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Forbidden Descendants #8-full story
Secrets That We Keep
Gracen Lowe has a new life theory:
What you don’t know can’t hurt you.
Which is exactly why he decides not to tell his twin sister, Bella, that he’s accidentally falling for the woman she hates most, the very woman who allegedly cheated with Bella’s last boyfriend and broke them apart.
Bella might be his best friend and ultimate confidante, but she’d legit cut off his favorite body part if she knew which woman he’d been craving. So even if his theory’s totally whack, staying quiet will definitely keep him safer.
Except he feels so guilty about it all.
Meanwhile, Bella’s heating up the sheets with one of Gracen’s best friends, and she can’t seem to reveal that little detail to her brother either, due to—you know—reasons.
When the truth is exposed, all bets are off. Shattered secrets will either set everyone free or wreck their relationships forever.
What you don’t know can’t hurt you.
Which is exactly why he decides not to tell his twin sister, Bella, that he’s accidentally falling for the woman she hates most, the very woman who allegedly cheated with Bella’s last boyfriend and broke them apart.
Bella might be his best friend and ultimate confidante, but she’d legit cut off his favorite body part if she knew which woman he’d been craving. So even if his theory’s totally whack, staying quiet will definitely keep him safer.
Except he feels so guilty about it all.
Meanwhile, Bella’s heating up the sheets with one of Gracen’s best friends, and she can’t seem to reveal that little detail to her brother either, due to—you know—reasons.
When the truth is exposed, all bets are off. Shattered secrets will either set everyone free or wreck their relationships forever.
446 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2021
26 people are currently reading
685 people want to read
About the author
Linda Kage
51 books5,537 followersLinda writes romance fiction from YA to adult, contemporary to fantasy.
Published since 2010, she first went through a 2-year writing correspondence class in children’s literature from The Institute of Children’s Literature, then graduated with a Bachelor's in Arts-English with an emphasis in creative fiction writing from Pittsburg State University.
She currently lives with her husband, two daughters, a cat named Holly, and nine cuckoo clocks in southeast Kansas.
She started out reading with the Baby-Sitters Club, then moved to Sandra Brown, Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, and LaVyrle Spencer in high school. Now, she's all over the place with her romance reading tastes.
A few of her favorite things have been:
Stranger Things, Supernatural, Cheers, Teen Wolf, Umbrella Academy, Outlander, Yellowstone, Grey's Anatomy, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Shawshank Redemption, Dirty Dancing, Harry Potter, Tangled, A Walk to Remember, Dr. Pepper, Roast Beef with mashed potatoes and onion rings, the poem "Equipment" by Edgar A. Guest, and To Kill a Mockingbird.
Published since 2010, she first went through a 2-year writing correspondence class in children’s literature from The Institute of Children’s Literature, then graduated with a Bachelor's in Arts-English with an emphasis in creative fiction writing from Pittsburg State University.
She currently lives with her husband, two daughters, a cat named Holly, and nine cuckoo clocks in southeast Kansas.
She started out reading with the Baby-Sitters Club, then moved to Sandra Brown, Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, and LaVyrle Spencer in high school. Now, she's all over the place with her romance reading tastes.
A few of her favorite things have been:
Stranger Things, Supernatural, Cheers, Teen Wolf, Umbrella Academy, Outlander, Yellowstone, Grey's Anatomy, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Shawshank Redemption, Dirty Dancing, Harry Potter, Tangled, A Walk to Remember, Dr. Pepper, Roast Beef with mashed potatoes and onion rings, the poem "Equipment" by Edgar A. Guest, and To Kill a Mockingbird.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
July 21, 2022
J’AI ADORÉ ??!!!! Ça fait 2 semaines que je lis des romances New Adult les unes à la suite des autres et je les ai toutes abandonnées parce que c’était vraiment pas mon truc ma alors là….. Preuve qu’il faut toujours tester plusieurs livres dans un même genre parce qu’on est sûr de trouver un truc qu’on aime !
Seul bémol c’est que c’est une série spin off donc on a du mal à comprendre les liens familiaux (il y a 373839 couples avec des bébés c’est flippant mdr) ! D’ailleurs deuxième bémol : les fins où il faut toujours avoir des bébés….i can’t….mais c’était mignon quand même !
L’écriture de l’autrice : pépite !! L’humour est au top et la romance est basée sur les dialogues drôles entre les personnages !! Même pendant les scènes olé olé ils disent des bêtises c’était trop biennnnn !!!
Nouvelle autrice préférée !
Seul bémol c’est que c’est une série spin off donc on a du mal à comprendre les liens familiaux (il y a 373839 couples avec des bébés c’est flippant mdr) ! D’ailleurs deuxième bémol : les fins où il faut toujours avoir des bébés….i can’t….mais c’était mignon quand même !
L’écriture de l’autrice : pépite !! L’humour est au top et la romance est basée sur les dialogues drôles entre les personnages !! Même pendant les scènes olé olé ils disent des bêtises c’était trop biennnnn !!!
Nouvelle autrice préférée !
wrote-it
January 28, 2021
EXCERPT:
“He reminded me a lot of you, actually,” I decided suddenly.
“Me?” That perked my life coach to immediate attention. With a lift of his brows, he said, “Oh, so you’re saying he was incredibly handsome, huh?”
I laughed and shook my head. “You just had to go there, didn’t you?”
“Wait, wait.” Squinting at me and trying to read my thoughts, his mouth fell open with a horrified gasp. “You think he’s better looking than I am? EL! What the hell?”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s—oh my God. You’re ridiculous. Comparing the two of you would be like comparing apples and oranges. Because you’re all raw and rough and masculine, while he’s—”
“Feminine?” he guessed dryly.
“No. He’s like—I don’t know—cultured. And smooth.”
Gracen was like pure art.
“Ah…” My life coach drew out slowly. “You mean, he’s a pretty boy.”
I sighed in defeat over the entire conversation and just gave up by answering, “Yeah. Sure. He’s a pretty boy.”
“Well…” He lifted his hands as if there was no hope for me. “I guess, if you’re into that type, that’s fine.” Then he lifted an eyebrow. “But, seriously, on a scale of one to ten—”
“He’s a twelve,” I blurted in a rush. “Definitely a twelve.”
January 18, 2021
I can only describe this as a book that I want to read for the first time again. When a book is that beautiful you just want to experience it all over again for the first time.
This book has so friendship, love, trauma, loyalty family and so much more.. for those of you who have read the forbidden men series you will love this next generation book! My heart went out to every single characters in this book and I was rooting for them all. I loved them so much and I wish it never stops!
My heart went out to Bella, she has been through something that keeps her on her toes and from happiness for such a long time! She deserves to have it all! That comes in the package of Fox Parker I mean can I just say that he is the most thoughtful amazing not official boyfriend anyone could ever have!! I was rooting for him through this whole book! I just wanted to hug him tight and never let go. I want a bottle of perfume called Fox and just bathe in it. (Too far? Oh well..)
Okay so then we have the other twin. Gracen lowe, he surprised me so much! Loyal to the core. He is so intrigued with yellow but knows it can't happen. But still finds himself drawn towards her, even if he resist at every turn. He is so funny and has amazing sense of humor, I would love to have him as my BFF. Then we have yellow the best wat I could describe her is as a dainty fairy. She is sweet and kind and loving and everything Bella hates, so you can see the problem there right?! But she has her own story to tell.
To sum it al up linda kage I'm just obsessed with these books and this family! You have a fan for life just so you know (not in a creepy way) p.s those snippet in the end.... I can't wait for more in this series!
This book has so friendship, love, trauma, loyalty family and so much more.. for those of you who have read the forbidden men series you will love this next generation book! My heart went out to every single characters in this book and I was rooting for them all. I loved them so much and I wish it never stops!
My heart went out to Bella, she has been through something that keeps her on her toes and from happiness for such a long time! She deserves to have it all! That comes in the package of Fox Parker I mean can I just say that he is the most thoughtful amazing not official boyfriend anyone could ever have!! I was rooting for him through this whole book! I just wanted to hug him tight and never let go. I want a bottle of perfume called Fox and just bathe in it. (Too far? Oh well..)
Okay so then we have the other twin. Gracen lowe, he surprised me so much! Loyal to the core. He is so intrigued with yellow but knows it can't happen. But still finds himself drawn towards her, even if he resist at every turn. He is so funny and has amazing sense of humor, I would love to have him as my BFF. Then we have yellow the best wat I could describe her is as a dainty fairy. She is sweet and kind and loving and everything Bella hates, so you can see the problem there right?! But she has her own story to tell.
To sum it al up linda kage I'm just obsessed with these books and this family! You have a fan for life just so you know (not in a creepy way) p.s those snippet in the end.... I can't wait for more in this series!
June 6, 2023
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Introduction
Secrets That We Keep is the 2nd full length installment in the "Forbidden Men Descendents" and this features the twins from Mason and Reece. I will be honest in that I put this book in the highly nervous section because the blurb was putting me off. I should have had more faith in Linda Kage though because she ALWAYS delivers and she definitely did that with this one here. I absolutely adored the way in which the author wrote this book, on the surface it might seem to be complicated but honestly the author really makes it work in ways that you least expect it to. But it does involved 2 primary couples so keep that in mind and they do make sense into why two are written here.
My Outlook
Secrets That We Keep is a story that is primarily about two couples but each story is very well developed and as this book is 450 pages long, it definitely digs deep as you would expect from this author. I was highly intrigued to see how this one would delve and first off it was hilarious. There is something about Linda Kage in how she implements humor that is beyond delectable. I just couldn't get enough and just wanted more. I was fascinated as we start to see some of the pieces to fall into place and you just knew where this one was going and when everything comes out and is revealed, oooh boy.....its intense and emotion and just had me in my feels. I really adored the bond the twins have here, they just have such a close bond that I love seeing portrayed in books. There is also an issue with sexual assault and drug abuse, so keep that in mind when reading this one. And I absolutely adored the way that the men in this compete with each other, its so hilarious. This story just truly comes together in such a balanced way and delivers from feels, to character growth, to laughs and family connections.
Overall View
I found Secrets That We Keep to be a delectable read that just was so endearing and delectable in all of the best of ways! A TRUE KEEPER!
Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building:5
Cover:5
Hero: 5
Heroine: 5
Steam: 5
Heart & Feels:5
Ending:5
Overall View:5
January 20, 2021
[English]
I've been waiting for this book from the moment it was announced. The main reason was that the book is from the children of Reese and Mason my favorite forbidden men couple.
The wait was worth it? Effectively.
The book tells us the story of two couples starting with Bella and Fox who already have a relationship that is secret and throughout the book we will see how Bella tries to overcome her fears (because her previous relationship completely destroyed her thanks to ex-boyfrind cheating on her) to bring out their relationship to the whole family even not even tell everything to his confidant his twin; Gracen Lowe.
At the same time that Bella and Fox keep their relationship a secret, we meet Yellow (the woman who "supposedly" slept with Bella's ex-boyfriend, therefore she is an enemy of her and her twin) because of things of destiny she ends up in the cinema with Gracen. Gracen is curious about her, but he cannot since she was the cause of the pain of her twin, but that will not prevent fate from bringing them together more than once.
I loved both stories, however the one that kept me the most excited to read was Yellow and Gracen. They were both fighting. Gracen for not being attracted and Yellow for moving on from a traumatic event.
The stories are linked not just for the Lowe twins, but also with Yellow and Fox, since this is Yellow's life coach, but more than being a professional relationship they both become friends.
Let's go to my favorite part of the book: the twins. The twins' relationship is very beautiful. It is them against others; Gracen always thinks about her twin and how he can protect her and Bella is always there to help and rescue him. Both would do anything for the other. However secrets consume them a lot.
Love every part of this book, from the appearances of Mason, Reese, the generation of Forbidden men. The friends. etc.
However, the end left me much to be desired as I felt it very rushed, I wanted to know more how the relationship between Gracen and Yellow was evolving. In addition to how Bella was finally after having made her public relationship, it also caused me problems with the 8-month time jump and when Yellow was telling her story what really happened was from Fox's perspective and I think it would have been better from the point of it. That is why I give the book 4 stars.
I love you Gracen Lowe but I love your wife more so be careful because I might steal Yellow from you, Gray.
[Español]
Estuve esperando este libro desde el momento en que se anuncio. La razon principal era que el libro es de los hijos de Reese y Mason mi pareja favorita de forbidden men.
¿Valio la pena la espera? Efectivamente.
El libro nos cuenta la historia de dos parejas empezando asi con Bella y Fox que ya mantienen una relacion que es secreta y durante todo el libro veremos como Bella intenta superar sus miedos (porque su anterior relacion la destruyo completamente gracias a que la engaño) para dar a relucir su relación ante toda la familia incluso ni siquiera le cuenta todo a su confidente su gemelo; Gracen lowe.
Al mismo tiempo que Bella y Fox mantienen su relacion en secreto nos encontramos a Yellow (la mujer con la que "supuestamente" se acosto con el ex novio de Bella por lo tanto es enemiga de ella y su gemelo) por cosas del destino termina topandose con Gracen en el cine y el la salva de un artecado. Gracen siente curiosidad por ella, pero el no puede, ya que ella fue la causante del dolor de su gemela, pero eso no le impidira al destino a juntarlos mas de una ocasión.
Ame a las dos historias, sin embargo la que me mantenia mas emocionada por leer fue la de Yellow y Gracen. Ambos estaban luchando. Gracen por no sentir atraccion y Yellow por seguir adelante por un evento traumatico.
Las historias estan unidas no gracias a los gemelos Lowe, sino tambien con Yellow y Fox, ya que este es el entrenador de vida de Yellow, pero mas que ser una relación profesional ambos se convierten en amigos.
Vamos a mi parte favorita del libro: los gemelos. La relación de loa gemelos es muy hermosa. Es ellos contra los demas; Gracen siempre piensa en su gemela y en como la puede proteger y Bella siempre esta para ayudarlo y rescatarlo. Ambos harian cualquier cosa por el otro. Sin embargo los secretos los consumen mucho.
Ame cada parte de este libro, desde las apariciones de Mason, Reese, la generacion de Forbidden men. Los amigos. etc.
Sin embargo el final me dejo mucho que deseear ya que lo senti muy apresurado, queria saber mas como evolucionaba la relacion de Gracen y Yellow. Ademas de como por fin Bella estaba despues de haber hecho su relación publica.Tambien me causo conflico el salto de tiempo de 8 meses y cuando Yellow estaba contando su historia lo que realmente habia pasado fue desde la perspectiva de Fox y creo que hubiera sido mejor desde el punto de ella. Es por eso que al libro le doy 4 estrellas.
Amo mucho a Gracen Lowe pero amo mas a su esposa asi que cuidado que puede que te robe a Yellow, Gray.
I've been waiting for this book from the moment it was announced. The main reason was that the book is from the children of Reese and Mason my favorite forbidden men couple.
The wait was worth it? Effectively.
The book tells us the story of two couples starting with Bella and Fox who already have a relationship that is secret and throughout the book we will see how Bella tries to overcome her fears (because her previous relationship completely destroyed her thanks to ex-boyfrind cheating on her) to bring out their relationship to the whole family even not even tell everything to his confidant his twin; Gracen Lowe.
At the same time that Bella and Fox keep their relationship a secret, we meet Yellow (the woman who "supposedly" slept with Bella's ex-boyfriend, therefore she is an enemy of her and her twin) because of things of destiny she ends up in the cinema with Gracen. Gracen is curious about her, but he cannot since she was the cause of the pain of her twin, but that will not prevent fate from bringing them together more than once.
I loved both stories, however the one that kept me the most excited to read was Yellow and Gracen. They were both fighting. Gracen for not being attracted and Yellow for moving on from a traumatic event.
The stories are linked not just for the Lowe twins, but also with Yellow and Fox, since this is Yellow's life coach, but more than being a professional relationship they both become friends.
Let's go to my favorite part of the book: the twins. The twins' relationship is very beautiful. It is them against others; Gracen always thinks about her twin and how he can protect her and Bella is always there to help and rescue him. Both would do anything for the other. However secrets consume them a lot.
Love every part of this book, from the appearances of Mason, Reese, the generation of Forbidden men. The friends. etc.
However, the end left me much to be desired as I felt it very rushed, I wanted to know more how the relationship between Gracen and Yellow was evolving. In addition to how Bella was finally after having made her public relationship, it also caused me problems with the 8-month time jump and when Yellow was telling her story what really happened was from Fox's perspective and I think it would have been better from the point of it. That is why I give the book 4 stars.
I love you Gracen Lowe but I love your wife more so be careful because I might steal Yellow from you, Gray.
[Español]
Estuve esperando este libro desde el momento en que se anuncio. La razon principal era que el libro es de los hijos de Reese y Mason mi pareja favorita de forbidden men.
¿Valio la pena la espera? Efectivamente.
El libro nos cuenta la historia de dos parejas empezando asi con Bella y Fox que ya mantienen una relacion que es secreta y durante todo el libro veremos como Bella intenta superar sus miedos (porque su anterior relacion la destruyo completamente gracias a que la engaño) para dar a relucir su relación ante toda la familia incluso ni siquiera le cuenta todo a su confidente su gemelo; Gracen lowe.
Al mismo tiempo que Bella y Fox mantienen su relacion en secreto nos encontramos a Yellow (la mujer con la que "supuestamente" se acosto con el ex novio de Bella por lo tanto es enemiga de ella y su gemelo) por cosas del destino termina topandose con Gracen en el cine y el la salva de un artecado. Gracen siente curiosidad por ella, pero el no puede, ya que ella fue la causante del dolor de su gemela, pero eso no le impidira al destino a juntarlos mas de una ocasión.
Ame a las dos historias, sin embargo la que me mantenia mas emocionada por leer fue la de Yellow y Gracen. Ambos estaban luchando. Gracen por no sentir atraccion y Yellow por seguir adelante por un evento traumatico.
Las historias estan unidas no gracias a los gemelos Lowe, sino tambien con Yellow y Fox, ya que este es el entrenador de vida de Yellow, pero mas que ser una relación profesional ambos se convierten en amigos.
Vamos a mi parte favorita del libro: los gemelos. La relación de loa gemelos es muy hermosa. Es ellos contra los demas; Gracen siempre piensa en su gemela y en como la puede proteger y Bella siempre esta para ayudarlo y rescatarlo. Ambos harian cualquier cosa por el otro. Sin embargo los secretos los consumen mucho.
Ame cada parte de este libro, desde las apariciones de Mason, Reese, la generacion de Forbidden men. Los amigos. etc.
Sin embargo el final me dejo mucho que deseear ya que lo senti muy apresurado, queria saber mas como evolucionaba la relacion de Gracen y Yellow. Ademas de como por fin Bella estaba despues de haber hecho su relación publica.Tambien me causo conflico el salto de tiempo de 8 meses y cuando Yellow estaba contando su historia lo que realmente habia pasado fue desde la perspectiva de Fox y creo que hubiera sido mejor desde el punto de ella. Es por eso que al libro le doy 4 estrellas.
Amo mucho a Gracen Lowe pero amo mas a su esposa asi que cuidado que puede que te robe a Yellow, Gray.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2021
I received an ARC (thank God) and I really hope I can write everything I want to otherwise I think I'm starting a blog only to Fangirl about Linda Kage's books.
(ENG-ESP)
🎆 Here's the think: I love every word in this book. I don’t know if I'm being partial here because well, I did wait for this book like 2 years but for some reason Linda had this gift (or skill if you want to) of make me laugh, cry, feel pain, joy, anger and of course, hapiness in the same book.
This is about Gracen and Bella doing things behind each others backs, but I'm so glad Gracen did what he did when he did it (sorry, not spoilers, buy it so we can fangirl about it) because it made so much sense. He might've been hiding something from his sister but he's honestly one of the most amazing brothers I've ever read.
And Bella, my amazing Isabella Lowe is just this awesome woman who knows what she wants but was hurt so much she hasn't been the same since.
Fox and Yellow are two little cuties I want to hug so bad because, first, Yellow (as well as Bella) is such a strong woman but she's also so cute with everyone I just want to protect her from anything that can go bad for her. Fox tries to help everyone and really understands what family is all about.
I swear, there were a lot of times I basically hugged myself because I felt everything they were feeling. It completely freaked me out.
This story is so real it hurts. There's so much love in there but also too much pain from the past. Also, there’s this thing we all should put more attention to.
I really hope you give this story a chance because the twins totally deserve it, besides, it was amazing to read about how they're (The Forbidden Men first generation clan) doing this days and I also loved the fact that there are other little stories about other members of the Fam. 😁
I just want everyone to read this book so we can Fangirl over it, I swear.
🎆 LO QUE AMÉ ESTE LIBRO. Es que en serio no puedo con tantas emociones que siento.
Esperé como 2 años por este libro y no tienen idea de lo valioso que fue la espera. Valió totalmente la pena. Linda me hace reír, llorar, sentir alegría, enojo y mucha felicidad en sus libros y esta no fue la excepción.
Gracen y Bella son hermanos, por cierta razón se esconden algo importante el uno al otro y eso desata un montón de cosas.
Gracen es este pequeño nerd de películas, Bella esta maravillosa mujer que fue lastimada y trata de sanar, Yellow es una mujer que fue lastimada y aún así es muy inocente en el mundo, Fox es un pedacito de cielo que quiero abrazar mucho.
Este libro trata un tema muy importante al que todo mundo debería prestar atención.
Deseo mucho poder fangirlear por completo pero temo que les suelte spoilers aquí y allá. También es raro hablarles de una persona porque son 4 protagonistas que reciben la misma cantidad de puntos de vista (un detalle mega especial), además de las historias cortas al final que me dejaron con ganas de MÁS.
Lamento no poder darle una reseña a este libro como se merece pero ando con mucho sentimiento así que creo que me voy a llorar porque los extraño. 😭
(ENG-ESP)
🎆 Here's the think: I love every word in this book. I don’t know if I'm being partial here because well, I did wait for this book like 2 years but for some reason Linda had this gift (or skill if you want to) of make me laugh, cry, feel pain, joy, anger and of course, hapiness in the same book.
This is about Gracen and Bella doing things behind each others backs, but I'm so glad Gracen did what he did when he did it (sorry, not spoilers, buy it so we can fangirl about it) because it made so much sense. He might've been hiding something from his sister but he's honestly one of the most amazing brothers I've ever read.
And Bella, my amazing Isabella Lowe is just this awesome woman who knows what she wants but was hurt so much she hasn't been the same since.
Fox and Yellow are two little cuties I want to hug so bad because, first, Yellow (as well as Bella) is such a strong woman but she's also so cute with everyone I just want to protect her from anything that can go bad for her. Fox tries to help everyone and really understands what family is all about.
I swear, there were a lot of times I basically hugged myself because I felt everything they were feeling. It completely freaked me out.
This story is so real it hurts. There's so much love in there but also too much pain from the past. Also, there’s this thing we all should put more attention to.
I really hope you give this story a chance because the twins totally deserve it, besides, it was amazing to read about how they're (The Forbidden Men first generation clan) doing this days and I also loved the fact that there are other little stories about other members of the Fam. 😁
I just want everyone to read this book so we can Fangirl over it, I swear.
🎆 LO QUE AMÉ ESTE LIBRO. Es que en serio no puedo con tantas emociones que siento.
Esperé como 2 años por este libro y no tienen idea de lo valioso que fue la espera. Valió totalmente la pena. Linda me hace reír, llorar, sentir alegría, enojo y mucha felicidad en sus libros y esta no fue la excepción.
Gracen y Bella son hermanos, por cierta razón se esconden algo importante el uno al otro y eso desata un montón de cosas.
Gracen es este pequeño nerd de películas, Bella esta maravillosa mujer que fue lastimada y trata de sanar, Yellow es una mujer que fue lastimada y aún así es muy inocente en el mundo, Fox es un pedacito de cielo que quiero abrazar mucho.
Este libro trata un tema muy importante al que todo mundo debería prestar atención.
Deseo mucho poder fangirlear por completo pero temo que les suelte spoilers aquí y allá. También es raro hablarles de una persona porque son 4 protagonistas que reciben la misma cantidad de puntos de vista (un detalle mega especial), además de las historias cortas al final que me dejaron con ganas de MÁS.
Lamento no poder darle una reseña a este libro como se merece pero ando con mucho sentimiento así que creo que me voy a llorar porque los extraño. 😭
January 19, 2021
I am relatively new to Linda Kage, and have not yet read the Forbidden Men series (though it's how I first heard of her, and I have many of them in my TBR), so I was a little concerned that I wasn't going to connect with this story.
That fear was completely unfounded. Hoo boy. Did I ever connect with this story!
It was absolutely addictive in that way that slightly angsty, family-centered new adult romance tends to be. Deliciously dramatic, sexy, swoony, fun - but packing an emotional punch that left me a little breathless and my heart all turned inside out for these fantastic characters.
The style of the book is so fun and unique. There are two couples here and all four characters get a voice. The timeline jumps around a bit - but not in a way that distracted or took anything away from the story. Rather it lent it a fresh, original vibe that built to a sort of explosive peak before settling into a sweet ending that filled my heart to bursting.
I loved these couples so freaking much! If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be Gracen because I have a special place in my heart for goofy, nerdy boys. But Fox was no slouch in the dreamy hero department either. In fact, in the end, it might have been moments with Fox that stole my heart away from me completely. Yellow and Bella were pretty amazing in their own right. I mean, there were moments (several of them) where i wanted to give Bella good shake because I felt like she was acting immature and flaky and it was driving me a little bit crazy. But then the story twisted and looped around and my heart cracked wide open for her. For all of them. Good gravy, this was just such good stuff!
If you're new to Linda Kage - you're still in good hands and should absolutely take the plunge. If you're a loyal fan? Well, this is going to feel like a huge hug for your heart - with some familiar faces and some extra bonus scenes that will likely have you squealing with delight. No matter how you slice it - I absolutely recommend it! ~ Shelly, 4.5 Stars
That fear was completely unfounded. Hoo boy. Did I ever connect with this story!
It was absolutely addictive in that way that slightly angsty, family-centered new adult romance tends to be. Deliciously dramatic, sexy, swoony, fun - but packing an emotional punch that left me a little breathless and my heart all turned inside out for these fantastic characters.
The style of the book is so fun and unique. There are two couples here and all four characters get a voice. The timeline jumps around a bit - but not in a way that distracted or took anything away from the story. Rather it lent it a fresh, original vibe that built to a sort of explosive peak before settling into a sweet ending that filled my heart to bursting.
I loved these couples so freaking much! If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be Gracen because I have a special place in my heart for goofy, nerdy boys. But Fox was no slouch in the dreamy hero department either. In fact, in the end, it might have been moments with Fox that stole my heart away from me completely. Yellow and Bella were pretty amazing in their own right. I mean, there were moments (several of them) where i wanted to give Bella good shake because I felt like she was acting immature and flaky and it was driving me a little bit crazy. But then the story twisted and looped around and my heart cracked wide open for her. For all of them. Good gravy, this was just such good stuff!
If you're new to Linda Kage - you're still in good hands and should absolutely take the plunge. If you're a loyal fan? Well, this is going to feel like a huge hug for your heart - with some familiar faces and some extra bonus scenes that will likely have you squealing with delight. No matter how you slice it - I absolutely recommend it! ~ Shelly, 4.5 Stars
February 3, 2021
This book revolves around 2 couple
Bella & Fox
Bella is the daughter of the couple in Price of a kiss and Fox, the son of the couple in Worth it.
Bella and Fox have a secret relationship going where they try to hide their relationship from their close families.
Bella was cheated by her fiance, which is why she is so hesitant about coming forward to their families about Fox.
Their portion of the story just revolved them hiding their relationship, and Bella trying to deal with her issues in coming out about it.
Gracen&Yellow AKA my favourite couple
I have a LOT more to say about this couple because they are just so freakin adorable and perfect together
Gracen is Bella's twin, and Yellow is the person that Bella's fiance cheated with.
So you can see how THIS forbidden aspect between them just draws you in much more than Bella&Fox's relationship
Yellow is a TOTAL sweetheart; she is just the total opposite of what you think a person that slept with her best friend's fiance is.
You can just tell from her personality that there is more to the story than what was seen and told.
Yellow and Gracen met in the movie theatre while Gracen was helping her get a creepy guy off her. He was attracted to Yellow but was so ashamed that he is; that will mean he would be betraying his sister.
It was comically funny how Gracen tries to be mean to Yellow but it just ended up being a total LOL for me. He has a very jock/dorky guy vibes. He can be really silly, and it just makes you like him even more.
There is also an office trope, and it just adds another layer to the forbidden aspect of their relationship.
My heart swoons so much when Yellow couldn't tell him the reason behind the 'sleeping with the fiance' accident, and he just said he believed her, WITHOUT knowing the reason.
Also, the scene of them passing notes to each other like their in high school?SWOON
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honestly, this could have been a 4 star or even a 5 if the author decided not to include Fox and Bella's relationship, and just focus to book on Yellow and Gracen. We could have MORE scenes with them and EVEN BETTER development.
I didn't really like Bella because of how mean she was to Yellow and how pushy she is and her hesitancy towards Fox , overall she just comes off as a mean girl to me.
I totally GET where she is coming from, but did I had to like it? That's a whole different issue.
ALSO, there are so many new characters being introduced, I only read like 3 books from the forbidden men series, so I kinda know every H/h in the series, but their children? I have no idea who's child is from which couple. There is frequent mentions about their parents to let us know, but it just gets confusing at times when the author further introduced more character; as in the children's children.
So it gets me scratching my head, why couldn't the author just do a second-gen series with ALL the characters not ending up with anyone YET, so we can get better re-acquainted with the children from the forbidden men series.
There are some novella of the second-gen couples at the back of the book, but it doesn't really helped us to get familiar with the characters.
The author IS planning to do a second-gen series on the people that haven't get together with anyone yet. So the second-gen series is gg to be much shorter.
I am definitely looking forward to Lucy's book; the daughter of Noel and Aspen. There would be a brother double-dipping aspect since she got pregnant by the brother from a one night stand before he died.
I am a sick bitch, I like brother double-dipping so I am DEFINITELY looking forward to her book
Bella & Fox
Bella is the daughter of the couple in Price of a kiss and Fox, the son of the couple in Worth it.
Bella and Fox have a secret relationship going where they try to hide their relationship from their close families.
Bella was cheated by her fiance, which is why she is so hesitant about coming forward to their families about Fox.
Their portion of the story just revolved them hiding their relationship, and Bella trying to deal with her issues in coming out about it.
Gracen&Yellow AKA my favourite couple
I have a LOT more to say about this couple because they are just so freakin adorable and perfect together
Gracen is Bella's twin, and Yellow is the person that Bella's fiance cheated with.
So you can see how THIS forbidden aspect between them just draws you in much more than Bella&Fox's relationship
Yellow is a TOTAL sweetheart; she is just the total opposite of what you think a person that slept with her best friend's fiance is.
You can just tell from her personality that there is more to the story than what was seen and told.
Yellow and Gracen met in the movie theatre while Gracen was helping her get a creepy guy off her. He was attracted to Yellow but was so ashamed that he is; that will mean he would be betraying his sister.
It was comically funny how Gracen tries to be mean to Yellow but it just ended up being a total LOL for me. He has a very jock/dorky guy vibes. He can be really silly, and it just makes you like him even more.
There is also an office trope, and it just adds another layer to the forbidden aspect of their relationship.
My heart swoons so much when Yellow couldn't tell him the reason behind the 'sleeping with the fiance' accident, and he just said he believed her, WITHOUT knowing the reason.
Also, the scene of them passing notes to each other like their in high school?SWOON
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honestly, this could have been a 4 star or even a 5 if the author decided not to include Fox and Bella's relationship, and just focus to book on Yellow and Gracen. We could have MORE scenes with them and EVEN BETTER development.
I didn't really like Bella because of how mean she was to Yellow and how pushy she is and her hesitancy towards Fox , overall she just comes off as a mean girl to me.
I totally GET where she is coming from, but did I had to like it? That's a whole different issue.
ALSO, there are so many new characters being introduced, I only read like 3 books from the forbidden men series, so I kinda know every H/h in the series, but their children? I have no idea who's child is from which couple. There is frequent mentions about their parents to let us know, but it just gets confusing at times when the author further introduced more character; as in the children's children.
So it gets me scratching my head, why couldn't the author just do a second-gen series with ALL the characters not ending up with anyone YET, so we can get better re-acquainted with the children from the forbidden men series.
There are some novella of the second-gen couples at the back of the book, but it doesn't really helped us to get familiar with the characters.
The author IS planning to do a second-gen series on the people that haven't get together with anyone yet. So the second-gen series is gg to be much shorter.
I am definitely looking forward to Lucy's book; the daughter of Noel and Aspen. There would be a brother double-dipping aspect since she got pregnant by the brother from a one night stand before he died.
I am a sick bitch, I like brother double-dipping so I am DEFINITELY looking forward to her book
January 20, 2021
(ENG)
I cannot begin to express how much I liked this book. "Secrets That We Keep" is part of the spin-off of the series "Forbidden Men", say that I loved it, is little.
During each page I spent it laughing, enjoying, growing up with the protagonists and even crying, yes, there was one or another lost tear out there.
It is a book that tells the love story of 4 people, on the one hand we have the strong Bella with her protector Fox, and on the other we have Bella's twin; Gray who falls in love with Yellow. What I loved about this book is that everyone's lives are connected, without realizing it, this leads to a collision, to a knot that had me eating my nails with anxiety.
Each of the protagonists has specific qualities that make you want to know them even more. Bella, who is a powerful woman who does not allow herself to be trampled, with a strong temper. Fox who is a protector by nature, so calm and intense. Gray who is a joker and a sweetie, and Yellow, my beautiful Yellow, who is apparently fragile, but her heart is that of a warrior.
Every page in this book was absolutely worth it. I loved.
(ESP)
No tengo palabras para comenzar a expresar lo mucho que me gustó este libro. “Secrets That We Keep” es parte del spin-off de la serie “Forbidden Men”, decir que me encantó, es poco.
Durante cada página la pasé riendo, disfrutando, creciendo con los protagonistas e incluso llorando, síp, hubo una que otra lágrima perdida por ahí.
Es un libro en que se cuenta la historia de amor de 4 personas, por una parte tenemos a la fuerte Bella con su protector Fox, y por el otro tenemos al gemelo de Bella; Gray quién se enamora de Yellow. Lo que amé de este libro es que la vida de todos están conectadas, sin darse cuenta, esto los lleva a una colisión, a un nudo que me tenía comiendo mis uñas de ansiedad.
Cada uno de los protagonistas tiene cualidades específicas que te hacen querer conocerlos aún más. Bella que es una mujer poderosa que no se deja pisotear, con temperamento fuerte. Fox que es un protector por naturaleza, tan calmado e intenso. Gray que es un bromista y una dulzura, y Yellow, mi hermosa Yellow, que aparentemente es frágil, pero su corazón es el de una guerrera.
Cada página de este libro, valió absolutamente la pena. Me encantó.
I cannot begin to express how much I liked this book. "Secrets That We Keep" is part of the spin-off of the series "Forbidden Men", say that I loved it, is little.
During each page I spent it laughing, enjoying, growing up with the protagonists and even crying, yes, there was one or another lost tear out there.
It is a book that tells the love story of 4 people, on the one hand we have the strong Bella with her protector Fox, and on the other we have Bella's twin; Gray who falls in love with Yellow. What I loved about this book is that everyone's lives are connected, without realizing it, this leads to a collision, to a knot that had me eating my nails with anxiety.
Each of the protagonists has specific qualities that make you want to know them even more. Bella, who is a powerful woman who does not allow herself to be trampled, with a strong temper. Fox who is a protector by nature, so calm and intense. Gray who is a joker and a sweetie, and Yellow, my beautiful Yellow, who is apparently fragile, but her heart is that of a warrior.
Every page in this book was absolutely worth it. I loved.
(ESP)
No tengo palabras para comenzar a expresar lo mucho que me gustó este libro. “Secrets That We Keep” es parte del spin-off de la serie “Forbidden Men”, decir que me encantó, es poco.
Durante cada página la pasé riendo, disfrutando, creciendo con los protagonistas e incluso llorando, síp, hubo una que otra lágrima perdida por ahí.
Es un libro en que se cuenta la historia de amor de 4 personas, por una parte tenemos a la fuerte Bella con su protector Fox, y por el otro tenemos al gemelo de Bella; Gray quién se enamora de Yellow. Lo que amé de este libro es que la vida de todos están conectadas, sin darse cuenta, esto los lleva a una colisión, a un nudo que me tenía comiendo mis uñas de ansiedad.
Cada uno de los protagonistas tiene cualidades específicas que te hacen querer conocerlos aún más. Bella que es una mujer poderosa que no se deja pisotear, con temperamento fuerte. Fox que es un protector por naturaleza, tan calmado e intenso. Gray que es un bromista y una dulzura, y Yellow, mi hermosa Yellow, que aparentemente es frágil, pero su corazón es el de una guerrera.
Cada página de este libro, valió absolutamente la pena. Me encantó.
January 28, 2021
Secrets That We Keep is sort of a second generation/spin off of The Forbidden Men series, but It is really a standalone.
Twins Bella & Gracen are very close and would normally tell each other everything. But when Gracen seems to be falling for Bella’s arch-nemesis, he thinks it’s best to keep their relationship under the radar. And in the mean time things are heating up between Bella & Gracen’s best friend, Fox and Bella decided not to tell her brother about it.
But just to make things even more interesting there are other surprising secrets that are revealed.
This book is almost like two stories interwoven into one very entertaining one. And I really enjoyed the little novellas inserted at the end that catch the reader up with some favorites from the Forbidden Men series.
-4 Stars!-
Twins Bella & Gracen are very close and would normally tell each other everything. But when Gracen seems to be falling for Bella’s arch-nemesis, he thinks it’s best to keep their relationship under the radar. And in the mean time things are heating up between Bella & Gracen’s best friend, Fox and Bella decided not to tell her brother about it.
But just to make things even more interesting there are other surprising secrets that are revealed.
This book is almost like two stories interwoven into one very entertaining one. And I really enjoyed the little novellas inserted at the end that catch the reader up with some favorites from the Forbidden Men series.
-4 Stars!-
January 29, 2021
3.5 stars
January 19, 2021
Secrets That We Keep follows the second generation of the Forbidden Men. Specifically, Bella and Gracen, who are Reese and Mason's twins (from the first Forbidden Men book). I loved their parents story so I was excited to read about Bella and Gracen. It helped that Bella has the same name as me!
From start to finish, Secrets That We Keep had my attention. I was so excited when I realized who Bella was going to end up. When Gracen defended Yellow from unwanted attention, I knew I would like him. I also knew there was going to be more to the story between Bella and Yellow then we first thought.
I was emotional reading this book, in both a good and heartbreaking way. I read this book in one sitting because I needed to know how Bella and Gracen would get their happily ever afters.
I loved this story and thought that Linda handled what happened to Yellow and Bella was done well. It also drives home that you might not always know both sides of the story. #metoo
If you're a fan of the Forbidden Men series, you should definitely check this book out. Especially if you love Aspen, Reese, or Knox's stories.
TW: rape, sexual assault
From start to finish, Secrets That We Keep had my attention. I was so excited when I realized who Bella was going to end up. When Gracen defended Yellow from unwanted attention, I knew I would like him. I also knew there was going to be more to the story between Bella and Yellow then we first thought.
I was emotional reading this book, in both a good and heartbreaking way. I read this book in one sitting because I needed to know how Bella and Gracen would get their happily ever afters.
I loved this story and thought that Linda handled what happened to Yellow and Bella was done well. It also drives home that you might not always know both sides of the story. #metoo
If you're a fan of the Forbidden Men series, you should definitely check this book out. Especially if you love Aspen, Reese, or Knox's stories.
TW: rape, sexual assault
April 19, 2023
4.5 Esté libro estuvo lleno de Drama y aunque me desesperaba también lo disfruté mucho de las cosas que me molestaron fue Bella y su incapacidad para aceptar su relación y las mentiras de todos los protagonistas entonces me emocioné cuando todo se descubrió en el 70% del libro por qué creí que iba a pasar el siguiente 30% viendo la relación entre los 4 desarrollarse y quedé 🤡.
Me gustó el tener capitulos de la historia de amor de varios de los primeros pero fue algo que no me esperaba.
Me gustó el tener capitulos de la historia de amor de varios de los primeros pero fue algo que no me esperaba.
September 14, 2022
Lo he adorado, en este libro he podido conocer a profundidad a la familia Forbidden, en el libro anterior había conocido a algunos de sus miembros pero al ser tantos personajes estaba un poco perdida, gracias a esta historia ya se quién es hijo de quién 😂. Los romances paralelos de ambos mellizos me han encantado, aunque sin dudas mi pareja favorita fueron Fox y Bella. Y amé que al final del libro se hayan incluido otras historias de amor de otros miembros ❤️
January 26, 2021
This book, guys this book was everything *sigh*
So, in this book, we have two couples, four characters. I loved each and everyone but I do have a favorite, that being FOX. He is the perfect boyfriend, friend, and lover. He is very caring, a true gentleman, and just the perfect human being for me.
That doesn't mean the other characters weren't lovable cause they were. Bella and Gracen are the perfect siblings, they have this strong bond (it kind of reminds me of me and my sister, even though we are not twins) and they are there for each other always. They share all their secrets until they don't :D. And that's when the fun things began for both of them. I suppose that they really needed to have some secrets for themselves for a while because they needed to stand on their own, without the moral comfort the other twin always provided. It helped them to develop as a person and to know themselves better.
And then there is Yellow, who suffered so much and despite that, she is a selfless person. She is willing to go through a bunch of insults just to protect other people from being hurt.
Now, about the couples: Fox and Bella, OMG, as I said at the beginning of this review, Fox is the perfect boyfriend. And he is perfect for Bella. Very patient with her, gives her all the time she needs to come to the same point in their relationship. Although sometimes I think Bella kept Fox at an arm's length for too much, she had lived some traumatic experiences and has problems with trust.
Yellow and Gracen: God, Gracen is so sweet *sigh* You see, I can't betray Fox, so I can't say Gracen is the perfect boyfriend but is close enough. I mean, Gracen is a twelve *wink* but Fox is twenty :)). Like Fox is perfect for Bella, Gracen is perfect for Yellow. I loved how he tries to stay true to his sister and not betray her, but also how he listens to his heart and sees Yellow as an independent person from the one that his sister knows.
Both couples go through some experiences that will change them but also make them stronger together and apart. And for that, you must read the book.
I loved to go back to the Forbidden Men universe and can't wait for the rest to come!
I received an ARC for an honest review!
So, in this book, we have two couples, four characters. I loved each and everyone but I do have a favorite, that being FOX. He is the perfect boyfriend, friend, and lover. He is very caring, a true gentleman, and just the perfect human being for me.
That doesn't mean the other characters weren't lovable cause they were. Bella and Gracen are the perfect siblings, they have this strong bond (it kind of reminds me of me and my sister, even though we are not twins) and they are there for each other always. They share all their secrets until they don't :D. And that's when the fun things began for both of them. I suppose that they really needed to have some secrets for themselves for a while because they needed to stand on their own, without the moral comfort the other twin always provided. It helped them to develop as a person and to know themselves better.
And then there is Yellow, who suffered so much and despite that, she is a selfless person. She is willing to go through a bunch of insults just to protect other people from being hurt.
Now, about the couples: Fox and Bella, OMG, as I said at the beginning of this review, Fox is the perfect boyfriend. And he is perfect for Bella. Very patient with her, gives her all the time she needs to come to the same point in their relationship. Although sometimes I think Bella kept Fox at an arm's length for too much, she had lived some traumatic experiences and has problems with trust.
Yellow and Gracen: God, Gracen is so sweet *sigh* You see, I can't betray Fox, so I can't say Gracen is the perfect boyfriend but is close enough. I mean, Gracen is a twelve *wink* but Fox is twenty :)). Like Fox is perfect for Bella, Gracen is perfect for Yellow. I loved how he tries to stay true to his sister and not betray her, but also how he listens to his heart and sees Yellow as an independent person from the one that his sister knows.
Both couples go through some experiences that will change them but also make them stronger together and apart. And for that, you must read the book.
I loved to go back to the Forbidden Men universe and can't wait for the rest to come!
I received an ARC for an honest review!
April 25, 2022
Contrairement à ce que laisse supposer le résumé, ce roman ne comporte pas seulement une histoire mais deux. On va suivre quatre personnages et nous aurons le point de vue de chacun, en alternant de l'un à l'autre, ce qui donne un rythme dynamique à la lecture,
On va tout d'abord découvrir l'histoire de Bella et Fox. Tous les deux sont amis de longue date et fréquentent les mêmes personnes. D'ailleurs Fox est le meilleur ami de Gracen, le frère jumeau de Bella. Bella et Fox vivent une relation cachée aux yeux de tous leurs amis et famille depuis de nombreux mois. Bella a été trahie par son ex-fiancé qui l'a trompée. Depuis qu'elle l'a découvert au lit avec une autre femme, Bella a du mal à refaire confiance à un homme. Elle ne sait donc pas comment gérer sa relation avec Fox et ne souhaite pas l'ébruiter tant qu'elle ne sait pas où elle en est.
On va également suivre le frère de Bella, Gracen, qui va faire une rencontre plutôt étonnante avec Yellow, une fille qu'il déteste, lors d'une séance au cinéma. Yellow manque de confiance en elle depuis un évènement traumatisant qu'elle a subi. Elle essaye d'aller de l'avant et chaque jour elle célèbre de petites victoires quand elle réussit à faire des progrès en se faisant confiance. Son attirance pour Gracen va changer énormément le cours des choses dans sa vie.
Tout ce petit monde se connaît, mais pas aussi bien que l'on pourrait le penser.
Les mensonges et omissions sont au coeur du roman, et menacent d'exploser à tout moment. Et franchement c'est l'un des tropes que je déteste le plus dans les romans, cela m'agace profondément. Ici c'est exacerbé par un manque évident de communication entre les héros. Ils ont la vingtaine mais on dirait des ados dans leur façon d'interagir.
Le roman reste fluide et agréable à lire, malgré quelques longueurs.
J'ai une bonne préférence pour le couple Yellow/Gracen car Bella est juste insupportable avec ses questionnements interminables.
On va tout d'abord découvrir l'histoire de Bella et Fox. Tous les deux sont amis de longue date et fréquentent les mêmes personnes. D'ailleurs Fox est le meilleur ami de Gracen, le frère jumeau de Bella. Bella et Fox vivent une relation cachée aux yeux de tous leurs amis et famille depuis de nombreux mois. Bella a été trahie par son ex-fiancé qui l'a trompée. Depuis qu'elle l'a découvert au lit avec une autre femme, Bella a du mal à refaire confiance à un homme. Elle ne sait donc pas comment gérer sa relation avec Fox et ne souhaite pas l'ébruiter tant qu'elle ne sait pas où elle en est.
On va également suivre le frère de Bella, Gracen, qui va faire une rencontre plutôt étonnante avec Yellow, une fille qu'il déteste, lors d'une séance au cinéma. Yellow manque de confiance en elle depuis un évènement traumatisant qu'elle a subi. Elle essaye d'aller de l'avant et chaque jour elle célèbre de petites victoires quand elle réussit à faire des progrès en se faisant confiance. Son attirance pour Gracen va changer énormément le cours des choses dans sa vie.
Tout ce petit monde se connaît, mais pas aussi bien que l'on pourrait le penser.
Les mensonges et omissions sont au coeur du roman, et menacent d'exploser à tout moment. Et franchement c'est l'un des tropes que je déteste le plus dans les romans, cela m'agace profondément. Ici c'est exacerbé par un manque évident de communication entre les héros. Ils ont la vingtaine mais on dirait des ados dans leur façon d'interagir.
Le roman reste fluide et agréable à lire, malgré quelques longueurs.
J'ai une bonne préférence pour le couple Yellow/Gracen car Bella est juste insupportable avec ses questionnements interminables.
May 9, 2024
7,75 / 10 ⭐️
Romántica Contemporánea / Drama
Esta es la historia de Isabella (Bella) y Gracen (los gemelos hijos de Reese y Mason). Enamorándose de sus respectivas parejas (Fox, hijo de Knox y Felicity - y Yellow).
Bella está teniendo unos meses malos desde que pilló a su ex en la cama con Yellow (una amiga). Y en uno de esos bajones por equivocación en lugar de llamar a su hermano llama a Fox y una cosa lleva a la otra y empiezan una relación secreta. Por su parte Gracen tiene un par de encuentros con Yellow y aunque sabe no pude tener nada con ella por no traicionar a su hermana su corazón prece que no lo entiende. Y eso que los gemelos nunca se escondían nada…
Me encantan todas y cada una de las historias de la saga Forbidden Men y ahora las de sus ‘Forbidden Descendants’. Las reuniones no tienen precio y son ya tantos los miembros de la familia que me he tenido que hacer un croquis para saber quien es quien en todo momento.
A estas alturas os recomiendo el libro si estais enganchado a la serie, pero si no la conoceis, os invito que empeceis por el primero ‘Price of a Kiss’ y de ahí para delante con todos. El único que os podéis saltar es el de ‘The Price of Mason’ que solo es el p.o.v. de Mason del primer libro (el unico de toda la saga donde solo podemos ver el punto de vista de la chica).
Este libro en concreto esta narrado desde los p.o.v de los cuatro protagonistas que se van intercalando, ya que el destino está obsesionado en juntar sus vidas constantemente.
Estos libros siempre tienen un toco de drama, pero nada exagerado. Y todos los persoanjes siempre se vuelcan a ayudarse unos a otros. Es una de las ‘familias encontradas’ más bonitas que he leído y no me canso de ellos.
Romántica Contemporánea / Drama
Esta es la historia de Isabella (Bella) y Gracen (los gemelos hijos de Reese y Mason). Enamorándose de sus respectivas parejas (Fox, hijo de Knox y Felicity - y Yellow).
Bella está teniendo unos meses malos desde que pilló a su ex en la cama con Yellow (una amiga). Y en uno de esos bajones por equivocación en lugar de llamar a su hermano llama a Fox y una cosa lleva a la otra y empiezan una relación secreta. Por su parte Gracen tiene un par de encuentros con Yellow y aunque sabe no pude tener nada con ella por no traicionar a su hermana su corazón prece que no lo entiende. Y eso que los gemelos nunca se escondían nada…
Me encantan todas y cada una de las historias de la saga Forbidden Men y ahora las de sus ‘Forbidden Descendants’. Las reuniones no tienen precio y son ya tantos los miembros de la familia que me he tenido que hacer un croquis para saber quien es quien en todo momento.
A estas alturas os recomiendo el libro si estais enganchado a la serie, pero si no la conoceis, os invito que empeceis por el primero ‘Price of a Kiss’ y de ahí para delante con todos. El único que os podéis saltar es el de ‘The Price of Mason’ que solo es el p.o.v. de Mason del primer libro (el unico de toda la saga donde solo podemos ver el punto de vista de la chica).
Este libro en concreto esta narrado desde los p.o.v de los cuatro protagonistas que se van intercalando, ya que el destino está obsesionado en juntar sus vidas constantemente.
Estos libros siempre tienen un toco de drama, pero nada exagerado. Y todos los persoanjes siempre se vuelcan a ayudarse unos a otros. Es una de las ‘familias encontradas’ más bonitas que he leído y no me canso de ellos.
January 6, 2022
Ada dua pasangan di buku ini:
1. Bella-Fox
2. Gracen-Yellow
Rumit karena Bella-Gracen ini kembar yang beneran dekat sampai jadi sahabat, partner in crime, juga penasihat terpercaya bagi satu sama lain. Mereka nggak pernah merahasiakan apa pun, sampai mereka jatuh cinta sama orang-orang yang masuk kategori terlarang.
Awalnya ragu baca ini karena... Gracen, how could you do that to your sister? Kok bisa si Gracen yang segitu dedicated sama saudara kembarnya berkhianat? Tapi karena aku butuh baca contemporary romance yang pasti HEA, ditambah memang cocok baca tulisan Mbak Kage, akhirnya aku nekat. Cuma yang masih mengganjal perkara Yellow kan, aku takut ke-trigger. Eh, ternyataaa, yang terjadi bukan selingkuh. Poor Yellow 😭 and poor Bella, too 😭😭😭
Kebayang kacaunya hidup mereka begitu semua rahasia terbongkar. Apalagi ada isu-isu tambahan: Bella yang masih takut diselingkuhi padahal Fox udah cinta setengah mati, lalu Yellow yang harus berjuang melawan trauma.
Untungnya, aku hook sama semua karakter. Gemas banget sama Gracen yang awkward dan hatinya selembut pantat bayi. Suka Yellow juga yang... aduh, memang cocok buat Gracen dia tuh saking baiknya. Pengin punya yang kayak Fox *heh*. Terus jelas yaaa relate sama Bella wkwk biarpun kzl banget sama dia, pengin kujedotin biar sadar, itu lohhh masnya udah bucin kok ya masih diraguin. Tapi gampang mikir gitu ketika ngomelin karakter fiksi. Kalau di dunia nyata mah... 🤣🤣🤣
Banyak nyengir baca bagian Gracen-Yellow, mereka tuh adorable parah, mana sama-sama gila film. Bella dan Fox oke aja sih. Dan, epilognya bikin cekikikan. Ini adalah contoh buku berseri yang karakternya beranak-pinak dan tetap kusuka. Biarpun aku udah gak ingat samsek soal ortu mereka wkwk.
1. Bella-Fox
2. Gracen-Yellow
Rumit karena Bella-Gracen ini kembar yang beneran dekat sampai jadi sahabat, partner in crime, juga penasihat terpercaya bagi satu sama lain. Mereka nggak pernah merahasiakan apa pun, sampai mereka jatuh cinta sama orang-orang yang masuk kategori terlarang.
Awalnya ragu baca ini karena... Gracen, how could you do that to your sister? Kok bisa si Gracen yang segitu dedicated sama saudara kembarnya berkhianat? Tapi karena aku butuh baca contemporary romance yang pasti HEA, ditambah memang cocok baca tulisan Mbak Kage, akhirnya aku nekat. Cuma yang masih mengganjal perkara Yellow kan, aku takut ke-trigger. Eh, ternyataaa, yang terjadi bukan selingkuh. Poor Yellow 😭 and poor Bella, too 😭😭😭
Kebayang kacaunya hidup mereka begitu semua rahasia terbongkar. Apalagi ada isu-isu tambahan: Bella yang masih takut diselingkuhi padahal Fox udah cinta setengah mati, lalu Yellow yang harus berjuang melawan trauma.
Untungnya, aku hook sama semua karakter. Gemas banget sama Gracen yang awkward dan hatinya selembut pantat bayi. Suka Yellow juga yang... aduh, memang cocok buat Gracen dia tuh saking baiknya. Pengin punya yang kayak Fox *heh*. Terus jelas yaaa relate sama Bella wkwk biarpun kzl banget sama dia, pengin kujedotin biar sadar, itu lohhh masnya udah bucin kok ya masih diraguin. Tapi gampang mikir gitu ketika ngomelin karakter fiksi. Kalau di dunia nyata mah... 🤣🤣🤣
Banyak nyengir baca bagian Gracen-Yellow, mereka tuh adorable parah, mana sama-sama gila film. Bella dan Fox oke aja sih. Dan, epilognya bikin cekikikan. Ini adalah contoh buku berseri yang karakternya beranak-pinak dan tetap kusuka. Biarpun aku udah gak ingat samsek soal ortu mereka wkwk.
January 31, 2021
I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Review can also be found on *Milky Way of Books*
*trigger warning: mention of rape, and drugs*
If you are a long time follower of Linda's writing like me, you will come to expect some amazing writing, funny moments, and a deep emotional attachment to her characters. Her newest book combines all the above in a long wonderful book, filled not with one but two love stories which ties also to her Forbidden men series, but you don't necessarily need to read the series in order to understand the family ties in this book.
But it was a nice surprise for me!
Bella and Gracen are twins who love each other and enjoy their family antics, along with Bella's crush on Fox, their best friend. And Gracen finds himself falling for the woman who had destroyed Bella's engagement.
And how does this tie in? All keep secrets from one another. But of course, life is full of surprises and I will let you discover it on your own. I enjoyed the book. It was witty, funny but also with some serious themes added in, the trials of family and the strength to learn to forgive and knowing the truth.
I recommend it for its plot, the memorable characters and if you wish to learn more about the other members of this big family, I recommend reading the Forbidden men series!
*trigger warning: mention of rape, and drugs*
If you are a long time follower of Linda's writing like me, you will come to expect some amazing writing, funny moments, and a deep emotional attachment to her characters. Her newest book combines all the above in a long wonderful book, filled not with one but two love stories which ties also to her Forbidden men series, but you don't necessarily need to read the series in order to understand the family ties in this book.
But it was a nice surprise for me!
Bella and Gracen are twins who love each other and enjoy their family antics, along with Bella's crush on Fox, their best friend. And Gracen finds himself falling for the woman who had destroyed Bella's engagement.
And how does this tie in? All keep secrets from one another. But of course, life is full of surprises and I will let you discover it on your own. I enjoyed the book. It was witty, funny but also with some serious themes added in, the trials of family and the strength to learn to forgive and knowing the truth.
I recommend it for its plot, the memorable characters and if you wish to learn more about the other members of this big family, I recommend reading the Forbidden men series!
January 19, 2021
Secrets That We Keep is definitely going into my go to reads from Linda Kage! I have read almost all of her books, and I sometimes think that there is no way she could impress me more then she already has when it comes to a new release. Well she has absolutely stunned me yet again with this beautiful story. Bella's and Gracen's stories are now my favorite of the Forbidden Men and I honestly didn't think that could happen. I honestly loved it from start to finish. From the moment that I realized who Bella what going to be with I was already mooning over her story. And from the second Gracen Lowe stood up in that theater in defense of a woman that needed a helping hand, I had both butterfly's and worms crawling in my stomach because I was so worried what would happen in his story. This book is filled with so much emotion, both good and heartbreakingly bad, that it was impossible for me to put it down because I needed to know what was going to happen next between these lovers. If you are a fan of any of the Forbidden Men books, especially Mason and Reese's book, then I do believe you will love this book. It is filled with humor, dry wittiness and best kind of love. Thank you Linda for yet another amazing love story!
May 3, 2022
yant beaucoup aimé "The Revenge plan" de la même autrice, j'étais très impatiente de découvrir celui-ci, qui est le spinn-off. Sachez que vraiment, vous pouvez le lire indépendamment, le lien entre les deux est minime et n'a pas beaucoup d'intérêt en soi. J'ai préféré ce tome au précédent et je l'ai trouvé particulièrement original dans sa construction.⠀
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Côté pitch, on va suivre deux romances en parallèle. Celles des jumeaux Bella et Gracen. On est donc dans un roman à 4 voix, et, si au départ je traînais des pieds pour cette raison, j'ai en fait trouvé que l'autrice gérait à la perfection ses deux histoires d'amour. Je ne pourrai d'ailleurs pas vous dire laquelle j'ai préféré tant je me suis attachée à chacun des protagonistes. Tout le noeud de ce roman se trouve dans le fait que chacune des relations va être un secret aux yeux des autres. Bella et Gracen sont jumeaux mais également meilleurs amis, et se confient absolument tout...mais pour une fois, les liens qu'ils vont peu à peu tisser avec Fox et Yellow risquent de faire vaciller cette relation si forte et sans accrocs... Mais quand commencent les secrets, il y a toujours des dommages collatéraux, non ?⠀
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Ce roman est plus profond qu'il n'y paraît, plus touchant. Il va aborder des sujets plutôt forts (mais que je ne peux révéler 🤫) que j'ai adoré suivre. Il est également plein d'humour et nous partage de belles valeurs. Les personnages ont leurs imperfections et apprennent de leurs erreurs, et moi, j'adore ! ⠀
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Un roman qui confirme à quel point j'aime cette autrice ! Je recommande. 🥰⠀
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Côté pitch, on va suivre deux romances en parallèle. Celles des jumeaux Bella et Gracen. On est donc dans un roman à 4 voix, et, si au départ je traînais des pieds pour cette raison, j'ai en fait trouvé que l'autrice gérait à la perfection ses deux histoires d'amour. Je ne pourrai d'ailleurs pas vous dire laquelle j'ai préféré tant je me suis attachée à chacun des protagonistes. Tout le noeud de ce roman se trouve dans le fait que chacune des relations va être un secret aux yeux des autres. Bella et Gracen sont jumeaux mais également meilleurs amis, et se confient absolument tout...mais pour une fois, les liens qu'ils vont peu à peu tisser avec Fox et Yellow risquent de faire vaciller cette relation si forte et sans accrocs... Mais quand commencent les secrets, il y a toujours des dommages collatéraux, non ?⠀
⠀
Ce roman est plus profond qu'il n'y paraît, plus touchant. Il va aborder des sujets plutôt forts (mais que je ne peux révéler 🤫) que j'ai adoré suivre. Il est également plein d'humour et nous partage de belles valeurs. Les personnages ont leurs imperfections et apprennent de leurs erreurs, et moi, j'adore ! ⠀
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Un roman qui confirme à quel point j'aime cette autrice ! Je recommande. 🥰⠀
January 18, 2021
*no spoilers* If you haven't read Linda Kage before, then you should. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors. She knocks it out the park with this book, but I expected nothing less. There is a mix of humor, emotion, love, romance, personal growth, and, as always, excellent story and character development. I particularly enjoy the flow of her stories and dialogue-- a perfect tone/cadence with realistic story development, IMO.
You can't help but love these characters. I also love that with each book you get a glimpse back to characters from previous books. I'm a prolific reader, with 209 books read alone in 2020, so trust me when I say that Linda's books are always reliably a great read. This one is definitely no exception!
Some of her books are heavier than others - Brahnt and Sarah really put me through the ringer, but funny enough the Revenge Plan featuring their daughter was one of my favorites of Linda's.
Secrets we keep is going on my favorites list and I'll reread it like I have many of her others when I need a sure bet great read.
You can't help but love these characters. I also love that with each book you get a glimpse back to characters from previous books. I'm a prolific reader, with 209 books read alone in 2020, so trust me when I say that Linda's books are always reliably a great read. This one is definitely no exception!
Some of her books are heavier than others - Brahnt and Sarah really put me through the ringer, but funny enough the Revenge Plan featuring their daughter was one of my favorites of Linda's.
Secrets we keep is going on my favorites list and I'll reread it like I have many of her others when I need a sure bet great read.
January 22, 2021
I was so surprised by how much I liked this book. I shouldn’t have been because Linda Kage is infinitely talented, but I usually don’t enjoy books that follow two different storylines. Inevitably, I end up finding one story more entertaining than the other and skim the less interesting one. However, while I probably liked Gracen and Yellow’s romance just a touch more because of the added mystery, both couples were truly intriguing. I loved how the storylines were so deeply interconnected yet completely distinct.
Fox was probably my favorite character—I love a man who doggedly pursues his woman, and Fox's hat obsession was charming—but each character was unique and relatable. I particularly felt emotionally connected to Yellow and was on the edge of my seat with anticipation of finding out the story behind her alleged cheating with Ethan. And while I occasionally disliked Bella’s treatment of Fox, I sincerely enjoyed the close bond of the twins and their shared loyalty.
I highly recommend this mysterious, dramatic, and intensely romantic story. The ending was absolutely superb, and any romance enthusiast will find this novel riveting.
*I received an ARC of this novel. This is my complete and honest review.*
Fox was probably my favorite character—I love a man who doggedly pursues his woman, and Fox's hat obsession was charming—but each character was unique and relatable. I particularly felt emotionally connected to Yellow and was on the edge of my seat with anticipation of finding out the story behind her alleged cheating with Ethan. And while I occasionally disliked Bella’s treatment of Fox, I sincerely enjoyed the close bond of the twins and their shared loyalty.
I highly recommend this mysterious, dramatic, and intensely romantic story. The ending was absolutely superb, and any romance enthusiast will find this novel riveting.
*I received an ARC of this novel. This is my complete and honest review.*
January 31, 2021
I loved that the author gave us two love stories in one book. Twins Bella and Gracen who have always been close and never had any secrets between now find themselves hiding their new relationships. Why would they do that? Well Bella has found herself in a hot and heavy unexpected relationship with her brother's best friend and Gracen finds himself attracted to, even though he is fighting it hard – the woman who his sisters fiancé cheated with and broke his sisters heart.
Problem is things are not always what they seem and unknown to the 4 of them they are all connected in other ways too. When all 4 meet at that crossroads shocking revelations are revealed.
This book is part of a new series of books that feature the now grown up kids from the couples from the Forbidden Men series. Having loved all those characters and now getting all the kids stories in both full length books and smaller novelettes is a treat.
Problem is things are not always what they seem and unknown to the 4 of them they are all connected in other ways too. When all 4 meet at that crossroads shocking revelations are revealed.
This book is part of a new series of books that feature the now grown up kids from the couples from the Forbidden Men series. Having loved all those characters and now getting all the kids stories in both full length books and smaller novelettes is a treat.
January 19, 2021
I have loved Linda for years! Her books are a balm to my world weary soul. My first book of hers was Price of a Kiss and now I get to read their children Bella and Gracen! I loved Secrets That We Keep.
The story was engaging, the characters well balanced, and the love stories compelling. I couldn't get enough of Fox and Yellow in particular. I loved their voices. Some details in the story were vague, like what Gracen and Bella do for a living, or the name of movies, or companies. I figure Linda did that to account for that the book is based so far in the future.
Otherwise, my only issue with the book is that there isn't more too read! I want more! I miss them already! Luckily we have a few more Forbidden Next Generation books to look forward too. See you all then!!
The story was engaging, the characters well balanced, and the love stories compelling. I couldn't get enough of Fox and Yellow in particular. I loved their voices. Some details in the story were vague, like what Gracen and Bella do for a living, or the name of movies, or companies. I figure Linda did that to account for that the book is based so far in the future.
Otherwise, my only issue with the book is that there isn't more too read! I want more! I miss them already! Luckily we have a few more Forbidden Next Generation books to look forward too. See you all then!!
April 18, 2021
Forbidden Men series has a special place in my heart. I love the series and was really excited and looking forward to reading their children’s book.
But this book has disappointed me. I loved the story line, but the story telling dint feel like Linda Kage’s writting at. There was no character build up, getting to know them, their lives, their struggles. The plot felt platonic with no drama, fights ,suspense or even the the process of them falling in love potrayed aptly.
When the book ended, I couldn’t believe it has ended i was waiting for so much more.
Its a HEA. None of the main characters have cheated.
But this book has disappointed me. I loved the story line, but the story telling dint feel like Linda Kage’s writting at. There was no character build up, getting to know them, their lives, their struggles. The plot felt platonic with no drama, fights ,suspense or even the the process of them falling in love potrayed aptly.
When the book ended, I couldn’t believe it has ended i was waiting for so much more.
Its a HEA. None of the main characters have cheated.
January 20, 2021
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a book so much! I am in awe at how Linda Kage was able to weave together two different love stories as well as a beautiful sibling relationship as well as she did. I seriously did not want this book to end!
I first read this author years ago when I (luckily) stumbled upon her Forbidden Men series (which you should definitely read if you haven’t!) so I was super excited to read a book about the kids of the original series. It did not disappoint! And now I want to go re-read all the Forbidden Men books. Linda Kage writes stories that I wish I could enter into, just to hang out with all the characters. In fact, I may start with re-reading THIS book again because it was that good!! I cannot wait for this author’s next book!
It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a book so much! I am in awe at how Linda Kage was able to weave together two different love stories as well as a beautiful sibling relationship as well as she did. I seriously did not want this book to end!
I first read this author years ago when I (luckily) stumbled upon her Forbidden Men series (which you should definitely read if you haven’t!) so I was super excited to read a book about the kids of the original series. It did not disappoint! And now I want to go re-read all the Forbidden Men books. Linda Kage writes stories that I wish I could enter into, just to hang out with all the characters. In fact, I may start with re-reading THIS book again because it was that good!! I cannot wait for this author’s next book!
January 4, 2022
Gracen and Yellow: I found their story very sweet and funny, I really liked it.
Fox and Bella: His story seemed passionate to me and I kept wanting to know how it would end, Fox is so sweet I loved him, he was my favorite character in this story, he is so understanding and did everything to make Bella feel comfortable.
Anyway, I loved reading the original Forbidden men characters and I must say that I really enjoy reading to their children, anyway, Linda Kage is always a safe bet to read, I love her.
TEN, EVEN THO IF YOU ARE OLD NOW I STILL LOVE YOU AAAAAAAAAA
Fox and Bella: His story seemed passionate to me and I kept wanting to know how it would end, Fox is so sweet I loved him, he was my favorite character in this story, he is so understanding and did everything to make Bella feel comfortable.
Anyway, I loved reading the original Forbidden men characters and I must say that I really enjoy reading to their children, anyway, Linda Kage is always a safe bet to read, I love her.
TEN, EVEN THO IF YOU ARE OLD NOW I STILL LOVE YOU AAAAAAAAAA
March 30, 2021
i hate to say this but i really didnt like this at all. the twins were so annoying and cared more about one another than their partners. im all for being close with your siblings, but i just didnt like how annoying there relationship was.
the cute part was telling the twins romance in one book, i can dig that. also, theres so many bloody children in this friend group. the family tree is not conducive for cellphones. anyway, glad linda kage got me out of this book funk.
the cute part was telling the twins romance in one book, i can dig that. also, theres so many bloody children in this friend group. the family tree is not conducive for cellphones. anyway, glad linda kage got me out of this book funk.
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