Review: Best Kept Secrets by Shelly Ellis

Between the fall-out from his father’s latest shady business dealings and his wife Clarisse’s alcoholism, Evan Murdoch has his hands full. But he should be most concerned about the scandalous affair Clarisse is having right under his nose—with his half-brother. Evan’s being pushed to the edge, and no one knows that better than Leila Hawkins…

Leila is back in Chesterton, divorced, penniless, and desperate enough to do anything to save her mother’s home from foreclosure—including turning to Evan, her former best friend. But Evan isn’t interested in friendship. Instead he makes Leila a shocking indecent proposal…

Meanwhile, Evan’s newlywed sister, Paulette, wants to be the perfect wife. But a blackmailing bad boy ex has reappeared in her life—and he’s threatening to reveal her most painful secret...

The scandals just won’t quit—and for everyone involved, desire, betrayal, and lies are all in a day’s work…

Paperback

Published by Kensington Publishing (first published August 25th 2015)

Terri's Thoughts

**I won a copy of this book as part of a giveaway on Goodreads**

I tried not to judge this story by it's cover but it was really difficult.  Let me tell you that the cover did little to entice me to want to read the story.  It's terrible.  I however try not to judge a book by its cover and entered with an open mind.

This story read to me like a late night soap opera.  Think Dallas in the 80's (although I was too young) where the characters have plenty of money and even more drama in their lives.  If you are a fan of these types of stories this one will be right up your ally.  It has all the stereo-types covered

There could be spoilers here depending on how you look at it..

Evan - the squeaky clean perfect heir to Murdoch business.  Tolerates more than he should in order to avoid any scandal to the family name

Clarisse - the extremely annoying self serving obnoxious drunk who also happens to be married to Evan

Dante - the evil brother who did not know he was a Murdoch as he grew up poor because his mother had an affair with Mr. Murdoch however the child was denied.  Only upon his death did Dante get accepted in to the family by the siblings however this was not enough for him.  He wanted to take over everything "Murdoch"

Leila - The girl who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks however was always Evan's true love.

Paulette - the gullible sister who would rather dig herself in to a hole than to admit her secrets so that she can be freed from them.

There are more characters but I| think you can get the drift.  Looks like the casting call for a pilot for the next soap opera doesn't it?

While at times I found myself engaged in the story, I found myself more often than not a little frustrated at all of the drama as it seemed a little over the top, unnecessary and unbelievable. 

About the Author

Shelly Ellis is a NAACP Image Award-nominated women's fiction/romance author and creator of the Gibbons Gold Digger series. Her fiction writing career began when she became one of four finalists in a First-Time Writers Contest when she was 19 years old. The prize was a publishing contract and having her first short-story romance appear in an anthology. She has since published five novels and has been chosen as a finalist for 2015 NAACP Image Award in the Literary Fiction Category, 2012 African American Literary Award in the romance category, and won a 2013 Angie Award.

She is married and lives in Prince George's County, Maryland with her husband and their daughter.

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