Book Review: Deception by Lee Nichols

Deception (Haunting Emma Book 1) by Lee Nichols

Published by:  Bloomsbury Publishing

Publication date:  1st September, 2011

Source:  Thanks to publisher

When Emma Vaile's parents leave on mysterious business trip, it gives her the perfect excuse to be a rebellious teen. Throw some parties, get a tattoo (or maybe just a piercing), and enjoy the first few weeks of her junior year. Then her best friend stops talking to her, the cops crash her party, and Emma finds herself in the hands of a new guardian—her college-age "knight in J.Crew armor," Bennett Stern—and on a plane to his museum-like mansion in New England.

After enrolling at Thatcher Academy, Emma settles in by making friends with the popular legacy crowd. But she can't shake the strange visions that are haunting her. She has memories of Thatcher she can't explain, as if she's returning home to a place she's never been. Emma doesn't trust anyone anymore—except maybe Bennett. But he's about to reveal a ghostly secret to Emma. One that will explain the visions . . . and make Emma fear for her life.

My Review:

Favourite Quote:  "He really was perfect.   If only he was perfect for me."

Wow!  What an impressive start to an awesome new series!  I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Deception.

Deception was so easy to get into with it's engaging writing and perfect pacing.  It is a slightly eerie tale that never has a dull moment.  At the beginning I thought the plot was going to be a little predictable (but in the enjoyable sense) but there was quite a few completely unexpected twists.  I like the fact that Nichols' manage to surprise me.  It definitely makes me craving to find out what shocking surprises Nichols' has installed for us in book two Betrayal.

Emma was a fun and likeable character.  Despite her struggles she never really moped around but rather got on with things as best with things as she could.    I certainly don't think I would have been as strong as her with her family missing, moving into a strange town and suddenly being able to see ghosts.  Then you have the mysterious Bennett.  He was a hard to character to read at first but by the end of the book his secrets are starting to unravel.    I found the more he opened up the more I liked him.

However, the romance fell a little short for me.  Emma love life is a little complicated and I don't quite feel the chemistry with a certain guy.  I certainly see the potential of a amazing romantic relationship but I don't believe it yet.  Hopefully book #2 will change my mind.

Overall, Deception was a fun yet haunting tale with intriguing characters and a fantastic premise that kept me constantly entertained.  I can't wait for more.

Overall Rating: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 2.5/5
Cover: 4/5

For more info:  Visit Lee Nichols' website.