I didn’t plan for him to come into my life. He came without warning. Without permission.I didn’t want him there, and a small part of me loathed his very existence.But then something changed.Overnight, he became everything to me.I loved him. I cherished him. He was mine. But they took him from me. They tore him from my life with such cruelty, my heart wept.My soul cried.For years I went without … cried.
For years I went without him.
Until… He was back. And everything had changed. Our bond was deeper. Our needs greater. He was my addiction.
But it was dangerous. Too dangerous to hold on to. Too dangerous to keep. Loving him like this wasn’t safe.
Loving him… was wrong.
This book contains content of a taboo nature. Please heed warning
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It’s no surprise that Nicky James is a favorite author of mine! I gobble up all her books as soon as they come out and this one was no exception! Secrets & Lies is a tale of loss, tragedy, and forbidden love. Her characters always feel so real. So breakable and vulnerable. You can’t help but root for their happiness, even if society doesn’t agree they should have a happily ever after. This book sucked me in, stole pieces of my heart, and stamped itself on my soul. I loved it!! Highly recommend if you’re brave and love taboo reads! The writing is fantastic! Five FABULOUSLY FORBIDDEN Stars!
LAWD..when your fav TABOO/dark author *cough cough* K. Webster suggest a book..you drop everything and jump on that shit lol
Oh Hell…WAS I IN FOR A SURPRISE!!! A SHOCK…A WHOLE LOTTA TABOO…Goodnessss
Talk about looking over my shoulder making sure nobody was peeking at my read..lol
Read at your own Risk….read the Disclaimer at the beginning of the book and if you proceed…you will not be able to stop…you will have to keep reading to find out what the Hell happens!!
Love your writing Nicky James… Your bad ass!!!
Wonderful characters, insane chemistry. A quicker read than I thought it would be but I enjoyed the journey. Nicky James has become one of my must-read authors.
She handles taboo subjects deftly, making the stories about more than just the taboo. Her characters have depth and while the sex is hot, she doesn’t typically just throw in a sex scene to have one; they all advance the plot.
If you’re easily offended, read the warnings carefully and skip this book. She’s got plenty of others that are 5-star reads.
Oi, I don’t know even know what to say…
Talk about taboo, Secrets & Lies was probably as taboo as it comes. No exceptions, no excuses this was the story Nicky James was going to tell and she did. She didn’t find loopholes to explain away the relationship or justify why it was okay it was just a pure story of love even when no one could understand it. Wanting someone you shouldn’t want always has a certain level of excitement but for me Creed & Ryker’s story was so much more than that. It was heartbreaking a good portion of the story because we got to see the road that led them to one another.
That is all I really have. When I decided to read this book, I didn’t read any reviews I just read the blurb that Nicky wrote and dived right in. Be cautious of the trigger warnings people because the subject matter in this book will be uncomfortable to some. If there is one thing that bothers the hell out of me is when someone willingly reads a book about a subject, they know they hate and then give it a bad review. It isn’t fair to the author, at all.
For me, this was an incredible love story about two people who had no right to be together but made it work despite the consequences. *ITS FICTION PEOPLE! *
I have no words… This was my second book that I’ve read from this author and I think I’m in love. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so engrossed in a book as this one (and her other book – End Scene). I finished this in ONE DAY. I just couldn’t stop reading.
I was so happy for the multiple POVs and I fell in love with both characters. My heart broke for Rhyker when his son was taken away from him and he couldn’t find him no matter how hard he tried. I was so mad at Creed’s mom and grandparents for their closed-mindedness and straight up neglect in ignoring Creed’s issues and trying to get him the help he had previously before they took him away. My heart broke for adult Creed who felt he had nobody that cared about him. I mean… if Creed’s family didn’t do all they did, would this situation really be happening? Hard to say…
It was weird every time Creed called Rhyker “Dad” but it didn’t really take away anything for me. It just kept reminding me how taboo the whole thing should be but I couldn’t find it in myself to care. I was rooting for them. My heart was happy in the end.
I seriously hope this author writes more taboo books because I’d definitely read them ALL.
Well this was my first Nicky James, and I was not disappointed in the least. This is my second father/son taboo book that I have read, and Nicky did it right. I felt for them, as they were unaware when it started, and they just felt so much. So, to me everything worked. Yes, it is taboo, yes it tough for some to swallow, but it just worked for me.
In the beginning when it is about the pregnancy and Rhyker growing up while also raising his son and all the trials he went through. I just adored him and felt so strongly for him. He absolutely adored Creed and would/did do anything for him and everything for him. He always put Creed first. When they took Creed away from him and it was all due to homophobia, I raged!! It was awful. Then Rhyker still did not give up, and it was absolutely heartbreaking. Then after he went through everything to see him again only to find out that he has been taken away from him even more. Then for 3 years he searched and searched and nothing. I was in a state, as was Rhyker.
Before I won a free copy of this story I had not heard about this author. I can only say WOW. I don’t really know where to start. I read/listen to a lot of books…..I mean lots but this one grabbed me more than any I’ve read in awhile. The emotion runs all the way through this story. It is heartbreaking on so many levels. This is supposed to be a taboo father/son story but I’m not sure I feel there is too much taboo about this relationship. Rhyker at sixteen really had no plans on being a dad. He didn’t even like Madison or girls for that matter. Madison, on the other hand, never becomes a “mom”. Their son Creed spends a good share of his growing up years abused. The characters are so well developed. The story flow is consistent. The ending is fantastic. Now I will be following this author and hope for more great stories from her.
It’s not often that I’m glued to my seat while reading, but this book definitely had me hooked. I finished it all in one sitting with no regrets!
A brief warning: this book deals with very taboo content. *To clarify, there is NO underage sexual content in this book! Both characters are over 18, consenting adults.* If you are vehemently opposed to this type of romance, skip it. But if you’re on the fence and have liked other types of taboo reads, I would recommend you give it a try.
**SPOILERS BELOW**
I’ve read some stepbrother romance and twincest books before, but never been into the father/son dynamic. I always thought it would be too weird for me. Nicky James proved me wrong with this read. What I found interesting is that the father/son relationship isn’t glossed over at all–we’re shown scenes of Rhyker behaving as a normal father to Creed when he’s young. And yet I still found their romance later in life very believable. Rhyker and Creed struggle with their feelings at first, but when they do come together… *fans face* it’s very very steamy. I don’t want to spoil all the plot points of this book so you’ll have to read it yourself to find out the rest!
A beautiful heartbreaking story
I fell in love with Rhyker and Creed: life has been so unfair to them, and they want so much to be loved that I can’t blame their needs for each other.
Wow! The ending blew me away, I didn’t expect that! This is a heart wrenching read on a taboo subject! It makes you think and if wonderfully written!
The first truly taboo book that I’ve been interested in reading. Done with great sensitivity.
Wooow! This books rocked. It’s not going to be for everyone but I love all the tabooness that this book featured and devoured it. Creed and Rhyker were truly amazing. They had that connection and no matter how wrong it might be, it was beautiful. I really liked who Toby was. He was a great support for Creed and that guy needed it. I would love to see him get a book. I won’t spoil but I loved this book. I wish some scene were more drawn out and that we had gotten a longer epilogue, or maybe a 2nd one but it was still an awesome book. 4 stars #2OCCJD
Whoa baby. Just whoa! This book. I don’t even know where to start there were so many layers and depth to the emotion that my head is still spinning. This book is all kinds of taboo. It blurs the line between right and wrong and had my heart aching for the characters to find their happily ever after. I wasn’t sure what to expect and I am blown away by how thought provoking the subject matter was. I will definitely always remember this book and recommend it to every one!
New-to-me-author.
Please read the warning. I guess when K. Webster says a book is taboo, she ain’t joking.
This book will wreck your morals, smash your voice of reason, and completely devour you. I picked this book up from a single recommendation, didn’t read the blurb, nothing. I had no idea what I was getting myself involved with. WOAH, DUDE! Seriously, I’m not sure how to write or even describe this story. I’m so conflicted. I love the dark, the delusional, the wrong. With that being said, this one isn’t dark, but twisted is an understatement. I think I’ve only ever read one other book about this topic and I questioned myself then, too. This novel can’t go into a box, it’s too much to be kept in any particular shape.
The writing was addictive and subtle in a striking way. I didn’t want any of this to happen, yet I couldn’t look away if you tried to make me. I was reading with rapt attention, looking around to make sure no one was watching me, like I was committing a felony. I’m not sure who I’d recommend this book to, maybe my most open-minded book friends. The twisted of the most twisted. This author tackled taboo unlike anything I’ve ever read. It was real, raw, unforgiving, decimating, and completely and utterly consuming. You won’t want it to be wrong. This story is going to stick with me for a long time.
READ THE WARNING!
I’m definitely checking out this author’s other books.
This book! Wow! I do enjoy taboo books from time to time for something different. I honestly didn’t know how the author was going to pull this one off without it feeling creepy. But how this story was presented was pure genius. It is a fantastic book full of angst, love, and lust. And I have to say, this author knows how to write those steamy scenes This definitely is one of my top reads for the year. Just be sure to go into it with an open mind.
One of the most gripping stories I’ve read this year, very high on angst, passion and most importantly… Love. The guilt and emotional turmoil the characters go through is not for the faint of heart, but it does make for a very satisfying happy-ever-after in the end. I loved the epilogue, giving us such a wonderful glimpse of their HEA.
The intensity with which Rhyker and Creed are drawn to each other is like nothing I’ve read before. Their struggle against their feelings and desires is real and almost as consuming as their love for each other. I also liked how the story was built up, allowing the reader to get to know Rhyker especially and see him grow from a bit of a sullen teenager to a committed, hardworking parent.
All in all, definitely a thought-provoking, amazing read. Recommend.
Secrets & Lies is another great book by Nicky James. This book isn’t for everyone, so heed the warnings.
Secrets & Lies is about an unforbidden love between Rhyker and Creed. Their love for each other transcends all right and wrong!
It’s beautifully written with enough angst to keep you on the edge of your seat.
As with most of Mrs. James books, there is a mental health element as she does her best to educate her readers on this illness.
Well done on another fantastic book.
This book will not be for everyone, but if you’re inclined to read “a touch of taboo”, then I highly recommend Secrets & Lies.
This was a great, poignant, naughty, fantastic, sweet, amazing, intense, gripping, smoking hot, and totally awesome tale that pulled me in from the very first page. The author has skillfully taken a prohibited taboo, and turned it into a beautiful, loving, and delightfully delicious story. I would DEFINITELY recommend getting this marvelous gem immediately!
This book was so beautiful and touching. I love Nicky James. She’s one of those authors who can make you feel everything. This book was no exception. I had tears in my eyes many times while I was reading. There are so many emotions packed into this book.
The love story between these two characters was so powerful. It wasn’t perfect. It was full of angst, heartbreak, and love. So much love.
Nicky James can write anything she sets her mind to. She’s proved that over and over again and this book is just one of the many examples of how talented she is at writing love stories.