S.E.C.R.E.T. (Secret #1) by L. Marie Adeline

Rating: 2.25 stars

Published: February 5, 2013

Publisher: Crown Publishing Group

Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Koko

Synopsis: In S.E.C.R.E.T there are…
No Judgments. No limits. No shame.

Cassie Robichaud’s life is filled with regret and loneliness after the sudden 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.

Review: Cassie is a widow who keeps to herself. She hasn’t had sex in five years and her only companion is her cat. Working as a waitress, she’s attracted to her boss and passes her time guessing about her customers’ lives. One night a regular drops a notebook and while Cassie is holding it for safe keeping she takes a peek inside. Immediately she’s drawn to what is written, which leads her to S.E.C.R.E.T.  and what the organization offers.

There were a lot of things I liked about this book as well as things that disappointed me. The author, L. Marie Adeline, did a great job of bringing Cassie’s emotions, hesitations and fears to the page in a way that helped me connect to her, which made me interested in the outcome of her journey. I understood her guilt and her need to find herself. It was the only way she could truly live her life and be happy.

The concept behind the story was interesting and well executed, but I couldn’t helped feeling a bit disappointed. The first encounters felt repetitive and lacking in its sensuality. After reading the blurb, I was expecting the scenes to be hotter and more explicit, but to me they felt too tame. I could understand the first ones being tame because she was just starting the process, but the later ones should have been more passionate. I don’t know I just couldn’t see them as being erotic.

Cassie’s development throughout the story was a treat to read even if at times I just wanted to shake some sense into her. Sometimes she just rambled on which,  made me want to skip ahead to get it over with. But my biggest disappointment came with the events leading up to the ending. Really? I just didn’t see the need for it.

All in all, S.E.C.R.E.T. was good story of letting go of your past and finding oneself again. I just wish I could have enjoyed it more, but I guess this one was not the right fit for me.

I received this title through NetGalley in exchange of my honest opinion.