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Marriage Bed Secrets
Every marriage has its secrets. Only from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Nalini Singh.
When his estranged wife, Vicki, shares the news of her pregnancy, Caleb Callaghan is ecstatic. This could only mean a reconciliation. And this time, he's determined for the marriage to succeed, no matter what it takes.
But is Vicki's price too high? She wants more than his love and support...she demands honesty between them, starting with a full disclosure of secrets. But there's something in Caleb's past he cannot--will not--share. For the truth would only destroy them...
A Reader Favorite Story originally published as SECRETS IN THE MARRIAGE BED.
When his estranged wife, Vicki, shares the news of her pregnancy, Caleb Callaghan is ecstatic. This could only mean a reconciliation. And this time, he's determined for the marriage to succeed, no matter what it takes.
But is Vicki's price too high? She wants more than his love and support...she demands honesty between them, starting with a full disclosure of secrets. But there's something in Caleb's past he cannot--will not--share. For the truth would only destroy them...
A Reader Favorite Story originally published as SECRETS IN THE MARRIAGE BED.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2015
103 people are currently reading
734 people want to read
About the author
Nalini Singh
248 books26.8k followersI've been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There's no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
August 20, 2012
I loved this book! I can see Nalini Singh's distinctive voice and brilliance with romantic relationship and character development. I was so sucked into this book, I didn't want to put it down to eat dinner. I loved how neither Caleb nor Vicki was the bad guy. They were both good people, but their family dysfunction had wired them with defense mechanisms that don't make emotional openness easy in a marriage.
I loved how the older hero, younger heroine dynamic (10 year age difference) isn't a mere plot point here. Vicki was attracted to Caleb because his strength and his energy, that he is a man who would take care of her and keep her safe; and Caleb wanted Vicki as his wife because of her beauty and her sweetness, her unique elegance. She represents his image of the perfect wife and the happy family he longed for growing up. But the things that attracted them to each other are part of their emotional angst and defenses against the world. Five years later, a lot of unresolved issues build up, and it was good reading to see those walls come down and the healing begin.
What I loved:
*The sensuality was perfect. Talking about Sexual Healing! Since sex was an issue, I did feel that all the sexy scenes were perfect and fitting for this book. And Ms. Singh definitely writes a hot love scene excellently. You could see how deeply Vicki and Caleb cared for each other and desired each other, despite Vicki's programmed hangups courtesy of her grandmother and mother.
*The characters are real and lovable. I adored Caleb's mix of strength and vulnerability. He truly is an alpha man, in the best ways. Very caring and nurturing to Vicki (and takes a lot of stuff off his family because he feels it's right). He just didn't know how to help Vicki or to get past the wall between them, and his issues with his family didn't help matters. I love how they stand up and fight for each other against others and the world, a united front. The evolution that they go through is organic. As the painful issues of their past are healed, I could see the strengths of both of their personalities shine through to reveal who they are truly meant to be.
*I don't normally reach for a married couple romance, but this one is perfect and maybe I am changing my view on that, since I realize I can read about a couple who have to work on their marriage without it being a lot of painful angst and excess drama. I liked that they fought for each other and their marriage because deep down, they didn't want anyone else or to be apart. They just wanted all of each other.
*This book was about two people who loved each other, even if they couldn't say the words. The love is there and it gives me a high to see love conquer all, as it does in this book.
Definitely going on my favorites list!
I loved how the older hero, younger heroine dynamic (10 year age difference) isn't a mere plot point here. Vicki was attracted to Caleb because his strength and his energy, that he is a man who would take care of her and keep her safe; and Caleb wanted Vicki as his wife because of her beauty and her sweetness, her unique elegance. She represents his image of the perfect wife and the happy family he longed for growing up. But the things that attracted them to each other are part of their emotional angst and defenses against the world. Five years later, a lot of unresolved issues build up, and it was good reading to see those walls come down and the healing begin.
What I loved:
*The sensuality was perfect. Talking about Sexual Healing! Since sex was an issue, I did feel that all the sexy scenes were perfect and fitting for this book. And Ms. Singh definitely writes a hot love scene excellently. You could see how deeply Vicki and Caleb cared for each other and desired each other, despite Vicki's programmed hangups courtesy of her grandmother and mother.
*The characters are real and lovable. I adored Caleb's mix of strength and vulnerability. He truly is an alpha man, in the best ways. Very caring and nurturing to Vicki (and takes a lot of stuff off his family because he feels it's right). He just didn't know how to help Vicki or to get past the wall between them, and his issues with his family didn't help matters. I love how they stand up and fight for each other against others and the world, a united front. The evolution that they go through is organic. As the painful issues of their past are healed, I could see the strengths of both of their personalities shine through to reveal who they are truly meant to be.
*I don't normally reach for a married couple romance, but this one is perfect and maybe I am changing my view on that, since I realize I can read about a couple who have to work on their marriage without it being a lot of painful angst and excess drama. I liked that they fought for each other and their marriage because deep down, they didn't want anyone else or to be apart. They just wanted all of each other.
*This book was about two people who loved each other, even if they couldn't say the words. The love is there and it gives me a high to see love conquer all, as it does in this book.
Definitely going on my favorites list!
August 29, 2020
"Secrets in the Marriage Bed" is the story of Vicki and Caleb.
YAAAAAS! This is exactly what I expect in a HQN novel written by the same goddess who gave me Hawke, Lucas, Kaleb, Riley just to name a few of my top book husbands.
The book explores the relationship between an estranged couple. Both have grown apart due to certain reasons, but have not stopped loving each other or in any way given up on their marriage. This is their very sensitive and well written story, where they work out their problems, rediscover their buried passion, clear out misunderstandings and celebrate the life they made together. Loyal, kind and wonderful MCs!
I am so not used to such mature and well behaved characters in HQNtopia LOL. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Safe
4.5/5
YAAAAAS! This is exactly what I expect in a HQN novel written by the same goddess who gave me Hawke, Lucas, Kaleb, Riley just to name a few of my top book husbands.
The book explores the relationship between an estranged couple. Both have grown apart due to certain reasons, but have not stopped loving each other or in any way given up on their marriage. This is their very sensitive and well written story, where they work out their problems, rediscover their buried passion, clear out misunderstandings and celebrate the life they made together. Loyal, kind and wonderful MCs!
I am so not used to such mature and well behaved characters in HQNtopia LOL. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Safe
4.5/5
October 12, 2019
Character-driven marriage-in-trouble story. H/h married when socialite heroine was 19 and lawyer hero was 29. They have been married for five years and separated for two months. The story opens with the heroine announcing her pregnancy (by hero) and hero seeing this as his chance to move back home and repair his marriage.
For once, the title is accurate as “secrets” – shorthand for not communicating – is their main problem. Hero has no idea that the heroine thinks he cheated on her with his secretary until the 80% mark. Heroine has no idea how the hero feels about her or sex or anything really. She doesn’t know his backstory and he doesn’t know hers.
It’s fascinating to watch them slowly reveal their pain and pasts to each other and find healing and true intimacy along the way.
The fantasy is that they instinctively know best practices of a trained therapist when talking to one another. Neutral language, framing a problem in objective, not emotional terms, tabling hot discussions for another time, etc . . .
Both the H/h are likable and deserve their happy ending. They worked hard to make this marriage work.
For once, the title is accurate as “secrets” – shorthand for not communicating – is their main problem. Hero has no idea that the heroine thinks he cheated on her with his secretary until the 80% mark. Heroine has no idea how the hero feels about her or sex or anything really. She doesn’t know his backstory and he doesn’t know hers.
It’s fascinating to watch them slowly reveal their pain and pasts to each other and find healing and true intimacy along the way.
The fantasy is that they instinctively know best practices of a trained therapist when talking to one another. Neutral language, framing a problem in objective, not emotional terms, tabling hot discussions for another time, etc . . .
Both the H/h are likable and deserve their happy ending. They worked hard to make this marriage work.
May 5, 2010
I really love Nalini Singh's writing in the Psy-Changeling series, but I don't think her Silhouette Desire books are anywhere near the brilliancy of her PNR books. This was my 3rd SD read by her and I can't say I loved any of them. They weren't bad, but they weren't something to talk about either.
Karen, I know I promised to write a review on this book, but it didn't inspired me to do so. Sorry!
Karen, I know I promised to write a review on this book, but it didn't inspired me to do so. Sorry!
June 18, 2015
This was just boring and like another reviewer said, it kept going round and round. Which is Nalini Singh's usual formula so I shouldn't even be surprised. Both H/h's mommy and daddy issues seemed blown up to me as well.
But what sealed the deal was that from the start of the book Vicki thinks that her husband of five years, Caleb, has cheated on her a couple months back. Even though their marriage is on the rocks Caleb seems to adore her and from his thoughts you know he loves her very much and wants his marriage to work out, especially now that they have a baby on the way. So obviously I assumed that it's just one big misunderstanding but I still cannot root for a heroine who will turn a blind eye to such a big thing. I just wanted her to tell him what she knows so he can clear the misunderstanding. She says how he must've done it while he was hurt and can understand and needs to move past it for their marriage and child. So damn frustrating but I didn't worry too much b/c duh! It's just a misunderstanding.
And it does turn out to be a misunderstanding but what I was not prepared for was that Caleb actually did think about cheating!
This was me after reading that:
Even though he didn't go through the physical act of cheating, the mental one of even contemplating is just as bad in my eyes.
But what sealed the deal was that from the start of the book Vicki thinks that her husband of five years, Caleb, has cheated on her a couple months back. Even though their marriage is on the rocks Caleb seems to adore her and from his thoughts you know he loves her very much and wants his marriage to work out, especially now that they have a baby on the way. So obviously I assumed that it's just one big misunderstanding but I still cannot root for a heroine who will turn a blind eye to such a big thing. I just wanted her to tell him what she knows so he can clear the misunderstanding. She says how he must've done it while he was hurt and can understand and needs to move past it for their marriage and child. So damn frustrating but I didn't worry too much b/c duh! It's just a misunderstanding.
And it does turn out to be a misunderstanding but what I was not prepared for was that Caleb actually did think about cheating!
"Her view on fidelity and loyalty was one of the things he adored most about her. She'd tried to divorce him but he knew absolutely that she'd never, not once, even thought about cheating on him.
He hadn't been as strong. Broken by her apparent dislike of being intimate with him, he'd wanted to take a lover, to show her that he was desired. That she'd never discovered his lapse was something he'd be forever grateful for."
This was me after reading that:
Even though he didn't go through the physical act of cheating, the mental one of even contemplating is just as bad in my eyes.
March 28, 2019
This is a fairly simple book about a marriage in, what is really, pretty stereotypical trouble. They're both nice people who don't communicate. It's ultimately safe, however, if you are hardcore, you might not like that
March 1, 2019
I loved this one! I also think this is a precursor for Heart of Obsidian, there are some parallels and it's just wonderful to see where Kaleb and Sahara started from :)
April 16, 2011
I really loved this book cause the issues lack of trust,lack of communication that wasin their relationship was accepted and solved by both characters so wonderfully,for once i m so satisfied with the marriage issues that were dealt by author,gr8 plot,well developed characters and story paced at a nice speed had me glued from first page to last,its one of my fav harlequin presents
Caleb and vicki are separated when vicki reveals that she is pregnant.He convinces her to give another chance,but they have alot of demons to slay before they can be truly happy together.Caleb loves Vicki to distraction but he has always believed that she didn't desire him sexually as much as he desired her if at all.Unknown to Caleb Vicki has been indoctrinated by her domineering grandmother into believing that ladies did not display passion in the marriage bed or they would repulse their husbands.They work their way through this problem and overcome it but there are more secrets that they have to overcome involving both their childhoods.caleb is a very sensitive hero who displayed his need for love from his wife without appearing weak.Vicki was innocent without being naive.Vicki didn't really want a divorce but she was unhappy and she realized that caleb was too so she didn't to give them both a kick in their complacency
Caleb was such a patient wonderful husband and Vicki was also a gr8 wife,really liked the way Caleb makes all Vicki's insecurities and fears vanish,really loved the fact both wanted to make their marriage work and made equal efforts
Excellent read,definetely a keeper
Recommend it
Caleb and vicki are separated when vicki reveals that she is pregnant.He convinces her to give another chance,but they have alot of demons to slay before they can be truly happy together.Caleb loves Vicki to distraction but he has always believed that she didn't desire him sexually as much as he desired her if at all.Unknown to Caleb Vicki has been indoctrinated by her domineering grandmother into believing that ladies did not display passion in the marriage bed or they would repulse their husbands.They work their way through this problem and overcome it but there are more secrets that they have to overcome involving both their childhoods.caleb is a very sensitive hero who displayed his need for love from his wife without appearing weak.Vicki was innocent without being naive.Vicki didn't really want a divorce but she was unhappy and she realized that caleb was too so she didn't to give them both a kick in their complacency
Caleb was such a patient wonderful husband and Vicki was also a gr8 wife,really liked the way Caleb makes all Vicki's insecurities and fears vanish,really loved the fact both wanted to make their marriage work and made equal efforts
Excellent read,definetely a keeper
Recommend it
September 15, 2023
Nice.
May 30, 2017
3.5 Stars
Actually I really liked this story, I felt the chemistry between the hero and the heroine, but there were several parts which made me bored.. Made me want to skip it and directly jumped to the end of the story..
Anyway, I pretty enjoyed reading this.
Actually I really liked this story, I felt the chemistry between the hero and the heroine, but there were several parts which made me bored.. Made me want to skip it and directly jumped to the end of the story..
Anyway, I pretty enjoyed reading this.
June 8, 2013
Nice second chances story but needed more plot and drama. But it kept my attention cause the characters were just adorable!
September 19, 2021
This was such an unexpected read. I think I was expecting a higher level of angst and some masculine toxicity, however what I found in >i>Marriage Bed Secrets was so much better. It's not often characters realize their mistakes and take actions that are more on the well adjusted and mature side, especially dealing with old hurts and insecurities. Watching Caleb and Victoria, who have both taken to avoiding any issues that come up because of the fear of rejection, having something like a pregnancy bring them back together, is an opportunity both avail to make their relationship better and do it in a way that benefits both of them. I also love how the story points out that people change with time.
The story is steamy, and Caleb and Vicki are perfect for each other, especially once they trust each other fully and handle the things they've been afraid of. This is a story of a marriage in trouble, but they save each other and I loved that the most.
The story is steamy, and Caleb and Vicki are perfect for each other, especially once they trust each other fully and handle the things they've been afraid of. This is a story of a marriage in trouble, but they save each other and I loved that the most.
September 9, 2012
According to many different romance books I read this year,"Secrets In The Marriage Bed," written by Nalini Singh was one of the best romantic book I ever read. This book makes me always in the mood of reading it because the author spend some good time talking about the setting, the plot, and also the main characters. He described them with a good sense of understanding.
The main characters mostly spend their time talking about relationships and other things that people should do and what people shouldn't do in relationships. They played their role in the book talking about friendship as when one couple should act as friends and relationship when a couple should know their place in a relationship with a partner. It also makes you think that there are certain things to say to your partner. Things that makes your partner feel good about themselves and also makes them lucky to have a person like you to spend time with in their partner's life. There are different things that anyone should be happy about learning from this book because they talk about honesty and respect that are the most important things in a relationship. The book kept me busy all the time by teaching me those kinds of things that I wouldn't know in million years unless someone tells me. Things that I would do in a relationship if I didn't read that awesome book: the way I should act around my boyfriend, that it's not normal to some people if I stay shy around them from the begining of a relationship until the end. Anyone might break up with me or leaves me for someone they are more comfortable hanging out with than me if I don't stay open to the person.
The most thing I don't like about the book was that the two characters Vicki and Calleb spent mostly half of the book talkin about sex. That makes it interresting in a way because I keep my eyes open to read it, not cool and kind of embarrassing because if someone asks me about the book. I wouldn't stay in their face talking about sex that was in the book, mostly if the person is an aldult. They would probably think that I'm a bad person in a dirty way just because I'm reading the book. If it wasn't because of that reason I would vote 100% for the it. I like the romantic part and all the sex part combine with, that makes the book a good one, but there's too much dirty things in it.
Overall, the book is a something that I would convince anybody that has problems with their partner to read because it talks about how to understand your husband or wife, how to live a relationship and a friendship at the same time. Mostly a person that totally doesn't understand how to treat their partner and doesn't know how sweet and nice it is to understand their partner in order to have a family later on in life with that person.
The main characters mostly spend their time talking about relationships and other things that people should do and what people shouldn't do in relationships. They played their role in the book talking about friendship as when one couple should act as friends and relationship when a couple should know their place in a relationship with a partner. It also makes you think that there are certain things to say to your partner. Things that makes your partner feel good about themselves and also makes them lucky to have a person like you to spend time with in their partner's life. There are different things that anyone should be happy about learning from this book because they talk about honesty and respect that are the most important things in a relationship. The book kept me busy all the time by teaching me those kinds of things that I wouldn't know in million years unless someone tells me. Things that I would do in a relationship if I didn't read that awesome book: the way I should act around my boyfriend, that it's not normal to some people if I stay shy around them from the begining of a relationship until the end. Anyone might break up with me or leaves me for someone they are more comfortable hanging out with than me if I don't stay open to the person.
The most thing I don't like about the book was that the two characters Vicki and Calleb spent mostly half of the book talkin about sex. That makes it interresting in a way because I keep my eyes open to read it, not cool and kind of embarrassing because if someone asks me about the book. I wouldn't stay in their face talking about sex that was in the book, mostly if the person is an aldult. They would probably think that I'm a bad person in a dirty way just because I'm reading the book. If it wasn't because of that reason I would vote 100% for the it. I like the romantic part and all the sex part combine with, that makes the book a good one, but there's too much dirty things in it.
Overall, the book is a something that I would convince anybody that has problems with their partner to read because it talks about how to understand your husband or wife, how to live a relationship and a friendship at the same time. Mostly a person that totally doesn't understand how to treat their partner and doesn't know how sweet and nice it is to understand their partner in order to have a family later on in life with that person.
June 29, 2018
Love this author's Psy-Changeling series of paranormal romance and her style shines through in this story even though this has less drama. Suspense came in the little tidbits revealed about the problems in the marriage, bit by bit.
We start off with our couple moving back together after two months of separation because Vicky was pregnant. Caleb grabbed the opportunity to move back, seeing it as a second chance to save his marriage.
This book reads very real and can be painful at times. Two supposedly beautiful and successful people in a society marriage, everything seemed perfect right? Our couple had been married five years, yet there's so much they didn't know or understand about each other. Secrets that led to them behaving in certain manners, leading to misunderstandings and hurts and the breakdown of the marriage.
Both brought along serious baggage issues, stemming from their childhoods. They had terrible parents, which led to emotional scars that might never heal.
In this I felt Vicky was more of a ninny and I got impatient with her at certain times. Thankfully she grew some backbone and was able to help herself become a better person.
It's beautiful watching them overcome their vulnerabilities bravely, supporting each other, all because they were going to form their own little family. I love that both Vicky and Caleb took the time to think things through and see things from each other's perspective. Like Vicky wanted Caleb to cut back his working hours when the child came along, and by extrapolation he realised a wife too needed attention from her one and only husband! She understood that at times it's inevitable his work meant late hours, but she's just grateful he'd not make it a habit.
Compromise and mutual understanding would be what made the marriage work. Lovely story.
We start off with our couple moving back together after two months of separation because Vicky was pregnant. Caleb grabbed the opportunity to move back, seeing it as a second chance to save his marriage.
This book reads very real and can be painful at times. Two supposedly beautiful and successful people in a society marriage, everything seemed perfect right? Our couple had been married five years, yet there's so much they didn't know or understand about each other. Secrets that led to them behaving in certain manners, leading to misunderstandings and hurts and the breakdown of the marriage.
Both brought along serious baggage issues, stemming from their childhoods. They had terrible parents, which led to emotional scars that might never heal.
In this I felt Vicky was more of a ninny and I got impatient with her at certain times. Thankfully she grew some backbone and was able to help herself become a better person.
It's beautiful watching them overcome their vulnerabilities bravely, supporting each other, all because they were going to form their own little family. I love that both Vicky and Caleb took the time to think things through and see things from each other's perspective. Like Vicky wanted Caleb to cut back his working hours when the child came along, and by extrapolation he realised a wife too needed attention from her one and only husband! She understood that at times it's inevitable his work meant late hours, but she's just grateful he'd not make it a habit.
Compromise and mutual understanding would be what made the marriage work. Lovely story.
October 14, 2019
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.
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Reread October 2019 (I removed 1 star)
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Both with mom / dad issues and total lack of communication. An alleged cheating by her husband is the drop of water that makes their relationship implode and she asks for a divorce. Their problems are not few, both have childhood trauma and fears.
I really didn't understand how their marriage lasted so long with poor communication and bad sex.
The story unfolds well and we see them trying to get it right and make the relationship work, not only because of the unexpected pregnancy, but because they both really love each other.
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Reread October 2019 (I removed 1 star)
=================
Both with mom / dad issues and total lack of communication. An alleged cheating by her husband is the drop of water that makes their relationship implode and she asks for a divorce. Their problems are not few, both have childhood trauma and fears.
I really didn't understand how their marriage lasted so long with poor communication and bad sex.
The story unfolds well and we see them trying to get it right and make the relationship work, not only because of the unexpected pregnancy, but because they both really love each other.
May 25, 2011
This is a wonderful story about the importance of communication. Caleb and Vicki's divorce is stalled by her pregnancy.
As they learn to truly listen to each other, to demand that the other truly talk to them, they both grow as individuals and turn a sterile relationship into a stable love match.
The sex scenes are not as explicit as others in the Desire line, but so well written and so suggestive that they don't need to be.
The best kind of story...definitely a keeper.
As they learn to truly listen to each other, to demand that the other truly talk to them, they both grow as individuals and turn a sterile relationship into a stable love match.
The sex scenes are not as explicit as others in the Desire line, but so well written and so suggestive that they don't need to be.
The best kind of story...definitely a keeper.
October 4, 2016
I liked the book. It's a story between two people who lost their way in their marriage. Lots of misunderstanding, secrets , mistrust took place in their relationship and both love each other a lot. The heroine got pregnant and they both wanted to give a chance their relationship.
What I don't like is the teaser is somewhat misleading ... Teaser said the hero is the one who has issues about his past but after reading the book I found out that heroine is equally guilty in that sector.
What I don't like is the teaser is somewhat misleading ... Teaser said the hero is the one who has issues about his past but after reading the book I found out that heroine is equally guilty in that sector.
January 28, 2018
This was a great story. A married couple who had to find their way back to each other. The trials they had to go through were quite emotional but served to make their relationship stronger in the end. The issues felt very realistic, and although I found that each was resolved quickly, it was easy to forgive. It’s what I read these escapist books for anyway. And it had quite a nice epilogue in the end.
April 23, 2012
I'm in a sappy mood, so I decided to read this book again. The first time I read it, I found it really uplifting and sweet and the second time through, I felt that same elated emotion of happiness. This was a great read and it also shows you that working hard and talking openly about your relationship, fears, excitement and happiness does help you grow as a person and in your relationship.
May 10, 2012
Gave up on this book. Garbage
April 22, 2015
Estoy empezando a comprender que los Harlequines me vienen bien en épocas de exámenes.
Nada extraordinario, pero al ser de Nalini es especial.
Nada extraordinario, pero al ser de Nalini es especial.
contemporary-but-not-hq
November 17, 2019Every marriage has its secrets.
They were reconciling. That was all Caleb Callaghan could focus on when his estranged wife, Vicki, shared the news of her pregnancy. He was determined that this time, the marriage would succeed, no matter what it took.
But was Vicki’s price too high? She wanted more than his love and support…she demanded honesty between them, starting with his secrets. But there was something in Caleb’s past he could not — would not — share. For the truth would only destroy them.
They were reconciling. That was all Caleb Callaghan could focus on when his estranged wife, Vicki, shared the news of her pregnancy. He was determined that this time, the marriage would succeed, no matter what it took.
But was Vicki’s price too high? She wanted more than his love and support…she demanded honesty between them, starting with his secrets. But there was something in Caleb’s past he could not — would not — share. For the truth would only destroy them.
Read
September 6, 2020TW/CW:
past childhood neglect.
Not a favorite story, and as i'm looking at the reviews, I noticed the major red flags this book has regarding fidelity. Yikes, I must've missed this.
past childhood neglect.
Not a favorite story, and as i'm looking at the reviews, I noticed the major red flags this book has regarding fidelity. Yikes, I must've missed this.
August 11, 2022
I absolutely adore books about couples working on their marriages, with no cheating!
I was a little miffed with the age gap, but I am sure if the book was written today it would have been different.
The couple really worked on their communication which I am so happy about.
I was a little miffed with the age gap, but I am sure if the book was written today it would have been different.
The couple really worked on their communication which I am so happy about.
March 13, 2014
2.5 stars.
I am not a fan of this author overall, but I got through this early contemporary of hers. One part wish-fulfillment, another part case-study, the whole felt a bit reality-TV by way of HQN on Women's channel (such as WE! network). Not my thing, but grudging respect for the author's efforts on this.
I am not a fan of this author overall, but I got through this early contemporary of hers. One part wish-fulfillment, another part case-study, the whole felt a bit reality-TV by way of HQN on Women's channel (such as WE! network). Not my thing, but grudging respect for the author's efforts on this.
February 28, 2024
I enjoyed this book. It was a second chance romance with the couple married but separated. They still loved each other but had not shared feelings or talked openly in the past. It was nice to see them starting to open up about problems and secrets from their past and learning to communicate.
February 19, 2016
Good mills n boon read.
Maybe 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the angst and the characters were good. I found it hard to believe in the hero's main reason for feeling unloved/unwanted. Otherwise a decent read.
Maybe 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the angst and the characters were good. I found it hard to believe in the hero's main reason for feeling unloved/unwanted. Otherwise a decent read.
February 18, 2011
It was so difficult to finished! The history goes round and round that you get bored reading it! Not one of her best though! :(
June 25, 2022
This was a re-read. Harlequin has released a new edition of this book under the title Marriage Bed Secrets.
I love this book because it's unusual: it's about a married couple and how they mend their marriage. Usually, romance novels end when the couple marries, but this one is different. And I love it because this book shows that in a marriage, it's not about who is to blame. Both parties contribute to the misunderstandings or the miscommunication, and it takes both parties to work at untangling all the threads.
I loved that Caleb and Victoria both love each other deeply. Each of them doubts the other's love to some extent, but they still love fiercely and they want to fix this marriage. Both of them came to the marriage with wounds from their past, and didn't realise how those wounds still affect them or how they would affect the relationship. Nalini Singh writes emotion so well, I could feel how painful it was for both Caleb and Victoria.
Caleb is the quintessential alpha: a strong, protective man who holds his hurts close to his chest and doesn't reveal them to anyone. Victoria was only 19 when they married (he was 29) so she didn't have the confidence to probe his secret pain. But now that she is discovering who she is and coming into her own, she is going to fight for the right to protect her husband and draw him out, so that she can comfort him and help to heal his wounds. Caleb, on the other hand, realises that he was over-confident and brash in making assumptions about what Victoria needs. He finally listens to her, really listens, and sees the heart of this woman he loves so much. He realises how strong she is when she decides to fight her demons for him, so that she can lower her self-protective walls to let him in. And he will never take that for granted.
Really a beautiful story. I think it's difficult to write a balanced couple where each side has their own issues to deal with, but Nalini Singh did a marvellous job. The glue that ties this couple together is their love for each other and their loyalty. It shows that when both parties are truly committed to making the marriage work, they will find a way. Gives me a lot of hope, really.
I love this book because it's unusual: it's about a married couple and how they mend their marriage. Usually, romance novels end when the couple marries, but this one is different. And I love it because this book shows that in a marriage, it's not about who is to blame. Both parties contribute to the misunderstandings or the miscommunication, and it takes both parties to work at untangling all the threads.
I loved that Caleb and Victoria both love each other deeply. Each of them doubts the other's love to some extent, but they still love fiercely and they want to fix this marriage. Both of them came to the marriage with wounds from their past, and didn't realise how those wounds still affect them or how they would affect the relationship. Nalini Singh writes emotion so well, I could feel how painful it was for both Caleb and Victoria.
Caleb is the quintessential alpha: a strong, protective man who holds his hurts close to his chest and doesn't reveal them to anyone. Victoria was only 19 when they married (he was 29) so she didn't have the confidence to probe his secret pain. But now that she is discovering who she is and coming into her own, she is going to fight for the right to protect her husband and draw him out, so that she can comfort him and help to heal his wounds. Caleb, on the other hand, realises that he was over-confident and brash in making assumptions about what Victoria needs. He finally listens to her, really listens, and sees the heart of this woman he loves so much. He realises how strong she is when she decides to fight her demons for him, so that she can lower her self-protective walls to let him in. And he will never take that for granted.
Really a beautiful story. I think it's difficult to write a balanced couple where each side has their own issues to deal with, but Nalini Singh did a marvellous job. The glue that ties this couple together is their love for each other and their loyalty. It shows that when both parties are truly committed to making the marriage work, they will find a way. Gives me a lot of hope, really.
July 27, 2018
A very, very sexy book. But it also puts you through an emotional wringer. And sometimes, it reads as if you are viewing a marriage counselling session, sans the counsellor. As here, the husband's counsellor is the wife, and vice-versa.
Caleb Callaghan is a lawyer whose wife Victoria Wentworth is in the middle of divorcing him when she finds out she is pregnant.
Vicki has problems with intimacy, even something as simple as a hug or a kiss. Her mother had abandoned her on her grandmother's doorstep when she was four. She grew up with the fear instilled in her by her grandmother that if she let go of herself and not behave like a lady, she will become a slut like her mother.
Caleb's family is no different, in that, they disowned him when his thoughts didn't match theirs, but they still cling on to him for financial needs.
There are more secrets in their marriage which they are not sharing with each other.
This story is about how they find a way, through their hesitancy, anger, pain, and insecurities, to be whole again; to reach that point where they are happy together. Still, how their relationship went from strength to strength is a joy to read. And the cherry on top is the sweetest epilogue ever, a heartwarming end to the tale.
Caleb Callaghan is a lawyer whose wife Victoria Wentworth is in the middle of divorcing him when she finds out she is pregnant.
Vicki has problems with intimacy, even something as simple as a hug or a kiss. Her mother had abandoned her on her grandmother's doorstep when she was four. She grew up with the fear instilled in her by her grandmother that if she let go of herself and not behave like a lady, she will become a slut like her mother.
Caleb's family is no different, in that, they disowned him when his thoughts didn't match theirs, but they still cling on to him for financial needs.
There are more secrets in their marriage which they are not sharing with each other.
This story is about how they find a way, through their hesitancy, anger, pain, and insecurities, to be whole again; to reach that point where they are happy together. Still, how their relationship went from strength to strength is a joy to read. And the cherry on top is the sweetest epilogue ever, a heartwarming end to the tale.
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