Reviewed by Willow 5 Stars (Written 26.01.2013)
Ellie Watt is used to starting over. The daughter of a grifting team, Ellie
spent her childhood being used as a pawn in her parents' latest scam. Now she's
much older, wiser and ready to give her con artist life a rest. But returning to
the dry desert town of Palm Valley, California means one more temptation than
she bargained for - Camden McQueen. Once known as the high school weirdo, Camden
is bigger and badder than the boy he used to be and a talented tattoo artist
with his own thriving business. Ellie's counting on Camden still being in love
with her but what she's not counting on is how easily unrequited love can turn
into obsession over time. When Camden discovers Ellie's plan to con him, he
makes her a deal she doesn't dare refuse, but her freedom comes with a price and
it's one that takes both Ellie and Camden down a dangerous road.
This is the first Karina Halle book I have read and I absolutely loved it.
The book is told from the point of view of con artist Ellie Watt. From the first word it drops you straight into the action with Ellie needing to get away from a con gone wrong. She decides to head back to the town where she spent her teenage years, where her Uncle still lives. Thinking that everyone she knows will have left the town, she decides she will start a fresh. That is until she bumps into Camden McQueen. Camden and Ellie used to be friends but it didn't end so well. Camden is no longer the goth looking outcast from school though, now a very hot, tattooed, pierced, did I mention hot? Tattoo artist. Convincing Ellie to go watch him work, Ellie sees his tattoo business is making money. She is fresh out of cash and with her uncle only allowing her to stay for a few days, she comes up with a plan, Camden is insured right? She just has to get close to him. The book moves back and forth between the present, Ellie getting close to Camden, setting up her scam, but fighting her growing feelings for him, to the past, learning how Ellie and Camden became friends and how it all fell apart. As if this isn't enough to keep the book exciting and fresh, add in an event in the past that has left Ellie with scars that you slowly gets hints at before the story is told and with all criminals, people who she's burned in the past looking for revenge, you really can't put this book down. The characters are very likable, well in Camden's case extremely loveable!! I just wish the story didn't end there!! I hate cliff-hangers and you definitely are left hanging for the next one!
Fantastic book Karina, an easy 5 stars!
