The Last Grift - Subtle Deceptions Book 1 (Paperback)

Great start to a new series. The suspense of a con gone wrong got me hooked from the beginning. Gabriel is running to save his life, but what does he end up running to on Heartstone Island is the question. He’s always been taught to only rely on himself, but while trying to figure out the mystery of his mom’s last gift to him he brings more people into his orbit. People he is starting to care about. And that could put them in the crosshairs of the last family he conned. Mafia. However, it seems as if all is not well on Heartstone and Gabriel is smack dab in the middle now with no way out but through. And I am looking forward to the slow burn romance between Gabriel and Casey, the sexy forest ranger he can’t seem to stop antagonizing. Mystery Is afoot and I can’t wait until the next reveal.

OMG Elle this was superb! What a completely different storyline to everything else out there! I was completely captivated following Gabriel on all of his escapades! Brilliantly written and such great characters kept me hooked until the end! Loved it! Cant wait for the next one!
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review

This new Elle Keaton series starts off with a chase and just keeps piling on the suspense on a new, sparsely-populated island off the Washington State coast. Gabe is a conman, raised to take advantage of the unwary by his single mother. His last scam was bungled; he needs a bolt hole and ends up on a backwater island, only to find he can't escape trouble even there. An elderly local who knew his mother befriends him but Gabe stirs up suspicion and distrust, especially with Casey, the local park ranger who he's reluctantly drawn to.

The suspense builds and there's something rotten happening on Heartstone Island that is not resolved in this book, plus Gabe still fears retribution from his last con game. But it does feature lots of action, some murder and odd shenanigans involving local law enforcement. I love the way Keaton builds her series, leaving you partially satisfied with the ending but primed for the next book. And, in The Last Grift, the MM romance is only foreshadowed: no steam yet but the potential is definitely there.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

This is not a romance (yet), rather a mystery with teasing exchanges between the two MCs that will mostly likely develop into a relationship later in the series. This is a fast-paced story with a lot of moving parts. It has a bit of a cliffhanger ending as two of the mystery plots are still in play. But I do have to say that it's not the kind of cliffhanger where anyone is in immediate peril so while I very much want to read the next book, I don't feel anxious about it, if that makes sense.

Elle Keaton has written a very compelling story. Her descriptive writing always makes me want to visit the places she writes about. Fans of her other series will enjoy the appearance of a couple of familiar characters but this new series stands alone.

Gabriel is on the run from a grift gone wrong, his last one, too. He goes to an island where his Mom has left his inheritance, an old boat called The Golden Ticket.

He meets Elton, an old guy who knew his Mom, and intervenes at the convenience store when two idiots try to cause trouble for Gordon, who’s working behind the counter.

He then gets himself in trouble for trespassing with the forest ranger, Casey. Casey is suspicious, and checks on Elton, who’s made friends with Gabe. When things go wrong and a man is murdered, it’s either Gordon or Gabe who are suspected, and they’re both innocent.

Though Gabe and Casey get on each other’s last nerve, they have to work together to look after Elton and help find Gordon when he disappears.

They come to a detente, but things are just getting started, with Gordon to protect, a mystery about his land, and the dead man killed by someone seemingly not connected.

Gabe is a good man with a past, but he’s charming and social, and he cares about people. Casey is also a good guy, but seems to be overworked and to not have many friends.

I love the cameo by the Delacombes, who Gabe is related to, naturally, and the mob men after him are sure to catch up eventually.

I received this ARC for free and am pleased to provide my honest review in gratitude.