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Secrets to Hide #1
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Secrets don’t belong in the office—or the bedroom.
Alex Brannigan walked up to Cailin on the dance floor like he owned the place. Owned her. And for a few perfect hours, he controlled her like he did everything else in his life—completely. Giving her pleasure. Saturating her with his need.
Then she woke to an empty bed. Alex was a one-night stand she didn’t think she could forget, but still, just a one-night stand. No big deal, right?
She was still telling herself that Monday morning when she walked into her new office and there, behind the desk, was the one man she thought she’d never see again. Too bad the fact that he’s her new boss isn’t the only reason he’s unavailable.
Alex Brannigan walked up to Cailin on the dance floor like he owned the place. Owned her. And for a few perfect hours, he controlled her like he did everything else in his life—completely. Giving her pleasure. Saturating her with his need.
Then she woke to an empty bed. Alex was a one-night stand she didn’t think she could forget, but still, just a one-night stand. No big deal, right?
She was still telling herself that Monday morning when she walked into her new office and there, behind the desk, was the one man she thought she’d never see again. Too bad the fact that he’s her new boss isn’t the only reason he’s unavailable.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2013
747 people are currently reading
671 people want to read
About the author
Ella Sheridan
35 books409 followersElla Sheridan never fails to take her readers to the dark edges of love and back again. Strong heroines are her signature, and her heroes span the gamut from hot rock stars to alpha bodyguards and everywhere in between. Ella never pulls her punches, and her unique combination of raw emotion, hot sex, and action leave her readers panting for the next release.
Born and raised in the Deep South, Ella writes romantic suspense, erotic romance, and hot BDSM contemporaries. Start anywhere—every book may be read as a standalone, or begin with book one in any series and watch the ties between the characters grow.
★ Anything can happen in the shadows of a sultry Southern night. Explore the heat with the SOUTHERN NIGHTS romantic suspense series.
★ Secrets and sex abound in the SECRETS TO HIDE contemporary romance series.
★ Dark desires come to the fore in IF ONLY, a BDSM contemporary series.
“The perfect blend of suspense and romance.” – Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
“Ms. Sheridan writes suspense that grabs you and won't let go.” – Tea and Book
“The perfect kind of naughty…with [characters] that have great chemistry.” – Alpha Book Club
“A great plot, likable characters, witty banter, and seductively wicked love scenes—the perfect recipe!” – Blogging by Liza
Born and raised in the Deep South, Ella writes romantic suspense, erotic romance, and hot BDSM contemporaries. Start anywhere—every book may be read as a standalone, or begin with book one in any series and watch the ties between the characters grow.
★ Anything can happen in the shadows of a sultry Southern night. Explore the heat with the SOUTHERN NIGHTS romantic suspense series.
★ Secrets and sex abound in the SECRETS TO HIDE contemporary romance series.
★ Dark desires come to the fore in IF ONLY, a BDSM contemporary series.
“The perfect blend of suspense and romance.” – Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
“Ms. Sheridan writes suspense that grabs you and won't let go.” – Tea and Book
“The perfect kind of naughty…with [characters] that have great chemistry.” – Alpha Book Club
“A great plot, likable characters, witty banter, and seductively wicked love scenes—the perfect recipe!” – Blogging by Liza
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
March 3, 2019
Didn't like the story very much.
December 17, 2015
I tried to like this book. I didn't like Alex I thought he was selfish. He just wants her to sit back and come in second to sarah beth and I really don't agree with that I mean I get he cares about his friend and all but to make someone you care about your dirty little secret and talk about having that friends baby and crap was just a little too much for me
June 22, 2022
This one was cute and entertaining.
The heroine has just divorced her husband who basically was a cold bastard who only wanted her to spawn his children. She wasn't able and eventually he stopped caring for her. Nice chap.
She has been without a man for two years and decides it's high time she broke the dry spell befores starting her new job in her new town, so she goes out and has a very hot ONS with the most sexy man she has ever met.
Pity the morning after she wakes up alone and when she arrives at her new office she finds out her new boss is just this man.
Aaaaaand he's married.
She almost dies of shame and the man doesn't behave much better because as soon as they are alone he tells her it's basically her faults since she had sex with a man she didn't know.
He apologizes afterwards but the heroine is traumatized because she was a southern girl who has lived all her life in a southern small town and everyone criticized her when she broke her vows leaving her husband.
So now she feels guilty and bad.
They work together, it's not easy, and we find out that the hero's marriage is a moc with his bff who is a lesbian.
After some time, and since he's unable to keep it in his pants when the heroine is around, he and his wife, who also has a relationship with a woman, decides to tell her the truth and the heroine accepts to be his lover.
The hero is not a bad guy but the reason for this moc was really flimsy.
The heroine's father who's owner of the company she's working in, won't leave her daughter anything, because he wants to leave company and money to a man, that is her husband or better, her son.
So the hero married her, for the company, because she felt responsible for all the people who worked there.
Yeah, pull the other one.
So, no, it would have been better if there was another reason, not this one.
And the hero admits he would do it again, even after meeting the heroine and being in love with her.
Eventually he decides that he's got enough but I didn't like that the heroine was second best to the hero's wife/ bff.
He always put her first, and even telling her she's like his sister, well, the love of your life should have to come first.
The story is quite simple, there are also some other interesting elements, as sexual harassment, and some scene are really angsty.
The hero is not a manwhore or a nasty guy, he's quite nice but I don't like those who want to be saviour of every human casa they find, sacrificing their life in the process.
Most of all when there's not a good reason, as in this one.
Business and money are good reasons only if the hero is a cold bastard, and there are several in romance.
But here the hero looks like a martyr, and is not, because he helps his bff to keep her father's company. The heroine talls him how good he is because he helps other people.
Nope.
The book is good anyway, they are happy, they will marry in the end and of course she wasn't sterile, it was her evil ex who couldn't father children, so all is well in the end.
The heroine has just divorced her husband who basically was a cold bastard who only wanted her to spawn his children. She wasn't able and eventually he stopped caring for her. Nice chap.
She has been without a man for two years and decides it's high time she broke the dry spell befores starting her new job in her new town, so she goes out and has a very hot ONS with the most sexy man she has ever met.
Pity the morning after she wakes up alone and when she arrives at her new office she finds out her new boss is just this man.
Aaaaaand he's married.
She almost dies of shame and the man doesn't behave much better because as soon as they are alone he tells her it's basically her faults since she had sex with a man she didn't know.
He apologizes afterwards but the heroine is traumatized because she was a southern girl who has lived all her life in a southern small town and everyone criticized her when she broke her vows leaving her husband.
So now she feels guilty and bad.
They work together, it's not easy, and we find out that the hero's marriage is a moc with his bff who is a lesbian.
After some time, and since he's unable to keep it in his pants when the heroine is around, he and his wife, who also has a relationship with a woman, decides to tell her the truth and the heroine accepts to be his lover.
The hero is not a bad guy but the reason for this moc was really flimsy.
The heroine's father who's owner of the company she's working in, won't leave her daughter anything, because he wants to leave company and money to a man, that is her husband or better, her son.
So the hero married her, for the company, because she felt responsible for all the people who worked there.
Yeah, pull the other one.
So, no, it would have been better if there was another reason, not this one.
And the hero admits he would do it again, even after meeting the heroine and being in love with her.
Eventually he decides that he's got enough but I didn't like that the heroine was second best to the hero's wife/ bff.
He always put her first, and even telling her she's like his sister, well, the love of your life should have to come first.
The story is quite simple, there are also some other interesting elements, as sexual harassment, and some scene are really angsty.
The hero is not a manwhore or a nasty guy, he's quite nice but I don't like those who want to be saviour of every human casa they find, sacrificing their life in the process.
Most of all when there's not a good reason, as in this one.
Business and money are good reasons only if the hero is a cold bastard, and there are several in romance.
But here the hero looks like a martyr, and is not, because he helps his bff to keep her father's company. The heroine talls him how good he is because he helps other people.
Nope.
The book is good anyway, they are happy, they will marry in the end and of course she wasn't sterile, it was her evil ex who couldn't father children, so all is well in the end.
November 28, 2013
This book was a wild and exciting read. I really loved reading it and the characters were great. The author did a great job and I can't wait to read more from her.
Want to read
January 9, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (1/9/2019)! 🎁
May 10, 2021
My rating: 3 stars
What I liked: I liked how they finally got Sara Beth’s father out so they could take over.
What I didn’t like: I felt like Alex(H) definitely put Cailin(h) last. I also didn’t like how he didn’t tell her the truth about his marriage even when he saw how it bother her.
How hot was it: 3 out 5
Triggers: Cheating. H is married when he gets with the h (the marriage is in name only, they are best friends and he married her to help with her dad also to help get her the family business from her father who wants a man to take over)
Final thoughts: Another book I really wanted to like but it fell short for me. I think it’s because I truly didn’t like the way Alex handle the whole situation in the beginning.
What I liked: I liked how they finally got Sara Beth’s father out so they could take over.
What I didn’t like: I felt like Alex(H) definitely put Cailin(h) last. I also didn’t like how he didn’t tell her the truth about his marriage even when he saw how it bother her.
How hot was it: 3 out 5
Triggers: Cheating. H is married when he gets with the h (the marriage is in name only, they are best friends and he married her to help with her dad also to help get her the family business from her father who wants a man to take over)
Final thoughts: Another book I really wanted to like but it fell short for me. I think it’s because I truly didn’t like the way Alex handle the whole situation in the beginning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2021
Love Alex and Cailin. Looking forward to reading Damien's story.
May 31, 2020
This book was terrible... the story itself had no real foundation- the characters were either incredibly weak or unrealistically evil for no real development reason.
The writing was so poor- I felt I was actually soldiering on.
Alex and Cailin have a pretty standard one night stand in a hotel room- she walks into the office of her new job and there he is but all is not what it seems.
But even the cliche that should give us comfort doesn't. He has a secret- it's not even that great. She has got these supposed demons that just seemingly disappear... no one seems to have character development beyond a few lines thrown in here and there. Even in the last chapter, we are being told non-essential family details about a secondary character that just doesn't matter...
I need to go look at my bookshelf and see if this is my first Ella Sheridan book- but it will definitely be the last.
The writing was so poor- I felt I was actually soldiering on.
Alex and Cailin have a pretty standard one night stand in a hotel room- she walks into the office of her new job and there he is but all is not what it seems.
But even the cliche that should give us comfort doesn't. He has a secret- it's not even that great. She has got these supposed demons that just seemingly disappear... no one seems to have character development beyond a few lines thrown in here and there. Even in the last chapter, we are being told non-essential family details about a secondary character that just doesn't matter...
I need to go look at my bookshelf and see if this is my first Ella Sheridan book- but it will definitely be the last.
January 21, 2015
Okay, I'll agree with the masses that this book is Hot! I was not however, a fan if the puppy-dog loyalty Alex felt for Sara Beth, and in truth I found their relationship completely boring to read about. But every scene in which he and Cailin shared made it worth the read.
October 22, 2013
This was AWESOME!!!
First- SO HOT!!!! And secondly, super crazy and lots of plot twists and ahhhmanzing justice like ending! Freaking loved it!
First- SO HOT!!!! And secondly, super crazy and lots of plot twists and ahhhmanzing justice like ending! Freaking loved it!
September 21, 2024
I'm a big Ella Sheridan fan. Her books typically engage me with interesting characters, tight plots, and a good pace. And she brings on the heat for sure.
This book...not so much. It had heat, definitely. But the female lead wasn't drawn well. She was pretty shallow. Her main role seemed to be fragile, smoking hot young woman in sore need of constant rescue. She was a typical, standard female romance character, unfortunately. The male lead had more substance and took up a lot more of the oxygen in the room. He had a pretty enormous ego as well. I didn't gel much with him. He also had a good bit of stereotyped attributes and behaviors. And as the man, although he didn't come up with the solution, he made it all happen and got the accolades.
The plot was quite "ripped from today's headlines" with the Harvey Weinstein-esque background. I really had issues with the vicious male board member and his violent, rapey behavior. It shocked me that the result of his first assault on a female staff member was to be told he "couldn't come into the building without an escort" moving forward. WTF? It was only after he violently assaulted the male lead's love interest that the police were involved.
Ultimately, I find the way rich people's behavior is detailed in romance novels without a lot of logic. If the bad guy's daughter wanted to get big on the corporate world, why didn't she just forge ahead out in the big old world? Why the silly fake marriage? I'd like to read about the entitled, privileged woman who refutes all that and makes her own successful path.
So bottom line--this is a miss for Ella Sheridan.
This book...not so much. It had heat, definitely. But the female lead wasn't drawn well. She was pretty shallow. Her main role seemed to be fragile, smoking hot young woman in sore need of constant rescue. She was a typical, standard female romance character, unfortunately. The male lead had more substance and took up a lot more of the oxygen in the room. He had a pretty enormous ego as well. I didn't gel much with him. He also had a good bit of stereotyped attributes and behaviors. And as the man, although he didn't come up with the solution, he made it all happen and got the accolades.
The plot was quite "ripped from today's headlines" with the Harvey Weinstein-esque background. I really had issues with the vicious male board member and his violent, rapey behavior. It shocked me that the result of his first assault on a female staff member was to be told he "couldn't come into the building without an escort" moving forward. WTF? It was only after he violently assaulted the male lead's love interest that the police were involved.
Ultimately, I find the way rich people's behavior is detailed in romance novels without a lot of logic. If the bad guy's daughter wanted to get big on the corporate world, why didn't she just forge ahead out in the big old world? Why the silly fake marriage? I'd like to read about the entitled, privileged woman who refutes all that and makes her own successful path.
So bottom line--this is a miss for Ella Sheridan.
October 10, 2020
Ok enough
This is an easy read. Good chemistry between Cailin and Alex. Though I could not get around the reason for Alex's inavailability. I felt it was a bit far-fetched for a marriage to happen because you need to save a company or the livelihood of people working in that company. And for Alex to realise later on that they probably did not think everything through before he and Sara Beth decided on that course of action. Hmm...and yet he was a Snr VP.
And I for one would not have liked it if the man i was going out with is all cuddly and kissy and affectionate with another woman, no matter that they were very good friends or that she was a lesbian. And I probably would not be trying to bite another man's biceps or palm or letting him be touchy-feely with me when i was supposedly already going out with someone else. Because of these, this book lost one *. Oh well, maybe I am too conservative. To each, his own......
This is an easy read. Good chemistry between Cailin and Alex. Though I could not get around the reason for Alex's inavailability. I felt it was a bit far-fetched for a marriage to happen because you need to save a company or the livelihood of people working in that company. And for Alex to realise later on that they probably did not think everything through before he and Sara Beth decided on that course of action. Hmm...and yet he was a Snr VP.
And I for one would not have liked it if the man i was going out with is all cuddly and kissy and affectionate with another woman, no matter that they were very good friends or that she was a lesbian. And I probably would not be trying to bite another man's biceps or palm or letting him be touchy-feely with me when i was supposedly already going out with someone else. Because of these, this book lost one *. Oh well, maybe I am too conservative. To each, his own......
August 31, 2025
I enjoyed this story about Cailin and Alex.
Cailin is divorced and about to start a new job, she goes out to see if she can hook up with someone for a night, needing to know she can be desired still.
Alex is at his friend's club when he sees Cailin. He wants her and takes her to a hotel where they have a fantastic night together but Alex has a secret and he cannot risk sharing even with Cailin so leaves before she wakes.
When Cailin starts work, she finds Alex is her boss and has a wife. They both still desire each other but Cailin will not give in , not when Alex's wife also works for the company.
But then need and want gets the better of them but they are caught by Alex's wife.
Cailin is distraught but then learns the secret. Does that mean she can be with Alex, and if so how?
This is a well written book, with some twists and turns.
I really enjoyed this book
Cailin is divorced and about to start a new job, she goes out to see if she can hook up with someone for a night, needing to know she can be desired still.
Alex is at his friend's club when he sees Cailin. He wants her and takes her to a hotel where they have a fantastic night together but Alex has a secret and he cannot risk sharing even with Cailin so leaves before she wakes.
When Cailin starts work, she finds Alex is her boss and has a wife. They both still desire each other but Cailin will not give in , not when Alex's wife also works for the company.
But then need and want gets the better of them but they are caught by Alex's wife.
Cailin is distraught but then learns the secret. Does that mean she can be with Alex, and if so how?
This is a well written book, with some twists and turns.
I really enjoyed this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2019
Smutt by any other name
It got two stars because the sex scenes are rocking. The plot however is down right convoluted. They didn't have to go over the mountain and through the woods. Obviously, the climax could have come at any point given the behaviour of the party in question. And why didn't they ask the questions after the initial incident, because the main characters needed to have a couple of hot sex scenes. Nevermind, it's the logical thing to wonder after something like that occurs. Has he done that before? The whole book was a book of unbelievable horse hockey.
It got two stars because the sex scenes are rocking. The plot however is down right convoluted. They didn't have to go over the mountain and through the woods. Obviously, the climax could have come at any point given the behaviour of the party in question. And why didn't they ask the questions after the initial incident, because the main characters needed to have a couple of hot sex scenes. Nevermind, it's the logical thing to wonder after something like that occurs. Has he done that before? The whole book was a book of unbelievable horse hockey.
September 30, 2017
This was a hard read for me. Although I understood the reasons for the lies and secrets I just couldn't justify the treatment of the H to the h. (Even in the review H - him being capitalized and hers lower case.) While this is overall a decent/good story I just don't like all the slights and pass overs she had to take in the name of love. I like this author and of course this is my humble opinion and it won't stop me from reading more of her work.
October 10, 2017
I've always enjoyed Ella Sheridan's books and this was no exception. This sexy story has some twists and turns to make the book more interesting. Cailin and Alex has a one stand and he turns out to be her new boss. Secrets and misunderstandings leads to heartaches. I thought Alex should have stood stronger. This was a fast pace and enjoyable story.
A review copy was received for an honest opinion.
A review copy was received for an honest opinion.
October 17, 2017
Awesome start to the series. Cailin and Alex are hot, this was a read out of my norm with the "hero" male character is actually married already. He always was kinda a jerk and says some hateful things and I wasn't liking him at all at first. He did grow on me and also Cailin. I did enjoy it and their chemistry was intense, it kept me interested til the end but it just wasn't what I was expecting. Can't wait for the next. I voluntarily reviewed an 'Advance Author’s Copy' of this book.
October 20, 2017
So darn amazing! I started this book and could not put it down. My Kindle was scorching from the heat between Cailin and Alex right off the bat.
This book made me cry, laugh and also angry. I love a book that can give you so many feels. An easy 5 star read.
Meeting the supporting character Sara Beth was an added bonus. She added so much to the story that without her, the story would not have been the same.
This book made me cry, laugh and also angry. I love a book that can give you so many feels. An easy 5 star read.
Meeting the supporting character Sara Beth was an added bonus. She added so much to the story that without her, the story would not have been the same.
January 20, 2021
I love Ella Sheridan's writing! The range of emotions I felt while reading this fun, sexy and hot book went from one spectrum to the other! It makes you hot, makes you cry, makes you laugh, makes you angry and makes you wish you could find an Alex for yourself!
Alex and Cailin's story is a wonderful, easy read that I could not put down! The chemistry between the two instantly sets you on fire! I do also love that we get to read the story from both perspectives!
Alex and Cailin's story is a wonderful, easy read that I could not put down! The chemistry between the two instantly sets you on fire! I do also love that we get to read the story from both perspectives!
September 30, 2021
Could have been way better.
I’m really trying to understand how the main characters love interest was basically resigned to a piece of furniture. She was in the background the entire time. I also have a huge issue with the fact that after the almost SA, instead of going to comfort said girlfriend he went back to his house with his best friend/wife to comfort her because her dad‘s a piece of shit but not the girlfriend who was almost raped. I mean really.
I’m really trying to understand how the main characters love interest was basically resigned to a piece of furniture. She was in the background the entire time. I also have a huge issue with the fact that after the almost SA, instead of going to comfort said girlfriend he went back to his house with his best friend/wife to comfort her because her dad‘s a piece of shit but not the girlfriend who was almost raped. I mean really.
May 7, 2022
Cailin harbors a lot of guilt and insecurities. She needs a lift for herself and puts a sexy dress and heads to the dance floor where Alex saw her standing. He is instantly drawn to her like a magnet and from their begins their story. Unique issues on both sides of this relationship and the rollercoaster of a ride finding all of these issues and secrets. Good read with unexpected twists in story keeping the Reader attentive to the book.
October 12, 2017
OMG, I loved this book, at first I thought I wasn't going to like the "wife" but I did, the whole storyline was fantastic, and I so loved Alex. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the next book about Damien, Alex's friend, who we meet in this story.
I received an ARC from the author and I voluntarily leave my honest opinion gladly
I received an ARC from the author and I voluntarily leave my honest opinion gladly
October 18, 2017
I really enjoyed the book. The author has an easy style of writing. The characters are very likeable and my heart just broke for Sara Beth. Alex was the best friend you could have. Caillin was such a sweetheart.
What is different about this book is that even though it is funny, romantic and very sexy, it also deals with serious and very current social issues.
November 15, 2020
Second chance
I really liked this story. I didn't know where the story was going from the blurb but I'm so glad I read it. Alex was a good man and it was hard to keep his promise when he felt the instant attraction with Cailin. And it did help when she was just hired to be your new PA.
I liked the twists that followed the story and where it went. Definitely a reread for me.
I really liked this story. I didn't know where the story was going from the blurb but I'm so glad I read it. Alex was a good man and it was hard to keep his promise when he felt the instant attraction with Cailin. And it did help when she was just hired to be your new PA.
I liked the twists that followed the story and where it went. Definitely a reread for me.
September 13, 2021
SPOILERS AHEAD:
This book was a fast read and I would have enjoyed it more if not for the cheating. While this was circumstantial cheating, it still isn't my favorite trope. I also feel that there should have been a little more downfall when Cailin found out and not just immediate acceptance. TW for readers as the story does discuss sexual assault
This book was a fast read and I would have enjoyed it more if not for the cheating. While this was circumstantial cheating, it still isn't my favorite trope. I also feel that there should have been a little more downfall when Cailin found out and not just immediate acceptance. TW for readers as the story does discuss sexual assault
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2024
Sorry
In spite of how good the selfless H was and how sacrificing the h was, i didn't like it that she will be always second best to the Bff.
I mean his thoughts and concern are always first towards the bff than towards the h, and what with him not removing his wedding ring and all
No thank you!!
The reason they got married was also flimsy sooo... no.
In spite of how good the selfless H was and how sacrificing the h was, i didn't like it that she will be always second best to the Bff.
I mean his thoughts and concern are always first towards the bff than towards the h, and what with him not removing his wedding ring and all
No thank you!!
The reason they got married was also flimsy sooo... no.
November 15, 2020
Price of friendship
Alex and SaraBeth’s marriage wasn’t one of convenience as much as one of surviving an unthinkable situation. Caitlin brought everything to a head for Alex. Alex and SaraBeth found their happily ever after.
Alex and SaraBeth’s marriage wasn’t one of convenience as much as one of surviving an unthinkable situation. Caitlin brought everything to a head for Alex. Alex and SaraBeth found their happily ever after.
December 21, 2020
An Easy Read!
I love easy reads! The author knows her stories! She gives a very good way to work on words so you can imagine what is saying! I fell in love with Alex. He is a hero! Read the story and hope you enjoy like I did!!
I love easy reads! The author knows her stories! She gives a very good way to work on words so you can imagine what is saying! I fell in love with Alex. He is a hero! Read the story and hope you enjoy like I did!!
January 24, 2021
The romance of this book was not particularly endearing. The love between some of the other characters was much more so. This novel has some religious undertones, but was refreshingly non-pushy. I appreciated the feminist commentary as well. Not the best book, but had some fairly enjoyable pieces.
February 26, 2021
A for Absolutely Amazing
The main characters are amazing and flawed in such a way that you want to grab them and shake them. The climax and ending were very satisfying and I recommend this whole heartedly.
The main characters are amazing and flawed in such a way that you want to grab them and shake them. The climax and ending were very satisfying and I recommend this whole heartedly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews