S.E.C.R.E.T by L. Marie Adeline

One of the best books I've read in a long time, especially in the erotic genre. The trend has grown alarming lately. When did women getting hog-tied and abused become sexy? Seriously? The BDSM craze has been going way too far. But this...this is what sex should be about. About all the steps addressed in this book, by this heroine. It should be about empowering women, not belittling or objectifying them.


Surrender. Admit you could use a hand. (Pun intended.) Courage. (Have the courage to try things.) Trust. Confidence (this is the big one, in my opinion.) Bravery. Fearlessness. Generosity. (Sex is a two-way street and with someone you are comfortable with, giving should not feel nasty.)

Each word involves a lesson and something one must find within themselves and each lesson comes by way of a sexual fantasy.

Cassie is a young widow, but she's been a wallflower most of her life. She is lonely and lives a routine, but as she watches people come and go in the cafe, she starts to feel she could have more. But she doesn't have the courage to obtain it...nor the confidence...not until a secret organization of women come to her aid.

With each sexual fantasy they make happen for her, she discovers a different part of herself, that she does have the capability to live life to its fullest. What was done here was amazing. Never once do the men use her, not does it ever feel like she's using them. This was so well done, it blew my mind.

And the fantasies...there isn't even any intercourse here until the fifth one, so if you're looking for kink, this is not it. My personal favorite was the blindfold and the fruit. That was so sexy!! But they aren't about sex, despite the sexiness of them. They are about discovering yourself, growing comfortable with your body, your sexuality, feeling confident and brave enough to get what you want.

9 fantasies. 9 charms, and at the end of it, Cassie has to make a choice: choose a man to fulfill her rest of her life fantasy with or stay with S.E.C.R.E.T. What will she do? Outside forces may come into play and that's all I shall say about that. But I was on the edge of my seat...literally...as I waited to see what the next fantasy would be. I was engrossed, from the billionaire in the limo to the ski instructor to the yacht, I was just WOWED. Now, I fear my own life looks dismal in comparison. I wish there was a S.E.C.R.E.T group here in Utah.

This book was mind-blowing with a very strong message. 5 bikes. I received this from Netgalley.