Billionaire business guru Charles is a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy. That’s certainly no secret. Unlike the affair he’s about to engage in with August who is half his age. A younger man he really has no business calling Sir.
Auggie is only supposed to be pet-sitting for his father and step-dad while they are on their honeymoon. Not kissing Charles and making him laugh. Not buying his favorite food and taking him out on dates.
One night is what they agreed on. A secret shared between only their lips as Charles discovers he’s not so straight. But maybe one night can become two...and even more...After all, anything’s possible as long as they don’t get caught.
This is the first book in the Secrets & Scandal duology featuring two men whose affairs must be kept secret to avoid a scandal. Part 2, Scandal will be out shortly. Both books must be read together.
Secrets & Scandal features supporting characters from the Taking Caring trilogy but can be read on its own.
Gianni Holmes is a USA TODAY Bestselling author who's embracing her love for literature by wielding the pen and creating stories of her own. She's the author of the popular series The Grimm Tales of Smoky Vale and The Taking Care series. Gianni is a former teacher of Spanish Language and Hispanic Literature.
These days she can be found writing books, hanging out with her readers, and raising her daughter as a single mother. You can keep in touch with her in the following places:
This is the first of two stories that make up a duology. It follows Charles (48), who is in a loveless marriage with a horrid woman who is only with him for his money, and August (mid 20s), who's father just married Charles's son from an earlier marriage. Shortly after meeting they find themselves attracted to each other but try to deny those feelings because giving into them has the potential to ruin Charles's relationship with his son as well as upset August's father.
Other than Charles being married and still sort of hung up on his first wife, this premise sounds perfect... especially considering that August is a Dom and Charles is discovering that he likes being a sub.
Unfortunately, the story's pacing is a little slower than I would have liked and I got tired of hearing Charles repeat how much he couldn't be with August. Also, Charles's wife is one of those evil ott women that I hate reading about and the way Charles allowed himself to be manipulated annoyed the hell out of me.
Since the story isn't finished I won't be too harsh. This book really took its time to establish who these characters are and emphasize the impossibility of there being any real relationship between the two. Their being together has the potential to tear their family apart and I'm eager to see how this all plays out. 3.25 stars
You could say that the premisses here are somewhat "eyerolling". To begin with the MC's are family, but not in blood. Charles's son are married to August's father. Charles is also married, to a woman, with a child on their way. The wife is THE WORST and the child is not his but that doesn't stop him from exploring his attraction to August. To be honest I wasn't to fond of Chales but August is my fav. On paper this sounds OTT but I was entertained and as it ends with a cliffhanger I'm already listening to that one.
This was difficult to rate as I spent most of the book hating the character of Poppy. She's having a baby that isn't her husband's, but he is willing to buy the baby from her and has even given her stock in his company as a pre-payment. Slut is too good a word to describe the woman. She is way beyond that and actually give the sluts of the world a bad name. I think her husband also perhaps needs his head examined...but he wants the baby that she's carrying that isn't his and seems to give in to all her demands. A great deal of the rest of the story I spent trying to figure out what in the world difference did it matter if the two guys that were interested in one another were related by marriage??? I'm going to listen to the second part of this hoping that these people will either get a brain or at least a backbone. The book isn't badly written, the story is interesting, but the characters are horrible...well... except for the dog.
Note to self: Never read a 2 book series unless all books are available.
While I do like what’s happening here, it’s definitely on the slow side and is setting up a handful of plots to be resolved in book 2. That frustrates me because it’s not like an edge-of-my-seat story with a cliffhanger ending.
But I like August and am interested to see him grow into his Dom persona. And Charles surprised me. He seemed so much older in the Taking Care series but he’s only 48. And while he’s still stuck in his ways a bit and sometimes is a prick, I’m sure once he eventually gets on the end of August’s flogger he’ll turn it around.
Ever since Taking Care trilogy ended, I was waiting for Charles's story. All I knew about him was through Declan's POV and it was a bit skewed. I knew there was more to the man, and the author didn't disappoint. August was no surprise in his caring and nurturing instincts. That's what made him such a good Dom. This was a story of bisexual awakening, popping certain billionaire's cherry, trying to make the best of one's life choices and, of course, secrets that are bound to come to light.
I loved August insightfulness, his gentle manner and, frankly speaking, patience of a saint when it came to Charles. Charles has many faults but one can never accuse him of indifference to those he considers his close family. Here I got a glimpse at his old self, his feelings for his deceased wife and how the relationship between Charles and Declan became broken. The best part was Charles and Declan trying to mend it.
There was no shortage of steam that author wisely delayed and gave the men a chance to want each other, to yearn for each other so much that nothing mattered when they crashed together. There was a fair amount of angst and soul searching. I have to say it was hard to warm up to Poppy, Charles wife. I didn't look at their lifestyle as cheating, it was more awareness by both parties that they were able to do as they pleased. But overall Charles, August and Poppy managed to create a sort of tension that broke in a spectacular fashion - the moment when Charles and August could not stand not to be together. Do not worry, no insta love was present here but deep affection, protectiveness and great desire to take charge and care.
A most enjoyable novel that was worth waiting for. I can't wait to see what Ms Holmes comes up with next for these two lovable men. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review.
3.5 stars. Charles can’t figure August out. The son of his son’s husband does something to him and he doesn’t want to admit. Feelings, he doesn’t do feelings, but August makes him feel things.
Charles's life is kind of complicated, he lost his beloved wife and even married four others because it seemed right at that moment. His current wife Poppy agreed to have their own life without a divorce. It’s not really working, Poppy acts nasty.
When August is around Charles his inner Dom wants to take over. Charles can’t resist August and secretly they’ll have a one night stand. Charles is insatiable.
The case with Poppy and Charles his obsession, I really didn’t like that part, for a multimillionaire it was so irrational to do what he did. The conversation between August and Charles were a bit repetitive now and then. August is extremely patient with Charles and for my pleasure way too mellow. The Dom issues were intriguing and nicely written. Separately I liked both men but together, I missed a connection with the guys, some warm feelings, romance. I hope book two will compensate for it. I enjoyed this story, it had a friendly vibe and a nice comfortable pace, It was entertaining and I’m really curious about book two.
¸.•´¸★*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.★¨*.¸¸.•`★¤You and I will always been unfinished business.¤★¨*.¸¸.*ˑ˞★
This is one book that the grading never dropped once. I was so invested in this book from the moment these two crossed paths. Gianni Holmes did an excellent job on this affair and all the complications that ensued. I swear I was yelling at Charles so much I am hoarse.
Book two Scandal should be so good, concluding what Secrets planted. Auggie had his own issues and I will be glad to see that clears up. Charles's life was in turmoil and somehow, someway, he had to find the answers to solve his entanglement. And together, hot and spicy, but will they make it to the finish line?
If you haven't met this family, start with the Taking Care trilogy and get to know Auggie's father Owen and Charles's son, Declan as they fall in love and make everyone family.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author [Arc received but read on KU as book went live before I started my read.]
Son's husband's son. So son in law/son in law, MM, billionaire, age gap, forbidden, great read! It was fast yet did tend to drag. I think this could have been 1 book rather than a duet. The story abruptly stops so the duet is really one long book. Still, it's worth the read.
The Charles character is an adorable yet cold 48 year old man ... yes!! I love when characters are in their 40s!! I'm not in my 40s yet but something about men almost 50 makes me soooo hot. If I was single currently at 37, I'd go for someone 48 minimum and I'd go up to 65.
I can see why August "Auggie Long" a much younger 25ish year old, is so attracted to Charles. Charles is such a cutie and just too good for the world. He wants to raise a baby that may not even be his just to the little baby a good life; he wants to make up with his son who he didn't have the best relationship with and blames himself for.
The issue is obviously the family aspect of it all because this is a weird relation but only by marriage.
I remember reading the Taking Care series and being mildly curious about Charles and Auggie, but now I'm officially hooked on their growing relationship. While technically you could read this book as a standalone, I highly recommend reading Declan and Owen's trilogy first to have a more complete picture of what's going on. The main storyline does come to a satisfying "happy for now", but this is part one of a duology so there are plenty of loose ends yet to be tied up.
I was immediately drawn to Auggie because of his confidence and inner strength. As a Dominant he takes such pride in his ability to give subs what they need, and I really admire his dedication to his values. Charles, on the other hand, is a complicated mess of a human. I was torn between finding his repeated mistakes relatable and being completely baffled by some of his actions. He's vain, snobby, and incredible fixated on the idea of being a father again. In any other story I may not have liked his character at all, but his interactions with Auggie showed me a much deeper side to him that has me incredibly curious. I feel like there's so much to Charles below the surface and I want to know everything about what makes him tick. I could already see Auggie bringing out that hidden vulnerability in this book, but I'm really excited to see how that evolves as their relationship becomes more serious.
Out of all the villainous side characters in the stories I've read, I'm not sure one has evoked the same level of irrational hatred as Poppy. Maybe it's because I know how important this baby is to Charles, but I could not find a single redeeming quality in Poppy's character throughout the entire book. Seeing Charles give in to her demands made me want to scream. I just know she's going to keep popping up and messing things up for Charles and Auggie in the future and I already hate it.
If I block out the conflict with Poppy and focus on the rest of the story, it's a delightful mix of lust, longing, and steamy scenes. I love how bold and assertive Charles was when he approached Auggie and how that all melted away when Auggie let his Dom side show. Their chemistry is intense, and the scenes they shared were molten hot. Beyond their sexual compatibility, I see so much potential for these men to make a relationship work if they stop running away from it.
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Auggie and Charles have sizzling forbidden chemistry.
I am so pleased they are getting their own story. Ever since we met them in the Taking Care series I have been dying to read about them. I loved Auggie and was desperate to know kore about Charles. In Secrets we see a different side to Charles.
This book should be read after taking care series. It is not a stand-alone- book 2 is due out next month and I can’t wait!!
Check warnings / trigger re one of the MCs being married (on paper only) to a woman
I’m shouldn’t have liked the image obsessed billionaire who can’t stop marrying inappropriate women, but when Charles starts to see things August’s way, it was nothing but hot.
The secrets they keep are more internal in the beginning then fear of the external in the end. It was great to see their character growth.
It did very much feel like Secrets was a spin off another series and I’m missing out on something with Declan and Owen reading this first. But maybe it’s just a very good backstory? Either way, this book was hot!
Secrets is the first book in the Secrets & Scandal duology by Gianni Holmes. This duet is about supporting characters from the Taking Care trilogy and is much more fun when you have read that trilogy first.
This duology is about August and Charles. This book has a may/december trope, which is one of my favorites. I really liked their story and can't wait to find out how it continues
Love Makes Equals! Dom August Long is in transition and is drawn to business executive Charles Moore but their relationship has to be a secret because they’re also family-in-law. Although the premise is interesting enough, the story comes across as a bit shallow. I didn’t quite feel the connection between the MCs. Charles came across as superficial but never made the transition to sympathetic. However, I do want to know what happens next, so this tale is a good read. On to the next installment! Rating: 3 1/2⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed Charles with August. August is great. Seems very mature, kind, family oriented. I really have no idea what he likes so much about Charles to be honest. But I like the younger Dom, older sub dynamic so that's what drew me in.
I couldn't stand Charles and his constant self-righteous anger at Poppy. This is a man near 50 who has been married and divorced 5 times. He is not a victim. He's clearly picked pretty young things to use then get bored of. So I couldn't stand how he picked Poppy because she is a pretty young thing, then resented her for knowing she was a PYT and using it to her advantage. I guess he would have been happier to use and divorce her like the rest and for her to stay home pinning after him. In his POV he constantly thought about all the women he'd been with in the past as a "playboy" and flirted with. But let Poppy even look at a man and it was heaps of negative stereotypes trashing her. He never intended to marry for love. So why should a young woman have to settle for whatever he gave her instead of finding whatever happiness she could. His delusional desire to "save her baby" from her was also gross. He'd already failed as a father and now he wants to grasp on to hers so he can be a "superhero." It was like he couldn't care less what happened to Poppy as long as the baby was okay. I can totally see why she slept with other people. I would have rathered they just be a rich couple married because he wanted a trophy for his arm and she wanted money and they accepted that instead of it being painted like Poppy trapped and tricked this 5 time divorced old man into marriage. She didn't. He wanted a trophy that would sit on the shelf when he didn't want to play with her. And when she didn't just quietly fade into the background, she was made out to be evil.
I seriously hope there aren't a lot of Poppy scenes in the next book. I may just have to skip them. Being beaten over the head by the clear double standards is just tiresome.
Even sadder when it's female writers perpetuating these storylines.
Oof… By the time I got to the end of this book I just could not care less about reading book 2. This couple is not interesting to me at all. There is so much back and forth I lost interest. And all the drama with the wife and baby is beyond ridiculous. I’m sure book 2 is even more over the top so I’ll pass.
It's been a while since I've read anything by this author, in fact I haven't read anything since they finished their Taking Care series from which this book originates. I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised by how much the author's craft has improved since then, and that I very much enjoyed this book even though it doesn't contain the complete story (the second and final book will be released September 2020).
I received this ARC from GRR with the caveat that I need to have read the Taking Care series before reading this one, but you know I really don't think that's true. It doesn't hurt that I read the series and I'm glad I did since I really enjoyed it, but the author did a really great job here giving the reader the backstory of these two characters (which we knew already from Taking Care) without getting boring or info-dumpy about it. I really think that a person could read this book on its own without having read the prior series, and that's a credit to the author. However I would recommend reading the prior series just because it's a good one.
This book covers the beginning of Charles and Auggie's relationship, which, as the title implies, they must keep a secret for #reasons. It doesn't necessarily end on a cliffhanger but it will leave you wanting the rest of the story immediately. This book is very close to being a 5 star book for me and my only objection really is a lack of the feeling of conflict or jeopardy or "what will happen next?!" We who have read the Taking Care series already know how this story ends, and the author's foreword to this book gives away quite a bit of the plot as well (in an attempt to justify how there is no cheating involved in this book, I feel that too much of the plot was revealed in the justification). If not for those two spoilery considerations, this would be a 5 star book in my opinion, and I hope you all enjoy it too.
I would consider this book a standalone though I would strongly recommend reading the Taking Care trilogy first. There are mild elements of BDSM, a shy Italian greyhound, an overdue bi-awakening, and a little bit of hurt/comfort though considering the topics covered in this book I would say that the angst level is really quite low. 4 to 4.5 stars
“Secrets”, by Gianni Holmes, is the first book of the two-part series “Secrets and Scandals”. Before reading this duology you will want to read the 3 “Taking Care” books as they contain the back story of the characters in this book. This is the beginning of the story of Charles, Declan’s father, and August, Owen’s son. Charles is older and has been married multiple times, the first to his real love who died, and the rest ended because they could not live up to that love. His last wife, Poppy, is pregnant with another man’s child but Charles wants to raise her because he wants to show he can be a good father, which he wasn’t to Declan. Poppy is horrible to Charles because he only wants her for the child and forces him to make a deal that could cause a problem in the future. Charles thought he was straight but discovers he is bi. August has moved back to Cincinnati because he wants to start over where he was born. He is trying to find a job but believes he is being blackballed from jobs in his field because he is gay. He is also a dom. These two had an almost instant attraction the first time they met. Both know they should never act on their feelings because of their family connections and also because of what else was happening in their lives. However, the attraction is so strong that they did act on it but continued to say that it was they only time they would be together. This did not happen as they continued to see each other and felt guilty about it every time it happened. The book ends at this point and they will have to make a decision on whether or not they will continue their affair, knowing that others could learn about it at any time and that it could have disastrous consequences for the family. This is one of my favorite series by Ms. Holmes and I greatly anticipated the release of this book. I was not disappointed and I am looking forward to reading the conclusion coming out soon.
August and Charles are finally here, and I am absolutely in love! Ever since their connection was first hinted at in the Take Care series, I have been on tenterhooks to know more, which has now turned into a desperate need! Excuse the hyperbole, it is warranted. Talk about an intriguing setup! A May/December couple with the younger man as the dominant partner and the womanizing suave businessman as the most unlikely potential submissive, to say nothing about the potentially awkward family dynamics … I loved getting to know Charles especially, flawed and charming as he is. There’s so much more to him than at first meets the eye, and he’s so much more vulnerable and loving than you’d give him credit for. His determination to be a father to Poppy’s unborn child, and the lengths he’s willing to go to … He’s such a sweetheart, his heart is absolutely in the right place. I was surprised, in the best way, by how he embraces new experiences and had such fun when he confided in Winston, as well as in reading their resulting outing. Is it wrong to want to see more of Winston too? Auggie/August is wonderful, his confidence captivating, and his care for Charles more seductive even than the incredible physical chemistry they share. Auggie has his own demons to fight, and that vulnerability makes him even more lovable and genuine. I can’t wait to see where they go from here. I need for them to get all the happy, all the love. Authentic and fascinating secondary characters abound, most notably Jackie, but also Oscar, Penny, Heath and Ridge. And of course, every glimpse we get of Declan and Owen is a delight.
**4.5** I am a huge fan of Dom stories when the man taking control is actually younger than the man offering submission. It helps you see, this book especially, that social standing, wealth, career etc don't come into play of that aspect of their relationship. It's all about the love, care, attention and trust that they have between involved. Auggie is so natural in his role and is wonderful with Charles as the older man is new to the whole dynamic but also to getting involved with another man. Another layer for them both is that Auggie's dad is now married to Charles' son which makes them both even more wary of becoming more to each other. Though with their strong chemistry, they find themselves drawn to each other again and again despite how often Charles tries to deny it. Auggie offers more than just a physical connection. He has a strong, steady presence that helps to give a man that is known for living a little on the wild side a place to go for comfort and support. Charles has definitely grown as a character since we met his as Declan's father getting married for the 5th time. Now he wants to do and be better. It's going to be very interesting to see how everything plays out in the second book, Scandal, if the two men manage to come together and decide that what they have together is worth the drama that will come their way. Gianni has written another brilliant relationship of will they, won't they. One man unsure as the other is determined in what he wants for them both. This is a perfect accompaniment to the Taking Care series that focused on Declan and Owen (Charles' son and Auggie's dad). Defintiely a must read for fans of that series and for those who love a good dom/sub relationship that takes time to build. It's not necessary, I don't think, to have read the Taking care series but it would help to know who's who and everyone's connection and history to each other. I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow- Away-book like ‘Jesse's Smile' or ‚Joey’ from Angelique Jurd, ‘Save the kids' series from EM Leya, ‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or 'Liberty' from Seth King), it's like an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises (like most of Andrew Grey books and Davidson Kings 'Haven Hart'-series) it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few times a year (most romances where you can enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in hospitals). I can recommend them definitively! It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader, maybe 2-3 times a year. It’s like a B
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time- reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but it was ok). It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole line, dismissed, repeat the class
First things first - this book is terrific. Being a fan of author Gianni Holmes's "Taking Care" series, I've been hoping for Auggie and Charles's story and it has surpassed all of my expectations. Bravo, Gianni, for giving us their engrossing, unconventional, and wholly original love story. And all of the flirting...so much delicious double entendre-laced flirting.
Charles in particular is such an interesting and multilayered character, at times admittedly selfish and self-loathing but also hopeful and self-sacrificing. One can't help but feel for his internal struggles, and his surprise journey of self-discovery with Auggie is an emotional rollercoaster ride that we're all still on going into the next book. No doubt the conclusion of their love story in "Scandal" will be an equally compelling read.
"Secrets" can be enjoyed without having read the Taking Care series but I'd encourage reading that series first for the benefit of having an enriched perspective of past family events and character connections. That, and the series (and the audio books narrated by John Solo) is fantastic, period. I received an ARC of this book and have left this honest review voluntarily (that said, I totally would've purchased it anyway because it really is that good).
Secrets, Secrets, are no fun, unless they are shared with everyone. Except if you are August or Charles, those secrets are deliciously private.
Holmes sweeps us right back into the Taking Care series with the story of August and Charles. August is the dominant that Charles does not know he needs. Their exchanges begin with verbal foreplay as August subtly begins to take care of Charles. This foreplay strikes a match and blazes into an uncontrollable inferno of desire. Their passion continues to drive them together but the outside world is beginning to close in on them as their lust turns to passion and the hint of potential love blossoming. August is the son-in-law of Charles’ son, Declan – yeah, try to say that 5 times fast. Charles is also in a very complicated marriage with Poppy, who is carrying a baby girl that Charles wants to father. Not to mention the sexy age-gap they are working with. The complications are endless but so is the fire that blazes between them.
As always, Holmes leaves us wanting more. Leaving us with a tantalizing tease of an ending and preparing us for the next book. The secrets are endless, the lust is panty dropping, as their relationship begins with the secret of a lifetime.
Secrets by Gianni Hmes is a spin off from the Taking Care series. There will be two books in this Secrets and Scandal series - Secrets and Scandal. The two books will explore the evolution of the relationship between Charles and Auggie. I highly recommend reading the Taking Care trilogy prior to this duo in order to fully grasp the characters and the context of their story - plus, they are really good reads.
In Secrets, there is a lot of drama as the two main characters go between fighting their mutual attraction and trying to hide their eventual connections. There is a lot going on, and it will be easy to get drawn into their story. Charles has a lot of self exploration to do and alot to find peace with. There's also the little matter of his horrible wife. I hate that character. Auggie is fantastic as the one trying to guide Charles in his new discoveries, together they have such a strong connection. I fo feel a bit bad that Auggie has to be a secret lover and I font fully agree with actions Charles makes but I gor sure an invested in their Journey. Now, just to wait for Scandal to release next.
☆I was able to read an advanced copy of this title and am reviewing voluntarily and honestly my own thoughts, opinion and reactions based on that copy.☆