The First Lie

Shadows of Deception, Book 1

By: N. H. Steele

Narrated by: Jake Mahler

One audit. Two men. And a dangerous obsession that will change everything.

Olivia Hart thought landing a job at Sterling Enterprises was her big break. But when a routine audit uncovers financial irregularities, she’s pulled into a world where nothing—and no one—is what they seem.

Ethan Sterling, the powerful and magnetic heir to a billion-dollar empire, quickly becomes fixated on Olivia. His attention is intense, relentless… and impossible to ignore. What begins as unease soon turns into something far more complicated as Olivia is drawn deeper into his world of power, control, and desire.

At home, her husband offers stability—but even that begins to crack under the weight of secrets she can’t explain.

Caught between two men and a web of lies that grows more dangerous by the day, Olivia must navigate a path where trust is fragile, loyalty is tested, and every choice has consequences.

As the truth begins to unravel, Olivia is forced to confront what she really wants… and what she’s willing to risk to get it.

A dark, emotionally charged psychological suspense filled with obsession, betrayal, and impossible choices.

The First Lie is Book 1 in the Shadows of Deception trilogy and ends on a dramatic cliffhanger. The story continues in Book 2.

©2025 Melissa Marie Sovak (P)2026 A Novel Idea Publishing, LLC

Too much use of the same descriptors over and over.

The storyline was pretty good, and I will have to suffer through the next two to find out how it all ends but it was definitely a little hard to listen to when every other sentence was someone “heaving a sigh”, “fluttering” their eyelashes, or “pinching” their features. I don’t know if I’ve ever head the expression “heaved” a sigh before this book and after this series I’m sure I’ll never want to hear it again. There are a few other over-used descriptors, however those three were used over and over and over and over and over.

The narration was fine for the male characters, however for the female lead it was just far too whiny for a character that should have been portrayed as a strong woman dealing with a crazy boss.

Some people can’t tolerate rejection

The book was a great psychological thriller. The plot was good and full of twisted suspense. Very disappointed to get to the end unless you get book # 2… you are left hanging with no closure.

Passes the time

The series passes the time. Engaging enough with decent plot line. Easy to follow. Like that it is a series. Her infatuation with the words flick and pinched is annoying. Would read more.

Wild

Love the story line and unexpected ending. I can’t wait for the second book to hear what happens to Ethan and Livy

the book keeps you intrigued and wanting more. I am looking forward to reading the next book.

Ethan is a character that makes your mouth drop and wanting to find out what craziness he's going to do next