Her Little Secret introduces you to Lerrez Crawford who was born to drug addicted parents and living in the projects of Camden, NJ. During her younger years, Lerrez’s only escape from reality was being able to spend time with a sister, Kia, that her father had with another drug addict, and her elementary school teacher, Ms Corp. Even though life was rough, Lerrez dealt the best way she could. Things took a drastic turn when Ms Corp felt things were out of control in Lerrez’s home and reported the situation, putting Lerrez’s parents in jail and Lerrez in the foster care system.

She ends up in a good home with a loving provider and meets Alex in her new neighborhood. Meeting him sends her into another spiral downward in the streets and eventually lands her in jail. During that time, Kia comes back in her life with their father’s mother, who takes Lerrez in and she starts life all over again. She ends up moving to California, building herself a wonderful life and career and ready to get married, but will secrets of her past come back and threaten to mess up her future?
Her Little Secret is a fast paced, enjoyable read. You start off knowing Lerrez when she is fourteen, and easily get caught up in her life, wondering what will happen next.

Reviewed by: Leila Jefferson author/editor/publisher

When I grow up I wanna be a no good high school dropout. I want to sell my body, take drugs, participate in orgies and amount to be nothing but what my drugged out parents wanted me to be, another trick. Meet Lerrez Crawford 24 year- old and lost, confused and with no one to turn to so she hits the streets running. Her Little Secret by Thomas Freeman will have you on the edge of your seat for this rollercoaster ride through hell, seen through the eyes of a child.

Growing up in Camden, New Jersey Lerrez saw it all. From dealing with her parents growing addiction to drugs, sex, violence and crime which was right outside her front door. Having been used as a pawn for her parents drug use, prostitution became not just a way to eat but survival for poor little Lerrez. With no guidance or family structure, Lerrez switched homes faster than you could blink an eye. Watching the streets became her survival kit and so with nothing to lose Lerrez became the ultimate stick-up girl.

Robbing, gun play and setting up rival drug dealers was a fast come up. Getting gear and staying fresh was a plus in this fast-paced, action-packed novel. You will not want to miss what is coming up next because this little lady has a bag full of tricks and gadgets and she is not afraid of anyone. Jail time, schemes gone bad, nothing stops Lerrez when she gets an idea. But when one of her schemes lands her in hiding and the team she used to run with is blackmailing her, what can she do?

With a new beginning and starting over with as newly married woman, life seems grand. But being able to put the past in the past seems to be a little harder to do. What will become of Her Little Secret? Stay tuned. Another explosive read from Thomas Freeman; you will not be disappointed. Keep your eyes open for the sequel.

Reviewed by: Cheryl Hayes for Apooo Book Club

5 Stars

T. Freeman, Jr’s Her Little Secret is a masterpiece which encompasses gritty situations, the perfect use of slang and picturesque scenes, from the roughest hoods to the absolutely luxurious locales from the East and West Coasts. Freeman invades the mind of his readers with the sometimes harsh but thoroughly adventurous life of Lerrez Crawford. Born in complete squalor to two drug-addicted parents, life deals Lerrez a bad hand from the very beginning. Dark-skinned, thick and undeniably beautiful, her life would be anything but sweet as she struggles to escape the grips of the cold streets of inner-city Camden, NJ.

Lerrez’s attempt at elusiveness is met with a domino effect of tragedy. Before she can reach 18-years-old, she gets shuffled off to a foster home, thrust onto the streets, housed in juvenile detention and taken by her long-lost grandmother. During this whole ordeal, she experience sexual and drug abuse, murders and misadventures that are not too uncommon for people surviving in inner-cities across the nation. A chance meeting with a big-time producer from L.A. proves to be the ticket to stability. Just when she finds solace with the love of her life, all of the dirt she did in Camden threatens to snatch away her fairytale ending.

What really makes this novel pop is T. Freeman’s effortless use of slang and location. Being the perfect guide, he puts foreign slang words in context. He also gives you a street-level view wherever his characters are. Her Little Secret takes you from the crowded projects of Camden to the city blocks of New York City to the socio-economic extremes of L.A., Freeman doesn’t just reference a location. He gives you street names and landmarks in a way that perfectly complements the wicked plot twists.

Reviewed By: Joey Pinkey for Joey Reviews

5 Stars