Customer Reviews

If You Deceive

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm sad to see this trilogy end (maybe Kresley Cole can be persuaded to write Quinn's story next?), but Ethan's story made for a perfect finale to a unique, witty and romantic series.

If You Deceive tells the story of Ethan MacCarrick, the most tortured and haunted of all the brothers, and how his quest for revenge against the married couple who did him wrong ultimately leads him to true love. When Ethan was just twenty three, he went home with a married woman named Sylvie Van Rowen, only to quickly discover something strange and off-putting about her. Before anything physical can happen between them, Ethan attempts to leave, but not before the woman's husband arrives and assumes the worst. Even though Ethan is innocent of any wrongdoing, Sylvie claims that Ethan forced himself on her and her husband's henchmen beat Ethan and cut his face with a knife, leaving a large scar that mars his beauty.

Ten years pass. Ethan becomes increasingly more bitter, cold, and alone as he takes violent, covert jobs that harden his heart. Bent on revenge, he makes sure that Sylvie and her husband are rendered penniless and destitute. He almost marries, but his fiancee dies in a mysterious accident, forcing him to withdraw even further into himself. Finally, he decides to avoid both sex and alcohol and almost manages to grow immune to the disgusted stares women give him when they see his scar.

But one night he meets the young, beautiful and witty Maddy. The two enjoy an immediate attraction and one night of passion. But when Ethan later discovers he unknowingly bed Maddy Van Rowen, the daughter of his enemies, he is torn over what to do next. He still craves revenge, and imagines Maddy is just like Sylvie. But of course, his heart is just looking for any excuse to pursue the only woman he's ever felt truly drawn to.

From there, the plot takes us to the slums of Paris to the rugged Highland plains. Throughout, Ethan is an emotional mess, caught so unawares when it comes to the intensity of his feelings for Maddy that he nearly pushes her past her limit. Then the question becomes: will Ethan confess all to Maddy? And will she forgive him if he does?

Ethan is a darker character than Hugh or Court, but his turmoil is so expertly drawn and compelling that it's impossible not to sympathize with him. Maddy is a very Kresley Cole-esque heroine, in that she's strong, wise beyond her years, and modern for the time period. The love story is beautifully written, and there's never a shortage of conflict. In fact, I was dying to know how everything would be resolved and read this book quickly over the course of a few hours.

If you liked the other books in the series I think you'll enjoy this one, too. It moves from angsty to sweet to suspenseful without losing its way, and the epilogue gives us a very welcome glimpse into the lives of all the brothers and their wives.

"If You Deceive" has been summarized by other reviewers so I will tell you what makes it a 5-star book for me.

The third book in the MacCarrick Brothers Trilogy and the best, in my opinion. I savored every word and prayed the story wouldn't end. The chemistry between Ethan and Maddy was so well-written I was completely immersed in their romance.

With the action sub-plot resolved, carried over from book 2, early in the novel, the focus was on the intense love affair between Maddie and Ethan. And what a sizzler it was! This is not an erotic novel but an extremely hot and sexy book written with Cole's flair for burning love scenes. They will leave you breathless.

The sensual tension is taut and exquisitely written. Ethan is in love with Maddy, to the point of obsession that he is overcome with jealousy throughout the book.

What I enjoyed most about "If You Deceive" was the main conflict was Ethan's inevitable confession to Maddy. It made for an emotional and heartfelt read that makes it a definite keeper for me.

In book #1 we had Court and Annalia's romance, and I thought there couldn't be a more scorching heroine! Annalia was on fire, but sheltered / protected, and aristocratic. In Book #2, Jane was daring - more modern than a heroine of the age depicted in the book, a daring and risk-taking independent woman. In this book (#3), we have a heroine who was made destitute (by the hero in actions that preceed the book), who grew up in the slums of Paris, who makes her way as a barmaid, even as she protects her virtue and occassionally forays into high society (which is her birthright). The dichotomy between her roots, and her current circumstances, her ability to walk in both worlds and not really be thoroughly poisoned by wretched poverty, is believably woven together by the author. You will believe that you are in Paris with her, when the book takes a path into her home territory. You'll hear the bells of Notre Dame, and delight in that world - including being thrown quite a few French phrases.

The hero is the darkest of the three brothers - the least likeable on the surface. He has a huge, big, nasty scar on his face. He was self-centered before he was given the scar by a jealous cuckolded husband (tho' he was innocent of the charges that time), and he turned inward after that. Even the members of his clan are reputed not to like him. He brow-beats his brothers to abandon their loves because he has no faith in love, and sees it as a liability.

But when he meets Madeline, the daughter of his enemy (like Romeo & Juliet), he is besotted! He can't understand it. He tries to get around it, and he lies to avoid consequences of his actions, past & present. But Maddy turns him inside out, revealing a lovelier, more caring, more nuturing Ethan - the person who is really there, buried under all the baggage.

I thought there couldn't be a better story that that of Court and Anna, I fell in love with Hugh and his struggles to forget Jane, but I do believe this book is the best of the three, with a reluctant hero who is all hero inside, and a playful, gamine, heroine who deserves to rise to the life she was born to lead.

Oh yeah, Ethan is majorly hot. Like Maddy, you'll quickly become bored with the scar and focus on other things! ;-)

Man! those McCarrick Bros. Series are/is absolutely fabulous. I loved each and every book. I read all three this week and they were great from the first to this one. Ethan and Maddy's book was worth the wait and a great ending to an excellent series. Ethan is a big, sexy, surly, Scottish Lord and Assasin and Maddy is a once rich, now destitute firebrand. Together they make magic. They go through hell an end up in heaven, and the erotic love scenes along the way are to die for. Loved it! I wish the McCarrick's had a long lost Brother so the series could be extended. But, Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series has a new book due out this October so I guess I will suffer an wait.

Ethan MacCarrick was impossibly handsome and a notorious rake until the night he was beaten and disfigured by the command of an important lord for a crime he didn't commit. Ethan's revenge is to bankrupt the lord and exile his family.

Ten years later, Ethan sees a beautiful young woman and is instantly attracted to her. The beautiful, confident, and enigmatic Madeline van Rowen is also the daughter of his sworn enemy. Ethan jumps at the chance to complete his vengeance against the van Rowen's through Madeline.

When passion overwhelms Ethan's desire for revenge, he knows he can't live with out her. But when Madeline learns of Ethan's deception, will it destroy any future they might have had together?

I adored this trilogy! Every brother's story was so deliciously romantic. Ethan's story, however, is my favorite; I have a passion for the scarred and tortured hero. Ethan made me quiver! I adored Madeline too; such fire and bravery. A perfect pairing!

I adore all of Kresley Cole's novels but her historical's are my favorites. Don't miss the MacCarrick brothers and especially Ethan's story, If You Deceive!

Annmarie
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

In the third installment of Kresley Cole's MacCarrick Brothers Trilogy, it's time for Ethan MacCarrick, the oldest of the brooding Highlanders, to take a wife. Scarred at the age of 23 for a youthful indiscretion, Ethan has forsaken women for the last few years while he carries on his duties as a spy for the Crown. Ethan knows that women find his visage appalling, and for that reason he has chosen to focus his attentions elsewhere. That is, until he spies a beautiful blond while he's out looking for his brother. The girl is young and curious and there's something about her that catches Ethan's eye. He seeks her out and gets more than he bargained for.

Madeleine Van Rowen is in London looking for a rich husband. Though her friends believe Maddy is visiting them from the rich Parisian neighborhood of St. Roch, in truth Maddy is on leave from her home in a Paris slub called La Marais. When her hopes of meeting a rich man are dashed, Maddy believes that she'll have to return to La Marais and marry an aging count just to repay the debts she accrued for her trip to London. Before sacrificing her future, Maddy wants one last thing for herself, a moment of pleasure that she can remember during her cold, lonely nights in the arms of a man she doesn't love. When Ethan MacCarrick presents himself, it's an opportunity she can't refuse...

If You Deceive is my favorite of the MacCarrick Brothers stories, but that isn't saying a whole lot. I didn't really enjoy these books as a whole, though I'm a huge Kresley Cole fan. I like the heroes. The MacCarrick Brothers are strong alpha males willing to fight to the death to protect the women they love. Ethan is arguably the most brooding of the three, with his scarred face and respect of tradition. It's hard to beleive he could be brought to his knees by a wee Parisian pickpocket. Maddy, likewise, is my favorite heroine of the three stories. She gives as good as she gets and her love for Ethan transforms her from a dirty little girl from the slums to a respectable countess. Still, I didn't LOVE this story the way I love Cole's Immortals After Dark stories. Don't get me wrong, the MacCarrick Brothers trilogy will fill a void while you're waiting for the next IAD story, but it's not up to par with that series.

This one kept me up reading late late into the night. I can't remember when a historical grabbed me the way this one has. Kresley Cole didn't hold back on these characters. How many writers would have the nerve to make their leading man a ruthless assassin? - and make it work no less. In so many other stories, writers have quickly defanged & watered down their strong characters or just made them completely unlikable. Her herione was one of the smartest, strongest females I have ever read in historical romance. These characters were really sexy and they came alive. The author made me love these characters alone and together. The beginning of their meeting introduced two people up front and honest about their needs. I did subtract a star because I would have liked to see more interaction with Ethan/Maddy and his family as he takes his big fall. I have recently stumbled onto Kresley Cole's historicals and had given up finding anything of this caliber. This one is the best! Finally, a paperback I purchased new at full price that I didn't regret. This is a keeper. I will definitely be on the lookout in 08 for her new round of historicals. There's a lot of romance writers out there, but I haven't found many that have the talent displayed in this book.

This was one of the all time best romance-historicals I have ever read. I see no need to go into the plot..so many others have. So I just want to encourage anyone who loves a really great romantic historical then this is the one. I was totally, completely, and absolutely mesmerized, captivated, and enthralled. The last chapters had me on the edge of my seat literally. It is action packed. It had some humor. It had wonderful well drawn characters....the character development is fantastic. It grabs your heart like a small bobby pin to the biggest magnet in existence. My heart was pounding at times and when it was over I was out of breath and sad at the same time. I just didn't want it to end. It leaves you sooo wanting more it hurts. I might throw in too that the love scenes were amazing and the tenderness that develops between the hero and the heroine is heart wrenching. You feel almost what they feel and you are grateful for it because this book takes you on a wonderful and incredible journey. I forgot about everything else because I simply could not put it down. I can't wait for Ms. Coles next historical. Wow what a writer!

Ten years ago Ethan was horribly scarred and beaten at Van Rowen's order. Now Ethan has sworn revenge and what better way than his enemy's beautiful daughter Madeline Van Rowen? Very steamy and romantic story. I cried at one point it was so sad and Ethan's reaction was heartbreaking. Although at one point I wanted to hit Ethan,well if you read the book you will know...oh heres a hint lipstick in an odd place. But everything works out in the end. Steam level would have to be a high eight. And of course it ends in a happy ending.

Overall Ethan's story was nothing special but there were a handful of moments spread throughout the book that I will probably reread. A plot summary has already been provided so I'll just go into what I liked and disliked about "If You Deceive".

I tend to be a person who enjoys a more character driven book so the fact that I read "If You Deceive", the third book in a trilogy, before the other two didn't hinder me in the least in understanding Ethan. However, if you're a person who just has to know what happened and must understand everything leading up to this book then you might want to read the other two books first. I read summaries for the other two before picking this one up so I had enough of a general idea.

The romance in this book was very refreshing. I had grown tired of the bad boys who STAY bad boys so Ethan transitioning from wanting to push Maddy away to his strong declaration of love was a nice shift for me. He had a realization that I haven't seen in a while and he was able to stop himself BEFORE doing something stupid, which I'm soon discovering to be quite rare in this genre. I'm also glad that Maddy believed it. It's hard to find characters with common sense anymore.

It was also refreshing that there were no misunderstandings that seemed to drive the plot. Maddy had every right to be upset. I was also glad that she was able to see through Ethan to know his motives. She knew he was trying to push her away on purpose and it ended in some sweet scenes when she called him out on it.

I liked the final climatic scene when Ethan goes after Maddy when she left. For spoiler sake I won't mention what happened but I liked how love and caring overcame hurt and anger.

Ethan was more verbal in his insecurities than most heroes I've read and I liked how Maddy was able to pick up on that. Ethan said he was use to people staring at him but it was obvious he didn't like it.

I've also found that the love scenes in romance books have gotten very stale. Sure, they use more graphic language but they're all still saying the same things. Not with this one. Ethan and Maddy had a few extra scenes that I hadn't read in any books before. I have to admit that I really rather liked them.

One tiny detail I liked was how Ethan had given up drinking and had turned down glasses offered to him. That was new for me.

I was a bit disappointed by how much the book seemed to skip ahead. Ethan was severely wounded for several weeks which only covered a few pages in the book. I would have liked to have read a bit more about that, especially since he almost died. Also, once Maddy and Ethan had gotten together the book fast-forwarded many months. I understand why the author did this, I just didn't like it.

I was also disappointed by the lack of interaction between Ethan and his family. I would have loved to have seen a moment where Ethan's brothers realized that he wasn't all that bad of a guy, or even just a private moment between Ethan and his mother.

Overall this book is okay and I'll probably reread a few parts here and there. I wouldn't rush this up to the top of your "To Be Read" list but it is worth checking out.