Book Review: S.E.C.R.E.T by L. Marie Adeline

 About the Book

Title: S.E.C.R.E.T

Author: L. Marie Adeline

Published: 2013

Genre: Erotic, Contemporary

Amazon: Check it out!

Personal Rating: Thigh Quivering ✮✮✮✮

Discovery

We start off with our protagonist, a young widow Cassie Robichaud, who begins by describing her life for the last 5 or so years. Her ex-husband died a few years eariler but described him as a abusive alcoholic. Cassie dives deep into her lull and sad life full of loneliness and regret to the point where she has given up all hopes of ever finding the one for her.  

During a shift at Cafe Rose where she works as a waitress, she finds a notebook a customer leaves behind and with her increasing curiosity leads her to read it and finds herself shocked and titillated by its erotic contents. When the author comes back to retrieve her journal, Cassie learns that this woman is part of a secret society called S.E.C.R.E.T. A club for women run by women who explore their sexually in a safe and controlled environment. Cassie is invited to join the club and soon sets off on her own personal journey of self fulfillment and empowerment through a series of fantasies.

Charm

Most erotic novels that I read that I find the most interesting and enjoyable is purely based on the descriptiveness and immersiveness of the erotic scenes depicted in the novel. I enjoyed the premise of this secret society found in New Orleans that focuses solely on facilitating these fantasies to the prescribed women's desire. The S.E.C.R.E.T society focuses on the exploration of your own sexuality that is responsible for empowering you and thus improving all the different aspects of your life. The S.E.C.R.E.T society follows a gradual step system that includes:

Step One: Surrender

Step Two: Courage

Step Three: Trust

Step Four: Generosity

Step Five: Fearlessness

Step Six: Confidence

Step Seven: Curiosity

Step Eight: Bravery

Step Nine: Exuberance

Step Ten: The Choice

Each step represented a seperate fantasy that unlocks a new experience for Cassie in a way that conveniently brings out each emotion completey. After each step, Cassie is awarded a charm on a beautiful 18 carat gold bracelet that is mentioned countless times throughout the novel. These women described in the novel seemed to be women from all walks of life, all ages and many different nationalities. Creating a society that came together to support Cassie without any judgment or her past, her wildest fantasies or desires was something truly special. Cassie dives in head first without hesitation but also with a necessary amount of caution to unlock her most wildest dreams, both emotionally and sexually.

Disfavour

To be the most critical about this novel, I was never fully convinced whilst reading. A small

 part of me felt a tad bit disconnected with Cassie and wasn't able to fully immerse myself. At times I wasn't able to connect with Cassie as she never really seemed comfortable with the whole journey and questioning herself time and time again. In reality, the premise that sexual fulfillment from the 9 different fantasies awakens your whole mind, body and soul is pretty far-fetched and ultimately the author never fully convinces me that Cassie is truly happy. I am present through her sexual awakenings and coming out of her shell but outside the S.E.C.R.E.T. society there isn't really a change in her personality as a whole. She still seems so self contained and allows characters like Tracina and Will to be rude and dismissive of her without her even realising it. People see her change and become a strong and confident person but I honestly don't think she is fully convinced herself.

Sentiment

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel for the etoric fantasies, constant back and forth with Will and constant self doubt that I know a lot of people battle with everyday. This is my second time reading this novel and like the first time, I could sit down and read it again as the descriptive writing and love scenes can get pretty steamy. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading about someones transformation and enjoys the torment of sexual frustration.

- L x