A Deception of Massive Proportion (The Billionaire Club #3) by Victorine E. Lieske

A Deception of Massive Proportion (The Billionaire Club #3) Reviews

• 
  Julie Carpenter

  Love, love, LOVED this one! I'm enjoying this billionaire club series but this one is definitely my fav so far! Great characters, fun plot, characters with a conscious, humorous moments (I mean, it is Victorine E. Lieske y'all, she's got a great sense of humor that I can always count on shining through in her books), sweet sparking romance (again, it's Victorine E. Lieske y'all ;-) enough said).
  
  Riley and Jalen were very likable characters from the beginning of the book, all the way to the final page. They have their reasons behind what they are doing. And I loved the internal struggle that they had with their deceptions. It really made me enjoy watching them build their friendship and relationship. There is of course the big reveal of who each other is and mixups as to the why's behind it all. But I loved the goodness of these two. I loved the chemistry between them and their ability to see past the deception into each other's hearts. *Happy sigh*
  
  This book is why I love sweet and clean romance. I enjoy seeing characters who are good, yet they have struggles. But they don't let those struggles define them. They have to make choices. And their love of family and of the hero/heroine shape those choices. Sometimes they mess up. Sometimes they fail big time. But they don't give up. They fix. They forgive. They love.
  
  Grab a copy and read it! It's one I highly recommend. And the teaser at the end of this book for the next book in the series has me anxiously awaiting its release now. And if you haven't read any of the previous books, no worries, they're all stand alone novels.
  
  Content: Clean. Some sweet kisses and nothing more.
  
  I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
  
  Happy Reading!!!
• 
  Donna Campbell

  Jalen and Riley were great and had great chemistry. This is a really fun story about forgiving. This is a really sweet, clean romance.
• 
  ♥☆ＳℓιM☆♥

  **Spoilers here and there**
  
  Hmm. What can I say about this book. 🤔.. I will say this I figured that Riley wasn’t going to tell who Shadow Walker was because she was catching feelings. But I was like now she know if she tell the world who he is she is dead wrong for that but the thing is.
  
  Jalen.. was the one who told the world 💀 because he got mad about who Riley actually was a “tabloid reporter” that he wasn’t thinking clearly when he went into her room and tried to delete the story she written on him lol!! Like he literally shared his own story to the world by saving it lol.
  
  But at least he came around and understood the reason behind why she didn’t do it and also that she actually cared and loved him. & vise versa for her with him. When she knew that it would’ve hurt him if she told knowing that she figured out who he was. & what his scares meant when he told her his story.
• 
  D Call

  Cute, clean story
  
  MY RATING SYSTEM
  5 stars--WOW
  4 stars--would read again
  3 stars--was good, won't read again
  2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it
  1 star--didn't finish, it was so awful
  
  Do I need to read books before this one: no
  Cliffhanger: no
  
  SUMMARY
  Riley has to figure out who pop star Shadow Walker is. She's had to take a tabloid reporter job, and if she can get this exposé, she gets a bonus and a promotion. She needs that to pay rent and her dad's mounting medical bills; he's on the heart transplant list.
  
  Jalen has severe scars from a childhood fire. He entered a national televised contest as a singing ninja, and won. He's a star when in costume, and the star's manager when he's not. He hires a temp while he's on the island. Riley shows up.
  
  EVALUATION
  This is a cute story without any depth. Both Jalen and Riley have trauma in their past (fire and gambler), but we don't get any specific stories about how that influenced them. They both struggle with their affection for and keeping their secret from the other.
  
  The romance develops very quickly amid the lies. That doesn't work for me. Sir Barks A Lot is a sweetie.
  
  RECOMMENDATION
  Anyone in need of a light read.
  
  FAVORITE QUOTES
  Being with Riley was like a drug. The more time he spent with her, the more he needed her.
  
  POSSIBLE TRIGGERS (SPOILERS)
  Sex: kisses only
  Language: 0 F words, 0 Lord's name in vain, 0 S words
  Violence: report of house fire, man who won't take no for an answer, stalking fans and reporters
• 
  Nari

  I really enjoyed this book. I liked both main characters from the beginning. Riley was doing a job she didn’t enjoy because she desperately needed money. Her and her father who was gravely ill were about to be evicted. Jalen was always hiding behind a mask and it made for a lonely existence. I loved how kind and down to earth Jalen was. I read this book in one setting because I was so engrossed in the story I could not put it down.
• 
  Jessie

  I've been anticipating this book since the preview chapter in Victorine Lieske's previous book in this series. A pop-star incognito, a tabloid reporter set to expose him. You know that this is going to end badly! I was not disappointed. This story was adorable!
  
  Riley plans to get close to Shadow Walker's manager, Jalen Carter, but when she knocks on his door he mistakes her for the assistant he asked a temp agency to send over. She now has a legitimate way to get closer to Jalen and Shadow Walker, and boy does she. The relationship between her and Shadow developed quickly (less than a week), but I felt like there was emotional development, not just physical. The romance was adorable and fraught with tension. I loved the resolution. While there was some drama and hurt, you could see that coming, right? This wasn't a story where it took them months or weeks to finally talk to each other. Thank you! The problem didn't go away, but I loved the clear communication.
  
  The only thing I didn't like/understand was an aspect of Riley's character. She's very empathetic, and great at seeing other people's needs. It was hard to reconcile that with someone who goes the extra mile to expose celebrities. She needed a career change.
  
  Content: clean (no language, no violence, some kissing)
• 
  Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review

  Two desperate people: one desperate to save her father’s life and keep up with the finances that she is being swallowed up by, the other desperate to keep his identity hidden and to save his heart and his job. Hidden identity and deception are sure to keep them apart. But when everything blows up, will they learn to trust and to forgive?
  This sweet, clean story was a fun read.
• 
  Jillian

  Normally I am not someone that likes paparazzi in a story, let alone to root for them. However you couldn’t help but love the main character in this book. She was a bit crazy with what she did to meet stars but in an endearing sort of way. Very interesting ninja alter ego here. I can see why everyone wanted to know who he was. It was a fun story. I would read it again.
  Rating: G, clean, fun
• 
  Vedika Sheth

  Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐
  
  I didn’t expect to like this book so much. This is my first time trying this author’s writing style out but it didn’t disappoint. There are lies and deceit but it doesn’t affect the overall romance aspect of the story. The characters were a whole lot of fun. I liked how Jalen and Riley’s story went on. There was a lot happening and this was a quick read but all the loose ends were tied up at the end. I didn’t like how Riley was a reporter but she had her reasons for going on this job. Even Sir Barks-a-Lot added something to the story. This is a great beach read, perfect for an afternoon with some ice tea.
  
  I received a review copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
  
• 
  Cas H.

  I found this book very well written.
  Riley is broke. She may lose her home. Her dad is sick and has extensive medical bills. When Riley is offered a chance of a lifetime from her boss. She jumps on it.
  All she has to do is find out Shadow Walker's identity.
  She flies to an exclusive resort and becomes a guest. However, when she finds the opportunity to become Shadow's assistant she jumps at the chance.
  Jalen is a very talented singer but no one wanted him as Jalen. So, he became the mysterious Shadow Walker. He hides from the world so that he can do what he loves.
  When Riley starts to like Shadow as a friend and possibly more, she has to make a decision. Should she continue with her story? or should she allow her father and herself to be evicted from their home?
  There are many hard choices in this book. Victorine does a wonderful job with this book. She is able to portray the love, the heart ache, the choices, the stresses with such clarity that you can't help but empathize or cheer the characters on. This is my favorite book of the series, so far! I hope you enjoy it too.
• 
  The Swoony Awards

  Nominated for a 2021 Swoony Award, to vote click here:
  https://tinyurl.com/y593ce67
• 
  Karen

  Cute book. I’ve always enjoyed Victorine’s books. She always writes entertaining reads. I’m already looking forward to the next book out. I struggled a bit to like Riley because I knew she was purposely deceiving Jalen but I reluctantly liked her anyway. I think Jalen let’s her off a bit too easily in the end. And I would have liked a little more details of life between the ending and the epilogue. Jalen was a loveable character. I wanted to see more of how he dealt with being outed to his fans.
• 
  Mara

  A tabloid reporter looking for the story that will help solve her money issues, and a scarred pop star hiding behind a mask. What could go wrong?
  
  Both Riley and Jalen (aka Shadow) have secrets. She's working a job she doesn't like to help pay her father's medical bills while he waits for a transplant. Jalen is Shadow, the masked pop star that the tabloids want to unmask. I liked that neither of them enjoyed deceiving the other, and felt bad and/or guilty for doing it.
  
  Of course, Jalen (Shadow) finds out about Riley before she decides to tell him, which leads to words being said in the heat of the moment. I liked that Jalen admitted to his part in his unmasking. He could've continued to let Riley think she'd done it, but he was honest and went to talk to her about it. Oh, and Sir Barks a Lot is a little cutie.
  
  This is a clean romance with the swoony kisses we've come to expect from Victorine Lieske.
• 
  Tiffany (Bluestocking)

  I really liked Riley and Jalen. They were both cute and I thought they had great chemistry and an adorable story. They had funny little banters and many, many close calls, where either of them almost blew their covers.
  
  I wished Riley had gotten to know Jalen as “Jalen” and not as Shadow. I thought it was a bit weird reading about her going on a date and walking around with a guy in a ninja costume (kinda weird in my opinion). However I guess it was the author’s way of showing that they were both hiding behind a disguise. Shadow’s was a literal one whereas Riley just kinda pretended to be someone else...sort of. But I completely understand.
  
  Another thing that was completely unrealistic was that Riley would choose to stay and “complete her job” than go home to her father who just had a death scare...that just didn’t make sense to me.
  
  All in all, their story was cute and very entertaining. I enjoyed the plot and I must admit I got a little emotional during their confrontation. Such a sweet story.
  
  
  Content: Super clean, kissing only.
• 
  Chris

  She's a reporter. He's a rockstar who must keep his identity hidden.
  
  When tabloid reporter, Riley Campbell, lands the job to be Shadow Walker’s personal assistant for one week, she thinks the stars have finally aligned for her. She can spend an entire week digging around to figure out the masked pop singer’s true identity and get that promotion she desperately needs to save her father. But when things start to get personal with Shadow Walker, Riley has to decide if deceiving him really is the best plan.
  
  Jalen Carter had never had a break in his life. That is until he put on a mask that hid his burned skin and entered American Superstar, the popular singing competition that jump started his career. Now his concerts are sold out nationwide. The only problem? He must keep his identity a secret or all his fame could come crashing down around him. When the lovely Riley Campbell enters his life and makes him weak in the knees, he’s not sure what to do. Will revealing his true identity scare her away?
• 
  Whit

  Wow!
  First, as a young woman, Riley has a huge heart, a keen sense of justice and always, always puts others first. And that is what gets her into trouble.
  Her father has a terminal heart condition; they are about to be evicted; and Riley's super selfish mother stops by to get the last $200.00 in the house to feed her gambling habit. Unbelievable!
  Riley travels across the world to interview singer/entertainer, Shadow Walker, in order to ultimately reveal his secret identity to the world. Her magazine editor will pay her a $3000.00 bonus. This money will take the pressure off Riley and she will then be able to pay her dad's medical bills and their rent.
  But once Riley gets to know Shadow Walker, and his secrets, will she be able to go through with this career ending betrayal?
• 
  Joan Wells

  A really good read...loved the twist which enabled the Happy Ever After ending for Riley and even more so for Jalen, a heartbreaking story of a little life thrust into the depths of grief way to soon ... Jalen did a remarkable turnaround in his life thanks to Riley's unveiling of his face to the world. All's well that ends well I say ..... thank you Miss Lieske for a wonderful story well written ..Cheers !!
• 
  Dystopian Mayhem

  I’m not a fan of celebrity themed plots, but this was different. I liked how the two main characters are written, I liked their struggle and how their relationship developed. I was disappointed with the lengthy kisses, I’m used to shorter scenes with this author. The ending wasn’t what I expected, it was better. All in all, a good read.
  
• 
  Samantha Ball

  A great story
  
  I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic comedy. It was a great story with a HEA. I love the author's writing style and her well-developed characters. Once I started the book, I struggled to put it down. Highly recommended if you want an easy, very enjoyable read.
• 
  Connie Skief

  Hiding, Forgiveness, and making it real
  
  True love should be able to forgive anything but can it this time? Both are keeping secrets. Will those once revealed destroy them in the end? Highly recommended for all readers.
• 
  Rachael

  I think this is one of my favorites by Victorine. The characters and their problems were written so well it made the story seem very real. The story had some very moving parts and the ending was perfect. I listened to this on YouTube and the narrative was very good!