I received this book for free from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Reawakened Secrets by Mari Denae Series: Reawakened,
on October 26th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Pages: 156
Format: eBook, Paperback
Source: Xpresso Book Tours
ISBN: 9780996506113
ASIN: B0170EUM5Q
Buy on: Amazon
Goodreads
Some secrets should never be kept…
Growing up in the servant’s quarters at Haven Hill, Claire Brown was a poor outcast living in a world of money and privilege. Her only solace was best friend, Alice Sinclair and secret desire, Jackson Montgomery. Rich and connected, they were perfect in every way and perfect for each other.
Still, Claire was foolish enough to fall in love with Jackson, and desperate enough to hide it. When Alice found out, there was a terrible accident that left her in a coma. Jackson disappeared, leaving New Haven without even saying good-bye.
Ten years later, Claire has managed to build a life without them. So when Jackson calls out of nowhere to say Alice is awake, Claire’s first thought is Thank God. Her second? I’m screwed. Lusting after Jackson destroyed her. It’s nothing compared to what she’s hiding now.
But nothing stays hidden forever.
Reawakened Secrets is part one of Jackson and Claire’s story.
Part 2, Reawakened Sins and Part 3, Reawakened Seduction will be released within a few months of each other.
Review
Reawakened Secrets is the first part in a three-part story. In this story, Claire Brown grew up living among the wealthy in an exclusive neighborhood. An outcast, Claire only had two friends. Alice Sinclair was the daughter of the family Claire’s mother worked for. Jackson Montgomery was the cute boy destined to marry Alice. Or so Claire thought. For years the three of them were inseparable, until Claire couldn’t deny her feelings for Jackson any longer. When Alice discovered the truth about Claire’s feelings for Jackson, she was in an accident that left her in a coma for 10 years. Now she’s awake, and we learn what happened through Claire as the story is told by Claire from the present, and as she reflects back on events from 10 years ago.
When I was reading the story it reminded me a bit of J. R. Ward’s The Bourbon Kings, in that a poor girl falls in love with the hot, rich guy that was off-limits to her. But that’s where the similarities end. For the most part. Claire has a secret that she’s been hiding from both Jackson and Alice, and now that they’ve both returned to New Haven, Claire is going to have to face her secrets coming to light. Honestly, the secret was something I guessed at the very beginning of the book, but I still enjoyed watching the events unfold. Claire, Alice, and Jackson have a touching relationship, but one that’s also complicated due to how both girls feel about him. Yet, I often felt as there was extra drama added unnecessarily. I guess I’ll see if that’s true when part two is released.
One aspect of the story I really enjoyed was how close the three friends were. They all seemed to genuinely care for one another, and it was nice how the women were able to have their own relationship independent of Jackson. However, what I didn’t like was Claire’s low self-esteem. She’s beautiful, a genius, and managed to build a great life for herself since high school, yet she feels unworthy next to Alice. Though Alice did seem to have it all, she never made Claire feel inferior. The entire book Alice and Jackson kept having to boost Claire’s self-esteem. It seems kind of weird that a woman who graduated school early, got near perfect SATs, and became a neurosurgeon has low self-worth. Especially considering the woman she’s comparing herself to just spent 10 years in a coma. Really?!?
Aside from that annoying tidbit, I did enjoy the other aspects of the story, and can’t wait to see what happens next with Claire and Jackson. I would recommend this story for someone looking for a fast read with a bit of mystery. But I must warn you that Reawakened Secrets ends on a cliffhanger.
| Rating Report | |
|---|---|
| Plot |  |
| Characters | |
| Writing | |
| Pacing | |
| Overall: | 3.8 |
Giveaway
Tour-wide giveaway (ends Nov 12th)
(10) hardcover copies of Reawakened Secrets (US/CAN)
(3) $20 Amazon gift cards (INTL)
Tour Schedule
October 26th
–Authors You Want to Read >> Excerpt
–Cosying Up With Books >> Interview
–Jackie’s Book World >> Excerpt
–Reviews from the Heart >> Review
October 27th
–The Other Side of the Shelf >> Review
–shyla wolff’s thoughts >> Guest post
–Southern Yankee Book Reviews >> Review
October 28th
–Girls With Books >> Excerpt
–Plain Talk BM >> Guest post
–Confessions of a YA and NA Book Addict >> Review
–Book About >> Interview
October 29th
–A British Bookworm’s Blog >> Excerpt
–23 Review Street >> Review
–Mikky’s World Of Books >> Excerpt
October 30th
–Collector of book boyfriends >> Excerpt
–mignon mykel : reviews >> Review
–Mythical Books >> Top 10 List
—
November 2nd
–Princessica of Books >> Guest post
–To all the books I’ve read before >> Review
–Paranormal Romance and Beyond >> Excerpt
November 3rd
–Liz Gavin’s Blog >> Top 10 List
–Kelly P’s Blog >> Excerpt
November 4th
–Got Nikki? >> Interview
–Evermore Books >> Excerpt
–Echoing Books >> Review
November 5th
–I Was Angelized_1st >> Review
–Crystal’s Chaotic Confessions >> Excerpt
–Live Laugh & Love Books >> Review
–She’s a Lip Biter >> Excerpt
November 6th
–Katie’s Stories >> Guest post
–Book Bitches Blog >> Review
–Two Ends of the Pen >> Interview
Hosted By:
About Mari Denae
My name is Mari Denae
I am a married mother of three and publishing my first novel is a dream come true. As the nerd that went to bed with a flash light to read the books I swiped from my mom’s room, I have always been an avid book lover. My favorites are hot, alpha male heroes (think Kristen Ashley), suspenseful, romantic thrillers (think Sandra Brown) and poignant, sweet love stories (think Abbi Glines or Colleen Hoover). My plan was always to be a writer of some sort, but somehow real life responsibilities got in the way. Now, I am an accountant with a night time writing obsession.
One Saturday afternoon, I took my girls to see the latest teenage movie. Four days later, I had read all four Twilight books. I was inspired by the innocent romance and ‘Edward Cullen’ (don’t judge). Once I found my way to Fifty Shades of Grey, I was a complete goner. All my spare time was spent reading, writing or blogging. After version one million, five hundred and fifty five of my series Reawakened , I’m finally ready to share it and hope that someone enjoys reading the story as much as I have enjoyed writing it. This one’s for my mother. I hope she’s looking down proud because I finally finished what I started.
Thanks for hosting today! This sounds like a really unique read! Glad you liked it! 🙂
It was pretty cool. Some parts were predictable, but it think that had to do with the genre, not the writing.
Sounds like a great read! Thanks!!
You’re welcome!
Sounds very mysterious and I like how complicated the relationships sound. I know I’d have to have the whole series before I start reading as I hate cliffhangers!
So do I. Cliffhangers are the worst. Thanks for stopping by!