Is it possible to keep a life-changing secret from your family and friends when it is burning you alive from the inside out?
One week.
It didn’t seem possible that a person could change in one week yet after only seven days spent with the mysterious Frenchman in Los Cabos, Mexico, Giselle was moving to New York City a changed woman. Confident, sexy and in charge, Elle is ready to take on the … ready to take on the challenges she knows await her when she reunites with her family and begins her career as an artist in earnest. If she is a little heartbroken at the prospect of never seeing the cool and dominating Sinclair again, she’s braced for it.
That is, until Sinclair shows up in her mother’s kitchen and Giselle discovers just who his ‘darling’ girlfriend really is.
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‘The Secret” by Giana Darling is book two in “The Evolution of Sin” Trilogy. This book continues the story of Giselle “Elle” and Sinclair “Daniel” after they both have returned from Mexico. This book picks up where the first book ” The Affair” ended. So I think to get the full enjoyment of this series it would be better to read the first book too. With that said, I will say that Ms. Darling writes so well that you can make this a standalone book. I was so happy to get this book and catch up with Elle and Sinclair!
Elle has arrived back home from being away from her family for a few years. At her mother’s the family is all there to welcome her back home. Elle has mixed feelings about being back because of why she left home and what all happened in Mexico with Sinclair. Elena is her older sister and they have had strained relationship for several years. But Elle is trying to move forward with her life and put things back together with her family and that included Elena. When Elena ‘boyfriend’ arrives we find a shocked Sinclair and Elle when they discover who the other one is. Elle can’t believe that Sinclair is Elena live in boyfriend who Elena has been with for years. ‘The Secret’ is now started when they both agree to keep it between themselves that they had met in Mexico and had ‘The Affair’. Can they keep “The Secret” or will their feelings for each other come forward?
All I have to say about this book is WOW! I was totally not expecting this book. Holy Hell! It was captivating and intense, and I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to finish book three of this series!
The secret is not so secret.
When this book started you know what’s up. You have an inkling of what’s going to happen, and all you can do is wait with bated breath.
Do i condone the actions of the characters? Absolutely not. But it’s the mark of a good writer to be able to make you love characters who commit questionable things. And you still root for them to find their happily ever after.
Amazing story that keeps getting better and better! I did guess the secret but that did NOT stop me from enjoying this book! Need to read book 3 PRONTO!
There’s so much in this part of the trilogy that I CANNOT TELL YOU!
I will say I was a bit suspicious regarding some of the things I learned, but I didn’t see the story heading in this direction.
If you read my previous review, you know how I feel about cheating, but man did this story get complicated and intense. When they each return home, thinking the week is behind them, they also realize they are each forever changed. Finding each other sparked something within them that couldn’t be undone. Elle returns to NYC and her family, finally being all in one place, and Sinclair returns to … NYC.
Yep, you read that right. Elle and Sinclair are BOTH IN NYC! That shouldn’t mean anything, right? The city is full, FULL of people, so they probably won’t run into each other. I mean, and Elle will definitely never find out who his ‘darling’ girlfriend is, right?
I was in over my head with this one. As much as I despise cheating, I was in a constant argument with myself about who I was rooting for. There were so many feelings involved, not only between Sinclair and Elle, but also now between the others around them.
This trilogy quickly took control of me, and no matter my qualms against cheating, I found myself moving past them and becoming invested in the lives of these characters.
Giana Darling has me spellbound for this couple in The Secret! After a sex charged week on vacation in Mexico, Giselle and Sinclair decided to go their own ways. Giselle is ready to start her new life in New York. Part 2 will have you reeling with angst, throwing your book and then scrambling after it to read more. The feels are intense and demanding…and ohhh so good!! Be prepared for one hell of a ride!! Incredible!!!
Usually I’m not here for cheating but I couldn’t help but root for Sinclair and Giselle in book two. The angst was taken up a whole lot of levels. This story pulled me in from the beginning and had some twists and turns that took me by surprise. The forbidden times were also so hot! This cannot be read as a stand-alone so I advise you to read book 1 then 2 to get the full story.
Wow wow wow. I’m going to start by giving The Secret 5 stars right away. Giana has managed to write infidelity in a beautifully touching way. The love between Sinclair and his siren is all encompassing and although they both know that what they are doing is wrong and hurtful, their attempts at resisting the pull are futile. The story is heartbreaking for everyone involved and I have a feeling the surprises are just starting. So many feelings with this one. You must read book one first to truly understand the plotline. I’m anxious to see where our characters will go from here! Brava for The Secret.
So good! Delicious, yummy, steamy not even just the sex, the drama! This family gives all new meaning to dysfunction and I love it! A taboo treat for sure.
Book Hangover! The Secret is the next installment after the Holiday Affair. Honestly, the book was a total coaster ride. GIANA had written the story with some serious topic. The layer of secrets was unexpected and I was struggling with the guilt. DANIEL SINCLAIR was the man
The Secret was a passionate, stick to the rib feelings and emotional.. It was personal and my heart cant survive this kind love.. I didnt want it to end..0
What a great second book for this couple. Well they aren’t exactly a couple. upon returning home to her parents house Elle comes face to face with Sinclair again. But it’s not just him she has to see it’s also his fiancé. Knowing now who she is creates drama and tensions through the roof. Not knowing how to deal with their feelings and then dealing with the outcome of their decisions will affect more than just them. Are they willing to take the plunge. This was wonderfully written and had me turning the page in one sitting until I reached the end. Bravo Giana Darling.
The Secret is book two in the Evolution of Sin Trilogy. It starts where book one ended and with Giselle returning home. I loved her. I am still not sure about Sinclair. There were alot of secrets in this and lots of sexual tension. I love Cosima, Sebastian and Cage. Looking forward to reading the final book.
Well, well this just keeps getting better with each book. I need to know what happens now.
The Secret starts up almost where The Affair left off. Just like the first book, this story was filled with many emotions. It’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. Elle and Sinclair have gone their own ways, they didn’t think they’d see each other again but they were wrong. A shocking moment happens when they come in contact with each other again.
They try to do the right thing but their connection is so strong, it’s hard.
This was a great continue to this story. I really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to reading more of this series.
Thank you, Giana Darling. Great work 🙂
There are so many secrets being held her…not only by our main characters….enough to intrigue the heck out of you. This series is absolutely killing me in the very best of ways. Finding out who “Darling” was is the least of the problems both Sin and Elle must face on the road to the present and future. There is so much that could be said but it would definitely fall into spoiler territory. Just know that I can’t wait to read the conclusion of their story!
Oh my gosh! This book has had me holding my breath all day. I felt every emotion of the characters. The relationships of Elle’s family, Sinclair’s buttoned up emotions all of it made my heart hurt. I want so much to like Elena but every word out of her mouth makes me want to slap her… but I also want her to be happy. Like I said… I feel like I have a split personality.
I would recommend this author, anything she has written is good. Layered in a way you don’t find often!
There’s a line in silver linings playbook. It’s basically life will break you six ways to Sunday. This book broke me.
I love these 2 main characters so much. I don’t like the girlfriend much.
It’s hard to write a review on a book like this and not give spoilers
Just go read it. You’ll love it!
I felt for Sinclair and Giselle’s struggles throughout this book. It is a great angsty read! And for the record I don’t like Elena much at all!
Loved IT!!! I think I knew what was gonna happen before it happened! Loved how this was written. These two were soul mates and they didn’t even know it!!!
I was so excited to start reading this book that I got a bit disappointed due to my high expectations, though I still liked it a lot.
I don’t want to give too much away but I didn’t like a few things that Sinclair did and that bothered me all throughout the story.
The characters were so believable and real but I hated Elena. I don’t know why she disliked her sister so much though I believe that she envied her but still that’s no reason to be such a bitch towards her younger sister Giselle.
The writing was so great that I could really feel the attraction between Sinclair and Giselle. It was hot even when they just looked at each other. There was so much tension.
The Story:
Elle just came back from Mexico where she had an amazing affair with a great guy she’s sure to never see again since she doesn’t know anything of him and left him without goodbye.
As shocked was Elle when Sinclair was suddenly standing in her mum’s kitchen in New York City.
Elle hadn’t seen her family in a couple of years and when she finds out who Sinclair’s darling girlfriend was, her family reunion is overshadowed.
How can she deal with Sinclair being so close and not allowed to touch him? How will this unfold? Will their affair be discovered? How will Sinclair react to this situation?
Thoughts:
I liked that Sin did not just drop everything at once to be with Elle but I still didn’t understand that he stayed with Elena when he obviously wasn’t happy with her anymore.
I absolutely loved Cage and I am so curious about Cosima and her mysterious guy. Also Sebastian deserves happiness, I felt bad for his situation.
I have this feeling that there will be some turn of events and bad stuff coming along in the third book and I can’t wait to read it!
The ideas of Elle’s paintings and her show are so great. I wish it was real so I can go and see it.
The tension between Elle and Sin was reachable and it is no wonder that some people picked up on it.
I liked the characters but I don’t understand why every guy (Cage, Santiago,..) was instantly enamored and pulled into Elle’s charm. Even though I liked that she wasn’t consciously charming anyone it felt just too much that every guy wanted her.