"Deep and disturbing"

Abbey Carlton is a cop with a heart. Six years ago, she walked out on her fiancé, Thomas Riley because he put his army career before her. It pained her to leave the one man she loved so deeply. But, she knew it was the only answer. Thomas never got a chance to say goodbye or put up a fight for their relationship.

Enter present day. Abbey is living in Houston, miles away from Thomas in North Carolina. She's a good cop, but she tends to get too involved with the indigents on the street. Janie, an alcoholic who lives on the street, is one such character she takes under her wing, always trying to find her a bed in a shelter. The nights she can't find her shelter, she lets Janie sleep in her spare bedroom. Abbey supposes the reason she takes wounded souls to heart is because of her mother's mental illness. Abbey grew up caring for her mother, not the other way around. That's why when Thomas shows up on her doorstep, she allows him back into her life.

Thomas is haunted by memories of a mission gone wrong. He was the leader and because of a wrong decision, he lost three of his best friends and a woman with two children. He can't return to work until he figures out how to be whole again. The only person he cares to see is Abbey.

At first, Abbey is cautious getting involved in Thomas's life again. She advises him to talk to her ex-husband, Liam, who is a psychologist. Thomas agrees to therapy, but doesn't like the fact that Abbey married after she walked out on him. Liam isn't too happy about Thomas. He blames him for the breakup of his marriage to Abbey.

One thing leads to another, and Abbey and Thomas make love. It makes him feel like life is worth living. Too late, Abbey realizes they didn't use birth control. Abbey winds up pregnant but doesn't tell Thomas. She does tell her parents who support her and encourage her to tell Thomas even though they never liked him.

This time around, Thomas is different. He's more human and less on guard with his feelings. He's concerned about Abbey and the life she's leading. He also insists there is something wrong with Janie's connection to Abbey. Abbey blows him off until Janie tries to kill her. Thanks to Janie's rummaging through Abbey's garbage, she discovered the positive pregnancy test, and that put her over the edge.

Thomas is there to save her, but is furious Abbey never told him about her pregnancy. He packs his bags and returns to North Carolina. What will Abbey do? Can they resolve their differences and make a relationship work this time? Or, will they go their separate ways? The only way to find out is to read this very intense book.

I'd recommend this book to someone looking for a dark, complex read. Thomas, as a hero, is extremely flawed. He's a killing machine gone haywire and is suffering post traumatic stress syndrome. Abbey is a pushover, but her heart is in the right place. I think Anna did a fine job at delving into the minds of an alcoholic and a mentally ill woman and a hero who is also suffering mental problems. It's because of this that I say this story is dark. It's not your typical feel good romance, but it is thoroughly researched and written to reveal the depths of all the characters. The good thing about this story is that it does have a happy ending and shows readers how people can change their lives even if they have many problems facing them. Her Little Secret is a read you have to be ready for. Don't expect a love story where the hero and heroine have a nice little romance and live happily ever after. It is much more complex than that, and the journey to a happy ending will make readers take stock of their lives and be grateful they don't have Abbey's life.

Reviewed by Kelly McDonough
Posted May 22, 2005

Summary

One cop + one soldier + one unplanned pregnancy. Even they don't know how that equation will add up.

Abby Carlton was willing to give up her career for Thomas Riley -- until she realized she'd always come second to his duty to his country. So she went home and rejoined the police force, trying to catch up to her friends and classmates, but aware that her pursuit of love had left a black mark on her file. Now Thomas is back, needing help only she can give.

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Six female cops battling crime and corruption on the streets of Houston. Together they can fight the blue wall of silence. Divided, will they fall?