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New Hampshire Bears #5
The Coach and the Secret
Dear Reader,
This is not your typical synopsis you normally read.
In this section, you would see a short, overview of the book you may want to purchase. This time I’m speaking directly to you and warning you of this book. Most of my books have a lot of romance, sex, sometimes funny, and a lot of hot hockey players.
This book is different.
You see The Coach and the Secret is loosely based off a real man’s story. At first his story was so outrageous I almost didn’t believe it, but after seeing an abundance of evidence my heart broke for him and his daughter.
This book has extreme adult topics and please keep in mind when you read this, you don’t know unless you’ve been in their situation.
Thank you Mary Smith
***All money will be given to the family of domestic violence***
This is not your typical synopsis you normally read.
In this section, you would see a short, overview of the book you may want to purchase. This time I’m speaking directly to you and warning you of this book. Most of my books have a lot of romance, sex, sometimes funny, and a lot of hot hockey players.
This book is different.
You see The Coach and the Secret is loosely based off a real man’s story. At first his story was so outrageous I almost didn’t believe it, but after seeing an abundance of evidence my heart broke for him and his daughter.
This book has extreme adult topics and please keep in mind when you read this, you don’t know unless you’ve been in their situation.
Thank you Mary Smith
***All money will be given to the family of domestic violence***
161 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2016
34 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Mary Smith
68 books211 followersBest Selling Author, Mary Smith, has been coming up with stories her whole life. She has written A HOCKEY TUTOR, THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BEARS SERIES, as well as co-authored THE PENALTY KILL TRILOGY, OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN SERIES and THE NINTH INNING SERIES. When not busy writing or rooting for the Chicago Blackhawks you can find her with her nose stuck in her Kindle.
You can visit her website at: www.authormarysmith.blogspot.com
Follow her on Twitter: @maryms1980
Or Faceook: www.facebook.com/authormarysmith
You can visit her website at: www.authormarysmith.blogspot.com
Follow her on Twitter: @maryms1980
Or Faceook: www.facebook.com/authormarysmith
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 9, 2017
Mary Smith’s THE COACH AND THE SECRET was a heartbreaking and touching story. The fact that it is based off a true story about a man whom Mary Smith met while working at a domestic violence shelter is even more compelling. I love that the proceeds from this book are going into a trust fund for his daughter. THE COACH AND THE SECRET had me crying and emotionally spent. My heart completely went out to the characters. This was an amazing book that is well worth the read.
Mary Smith did an incredible job with this story. It was believable and well executed. I fell in love with Coach Taden Long. My heart went out to him and what he experienced. He was a good man, with a big heart. He was hard on himself. He was messed with both physically and emotionally. I appreciate that he gets a second chance with Macy. I love Coach’s daughter Janan and his niece Nova. They are incredible girls who went through a lot.
THE COACH AND THE SECRET is the perfect example of how anyone could be subjected to abuse. It shows that people can change for better or worse. It also demonstrates how people have different coping-methods. This by far is my favorite story written by Mary Smith. It is a story that was meant to be told, and she did the story justice. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Merged review:
The Coach and the Secret (New Hampshire Bears #5) by Mary Smith Mary Smith’s THE COACH AND THE SECRET was a heartbreaking and touching story. The fact that it is based off a true story about a man whom Mary Smith met while working at a domestic violence shelter is even more compelling. I love that the proceeds from this book are going into a trust fund for his daughter. THE COACH AND THE SECRET had me crying and emotionally spent. My heart completely went out to the characters. This was an amazing book that is well worth the read.
Mary Smith did an incredible job with this story. It was believable and well executed. I fell in love with Coach Taden Long. My heart went out to him and what he experienced. He was a good man, with a big heart. He was hard on himself. He was messed with both physically and emotionally. I appreciate that he gets a second chance with Macy. I love Coach’s daughter Janan and his niece Nova. They are incredible girls who went through a lot.
THE COACH AND THE SECRET is the perfect example of how anyone could be subjected to abuse. It shows that people can change for better or worse. It also demonstrates how people have different coping-methods. This by far is my favorite story written by Mary Smith. It is a story that was meant to be told, and she did the story justice. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Mary Smith did an incredible job with this story. It was believable and well executed. I fell in love with Coach Taden Long. My heart went out to him and what he experienced. He was a good man, with a big heart. He was hard on himself. He was messed with both physically and emotionally. I appreciate that he gets a second chance with Macy. I love Coach’s daughter Janan and his niece Nova. They are incredible girls who went through a lot.
THE COACH AND THE SECRET is the perfect example of how anyone could be subjected to abuse. It shows that people can change for better or worse. It also demonstrates how people have different coping-methods. This by far is my favorite story written by Mary Smith. It is a story that was meant to be told, and she did the story justice. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Merged review:
The Coach and the Secret (New Hampshire Bears #5) by Mary Smith Mary Smith’s THE COACH AND THE SECRET was a heartbreaking and touching story. The fact that it is based off a true story about a man whom Mary Smith met while working at a domestic violence shelter is even more compelling. I love that the proceeds from this book are going into a trust fund for his daughter. THE COACH AND THE SECRET had me crying and emotionally spent. My heart completely went out to the characters. This was an amazing book that is well worth the read.
Mary Smith did an incredible job with this story. It was believable and well executed. I fell in love with Coach Taden Long. My heart went out to him and what he experienced. He was a good man, with a big heart. He was hard on himself. He was messed with both physically and emotionally. I appreciate that he gets a second chance with Macy. I love Coach’s daughter Janan and his niece Nova. They are incredible girls who went through a lot.
THE COACH AND THE SECRET is the perfect example of how anyone could be subjected to abuse. It shows that people can change for better or worse. It also demonstrates how people have different coping-methods. This by far is my favorite story written by Mary Smith. It is a story that was meant to be told, and she did the story justice. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
November 13, 2016
Amazing, but heartbreaking story at the same time.. I knew the coach was hiding a secret, but I never imagined it would be something like I read.. thank you to the Author for giving us a sense of reality in the book world and for portraying an issue that most are afraid of talking about..
December 1, 2016
I don't even know where to begin with this one. I've read a ton of abused spouse stories but never one where the abused spouse was the husband. Honestly, it kind of blew my mind and made me stop and think a few times. Made me question my preconceived ideas too to be honest. Does society think it can't happen to men and if it does the man must be weak? Or simply why didn't he leave (the same question those on the outside ask of abused women)?
Coach is a former professional hockey player now a professional hockey head coach. Think hockey think big tough guy. Coach is that on the ice and in the locker room with his players. Off the ice and at home and coach is a completely different man. It really is an eye opener told through vivid flashbacks. Coach has been a victim of systematic physical and emotional abuse by his wife for 20 years. Stabbings, pushing him down stairs, beating him with bats, throwing things at him and knocking him unconscious, timing showers, and other forms of control. Coach never fought back because "a man doesn't put his hands on a woman". I understand this but I really struggled with why he never left her and how he let it happen. Again, probably goes back to preconceived notions of what a romance H is or isn't.
More than that struggle was why he stayed with her when it was clear to him that she was abusing the two children in the family (his daughter and niece) especially when he was away due to hockey travel. I could understand in a weird way why he stayed with her because he loved the woman she used to be and kept hoping to get that back. But I just couldn't understand why he risked the safety of his girls when he was traveling? Honestly that bugged the cr#p out of me.
It's an ugly read of abuse, emotional and physical, love and hate, and ultimately forgiveness to that person and yourself. I'm still not exactly sure what the heck I think because it's a very different take on domestic abuse and it made me stop and think. I'm still thinking about it.
Coach is a former professional hockey player now a professional hockey head coach. Think hockey think big tough guy. Coach is that on the ice and in the locker room with his players. Off the ice and at home and coach is a completely different man. It really is an eye opener told through vivid flashbacks. Coach has been a victim of systematic physical and emotional abuse by his wife for 20 years. Stabbings, pushing him down stairs, beating him with bats, throwing things at him and knocking him unconscious, timing showers, and other forms of control. Coach never fought back because "a man doesn't put his hands on a woman". I understand this but I really struggled with why he never left her and how he let it happen. Again, probably goes back to preconceived notions of what a romance H is or isn't.
More than that struggle was why he stayed with her when it was clear to him that she was abusing the two children in the family (his daughter and niece) especially when he was away due to hockey travel. I could understand in a weird way why he stayed with her because he loved the woman she used to be and kept hoping to get that back. But I just couldn't understand why he risked the safety of his girls when he was traveling? Honestly that bugged the cr#p out of me.
It's an ugly read of abuse, emotional and physical, love and hate, and ultimately forgiveness to that person and yourself. I'm still not exactly sure what the heck I think because it's a very different take on domestic abuse and it made me stop and think. I'm still thinking about it.
July 17, 2017
WOW. This was a very powerful read. I just discovered this author/series, and literally read all the books (so far!) in a non-stop read fest! I knew that this book would take me to places that I wasn't sure I wanted to go, but I could NOT put it down. Physical and emotional abuse (whether separate or together) does not know gender, age, color etc... It is a fact of life that so many want to hide. It is scary, it is heartbreaking and it is real. This story is all of those. Coach Taden Long will touch you, he will break you and he will make you question everything that we (as society) are supposed to think about a man. (As does Sharon as the woman, but you really do not learn much about her - and I at first I thought that was an important omission, but came to realize it didn't really matter.) I loved how this book (and the subsequent next two) really dive deep into the vastly different coping methods of each family member, and how deep the emotional scars can go. I LOVED the incorporation of Caryn - the counselor - Counseling gets such a bad rap, yet it is so important for many. This book touched me - and I would highly, highly recommend this entire series to everyone!
November 24, 2016
Well written
This is a story about abuse and the survivors' journey. It is a touchy subject. At the end of the last book we realize that the coach who was showing up with bruises was being abused by his wife. The story was a tough one to read. Lots of flashbacks to prior acts of violence. To see the amount of control the wife add was depressing. I wished it hadn't taken over 60 percent of the book to become uplifting. There is hope and a happy HFN ending. However the author does a remarkable job building the story up. I totally loved coach. His devotion to his daughter and niece was astounding. I was worried he might never move forward. The author hemorrhoids you realize the depth of despair and hopeless Coach felt. I was glad that he went to counseling and that the author showed the positive results of it.
Well written and I highly recommend this story.
This is a story about abuse and the survivors' journey. It is a touchy subject. At the end of the last book we realize that the coach who was showing up with bruises was being abused by his wife. The story was a tough one to read. Lots of flashbacks to prior acts of violence. To see the amount of control the wife add was depressing. I wished it hadn't taken over 60 percent of the book to become uplifting. There is hope and a happy HFN ending. However the author does a remarkable job building the story up. I totally loved coach. His devotion to his daughter and niece was astounding. I was worried he might never move forward. The author hemorrhoids you realize the depth of despair and hopeless Coach felt. I was glad that he went to counseling and that the author showed the positive results of it.
Well written and I highly recommend this story.
August 17, 2019
Still in need of some edits
I have to say this is a very difficult subject to address and the author did a decent job with it, the back flashes are realistic and the fact that they can be triggered at any time is a fact. My family was very active in the process of getting funding for the domestic violence shelter in our area because when we were growing up with the flying plates and fists there was no place to go. Unfortunately the subject of men being abused is still very much in the dark.
Having said that, the book still needed someone to go through it one more time for missing words, extra words, and like sounding words that are just wrong.
I have to say this is a very difficult subject to address and the author did a decent job with it, the back flashes are realistic and the fact that they can be triggered at any time is a fact. My family was very active in the process of getting funding for the domestic violence shelter in our area because when we were growing up with the flying plates and fists there was no place to go. Unfortunately the subject of men being abused is still very much in the dark.
Having said that, the book still needed someone to go through it one more time for missing words, extra words, and like sounding words that are just wrong.
July 29, 2017
Good book
I never think about a man's perspective view on abuse. This man and daughter and niece were abused by his wife/mother. Do I think he was weak? Yes to a point but it was more his misguided love for his wife. He loved her with all his being but then the terror began and his beliefs on not hitting women and just taking it thinking it would get better and partial denial sucked the life right out of him. This is a great book on breaking the spell and getting his life on track.
I never think about a man's perspective view on abuse. This man and daughter and niece were abused by his wife/mother. Do I think he was weak? Yes to a point but it was more his misguided love for his wife. He loved her with all his being but then the terror began and his beliefs on not hitting women and just taking it thinking it would get better and partial denial sucked the life right out of him. This is a great book on breaking the spell and getting his life on track.
March 25, 2019
As sad as this one was, it's probably my favorite so far of the whole series, and yeah, I've read the last ones first, totally going backwards. Wow. I know that most men who are abused don't report it, maybe they don't even acknowledge it, but it just broke my heart to see that he loved his wife, in spite of everything, he loved his wife. Tear jerker for sure, a little gut wrenching, but the best book of the whole series by far.
July 5, 2017
This is such an emotional read and well written. Mary made me feel so much for these characters. I will warn you that this book does contain possible trigger events for some people. It won't be for everyone. But if you can stomach the emotional roller coaster, I definitely recommend reading this book!
December 22, 2017
Such sadness
Wow this book was deep. Most of the time people only talk about men beating woman . This book showed the other way. I cried and smiled a lot. I have loved reading this series. I hope couch will continue in this series and navy as well.
Wow this book was deep. Most of the time people only talk about men beating woman . This book showed the other way. I cried and smiled a lot. I have loved reading this series. I hope couch will continue in this series and navy as well.
July 19, 2019
Surprising
I wasn't sure when I started this story how I would feel. It drew me in. It held my attention. Although it's not a typical love story, there is much love and courage here. It is a reality happily ever after. Once again, I'm looking forward to more of the story.
I wasn't sure when I started this story how I would feel. It drew me in. It held my attention. Although it's not a typical love story, there is much love and courage here. It is a reality happily ever after. Once again, I'm looking forward to more of the story.
November 23, 2016
What a powerful story. I loved it!
February 26, 2017
The Coach and the Secret was a gut-wrenching novel about domestic violence against a man. It was really heart-breaking knowing it was based on a true story that did not have a HEA ending in real life. There were lots of flashbacks to the violence and abuse and this could be a trigger to some sensitive readers. I loved how the author showed the positive results of the counselling and showed the survivors having the support of friends and family and gave us an HEA ending. This was an eye-opening read.
November 23, 2016
How do I rate The Coach and The Secret?
-5 star rating for book theme (domestic violence)
5+ star rating for story flow, content and character creativity
I feel guilty for liking and giving a 5 star review to a book about domestic violence, especially learning that the story line is loosely based from an actual man and his story of abuse. Be sure to read the “About this story:” prior to the Prologue.
If you have a history of domestic violence and it could possibly be a trigger, it’s advised against reading this book. But if you don’t, I strongly recommend reading The Coach and The Secret. Kudos, to Author Mary Smith, for her compassion and writing skills and bringing this story to light.
Taden Long, Coach of the New Hampshire Bears Hockey Team, has kept a secret for many years. But like all secrets, they are bound to be exposed. Taden is the victim of domestic violence by his wife, Sharon. Many times, Coach put himself between his abusive wife and their daughter and his niece. This is their story.
-5 star rating for book theme (domestic violence)
5+ star rating for story flow, content and character creativity
I feel guilty for liking and giving a 5 star review to a book about domestic violence, especially learning that the story line is loosely based from an actual man and his story of abuse. Be sure to read the “About this story:” prior to the Prologue.
If you have a history of domestic violence and it could possibly be a trigger, it’s advised against reading this book. But if you don’t, I strongly recommend reading The Coach and The Secret. Kudos, to Author Mary Smith, for her compassion and writing skills and bringing this story to light.
Taden Long, Coach of the New Hampshire Bears Hockey Team, has kept a secret for many years. But like all secrets, they are bound to be exposed. Taden is the victim of domestic violence by his wife, Sharon. Many times, Coach put himself between his abusive wife and their daughter and his niece. This is their story.
December 5, 2016
The Coach and the Secret by Mary Smith is book I won't soon forget. It's heartbreaking, emotional and at times very hard to read. Mary warns the reader in the description/blurb this is a adult story and deals with domestic violence and even though I knew what I was getting myself into - nothing prepared me for this story. It was a gut wrenching and at times ripped my heart out but the way this story is told gives you hope for coach and his daughter and niece. I finished this story in less than a day. I couldn't put it down. The Coach and the Secret was a difficult read but this novel is my top read of 2016 and believe everyone should read this important story. All proceeds are being donated to a victim of domestic violence. Beyond 5 Stars for The Coach and the Secret by Mary Smith
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for a honest review ***
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for a honest review ***
Read
February 5, 2020First read - 22 November 2016
DNF
Liked the premise but the writing style didn't work for me. I felt like the writing needed to be sharper to engage me and to make the characters more believable. This was a DNF for me.
Second read - 4 February 2020
DNF
I wanted to try reading this one again, however I had the same issues as the first time and I ended up DNFing this one again.
DNF
Liked the premise but the writing style didn't work for me. I felt like the writing needed to be sharper to engage me and to make the characters more believable. This was a DNF for me.
Second read - 4 February 2020
DNF
I wanted to try reading this one again, however I had the same issues as the first time and I ended up DNFing this one again.
June 11, 2017
Wow Wow Wow
I don't even know where to begin or what to say. Author Smith touched on such a difficult topic and wrote it in such an amazing way.. Made you feel like you were living the story with The Coach.
Highly recommend..
I don't even know where to begin or what to say. Author Smith touched on such a difficult topic and wrote it in such an amazing way.. Made you feel like you were living the story with The Coach.
Highly recommend..
November 24, 2016
Heavy stuff!
I know people actually live like this, but I will never understand it. I guess I've never loved anyone enough to put up with being abused. I would leave or even kill to defend myself, my family, and my animals. Eye opening!
I know people actually live like this, but I will never understand it. I guess I've never loved anyone enough to put up with being abused. I would leave or even kill to defend myself, my family, and my animals. Eye opening!
April 15, 2017
Definitely not what I was expecting from this series. This was deep. This was emotional. This was heartbreaking. This was painful. This was a lot to digest and consume. I was overwhelmed and wrapped around this one. I was most certainly not what the readers of this series would think of. It also opens your eyes to the various ways in which this type of abuse can happen and the avenues taken in life.
Read with caution if you are someone that has experience any type of domestic violence or abuse.
Read with caution if you are someone that has experience any type of domestic violence or abuse.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews