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Cruel Secrets
(Cruel Secrets #1)
by
A gripping thriller that will shock you to the core.
Controlled all her life by her religious mother, fifteen-year-old Kelly Raven commits the ultimate sin.
She soon discovers that running away to the cold, frightening streets of London is less harsh than her previous life.
A drug dealer, two fraudsters, and a prostitute are her new family now and she becomes the woman sh ...more
Controlled all her life by her religious mother, fifteen-year-old Kelly Raven commits the ultimate sin.
She soon discovers that running away to the cold, frightening streets of London is less harsh than her previous life.
A drug dealer, two fraudsters, and a prostitute are her new family now and she becomes the woman sh ...more
Kindle Edition, 479 pages
Published
November 1st 2017
by ONCE UPON A BOOK
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Start your review of Cruel Secrets (Cruel Secrets #1)

Kelly is just fifteen and has never been shown love by her mother. Her mother is a religious fanatic but Kelly's mother doesn't know the true meaning of Christ's love. She controls Kelly's every move and if Kelly ever steps out of line then Kelly is cruelly punished. One day Kelly commits the ultimate sin and runs away hoping never to be found.
Alone,cold and hungry on the streets of London a stranger takes pity on Kelly and he takes her home.
Soon she has a new family that comprises of a drug dea ...more
Alone,cold and hungry on the streets of London a stranger takes pity on Kelly and he takes her home.
Soon she has a new family that comprises of a drug dea ...more

I get so excited it when I come across a new author and even more so when When I pick up their book and it exceeds all my expectations. Cruel Secrets by Kerry Barnes falls into this category and WOW I can’t believe I haven’t picked up a book by this author before, in fact I’m kicking myself, how have I never heard of this author before? The author writes what I call “grit lit” and it’s a genre I really enjoy reading, Kerry Barnes writing has been likened to that of Martina Cole, I would agree th
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I have to start firstly saying that this book deserves so much more than the 5 stars given. It's easy to say this is one of the best books in this genre that I have read in a long time. This books has so much going on, yet seems so easy to follow. Gripping and unputdownable, don't do it any justice as all.
Wow, wow and wow again. I'm actually speechless, I don't know how I will find the words to do it the justice it so deserves.
So the story, well where do you start. There is so much packed into t ...more
Wow, wow and wow again. I'm actually speechless, I don't know how I will find the words to do it the justice it so deserves.
So the story, well where do you start. There is so much packed into t ...more

Crikey I actually don't know where to start with this review. After reading the Vincent series and loving it Kerry takes her writing skills to a whole new level with Cruel Secrets. I can only imagie for the author it can be very nerve racking bringing out a new novel after the last one has done so well. But has a reader I found myself nervous and excited at the same time. thinking will I enjoy it, will I like the characters etc. But I was confident enough to read this without reading the blurb.
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Audio Book - I've not been into reading recently but this book is amazing so many twists and turns I couldn't turn it off! It is long but sooo sooo worth it 😊
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Wow. Cruel Secrets was absolutely amazing. Easily one of the best books that I have read this year and, just a warning in case you are going to read it, extremely addictive. I was reading this book at every available opportunity. I couldn’t get enough of it and when I’d finished the story I was bereft. Minor spoiler... there’s going to be a sequel!
Cruel Secrets is probably in my Top 3 books of the year. However I am still on a high from finishing it so don’t quote me on that. I’ve read many gan ...more
Cruel Secrets is probably in my Top 3 books of the year. However I am still on a high from finishing it so don’t quote me on that. I’ve read many gan ...more

Another great book
Another great book from kerry barnes couldn't put it down very intriguing with the turn of each page absolutely brilliant ...more
Another great book from kerry barnes couldn't put it down very intriguing with the turn of each page absolutely brilliant ...more

Brilliant
Loved it from the very start. The story kept me hooked. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Looking forward to the sequel. ...more
Loved it from the very start. The story kept me hooked. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Looking forward to the sequel. ...more

This book pulled me in from the very first page. Kelly Raven has lived a sad existence; growing up with her devoutly religious and cruel mother. Without giving much away, she ends up going on the run to London. I felt so much empathy towards this young girl and constantly spurred her on. In London, she is taken in by what becomes her 'new family'; all of whom are great characters. I laughed and cried. At almost five-hundred pages, this is longer than most books I read but by the end, I just want
...more

Gangster with a difference
Kelly Raven had what she thought was a tough start in life stuck with a cruel mother who tortured her and the only saving grace was her mum. One day after an awful turn of events Kelly runs away from home and she is found cold and wandering the streets by a man who takes her into his home he shares with his closet pals and she begins to thrive and for a couple of years she finally feels at home.
Then her past catches up with her and she ends up in prison and there she ...more
Kelly Raven had what she thought was a tough start in life stuck with a cruel mother who tortured her and the only saving grace was her mum. One day after an awful turn of events Kelly runs away from home and she is found cold and wandering the streets by a man who takes her into his home he shares with his closet pals and she begins to thrive and for a couple of years she finally feels at home.
Then her past catches up with her and she ends up in prison and there she ...more

Awesome !
Did not want to put this down from the moment I started reading. The characters are so up my street, gangster type books is mostly what I tend to read and this has topped them all !!! I fell in love with most of characters, especially Kelly, Keffa, Lippy, to name a few
apart from the obvious ! I just get so hooked to the point I actually feel I'm living it too ( crazy i know but that's what this author does to you ) so thrilled to know there is a sequel, just can't wait to read more from ...more
Did not want to put this down from the moment I started reading. The characters are so up my street, gangster type books is mostly what I tend to read and this has topped them all !!! I fell in love with most of characters, especially Kelly, Keffa, Lippy, to name a few
apart from the obvious ! I just get so hooked to the point I actually feel I'm living it too ( crazy i know but that's what this author does to you ) so thrilled to know there is a sequel, just can't wait to read more from ...more

just brilliant
I have read a few hundred books now but only two of kerry barnes after reading cruel secret I am wondering which one to read next with eager anticipation I have important things to do but I just want to choose a mother one of her books .They are so well put together I did get lost with all the names but that was a fault of mine .Kerry Barnes is a master of fiction so much so you could begin to believe it was real I love love love it. And near the end it was so funny in places I hon ...more
I have read a few hundred books now but only two of kerry barnes after reading cruel secret I am wondering which one to read next with eager anticipation I have important things to do but I just want to choose a mother one of her books .They are so well put together I did get lost with all the names but that was a fault of mine .Kerry Barnes is a master of fiction so much so you could begin to believe it was real I love love love it. And near the end it was so funny in places I hon ...more

Eeeeeekkkkkk Another Kerry Barnes Book, since I became aware of Kerry Barnes and read her first book I been been hooked, She is a brilliant author and so hard working.
This book follows the life of 15 year old Kelly Raven who runs away from home, and her controlling religious mum to the murky streets of London where she meets a stranger who offers her a place to crash for the night at his, staying with drug dealers,fraudster and a prostitute but the night to crash turns into an instant family fo ...more
This book follows the life of 15 year old Kelly Raven who runs away from home, and her controlling religious mum to the murky streets of London where she meets a stranger who offers her a place to crash for the night at his, staying with drug dealers,fraudster and a prostitute but the night to crash turns into an instant family fo ...more

Wow I loved this book! It certainly evokes a lot of emotions fear pity hatred sorrow jealousy averice lust the list is endless! I personally hated Eddie Raven what a nasty piece of work. I can’t say his awful sister Toni was much better! Maureeen the mam she doesn’t deserve that title of mam. Filthy Uncle Patrick he got what he deserved the sick pervert. I will try not to spoil it ! Poor Kelly finds herself on the run and thankfully runs into her savior Rudy. There are some wonderful characters
...more

Kelly Barnes is back .
Cruel Secrets must be the best book for 2017 .
I love the way that Kelly puts her characters together I actually feel that I am inside the book playing the characters myself . Brilliant read and looking forward to her next novel . I would recommend this book to all the people who like Kelly also if you haven't read any of her novels then try and you will not be disappointed . ...more
Cruel Secrets must be the best book for 2017 .
I love the way that Kelly puts her characters together I actually feel that I am inside the book playing the characters myself . Brilliant read and looking forward to her next novel . I would recommend this book to all the people who like Kelly also if you haven't read any of her novels then try and you will not be disappointed . ...more

What a fantastic book i loved it To grow up denied the love of her mother kelly raven is a loner even school pals take the micky but soon things change.When kelly runs away scared for her life she has no where to go but soon meets Rudy who takes a shine to her.over time all those who live at Rudy's come to care for kelly like family.Soon things change and kelly needs help.i can highly recomend this book and can't wait for the next one.
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Brilliant
First time reading this author's work and oh my it definitely won't be the last, I found I just couldn't put it down. The characters especially Kelly, were brilliant. Going on her journey with her from start t art to finish was nail biting to say the least. Would I recommend this book, without a doubt. This was definitely my cup of tea and I loved it, if I could have given it more than 5 stars I would have.
...more
First time reading this author's work and oh my it definitely won't be the last, I found I just couldn't put it down. The characters especially Kelly, were brilliant. Going on her journey with her from start t art to finish was nail biting to say the least. Would I recommend this book, without a doubt. This was definitely my cup of tea and I loved it, if I could have given it more than 5 stars I would have.
...more

This book started off good. I thought great, I will enjoy this. She runs away to London, and it goes down hill from there. I lived in London around the time this book is set in. There is no way you would meet a 'good Samaratian' in a late night cafe that would buy you a meal, take you home, and look after you like his own daughter. Perhaps some people can let things like this pass by. I cannot it has to be factual as in the real world, even when the story is fiction.
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Where do I start. I found the writing juvenile at best and there were so many contradictions throughout the story that the whole thing just became completely farcical. The writer was so hellbent on cramming as many mini stories as possible into one book that the whole thing lacks authenticity and conviction. The characters are akin to poor stereotypes from a Guy Ritchie film and don't get me started on the "accents" portrayed particularly by "Bluey" *cringe* herself!
...more

Incredible
I read this book when it first came out, but wanted to read it again to recap before I read Ugly Truth (third book in series). It was even better the second time around! I finished it in less than two days, reading into the night and even whilst eating, I couldn't put it down. I'm going to read Wicked Lies (second book in series) again now. Really recommend this author 100% 😀 ...more
I read this book when it first came out, but wanted to read it again to recap before I read Ugly Truth (third book in series). It was even better the second time around! I finished it in less than two days, reading into the night and even whilst eating, I couldn't put it down. I'm going to read Wicked Lies (second book in series) again now. Really recommend this author 100% 😀 ...more

Great gangland story
I thought this was a really good story, a young miss treated girl discovering her beginnings in a background of criminal violence. Plenty of action and interesting characters which is why i persevered to the end. I did find the writing at times, difficult to follow. The style was inconsistent and i was not drawn into the story, it felt more like reading a young persons diary with naive use of language and grammar. It was however, a really good story line
I thought this was a really good story, a young miss treated girl discovering her beginnings in a background of criminal violence. Plenty of action and interesting characters which is why i persevered to the end. I did find the writing at times, difficult to follow. The style was inconsistent and i was not drawn into the story, it felt more like reading a young persons diary with naive use of language and grammar. It was however, a really good story line

Gritty
I have loved Kelly Barnes's book and knowing this was a new family , I was looking forward to reading it and also a little sceptical.
I have to admit by the end of first chapter i was hooked. I am so looking forward to the ext in the series and would recommend anyone who loves thrillers to read it 👍💕 ...more
I have loved Kelly Barnes's book and knowing this was a new family , I was looking forward to reading it and also a little sceptical.
I have to admit by the end of first chapter i was hooked. I am so looking forward to the ext in the series and would recommend anyone who loves thrillers to read it 👍💕 ...more

Oh my words..AMAZING
Having followed Kerry with her Vincent series, I was curious on her new storyline and Kerry has really pulled out the stops. The story is well researched and so life like. The characters are so loveable and entraps you in to the story like you are a part of them. This story has you feeling all emotions and wanting more...Can not wait for book 2.
Having followed Kerry with her Vincent series, I was curious on her new storyline and Kerry has really pulled out the stops. The story is well researched and so life like. The characters are so loveable and entraps you in to the story like you are a part of them. This story has you feeling all emotions and wanting more...Can not wait for book 2.

Cruel nothing
I know we like to read and everything turns out ok,this was unbelievable
crap,first a man who takes her home then murders,drugs she was left all sorts of property night clubs i could go on and on,this is the last time I read any of this authors books,this just went from bad to worse and unbelievable,maybe I am to hard to please
I know we like to read and everything turns out ok,this was unbelievable
crap,first a man who takes her home then murders,drugs she was left all sorts of property night clubs i could go on and on,this is the last time I read any of this authors books,this just went from bad to worse and unbelievable,maybe I am to hard to please

Captivating and addictive!!
A real page turner. If in doubt just buy it! Absolutely brilliant i feel like I know the characters all ready just like I did with Kerry's other triology. A roller coaster of emotions engulfed me,crying then laughing then crying again then shock then horror then crying again! Can't wait for the next inatalment! ...more
A real page turner. If in doubt just buy it! Absolutely brilliant i feel like I know the characters all ready just like I did with Kerry's other triology. A roller coaster of emotions engulfed me,crying then laughing then crying again then shock then horror then crying again! Can't wait for the next inatalment! ...more
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