Secrets in the Air Flying is in Rhett O’Neil’s blood. And nothing makes this pilot fly higher than wrapping himself in his husband Kaden’s arms. He’s thrilled when his grandfather entrusts him with O’Neil Airways, the family’s charter airplane business. With a mix of humanitarian and corporate clients, Rhett plans a bright future where his success improves the world.
Elise, Rhett’s mother, begins offering advice to “help” her son through the transition into increased responsibility. As evidence surfaces that her words are escalating into devastating actions, the truth comes out about the death of Rhett's sister Annabelle. Kaden has to race to protect his husband and himself from the consequences of the Secrets in the Air before it’s too late.
Liz Borino transcribes the world inside her head onto the page, and share it with the people who are stuck in the “real world” to makes their lives a little more interesting. Because in her world, heroes fall and stand up again with the help of their partners and friends. Liz’s world is littered with formidable obstacles, which her heroes overcome with a fire of courage and passion. The beauty of love between two men is celebrated. Who wouldn’t want to live there? When not with her heroes, Liz enjoys exploring cities, working toward social justice, and editing for other authors. Liz is less than three months from obtaining her Masters’ degree in English and published nine books since 2010.
Sap galore. Not my cuppa, babe. Are you going to save my day too, Pop? Baba, you're old enough to save it on your own. Yeah, I can see why Rhetty and *rolls eyes* would need a little bit of assistance.
It's kind of strange but I thought there wasn't all that much happening despite some cheesy drama. I think I felt this way because everything revolved around that plot twist which, quite frankly, didn't cut it for me at all. Also, it doesn't appeal to me when important events take place off page. Don't tell me what happened, show me, please. All the trite inner monologue annoyed the heck out of me. In addition to my issues, dear old (filthy rich) Pop took care of everything. Sorry, that's just not cool. In the end, the wrap-up resolution was way too rushed and convenient and failed to placate me.
All in all an underwhelming read and there wasn't enough substance for me to keep on reading this series.
The strength of this story lies in an established couple who are still very much in love. Rhett and Kaden have been married for two and a half years but together for thirteen years. They live for each other and very demonstrative with their affections. I love to see a book that shows a long-term couple who are still passionate.
Rhett is a pilot and works for his grandfather's company. Pop (the grandfather) is also a star of this book– I loved his character and found his support of Rhett wonderful. Although he has money, Rhett's life hasn't always been a bed of roses, with a strange mom and a father he wants nothing to do with. This estrangement forms a large part of the story. Kaden is a nurse. He is a caring and supportive partner. He provides the family that Rhett has missed out on.
This is a story with romance but is largely a mystery. It has twists and turns, involving cross-country flights, the FBI, attempted murder, bribes, and family secrets. There's enough action to keep you page turning to find out what's going to happen next. Sometimes the scenes were a little brief and the transitions a little abrupt. I found myself wanting to read a little more before moving on. For me, I also found the number of coincidences in the story a bit far-fetched. But parking reality for a moment, it was still an enjoyable story.
I was reading from an ARC which I think had some formatting issues, meaning the dialogue transition between characters was a little blurred and I had to stop to work out who was talking in some instances. But it wasn't enough to detract too badly from the reading experience and I am sure will be corrected in the final version of the book.
This is a story for someone who likes a loving couple who are thrown into a situation that puts their lives at risk, where they have to race to solve a mystery and overcome obstacles in order to move on with their lives– sex, love, action, mystery and drama.
This was a unique read as the main couple was already established, married and in love. It's a nice change of pace when the central story doesn't revolve around falling in love or getting together.
I was concerned at the point when the "drama" began and Rhett was assaulted. He was threatened not to tell his husband what happened or it might happen to him too. At that point, I almost DNF'd the book. The one thing I despise is keeping secrets between partners that you know will destroy the relationship. Luckily, Rhett told his husband everything and I was very glad I continued on with the book.
I really enjoyed the story until close to the ending. I thought everything resolved itself and came together much too quickly. I could have easily seen this storyline drawn out and continue on for maybe even a second book. It had a lot of potential. I don't like when an author wraps everything up in a pretty little bow. Life is harsh. Do get me wrong, I love a happy ending and always want some kind of happiness for the couple but this was a little too perfect.
I have read several of the author's books and must say the editing errors in this book were way fewer in comparison to previous books.
I like the author's style of writing and will continue to read her books.
Okay, so......this was a freebie that was completely OTT and pretty cheesy but still entertaining. I enjoyed the established couple but they threw around 'my husband' a bit too much. After the hundredth time, I was like, I get it already!! The drama was like a bad reality show but I found myself extremely curious. I *think* I will continue but probably not anytime soon. I'm not dismissing the sequel but I'm not dying to jump into either.
This M/M suspense novel, Secrets In The Air by Liz Borino!
Rhett's passion is flying and he loves his husband Kaden more than anything even flying. He has been entrusted with the family airline, O'Neil Airways. His flights include both corporate and humanitarian. Rhett's mom, Elise tries to help her son with his new responsibilities but her words of advice are leading to devastating actions. Soon the truth about the death of his sister will be revealed. Now Kaden must protect his husband and himself from the family secret or the consequences might put them in serious danger.
I love all the twists that are in this story and ones that you don't see coming and what an amazing explosive ending. Rhett has been with his loving husband for 13 years and they have an amazing relationship. Rhett has a very strained relationship with his mother and basically calls his father a sperm donor. When his father enters the story it gets more twisted than you can believe and his mother is another disaster story in itself. I adored the cute relationship Rhett had with his grandfather.
The author takes you on a journey of intrigue, suspense and major drama and this was such an interesting and fun read. She kept everything flowing so well and smooth and I enjoyed her characters very much and everything that Rhett and Kaden had to endure. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good M/M suspense novel!
"Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review."
I’ve read other books by this author in the past, but I have to say that this one is by far my favorite from her so far! Overall, the story was one of the best that I have read this year, I couldn’t put it down and even after I finished it, I just wished it kept going on longer! I thought that the characters in this book, even the secondary characters, were all extremely well written. They were very detailed and well thought out. You could tell very easily the relationship between each of them just by the way that they were with each other. Even the characters that you could tell there was hatred towards, it was very easy to understand why that was. The storyline is one that while it has been used quite a bit, the twists that Ms. Borino used in the story were some that just caught me completely off guard. I was shocked beyond belief about the ending of the story because I really did not see that coming! Some of the topics that are touched on in this book are very sensitive, but I think that Ms. Borino used the right amount of kid and adult gloves to pull them off. While there were some parts that could have been taken to a completely different level, she left them at a point where you didn’t become uncomfortable when reading. This book is one that is about love, relationships, friendship, betrayal, murder, suspense, and just overall goodness. If you enjoy these types of books, I would completely recommend it to you!
*copy provided for Review* Reviewed by Crystal for Crystal's Many Reviewers
~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads Review Team~
Rhett and his husband Kaden have a great life that life gets even better when Rhett’s grandpa turns over half of the family business, O’Neil Airways, to Rhett whose passion is flying. With jobs they both love and a loving relationship, Kaden and Rhett are about to be thrown for a loop. Rhett’s mother who hasn’t been in his life for years tries to wiggle her way back in because she doesn’t think he can handle the family business. While taking on humanitarian work Rhett finds out that not everyone is who they say they are, especially his mother and her husband. This was a good book, I actually didn’t see the story going where it did but it was really good. I only wished the bedroom scenes were a little steamier because I could feel the love between Rhett and Kaden but I couldn’t feel the passion when they were in the bedroom.
Characters: The characters were well written and believable.
I haven't wanted to watch someone die so badly in a book in ages...and I only half got what I wanted in the end.
What I liked best about this book wasn't the mystery but the relationship between Rhett and Kay; I found their interactions believable and you could see just how much they cared for each other. I enjoyed Pop's character too...especially when he pulled out a rifle and threatened someone who shall remain nameless...I only wish he'd actually fired it. -.- The mystery portion was well done and even if it was fairly obvious who was all involved, the twist at the end was unexpected. The entire thing wrapped up well though and we're left with a happy ending... 3.5*
4.5 stars...A great start to a series. I actually enjoyed reading about an established couple. Rhett and Kaden were so sweet together. There's a mystery in the book that I'm not saying anything about you have to read it.
After a couple of days of deliberation, this was better than OK but not amazing, good plot but a couple of things that bothered me. Anyway full review over at www.scuttlebuttreviews.com
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I got it for free on Amazon and I enjoyed it. The writing and editing was good and the story moved well without too much fuss and angst.
The best part of this book was Rhett and Kaden’s relationship. Kaden is so sweet and understanding and always has his husband’s back. They are still cute and hot together and I really liked that dynamic.
However, I found the plot was a bit lacking. If there had been more of a connection between Rhett’s grandfather and the work he chose to do for the FBI, then the ringleaders of the operation would not have felt completely dropped in there. The incident with Rhett’s sister was also needlessly complicated. It seemed that Rhett’s memory changed to fit the plot. I also would have liked to see some of the action, maybe from the POV of another character, as a few pivotal scenes happened when Rhett and Kaden were waiting in a hotel room and were only told what happened after the fact.
I think the two main characters and their honest, fun and sexy interaction saved the book. The series continues, but I don’t think I’ll read any more, especially since it features a character that was introduced at the very end who creeps me out and seems cold and evil but who is portrayed as sympathetic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Not my cuppa. I did like the relationship between Rhetty and Kaden and their relationship with Pop, but the rest of it was so convoluted that even I couldn't suspend my disbelief to this extent. And the last twist was utterly ridiculous. Not gonna buy book #2, sorry.
Rhett O'Neil is an accomplished pilot, loving partner to his husband Kaden and the devoted grandson of his grandfather, Don. His life has not gone without complications though. When he was just a child his twin sister died in their father's care, and Rhett went to live with his grandfather soon after. To add weight to the strain on his relationship with his mother, she allowed his father to come back home when he was released from prison. The parent/child relationship was irrevocably broken. Now with Don heading toward retirement, he hands over the reigns of his Airline business to Rhett, much to Elise's... Rhett's mother, Don's daughter... dismay.
Kaden loves his job as a nurse which is no surprise, he is a born nurturer and it shows in his work and in his marriage. The only thing he loves more than his job is Rhett. So when Elise's meddling and manipulations threaten the two things Kaden holds most dear, he will support his husband in his efforts to ensure she doesn't get her way. But it seems that with every hurdle they cross, another road block is put into their path. Lies, secrets and betrayal run deep and blood is not thicker than water, at least not in this case. There is a reason that Greed is one of the seven deadly sins, and that isn't more evident than in this story.
I'm completely taken with Borino's work, I loved her Angel series. There is a raw reality to her stories that make them a little bit different than others in the genre. And while there were a couple of things with this book that didn't quite work for me, overall I enjoyed the story. This was definitely a dialogue driven story, too much at times for me. As well certain parts seemed rushed. I would like to see this book a few dozen or so pages longer, and a certain aspects explored more fully.
That being said, I loved the way the relationship between Rhett and Kaden was written and conveyed. Even when certain things are called into question, they support each other regardless. There is never any doubt, and that's something you don't see often in books, hell, in life. Rhett is the strength of the duo while Kaden is the nurturer, but there comes a point where Kaden has to be the strength for Rhett and it added a depth to the story that wouldn't have shown otherwise. There were a few twists here and there, I found myself crying at one point, and justice and happiness prevailed in the end. So that gives Borino bonus points in my books.
As I said, overall I enjoyed the story to spite a few speed bumps. If you like a story that has equal parts mystery, suspense, drama and romance then you are sure to like Secrets in the Air.
This story was so good. I especially loved the relationship between Rhett and Kaden, because they were both similar guys who were very comfortable together; they just seemed to be made for one another. I was drawn into their life like a moth is drawn to light. I didn’t see one guy being more alpha then the other, which sometimes really works for me, but I really enjoyed these two mainly because they were so comfortable with each other, they were friends and lovers, and that was very sexy to me.
Rhett is a pilot and Kaden is a nurse. They are both professionals and have been together since high school. They are married only two years, but have been together for thirteen. I personally love established couples, because the mating ritual is already out of the way and we get to see another aspect of the relationship unfold. It is quite endearing to see that both Rhett and Kaden were so at ease with their relationship that miscommunication was not an issue. That was quite attractive to me as a reader.
Rhett flies for his grandfather, and is the recipient of half the business when his pops decides to slow down and look ahead to his retirement years. That was expected. What wasn’t expected was that grandpa was actually working with the FBI and allowing them the use of his planes as a way to stop a human sex trafficking ring. Rhett is now taking over as that pilot and yep, you guessed it, the first flight out doesn’t end so well; poor Rhett.
Rhett is the grandson of a billionaire, and the heir to his empire since his mother is cut off from her father. The drama behind that is quite severe, considering she chose Rhett’s father over Rhett AFTER he was released from prison for not doing anything to prevent Rhett’s twin sister from dying. That was harsh and sad, but what a bitch…who chooses a man over their kids anyway? Well, if you want to know, start reading because this lady is awful, just absolutely the pits. Trust me; you won’t blame pops or Rhett for kicking her to the curb.
The drama and action with the FBI and the human trafficking is really good. Puts a nice spin on the story, and the twists and surprises at the end are really awesome. I loved how it ended, and I loved that an established couple was featured as the protagonists. And I appreciated that the drama was in the story but not in their relationship. Rhett and Kaden start out rock solid and end rock solid. I can’t ask for more than that.
First off I seriously just have to say what a freaking cute couple Rhett and Kaden make! I love MM romances but although this wasn’t a romance per se, the rapport you find between this married couple just totally made me melt!! Rhett is the daredevil, live life to the limits Pilot and second in command at his family’s charter airline business and Kaden is an addiction nurse with a huge heart and caring nature. They are happily married and seeming to be totally happy with their lot in life. Even the introduction of Lassie into their lives and Rhett’s reluctance to his arrival is cute!
And add to that beautiful relationship, Pop, Rhett’s savior and grandfather and basically the only sane and steady thing in his life! Rhett and Pop run the charter airline business and we start the story by Rhett being asked to see his Grandfather who basically hands him the reins to the business and along with it his own secret relationship with the FBI. This is where the plot thickens and the story gets really interesting!!!
This intrigue and the twists and turns in this book had me gripped. Who can anyone trust and who is behind the mess that very quickly unravels? The introduction of Rhett’s pugnacious mother and major problem of a father (or Sperm Donor as he is referred to throughout the book) adds a huge darker dimension to the plot too!
I loved the character development in the story and particularly loved the Kaden/Rhett dynamic as well as Pop and his cantankerous attitude and his sly secrets too! The flash backs that you get from Rhett to his childhood and especially in relation to a particular scene with a box of condoms had me in stitches at times but also cemented in my head the amazing relationship that he shares with him.
This book started out quite light but the path that the story took was nothing like I had expected and I loved it. The suspense had me hooked from the start! And the ending – NEVER saw that coming!
I really enjoyed this story and will definitely be looking at more from this author!!
If an author plans to use a trope where an MC decides he can't report a crime because the bad guy makes vague threats against his loved ones, it's probably best to choose crimes in which women aren't being held as sex slaves. Reading sex/romance scenes between main characters while ostensibly there are women being violated and *nobody can tell the authorities because bad guys are bad* does not make me happy.
Especially when part of the plot is about a dad who is a murderer because he could have helped his daughter but chose not to save himself and (spoiler alert)...
said daughter turns out to be one of the sex slaves...
Like, sorry you had to spend an extra month being brutalized, but I didn't have enough evidence to guarantee that the bad guy wouldn't/couldn't hurt my lover if I turned him in. But that's different from what Dad did to you because... um because...he was a bad guy!
Also, an obnoxious number of coincidences and conveniences. The grandfather who might have been able to help conveniently has stroke right when Rhett is telling him the situation, then the phone rings, etc. Meanwhile WOMEN ARE SEX SLAVES! It's like the author forgot that part! There is no urgency at all. You're not supposed to be thinking about them or their plight. The book starts off with rescuing sex slaves, then goes off on all these tangents, and the reader is supposed to just forget that while the MCs are dealing with parent problems and inheritance issues and etc., there are sex slaves! Not just nebulous "somewhere in the world" sex slaves, but actual women that someone involved in the plot knows the location of!
ARGH!
I read a Mary Calmes book directly after, and marveled that despite the fact that all of her books have the exact same characters, at least if her characters aren't calling the cops it is for a reason other than "some guy told me he'd hurt me if I called the cops, then vanished."
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Rhett loves to fly. He's been doing it his whole life. When his grandfather hands over half the airplane business, things start to change in his normally stable life. He's been with his husband Kaden for over 13 years and has a very strained relationship with his mother, Elise, and the man he calls his sperm donor.
The farther into the story you get the more twisted it gets. One thing after another seems to be happening to Rhett and Kaden. Someone is out to break them up and keep Rhett from successfully running the business his grandfather worked so hard for.
Rhett and Kaden have a great relationship. It was sweet to see how much they cared and supported each other through the various situations they were put into. I loved seeing how Kaden's family was supportive of the men whenever they needed it as well as Rhett's grandfather (favorite cute scene was the flash back of Pops and teenage Rhett and a box of protection)
The book wasn't as steamy as most of the books I read, but the suspense was well written as were the characters and I just couldn't put it down!
You can't help but think Rhett and Kaden's relationship is just so sweet. The two of them just seem perfect together, so comfortable with each other and willing to do anything for each other. This helps set the stage for how their commitment to each other helps them get through the craziness when Rhett's mother tries to insinuate herself into the business dealings of her son and all of the suspense and thrilling moments that come along with the secrets that eventually get uncovered.
The author does a great job of weaving a suspenseful story that keeps you guessing until the end. While this book is primarily classified as a romance, it felt more like a suspense/thriller with romantic elements to me. The couple of steamy scenes are short and not overdone, adding just enough to the story to expound on Rhett and Kaden's devoted relationship and not overpower the main storyline.
The characters are very well-rounded, and I think I've settled on Kaden as my favorite...though Rhett is an extremely close second. You'll love the good guys and hate the bad ones-as you should-which to me means the author did a great job at crafting them and making you become invested in them.
18+ for those steamy scenes, and a solid 4 stars from me!
This book is absolutely amazing. I couldn’t stop once I started. Rhett works for his Grandfather that has raised him in a flying business. They fly rich people wherever they want. When Rhett is given his half the inheritance early so his Grand-father can step down since he can no longer fly at his age, things begin to go crazy. Rhett finds that they have a special client that is FBI and only Rhett can fly this client on special missions to rescue kidnapped girls sold into slavery. He never realized that this mission might jeopardize the life of his husband as well as his own.
There are so many twists in this story. I was in shocked several times but wow what an ending. Rhett and Kaden’s love for each other is outstanding. The sex scenes, while there are a few are very hot but very sensual. There is suspense from the get go to the very end. I highly recommend this to everyone that likes a M/M, romantic suspense, especially if you like mystery, intrigue, nail-biting suspense and sweet, loving man-sex.
This was an amazing story! I loved the main characters Rhett and Kaden. Liz did a great job creating them as a wonderful, loving couple. Once I started it, I just couldn't put it down. It has an element of mystery and suspense that was very intriguing and added so much depth to the book as a whole.
It's a story filled with secrets, broken family bonds and the power of love to overcome it all. Liz weaves a world where you get lost in the dramatic lives of a family torn apart by hate, greed and selfishness. The journey to redemption for this family is not paved with gold, but is filled with ruts as they forge through life and discover the secrets that bind them all together.
Liz is definitely an author that has moved to the top of my list where I would drop everything I am doing to read a new book she has created! If you love a good mm story filled with depth and a great loving couple, then I highly recommend this read!
"I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads."
This novel is a well crafted mystery/ family drama with two hot, happily married guys as the lead characters. It was a real pleasure to read about their adventures with them being a united force at all times. There are layers of complexity in the mystery that work well, and the outcome is pretty well hidden until the end.
I read this cover to cover in a day and was thoroughly entertained by the story and greatly enjoyed the closeness of the relationship between Kayden and Rhett. Many thanks, Ms Borino
Rhett and Kaden are an established couple who have a very solid, supportive relationship. In Secrets in the Air they are faced with many obstacles that threaten their safety, their family, and their job security. But they are able to push through it and come out stronger in the end. Rhett has a witty, sarcastic sense of humor that he gets from his grandfather, Don. Kaden is a born nurturer that stole Rhett's heart a long time ago. I won't give anything away because I want you to read this amazing book for yourself but there is enough suspense in it to keep you up all night. I love these boys and how they interact with each other. You will laugh, cry, and be outraged right along with them. Great job, Liz!
Rhett is married to Kaden. He is an amazing pilot, and his family is accepting of his life style. Rhett and Kaden have an unconditional love that anyone would be happy with. They are always true to each other and always there to protect one another. His mother is a crazy lady. She chose her life after a tragic event happened earlier in their life. His grandfather raised him and is now handing him over half of his business. What he didn't know what what all that entailed. Rhett was told to fly a secret mission for the company and of course he can't tell anyone about it. Tragic events start to happen and Rhett ends up at the hospital. Kaden has to protect what is his and Rhett and Don are his. There is a wonderful surprise at the end that makes the story so awesome and a great read.
Liz Borino is one of my exceptions when it comes to not wanting to read already established couples. This is the third of her books that I’ve reviewed and as with her Angel series I appreciate the way she handles the main characters’ relationship. The drama in the story comes from outside of the two men and the trust and belief that they have in their love shines through the whole story. No matter what the many (many, many) bad guys throw at them their faith in each other never falters and to be honest it was just absolutely beautiful to read.
there were so many things to like about this book, i can't wait to read the rest of the series!
my most favorite thing about this book is the relationship between kaden and rhett...high school sweethearts still very much in love. both are strong characters individually and together. their banter together is entertaining and their love for each other is so sweet.
pop is a fantastic character as well. he is the quintessential patriarch of the family and you can't help but love his orneriness. he is truly a great man and a great influence for rhett.
the mystery and intrigue in the story kept a pretty good pace throughout the book. most of it wasn't too surprising but there is a huge surprise toward the end.
This book was so good. It had a little bit of mystery and intrigue in it, but it wasn't the main focus of the story. It added to the story and kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next. While some people shy away from established couples, this book was great because all of the issues are external. It was nice to see how a couple that has been together can overcome problems if they work together. Highly suggest this book!
This was a romance mystery book with a M/M romance. This was a different type of read then I normally read but I must admit that I did enjoy it. It had romance and mystery mixed all into a short and spicy book. Rhett and Kaden are in a long tern relationship that has lasted for many years and they have a bond between them that no amount of drama will break. This is a great book for anyone who likes suspense, drama and murder all in one book.
Needs an edit. Looks like it was edited with MS Word.
Some of the plot points don't make sense. Like there was a story outline and some scenes just kind of were >>>there<<<.
The flying/business aspect of the book is not explained at all. We know what a pilot is. There is no clear picture about what the hell Rhett does for a job besides fly. But he's successful at it. Or at least grandpa is.
And these people are pretty damn forgiving. The turn at the end is laughable and way too neat.
Really liked this book. Its slightly different as its an established couple. So the romance was a given really. This was more of a mystery book. And it gave that in spades. There was more twists and turns to make a very suspense driven book.