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Secrets #4
SECRETS Vol. 4
Volume 4 in the Secrets Serials by NY Times Bestselling Author H.M. Ward
At night, when Anna closes her eyes, everything comes rushing back; the sensuous sound of Cole's voice, his scalding touch, and the way his eyes roved over her body like he could never get enough. Flirtation, promises of passionate sex, and nights filled with Cole's sexy smile are gone. Anna worries that her crush on Cole was something more, because her life is total agony without him.
Anna realizes she's at a turning point. Someone burned her. This isn't a little blister that will go away on its own, it's an inferno that's destroyed everything it touched. In a matter of minutes, Anna lost her future and the man who holds her heart.
Genre: New Adult
*WARNING: This story contains sexually explicit content*
At night, when Anna closes her eyes, everything comes rushing back; the sensuous sound of Cole's voice, his scalding touch, and the way his eyes roved over her body like he could never get enough. Flirtation, promises of passionate sex, and nights filled with Cole's sexy smile are gone. Anna worries that her crush on Cole was something more, because her life is total agony without him.
Anna realizes she's at a turning point. Someone burned her. This isn't a little blister that will go away on its own, it's an inferno that's destroyed everything it touched. In a matter of minutes, Anna lost her future and the man who holds her heart.
Genre: New Adult
*WARNING: This story contains sexually explicit content*
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2012
31 people are currently reading
1623 people want to read
About the author
H.M. Ward
140 books6,538 followersH.M. Ward continues to reign as a NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author who surpassed more than 23 million books sold, placing her among the literary titans. Ward has been featured in articles in the NEW YORK TIMES, FORBES, and USA TODAY to name a few.
You can interact with this bestselling author at: www.facebook.com/AuthorHMWard.
You can interact with this bestselling author at: www.facebook.com/AuthorHMWard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
August 15, 2017
★★★★ 1/2! Secrets, book 1-5 (complete series). Intern-boss story with complex, secretive and elusive alpha male hero.
All 5 installments/books have been released and my recommendation is to read them as a set. Combined they make a 600 page read. I read 3 of the books last year. Once the remaining 2 were released I did a quick “refresher” of book 1-3 and continued with book 4 and 5.
Anna Lamore (22 years/photography student-intern/dark brown hair) meets Cole Stevens (38 years/photographer-boss/$$$/dark brown hair/blue eyes) when applying for an internship. He is her last choices initially – so much she interviewed in rain boots, ugly clothes, with a determined, rebellious and cocky attitude. Cole surprises her by obliterating her preconceived notions of him. Instead he persuades her accept an internship at his studio and so a very complicated and tumultuous relationship begins.
Cole played the part of the troubled, secretive, elusive, neglected, rich playboy alpha male very well. Though the lust and attraction is there he withholds so much of himself from Anna. He maintains and pretty much respects the boss-intern relationship. But don’t fret there was lots of sexual tension throughout the series. As for Anna she was sweet and naive from a working class background. As the story progressed she stepped up and grew a backbone.
Without revealing much more I will say to expect anything from betrayal and secrets to scorned exes and stalkers... I enjoyed this series, much thanks to Cole. Pssst! Ms. Ward, I’d very much like to read Emma’s story!
***
Hero rating: 4.5 stars
Heroine rating: 3.5 stars
Story line rating: 4.5 stars
Story ending rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes frequency: * see below
******************************
Overall rating: 4.5 stars
* The sex scenes are slow in coming, but there is plenty of sexual tension.
Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Maybe.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
All 5 installments/books have been released and my recommendation is to read them as a set. Combined they make a 600 page read. I read 3 of the books last year. Once the remaining 2 were released I did a quick “refresher” of book 1-3 and continued with book 4 and 5.
Anna Lamore (22 years/photography student-intern/dark brown hair) meets Cole Stevens (38 years/photographer-boss/$$$/dark brown hair/blue eyes) when applying for an internship. He is her last choices initially – so much she interviewed in rain boots, ugly clothes, with a determined, rebellious and cocky attitude. Cole surprises her by obliterating her preconceived notions of him. Instead he persuades her accept an internship at his studio and so a very complicated and tumultuous relationship begins.
Cole played the part of the troubled, secretive, elusive, neglected, rich playboy alpha male very well. Though the lust and attraction is there he withholds so much of himself from Anna. He maintains and pretty much respects the boss-intern relationship. But don’t fret there was lots of sexual tension throughout the series. As for Anna she was sweet and naive from a working class background. As the story progressed she stepped up and grew a backbone.
Without revealing much more I will say to expect anything from betrayal and secrets to scorned exes and stalkers... I enjoyed this series, much thanks to Cole. Pssst! Ms. Ward, I’d very much like to read Emma’s story!
***
Hero rating: 4.5 stars
Heroine rating: 3.5 stars
Story line rating: 4.5 stars
Story ending rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes frequency: * see below
******************************
Overall rating: 4.5 stars
* The sex scenes are slow in coming, but there is plenty of sexual tension.
Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Maybe.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
November 29, 2012
I have been reading the story of Anna Lamore and Cole Stevens for the past four months and I love their story but this volumes thing is killing me. I now have to wait another month for volume 5.... I am not a very patient person *taps fingers*
November 18, 2012
See more reviews on my blog! http://sparetimebookblog.blogspot.com/
Volume 4 is mostly about Anna trying to figure out what to do with her life after all the crap goes down with Cole and Sophia. An epic battle is about to be fought in the courts I think. When Anna is called to be a witness its just the icing on the cake for her. After Cole broke her heart Anna goes through a rough time. She is depressed about how things went down with Cole and pissed at Sophia and I don't blame her at all. I hope Sophia gets what is coming to her because I wanted to punch her in the face. I was proud of Anna for standing up to her! Throughout Volume 4 Anna feels like she is being watched all the time. Perhaps she is being paranoid because of the news paper article but, maybe she's not....you will have to read to find out!!
Cole is still super hot and cold towards Anna for a good portion of Volume 4. This leaves the doors wide open for Jessie! I found myself liking Jessie more and more. He seems like a stand up guy who wants to do the right thing. Volume 4 gives us a pretty hot love scene as well! Woohoo! I know, I've been waiting for it to! Who it was with however, will remain a secret!! Yes, I know lame joke but, I had to do it. You have to read to find out sorry, I refuse to give that away. Edward still creeps me out. He's all weird and stalker like and I don't like that.
Volume 4 leaves you on one heck of a cliff hanger. My heart was pounding by the time I read the last sentence. I have no idea what's going to happen. It could be anyone! It could be a good guy or a bad guy! I need to know! That probably makes no sense to you yet but, when you read the last sentence you will know exactly what I am feeling. Volume 5 please!!
Volume 4 is mostly about Anna trying to figure out what to do with her life after all the crap goes down with Cole and Sophia. An epic battle is about to be fought in the courts I think. When Anna is called to be a witness its just the icing on the cake for her. After Cole broke her heart Anna goes through a rough time. She is depressed about how things went down with Cole and pissed at Sophia and I don't blame her at all. I hope Sophia gets what is coming to her because I wanted to punch her in the face. I was proud of Anna for standing up to her! Throughout Volume 4 Anna feels like she is being watched all the time. Perhaps she is being paranoid because of the news paper article but, maybe she's not....you will have to read to find out!!
Cole is still super hot and cold towards Anna for a good portion of Volume 4. This leaves the doors wide open for Jessie! I found myself liking Jessie more and more. He seems like a stand up guy who wants to do the right thing. Volume 4 gives us a pretty hot love scene as well! Woohoo! I know, I've been waiting for it to! Who it was with however, will remain a secret!! Yes, I know lame joke but, I had to do it. You have to read to find out sorry, I refuse to give that away. Edward still creeps me out. He's all weird and stalker like and I don't like that.
Volume 4 leaves you on one heck of a cliff hanger. My heart was pounding by the time I read the last sentence. I have no idea what's going to happen. It could be anyone! It could be a good guy or a bad guy! I need to know! That probably makes no sense to you yet but, when you read the last sentence you will know exactly what I am feeling. Volume 5 please!!
January 11, 2013
4.5 Stars
LOVED this volume! LOVED it! Volume 4 picks right up where Volume 3 left off. Anna confronted Cole. Poor Cole is so damaged from his past that he doesn't think it's possible for anyone to truly love him, despite what Anna tell him. After visiting her parents (whom I love) she is reminded of their past (which is very similar to Cole's).
"The ones we love are worth fighting for. Me and you are fighters, Anna. We don't let things slip between are fingers unless we want them to." Goodbye old Anna, hello new Anna. Anna's visit with her parents left her questioning every decision she had made regarding college and her career. And Anna decides some changes need to be made--and boy were those EPIC! I loved it!
Despite how much Anna tries to move on from Cole she just can't and FINALLY, FINALLY Cole gives in to his feelings for Anna. Hallalujah!!!! Now Anna and Cole can face Cole's legal troubles together.
LOVED this volume! LOVED it! Volume 4 picks right up where Volume 3 left off. Anna confronted Cole. Poor Cole is so damaged from his past that he doesn't think it's possible for anyone to truly love him, despite what Anna tell him. After visiting her parents (whom I love) she is reminded of their past (which is very similar to Cole's).
"The ones we love are worth fighting for. Me and you are fighters, Anna. We don't let things slip between are fingers unless we want them to." Goodbye old Anna, hello new Anna. Anna's visit with her parents left her questioning every decision she had made regarding college and her career. And Anna decides some changes need to be made--and boy were those EPIC! I loved it!
Despite how much Anna tries to move on from Cole she just can't and FINALLY, FINALLY Cole gives in to his feelings for Anna. Hallalujah!!!! Now Anna and Cole can face Cole's legal troubles together.
January 6, 2013
I love it when Anna grows some balls and tells Cole where to shove it, we haven't seen much of that since book 1. "I'm not staying here. Maybe you didn't realize it before, but Sattero threw me under the bus too. Some jackass has been stalking me and you don't believe a damn thing I'm saying. You're not the only one who's hurting. I don't have to stay here and explain myself to you, and even if I did - from that look on your face - I don't think you'd believe me, anyway." Wholly shit when he said "I love you Anna" totally almost crapped myself happy! I was filled with so much excitement, and THEY FINALLY HAVE SEX!!!! (totally just ruined it and gave a spoiled but I'm just so happy I don't care) When we're about to find out whose stalking her the dang book ends!
November 16, 2014
1.5 Don't Waste your Time Stars
Terrible book/books. It's like a badly put together mix of many characters and storylines from a bunch of romance novels. The writing is less than average. The plots were contrived, unlikely, with lots of gaps. The character development was non-existent. There were so many things that didn't add up, didn't make sense I could write a short story about it. But I won't. I wasted enough time reading these novellas...
Terrible book/books. It's like a badly put together mix of many characters and storylines from a bunch of romance novels. The writing is less than average. The plots were contrived, unlikely, with lots of gaps. The character development was non-existent. There were so many things that didn't add up, didn't make sense I could write a short story about it. But I won't. I wasted enough time reading these novellas...
January 12, 2013
4.5 HOT.STRIPPING.NOtOUCHsEX STARS! Still craving for Cole's Pov!
Review to follow. And I'm pretty sure who this stalker is! Did love (blank) at the beginning... Okay, I'll shut up now! Lol!
Now onto book 5! :)
Review to follow. And I'm pretty sure who this stalker is! Did love (blank) at the beginning... Okay, I'll shut up now! Lol!
Now onto book 5! :)
May 16, 2013
This series gets better with each book.
February 21, 2013
OMG OMG OMG
November 8, 2017
My rating for this book is 3.4 stars.
Sabemos que Cole y Ana tienen una gran diferencia de edad, pero son adultos que tengan sexo alocado no es nada raro, pero hombre ni siquiera la toco y le están jodiendo su título. Esto se está volviendo extremadamente loco, me imaginé que Sottero era una ficha muy importante para esta historia, pero no creí que fuera tan importante.
El arte es arte, no importa cómo se vea o como trates de expresarlo… solo los artistas tienen la capacidad de ver más allá de lo que para un simple mundano sería algo impuro, equivocado o grotesco. Necesitamos descubrir al cobarde que sea pasar por buen caballero, cuando no lo es. Además, espero que Jesse pueda conseguir encontrar a una chica que no lo quiera para un rebote nada más. Creo que ya era momento de que todo este drama saliera a la luz y estos dos pudieran celebrar como conejos… pero presiento que esto del acosador aun continuara.
Sabemos que Cole y Ana tienen una gran diferencia de edad, pero son adultos que tengan sexo alocado no es nada raro, pero hombre ni siquiera la toco y le están jodiendo su título. Esto se está volviendo extremadamente loco, me imaginé que Sottero era una ficha muy importante para esta historia, pero no creí que fuera tan importante.
El arte es arte, no importa cómo se vea o como trates de expresarlo… solo los artistas tienen la capacidad de ver más allá de lo que para un simple mundano sería algo impuro, equivocado o grotesco. Necesitamos descubrir al cobarde que sea pasar por buen caballero, cuando no lo es. Además, espero que Jesse pueda conseguir encontrar a una chica que no lo quiera para un rebote nada más. Creo que ya era momento de que todo este drama saliera a la luz y estos dos pudieran celebrar como conejos… pero presiento que esto del acosador aun continuara.
November 21, 2018
Hasta que se le hizo a la Anna!!!! 😂😂😂😂
May 28, 2019
Cliffhanger
Oh my gosh. What a way to leave a person on the edge of their seat. With one hell of a cliffhanger. Loved it
Oh my gosh. What a way to leave a person on the edge of their seat. With one hell of a cliffhanger. Loved it
October 16, 2024
This volume was good. Glad anna decided to start her own path. And holy cliffhanger.
November 19, 2012
I received an ARC of Secrets for a honest review! Happy dance for the ARC from H.M. Ward I am so so so happy and excited I got one! Yay me!!!
Holy bleeeep!!!! Ah so I honestly have no and so many words for this book. Ah!!! So freaking awesome!!! And that ending....Alright let me start with the beginning and not the end.
Secrets Vol. 4 picks up right where vol. 3 left off. Anna is at the beach with Cole and starts to leave heart broken and angry. Getting on her bike it the pouring rain she takes off and then gets into an accident her bike skidding and dragging Anna with it. Cole helping her up and starts to argue with her. Anna upset, in pain tells him off and then takes off towards her parents.
When reaching her parents she gets cleaned up she explains what happened and then Anna and her father have an epic talk. I was honestly blown away by this talk it was so inspirational I was feeling a little pumped up myself:
“The ones we love are worth fighting for. Me and you are fighters, Anna. We don’t let things slip between our fingers, unless we want them to.”
After Anna's talk with her parents Anna goes home the next day with a game plan. I have to say I loved what she did next hehe not going to tell what it is but it is EPIC and completely and totally awesomesauce! No lie, when I was reading it I was laughing so hysterically. Hehe so funny. Anway after the epicness Anna is served a court order that she has to show up for the Sottero vs. Stevens case. From there Anna starts taking control of her life, trying to figure out what she wants to do next for her career and her love life. Trying to move on with Jesse is not going as planned and Cole keeps showing up even though Anna wants to move on all her thoughts revolve around one single thought: Cole.
However there is creepiness. Anna is being followed. She has continuous feelings of being watched in her room while she's changing, even while she's out at night going for a walk. She begins to become paranoid and then at the end the stalker person I think was about to reveal themselves when the book cut off. Let me tell you if my mother was not in the house profanities to the 100th degree would have been spewing from my mouth at that point!! I was so like "who is it who it is who it is!?!?!" and then the book ended! What The Heck H.M. Ward!!! Seriously!?!?!?! The ending again!!! I need to know what happens like NOW!!!
Yet again H.M. Ward has written another fantastic novel that will leave readers guessing until the very last pages. Anna continues to be a great and relatable character whom I admire greatly for following her dreams and her heart. Have to say this was my favorite Secrets volume so far!! I hope you all pick up a copy and make sure to leave reviews of your own for H.M. Ward's amazing books!
Favorite Quote: I chose two this time, one for humor and one because I truly believe this quote to be true:
I wrap my arms around myself and look down. Sparklie yellow sneakers are on my feet. I love them! We
stop walking so I can wiggle my toes and watch them glitter. Cole’s warm hand wraps around my
arm, “What is it with you and those shoes?”
“I mean, what if you don’t get over him? What if you just learn how to get on without him? People who’ve been in love have that haunted look in their eyes. It’s like a piece of them is unattainable, forever held back and protected at all cost.”
Holy bleeeep!!!! Ah so I honestly have no and so many words for this book. Ah!!! So freaking awesome!!! And that ending....Alright let me start with the beginning and not the end.
Secrets Vol. 4 picks up right where vol. 3 left off. Anna is at the beach with Cole and starts to leave heart broken and angry. Getting on her bike it the pouring rain she takes off and then gets into an accident her bike skidding and dragging Anna with it. Cole helping her up and starts to argue with her. Anna upset, in pain tells him off and then takes off towards her parents.
When reaching her parents she gets cleaned up she explains what happened and then Anna and her father have an epic talk. I was honestly blown away by this talk it was so inspirational I was feeling a little pumped up myself:
“The ones we love are worth fighting for. Me and you are fighters, Anna. We don’t let things slip between our fingers, unless we want them to.”
After Anna's talk with her parents Anna goes home the next day with a game plan. I have to say I loved what she did next hehe not going to tell what it is but it is EPIC and completely and totally awesomesauce! No lie, when I was reading it I was laughing so hysterically. Hehe so funny. Anway after the epicness Anna is served a court order that she has to show up for the Sottero vs. Stevens case. From there Anna starts taking control of her life, trying to figure out what she wants to do next for her career and her love life. Trying to move on with Jesse is not going as planned and Cole keeps showing up even though Anna wants to move on all her thoughts revolve around one single thought: Cole.
However there is creepiness. Anna is being followed. She has continuous feelings of being watched in her room while she's changing, even while she's out at night going for a walk. She begins to become paranoid and then at the end the stalker person I think was about to reveal themselves when the book cut off. Let me tell you if my mother was not in the house profanities to the 100th degree would have been spewing from my mouth at that point!! I was so like "who is it who it is who it is!?!?!" and then the book ended! What The Heck H.M. Ward!!! Seriously!?!?!?! The ending again!!! I need to know what happens like NOW!!!
Yet again H.M. Ward has written another fantastic novel that will leave readers guessing until the very last pages. Anna continues to be a great and relatable character whom I admire greatly for following her dreams and her heart. Have to say this was my favorite Secrets volume so far!! I hope you all pick up a copy and make sure to leave reviews of your own for H.M. Ward's amazing books!
Favorite Quote: I chose two this time, one for humor and one because I truly believe this quote to be true:
I wrap my arms around myself and look down. Sparklie yellow sneakers are on my feet. I love them! We
stop walking so I can wiggle my toes and watch them glitter. Cole’s warm hand wraps around my
arm, “What is it with you and those shoes?”
“I mean, what if you don’t get over him? What if you just learn how to get on without him? People who’ve been in love have that haunted look in their eyes. It’s like a piece of them is unattainable, forever held back and protected at all cost.”
August 26, 2013
I am not liking the guy on the cover at all. Not only does he not fit my mental image of Cole, he just doesn't present the role of a wealthy businessman. He looks like a guy with a garage band and no real goals. But that's just me. We're also back to another short installment of 75 pages. If I was having to wait between installments for the next to be published, or was paying versus borrowing, I would be beyond upset. But, eh...
This segment was full of emotion, drama, and sexual tension. All a plus.
It's painful to be with Anna's emotions when Cole completely turns on her. She spent so much time with him and he still can't trust that she's not against him, not feeling the same weight of the things that are happening. Their both victims and he just makes it that much worse for her. Add that to the fact her stalker (who I'm still certain of) is getting bolder and really getting to her and I'm waiting for her to just snap. Though I'm still calling stupidity on the whole stalking thing, because with what happened before that, she was just asking for the next step in creepy-dom. She really should be more aware of the people around her.
I'm still loving Jesse and still feeling sorry for him at the same time. And though the date may not have ended well for him, I'm happy with the overall result of everything. As to be expected. The interactions with Cole at the bar great. And him shirtless is always a plus as well. But my favorite scene revolves around Emma in the beginning, when she's trying to knit and instead begins stabbing the yarn, saying "Die, beanie hat, die! I hate you!" That was a great scene. Add that to her "You two whack-jobs are perfect for each other" rant and I'm sold on her. Love her completely. Especially when she can complain about Cole in front of Cole.
While it's hot, steamy, snarky, and fun equally in this segment, it did lose a star. And that star was lost in language. The problem I have with erotica seems to always be the language used. A lot of it irks me and takes me out of the story because I'm mentally trying to correct it. There was also an unreasonable amount of childish begging and overuse of "please" in this that made me want to strangle Anna. But it still won me over.
This segment was full of emotion, drama, and sexual tension. All a plus.
It's painful to be with Anna's emotions when Cole completely turns on her. She spent so much time with him and he still can't trust that she's not against him, not feeling the same weight of the things that are happening. Their both victims and he just makes it that much worse for her. Add that to the fact her stalker (who I'm still certain of) is getting bolder and really getting to her and I'm waiting for her to just snap. Though I'm still calling stupidity on the whole stalking thing, because with what happened before that, she was just asking for the next step in creepy-dom. She really should be more aware of the people around her.
I'm still loving Jesse and still feeling sorry for him at the same time. And though the date may not have ended well for him, I'm happy with the overall result of everything. As to be expected. The interactions with Cole at the bar great. And him shirtless is always a plus as well. But my favorite scene revolves around Emma in the beginning, when she's trying to knit and instead begins stabbing the yarn, saying "Die, beanie hat, die! I hate you!" That was a great scene. Add that to her "You two whack-jobs are perfect for each other" rant and I'm sold on her. Love her completely. Especially when she can complain about Cole in front of Cole.
While it's hot, steamy, snarky, and fun equally in this segment, it did lose a star. And that star was lost in language. The problem I have with erotica seems to always be the language used. A lot of it irks me and takes me out of the story because I'm mentally trying to correct it. There was also an unreasonable amount of childish begging and overuse of "please" in this that made me want to strangle Anna. But it still won me over.
May 28, 2013
Warning: This is a series of short stories you can read in under an hour, a little expensive for $3/book. I'm a big fan of The Arrangement series & assumed this series was a little on the lighter side. By Book #4 we are getting into the heart of the love story of Anna & Cole. Anna is a young intern working for Cole's photography company specializing in sexy lingerie photos. Anna's first choice was to work for Sophia, a wedding photographer. Sparks fly between Anna & Cole during her interview & we find out that Cole has been following Anna's college career & has hand selected her to run his new studio in Long Island using a special type of photography that Anna is absolutely in love with. All this time there has been serious sexual tension between our main characters but very little action, with Cole always pushing Anna away at the last minute. We discover that Sophia was the girl of Cole's dreams & they broke up after Sophia found out that Cole had been disinherited from his family's fortune. Anna's internship with Cole falls apart when someone tattles to the college dean that Cole & Anna have been sleeping together which is completely false. Anna's assumption that Sophia lied to the dean is incorrect. After Sophia takes down Cole, claiming severe allegations against him, Cole settles out of court to save his name & reputation but now loses his entire photography business. Anna's relationship with her boyfriend Edward fell apart after we see that Edward washes his hands, literally, of Anna after touching her intimately. Anna claims she is on the kinky side & wants a man who is consumed by her & can't wait to touch & taste her & love every minute of it. So Cole & Anna's first experience is completely off the charts wild & crazy & amazing! Someone has been following Anna & the book ends with Anna relaxing in the tub when all of a sudden she hears noise in her empty apartment with a shadow outside the bathroom door & she is in danger. Very interesting!
September 17, 2020
During this fourth novel in H.M. Ward's secrets series I admired Anna for her strong will and how she never gave up easily in defeat, fighting for what was right. I'm glad her parents were there to support and guide her, especially her dad.
I instantly got a creepy feeling whenever Edward was around.
I found the cliff hanger at the end of this novel utterly chilling.
I instantly got a creepy feeling whenever Edward was around.
I found the cliff hanger at the end of this novel utterly chilling.
January 16, 2013
Please forgive me, but I do not have the patience that Ward has...I cannot write 5 separate reviews for these little volumes! I'm going to write one and then copy/paste. You forgive me, right? If you don't, it's because you haven't read this amazing tale because you then you would realize that the volumes are really just like built in potty breaks or something because once you start, you just don't stop.
First, props to my GR pals that read these a volume at a time and waited in between...you're way better than I am. I would have been in some serious trouble if the next volume wasn't a few clicks away.
Cole and Anna. Push/Pull. They had me from that first interview and kept me plowing through these volumes with things like this:
"There isn't more than this. This is the best of what I can offer you. The rest is too..."
Yeah, I get the whole meaning behind the title now. Umm Umm Umm...Cole has some SECRETS!
"Legal to do things you couldn't imagine, old man"
Anna has some pent up diva in her and she's so focused on her career that the whole push/pull with Cole is just a constant reminder that her "boyfriend' isn't right for her and her life isn't what she wants it to be.
I started volume 1 and didn't put the kindle down until I was done with volume 5. I suggest you do the same. There is angst, there is self discovery, there is hawt H.M. Ward erotic love (as only she can) and there is some awesome intrigue too! The total package, well...split into 5 volumes!
First, props to my GR pals that read these a volume at a time and waited in between...you're way better than I am. I would have been in some serious trouble if the next volume wasn't a few clicks away.
Cole and Anna. Push/Pull. They had me from that first interview and kept me plowing through these volumes with things like this:
"There isn't more than this. This is the best of what I can offer you. The rest is too..."
Yeah, I get the whole meaning behind the title now. Umm Umm Umm...Cole has some SECRETS!
"Legal to do things you couldn't imagine, old man"
Anna has some pent up diva in her and she's so focused on her career that the whole push/pull with Cole is just a constant reminder that her "boyfriend' isn't right for her and her life isn't what she wants it to be.
I started volume 1 and didn't put the kindle down until I was done with volume 5. I suggest you do the same. There is angst, there is self discovery, there is hawt H.M. Ward erotic love (as only she can) and there is some awesome intrigue too! The total package, well...split into 5 volumes!
February 3, 2013
Oh my goodness, I loved this series. This book had such witty and comical banter between Anna and Cole that I found myself chuckling thruout the first and second books. Anna is a pisser and the things that she says are just downright funny. Anna is in her 20's and Cole is twice her age. She wants to be a respectable photography and work for this woman Sottero as a wedding photography. She worhsips this woman and hates everything that Cole stands for because he shoots naked women and women in their underware She ends up having to intern for Cole and learns alot about Cole and herself in the process. This book is about learning that not everything is what it seems and don't judge the book by the picture. The banter between Cole and Anna is really funny and this book holds laughter as well as love and sex. It's also very thought provocating without being too deep. Read all 5 books. They pick up right each other. So you have to read the next to find out what happens.
One thing that really bothers me is that books are so short and way too expensive for ebooks. 5 books is like paying 15 dollars for ebooks. I wanted to by the paperback for a family member but a total of $50.00 is not worth it. 50 shades of gray were llonger books and cheaper and absouletly better. Price is my only negative about this and the fact that I wont be able to give the paperbacks as gifts.
One thing that really bothers me is that books are so short and way too expensive for ebooks. 5 books is like paying 15 dollars for ebooks. I wanted to by the paperback for a family member but a total of $50.00 is not worth it. 50 shades of gray were llonger books and cheaper and absouletly better. Price is my only negative about this and the fact that I wont be able to give the paperbacks as gifts.
January 15, 2014
Anna just can't catch a break! She does everything she can to try and get Cole to see how much he means to her, but he's so jaded and insecure from his past that she can't reach him. Sophia is taking him to the cleaners and goes as far as to make up a lie involving Anna, and that pushes him over the edge. He's confident that Anna doesn't love him and has just been using him for his money and eventually will leave. After so many attempts to try and get through to him she finally walks away.
Jesse becomes a larger part of Anna's life, she makes some big decisions involving school, and when she finds out about Sophia's lie, she makes an even larger life altering decision!
Anna still battles with the feeling of someone constantly following her and watching her every move. Edward seems to show up around every corner, and Cole seems to show up just when she makes a decision to move on with her life after a heart to heart with Emma.
This book has one of the sexiest scenes I have ever read that will leaves your toes curled!! You'll find your heart breaking, your soul craving resolution, and fear......a must read!
Jesse becomes a larger part of Anna's life, she makes some big decisions involving school, and when she finds out about Sophia's lie, she makes an even larger life altering decision!
Anna still battles with the feeling of someone constantly following her and watching her every move. Edward seems to show up around every corner, and Cole seems to show up just when she makes a decision to move on with her life after a heart to heart with Emma.
This book has one of the sexiest scenes I have ever read that will leaves your toes curled!! You'll find your heart breaking, your soul craving resolution, and fear......a must read!
September 3, 2015
This book is one of those, where you can't put it down. I am not a big reader, but as soon as I got the first chapter down, I couldn't stop reading. It is a faily short novel, which I liked. This is about three girls all getiing bullied, one day the worst bully of the group took it too far. The girls got this bright idea to kidnap the bully, whose name is Chase, but later get caught after six days also after he ran away. The polic find prescription drugs in his blood, and says the girls forced him to take them. The girls and Chase serve a year in Juvenile Detention, their social workers investigate and find out there was more to the kidnapping...
Overall it was a book that kept you interested, adn was a great read. This book pulled me in because of the way it described things. The author was very detailed, with what was going on. This was a short novel, so it was not one of those books that drag on forever before you get to an exciting point. At first you lean about the girls and their struggles, then you learn about the bullies. After that you get into the interesting part and all the fun begins.
Overall it was a book that kept you interested, adn was a great read. This book pulled me in because of the way it described things. The author was very detailed, with what was going on. This was a short novel, so it was not one of those books that drag on forever before you get to an exciting point. At first you lean about the girls and their struggles, then you learn about the bullies. After that you get into the interesting part and all the fun begins.
March 28, 2013
Wow is all I can say, this story has taken a turn. I think that in this book it has really come into it's own. So much makes more sense, the things I was guessing & wondering about from the start, have now come to light.
Right from the start I thought that Sophia Sottero had a hang up over the past that had to have included Cole in some romantic way. What a cow she has turned out to be. Finally we get to the point of Cole & Anna's romance actually beginning.
Anna & Cole finally get through all of the bullshit. There is still a lot of secrets to be sorted, but they admit to each other & mostly to themselves their true feelings. This is what we have all been waiting for & now it's happening.
I still have reservations about why Anna feels someone is watching her & I have an idea who it might be. There is still such a mystery to Edward, I feel there is more to him.
We are not at the HEA stage yet but in this the 4th book we are finally getting what we waited for. Bring on Book 5.
Right from the start I thought that Sophia Sottero had a hang up over the past that had to have included Cole in some romantic way. What a cow she has turned out to be. Finally we get to the point of Cole & Anna's romance actually beginning.
Anna & Cole finally get through all of the bullshit. There is still a lot of secrets to be sorted, but they admit to each other & mostly to themselves their true feelings. This is what we have all been waiting for & now it's happening.
I still have reservations about why Anna feels someone is watching her & I have an idea who it might be. There is still such a mystery to Edward, I feel there is more to him.
We are not at the HEA stage yet but in this the 4th book we are finally getting what we waited for. Bring on Book 5.
November 22, 2014
DISCLAIMER TO MY FELLOW GOODREADER
This review is my personal opinion and may contain: spoilers, quotes, rants, cussing (sometimes I cannot help myself) and a possible full on recap. I in no way want to ruin anyone’s book reading experience so please read my words with caution.
Anna's world crumbles when allegations are made she's having a sexual relationship with her boss Cole. The Dean says someone brought proof that she's been staying at his Manhattan apartment. Screaming Edward, seriously. Anna keeps sweeping her gut under the rug. This ex is unhinged. Shocking turn of events, Cole was engaged to Sophia Sottero and she dumped him because he was disowned. Someone has set them both up. Cole believes Anna worked with Sophia to take him down. Heart is crushed.
"You have my heart, Anna. You've had it this entire time."
Cliffhanger – yes (book 4 of series)
POV - Anna
This review is my personal opinion and may contain: spoilers, quotes, rants, cussing (sometimes I cannot help myself) and a possible full on recap. I in no way want to ruin anyone’s book reading experience so please read my words with caution.
Anna's world crumbles when allegations are made she's having a sexual relationship with her boss Cole. The Dean says someone brought proof that she's been staying at his Manhattan apartment. Screaming Edward, seriously. Anna keeps sweeping her gut under the rug. This ex is unhinged. Shocking turn of events, Cole was engaged to Sophia Sottero and she dumped him because he was disowned. Someone has set them both up. Cole believes Anna worked with Sophia to take him down. Heart is crushed.
"You have my heart, Anna. You've had it this entire time."
Cliffhanger – yes (book 4 of series)
POV - Anna
January 13, 2014
Someone has tried to sabotage Anna’s internship. Wanting to graduate with her class, Anna begs for hours with Sophia Sottero. This internship is worse than Anna imagined. Sophia doesn’t want an intern, she wants someone to act as ‘gopher’. Everyday the feelings of dread haunt Anna.
Cole is staying away from Anna. With her decision to intern with Sophia, Anna is no longer able to work for Cole in Long Island. She tries to get on with her life. Jesse and Anna begin to spend more time together. However, Anna just cannot get Cole out of her head.
Then things begin to unravel. Cole is sued by Sophia Sottero. He believes that Anna was part of the ploy to set him up. Anna realizes that Sophia used her to try to cost Cole his career. Through it all, Anna still finds herself wanting Cole. Will the two overcome the odds and find their way into each other’s arms?
Cole is staying away from Anna. With her decision to intern with Sophia, Anna is no longer able to work for Cole in Long Island. She tries to get on with her life. Jesse and Anna begin to spend more time together. However, Anna just cannot get Cole out of her head.
Then things begin to unravel. Cole is sued by Sophia Sottero. He believes that Anna was part of the ploy to set him up. Anna realizes that Sophia used her to try to cost Cole his career. Through it all, Anna still finds herself wanting Cole. Will the two overcome the odds and find their way into each other’s arms?
September 11, 2016
Excellent!
November 24, 2014
I am having the hardest time figuring out what to write for this review. I really loved this installment of Secrets, my favorite so far, but I'm not sure how much I can actually say without spoilers.
Secrets 4 really started off with a bang. My favorite part is probably when Anna goes back to work with Sophia Sottero. I can't say anything else without giving too much away, but it was great!
This installment had it all: humor, verbal smackdowns, awkward sexual encounters, steaminess, and a bit of mystery. My emotions were all over the place!
The ending was an amazing cliffhanger, which Holly excels at. It had my heart in my throat, and I literally had to force myself to stop and write this review, when what I really wanted was to keep reading!
Secrets 4 really started off with a bang. My favorite part is probably when Anna goes back to work with Sophia Sottero. I can't say anything else without giving too much away, but it was great!
This installment had it all: humor, verbal smackdowns, awkward sexual encounters, steaminess, and a bit of mystery. My emotions were all over the place!
The ending was an amazing cliffhanger, which Holly excels at. It had my heart in my throat, and I literally had to force myself to stop and write this review, when what I really wanted was to keep reading!
October 7, 2013
(one comment for all series)
4- entertaining-but-frustrating stars
OMG, i can't believe that after the third (or was it the fourth?) book, and the SECRET revealed is just...that!
I have kept on reading all through the all the (mini)books wanting to finally, finally know what the secrets are surrounding Cole. I have been thinking of all those deep, dark ones (sorta like christian's or gideon's or the likes), but nooooooo! it was like, seriously? you call that a secret?! jeez!
anyway, the author had kept me reading, so i guess that's a plus point... but as to the actual secret, it was quite disappointing :(...
but, hey, it's a HEA, so i guess it's a plus! :)
4- entertaining-but-frustrating stars
OMG, i can't believe that after the third (or was it the fourth?) book, and the SECRET revealed is just...that!
I have kept on reading all through the all the (mini)books wanting to finally, finally know what the secrets are surrounding Cole. I have been thinking of all those deep, dark ones (sorta like christian's or gideon's or the likes), but nooooooo! it was like, seriously? you call that a secret?! jeez!
anyway, the author had kept me reading, so i guess that's a plus point... but as to the actual secret, it was quite disappointing :(...
but, hey, it's a HEA, so i guess it's a plus! :)
January 8, 2014
3.5 stars -- See, it's so weird. I'm thoroughly enjoying some parts of these books, while there are a few niggly things that just won't let my brain love it completely. I LOVE Anna, but she can also be so incredibly frustrating!! LOVED her telling off Sophia....that whole scene was gold. The steamy scene was pretty good, but something about the way she kept calling herself a slut rubbed me the wrong way...she wasn't meaning it in a bad way, more in an "I'm so kinky" way....but still, I'm just not feeling her epic "freakishness". I must say I am sooooo glad I got these books in the bundle...it's nice to be able to read one right after the other and not wait for the ending....
January 9, 2013
Anna and Cole's relationship continues to take interesting turns in Secrets #4 and Anna makes some important decisions about her career.
There are some very funny lines in Chapter 4 and 5 that made me laugh out loud. They also show that the secondary characters like Emma, Jesse or even Anna's parents are fairly well developed and add real flavor to the story.
Volume 4 keeps things interesting while finally giving some satisfaction to the Anna-Cole-relationship.
I'm excited for the big finale in part 5!
There are some very funny lines in Chapter 4 and 5 that made me laugh out loud. They also show that the secondary characters like Emma, Jesse or even Anna's parents are fairly well developed and add real flavor to the story.
Volume 4 keeps things interesting while finally giving some satisfaction to the Anna-Cole-relationship.
I'm excited for the big finale in part 5!
February 25, 2013
We get some answers in Secrets 4, but things get complicated for Anna. Anna decides to put Cole behind her, but then as she uncovers the truth things get complicated. I found myself completely captivated. Who is trying to hurt Anna or are they trying to hurt Cole...so many questions eep! Upon finishing this one, I immediately began reading book 5 because I need answers and some resolution..please!
Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
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