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The Secrets She Carried
From the embers of their passion...
Erin Turner and Cristophe Donakis set the bed sheets alight during their scorching affair. But Erin's hopes of a diamond ring turned to ash when he unceremoniously kicked her out of his bed and onto the cold London streets.
Years later, Erin's world is rocked again when she meets her newest business client. She knows it's him the moment his designer aftershave hits her senses...
Cristophe is going to make Erin pay back what he believes she stole - in whatever way he demands... But little does he know that Erin's about to drop two very important bombshells!
Erin Turner and Cristophe Donakis set the bed sheets alight during their scorching affair. But Erin's hopes of a diamond ring turned to ash when he unceremoniously kicked her out of his bed and onto the cold London streets.
Years later, Erin's world is rocked again when she meets her newest business client. She knows it's him the moment his designer aftershave hits her senses...
Cristophe is going to make Erin pay back what he believes she stole - in whatever way he demands... But little does he know that Erin's about to drop two very important bombshells!
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
318 people are currently reading
766 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Graham
1,763 books1,449 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
December 3, 2017
Heroine carried two secrets, actually. Now four years after the hero coldly dumped her and wouldn't speak to her or read her letters, he's back and looking for a little blackmail sex.
The heroine has no idea why the hero broke up with her and married another woman three months later, but she needs her job.
Turns out the hero thinks she cheated on him and stole from him.
This is an LG story so we know the heroine will be exonerated and all will be well. I do want to note that of all the bad behavior of the hero, what really annoyed me was when the hero lectured the heroine on trusting a certain employee when the reader has just witnessed the hero giving the same employee promises of no prosecution.
Heroine was angry and so was I. This act-first-and-think-later philosophy of the hero was shown again and again - he was duped and he thinks he has the high ground as the savvy businessman. Plus, heroine was betrayed and he had no sensitivity to that - and this was in the redemption portion of our story.
*sigh* Heroine's happy, so there's that.
The heroine has no idea why the hero broke up with her and married another woman three months later, but she needs her job.
Turns out the hero thinks she cheated on him and stole from him.
This is an LG story so we know the heroine will be exonerated and all will be well. I do want to note that of all the bad behavior of the hero, what really annoyed me was when the hero lectured the heroine on trusting a certain employee when the reader has just witnessed the hero giving the same employee promises of no prosecution.
Heroine was angry and so was I. This act-first-and-think-later philosophy of the hero was shown again and again - he was duped and he thinks he has the high ground as the savvy businessman. Plus, heroine was betrayed and he had no sensitivity to that - and this was in the redemption portion of our story.
*sigh* Heroine's happy, so there's that.
February 1, 2025
2/1/25 how in the heck did I read this again!!!! It really sucked. But when it popped up I started reading it and now I need.to have.my brain bleached. He was a disgusting pig of a.man! I hated she still.wanted him. I would have had him checked for STD's. His opening thoughts grossed me totally out and I just eish.I hadn't read this scrappy story again. Just disgusting.
10/24
Okay I re-read it and it still sucked. I don't think he grovelled enough and I hate that he married someone else right away. The thoughts he had at the beginning were disgusting too. He hadn't had anyone that could measure up to her in bed now that he was single again. I just hated this guy. It's so funny that Lynne Graham wrote such classics like The Spanish Groom and then can write something like this. There are no redeeming qualities I could find for the so called Hero. None at all. He was a jerk. And the heroine pissed me off too. She knew she didn't steal and yet she still let him blackmail her into a dirty weekend with the scum sucking hero. And she enjoyed it. I wish she had just laid there and stared at her nails instead of being overcome with lust. I just don't have enough words to describe how that made me feel. The first time I read that I was so pissed. The second time I was just disgusted. Just all around terrible book.
10/24
Okay I re-read it and it still sucked. I don't think he grovelled enough and I hate that he married someone else right away. The thoughts he had at the beginning were disgusting too. He hadn't had anyone that could measure up to her in bed now that he was single again. I just hated this guy. It's so funny that Lynne Graham wrote such classics like The Spanish Groom and then can write something like this. There are no redeeming qualities I could find for the so called Hero. None at all. He was a jerk. And the heroine pissed me off too. She knew she didn't steal and yet she still let him blackmail her into a dirty weekend with the scum sucking hero. And she enjoyed it. I wish she had just laid there and stared at her nails instead of being overcome with lust. I just don't have enough words to describe how that made me feel. The first time I read that I was so pissed. The second time I was just disgusted. Just all around terrible book.
September 4, 2023
One of the worst LG. The hero was in a relationship with the heroine for one year. He had evidence that she stole from his company where she was working and he went into the room in the hotel where he thought she was staying and saw a man in her bed.
Of course she wasn’t there and it was another employee who stole from him. He also received pictures of her with a boyfriend who were false. He dumped her and he married another woman immediately afterward.
She was pregnant but was unable to get in touch with him. She was blocked.
After three years he is divorced and enjoying his freedom with other women and decides he will have another dirty weekend with the heroine to get her out of his system.
He blackmails her telling he would reveal her new boss that she’s a thief. She accepts the dirty weekends and of course she enjoys sex with him.
He finds out she has twins and they’re his.
He also finds out he was wrong all the way about her.
He proposes. She accepts.
It was his foster mother who framed the heroine.
But it’s all glossed over and the woman is forgiven.
No to everything.
- heroine has no self respect. He married another woman and got her pregnant. And if ow hadn’t had a termination he would still be married to her. No. No. No. You don’t enjoy sex with a man who treated you that way. Maybe if you’re a nympho, but since she was celibate for three years it doesn’t make sense. Please. LG. Treat women with respect.
- the hero never properly regretted his action. You can’t tell he was sorry. He barely apologized but told the heroine it was her fault if she was framed. Talk about gaslighting. Worst hero ever. Where’s the regret? Where’s his pain? Where’s his hurt? No.
- the evil stepmother was forgiven. After framing an innocent. For theft. For betrayal. After she blocked her calls, letters, left her with social services because she was unable to work. You don’t fucking forgive such a person
- and of course no to fucking double standard. He enjoys sex with every woman he finds and is married for three years. Die you bastard sob.
Minus 1000000 stars is my rating.
Of course she wasn’t there and it was another employee who stole from him. He also received pictures of her with a boyfriend who were false. He dumped her and he married another woman immediately afterward.
She was pregnant but was unable to get in touch with him. She was blocked.
After three years he is divorced and enjoying his freedom with other women and decides he will have another dirty weekend with the heroine to get her out of his system.
He blackmails her telling he would reveal her new boss that she’s a thief. She accepts the dirty weekends and of course she enjoys sex with him.
He finds out she has twins and they’re his.
He also finds out he was wrong all the way about her.
He proposes. She accepts.
It was his foster mother who framed the heroine.
But it’s all glossed over and the woman is forgiven.
No to everything.
- heroine has no self respect. He married another woman and got her pregnant. And if ow hadn’t had a termination he would still be married to her. No. No. No. You don’t enjoy sex with a man who treated you that way. Maybe if you’re a nympho, but since she was celibate for three years it doesn’t make sense. Please. LG. Treat women with respect.
- the hero never properly regretted his action. You can’t tell he was sorry. He barely apologized but told the heroine it was her fault if she was framed. Talk about gaslighting. Worst hero ever. Where’s the regret? Where’s his pain? Where’s his hurt? No.
- the evil stepmother was forgiven. After framing an innocent. For theft. For betrayal. After she blocked her calls, letters, left her with social services because she was unable to work. You don’t fucking forgive such a person
- and of course no to fucking double standard. He enjoys sex with every woman he finds and is married for three years. Die you bastard sob.
Minus 1000000 stars is my rating.
July 1, 2021
I just read this for the second time hoping I had missed something really good the first time I read it. No such luck. Will not give it another go...ever!
Wow...this book was bad, truly bad. The Hero was despicable and an egotistical jerk who was mean, spiteful, and a bully set on revenge. He had all his facts wrong but never gave the heroine any of the information so that she could refute it or tell her side and set the record straight. Instead, he keeps the damning evidence a secret and dumps her with no explanation after a year together, just throwing her out in the street. I was shocked that he always viewed her in the worst possible light and blamed her for anything and everything that went wrong. On top of that he quickly marries another woman he doesn't love while the heroine is forced into poverty, living on welfare and carrying, delivering and raising his twins. Oh yes...the heroine is a spineless doormat and that is intolerable to me.
Don't waste your time and agitation by reading this slow-moving and frustrating book. Just not worth it. Just a huge disappointment. I hate it when people do seriously bad damage to another person by setting them up, stealing, telling lies, ruining their family and job and no one suffers any consequences.
This one seems to have appeared from the bottom of the barrel. One of the worst I have ever read! hero was a disgusting slug!
I'm sorry but I cannot recommend this. For this reader it was wasted time.
.
Wow...this book was bad, truly bad. The Hero was despicable and an egotistical jerk who was mean, spiteful, and a bully set on revenge. He had all his facts wrong but never gave the heroine any of the information so that she could refute it or tell her side and set the record straight. Instead, he keeps the damning evidence a secret and dumps her with no explanation after a year together, just throwing her out in the street. I was shocked that he always viewed her in the worst possible light and blamed her for anything and everything that went wrong. On top of that he quickly marries another woman he doesn't love while the heroine is forced into poverty, living on welfare and carrying, delivering and raising his twins. Oh yes...the heroine is a spineless doormat and that is intolerable to me.
Don't waste your time and agitation by reading this slow-moving and frustrating book. Just not worth it. Just a huge disappointment. I hate it when people do seriously bad damage to another person by setting them up, stealing, telling lies, ruining their family and job and no one suffers any consequences.
This one seems to have appeared from the bottom of the barrel. One of the worst I have ever read! hero was a disgusting slug!
I'm sorry but I cannot recommend this. For this reader it was wasted time.
.
January 1, 2020
I'd meant to stay far away from this book, but my curiosity got the better of me. Two generous stars it is.
*spoilers*
Hero married another woman three months after dumping heroine and without ever confronting her with her supposed crimes (i.e., cheating on him and stealing from his business), because pride. A year into the marriage he and first wifey agreed to start a family, but she later terminated the pregnancy without his consent which caused him to divorce her. He then proceeded to drown his sad loins through sex with other women.
Heroine carried his twin "secrets" alone because she didn't realize she was pregnant when hero left her. All her attempts to contact him afterwards were derailed by hero’s foster mother, unbeknownst to him.
Foster mother received no comeuppance for her scheming because hero felt she'd already suffered more than anyone else. (No, idgit. That would be your ex-girlfriend whom you tried, convicted, and abandoned with unflattering speed.) Apparently deprivation of one's twin grandchildren, guilt and a nervous breakdown were enough punishment. Heroine said she would try to forgive the cow, er, hero's foster mother.
To make matters worse hero never groveled for his misconceptions, stating they both were to blame. He offered a weak apology for believing heroine had defrauded him, but then negated his earlier concession by claiming she brought it upon herself. Ugh. (Heroine did let a thieving employee off the hook lightly because she believed in giving said employee the benefit of the doubt, yes, but hero made more grievous mistakes in my opinion. See above.)
In spite of the narrative's potential for angst, I didn't feel it or the love because the tell vs. show writing style minimized their impact. Consequently, hero's agitation over both his ex's betrayal and foster mother's well-being seemed on par with, or even greater than, his concern over the heroine and his children.
*spoilers*
Hero married another woman three months after dumping heroine and without ever confronting her with her supposed crimes (i.e., cheating on him and stealing from his business), because pride. A year into the marriage he and first wifey agreed to start a family, but she later terminated the pregnancy without his consent which caused him to divorce her. He then proceeded to drown his sad loins through sex with other women.
Heroine carried his twin "secrets" alone because she didn't realize she was pregnant when hero left her. All her attempts to contact him afterwards were derailed by hero’s foster mother, unbeknownst to him.
Foster mother received no comeuppance for her scheming because hero felt she'd already suffered more than anyone else. (No, idgit. That would be your ex-girlfriend whom you tried, convicted, and abandoned with unflattering speed.) Apparently deprivation of one's twin grandchildren, guilt and a nervous breakdown were enough punishment. Heroine said she would try to forgive the cow, er, hero's foster mother.
To make matters worse hero never groveled for his misconceptions, stating they both were to blame. He offered a weak apology for believing heroine had defrauded him, but then negated his earlier concession by claiming she brought it upon herself. Ugh. (Heroine did let a thieving employee off the hook lightly because she believed in giving said employee the benefit of the doubt, yes, but hero made more grievous mistakes in my opinion. See above.)
In spite of the narrative's potential for angst, I didn't feel it or the love because the tell vs. show writing style minimized their impact. Consequently, hero's agitation over both his ex's betrayal and foster mother's well-being seemed on par with, or even greater than, his concern over the heroine and his children.
June 4, 2012
Same old same old,last few books of LG had been disappointing and this one is yet again disappointing,i disliked Cristo so so much,he was cruel,jerk, mean,selfish and above all the greatest fool alive on planet earth,even after getting all proof's that Erin was innocent and he was played at he still put all blame on Erin which angered me so much.
Erin is a spineless TSTL woman,she took all his garbage behaviour,she was thrown out,hurt and humiliated by him,when Cristo blackmailed her she should have fought him cause she never stole anything but yet again she proved weak and she fell in bed with him then the discovery of the children and she agreed or rather say he demanded they get married,they got married within a week.
The culprit was caught,no grovelling from Cristo infact he manipulates and puts all blame on Erin,then same old doubts insecurities and then love declarations.They get their HEA which i have many doubts about it.
IMO till the end Cristo was same mean cruel jerk selfish man,his character did not redeem nor did Erin.I am saying with very heavy heart but i am done with LG,this is the last book for me.
So-So read.
Erin is a spineless TSTL woman,she took all his garbage behaviour,she was thrown out,hurt and humiliated by him,when Cristo blackmailed her she should have fought him cause she never stole anything but yet again she proved weak and she fell in bed with him then the discovery of the children and she agreed or rather say he demanded they get married,they got married within a week.
The culprit was caught,no grovelling from Cristo infact he manipulates and puts all blame on Erin,then same old doubts insecurities and then love declarations.They get their HEA which i have many doubts about it.
IMO till the end Cristo was same mean cruel jerk selfish man,his character did not redeem nor did Erin.I am saying with very heavy heart but i am done with LG,this is the last book for me.
So-So read.
will-not-read
January 10, 2017I'm skipping this one, reading the first pages I gathered that H and h had a relationship (H saw her as mistress while h thought it was something more), then they broke up and he married OW, so no thank you.
November 8, 2012
I sometimes like Lynne Graham, especially her older work. This one ... not so much.
Before the story began: Cristo wronged Erin, his lover for a full year. He was too quick to believe she had betrayed him and stolen from him. He never even had the guts to tell her what he thought she had done. After summarily dumping Erin, Cristo immediately got married. Broke Erin's heart. Meanwhile, Erin had twins, suffering alone in squalor, because she was cut off from contact with Cristo (she could have tried harder than phone and email). Then she got a job and raised the twins.
That's where the story begins.
Three years later, Cristo is divorced. He runs into Erin again and instantly wants her for a dirty weekend. He blackmails and insults. A little further on, when he finds out she did not betray him or steal from him, is he thoroughly, totally, abjectly sorry for dumping her? Does he grovel?? Sweat it out?? No and no and no! (By the way, Graham can do a grovel scene. I loved the grovel in Bond of Hatred.)
Not only does he not grovel, he even blames Erin for a coworker's treachery!! He never sees that justice is done to all 3 villains, as far as I could tell.
Erin goes back to Cristo, minus the big apology. She also forgives one of the betrayers much too readily. A recipe for a dysfunctional marriage and a doormat lifestyle.
I didn't like Cristo. I didn't like the constant references to his sexy body, either. Superficial drivel.
Graham has written better books, like The Spanish Groom.
Before the story began: Cristo wronged Erin, his lover for a full year. He was too quick to believe she had betrayed him and stolen from him. He never even had the guts to tell her what he thought she had done. After summarily dumping Erin, Cristo immediately got married. Broke Erin's heart. Meanwhile, Erin had twins, suffering alone in squalor, because she was cut off from contact with Cristo (she could have tried harder than phone and email). Then she got a job and raised the twins.
That's where the story begins.
Three years later, Cristo is divorced. He runs into Erin again and instantly wants her for a dirty weekend. He blackmails and insults. A little further on, when he finds out she did not betray him or steal from him, is he thoroughly, totally, abjectly sorry for dumping her? Does he grovel?? Sweat it out?? No and no and no! (By the way, Graham can do a grovel scene. I loved the grovel in Bond of Hatred.)
Not only does he not grovel, he even blames Erin for a coworker's treachery!! He never sees that justice is done to all 3 villains, as far as I could tell.
Erin goes back to Cristo, minus the big apology. She also forgives one of the betrayers much too readily. A recipe for a dysfunctional marriage and a doormat lifestyle.
I didn't like Cristo. I didn't like the constant references to his sexy body, either. Superficial drivel.
Graham has written better books, like The Spanish Groom.
July 4, 2012
I love Lynne Graham,esp her older books which many of her fans ,inc myself love.This is her latest entry and I have to say a really enjoyable read for me.The typical LG hero is here along with a strong heroine who is equal to the hero.All my fav LG tropes are in this one and the story developed nicely.Lately her work has somewhat disappointed me ,but not this one.4.5**** read for me.
April 18, 2014
Not one of Graham's better ones. I was disappointed in this book. Cristo blamed everything on Erin without letting her explain anything. Erin accepted it and even began to second-guess herself. For what he put her through, she took him back immediately. "It's water under the bridge now." He did not grovel. I do not recall if he ever told her he loved her. (Okay - he said it once on page 179.) He married another woman within months of leaving Erin.
Very disappointed in the story, the characters, and the author. Not a keeper or a re-read. 1 star.
Very disappointed in the story, the characters, and the author. Not a keeper or a re-read. 1 star.
November 21, 2012
Well, grrr! No big long review since I just accidentally closed it out before posting. Basically, secret baby trope times two. The tall, dark, sexy, Greek hero get's a lot of misinformation about the heroine, dumps her like the slut she was (because these Harley girls are always giving it out, right?) and comes back into her life for a quickie (freshly divorced from a ravishing, Greek wife he married three months after the H&h break up). He finds out about the kids, and then all the ways he was a jerk for not believing in her are revealed. The heroine is vindicated and they get their HEA on a beautiful Greek island. Decent enough read with a lot of repeated plot points. No hard limits to scare away curious readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2018
***THREE STARS***
This is everything one could expect from a Harlequin. Cristophe is tricked into believing his mistress is a thief who had also cheated on him and once he finds her, he's hellbent on getting payback. Poor Erin didn't have a chance with all the obstacles other people threw at her, trying to ruin her reputation, then to have Cristophe whirlwind marry someone else right after breaking it off with her, yeah, this is exactly what I'd expect from a Harlequin story. This story was a nice, enjoyable way to pass my afternoon.
This is everything one could expect from a Harlequin. Cristophe is tricked into believing his mistress is a thief who had also cheated on him and once he finds her, he's hellbent on getting payback. Poor Erin didn't have a chance with all the obstacles other people threw at her, trying to ruin her reputation, then to have Cristophe whirlwind marry someone else right after breaking it off with her, yeah, this is exactly what I'd expect from a Harlequin story. This story was a nice, enjoyable way to pass my afternoon.
April 24, 2016
Jerk!
I am done with LG,this is the last book for me.
I am done with LG,this is the last book for me.
April 16, 2017
3.5/4 stars
This whole story is built on misunderstandings and lies. Nevertheless, it was resolved nicely and I liked how the hero was smitten with his "secret" children even though they were super naughty. Hee!
Also, unlike some HPs, this had a pretty satisfying discovery of the "truth" when it was finally revealed.
This whole story is built on misunderstandings and lies. Nevertheless, it was resolved nicely and I liked how the hero was smitten with his "secret" children even though they were super naughty. Hee!
Also, unlike some HPs, this had a pretty satisfying discovery of the "truth" when it was finally revealed.
July 22, 2021
Hated this book. Hated.
The H was a scum-sucking, arrogant pig. Absolutely no redeeming characteristics. Insensitive and clueless and judgmental. And a manhoe, of course. And that was Chapter 1.
In case I’ve been too subtle: I hated him. Hated him at the beginning, hated him more at the end. He didn’t give a **** about her.
The h was one of the worst, most idiotic doormats ever. Ever. EVER.
He not only dumped her without warning based on circumstantial evidence, he married someone else WEEKS later. He’d had unprotected sex with the h on the way out the door, leaving her pregnant with twins, nowhere to live, jobless, and penniless. (Her many efforts to reach him failed... and then he was married.) He comes back three years later, divorced (he had been married well over a year when his wife decided to terminate his child), and post-divorce, he’d gone through a plethora of women, and when he blackmails the heroine into bed, she says “okay” and hops into bed. Unreal.
Not enough words to describe how bad this story was.
She was warned he had seen a lawyer and that he would gain rights over her children if she married him in Greece, and based on his prior behavior of treating her badly countless times, I wouldn’t put anything past him. That’s the Epilogue we’re not seeing... him dumping her again and keeping the twins.
He was horrible. Nothing like a grovel; he attacked her verbally repeatedly and never ONCE took her side or word for anything.
She was WEAK and TSTL.
Do not read this unless you need something to induce vomiting. :)
The H was a scum-sucking, arrogant pig. Absolutely no redeeming characteristics. Insensitive and clueless and judgmental. And a manhoe, of course. And that was Chapter 1.
In case I’ve been too subtle: I hated him. Hated him at the beginning, hated him more at the end. He didn’t give a **** about her.
The h was one of the worst, most idiotic doormats ever. Ever. EVER.
He not only dumped her without warning based on circumstantial evidence, he married someone else WEEKS later. He’d had unprotected sex with the h on the way out the door, leaving her pregnant with twins, nowhere to live, jobless, and penniless. (Her many efforts to reach him failed... and then he was married.) He comes back three years later, divorced (he had been married well over a year when his wife decided to terminate his child), and post-divorce, he’d gone through a plethora of women, and when he blackmails the heroine into bed, she says “okay” and hops into bed. Unreal.
Not enough words to describe how bad this story was.
She was warned he had seen a lawyer and that he would gain rights over her children if she married him in Greece, and based on his prior behavior of treating her badly countless times, I wouldn’t put anything past him. That’s the Epilogue we’re not seeing... him dumping her again and keeping the twins.
He was horrible. Nothing like a grovel; he attacked her verbally repeatedly and never ONCE took her side or word for anything.
She was WEAK and TSTL.
Do not read this unless you need something to induce vomiting. :)
September 17, 2013
Boring boring boring!!!
March 1, 2021
I NEVER felt the love on this one, and the H trying to blame her was just ridiculous.
June 14, 2015
The Secrets She Carried by Lynne Graham is a 2012 Harlequin Presents publication.
Hot, proud, sexy Italians can be fun heroes, especially when they turn to mush when they are in love. But, in this book, our Italian hero doesn't quite measure up to my standards.
Erin has an affair with her boss, Christophe, then is accused of cheating on him and stealing from his company. Three years pass and Christophe finds himself face to face with the woman who betrayed him and decides to blackmail her into having sex with him.
Naturally, Erin did not cheat on him, nor did she steal from him, but she will have to prove her innocence which is easier said than done, but not only that, Erin does have a couple of big secrets that could change the dynamic between the couple for all time.
I found this book while scrolling through my Library's Overdrive page, and didn't read any reviews of it before hand, and now I really wish I had, because I would not have wasted my time on it. I am sorry to say this one didn't work for me at all. Christophe easily presumed Erin was guilty, never confronted her or gave her a chance to explain, then he blackmails her, then when the truth does come out, he still blames her, and she accepts the blame. Ugh!
Christophe was just too over the top and Erin was just ridiculous by actually succumbing to his threats and taking the blame for everything that happened even though she was not guilty. If anyone needed to grovel it Christophe.
The couple really didn't have a lot of chemistry, the sex scenes took place while Erin was obligated, if you will, and so there wasn't much emotion involved. Eventually, we get to the HEA part, but it was really anti-climatic and Christophe's grand gestures fell flat at that point and it seemed his proclamations of love were given grudgingly.
Overall, not the best effort by this author by a long shot and I would not recommend it.
2 stars
Hot, proud, sexy Italians can be fun heroes, especially when they turn to mush when they are in love. But, in this book, our Italian hero doesn't quite measure up to my standards.
Erin has an affair with her boss, Christophe, then is accused of cheating on him and stealing from his company. Three years pass and Christophe finds himself face to face with the woman who betrayed him and decides to blackmail her into having sex with him.
Naturally, Erin did not cheat on him, nor did she steal from him, but she will have to prove her innocence which is easier said than done, but not only that, Erin does have a couple of big secrets that could change the dynamic between the couple for all time.
I found this book while scrolling through my Library's Overdrive page, and didn't read any reviews of it before hand, and now I really wish I had, because I would not have wasted my time on it. I am sorry to say this one didn't work for me at all. Christophe easily presumed Erin was guilty, never confronted her or gave her a chance to explain, then he blackmails her, then when the truth does come out, he still blames her, and she accepts the blame. Ugh!
Christophe was just too over the top and Erin was just ridiculous by actually succumbing to his threats and taking the blame for everything that happened even though she was not guilty. If anyone needed to grovel it Christophe.
The couple really didn't have a lot of chemistry, the sex scenes took place while Erin was obligated, if you will, and so there wasn't much emotion involved. Eventually, we get to the HEA part, but it was really anti-climatic and Christophe's grand gestures fell flat at that point and it seemed his proclamations of love were given grudgingly.
Overall, not the best effort by this author by a long shot and I would not recommend it.
2 stars
May 22, 2012
3.5 stars.
I'll be honest, after some of Lynne Graham's more recent offerings I was a little, shall we say hesitant about reading this. But she is one of the best Modern/Presents authors though, so I will always read her newest books!
After a rather shaky start, this one actually turned out OK. It's no angst-tastic, rollercoaster-of-emotions, Lynne-Graham-book of old, but it is quite charming eventually.
The beginning wasn't great, the hero seemed like a complete arsehole at first, and it was one of those books that made me grit my teeth in anger whilst reading. But it soon settled down, and it was quite enjoyable. The hero and heroine worked well together.
One thing I particularly liked was that the children behaved badly, and that really knocked the hero for six! Very honest writing, in my opinion, I'm not sure if I have ever read a Presents where the child throws themselves on the floor in a tantrum or won't stop jumping off and on things in excitement!
Not a bad book at all, although don't take things too seriously when reading it, there are a few 'holes' in the plot!
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
I'll be honest, after some of Lynne Graham's more recent offerings I was a little, shall we say hesitant about reading this. But she is one of the best Modern/Presents authors though, so I will always read her newest books!
After a rather shaky start, this one actually turned out OK. It's no angst-tastic, rollercoaster-of-emotions, Lynne-Graham-book of old, but it is quite charming eventually.
The beginning wasn't great, the hero seemed like a complete arsehole at first, and it was one of those books that made me grit my teeth in anger whilst reading. But it soon settled down, and it was quite enjoyable. The hero and heroine worked well together.
One thing I particularly liked was that the children behaved badly, and that really knocked the hero for six! Very honest writing, in my opinion, I'm not sure if I have ever read a Presents where the child throws themselves on the floor in a tantrum or won't stop jumping off and on things in excitement!
Not a bad book at all, although don't take things too seriously when reading it, there are a few 'holes' in the plot!
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
December 20, 2024
“The Secrets She Carried” is the story of Erin and Cristophe.
Even if I can forgive the hero for dumping the heroines for a misunderstanding and then thinking she’s a fraud, the fact that he promptly married after that and got his wife pregnant gave me the ick. And here the heroine was pregnant and broke and he was not getting her attempts to contact him. Whatever.
Unsafe
1/5
Even if I can forgive the hero for dumping the heroines for a misunderstanding and then thinking she’s a fraud, the fact that he promptly married after that and got his wife pregnant gave me the ick. And here the heroine was pregnant and broke and he was not getting her attempts to contact him. Whatever.
Unsafe
1/5
November 19, 2012
Call me wacky but I have a novel idea...how about the hero and heroine actually TALK to each other instead of letting the whole Big Misunderstanding get so out of hand? Both of them were very childish and ridiculous in this! God save me from the Big Misunderstanding that wouldn't be if they would actually open their mouths and talk instead of just falling into bed with each other and still feeling the other wronged them. Control your hormones until you settle things going on, if you please.
1.5 stars...if that. God. So dumb!
1.5 stars...if that. God. So dumb!
September 21, 2017
Hero didn't deserve the too-easy wrapup, he didn't learn much, deserved to work and earn the heroine for much longer. He was wayyy too quick to mistrust her on so many counts, so he deserved to really have to demonstrate that he'd emotionally grown or was willing to put in the time to woo her back.
Especially he didn't get suspicious that he was getting unsolicited "evidence" against her without checking any of it with his investigators. Rich people get mountains of weird manipulation stuff all the time.
Heroine was too much a doormat, even, especially since she has kids, and also since she's been through hell. I'd love a rewrite where she takes much longer to woo, goes and gets a new job through her fabulous business results, and he has to work slower at it demonstrating he's grown more stable, LOYAL, and investigates things more thoroughly, as I'm sure this issue isn't resolved, there's STILL plenty of crazies out there wanting a piece of the pie.
I actually don't even trust his emotions towards her, he spent more time with his lawyers checking out how to get child-custody, & fabricating fibs to get her to Greece, than the 5-min he spent declaring his love for her--practically on the last page, right before the epilogue.
What I would love is a rewrite where her friends decide to fight fire with fire, and during her pregnancy keep dragging her out for lunch in the business district of town so the news gets out of her pregnancy and really F's with his world.
And really, why isn't there being role-modeled having/developing a strong supportive friends network, like Brigitte Jones Diary? I'd love to see the Man-Baby getting a nice thrashing by her gay-bff's or her mother.
Especially he didn't get suspicious that he was getting unsolicited "evidence" against her without checking any of it with his investigators. Rich people get mountains of weird manipulation stuff all the time.
Heroine was too much a doormat, even, especially since she has kids, and also since she's been through hell. I'd love a rewrite where she takes much longer to woo, goes and gets a new job through her fabulous business results, and he has to work slower at it demonstrating he's grown more stable, LOYAL, and investigates things more thoroughly, as I'm sure this issue isn't resolved, there's STILL plenty of crazies out there wanting a piece of the pie.
I actually don't even trust his emotions towards her, he spent more time with his lawyers checking out how to get child-custody, & fabricating fibs to get her to Greece, than the 5-min he spent declaring his love for her--practically on the last page, right before the epilogue.
What I would love is a rewrite where her friends decide to fight fire with fire, and during her pregnancy keep dragging her out for lunch in the business district of town so the news gets out of her pregnancy and really F's with his world.
And really, why isn't there being role-modeled having/developing a strong supportive friends network, like Brigitte Jones Diary? I'd love to see the Man-Baby getting a nice thrashing by her gay-bff's or her mother.
February 4, 2022
I can’t believe this is the same person who wrote “married to a mistress” (I hope I got the title right!). I’m pretty sure she had a secretary fill in the gaps for this one, or maybe she wrote it in a hurry? Maybe she was sleep deprived? Or maybe she’s just plain bored and tired of writing. It was aaaaaaaawwwwful. Of course the guy married her to gain custody of his poor children. And of course if he didn’t feel she was fit for marriage two years prior he’d not feel things had changed now. And I hate that he didn’t do anything to restore her good name and her reputation. Dis. Gus. Ting.
June 19, 2018
No. A bit too over the top and I was looking forward to the drama. Lol.
March 21, 2018
Nothing wrong with the good old theme. Rich guy, shy virgin. Going good, break up due to misunderstandings. Girl is left pregnant and destitute. He comes back a few years later, seeking revenge or more sex or some other weird reason. She falls for him all over again. Then the guy is informed of his being a father. He acts outraged or suspicious. Finally realises what a jackpot he has hit with a ready-made family !!
The problem with this tale is this. It takes such life altering events such as the girls' pregnancy or the guys disastrous first marriage and simply uses them as a story line. No emotion, no heartbreak associated with these life experiences are there in the story. It's all just matter of fact.
Even the twins she has are just there in the plot, with no life breathed into the kids.
Another thing drove me mad in this book. In the middle of a serious, so called emotional scene, the author starts talking about the clothes they are wearing or the sex that's on their minds. Sounds too contrived and out of place.
I have read better stuff from this author. Looks like she wrote this in a hurry.
The problem with this tale is this. It takes such life altering events such as the girls' pregnancy or the guys disastrous first marriage and simply uses them as a story line. No emotion, no heartbreak associated with these life experiences are there in the story. It's all just matter of fact.
Even the twins she has are just there in the plot, with no life breathed into the kids.
Another thing drove me mad in this book. In the middle of a serious, so called emotional scene, the author starts talking about the clothes they are wearing or the sex that's on their minds. Sounds too contrived and out of place.
I have read better stuff from this author. Looks like she wrote this in a hurry.
July 21, 2012
Well the book was alright but coming from Lynne Graham, it just wasn't up to typical awesomeness. I had to say a lot of parts disappointed me. I don't know if other felt it but the book seemed rushed to me. Not enough background on the characters and the emotions just weren't present. The hero was a douchebag with a capital D and only after it was proven that the heroine was innocent did he acknowledge that she was a decent person. He was with her for a year, he should of known her flaws and such. He should of know she was incapable of cheating and stealing from him.
April 5, 2017
The other reviews have pretty much covered everything there is to say about this book. The hero is difficult to like and the heroine rolls over and accepts an equal portion of the blame for their Big Misunderstanding when she was not even remotely at fault. Basically no one acted in a believable way throughout the whole story. And there was a ridiculous amount of time spent stating and restating how gorgeous the hero and heroine were. Seriously, it happens in almost every sentence.
All in all it was a frustrating story. Cristo doggedly held onto his negative opinion of Erin for about 95% of the book, even as the evidence of her innocence started to pile up. And it was such a crock that he blamed her for his lack of faith in her and that she accepted the blame. The declarations of love at the end weren't believable and nothing about Cristo's behavior made me think he truly regretted his actions.
All in all it was a frustrating story. Cristo doggedly held onto his negative opinion of Erin for about 95% of the book, even as the evidence of her innocence started to pile up. And it was such a crock that he blamed her for his lack of faith in her and that she accepted the blame. The declarations of love at the end weren't believable and nothing about Cristo's behavior made me think he truly regretted his actions.
July 16, 2020
Meh… this one was ok. Cristo is manipulated into believing his mistress is a cheating thief, and coldly dumps her… cutting her off completely. Erin soon discovers she’s carrying two secrets, but has been frozen out by Cristo’s staff. Four years later the two re-unite. (after Cristo married someone else)
Cristo is a butthead, and arrogant… which is mentioned A LOT. I will give him credit that the “proof” was well planned, and convincing, but the blackmail sex was a douche move. Eric is flat, and a pushover, and the kids were bratty. There just wasn’t much going on. I was annoyed that the “manipulators” got zero comeuppance.
Bottom Line- I found this just sort of “blah”. It’s not really dramatic or angsty; I’d label it more as frustrating and boring.
*owned in Secret Baby Box set
Cristo is a butthead, and arrogant… which is mentioned A LOT. I will give him credit that the “proof” was well planned, and convincing, but the blackmail sex was a douche move. Eric is flat, and a pushover, and the kids were bratty. There just wasn’t much going on. I was annoyed that the “manipulators” got zero comeuppance.
Bottom Line- I found this just sort of “blah”. It’s not really dramatic or angsty; I’d label it more as frustrating and boring.
*owned in Secret Baby Box set
December 31, 2012
In the beginning there was so much description and hardly any dialogue, I thought this would be terrible. It actually wasn't too bad.
I wasn't a big fan of the hero. He was a jerk but got a bit better in the end. I liked how Erin stood up to him and I really liked it when she dumped the bottle of champagne over his head after he accused her if cheating on him.
The scenes with the twins was cute and I liked how they weren't perfect angels like so many other books portray kids.
I wasn't a big fan of the hero. He was a jerk but got a bit better in the end. I liked how Erin stood up to him and I really liked it when she dumped the bottle of champagne over his head after he accused her if cheating on him.
The scenes with the twins was cute and I liked how they weren't perfect angels like so many other books portray kids.
June 4, 2012
The kids in this book remind me of that use condoms commercial where the kid throws a screaming fit in the store because he wants candy.
The kids are holy terrors and everyone is looking at them like everything they do is just swell. Bleh.
The kids are holy terrors and everyone is looking at them like everything they do is just swell. Bleh.
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