Secret

Secret Series, Book 1

By: Nia Forrester

Narrated by: Allan Monteilh

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Trey Denison is a man shaped by loss who has learned to bury his emotions and keep most relationships superficial. And Shayla Jordan is hiding from a past she can't seem to escape, even by starting over in a city where no one knows her secret.

When Shayla rents the basement apartment in Trey’s childhood home, her quiet, enigmatic nature arouses his curiosity, and Shayla sees in Trey a chance to rediscover her sensuality. But as their initially cautious connection deepens far beyond anything either of them anticipated, the secrets they each harbor threaten to surface, jeopardizing everything they’ve built.

Can Shayla and Trey overcome their pasts and embrace the possibility of a future together, or will their hidden truths tear them apart?

©2013, 2023 Stiletto Press, LLC (P)2024 M.N. Williams

Great all over again!

It was so great to read and listen to Secret. This was my second read, but it felt brand new listening to Allan Monteilh narrate. I could not believe how many years it had been since I first read it, but the story was still fresh. Trey and Shayla were so right for one another. One running and hiding from their past. The other running straight towards responsibility that was thrust upon them. Yet, neither wanting a relationship that just so happens to follow them like a shadow. Love is that way. When you are not looking for it, you sometimes run right into the wall and stumble onto the floor at it's feet. This story was sensuous with just the right umph. Not too graphic, but REAL and heartbreaking. Ms. Forrester remains one of my favs and go to when I need a great, relatable story. She does relationships so well! Drawing out emotions and feelings with thoughts and words that are equally frustrating and awe-inducing. I love Trenton. The poor thing didn't know what was happening but everyone around him did. And, Mr. Monteilh can read the Almanac and it would get your blood and thoughts racing!

Great narration!

I read ‘Secret’ years ago and loved the story and the uncovering that Shayla and Trey went through together to connect as deeply as they did. This is a really beautiful story that tackles how domestic violence can impact someone long term even if they survive that abuse an I really enjoyed the care Nia Forrester took with that. Experiencing the story as an audiobook was interesting and I usually have a hard time enjoying narrators in the romance genre because I find it so important that the narrator’s performance needs to feel like they are the character speaking and not someone simply reading the words and thought this performance was done really well.

Loved this story and narrator

I already loved this story in ebook so was excited to revisit Trey and Shayla in audio. The narrator’s voice was smooth like silk and while I usually prefer male and female narrators for the respective parts, I enjoyed his performance and would absolutely listen to more of him. Now I’m reuniting with Darren and Paige LOL

The complications of secrets

This is a story of a slow-burning relationship. The main characters connect almost unbeknownst to themselves. The concern with the developing relationship is the jeopardy that secrets and lack of communication can bring to a relationship.
An enjoyable story. Ms. Forrester doesn’t disappoint.
The narrator could work on more on a more animated and varied performance—less like reading the story and more like acting.