The First Lie cover art

The First Lie

Shadows of Deception, Book 1

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The First Lie

By: N. H. Steele
Narrated by: Jake Mahler
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About this listen

One audit. Two men. A dangerous obsession that could unravel her entire life.

Olivia Hart thought landing a job at Sterling Enterprises was her big break. But when a routine audit uncovers financial irregularities, she finds herself caught in a web of deceit and conflicting desires.

Ethan Sterling, the charismatic billionaire heir, becomes fixated on making Olivia his own, his intensity both frightening and oddly compelling. As his pursuit escalates, the lines between professional and personal blur dangerously.

Torn between her seemingly devoted husband and a man who won't take no for an answer, Olivia must navigate an increasingly treacherous path. With each step, she sinks deeper into Ethan's world of wealth and power, questioning everything she thought she knew about love and loyalty.

In this gripping psychological thriller, appearances are deceiving, and the truth becomes the ultimate betrayal. As hidden facets of both men emerge, Olivia must confront her own desires and decide who she can truly trust.

The First Lie is a provocative tale of obsession and redemption that will keep you guessing until the very last word.

Listen now to uncover the first lie today.

©2025 Melissa Marie Sovak (P)2025 A Novel Idea Publishing, LLC Domestic Thrillers Psychological Thriller & Suspense Emotionally Gripping Marriage
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Use of the same phrases over and over again, Unbelievable charaters and story. Nothing really happens.

Poor writing. Not a thriller

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This book had no real ending. The story kept building slowly and I was waiting for it to wrap up but instead it just stopped with a ‘to be continued’. Who writes a book that isn’t even a complete story within a larger series? This was a disappointment that I invested 9 hours without a payoff at the end.

Some of the phrases and concepts also felt outdated. I actually assumed the author must have been older, but when I checked, that turned out not to be the case.”

No ending .. to be continued. A disappointment

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Was good until last few chapters where nothing really different happened and the same scenarios and phrases were repeated over and over. Very unrealistic and hard to believe without additional information or other plot twists. No real ending or cliff hanger at the end which doesn't make me want to read the next book in the series. Characters were very one dimensional. Wasn't really a fan.

Repeated phrases

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Don't waste your time, I don't recommend this book and I certainly won't be buying or reading anymore if this it's repetitive and dull. I listened to the whole story in the hope that it would stop and someone would grow a set. Stalking the female in this story continually is evident but she should have acted, maybe gone to the police. Bad story line, although a reasonable performance, there's only so much you can do with drivel.

Misoganystic Claptrap

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Really enjoyed this one. That first lie was definately not what I thought. Great read and story

Not what you would expect

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