Secrets & Lies

Secrets #2

by Rachael Brownell

Secrets & Lies is a companion novella to A Secret Life. It is recommended to read A Secret Life first.

Magdelyn Becker lost her entire family when she was seventeen. Ever since, she’s avoided relationships at all costs: personal, physical, emotional. She doesn’t trust anyone and won’t allow herself to get close enough to create a connection. It’s the way she is. Take it or leave it. Her new job as an FBI agent has her letting her guard down, and letting the wrong person into her life, her mind and her heart.

Taylor Donovan is tall, sexy and powerful. He doesn’t show emotion and he can spot an agent a mile away. Being an FBI agent is the farthest thing from his mind when he lays eyes on Maggie Becker. She’s beautiful, sweet and honest and honesty is not something that Taylor is used to in his business. It’s her beauty that blinds him, though, and it might be what costs him everything, including his heart.

No one can be honest 100% of the time, not even Maggie. It’s her job to lie to Taylor. It’s her job to break him down then bring him down. The only problem is she has to do it without Taylor realizing it’s happening. After all, Taylor Donovan is supposed to be dead. The FBI shouldn’t be looking for him.

146 pages, ebook

First published August 22, 2014

About the author

I'm a Michigan girl, born and raised. My addictions include: coffee, chocolate, coffee, avoiding adulting, coffee, and coffee.
My favorite season is fall. My favorite color is teal. And my favorite genre to read and write is romance.
I refuse to 'stay in my lane' when it comes to my books. You'll find I write everything from young-adult to sweet contemporary to steamy new adult.
#noregrets
Looking for a place to start with my books? Check out A Moment Too Late (small-town second chance romance) or The Lake State University series (new adult, steamy college romance).
Thanks for being here and happy reading!

Reviews

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing good can come from lies but that's what she was hired to do. Taylor has escaped their hold and now he's a threat. Now years later Cam is the big shot FBI guy and capturing Taylor is on the top of his list. He's found the perfect person for the job. What he doesn't count or plan for is what will happen when they meet. This time the author gives us a story that deals with morals. Yeah not fair to throw this into the mix with this story but hells bells it wouldn't be a story without one. The dilemma being do I follow my heart and say to hell with my job and my duty or do I continue the lies and take down the man who has stolen my heart with a look. The battle that she is fighting is palpable and jumps at you from the pages. Their internal conflict is evident in every conversation and while this author doesn't let us behind doors she truly makes us feel the connection. Brilliantly done.

[Elle · Rating 1 out of 5]

The lead was the evil guy from the 1st book, the one who kidnapped, planned to rape and kill his ex girlfriend and who he continued to stalk in this book. His backstory, his motivation for his deeds was never really explained. He also did not show true remorse or accountability. So for me, he did not redeem himself and his sudden change of ways is a hard sell.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another page turner

I devoured this book so quickly I’m left wishing I had savored it a little more. Everything about this angsty, suspenseful story was fantastic. I loved the story and the characters! 4.5 stars!

[Nikkita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Wow, this story was full of surprises. If you're looking for a keep you on the edge of your seat, not really knowing what will happen next book, look no further .

[Kim Gauger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg

Sensational!!! I loved this book. Kept me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put it down. Man I loved this!! A must read

[My Secret Book Spot · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Secrets & Lies" by Rachael Brownell
5 out of 5 stars

Fans of Brownell will not be disappointed with this companion novella to "The Secret Life". And if you haven't read Brownell before and just stumbled upon this I urge you to read everything her catalog has to offer...you won't regret it!

This story picks up a few years after the events in "The Secret Life". Cam is now a FBI agent and has recruited the lovely Maggie for their latest undercover operation in an effort to bring down Taylor Donovan. Tasked with infiltrating Taylor's business to learn his secrets, Maggie quickly realizes that her attraction to her mark is getting in her way. Can she look past her feelings and get the job done or will the love blossoming between them become too much to deny and jeopardize everything?

Brownell first introduces Taylor in "The Secret Life" as a laid back surfer boy with not a lot going on upstairs. By the end of that book we know that things are not always as they seem and there's much more to him than we ever knew. To be honest I found his character repulsive and the way he degrades Kat is detestable. I never imagined that Brownell would chose to use him in his own story let alone be able to redeem him enough that I would even care. I now stand corrected. In this novella we get a glimpse inside his head and see that he is unhappy with his life and the circumstances that have led him to where he is now. He, much like Cam in the first book, is ready to shed the skin of who he has been and wants to become something better. He has a commanding presence and it's quite easy to see why Maggie falls for him. As he works on going legitimate, I actually found myself rooting for him to avoid FBI capture and have his chance for happiness with her.

Maggie has a tough shell and seems like a perfect fit for the FBI. Having lost her family, the agency has filled that gap and she appears to view Cam as a quasi-big brother. It's easy to tell, early on in her mission, that she relies on his guidance and respects him tremendously. I liked that Maggie was sometimes confident, yet sometimes insecure. Those aspects made her human and easy to relate to. Her interactions with Taylor brought out a different side to him and I was able to see those qualities that would draw her to him. I liked the decision she made in the end (you'll understand when you read it...no spoilers here! :)) and I found it very fitting with her character. I thought the ending worked well and set up the option for more books to follow.

Brownell continues to be a great author to read. Her story continues to intrigue and keep me anxious for more. I look forward to where the plot goes next and would absolutely recommend getting in on the ride!


*I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Shannon, My Secret Book Spot

[A Book Vacation · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

To see my full review:

http://wp.me/p1jhaj-5q6

This companion novel to A Secret Life takes place a few years after the conclusion of its predecessor, focusing on a whole new cast of characters as the plot unfolds, drawing readers once again into the world of the FBI as they track a killer hell bent on finding the only girl he ever lost, Courtney (also known as Kat in A Secret Life). This is a well written story, and I liked the change of pace, seeing everything from the opposite side as Brownell focuses on the “bad guy” as opposed to the good, as she did in her previous novel.

I will admit that I feel as if a piece of the story is missing—the gap between how Taylor survived and has since outwitted the FBI alludes me a little, mainly as Taylor was portrayed as being less than smart when a teen. Years have passed, and he certainly has turned hard, but I really want to know the backstory here—how, why, and while there is a sentence of two that define this a little for readers, I’m dying for the whole story and am hoping that Brownell will fill readers in with another novel in this series.

Brownell does a great job making Taylor a likeable character. We don’t see the bad in him as much as maybe we ought to, which is the same issue Maggie has as she attempts to infiltrate his business, and watching the two dance around one another was a ton of fun. The instant-love connection showed up again in this novel, though, and I’m not really one for a whirlwind romance. However, I completely get the characters feelings, and I do love how hard they fall for one another, even if it is instant.

This is definitely a book that needs to be read after the first in the series, A Secret Life, so that readers understand Agent Cam’s obsession with Taylor, and who Taylor really is, in the first place. Though seemingly far-fetched at times, this is a fun read and I did thoroughly enjoy it. I am certainly hoping for a follow-up, or perhaps a novel that bridges the gap behind the lost years.

[Amazeballs Book Addicts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved A Secret Life so I was looking forward to reading Secrets & Lies. Secret & Lies was a great read and I was not disappointed. Secrets & Lies is a companion novella to A Secret Life. It is recommended to read A Secret Life first. Several of the characters from A Secret Life are in Secret & Lies. It takes place a few years after the first book. Cam has recruited Maggie into the FBI. Maggie's task is to infiltrate Taylor Donovan's business and take him down.
Maggie has had a tough childhood and does not let many people in. Taylor is a sexy and powerful but he also is not the best person. He has done things in his past that is not very nice. Both Taylor and Maggie are attracted to each other. Maggie know it's wrong to have feels for him but she can't help it. Of course there are twists that will surprise you. Even though Taylor does not have the cleanest past, you can't help but root for Taylor and Maggie to have a successful relationship.
Secrets & Lies is a great short quick read. Once you pick it up you won;t want to put it down until you finish it.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie had lost her family, but had decided to still move on with her life. She went to college and made something of herself. Then she was approached by the FBI for a job.

Her cover for her first job was basically her back story. What better way to hide in plain sight than with the truth of her past. Taylor would never suspect she was an agent planted in his company if what she told was truth.

What Maggie didn't bank on how smoking hot he was. She was used to putting up a wall and never letting anybody in, but for some reason he kept chipping away at her resolve.

Now she's wondering if she's going to be able to take him down like she had psyched herself up to do at the beginning. She's wondering how she can fall for someone so fast knowing that what they do isn't legal.

This book definitely had me wondering if Taylor was ever going to find out and what her consequences would be. If he did find out would he be able to win her over to his side or would her good nature prevail and turn him in! Oh the suspense! I tore through this book!

[Casey Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've read Brownell's A Secret Life, you NEED to read Secrets and Lies. It's a companion novel and it's different from anything else I've read. Please read A Secret Life first. The plot to Secrets and Lies is built from the conclusion of the first book.

Okay, so let's talk book! How beautiful is the cover? It's so awesome and fits perfectly with ASL! Sometimes love is complicated. Sometimes you fall in love with someone you shouldn't. Sometimes love can change people, make them better. Sometimes it can't. This is Maggie and Taylor's story and it is gut-wrenching, suspenseful and beautifully-written. The characters are realistic, the situations are tense and the plot is perfect. I enjoyed every word.

Highly recommended for fans of contemporary romance or suspense.

**I was given a complimentary copy for review purposes. My review is my own.***

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you read A Secret Life? Then you'll need to read Secrets & Lies. Rachael Brownell gives us Maggie and Taylor in this companion novella. And she does it in her style we've become accustomed to! I needed to know what happened to Taylor. This book gives it to us!

Rachael always includes twists and turns in her books, and Secrets & Lies is no different. Her characters are complex and full of angst. I was on the edge of my seat as the story turned and Maggie and Taylor had to each make decisions which could alter their lives forever.

This was a must-read for me after reading A Secret Life. Go on, take the journey with Maggie and Taylor. See if you agree or disagree with their final decisions!

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow another book with the wow factor .
Have you read A Secret Life? ( kat and cam )
Then you'll need to read Secrets & Lies.
Rachael Brownell gives us Maggie and Taylor in this novella.
And you are left reading a boo you won't and can't put down the writing is great and you get lost in the pages .

Rachael always includes twists and turns like a bloody rollercoaster this book Secrets & Lies is no different.
characters are complex and full of omg and wows .
I was on the edge of my seat trying to remember to breath as the story turned and Maggie and Taylor had to each make decisions which could alter their lives forever. This book was jaw dropingly good

This was a must-read for me after reading A Secret Life.
Would you make that decision !!!!!!!

[B. Maddox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
Secret and Lies is the second installment in this series. This is a classic story of a girl falling for the wrong guy. Especially when that guy is a criminal and your sent in undercover to bring him to justice.
Rachael Brownell makes you feel for the characters even with the known fact that you shouldn't like the lead male character, Taylor. Despite the crimes he has committed you can't help but secretly hope things find a way to work themselves out for Maggie and Taylor. When circumstances and suspicions arise things start to get complicated.
It's definitely a must read full of drama, suspense, love, and much more.

[Crystal Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected

This was a pretty quick read. Unexpected twist to the story. I liked that we got to learn a bit more about Cam and Kat.

[Rachael Brownell]

book 2 of 2 in the Secrets Duet
book 1 - A Secret Life
both books are currently available on Amazon and enrolled in Kindle Unlimited

www.myBook.to/SecretsLies

"This was a must-read for me after reading A Secret Life. Go on, take the journey with Maggie and Taylor. See if you agree or disagree with their final decisions!" - Amazon reviewer

blurb:

“He wants me. He wants all of me. What he doesn’t know is that 90% of what I tell him is the truth. The other 10% is all secrets and lies.”

MAGDELYN BECKER lost her entire family when she was seventeen. Ever since, she’s avoided relationships at all costs: personal, physical and emotional. She doesn’t trust anyone and won’t allow herself to get close enough to create a connection. It’s the way she is - take it or leave it. Her new job as an FBI agent has her letting her guard down, and letting the wrong person into her life, her mind and her heart.

TAYLOR DONOVAN is sexy, powerful and dangerous for Maggie’s heart. He doesn’t show emotion and can spot an agent a mile away. The thought of her being an FBI agent is the farthest thing from his mind when he lays eyes on Maggie Becker. She’s beautiful, sweet and brutally honest, and honesty is not something Taylor is used to in his business. It’s her beauty which blinds him though, and it might be what costs him everything, including his heart.

No one can be honest 100% of the time, not even Maggie. It’s her job to lie to Taylor. It’s her job to break him down and then bring him down. The only problem is she has to do it without Taylor realizing it’s happening. After all, Taylor Donovan is supposed to be dead. The FBI shouldn’t be looking for him.