Author: MK Meredith
Released: 12/14/15
Source: ARC from author
Links: Amazon - Goodreads
On the verge of losing the Malibu home she inherited from her great-aunt, Addi Dekker is completely failing to prove to her family she can make it as a writer. Not exactly how a girl proves her independence. If she doesn’t want to give up her dream and go back to the soul-sucking job she just left, Addi has to swallow her dislike of Hollywood and rent the house out to the sexy-as-hell film producer.
And maybe (shhhh!) save money by secretly living there, too.
Roque Gallagher is pouring his heart and savings into his first independent film to make the industry acknowledge him for his talent and not just his family name. Addi’s home is perfect for the shoot, but she’s far too tempting. He’s never been able to handle work and a relationship, and this is the film of a lifetime. Between a shrinking budget and his director quitting, the last thing he needs is a sexy-as-sin tease like Addi. And he has a feeling there's something she's hiding..
My Review:
Addi is tired of what others think about her. She has big plans for her life, for who she wants to be and what she wants to do, but feels that no one believes in her or sees how important this is to her. She's tired of everyone treating her as if she can't handle things, like a pampered infant to be taken care of, but not able to care for herself. And yes, she's made mistakes, but she's learned from them and she wants to do better. She wants to prove to herself, and her family and friends that she can be who she is and she doesn't need them to put down her dreams or mistakes, but instead love her for who she is and let her be Addi.
Roque's got his own secrets in a way. His current project HAS to be a success, because he's put his all in to it and basically his future hinges on this project. He wants to prove that he can be a success without depending on his name and the connections it affords him.
I love that both Addi and Rogue initially have thoughts about the other that they have formed simply from listening to others or from perceptions based on the hollywood world around them. It made their connection that much more real because it sort of forced them to actually know the other, to learn what they really were not who society said they were.
When making arrangements for her house, Addi makes plans and stipulations and they sort of back fire on her. Roque expected Addi to pretty much fall at his feet and give in to his demands for the house, and when she didn't, he could respect her, but it also bothered him. I really enjoyed their private thoughts during these exchanges because it told us so much about them and what they were getting into. Foreshadowing if you will.
One theme in this book not related to the romance aspect, is the way our family treats us and how others treat us because of our family. Malibu Secrets shows us two very different takes on how family has affected the main characters lives. For Addi, it's about how often our families mean well, but often do things out of misguided thoughts and end up hurting us. For Rogue it is about finding his place in the world and standing on his own two feet and not being thought of as 'Just another Gallagher'. He wants to work hard and earn what he gets, not be handed things just because of who he is.
Malibu Secrets is On point with following Malibu Betrayals, each book in the series shows the same strengths while diving into different topics and pulling out different emotions. I love the way MK Meredith handles the secrecy in her books, she writes it just so you are pulled in with curiousity but she doesn't withhold the details from you for very long, instead trickles them out as the story progresses.
Malibu Secrets really gets your heart and mind pumping, dealing with this emotion and that, watching as Roque and Addi struggle trying to prove themselves right and show the world (and their families and friends) just what they can accomplish. But also watching as they tried to not dive into the depth of their connection, to not become overwhelmed by the other that they slacked in their goals. MK Meredith really drags you through it, waiting to see what is going to happen, a will they/won't they type of story, but of course, we finally end up with an HEA.
The writing throughout the story is wonderful, the characters have the ability to pull you in, to feel what they feel inadequacies, fear, hurt, and most of all a worry that they will fail. The story is quick moving, but nothing feels out of place or rushed. I love the emotions MK brings to the surface, and the way she's able to pull so many details into her words without feeling redundant or hanging in mid place.
*I was given a copy for review*
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