The Secrets We Keep

by Kelly Kelsey

Jaxon - Revenge. A small word with a big meaning and the one thing that has consumed me for years, leading me into the darkness. It's all I want, to get back at the one who wronged me and my family. When the perfect opportunity presents itself to put my plan in motion, I take it, no questions asked. I couldn't be happier to finally dish out what is deserved. Problem is, I couldn't have predicted I would like her. Couldn't predict I would fall for her. But that's the thing about best-laid plans. Sometimes they go awry.

Savannah - People think my life is perfect, that I am perfect. But they couldn't be more wrong. I am nothing more than a pretty bird in a gilded cage, my whole life set out for me. I want to break free, follow my dreams but it isn't in the cards for me. That is until I meet the mysterious Jaxon Matthews. He pushes me to be who I want to be, the achieve my dreams. I wasn't supposed to fall for him, but I did. Now I am free-falling into the life I want, a life that is mine with a man I choose. I just didn't expect him to have the biggest secret of them all.

That's the problem with the secrets we keep, what is hidden in the dark will eventually come to light...

Genres: Music, Contemporary

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secrets We Keep | 5 Stars!

This was such an amazing book that I was immediately hooked into!

Description :
Jaxon is out for revenge. He wants to get back at the one who wronged him and his family years ago. When the perfect opportunity presents itself to put his into motion, he takes it. The problem,is he couldn’t have predicted he would her, or even fall for her. Savannah lives a life that feels like a prison to her. Her whole life has been set for her and she wants to break free and follow her dreams. Suddenly she meets Jaxon, someone who pushes her to be who she really wants to be. She wasn’t supposed to fall for him, but she did. What she didn’t expect was for Jaxon to be carrying the biggest secret of them all.

I absolutely loved this dark and steamy romance! It’s full of twists and turns and lots of spice! Savannah and Jaxon are very unique characters that I really enjoyed reading about. Jaxon may seem sarcastic, but the further you get into the story you start to see how much he cares for Savannah and his family. Savannah may have made some mistakes when she was younger, but she never stopped fighting for what was right. She is such a strong and independent character that never backed down! The writing was very well done, and I absolutely loved the unique plot. What I love about Kelly Kelsey’s writing is that she always writes such unique stories that aren’t like any others. I could go on and on about this one. BUT I won’t spoil anything! So, go and check this amazing story out! It will be available February 18th!


I highly recommend this book if you like dark contemporary romance with lots of spice!

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly has done it again!!

I’m OBSESSED with this smutty book

Jax, the playboy, singer/songwriter who doesnt do relationships, keeping his dark secret locked away. he wants revenge on the man who hurt him, and the best way to get revenge, steal his girl. that is until you fall in love with her.

Savannah agreed to an arranged marriage with her childhood friend when she was sixteen, wanting to please her family but realizes her mistake when she becomes a caged bird. she needs to become the perfect trophy wife. she’s forced to give up her love for performing. Until she meets Jax who helps her see what freedom looks like. who shares the same burning passion for singing like she does.

The burning love this two share is breathtaking, I was hooked from the first page. The love Jax has for Savannah is so heartwarming.

The twist at the ending I did not see coming! Not gonna lie, I cried happy tears at the end!

Thank you so much for letting me be apart of your ARC team!!

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: revenge
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥

Savannah is trapped. Trapped in an engagement she doesn't want to a man who treats her horribly. A pawn bartered by her father to a Senator's son. Jax is a man bent on revenge and his plan includes using Savannah as well, but never counted on falling for her.

I really enjoyed this story. It moved well and had just enough suspense elements to keep you hooked till the end for the big reveal - and it did not disappoint. Jaxon grew on me, but I did have a difficult time with him. I love reformed man-h0es as much as anyone else, but frequently his view of women didn't come across well and I sometimes found him mean, rather than coldly dispassionate when it came to past women (conquests). I did like the fact that Savannah didn't just forgive him and that there waz a grand gesture involved for his colossal screw up. Definitely looking forward to the next books in the series for Savannah's friends!

[reader_dreamer_4life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hook. Line. and Freakin Sinker.
From the moment I started reading, I was utterly obsessed with this story and characters.

Playboy / bar manager and singer/songwriter Jax is Holy Heart Stealing Moly!
This sexy, smooth and damn swoony man is harbouring some heavy secrets and a burning hatred for those who have wronged him in the past. What he wants is revenge against one of the men he detests the most.
And the best way to get revenge? Steal his girl.
Enter Savannah,
My heart ached for her but damn I Loved her! She’s sassy, sweet, loyal and strong. She knows what she doesn’t want (cough cough arranged marriage), and what she wants and will do what she must do to get it.

Daaammmmnnnn the lust, the pull, and the sexual chemistry between these two is instantaneous and sizzling!
But… With his revenge plan in motion, what will Jax, the man who doesn’t do relationships do when he begins to fall and fall hard?
Can he forgo his need for revenge for love? Or when secrets are revealed will he lose everything anyway?
Boom.. Kelly Kelsey nailed Jax and Savannah’s story. It was steamy, it was sweet, it had some serious swoon, it had some heart pulling angst, and it had a twist and a turn that gave me some O.M.G moments.
And yes… I may have let out a little squee with the little appearance of Professor Nate from ‘Sweet Temptation’

Absolutely loved and can’t wait for more of this series!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The chemistry between Savannah and Jaxon was hot. Yet, what they shared was deeper than just "Sex". They connected on an emotional level as well. These two are great together. Savannah has a bit of a sassy side to her when it came to Jaxon. I am glad to see that Savannah was not intimated by the powerful men in her life to stand up for herself and pursue what brings her happiness and that is Jaxon.

This is my first introduction to author Kelly Kelsey but it won't be my last. She writes a good story with engaging characters that I want to get to know. Romance readers will really enjoy this book. So glad to see that this book appears to be the first in a series. A fast read.

[P · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I'm going through something cause all my recent reads are flops.. i didn't enjoy this. Struggled and never could connect with the characters. Savannah's storyline is basically the same thing all throughout the story aside from she ends up getting dicked down by the male character. We never find out about the revenge plot that's constantly mentioned till towards the end of the book. Would have loved to have seen savannah in her school setting. If your a fan of the pet name "baby girl" this is your jam. It's mentioned so many times i wanted to gag towards the end cause it annoyed me to much.


ARC proved for free in exchange for a honest review all opinions are my own.

[Ashley Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Savannah is the daughter of a rich man. The family friends the Montgomery’s want to merge their families. Savannah is going to marry Reed when she gets done with College. Things start to not go so well with Reed anymore. Savannah wants out of the marriage but she doesn’t know how. One night when she is out with her friend she meets Jax. He keeps showing up at the places she goes. They start to have a relationship. Jax and Savannah both a secrets they are keeping from each other. When they learn the secrets will it break them apart? I love a good romance with some drama. Will this book have a HEA? Read it to find out.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Jaxon and Savannah in this read. Jaxon starts out all about revenge but figures out their are more important things. Savannah is a sweet character who goes through a lot of bs but finally fights for what she deserves. Together they are great. Their were a few things that I wish were explained better and some of the conversation parts were stilted but overall a good read.

[Katelynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The secrets we keep is the steamy story of young heiress Savannah and mysterious musician Jaxon. Savannah has been forced into a future she doesn't want and engaged to Reed, a man who doesn't truly value her. Jaxon enters her world with his own motivations unbeknownst to her but these two have an immediate chemistry throwing a wrench into any plan Jax initially had. Jax is keeping secrets that may end up destroying the love he's been building with Savannah. I enjoyed this book and really felt Savannah's emotions, specifically her helplessness at what her future entailed. I love seeing Jax help her find her freedom to fly and accept she deserves more than the box everyone wants to place her in. I really enjoyed the bond these two built and the obvious love reflected throughout the story.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicey dark romance. Likeable plot. Great characters. Well written. Highly recommended

[Liz (LoverOfBooks80) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous book to obsess over!!

Jax is just utter perfection, he is the bad boy your parents warn you about - he oozes sex appeal and doesn’t disappoint 😉

Oh Sav - I love you you set yourself free to fly high ❤️. Your strength and self believe was amazing.

The chemistry between Jax and Sav was intense and super hot!

So much drama to keep you super engrossed in another brilliant read 🖤

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by Kelly and I really enjoyed it. The love Jax and Savannah have is so strong. Steamy, sweet, with a bunch of twists and turns. What more could you want?! Definitely going to be checking out Kelly’s other book Sweet Temptation.

[Mindy Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hero started out as an asshole but came to be very protective and possessive.
Singer/songwriter
Planned on using heroine in a revenge plot but……


Heroine was sweet but a bit insufferable.
Had an arranged marriage set up by her family.
Wanted to be an stage performer/singer


Sex scenes were very 🌶🌶🌶🌶
HEA✅

Why was this only 3 stars…
The arranged marriage thing made no sense. Not to mention a 16 yr old can not make a contract🙄. The man she was supposed to marry was an absolute asshole and manwhore. The things he said and way he treated her gave him a sinister feel. Yet we are expected to believe the heroine decided she still wanted to be friends with him because he was nice when they were kids?!?!? The hero even decided to try and have a relationship with him???? It didn’t fit given how he was portrayed the ENTIRE story. Really ruined an otherwise nice epilogue for me.

[Samantha Hickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is AMAZING!!!

Jax is your typical playboy, singer who is allergic to relationships. He is out for revenge and he thinks he has the perfect idea, steal his girl. Little does he know, that this changes everything.

Savannah agreed to the arranged marriage with her friend from her childhood when she was 16 years old. She agreed, only to please her family, but now she is trapped and is expected to be the beautiful, perfect trophy wife. After she is forced to abandon her love of performing, it really hits her how trapped in a cage she is. Until she meets Jax.

Jax and Savannah share the same passion and he helps show her what freedom is supposed to look like. As soon as these 2 meet, it's instant sparks. And that twist at the end!?!? I was not expecting that at all!!!

I love this book and I cant wait for more from Kelly ❤❤

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Jaxon and Savannah’s whirlwind love story. These two captured my heart right from the moment their eyes connected and had me completely and utterly hooked on them. My heart ached for what Savannah has to endure and that her family keeps using her for their gains. But you can’t keep a beautiful independent woman down. Savannah shows strength and perseverance even when her future looks bleak. Jaxon may have nefarious reasons for reaching out to her, but he comes to eventually show Savannah that she is not a caged bird and can fly free.

I loved the writing, the storyline and the characters. This was a phenomenal story with some very breathtaking and sexy moments in between the sweet and romantic moments. I laughed, I cried and I hoped for a happy ever after!

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is at the top of my favorite reads for this year. It moves along at a great pace, which is perfect for the flow of the story. The characters are so real that you feel as though you know them and no matter what happens you cannot help but love them. This book is a must read, no doubt about it. You will not be sorry that you did.

[KelsBookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐈 𝐀𝐌 𝐈𝐍 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄. 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐃.

𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐘𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐙𝐄𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐒. My heart was fluttering and falling effortlessly in love with Jax. Kelly has absolutely slayed this book. The darkness, the twists, turns, emotional pull and sass will reel you in.

"𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞. 𝐀 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬."

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*𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟* this sexual chemistry and encounters in this are off the friggin charts and it's built from the first encounter. The chemistry drips off the pages and honestly will leave you with butterflies and biting your lip. *𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡 - 𝐈'𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞* Jax has shot to top book boyfriend EVER.

"𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐨, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥,”

Jax is smooth, sexy with a deadly darkness lacing underneath. Revenge is all he feels.

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Savannah melts my heart, her sass, quirkiness and loyality is all she knows and yet she loves deeply. You feel every inch of her emotions and pain and the turmoil she is placed in.

𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐚𝐦, 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝.

And damn will you hope she can be freed.

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My heart in this story is unreal and Kelly has created a world that i cannot wait to dive further into. Although this is a standalone it really packs a friggin punch.

QUEEN YOU ARE KEL!! 🖤

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I enjoyed Jaxon and Savannah in this read. Jaxon starts out all about revenge but figures out their are more important things. Savannah is a sweet character who goes through a lot of bs but finally fights for what she deserves. Together they are great. Their were a few things that I wish were explained better and some of the conversation parts were stilted but overall a good read.

[Linda McCutcheon · Rating 4 out of 5]

"At first, she was a pawn, but now she is my everything."

But the game is already in play and it may be too late to stop it. The Secrets We Keep from erotic romance author Kelly Kelsey is a bit more than just a sexy romp.

Jaxson manages a bar, writes songs and plays guitar. He is also gorgeous sexy and knows it. In fact, he plans to use his looks and charms to win over Savannah. He doesn't know her but she is a means to an end to get revenge on the man that destroyed his family's life.

Savannah is a natural beauty. She comes from a powerful rich connected family. When she meets bad boy Jaxson she tries to ignore his charisma, his chiseled jawline but soon he is changing her life. He gives her confidence, mind blowing sexual adventures and hope that she can escape the trap her family put her in since she was sixteen.

They both have secrets each scared the reveal will cost them each other because neither thought love was part of the game.

I was really surprised by the intriguing plot of this erotic dark romance; especially Jaxson's backstory which is really heartbreaking and explains his compulsive need for revenge.

I adored Savannah's best friend Piper. We all need that ride or die friend. I hated the way Jaxson treated Kristen. It was unnecessarily cruel at times but in the end he should have fired her. Her betrayal was villainous.

If dirty talk embarrasses you then be forewarned but the descriptive erotic writing is definitely blush worthy. Jaxson and Savannah need their love story to be out in the open and not hidden anymore especially from each other.

I received a free copy of this book from the Midnight Readers Book Promotion for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! What an amazing book with a couple great twists you don't see coming!

Savannah has known since she was 16 that she would marry Reed in an arranged marriage. As the years moved forward, she knew she would be the trophy wife and nothing more. Letting go of the dreams she had of performing and settling for what she knew was coming she enjoyed her friends. She realizes that she has become a caged bird and wants to break free. Jax, was a singer and songwriter with a plan in place. With the help of a friend, he was able to meet Savannah. His goal was for revenge, but he told no one the reason why. He never expects the tables to be turned when feeling became involved. Without knowing Savannah, his plan might have worked, but as these two spent times together feelings become real- more real than Jax had planned. As his plan becomes revealed he realizes that he stands to lose everything and he isn’t ready to lose her, but it might be too late now.

Wow, what a great book. I haven’t read anything by Ms. Kelsey before and now I need to add her other books to my TBR list. Savannah may have started out looking small, but this girl packs a punch. She pushes back and even if she isn’t able to follow her dreams, she hangs onto them. This girl is feisty and so loyal. Jax, seems to be your typical player, but we find out his reasons for wanting revenge. They may seem flawed but when it comes to revenge nothing is perfect. This book was written so well, and man can we talk about the fire between these two? We get so much passion and chemistry that you wonder what will happen when the secrets are revealed.

[Carrie Dozier · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was good I just didn’t love Jax🤷🏻‍♀️I see a trend with this author and having manho’s for a H…So Jax is a singer/songwriter who manages a bar and of course screws all the ladies to include an employee bartender who obviously causes problems with the h🙄Then another ex f**k buddy shows up a couple of times…Jax was so full of himself I rolled my eyes numerous times…he is set out for revenge and in order to get it he needs to use the h, sweet sweet Savannah. Once he is able to be around her a few times he begins his path and starts to flirt and get close to her. She is being forced into a arranged marriage with someone who she DOES NOT WANT TO MARRY but her father and the other family have a contract. As Savannah starts to get feelings for Jax she tries to get out of the arrangement, never keeping Jax in the dark, he knows what’s going on. Of course Jax is now developing feelings and starts to give up on his revenge plan. However he never comes clean about it and she has to find out in front of her family how he was using her…Savannah is devastated and so is Jax(such an idiot). She kicks him to the curb but he is relentless on trying to talk to her and make her see how in love he really is. I’m so glad she takes time foe herself and makes him sweet it out some! Sweet ending and epilogue❤️

[Christine Fass · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secrets we Keep was steamy and engaging. I loved Savannah, she was sassy when she needed to be and she refused to stay in her gilded cage. Jaxon was everything she didn't know she needed or think she could have. This book kept on surprising me, there were secrets, twists and happy turns, revenge plots. I honestly didn't expect to feel as invested in this relationship as I was.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

written badly I felt like Jax should have told her about the revenge and she was way too forgiving. The whole plot just did not work and was very boring.