Wicked Secret

(Wicked Horse Vegas, Book #8)

Sawyer Bennett

Release Date: May 26, 2020

Synopsis:

Those that truly know August Greenfi eld, will tell you that I live my life to the fullest. Work hard as part of the team at Jameson Force Security but play just as hard at The Wicked Horse Vegas. I have no regrets about my life. Well, maybe just one. Leighton Hale was my first love and the woman I wanted to spend my life with, but one day she was just gone. Vanished without a trace. Even my extensive contacts as part of the team at Jameson left me empty - handed in my search for answers. My single remorse is never being able to find out what happened to her, because no matter how difficult the truth may be, it can’t be as bad as never knowing at all. Ten years later, a knock on my front door brings me face - to - face with the woman I thought I’d never see again and nothing in my life could have prepared me for the secrets she holds.

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Wicked Secret by Sawyer Bennett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is #8, in the Wicked Horse Vegas series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader understanding, and to avoid spoilers, I recommend reading this series in order.

August is happy being a hedonist. He enjoys women, and sex and is not ashamed of his hobbies. Then a surprise blast from the past blows him away with a visit.

Leighton is someone who knew August in his past. They were supposed to have a future that was ripped away. Can he and Jameson Force Security help when it is lives on the line?

This story had so much to it. It was nice to connect the series that I love to read. I was happy with the references to the other books. The characters felt disconnected to me somehow. I had a hard time placing the story with the people I was reading about. It is still a good read, but not the kind I am used to from this author.


***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review only.

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About the Author:

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fan tasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone. A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full - time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs. If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

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This is #8, in the Wicked Horse Vegas series.  This book can be read as a standalone novel.  For reader understanding, and to avoid spoilers, I recommend reading this series in order.

August is happy being a hedonist.  He enjoys women, and sex and is not ashamed of his hobbies.  Then a surprise blast from the past blows him away with a visit.

Leighton is someone who knew August in his past.  They were supposed to have a future that was ripped away.  Can he and Jameson Force Security help when it is lives on the line?

This story had so much to it.  It was nice to connect the series that I love to read.  I was happy with the references to the other books.  The characters felt disconnected to me somehow.  I had a hard time placing the story with the people I was reading about.  It is still a good read, but not the kind I am used to from this author.  I give this read a 3/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review only.

Love is a leap of faith. It's not perfect, not always kind, but it can be the most rewarding experience of one's life. Lauren Smith gets that. That's what makes her heroes and heroines such a joy. Despite the danger to their hearts and more often than not lives. they're willing to take the risk. His Wicked Secret is a tale of danger, romance and vulnerability. Audrey and Jonathan are destined to find their happy ending, if they can survive their reckless secrets and fear of rejection. Against a backdrop of titled society and dangerous secrets is a tale of love that will stand the test of time.

Book – Secret Somethings

Author – Amber Kay

Publication Date – February 2015
Genre –Psychological Thriller/Romance
Type – Stand Alone
Cliffhanger – No
Rating – 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Complimentary copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis

Marriage is bliss for newlywed Jude Clayton. Lord knows she could use it. After years of battling a destructive mental disorder, she’s hungry for some sense of normalcy. Little does she know, she will find the complete opposite with her new husband Bryce. On the surface, Bryce Clayton is every woman’s dream—make no mistake about it. Handsome, intelligent, wealthy and accomplished, Bryce only has one problem. An obsession. 

Poor fragile Jude knows nothing about her husband’s “extracurricular activities.” What she’ll discover about herself in the process is much scarier than anything either of them can imagine. Jude, with her grotesque sense of humor and her many mental abnormalities, has developed an obsession of her own. 

As their unconventional “romance” blossoms into a toxic relationship, truth and lies clash. Some begin to wonder: Is Jude a helpless victim to her husband’s deceitful ways or is she a dutiful accomplice?

My Thoughts - Story
Sooooo…to tell you the truth – I was kinda dreading reading this because I have been on such a cheesy romance fascination lately and thought I wouldn’t be able to get into a dark thriller. But…HOLY FUCK…this book fucking gripped me from the beginning and I couldn’t put the sucker down.  I even went as far as calling my buddy Jahy and telling her that she HAD to read this. Now, if you know Jahy – you know that woman is hard to please! So, I must have really thought this book was fantastic in order for me to recommend it to her!

Firstly, I have to commend the author – her writing was superb! Yes, there were a few typos but if the author has the ability to write things like a few typos are not bothersome at all! And I can’t say enough of Ms. Kay’s writing ability. She gripped me – she shocked me and she captivated me with her words.

Then we have to discuss the TWIST in this book – SHIT – I didn’t see that coming. Normally, I’m really good at guessing the outcome of a book but this one threw me for a loop.

Fast paced – and I have to repeat GRIPPING again because it really is! Yes, this book is dark and yes, this book delves into the psychosis of two mentally disturbed individuals and sometimes it’s almost comical that one disturbed is trying to fix the other.

OK – so enough of that. I don’t want to give too much of the book away and spoil it for you readers.

Re-Cap
We start off with Jude at the police department giving her confession to killing her husband. WHAT?? Yup – that early in the book we already know that Jude murdered Bryce. So what now? The book is over? Umm..no.

Now Jude wants to give her confession and tell the detective the whole story from the very beginning. So, let’s rewind to the first time Jude meets Bryce at the butcher. And from here – we flip flop back from the beginning of their relationship and switch to their honeymoon. (yeah – she offed him on their honeymoon)

Jude has been mentally labeled as a threat to herself and others and is under the care of her obsessive, protective mother and her wishy-washy father. She had black outs and doesn’t remember periods of time, while in her neighborhood there are a string of brutal murders. We learn so much about Jude and how the poor girl has tried to cope with all the shit handed to her. It isn’t until Bryce, that Jude starts to come out of her shell and starts to think for herself – but is Bryce really good for her or is he the catalyst to her demise?

Reason for Reading – Author Request
Story – 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Steam –  3.5 out of 5 Stars
Angst – 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Writing – 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Content Flow – 4 out of 5 Stars

Told In – Single POV

Heroine/Personality – Jude – almost childish in the beginning but matures by the end

Hero/Personality – Bryce – starts out lovable but something is off

HEA (Spoiler) – It depends on the reader
Would Read More from Author? Yes
Recommend To – Anyone who loves a great mind fuck