FRANK, Ella & BLAINE, Brooke - Secrets & Lies

Secrets & Lies
Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine

Sortie le 29 Novembre 2021

Quatrième de couverture :

I wasn’t supposed to want him. The bronzed god lying by my pool in tight shorts that left little to the imagination. But I was only human, and with the temptation constantly within reach, it was only a matter of time before I could no longer resist.


It was wrong. I knew that.


He was my son’s age.

Hell, he was my son’s friend.


But even worse...I was his teacher.


Secrets & Lies is a standalone teacher-student MM romance from USA Today bestselling authors Brooke Blaine & Ella Frank.

I think Secrets & Lies is the hottest book Ella & Brook have ever written. And that is saying something knowing what those two talented women are capable of. Ryder and Ash chemistry is of the chart, ever since their first meeting, and kept growing and intensifying throughout the book.

The both first meet at an art class, on a Sunday evening, and immediately sparks fly by. There is a connection between them and one thing leading to another… let’s say the sentence “Let’s go have a coffee” has a whole new meaning for me now lol ! Their burgeoning connection is quickly snuffed out as the next morning, Ash and Ryder discover they are teacher and student.

Ash’s character really appealed to me because he has a strong moral compass : as soon as he finds out that Ryder is eighteen and his student, he called quits on what could have been. He reacted poorly to this unexpected development by lashing out on Ryder, but it was out of fear for his job and the life he built. Which I totally understand but I would have had the same reaction as Ryder : pissed the hell off.

I have more mixed feelings about Ryder : he pursues his teacher despite the risks and the terrible consequences that their choices could have. It sounds really selfish, and for a time I thought like that. But when you get to know him you know he isn’t doing all of this out of selfishness, but out of care. He knows what he and Ash share is something worth it. Ash feels it too, but his heart and brain battle really hard inside of him. Reason vs affection.

I love the evolution and development of their relationship : we get to know them, and grow attached to them. Their week together was beautiful and sexy, I really think those moments were my favorites because, it is not only about sex, their connection is getting deeper and it is then that we clearly see it. I won’t say more to not spoil anyone but you’re gonna swoon trust me !

Eighteen is both young and old : we are expected to vote and make choices as adults, but still treated as children sometimes, that’s part of why the age-gap did not shock me. Moreover, Ash is thirty six and Ryder is 18, but he is an old soul and so mature. Life taught him so much, and his family history really explains how he got so mature as such a young age.

I have a just two tiny misgivings : first the synopsis is quite misleading about Ryder’s and Sam’s (Ash’s son) friendship. They meet halfway through the book and are more of acquaintance than friends, even though Sam’s pretty cool and invites Ryder to his pool party after meeting him minutes ago.

The second thing that made me feel left out is the epilogue, set out 6 years later, without any transition, or glimpse of Ash and Ryder’s life together : I think it would have been worth it to have some snapshot of them as time passes, not necessarily long ones, but key moments in their relationship. But that’s the romantic out of me talking, and wanting more time with Ryder and Ash.

Secret & Lies has a strong storytelling, and great characters : for me it is a solid 4,5/5. I can’t wait to see what Ella and Brooke have plan for us, but is will sure as hell be funny, sexy and sweet : my favorite kind of story, by the queens of romance.