Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Buried Secrets
SERIES: Buried Secrets #1
AUTHOR: Brina Brady
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 290 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 13, 2019
BLURB:
Alek Belanov never forgot the way his family was brutally when he was a child, nor did he forgot his promise to find those who are responsible for their crime. Although his Russian mobster uncle raised him as his own and he believed in the man at the time…now? He is no longer believes in the man’s explanation. It was time he sought his own answers.
After Alek spent two years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, his uncle sends him away to the Gay Protection Society.
Rafe’s group of ten encounters security breaches and threats requiring them to move frequently. If a gay client breaks security rules, their protector disciplines them.
Secrets and deceptions try to destroy Rafe and Alek’s relationship.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: This book contains mild BDSM elements including restraints, blindfolds, and spanking. While Buried Secrets is a stand-alone with no cliffhanger, the story will continue with Emilio and Kaden.
REVIEW:
I didn’t quite know what to think of this book. The general concept of the story was good but overall a lot of the conversations seemed forced to me. It didn’t flow. And it bothered me whenever Alek would be angry with Rafe, like really angry, Rafe expected sex and all would be ok. It doesn’t really work like that. Also, it didn’t sit well with me that his own uncle basically pimped him out to people for protection as well as paying for him. It was a lot of little things that just didn’t add up for me. BUT don’t take my word for it. Give it a try and see what you think.
Alek got out of prison after two years and was immediately set off by his uncle to a gay protection society where he will be bonded with a man who will protect him. His uncle told him there’s a hit out on him and he needs to go away to be safe. Alek is distraught. It’s bad enough he lost his lover to murder, then went to prison for something he didn’t even do, now he’s being sent away from the uncle who was like a father to him. And how he has to get bonded to a man is making him feel worse. But he’s picked by Rafe and they are in the wind with 4 other couples. As they are off the grid, they learn a lot about each other. Alek is quickly finding out there’s a lot more going on. Something his cousin said to him and it’s triggered something for him. He’s determined to dig and find out what really happened to his family and to him. And what he finds is horrible. He now has to figure out how to go on with his life and if life with Rafe is really worth it.
Alek has just had a raw deal all the way around. His family, prison, his lover. The truth behind it all. How he’s introduced in this world with Rafe. Rafe himself. It’s one thing after another and a few times I thought Alek should just run for it and see how far he could get. Maybe find some new friends. He certainly didn’t deserve everything that’s happened to him.
Rafe I don’t care for much at all. I’m glad he’s responsible and trying to look out for everyone but most of the time, he comes across as a HUGE asshole. I even get him being a Dom and that personality. I totally get. But I still feel like he crosses the line sometimes. But then again, it could be just me.
Alek and a few of the other ‘boys’ are just trying to survive. Some have adapted to their ‘roles’ and their protectors don’t seem as harsh. Even as Doms. Anyway, give it a shot. See what you think.
RATING: 
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