What do you think?
Rate this book
Secrets #1
Secrets
“Stand and slowly turn around.” Earl Larsen gave him a faint smile. “I want to see all of you.”
Ian became a prostitute to make ends meet. When he’s kicked out of the whorehouse in the middle of winter with nowhere to go and no money, Earl Isak Larsen makes an offer: Ian can live in the Castle where he’ll have food, security, and warmth. All Ian has to do is agree to be the Earl’s slave, which means cooking, cleaning, and submission.
Ian already prefers men and being a submissive, so why not? If he has to get on his knees to ensure he’s fed and safe, it’s a small price to pay. He’s pretty sure Earl Larsen doesn’t think of his “Kitten” as much more than a slave, but Ian slowly starts to see the other side of him. The Earl might not show much emotion, but he’s not cruel, and he still treats his slave with more affection than anyone ever has before.
Despite that, Earl Larsen has dangerous secrets hidden in his past, and someone is willing to use them even if it means hurting Ian.
This is intended for mature readers only. Please heed author note.
Ian became a prostitute to make ends meet. When he’s kicked out of the whorehouse in the middle of winter with nowhere to go and no money, Earl Isak Larsen makes an offer: Ian can live in the Castle where he’ll have food, security, and warmth. All Ian has to do is agree to be the Earl’s slave, which means cooking, cleaning, and submission.
Ian already prefers men and being a submissive, so why not? If he has to get on his knees to ensure he’s fed and safe, it’s a small price to pay. He’s pretty sure Earl Larsen doesn’t think of his “Kitten” as much more than a slave, but Ian slowly starts to see the other side of him. The Earl might not show much emotion, but he’s not cruel, and he still treats his slave with more affection than anyone ever has before.
Despite that, Earl Larsen has dangerous secrets hidden in his past, and someone is willing to use them even if it means hurting Ian.
This is intended for mature readers only. Please heed author note.
81 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2022
23 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
About the author
Julie Mannino
56 books143 followersAuthor of the Alternate Earth Novels
Ace 🖤🤍💜
Autistic
Proud wog
Paragirl
I primarily write MM and fantasy/paranormal romance. If you like a trope or certain type, I've either got it or I'm working on it😊
Follow me on Bookbub
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/julie...
Newsletter
https://mailchi.mp/4099bb2054c1/alter...
Ace 🖤🤍💜
Autistic
Proud wog
Paragirl
I primarily write MM and fantasy/paranormal romance. If you like a trope or certain type, I've either got it or I'm working on it😊
Follow me on Bookbub
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/julie...
Newsletter
https://mailchi.mp/4099bb2054c1/alter...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 16, 2022
A great read
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! The story revolves around Ian, a man-whore that keeps getting used and abused by his Madam's customers. When he's hurt or doesn't obey, Ian always gets blamed. He gets tossed out in the cold like a piece of garbage that he believes himself to be. As fate would have it, Earl Larsen comes along and takes Ian back to his castle. Confusion wars within Ian as his new Master teaches him how to be a proper Sub and actually dotes on him. There's plenty of intense sexual scenes and, as the story unfolds, Ian learns that his Master has secrets that could unravel their relationship, leaving you guessing what they could be. I highly recommend it!
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! The story revolves around Ian, a man-whore that keeps getting used and abused by his Madam's customers. When he's hurt or doesn't obey, Ian always gets blamed. He gets tossed out in the cold like a piece of garbage that he believes himself to be. As fate would have it, Earl Larsen comes along and takes Ian back to his castle. Confusion wars within Ian as his new Master teaches him how to be a proper Sub and actually dotes on him. There's plenty of intense sexual scenes and, as the story unfolds, Ian learns that his Master has secrets that could unravel their relationship, leaving you guessing what they could be. I highly recommend it!
January 18, 2023
This novella is an addicting read. This is a short book and it’s on KU. The premise is a bit simple, but I think the story is decent if you enjoy dark romance. I wouldn’t say this is for dark romance newbies (otherwise you’re okay with jumping straight into the deep end), but the author does have a good list of content notes at the beginning of the book. I love when authors do that and I’ll always try to point that out.
This book pulled me out of a reading funk, so while I don’t think this is the most well-written book, I think the book is thoroughly enjoyable for what it is and I’m grateful for it. This book does end in a cliffhanger of sorts (no HFN or HEA here), but I’m looking forward to reading book 2!
Content notes include dubcon, suicidal ideation, mentions the death of a sibling, attempted rape, mentions of death by asphyxiation, and mentions of a previous “relationship” between a 15-year-old and a 45-year-old. The author includes additional notes at the front of the book.
The story starts with introducing us to 19-year-old Ian. Ian works at one of the seedier brothels in town, and as the only male prostitute in the house, he gets the WORST clients. And there’s nothing he can do about it because he has no one looking out for him.
I honestly feel like we didn’t need all the opening sex scenes with Ian and all those other men abusing him. It was just a lot. They don’t have much bearing on the story besides an excuse to get him kicked out with no prospects. But I guess this makes him very willing to then follow Earl Isak Larsen home (who is 31 years old).
And look. I am by no means an expert on royalty or even read all that many historical romances but the way the Earl is addressed in this book is weird to me. An Earl would normally be an Earl OF a place. That he owns. This book addresses the Earl as “Earl + last name.” At best, I thought it would be Lord Larsen. Earl Larsen is SO weird. I know, I know. This book isn’t historical romance but it is set in a vaguely histrom type world and in an English setting and I did get confirmation that this can be a normal form of address for ~men with titles~ but I wasn’t expecting it and just feels weird seeing him addressed this way in the book.
Anyways.
The story is pretty straightforward and there’s a lot to sex scenes. I wish the author expanded on the simple everyday scenes though because the story switches between an intimate third-person with Ian, and then holding us at arm’s length to indicate the passing of time. We don’t follow Ian to the well. We don’t really see him clean up around the Earl’s home, which is just unimaginatively named “the Castle.” The writing style feels a bit all over the place, and there’s quite a few noticeable typos throughout. The story is readable and I did find myself reading this book all in one sitting but still. I wish the mundane scenes were expanded a bit, and the story had another round of editing.
The ending is silly. It leads you to a cliffhanger and the whole thing is very forced. There’s a villain character (as it were) and the Earl has a secret now to keep you invested in reading the second book. I’m going to keep reading since the book is out, but I would just like to note that the ending felt very rushed.
Overall, I thought the story is just okay, but it’s strength is that it is short enough to read in one sitting and have you wanting to grab the next book to continue reading because the series is on Kindle Unlimited. I probably wouldn’t have picked this up otherwise. It got me out of a terrible reading funk, so I love this book for managing to do that at least.
This book pulled me out of a reading funk, so while I don’t think this is the most well-written book, I think the book is thoroughly enjoyable for what it is and I’m grateful for it. This book does end in a cliffhanger of sorts (no HFN or HEA here), but I’m looking forward to reading book 2!
Content notes include dubcon, suicidal ideation, mentions the death of a sibling, attempted rape, mentions of death by asphyxiation, and mentions of a previous “relationship” between a 15-year-old and a 45-year-old. The author includes additional notes at the front of the book.
The story starts with introducing us to 19-year-old Ian. Ian works at one of the seedier brothels in town, and as the only male prostitute in the house, he gets the WORST clients. And there’s nothing he can do about it because he has no one looking out for him.
I honestly feel like we didn’t need all the opening sex scenes with Ian and all those other men abusing him. It was just a lot. They don’t have much bearing on the story besides an excuse to get him kicked out with no prospects. But I guess this makes him very willing to then follow Earl Isak Larsen home (who is 31 years old).
And look. I am by no means an expert on royalty or even read all that many historical romances but the way the Earl is addressed in this book is weird to me. An Earl would normally be an Earl OF a place. That he owns. This book addresses the Earl as “Earl + last name.” At best, I thought it would be Lord Larsen. Earl Larsen is SO weird. I know, I know. This book isn’t historical romance but it is set in a vaguely histrom type world and in an English setting and I did get confirmation that this can be a normal form of address for ~men with titles~ but I wasn’t expecting it and just feels weird seeing him addressed this way in the book.
Anyways.
The story is pretty straightforward and there’s a lot to sex scenes. I wish the author expanded on the simple everyday scenes though because the story switches between an intimate third-person with Ian, and then holding us at arm’s length to indicate the passing of time. We don’t follow Ian to the well. We don’t really see him clean up around the Earl’s home, which is just unimaginatively named “the Castle.” The writing style feels a bit all over the place, and there’s quite a few noticeable typos throughout. The story is readable and I did find myself reading this book all in one sitting but still. I wish the mundane scenes were expanded a bit, and the story had another round of editing.
The ending is silly. It leads you to a cliffhanger and the whole thing is very forced. There’s a villain character (as it were) and the Earl has a secret now to keep you invested in reading the second book. I’m going to keep reading since the book is out, but I would just like to note that the ending felt very rushed.
Overall, I thought the story is just okay, but it’s strength is that it is short enough to read in one sitting and have you wanting to grab the next book to continue reading because the series is on Kindle Unlimited. I probably wouldn’t have picked this up otherwise. It got me out of a terrible reading funk, so I love this book for managing to do that at least.
October 16, 2022
New author for me juile Mannino will not now
Fabulous Fabulous I love secrets next book please
Fabulous Fabulous I love secrets next book please
October 22, 2024
It was 5 stars until about 75% in. The last 25% was so quick that it was jarring. It was like all of the climactic action happened in just 2 pages. We met the antagonist and found out a bunch of secrets. The main characters had their major fight, all in the span of a few pages. It was also a weird 80s style bullying antagonist; "I'll tell everyone this secret if you don't do what I say." it felt a little... meh for a villain.
There were also some parts that used modern language, but it was set in the late 1800s/early 1900s (I think?) So that was a bit confusing.
I liked the story up until then though!
There were also some parts that used modern language, but it was set in the late 1800s/early 1900s (I think?) So that was a bit confusing.
I liked the story up until then though!
October 13, 2022
I ordered this book immediately upon seeing the blurb. There's not much romance in it - the emerging acceptance by the two MCs of each other is told rather than shown, and their characters are not particularly deep - but that's perhaps due to the short page count. There's a few grammatical errors. But overall the spicy scenes are written with good imagination, and the grittiness of the world is certainly felt.
October 15, 2022
Great
The author draws you into the story from the very beginning. I felt for the character and his situation. The characters were well developed and the story as a whole was brilliantly written.
The author draws you into the story from the very beginning. I felt for the character and his situation. The characters were well developed and the story as a whole was brilliantly written.
October 28, 2022
So spicy and hot! My eyeballs caught fire. Heh, jk. I wished I was in Ians place for some parts. The character personalitys were perfect too. They fit well.
I think a favorite, non sexy part was when Ian made the oatmeal. 😄 the sugar!
I think a favorite, non sexy part was when Ian made the oatmeal. 😄 the sugar!
December 23, 2022
I really liked the idea of a male prostitute, (not that I want anyone to be forced into prostitution to eat and have a roof), it was different and gave him more depth. Earl Larsen was an interesting person, gentle but stern when needed
October 12, 2022
Omigod yes. Earl Larsen can punish me anytime. Can't wait for the second.
October 14, 2022
Good God, this was hot. I love a good slave story, and this was a short but smoking hot read.
October 23, 2022
Clever and kinky. Loved the c**kwarming and Earl Larsen's personality. I'll definitely be reading two
October 25, 2022
Ah!! A cliffhanger!!
December 1, 2022
The cover is amazing. Great kink too. I bet Ian will clean properly when he's told to😈
March 27, 2023
defo not my thing
August 26, 2023
Wow. This was actually really good. It's just a tad too modern given the historical setting, but it is a novella. I wish it was longer and we got to spend more time with the characters.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews