Defined by Deceit

Life isn't always fair, and that's something that Llewellyn Gardner knows about firsthand. His life was on the fast track until one night of extreme passion changed everything. Now eight years later, he's still living with the aftershocks of that night. Everywhere he turns or runs, there's another reminder. What the hell do you do when you try to drown your demons only to find out they can swim?

Shane Smith, Jr., owner of Smith Construction, could see the emotional turmoil within his new employee—it's why he hired him. There was something about the gorgeous, misunderstood man with the overly expressive eyes that came to their small town with a past no one was willing to overlook. Shane could see the good in Llewellyn, and those eyes of his were a clear window to his soul. Shane wasn't going to let the man live a future of solitude because his past had been plagued with deceit.

Llewellyn wasn't sure what to think about Shane. After years of protecting himself from being tricked twice, he was now faced with worry again. What would happen to him if Shane didn't believe his truth, and walked away? Llewellyn wasn't sure he'd be able to survive being left alone. Again.

Contains mature themes.

Hugo

2023-02-28

I have so many thoughts and opinions from this story. While I understand why no one believed his innocence, I mourn with him for the years he lost and wish people didn't judge others solely for their past.

Lina

2021-07-18

Wow, I’m mentally exhausted after finishing this one in one day. The story is heart achingly sad but beautiful and I had to pause at some points to gather myself to be able to continue. The narrator is, as always, perfect. The characters is well written and it’s a god flow in the story without feeling hurried or forced. It’s a very different story from the others Via usually writes and that is not at all a bad thing.