Review # 276: S∙E∙C∙R∙E∙T by L. Marie Adeline

Description: (from RandomHouse.com)

     Cassie Robichaud’s life has been filled with regret and loneliness since the death of her husband. She waits tables at the rundown Café Rose in New Orleans, and every night she heads home to her solitary one-bedroom apartment. But when she discovers a notebook left behind by a mysterious woman at the café, Cassie’s world is forever changed. The notebook’s stunningly explicit confessions shock and fascinate Cassie, and eventually lead her to S∙E∙C∙R∙E∙T, an underground society dedicated to helping women realize their wildest, most intimate sexual fantasies. Cassie soon immerses herself in an electrifying journey through a series of ten rapturous fantasies with gorgeous men who awaken and satisfy her like never before. As she is set free from her inhibitions, she discovers a new confidence that transforms her, giving her the courage to live passionately. Equal parts enticing, liberating and emotionally powerful, S∙E∙C∙R∙E∙T is a world where fantasy becomes reality.

Review:

      I don't usually read erotica, but when I do, it better be decent, (and a heck of a lot better than Fifty Shades...). When I first came across S∙E∙C∙R∙E∙T, I was intrigued by it's unique premise - a thirty-something widow stumbling across a secret society of women who help each other explore and satisfy their sexual fantasies; definitely not a story-line that I have come across before. It was refreshing to see a character like Cassie, full of real grief, uncertainty and insecurity about herself and the current state of her life. The subtle sections of her history, as well as the death of her husband, made it easy for me to connect with her emotionally in the beginning; her thoughts and dialogue were well-written and realistic, allowing me to explore and share the world of S.E.C.R.E.T with her. However, about half-way though the book, Cassie's character was of less interest to me. I do not know if she was meant to get less interesting or not, but I felt like the emotional qualities I had enjoyed at the beginning were lost. All that I was left with was a few gradually dispersed scenes of sensuality, with a couple steamy, (more sexual-in-nature), scenes mixed in - even a friend I lent the book to admitted that she was bored without emotional depth. In my opinion, Cassie's fantasies just weren't fantastical enough, although the men described were ridiculously hot! I also had a problem with the pace, the sex was too quick and scant, and the rest of the story seemed to crawl.. Speaking of, the ending was super abrupt - I liked where it was leading, but it all seemed like an afterthought. Overall, I feel like the book had a lot of potential and a great premise, but the execution was lacking in certain areas and the encounters were repetitive. I will read the sequel, but I hope that L. Marie Adeline finds a way to amp up the heat.

Rating: Bounty's Out (3/5)

*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.