In Duplicity by Debora Dale, Jaxton Carter, security chief for Edwinton Enterprises, is hired to protect Cassandra Hall. Jax is used to danger, but protecting Cass was far more complicated than he expected. Cass was Gene’s caregiver and went shopping alone to buy treats. The press surrounded Cass, but Jax rescued her. Cassandra lives under the weight of damaging accusations, but she could not reveal the secret. It was not hers to share. Jax’s past left him struggling to trust anyone after being betrayed. Jax is determined to stay professional, but he struggles with the attraction between him and Cass. They had to question everything they believed about loyalty, deception, and trust. In a world where appearances can be deceiving, they had to trust and rely on each other.

Duplicity by Debora Dale grabbed my attention from the first page until the last. Several stories were woven together beautifully. I enjoyed the tension between Jax and Cass, and wondered where it would lead. Their personalities complemented each other. The brewing romance between them and the mystery of what would happen next were intriguing. The book was expertly written and has all the elements to be a winner. I could not turn the pages fast enough and had my eyes glued to them. A surprise was always waiting, and I could never guess what would happen next. I could not put the book down; I was afraid I would miss something. I enjoyed the book and kept pondering it for quite a while.

Sometimes the person assigned to keep you safe is the one you’re not sure you can trust. In Duplicity by Debora Dale, Cassandra “Cass” Hall is a nurse whose life is suddenly put under a microscope. She has been caring for beloved actor Gene Burgess, but vicious headlines accuse her of taking advantage of him while his health declines. Concerned about her safety, her longtime friend Lloyd secretly assigns Jaxton “Jax” Carter to protect her. Jax is an experienced security expert who would rather stay out of fieldwork, but it quickly becomes clear that Cass may be dealing with more than aggressive reporters. Threatening calls and other disturbing incidents make it difficult to know who might be behind them or why. Cass eventually retreats to her secluded cabin in New Paltz with Jax close by, but she has secrets she isn’t ready to share, and he has some of his own. The attraction between them only complicates matters as they try to figure out who can be relied on. With danger getting closer, can Jax keep Cass protected long enough to uncover the truth?

Duplicity by Debora Dale was quite intriguing. The mix of suspense and romance kept me turning the pages. Cass and Jax had great chemistry, and it was clear early on that they were attracted to each other. Their back-and-forth, will they or won’t they, had me hooked. I also liked getting both of their points of view because it gave me a chance to understand what each was thinking, even when they weren’t being completely open with one another. Dale’s writing is very descriptive without slowing things down. I could easily picture the settings, especially Cass’s cabin, and the pace was good, too. Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, an unexpected plot twist proved me wrong. The title is also a perfect fit. Duplicity means deceitfulness or hiding the truth, which plays an important role throughout the novel. There were plenty of moments when I questioned who was being honest and what might be concealed. I’m sure other readers will have just as much fun trying to piece everything together. Anyone who enjoys a suspenseful love story with danger, romantic tension, and a mystery to unravel should give this one a try.