of everything and the last person she thinks she will see is Jarod all grown up hes cold now not the same person her Jarod would have never been so cruel but now he's Jay says he wants nothing to do with her or there past but when she stays away he can't and wont. So two very complex and confusing young people surrounded by deciet and lies there is definite heat but it only truly gets steamy toward the end leading up to a deadly cliffhanger and keeps you guessing who's lying, and who's deceiving who. This book has some good potential but it also had some confusing moments time-lines that didn't match up all the time and Jared and Layla were confusing as well he was supposed to want only Layla but if that's true why is he always giving in to Alex the women his father wants him to be with. And Layla is all over the place one moment she's saying she wants nothing to do with Jarod the next giving in to him and bouncing around to another boy. Then there was the setting itself it read more highschool less college at times Jared seems older then 22 with a temper of a hardened criminal and Layla seems like she never grew out of a frightened 10 year olds body even after years of therapy its like there all stuck in the past never going forward. Jarod is bitter and Layla is always frightened. I'm not sure if I trust either of there parents they both give of a creepy vibe from Jarods missing mother to the adoptive and slightly over controlling parents of Layla maybe there the reason she's stuck as a child in and 18 year olds body. I wasn't concerned with the spelling errors because this was a review copy only the plot and the time-line inconsistencies. And that's why I'm giving this a 3.4 star review am I interested in the second book yes because even though it confused me at times there is something about the characters that make me want to read there ending. I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.

** 3.5 stars ** This is not the dark romance that I have come to know of the author. While this story has familiar tropes of Bully romance, the angst and anger that Jac/Jared is supposed to be feeling is hard to really get behind. This anger is suppose to be revenge- worthy, but these characters were either pre-teens or barely teens. It's not like they can control their lives, let alone their surrounds. So holding a grudge for someone being forced to leave, especially under duress is ridiculing. Let's talk about the mysterious pasts of Layla and Jared. The book indicates this is book 1, but it has been pretty nil on the background of these two characters. What little does get told, is that there was abuse, but very little about how Jared got into his situation or Layla into hers. In fact the book doesn't really build the characters a lot. I just got the feeling that Layla had a lot of fears about intimacy and people. I guess we will have to see how the next book progresses

About the author

When Vi Carter isn't writing new adult & dark romance books, that feature the mafia, are filled with suspense, and take you on a fast paced ride, you can find her reading her favorite authors, baking, taking photos or watching Netflix.

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Married with three children, Vi divides her time between motherhood and all the other hats she wears as an Author.

She has declared herself a coffee & chocolate addict! Do not judge.

https://www.authorvicarter.com/