Finding Secrets

by Ivy Darling

They were going to be my salvation.

I gave them everything the day the Donovan’s took me in.
They saved me from my foster house.
A place where cruelty was the only thing I was given.

Samuel, my new big brother, became my sanctuary.
He was the best brother I could have ever asked for, but he wasn’t just that, he was my hero.

I let the town of Everton become my home.
Something I had never had before.
I took on their customs, their mannerisms and I prayed to the Divine as they welcomed me into their community and taught me their ways.

I was going to be the best daughter and sister they could have asked for.

He was going to be my salvation.

So why does this feel like damnation?

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Why Choose, Abuse, Ebooks, Contemporary

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2024

About the author

Ivy Darling is a romance indie author by night.

She lives in California with her husband and child, along with their 2 dogs and 3 cats.

If she isn't writing spicy scenes you can catch her reading them instead, or crocheting another beanie for her cats.

She enjoys spending time with her little family as well as the voices in her head that just won't stop talking ( so many voices! ). She hopes that everyone enjoys her stories and gets something out of them, may it be laughs, tears, or the tingles.

Reviews

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this just grabbed me by the throat and dragged me in 🤣 I literally couldn’t put it down. I didn’t want it to finish, especially knowing it’s a trilogy, suppose I will just have to buy the paperback…you’re not falling for it are you? I am definitely buying it when it comes out 🤭🤭

Our FMC Elliot/Eden is rescued from her foster home by a nice couple and their son, Samuel, he plays her hero so well, she is thrust into a lap of luxury though she doesn’t realise this small town hides secrets from those on the outside. Secrets she will soon learn have a detrimental effect upon the female residents and herself.

She does manage to get away a few times with her best friend and sees the fun people in the outer towns can have but still brainwashing has been trained into her. She gets to meet one of our MCs who is determined to save her…does he get there in time? Is he part of the cult? Will she survive their ways?

Ivy did such an amazing job of keeping you enthralled, a need to know what happens, part of you wanting to slap (put nicely…I am not unhinged in the slightest 🤫🪓) maybe one, two, three or more of the characters, or at the very least give them a good shake but hey, that’s what makes a story. The emotions run high and kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting, hoping…

[Gianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the f*ck did I just read (in a good way). Started off with this forbidden tension, and quickly realized this is unrequited AF. Oh and she’s stuck in the cult, and her brother is claiming her-and she’s not feeling it at all. Without giving anything away, just read this. K, going to read the next book now ✌🏼

[InkyandBookish [Brit] · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🚨INDIE AUTHOR RELASE🚨
I had the privilege to ARC read Ivy’s newest release Finding Secrets. It was everything I needed and more. It had me in a chokehold until the last page that does end in a cliffy so be prepared! I genuinely had the best time reading this. Everyone go run and grab it!
secret societies cult

🥀darkish romance
🥀religious trauma
🥀grooming
🥀set up for why choose
🥀savior
🥀dual POV


@inkyandbookish on all platforms 📚

[Mariah📕🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to collect my thoughts…..

[Emma Joyner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well i devoured this in one sitting! A very good start to a dark romance book. The author sucks you in and spits your emotions out! One heck of a cliff hanger too 🙈❤️

[Christine Geesaman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my 79th dark romance read of 2024.

The storyline was nothing new or different and the way it was written didn’t excite or captivate me, so unfortunately it’s receiving a below average rating of 2 stars. I’ve been sitting on this review for about two and a half weeks, hesitant to post it because I hate leaving negativity, but I can’t convince myself to dole out a higher rating on a book that took 4 days to read because I kept putting it down.

Onto the book itself and my thoughts while reading:


A ten year old in the foster system who claims to have been through hell is apparently color blind because the red flags were blatantly ignored.

New family comes to adopt a girl. Never mind personality or compatibility of the child. Girl, ONLY.
Red flag.

The adults don’t bother having a conversation with their new daughter, they just send their son into the house like he’s picking out a puppy from the pound.
Red flag.

The new older brother changes her name on the spot.
Red flag.

Not only does he change her name to Eden, but immediately gets possessive and refers to her as “MY Eden.”
Red flag.

Girl, you think these are going to be good people? I know you’re only ten, but a child in the system has lived lifetimes of experiences in a short amount of time.

She claims to have a solid head on her shoulders thanks to her experiences (whatever they were), but her naivety has already turned me off.

The beginning chapters were wildly distracting because we bounced between present tense and past tense - sometimes even within the same sentence. Were we living the moments with ten year old Eden or were we being told the story by twenty two year old Eden?

Perhaps since it was the point of view of a child, sentences didn’t flow into a cohesive thought. One paragraph that made me stop to highlight was very robotic and read like bullet points:
“I bounce…
I squeal…
I hop…
I don’t look up…
I run…
I can hardly hold still…
I knock…”

The past/present tense issue seemed to resolve once we made it about half way through the book and got all caught up on the backstory.

From here it was maddeningly predictable and Eden was even more insufferable.

New adopted dad is a “pastor” who is worshiped by the flock of citizens.
Multiple new girls get brought into the community.
Men and women are segregated.
Nobody freely goes in and out of town.

Yes, it is obviously a cult.

Eden’s bestie, who is probably the only character with a brain, takes Eden out of town to go bar hopping, where Eden meets Mister Tall Dark and Handsome. I betcha he’s going to be the hero that saves the day.

Surprise, Eden was adopted to marry her possessive brother who hand selected her and now she’s locked in a room. Apparently it’s a windowless room because why doesn’t she just slip out?
Oh look, the bar bro and his buddies come to save the day - on the wedding day, no less, a la Shrek and Donkey saving Fiona from Farquad. Wow, they’re smart enough to use the window to her room.

A couple plot issues were in the story. They completed dinner and dessert yet the staff brought more food?? There was a ritualistic ceremony for five people yet only three were described?? The dad died and Eden states “We were that close” but they couldn’t bother to hold a full conversation in the previous 250 pages??

A lot of sentences were repeated verbatim and it was unclear as to whether this was an editing issue or added for dramatic effect. I hope it’s the former because otherwise the intent just didn’t land.

A few punctuation marks and apostrophes were used incorrectly. There were many question marks sprinkled into conversations that made characters feel unsure of themselves when they really should be making confident statements.

Verbs were in place of what should have been adjectives and some words were used incorrectly. One that I still think about is when “bated breath” was used to describe their breathing after sprinting out of a nightclub. Maybe they were in fact holding their breaths in anticipation, but I’d be breathing hard with adrenaline if I rushed out the door to go meet someone at the ER.

At one point the hero’s buddy asks, “Because your dick got wet for this girl?” and I had to pause. Don’t you mean his dick got hard for her? They haven’t had sex - nothing was getting wet.

The rape scene at the end felt like a last-ditch effort for the reader to feel something - ANYTHING - for Eden. The assault was as sexual as things got minus a couple quick finger bangs. No dicks getting wet for our hero.

The book ends on a cliffhanger of the hero being a martyr and going back into the cathedral while Eden gets whisked away to safety.


I absolutely love that this book has been so well received by other readers and I sincerely hope the author thrives in the realm of dark romance, but this specific book just wasn't for me.

[Curious Readss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sucked me in from the beginning had me definitely invested on finding out everything about the Divine and what was gonna happen next I definitely saw what the family had planned for Elliot I am thirsty to read part two , like I get It’s a trilogy and this is just part one, but soon as it got mouthwatering , good it was over i’m definitely heavily invested in the series and would recommend you read it as well.

[K.M. Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ummmmm I’m going to need the next book IMMEDIATELY, please and thank you. Ivy! This book was so good. I ate it up from start to finish and couldn’t put it down.
Obsessed.
The FMC is essentially adopted into a cult and this is her story and what she goes through. I can’t say much without spoilers but what I can say is that Ivy does an amazing job at writing characters I want to throat punch.
Highly recommend this one!!!
🌶️/5

[mia:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i went into this blind, and i’m glad i did. it took me by surprise with how well it was written. 😚 you have elliot, or eden, who was adopted from foster care and picked out of all of her other friends by samuel, her now new brother. samuel is…off and unusually possessive.🙃😬

then enter kameron. ugh, i loved him. 🥹🥹he was also possessive but not…no, not even possessive. he protected her. it’s like samuel taught her what possession feels like, and kam taught her what it feels like to be protected. that man truly loves her. 🥹🤭🤭

you have a secret society/cult, forbidden love, and all the darkness that comes with it. 🖤please read the trigger warnings before going into this one! it is dark, but i love a good dark romance.😌🖤

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isn’t at all what I was expecting!! I knew the premise of what it was about but I’m still left stunned! The beginning was falling flat for me, the writing was smooth and easy to follow, but it started off slow for me but the ending, that cliffhanger?! Definitely will be continuing this series!

Elliot grew up the majority of her young life abandoned and forgotten in abusive foster homes. Until the Donavons, a family that seems so perfect and loving on the outside but those hide the best secrets. Now she finds herself in another sort of cage, one she didn’t realize she was in until it’s too late. Kameron easily became one of my favorites but I need more Marcus and Hunter and I can’t wait to see where book 2 takes us!

[Shedevilreads Bookstagram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding Secrets by Ivy Darling is a dark religious cult romance. This is the first book in the Hidden Desires Trilogy.

This is the first book of Ivy's that I have read, and it won't be my last. I was pulled in from the very beginning and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. I am loving the chemistry between Elliott and Kameron. I really enjoyed getting Elliott, Eden, Kameron, and Marcus's points of views throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.

The book ended on a great cliffhanger that left me begging for more. I can't wait for Ivy to announce the release of the next book in the series Hiding Secrets.

I would recommend this book if you're looking for a dark romance, religious cult romance, why choose romance, or a MMMF romance.

[Jenn Winning · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had every inclination as to how this story was going to play out, and my jaw still hit the floor when it did!

This is one of those stories that grabs you from the start and quickly pulls you under. Full of darkness, depravity, religious indoctrination, and cultish behavior, this is definitely a story that will make shake your head as you eagerly turn the page.

I definitely suggest you check the TW before getting started just to have a good idea of what you are getting into, but I just know that we are in store for so much more darkness to come!

Eden/Elliott was just looking for safety, security, and love. She thought she found that when the Donovan’s adopted her from her horrible foster home, but she eventually realizes that her dream life is anything but.

Kameron is the sweetest soul, and I loved the immediate connection between him and Eden/Elliott. Plus, add in Marcus and Hunter, and I cannot wait to see what comes next. The set up is there for quite the why choose, providing she can truly break free from Samuels clutches!

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so definitely riveting. It definitely has some possible triggers so be sure to check them out. We meet Elliott/Eden and she is this sweet and caring young lady who we see that life has dealt her a rough hand. But, through it all she stays this sweet beautiful person. Samuel seems like such a fantastic guy for her as a big brother, but, as time goes on we see changes in him. We then meet Kameron who is this tough guy but yet a true gentleman. The story has a lot of twists and turns throughout it. Ivy Darling wrote a story that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. I was unable to put this down. I absolutely had to find out what happens next. It is darker and gripping but yet no way is it unforgettable. Then there is this major cliffhanger that has me absolutely waiting to see what happens next. I can not wait to see where it is heading to.

[Amber Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚠️Please check your trigger warnings before starting this book⚠️

Elliot is a young girl at the start of this book who has been brought up in the foster care system that has failed her greatly. When adopted by the Donavans, she grows to overlook and not question things done by her new family. Since she has craved love and affection her whole life, she's easily misled into accepting a cult lifestyle and what dark truths come with it.

While I found moments of this story slightly predictable, it was very well done. The cliffhanger ending definitely will keep me reading for book 2. There are some things I need to know...

[Jacklyn (Thetwinthatreads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay…so I’ll give it a 2.75⭐️ I don’t know. I figured that Elliott was going to be Samuel’s bride…but the storyline could have given more. There were so many more opportunities to share more on Elliott’s experience, the cult as a whole, and get to know the characters a bit more. I’m curious a bit on the trilogy but I also kind of don’t want to. I don’t know what it is about the book but it rubs me the wrong way. I wish there was more to it. More on Samuel, maybe his point of view?

There were also some errors for word usage that kept throwing me off or I had to reread a sentence a few times to make sure I was reading it correctly.

I don’t know.

[valley_girl_36 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is an enthralling read! I enjoyed this book front to back and I cannot wait until book 2 comes out !! Yes that means you will be left on a cliff as this is the first book in a trilogy. This read is gonna replay in my head for a while.

The whole cult angle just pulls me in, I can get so absorbed into secret society based stories, just wow. I am so excited for what’s to come in this series and the dark I can feel coming sends chills.

Please check for author notes and warnings because mental health matters.

[Tees_BookCave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I did not expect this! I really enjoyed this.

The cult vibes, the hidden secrets, hidden identities.

The last part of this book deeply saddened me to new heights with how our heroines story took a turn.

I was craving the chemistry that we saw throughout and I was absorbing all the breadcrumbs and steamy parts that we were given.

I am so glad I took a chance on this book, a great read. I can’t wait to dive into the next book to see where this story takes us and introduces us to this harem more.

[Eryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was seriously a wild ride that I was not expecting! This had me hooked from the very beginning. We have a crazy cult, grooming, a terrifyingly possessive "older brother," and a young girl who has no idea that the "nice family" that adopted her isn't what they seem.

The twists and turns of an unsuspecting knight and shining armor and uncover mission were not what I was expecting at all but had me reading this in one sitting! I'm in desperate need of the next book!

[Nidia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time as an ARC reader, and it did not disappoint. You get a small taste of dark in there, so you know it's going to be darker in the following books. The cliffhanger is gonna haunt me until the next book 😱 this book did not go the way I thought it was going to in the beginning. It went even better, and I nearly forgot to blink as I was reading it. It's well written with not too much descriptive text. A little bit slow in the beginning, but it's totally worth it! I can't wait for the next one!

[Kellie McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow! This book was wild and definitely dark. If you like books where the main plot circulates around a cülț then you will be just as obsessed with it! And Ivy’s writing is fantastic! I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

[Lyndsay Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me in a chokehold 🫣 I can’t wait for the next one

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 ⭐️

[Mariah Farmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5

[Chelsea Eckersley 🖤 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was just alright. The cult stuff was interesting but honestly once the guys were introduced, I kinda lost interest. The insta love with Kameron was yuck.

[_the.bookish.moon_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was full of twists and characters i want to punch in the face lol
It's also a tricky one to review without giving too much away!
The MFC Eden, is raised in foster care but then adopted by the Donovans - who are part of the "Church" of the Divine; as she grows older, she discovers their world isn’t as perfect as it seems. The secrets of the cult, Eden's true purpose and her growing bond with the MMC Kam, keep the story intense and surprising.
The cliff-hanger was a doozy, and I'm looking forward to the next book in this trilogy

[Alwaysdarkromance · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

This book had me in a chokehold! This book has one of my favorite tropes in it and I ate it up! It was so well done. Some of the twists I never seen coming. The things Elliot/Eden goes through is awful. But she gets stronger and smarter as time goes on. I cannot wait for the next book! I highly recommend!!!

[justine_justreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t explain how my emotions are after reading this story! I read this book in one sitting and I normally don’t do that I like to take my time but this one I couldn’t not stop. Love every moment!!!! It really hard to not spoil any part of this book let’s just say there are lots of twists and turns throughout the book. And a side note what’s with the ending come on!!!! Ivy Darling you did amazing job writing this story. I can’t wait to see what happens with the characters!

[Whitney friskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly can not wait til the next book comes out !!! This was fricken wild hahaha I ate this upppp not even on my kindle for 24 hrs and done !!!

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know how to describe what I just read. This book took some unexpected turns right from the beginning. Elliot started her life off in foster care. Some places were ok and some were just down right bad. Her life took a change for the better when The Donovans showed up and took her to Everton. Now this is when things start getting weird. They changed her name to Eden and their son, Samuel, was unusually affectionate towards her. Eden, of course, was just happy to be in a stable home with a brother that loved her.

The town of Everton was different. They were the Children of the Divine with the Donovans at the head. Mr. Donovan was the Chosen One and the Divine's Vessel. Samuel would one day take his place. As Eden got older, she was not accepted by the children that were born in Everton. Her only friends were Samuel and another foster child to a single man, Lianne. Lianne opened Eden's life to things outside of Everton. Outside of Everton, Eden could be Elliot again. For some reason, the Divine had yet to make a choice for Eden's partner though she was well past the age that it normally happened.

I can understand that this young girl accepted all of this weird stuff because to her it was better than what she had previously. This book takes a turn. Most of the book, readers are just getting glimpses of the Divine. Eden is on the outside looking in. Lianne gives readers a little more insight, but when Eden is thrust into the spotlight, things get real. Thankfully, there is someone willing to help her. Will they be too late? What is really going on in this town? All I know is that I need book two of this series yesterday. This book turned into a thriller at the blink of an eye. I loved it. I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Kyla Honey]

I finished this in one sitting I need the next book immediately