The Secrets You Keep

by Tracy Lorraine

My naive heart only ever beat for two guys…

Two totally unattainable guys. Forbidden guys— the kind mothers warn their daughters about.

Tristan was the one everyone wanted… but he was also my brother’s best friend. Smart, kind, and hot as hell, with a one-way ticket straight to the NFL.

And then there was Knox… the bad-boy who turned my world upside down. Only a year older, he made me feel like it was just a silly crush… until the first time he kissed me.

The hot, soon-to-be-inked-up gangster from the wrong part of town broke every rule, and shattered hearts… I just never expected one of them to be mine.

All these years later, I can barely remember who I was back then, back before he burned me.

Now I’m at Maddison Kings University, and they walk back into my life, throwing my world into a tailspin. Tristan is there for me when things go up in smoke. And Knox is there striking matches, tempting me like a ghost in the night with his darkness.

But I’m a strong independent woman now— I go after what I want and my damaged heart still wants them both.

This time around things are different.

They are lying to me… and the secrets about my past have the power to tear my heart in two.

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, M F M, Why Choose, Sports, College, Dark

544 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 7, 2022

About the author

Tracy Lorraine is a M/F and M/M contemporary romance author. Tracy has just turned thirty and lives in a cute Cotswold village in England with her husband, baby girl and lovable but slightly crazy dog. Having always been a bookaholic with her head stuck in her Kindle Tracy decided to try her hand at a story idea she dreamt up and hasn’t looked back since.

Reviews

[nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️
2.5⭐️ for Tristan and Knox only because Violet was SO not it. I mean, shaming other women and calling them sluts and whores for no fucking reason??? NAUR. Honey, what happened to women not tearing down other women huh? This shit ain't it y'all...the blatant disrespect urghh😤 Ngl, but this story DID have potential. But the plot was weak af and literally 85% of this book was basically just smut. Repetitive, boring smut that I skipped through because it got annoying after a point. Also what is it with Tris and his obsession with calling Vi "baby girl". Like it really got cringey after a while lmao. The Secrets You Keep wasn't bad per se, but it wasn't that great or memorable either so there's that I mean🥲

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

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: MFM, step-brother & brothers best friend, romantic suspense
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Awesome, super hot read! The Secrets You Keep was well written, fast paced and had quite a bit of action. Throw in a bunch of secrets, some suspense, and what could be better than a secret tattoo? Violet has known and crushed on both Knox and Tristan for most of her life. Knox, the bad boy step-brother who completely fell in love with her when they were kids and Tristan, the older brother's best friend, who had worked his entire life to keep hands off and protect her. I haven't read a whole lot of menage, but the ones I have read typically have the guys agreeing to go into a relationship with a girl, but in this one, they were competing her affections for most of the book, more like a love triangle rather than a menage. It actually made it really good! It was made it angsty and while they were super competitive with each other, it later turned into this funny, bickering type of relationship that at times was physical, but was also really funny. The storyline was interesting and in the end, their relationship just really worked for me!

⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes contain spoilers

[Darkreads]

Dnf. I just don't connect with the way this author writes her heroines. Once again we have a desperate thirsty coed who's practically begging for it while simultaneously slut shaming other girls for the same behavior. I'm bored.

[nika · Rating 1 out of 5]

i hate myself.

[Jess Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

The secrets of the past have a way of coming back to haunt you and just when Violet starts to get comfortable in the new life, she has built that is exactly what happens. She loves her brother's best friend, but her heart was owned by another once before and now that he is back how is she supposed to choose...

Tristan was the jock we have all read and can't help but love. Injured in the NFL he is back home and to start his life anew and while he could have gone anywhere, he ended up back home because of her. Violet has always owned his heart even when she didn't know she did, but he made a promise to keep her safe and that is what he plans to do. Taking her to bed isn't in those plans but he can't resist her any longer and right when he is getting comfortable in this new turn of events Knox shows up causing problems like the bad boy he is.

Knox has been in prison for five years but now he is out, and his only focus is Violet. All those years ago he never wanted to let her go but he had no choice. Now, there is nothing that could possibly stand in his way of getting the woman he loves except for maybe the other man she loves who also happens to be one of his best friends.

As Violet, Knox and Tristan try to work at happiness secrets from the past start rearing their ugly head and if Knox was innocent who could possibly be the one to blame for her mother's death.

Jason Clarke captivated me as Tristan with his dark and delicious growls. Jason Clarke is always a must listen narrator for me but with the possessiveness you could he radiating out of his voice was next level hot. J.F. Harding as Knox was the dark bad boy every girl can't help but resist. His flirty and fun banter really brough some light to the darker moments of the story and Stella Hunter that woman is a true gem. She always carries the female narrations with some grace that you are swooning just as hard for her as you are for the other narrators.

By the end of this book, I was totally swoony for this family that Violet, Knox, and Tristan had created but more than anything I was jealous of Violet getting the best of both worlds with the sexy jock and delicious bad boy.

*ALC received from Audibly Addicted in exchange for my honest review. *

[Juju · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this steamy menage romance.

TROPES
Stepbrother
Brothers best friend
Friends to lovers
Sports - NFL
College romance (2 MCs in college)
Gangs
Murder
Mental illness - anxiety / grief
Menage (MFM)

[Fall book girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was insane, but the ending was soo disappointing

[Danielle's · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tristan and Knox might just be my new favourite Tracy Lorraine book boyfriends. I’ve just finished reading the MKU series, and this book is tagged on the end of that. It’s a standalone story, however beloved characters do feature in it. This story is excellent and I’ve just ordered the special edition version from Tracy’s store (it has glitter page ends).

Violet is wrapped in a whirlwind of past grief and regrets. The secrets she needs to uncover could break her but if she doesn’t find out the truth she can’t have her happy ending.

Tristan is Violets brothers best friend, he classes himself as off limits even though he craves her more than anything.

Knox is the bad boy who already stole her heart a long time ago.

When two guys are looking like the wrong choices what will happen when you can have them both? This is a why choose, RH with angsty and mystery.

This was an audiobook read and I loved the narrators. Tristan’s voice is so gravely it helps with his maturity theme.

Excellent read.

[mevina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t understand how this book has so many high reviews. The fmc is a spoiled little princess or should i say an insecure girl that “promotes” misogyny and slut shames literally everyone as if she’s better than them. She also has the idea that every man in this planet wants her. Very tiring book and it has 529 pages for what?? Literally if you could do it in 200. Or not at all(!). Full of dialogues, no plot just bad written sex because OBVIOUSLY she was a sex goddess (or whatever… ). This book is like a warm slice of cheese. Blunt and tasteless. And I get it she had an idea but she should’ve kept it to herself and not make it into a book.
Δίκασα<3

[CassDamm · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ✨

This was so good but missing some answers to be a 5 star. But it was soooo close.

I’m about to read another book from this author bc I’m hoping all her other books are as good.

Just fyi - about 20% of this book is smut and it’s MFM. So if you can’t handle that stuff this book isn’t for you. But the plot was really good, so you’re missing out.

[bookspaced · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly didn‘t know what to expect since I devour Tracy‘s book without even knowing the blurb! And Tracy never disappoints.

The Secrets You Keep is a forbidden, step brothers,
brothers best friend romance. Violet is one of the characters we met in the previous MKU books and I really didnt know that I needed her story! But after reading this book, I will also need the other roommates storys.. Like asap.

Tristan and Knox are so different guys it really is hard to choose between them so why not take them both?

I literally love anything Tracy writes and this book wasn‘t an exception.
I loved the characters and their backgrounds. They are perfect for eachother!

4.5⭐️

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 Stars - Just ok

[Veronica Ticker · Rating 4 out of 5]

(audiobook) I admit that the author wanted so much to keep secrets that there were some confusing moments for a long time. It kept me from totally getting the characters at first. But once all the mysteries are revealed, everything makes finally sense. There are still some unanswered questions about side characters, but I suppose they hint at other books–past or future–by the author. It still reads as a standalone.

We get several flashback chapters about Violet’s childhood–and her crushes on her brother’s friends, one of them being their stepbrother. Tristan was the good guy who didn’t dare to act on his feelings in respect of his friend, while Knox was the bad boy not afraid to take what he wanted. But their feelings were real and they never wavered. The flashbacks slowly progress from some innocent kid scenes to the event that changed all their lives.

Fast forward a few years, Tristan is back in Violet’s life, nothing keeping him from showing her how he feels, and Knox reappears to claim what was his. The present scenes show how Violet moves from traumatized and alone, to in charge of her life–and whom she wants to have in it.

The author insists on the differences between the two men in Violet’s life. Tristan is still a good guy, but he can be domineering in the bedroom. On the other hand, gangster Knox is weirdly romantic. While not being enemies, they banter a lot–and tease each other about the time they spend with Violet. There’s still some respect between them, and they agree that they’re both important in their girl’s life. It was an interesting dynamic.

And the sexy was out of this world. This book is really really hot.

It’s violent too. There’s a connection between the main characters and a local gang. Drugs, violence, murders, just mentioned or full on page. It isn’t quite a romantic suspense, but gang stuff is very important to the plot.

The narrators did an excellent job. They nailed the banter, and the emotions too. My main complaint is that there are way too many side characters, that only three narrators can’t possibly differentiate enough, and it becomes a bit confusing at times. But they were perfectly cast for the main characters. Great audio.

Quickie

- Series: standalone
- Hashtags: #dark romance #small town romance #forbidden romance #second chance #menage #stepbrother #brother’s best friend #opposites attract #gang
- Triggers: past death, mention of substance abuse and addiction, violence and death
- Main couple: Violet Brady & (Tristan Carver + Knox Bowman)
- Hotness: 5/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + I loved the positive message about menages Tristan and Knox incarnated–they had no desire for each other, but it was no hardship for them to share the woman they loved–and fluids–with another naked man if that was what she wanted, no misplaced straight male pride
- – do those friends know no boundaries?

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violet has had a rough 5 years coping with the loss of everything and has been struggling to pull herself back together.

Tristan made a promise to Violet's brother Roman to always lookout for her in the event that he is unable to. Knox who was Violet's stepbrother also promised to always be there.

The night Violet lost her mother to a house fire she was completely broken. With her brother leaving her to suffer in the aftermath alone. Violet's past is a revolving door and when her path cross with her childhood crush Tristan and her first love Knox, she is thrown in a tailspin of emotions, despair, heartache, confusion and betrayal.

For 5 years Tristan, Knox and Roman has been keeping a secret. A secret so devastating that once it is revealed it will change the course of Violet's life forever.

Tristan and Knox loved Violet immensely and was willing to sacrifice their happiness for her if it meant she was safe and taken care of. Startling revelations cause Violet to question who she can trust especially when she learns that the events that transpired 5 years were not what they appeared to be and the person responsible is the person she once loved and now hated.

[Ketharini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay so there was some semblance of a story line till Knox came into the plot. And then, it was just smut all the way. Can someone tell me if Violet does anything in this book than go from Tristan to Knox and back?
I mean, I like erotica, just check my library. There are some books which start out with no plot and continue that way. But this book had so much potential but just turned out to be a sex fest! Siiiigh... anyway, I finished the book only for Knox.

[Mrs. Kyle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this. The premise seemed promising but there were problems from the start. I found the dialogue and narrative cringe and lacking substance. Then, the heroine? She's problem number one here. I could have bypassed the narration and kept reading through but not with her. What a horrible personality. I get it, she's pretty, has curves but she sucks.
She's misogynistic and quite simply an envious and insecure person.

[Coco.V · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story and overall, I'm glad I took a chance on this new-to-me author. I can't believe I haven't ever read anything from her before... 😍

[Jenifer Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands down one of my favorite and hottest reads of 2022!! Holy fuck me!!🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵

I haven't read any of the Madison King University series, so these were all brand new characters that I really enjoyed! Plus this author is a favorite of mine, so it's always a pleasure to read one of her books!

Since this is a MFM romance, both of my favorite forbidden tropes were at play here: brothers best friend and stepbrother. Both men here were amazing in their own way, and I loved how much they loved our girl Violet. Tristan, her brothers best friend, is adjusting to college after having his NFL dreams vanish. He's always had feelings for Vi, but because of his friendship with her brother, he's kept her at arms length, which is really hard to do know they are face to face again and the attraction simmering between them is just begging to be let out. Then there's also her stepbrother, which brings on a whole bunch of pain and secrets and things she thought she knew, but had no idea what was really going on. Honestly, Knox is my favorite, and the fact that he put his life on hold because of how much he loved Violet and then did everything to prove he wasn't who he thought he was?! Total swoon. Plus their history together? And his dirty ass mouth and tattoos? He just checked all my boxes!

There's so much that goes on in this book, and I was just glued to my kindle the entire time! I'm definitely going to be going back and reading the rest of the books in this world! There's also a reason why this author is one of my favorites -- her heroines are always tough and doesn't let anyone walk all over them, and her heroes are total dreamboats. Honestly I just can't get enough of her books!

**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **

[Sharleen ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ This was my first Tracy Lorraine book and I’m kicking myself for not picking up one of her books sooner!

Tristan, Violet & Knox were perfectly imperfect, a beautiful mess. There was tension, angst, secrets threatening to tear them apart but once everything came to light, it was easy to see how seamlessly they fit together.

Tristan the NFL star, her brother’s best friend, her rock and only constant in the shitstorm of life. The “golden boy” with a platinum tongue 🥵 He was desperate to keep things platonic no matter how much she begged and how badly he pined for her, but finally gave in and found everything he was looking for.

Knox, her bad boy stepbrother with gang ties. He shows her another side of him when they’re kids however a tragedy rips him out of her life leaving a piece of her heart shattered.

Despite Violet crushing on Tristan for the majority of her life and sharing a secret past with Knox, all these years later after finally getting a taste of both of them she realises there’s no way she could choose between them. They equally own her heart and she owns both of theirs wholly 🤍

I was nervous about the dynamic between Tristan & Knox but I’ve got to say I found their bickering hilarious. I loved seeing those real moment of genuine friendship between them. They’d do anything for their girl and despite how possessive and jealous they felt initially, seeing them get comfortable and into their new dynamic was everything.

I was definitely intrigued by so many of the side characters and can’t wait to jump into the MKU series to read their stories 😍

Thank you to Wildfire Marketing and Tracy for the ARC ✨

[FS Meurinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This captivating MFM college romance follows Violet's forbidden romance with her brother's best friend Tristan and her secret love affair with her stepbrother Knox, who took the blame for a crime to protect her. Narrated by Stella Hunter, J.F. Harding, and Jason Clarke, the audiobook brings the story to life with great performances. The competitive dynamic between the characters adds angst and humor to the plot, keeping the listener hooked. Alongside the steamy romance, the book touches on intense themes like gangs, murder, mental illness, and college life, adding suspense to the fast-paced plot. Tracy Lorraine skillfully blends various romance tropes, making it a recommended choice for fans of MFM romances, college romances, and stories with complex relationships. However, readers should be aware of the explicit sexual content, violence, and mental illness trigger warnings. This enjoyable and thrilling audiobook delivers a wild ride from start to finish.

[Disco Inferno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hot but Sappy

A lot of intrigue and tragedy leading up to the MMF romance, and the whole step-brother trope felt very porn-y, but whatevs. I’m not here for the Shakespeare. Lorraine made good use of the bad girl trope, so yee-haw for good girls with filthy mouths & intentions in this (barely) dark romance.

I skipped through some of the melodrama, which increased toward the end. The relationships with her college buddies stopped making sense about half-way through the book, so most of the ending was just a snoozefest. Way too sentimental. Author kind of glossed over the inevitable awkwardness that would follow a throuple (especially with a public figure), and I think that was a shame. It could have added depth instead of the redundant “it was conventional, but…HEA” cop out!

[HillarysBookshelf (Hillary Brown) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC REVIEW✨
Violet is starting her Junior year at MKU and is excited about the upcoming year. She feels like she has such close friends that they are like family since her family died tragically. Plus, her childhood crush and brother's best-friend, Tristan, is going to be on campus this year. Violet’s goal is to get him to see her as more than Roman’s little sister. Tristan just quit the NFL due to injury and has come back to his alma mater for grad school and to coach. He is the hot playboy jock that every girl wants but he only has eyes for Violet. He has been denying his feelings for as long as he can remember since he promised his best friend that he would stay away from his little sister. Now that Roman is gone and Violet has fully grown up can Tristan keep his promise or will he be tempted by the forbidden love. Also, what will happen when a secret Tristan has been keeping surfaces, Knox is out! This is a “Why Not Both” romance with a bit of mystery. I have read many books by Tracy Lorraine and I think this might be one of my favorites. The spicy scenes are extra hot and the plot kept me excited and anxious to know what was going to happen next. I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this book and loved every second of it. Tristan is the perfect book boyfriend and Knox is the rough-around-the-edges bad boy that every girl drools after. A must read!

[Mandyloves2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author never fails to deliver a emotional angsty and suspenseful story full of characters with sizzling chemistry and the steam is off the charts hot! This was another amazing story by Tracy Lorraine the writing is excellent I just couldn’t get enough of these characters and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough I devoured this book! The sex scenes were to die for holy shit they were hot ! Another winner from Tracy !

[Rachel (rachellynnreadss&#x1faa9;&#x1fa75;) Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
3.5🌶️

Really enjoyed this MFM! The plot was interesting, the romance was good and the spice was hot! This was a super quick read for me and just was I was looking for in an MFM. The development of the story and the romance were done well & I didn’t wanna put it down!

[Lisbeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible.

[KAGE · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Both of you have owned pieces of my heart for years. There's no way I can choose between you."

Overall Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.5/5

Spice Rating: 8/10
Characters: 8.5/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Writing: 9/10
Plot: 7.5/10
Intrigue: 8/10
Logic: 7/10
Enjoyment: 8/10

Hero: Tristan & Knox
Heroine: Violet

Cliff-hanger: No
Triggers: Death, Loss, Violence, Gang Activities

Style: Sports, Contemporary, Second Chance, Brothers Best Friend, Enemies to Lovers, Dark, Twisted, Suspense, Reverse Harem, Step Brother, MFM.

Tracy always knows how to deliver us an incredible story filled with secrets, angst, alphas and some badass heroines, and this was certainly no different!

I LOVE a forbidden romance, and this story had it in spades! The characters were electric together and those group scenes... woah *fans self*, she really hit these tropes perfectly. And can I just say how amazing it was to be back in the Madison Kings world, I've missed this place!

If you are after the following then look no further!

- dark forbidden romance
- enemies to lovers
- stepbrother and
- brothers best friend... why choose?
- some competition between a football legend and tatted bad boy
- amazing heroine who has some serious sass
- secrets, lies, and betrayal

Another great read from Tracy!

"My firefly. My little bit of light in all the darkness."

*all edits are mine - pictures are not

Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | Blog | Goodreads

[Castalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 & 🌶🌶🌶/5

When the book blurb starts with “As a teenager, my naïve heart beat for two boys…
Two unattainable, older, forbidden boys. The kind of boys mothers warn their daughters about.” I can’t NOT read the book okay!

I think my favorite forbidden romance is the Step-brother trope. Then you add in older brothers best friend and make it MFM polyamorous again…how can I NOT read it?

Let’s also not leave out that each guy fulfills a different want in a MMC. Tristian is our all around jock with a heart of gold, big dreams and your biggest supporter. Knox is our bad boy from the wrong side who only shows his heart to the girl he has claimed and willing to sacrifice it all to save you. I mean, I want them both too.

I really enjoyed this story and will definitely be going back to read the MKU series. I was instantly pulled into the mystery of it all, the secrets if you will, that Violet, Tristian, Knox, and even some of the supporting characters are keeping. The twists and turns that happen kept me guessing throughout the entire book.

I can’t leave this review and not talk about the spice 🥵. From the very beginning we are hit with the thick tension and angst between Tristan and Violet, and it gets even hotter and more complicated when Knox comes in. I, like violet, also find myself saying “More”. The mouth on these boys is *Chefs Kiss*. I am a simp for dirty talk and the skill to back it up.

[GoodGirls_Read_BadBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I was just feeling some kind of way while reading this one but the tension was panty meltingggg.

Tristian the hot former football star (#GoTitans) comes back to town and reunites with Violet and the tension, the texting and the baby girls kept me up at night.
And just when that tension becomes explosive in walks Knox, fresh out of prison, he also reunites with Violet and she is torn between two sexy AF men- what a problem to have.

✅Brother’s Best Friend
✅Step Brother
✅MFM
✅Forbidden/Bad Boys😈
✅Major Good Girl Vibes!
✅Dark Romance

This was my first read by Tracy Lorraine, but it will NOT be my last.

Thank you Wildfire Marketing Solutions for a chance to review this ARC. This one just released so RUN to Kindle Unlimited now!!

[Violet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the beginning of this story. It was unique and different, and there was enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages. I've actually missed menage romances. It would have been a solid 4-star read for me. Unfortunately, about halfway through, it turned into one sex scene after the other. And I'm not knocking the sexy times. I love those as much as anyone, but the story disappeared, and it was sex, sex, and more sex, chapter after chapter. So much so that I almost DNF'd it. If that's what you're looking for, this is the read for you. I feel like the story could have been wrapped up sooner with just as much heat but fewer sex scenes.

I was intrigued by the side characters and may look into other books by this author to see if any of their stories have been told.

[SG Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG the spice in this book 💦💦💦

This book was great, I loved the relationship between Knox and Violet. I didn’t particularly love Tristan. I would probably have preferred Violet with Knox because after everything they went through to get back to each other, it would’ve been lovely 🥰

Loved the stalker vibe from Knox, with his tattoos and gangsta vibes too.

The spice 🥵🌶️💦🌶️💦🌶️💦 all day. This was sooo good.

4 star read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️