Secret (Elemental)

After reading Breathless, we found out that Nick is hiding something. Now, finally, inSecret, it all comes out. It's not pretty, it's not easy, and it's definitely not painless. Nick gets hurt, Gabriel gets hurt, even Adam and Quinn get hurt from it. But it needed to come out; Nick is gay.I know I don't read m/m romances, but it's not because I'm against gays. To be honest, I'm more neutral than anything - but that's an entirely different story, and something that has nothing to do with this review. If anything, my reason for avoiding m/m is due more to the fact that I'm just not sure where to start, how to find the type of story, characters, and writing I would like. But, again, I'm getting off subject, sorry about that.I'll admit, for a few brief moments after Breathless, I was worried that I wouldn't like Nick's book. Then I realized, two things. First, this is Kemmerer's writing; she could take the story ANYWHERE and I'd still love it. And two? I can't hide the fact that Ireally liked Adam and Nick's first kiss. Wow. And just that quickly, I was as anxious for Nick's book as I was for all the others.Looking back now, I'm not sure why I hesitated, even for that brief time. Secret was everything I expect from Kemmerer and so much more!Like with the rest of this series, Secret packs a punch - raw emotions, great characters, enough action and suspense that this should be a movie (assuming it wasn't butchered, like many books-turned-movies are), and, yes, a good dose of heat and desire. It's a YA series; there's nothing graphic (though, dirty girl that I am, I'll admit, I would happily have took some graphic somethin'-somethin', both in Gabriel and, now, Nick's books!). But man, does Kemmerer know how to write such fantastic sexual tension and desire, even without turning it into erotica!I loved seeing Nick and Adam trying to figure out their relationship. Nick's new at it, but Adam's not exactly a pro, either. They both blush, which I loved watching, especially with Nick. They had their sweet moments, were I almost wanted to cry, and they also had their really hot moments, when it was literally slammed-into-the-wall passion. Either way, I was a very, very happy reader!Adam was so sweet; he's perfect for Nick (and Nick is perfect for him, of course). I admit, I even started crushing on Adam a bit. I never once felt uncomfortable while reading this book; this was love, fresh and new and uncertain, no matter who the couple was.I have to admit that Tyler really took me through a variety of emotions. I was very uncertain through the first part of the book, not sure which side he was on, what he might do to Quinn, etc. But looking back on it, why didn't I simply trust Kemmerer? I should know by now that she always makes it work in the end, and she did. Tyler changed, which did surprise me, but also made me smile. I think I liked the interactions between Tyler and Quinn almost as much as I did Nick and Adam.I won't spoil anything, but I will say this - be prepared when you pick this one up. Reading Secret knocked me on my ass more than once, surprised at the new turn of events Kemmerer created. And I loved every minute of it. I flipped the pages like a woman possessed, needing the next surprise, yet dreading it, not wanting the book to end. When I finally hit the last page, I may have threw a fit. Just a small one. * pauses * Okay, fine, a LARGE fit. Is it October yet? I want Michael's book. No, scratch that, I want more Elementals. PERIOD. More Nick, more Gabriel, more Hunter - heck, even more Chirs. I just want more, Brigid, more, do you hear me?As with Gabriel and Hunter's books, Secret is going on my keeper shelf when it releases in print, and I'll be putting this one towards the top of my best of 2014 books. I'm already twitching, waiting until the official release date when I can share Nick and Adam's story with my friends. I'll have to put duct-tape over my mouth until they've finished the book though. And that, my fellow readers, is always the sign of an amazing book--dying to share it with others, ready to reread it at the drop of a hat, and wanting your own copy to pet and cuddle and lovingly mark favorite passages in. I'll be doing all of these things with Nick's book for years to come!4 1/2 STARS!~ * ~ * ~For my full review, including favorite book quotes, please visit my blog, TBQ's Book Palace.Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest reviewTheBookQueen

Review:Well, this was an emotional rollercoaster ride of epic proportions, not necessarily in the topics explored, but in the way the story pulled me in and how deeply invested in the well beings and faiths of the two main characters I became. Needless to say, I really liked this book, it was more than good, but I didn’t really expect anything less because previous stories have been nothing less of awesome – great writing, engaging plot and most of all, top notch characterization and character development.This installment focused more on the inner struggle and emotional conflicts of the previously thought girlfriend and boyfriend couple Nick and Quinn. Both kept painful and draining secrets that set dark clouds over everything else in their life, so that nothing can even remotely start getting better unless those burdens they had to carry were settled and resolved. The story is told from both of their points of view and it was very enlightening and exciting to be inside their heads and follow how their thought processes worked in various difficult situations and regarding their main painpoints. What I liked the most was that their struggles, fears, hesitations, choices, decisions and pain felt realistic.Even though there was little action in the traditional sense compared to the other books and most of it took place at the end, it didn’t mean that the reading experience wasn’t satisfying and engaging, the book was intense and didn’t leave time to catch your breath. The plot moved fast and it was exciting to follow how things resolved and how everyone would react and take all the secrets that just had to come to light eventually. All I can say is never underestimate how caring, supportive and understanding people around you can be.The absolute highlight (as with all other books in the series) are the character relationships, everyone with its own signatures style, nuances and effect on the reader. My favorite couples include: Nick and Adam, Adam and Quinn, but also the more subtle: Nick and Hunter, Nick and Chris.Characters:Nick – I really liked the Nick we are shown in this book with all the self-doubt, false shame, hesitation and confusion. It was such a contrast to the Nick I had formed in my head beforehand – calm, rational, levelheaded, with no major issues visible to the outside, successful, etc. In reality he was practically boiling on the inside. He made some irrational and stupid decisions due to fear, but I think he was just being a boy with a heavy secret fearing judgment. He came across fleshed out, really vulnerable and touchable.Quinn – I’ve never been so conflicted regarding a character. I disliked her majorly in the first books till I read the short story Breathless in which my dislike for her did a 180 and I actually came to like her, because now I understood her reasoning and why she was as she was. And while I feel extremely sympathetic towards here through the whole book, I can’t help at be annoyed again with her to some degree. Maybe my accusations aren’t founded and I’m too harsh, but she made some really stupid decisions, was quite selfish, careless and insensitive and came to conclusions and reacted too rash. Although, I have to admit I did like her and she really was put to a very difficult position where survival was everything, whatever the costs and sacrifices. So in the end I came from dislike to like to neutral regarding her. BUT, this is how you write a good character, someone who makes you guess and who changes and who doesn’t leave you indifferent. A great character!Other characters:Gabriel – He’s just made me so mad, but then made me love him again. People make mistakes and it’s fine as long as they see the error and try to compensate.Adam was such a darling with his own battle scars.I really liked and appreciated (if it’s even possible to appreciate more) Michael, Chris and Hunter in this book.Overall:Only one thing – I you already haven’t started on this series then do it now!

Brigid you never disappoint this was a fantastic instalment so glad i read it. only problem is i could not stop reading so i finished within 11 hours yesterday all in one go, i have back injury at the moment and this really helped me to sit still longer than anything else. Please say that the next one wont be such a long wait. Glad to see we get to a better view of tyler too.

Nick ist der ideale Sohn: talentiert, gutaussehend, verantwortungsvoll und ein guter Schüler. Er ist nicht, wie die anderen Brüder in Schlägereien verwickelt und hilft im Familienunternehmen wo er nur kann.Aber Nick hat einen guten Grund so perfekt zu sein: er ist es nämlich nicht. Er steht auf Jungs und um über jeden Zweifel erhaben zu sein, gibt er sich bei allem, was er macht so viel Mühe, wie er kann.Das er durch seine 'Freundin' Adam kennenlernt ist nicht geplant und bringt Nick ganz schön aus dem Gleichgewicht. Denn Adam lässt sich nicht wegperfektionieren, er setzt sich in nicks Kopf und Herz fest. Vertraut er seinen Brüdern genug, um ihnen die Wahrheit zu sagen?Und ist er wirklich das schwächste Glied in der Merrick-Familie, wie der neue 'Guide' denkt?In 'Breathless' hat sich ja schon angedeutet, was Nick für Geheimnisse hat, daher war das Thema keine wirkliche Überraschung. Ich habe einige Bücher zu diesem Thema gelesen und muss sagen, unglaublich gut beschrieben. Ein guter Freund von mir hat sich nach Jahren geoutet und er hat genau das Gefühl beschrieben: man will den Erwartungen von allen entsprechen und schaut dementsprechend nicht hin, versucht alles, damit man sich selbst überzeugt, dass es geht, dass man sein Leben auch so gut leben kann.Jede Seite spannend und ich kann es kaum erwarten bis am 30.9. Michaels Geschichte rauskommt!

The fourth instalment of the elemental series was by far one of the best so far. This book was different than the rest of the elemental series, not because the main character had a different sexual preference, but because it tells you the struggles about the character and more about the Merrick family. One thing, I enjoyed was that yes there was still elemental things happening in the book, but it was't as much as the other books.Secret, gives you the perspective that the Merrick's are merely human with powers, and strive to be 'human.' It doesn't revolve around elements only, but it mostly deals with the characters. I personally think that Secret shows the most character development in all the series so far. Indicating the changes in the characters from the pervious book and also giving you a feel of who these characters really are in a different perspective.This book kept me up until it was finished, and now even after it was done. I am still fantasizing about it and will re-read it again.This was a spectacular read and I recommend everyone to read it. Brigid Kremmerer did not disappoint, and she once again delivers a wonderful read that captivates the reader and sucks you in until you're wondering if this was a form of torture until the next instalment of the series.

I loved this book, eventhough it is quite different from what I usually read. If you've read the other three books in the series I really suggest reading secret too. It was a great read.