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The Secretary
From the bestselling author of The Social Affair and HER comes a new mind-bending thriller about a young woman whose life takes a wicked turn when she lands her dream job.
The job comes with a lot of perks. A mysterious new boss is one of them. His deep pockets don’t hurt.
In her first week, Gillian finds a note on her desk with two boxes and a question: Will you have dinner with me?
Check yes or no.
It was easily the best night of her whole young life.
The second note arrived looking very much the same, only different.
Do you have what it takes to be in my world?
Gillian has been asked to handle a lot of tasks in her work.
But covering up a murder might be the strangest one yet.
Check yes or no.
She can check yes and face prison time. Hypothetically.
No, and she finds out why the job was vacant in the first place.
Tautly paced, The Secretary is an unnerving and electrifying psychological thriller about illusion, passion, and the dangerous places ambition can take you. Full of enough tension and twists to make even the most seasoned suspense reader break out in a cold sweat, it keeps you guessing until the very last page.
The job comes with a lot of perks. A mysterious new boss is one of them. His deep pockets don’t hurt.
In her first week, Gillian finds a note on her desk with two boxes and a question: Will you have dinner with me?
Check yes or no.
It was easily the best night of her whole young life.
The second note arrived looking very much the same, only different.
Do you have what it takes to be in my world?
Gillian has been asked to handle a lot of tasks in her work.
But covering up a murder might be the strangest one yet.
Check yes or no.
She can check yes and face prison time. Hypothetically.
No, and she finds out why the job was vacant in the first place.
Tautly paced, The Secretary is an unnerving and electrifying psychological thriller about illusion, passion, and the dangerous places ambition can take you. Full of enough tension and twists to make even the most seasoned suspense reader break out in a cold sweat, it keeps you guessing until the very last page.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2022
579 people are currently reading
3766 people want to read
About the author
Britney King
76 books1,621 followersGrab a drink. Settle in. I’ve got a quick story for you.
It starts, as most good stories do, with someone chasing a feeling.
Picture a Texas writer surrounded by five kids, two literary dogs, one unreasonable cat, and a partridge in a pear tree—all orbiting a household powered by caffeine, chaos, and sheer willpower.
Instead of getting into trouble in real life, she decided to invent it on the page. (Healthier for everyone. Mostly.)
She didn’t set out to write the perfect thriller, but she has been chasing a certain feeling for years—chasing the perfect story.
The kind that makes you miss your exit, burn your dinner, or stay up later than you meant to.
The kind that makes a reader say “just one more chapter” and lie to themselves beautifully.
Some writers chase awards.
Britney chases that feeling.
You might call it persistence.
She calls it passion—the only real secret ingredient behind thirty-plus books and counting.
Always reaching for whatever that elusive green-light moment is.
She hasn’t caught it yet.
But that’s half the fun.
You can find Britney online here:
Website ➜ https://britneyking.com
Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/BritneyKingA...
TikTok ➜ https://www.tiktok.com/@britneyking_
Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/britneyking_/
BookBub ➜ https://www.bookbub.com/authors/britn...
Newsletter ➜ https://britneyking.com/newsletter/
It starts, as most good stories do, with someone chasing a feeling.
Picture a Texas writer surrounded by five kids, two literary dogs, one unreasonable cat, and a partridge in a pear tree—all orbiting a household powered by caffeine, chaos, and sheer willpower.
Instead of getting into trouble in real life, she decided to invent it on the page. (Healthier for everyone. Mostly.)
She didn’t set out to write the perfect thriller, but she has been chasing a certain feeling for years—chasing the perfect story.
The kind that makes you miss your exit, burn your dinner, or stay up later than you meant to.
The kind that makes a reader say “just one more chapter” and lie to themselves beautifully.
Some writers chase awards.
Britney chases that feeling.
You might call it persistence.
She calls it passion—the only real secret ingredient behind thirty-plus books and counting.
Always reaching for whatever that elusive green-light moment is.
She hasn’t caught it yet.
But that’s half the fun.
You can find Britney online here:
Website ➜ https://britneyking.com
Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/BritneyKingA...
TikTok ➜ https://www.tiktok.com/@britneyking_
Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/britneyking_/
BookBub ➜ https://www.bookbub.com/authors/britn...
Newsletter ➜ https://britneyking.com/newsletter/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
January 21, 2022
Favorite Quotes:
What’s the saying? A mistake made more than once is a decision.
He speaks nonchalantly but also in a manner that makes me feel like he cares. Like the funeral director, I wonder if this is something they pull aside and drill into a certain segment of the population, a segment that does not contain me or hardly anyone I know.
“It can’t wait, Gillian,” she huffs. I feel like this is a different story and I’m one of the three little pigs and I’m not sure which. He huffed, and he puffed, and he blew the house down.
Just remember, you only get to be young and stupid once… It’s kind of like dimples on your ass. They’re cute when you’re a baby, not so much when you’re an adult.
I feel like I’m in one of those movies where the main character knows too much.
My Review:
I am in awe of Britney King’s deft wordcraft, her fiendishly clever and original stories maintain a compelling and bewitching quality that beckon and beguile yet are also uncomfortably prickly and more than a bit flinch-worthy. She has turned her unique brand of suspense into an art form - and I cannot get enough of them! The Secretary had me biting my lips, gnawing on my cuticles, and holding my breath. I was on edge and itchy with curiosity while also anxious and concerned for the main character. I zipped right through it and yearned for more. The gal has mad skills!
What’s the saying? A mistake made more than once is a decision.
He speaks nonchalantly but also in a manner that makes me feel like he cares. Like the funeral director, I wonder if this is something they pull aside and drill into a certain segment of the population, a segment that does not contain me or hardly anyone I know.
“It can’t wait, Gillian,” she huffs. I feel like this is a different story and I’m one of the three little pigs and I’m not sure which. He huffed, and he puffed, and he blew the house down.
Just remember, you only get to be young and stupid once… It’s kind of like dimples on your ass. They’re cute when you’re a baby, not so much when you’re an adult.
I feel like I’m in one of those movies where the main character knows too much.
My Review:
I am in awe of Britney King’s deft wordcraft, her fiendishly clever and original stories maintain a compelling and bewitching quality that beckon and beguile yet are also uncomfortably prickly and more than a bit flinch-worthy. She has turned her unique brand of suspense into an art form - and I cannot get enough of them! The Secretary had me biting my lips, gnawing on my cuticles, and holding my breath. I was on edge and itchy with curiosity while also anxious and concerned for the main character. I zipped right through it and yearned for more. The gal has mad skills!
June 3, 2025
If you’ve read Britney King then you know she always delivers pacy reads that you can’t put down. She certainly delivered this with The Secretary as well as throwing me an ending I wasn’t quite expecting. As she usually does, she started the book with a chapter that repeats near the end, and even though I normally dislike repetition, I have always liked this technique with her novels. This time it was a bit more repetitive, but I understand why she did it and it didn’t really bother me. I love that every time I read a new book by King her writing seems to get better and better, and I loved the quality of her writing for this one.
I didn’t actually read the synopsis since King is an autobuy author for me, and I don’t know if you actually need to, ESPECIALLY if you are already a fan of her. The Secretary is practically begging to be gone into blind and I’m really glad I kept it that way. Every little twist and turn was a complete surprise, and the end made me gasp out loud. I loved the format as well with the story alternating between Gillian and an unknown helper along with our mysterious first chapter. Basically, this was everything I had hoped it would be and I highly recommend picking it up!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I didn’t actually read the synopsis since King is an autobuy author for me, and I don’t know if you actually need to, ESPECIALLY if you are already a fan of her. The Secretary is practically begging to be gone into blind and I’m really glad I kept it that way. Every little twist and turn was a complete surprise, and the end made me gasp out loud. I loved the format as well with the story alternating between Gillian and an unknown helper along with our mysterious first chapter. Basically, this was everything I had hoped it would be and I highly recommend picking it up!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 18, 2022
Did you like this book? Check Yes or No.
I am a long time King fan and will continue to read whatever she throws out into the reading world. Her stories are binge worthy and just thrillery goodness from start to finish. Sadly, The Secretary didn't quite work for me as well her past books have... but this was bound to happen considering the volume of her work that I have read.
At just 242 pages, your fingers will FLY through these pages. I am instantly enthralled with Gillian and her terrible decision making but if she made good ones then the story would not have been as much fun. *wink* And I do love that King incorporated the silly notes we used to get as kids where we had to check yes or no if we liked someone... however, put this in a "professional" setting from the main man, the big boss himself... well, I'm not sure if that wouldn't be the first red flag. And then she "volunteers" for the what and the why and the HOW?! Yeah, that's a hard pass for me - hahahah but I hold nothing against Gillian, though I wanted to shake her repeatedly at times.
For the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and the fast pacing. However, I do think that's happened at an incredibly too fast of a pace that there were parts that needed expanding. I wanted more about Ellis, about the company, about Gillian and her past. If you a quick popcorn thriller of a read you can devour in one short sitting, grab yourself a copy and go into it for pure entertainment.
I am a long time King fan and will continue to read whatever she throws out into the reading world. Her stories are binge worthy and just thrillery goodness from start to finish. Sadly, The Secretary didn't quite work for me as well her past books have... but this was bound to happen considering the volume of her work that I have read.
At just 242 pages, your fingers will FLY through these pages. I am instantly enthralled with Gillian and her terrible decision making but if she made good ones then the story would not have been as much fun. *wink* And I do love that King incorporated the silly notes we used to get as kids where we had to check yes or no if we liked someone... however, put this in a "professional" setting from the main man, the big boss himself... well, I'm not sure if that wouldn't be the first red flag. And then she "volunteers" for the what and the why and the HOW?! Yeah, that's a hard pass for me - hahahah but I hold nothing against Gillian, though I wanted to shake her repeatedly at times.
For the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and the fast pacing. However, I do think that's happened at an incredibly too fast of a pace that there were parts that needed expanding. I wanted more about Ellis, about the company, about Gillian and her past. If you a quick popcorn thriller of a read you can devour in one short sitting, grab yourself a copy and go into it for pure entertainment.
January 15, 2022
There’s just something about a Britney King novel…at this point, I will buy anything she writes (grocery lists included).
The prose is always spot-on…The Secretary is fast-paced, and intriguing in that way that guarantees you won’t stop turning pages. And that ending? Sheesh! The WTF-factor was definitely there.
I loved this feisty little psych thriller! It’s binge-worthy and can easily be devoured in one sitting (potty breaks don’t count, do they? 🥴).
Welcome back, BK! Welcome back.
The prose is always spot-on…The Secretary is fast-paced, and intriguing in that way that guarantees you won’t stop turning pages. And that ending? Sheesh! The WTF-factor was definitely there.
I loved this feisty little psych thriller! It’s binge-worthy and can easily be devoured in one sitting (potty breaks don’t count, do they? 🥴).
Welcome back, BK! Welcome back.
January 23, 2022
I should know by now, going into any book by Britney King to expect the unexpected. Well, The Secretary managed to shock and surprise me just as much as always.
This book is out there crazy and easy to read in one sitting. Plenty of twists and turns and characters that you will want to shake, The Secretary is must read, and is available now on Kindle Unlimited. What are you waiting for??
This book is out there crazy and easy to read in one sitting. Plenty of twists and turns and characters that you will want to shake, The Secretary is must read, and is available now on Kindle Unlimited. What are you waiting for??
April 2, 2024
Not for me.
This is just one instance that made me roll my eyes: “In her first week, Gillian finds a note on her desk with two boxes and a question:
Will you have dinner with me? Check yes or no.”
Not one likable character. Gillian, the main character is unlikable, irritating, and not very smart.
Overall I found the plot confusing and unrealistic. The narration was very good but couldn't salvage the plot.
Britney King is a good writer but this one wasn't for me.
This is just one instance that made me roll my eyes: “In her first week, Gillian finds a note on her desk with two boxes and a question:
Will you have dinner with me? Check yes or no.”
Not one likable character. Gillian, the main character is unlikable, irritating, and not very smart.
Overall I found the plot confusing and unrealistic. The narration was very good but couldn't salvage the plot.
Britney King is a good writer but this one wasn't for me.
January 28, 2022
The Secretary is the latest story from Britney King. I kept waiting for the story to "pick up". Unfortunately for me it never did. I'm being generous giving it two stars.
March 18, 2022
I adore King's books and this one creeped me out more than usual (and I mean that in the very best way)! When Gillian is offered a new job that pays well, she jumps at the chance even though she's nervous as she's not clear what kind of "research" they do. Soon she is drawn into a web of craziness that keeps her (as well as the reader's) head spinning! Who is the mysterious, handsome boss and why does he invite her to dinner? That's all you get. Plan on a one-sitting read as you can't possibly put this book down; just dive right in and be prepared to be scared out of your mind...until you read her next novel!
May 14, 2025
For as many books as this author has written, one would think she’d have a better editor. This story sounded interesting and, it was only after I started reading it that I realized I had read this author before. (And both those reviews reflect less than stellar editing, so that pattern holds). This book was interesting, but lacked a decent backstory. Without it, the story just isn’t as upsetting as it could be (to me) and just more curious. Not sure if I will read the sequel.
January 20, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
The job comes with a lot of perks. A mysterious new boss is one of them. His deep pockets don't hurt. In her first week, Gillian finds a note on her desk with two boxes and a question: Will you have dinner with me? Check yes or no. It was easily the best night of her whole young life. The second note arrived looking very much the same, only different. Do you have what it takes to be in my world? Gillian has been asked to handle a lot of tasks in her work. But covering up a murder might be the strangest one yet. Check yes or no She can check yes and face prison time. Hypothetically . No and she finds out why the job was vacant in the first place.
Here I sit again trying to figure out how to write a review and not spoil anything in the book. I went basically blind because I don't remember what in the world I read as the description of this book. This is the story of Gillian and Ellis Gillian has taken a new job and Ellis is her boss and it isn't very long until the boxes start appearing on her desk. You will get to know Gillian really well but I fell like Ellis is still a bit of a mystery. You also wont be able to put this book down and I felt like I was done in no time. It is fast paced and filled with twists and turn and will keep you one the edge of your seat.
The job comes with a lot of perks. A mysterious new boss is one of them. His deep pockets don't hurt. In her first week, Gillian finds a note on her desk with two boxes and a question: Will you have dinner with me? Check yes or no. It was easily the best night of her whole young life. The second note arrived looking very much the same, only different. Do you have what it takes to be in my world? Gillian has been asked to handle a lot of tasks in her work. But covering up a murder might be the strangest one yet. Check yes or no She can check yes and face prison time. Hypothetically . No and she finds out why the job was vacant in the first place.
Here I sit again trying to figure out how to write a review and not spoil anything in the book. I went basically blind because I don't remember what in the world I read as the description of this book. This is the story of Gillian and Ellis Gillian has taken a new job and Ellis is her boss and it isn't very long until the boxes start appearing on her desk. You will get to know Gillian really well but I fell like Ellis is still a bit of a mystery. You also wont be able to put this book down and I felt like I was done in no time. It is fast paced and filled with twists and turn and will keep you one the edge of your seat.
January 21, 2022
4.5 rounded up to 5.
“𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒂 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒖𝒕-𝒓𝒖𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒓. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒖𝒏 𝒇𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉.”
This incredibly twisty thriller is told in first person POV alternating between Gillian and a mysterious character called Helper 256.
The first 15% of this book had me so damn scared that I had to turn off my kindle and put a funny movie on before bed. I knew I was in for a wild ride from that moment. This book is an absolutely page turner with an incredibly wild and unique plot. At 88% I found myself like this 🤯🤯🤯 literally jaw-dropping shocked. I didn’t see any of it coming and I loved every minute of this book. Alright so you’re probably asking why 4.5 stars and not 5? Honestly the only reason is I needed more answers on Quinn and Sue. Otherwise I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it if you enjoy twisty psychological thrillers!
Hosted by Enticing Journey Book Promotions
“𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒂 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒖𝒕-𝒓𝒖𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒓. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒖𝒏 𝒇𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉.”
This incredibly twisty thriller is told in first person POV alternating between Gillian and a mysterious character called Helper 256.
The first 15% of this book had me so damn scared that I had to turn off my kindle and put a funny movie on before bed. I knew I was in for a wild ride from that moment. This book is an absolutely page turner with an incredibly wild and unique plot. At 88% I found myself like this 🤯🤯🤯 literally jaw-dropping shocked. I didn’t see any of it coming and I loved every minute of this book. Alright so you’re probably asking why 4.5 stars and not 5? Honestly the only reason is I needed more answers on Quinn and Sue. Otherwise I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it if you enjoy twisty psychological thrillers!
Hosted by Enticing Journey Book Promotions
January 26, 2022
I have read numerous books by Britney King and have always enjoyed them. The Secretary is not one of my favorites, though it does have the creep factor going on.
The boss/secretary affair scenario plays out with a perverted, destructive twist. The slow build carries a lingering sense of evil, because I know anything Britney King writes has a twist that will leave me cringing and uncomfortable, thinking WTH.
Britney King’s writing makes me wonder where her ideas come from, and though this was not one of my favorites, I enjoyed the book and she manages to put a twist at the end that makes me think The Stepford Wives have nothing on The Secretary. I look forward to what she comes up with next.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Secretary by Britney King.
See more at fundinmental
The boss/secretary affair scenario plays out with a perverted, destructive twist. The slow build carries a lingering sense of evil, because I know anything Britney King writes has a twist that will leave me cringing and uncomfortable, thinking WTH.
Britney King’s writing makes me wonder where her ideas come from, and though this was not one of my favorites, I enjoyed the book and she manages to put a twist at the end that makes me think The Stepford Wives have nothing on The Secretary. I look forward to what she comes up with next.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Secretary by Britney King.
See more at fundinmental
January 31, 2022
Ending left alot to be desired. Dissapointed
July 22, 2022
This author is quickly becoming a favorite with each of her books that I read. She has a way of sucking you into the story and this one was no exception.
Once I started I couldn't put it down. I needed to know what was going to happen next. I did go into this book pretty blind because I like to be surprised, and oh boy was I ever surprised. I had no idea what to expect but I was still surprised when the ending came.
Once I started I couldn't put it down. I needed to know what was going to happen next. I did go into this book pretty blind because I like to be surprised, and oh boy was I ever surprised. I had no idea what to expect but I was still surprised when the ending came.
February 3, 2022
Wow! This was such a page turner! I loved the helper POVs! It was really twisty. I wish this story was longer but man did I enjoy the plot!
June 23, 2022
3.9 weird and freaky
January 20, 2022
If you enjoy psychological suspense this author is the one to read. She never disappoints with plenty of twists and turns and unexpected endings. Her characters always have distinctive personalities that draw you in and her storylines are creative and engrossing. This is one of my favorite authors and this book one you shouldn't miss.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
January 20, 2022
If you’re looking for a fast paced psychological thriller that keeps you guessing, here’s the book for you!!
I loved the twists and the story line. My one complaint is I wanted more!! 😂
I loved the twists and the story line. My one complaint is I wanted more!! 😂
June 1, 2025
This book was okay, hard to rate it between two or three stars. The writing was fine - definitely better than I could do. I get what it was trying to do and the suspense it was trying to build but it didn't seem like it was quite pulling it off. The beginning was a bit too confusing as to what was going on. It's only the first half (part 1) of the story so you get the idea but not how it all ends up. I got this book free from Bookbub but don't plan on reading part 2. I wouldn't recommend this book.
June 3, 2025
I really wanted to like this book, but I just didn't. I was expecting more twists and turns. But the whole book felt light, disjointed. Never quite got to the thriller or psychological drama I had hoped for. The characters weren't likable and I never felt engaged with them. It just fell flat for me.
January 16, 2022
The Secretary by Britney King is another fast-paced thriller, exactly what fans have come to expect from her. I finished it in one sitting; once you read it, you will understand why.
Honestly, I don’t even know how to write this review to do this book justice or not give any spoilers. What I can say:
The Secretary wasn’t what I expected.
The ending threw me and blew my mind.
Every reader will take something different from it, yet another reason I love this book so much.
I want to judge Gillian for her decisions, but I can’t, as I have enough skeletons to fill all the closets in a hotel. Ellis remains a bit of a mystery; I would’ve loved a bit more about his background and “role”. (No spoilers)
If you’re looking for a well-written thriller with an ending which you won’t be able to predict, The Secretary is that book. Enjoy.
Honestly, I don’t even know how to write this review to do this book justice or not give any spoilers. What I can say:
The Secretary wasn’t what I expected.
The ending threw me and blew my mind.
Every reader will take something different from it, yet another reason I love this book so much.
I want to judge Gillian for her decisions, but I can’t, as I have enough skeletons to fill all the closets in a hotel. Ellis remains a bit of a mystery; I would’ve loved a bit more about his background and “role”. (No spoilers)
If you’re looking for a well-written thriller with an ending which you won’t be able to predict, The Secretary is that book. Enjoy.
July 10, 2022
This book checked every box for things I love to read. What a journey! After the first event happens in this book you just can't wait to see what is coming next - and you wouldn't believe where this story goes. Bravo BK - you're becoming one of my favorite authors. (I think you already have)
Once again, King's writing grips you and doesn't let go until the very end. This is my second book I've read by her and I have to say this one has more of the suspense I was looking for. She NAILED it with this one! This is one of my most favorite reads. I only wish it were longer.
What I loved: Action from page one and suspense that doesn't let go, a real page-turner, no detailed sex scenes, short chapters
What I didn't love: Nothing, I enjoyed every minute of this book.
I've just begun reading another of her books "The Social Affair" and am expecting to love that book just as much!
Once again, King's writing grips you and doesn't let go until the very end. This is my second book I've read by her and I have to say this one has more of the suspense I was looking for. She NAILED it with this one! This is one of my most favorite reads. I only wish it were longer.
What I loved: Action from page one and suspense that doesn't let go, a real page-turner, no detailed sex scenes, short chapters
What I didn't love: Nothing, I enjoyed every minute of this book.
I've just begun reading another of her books "The Social Affair" and am expecting to love that book just as much!
January 30, 2022
The Secretary is a good psychological thriller. It does keep you reading.
I wasn’t sure about how I felt though. I’m not sure I loved the characters or connected with them.
The storyline also threw me as there were things that happened like a noise and knocking outside her door once but never explained what it was.
Other things happened that I wasn’t sure why or what they had to do with the book.
Having said this… the suspense was great. And the twist near the end…woah, I didn’t see that coming!
So all in all I found this a good psychological thriller.
I wasn’t sure about how I felt though. I’m not sure I loved the characters or connected with them.
The storyline also threw me as there were things that happened like a noise and knocking outside her door once but never explained what it was.
Other things happened that I wasn’t sure why or what they had to do with the book.
Having said this… the suspense was great. And the twist near the end…woah, I didn’t see that coming!
So all in all I found this a good psychological thriller.
September 23, 2025
I'll start by saying this kept me fully intrigued, and I read it in 3 sessions. BUT that's probably because I kept expecting the penny to drop, that I would understand what was going on. And I didn't! Even by the end I was asking myself "what the hell just happened"?
It's weird, it's disjointed, there are behaviours that make no sense (even in the realms of what is already an odd storyline) and I'm still, a few days later, left with feelings of confusion and therefore disappointment.
I wouldn't *not* recommend it, but approach with caution!
It's weird, it's disjointed, there are behaviours that make no sense (even in the realms of what is already an odd storyline) and I'm still, a few days later, left with feelings of confusion and therefore disappointment.
I wouldn't *not* recommend it, but approach with caution!
January 27, 2022
To be honest
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. Its one of those books that I'll think about for the next few days. I did not like the way the story ended. Heck, maybe I didn't really like the concept of the book. Sorry but in good faith I can't recommend this book. Sorry.
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. Its one of those books that I'll think about for the next few days. I did not like the way the story ended. Heck, maybe I didn't really like the concept of the book. Sorry but in good faith I can't recommend this book. Sorry.
December 13, 2022
2.5 ⭐
I didn't hate it but I also didn't love it.
The synopsis was misleading. And the ending was kinda.. abrupt.
I didn't hate it but I also didn't love it.
The synopsis was misleading. And the ending was kinda.. abrupt.
January 20, 2022
"A mistake made more than once is a decision."
"My other big mistake? I underestimated how evil human beings can be."
These lines from the Prologue of The Secretary, Britney King's most recent psychological thriller, are spoken by Gillian Martin, the protagonist. They summarize the essence of the psychological terror in store for her and the reader. Gillian indeed makes several mistakes that lead to an irrevocable bad decision.
Having read all of Ms. King's brilliantly written novels and an extensive sampling of other authors who write in this genre, I say with some authority that no one writes better psychological thrillers than Britney King.
The Secretary is a tour de force of writing a psychological thriller. First, develop a sympathetic female protagonist with many admirable traits and an unstable emotional state, and a high gullibility factor.
Then develop a handsome and desirable male villain who will do absolutely anything and everything to have his way. Her ultra-rich and manipulative boss, Ellis Harrison, leaves nothing to chance and has no scruples, morals, or conscience.
Throw in a large array of other interesting characters, add a setting of corporate intrigue with highly restrictive rules for employees and a secretive, cut-throat culture. Then have the company focused primarily on covert research on psychological drugs and techniques, and you have the setting for this brilliant novel.
Now, put these characters and this setting into the hands of a brilliant writer who is highly proficient at messing with the heads of her readers (in the best possible way), and Britney King has another best-seller to add to her substantial portfolio of hit psychological thrillers.
As is typical in earlier Britney King's psychological thrillers, the pacing is fast, the tension and suspense builds, and just when you think that you have gotten everything figured out, BAM! Britney King blows the reader out of the water with a brilliantly crafted plot twist in the last few chapters. There are two primary plot twists in The Secretary. To say more would be a spoiler!
The Secretary is a must-read book if you enjoy psychological thrillers, creative and engrossing prose, mental stimulation, plot twists, and unexpected endings!
I received an advanced reading copy (ARC) in return for an honest review. I voluntarily and enthusiastically provide this review.
"My other big mistake? I underestimated how evil human beings can be."
These lines from the Prologue of The Secretary, Britney King's most recent psychological thriller, are spoken by Gillian Martin, the protagonist. They summarize the essence of the psychological terror in store for her and the reader. Gillian indeed makes several mistakes that lead to an irrevocable bad decision.
Having read all of Ms. King's brilliantly written novels and an extensive sampling of other authors who write in this genre, I say with some authority that no one writes better psychological thrillers than Britney King.
The Secretary is a tour de force of writing a psychological thriller. First, develop a sympathetic female protagonist with many admirable traits and an unstable emotional state, and a high gullibility factor.
Then develop a handsome and desirable male villain who will do absolutely anything and everything to have his way. Her ultra-rich and manipulative boss, Ellis Harrison, leaves nothing to chance and has no scruples, morals, or conscience.
Throw in a large array of other interesting characters, add a setting of corporate intrigue with highly restrictive rules for employees and a secretive, cut-throat culture. Then have the company focused primarily on covert research on psychological drugs and techniques, and you have the setting for this brilliant novel.
Now, put these characters and this setting into the hands of a brilliant writer who is highly proficient at messing with the heads of her readers (in the best possible way), and Britney King has another best-seller to add to her substantial portfolio of hit psychological thrillers.
As is typical in earlier Britney King's psychological thrillers, the pacing is fast, the tension and suspense builds, and just when you think that you have gotten everything figured out, BAM! Britney King blows the reader out of the water with a brilliantly crafted plot twist in the last few chapters. There are two primary plot twists in The Secretary. To say more would be a spoiler!
The Secretary is a must-read book if you enjoy psychological thrillers, creative and engrossing prose, mental stimulation, plot twists, and unexpected endings!
I received an advanced reading copy (ARC) in return for an honest review. I voluntarily and enthusiastically provide this review.
January 31, 2022
📖BOOK REVIEW📖
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I fell in love with this book cover as soon as I saw it! I loved this cover so much that I ended up with two ARCS (whoops 😱). Enticing Journey Book Promotions announced their upcoming book tour and I jumped on it. I was elated when I was chosen! Then the author held a promotion and well…. all I can say is that I was SO EXCITED to read this book, I temporarily lost my mind and requested another copy from the author 🤦♀️. Thank you both.
Ms. King has some very enticing book covers! Several of her books are on my TBR list, but I’m embarrassed to say that this is the first one I’ve read.
This mind-bending thriller is dark and seductively twisted! With an abundance of mystery. What and who is Helper 256? What does the company, Psychlink, do? And the writing, with it’s it fascinating passages, blew me away.
BOOKQUOTES I LOVED:
“If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, the off-ramps to its seven levels are paved by Ellis Harrison.”
“The demons are dancing with the angels. Let’s see what happens.”
“A mistake made more than once is a decision.”
Have you had your “dream job”? Gillian’s dream job is to be a writer, but she’s supporting herself by doing door-to-door deliveries. Then her father dies. Before his untimely death, he told her it was time to get a real job. So that’s what she does.
She’s hired at Psychlink and once she gets settled in, the job appears close to ideal. Then her boss, Ellis, shows interest in her, and the complications begin. First of all, she has a boyfriend (although he lives in a different country). Second, Ellis reaches out to her in a bizarre way. He leaves a note on her desk, asking her to dinner. But the creepy part? The note has a place for her to check either yes or no. WTF….this is the kind of note we passed around in grade school! Oh, Gillian, this should be a red flag. And it gets creepier, if you can believe it!
This tale has twists that are so devious, it made me wonder about the sanity of the author….lol 😈.
I loved this book so much, I had to grab another one of her books right away! For my second book, I chose an audiobook and will be posting that review soon.
This review is my honest opinion.
#psychologicalthriller #thesecretary #britneyking #darkthriller
#bookstagrammer #coloradobookstagrammer #thrillerbooks #thrilleraddict #bookreviewer #thrillerafterthriller
#bethrillingbookclub #lovebooks
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I fell in love with this book cover as soon as I saw it! I loved this cover so much that I ended up with two ARCS (whoops 😱). Enticing Journey Book Promotions announced their upcoming book tour and I jumped on it. I was elated when I was chosen! Then the author held a promotion and well…. all I can say is that I was SO EXCITED to read this book, I temporarily lost my mind and requested another copy from the author 🤦♀️. Thank you both.
Ms. King has some very enticing book covers! Several of her books are on my TBR list, but I’m embarrassed to say that this is the first one I’ve read.
This mind-bending thriller is dark and seductively twisted! With an abundance of mystery. What and who is Helper 256? What does the company, Psychlink, do? And the writing, with it’s it fascinating passages, blew me away.
BOOKQUOTES I LOVED:
“If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, the off-ramps to its seven levels are paved by Ellis Harrison.”
“The demons are dancing with the angels. Let’s see what happens.”
“A mistake made more than once is a decision.”
Have you had your “dream job”? Gillian’s dream job is to be a writer, but she’s supporting herself by doing door-to-door deliveries. Then her father dies. Before his untimely death, he told her it was time to get a real job. So that’s what she does.
She’s hired at Psychlink and once she gets settled in, the job appears close to ideal. Then her boss, Ellis, shows interest in her, and the complications begin. First of all, she has a boyfriend (although he lives in a different country). Second, Ellis reaches out to her in a bizarre way. He leaves a note on her desk, asking her to dinner. But the creepy part? The note has a place for her to check either yes or no. WTF….this is the kind of note we passed around in grade school! Oh, Gillian, this should be a red flag. And it gets creepier, if you can believe it!
This tale has twists that are so devious, it made me wonder about the sanity of the author….lol 😈.
I loved this book so much, I had to grab another one of her books right away! For my second book, I chose an audiobook and will be posting that review soon.
This review is my honest opinion.
#psychologicalthriller #thesecretary #britneyking #darkthriller
#bookstagrammer #coloradobookstagrammer #thrillerbooks #thrilleraddict #bookreviewer #thrillerafterthriller
#bethrillingbookclub #lovebooks
January 20, 2022
"I will read anything Britney King writes. I don't even need to read the back of the book. I just know it will be amazing! And, The Secretary is another great one! It pulls you in on page one!! Clear your calendar and get cozy. You won't be able to stop reading!"
-Books and Pens on Green Gables
About The Secretary by Books and Pens on Green Gables:
Things are not going well for Gillian. Her apartment is tiny, her sister is on her case, and there's got to be a better way to make money than being a deliverer for Door-to-Door. And, having a best friend that has no financial worries doesn't make it any easier, especially when that friend wants you to drop everything the moment she asks and expects you to run to her rescue with a pregnancy test in hand. Which, of course, makes a mess of Gillian's delivery schedule, especially after an unplanned visit with the police at the convenience store.
All Gillian can hope for is that she will get the new job she applied for. When Devon, her friend that needed the pregnancy test, tells Gillian that she was contacted her for a reference, things start looking up!
When Gillian goes for her interview, she feels very intimidated. She just doesn't see how she could fit in, from the gorgeous receptionist to the spotless offices with clean lines. But, soon, it's her first day, and she's trying to figure it all out. Her supervisor is not warm and fuzzy, and there are tons of papers to read and sign. Before long, Gillian thinks she's figuring it out. And then, an odd note appears on her desk. Gillian wonders if it's a joke or a test. But, she responds and gets thrown into a whirlwind. Never knowing what the consequences of the note and her response to it will be.
The Secretary is so well-written with glimpses of another story tangled in that leaves you wondering who else is a part of Gillian's story behind the scenes?
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE The Secretary! Absolutely five stars!
June 3, 2022
3 1/2 stars
When I read the synopsis for Britney King’s new book The Secretary I was immediately intrigued. What murder does the protagonist Gillian have to cover up? I couldn’t wait to find out. But while I did enjoy this book, it was not what I was expecting at all. This was one weird and twisted book.
Gillian Martin wants to be a writer and is currently working as a Doordash delivery person, but she can hardly make ends meet. When she lands a job at Shergar, a medical research company, Gillian does not realize that her life is about to change, and not for the better.
The book is told from the POV of Gillian. I did have a lot of sympathy for Gillian because so many bad things happened in her life. She was living paycheck to paycheck, one day she was robbed by a bunch of teenagers, her father died of a sudden heart attack the day before her interview at Shergar, and there was a lot of family drama with her mother and sister. But even though I had sympathy for Gillian, I also wanted to shake her and tell her to wise up because she made a lot of bad decisions. Her boss, Ellis Harrison, left her a note on her desk “Will you have dinner with me?” “Check yes or no” and even though Gillian has a boyfriend who is overseas doing mission work for their church, she checks yes. Dinner leads to a more intimate relationship with her boss. There was also an occasion when her supervisor tells Gillian that Gillian needs to have her wisdom teeth out because they did not get a lot of participants to sign up for the procedure that would include some of the medical research the company is doing. I am sorry but heck no! No way would I do that.
We also get a few chapters from “Helper 256”. We do not know who this person is, but boy did these chapters give me the chills. Don’t let the name Helper fool you. The Helpers are not there to help you; they are there to help the company clean up anything that may have gone wrong. That could be anything from eliminating a threat to cleaning up a murder.
There is not a lot I can say without giving anything away, except that this book had a lot of twists and turns that kept me guessing. I had no idea where this book was going and right near the end there was a twist that I totally did not see coming. There were also a few spots in the book that made me cringe, the wisdom teeth extraction being one of them.
If you are looking for a fast, weird, and twisted read, that features a sympathetic protagonist who makes questionable decisions, then be sure to check out Britney King’s The Secretary.
When I read the synopsis for Britney King’s new book The Secretary I was immediately intrigued. What murder does the protagonist Gillian have to cover up? I couldn’t wait to find out. But while I did enjoy this book, it was not what I was expecting at all. This was one weird and twisted book.
Gillian Martin wants to be a writer and is currently working as a Doordash delivery person, but she can hardly make ends meet. When she lands a job at Shergar, a medical research company, Gillian does not realize that her life is about to change, and not for the better.
The book is told from the POV of Gillian. I did have a lot of sympathy for Gillian because so many bad things happened in her life. She was living paycheck to paycheck, one day she was robbed by a bunch of teenagers, her father died of a sudden heart attack the day before her interview at Shergar, and there was a lot of family drama with her mother and sister. But even though I had sympathy for Gillian, I also wanted to shake her and tell her to wise up because she made a lot of bad decisions. Her boss, Ellis Harrison, left her a note on her desk “Will you have dinner with me?” “Check yes or no” and even though Gillian has a boyfriend who is overseas doing mission work for their church, she checks yes. Dinner leads to a more intimate relationship with her boss. There was also an occasion when her supervisor tells Gillian that Gillian needs to have her wisdom teeth out because they did not get a lot of participants to sign up for the procedure that would include some of the medical research the company is doing. I am sorry but heck no! No way would I do that.
We also get a few chapters from “Helper 256”. We do not know who this person is, but boy did these chapters give me the chills. Don’t let the name Helper fool you. The Helpers are not there to help you; they are there to help the company clean up anything that may have gone wrong. That could be anything from eliminating a threat to cleaning up a murder.
There is not a lot I can say without giving anything away, except that this book had a lot of twists and turns that kept me guessing. I had no idea where this book was going and right near the end there was a twist that I totally did not see coming. There were also a few spots in the book that made me cringe, the wisdom teeth extraction being one of them.
If you are looking for a fast, weird, and twisted read, that features a sympathetic protagonist who makes questionable decisions, then be sure to check out Britney King’s The Secretary.
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