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.*

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*