It was a solid 5 stars for me, right up until about the 75% mark. Then, the last quarter felt incredibly rushed and jarring. It was like all the climactic action was crammed into just a couple of pages. We're introduced to the antagonist, a ton of secrets are revealed, and the main characters have their big blow-up fight – all within that tiny space. Plus, the villain felt a little… meh. It was that kind of cheesy, 80s-movie bully: "I'll spill all your secrets if you don't do what I want!"There ...

This novella is an addicting read. It's a short book and available on Kindle Unlimited. The premise is simple, but the story is decent if you're into dark romance. I wouldn't recommend it for dark romance newbies (unless you're okay with diving straight into the deep end), but the author, Julie Mannino, provides a helpful list of content warnings at the beginning, which I always appreciate. "Secrets (Secrets, #1)" pulled me out of a reading slump, so while it's not the most polished book, I foun...

So spicy and hot! My eyeballs caught fire. Heh, jk. I wished I was in Ian's place for some parts. The character personalities were perfect too. They fit well.
I think a favorite, non-sexy part was when Ian made the oatmeal. 😄 The sugar!

If you're looking for a sizzling romance novel, Julie Mannino's *Secrets (Secrets, #1)* is a must-read. The chemistry between the characters is off the charts! Definitely one of the best book reviews I can give for a steamy read.

Julie Mannino is a new author for me, but she definitely won't be for long!

Absolutely fabulous! I loved *Secrets (Secrets, #1)*. I'm already eager for the next book. This is a must-read if you're looking for captivating book reviews!

A truly great readI absolutely devoured this book! The story centers on Ian, a guy who sleeps around and constantly finds himself used and mistreated by the clients of the Madam he works for. Whenever he gets hurt or disobeys, Ian always ends up taking the blame. He's cast aside into the cold like a piece of trash, which is exactly how he sees himself. But as luck would have it, Earl Larsen enters the picture and brings Ian back to his castle. Ian is a whirlwind of confusion as his new Master sh...

I pre-ordered "Secrets (Secrets, #1)" the second I saw the description. There isn't a ton of romance—the main characters' growing acceptance of each other is more described than acted out, and their personalities aren't super developed, but that might just be because it's a shorter book. There are a few typos here and there. But all in all, the steamy scenes are pretty creative, and you definitely get a feel for how harsh and unforgiving the world is. If you're looking for a quick, gritty read w...

Oh my god, yes. Earl Larsen can punish me any time he wants. I absolutely cannot wait for the second book in the "Secrets (Secrets, #1)" series. Julie Mannino, you've got me hooked!

0.5/10Honestly, this just proves I can read *anything*."You’re broken, and she doesn’t want some whore that starts bawling after a little whipping or caning. She can find someone better than you, that’s for sure, eh? Someone who doesn’t cry.”Seriously? I could write better than this, and English isn't even my first language. The thing is, reading *Secrets* wasn't boring, not at all. But it was so cringe-worthy. I literally had to rewrite the dialogue in my head so I could even begin to sympathiz...

I was really intrigued by the concept of a male escort in "Secrets" by Julie Mannino. (Not that I'd wish that life on anyone just trying to make ends meet.) It was a unique angle that gave the main character, Earl Larsen, a lot more depth. Earl himself was a fascinating person – gentle, but firm when he needed to be. Definitely a great read if you're looking for something a little different in your romance book reviews!

Great

Julie Mannino draws you into the story from the very beginning with *Secrets*. I really felt for the main character and the difficult situation he's in. The characters are well developed, and the story as a whole is brilliantly written. A truly gripping read!