Review - Secrets and Sins: Raphael (Secrets and Sins, #3) by Naima Simone

Synopsis:

When Greer Addison finds her future husband in bed with another woman, she runs…right into the arms of dark and dangerous Raphael Marcel. Angry and hurt, she throws caution to the wind 
and spends a hot night with the sexy security specialist. But when her fiancé is found dead, Greer becomes the main suspect of a crime she can’t remember. 

Raphael is stunned and suspicious when Greer shows up on his doorstep claiming she’s carrying his baby. Worse, she’s the target of a stalker bent on making her pay for a murder she doesn’t recall. As Raphael begins to trust Greer, they must race against the clock to uncover a killer. 

Because Greer’s memory is returning...

My Review - 4.5 Stars:

Sometimes when you read a book you just instantly click with the characters, and for me this was one of those books. Greer was everything I look for in a heroine – she was strong, determined, resilient, honest, and kind. What I most loved though, was that no matter what life was dealing her – and she often was given the short straw - she dealt with it head on, never backing down, and usually with a great sense of humor.

“Aubrey had been a friend since high school; Greer had trusted her, would've never believed her capable of cheating with Gavin. She’d tried to apologize, called Greer nonstop the week after, begging her to talk to her. But what did a person say in that situation? Sorry I fucked the man you intended to marry. I accidentally stripped off my clothes and fell on his dick. Even Hallmark hadn’t made a card for that occasion yet.”

And Raphael…well let me just tell you that he is definitely in my top three when it comes to fictional characters that I would want guarding me! He is honest, real, and a sexy as sin bad boy who has done good for himself. And did I mention the tattoos? From his first interaction with her at the bar, to him going all uber-protective alpha-male on Greer when she comes to him for help, I couldn’t help but fall in love with him. Even though Raphael has some trust issues and has been scarred by a previous relationship, he couldn’t help but do whatever he could to help Greer. It was fun to watch the two of them together try to fight the attraction (which doesn’t even begin to describe the sparks jumping between these two!) that they had going on, and it was wonderful to see them finally give in and begin to trust one another.

The story itself was great – I loved the mystery surrounding who was setting Greer up and the why behind it. Just when I thought I had it all figured out there was another twist or turn that kept me guessing or adding another piece to the puzzle. The relationships of the characters were great – Raphael and his friends were so tight and I loved how Greer and her brother were so close despite growing up in household that didn’t contain much love. Even the bad guys had personality – which sometimes doesn’t get well developed in books.

Naima Simone has written a fabulous book that had me from the first page. Her writing sucked me and had me living the book with the characters. Her dialogue was spot on and I just loved being able to read the emotions of her characters on the page…

“In the past four months,” she said, suddenly very tired, “I've discovered a man I respected and trusted – a man who was not just my fiancé but a good friend – betrayed me. A woman I also called a friend was screwing that fiancé behind my back. And when I was accused of his murder, my parents abandoned me. They were never affectionate, but still…they were my mother and father. I expected them to at least stand by me even if it was to maintain the image of a loving family. Instead they threw me to the wolves. People I knew, loved, relied on…believed in. And they deceived me, hurt me, threw me away. Raphael, if one more person I trust turns out to be…” She didn't finish the thought, but inhaled a shuddering breath, shaking her head. “I think it would break me. So yes, I was happy when I didn't recognize the man on the video. Because it means one more person I love doesn't resent or despise me.”

I can’t wait to go back and read the first two books in this series and then get my hands on the next book when it comes out.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher for an honest review.