The Last Grift - Subtle Deceptions Book 1 (Paperback)

Elle Keaton creates immersive stories filled with places, people, and friend-building drama, along with histories to fall in love with, and this takes time. The Last Grift is the first in what appears to be a four-book series, so in many ways, this instalment sets the scene for the others; with each turn of the page, I fell a bit more for the characters and the world Elle Keaton has crafted. However, I find it difficult to give full marks to a groundwork book. While I appreciate the hard work, I also know the best is yet to come—so I apologise for that. Nevertheless, if you enjoyed the Veiled Intentions or West Coast Forensics series (there are crossovers), you’ll love this one. By the end, I had an inkling of where the series could progress, and it’s looking goooood.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Casey and Gabriel, with a brief perspective from Gordon. The author guides the reader around Heartstone Island, introducing its inhabitants, flora, fauna, and layout. However you look at it, the featured words are "slow-burn."
Gabe is not a model citizen, and considering he’s a conman, I love how honest he is about himself. He’s on the run, but finds more in Heartstone than just an inheritance. Ranger Casey doesn’t trust easily, and with good reason. He is so passionate about the law that brooms could be involved, when in reality, all he wants to do is protect the land and people of Heartstone. Regardless of their backgrounds, both men have good hearts.
The extended cast includes a variety of personalities, including bullies, biased officials, wise oldies, and a few others who could be for good or bad. Also, one can’t deny the wuhoooo of the crossover effect—that’s all I will say about that.
Subtle Deceptions is not a series of individual tales. The Last Grift is the first of an adventure that looks like it will get more involved with each book. From a tempting beginning, I am excited for what is to come.

Great read, the characters have depth and diversity, their backgrounds hint at the depth, but not in a way that annoyed me, but in a way that makes me eager for the next book in this series. There is MM romance possibility, but only that, so fine if you are squeamish. The dog is great, lots of character in him, too. And I laughed out loud at points. I had read another book by this author (different series) and thought it was just okay, this one is great and I am eager for the next book in the series.

Cat gives this book 4 meows...

This is the first book in a new series and follows the same characters.

It starts out with action then slows down a bit with Gabriel on the run from a grift gone wrong. His mom recently passed away and left him an inheritance. So he goes to find it and see if he can hide there.

He meets an overworked park ranger with his own problems , a gas station clerk that ends up causing problems and probably best character in the book, Old man Elton the glue that keeps them all together. There's more than one plot, twists and turns and lots of action. No romance in this one.

If You liked Piedras Island stories, You will definitely fall in love with this book!

This is the first book in a completely new series :)
Elle Keaton takes us again on a small island, with a community that knows everything about everybody and does not like strangers. She created a wonderful place with realistic characters, people who you can either like or hate (just like in everyday life), but cannot remain indifferent to them or their actions. The story is trully excelente, I love this author's writing style, it is pure magic.

This is another crime/mystery story that kept me awake and made me miss my bus stop. I couldn't stop reading. There is a LOT of questions, secrets that will come back (or continue?) in next books and it is a promise of a great series!

I liked both MCs, even though they couldn't be more different. It only made the story better. It took them a lot of time to finally get along, but it only made the story better. All in all, it is promised that there will be a romance somewhere in the future and it is a very slow burn so it's just another thing worth waiting for.

I can't wait to read more about Casey and Gabe, hopefully i won;t have to wait too long :)

I am always interested in a new book from Elle Keaton. Her Veiled Intentions series remains one of my favorite sets. Picturesque settings, quirky characters, and mysteries with plenty of twists and turns are her hallmark, and she's fantastic at mixing a good mystery story, drama, emotions, and humor. This is the first book in a new series, and I have to admit, it didn't grab me right away. To call this a slow burn would be an understatement, as Gabriel and Casey seem barely able to stand one another, but I hope we'll get more romance in the next book. Some of the exchanges between the two men are humor highlights. The side characters add additional flavor to the mix, especially Elton. I am looking forward to this being another great Keaton series.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.