Review: The Winters

It shouldn't surprise you that I was a kid who loved English class. It came pretty easy to me even though I wasn't a fan of analyzing and dissecting books (ha - my teenage self laughs at me). While I can no longer remember the specifics, I do remember really enjoying Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier when I read it for class. I was really excited and intrigued when I heard Lisa Gabriele, a Canadian author I like, was releasing a thriller inspired by the 1938 novel. Would I like The Winters as much as I remember liking the classic?

Here's the synopsis:

Inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, a spellbindingly suspenseful novel set in the moneyed world of the Hamptons, about secrets that refuse to remain buried and consequences that can’t be escaped
After a whirlwind romance, a young woman returns to the opulent, secluded Long Island mansion of her new fiancé Max Winter—a wealthy politician and recent widower—and a life of luxury she’s never known. But all is not as it appears at the Asherley estate. The house is steeped in the memory of Max’s beautiful first wife Rebekah, who haunts the young woman’s imagination and feeds her uncertainties, while his very alive teenage daughter Dani makes her life a living hell. She soon realizes there is no clear place for her in this twisted little family: Max and Dani circle each other like cats, a dynamic that both repels and fascinates her, and he harbors political ambitions with which he will allow no woman—alive or dead—to interfere.
As the soon-to-be second Mrs. Winter grows more in love with Max, and more afraid of Dani, she is drawn deeper into the family’s dark secrets—the kind of secrets that could kill her, too. The Winters is a riveting story about what happens when a family’s ghosts resurface and threaten to upend everything.

Gabriele updated du Maurier's novel and set it in present day. This automatically twisted the story just enough to make it feel fresh. She also did away with the evil Mrs. Danvers but she added Dani, Max's teenage daughter. Dani was so incredibly hostile to the narrator, more so than you'd expect from a teenager who has lost her mother and had her father get engaged to a woman about half his age after only knowing her for a short period of time. (Wouldn't that annoy anyone?) And just as Hitchcock did with the 1940 film adaptation, Gabriele also adjusts the ending - which I freaking loved. Clearly I can't tell you more than that because, you know, spoilers, but read the book and I'm sure you'll love it as much as I did. And if you really want more, read this article that I've probably read three times because I love it so.

I always say I don't often read thrillers and I say it often enough that perhaps I do read thrillers. So maybe it's more correct to say that I don't seek them out. The Winters though? I most definitely went looking for it. I think even if I hadn't liked Rebecca I still would have been intrigued enough with the synopsis that I would have wanted to pick it up. It's a thriller that plays with your mind because the reader isn't totally sure who to trust - the narrator? Max? Dani? And just when you think you have each character figured out, something happens to completely change your mind.

The most twisted actions, in my opinion, came from Dani. She was so unpredictable and downright cruel. You had to wonder how far she was going to take her hatred towards the narrator. Who, as far as the reader knows, has only had the bad luck to fall in love with a man whose daughter is completely off the rails and despises her.

And that cover? How amazing is it? I feel like it perfectly captures the tone of the novel. LOVE.

I think The Winters is a book you need to add to your TBR immediately. (If you haven't already - it's been out since October 2018 in Canada.) Lisa Gabriele has written such a twisted and riveting book that I really didn't want to put down. I can't wait to see what she writes next!

Now, a fun note! When I was finishing the book I noted on Instagram that I really needed a glass of wine as I got to the end because it was so intense (in a good way!). And why is this fun? Because I've just recently partnered with Long Weekend Wine Co. for their Long Weekend Library. Every month we'll reveal a book and a wine pairing for your long weekend reading pleasure. This month's? None other than The Winters! If you want to learn more, head to Long Weekend's Instagram page and follow along!

*A copy of this novel was provided by the author and publisher, Doubleday Canada, in exchange for review consideration. They are not involved with the book selection for Long Weekend Library, that is solely my decision. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: SECRET Revealed

Finally! The last book in L. Marie Adeline's S.E.C.R.E.T. trilogy is out! If you're like me, you've been anxiously awaiting the release of SECRET Revealed. I actually had to wait almost a whole month to read the book after receiving it because I was going on vacation and this is not the type of book you explain to your boyfriend's aunt (70something) and uncle (90) when you're staying at their house. Just...no. ;) So, I got back from vacay and dove right in. Damn. Adeline has written one hell of a conclusion to this series!

Here's the synopsis:

The only thing that Cassie Robichaud has ever really wanted is Will Foret, the love of her life. But when Will discovers that Cassie is part of S.E.C.R.E.T., an underground group devoted to helping women experience their deepest sexual fantasies, Will breaks it off. Heartbroken, Cassie dries her tears and devotes herself to helping the latest S.E.C.R.E.T. recruit, Solange Faraday. Cassie also reignites her relationship with sexy bad-boy Jesse, even if he can never love her as deeply as Will did.
Meanwhile, beautiful, brilliant Solange, a local news anchor and divorced mom, has a great career but a wilting love life. She rekindles long-lost passions, going deeper and hotter than any other S.E.C.R.E.T. candidate before her. Will she find what her heart most desires? And when Will realizes he's made a tragic mistake, will Cassie be able to forgive him? In the end, as both women blossom as sexual beings, they also discover that ecstasy and true love are closer than they ever imagined.

I was really looking forward to this one because I needed to know how it ended. Adeline ended both S.E.C.R.E.T. and S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared with major cliffhangers (links lead to my reviews) and that upped the need for a final conclusion. At the end of the previous two books the reader was left wondering if Cassie and Will would ever be able to get together and there was also something else major happening at the end of each book. So, it's no wonder, with those major issues, that I (and every other reader) was looking forward to a nice conclusion.

I'm not a fan of prologues. I find a lot of them give too much away and just don't benefit the overall story. The prologue in this one, though? Perfection. It gave a little bit of insight into what had happened with Will and Cassie (and, boy oh boy, was it hot) as well as reminding the reader what had happened at the end of S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared.

I knew going into this book that I was likely going to be disappointed but happy. Sounds weird, right? I knew Cassie needed to end up with Will. They were just meant to be. But that meant that she didn't get Jesse. And I am Team Jesse. Don't get me wrong, I like Will. I just happen to like Jesse more. I'm also not entirely sure I loved how Jesse's storyline ended. I get it, I guess, but it felt kind of odd to me. But, all that being said, I'm really happy with how Adeline decided to wrap up Cassie's story.

I hope that my reviews have let you all know that these books are so much more than their incredibly sexy scenes. Of course, that doesn't mean those erotic scenes are to be passed over. Oh, no. Adeline knows how to write these scenes to make them feel realistic and that, I think, makes them even hotter than some other erotic novels you may have read.

Finally, I have to say, probably again, that I adore L. Marie Adeline (well, technically Lisa Gabriele, as Adeline is a pseudonym). I really liked reading her S.E.C.R.E.T. series and I'm so happy with the way she wrapped everything up in S.E.C.R.E.T. Revealed. I think I love these books so much because there's an actual story behind the erotica. Cassie and the other women are relatable. They're real women who make mistakes along the way and learn from those mistakes. If you want a really good and enjoyable new series to read and you still haven't read these ones, do it. Bonus: you won't have to deal with the crazy cliffhangers like I did and you can read all three back to back to back!

Happy reading :)

*A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher, Random House of Canada, in exchange for an honest review.*

Event Recap: S.E.C.R.E.T Shared Lunch

I was so excited to be invited to the Random House of Canada lunch to celebrate L. Marie Adeline's new novel S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared (it was released on the 15th and my review is here). I liked S.E.C.R.E.T. and was looking forward to the second book so of course I wanted to attend the event! I got an early copy and read the book the weekend before the event. I ended up really liking it so I was doubly glad I had decided to go to this event!

The table set up with swag bags * Lunch menu * Tasty dessert

It was a small group but that made the lunch so much better. We were able to chat with everyone with ease. Along with the author, Lisa Gabriele, there was the crew from Random House (Cass and Lindsey from the Online Marketing department, publicist Adria, and editor Nita) and eight bloggers (including myself). It was so great to be surrounded by intelligent and entertaining women. We had quite the conversation that ranged from the books we were reading (of course) to Miley Cyrus (who else?) to social media (we're all a little addicted).

If you follow Lisa/L. Marie Adeline on social media, you have probably seen that there was a woman selling her own S.E.C.R.E.T. inspired bracelets on Etsy (this is her shop link as she's sold out of the bracelets). Lisa passed hers around and also had one to give away! Wanda was the lucky winner. Isn't the bracelet pretty?

We had some delicious food to go along with the excellent conversation. They wanted to give us something New Orleans inspired so we had jumbalaya, following soup or salad and followed by an incredibly tasty cake (see the pic above!). 

I'm so glad I made the trip into the city (for the second time in one week! Madness!) because the lunch was so much fun. It was great to see the ladies from Random House again and to see and meet fellow bloggers. And, of course, it was amazing to be able to meet and chat with author Lisa Gabriele. She's awesome! 

Have you read S.E.C.R.E.T. or S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared yet? If you haven't and want a new erotica series to read, check them out! I cannot wait for the third book!

Review: S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared

I've been waiting to get my hands on a copy of S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared by L. Marie Adeline (aka Lisa Gabriele) ever since I read the last page of the first book in the series, S.E.C.R.E.T. Adeline left us with a hell of a cliffhanger - one that a lot of readers hated. I enjoyed the first book (you can read my review here) but I liked this second book so much more.

Here's the synopsis:

Still wounded from a recent heartbreak, Cassie Robichaud throws herself into service with S.E.C.R.E.T., the mysterious organization that changed her life last year by bringing her deepest sexual fantasies to life, one step at a time. Now, it’s Cassie’s turn to guide the group’s newest candidate, Dauphine Mason, recruiting men to execute a new set of fantasies. While it gets Cassie’s mind off Will, the man she truly loves, it also gives her the chance to help watch S.E.C.R.E.T. work its magic on someone new.
At thirty-one, Dauphine is the proprietor of a New Orleans vintage clothing store—the kind of buttoned-up career woman who has no idea how attractive she really is. In order to reignite her sexual flame and reawaken her dormant heart, she must leave behind her bitter past.
As both Cassie and Dauphine navigate the rocky path between their hearts and their passions, they discover what they truly want in life and in love. SECRET Shared is a liberating, passionate and sexually charged sequel to one of the hottest new series in erotica.

I liked how Adeline wrote this book (apart from the prologue...I didn't like that. Then again, I'm not a fan of prologues in general). The chapters alternated perspectives - one chapter was Cassie, the next, Dauphine - and that worked for a few reasons. It allowed us a fresh perspective into the world of S.E.C.R.E.T. What does Dauphine think of these women and what kind of fantasies will she have? I think the two perspectives allowed us to see how far Cassie had come since the start of the her S.E.C.R.E.T. journey by comparing her to Dauphine and how she was doing. It also kept things a little more exciting because there was just plain more going on. Having two stories happening at the same time allowed us a wider view into S.E.C.R.E.T. Which leads me to my next point...

Seeing more of the inner workings of the organization was great and I think that added layer is part of what helped me enjoy this book more. We got to read about how the S.E.C.R.E.T. men are recruited and trained (and hoo boy, that training session was HOT) as well as how the organization is funded and legally run. 

I liked Cassie so much more in this book. Seeing her (continuing) growth was great and she was a really fun and interesting character to read about. She's still a little timid but she's much more alive than she was when we first met her. Dauphine was also a lot of fun. I loved that she owned a vintage clothing store and how her S.E.C.R.E.T. journey also helped her professionally. 

I loved reading SECRET Shared. L. Marie Adeline has once again succeeded in writing an intriguing story with erotic elements woven in. There's another doozy cliffhanger (why, Lisa, whyyyyy???) so I'm once again anxiously awaiting the next instalment in the series - SECRET Revealed - which is supposed to be released next year. If you're looking for a new erotic series to read - check this one out!

*A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher, Random House of Canada, in exchange for an honest review.*

Just Finished: S.E.C.R.E.T.

I need to start this review off by saying that S.E.C.R.E.T. by L. Marie Adeline (pseudonym for author Lisa Gabriele) is not like Fifty Shades of Grey. I'll get into why in a bit. What you need to know now is that this novel was entertaining and sexy and I enjoyed reading it. 

Here's the synopsis:

No judgments. No limits. No shame.
Cassie Robichaud’s life is filled with regret and loneliness after the death of her husband. She waits tables at the rundown Café Rose in New Orleans, and every night she heads home to her solitary one-bedroom apartment. But when she discovers a notebook left behind by a mysterious woman at the café, Cassie’s world is forever changed. The notebook’s stunningly explicit confessions shock and fascinate Cassie, and eventually lead her to S∙E∙C∙R∙E∙T, an underground society dedicated to helping women realize their wildest, most intimate sexual fantasies. Cassie soon immerses herself in an electrifying journey through a series of ten rapturous fantasies with gorgeous men who awaken and satisfy her like never before. As she is set free from her inhibitions, she discovers a new confidence that transforms her, giving her the courage to live passionately. Equal parts enticing, liberating and emotionally powerful, S∙E∙C∙R∙E∙T is a world where fantasy becomes reality.

As I mentioned, this is not just another Fifty Shades knock off. Why's that? There are a few important differences...

• the writing won't make you cringe
• the sex is actually quite normal (or vanilla if you want to call it that) - no whips or chains here - but that doesn't make it any less steamy       
• the heroine is timid at first but is on a journey of self discovery, not aiming to be the plaything of a billionaire
• there's no creepy, controlling, Room of Pain owning man who you're supposed to swoon over         

I did read Fifty Shades so I am doing an honest comparison here. That trilogy didn't do anything for me. Anna was just so irritating and I did not find Christian attractive. All that being said...I don't want to compare the two books. I'm not going to say if you liked Fifty you'll like this because I don't think that's fair to either story. I saw Chapters do that the weekend before this book was released on their Facebook page and I fear that the comparison will turn people off since so many people hated Fifty Shades. Of course, if you did enjoy the erotic elements definitely pick up this book.

S.E.C.R.E.T. is another story. Literally. I was talking to someone about this book and she made a good point about what makes this novel intriguing. You kind of want to be a part of this secret society. You want to know where you can sign up because who doesn't want to have some of their fantasies come true? Between wanting to know what the group's secret is and the (really irritating) cliffhanger, I'm looking forward to seeing what book two will bring.

Cassie was an interesting character. She doesn't think much of herself in the beginning. She's quite boring and keeps to herself instead of going out or flirting with her attractive and interested boss. Agreeing to the first step signifies the first change  in her. She realizes that she needs to change herself and she agrees to go on this seemingly crazy adventure.       

Overall, I was pleasantly surpised by S.E.C.R.E.T. and think many others would also find this to be an enjoyable read. There's a good storyline along with the erotic element. If you're looking for a good weekend read, I suggest picking this one up!

*A copy of this novel was provided by Random House of Canada in exchange for an honest review*