This took me a while to get through because it just wasn't for me. I understand sometimes people have to do things they don't particularly align with for survival's sake, but Kylie's ignorance and overall attitude towards something she signed up for really turned me off to this couple.

I normally do not read these kinds of books but im broadening my horizons when it comes to the romance genre. I have read something like this before but this was told in such a unique way. I loved the twistiness of it.

Quick Summary: A first sight and fire romance

My Review: Sweet Deception by Monroe Beckett is a 2025 contemporary romance.

About the Book: "Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Kylie Davis is out of options. With her parents on the brink of losing their home from her father’s long battle with cancer, Kylie takes a leap she never imagined; applying to be a sugar baby. The plan is simple—make fast cash, save her parents’ home, and walk away.

But nothing is ever simple where Luca Morelli is involved."

In My Own Words: A good girl facing a bad situation crosses paths with a sexy bad boy with a good heart. From the moment they see each other, sparks fly. Unfortunately, dark threats interrupt their relationship.

My Final Say: This hidden gem had me on lock. Luca, Kylie, Gio, Rafael, and even Joseph and Talia were great characters. The light versus dark theme played throughout the story and completely drew me in. While the hot and bothered heat between the leads was present, this story offered so much more. It was an opposites attract, found family, mafia-esque romance with all the feels.

*** Luca gives off vibes like Alex Volkov from Twisted Love.***

Other: This would make a great audiobook. Sign me up! If this isn't a series, it needs to be.

Rating: 4.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 🍬🌶🕸💎

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review this novel. I look forward to reading more from this writer.

Happy Pub Day
Sweet Deception by Monroe Beckett was simply captivating read from start to finish that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The author brings an action packed story and had me glued to the pages right to the end and still left me with wanting more.
She moves the story fluidly with her descriptive scenes and delivers a great read. I'm looking forward to the next book.

The growly, confident, alpha male is a favorite of mine and this book did not disappoint in that department. The story was believable and the charters well developed. I only have 4 stars because the spice was subpar. I feel like there was a lot of potential and a lot of slow burn build up but the actual spice was meh; 2/5 for spice.

A college student named Kylie needs money quickly to help pay for a family member’s bills. She signs up with a company to become a Sugar Baby. She pairs with Luca, an older entrepreneur. Luca and friends are protective, humorous and lovable characters.

Twists, a kidnapping, spice and Chicago Italian mafia made the book addicting. Spice doesn’t start until 40% into book. Overall, a quick read.

I received an ARC copy of Sweet Deception for an honest review.

Review 1/15/25
Release for Kindle 1/17/25

#NetGalley #SweetDeception

ARC Review of Sweet Deception by Monroe Beckett
* * * * *
A steamy naughty romance where one pull of power and one contract breaks all the rules for the best reasons.

Kylie is in need of cash.
Quite a bit of it.
When her family is in a bit of a jam due to personal problems and healthy issues, she's now landed herself in an application interview to be a Sugar Baby and get herself a hot daddy to give her the dough for her body.
God figure she captures the eye of the alluring and handsome Luca...the owner of the business.
The auburn beauty walking out of his offices had to be his.
Discovering she was applying to be a Sugar Baby, he's pulled some strings and made sure she lands right in his lap.
She's sweet and innocent and everything he's been craving.
His not going to let her go.
She's his.

Absolutely great read and very eager to get more!
Luca is dominant and powerful and generous towards Kylie, and she's loving it. He's making sure she is truly taken care of and has no worry in the world.
Swoon!

Oooh hello, I loved this book.
I was hooked. And yeeeeess really fell in love with a book that we all know is so far from the realities most of us will weever face in life. Because my my my main character goals!
This was so much more than a spicy push me pull me romance. It wasn't over steamy. Or over cliche.
But it was of course for the cinic in me a way to escape. Because these characters. The bonds. The protection and support for eachother were golden.
The way our two.mai characters are just good people.
Their relationship. The looks between them. The moments of touch and intimacy both emotionally and physically. Their connection through eachother reaching out to the other people in their lives.
How the bromance was utterly adorable.
The lucky gang of people all bought together.and who now I need to read more from please!
The dad. Ugh.
The dad with cancer and what we do for those we love.and how heartbreaking illness can be.
The pasts of strife that characters have been shaped from and have had to heal from.
Love. Love love in all it's loveliness. It was a real good honest warming of the heart romance.
I do hope there is more from these characters. Perhaps from the other friends point of view. Some.of these other males definitely need their own love stories.

Sweet Deceptions by Monroe Beckett
Sweet Connections #1

What a delightful book this proved to be ~ I couldn’t put it down!

What I liked:
* Kylie Davis: college student, loving daughter, kind, generous, outgoing, makes friends easily, focused, has goal and will achieve them, perfect for and with Luca
* Luca Morelli: billionaire, real estate mogul, multiple businesses and properties, good friend, had a difficult childhood, drawn to Kylie, loved watching him grow emotionally
* The way Luca and Kylie made eye contact the first time and the impact it had on both of them
* Kylie’s parents: loving, kind, supportive, dad a retired policeman in cancer remission, mom a high school teacher
* Talia: Kylie’s quiet roommate, studying medicine, referred Kylie to Sugar Babies
* Rafael and Gio: Luca’s longtime friends who work for and with him, strong bonds and found family
* Joseph: bodyguard, driver, quiet, intriguing
* Rome Morelli: Head of the Morelli Mafia in Chicago with a large family and network that may show up in the future
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* The character development and feeling I would want to be friends with Kylie, Luca, and the rest
* That I was engaged and became immersed in the story ~ want to see how they progress as the series unfolds
* Thinking about which of the characters will star in book two
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Luca’s father – oh my!
* Thinking about what Luca experienced growing up
* The rather twisted evil characters that popped up in a few places
* Having to wait for the next book

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

I had an amazing opportunity to read Sweet deceptions as an ARC. I absolutely loved the way Monroe Beckett gave some background onto each character and how they tied into the story. As someone whose father passed of cancer in 2007, this story tugged at my heart. I have the upmost respect for Kylie & what she did to help her mom & dad out. & Luca, omg. That man is a walking talking GREEN FLAG! Nothing that man did made me mad. Even his respect toward those who have wronged him was 🤌🏼🤌🏼 I also thought I had it all figured out but that plot twist had my jaw hanging open & catching flies!
Sweet deceptions had the story line, had the suspense & brought the spice too 🌶️ 🌶️

Really nice romance, has a mafia vibe but not too much. Some spicy scenes which add to the joy of the book. The main characters don't have a major break up rather they keep going and communicate which is refreshing.

4⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Luca is the kind of character that feels like a dream come to life. He’s sweet and attentive but carries that brooding, dark allure that keeps you hooked. This book centers on the growth of the relationship between the MMC (Luca) and FMC (Kylie). While there are challenges along the way, there’s no single, earth-shattering secret driving the plot. Instead, it’s the accumulation of life’s complexities—both within and around them—that shapes their journey.

A standout aspect for me was meeting Gio and Rafael, Luca’s more-than-friends, practically brothers. Honestly, I adored them just as much as Luca! Gio’s goofy charm and Rafael’s quiet, shadowy demeanor. 🥵 Despite their rough childhoods, the bond between these three is unshakable, and their willingness to embrace and protect Kylie—just because she makes Luca happy—is the ultimate definition of love and loyalty.

This was such an enjoyable read, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it!

I loved this book so much. From the sweat and tender dedication to the banter between Kylie and Luca. The love, support, and dedication from Ralfie, Gio, and Joseph and of course Kylie’s parents Kurt and Kathy. This was such a great read. It had the mafia feel, relationship of convenience, love at first sight. The spice was off the charts and even the humor was great. I’ll be recommending this to anyone and everyone that’ll listen.

Standalone with HEA
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Darkness Level: 🖤
Tropes: M/F, Guy falls first, Age gap 32/23
Format: E-book – 284 pages

The story is about Kylie who signs up to be a sugar baby to help her parents who are on the brink of losing their family home. Luca, the owner of the company sees her walking out of the building and is immediately drawn to her and decides that he wants her for himself.

From there begins our journey of both of them battling with their feelings in different ways. Luca who has never had a relationship before tries (unsuccessfully) to lie to himself about his growing feelings for Kylie. And Kylie struggles to keep her heart safe from a man who she thinks is only with her for sex.

It’s a fresh take on the “fake relationship” trope and was really fun to read. The swoon-worthy moments, the banter between the couple and specially the banter between the Fmc and one of the side characters was absolutely brilliant. I TOTALLY want him as my big brother!!!

Honestly it was a very sweet and satisfying read filled with very spicy spice 😉 and just the right amount of twists and drama.

The book will be out on the 17th January 2025, so if you want to start the year with a sweet yet captivating read, pick this one up! You will not regret it 🥰.

Extra trope/content info
- Found Family 🫶
- Slight OW and OM drama, but resolved and shut down quickly
- Possessive Mmc
- Rich Mmc / Poor Fmc
- Mafia (side characters)

**Trigger Warnings**
Kidnapping
Threat of SA (not by Mmc)
Abusive parents (off page)



Thank you, Monroe Beckett, and NetGalley, for providing me with the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Endearing!

Sweet, fun, emotional and funny with a dash of action and pinch of suspense.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

This was such a good read! Luca and Kylie had instant chemistry and the plot kept me entertained throughout the story. The spice was perfect and I loved the fake romance to real feelings trope.

CEO/Sugar Baby

I went into this book with high hopes for a fun spicy romp and while the spice absolutely delivered I found it harder to buy into the story than expected.

I don’t mind instalust but it felt a little forced with Luca wanting her the second he saw her from afar and Kylie’s personality left little to be desired.

It’s still a good read and I’ll probably read the rest of the series but it wasn’t an instant hit for me this time.

Thank you, Victory Editing and NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this book.
The book delivers on its blurb and is about a girl who decides to become a sugar baby and a man who owns the service. I liked the cover very much, and the blurb made me excited. However, I seem to be too old for this book.

I found a lot of things that didn’t work for me and struggled to connect with the characters. I did enjoy the promise of the book, but the pacing felt both fast and slow at the same time. The hero fell for the heroine just by seeing her on the street and then proceeded to discuss with his friends that she was obviously “wife material.” I didn’t buy it. The heroine decided to become a sugar baby to pay off her parents’ mortgage. As a parent myself, if my children did something like that, I’d die of mortification. This was primarily the reason I couldn’t continue reading past the 20% mark.

Overall, the writing was good, but the book wasn’t for me. I do think younger readers would enjoy it.

I rate this book 5 stars. I was a really easy and fast read. I never felt bored while reading. I loved the main characters and their relationship. Also the side characters were an added bonus on this book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an arc copy of this book.

This is a really good book; I liked the dynamic between Luca and Kylie; their chemistry was great! I found the pacing a bit off, like some parts of the book were rushed through and others dragged out but overall a good book with a HEA and no cheating, 3.5 stars!