Everyone dreams of the fantasy life, of abundant wealth and riches stashed in
every nook, floorboard, and vault around the home. But very few earn such
extreme wealth, and fewer still imagine a well-planned siege of someone
else's. But that's exactly the premise of Season Vining's PERFECT BETRAYAL, a
tale of much deception and thievery that follows a young man named Levi on
his mission to steal $15 million out from under the Hudson family. Henry
Hudson, the patriarch of the family, is rumored to keep a good chunk of his
wealth somewhere inside his house, on the premise it's safer than the bank.
Levi and his cohorts plan to take said money and run for the woods.
But an unexpected twist occurs when Henry's daughter, Taylor, fixes
her attraction on Levi. Her infatuation with the tattooed maintenance
man tests Levi's resolve, making him question what he truly wants and
whether he'll have the will to take it when the time arrives.
Despite the promise of an invigorating set up, PERFECT BETRAYAL
relies on much dramatics that can leave readers feeling the story lacks
real characters and bonds. The relationship between Taylor and Levi
hinges on sexual attraction, omitting character development that would
strengthen the authenticity of their relationship beyond sex. The initial
pull that brings these characters together is their stereotypical views of
one another—that is, that Taylor is a spoiled rich girl who bemoans her
parents' indifference toward herself and Levi is tatted up and trouble.
Neither character ever fully breaks these archetypes despite attempts
from the author to smooth some of their edges. Levi's overall
characterization is conflicting—he's given traits that make him seem
deep and intelligent (poetry, singing), yet he still so ill-wittingly pursues
the idea of stealing millions of dollars on a rumor none of the co-
conspirators know to be certain. Readers are never reassured the
money exists in the house, yet Levi never questions the premise, which
contradicts his otherwise intelligent demeanor. We also never delve
deeper into Levi's moral psyche of right or wrong, of the future life he'll
have, always on the run from the police. We're instead given the
resolution that once the money's gone, Levi will live a life of riches—
which beckons many unresolved questions.
Taylor's internal conflict is problematic because we can never fully
sympathize with what she feels is lacking in her life. She likes to weigh
her loveless relationship with her parents on the same scale as Levi's
penniless childhood, but this only strengthens the idea Taylor has no
idea what's it's like to actually struggle. Instead, Taylor comes off as
ignorant and self-centered—humility would have gone far in shaping
Taylor's character into something more empathetic; but as is, both
characters left me wishing for somebody else to go after the money, for
neither of these two are deserving.
To the outside world, Taylor Hudson has it all: beauty,
money and social status. But Taylor's privileged life is far
lonelier than it appears.
Levi is the inside man on a job to steal fifteen million
dollars from one of the town's wealthiest families, putting
him on a crash course with Taylor. Neither of them believe
in love, but lust. . . that's undeniable.
Now they're locked in a wicked game of seduction and it's
unclear who is playing who. But neither of them expected the
affair to lead to the deepest connection they've ever
experienced. Because beneath Taylor's perfect exterior lies
a need for love that mirrors Levi's own. As the heist
approaches, how can Levi protect Taylor from the truth? Is
he willing to give up everything to save the one girl who's
made him want to be a better man?
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