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Dirty Secrets
Some secrets can destroy you. Violet Hale has everything a poor girl from the wrong side of San Francisco could ever dream of—a handsome, old-monied husband, a spectacular home in the hottest suburb, and a booming career at one of the top tech companies in the Bay Area. She was even a Bay Area Times 30-Under-30 Too bad she sold her soul to get there. Too bad she's utterly miserable When an enigmatic executive at her company tempts Violet into a sexy affair, she finally feels alive for the first time in years. But when a mysterious stalker threatens to expose her, how far will Violet go to protect her dirty secrets? Dirty Secrets is a twisty, burning domestic thriller perfect for fans of Jessica Knoll and Gillian Flynn.
308 pages, Paperback
Published January 10, 2019
83 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Amanda J. Clay
18 books80 followersAmanda J. Clay writes gripping mysteries and thrillers with complex, unforgettable characters designed to keep you up all night.
A Northern California native, she had a fantastic time studying English and Journalism in the foothills of the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains and then a very serious time slaving away for a Master’s degree in sunny Southern California. When she’s not staring at a computer screen, she spends most of her spare time plotting world adventures.
She currently lives in Nashville, TN with her dashing, real-life hero of a husband, who inspires her villains and heroes alike.
She's wanted to be a writer since before she could hold a pencil and considers herself the luckiest girl in the world to be living her dream.
She is proudly represented by Melissa Edwards of Stonesong Literary Agency.
Follow her on IG @amandajclayauthor
A Northern California native, she had a fantastic time studying English and Journalism in the foothills of the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains and then a very serious time slaving away for a Master’s degree in sunny Southern California. When she’s not staring at a computer screen, she spends most of her spare time plotting world adventures.
She currently lives in Nashville, TN with her dashing, real-life hero of a husband, who inspires her villains and heroes alike.
She's wanted to be a writer since before she could hold a pencil and considers herself the luckiest girl in the world to be living her dream.
She is proudly represented by Melissa Edwards of Stonesong Literary Agency.
Follow her on IG @amandajclayauthor
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 19, 2019
This is a fresh story, I was kept guessing all the way through and the end surprised me - which I love because that's rare for me. For a different take on romantic suspense with well developed and interesting characters, read this book!
October 5, 2019
I went into this book thinking I was going to get one kind of story and ended up with another one! Mind blown! Did not see that ending coming! I devoured the book in one sitting. Amanda J. Clay is a new author to me but I will definitely be reading her other books!
May 23, 2020
I really enjoyed Dirty Secrets throughout the entire book. The author kept me coming up with new theories throughout and shocked me at the end with an unexpected twist at the end. This is a real page turner that I couldn’t put down.
September 23, 2019
I voluntarily reviewed this book after a ree ARC. I keep my reviews short and avoid spoilers.
While I was a little unsure about Dirty Secrets at the start (felt like it was going to lead down a 50 Shades of Gray path), I was proved wrong. It took me on a twisted journey with an ending I did not see coming. If you are looking for a quick read that will make you think you have it all figured out, this is it.
While I was a little unsure about Dirty Secrets at the start (felt like it was going to lead down a 50 Shades of Gray path), I was proved wrong. It took me on a twisted journey with an ending I did not see coming. If you are looking for a quick read that will make you think you have it all figured out, this is it.
January 7, 2019
Great story
This story was a lot of fun to read, the only reason I’m not giving it 4 stars was the grammar. I’m not one to pick apart grammar and misspelled words but it got downright distracting in this book. Possibly just the ebook translation but was a fun, suspenseful read.
This story was a lot of fun to read, the only reason I’m not giving it 4 stars was the grammar. I’m not one to pick apart grammar and misspelled words but it got downright distracting in this book. Possibly just the ebook translation but was a fun, suspenseful read.
July 11, 2019
Hard to put down
Crazy ride of a story. This author certainly can surprise you. Just when you think you know where the story is taking you, it swerved 180 degrees!
Crazy ride of a story. This author certainly can surprise you. Just when you think you know where the story is taking you, it swerved 180 degrees!
October 10, 2019
This book features a storyline of a modern marriage and the envy of others. The main character id Violet Hale, who grew up mainly on her own as her mother was either absent or too drugged up to look after her and an unknown father. She worked hard to pull her way up from the streets and managed to get into a good school and then a great university. As she moved upwards, she carefully observed and learnt how to act in her new environment. She met her husband at the start of their university life and were married against the objections of Lewis’ parents, who came from old money and thought she was beneath their son and still do to the current day. Their monthly dinners set Violet on edge every time.
Violet is work driven and has to be the best, wear all the right clothes and mix with the right people. Shame her marriage to Lewis, who is very organised and doesn’t like change in routine much, seems to be coming apart. They are not even physical and only barely communicate daily due to their long work days and him going out with his friends – as if he is still single and at university! They even work for the same tech company in San Francisco, but Lewis seems to not have taken her latest promotion well. They don’t ever discuss matters and everything is just left to stew.
At one work party, one of lots held most weeks, she gets close up to her immediate boss, Jameson Chase and he makes some inappropriate suggestions. Even though she followed him to a scenic view, she pointed out she was married, to which he replied, that he always gets what he wants! A bit smug, but he is actually more likeable a character than either Violet or Lewis. Another character comes into their role at this point and this is Gayle, a wannabe replica of Violet, who copies everything about Violet and soon comes across as unhinged.
When Violet decides to take steps to liven up her life, matters go seriously wrong for the pair and really quickly! Someone has seen them and is stalking one of them. They start messing with Violet and sending messages and evidence of her dalliance, leaving Violet fearful for the hold Lewis’ family have over her. She can never divorce him due to the event mentioned as happening on the Fourth of July, some time in her past. How far she will go to keep these secrets, or as the title says, dirty secrets, from her friends and workmates, as the stalker continues to mess with her and even others, is all to be found in the book.
For such a well-educated woman, who practically raised herself and came from a poor background, yet rose to the top of her wish list for her future, she makes what some may consider, really silly and rookie mistakes in the manner in which she deals with what happens. Even her so called friends side with another and call her self-serving and only about herself. Seeing what they have all done to a former friend who had the audacity to have a baby is enlightening to see what sort of characters the author has written about. The book may not end exactly how many would expect, but it also has a few unexpected twists left near the end that will keep you reading to the end.
A good effort, with some bumps along the way in the character usage for me, but that is my interpretation of the book, not others. I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Violet is work driven and has to be the best, wear all the right clothes and mix with the right people. Shame her marriage to Lewis, who is very organised and doesn’t like change in routine much, seems to be coming apart. They are not even physical and only barely communicate daily due to their long work days and him going out with his friends – as if he is still single and at university! They even work for the same tech company in San Francisco, but Lewis seems to not have taken her latest promotion well. They don’t ever discuss matters and everything is just left to stew.
At one work party, one of lots held most weeks, she gets close up to her immediate boss, Jameson Chase and he makes some inappropriate suggestions. Even though she followed him to a scenic view, she pointed out she was married, to which he replied, that he always gets what he wants! A bit smug, but he is actually more likeable a character than either Violet or Lewis. Another character comes into their role at this point and this is Gayle, a wannabe replica of Violet, who copies everything about Violet and soon comes across as unhinged.
When Violet decides to take steps to liven up her life, matters go seriously wrong for the pair and really quickly! Someone has seen them and is stalking one of them. They start messing with Violet and sending messages and evidence of her dalliance, leaving Violet fearful for the hold Lewis’ family have over her. She can never divorce him due to the event mentioned as happening on the Fourth of July, some time in her past. How far she will go to keep these secrets, or as the title says, dirty secrets, from her friends and workmates, as the stalker continues to mess with her and even others, is all to be found in the book.
For such a well-educated woman, who practically raised herself and came from a poor background, yet rose to the top of her wish list for her future, she makes what some may consider, really silly and rookie mistakes in the manner in which she deals with what happens. Even her so called friends side with another and call her self-serving and only about herself. Seeing what they have all done to a former friend who had the audacity to have a baby is enlightening to see what sort of characters the author has written about. The book may not end exactly how many would expect, but it also has a few unexpected twists left near the end that will keep you reading to the end.
A good effort, with some bumps along the way in the character usage for me, but that is my interpretation of the book, not others. I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
October 23, 2020
I didn’t like it. The book was overwritten. The dialogue made little sense. There were too many plot holes. How many times can one person use the word “nefarious” in a book? I was slightly surprised by “who dunnit,” giving the book 2 stars rather than 1.
January 6, 2023
Good book, but so many typos it was distracting. She needs a better proofreader.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews