Secrets of Mine

Of Mine #2

by Alexis Grace

She’s not just the daughter of a serial killer, she’s the profiler hunting him down.

Two months ago, Freya had a tracking anklet and four, infuriatingly attractive FBI handlers. Now, she has her own badge and is pretty sure she’s in love with all four of her former handlers.

Settled in Quantico, Freya finally feels like she belongs. River no longer sees her as a criminal. Jude and Oz have her back in a way no one ever has before. And Eli… well Eli’s still complicated. Freya and the guys have bigger problems though, because the Cross-Cut Killer is still at large and he is determined to go after the people Freya cares about most.

To make matters worse, Freya receives a message from an unknown number asking about her mother. She knows she should tell the guys, but old habits die hard, and she finds herself keeping secrets once more. As the team look into Freya’s past to try and catch her father, Freya realizes there may be more to her childhood than she thought, and those secrets she’s keeping threaten to ruin everything.


Secrets of Mine is a full length, New Adult, dark romance with possessive, overprotective MMC's and on the page spice. This book is a why choose romance, meaning the main character has more than one love interest. This is book two of a planned trilogy. Please read the trigger warnings.

Genres: Dark Romance, Why Choose, Romance, Dark, Enemies To Lovers, Mystery, Contemporary

356 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2025

Reviews

[Laura Greenhalgh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short and spicy why-choose will always help me avoid a reading slump!! I did the audio for this and it was very bingable and fast paced! I don't think I enjoyed it as much as book one but still a fun time and I loved getting to know the boys better.

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wait what?! You can’t leave us like that! I need the next book now!
RTC 🖤

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS SERIESSSSSS. The way I was obsessed with book one and even more obsessed with book two!?! They are still hunting down the serial killer that is her father and the way Alexis Grace develops Freya's relationships with each of the heroes was PERFECTIONNNN. The spice was so on point in this book and I loved how it play such an important role in the plot. This is a why choose and all of the heroes had such distinct personalities and distinct relationships with Freya, which I need when we have so many heroes.

The suspense was SO GOOD and had me on my toes the whole time. AND THE TWISTS!?!?! I was shocked and could not get enough. There was not a dull moment in this book and I love how certain things came together at the end.

I NEED BOOK THREE NOW!!!!! If you want a why choose romance about FBI agents chasing down a twisted serial killer (and that has AMAZING spice), you have to pick this series up!

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oof no this did not work for me. The first book was fun enough but this one was just was a mess all around. This is a why choose with FBI characters and the heroine’s father is a serial killer they’re searching for.

They’re a task force and profilers for the FBI but they’re out here making the rookiest of mistakes and like what even was that case. We’d get moments of looking at victim and crime scene photos and the next breath they’re hot and horny for one another?! Like the whiplash of it all. The scenes and time wasn’t mathing. Which fine but then go allll the way into that and drop the more serious crime solving times. So if you want lots of spice this delivers, but did it add to the characters or move their growth or plot forward? Nawwww, it’s spice for spice’s sake. We do get a lot of family moments in this one for a lot of the characters. And I will say towards the end we did finally get some interesting points with the actual serial killer plot of it all. It leaves off on a cliffhanger but I’m out on this!

[Taylor Jefferson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

So frustrating. I honestly don’t feel like Freya even wanted to capture her dad that badly. This woman faked her own death and became a detective under a false identity to catch her serial killer father but keeps so many secrets that it feels like she is actively sabotaging the investigation. A lot of the conflict in the last book was her not being truthful, she promised no more secrets then this starts off with her immediately keeping secrets. She denies she is having nightmares/ flashbacks when it could help if she remembered anything useful. But she gets so defensive when anyone brings it up. She swears she will do anything to find her dad but that anything doesn’t seem to include a 20 minute honest conversation. I just don’t understand her character. I know she had trauma and didn’t want to relive it but instead of being honest about it being too hard to go there she just kept lying.

Lack of communication was a big issue throughout this entire book. None of the characters really talked to each other. If there was a conflict or issue between Freya and her guys instead of having any sort of meaningful conversation there would just be spice. I like spice but not as a substitute for actual emotional progression. You can’t just bang and everything is fine.

I didn’t like the power dynamic. There is a lot of punishment, control and degradation. It didn’t work for me here. Probably because their actual relationship together felt so weak. I need a stronger connection between characters for spice like that.

I don’t buy any of these characters as being capable of being in charge of an FBI task force to hunt a serial killer. EVERYONE is a horny, hot mess. The extent we see of them doing any real police work is pouring over reports or making important phone calls. Occasionally they will check out a crime scene. It felt like a very surface level, generic portrayal of FBI agents.

Despite my obvious frustration I still read this quickly. I wanted to know what would happen next. I did skim a lot. I know myself well enough to know that after that cliffhanger I will probably pick up book 3. I’m nosy.

[Katie]

Dnf at 13% — this is a me issue. I think it has just been too long since I read the first book and I’m just confused on who everyone is and why they are there

[Emily ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

:0 let me tell you I was not expecting some of those plot twist at all BAHAHA

This series has been keeping me on my toes in the best way and I can’t wait to finish it off with the next book. The only thing that made me lose my interest was the amount of spicy scenes lol. Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against it but this one just had too many!

Other than that ugh this was so so good! And I would recommend this series (or atleast the first two since that’s all I’ve read) to anyone who loves a why choose dark romance hehe

[Britney · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a major disappointment! I put off writing a review and rating it because I was so sad to have to write my truth.

I absolutely loved the first book (Killer of Mine) so I had very high hopes for the second book in the series. Sadly, the series went from a 5 star to a 1 star. I will not be continuing on with the series as it has been made abundantly clear that this is no longer for me.

Content Spoiler The BDSM aspect was taken too far for me. It was like the love was completely absent and it was too much like a dark romance, which is not my cup of tea. The degradation kink was so not for me. All of the spicy scenes were just ick. I was not a fan at all.

End of book The molestation trauma was OVERKILL! Seriously, why the fuck was that necessary?! It was like it was added for shock factor.

In conclusion, major fail.

[shtalkingmushroom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe the sexy cowboy IS my favorite after all😚 Ik it’s not that serious but these character dynamics are just so fucked. The way they think sex fixes every obstacle😩😩 Homegirl gets passed around like a basketball😔God forbid she takes a breather! Also that girl is NOT good at her job wtf is everyone talking about!! She’s messed up so much like how do you still have a badge?? A third book is kinda ridiculous but imma read it anyway I already know

[jo (taylor’s version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

god just when I thought things couldn’t get worse… I just had to read this the week it released and now I have to wait for the next book AGAIN

*spoiler*

On another note i just think it’s funny that at this point this is just them chasing a different family member every book

[Zoë Nira · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 stars)

I was lucky enough to receive Secrets of Mine by Alexis Grace as an ARC, just like I did with book 1, and let me tell you… I was looking forward to this book SO MUCH! This series is a trilogy and so far it has been such an incredible ride, and while book 1 didn’t end on a cliffhanger, the story was far from over, and I just had to know what happened next.

And wow, book 2 did not disappoint. The twists, the turns, the sheer chaos of the plots… It was all so masterfully done. There were moments where I was literally chirping and screaming, DMing Alexis about my theories and reactions because I couldn’t hold it in.

The FMC completely stole my heart in this book. I felt so much sympathy for her. There were moments where I just wanted to wrap her in a hug because of everything she was going through.

As for the ending… wow. Somewhere toward the last few chapters, I had a sense of where things might be going, but somehow it still managed to surprise me? I’m not even sure how to put it into words, but it was such a mind-blowing conclusion to this part of the story. All I know is: I NEED BOOK 3 NOW.

[Em · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly…this book was absurd. They had no sense of urgency even when people were actively being murdered. I don’t care how traumatized Freya is, keeping secrets when lives are on the line is ridiculous and inexcusable. These ill timed sexual encounters were even worse! I don’t recall if the first book was like this but it was so glaring here. The way the author just keeps trying to add to her trauma seems really lazy and poorly done too

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never said this before in my life, but in this series, the smut actually took away from the plot. At times it made the story feel a bit lost, and I even caught myself getting annoyed when a spicy scene started. Some of them made sense for the moment, but others felt random and forced, like they were just thrown in for the sake of it.

However, in the first book, I remember thinking Freya’s connection with some of the guys, especially Oz and Eli, felt a little forced. Her chemistry with River was a 10/10, and Jude wasn’t far behind. Thankfully, the author really fixed that here, her relationships with Eli and Oz were much more developed and believable this time around, which made the whole why-choose dynamic that much better.

This book was also so twisty. Some of the reveals completely blindsided me in the best way. It made the pacing feel fast and fun, and I honestly flew through it in just a few hours.

Overall: 3.5⭐️ / 2.5🌶️
• Why Choose
• Serial Killer
• FBI Romance
• Multi POV
• Badass FMC
• ⚠️ Check Trigger Warnings

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I DIDN’T KNOW IT WAS AN UNFINISHED SERIES
I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW


review:

now that i’ve calmed down, i can start. Honestly i loved it ! it was even better than the first book and there was so much more information and stuff i really hadn’t seen coming i really loved it ! it was a bit fast paced (in my opinion) and i’m usually more into slow-paced stories but i surprisingly loved it. (also liked how the spicy scenes didn’t last too long!)

[Mariah Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the growth of the entire group throughout this Book, I cant wait too see where the next book is heading. <3

Tropes:

Reverse harem
Forced Proximity
Overprotective MMC'S
Suspense/thriller
You run we chase
Intense relationship
Serial Killer/Murder

[Mary Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

And the plot thickens!!

Book two was steamy and full of twists and turns. Freya has more secrets to come to terms with, facing repressed memories. While she does that, we get to see more of Oz and Jude's families. The former we love, the latter...not so much.

Finally, Freya gets squared away with all the fellas, and they solve one problem, but then that dang cliffie! The chase is on in book 3. Can't wait!!

[Abbie (boneseasonofglass) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked the overall plot, disliked the romance/relationships

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

I had a lot of hopes and dreams for this series, but man, they've been crushed. I think the premise is good. I'm very interested in the plot, but the execution isn't it for me. Maybe this is a me problem though!

Listen, I said in my review for book 1 that the romance was the problem here and I stand by that. So much of this gave me the actual ick. And look, I like spicy books, I like a well-done dark romance, and I like reading kink, but you can't throw a "this book is full of red flag behavior" warning at the front of the book to justify that it's actually just a mess. It's not that it's red flag so much as it's stupid and poor character development.

I am frustrated by this whole story now, even though I am actually still interested in our plot! I DO want to find out how this ends and I'm annoyed at myself because of it. I know I'm going to be an idiot and read the final book in this series and I know I'm going to have to cringe through a hundred spicy scenes that make no gosh darn sense and started to feel yucky ages ago. So anyway, I'm mostly annoyed with myself here now.

Also, are you actually telling me that I'm still supposed to believe that these 5 people are trained FBI agents? Because what? Siiiiiigh.

My recommendation? If you really want to read this, just lower those expectations and then push them just a tad lower. That's how I'll plan to finish the series.

**********************
After some reflection and a quick browse through some of the reviews for Book #3, I've decided NOT to continue this series. Sooooo that's that!

[Kate Dash · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 ⭐️
Same old story that unfortunately only had more spice and less thriller. I got it, he is scary serial killer but come on that guy isn’t on Zodiac level. Whole book we have family drama that only add extra family members (I’m trying not to spoiler everything)
In the end we have what? We have sex as way of communicating. We have BDSM as way of maintaining trust. And of course we have emotionally narrow characters who only think about sex.
Sometimes I think they so stupid as agents cause their blood instead of brain send to their D
I had trust that book develop. But not in more obscure spice
Sorry not sorry

[Olivia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Look, I DNFed it at 25%. The bossiness of the guys was annoying me. She was clearly uncomfortable with their mother hen-ing and they overstepped. I don't care if she helps the case. The police have more care and I hate the police.

I really wanted to read this. I was so excited for it. But I just couldn't. Maybe I'll try again later, but I can't right now.

Edit: I can't read about annoying men. And this book has VEEEERY annoying men.

[Laura]

DNF at 18%.

The characters seemed like they grew and made some promises at the end of book 1 but it's like nothing has changed?? Eli has decided he doesn't want to be with Freya (again), Freya is keeping secrets and avoiding them (again), and it's already obvious why Maxwell chooses his victims and the book has hardly started.

[Cat H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Ashley Arsenault · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

“𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙪𝙣 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣, 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙁𝘽𝙄 𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙖𝙡, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝.”

Book 2 in the continuous of mine series, brings us back to Freya and the 4 FBI agents River, Jude, Ox and Eli.

She’s not just the daughter of a serial killer, she’s the profiler hunting him down. In this book she officially joins Rivers team.

The Cross cut killer is still at large. Only now, he’s targeting people close to Freya. As she tries to recollect her memories from her past, she receives unknown number messages asking about her mother. Freya does what she knows best, and keeps secrets once more.

I enjoyed this book slightly more than book 1. There was more unveiled, more action, more secrets and more spice 😏, and with that ending I can’t wait to dive into book 3!

“ 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙙𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙪𝙢𝙖 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜, 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚, 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚.”

[kevork_1989 · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was such a fun solid ride. Really liked where the story developed with this one as we explored more of Freya’s past and unlocked more into what happened to her as a child.

I found some bits quite surprising with the story. My fav aspect of it was getting a look into Oz’s family life. This book felt focused more on him and I enjoyed it as he is my fav of the 4 MMCs. But also we got a good look into Eli’s issues and how that got sorted throughout the book.

Freya made some questionable decisions especially at the beginning of the story but it was a really satisfactory ending/cliffanger which should make the third book super interesting. Such quick and easy reads.

The kink stuff in this series is daaaaamn but it’s done in such a good way. Doesn’t feel too much feels just right for the dynamic of the RH group. And still really love how each character feels unique and have their own traits and storylines.

[Olivia ❦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

★4/5! oh that ending was so cruel. cliffhangers will be the death of me one day for sure. y’all don’t come for me but i lowkey enjoyed this book more than the first (ᵕ—ᴗ—) the romance, character development and plots were just so much more enjoyable! especially all the family moments with Oz’s family 🥹💗

'𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐲𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫.' River Park the man that you are (੭ ˊ^ˋ)੭ still my favourite man

i’m so invested in this series, definitely one of the best why choose i’ve read in a loooong time!

'𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. "𝑰𝒇 𝑰 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒕," 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬, "𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘." defending Freya till my last dying breath, my girl deserves all the happiness in the world.

[cam &#x1f342; · Rating 2 out of 5]

They all pissed me off more times than not in this book. They're supposed to be so smart but they sure do act like idiots half of the time. I was already used to the fast pace of their romance but god did they make me cringe. The spice was still good though so at least that part was consistent, but I needed them to lock in a little more and stop worrying about fucking all the time.

The conclusion with her dad was a bit anticlimactic but I did like the twist so this wasn't a total waste of my time. I can't say I'm having the best time with these but they are helping me with my slump so???

[Miriam Rozas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Con lo bien que empezamos y lo mal que me da que va a acabar esta trilogía…

Simplemente no soy capaz ya ni de leer las escenas +18 porque me dan una vergüenza absoluta. Incomodidad diría incluso. Entre los traumas que tiene la prota y que la “castiguen” por “portarse mal” usando el sexo, tengo que decir ya basta jajajaj.

[Alva Schwung · Rating 5 out of 5]

yeah this is pure crack cocaine. the way the story is evolving? wow. the dynamics? get the fuck out of here. no shut the fuck up im completely obsessed this is my new favourite why choose. it’s literally just criminal minds but hotter and more fucking. immaculate really.

[MARI · Rating 4 out of 5]

buddy read #2 with Sammi and I want to cry. I saw it coming but I’m still sad. I just know the next book is going to be good 🫣

[sammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

buddy read with mari part 2!!

dude shut up i am going to sob my eyes out