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The Secrets We Keep
Only a jerk would steal his sister’s man.
I told myself it was a harmless crush on my very straight, future brother-in-law, until one night we crossed a line.
Everything shifted as forbidden passion simmered between us, but we vowed to keep it buried and our family intact. I saw the cracks between them, but for some reason, breaking up wasn’t an option. I didn’t know then how many things we all hid.
When it all collided, the decision we made changed everything.
And if the truth comes out, the secrets we keep could destroy our lives.
I told myself it was a harmless crush on my very straight, future brother-in-law, until one night we crossed a line.
Everything shifted as forbidden passion simmered between us, but we vowed to keep it buried and our family intact. I saw the cracks between them, but for some reason, breaking up wasn’t an option. I didn’t know then how many things we all hid.
When it all collided, the decision we made changed everything.
And if the truth comes out, the secrets we keep could destroy our lives.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2020
96 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
February 7, 2020
3.5 Stars! Entertaining Melodrama Similar to a Telenovela 😉
Over the Top. Melodramatic. Angsty. Soapy. Emotional. Intense. Smutty.
Come to mind when I think about The Secret We Keep by Mia Monroe.
It was kind of fun, reading this First Time Gay, Gay for You, Contemporary, MM, romance story. A blend of Riverdale and Dynasty meets Dallas , Gossip Girl and House of Cards , adding to it sexually explicit , hot AF sexy times.
Book is about falling in love with the right person but not at the right time, the complications it's entails ; the lies and half truths we tell ourselves and others . It's also deals with cheating BUT no everything is black or white in life, right? There are many colours in between just as in the Rainbows.
I just review #TheSecretsWeKeep #MiaMonroe #Kindle #GRR #KU #Amazon #Read2020
Over the Top. Melodramatic. Angsty. Soapy. Emotional. Intense. Smutty.
Come to mind when I think about The Secret We Keep by Mia Monroe.
It was kind of fun, reading this First Time Gay, Gay for You, Contemporary, MM, romance story. A blend of Riverdale and Dynasty meets Dallas , Gossip Girl and House of Cards , adding to it sexually explicit , hot AF sexy times.
Book is about falling in love with the right person but not at the right time, the complications it's entails ; the lies and half truths we tell ourselves and others . It's also deals with cheating BUT no everything is black or white in life, right? There are many colours in between just as in the Rainbows.
I just review #TheSecretsWeKeep #MiaMonroe #Kindle #GRR #KU #Amazon #Read2020
January 15, 2021
This was... Something. Yeah, let's say it was something.
Something utterly ridiculous. Over the top. Dramatic. With flat characters, a crazy girlfriend and absolutely no development for characters or plot. I just finished it but I can barley remember anything except having my wtf face on for most of this read.
And it wasn't even the main thing bothering other readers that was bothering me. I had nothing against the whole I'm having an affair with my sisters fiancée plot. Even if it's ridiculous. It's actually why I read it. I needed an MC having an affair for a challenge. What bothered me was the drama. And the black and white characters. Think soap opera. With the evil characters being evil and nothing else until they do a total turnaround around the 90% mark. Throw in some cheating, blackmail, crazy woman characters, a man marrying a woman he hates because of money and homophobic stepfathers and you have this book.
It also needed some editing. There were a few occasions where the MC saw himself in a room instead of the other MC. I haven't read anything by this author before, please tell me her other books are better? I own a few...
Something utterly ridiculous. Over the top. Dramatic. With flat characters, a crazy girlfriend and absolutely no development for characters or plot. I just finished it but I can barley remember anything except having my wtf face on for most of this read.
And it wasn't even the main thing bothering other readers that was bothering me. I had nothing against the whole I'm having an affair with my sisters fiancée plot. Even if it's ridiculous. It's actually why I read it. I needed an MC having an affair for a challenge. What bothered me was the drama. And the black and white characters. Think soap opera. With the evil characters being evil and nothing else until they do a total turnaround around the 90% mark. Throw in some cheating, blackmail, crazy woman characters, a man marrying a woman he hates because of money and homophobic stepfathers and you have this book.
It also needed some editing. There were a few occasions where the MC saw himself in a room instead of the other MC. I haven't read anything by this author before, please tell me her other books are better? I own a few...
March 9, 2020
I should have quit this in the 1st chapter.
I subscribe to Mia Monroe's newsletter & got really hyped for this release. I should have returned it unfinished the second I saw that this was going to be a "my girlfriend/exgirlfriend is an unbearable harpy who turned me gay & I'm totally justified in cheating on her because of that." Why do writers think making that character utterly unlikable will make this character beloved? Maybe, when it's a slow reveal, you can get the readers behind the beleaguered main character, but this came bursting out the gate with Katerina/Katherine/Katy being an immature, shrill, jealous, unreasonable diva that Cruz honestly hates but has stayed with for over 2 years without any form of a physical relationship for ... reasons? Ah. Money. Which her homophobic womanizing father pays Cruz. Apparently in abundance because it was enough for him to move from FL to AZ & he's supposedly sending every spare sent back home because there's a sick sister & mom & failing family business, but he's still able to drop big money on gambling, strip clubs, travel & whatever amount of money it takes on trinkets & gestures to calm Katy when she has a tantrum at him. Here's a thought, Cruz: if you don't have a high maintenance trophy girlfriend to pacify & you stick to a budget I'm pretty sure you could earn less working somewhere you like & contribute even more to your family. I'm not about to be sympathetic to a character who hasn't realized that in over 2 years & still feels like they have to give in to blackmail when the diva catches him cheating with Leo.
And Leo? I could have really liked him. Until I read that he was 31 when I got an early 20s, not long out of high school vibe from him. After that, he lost pretty much all credibility or sympathy I would have had because he's old enough that he shouldn't be looking to a rich ex-stepfather who denounced him for being gay & was the impetus for Leo running off the Europe because that's trendy? The flirting with Cruz, his superior at work, while working is a big ol flag on the field. Forget that he's your sister's boyfriend & you're both working for her father, it's just plain inappropriate for Cruz (straight, gay, bi, whatever he may) to encourage Leo's come ons.
The Vegas trip with all 3 of them sharing a hotel room? WTF? Not even a suite with multiple rooms, but 1 room with 2 beds for what? Katy to sleep with Cruz even though he wasn't allowed to touch her or be aroused in her presence because her convo with Leo implied that she was maybe asexual but it turns out in the end that she was cheating with Cruz with another woman who appeared just in time to break up the wedding that never should have even been contemplated?
I'm all over the place with my rant because I made the mistake of actually trying to read this. How does it have 4 stars on Goodreads?! The characters are not likeable, the story isn't relatable, it goes on far longer than it needs to, the sex is absurd, the plot twists are ludicrous & I hate that I spent hours looking for something good in this.
I subscribe to Mia Monroe's newsletter & got really hyped for this release. I should have returned it unfinished the second I saw that this was going to be a "my girlfriend/exgirlfriend is an unbearable harpy who turned me gay & I'm totally justified in cheating on her because of that." Why do writers think making that character utterly unlikable will make this character beloved? Maybe, when it's a slow reveal, you can get the readers behind the beleaguered main character, but this came bursting out the gate with Katerina/Katherine/Katy being an immature, shrill, jealous, unreasonable diva that Cruz honestly hates but has stayed with for over 2 years without any form of a physical relationship for ... reasons? Ah. Money. Which her homophobic womanizing father pays Cruz. Apparently in abundance because it was enough for him to move from FL to AZ & he's supposedly sending every spare sent back home because there's a sick sister & mom & failing family business, but he's still able to drop big money on gambling, strip clubs, travel & whatever amount of money it takes on trinkets & gestures to calm Katy when she has a tantrum at him. Here's a thought, Cruz: if you don't have a high maintenance trophy girlfriend to pacify & you stick to a budget I'm pretty sure you could earn less working somewhere you like & contribute even more to your family. I'm not about to be sympathetic to a character who hasn't realized that in over 2 years & still feels like they have to give in to blackmail when the diva catches him cheating with Leo.
And Leo? I could have really liked him. Until I read that he was 31 when I got an early 20s, not long out of high school vibe from him. After that, he lost pretty much all credibility or sympathy I would have had because he's old enough that he shouldn't be looking to a rich ex-stepfather who denounced him for being gay & was the impetus for Leo running off the Europe because that's trendy? The flirting with Cruz, his superior at work, while working is a big ol flag on the field. Forget that he's your sister's boyfriend & you're both working for her father, it's just plain inappropriate for Cruz (straight, gay, bi, whatever he may) to encourage Leo's come ons.
The Vegas trip with all 3 of them sharing a hotel room? WTF? Not even a suite with multiple rooms, but 1 room with 2 beds for what? Katy to sleep with Cruz even though he wasn't allowed to touch her or be aroused in her presence because her convo with Leo implied that she was maybe asexual but it turns out in the end that she was cheating with Cruz with another woman who appeared just in time to break up the wedding that never should have even been contemplated?
I'm all over the place with my rant because I made the mistake of actually trying to read this. How does it have 4 stars on Goodreads?! The characters are not likeable, the story isn't relatable, it goes on far longer than it needs to, the sex is absurd, the plot twists are ludicrous & I hate that I spent hours looking for something good in this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2020
Cruz & Leo are meant to be together. So what if technically Cruz is Leo's sister Katy's man. So what if carrying on will cause so much damage. The heart wants who the heart wants. Nothing is more true than this in this story. I was very hesitant because cheating isn't my favorite trope, but in the context of this story, I could completely understand why it happened. I don't condone it, but I understand, and honestly I was rooting for this awesome couple the whole way through. If you're in the mood for something angsty and entertaining with a beautiful couple at its core, I highly recommend you download your own copy of The Secrets We Keep.
ARC via GRR/LesCourt ARC Team for an honest review.
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August 9, 2022
3.5 stars
RTC
RTC
February 4, 2020
Finding their way
“...when the right person comes along, no matter the obstacles,...there’s always a way.” This was a powerful, emotional, beautiful rollercoaster of a read. It tore threw my emotions, knitted them back together and restored my faith in people. The characters will make you angry, have you wondering what they are thinking, leave you gasping at times, but they are also an incredible and honest portrayal of humanity will make you laugh, shed tears of sadness and happiness, and believe in the power of love.
None more so than Cruz and Leo. I think they’re perfectly imperfect and I fell in love with them and their connection. A story that drew me in from the very beginning and one I know will stay with me for a long time. I am so happy I read it and may need somebody to pinch me.
“...when the right person comes along, no matter the obstacles,...there’s always a way.” This was a powerful, emotional, beautiful rollercoaster of a read. It tore threw my emotions, knitted them back together and restored my faith in people. The characters will make you angry, have you wondering what they are thinking, leave you gasping at times, but they are also an incredible and honest portrayal of humanity will make you laugh, shed tears of sadness and happiness, and believe in the power of love.
None more so than Cruz and Leo. I think they’re perfectly imperfect and I fell in love with them and their connection. A story that drew me in from the very beginning and one I know will stay with me for a long time. I am so happy I read it and may need somebody to pinch me.
December 28, 2022
WOW! I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. It's a cheating plotline for one, which is rare... but... it's not cheating if it's with another man, right?! So many emotions in this one! I loved the storyline with the crazy sister/fiancée.
February 9, 2020
This book was over the top!
It read like a soap opera with all the drama.
It was worth the read! I haven’t read a book like this in a long time. Entertaining!
Also, I loved the 2 MCs Leo and Cruz.
It read like a soap opera with all the drama.
It was worth the read! I haven’t read a book like this in a long time. Entertaining!
Also, I loved the 2 MCs Leo and Cruz.
October 29, 2024
I don’t understand why this book/author tries to villainize Katy for not wanting to have sex before marriage. Why are we acting like Cruz isn’t a grown ass man that chose to be in a relationship with her? He acts like he’s this amazing guy because he hasn’t cheated on her (yet) when that’s literally the bare minimum.
Also why does he stand on a high horse while accusing Katy of not loving him? He doesn’t love her either. He’s using her just as much as she’s using him, if not more. The only reason he hasn’t broken up with her at that point of the story is because her dad is rich and powerful, and Cruz needs his high paying/ranking job. And I know that he pays for his family and that’s the reason he got into a relationship with Katy but with all the experience he’s gathered working at that company, you can’t convince me that he wouldn’t be able to find another job. They never make it sound like the dad is going to blacklist Cruz or anything.
I also hated the strip club scene. Whether getting lap dances from half naked strippers is cheating is dependant on your particular relationship. That’s my opinion, anyways. However, Cruz tells Leo that he doesn’t consider it cheating because he doesn’t sleep with the strippers. I disagree. If he truly thought that this wasn’t cheating or wasn’t wrong, he wouldn’t need to hide it from Katy. If you feel the need to hide it from your significant other then it is cheating. Sorry not sorry.
And don’t get me started on the scene where Katy catches Leo and Cruz. Let me present you with this amazing interaction:
“I will say I’m sorry I cheated on you. I definitely didn’t set out to do that. I’ve been faithful for two years despite—”
“Despite what?” She stares at me with narrowed eyes.
“Lack of affection. Of physical release. I stayed faithful until now.”
Like wow Cruz you deserve a fucking medal for staying faithful in a relationship you chose to be in so you could get a high paying job from her dad. Truly the sacrifices you’ve made can’t be rivaled 🙄
Also don’t get me wrong, Katy is bat-shit crazy but we don’t have to make up reasons to not like her. She makes that very easy on her own. Maybe if Katie wouldn’t have gotten a mini redemption arc, I would have felt less bad for her.
Let me also introduce you to this godawful dialogue that made me want to rip my eyeballs out of their sockets:
”His fingers juggle my balls, then reach back to tickle my entrance.”
What the fuck is even that? I wish I couldn’t read.
Honestly, the dialogue and the quality of writing just didn’t click with me.
The excessive flirting between Leo and Cruz in the beginning also came off as cringy more often than not.
I will say that I did like Leo and Cruz’s romance in some moments, but even that wasn’t enough to make me enjoy this book. Actually you know what… I think I just didn’t like Cruz as a character. I couldn’t root for him. Something about the way that Tatum had to crash the wedding, instead of Cruz choosing to be with Leo rub me the wrong way.
Unfortunately, it took me finishing this entire book to actually go into my Goodreads and search up the author. If I had done that earlier, I would’ve realized that I’ve read a couple of books by her and I did not enjoy them at all. Ironically, the two other books that I read from her came out three years after this one did, but they’re so much worse, which is really saying something. I’m not a fan of the way that she writes dialogue between two characters. They aren’t realistic to me. People don’t actually speak that way in real life. I think I’ll be skipping Mia Monroe books going forward.
Also why does he stand on a high horse while accusing Katy of not loving him? He doesn’t love her either. He’s using her just as much as she’s using him, if not more. The only reason he hasn’t broken up with her at that point of the story is because her dad is rich and powerful, and Cruz needs his high paying/ranking job. And I know that he pays for his family and that’s the reason he got into a relationship with Katy but with all the experience he’s gathered working at that company, you can’t convince me that he wouldn’t be able to find another job. They never make it sound like the dad is going to blacklist Cruz or anything.
I also hated the strip club scene. Whether getting lap dances from half naked strippers is cheating is dependant on your particular relationship. That’s my opinion, anyways. However, Cruz tells Leo that he doesn’t consider it cheating because he doesn’t sleep with the strippers. I disagree. If he truly thought that this wasn’t cheating or wasn’t wrong, he wouldn’t need to hide it from Katy. If you feel the need to hide it from your significant other then it is cheating. Sorry not sorry.
And don’t get me started on the scene where Katy catches Leo and Cruz. Let me present you with this amazing interaction:
“I will say I’m sorry I cheated on you. I definitely didn’t set out to do that. I’ve been faithful for two years despite—”
“Despite what?” She stares at me with narrowed eyes.
“Lack of affection. Of physical release. I stayed faithful until now.”
Like wow Cruz you deserve a fucking medal for staying faithful in a relationship you chose to be in so you could get a high paying job from her dad. Truly the sacrifices you’ve made can’t be rivaled 🙄
Also don’t get me wrong, Katy is bat-shit crazy but we don’t have to make up reasons to not like her. She makes that very easy on her own. Maybe if Katie wouldn’t have gotten a mini redemption arc, I would have felt less bad for her.
Let me also introduce you to this godawful dialogue that made me want to rip my eyeballs out of their sockets:
”His fingers juggle my balls, then reach back to tickle my entrance.”
What the fuck is even that? I wish I couldn’t read.
Honestly, the dialogue and the quality of writing just didn’t click with me.
The excessive flirting between Leo and Cruz in the beginning also came off as cringy more often than not.
I will say that I did like Leo and Cruz’s romance in some moments, but even that wasn’t enough to make me enjoy this book. Actually you know what… I think I just didn’t like Cruz as a character. I couldn’t root for him. Something about the way that Tatum had to crash the wedding, instead of Cruz choosing to be with Leo rub me the wrong way.
Unfortunately, it took me finishing this entire book to actually go into my Goodreads and search up the author. If I had done that earlier, I would’ve realized that I’ve read a couple of books by her and I did not enjoy them at all. Ironically, the two other books that I read from her came out three years after this one did, but they’re so much worse, which is really saying something. I’m not a fan of the way that she writes dialogue between two characters. They aren’t realistic to me. People don’t actually speak that way in real life. I think I’ll be skipping Mia Monroe books going forward.
February 9, 2020
What a roller coaster this story was !!! Mia Monroe always delivers where angst /romance is concerned.
Holy wow!!! This story had everything, if you don’t like cheating I get it I don’t either but you need to give this book a chance because the technical cheating aspect gets put on the back burner once you start getting a clear picture of the characters, their lives and why they do the things they do. Cruz & Leo are so beautiful together , instantly upon meeting there is something simmering , chemistry, easy banter and seems apparent to me a meshing of souls is hard to ignore. Yes they shouldn’t want each other , can’t possibly have each other with their situation, but the heart wants what it wants regardless of the backlash . And believe me... the backlash has a name!!! KATY... I seriously could have thrown my IPad many times over this infuriating woman . I kept saving to myself “How dare she” ... “who the hell does she think she is” ... “how evil can a person be” I said many more unfavorable things trust me lol BUT!!! The more you read about her motives , her reasoning and feelings , I could understand her so much more and whilst her actions were deplorable, I put myself in her shoes and could see where she was coming from .
Give this book a chance , you will love it because, underneath all the surface stuff, there is a beautiful love story with so much heart and passion , you can’t help by fall head over heals In love with Cruz & Leo
Holy wow!!! This story had everything, if you don’t like cheating I get it I don’t either but you need to give this book a chance because the technical cheating aspect gets put on the back burner once you start getting a clear picture of the characters, their lives and why they do the things they do. Cruz & Leo are so beautiful together , instantly upon meeting there is something simmering , chemistry, easy banter and seems apparent to me a meshing of souls is hard to ignore. Yes they shouldn’t want each other , can’t possibly have each other with their situation, but the heart wants what it wants regardless of the backlash . And believe me... the backlash has a name!!! KATY... I seriously could have thrown my IPad many times over this infuriating woman . I kept saving to myself “How dare she” ... “who the hell does she think she is” ... “how evil can a person be” I said many more unfavorable things trust me lol BUT!!! The more you read about her motives , her reasoning and feelings , I could understand her so much more and whilst her actions were deplorable, I put myself in her shoes and could see where she was coming from .
Give this book a chance , you will love it because, underneath all the surface stuff, there is a beautiful love story with so much heart and passion , you can’t help by fall head over heals In love with Cruz & Leo
October 22, 2021
4.25 stars
*****possible spoilers ahead, you have been warned*****
Wooo, this book was a doozy! My feelings for it are all over the place.
Cruz and Leo meet through Katy who is Cruz’s girlfriend and Leo’s sister. Let me start off by saying I am not normally a fan of cheating but Katy treated Cruz so heinously that I just couldn’t bring myself to feel sorry for her.
Katy essentially blackmails Cruz into staying with her. She introduces Cruz to Leo and wants them to get along. Leo is a perpetual flirt and neither Cruz nor Katy mind since Cruz is straight. Leo and Cruz hang out and grow closer and Leo overhears how Katy treats Cruz and confronts them individually. Katy becomes even more of an unbearable shrew after she catches Cruz & Leo together. She makes them a deal, they can have all the fun they want together but, Cruz needs to propose to her and the men’s relationship ends when they say “I do”.
I figured out one of Katy’s secrets fairly easily, and it was pretty major. Hearts are broken, lives are changed, and their family will never be the same.
What I liked …
-Cruz accepted his feelings for Leo fairly easily
-Leo fell HARD
-The feelings between Leo and Cruz were beautiful to see
-the ending was worth it
What I didn’t like…
-Katy’s blackmail
-Raymond’s stubbornness
-
*****
POV… multi first person
Standalone or series… standalone
Hangover… slight
Recommend… yes
Reread… yes
*****
KU read
Cruz De Leon
Leonardo Di Nuovo
*****possible spoilers ahead, you have been warned*****
Wooo, this book was a doozy! My feelings for it are all over the place.
Cruz and Leo meet through Katy who is Cruz’s girlfriend and Leo’s sister. Let me start off by saying I am not normally a fan of cheating but Katy treated Cruz so heinously that I just couldn’t bring myself to feel sorry for her.
Katy essentially blackmails Cruz into staying with her. She introduces Cruz to Leo and wants them to get along. Leo is a perpetual flirt and neither Cruz nor Katy mind since Cruz is straight. Leo and Cruz hang out and grow closer and Leo overhears how Katy treats Cruz and confronts them individually. Katy becomes even more of an unbearable shrew after she catches Cruz & Leo together. She makes them a deal, they can have all the fun they want together but, Cruz needs to propose to her and the men’s relationship ends when they say “I do”.
I figured out one of Katy’s secrets fairly easily, and it was pretty major. Hearts are broken, lives are changed, and their family will never be the same.
What I liked …
-Cruz accepted his feelings for Leo fairly easily
-Leo fell HARD
-The feelings between Leo and Cruz were beautiful to see
-the ending was worth it
What I didn’t like…
-Katy’s blackmail
-Raymond’s stubbornness
-
*****
POV… multi first person
Standalone or series… standalone
Hangover… slight
Recommend… yes
Reread… yes
*****
KU read
Cruz De Leon
Leonardo Di Nuovo
February 11, 2020
I really enjoyed this story of Cruz, trapped in a loveless relationship with his boss's daughter, ice princess Katy, due to Cruz's family's financial situation. When Cruz meets Katy's stepbrother Leo, his life as he knows it is turned on its head. Leo wears his heart on his sleeve and falls way too easily, so it's no surprise that he quickly falls for Katy's boyfriend. It doesn't take long before Cruz finds himself attracted to a man for the first time. They know it can't last, but neither can keep their hands or their feelings to themselves.
This relationship is one of cheating, but it doesn't feel like it. It feels more like Cruz and Leo are trying to find happiness where they can, when they are in an impossible situation. It is easy to root for them, since they are so lovable together, and Katy is a terrible person most of the time. There are moments of humor mixed in with the drama, and there are some great side characters. Cruz is occasionally a bit too unforgiving of others at the end, but I still love him. Leo and Cruz together are wonderful. Great story!
This relationship is one of cheating, but it doesn't feel like it. It feels more like Cruz and Leo are trying to find happiness where they can, when they are in an impossible situation. It is easy to root for them, since they are so lovable together, and Katy is a terrible person most of the time. There are moments of humor mixed in with the drama, and there are some great side characters. Cruz is occasionally a bit too unforgiving of others at the end, but I still love him. Leo and Cruz together are wonderful. Great story!
February 6, 2020
LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
Mia Monroe is a master at communicating LOVE!
Real, deep, heart wrenching at times, but always presented to enthrall us. We meet characters we live and some we despise, but they are real, and we feel their pain and joy, emotionally and physically.
I loved reading The Secrets We Keep, because it was honest and written to burrow under the skin, ready to emerge when our everyday situations bring us to a crossroads.
Will we treat others with respect? Or allow our traditional thoughts to cause hurt to others?
I am so very happy that I have Mia Monroe and her beautiful words in my life
Merged review:
Mia Monroe is a master at communicating LOVE!
Real, deep, heart wrenching at times, but always presented to enthrall us. We meet characters we live and some we despise, but they are real, and we feel their pain and joy, emotionally and physically.
I loved reading The Secrets We Keep, because it was honest and written to burrow under the skin, ready to emerge when our everyday situations bring us to a crossroads.
Will we treat others with respect? Or allow our traditional thoughts to cause hurt to others?
I am so very happy that I have Mia Monroe and her beautiful words in my life!
Mia Monroe is a master at communicating LOVE!
Real, deep, heart wrenching at times, but always presented to enthrall us. We meet characters we live and some we despise, but they are real, and we feel their pain and joy, emotionally and physically.
I loved reading The Secrets We Keep, because it was honest and written to burrow under the skin, ready to emerge when our everyday situations bring us to a crossroads.
Will we treat others with respect? Or allow our traditional thoughts to cause hurt to others?
I am so very happy that I have Mia Monroe and her beautiful words in my life
Merged review:
Mia Monroe is a master at communicating LOVE!
Real, deep, heart wrenching at times, but always presented to enthrall us. We meet characters we live and some we despise, but they are real, and we feel their pain and joy, emotionally and physically.
I loved reading The Secrets We Keep, because it was honest and written to burrow under the skin, ready to emerge when our everyday situations bring us to a crossroads.
Will we treat others with respect? Or allow our traditional thoughts to cause hurt to others?
I am so very happy that I have Mia Monroe and her beautiful words in my life!
February 7, 2020
Such a wonderful read!!
Last year I read a book that I immediately wanted more like, this is the first that has come close.
Cruz is going through the motions. He has an amazing job that allows him to help care for his family’s special needs, the only problem is he’s saddled with the boss’ daughter who is calculating, cruel, and frigid af! This man is a freaking saint, I swear, but something has to give at some point. In walks Leo, his girlfriend’s former step brother who is all kinds of gorgeous, fun, flirtatious and most definitely gay. Cruz has never been interested in men before, not like Leo, but from the moment they meet it’s like he’s found the other half of his soul.
Yes, there’s an aspect where people might go, no that’s cheating but to me this book is like Cara Dee’s If We Could Go Back where there is no relationship between Cruz and Katy but in name only. Sometimes cheating isn’t what you think it is. This is another book that slams that home.
There were moments when I wanted to rage and throw things at Katy. How could she treat him the way she did? Knowing why doesn’t excuse it, but even the light mentions of why give you a peek into her soul to understand how terrifying the situation she was in was for her. But this book isn’t about Katy, it’s about Cruz and Leo and how beautiful their love story was even if it was messy.
You’ll spend the whole book going back and forth between wanting to kill Katy and rooting for the two of them. There’s a moment when you think they’re going to lose, they’re not going to get that happily ever after and I was sobbing for them thinking no, they found each other finally don’t do this to them!!! I’m gonna be rereading this one time and time again because Cruz and Leo were a dream come true for me! If I could give more than 5 stars, I totally would!!
Last year I read a book that I immediately wanted more like, this is the first that has come close.
Cruz is going through the motions. He has an amazing job that allows him to help care for his family’s special needs, the only problem is he’s saddled with the boss’ daughter who is calculating, cruel, and frigid af! This man is a freaking saint, I swear, but something has to give at some point. In walks Leo, his girlfriend’s former step brother who is all kinds of gorgeous, fun, flirtatious and most definitely gay. Cruz has never been interested in men before, not like Leo, but from the moment they meet it’s like he’s found the other half of his soul.
Yes, there’s an aspect where people might go, no that’s cheating but to me this book is like Cara Dee’s If We Could Go Back where there is no relationship between Cruz and Katy but in name only. Sometimes cheating isn’t what you think it is. This is another book that slams that home.
There were moments when I wanted to rage and throw things at Katy. How could she treat him the way she did? Knowing why doesn’t excuse it, but even the light mentions of why give you a peek into her soul to understand how terrifying the situation she was in was for her. But this book isn’t about Katy, it’s about Cruz and Leo and how beautiful their love story was even if it was messy.
You’ll spend the whole book going back and forth between wanting to kill Katy and rooting for the two of them. There’s a moment when you think they’re going to lose, they’re not going to get that happily ever after and I was sobbing for them thinking no, they found each other finally don’t do this to them!!! I’m gonna be rereading this one time and time again because Cruz and Leo were a dream come true for me! If I could give more than 5 stars, I totally would!!
February 6, 2020
Wow, Mia Monroe's The Secrets We Keep is a riveting romance. Seriously, I could not put it down.
When we meet Cruz, he's fighting with his spoiled girlfriend Katy. She's beautiful but bitchy, but he's trapped by the fact that he works for her father. Omg, I hate her immediately.
When Katy's brother Leo shows up, Cruz is knocked on his ass. And I love it! The emotions are intense, and the storyline is riveting. The men have tough decisions to make, and they do lots of sexual exploring.
Omg, I love this story that is essentially one seriously messed up situation. It's full of fear, cowardice, and sacrifice. There's intense hatred, intense connection, and intense chemistry throughout this a multi-layered plot.
There are certainly moments that seems over the top, but I didn't care. I was fully invested, not able to read it fast enough.
Beware of the cheating though and skip this one if that's a trigger for you.
The Secrets We Keep is one of those special books that I knew would be a 5 Star read from page one. And it was. This Mia Monroe book held up to all my expectations. I love it all.
February 6, 2020
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
The Secrets We Keep is the first book I've read by Mia Monroe. I knew upfront that there was a cheating aspect to this story so that didn't bother me a bit. (Besides that, there were very valid reasons and I wouldn't exactly call it cheating.)
I think for me there was a little too much of the back and forth about oh, we shouldn't do this, etc. and that kept me from giving it a higher rating. It might just be that I'm not used to Mia Monroe's style of writing so I'd definitely be willing to read more of her work.
A big plus for me was that the story was HOT, really, really HOT! I really felt the connection between Cruz and Leo. Katy was a raging witch but she does manage to redeem herself before the end.
The other big plus for me is that it made me cry. Yep, if a book can do that, I usually consider it a win and I was nearly sobbing in places towards the end of the book.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
The Secrets We Keep is the first book I've read by Mia Monroe. I knew upfront that there was a cheating aspect to this story so that didn't bother me a bit. (Besides that, there were very valid reasons and I wouldn't exactly call it cheating.)
I think for me there was a little too much of the back and forth about oh, we shouldn't do this, etc. and that kept me from giving it a higher rating. It might just be that I'm not used to Mia Monroe's style of writing so I'd definitely be willing to read more of her work.
A big plus for me was that the story was HOT, really, really HOT! I really felt the connection between Cruz and Leo. Katy was a raging witch but she does manage to redeem herself before the end.
The other big plus for me is that it made me cry. Yep, if a book can do that, I usually consider it a win and I was nearly sobbing in places towards the end of the book.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
February 9, 2020
When I read the blurb I immediately became interested in this story. Is it wrong falling for your sister’s fiancée was something that had me hooked? Either way I enjoyed this.
Stealing your sister’s man is just wrong. Leo knows this but he can’t help the pull between him and Cruz. Plus throw in his sisters doing it for all the wrong reasons and....allowing it. But, can Cruz really go through with marry Leo’s sister when all either man can think about is one another.
This worked for me but it also infuriated me to no end. There was so many things that could’ve been avoiding putting aside the whole....sister’s fiancée thing. And, the ending was a rollercoaster. BUT Leo and Cruz were as hot together as they were sweet.
Also, fair warning there IS cheating involved in this!
3 stars
♡ arc given in exchange for an honest review ♡
Stealing your sister’s man is just wrong. Leo knows this but he can’t help the pull between him and Cruz. Plus throw in his sisters doing it for all the wrong reasons and....allowing it. But, can Cruz really go through with marry Leo’s sister when all either man can think about is one another.
This worked for me but it also infuriated me to no end. There was so many things that could’ve been avoiding putting aside the whole....sister’s fiancée thing. And, the ending was a rollercoaster. BUT Leo and Cruz were as hot together as they were sweet.
Also, fair warning there IS cheating involved in this!
3 stars
♡ arc given in exchange for an honest review ♡
April 10, 2021
I’m a bit conflicted over this book! The premise sounded like exactly what I needed and I dove in headfirst, but let’s just say that this book was definitely not what I expected.
I’ll admit I found the instant connection between Cruz and Leo to be a tad unrealistic considering Cruz has never been interested in a dude and is 100% A-okay with his overwhelming feelings for Leo.
Then all the drama with Katy? Oh, wait. Katerina. Or is it Katherine? I could not stand her character.
I did enjoy the characters - Cruz and Leo were adorable and witty and sexy together, and reading about them was my main joy in this book! I liked how the story ended, but it was one big shitstorm for about 70% of the novel.
I’ll admit I found the instant connection between Cruz and Leo to be a tad unrealistic considering Cruz has never been interested in a dude and is 100% A-okay with his overwhelming feelings for Leo.
Then all the drama with Katy? Oh, wait. Katerina. Or is it Katherine? I could not stand her character.
I did enjoy the characters - Cruz and Leo were adorable and witty and sexy together, and reading about them was my main joy in this book! I liked how the story ended, but it was one big shitstorm for about 70% of the novel.
February 5, 2020
This was my first Mia Monroe read but I don't believe it will be my last. I REALLY enjoyed this story from start to finish. The author is clear from the beginning...that there are elements you may not be comfortable with...but to give it a chance because not all is as it seems. AND she was absolutely correct. Whatever misconceptions you have from the prologue or the blurb, put them aside to read the WHOLE story because it will be all clearer and worth it in the end. These types of stories are usually in my wheelhouse anyway and there isn't much you could write that would make me hate a story (theme, genre or trope-wise) so I went in very open minded and I just loved how Mia weaved a story that encompassed true passion...both love and hate and everything in between. True diva worthy actions and bigoted responses and some wonderful side characters that I, for one, believe should eventually have their own story...cough, cough:: Victor. All in all, a well told story about being TRUE to yourself completely.
February 7, 2020
I really loved the unusual premise of this book but if you hate a story with cheating in it, this is not the book for you. I enjoyed the complected dynamic between Cruz, Leo and Katy. Katy is such an unlikable character that can be downright cruel at times and that made it a lot easier for me to accept the cheating aspect. I loved the emotional support that Cruz and Leo provided for each other as well as the undeniable attraction make the relationship special from the start.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and though this is my first time reading a book by this author I will certainly be reading more.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and though this is my first time reading a book by this author I will certainly be reading more.
February 11, 2020
🌟🔥🌟🔥🌟5 It Always Starts in Vegas Stars🔥🌟🔥🌟🔥
This story is a first for me for author Mia Monroe and I loved Cruz and Leo’s unexpected love story! Straight as an arrow Cruz is stuck in a relationship he doesn’t want but needs to keep to help his family. I really hated Katy, Katherine, Katerina from the onset. When Cruz meets his girlfriend’s brother for the first time, strange feelings develop and when the 3 of them spend a weekend in Las Vegas, sparks develop into flames between Cruz and Leo. This author takes them on a whirlwind secret romance that up until the end, the reader doesn’t know what will happen! I will be looking for more from this talented author!
This story is a first for me for author Mia Monroe and I loved Cruz and Leo’s unexpected love story! Straight as an arrow Cruz is stuck in a relationship he doesn’t want but needs to keep to help his family. I really hated Katy, Katherine, Katerina from the onset. When Cruz meets his girlfriend’s brother for the first time, strange feelings develop and when the 3 of them spend a weekend in Las Vegas, sparks develop into flames between Cruz and Leo. This author takes them on a whirlwind secret romance that up until the end, the reader doesn’t know what will happen! I will be looking for more from this talented author!
February 8, 2020
I wanted to try this one because I read that it wasn’t such a black and white view of cheating.
After finishing it, I would argue against that. It was still cheating even though the fiance was unbearable. I think both MC’s could have benefited from the discovery of their misplaced spines to avoid all the complications that proceeded their meeting. I did not like all of their actions, but I did enjoy the writing for the most part.
It was over dramatic at some points and it made it difficult to really grasp the story, but I have read more melodramatic romances and it wasn’t at their level.
*ARC in exchange for an honest review*
After finishing it, I would argue against that. It was still cheating even though the fiance was unbearable. I think both MC’s could have benefited from the discovery of their misplaced spines to avoid all the complications that proceeded their meeting. I did not like all of their actions, but I did enjoy the writing for the most part.
It was over dramatic at some points and it made it difficult to really grasp the story, but I have read more melodramatic romances and it wasn’t at their level.
*ARC in exchange for an honest review*
February 9, 2020
OMG, I’ve never liked reading any books that involved cheating but Mia Monroe took this one a whole new level. Cruz is stuck in a loveless relationship with a woman that he despises. Leo is the woman stepbrother that returns home after a heartbreaking breakup. When the two meet you can obviously see the attraction between them, both insisting that they are just friends. I don’t want to go much in detail because I don’t want to give the plot away. The book is hot, sexy, romantic, some OMG moments, love funny moments, love the step-mom and overall it’s a great book.
February 9, 2020
Heartbreaking
I am there for Leo and Cruz. This story does have cheating and while I strongly believe that creating is wrong IRL, I get it for this book and enjoyed the story even when getting misty eyed with everything that happens in this story.
This story does have an evil female character in it, but you need to read the whole story to understand.
I got immersed in this story and fell for Cruz and Leo. I love them together and wanted to tell Katy where she could go. I had some tears escape from my eyes, but totally worth it.
I am there for Leo and Cruz. This story does have cheating and while I strongly believe that creating is wrong IRL, I get it for this book and enjoyed the story even when getting misty eyed with everything that happens in this story.
This story does have an evil female character in it, but you need to read the whole story to understand.
I got immersed in this story and fell for Cruz and Leo. I love them together and wanted to tell Katy where she could go. I had some tears escape from my eyes, but totally worth it.
January 30, 2021
I was kind of enjoying the ridiculous over the top situations with a cast of wholly unsympathetic characters, right up until Cruz meets Leo. The interactions between the two of them were not only ridiculous, they were cringe worthy. Leo keeps making creepy sexual comments which Cruz, the totally chill, woke dude keeps insisting he finds flattering. When Cruz hires Leo and they take their uncomfortable exchanges to the office, I just couldn't take it anymore. The pair have negative chemistry and I had no interest in reading any more about them.
DNF at 14%
DNF at 14%
Read
June 30, 2022Sorry, but no.
I wanted a book with cheating but this one was disappointing. The characters were shallow and selfish from the beginning. The insta lust I get - though Cruz is supposed to be straight and never batted an eye about his desire for Leo - but acting on it that fast was so, so wrong! There was no relationship/friendship development to justify them going behind Katy's back so shamelessly.
I couldn't root for them as a couple when they had such start, so I decided to DNF at 45%.
To be fair, their scenes together were real hot and the story is pretty low angst, despite the cheating theme, it is a light read.
I wanted a book with cheating but this one was disappointing. The characters were shallow and selfish from the beginning. The insta lust I get - though Cruz is supposed to be straight and never batted an eye about his desire for Leo - but acting on it that fast was so, so wrong! There was no relationship/friendship development to justify them going behind Katy's back so shamelessly.
I couldn't root for them as a couple when they had such start, so I decided to DNF at 45%.
To be fair, their scenes together were real hot and the story is pretty low angst, despite the cheating theme, it is a light read.
February 9, 2020
If cheating is a hard limit for you, just scroll on by. Don't even start this book. Pead the warnings and respect the author's vision and your preferences don't mesh on this one.
If female characters being depicted as shrews are a hard limit for you, again, just scroll on by, because the girlfriend being cheated on is a total diva and not likable at all in the beginning. I came really close to giving up on this story even though I enjoyed the scenes with Cruz and Leo. They're lovable and have tons of chemistry. I like them, and I like them together.
The story is kind of over the top, kind of melodramatic-soap operaish. But it's imminently readable and drew me in even as I rolled my eyes a few times. The characters do demonstrate growth, and the last few chapters redeemed all the places I might have given up, so if you can get there, it's worth the wait.
*I received an arc of this book.*
If female characters being depicted as shrews are a hard limit for you, again, just scroll on by, because the girlfriend being cheated on is a total diva and not likable at all in the beginning. I came really close to giving up on this story even though I enjoyed the scenes with Cruz and Leo. They're lovable and have tons of chemistry. I like them, and I like them together.
The story is kind of over the top, kind of melodramatic-soap operaish. But it's imminently readable and drew me in even as I rolled my eyes a few times. The characters do demonstrate growth, and the last few chapters redeemed all the places I might have given up, so if you can get there, it's worth the wait.
*I received an arc of this book.*
February 6, 2020
The Secrets We Keep by Mia Monroe is Cruz De Leon and Leo Di Nuovo's story.
Wow! Leo and Cruz were mean't to be together but this story had me wondering how in the world everything was going to work out. Once I started this book I could not put it down. There were so many ranges of emotions the characters experienced. They felt so real. Just imagine how you would feel if you loved someone and they loved you but due to circumstances beyond your control you could not be together. This is what Cruz and Leo went through. It was so emotional but despite my wondering how this could work out everything worked out better than I could have imagined.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Wow! Leo and Cruz were mean't to be together but this story had me wondering how in the world everything was going to work out. Once I started this book I could not put it down. There were so many ranges of emotions the characters experienced. They felt so real. Just imagine how you would feel if you loved someone and they loved you but due to circumstances beyond your control you could not be together. This is what Cruz and Leo went through. It was so emotional but despite my wondering how this could work out everything worked out better than I could have imagined.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
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