Born and raised in West Palm Beach, it’s time for Kate to move to Miami, spread her wings, and have the time of her life. Wings are easily broken. Deception masks itself as love while it slowly consumes every inch of her world. Lies spin into a web, trapping her in a nightmare she believes to be a fairy tale. Fairy tales only live in fables. Soon, her body will be painted in a truth she can’t … be painted in a truth she can’t deny but is too scared to face, so she runs.
A person can only run so far.
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Brilliant! E.K. is better than ever in The Secrets We Held. This book will own you.
Where to start with this one!!! First of all I need the second book now!!!! I really enjoyed this book so much! I was hooked from the very beginning. I didn’t want to put it down! The book does jump around a lot with the time line. For me in some ways the story did seemed a bit rushed! I also think if I read the crave duet first I may not feel that way. I will read that and see if that changes my opinion. That would be the only thing that doesn’t make this a five star read for me. I will definitely be recommending this book!!
received an arc for an honest review
E.K. didn’t just write an emotionally-charged page turner that owned me from the moment I started reading, she created a story I will never, ever be able to forget.
E.K. Blair has done it again.
Have you ever done something and immediately regretted it? You wrote it off as a earning curve, an accident, or it would never happen again. Everything is fine. But then it happens again…like a gambler you put your money on a horse and it didn’t win. Its not your fault. No, you shouldn’t have bet you entire weeks pay but the horse is to blame. You rationalize and work it so its not your fault. You believe the lie.
E.K. Blair shows you the truth and hands you the lies. You make the choice. You are responsible. If only your choice could change anything/everything.
The Secrets We Held is a deeply personal experience for me. I have never been in this situation but someone close to me has. It took me 36 years to understand the hows and whys. I judged. I said I’d never be in this position. I never appreciated the strength it took. E.K. Blir reminds me that though most will see it as weakness; it takes a strong person to survive.
I ache with the need to hug Kate. I am desperate for Truths. I need closure. Like stitches on a gaping wound, I need hope that everything will be better.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
4.5 stars
A very emotional and exciting story. It drew me in immediately and held me tight all the way through. It deal with some heavy and very real issues that were hard to read but not in a bad way. I wasn’t really expecting that ending and now I need book 2!!
She’s back, she’s angsty, she made me cry, she’s E.K. Blair. Okay, cheesiness aside, I am so excited we have something new from E.K. Blair and that it is as stunning as, well, everything she’s ever published. The Secrets We Held, just part one of the Secret and Truths Duet, is a long, emotionally-fraught novel that had me laughing, crying, and falling in love. It is classic E.K. Blair and I am one happy one-click fan. I know, you’re over here wondering if emotionally-fraught is a good thing, but I promise it is. There is no other author out there, I’m serious, that can cover such difficult topics, taking their characters to the absolute lowest depths, and come out with such a beautiful story of independence, growth, life lessons, and love. They’re realistic, so if you’re feeling emotional while reading it’s a good thing. I’m not looking for rainbows and butterflies, I’m looking for a story I relate to and E.K. Blair once again gives us that with The Secrets We Held.
Binge-worthy, new adult aged, and a complete roller coaster, The Secrets We Held follows Kate as she experiences her first real relationship, finds friendship in college classmates, and discovers the strength of herself, her family, and her friendships. Kate is your typical middle-class surfer girl from Florida; she thrives in the water, has closer friendships with the males in her life, and has absolutely no interest in the sorority world her best friend is thriving in at college. She wants to be in the water, she wants to be hanging with her friends, and she wants her inconvenient crush on Trent to go away. Trent is all surfing, college, party time, he has enough serious in his life and isn’t looking for more than fun. He has an inconvenient crush on Kate too, but more than that he cares about her like a true friend. When Kate starts dating a newbie surfer with affluent connections in Chicago things should be all rosy, but Caleb gives off some seriously bad vibes to her friends and when the truth comes out her friends will have to help Kate even when she won’t admit she needs it.
“But nothing is okay. Everything is all wrong.”
Not a typical love triangle, The Secrets We Held sees the college-aged characters as they go through family drama, classes, dating, and facing the secrets they hold inside. It’s a book about bringing the walls down, learning to trust, and climbing out of the dark even when it seems so impossible. I admit it took me time to connect with Kate and Trent, their alternating perspectives are very different, but ultimately that worked for me. Their voices were distinct, their impression of the same events are unique, and the friendship that’s so back and forth ends up being vitally important in the end. I can’t expand a lot further on the plot, there are a couple difficult topics covered, but I think E.K. Blair did a fantastic job. It’s detailed, that may be hard for some readers, but the way the characters tackle, grow, and overcome is just incredible. I ended this book feeling so good about the characters, really desperate for the next novel, and yes, like E.K. Blair is back with a total winner.
E.K Blair is a master when it comes to creating unique telling stories and one of a kind characters. She makes you a part of their world and you can’t help but to feel something for her characters even if they bring out a side in you that you hardly recognize.
The Secrets We Held is a complicated love tringle that is guaranteed to have you going through all of the emotions. I knew what this book was going to be about before I’m started it and I was more than okay with that because this author has always managed to find a way to give me all of the feels when I’m reading her books so I was really looking forward to experiencing that again. Unfortunately I don’t think that this story itself, is for me. I really liked the beginning and I found myself getting excited to read the future chapters but then something happened and that excitement I once had? Dwindled faster than a ice cream sale on a hot summer day.
This story is about three characters that have managed to fall in love and ultimately that has created a very messy situation which will soon lead to not only heartbreak, but a dangerous chain reaction. It was raw at times, frustrating, and filled with hidden secrets that will not only change the dynamic of their lives, but everyone around them.
I think the main issue that I had with this story aside from me being utterly frustrated with some of these characters decisions was the lack of connection that I felt between the characters. The chemistry wasn’t there for me and as much as I tried to feel it, I was not able to grasp it and that did hinder my enjoyment for the rest of the story. If you’re a fan of this author and you enjoy love triangles, you might want to give this one a try. What didn’t work for me, could become one of your favorite reads.
Can I just say WOW?!? This book absolutely moved me to tears and made me an emotional wreck. This author is amazing with taking a touch subject and helping you see it in a very tasteful light. I was absolutely moved by devotion and love for Trent and Kate.
This story is definitely one that hits you deep and engages you deeply in the story. The characters are so real and could be your next door neighbor. The connection and intimacy of this story was absolutely breathtaking.
Kate has had an easy, carefree life. She meets people that create great issues between her friends and family. It is a story that will have you sitting down and not doing anything but reading this story. Her friends are so devoted to her and it takes one big, awful moment for her to see how bad it has gotten. This story is not for the faint of heart and ends on a cliffhanger, but it is worth it.
Arc provided in return for an honest review
Gosh this book was just full of raw emotion
This is going to sound bizarre because I read the first few chapters and kept thinking this girl reminds me of someone but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Then it hit me, it was me!! It was very surreal to be honest. I can’t really go in to why because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone and I never went through exactly what she did. I will just tell you I was with my ex husband for 17 years and he was a narcissist and leave it at that.
I loved the characters in this book aside from one guy but you will all work that out for yourself. Kate you are one strong lady and trent you are one astute guy
I helped share this book and I still was not expecting what I read and to be honest I think it was probably better this way. I seriously was gasping out loud!! I felt so much anger and sadness and pity and love and angst and just a huge rollercoaster of emotions.
I now can not wait to read book 2 and see what happens.
I love a duet and so far this is a winner.
I will not lie, this book was a hard one to read (along with the second book in this duet – The Truths We Told). First off, this deals with the female heroin, Kate, and her abuse that she suffers at the hands of her boyfriend, Caleb. If that is something you can read without triggers, then read this duet.
Kate has a crush on Trent (whom you love and hate throughout this duet). But Trent is one-night stand kind of guy and Kate wants nothing to do with that. So, that leads her into a relationship with Caleb. It was not the relationship that she dreamed of at all.
I did find reading this book a bit hard. Abuse has never happened to me personally, but it is something where I have had to deal with the aftermath because of my grandfather beating my grandmother for 37 years. It makes my stomach churn. But I got through it and the storyline within this entire duet was fantastic! I love E.K. Blair, and she always leaves things on a HEA even though you have to go through this emotional and sometimes uncomfortable subjects.
This was a book that I needed in my life given that I am such an E.K. Blair fan! She did not disappoint!! I forgot how much I love her work. Every book that she writes, you are emersed into a world that she creates and you live that for the duration of her writing. I ALWAYS have a book hangover when I read her books. This one was exactly it. It has been a few days now, and I can’t seem to find something that is capturing me as this duet did.
Congratulations E.K. Blair on another amazing duet!!
~ Review by Heidi Pharo
Utterly poignant! I’m so reflective of what this book is about. It captured my attention more and more as it progressed. I found myself somewhat relating to and feeling for Kate.
This is a story that delves into what many women go through when giving love so freely and unconditionally despite their best interest. I am certainly not one to make judgements on the storyline it is compelling and sad. It is relevant and important to understand what many young women go through in some relationships.
I look forward to book 2 and can only hope Kate rises to triumph!
A telling of the darker side to love this book is part of the new duet by E.K. Blair. My first read but not my last. This book tells a story that I couldn’t put down. Emotional and raw this story was told very well and without unnecessary filler. I’m ready to add E.K. Blair to go to author list.
Heartbreaking, emotional, and so well written. Get ready for all the feels.
E.K. Blair explores a difficult subject matter with grace and realism. Every woman should read this book!
E.k. Blair is back!!! And she doesn’t hold anything back with this powerful story. The message is so very important. We’ve met many of the characters already from the Crave Duet. Kate, Trent, Micah & Brody. I liked them all in Crave and feel a deeper connection to them through The Secrets We Held. Kate is trying to navigate her first year of college, classes, friends, and maybe romance. She recognizes that she has developed a crush on Trent, but Trent is keeping a wall around his heart to keep any more heartbreak from happening and quickly adds Kate to the friend zone. He does hint around to playing to keep in line with his Player status, but Kate wants a commitment and a real relationship so she passes and they develop a friendship instead.
And then comes the new guy, Caleb. He’s a senior who seems to have it all. Caleb is sweet, considerate, patient, comes from an affluent family but does not want that to define him. Kate & Caleb naturally develop a deep relationship. As perfect as things are between them, Kate can’t ignore some nagging feelings she is having. This book is about love and losing yourself in a relationship. This story pushes you to think about things that affect relationships. It evokes a lot of emotions, fear, anger, sadness, hope. The cliffhanger at the end is a big one and I’m so excited to find out what happens knowing that The Truths We Told will be amazing!!!
Wow!!! I had no idea that E.K. Blair would take me through a heartbreaking journey!! Such a sensitive topic!! Had me on edge and turning the pages! Intriguing!!
This is my first time reading anything from this author, and I was not disappointed, this book was well written, and kept me engaged until the end. I will definitely be reading more of this authors books.
This is the first book in the Secrets and Truths Duet, and the story of Kate. Kate is a young women, who finds herself starting college, making new friends, and looking to the future. But when her life takes a turn for the worse, can she tell herself the truth. This was an emotional read, raw, gripping, and intense.
Omg!! *Frantically biting nails* I need book two!!
Ek has brought out a whole new level of emotion in this one!!! So shockingly common and real that can happen to anyone. I was hooked from page one, the characters speaking from the heart made me wanna get to know them more and more.
Kate is starting her first year of college along with her bff. She is so excited to start the rest of her life, so many plans!
Surfing, making friends and enjoying what she has worked so hard to get. She has no idea on who she is about to meet and how it will change all of this.
Trent, a sweet with tinge of bad boy outer core surfer walks in and along with Kate I have a hard time putting this story down.
We get to know them and their lives, it’s been a little while since I’ve connected with characters like this.
Ek Blair is a favorite of mine and the feeling I get each time during and after reading each of her books is why I love reading! The continuation of Trent and Kate’s story can’t hit my kindle soon enough!!!
Wow, just wow. This is book 1 in the Secrets and Truths Duet and I swear I’m stunned with what I just read.
I went in blindly and as the story developed, I was swept into this story from beginning to end.
Intense and emotional, this story was full of brutally raw twists and unexpected surprises.
Thought provoking and insightful story of a group of young college friends living their best life until they make certain discoveries that made them realize things are not always what they appear.
A story of young love and self discovery with a classic jaw dropping #EKBLAIR style cliffhanger that left me hungry for more!
4.5 stars!
The Secrets We Held blew me away! Get ready for your heart to be in a vice. E.K. Blair was spot on and will leave you stunned. I can’t say more without giving something away. Trust me, this is one book you don’t want to miss, and will not soon forget!