BOOK REVIEW ~ CONSEQUENCES OF DECEPTION BY ELLA FOX

Once upon a time, girl met boy and a love story began.

Their future was assured until tragedy struck and deceptions were made.

There are consequences to every action, and the Consequences of Deception are always the most punishing.

Sloane Evans lost nearly everyone that she’s ever loved, but losing Killian Brandt left a scar that never healed.

Four and a half years after turning his back on her, Killian steps back into Sloane’s life in the most shocking of ways, giving her no choice but to abandon her life and go with him.

Why would a man buy a woman that he hates?

Not everything is as it appears.

Love is beautiful, revenge is ugly, and lies destroy lives.

Prepare to discover the Consequences of Deception.

As I go by GR ratings, 2 stars mean “it was ok” and that is exactly my feelings towards the book. This review is really long and on top of that, it doesn’t have a single gif or pic in it so bear with me.
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What a fitting title. Indeed, this story details the results of lies and a deception that nearly destroys Killian and Sloane’s love. I was initially very intrigued by said “deception” and tragedy that split this couple apart, and when I read this sentence:
“Why would a man buy a woman that he hates?”
Well, I was sold. Good for you for reeling me in the author!
>>>After reading<<<
In many ways, this book did not work for me. Here are my thoughts:
1. The prologue was fantastic! I liked how it set up the foundation of Sloane and Killian’s relationship, and that no matter what, these were two individuals who loved each other deeply. What killed it for me here, however, was immediately the author skips to “4 years later.” I’m not a big fan of time gaps, but if I can see that it is integral to the plot and character development, I’m willing to accept it. In this case, it was not. This jump was abrupt as the reader is left stumbling through the book wondering why it’s now 4 years later, and to have my thoughts split into trying to focus on the book plot but also having all these questions coming up on what exactly happened is disarming and broke my reading flow from the start. This time gap is at 3%.
2. The background info introduced in chapters 1 and 2. It’s always nice to have a point of reference and some prior knowledge of the characters’ background in order to connect with them more, but the way it’s presented here bored me. Imagine yourself as the reader. The prologue was going so well and BOOM, 4 years later without an explanation. You’re frantically asking yourself “did I miss something,” “what the freak happened?” and instead of getting answers or hints to get you closer to the answers, you’re bombarded with a bunch of info about the characters’ pasts. I’m not saying those were bad to add in, but they would have a much bigger impact if it were weaved into the prologue.
3. Killian’s treatment of Sloane. Many have told me that Killian is an alpha male, and while I do believe that is the case, I think readers should also consider the division within that category.
A. Being bossy and “alpha” for the sake of loving and protecting the female.B. Being bossy and a mega jerk for the sake of it.
Killian is choice B. Now I do realize that the reasoning behind his treatment of Sloane is going to unfold as the story continues, and that’s fine with me. However, I was thoroughly unimpressed with his reasons (and I’ll get to that section later).
As I continued reading, my impression of Killian went downhill fast. Even though he hates her and buys her to get revenge on Sloane, I could still tell he has feelings for her, hence the part where he truly is an alpha. However, his outbursts and jealousy (normally it makes me happy to see the hero jealous and get possessive of the heroine) grated on my nerves and instead I saw him as a baby throwing tantrums. Here, take a look:
“You were out there letting guys come inside of you with nothing to keep you from getting pregnant or worse? How many men have had you? HOW MANY?”
-This was the first outburst and Sloane is a virgin.
“Do you really think I’d let him – let anyone – have you? You belong to me and you better not fucking forget it!”
-Sloane is calling one of her guards to tell him it’s a day for the beach and Killian sputters out the above. I get that he’s asserting his dominance over her but this annoyed me a little at how easily he gets possessive over something so trivial.
“BULLSHIT! You were gone for over four hours! You snuck out of here like a thief in the goddamn night and it wasn’t because you wanted to run. You were trying to run away! Who did you call?”
-This made me so furious. Sloane was jogging and she stopped for some water and then fell asleep. I get that Killian was worried about her but he repeatedly cuts her off when she tries to explain and makes conjectures that are entirely out of proportion.
“And who was this man that woke you up, Sleeping Beauty? Trey [a guard] said he saw you getting out of someone’s truck. Who is he, Sloane? WHO. IS. HE?”
-REALLY NOW? If the motherfucker could listen to her for just an extra second, he’d get the full story. The man who woke her up was a patrol guy on the beach.
“What. The. Fucking. FUCK. Sloane?”
-After that beach patrol scene, he proceeds to fuck Sloane’s brains out repeatedly and after he leaves her again. Sloane takes it as a sign that he’s finished with her for the night and leaves to go back to her room. Killian lashes out immediately. I mean, what did he expect her to think when he leaves the room every time after love?
“Why the fuck are you making them breakfast? There’s only one reason for you to go out of your way and that would be because you like one of them. So help me God, if you’re flirting with any one of my security people, I’ll have them relocated to Siberia. Is that what you want?”
-Ok, really? You’re fucking serious. This is what happened: Sloane makes breakfast and since she’s kind-hearted, she thinks about the guards too and wants to bring down a plate for them and then Killian snorts out the above. By the time I got to this part, I was rolling my eyeballs major and thinking to myself, does the author really have to have Killian nitpick on this trivial thing too? This is probably the scene that made me finally think what a whiny ass he is instead of his possessiveness and jealousy being attractive.
4. Killian’s reasoning and the deception. I will admit, the author did a fine job of twisting the book up in the last 25%. And with a sentence like this…
“There are always choices. You made yours a long time ago. It’s time for you to feel the consequences.”
Well then. The reasons must be real good right?
But…
The initial revelation of his reasons, along with his actions right after were an extreme disappointment and I think everyone who has read the book will understand what I’m saying. *cough – LETTER – cough*
It was unbelievable that with Killian so in love with Sloane that he’d believe someone else’s words and not put his faith in her. Also that letter just goes to show what a douchecanoe he is.
5. Killian’s job. I don’t think there was a definite announcement of his actual job. All I know is that in 4 years, he’s a relatively well-known billionaire and a tech genius.
Okay.
=_=
Also he throws money out there like it’s nothing. I would’ve believed it more if his job title wasn’t so obscure and I felt like the rich aspect of the book was only added so he’d have the money to buy Sloane and keep her in a mansion the size of a Disney castle.
I think those were the main points. Of course there are things like the cliché route the book took after Killian reveals his reasons, and the ending part (while packed with action and is a nice twist) was all jammed into a couple of pages and made those scenes seem rushed.
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I’d like to end on a high note and point out one thing the author did that a vast majority of others don’t do, and that is sticking to the original premise of her story. While I wasn’t too impressed with the execution of the “consequences” from the “deception,” the book was entirely focused on that aspect and the author didn’t chicken out and direct the story in an entirely different direction away from what the blurb dictates. A book that matches its blurb…you don’t know how hard it is to find books like these.
With the high ratings its gotten, it’s obvious that the story appeals to a certain group of readers so it may just be me not feeling the same…anyway I have spoken my mind and wish the author the best of luck.