Engaging Deception by Regina Jennings and follows the story of Olive Kentwood and Maxfield Scott.
Olive had spent most of her life taking care of her ailing mother. After her mother’s death, she was at loose ends and didn’t know what to do with all the time she suddenly had. She gets a jobs as a nanny working for Maxfield who is a famous architect, and her idol.
Maxfield had recently lost his wife and didn’t know what to do with his grief. Unlike Olive who leaned into it, he ran away from it.
I liked the way these two characters portrayed different ways a person could respond to grief. At the same time, knowing that someone understood what they were going through helped them come to terms with their emotions and work through them.
Olive had a wonderful effect on Maxfield. She helped him to be his authentic self and gave him space to grieve. Meanwhile, Maxfield helped Olive to see that there were other things in life more than just responsibilities and chores.
I enjoyed the glimpses we got of the strong bonds between Olive and her family. They encouraged her to be brave and stood in the gap for her when she couldn’t.
Engaging Deception is the third book in The Joplin Chronicles but can be read as a standalone.
Reader will be reminded that God is the Ultimate Designer who has a plan for everything. None of our trials, skills, or gifts will be wasted if we allow Him to take control of our lives.
I received an advanced reader’s copy from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.
If you enjoy strong females, grieving lover, or the nanny/single parent trope, you’ll enjoy Engaging Deception.
About Engaging Deception (The Joplin Chronicles #3)
A lively competition draws her into her rival’s blueprints–and maybe even his heart.
Olive Kentworth has spent her life hiding her interest in architecture, even though she pores over architectural books and sketches buildings. When she accepts a job on a home expansion, it’s only because her cousin Amos agrees to pose as the builder. To further hide her involvement, Olive takes a position as a nanny–not knowing that she’ll be working for her idol, Joplin’s leading architect, widower Maxfield Scott.
Maxfield is intrigued by his new nanny–she makes his home and his life bearable again. His work, on the other hand, is a disaster. An untrained builder is remodeling a completed project of his. What’s worse, Maxfield’s current client wants changes to his plans because of that builder’s work.
As the architectural one-upmanship heats up, Olive’s involvement becomes harder to hide. Will the relationship between her and Maxfield survive, or will they both miss out on building something for their future?
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About Regina Jennings
Regina Jennings is the winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award and a finalist for the Christy Award, the Golden Quill and the Oklahoma Book of the Year Award. A graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a minor in history, Regina has worked at the Mustang News and at First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She lives outside of Oklahoma City with her husband and four children when not traveling the world.
Visit Regina’s website at www.reginajennings.com.