Dirty Little Secret
Author: Jennifer Echols
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: July 16, 2013
Publisher: MTV Books
Summary:
Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn’t sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again…
First Sentence: On Tuesday I was in a band with Elvis.
My Review:
With disappointment after disappointment, I was really hoping that Jennifer Echols’ latest book, Dirty Little Secret, would be as good as Going Too Far, or even better if possible. I was literally counting down the days until the book released in stores, until, to my surprise, I won an ARC of Dirty Little Secret on Goodreads. From then on, I was counting down the days until the ARC arrived on my doorstep. (It took two days for it to arrive for those of you who wants to know.) However, to my massive disappointment, again, Jennifer Echols’ latest book just wasn’t that good. Don’t get me wrong, Dirty Little Secret wasn’t as awful as Jennifer Echols’ latest adult novel or her latest new adult novel, but it wasn’t outstanding either. In the end, I have to give it a tired meh.
Like a majority of other people who had read Dirty Little Secret, the main problem I had with the book was Sam. Ugh, Sam. He was a smart manipulative asshole. I don’t like to write curse words on my book reviews, if “asshole” is even a curse word, but there’s no other way to describe him. He is simply an asshole.
At first, when I first met Sam, I actually liked him. He was cute and his actions were also cute. Sam was nice to Bailey and they just had this subtle chemistry upon their first meeting. This guy actually flinched when he realized he was accidentally giving Bailey innuendos he didn’t mean.
“You need to eat. I’ll be working you hard tonight.” He flinched as he heard his own words. “That didn’t come out quite right.” (ARC 64)
Then, as I read on, Sam’s personality took a downturn for the worse. Sam used Bailey for her talent and then tries to use her for her connections to her famous sister. He even went as far as going past third base with Bailey just to get her to stay in his band and to get her to get an “in” for their band. I felt sorry for all of Sam’s friends; they had to give up their pride because of Sam and was forced to help convince Bailey to join his band.
“How did you get my number?”
“Sam asked me to convince you to come back to the band.”
“I was never in your band,” I said. (ARC 138)
Even worse of all, Bailey actually liked Sam while he did all that to her. To make matters even worse, Bailey even knew what Sam was doing the whole time, while being clueless at the same time. What do I mean by that? Well, in the beginning, Bailey is wide aware of the fact that Sam was just using her for her fiddle skills. However, Bailey is also in denial. For example, Sam tells Bailey not to act like they liked each other in front of his band (hello girls, this is a huge warning sign! If a guy doesn’t want to show what you mean to him in front of his friends, dump him!) without giving Bailey any explanation why and Bailey just agrees, even though, in the back of her mind, readers know that she knows why he was doing that. However, Bailey doesn’t even bother to acknowledge why Sam didn’t want them to act normal around his band mates; she just blindly follows his orders.
Why?
Well, that’s because Sam is so hot. Like, dark black hair in waves with a 5 o’clock shadow hot. It doesn’t matter that Sam is a jerk because he’s hot, right Bailey? (I’m trying to emphasize how many times Bailey says that Sam is hot, like that was a valid reason for his actions. No Bailey, no. That is not how it works.) I do not know how many times Bailey keeps on saying that Sam is hot.
But even with the smug look on his face, he was so handsome with the dim glow of the parking deck lights shining in his dark waves and glinting in his friendly eyes. (ARC 121)
Another downfall of Dirty Little Secret was that the book failed to catch – and keep – my attention. It took awhile, around twenty-two long pages, for me to be interested in the book to read even further. Dirty Little Secret then picked up a bit, only to slow down dramatically again. Half the time I was reading, I was mentally debating whether to continue on with the book or drop it altogether. Only the fact that I won the ARC from goodreads, so I should read the entire book, kept me reading on. Reading Dirty Little Secret was definitely a bumpy ride.
Will I recommend Dirty Little Secret to anyone? Sure, if you can stand douche love interests. If you can’t do that, like me, avoid this book like the plague.
Kelly! I saw how excited you were about winning this so I didn’t want to burst your bubble to say that GAH, I hated the love interest. Sorry if you think I should have told you! But OH GAH YES, Dirty Little Secret was such a bumpy ride and I ABSOLUTELY DETEST SAM! Except for maybe protecting Bailey from her ex-boyfriend. But that’s it.
Dianne recently posted…Top Ten Authors Who Deserve More Recognition
And it was my first Jennifer Echols novel as well. I know everyone’s gushing about Such A Rush so I’m still interested in that but this kinda made me less excited for Such A Rush.
Dianne recently posted…Cover Reveal: For the Summer by Shey Stahl
Nah, I can understand why you were hesitant to tell me that Sam sucked as a person. He’s like UGGGH.
Like I said on twitter, try Going Too Far, Jennifer Echols’ first book. Now that’s a book I absolutely LOVED.
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [42]
Holy crap Sam sounds like a creep. I was thinking about getting the book, and good thing I didn’t! I’ll have to borrow it from the library or something if I ever want to read it, because it certainly doesn’t sound like it’s worth buying.
Nice review :)
Nara recently posted…Love Triangles 101: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Definitely buy it first Nara, to be safe. Sam will frustrate you to no end and Bailey was just as bad for letting him control her when she knew what he was doing.
Thanks! (:
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [42]
I read so many bad things about this book that now I’m thinking I wont’t read it anytime soon
Thanks for such an honest review
Ruty@Reading…Dreaming
Yeah, I hate to say this, but I advise you to avoid this book if you hate douchebag characters. :l
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [42]
This one seems to making the rounds as very much a miss for most bloggers. It does sound like an interesting read, but gah now I’m staying away. I’ve heard several state that Sam is a jerk and if it wasn’t for him they would have rated higher.
Jess @ Literary, etc recently posted…I’m Sorry It’s Not Me But You: Falling Out of Love With a Book
Yep, Sam definitely ruined the book for me. Why can’t he be a little rude, but nice when you get to know him? That version of Sam will definitely be more likeable.
Staying away from this book is definitely a good idea Jess.
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [42]
Love your new blog design! I’ve been meaning to read this for a while…..
Great review!
Jackie
Jackie recently posted…When You Were Mine (Review)
Thank you! I’m glad you like it. ;D<3
I can't wait to see what you think of it Jackie! (:
Thanks!
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [42]
I feel like people either love Jennifer Echols’ books or they hate them!! I have actually never read one, but I want to give at least one book of hers a try. I’m thinking I won’t start with this one though, because honestly the cover and the story just don’t really appeal to me. Great review!
If you want to read a Jennifer Echols book, then I recommend you start with Going Too Far, her first book. It’s one of my top favorite books and you’ll definitely enjoy that one.
And yep, you should definitely not start with Dirty Little Secret if you want to read one of Jennifer Echols’ books.
Thanks! (:
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [42]
Wow! This book is really good! Great review.
I’m glad that you think that Dirty Little Secret is a great book. ;D
Thanks! (:
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [42]
Nooooo! I”m so sorry you didn’t like this one. And I know I’m going to read this one, just because I’m still hopping she’ll write another fantastic book. However, with all the negative feedback the book is getting so far I don’t have high hopes.
I’ve never read a book where love interest is a total jerk. I’ve read books where I didn’t like the love interest, but none where he/she is a total douche. I think I would be somewhat okay with it if the Main Character realized it and dumped he/she in the end. If not than I would be so mad.
Great review Kelly :D
Kimberly recently posted…Book Tour; Losing Francesca by J. A. Huss
Eeek! Good luck with this one Kimberly!
Um, sadly no. Bailey ends up with Sam in the end. Another how could you?! moment.
Thank you Kimberly! :D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [42]
If there’s really no reason for him to be so mean, then I would be super frustrated and annoyed as well. I hate when girls fall in those traps with boys. I’d want to shake Bailey a little bit. I wonder if she realizes this in the end and learns something, but I guess I’d have to read it. Not sure if I want to spend my time on this one.
Becca recently posted…Movie Review: Pacific Rim
Nope, she doesn’t learn anything. In the end, she ends up with him which was a totally WHY?! moment. WHY would you like a guy who used you to selfishly reach his own goals?
You should definitely skip this one Becca.
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [42]
Ha! Love this review :D I don’t really read much of Jennifer Echols, mostly because I haven’t liked any of her books, but I was looking forward to this one ! Oh well :( I can stand douche-y love interests, as long as they have redeeming qualities, but I just don’t know anymore. Maybe I’ll take a pass on this one. But like, I said, great review! :)
Jasmine @ Flip That Page recently posted…Blogger Bites: What I Like In A Blog
Thank you Jasmine! :D<3
Have you tried Jennifer Echols' Going Too Far yet? That's the only book of hers that I REALLY loved. Hopefully you'll love it too. ;D
Sam doesn't have any redeeming qualities at all. His doucheness overshadows everything else.
And thanks again! ;D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [42]
Aww, I’ve seen some mixed reviews on this book. I might give this a try. But I have to agree with you, Going Too Far is one awesome book by her. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard at a book. I still can’t get over that Meg thought Officer After was a 40 year old man with fourteen children. I’m still cracking up at this point.
I’ve read Going Too Far wayyyy too long ago and I barely remember the details, but you just totally refreshed my memory somewhat. I guess that calls for a re-read? :D
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Throne of Glass – Sarah Maas
Good honest review. I thought this book might be good because of other books I have read by this author. But I think I will hold off on reading this one. ;)
Well, if you liked Jennifer Echols’ latest other books Cali, there’s a huge chance that you’ll like this one too. o:
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: A Tale of Two Centuries – Rachel Harris
I can’t believe I almost forgot about this book. As soon as I saw those cowgirl boots I knew I’d seen this book cover before. This one unfortunately never made it to my TBR, but it still has a pretty cover.
If you don’t like love interests that are jerks, then continue to not put Dirty Little Secret onto your TBR list. Otherwise, if you don’t mind love interests that are jerks, read this one.
And yeah, the cover is so darn pretty! :D<3
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [52]
Such a disappointment. I have only read one book by this author, which was Such A Rush, and I loved it. I was looking forward to reading this one, to giving the author another shot. Now, I don’t think it is a great idea to read it. I don’t want it to make me hesitant to read more of her books, because I really did enjoy the one that I read. I think this is a pass for me. An idiot girl who lets herself get treated like crap because a dude is hot. And an asshole dude.. Not for me. I would more than likely end up DNF’ing, and I absolutely hate having to do that.
Read Going Too Far now! It was my first and best Jennifer Echols book ever. Yes, it’s even better than Such A Rush. ;D
So do yourself a favor, avoid this one, and read Going Too Far instead.
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [53]
This looks like the kind of book that I try to stay away lol. I have never read anything by Jennifer Echols before, but I really want to read Going Too Far, because I only see very good things about it.
anyway, great review!
Yes, read Going Too Far Kassi! It’s A LOT better than Dirty Little Secret and it’s one of my top favorite books, EVER.
Thanks! (:
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer – Katie Alender
i need to read it!
I seem to really struggle with this author. She just hasn’t clicked for me. I’m sorry it didn’t work for you either. While I haven’t read this book yet, her style seems to be the same with each book. I might be skipping this one.