Silver-Lined Secrets

by Aleksander Petit

The Rowan Institute for Gifted Youth often feels more like a prison to Bailey Lowe than a spy academy. His lukewarm opinion worsens after meeting Oliver, a new student whose ties to the outside world are weaponized against him by the school. To complicate things more, Bailey forms an ill-advised friendship with Lucien, a tenderhearted barista who has taken a suspicious shine to him. This school and the people in it have taken Bailey’s ability to trust, and earning it back is a challenge he may not be brave enough for.

But Bailey’s caution isn’t misplaced. An unknown entity is targeting students—Bailey included— and the Rowan Institute staff refuse to explain how or why anyone managed to bypass the so-called “fortress.”

Bailey can only hope to be the ace spy the Institute wishes him to be. Otherwise, he risks failing his friends while the illusion of safety crumbles around them.

If he’s lucky, they won’t run out of tea first.


Silver-Lined Secrets is the first book in the Trick Questions trilogy series following an exhausted and anxious teenager as he traverses trauma and secrets, looking for a silver lining through the dark dangers that have invaded his life.



Content warning:
-Blood and violence
-Minor character death
-Kidnapping/attempted kidnapping
-Car accident
-Hospital scenes
-Bomb explosion
-Anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks
-Poisoning (non-fatal and mostly harmless)
-Mentions of emotional abuse
-Vomiting
-Brief mentions of transphobia and ableism

Genres: Queer, Young Adult, LGBT, Contemporary, Fantasy

Paperback

Published February 15, 2022

Reviews

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't recall reading any story about a spy school, much less about an LGBTQIA+ spy so I was very interested in this book. I have also probably never read a story where the main character has a twin so this book was a first for me for several reasons. What more, it has my favourite trope - found family. There is also the mention of mental health and that is another thing I liked about it. The main character, Bailey, gives an important message of how we can be physically fit and strong while struggling mentally. The story is action-packed and my favourite genre, romance, also makes cute appearances. There is representation from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and I loved it.
Another aspect where I really appreciate the author is the mention of trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. I have now read so many indie books with trigger warnings mentioned, either at the start or the end of the book, that I have started to wonder what stops traditionally published authors from including them.
This story was an amalgamation of some very important topics and I definitely recommend it. Don't forget to put on your detective gear, anyone could be a spy, including me 😎

[Rita Rubin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun and exciting story about spy-to-be, Bailey. I honestly think Bailey was my favourite thing about this book, he was such a sweet and interesting MC and Petit did a masterful job at making me feel for him. I only want good things for this precious boy. The found family, LGBT+ and mental health rep were also great to read about, and I'm intrigued to see where this story will go next.

[Sophie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Silver Lined Secrets by Aleksander Petit for free in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much for my advanced copy! This review is also available on Book, Blog & Candle!

Ok I am going to persuade you to read this book with three words - ready? LGBTQIA+ SPY SCHOOL! 🌈

I was immediately intrigued when I saw the blurb for this story and spoiler alert it was AMAZING! We follow our main character Bailey as he prepares to go back for another year at his top secret spy school alongside his twin brother. However, when his boyfriend breaks up with him, Bailey decides he needs a distraction and gets a job at a local cafe where he meets Lucien. Will Bailey get his chance of a normal life? Or will his secrets get in the way?

I loved Bailey as our protagonist! I loved the balance of his strength as a martial arts fighter and his struggles with anxiety. The mental health representation in this book was absolutely fantastic. Plus the LGBTQIA+ representation was amazing - there were characters all across the spectrum which was just so lovely to read!

Additionally, it had my favourite trope - found family!! All of the friend group were so interesting, they were such good friends and I loved how protective they were of each other. Obviously as spies in training they can’t trust much but they can trust each other and I think that is beautiful!

I’ve always loved media about spies - The Man from U.N.C.L.E is one of my favourite movies and of course my love for Killing Eve! - and this story is an amazing addition to the genre!
The story had a quick pace with some great action and had such a cosy vibe especially in the cafe which I absolutely loved! It was such a fun adventure and I’m super excited to see what happens next!

[Hadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

like a 4.5⭐

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Some parts were a bit strange but all in all it was a good book. Also I just couldn’t put it down, I wanted to know what was going to happen next soooo bad. I think that’s what makes a book even better :)

This author is extremely underrated and I recommend, that you check out this book! <3

[Perfektionaise]

This is a debut so I am not gonna drag it down. I am just gonna say that this book could have used a lot more beta readers. There are many issues.
The cover art is cute though.

[Jones & the books · Rating 2 out of 5]

And I’m being generous…

[˗ˏˋ maddie ˊˎ˗ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really cute but in a middle grade way, the plot and characters were all really good ideas but it had a hard time with balance in both cases. It was weird how little Davis came up, given he and Bailey are twins, they didn't seem to spend really any time together. And given that Bailey was in the hospital so often, it didn't make sense Davis wasn't ever really there for that since he is the immediate family. It seemed like there were twins in the story just because the author thought twins were cool and not because they actually wanted that connection. The school aspect of the Rowan Institute was dropped pretty much as soon as it was established too and it just became a place for Justin to harass Bailey. Like I said, good bones but not a lot of meat on them!

[Lay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

If you present me with any kind of vaguely heist and spy-related story, my ears will perk up. So when I heard about Silver-Lined Secrets, I was immediately intrigued. A whole cast of teenage spies-to-be? Sign me up! Admittedly, getting into the book took me a few chapters. The very first chapter felt very exposition-heavy and a little clumsy in terms of the writing. But once I passed that initial hurdle, I fell right into Bailey’s world! I found myself enjoying the balance of spy stuff and the cute little café romance vibes that blossom between Bailey and Lucien. It’s just so cute! Lovers of café romance fanfics, this one might be for you.

One of my favourite aspects of the whole spy school theme is that the Rowan Institute isn’t presented as unquestionably good. There’s a lot of nuance to how Bailey thinks about the institution and his place in it. I appreciated following a protagonist who is somewhat of a reluctant spy in training and had an understanding of the institutional issues at hand. He struggles with anxiety and I felt that that representation was executed with care and nuance. I also just love that Bailey is a master at martial arts and will protect his friends at all costs…but he’s also a soft boy who loves all kinds of tea. He’s simply got the range.

Speaking of characters, this is where Aleksander Petit shines. Our cast of characters is big, queer and quirky in all the right ways. I am a sucker for a good, supportive friend group in fiction and Silver-Lined Secrets delivers on that front.

Unfortunately, I did struggle a bit with the size of the cast. There’s a bunch of people to keep track of! Because I know that that’s sometimes an issue for my two little brain cells, I actually made a little relationship and character mindmap in an attempt to keep everyone apart. All characters are wonderful and I appreciated the diverse range of queer representation! But if you’re also someone who struggles to keep track of names, maybe read this book with a pen and paper at hand.

You can find a longer review on my blog here!

[Niki.reads.rainbow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spy academy LGBTQIAP+ book with trigger warnings at the beginning of the book? Sign me up!

After a break up with his boyfriend, the main character Bailey gets a job at a cafe, where he meets Lucien. Even though he doesn't want to, Bailey slowly pulls Lucien into his world full of secrets.

I love the characters in this book. Almost all of them are gay, and I also like the absence of toxic masculinity, and how they all hug each other, and are vulnerable with each other.

The first few chapters made it a bit difficult for me to get into the story, but once it got going, I enjoyed every second of it.

I also really like that even though it's heavily implied, there's going to be a relationship between Bailey and Lucien, the author didn't make Bailey jump from one relationship to another, and is slowly developing their relationship.

Poor Bailey can't catch a break, and always ends up in a trouble.

Justin (Bailey's ex) seems like he genuinely regrets his decision to break up with Bailey at the beginning, but then he grows more aggressive and possessive with every chapter. I'm glad he turns into a punching bag for Bailey's friends.

Finally, I like the fact that even though the school is portrayed as a great school, through Bailey's eyes we can see that not everything is as it seems.

I honestly can't wait to read the next book - I need Oliver back, and I also need to know what happens next.

[Broke · Rating 5 out of 5]

is it the best book ever written? no, but i do love it. this book is my comfort book, it has a lot of really great characters and plot, and i just really like it. i hope that at some point we get a book 2, but this one is really good though

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 2.5

[Jeremy Bridger · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter loved it, and my daughter has great taste in books.