~USA TODAY BESTSELLING SERIES~ Volume 2 in a new series by New York Times Bestselling author H.M. Ward
Rebound sex gone wrong, plus epically bad luck, lands me in a sticky spot--at the front of a classroom, naked, with the totally hot, totally forbidden Mr Sketch Pad. I'm not a model, but here I am feeling more drawn to him each second. Add in that sexy smile and I'm totally screwed.
Genre: New Adult Romance This story unfolds over multiple volumes approx. 110 pgs each
H.M. Ward continues to reign as a NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author who surpassed more than 23 million books sold, placing her among the literary titans. Ward has been featured in articles in the NEW YORK TIMES, FORBES, and USA TODAY to name a few.
There seems to be an undercurrent Kerry is not able to understand between Emily and Nathan. Carver, thank you for being a good friend, is very protective of her too. Finally, a phone call from home absolutely throws her for a spin. Yep! All of this within the first few pages.
There is so much going on. Kerry is trying to sort through all the back and forth - how is a girl to know which of these rich brats are going to be douche bags an which ones will make good friends? Kerry is so innocent!
She also has to decide if she will show up for the modelling gig. Let's face it... she not used to sitting around a bunch of students while they draw her naked body.
Reading this brings back memories of those early college days where everything is so new and different. Being away from the security and routine of home is difficult enough. Now she is in the real world and must make her way, making her own decisions and choosing who she is going to be when she grows up.
I find it amazing how HM Ward is able to develop rather quickly characters that feel so real. I am invested in Kerry's future already. The mother in me just wants to protect her from all the jackasses and dangers that exist in her world. Keep reminding me... this is a book... this is fiction... they are not really real!
First of all, thank you H.M. Ward for the advanced readers copy, for my honest review. I love all of your books, they keep me on the edge of my seat, and I can't put them down until I'm finished. I believe that Nathan is the mysterious Ferro. I keep going that Kerry's luck changes, she really does deserve some happiness after what Matt did to her in the first book and what her mother did in the second book. I don't want to give anything away so I will just say, please read the book. I can't wait for Secrets and Lies 3. As always you kicked butt.
Wo-oh-oh OH!!!! Talk about Secrets and Lies!! Kerry is already an emotional mess. Getting dumped by her boyfriend via text message just sucks. Then finding out he was already seeing someone else is just another blow. Kerry meets Nathan, a sexy artist, who was supposed to be her rebound sex but he split. Like literally seconds before the action. Talk about crushing someone’s ego. Well the hits just keep coming. More secrets are revealed to Kerry and her life is just spiraling downward. Kerry and Nathan really have something special but all the secrets/omissions and lies are just too much. No spoilers here but…shit hits the fan! Omg, I need the next book like NOW! So good, Holly (H.M Ward) is just freaking amazing! I love how the Ferro men are all intertwined in one another’s book. Brilliant!!
Talk about a string of bad luck- It seems if it could go wrong then it will for Kerry. Shes trying to roll with the punches. The biggest sucker punch was from her mom!! Her parents are seperating because her mom has a new guy - but wait - it's Kerry's ex- WTH. Well written and definetly keeps you reading to see what else could possibly happen.
First and foremost, I’d like to thank H.M.Ward for this opportunity to do an ARC review :)
(this is book 2 of 7 in the Secrets & Lies series and is 102 pages print length)
More secrets and lies develop as this story unfolds! This book leaves off exactly where book 1 left us. We have discovered that “Mystery man” is Nathan Smith and he is an artist…that is all we know about his story…there is still this aura of mystery around him. Kerry is starting to establish a friend base: Carter, Emily, Beth, Beth’s brothers, but can she trust any of them?
Then to make things even worse, she gets tricked into being the nude model for her art class. After missing her first day, the professor threatened to kick her out of class unless she did something for him. “…I made a big deal out of how I could do whatever he could dish out because I’m a serious artist. Being unable to handle nudity is a sign of immaturity in the art world.” So sucking up her pride, she agrees and arrives to the class early to set up. Surprise, surprise Nathan is there for the class! “Our eyes lock and I can’t look away. I’ve never felt such a magnetic pull toward another person before, ever.” But why is he there? Is it just a coincidence that he’s there or something more?
We are left with a major cliffhanger ending….FERRO family enters the picture!! (if you have been a fan of H.M.Ward and have read her other books that relate to the Ferro family, then you know that this could mean only one thing...EVEN MORE SECRETS AND LIES!) Who is Nathan Smith…and what does he have to do with the Ferro family?
I’m giving this book 5 stars because there’s more depth to this installment and more secrets ;)
This Volume was as fun, as sexy and as quick as the first book. And I loved it still.
Kerry’s heart was suffering from a total devastation and so her new found friend, Beth, was trying to help her get over a painful break-up. Kerry tried hooking up with a total stranger, it went just fine until he left her hanging. She was double killed. And if you think nothing worse will gonna happen, then you’re all wrong. Kerry’s mother called her telling her she’s not happy with her father anymore and that she had an affair…with MATT! Yes, she had a fuckin’ affair with Kerry fuckin’ ex-boyfriend. Guess what, there’s more, actually. Kerry was trapped by her professor. And she had to model for their class’ painting session, she had to do it…NAKED. Wow! When it rains, it pours, right?!
Well, the good thing was that she again met the oh-so-yummy-and-oh-so-sexy Mystery guy. And he has a name now – Nathan. Meeting Nathan again was like the best thing happened to Kerry, so far. The chemistry was still there. The attraction was still as strong as the first time they saw each other. The kisses they shared together gave her sweet promises.
But it seems faith has been so hard to Kerry. Because Nathan, the guy who had seen her naked, the guy whose kisses were so good, was her art professor. Gosh! What Kerry and Nathan should do now?
All in all this series is a must read. Obviously, this one-hundred-pager book is fully packed. You’re so good Ms. Holly. It’s awesome. I want the book 3 RIGHT. NOW.
There is always room for more FERRO! Even if we don't know who he really is yet. Whoever the new mystery Ferro is, he is definitely as scrumptious as all of the other fabulous Ferro men. I'm completely convinced that Nathan is our new leading Ferro, and I'm thinking he's one of Bryan's brothers. Anyway, even if I'm wrong Secrets & Lies is one of Holly's best new series. While it doesn't appear to have as much darkness as The Arrangement series, it's not lacking in entertainment and intrigue. The chemistry between Kerry and Nathan is smoldering. I don't know how these two have managed to keep their hands to themselves, let alone other body parts. In the second installment of the series, things are really starting to heat up, and not just physically. Students are being drugged and raped. Kerry may have stepped into some serious complications with choosing to model. Things are getting sticky between Kerry and Carter. Kerry gets the shock of her life, which has to be the ultimate betrayal a girl can deal with. And to top it off, the man Kerry wants may be completely off limits. Gosh! What's a girl to do?! The Secrets & Lies series is a must read for ALL FERRO FANS! You will absolutely love it!! Oh, and did I mention there's a surprise appearance by a previous Ferro yummy? This is a total must read!!!
I received an ARC of Secrets & Lies 2 by H.M.Ward for my honest review. Before reading this I had to recap on what the 1st book because it had been so long since I read the first instalment. Then reading Secrets & Lies 2 I fell in love all over again. I really enjoyed it. It’s funny and hot! Holly is an incredible writer! I love at the end of every story there is always a cliff hanger to make you want to read more. Can’t wait to find out what happens next between the characters.
Cliffhanger Queen strikes againGot an ARC copy of this book for honest review and have to say wasn't let down, have to say I am addicted to Holly's books, Iit's like you are drawn into the people's lives as you are reading them love the attitude of of Kerry and how she says whatever she is thinking. You will love this book and can't wait for book 3 to come out
well well well... I do believe I can honestly say that I didn't see this one coming... awesome job holly. okay now please hurry with book three.. why am I not saying anything about the serial you ask? can't because then it wouldn't be a shocker.. wanna know? yep you guessed it, you have to buy it :)
SPOILER FREE REVIEW: LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Holly did it again. I loved Secrets and Lies 1 and this just sucked me in their world EVEN more. And hella cliffhanger, nail biting!!!
Ok so book 2 is here and we are still no closer to merging into the Ferro World. Granted there is the cliff at the end of this book, but even though Mystery Man now has an identity I'm still not quite sure how all these puzzle pieces will fit together. So poor Kerry's life just keeps getting worse and I'm so very confused by her friends reactions, but at this point, knowing that there will be 7 books in this series we are still building a relationship with her. We are still in the getting to know you phase and I can't wait to see how this story will play out. I love the mystery of new books and I love that the drama is going to really get going in the next book, when we finally get to read it.
So I finish book 2 and as usual we have a small cliff and I was thinking I don't want to follow the author's reading order, why can't I just read all 7 books and enjoy what will be an interesting series. So I start book 3 and get in a couple of pages and stop. I'm about a paragraph or two away from the end of chapter 1 and realize that I'm about to ruin a plot twist and just so you are aware it looks like this series might actually tie in with the Arrangments YES!!! So I stopped reading, I don't want to learn anything before I'm supposed to. But at least I feel better about continuing on. So if you are OCD like myself I'll see you in Life Before Damaged 1 and I can't wait to learn all about a young Peter Ferro, my favorite character.
If there were more stars to give this one would date them!!!!!!
This is the FUNNIEST book I have ever read! The things that happen to the lead female character are sooooo out there that I just LMAO! Seriously well written. Also, I would so love to sit and have drinks with this author because she is absolutely hilarious!!!!!! If romance stories with female leads that don't take themselves too seriously is your thing you GOTTA read this series!!!
Kerry, me hace pensar en Isis Blake de Lovely Vicious. Ambas tan graciosas, con tanto que dar al mundo, tan felices. Auuuunque Kerry, es más ahhh suelta. Amo estos libros, me tienen riendo por hoooras
Things seem to be moving slowly for the characters as well as the story. Two books in and Kerry and Nathan have just now realized the problem with getting together because of who they are??
I Just so you know, I haven't read all of the Ferro books, but enough of them to feel how fresh this new storyline is in the Ferro compilation. We're not even sure at this point how this intriguing young male artist in this story even relates to the Ferros. All we know is he surely resembles them in looks, charisma, humor, and most definitely sexiness. But he doesn't flaunt it. Not only that, he's got that loner artist vibe. Perfectly content to sit in the background and just sketch. Yet definitely approachable. Personally, I'm Really digging him!
It's kinda strange I started with the Mystery guy, when this book is from a girls point of view! Her name is Kerry and she's just beginning college on an art scholarship. She's all alone and from the moment she gets there, not one damn thing has gone right! It's like she's been cursed! Poor girl! You will Really feel for her, especially since NO matter what happens, she doesn't let it take her down. She may cry, but she keeps moving forward. She's got a whole lot of heart and we are just beginning to get to know her as she traverses the minefield her life has become.
Her and mystery guy, mentioned above, have had a sizzling connection since they first met. There is something very tangible that is drawing them together, but of course, with all sorts of crazy things crashing into Kerry's life, things aren't going smoothly. Plus Kerry was just recently dumped, by text, by her longtime boyfriend and on her first day there! Matt was her first boyfriend and she thought that perhaps he'd end up being husband material. Guess not! And you WILL NOT BELIEVE Who he dumped her for! OMG! Poor Kerry. She just needs some love and affection and Hot SEX to forget about that Loser! Right? Well her new friends say so. That's not really like her at all, but she doesn't know what else to try. Maybe for one night...
These two serials were very funny and I laughed through most of them. I love Kerry and Mystery guy sure has MY attention! Kerry's new friends and supporting cast are varied and interesting. I Really look forward to what's coming next cuz I didn't get nearly enough in these two serials to satisfy my burning curiosity on what comes next!
I recommend you immediately buy these two books Right Now! I Guarantee you that you will be SO glad you did!
I enjoyed this book, I like how at times it had alot lighter side to it then her other books, when Kerry and her friends are hanging with each other, joking around. I don't like how Kerry seems to get beaten down over and over again, just like in the first book she had the most terrible luck and now in this book she is being treated like dirt from her mother and from other students. This book is funny, sad, and romantic. I cannot believe Kerry's mother, wow what a terrible person. I felt bad for her when her friends acted so weird about her posing, really don't understand what was wrong with Emily, why was she so upset? I thought it was awful how that Quinn guy talked to her, treated her so badly. My heart broke for Carter and at the same time I felt bad for Josh because he seems different now but there still must be more to the story because why wouldn't Josh just tell Carter he was sorry. The chemistry between Kerry and Nathan is undeniable and great to read. I love how he touches her and how he makes her feel. During the art class I knew what was happening and I figured this was what was going to happen, my heart broke. I am a little surprised though that Nathan didn't realize about Kerry. Then of all people for her to run into, a certain Ferro, can't wait to see this connection.
Kerry is an insanely spicy personality. She knows what she wants and isn't going to let anyone intimidate her. As proven by the previous volume where she agrees she is a serious artist by being the nude model for a class. She is trying to make a point and lets be honest she needs the money. Her relationships with her new friends are changing and she may have permanently damaged them at this point. After an interesting party where Emily got drugged and Kerry and Carter had to carry her home. Kerry walks in to the class where she is to be the model and is surprised to find her one night stand that didn't go so well! Turns out he is in the class and bonus now she has to sit naked for 3 hours in front of him. Will Kerry be able to do it or will she run?
The relationship between Kerry and Nathan is awesome. They have so much sexual tension you can practically see it. I have been waiting for them to meet up again. Although I didn't expect him to run into Kerry at class. I have to admit I was hoping they would give in to their lust filled attraction! Let's just say they kind of did. I want more!!
I know I say this a lot but, I have a bad feeling with the way this one ended. A huge conflict of interest is brought to life and I am not sure Kerry and Nathan can survive it. I need the next volume ASAP!
Secrets & Lies 2 was the first H.M. Ward book I had to wait for, and I’ll tell you: It wasn’t fun! When I first picked up Secrets & Lies 2, I was a little confused because I had read so many other books in between, and I couldn’t remember much. Luckily, though, the important things came back to me pretty quickly as I continued.
While the “raccoon bus” was unfortunately absent in this installment, it had some of its own hilarious moments, starting right at the beginning. There were also some super-awkward moments (the phone call with her mother, for example. I won’t say anything else about it, but just wait until you read it!)
One of the things I like best about this series is that it’s the funniest of Holly’s series, in my opinion. While it feels like everything that can go wrong will for Kerry, it all seems to happen in light and funny ways, rather than dark ones.
We got a revelation at the end that I didn’t initially see coming but that I figured out long before Kerry did. I’m not sure how I feel about it yet. I guess we’ll see how it pans out.
The last paragraph was the game changer. It wasn’t a massive, edge-of-your-seat cliffhanger, but it just sparked so many questions that I can’t wait for the next installment so I can get my answers!
The last time we met Kerri was having a tough time beginning her college career and she is still having a rough go at it. She helps a friend out of a tough situation, she goes through with an obligation, her “friends” do not support her decision and instead of giving reasons why before said time they give her crap minutes before and they don’t support her decisions, there’s a hot guy revelation, a Ferro makes a last minute cliff hanger appearance, oh and somewhere in between all of that her mother drops the mother of all bombs on her. I’m lost at wondering why many of this occurred and the way it occurred such as her mother’s bomb drop…other than the hot guy revelation and her ‘friends’ foolish behavior I didn’t get the rest. The endless cliffhangers and serial formats are…well expected. Overall, the story was cute, not mind blowing but cute. A continuation of a promising story that fell a little flat but I’m sure it will pick-up in the next installment…especially with the Ferro surprise visit.
Secrets and Lies….. That’s the name of the ‘game’ for Kerry. There have been quite a few blows to her life. Getting dumped by her boyfriend via text was hard, but to find out he was seeing someone else was torture. Then Kerry meets Nathan. He is suppose to be her ‘rebound’ for the night, but he splits before things get down and dirty. Talk about rubbing salt in an already open wound.
As the art student finds herself in deeper than she could imagine. A blow from her professor leaves Kerry facing a fear no student wants to discover. With more secrets brewing from those around her, Kerry finds her life spiraling out of control. Each day brings another revelation…..some that will rock her world.
Secrets & Lies adds more layers to the Ferro saga. In true HM Ward fashion - we face the mother of all cliff hangers. Get ready for a ride you won’t see coming!! I am ready for the next book!!