Brynn Hilder is living a life she never dreamed possible: She lives in a mansion, getting a top-rate education at Vale Hall. She has friends and an almost-boyfriend. Anything she wants, she can have.
The only catch? To stay in this life, she has to help the director of Vale Hall take down the bad guys of Sikawa City by collecting secrets and running cons.
Getting everything she wants and fighting evil doesn’t seem like such a bad deal. The thing is, she’s not so convinced anymore that Dr. Odin is really going after bad people after all. And the friends and almost-boyfriend that have made her life so different are all liars and con artists—so can she trust that any of it is real?
The stakes are higher. The cons are riskier. And nothing is what you think it is.
The first book in this series, The Deceivers, was a five star read for me last year, and I couldn’t wait to get to the sequel. And it’s another five stars.
What happens when you throw a bunch of con artists together? Trained liars, people who insert themselves into the lives of others and fool them completely? You can’t trust anyone – and that’s the whole premise of this second book in the Vale Hall series. Brynn doubts her boyfriend, her friends and acquaintances, and even herself. She’s always prided herself on being a good judge of character – but is she really? With several plot twists and blind sides, you won’t know who or what to believe.
With the situations these characters find themselves in, parts of this story gutted me, and I wanted to jump into the book and help them. As in The Deceivers, all of them are so well-developed, and the focus isn’t entirely on Brynn – each supporting character has their own story to tell.
This book is absolutely riveting, and I read more than half of it in one sitting. The description nails it – higher stakes, riskier cons, and nothing is at it seems. The third book will be at the top of my list for must reads next year.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Books and Such 
It’s so fun to read stories with liars and con artists. Keep them between the pages and out of the real world, though! 🙂 Great review, Teri.
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I’m a sucker for con artists, Barbara – mention one in a book, and I’ll snatch it up. But yes, best to keep them in between the pages. Thanks!
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Was it complicated to keep up with the cons and lies?
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Surprisingly, no, Rosie. And it’s so easy to get invested in these characters.
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Gosh, Teri, there is nothing worse than people who lie to you. A great premise for a book.
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Right? And these guys are so good at it. You still can’t help but like them, because they’re all doing it for good reasons. So many shades of gray in this series.
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REally fascinating, Teri.
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Interesting review. Looking at the book cover, I could see this transitioning into a TV series!
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Absolutely, Mae. With all the compromised morals and scams, it would be a good one.
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Awesome review to share, Teri. I know I’ll enjoy this one. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
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Thanks, Natalie! Make sure to read the first book in the series before this one.
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Super review. Thanks, Teri
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Thanks, John – it was a captivating read.
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So I gathered in your enthusiam. 😁
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And that’s when you remind me that I haven’t read anything by her for years Teri!!! Glad to know the sequel didn’t disappoint you!
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And that’s why you should start this series, Sophie!
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