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Secret #2
S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared
"I, Cassie Robichaud, solemnly swear to serve S.E.C.R.E.T. to the best of my abilities. I will do what is necessary, what is right and what is within my power to assist in the execution of sexual fantasies for our participant(s)..."
And so begins S.E.C.R.E.T. II, which opens with Cassie's initiation into this mysterious organization, one that helps women experience their most potent sexual fantasies. Cassie spends the next year as a "S.E.C.R.E.T. member-at-large," not quite a guide, she'll assist Committee members (including two new ones, Kit DeMarco and Angela Rejean) in recruiting men and helping to execute a new inductee's fantasies.
After a false start with the first potential inductee, Cassie makes the acquaintance of Dauphine Gray, a 31-year old who works at the Funky Monkey vintage clothing store on Magazine Street in New Orleans. Geeky, gawky and easily distracted, Dauphine has no idea how attractive she really is because her face is forever in a book. Reading is her passion, music is her pleasure, and Dauphine's all but given up on sex, especially after a painful rejection that still haunts her. Then Cassie and the women from S.E.C.R.E.T. show her it's possible to reignite that flame.
Meanwhile, Cassie must work through her resentment over losing Will to Tracina and their future baby. But when paternity questions surface, Tracina threatens to expose Cassie's S.E.C.R.E.T. membership to the one man both women love. Will Tracina expose Cassie to Will, and if she does, what will he make of his secret love's S.E.C.R.E.T. life?
And so begins S.E.C.R.E.T. II, which opens with Cassie's initiation into this mysterious organization, one that helps women experience their most potent sexual fantasies. Cassie spends the next year as a "S.E.C.R.E.T. member-at-large," not quite a guide, she'll assist Committee members (including two new ones, Kit DeMarco and Angela Rejean) in recruiting men and helping to execute a new inductee's fantasies.
After a false start with the first potential inductee, Cassie makes the acquaintance of Dauphine Gray, a 31-year old who works at the Funky Monkey vintage clothing store on Magazine Street in New Orleans. Geeky, gawky and easily distracted, Dauphine has no idea how attractive she really is because her face is forever in a book. Reading is her passion, music is her pleasure, and Dauphine's all but given up on sex, especially after a painful rejection that still haunts her. Then Cassie and the women from S.E.C.R.E.T. show her it's possible to reignite that flame.
Meanwhile, Cassie must work through her resentment over losing Will to Tracina and their future baby. But when paternity questions surface, Tracina threatens to expose Cassie's S.E.C.R.E.T. membership to the one man both women love. Will Tracina expose Cassie to Will, and if she does, what will he make of his secret love's S.E.C.R.E.T. life?
273 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
128 people are currently reading
5701 people want to read
About the author
L. Marie Adeline
30 books569 followersL. Marie Adeline is the pseudonym for the best-selling author Lisa Gabriele, who has written both novels and non-fiction.
S.E.C.R.E.T., the first installment of an erotic trilogy is published in more than thirty countries. It was a bestseller in several countries, including Canada where it was #1 for several weeks.
S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared, the second installment, was published October 2013.
S.E.C.R.E.T. Revealed, the final in the trilogy is out May 2014.
S.E.C.R.E.T., the first installment of an erotic trilogy is published in more than thirty countries. It was a bestseller in several countries, including Canada where it was #1 for several weeks.
S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared, the second installment, was published October 2013.
S.E.C.R.E.T. Revealed, the final in the trilogy is out May 2014.
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Want to read
April 5, 2013I can't wait to read the 2nd book.
I hope it starts off where it left off.
I hope it starts off where it left off.
April 22, 2015
Secretos compartidos es una novela erótica cuya trama gira en torno a un club poco peculiar y que dará mucho que hablar a lo largo de la misma. Es una novela de la que desconocía incluso su existencia y que la editorial me mandó por sorpresa. Lo cierto es que Secretos compartidos ha sido una novela que me ha gustado y de la que quizás hubiese esperado algo más.
Me ha gustado mucho que la novela esté contada desde el punto de vista de dos personajes y que se centre la trama en ambos personajes. Estos son Cassie y Dauphine. En una novela erótica no es común que haya dos protagonistas femeninas con vidas aparte (en ciertas cosas relacionadas) que nos cuenten la historia. Por lo que me ha resultado algo curioso y agradable de leer. De hecho ambas hacen que la lectura sea más amena y entretenida.
Los personajes de Secretos compartidos están trabajados, pero en especial Dauphine la veo algo desdibujada. Sin duda Cassie es un personaje que está trabajado y del que no nos aburrimos. Sin embargo, Dauphine es un personaje más aburrido y pesado.
La trama se Secretos compartidos está bien. Le falta mucho trabajo y esperaba bastante más. Es sencilla y directa. Pero la idea de S.E.C.R.E.T. le da un punto especial y original a la novela. Es una idea atrevida y que deja con buen sabor de boca.
Las escenas eróticas en este libro son bastante pobres y faltan demasiadas. Hay poco sexo y para la idea en sí que tiene la novela y la línea argumental que sigue. En ese aspecto cojea bastante.
Personalmente Secretos compartidos ni me ha gustado ni me ha disgustado. Se me ha quedado pobre y falto de muchas cosas, pero tampoco tengo una opinión del mismo muy elaborada porque me ha dejado bastante indiferente.
Me ha gustado mucho que la novela esté contada desde el punto de vista de dos personajes y que se centre la trama en ambos personajes. Estos son Cassie y Dauphine. En una novela erótica no es común que haya dos protagonistas femeninas con vidas aparte (en ciertas cosas relacionadas) que nos cuenten la historia. Por lo que me ha resultado algo curioso y agradable de leer. De hecho ambas hacen que la lectura sea más amena y entretenida.
Los personajes de Secretos compartidos están trabajados, pero en especial Dauphine la veo algo desdibujada. Sin duda Cassie es un personaje que está trabajado y del que no nos aburrimos. Sin embargo, Dauphine es un personaje más aburrido y pesado.
La trama se Secretos compartidos está bien. Le falta mucho trabajo y esperaba bastante más. Es sencilla y directa. Pero la idea de S.E.C.R.E.T. le da un punto especial y original a la novela. Es una idea atrevida y que deja con buen sabor de boca.
Las escenas eróticas en este libro son bastante pobres y faltan demasiadas. Hay poco sexo y para la idea en sí que tiene la novela y la línea argumental que sigue. En ese aspecto cojea bastante.
Personalmente Secretos compartidos ni me ha gustado ni me ha disgustado. Se me ha quedado pobre y falto de muchas cosas, pero tampoco tengo una opinión del mismo muy elaborada porque me ha dejado bastante indiferente.
December 5, 2013
I am going to keep this short and simple. This book was okay! Nothing that speical about it. I did enjoy the last book but I would have wanted it to be a standalone instead of a series. From the beginning I really didn't understand why their had to be 2 POV. We get Cassie which I understand since she was in the last book. But then their had to be Dauphine's POV added onto the mix. It didn't mix well to me.
I hate getting flash backs in books. Especially when you are in the second book and the character is explaining everything that happened in the first book to me. UMMMM didn't I read you already? That is how I feel about back flashes. Do not tell me what I have already read before. I get trying to give the reader a little detail so that way it will spark up their memory but it was too much for me. I can handle a little a back flashes but when I start feeling okay am I in the past or present, then it starts to become a problem for me.
I found the characters lacking especially Cassie from the last book. This was just an okay book but nothing special to me.
Copy provided by the publisher for exchanged for an honest review.
I hate getting flash backs in books. Especially when you are in the second book and the character is explaining everything that happened in the first book to me. UMMMM didn't I read you already? That is how I feel about back flashes. Do not tell me what I have already read before. I get trying to give the reader a little detail so that way it will spark up their memory but it was too much for me. I can handle a little a back flashes but when I start feeling okay am I in the past or present, then it starts to become a problem for me.
I found the characters lacking especially Cassie from the last book. This was just an okay book but nothing special to me.
Copy provided by the publisher for exchanged for an honest review.
October 13, 2013
Book two in the Secret series.
This book is gold. If you don't want to read a gushing review just go get it and read it NOW!
In SECRET shared we follow the story of Cassie and Dauphine in good ol' New Orleans. Cassie is a recent graduate from the SECRET ladies club that helps sexually liberate woman and Dauphine is the current initiate. While I've come across books with similar intentions, they haven't been ground breaking reads but with Adeline it works! There is no fluff about the power of men to make a woman into a real woman. Instead it is about ten steps (see end of review) that help women rediscover and believe in the power of themselves. Note that I said RE-discover, because it's not that women never had belief in themselves, it's that somehow, something convinced them that they were unworthy and powerless.
Cassie is currently struggling with life after SECRET and the fact that the man she loves is having a baby with another woman. Cassie was going to leave SECRET to start a relationship with said love of life but with the baby on the way she turns to SECRET as a way of coping. Through an accidental encounter she meets Dauphine who has never been able to come back from her cheating boyfriend and best friend. I'm not surprised because her boyfriend sounds like a self absorbed prick and her best friend a lying selfish cow, she's better off without them. The hard part is the fact that idiot boyfriend becomes famous and using Dauphine as fodder in a book, causing her to hyper analyse herself. (If I could get my hands on that son of a-)
Cassie with the help of her mentor Matilda invite Dauphine to SECRET and Dauphine recognizing that she wants to make a change accepts. Dauphine is then on a roller coaster ride of self-discovery and sexual adventures. The scenes feels so real, the emotion is almost tangible. I admit to being a little jealous that imaginary Dauphine gets all of these wonderful experiences! She of course is much stronger than she believes and makes a wonderful discovery in her final step. Get it girl! Cassie, despite being the graduate, is struggling. She has no idea how to handle her situation and it doesn't help that she works for the guy. After a brief fling she tries her hand at recruiting and requests the return of a previous man from her ten steps (stepman?). It's refreshing to see that Adeline is not going to push twee happy endings. She shows Cassie's life after SECRET as still having problems, doubts and insecurities. SECRET is not a one stop, boom, you're fixed shop, it's a beginning. How Cassie's life continues you'll have to read to find out but I am definitely anxious for the next book!!!
What I loved most about SECRET shared is that Adeline keeps this strength of discovery and rediscovery in woman's hands and while the steps are often achieved with men it is not the presence of the man that enables the woman's transformation. Adeline is all about power to the women as you can see in one of my favourite quotes in the book:
"The word slut, unless employed by iron-clad feminists or ironically by irony experts, has no business coming out of a woman's mouth, do you hear me? Not when she is describing her own sexual behaviour and especially if she's describing another woman's. It's the kind of word that can scar, Cassie... That word has been used as a weapon against women all around the world, since the beginning of time, to keep us feeling unworthy and separate." (pg. 80/197)
It's the combination of empowerment and fantasy that is the key to SECRET but also to Adeline's novel. It's not just a fiction novel that makes you feel happy it relates to real life issues like female struggles and empowerment, it's not just a fantasy situation in SECRET but how it affects a woman's view of herself in reality. That is the secret to SECRET and the magic of this book.
xxx
George
A HUGE thank you to NetGalley, L. Marie Adeline and Crown Publishing/Broadway Books for the advanced copy!!!
August 4, 2016
Gaahhhhh. Can I rate a book negative stars because it didn't end how I wanted it to? No? That's a really mean thing to do? SIGH. Fine. I'm judging from the other 98% of the book.
April 8, 2019
Copy received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ok, rapid summary: A S.E.C.R.E.T. society that aims to re-build women’s confidence by providing sexual fantasies with hot men. What isn’t there to like???? Add in a sexy love interest for each of the main characters and you have a delicious erotic romance story :)
I had not read the first book prior to starting S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared but I did not have any difficulty getting straight into this story. Although it would have been preferable to have read book one prior to starting this, the author did provide an in-depth summary of Cassie’s story to date to allow readers to read this as a stand-alone book if necessary.
This book focuses on the continuation of Cassie's story after she had completed her S.E.C.R.E.T. STEPS. Cassie now has to decide what happens to her next. Does she leave S.E.C.R.E.T. or continue on to another role within the organisation?
Dauphine is the next recruit requiring the help and assistance of the ladies of S.E.C.R.E.T. Having found her boyfriend in a compromising position with her best friend and who subsequently writes a book which has an indirect link to her, Dauphine wallows in her own self-pity for years before she comes across Cassie whose confidence with the opposite sex intrigues her. After disclosing her background and involvement with S.E.C.R.E.T. to Dauphine, Cassie becomes her Guide through her own STEPS.
Starting out on her journey through S.E.C.R.E.T., Dauphine faces her fears and conquers them whilst living her sexual fantasies until she questions one of the STEPS she is faced with and is forced to question whether she is willing to continue her S.E.C.R.E.T. experiences.
I really enjoyed this book so much that I will go and purchase the first book to live Cassie’s story in more detail.
Ok, rapid summary: A S.E.C.R.E.T. society that aims to re-build women’s confidence by providing sexual fantasies with hot men. What isn’t there to like???? Add in a sexy love interest for each of the main characters and you have a delicious erotic romance story :)
I had not read the first book prior to starting S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared but I did not have any difficulty getting straight into this story. Although it would have been preferable to have read book one prior to starting this, the author did provide an in-depth summary of Cassie’s story to date to allow readers to read this as a stand-alone book if necessary.
This book focuses on the continuation of Cassie's story after she had completed her S.E.C.R.E.T. STEPS. Cassie now has to decide what happens to her next. Does she leave S.E.C.R.E.T. or continue on to another role within the organisation?
Dauphine is the next recruit requiring the help and assistance of the ladies of S.E.C.R.E.T. Having found her boyfriend in a compromising position with her best friend and who subsequently writes a book which has an indirect link to her, Dauphine wallows in her own self-pity for years before she comes across Cassie whose confidence with the opposite sex intrigues her. After disclosing her background and involvement with S.E.C.R.E.T. to Dauphine, Cassie becomes her Guide through her own STEPS.
Starting out on her journey through S.E.C.R.E.T., Dauphine faces her fears and conquers them whilst living her sexual fantasies until she questions one of the STEPS she is faced with and is forced to question whether she is willing to continue her S.E.C.R.E.T. experiences.
I really enjoyed this book so much that I will go and purchase the first book to live Cassie’s story in more detail.
October 28, 2013
S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared is the sequel to S.E.C.R.E.T., however it can be read as a stand alone. While this book can be read as a stand alone and the author does a great job at filling in the blanks, I believe reading the first one will only enhance the readers experience.
S.E.C.R.E.T. is a secret group of women that help other women find themselves through acting on their sexual fantasies. Each woman is asked to complete ten steps or ten sexual fantasies, after each step they are awarded a charm with the name of each step engraved on the back: surrender, courage, trust, generosity, fearlessness, curiosity, bravery, exuberance and liberation. These steps either portray something the woman needs to learn how to do or something they need to learn about themselves.
S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared is Cassie’s journey as a guide, she is still trying to find out who she is and where she stands in her relationship (or lack there of) with Will, while at the same time guiding Dauphine through her journey.
Dauphine is their newest member and in my opinion, is much more likable than Cassie. While she lacks a little self-esteem she is much more sure of herself than Cassie and she’s much more open and willing to the challenges or steps. In her first S.E.C.R.E.T. meeting she tells the committee when asked what her sexual fantasies are to “surprise me.” That the committee does, they also surprised me sometimes!
The sex scenes in this book were plentiful and they were HOT! I enjoyed going through the journey with Dauphine as she tried to find herself, and along the way she found a smoking hot man that wanted her desperately. She found great sex, self-esteem and love! Cassie on the other hand found her voice, finally, but she also found heartbreak. Something tells me Cassie’s journey isn’t quite over and I’m looking forward to what comes next for her.
*received ARC for honest review
S.E.C.R.E.T. is a secret group of women that help other women find themselves through acting on their sexual fantasies. Each woman is asked to complete ten steps or ten sexual fantasies, after each step they are awarded a charm with the name of each step engraved on the back: surrender, courage, trust, generosity, fearlessness, curiosity, bravery, exuberance and liberation. These steps either portray something the woman needs to learn how to do or something they need to learn about themselves.
S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared is Cassie’s journey as a guide, she is still trying to find out who she is and where she stands in her relationship (or lack there of) with Will, while at the same time guiding Dauphine through her journey.
Dauphine is their newest member and in my opinion, is much more likable than Cassie. While she lacks a little self-esteem she is much more sure of herself than Cassie and she’s much more open and willing to the challenges or steps. In her first S.E.C.R.E.T. meeting she tells the committee when asked what her sexual fantasies are to “surprise me.” That the committee does, they also surprised me sometimes!
The sex scenes in this book were plentiful and they were HOT! I enjoyed going through the journey with Dauphine as she tried to find herself, and along the way she found a smoking hot man that wanted her desperately. She found great sex, self-esteem and love! Cassie on the other hand found her voice, finally, but she also found heartbreak. Something tells me Cassie’s journey isn’t quite over and I’m looking forward to what comes next for her.
*received ARC for honest review
April 2, 2014
Where S.E.C.R.E.T. ended, S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared begins!
Cassie Robichaud is initiated into S.E.C.R.E.T., a mysterious society that helps women experience their wildest, most intimate sexual fantasies. Cassie spends the next year assisting committee members in recruiting men and helping to fulfill a new inductee's fantasies.
Dauphine Mason is recruited by Cassie and the story switches back and forth between Dauphine as she completes each step in her S.E.C.R.E.T. venture and Cassie's ongoing journey of now trying to carry on relationships in the "real" world.
Cassie's and Dauphine's hot desires of pleasure, release and love were a delight to read. I devoured this book of unforgettably breathtaking sensual fantasies and can hardly wait to see where L. Marie takes us next.
Cassie Robichaud is initiated into S.E.C.R.E.T., a mysterious society that helps women experience their wildest, most intimate sexual fantasies. Cassie spends the next year assisting committee members in recruiting men and helping to fulfill a new inductee's fantasies.
Dauphine Mason is recruited by Cassie and the story switches back and forth between Dauphine as she completes each step in her S.E.C.R.E.T. venture and Cassie's ongoing journey of now trying to carry on relationships in the "real" world.
Cassie's and Dauphine's hot desires of pleasure, release and love were a delight to read. I devoured this book of unforgettably breathtaking sensual fantasies and can hardly wait to see where L. Marie takes us next.
November 11, 2024
Όταν κυκλοφόρησε το "S.E.C.R.E.T." μερικούς μήνες πριν, από τις εκδόσεις Πατάκη, πολλά ειπώθηκαν. Ορισμένες αναγνώστριες, ενθουσιάστηκαν από τη διαφορετικότητα της ιστορία της L. Marie Adeline. Άλλες πάλι, απογοητεύτηκαν, καθώς περίμεναν κάτι πολύ διαφορετικό από αυτό που τελικά εισέπραξαν. Όσον αφορά εμένα, μάλλον βρίσκομαι κάπου στη μέση αφού, ναι μεν δεν ενθουσιάστηκα, ωστόσο, το διάβασα ευχάριστα και σε καμία των περιπτώσεων, δεν μετάνιωσα για τον χρόνο που αφιέρωσα σε αυτό. Σήμερα, έχοντας πλέον το δεύτερο μέρος της σειράς στα χέρια μου, μπορώ να πω πως η συγγραφέας ανέβασε τον πήχη, οδηγώντας την ιστορία της σε μια, όχι ιδιαίτερα διαφορετική κατεύθυνση, προσεγγίζοντάς την ωστόσο με αρκετά διαφορετικό τρόπο, καθιστώντας το έργο της, αρκετά πιο πολυδιάστατο σε σύγκριση με το πρώτο μέρος.
Η Κέισσι, έχει ολοκληρώσει τα βήματά της στο S.E.C.R.E.T. και καλείται να αποφασίσει αν θα παραμείνει σε αυτό, ή αν θα συνεχίσει τη ζωή της, αξιοποιώντας όλα όσα έμαθε. Από τη στιγμή που το όνειρό της για ένα κοινό μέλλον με τον Γουίλ, γκρεμίστηκε μπροστά στα μάτια της, επιλέγει να παραμείνει στη μυστική αυτή οργάνωση, υιοθετώντας τον ρόλο της καθοδηγήτριας. Στο δρόμο της, έρχεται η Ντοφίν, μια τριαντάχρονη γυναίκα η οποία έχει χάσει την αυτοπεποίθησή της στον έρωτα, έπειτα από έναν άσχημο χωρισμό οχτώ χρόνια πριν. Και ναι, η Ντοφίν, είναι πρόθυμη να ακολουθήσει το S.E.C.R.E.T. και ότι έχει αυτό να της προσφέρει, θέλοντας να ξανακερδίσει όλα όσα έχασε και να αλλάξει τη ζωή της, διεκδικώντας όλα όσα πίστευε ότι δεν θα μπορούσε ποτέ να έχει. Οι δύο γυναίκες, καλούνται να ανακαλύψουν τον εαυτό τους, να διεκδικήσουν το δικαίωμα στα πάθη τους και τελικά, να καθορίσουν τη ζωή και το μέλλον τους.
Ουσιαστικά, η ιστορία, παίζει σε δύο διαφορετικά ταμπλό. Από τη μία, παρακολουθούμε τις εξελίξεις στη ζωή της Ντοφίν, από τη στιγμή που επιλέγει να ακολουθήσει το μονοπάτι του S.E.C.R.E.T. όπως η Κέισσι, ένα χρόνο νωρίτερα, όμως, η προσέγγιση της δικιάς της πορείας, είναι πολύ διαφορετική από εκείνη της τελευταίας. Οι δύο γυναίκες, είναι δύο εκ διαμέτρου αντίθετες προσωπικότητες, κάτι που η συγγραφέας φαίνεται να αναγνωρίζει και έτσι, το ταξίδι τους στην αναζήτηση της χαμένης σεξουαλικότητας και αυτοπεποίθησής τους, είναι πολύ διαφορετικό. Η Ντοφίν, είναι πιο ανοιχτή στις προκλήσεις που της επιφυλάσσει η νέα αυτή εμπειρία και είναι αποφασισμένη να ρουφήξει κάθε στιγμή, κάθε δευτερόλεπτο, χωρίς επιφυλάξεις κι ενδοιασμούς. Ξέρει τι θέλει και ακριβώς αυτά, είναι που στοχεύει να αποκτήσει. Η προσωπικότητά της, δεν αλλάζει μέσα από τις φαντασιώσεις της που παίρνουν σάρκα και οστά, αλλά ενισχύεται, γίνεται πιο δυνατή και πιο ισχυρή, συνειδητοποιώντας πως πάντα είχε τη δυνατότητα να διεκδικήσει τα θέλω και τα πάθη της, αλλά ότι χρειαζόταν ένα σπρώξιμο για να το κάνει.
Από την άλλη, παρακολουθούμε την μετέπειτα ζωή της Κέισσι η οποία, μπορεί μεν να έχει ανακτήσει την σεξουαλικότητά της, ωστόσο, μοιάζει χαμένη έπειτα από την απομάκρυνση του ονείρου να έχει τον Γουίλ μόνο δικό της. Πλέον, είναι ένας άντρας που όσο κι αν τον θέλει, ξέρει καλά πως δεν μπορεί να τον έχει και πρέπει να μάθει να ζει με αυτό, αλλά και να ξεκαθαρίσει τα συναισθήματά της που είναι πιο μπερδεμένα από ποτέ. Η έλξη της για τον Τζέσι, με τον οποίο είχε ζήσει μία από της φαντασιώσεις της τον περασμένο χρόνο, δεν έχει πάψει να υπάρχει και το πως θα χειριστεί τις καταστάσεις, είναι ένα πολύ λεπτό κι εύθραυστο ζήτημα. Παράλληλα, πρέπει να διατηρήσει την αυτοκυριαρχία και την ουδετερότητά της, αξιοποιώντας όλα όσα έμαθε η ίδια, προκειμένου να βοηθήσει μια άλλη γυναίκα η οποία, παρ' όλα ταύτα, μοιάζει πιο πρόθυμη και δεκτική απ' όσο ήταν η ίδια. Μπορεί πράγματι να βοηθήσει τη Ντοφίν, ή μήπως εκείνη είναι τελικά που έστω και με έναν έμμεσο τρόπο, θα της δώσει κάποια νέα μαθήματα;
Γρήγορη αφήγηση, μοιρασμένη ανάμεσα στην έντονη σεξουαλικότητα και το συναίσθημα, ανακατεμένη με μια δόση μυστηρίου και αγωνίας, το δεύτερο μέρος του "S.E.C.R.E.T." κερδίσει τις εντυπώσεις και χωρίς να χάσει την ταυτότητά του, μας προσφέρει κάτι το διαφορετικό. Το μυστικό της οργάνωσης, μοιάζει πιο εύθραυστο από ποτέ και οι ισορροπίες, είναι εξαιρετικά λεπτές και πολύ εύκολο να σπάσουν και να θάψουν κάτω από τα συντρίμμια τους, ότι πάσχιζαν ορισμένοι άνθρωποι, τόσα χρόνια να χτίσουν. Τόσο στο κομμάτι της ψυχογραφικής ανάλυσης και της αποτύπωσής της στο χαρτί, όσο και ως προς την προσέγγιση της ίδιας της ιστορίας, η συγγραφέας, καταφέρνει να δημιουργήσει ένα βιβλίο που είναι σαφέστατα, καλύτερο από το πρώτο, και που θα σας αφήσει με ανάμεικτα συναισθήματα ενώ παράλληλα, πετυχαίνει εκεί που, ίσως, απέτυχε το πρώτο. Να μείνετε κρεμασμένοι από μια λεπτή κλωστή, περιμένοντας την συνέχεια προκειμένου να ανακαλύψετε αν, τελικά, κάθε παραμύθι, μπορεί να έχει το δικό του ευτυχισμένο τέλος.
Η Κέισσι, έχει ολοκληρώσει τα βήματά της στο S.E.C.R.E.T. και καλείται να αποφασίσει αν θα παραμείνει σε αυτό, ή αν θα συνεχίσει τη ζωή της, αξιοποιώντας όλα όσα έμαθε. Από τη στιγμή που το όνειρό της για ένα κοινό μέλλον με τον Γουίλ, γκρεμίστηκε μπροστά στα μάτια της, επιλέγει να παραμείνει στη μυστική αυτή οργάνωση, υιοθετώντας τον ρόλο της καθοδηγήτριας. Στο δρόμο της, έρχεται η Ντοφίν, μια τριαντάχρονη γυναίκα η οποία έχει χάσει την αυτοπεποίθησή της στον έρωτα, έπειτα από έναν άσχημο χωρισμό οχτώ χρόνια πριν. Και ναι, η Ντοφίν, είναι πρόθυμη να ακολουθήσει το S.E.C.R.E.T. και ότι έχει αυτό να της προσφέρει, θέλοντας να ξανακερδίσει όλα όσα έχασε και να αλλάξει τη ζωή της, διεκδικώντας όλα όσα πίστευε ότι δεν θα μπορούσε ποτέ να έχει. Οι δύο γυναίκες, καλούνται να ανακαλύψουν τον εαυτό τους, να διεκδικήσουν το δικαίωμα στα πάθη τους και τελικά, να καθορίσουν τη ζωή και το μέλλον τους.
Ουσιαστικά, η ιστορία, παίζει σε δύο διαφορετικά ταμπλό. Από τη μία, παρακολουθούμε τις εξελίξεις στη ζωή της Ντοφίν, από τη στιγμή που επιλέγει να ακολουθήσει το μονοπάτι του S.E.C.R.E.T. όπως η Κέισσι, ένα χρόνο νωρίτερα, όμως, η προσέγγιση της δικιάς της πορείας, είναι πολύ διαφορετική από εκείνη της τελευταίας. Οι δύο γυναίκες, είναι δύο εκ διαμέτρου αντίθετες προσωπικότητες, κάτι που η συγγραφέας φαίνεται να αναγνωρίζει και έτσι, το ταξίδι τους στην αναζήτηση της χαμένης σεξουαλικότητας και αυτοπεποίθησής τους, είναι πολύ διαφορετικό. Η Ντοφίν, είναι πιο ανοιχτή στις προκλήσεις που της επιφυλάσσει η νέα αυτή εμπειρία και είναι αποφασισμένη να ρουφήξει κάθε στιγμή, κάθε δευτερόλεπτο, χωρίς επιφυλάξεις κι ενδοιασμούς. Ξέρει τι θέλει και ακριβώς αυτά, είναι που στοχεύει να αποκτήσει. Η προσωπικότητά της, δεν αλλάζει μέσα από τις φαντασιώσεις της που παίρνουν σάρκα και οστά, αλλά ενισχύεται, γίνεται πιο δυνατή και πιο ισχυρή, συνειδητοποιώντας πως πάντα είχε τη δυνατότητα να διεκδικήσει τα θέλω και τα πάθη της, αλλά ότι χρειαζόταν ένα σπρώξιμο για να το κάνει.
Από την άλλη, παρακολουθούμε την μετέπειτα ζωή της Κέισσι η οποία, μπορεί μεν να έχει ανακτήσει την σεξουαλικότητά της, ωστόσο, μοιάζει χαμένη έπειτα από την απομάκρυνση του ονείρου να έχει τον Γουίλ μόνο δικό της. Πλέον, είναι ένας άντρας που όσο κι αν τον θέλει, ξέρει καλά πως δεν μπορεί να τον έχει και πρέπει να μάθει να ζει με αυτό, αλλά και να ξεκαθαρίσει τα συναισθήματά της που είναι πιο μπερδεμένα από ποτέ. Η έλξη της για τον Τζέσι, με τον οποίο είχε ζήσει μία από της φαντασιώσεις της τον περασμένο χρόνο, δεν έχει πάψει να υπάρχει και το πως θα χειριστεί τις καταστάσεις, είναι ένα πολύ λεπτό κι εύθραυστο ζήτημα. Παράλληλα, πρέπει να διατηρήσει την αυτοκυριαρχία και την ουδετερότητά της, αξιοποιώντας όλα όσα έμαθε η ίδια, προκειμένου να βοηθήσει μια άλλη γυναίκα η οποία, παρ' όλα ταύτα, μοιάζει πιο πρόθυμη και δεκτική απ' όσο ήταν η ίδια. Μπορεί πράγματι να βοηθήσει τη Ντοφίν, ή μήπως εκείνη είναι τελικά που έστω και με έναν έμμεσο τρόπο, θα της δώσει κάποια νέα μαθήματα;
Γρήγορη αφήγηση, μοιρασμένη ανάμεσα στην έντονη σεξουαλικότητα και το συναίσθημα, ανακατεμένη με μια δόση μυστηρίου και αγωνίας, το δεύτερο μέρος του "S.E.C.R.E.T." κερδίσει τις εντυπώσεις και χωρίς να χάσει την ταυτότητά του, μας προσφέρει κάτι το διαφορετικό. Το μυστικό της οργάνωσης, μοιάζει πιο εύθραυστο από ποτέ και οι ισορροπίες, είναι εξαιρετικά λεπτές και πολύ εύκολο να σπάσουν και να θάψουν κάτω από τα συντρίμμια τους, ότι πάσχιζαν ορισμένοι άνθρωποι, τόσα χρόνια να χτίσουν. Τόσο στο κομμάτι της ψυχογραφικής ανάλυσης και της αποτύπωσής της στο χαρτί, όσο και ως προς την προσέγγιση της ίδιας της ιστορίας, η συγγραφέας, καταφέρνει να δημιουργήσει ένα βιβλίο που είναι σαφέστατα, καλύτερο από το πρώτο, και που θα σας αφήσει με ανάμεικτα συναισθήματα ενώ παράλληλα, πετυχαίνει εκεί που, ίσως, απέτυχε το πρώτο. Να μείνετε κρεμασμένοι από μια λεπτή κλωστή, περιμένοντας την συνέχεια προκειμένου να ανακαλύψετε αν, τελικά, κάθε παραμύθι, μπορεί να έχει το δικό του ευτυχισμένο τέλος.
December 7, 2013
In The Secret Cassie Robichaud was introduced to the secret society of women called S.E.C.R.E.T. who aim was to allow women to find themselves through their own sexuality. After completed the “challenges” Cassie was hoping to have a “happily ever after” with her boss (and lover) Will. We all know what they say about best-laid plans – so that didn’t quite work out. In this sequel Cassie has pledged herself as a mentor for S.E.C.R.E.T. and quickly stumbles upon Dauphine, the reclusive owner of a vintage clothing store. To my personal amazement, she rapidly talks Dauphine into going through with the steps and Dauphine is off the exotic locales and dangerous places to live out her wildest fantasies. Of course there are the obligatory hiccups along the way and a big blunder that may reveal the secret of S.E.C.R.E.T.
If you take this book for what it is intended to be it is a very enjoyable read. There is enough of a story, a love story of course, to make it entertaining and the erotica part is well written with no attempt to go for the shock value. Ms. Adeline treats her characters respectfully and with affection and that makes the reader care about them. It was a quick, fun read and I will definitely pick up the next one to see what happens to both Cassie and the “society”.
If you take this book for what it is intended to be it is a very enjoyable read. There is enough of a story, a love story of course, to make it entertaining and the erotica part is well written with no attempt to go for the shock value. Ms. Adeline treats her characters respectfully and with affection and that makes the reader care about them. It was a quick, fun read and I will definitely pick up the next one to see what happens to both Cassie and the “society”.
August 27, 2013
I received this book as a Goodreads First Reads winner.
Picking up where the first book left off, the reader follows Cassie on her journey through S.E.C.R.E.T. as a guide for a new candidate. Chapters alternate between the two main characters throughout the book. We meet Dauphine immediately and learn about her journey to sexual fulfillment. The reader also gets to learn much more about Cassie and the choices she makes. The Cassie chapters read very much like the first book and follows her story nicely. It takes a little more time to get into the Dauphine plot.
I normally do not read this genre of stories so I am not a good judge of it compared to other stories of a similar nature. However, I find the plot of the story to be interesting and eager to see what will happen next. I found myself skimming through the sex scenes so I could continue the plot.
A complaint I have is that in the book everything seemed to just happen so quickly. One minute Dauphine was just beginning S.E.C.R.E.T. and the next she was done. I wish we got to see more of her journey.
The last few pages of the book left me wanting more and I am eagerly awaiting the next book to see what ensues for Cassie.
Overall, pretty enjoyable, quick easy read!
Picking up where the first book left off, the reader follows Cassie on her journey through S.E.C.R.E.T. as a guide for a new candidate. Chapters alternate between the two main characters throughout the book. We meet Dauphine immediately and learn about her journey to sexual fulfillment. The reader also gets to learn much more about Cassie and the choices she makes. The Cassie chapters read very much like the first book and follows her story nicely. It takes a little more time to get into the Dauphine plot.
I normally do not read this genre of stories so I am not a good judge of it compared to other stories of a similar nature. However, I find the plot of the story to be interesting and eager to see what will happen next. I found myself skimming through the sex scenes so I could continue the plot.
A complaint I have is that in the book everything seemed to just happen so quickly. One minute Dauphine was just beginning S.E.C.R.E.T. and the next she was done. I wish we got to see more of her journey.
The last few pages of the book left me wanting more and I am eagerly awaiting the next book to see what ensues for Cassie.
Overall, pretty enjoyable, quick easy read!
September 7, 2016
Και με συνοπτικές διαδικασίες, από το πρώτο βιβλίο πέρασα στο δεύτερο το οποίο ομολογώ ότι με εξέπληξε ακόμα πιο ευχάριστα.
Βλέπουμε λοιπόν και πάλι την Κέισι και την ιστορία της να συνεχίζεται αλλά παράλληλα έχουμε και μια καινούρια ηρωίδα, τη Ντοφίν όπου οι περιπέτειές της ήταν άκρως ενδιαφέρουσες και σε γενικές γραμμές, έδωσε πολλούς πόντους στο βιβλίο.
Σε πρωτοπρόσωπη αφήγηση, ανάμεσα στις δύο πρωταγωνίστριες, παίρνοντας τα ηνία πότε η μία και πότε η άλλη, βλέπουμε τη μύηση καθώς και τις νέες εμπειρίες που αποκτά η Ντοφίν, το νέο μέλος της οργάνωσης Secret ενώ από την άλλη, παρακολουθούμε τη συναισθηματική και σεξουαλική ζωή της Κέισι μετά την ολοκλήρωση της δικής της θητείας.
Όπως και στο πρώτο βιβλίο, έτσι κι εδώ υπάρχουν κάποια σημεία που χαρακτηρίζονται από «αφέλεια» αλλά στο σύνολο της η ιστορία είναι ανάλαφρη, διασκεδαστική, πικάντικη και άνετα ψυχαγωγεί τον αναγνώστη αυτού του είδους που επιλέγει να τη διαβάσει.
Προσωπικά δεν απογοητεύτηκα ούτε στο ελάχιστο και γι’ αυτό συνεχίζω με το τρίτο και τελευταίο μέρος της σειράς γεμάτη ανυπομονησία!
Βλέπουμε λοιπόν και πάλι την Κέισι και την ιστορία της να συνεχίζεται αλλά παράλληλα έχουμε και μια καινούρια ηρωίδα, τη Ντοφίν όπου οι περιπέτειές της ήταν άκρως ενδιαφέρουσες και σε γενικές γραμμές, έδωσε πολλούς πόντους στο βιβλίο.
Σε πρωτοπρόσωπη αφήγηση, ανάμεσα στις δύο πρωταγωνίστριες, παίρνοντας τα ηνία πότε η μία και πότε η άλλη, βλέπουμε τη μύηση καθώς και τις νέες εμπειρίες που αποκτά η Ντοφίν, το νέο μέλος της οργάνωσης Secret ενώ από την άλλη, παρακολουθούμε τη συναισθηματική και σεξουαλική ζωή της Κέισι μετά την ολοκλήρωση της δικής της θητείας.
Όπως και στο πρώτο βιβλίο, έτσι κι εδώ υπάρχουν κάποια σημεία που χαρακτηρίζονται από «αφέλεια» αλλά στο σύνολο της η ιστορία είναι ανάλαφρη, διασκεδαστική, πικάντικη και άνετα ψυχαγωγεί τον αναγνώστη αυτού του είδους που επιλέγει να τη διαβάσει.
Προσωπικά δεν απογοητεύτηκα ούτε στο ελάχιστο και γι’ αυτό συνεχίζω με το τρίτο και τελευταίο μέρος της σειράς γεμάτη ανυπομονησία!
April 7, 2017
I FINALLY finished this one! Not because It wasn't good, but because I had to return it to the library when I was only halfway through and then had to wait months for it to become available again! Definitely a "girl-power" kind of book that gives the reader a sense of self worth and confidence - or at least its trying to. That's what I took from it. I grabbed the third book so I can hit the ground running and finish this series up!
October 15, 2013
Last week’s discussion of negative reviews at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books was well in my mind while I finished this book. Particularly the quote from Elyse that “there’s a misconception that a bad review of a book is a bad review of the author, and that’s not the case at all,” which is how she explains why she’ll read more of a series even if she’s given a bad review to an early one. It’s exactly why I decided to read S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared, by L. Marie Adeline.
I did not like S.E.C.R.E.T., the first book in the series. In it, Cassie, a sexually stunted thirty-something woman stuck in a rut, finds self-awareness and confidence and freedom through a secretive society run by women for the purpose of helping women like Cassie do just those things by fulfilling their sexual fantasies. But Cassie’s malaise was contagious. She came across as wooden and not at all energized by her experiences. And the writing — specifically the “good bits” — was wooden too.
The book was hailed in my national media as an erotic adventure that defied gender norms. It was about time women took the reins in their sexual exploits, and the novel was deemed worthy and unique because of that concept. I’m quite sure, recent bestsellers notwithstanding, that it wasn’t at all unique, an erotic novel in which women are in control, but it perhaps is the most high-profile and skilfully written. What it wouldn’t be by a long shot is the most erotic.
Because as much as it should be commended for giving woman the controlling role for a change (in a roundabout way; after all, the men are clearly leading the way in the fantasies, although admittedly by necessity), it failed miserably for me on the sexy writing. The author’s squeamishness in writing the sex scenes came across loud and clear. She was so obviously uncomfortable, and she merely skirted around the periphery of the scenes and then got out as quick as she could. One and done. Fulfill the mandate without getting your hands dirty, then call it a day.
First of all, not at all arousing when clearly the person writing it isn’t into it. Second of all, terribly disrespectful to the readers. Almost unforgivably so. Stating publicly that you and your editor decided you should write this book because of the commercial possibilities, then paying scant attention to the things that classify it as erotica — what message are you sending to your readers? You’re saying that you don’t normally stoop to their level, but you will for the money, so buy away, please! Uck. I felt used. Rather ironically.
If I didn’t know the author better, that would’ve been the end for me. But I had read her literary fiction (written under her real name, Lisa Gabriele) and saw her mature from her first novel to the next. I trusted she could do the same with this venture. I hoped that she would embrace her new genre instead of continuing to be snobbish about it. So when I had the chance to review the second novel in advance, I took it.
And I wasn’t disappointed. I rather enjoyed it, in fact.
In S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared (wow, I hate typing the dots every time), the sleepwalking Cassie is again present, and she’s thawed a bit, but she’s still short on personality. Lucky for us she’s recruiting, and her recruit, Dauphine, is fascinating.
Dauphine’s a curvy girl, also not terribly young, who runs a vintage clothing shop. She used to have a partner in the business and a boyfriend in the bed, but both deserted her years ago. Her ex-boyfriend’s subsequent bestselling novel about a petrified Southern girl with expansive white thighs put the nail in her self-esteem’s coffin. She’s been going through the motions ever since.
When Cassie effortlessly picks up the man of Dauphine’s dreams in front of her, Dauphine’s in awe. When Cassie recognizes the look of helpless yearning on Dauphine’s face, she knows she’s found a recruit.
The book begins with a rather improbable water-based sex scene (this from the person who wrote her own rather improbable water-based sex scene, so trust me, I should not judge), but improves from there. Dauphine has style and attitude along with her insecurity. She’s got complex control issues, but she’s smart enough to know that she’s been given a truly transforming opportunity and that it would be stupid to not embrace everything that comes with it. From there the book could easily have settled into the previously established formula, but you knew it wasn’t going to, right? Dauphine’s journey is a bit more harrowing, and it’s intertwined with Cassie’s continuing story.
Where did this book succeed where the other failed, beyond the enchanting Dauphine? Where I noticed it most, of course, was in the sex scenes, because that’s just who I am, I guess. In the first book the author wrote sex scenes wearing a haz mat suit and at the end of a ten-foot pole. This time she got right in there with a magnifying glass, sometimes a little too close, but the result is definitely a huge improvement over the first effort. Huge. So much better. Hooray!
Another thing that I appreciated was additional discussion of issues with women’s sexuality. Lip service was paid to the topic in the first book, although not as much as many of the public discussions would have you believe. Once again it’s really only lip service, but a fictional novel isn’t exactly the place to go into a treatise on women’s role in sex and gender biases and such. But these are important topics and well worth addressing in one way or another, which the author does. Early in the book the still-apparently-clueless Cassie refers to herself as a slut, and her guide Matilda quickly and sternly educates her: it’s a horrible, demeaning word used to shame and destroy, when all Cassie is doing in her life is embracing something perfectly natural. The discussion reiterated for me the true message of the SECRET books (sorry, can’t do the dots any longer!): women need to take control of their sexuality — their self-image just as much as the outward image of confidence and equality they project; their experiences as much as the partners they choose. Gender equality won’t truly exist until there are no “sluts” (and no human trafficking, and no illegal sex trade, and the list goes on…). The men who participate in the society are there because they love women and want to celebrate them. Few would judge them, right?
There was a missed opportunity for further valuable discussion of these ideas at the end of the book, though. Cassie has to explain why she’s involved with the society, and she’s judged, and it all wraps up a little too quickly. I wanted her to defend herself more completely, to rant and rave and tear out her hair at the injustice and hypocrisy that has put her in this position. That may have been going too far, perhaps, but at the very end of the book, for just a moment, I judged her too. And then I caught myself, and recognized what I’d done, and felt horrible about it, and felt thankful that I was able to recognize and correct it. Perhaps if Cassie had been more passionate in her defence, I wouldn’t have had that moment. Or perhaps we’re meant to have that moment, and to learn something about ourselves from it.
Another important issue addressed in this book is body image. This too is not a new topic, and we’re happily seeing it more and more. At long last, just like in real life, not all heroines have sleek runners’ bodies. Last weekend I picked up Jasinda Wilder’s Big Girls Do It collection (and got it signed!) and am eager to jump into it, although it’ll be even better when books about women of all sizes don’t have to be labelled as such. That’ll come. And it happens in SECRET Shared. Dauphine has curves, and she’s well aware she should be happy with them. She owns a vintage clothing shop, after all, so many of the clothes she wears are from an era when clothes were made for women like her because that was the norm. But society (and of course her mother) doesn’t help.
Then Dauphine is sent to Buenos Aires, and she visits the vintage shops. And is distressed to find that she can’t fit into anything. However, rather than turn up their noses at her, the shopkeepers are deeply apologetic that they have nothing to fit her North American body type. (Anyone size 8 or larger — i.e., almost everyone in North America — who has tried to shop for clothing in Asia will recognize this experience. I’m kind of small by our standards and I struggle to fit into a “large” bikini I bought in Brazil.) One gentleman tells her not to let her body make her sad.
And then for the rest of the book, her size is rarely mentioned. Which is great. It is merely part of who she is; now let’s move on. And it was so nice to see that it didn’t come up in the sex scenes. No hands rounding her hips, no creamy flesh. Just normal bodies doing extraordinary things together.
Male body type is something I pay particular attention to in novels. Just because, you know, who doesn’t like male bodies? But also, I’m always looking for the different. Something other than six-pack abs and defined pecs and flexed biceps planted on either side of your head. Those are all symptomatic of the typical romance hero and the typical SECRET fantasy participant. But the man Cassie seduces and Dauphine covets is different: he’s short and slim (but of course muscled), refreshingly different. At first he’s got the hipster beard that will make future readers think, “Wait, this is supposed to be attractive?” But the author wisely has him ditch it, and mentions a couple times that Cassie’s surprised to find he has no tattoos, thus firmly placing him in the present while at the same time making him timeless. Still, yay for unconventional heroes. I’m collecting them.
So this book restored my hope that the SECRET franchise would improve upon the Fifty Shades that inspired it. (Incidentally, the gorgeous fucked-up billionaire gets summarily rejected in this series, which I thought was a nice touch.) It’s also an improvement over that other Canadian export with the simpering virginal Dante student. Although at least she knows how to give a handy, since that’s apparently a skill you pick up these days around the same time you learn to drive, if not before. (Unless you miss the window, that is.)
Lila
S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared by L. Marie Adeline reviewed from ARC. Published by Doubleday October 15, 2013.
Full review here.
I did not like S.E.C.R.E.T., the first book in the series. In it, Cassie, a sexually stunted thirty-something woman stuck in a rut, finds self-awareness and confidence and freedom through a secretive society run by women for the purpose of helping women like Cassie do just those things by fulfilling their sexual fantasies. But Cassie’s malaise was contagious. She came across as wooden and not at all energized by her experiences. And the writing — specifically the “good bits” — was wooden too.
The book was hailed in my national media as an erotic adventure that defied gender norms. It was about time women took the reins in their sexual exploits, and the novel was deemed worthy and unique because of that concept. I’m quite sure, recent bestsellers notwithstanding, that it wasn’t at all unique, an erotic novel in which women are in control, but it perhaps is the most high-profile and skilfully written. What it wouldn’t be by a long shot is the most erotic.
Because as much as it should be commended for giving woman the controlling role for a change (in a roundabout way; after all, the men are clearly leading the way in the fantasies, although admittedly by necessity), it failed miserably for me on the sexy writing. The author’s squeamishness in writing the sex scenes came across loud and clear. She was so obviously uncomfortable, and she merely skirted around the periphery of the scenes and then got out as quick as she could. One and done. Fulfill the mandate without getting your hands dirty, then call it a day.
First of all, not at all arousing when clearly the person writing it isn’t into it. Second of all, terribly disrespectful to the readers. Almost unforgivably so. Stating publicly that you and your editor decided you should write this book because of the commercial possibilities, then paying scant attention to the things that classify it as erotica — what message are you sending to your readers? You’re saying that you don’t normally stoop to their level, but you will for the money, so buy away, please! Uck. I felt used. Rather ironically.
If I didn’t know the author better, that would’ve been the end for me. But I had read her literary fiction (written under her real name, Lisa Gabriele) and saw her mature from her first novel to the next. I trusted she could do the same with this venture. I hoped that she would embrace her new genre instead of continuing to be snobbish about it. So when I had the chance to review the second novel in advance, I took it.
And I wasn’t disappointed. I rather enjoyed it, in fact.
In S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared (wow, I hate typing the dots every time), the sleepwalking Cassie is again present, and she’s thawed a bit, but she’s still short on personality. Lucky for us she’s recruiting, and her recruit, Dauphine, is fascinating.
Dauphine’s a curvy girl, also not terribly young, who runs a vintage clothing shop. She used to have a partner in the business and a boyfriend in the bed, but both deserted her years ago. Her ex-boyfriend’s subsequent bestselling novel about a petrified Southern girl with expansive white thighs put the nail in her self-esteem’s coffin. She’s been going through the motions ever since.
When Cassie effortlessly picks up the man of Dauphine’s dreams in front of her, Dauphine’s in awe. When Cassie recognizes the look of helpless yearning on Dauphine’s face, she knows she’s found a recruit.
The book begins with a rather improbable water-based sex scene (this from the person who wrote her own rather improbable water-based sex scene, so trust me, I should not judge), but improves from there. Dauphine has style and attitude along with her insecurity. She’s got complex control issues, but she’s smart enough to know that she’s been given a truly transforming opportunity and that it would be stupid to not embrace everything that comes with it. From there the book could easily have settled into the previously established formula, but you knew it wasn’t going to, right? Dauphine’s journey is a bit more harrowing, and it’s intertwined with Cassie’s continuing story.
Where did this book succeed where the other failed, beyond the enchanting Dauphine? Where I noticed it most, of course, was in the sex scenes, because that’s just who I am, I guess. In the first book the author wrote sex scenes wearing a haz mat suit and at the end of a ten-foot pole. This time she got right in there with a magnifying glass, sometimes a little too close, but the result is definitely a huge improvement over the first effort. Huge. So much better. Hooray!
Another thing that I appreciated was additional discussion of issues with women’s sexuality. Lip service was paid to the topic in the first book, although not as much as many of the public discussions would have you believe. Once again it’s really only lip service, but a fictional novel isn’t exactly the place to go into a treatise on women’s role in sex and gender biases and such. But these are important topics and well worth addressing in one way or another, which the author does. Early in the book the still-apparently-clueless Cassie refers to herself as a slut, and her guide Matilda quickly and sternly educates her: it’s a horrible, demeaning word used to shame and destroy, when all Cassie is doing in her life is embracing something perfectly natural. The discussion reiterated for me the true message of the SECRET books (sorry, can’t do the dots any longer!): women need to take control of their sexuality — their self-image just as much as the outward image of confidence and equality they project; their experiences as much as the partners they choose. Gender equality won’t truly exist until there are no “sluts” (and no human trafficking, and no illegal sex trade, and the list goes on…). The men who participate in the society are there because they love women and want to celebrate them. Few would judge them, right?
There was a missed opportunity for further valuable discussion of these ideas at the end of the book, though. Cassie has to explain why she’s involved with the society, and she’s judged, and it all wraps up a little too quickly. I wanted her to defend herself more completely, to rant and rave and tear out her hair at the injustice and hypocrisy that has put her in this position. That may have been going too far, perhaps, but at the very end of the book, for just a moment, I judged her too. And then I caught myself, and recognized what I’d done, and felt horrible about it, and felt thankful that I was able to recognize and correct it. Perhaps if Cassie had been more passionate in her defence, I wouldn’t have had that moment. Or perhaps we’re meant to have that moment, and to learn something about ourselves from it.
Another important issue addressed in this book is body image. This too is not a new topic, and we’re happily seeing it more and more. At long last, just like in real life, not all heroines have sleek runners’ bodies. Last weekend I picked up Jasinda Wilder’s Big Girls Do It collection (and got it signed!) and am eager to jump into it, although it’ll be even better when books about women of all sizes don’t have to be labelled as such. That’ll come. And it happens in SECRET Shared. Dauphine has curves, and she’s well aware she should be happy with them. She owns a vintage clothing shop, after all, so many of the clothes she wears are from an era when clothes were made for women like her because that was the norm. But society (and of course her mother) doesn’t help.
Then Dauphine is sent to Buenos Aires, and she visits the vintage shops. And is distressed to find that she can’t fit into anything. However, rather than turn up their noses at her, the shopkeepers are deeply apologetic that they have nothing to fit her North American body type. (Anyone size 8 or larger — i.e., almost everyone in North America — who has tried to shop for clothing in Asia will recognize this experience. I’m kind of small by our standards and I struggle to fit into a “large” bikini I bought in Brazil.) One gentleman tells her not to let her body make her sad.
And then for the rest of the book, her size is rarely mentioned. Which is great. It is merely part of who she is; now let’s move on. And it was so nice to see that it didn’t come up in the sex scenes. No hands rounding her hips, no creamy flesh. Just normal bodies doing extraordinary things together.
Male body type is something I pay particular attention to in novels. Just because, you know, who doesn’t like male bodies? But also, I’m always looking for the different. Something other than six-pack abs and defined pecs and flexed biceps planted on either side of your head. Those are all symptomatic of the typical romance hero and the typical SECRET fantasy participant. But the man Cassie seduces and Dauphine covets is different: he’s short and slim (but of course muscled), refreshingly different. At first he’s got the hipster beard that will make future readers think, “Wait, this is supposed to be attractive?” But the author wisely has him ditch it, and mentions a couple times that Cassie’s surprised to find he has no tattoos, thus firmly placing him in the present while at the same time making him timeless. Still, yay for unconventional heroes. I’m collecting them.
So this book restored my hope that the SECRET franchise would improve upon the Fifty Shades that inspired it. (Incidentally, the gorgeous fucked-up billionaire gets summarily rejected in this series, which I thought was a nice touch.) It’s also an improvement over that other Canadian export with the simpering virginal Dante student. Although at least she knows how to give a handy, since that’s apparently a skill you pick up these days around the same time you learn to drive, if not before. (Unless you miss the window, that is.)
Lila
S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared by L. Marie Adeline reviewed from ARC. Published by Doubleday October 15, 2013.
Full review here.
April 21, 2021
1,5*
В тази книга историята беше една идея по-скучна от предната. Може би не ми хареса появата на новата героиня и нейната история. Просто не ми беше интересна по никакъв начин и не ми задържа вниманието. Исках да си чета за Каси и Уил, които бяха подло излъгани в предната книга от Трачина. Радвам се обаче, че всичко покрай тази манипулаторка и филмирана личност излезна наяве и се разкри каква долна лисица е. Аз още в предната книга не повярвах на скалъпената от Трачина история, но нали трябва да има още книги....и пишем там някакви неща, които и авторите не знаят защо са. Та, не ми хареса как Уил научи за цялото нещо покрай С.Е.К.Р.Е.Т и най-вече отношението му към Каси, не й даде никакъв шанс да обясни спокойно, такива неща винаги ме дразнят, когато главните герои не се изслушват и става мазало. И краят беше тъпичък.....отново се връщаме в изходна позиция, все едно двамата не се обичаха, а там някакви познати са си. Въпреки, че третата книга не е преведена на Български, ще я прочета, защото ми е интересно да видя най-после, след всичките глупости, които се случиха, ще имаме ли късмет да видим Уил и Каси заедно и щастливи, че ми омръзна.
В тази книга историята беше една идея по-скучна от предната. Може би не ми хареса появата на новата героиня и нейната история. Просто не ми беше интересна по никакъв начин и не ми задържа вниманието. Исках да си чета за Каси и Уил, които бяха подло излъгани в предната книга от Трачина. Радвам се обаче, че всичко покрай тази манипулаторка и филмирана личност излезна наяве и се разкри каква долна лисица е. Аз още в предната книга не повярвах на скалъпената от Трачина история, но нали трябва да има още книги....и пишем там някакви неща, които и авторите не знаят защо са. Та, не ми хареса как Уил научи за цялото нещо покрай С.Е.К.Р.Е.Т и най-вече отношението му към Каси, не й даде никакъв шанс да обясни спокойно, такива неща винаги ме дразнят, когато главните герои не се изслушват и става мазало. И краят беше тъпичък.....отново се връщаме в изходна позиция, все едно двамата не се обичаха, а там някакви познати са си. Въпреки, че третата книга не е преведена на Български, ще я прочета, защото ми е интересно да видя най-после, след всичките глупости, които се случиха, ще имаме ли късмет да видим Уил и Каси заедно и щастливи, че ми омръзна.
September 29, 2013
This is the intensely anticipated sequel to the sensual phenomenon S.E.C.R.E.T. A mysterious committee of men and women choose a woman who is down in the dumps and needs to be retrained to look at herself in an empowered and positive manner. They give her the gift of 10 steps to reconnect with the lost woman within to fully realize her own potential.
This book primarily envelops the stories of Cassie Robichaud (the main character or the first book) and newcomer Dauphine.
Cassie is still broken up with her sorrow at the loss of romantic relationship with her boss and friend, Will. To get her mind off things she decides to be of service to S.E.C.R.E.T as a guide and sometimes accidental recruiter while trying to navigate her own dating life. Just in time she finds the group’s newest candidate, Dauphine.
Dauphine is the owner of vintage clothing story, Funky Monkey. She’s a bit obsessive about a life she hopes to one day lead if she can manage to get past the breakup of her relationship and a friendship from six years ago. She’s locked herself into a box that she just can’t get out of, allowing her fears of everything from rejection to flying to keep her in the same day-to-day patterns. Finally after being approached by Cassie with an offer to jumpstart her stagnant sex life, she decides to take her first risk and go for it.
When I started reading this book I knew it was a sequel and I hadn’t read the first which I almost never do. I’m a bit fervent about reading series in order. The prologue draws you in immediately. It is full of beautiful imagery which happens to an arousing way to start. I was hooked. Then comes chapters one and two, alternating the storylines for Cassie and Dauphine; these are so poignant and woeful, I was ready to stop reading all together. I read these types of books for the happy endings not to be depressed. I know there has to be some strife for the arcs to work but this seems like a lot. If you feel the same way just keep reading, it’s well worth it. The book claims to be erotica. I’m not sure I would put it in the genre; if so, it’s pretty tame for the category. Regardless of classification, it is an intriguing book which has enticed me to read the entire trilogy.
**Spoiler Alert**
The story heats up quickly. Dauphine’s fantasies include a sexy pilot with a British accent on way to an extravagant trip, a cop who can’t get enough of her, a random stranger in a body of water, dancers in another country, and a local musician she’s been pining after for years. I do feel like as readers we get a bit cheated because she doesn’t complete all ten scenarios but am delighted she gets her happy ending.
Cassie seems to take one step forward and two steps back the whole time. She struggles to move on from Will but won’t leave him so she can. It’s a constant torture to herself and yet she slowly continues to date other men and try to put boundaries between her and Will. Finally, everything seems like she’s going to get her happily ever after as well and then BAM, we’re thrown a complete sucker punch in the last chapter of this installment. Will has found out her secret and categorically rejects her in a cruel way.
I was so mad, I had to wait to review…this is a testament to the author for the ability to evoke such emotions from a story. Once I realized this is the middle book of a trilogy, it was a little easier to swallow the ending because it’s really not the ending.
~I received and ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.~
This book primarily envelops the stories of Cassie Robichaud (the main character or the first book) and newcomer Dauphine.
Cassie is still broken up with her sorrow at the loss of romantic relationship with her boss and friend, Will. To get her mind off things she decides to be of service to S.E.C.R.E.T as a guide and sometimes accidental recruiter while trying to navigate her own dating life. Just in time she finds the group’s newest candidate, Dauphine.
Dauphine is the owner of vintage clothing story, Funky Monkey. She’s a bit obsessive about a life she hopes to one day lead if she can manage to get past the breakup of her relationship and a friendship from six years ago. She’s locked herself into a box that she just can’t get out of, allowing her fears of everything from rejection to flying to keep her in the same day-to-day patterns. Finally after being approached by Cassie with an offer to jumpstart her stagnant sex life, she decides to take her first risk and go for it.
When I started reading this book I knew it was a sequel and I hadn’t read the first which I almost never do. I’m a bit fervent about reading series in order. The prologue draws you in immediately. It is full of beautiful imagery which happens to an arousing way to start. I was hooked. Then comes chapters one and two, alternating the storylines for Cassie and Dauphine; these are so poignant and woeful, I was ready to stop reading all together. I read these types of books for the happy endings not to be depressed. I know there has to be some strife for the arcs to work but this seems like a lot. If you feel the same way just keep reading, it’s well worth it. The book claims to be erotica. I’m not sure I would put it in the genre; if so, it’s pretty tame for the category. Regardless of classification, it is an intriguing book which has enticed me to read the entire trilogy.
**Spoiler Alert**
The story heats up quickly. Dauphine’s fantasies include a sexy pilot with a British accent on way to an extravagant trip, a cop who can’t get enough of her, a random stranger in a body of water, dancers in another country, and a local musician she’s been pining after for years. I do feel like as readers we get a bit cheated because she doesn’t complete all ten scenarios but am delighted she gets her happy ending.
Cassie seems to take one step forward and two steps back the whole time. She struggles to move on from Will but won’t leave him so she can. It’s a constant torture to herself and yet she slowly continues to date other men and try to put boundaries between her and Will. Finally, everything seems like she’s going to get her happily ever after as well and then BAM, we’re thrown a complete sucker punch in the last chapter of this installment. Will has found out her secret and categorically rejects her in a cruel way.
I was so mad, I had to wait to review…this is a testament to the author for the ability to evoke such emotions from a story. Once I realized this is the middle book of a trilogy, it was a little easier to swallow the ending because it’s really not the ending.
~I received and ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.~
October 4, 2013
S.E.C.R.E.T Shared is the highly anticipated sequel to the book S.E.C.R.E.T by L. Marie Adeline. I don't normally request books to review - I just take what ever the publishers send me - but in this case I requested this sequel because I thought the first book had a lot of promise and I wanted to see what would happen next to Cassie and her S.E.C.R.E.T. journey, as well as what would become of her and Will's relationship.
This book follows Cassie after her journey through S.E.C.R.E.T and what is next for her. And what's next includes recruiting a local vintage store owner named Dauphine into the S.E.C.R.E.T society, so we basically get alternating chapters told from each woman's perspective. I liked the new characters and how they intertwined with the existing ones, but I will say that I have a similar complaint with this book as I did with the first, and that was that I found the fantasy sequences to be a bit rushed. Dauphine had a lot of issues and phobias that seemed to be solved all too quickly and conveniently. Without giving any spoilers it would have been nice to have seen a bit more of Dauphine's S.E.C.R.E.T experiences even though Cassie still is the main character.
So we get to watch Cassie and her newfound confidence navigate the world now that she's a S.E.C.R.E.T. 'graduate' and now that she is forced to work with Will and the pregnant Tracina even though she still harbours feelings for Will and vice versa. I like the new Cassie much more than I liked the old Cassie and found myself rooting for her much more than in the first book. I liked the plot of this book and the plot twists, but I still don't feel like the author is completely comfortable writing the erotic scenes. She does excel at telling a good story and creating compelling characters, so hopefully the ease at which writing the sex scenes will come (no pun intended:)). For example - the word 'gussett' should never, ever, EVER be used in an erotic scene. Ever. I can't help but think that erotica is a bit of a tough genre to write because you have to make it sexy without making it sound cheesy. S.E.C.R.E.T Shared isn't cheesy, but sometimes I think that less is more when writing a sex scene. I would honestly call this book more of a romance novel with sex in it than I would erotica, if that makes sense.
Once again we're faced with a surprise ending that to be honest rather shocked me. I don't like to post spoilers in my reviews but let's just say that the actions of some characters just didn't seem to add up and that left me feeling a little confused. It does however set up for the next book and leave me wanting to read it - S.E.C.R.E.T Revealed - that will be released in 2014.
October 15, 2013
I L.O.V.E.D. the first book so dang much.... It was past time we had a book that didn't have women as sex slaves or chattels for men. In the first book, readers got to know Cassie, her strengths, her weaknesses, and watched her grow and become a tougher woman with each step. Each step had a purpose. It wasn't just sex. Each experience taught her something deep, about herself or something she needed to realize.
Though I will still champion this series, I find myself terribly disappointed with book two...and hey, we're going to compare them.
Pros: The superb, suck-you-in writing style is still there. The fantasies are very hot. I'm still dying to know what becomes of Cassie. It doesn't lack for drama. I also still appreciate that these women are getting what they want, on their terms...no shame.
Cons: I said above that with each step Cassie took, there was a purpose, a deep moment of awakening in her, and it was clear what that was. Readers learned with her. Each step had a revelation. Not so in this one. With Dauphine, it felt like...just sex. I wasn't sure what she was learning in the steps. Matter of fact, she got four charms immediately after an incident. She didn't even earn them. Not really. No more fantasies. (Did the author run out ideas??) And when her steps were complete, while I'll admit she was a more confident person, her choice had me thinking she perhaps just replaced her problems with sex and a man. No deep enlightenment this time.
And that whole ending was just....rushed and...I didn't buy it.
Cassie...I didn't much like her this time around. All the pining for Will I could understand. He was such a driving force and the hero of book one, but what she does to Jesse....makes her no better than Tricina. She's doing the same thing... I felt as though she was a user and already she has forgotten the meaning behind the charms she earned in book one. She's also supposed to be Dauphine's guide, but they rarely interact.
And then we were left hanging again. I hope book three doesn't have her pining for Will and using Jesse again. Please, let's move on.
So...although the writing style had me riveted, I felt this book was lacking. The deeper meanings weren't there. The entire story with Dauphine was rushed and left me going "What in the world? That's it?"
Something I appreciated: the discussions/theme of what makes women sluts. A woman should be entitled to enjoy her body, her sexuality, her freedom, without being slut-shamed.
Full review and favorite line: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...
Though I will still champion this series, I find myself terribly disappointed with book two...and hey, we're going to compare them.
Pros: The superb, suck-you-in writing style is still there. The fantasies are very hot. I'm still dying to know what becomes of Cassie. It doesn't lack for drama. I also still appreciate that these women are getting what they want, on their terms...no shame.
Cons: I said above that with each step Cassie took, there was a purpose, a deep moment of awakening in her, and it was clear what that was. Readers learned with her. Each step had a revelation. Not so in this one. With Dauphine, it felt like...just sex. I wasn't sure what she was learning in the steps. Matter of fact, she got four charms immediately after an incident. She didn't even earn them. Not really. No more fantasies. (Did the author run out ideas??) And when her steps were complete, while I'll admit she was a more confident person, her choice had me thinking she perhaps just replaced her problems with sex and a man. No deep enlightenment this time.
And that whole ending was just....rushed and...I didn't buy it.
Cassie...I didn't much like her this time around. All the pining for Will I could understand. He was such a driving force and the hero of book one, but what she does to Jesse....makes her no better than Tricina. She's doing the same thing... I felt as though she was a user and already she has forgotten the meaning behind the charms she earned in book one. She's also supposed to be Dauphine's guide, but they rarely interact.
And then we were left hanging again. I hope book three doesn't have her pining for Will and using Jesse again. Please, let's move on.
So...although the writing style had me riveted, I felt this book was lacking. The deeper meanings weren't there. The entire story with Dauphine was rushed and left me going "What in the world? That's it?"
Something I appreciated: the discussions/theme of what makes women sluts. A woman should be entitled to enjoy her body, her sexuality, her freedom, without being slut-shamed.
Full review and favorite line: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...
October 17, 2013
That's right, Cassie is back at S.E.C.R.E.T., but this time as an actual member. While the first book following Cassie's journey didn't really give me anything to love, I just couldn't put down the second book to the series.
Now that Cassie has gone through S.E.C.R.E.T.'s program, she's now working as a member, recruiting new men and women to join the organization. And Dauphine is the perfect new candidate. Hiding behind her vintage clothing business, Dauphine is just as shy and reserved as Cassie was before she joined the program. While helping Dauphine discover her womanhood, Cassie is still dealing with losing Will and trying to find a new flame of her own.
Like I said, I could not put this book down. I loved how the chapters switched between Dauphine and Cassie, so you never get bored with either of the character's storyline. I really loved Dauphine and I think she was the absolute perfect character to introduce into the story. Her sense of style sounded really cool and I loved how she was such a strong woman who's owned her own business since her early twenties, but still had no idea how to be comfortable with her body.
And let's not forget about Cassie! It was a lot of fun seeing how much she's grown since the first book, and how she has to deal with finally discovering her feelings for Will, only to have to give him up. While she tries to find some romance in her life, it's like nothing can live up to Will.
I had a problem with how weird the timing was in the first book, where months at a time were skipped, but I think that problem was definitely fixed in this book. I didn't feel like I was missing out on any part of their lives and the pacing was perfect as we switched between Cassie and Dauphine's lives.
Overall, the second book to the S.E.C.R.E.T. series was even better than the first. With strong characters, tons of hot guys, and many great storylines, you can't go wrong with this one.
Now that Cassie has gone through S.E.C.R.E.T.'s program, she's now working as a member, recruiting new men and women to join the organization. And Dauphine is the perfect new candidate. Hiding behind her vintage clothing business, Dauphine is just as shy and reserved as Cassie was before she joined the program. While helping Dauphine discover her womanhood, Cassie is still dealing with losing Will and trying to find a new flame of her own.
Like I said, I could not put this book down. I loved how the chapters switched between Dauphine and Cassie, so you never get bored with either of the character's storyline. I really loved Dauphine and I think she was the absolute perfect character to introduce into the story. Her sense of style sounded really cool and I loved how she was such a strong woman who's owned her own business since her early twenties, but still had no idea how to be comfortable with her body.
And let's not forget about Cassie! It was a lot of fun seeing how much she's grown since the first book, and how she has to deal with finally discovering her feelings for Will, only to have to give him up. While she tries to find some romance in her life, it's like nothing can live up to Will.
I had a problem with how weird the timing was in the first book, where months at a time were skipped, but I think that problem was definitely fixed in this book. I didn't feel like I was missing out on any part of their lives and the pacing was perfect as we switched between Cassie and Dauphine's lives.
Overall, the second book to the S.E.C.R.E.T. series was even better than the first. With strong characters, tons of hot guys, and many great storylines, you can't go wrong with this one.
November 25, 2013
I wasn't sure how L. Marie Adeline would top S.E.C.R.E.T., whose conceit of a private group run by women dedicated to fulfilling women's sexual fantasies blew me away, but she certainly managed to. I would recommend reading these books in order, though you don't necessarily have to, but it will help give added meaning to this one. Here, Cassie has been through S.E.C.R.E.T. and is still pining for her boss Will, who's now in a relationship with his pregnant girlfriend, Tracina. Meanwhile, she's acting as a guide to Dauphine Mason, using the skills and knowledge she learned in the first book to help Dauphine take baby steps toward being her own woman and a little less haunted by the ex who cheated on her.
One thing I loved is that Dauphine is so out of touch with her sexuality she doesn't even want to, or perhaps can't, come up with a list of sexual fantasies she wants fulfilled. She gives the group carte blanche to make up fantasies for her, knowing she can always bow out. What they come up with is stunning and delicious, a thrill to read, especially the airplane sex scene, which I was lucky enough to get to read on an airplane. I also loved that, without being heavy handed in any way, Adeline drives home the idea that just because a woman is in charge of her sexuality and knows what she wants, she isn't at any man's disposal and men who think they can control women in such a way get their comeuppance here. The voyeurism and exhibitionism of the training in the mansion is also expertly done. All the hot sex ties beautifully into the plot and I truly wasn't sure quite how things would end. I love this series and this book ups the ante in a wonderful way. Highly recommended. You can read my full review at Heroes & Heartbreakers: http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com...
One thing I loved is that Dauphine is so out of touch with her sexuality she doesn't even want to, or perhaps can't, come up with a list of sexual fantasies she wants fulfilled. She gives the group carte blanche to make up fantasies for her, knowing she can always bow out. What they come up with is stunning and delicious, a thrill to read, especially the airplane sex scene, which I was lucky enough to get to read on an airplane. I also loved that, without being heavy handed in any way, Adeline drives home the idea that just because a woman is in charge of her sexuality and knows what she wants, she isn't at any man's disposal and men who think they can control women in such a way get their comeuppance here. The voyeurism and exhibitionism of the training in the mansion is also expertly done. All the hot sex ties beautifully into the plot and I truly wasn't sure quite how things would end. I love this series and this book ups the ante in a wonderful way. Highly recommended. You can read my full review at Heroes & Heartbreakers: http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com...
June 26, 2014
I am recently back into the reading scene (my absence due to my MMORPG addiction), and due to the S.E.C.R.E.T Shared I have experienced a first. I started this book and nine hours later I was done. I have NEVER finished a book in one sitting before. I loved the first book and was so excited when the sequel came out. It doesn’t disappoint. I must warn you that besides all the usual M/F action there is a little F/F, but even if you aren’t into that sort of thing, it is only a small part in the story and is tastefully done. I also have to tell you that I was initially upset after reading this book. I realized that even though the book doesn’t end the way I wanted it to, it still had a somewhat of happy ending. I love these books because they empower women without bashing men. These stories chronicle the personal, emotional, and spiritual development of women. They try to show that there is nothing wrong with a woman exploring her sexuality. When men do it they are sowing their wild oats. If women are doing it they are considered sluts and whores.
In this story, Cassie is still enjoying her new found empowerment after her experience with S.E.C.R.E.T, but she is still trying to navigate through all the new feelings and the heart ache over losing Will. We are also introduced to Dauphine a woman who reminds Cassie of herself before S.E.C.R.E.T. Cassie learns to be her guide through Dauphine’s own escapade. Both women find something unexpected during their time together. S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared is an amazing read. If you enjoyed the first book you won’t be able to put this one down. There are a lot of sexy scenes, drama and even a little brawling action. Secrets are revealed and lives are changed.
In this story, Cassie is still enjoying her new found empowerment after her experience with S.E.C.R.E.T, but she is still trying to navigate through all the new feelings and the heart ache over losing Will. We are also introduced to Dauphine a woman who reminds Cassie of herself before S.E.C.R.E.T. Cassie learns to be her guide through Dauphine’s own escapade. Both women find something unexpected during their time together. S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared is an amazing read. If you enjoyed the first book you won’t be able to put this one down. There are a lot of sexy scenes, drama and even a little brawling action. Secrets are revealed and lives are changed.
October 16, 2013
OK book two and what a book. Thanks once again to the amazing publishers for sending this one! I was more then excited to get dirty in this one!!!
Adeline does another captivating job in this perplexing read. She never disappoints when it comes to bringing fantasies to the pages!
In this one you will follow two main ladies, Cassie and Dauphine and like I said in the first books review its hot and exciting! Now that Cassie has made it to the end and had a long and intense year she is ready to join the society and help a new member in her journey in finding her sexy self again.
Cassie has become Dauphine’s guide. And after Dauphine’s failed relationship eight years ago she has laid low in her vintage shop next door to Cassie work place. Once Dauphine joins S.E.C.R.E.T Cassie begins to help her in fulfilling her ever fantasy. Dauphine will wok towards that one fantasy she has longed for, that one time with that Mark Drury, that rocker guy she cant seem to get out of her head. And just like book one this one is so much hotter and so much more intense. I think I fell in love in love form the start wanting more and more for both ladies.
Cassie will also venture into new things and find out what she really wants and is willing to move on to find. She loves Will but she cant be second best or waiting for that right time for things with him to go south and her to be there to be second best.
What will happen to these ladies? Will they find love or will they for ever be lost in the sea of loneliness? You will not want to miss the second entailment of Adeline’s SECRET series. But be careful you don’t want to miss any of the steps or the total hotness in this one and book one! Make sure to pick up S.E.C.R.E.T ( book 1) first you don’t want to be lost!
Adeline does another captivating job in this perplexing read. She never disappoints when it comes to bringing fantasies to the pages!
In this one you will follow two main ladies, Cassie and Dauphine and like I said in the first books review its hot and exciting! Now that Cassie has made it to the end and had a long and intense year she is ready to join the society and help a new member in her journey in finding her sexy self again.
Cassie has become Dauphine’s guide. And after Dauphine’s failed relationship eight years ago she has laid low in her vintage shop next door to Cassie work place. Once Dauphine joins S.E.C.R.E.T Cassie begins to help her in fulfilling her ever fantasy. Dauphine will wok towards that one fantasy she has longed for, that one time with that Mark Drury, that rocker guy she cant seem to get out of her head. And just like book one this one is so much hotter and so much more intense. I think I fell in love in love form the start wanting more and more for both ladies.
Cassie will also venture into new things and find out what she really wants and is willing to move on to find. She loves Will but she cant be second best or waiting for that right time for things with him to go south and her to be there to be second best.
What will happen to these ladies? Will they find love or will they for ever be lost in the sea of loneliness? You will not want to miss the second entailment of Adeline’s SECRET series. But be careful you don’t want to miss any of the steps or the total hotness in this one and book one! Make sure to pick up S.E.C.R.E.T ( book 1) first you don’t want to be lost!
October 7, 2013
Secret Shared picks up where the first book (Secret) left off. Cassie is embarking on her journey through Secret as a member at large. She is still struggling with the way her relationship ended with Will. Dealing with Will & Tracina having a baby has been harder than Cassie imagined. It has also caused her to doubt some of the qualities that her journey in Secret revealed to her.
Cassie had been asked to recruit a new member in Secret. By chance, Cassie meets Dauphine Gray and knows she would be a great candidate for the Secret society. As owner of the Funky Monkey, Dauphine recognizes beauty in others. Yet, she has forgotten the beauty that she possesses. After a terrible end to a lengthy relationship, Dauphine has given up on relationships, dating, and even sex. The ladies of Secret want to help Dauphine find her ‘true’ self again. Something that Dauphine doesn’t really believe is possible.
Meanwhile, Cassie has decided to revisit her relationships in Secret. While trying to discover herself again, she finds herself still dreaming of Will. Something unexpected happens in regards to Will and Tracina’s relationship. The door starts to open for Cassie. Will she follow her head or her heart? Revelations will threaten Cassie’s happiness as well as her future.
This novel had more plot twists than the first book. I found myself enjoying Secret Shared much more than the first book. Readers will be surprised at the ending…..I can definitely say I didn’t see that coming!
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
Cassie had been asked to recruit a new member in Secret. By chance, Cassie meets Dauphine Gray and knows she would be a great candidate for the Secret society. As owner of the Funky Monkey, Dauphine recognizes beauty in others. Yet, she has forgotten the beauty that she possesses. After a terrible end to a lengthy relationship, Dauphine has given up on relationships, dating, and even sex. The ladies of Secret want to help Dauphine find her ‘true’ self again. Something that Dauphine doesn’t really believe is possible.
Meanwhile, Cassie has decided to revisit her relationships in Secret. While trying to discover herself again, she finds herself still dreaming of Will. Something unexpected happens in regards to Will and Tracina’s relationship. The door starts to open for Cassie. Will she follow her head or her heart? Revelations will threaten Cassie’s happiness as well as her future.
This novel had more plot twists than the first book. I found myself enjoying Secret Shared much more than the first book. Readers will be surprised at the ending…..I can definitely say I didn’t see that coming!
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
May 3, 2017
[2nd review] Having re-read the whole trilogy, I'll say that this book is the best of the series. My original review still stands.
[original review]So, what I really like about this book and the first in the S.E.C.R.E.T. series is that it is very female driven erotica. Most of the other books I've read (50 Shades, Crossfire, Stark Trilogy) are essentially the same book. This isn't actually a big deal because this formula works and helps to sell books. Readers are happy, authors and publishers are happy-nothing to cry about. But the women in those books are annoying in their love-sick worship of the men. Even in the Sylvia Day books (which I really liked) there are pages and pages of mooning over how gorgeous and sexy her man is blah blah blah). That gets boring after a while.
This book however doesn't annoy me at all. It has some very sexy scenes (which is the whole point to these books obvs), but the characters also go through a transformation and liberation that I enjoy reading. Cassie and Dauphine strengthen their connection with themselves and that's what I respect about these books.
I was also very happy with the ending. There wasn't a cliffhanger, but I sure hope there will be another book in the series.
[original review]So, what I really like about this book and the first in the S.E.C.R.E.T. series is that it is very female driven erotica. Most of the other books I've read (50 Shades, Crossfire, Stark Trilogy) are essentially the same book. This isn't actually a big deal because this formula works and helps to sell books. Readers are happy, authors and publishers are happy-nothing to cry about. But the women in those books are annoying in their love-sick worship of the men. Even in the Sylvia Day books (which I really liked) there are pages and pages of mooning over how gorgeous and sexy her man is blah blah blah). That gets boring after a while.
This book however doesn't annoy me at all. It has some very sexy scenes (which is the whole point to these books obvs), but the characters also go through a transformation and liberation that I enjoy reading. Cassie and Dauphine strengthen their connection with themselves and that's what I respect about these books.
I was also very happy with the ending. There wasn't a cliffhanger, but I sure hope there will be another book in the series.
April 13, 2014
As usual, L. Marie pulls you in. Her heroines, Cassie and Dauphine, feel like they could be written about me. This book, being the second in the series, felt like going home. I loved the familiarity of the characters, I loved that I already knew the secret, so I could just enjoy Dauphine's experiences for what they were.
But, just like the first book, this one broke my heart. The author has a tendency to make you think you're getting that happily ever after ending and then she rips the rug from underneath you. Will is starting to agitate me. I don't see him as the kind of man that a woman would give up everything for. But, that's the way love works, I guess. You can't control who you fall for.
But, Jesse!!! Oh, Jesse. He's absolutely perfect! I hope, in the third book, that we get to see more of Cassie; that we'll see her choosing Jesse as "the one." He's sweet and risky, but responsible and just real. He cares for people and doesn't judge. I think he's wonderful!
I really can't wait for the next in the series. I enjoy the author's writing style. I love the New Orleans setting. I love these books. Until the next one...and let's hope this time, it ends on a happy note! (Third time's the charm!)
But, just like the first book, this one broke my heart. The author has a tendency to make you think you're getting that happily ever after ending and then she rips the rug from underneath you. Will is starting to agitate me. I don't see him as the kind of man that a woman would give up everything for. But, that's the way love works, I guess. You can't control who you fall for.
But, Jesse!!! Oh, Jesse. He's absolutely perfect! I hope, in the third book, that we get to see more of Cassie; that we'll see her choosing Jesse as "the one." He's sweet and risky, but responsible and just real. He cares for people and doesn't judge. I think he's wonderful!
I really can't wait for the next in the series. I enjoy the author's writing style. I love the New Orleans setting. I love these books. Until the next one...and let's hope this time, it ends on a happy note! (Third time's the charm!)
August 12, 2016
Esta segunda entrega de S.E.C.R.E.T. que nos trae L. Marie Adeline sigue la misma premisa de la primera, pero en esta ocasión Cassie, al haber cumplido ya sus fantasías; es asignada como la guía de una chica nueva que entró en el grupo: Dauphine, quien es una chica muy diferente a Cassie y carga con un trauma emocional causado por su ex pareja.
No puedo evitar decir que me gustó más la primera parte. En esta ocasión, al toparme con Dauphine, ya no me sentí tan identificada con Cassie, siento más realista la historia de nuestra nueva chica, con todo y su decisión en cuanto a S.E.C.R.E.T. En esta ocasión, sentí un poco de aversión por Cassie al final de la historia, en el problema que tuvo con Will. Digo, no es que él sea el mejor hombre del mundo, pero era obvio que reaccionara así en una situación de ese tipo. Por lo mismo, tuve un sentimiento encontrado hacia ella
Lo que mas me gusta de esta historia es que no se basan en algún estereotipo de mujer, S.E.C.R.E.T. va más allá del físico, lo importante es sentirse mujer y saberse deseada por el hombre en cuestión.
October 16, 2013
I've been waiting for S.E.C.R.E.T Shared for a while now.
I loved the first in this trilogy written by L.Marie Adeline (nom de plume for Lisa Gabriele).
A novel approach to the erotica / romance genre, in these novels, the story is propelled forward by the sexual, spiritual and emotional awakening of the main characters. Why? Because the end game is not for the girl to get the guy, but rather for the girl to find the woman in herself. Extremely well-written, this second book is actually even more satifsying as the first, as it's more character driven and further develops the core storyline of Cassie and Will through her own experiences as a 'guide' for Dauphine, the newest recruit into the society for women called S.E.C.R.E.T.
Really, my only complaint is that these books are too short. I am just left wanting more. Which I guess is the idea.
I loved the first in this trilogy written by L.Marie Adeline (nom de plume for Lisa Gabriele).
A novel approach to the erotica / romance genre, in these novels, the story is propelled forward by the sexual, spiritual and emotional awakening of the main characters. Why? Because the end game is not for the girl to get the guy, but rather for the girl to find the woman in herself. Extremely well-written, this second book is actually even more satifsying as the first, as it's more character driven and further develops the core storyline of Cassie and Will through her own experiences as a 'guide' for Dauphine, the newest recruit into the society for women called S.E.C.R.E.T.
Really, my only complaint is that these books are too short. I am just left wanting more. Which I guess is the idea.
March 16, 2017
Bingo A y L #23 Un libro que habias empezado y no terminaste. Hace mucho que empecé a leer este libro y como que no estaba de humor y lo deje.
A pesar de hablar de sexo no lo hace de forma vulgar, ni que te pueda incomodar. Incluso hasta entiendes el porque de la institución, aun yo que soy un poco recatada no me sentí incomoda ni me pareció desagradable, este me gusto un poco menos que el primero porque había otro personaje principal que no me intereso realmente, no me importaba realmente lo que le pasará , y no es que no entendiera sus desgracias pero aun así como que me aburría.
Estaba contado un capitulo sobre una protagonista y el otro sobre la otra al menos al principio, eso no me gusto mucho.
A pesar de hablar de sexo no lo hace de forma vulgar, ni que te pueda incomodar. Incluso hasta entiendes el porque de la institución, aun yo que soy un poco recatada no me sentí incomoda ni me pareció desagradable, este me gusto un poco menos que el primero porque había otro personaje principal que no me intereso realmente, no me importaba realmente lo que le pasará , y no es que no entendiera sus desgracias pero aun así como que me aburría.
Estaba contado un capitulo sobre una protagonista y el otro sobre la otra al menos al principio, eso no me gusto mucho.
May 2, 2014
The S.E.C.R.E.T. saga continues…
Six weeks after the last story ends has us seeing Cassia courageously picking up the pieces of yet another heartache. Armed with everything she has learned in the S.E.C.R.E.T. organization she takes on a bigger role with the underground organization that has contributed to fostering her new persona. After a year of receiving some great “pipe-laying” there is absolutely no reason to go back to old ways of seclusion, in my opinion...See more at: http://bit.ly/1mjgEUW
Six weeks after the last story ends has us seeing Cassia courageously picking up the pieces of yet another heartache. Armed with everything she has learned in the S.E.C.R.E.T. organization she takes on a bigger role with the underground organization that has contributed to fostering her new persona. After a year of receiving some great “pipe-laying” there is absolutely no reason to go back to old ways of seclusion, in my opinion...See more at: http://bit.ly/1mjgEUW
October 21, 2013
This is the 2nd part to the SECRET story. I found this not as good as S.E.C.R.E.T. as we kept going back and forth with Cassie and Dauphine. Also I wasn't able to completely get into the storyline as the characters wasn't as good as the previous. We don't know much about Dauphine and why she needed the men (how she got from 5-9 charms just for dealing with 1 person). I wasn't keen on Tracina as she was a bit spiteful and stringing Will along wasn't good. What shocked me was the way Will was with Cassie before he knew what she did and afterwards.
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