REVIEW: Deception Island by Brynn Kelly

In Deception Island by Brynn Kelly, Facing an impossible situation, Rafe Angelito does what he’s been trained to do since childhood and digs deep to save his kidnapped son, Theo. If it means he must agree to take an innocent woman hostage for the money, then so be it. What Rafe never sees coming is the connection he forms with Holly. Emotions are something he normally excels at controlling, as they’ll only get in his way. And he cannot let anything get in the way of saving Theo. Even Holly.

‘She was a prisoner of war, not a woman to covet. The objective of his mission must remain clear: save his son.’

One last time. Holly Ryan is pulling one last con, this time enlisted by a U.S. senator, before giving it up for good. Posing as his spoiled daughter on a worldwide solo sailing expedition should give her the money and freedom to start over. Who knew it would also put her at the mercy of modern day pirates? But when her kidnapper, a gorgeous He-Man looking Legionnaire, shows her mercy, Holly knows she’s in danger of falling for the one person she shouldn’t trust.

“I’m having a philosophical conversation about love on a tropical island with a pirate who kidnapped me, and I’m wondering why my life isn’t normal?”
“Maybe you could find ‘normal’. And when you do, tell me what it’s like.”

What. A. Ride. Deception Island held me in its clutches from the very start. From the ambitious storyline to the well-crafted characters, this debut novel speaks of a promising future in fiction for author Brynn Kelly.

“This. It kind of works, right? We work, somehow.”
He nodded, an unfamiliar feeling drying his throat. “I don’t want to hurt you. And I would, eventually. Two wounded souls will only wound each other deeper.”

Deception Island was a truly gripping tale where the action started immediately. I’m talking, from page one! There were modern day pirates, sharks, spiders and snakes, parachuting, hand-to-hand combat and much more. But through all of the exciting fight scenes and the romance, what really stood out to me was the overall sense of humanity in the story. All of the characters were in tough situations, from Rafe and Holly to the secondary characters. And some of the backstories were so heartrending that you just couldn’t help but empathize with their plight.

Told from both Holly and Rafe’s POV, I thought it was interesting to see how they arrived at where they were in the present day. They both came from abusive, horrific childhoods and were attempting to live a better life now. Rafe was further along on the right track, although it was still a huge struggle to keep his demons at bay. Holly was newer to it all but she was pretty determined. I really admired her courage and strength. Her attitude and insight helped Rafe time and again which was wonderful to watch.

Now it wasn’t all gloom and dark, heavy emotions. Rafe and Holly actually had a nice rapport considering he was holding her hostage. They did joke around a bit as well as of course having an undeniable connection that was SO well described. One thing I truly appreciated was that Ms. Kelly made the lighthearted scenes more believable by having Rafe struggle with guilt over being on a deserted island with a beautiful woman, laughing at times, while his son was in the hands of a killer. That was such a human reaction to have and it made me connect with Rafe on a basic level.

Romantic suspense doesn’t get much better than this. Fans who love a perfect blend of pulse-pounding action with realistic, simmering attraction will surely be clamoring for Deception Island.

Book Info:

Publication: May 31st 2016 | HQN Books |

A stolen boy. A haunted soldier. A cornered conwoman.

Rafe Angelito thought he was done with the demons from his past until his son is kidnapped. Blackmailed into abducting an American heiress, the Legionnaire soon finds himself trapped in paradise with a fiery, daring beauty who’s nothing he expects, and everything he desires. But when he uncovers her own dark secret, Rafe realizes he’s made a critical mistake, one that could cost him everything.

Playing body double for a spoiled socialite was supposed to be Holly Ryan’s ticket to freedom. But when she’s snatched off her yacht by a tall, dark and dangerous stranger, the not-quite-reformed con artist will make a desperate play to turn her captor from enemy to ally, by any means necessary.

Yet as scorching days melt into sultry nights, Holly is drawn to the mysterious capitaine, with his unexpected sense of honor and his searing touch. When they’re double-crossed, they’ll have to risk trusting each other in ways they never imagined, because in this deadly game of deception, it’s their lives, and hearts, on the line.