(I’m going to give a few small spoilers but they’ll mostly be about the start of the book.)

Reading this I actually hurt for Llew and everything that happened to him - having to hide his relationship and having his best friend’s dad look down on him because he’s not rich, not to mention going to prison unjustly. It’s heartbreaking and Via does such an amazing job of giving readers a look at his state of mind throughout it all. It’s not an easy read but definitely worth it to get to the end.

I kinda wish we’d gotten a little more of Shane’s history just so we’d get a better idea of how he turned out to be such an amazingly cool guy. He’s strong, settled and has great insight into how to help Llew. It’s no surprise that Llew falls for him – sexy, smart and goodhearted, who wouldn’t!

Llew had a lot of support while he was in prison, people who were there to protect him and a counselor he could talk to. They were able to not only help him survive but learn to handle the emotions that his incarceration created. There’s no doubt that he changed but they didn't let him become bitter or angry. And meeting caring people in his new home keeps him on that positive path, creating a fresh life for himself - something good that isn’t overshadowed by his past. Everything he goes through shows his strength of spirit and the fact that he’s able to form a relationship with Shane (and oh-how-steamy they are together) is a triumph.

Troubling and inspiring in turns, Defined by Deceit is a rollercoaster ride that will have you twisted up in knots, anxious to get to the final page but not in a hurry to see it end.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)