| Title | : | Secrets Vol. 2 (Secrets, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1483912922 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781483912929 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 284 |
| Publication | : | First published August 24, 2012 |
Secrets Vol. 2 (Secrets, #2) Reviews
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★★★★ 1/2! Secrets, book 1-5 (complete series). Intern-boss story with complex, secretive and elusive alpha male hero.
All 5 installments/books have been released and my recommendation is to read them as a set. Combined they make a 600 page read. I read 3 of the books last year. Once the remaining 2 were released I did a quick “refresher” of book 1-3 and continued with book 4 and 5.
Anna Lamore (22 years/photography student-intern/dark brown hair) meets Cole Stevens (38 years/photographer-boss/$$$/dark brown hair/blue eyes) when applying for an internship. He is her last choices initially – so much she interviewed in rain boots, ugly clothes, with a determined, rebellious and cocky attitude. Cole surprises her by obliterating her preconceived notions of him. Instead he persuades her accept an internship at his studio and so a very complicated and tumultuous relationship begins.
Cole played the part of the troubled, secretive, elusive, neglected, rich playboy alpha male very well. Though the lust and attraction is there he withholds so much of himself from Anna. He maintains and pretty much respects the boss-intern relationship. But don’t fret there was lots of sexual tension throughout the series. As for Anna she was sweet and naive from a working class background. As the story progressed she stepped up and grew a backbone.
Without revealing much more I will say to expect anything from betrayal and secrets to scorned exes and stalkers... I enjoyed this series, much thanks to Cole. Pssst! Ms. Ward, I’d very much like to read Emma’s story!
***
Hero rating: 4.5 stars
Heroine rating: 3.5 stars
Story line rating: 4.5 stars
Story ending rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes frequency: * see below
******************************
Overall rating: 4.5 stars
* The sex scenes are slow in coming, but there is plenty of sexual tension.
Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Maybe.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes. -
“Yes. Now please prove to me that you haven’t fucked up my life beyond repair. Show me the artistic boobies so I can go beg Sottero for a second chance next year.”
Cole growls, leaning close to my face, “The only person you’ll ever beg for anything will be me.”
My heart is pounding. I can’t breathe. I want to punch him. I want to kiss him. This arrogant bastard thinks that I’ll believe anything he says, and he says he made this place for me. I can’t let him get under my skin like this, but he’s already there.
I lean closer to him and breathe, “I’ll never beg you for a single thing.”
Alright , First of all , What on earth is going on with the covers ??!! No no no don't get me wrong , I mean just look at it , Cole looks so ... so ... FUCK-EDIBLE !
But I loved the previous one as well . All that crystals , glitter and body paint ... sooo sexy ! But this one is pretty hot too so .. Oh well ...
Secondly , oh my god !!!! This was soooo much better than the first book ! Things have finally started taking a turn , but is it for the good or the bad , only time will tell ! In the previous volume , we saw how Anna Lamore screwed up big time and secured herself an internship with a studio and and a man that she thought she would never work for . By strange turns of events Anna starts growing feelings for her boss , a man she initially despised , Cole Stevens . And something is brewing deep down inside of Cole . But the book ended just before those things could be pondered upon .
In this Installment , we see Anna adjusting to her new work life and to her sexy-as-hell yet confused-as-fuck boss Cole Stevens . No , what I'm saying is that the guy knows what he wants professionally but on emotional and personal levels he sucks at trying to get what he wants ! That part was most of the highlight for this installment . Also , we see Anna finally acting upon her feelings and getting all bold and sexy with Cole . But Cole , oh the god lord help me . The guy manages to slip a few times from his so called controlled situation but manages to reel it back in ! Argh , those parts are the most frustrating ! I could literally feel what Anna felt all those times ! Gah , Men ! You cant live with them and you cant live without them ! Leaving that aside , we also get to see a different Cole through Anna's eyes . Initially she despised him . believing him to be a perverted exhibitionist trying to sell sex using women as objects for sexual satisfaction . But as time passes by she realizes that he is way above the guy she thought him to be .He is passionate about what he does . Regardless of his past , he is a man who idealizes feminine beauty from its core . Not just her physical beauty , but the beauty that lies in her emotions , her expressions and her thoughts .
Ella Steel , for me atleast , treats Erotica as an art form . Its seductive , and promises pleasure through beauty no matter how you see it . And when I say beauty here I mean the way she weaves her characters and their feelings together . Call me blatant , but I absolutely adore her oh so hot sex scenes . In her first erotic novel , she gave us the very unique and the very tempting sex on a canvas with body paints . And here we get a oh so hot make out session complete with photography lights , body crystals and paint and adhesives ! Simply beautiful !
I cant wait to read whats next for Anna and Cole ! -
Grr this freaking novella is killing me.. Ok I am moving to the next one.. Something better happen in the next one or I am done!,
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Me ha gustado más que el primero.
Estoy deseando saber ya porque Cole es tan reservado y porque se niega a tener una relación con Anna. -
So I decided half way through Secrets Vol. 1 that I needed to buy Vol. 2. Boy oh boy was I right. I swear Secrets is filled with so much sexual tension, I never know what's going to happen.
During Secrets Vol. 2 Anna's attraction to Cole skyrockets. She can't get enough of just being with him. While she thinks he feels the same way she isn't sure. Which makes her second guess everything about herself. Then he offers her a job. A job that she doesn't think she wants, a job that she thinks is demeaning to everything she stands for. Until Cole shows her differently, after he does she wants to everything about his artistic style, by delving into his world all the more, making him open up. Cole and Anna still struggle with their attraction to one another, and while she's willing to do anything and everything for him, he continues to shut he down. Anna doesn't know why he keeps shutting her down again and again, but she knows something is going on, and she needs to find out what.
Honestly I could not put this book down and read it in one sitting. It's riveting, and compelling, and will have you at the end of your seat even at the last page. Hope you pick up your copies!!! -
I'm loving these books! Sorta makes me want to schedule some kind of 'sexy' photo shoot :) Can't imagine having read them before each volume was out though...
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My rating for this book is 3.0 stars
No sé si me gusta mucho que este partido en volúmenes es desconcertante que te corte a mitad del momento de clímax de la historia.
Anna y Cole se siente atraído, la tensión sexual está en el aire y es inevitable no fijarse en ella, pero lo que más duele es que te rechacen… eso, eso debió escocer como la mierd** -
Darn it!!!
Again I want so much more from Cole and to see what happens between him and Anna. Once again I'm left with cant wait on reading the next one. -
This is the second novel in the Secrets series by H.M. Ward.
I really like the large age gap between Cole and Anna in this book, it adds to the aura.
Reading this book made me realise that there are several different ways to view art from several different perspectives.
Again, I'm not a fan of the complete cliff hanger at the end. -
Anna is now interning for Cole & he's giving her loads of hands on experience. Something is there betweent them, but yet Cole still doesn't take it any further than flirting. Anna in book 1 split with her boyfriend Edward, even before she had any feelings for Cole.
Edward has issues with sex & Anna's ideals are different, she decided it wasn't fair to stay together when they didn't want things the same. Anna is in a whirlwind & can't seem to control things in her life.
Anna starts having the feeling she is being followed, never seeing anyone but the feeling is there. There is still loads of sexual tension between her & Cole & there are some moments that bring the passion these two have to life.
Cole & Anna are so close to bringing their romance to the next stage when Cole puts up more walls. It crushes Anna & she starts to pull back, even though it's too late her heart is breaking. Still these secrets are there & we are yet to fine out all, but we have a good idea who is at the center of them.
There is still this uneasy feeling that she is being followed. Suddenly all in Anna's world is turned upside down, with accusations being made against Cole & her relationship. They haven't had sex, but the College Dean has been told they have & all hell breaks loose.
Anna has to leave Le Femme & she has to quickly find another placement to finnish her degree or she wont graduate. She starts to intern for Soretto, now Anna realises the difference & this is not a good match for her, she also starts to find things out.
All getting very interesting now. -
Please forgive me, but I do not have the patience that Ward has...I cannot write 5 separate reviews for these little volumes! I'm going to write one and then copy/paste. You forgive me, right? If you don't, it's because you haven't read this amazing tale because you then you would realize that the volumes are really just like built in potty breaks or something because once you start, you just don't stop.
First, props to my GR pals that read these a volume at a time and waited in between...you're way better than I am. I would have been in some serious trouble if the next volume wasn't a few clicks away.
Cole and Anna. Push/Pull. They had me from that first interview and kept me plowing through these volumes with things like this:
"There isn't more than this. This is the best of what I can offer you. The rest is too..."
Yeah, I get the whole meaning behind the title now. Umm Umm Umm...Cole has some SECRETS!
"Legal to do things you couldn't imagine, old man"
Anna has some pent up diva in her and she's so focused on her career that the whole push/pull with Cole is just a constant reminder that her "boyfriend' isn't right for her and her life isn't what she wants it to be.
I started volume 1 and didn't put the kindle down until I was done with volume 5. I suggest you do the same. There is angst, there is self discovery, there is hawt H.M. Ward erotic love (as only she can) and there is some awesome intrigue too! The total package, well...split into 5 volumes! -
I really wish Ward would give these books actual titles. It would make reviewing them so much easier. Regardless, I do enjoy that this part surpassed the previous part's 97 pages with a total of 200 pages. Still short, but still loving it.
A broken A/C created a perfect situation in this segment of the series. Everything became acutely charged and the tension was incredible. It was going great places in my imagination. And then the repair guy arrives. I was equally upset and glad. While I would have loved to see the scene continue, it's also much better when the tension is dragged out.
Cole alternates fluidly between the boss and mentor to something much more electric that both know shouldn't be there. As much as they try to just work and to focus on the job and internship, that electricity is always hanging in the air between them. When she chooses to model for a sense of the model's role in her own photography, things just take control.
Cole really tries to be a good guy. It's clear he's damaged and there is something else entirely going on, but he does try. I sometimes wondered how she could be so confused by his actions, especially when she knows the consequences. Her character itself is all over the place though so it works. And with Cole's final words in this, I know I have to go directly into the next segment. -
Cole is determined to show Anna how to dig deep for the talent she has kept hidden. Discovering that there is more to photography than taking photos of brides, has left Anna conflicted about her goals. Cole spends his time directing Anna in the art of discovering what lies beneath the surface.
Anna’s feelings for Cole are growing everyday. However, she is conflicted by the way he reacts to her. There are times when she thinks Cole wants her too. Other times when she believes that Cole could never love someone like her.
Cole purchases property near the beach to open a new studio. When Anna arrives there, she learns that Cole plans for her to work from this location on her own. Doubting her skills, Anna suggests becoming the model for Cole. This is so she can discover what it feels like being on this end of the session. The sexual tension between the two grows and intensifies. Yet, Cole continues to pull away from Anna. -
DISCLAIMER TO MY FELLOW GOODREADER
This review is my personal opinion and may contain: spoilers, quotes, rants, cussing (sometimes I cannot help myself) and a possible full on recap. I in no way want to ruin anyone’s book reading experience so please read my words with caution.
Anna and Cole's sexual chemistry seems to increase after her dream or possibly she just notices him more. Like everything. Anna asks Cole if someone vanilla can accept someone darker. For some reason Anna switches the roles so Cole is under the impression she's vanilla.. If he only knew. Anna is thrown for another loop when Cold informs her she's running his new studio out on Long Island. He's left no detail out. He's watched her for a long time. Interesting.
"His art has changed me-Cole changed me."
Cole may put a a stop to things before they even start..
Cliffhanger – yes (book 2 of series)
POV - Anna -
This one I didn't like as much as the first one, it wasn't of how Holly wrote it she writes her books beautifully, it's because Cole seriously is pissing me off and we're starting to see jealousy from Anna. (Yea I was pissed when a bimbo was dressed up and on Cole's arm as well) I loved the scene where they're having a good time though:
He nods, pours the coke into his glass and puts his feet up on the table and looks at me, "What are we drinking to?"
I say the first thing that flies into my head, "To your appreciation for women, but no women's clothes. Unless you count Le Femme's panties. You don't wear those, do you?" I laugh and sip my wine.
Another cliffhanger really! Ugh!! Luckily I have the next book in the series! -
I really liked the first one.. The back and forth and angst was right up my alley.. This one has been a bit more annoying.. SPOILER:
I just got to the part where she shows up at his house and he's with another girl. She waits in his apt for him. C'mon! You see that and you take off in an emotional huff! I know it sounds like I'm trying to write the story myself, which I try not to let change my opinion about a book (they're the pro not me), but when it's something like this, all I can think is 'where is your goddamn self respect?!' You see him with another woman and then stick around at his apt while he's out with her? Sorry, but grow some balls. It annoys me to see someone be that pathetic, and I don't think I'll be able to finish the book. Sad cuz I was really enjoying it at first -
Anna is presented with a big opportunity in part two of the Secrets series. New admissions from Cole confuse and torment Anna and bring her to realizations about herself, Edward, and most important, her relationship with Cole.
Cole has demons that he's not willing to share with Anna. He decides that the age barrier is just one obstacle that stands in their way, but doesn't know how to deal with his growing feelings for Anna.
Through all the emotional barriers, Anna is still able to learn a great deal about art and the beauty of all styles of photography. She decides that to fully understand the process of being photographed nude, or nearly nude, she needs to be photographed by Cole. Where will this road lead them, and how far will they go? -
She started off so strong and almost sure... Basically she didn't put up with B/S. I loved that about her but as the story continues I'm starting to not lover her character anymore. I hate a woman but takes so much crap from a man and follows him around like a puppy. If you put yourself out there and he still continues to push you away, let it go. Have some self worth about you. I have things change on book 3. So far she's walked away from 2 good guys for 1 who keeps kicking her left and right. I can't take mush more of this I just want to shake her and tell her to get her stuff together. On the upside I still love her parents. So the 2 stars are for just pissing me off
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(one comment for all series)
4- entertaining-but-frustrating stars
OMG, i can't believe that after the third (or was it the fourth?) book, and the SECRET revealed is just...that!
I have kept on reading all through the all the (mini)books wanting to finally, finally know what the secrets are surrounding Cole. I have been thinking of all those deep, dark ones (sorta like christian's or gideon's or the likes), but nooooooo! it was like, seriously? you call that a secret?! jeez!
anyway, the author had kept me reading, so i guess that's a plus point... but as to the actual secret, it was quite disappointing :(...
but, hey, it's a HEA, so i guess it's a plus! :) -
When I first started the second volume in the Secrets serial, I expected to like it. I did, but there was so much more than I imagined!
All of the character interactions are getting more interesting. We see Anna growing, learning, and changing in ways that even she didn't expect. The chemistry between her and Cole is palpable, and there is so much sexual tension between them! It makes even tame scenes seem steamy! And I have a sneaking suspicion that we'd better keep an eye on Edward. He seems like a wild card.
I loved this installment, and I can't wait to see what happens next! I have a feeling it's just going to keep getting better! -
I hate to say it but this is just more of the same from the first installment. Yes, I know, it’s a serial, but there seems to be little to no real action taking place, other than Anna getting braver and her relationship with Cole starting to heat up. There’s a wee bit of a cliffhanger, but nothing you’d lose sleep over.
There are some proofreading issues, your/you’re, bawling/balling, etc. that probably should have been caught. The author’s writing is just fine, but the whole story seems to be moving on to a snail’s pace. I’ll get around to the third installment, I’m just not in that big of a hurry to do so. -
In the second book of Secrets Anna begins to make decisions and step out of her comfort zone as she embraces the photography style Cole uses. Cole drove me batty with his cold/hot moods and I so want to know what is driving him. Anna needs to decide what she wants from Cole and go after it. The sexual tension between these two literally oozes from the pages. I am hoping more is revealed in the next volume.
Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer -
Pobre Anna, amar a Cole Stevens es tan duro, porque es un hombre irresistible y super sexy, lo ame desde la primera vez que se encuentran! me gusto el cambio que se da en Anna y lo que mas me gusta es que Cole la reta, la saca de su zona segura y la hace explorar el lado que ella reprime. Anna por fin comienza a sentir el cambio, a dejarse ser y aprender lo que le gusta. Me molesta Edward, y me da cosa porque me encanta su hermana, no son nada parecido.
Bueno quedo de nuevo loca por seguir leyendo mas!!! -
**SPOILERS**
Nothing happens in this one too.
And the whole - You can have the whole studio even though you don't have any experience - is bullshit. She can be talented, but to leave her the whole studio to manage is ridiculous.
And she wanted him to shot her and everything. I just wasn't interested and was rolling my eyes contantly.
Maybe I'l read the next one (after I see reviews) but for now, I think I'll skip it.
And what is with grammar mistakes? Even I recognized them and I'm not a native speaker. It ruins the whole reading experience. -
I was gifted a copy of SECRETS Vol. 2 by the lovely H.M. Ward in return for a review.
There isn't much I can say about this besides the fact that I loved it even more than the first. You know, in Vol. 1 you only really got a little taste of what Anna and Cole were capable of, but in this one their love attraction blazes brighter. And I loved it so much more! I wait for vol. 3 now and, as much as it'll probably kill me, I can't wait to get to the next phase in this story. -
The best part of this volume is the sexual tension. Anna and Cole are hot for each other but something - I guess the secrets as alluded to in the title is what's keeping Cole from sealing the deal. The back and forth between the two does increase the tension but it also annoys the heck out of me. Cole gives it to Anna straight but cant seem to stay away which drives Anna crazy (as well as me).
Enjoying the series which should actually just be one book. -
1.5 Don't Waste your Time Stars
Terrible book/books. It's like a badly put together mix of many characters and storylines from a bunch of romance novels. The writing is less than average. The plots were contrived, unlikely, with lots of gaps. The character development was non-existent. There were so many things that didn't add up, didn't make sense I could write a short story about it. But I won't. I wasted enough time reading these novellas... -
4 CRYSTAL-STICKING-HOT STARS! :)
If only there were PoV's of Cole too... this book would have been perfect including all the hotness it comprises! :)
Review to followwhen I get home from work! Tsk! LOL!which will be anytime before Friday, my weekend! later guys coz I'm onto book 3! :) -
I love this author and I really liked the first book, and I really like this book. But I think I've determined I am not a person that can read serials. I want to know the ending and I want to know now!! I enjoyed this book but ultimately at the end, I got tired of waiting for some HEA. I'm not going to finish this series and I'll just have to imagine what happens.
