The Secrets We Keep

By: Rick R. Reed

Narrated by: David Allen Vargo

Jasper Warren is a happy-go-lucky young man in spite of the tragedy that’s marred his life. He’s on a road to nowhere with his roommate, Lacy, whom he adores, and a dead-end retail job in Chicago.

And then everything changes in a single night. Though Jasper doesn’t know it, his road is going somewhere after all. This time when tragedy strikes, it brings with it Lacy’s older, wealthy, sexy uncle Rob. Despite the heart-wrenching circumstances, an immediate connection forms between the two men.

But the secrets between them test their attraction. Will their revelations destroy the bloom of new love…or encourage it to grow?

©2020 Rick R. Reed (P)2023 Rick R. Reed

Wonderful, Heartfelt Story

I always look forward to an audiobook release from this author. The story was heartbreaking and beautiful. There is something special about stories where the MCs find love after loss. The narrator did an amazing job.

Another Excellent Reed Romance!

I really enjoy the Rick R. Reed audiobooks! This is my third, and waves is such a unique story. From the very beginning, I was drawn into this tale, which is kinda like a Cinderella story. The idea of falling in love with your favorite author is interesting in itself, but with all of the complications, it makes for a journey with many ups and downs.

Complex

I think anybody in Jasper's position would have survivor's guilt, but it was misplaced. You're not responsible for the actions of others. We are all responsible for our own actions. The only crime Rob was guilty of was being a successful writer. Relationships are a two way street , with each person responsible for building or destroying it. The end is a good wrap up for all characters. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest opinion. The narrator did a good job bringing the characters and story to life.

Wonderful storytelling and performance

This is no lighthearted romance. Jasper's life at the beginning of the book is positively grim. You can feel how the years are all stretching before him in a grey cloud. Then, the awful event that starts the plot rolling happens and your heart breaks for him. That leads to the meeting with Rob, however, and we begin to see how the age gap/income gap tropes are being set up. Nothing ever feels stale here, the tropes set us up, but Jasper and Rob are two unique and compelling men. You want to follow their lives as they learn to be honest with each other, trust each other and find out how to build a life that is better than either of them dared hope for. Not a light read but an emotionally satisfying one. David Allen Vargo has the knack of capturing all the emotion in a story like this without ever crossing the line and going over the top. That restrained power makes everything so much more moving.

An Emotional Story

This MM book may have a tragic beginning but it ends with a HEA. Two should brought together by circumstance by loving someone they truly did not know. Their grief and despair allowed them to form a strong bond of understanding compassion and love. Rob and Jasper were brought together by Lacey. David Allen Vargo narrated this story with depth of emotion.