What do you think?
Rate this book
Keeping Secrets #2
Clueless
Keeping Book Two
Out jock Tommy Johnson and former bully Jason Strummer have settled into a surprisingly comfortable routine. They’re even planning a special camping trip for just the two of them for their one-month anniversary. Tommy doesn’t think things can get any better—until Jason’s past catches up to them.
Jason’s stepdad will stop at nothing to put Jason back in his place. As Jason spins out of control, Tommy tries desperately to hold the edges of their world together. But the pressure of dealing with Jason’s increasingly erratic behavior and keeping a growing number of secrets under wraps may prove too much for Tommy to handle.
Then Jason blows it and their comfy world falls apart. When he finally texts Tommy for help, they both learn some secrets aren’t worth keeping.
Out jock Tommy Johnson and former bully Jason Strummer have settled into a surprisingly comfortable routine. They’re even planning a special camping trip for just the two of them for their one-month anniversary. Tommy doesn’t think things can get any better—until Jason’s past catches up to them.
Jason’s stepdad will stop at nothing to put Jason back in his place. As Jason spins out of control, Tommy tries desperately to hold the edges of their world together. But the pressure of dealing with Jason’s increasingly erratic behavior and keeping a growing number of secrets under wraps may prove too much for Tommy to handle.
Then Jason blows it and their comfy world falls apart. When he finally texts Tommy for help, they both learn some secrets aren’t worth keeping.
109 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2013
1 person is currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
J. Roman
5 books15 followersThere is more than one author with this name
J. Roman is a believer in second chances and making things happen. Recently relocated to an ivory tower in the wonderful city of Charlotte, North Carolina, she endeavors to keep everyone on their toes and get into as much trouble as possible. A firm believer in happily-ever-after, J. thinks that everyone deserves a happy ending, even if it takes a little more work for some people to get there
J. Roman is a believer in second chances and making things happen. Recently relocated to an ivory tower in the wonderful city of Charlotte, North Carolina, she endeavors to keep everyone on their toes and get into as much trouble as possible. A firm believer in happily-ever-after, J. thinks that everyone deserves a happy ending, even if it takes a little more work for some people to get there
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 12, 2015
2.5 Stars
April 20, 2013
4.5 stars!
We have the second book in the Keeping Secrets series. This book had a POV switch and it was really needed. We not have Tommy's view of things and his inner monologue so it was good to have his stance on things. It was still a more mature YA though.
For me Tommy is a very strong character. I say that with a feeling that he started off weak. His need to help ruined his strength to a degree and he needed to accept a lot before his strength grew. He finally snapped in this one and though it was welcome I felt that he could have dealt with things a bit better at times. Saying that he is only 17 and has a lot of growing and learning to do. His own issues were dealt with and we understood more of his feelings when it comes to his more unique family.
Jason, well Jason had a lot of things going on that lead to his ultimate reveal. It was heart-wrenching to read and I was overjoyed that his secrets were spilled. I hated one of his decisions when it came to Tommy and for me it was the worst thing he had done to date. I hope with the reveal we won't have any more of that if there is a third book in the series. Personal growth occurred in this for both characters in different ways.
The relationship was something that made it hard for me to decide on my rating. A lot happened both individually and for them as a couple. One of the major things left me wondering if it was good for them to stay together. But my true romantic at heart came out and I was able to say it was how it should be.
I still love Kevin and would love to see more of him. He is a great brother and his support and love is refreshing in a series like this. I always wanted younger gay teens to have a strong relationship with a non-related male. Kevin and Jason are my reason why and if you read these books you will see what I am talking about.
My final thoughts are this is a very tough series. I think we need more from the boys and their family and friends. We need a proper HEA or there would be no real point.
We have the second book in the Keeping Secrets series. This book had a POV switch and it was really needed. We not have Tommy's view of things and his inner monologue so it was good to have his stance on things. It was still a more mature YA though.
For me Tommy is a very strong character. I say that with a feeling that he started off weak. His need to help ruined his strength to a degree and he needed to accept a lot before his strength grew. He finally snapped in this one and though it was welcome I felt that he could have dealt with things a bit better at times. Saying that he is only 17 and has a lot of growing and learning to do. His own issues were dealt with and we understood more of his feelings when it comes to his more unique family.
Jason, well Jason had a lot of things going on that lead to his ultimate reveal. It was heart-wrenching to read and I was overjoyed that his secrets were spilled. I hated one of his decisions when it came to Tommy and for me it was the worst thing he had done to date. I hope with the reveal we won't have any more of that if there is a third book in the series. Personal growth occurred in this for both characters in different ways.
The relationship was something that made it hard for me to decide on my rating. A lot happened both individually and for them as a couple. One of the major things left me wondering if it was good for them to stay together. But my true romantic at heart came out and I was able to say it was how it should be.
I still love Kevin and would love to see more of him. He is a great brother and his support and love is refreshing in a series like this. I always wanted younger gay teens to have a strong relationship with a non-related male. Kevin and Jason are my reason why and if you read these books you will see what I am talking about.
My final thoughts are this is a very tough series. I think we need more from the boys and their family and friends. We need a proper HEA or there would be no real point.
September 4, 2013
This is a very good continuation to Tommy and Jason's story. It picks up almost immediately after the end of Heartless. The secrets that Jason has spent years hiding come out and Tommy must help him learn to deal with the consequences. Tommy has his own issues to deal with and it takes a lot for the boys to move forward.
This is a very emotional story but those emotions are written very well. A couple of major questions are left unanswered so I will be hoping for a sequel in the near future.
Full review can be found at Greedy Bug Book Reviews.
This is a very emotional story but those emotions are written very well. A couple of major questions are left unanswered so I will be hoping for a sequel in the near future.
Full review can be found at Greedy Bug Book Reviews.
February 1, 2013
Still heavy stuff, but I liked it more than the first book. Perhaps because this time we got to know the story from Tommy's POV. Read it more or less in one sitting and needed a tissue while doing that. Poor guys.
March 23, 2013
Keeping Secrets is the perfect title for this series following two very different boys in their discovery that hiding the things that matter most has the power to harm not only themselves, but the people they care about. Heartless, the first of four parts, saw bully Jason Strummer telling the story as he and Tommy negotiated their stormy history to embark on a tentative romance. In Clueless, Tommy takes over the narrative, where upon it quickly becomes apparent that there exists far more to him than the reliable jock who is Jason’s anchor.
A few weeks have passed since Tommy helped Jason escape the years of sexual abuse he was forced to suffer at the hands of his stepdad. Since then, Jason has been living with him and his adoptive family, and, against the odds, the two have fallen into a comfortable routine. With the boy he loves under his protection, and both of them looking forward to a weekend camping trip to celebrate their one-month anniversary, Tommy has high hopes for the future. But Jason’s troubles won’t release their grip on him so easily. His past is about to catch up with him, bringing his and Tommy’s fragile happiness collapsing around them.
When his stepdad tracks him down in an attempt to lure him back under his destructive influence, Jason’s precarious handle on his life starts to slip. His behavior spirals increasingly out of control, and as the only one Jason has entrusted with the truth about his ordeal, Tommy believes the responsibility for holding him together rests solely on his shoulders. Yet, under the steady exterior, Tommy is fighting his own pain over the loss of his mother, choosing to bottle his feelings rather than let himself grieve. With both boys cracking under the pressure, something has to give, and that something may well be their relationship.
This is a powerful novella exploring the concept that strength doesn’t always mean coping alone. Sometimes, true courage requires admitting a burden is too heavy for one person to carry and accepting help. While the hard-hitting nature of this story often made for difficult reading, Tommy and Jason’s obvious love for each other lends optimism to even the grimmest scenes. Their relationship may never be an easy one, but what they have is an undeniable bond that will surely see them through the dark times.
Since this book is a direct continuation, readers ideally need to be familiar with the prequel to fully appreciate the conflict and emotional complexities. So, if you haven’t picked it up already, this is a series I can highly recommend.
Written for Rainbow Book Reviews and the Boys on the Brink Blog
A few weeks have passed since Tommy helped Jason escape the years of sexual abuse he was forced to suffer at the hands of his stepdad. Since then, Jason has been living with him and his adoptive family, and, against the odds, the two have fallen into a comfortable routine. With the boy he loves under his protection, and both of them looking forward to a weekend camping trip to celebrate their one-month anniversary, Tommy has high hopes for the future. But Jason’s troubles won’t release their grip on him so easily. His past is about to catch up with him, bringing his and Tommy’s fragile happiness collapsing around them.
When his stepdad tracks him down in an attempt to lure him back under his destructive influence, Jason’s precarious handle on his life starts to slip. His behavior spirals increasingly out of control, and as the only one Jason has entrusted with the truth about his ordeal, Tommy believes the responsibility for holding him together rests solely on his shoulders. Yet, under the steady exterior, Tommy is fighting his own pain over the loss of his mother, choosing to bottle his feelings rather than let himself grieve. With both boys cracking under the pressure, something has to give, and that something may well be their relationship.
This is a powerful novella exploring the concept that strength doesn’t always mean coping alone. Sometimes, true courage requires admitting a burden is too heavy for one person to carry and accepting help. While the hard-hitting nature of this story often made for difficult reading, Tommy and Jason’s obvious love for each other lends optimism to even the grimmest scenes. Their relationship may never be an easy one, but what they have is an undeniable bond that will surely see them through the dark times.
Since this book is a direct continuation, readers ideally need to be familiar with the prequel to fully appreciate the conflict and emotional complexities. So, if you haven’t picked it up already, this is a series I can highly recommend.
Written for Rainbow Book Reviews and the Boys on the Brink Blog
November 23, 2017
I should feel such sympathy for Jason, a boy in such a horrible, awful situation, but I don't because Jason is a selfish ass, and I just can't stand him. There is nothing redeeming about him, nothing likable. Even Tommy reaches this conclusion at one point, "I wanted to strangle him. Why did he have to do this to me? He was so selfish. It was ridiculous how selfish he was....Not for the first time, I was wondering what the hell I’d gotten myself into." And, as a reader, I am wondering why the hell Tommy stuck by him and what he saw in him to begin with? I just don't get it.
February 10, 2013
4 1/2 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
This book is part of a series and must be read in order. Tommy and Jason are coming up to their one-month anniversary, and they have plans to celebrate, but Jason reacts badly when his step-father confronts him. As Jason reacts to his pain, Tommy is left to pick up the pieces and trying to be supportive, but just how much of a burden can a seventeen year old take?
This story continues with Tommy and Jason’s relationship from Heartless , we see how the two boys are handling their relationship and the horrors of Jason’s past. Things are going well between Tommy and Jason and they are planning some alone time for their one-month anniversary, but Jonathan (Jason’s step-father) wants Jason back, and it sends Jason on a course of self-destruction that Tommy is desperate to contain and stop. The burden becomes too much when Jason turns to Tommy and Tommy feels used, and just when they begin to get back on an even keel Tommy has no choice, but to tell the adults what has been happening.
J. Roman has yet again written a story that tries to rip your heart out, she has written a story that gives us the hardships that these two young adults are facing, the pressure they are under and the heartache that they suffer. This story is all from Tommy’s point of view, so we see the true pressure he is under as he tries desperately to be the rock that his boyfriend needs, to keep a devastating secret that is destroying the one he loves and trying to corral his boyfriend before he self-destructs. Jason acts out, driving the ones who want to help and support him away, refusing the help he needs and he ends up placing himself back in the way of danger.
I have to recommend that everyone reads this book; it is filled with anguish, angst, fear, heartbreak, love, and hope. It has two young adults who are trying to deal with a secret that would bring adults to their knees, but it also shows that it is better to place a secret that devastating into the hands of the ones who can do the most good.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
This book is part of a series and must be read in order. Tommy and Jason are coming up to their one-month anniversary, and they have plans to celebrate, but Jason reacts badly when his step-father confronts him. As Jason reacts to his pain, Tommy is left to pick up the pieces and trying to be supportive, but just how much of a burden can a seventeen year old take?
This story continues with Tommy and Jason’s relationship from Heartless , we see how the two boys are handling their relationship and the horrors of Jason’s past. Things are going well between Tommy and Jason and they are planning some alone time for their one-month anniversary, but Jonathan (Jason’s step-father) wants Jason back, and it sends Jason on a course of self-destruction that Tommy is desperate to contain and stop. The burden becomes too much when Jason turns to Tommy and Tommy feels used, and just when they begin to get back on an even keel Tommy has no choice, but to tell the adults what has been happening.
J. Roman has yet again written a story that tries to rip your heart out, she has written a story that gives us the hardships that these two young adults are facing, the pressure they are under and the heartache that they suffer. This story is all from Tommy’s point of view, so we see the true pressure he is under as he tries desperately to be the rock that his boyfriend needs, to keep a devastating secret that is destroying the one he loves and trying to corral his boyfriend before he self-destructs. Jason acts out, driving the ones who want to help and support him away, refusing the help he needs and he ends up placing himself back in the way of danger.
I have to recommend that everyone reads this book; it is filled with anguish, angst, fear, heartbreak, love, and hope. It has two young adults who are trying to deal with a secret that would bring adults to their knees, but it also shows that it is better to place a secret that devastating into the hands of the ones who can do the most good.
April 3, 2016
Title: Clueless
Author: J. Roman
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
ISBN: 978-1-62380-332-2
Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/stor...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Keeping Secrets: Book Two
Out jock Tommy Johnson and former bully Jason Strummer have settled into a surprisingly comfortable routine. They’re even planning a special camping trip for just the two of them for their one-month anniversary. Tommy doesn’t think things can get any better—until Jason’s past catches up to them.
Jason’s stepdad will stop at nothing to put Jason back in his place. As Jason spins out of control, Tommy tries desperately to hold the edges of their world together. But the pressure of dealing with Jason’s increasingly erratic behavior and keeping a growing number of secrets under wraps may prove too much for Tommy to handle.
Then Jason blows it and their comfy world falls apart. When he finally texts Tommy for help, they both learn some secrets aren’t worth keeping.
Summary:
In cases of abuse the victim tends to be blamed form what is happening in the family. Jason's stepfather treated him like his own personal boy toy, but it was made worse by his mother's complicity. Her not standing up for him must have made him feel that he was to blame and not the adults in the situation. That situation would have been incredibly difficult for an adult to deal with and when Tommy, Jason's boyfriend, tried his best he would bound to fail. The love between Jason and Tommy was put to the test when Jason's family reentered his life. Tommy's struggle to deal with his problems alone was heartbreaking to experience, but with the help of his friends he might just succeed. People in crisis need to know that there are people out their to help them and that they are not alone if they can just take the first step.
Author: J. Roman
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
ISBN: 978-1-62380-332-2
Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/stor...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Keeping Secrets: Book Two
Out jock Tommy Johnson and former bully Jason Strummer have settled into a surprisingly comfortable routine. They’re even planning a special camping trip for just the two of them for their one-month anniversary. Tommy doesn’t think things can get any better—until Jason’s past catches up to them.
Jason’s stepdad will stop at nothing to put Jason back in his place. As Jason spins out of control, Tommy tries desperately to hold the edges of their world together. But the pressure of dealing with Jason’s increasingly erratic behavior and keeping a growing number of secrets under wraps may prove too much for Tommy to handle.
Then Jason blows it and their comfy world falls apart. When he finally texts Tommy for help, they both learn some secrets aren’t worth keeping.
Summary:
In cases of abuse the victim tends to be blamed form what is happening in the family. Jason's stepfather treated him like his own personal boy toy, but it was made worse by his mother's complicity. Her not standing up for him must have made him feel that he was to blame and not the adults in the situation. That situation would have been incredibly difficult for an adult to deal with and when Tommy, Jason's boyfriend, tried his best he would bound to fail. The love between Jason and Tommy was put to the test when Jason's family reentered his life. Tommy's struggle to deal with his problems alone was heartbreaking to experience, but with the help of his friends he might just succeed. People in crisis need to know that there are people out their to help them and that they are not alone if they can just take the first step.
May 7, 2014
Clueless carries on with Jason being a dick. He wants help but doesn't want help. He seems to ruin everyone else's life. I understand why Jason was destructive but I just couldn't connect with him.
I don't know if it's the writing because I've read hard-to-like characters...but Jason ultimately annoys me more than anything else.
I felt for Tommy and wish he more of a friend to Jason than a boyfriend. Their relationship is destructive and so full of mistakes it's hard to believe in their romance.
I don't know if it's the writing because I've read hard-to-like characters...but Jason ultimately annoys me more than anything else.
I felt for Tommy and wish he more of a friend to Jason than a boyfriend. Their relationship is destructive and so full of mistakes it's hard to believe in their romance.
March 17, 2013
Great!!!
April 20, 2014
While it has a happy ending it is a slightly disturbing read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews