The Swedish Secret: An unconventional love story, with … (2024)

This is Cleo’s story. It’s intense and immersive, page turning and provocative. It’s the story of her relationship with Mark, the handsome man she first set eyes on in a cubicle in A&E in February 2002. Before you can say Bob’s your uncle and Fanny’s your aunt, Mark has swept Cleo off her feet and their relationship is under way. But this isn’t any old relationship, oh no, it’s a stormy and turbulent one - there’s romance and grand gestures alongside screaming fights and dislocated jaws. And there are secrets, plenty of them. If you want to find out what they are then you’ll need to read the book…

My opinions changed countless times while reading this book. I hated Mark, he was such an arsehole. I had a Mark of my own when I was younger & I nodded in remembrance at so many of the similarities. But as I got to know more about him, I warmed to him, despite trying not to. I loved the often witty and humorous style of this book, I chuckled away at the numerous sarcastic remarks which contrasted well with the heavier themes. Actually, Cleo’s style of writing seemed so genuine and open it almost felt like I was reading her diary & as a result I raced through it in just 2 days. She tells it like it is; it’s an honest and unflinching account of a crazy relationship. But by the end of the book I have to say that I don’t know who’s crazier; Cleo or Mark!

The Swedish Secret by the very lovely @bycleojames
Cleo and I ended up reading Sleeping with a Psychopath at the same time and having chats about how mad it all was (honestly, you should all read it, fascinating). Cleo kindly offered to send me a copy of her book, as she has had a similar experience.

Well, she did warn me it was going to be a ride, but my goodness it was a hell of a read.
The book covers Cleo and Mark's relationship over a good 20 years and let's just say it's not plain sailing, that would be boring, wouldn't it?

It's taken me a few weeks to come up with words to describe the book/relationship and I'm still not sure I have them. Yes, their relationship is full of drama, some pretty intense moments that Cleo handled with such sass and courage, it's amazing, but there is a hell of deep love between them.
The lies, oh I couldn't keep up with those and you have to be one forgiving person for those, but Cleo isn't a victim, she is a hero! She stands up for herself and I have so much admiration.
When you read about a relationship its very easy to have your opinion and say what you would do, but really, would we?

The end of the book, whaaaat a twist that was! I didn't see it coming.

I'm so glad your book is going to be published in Sweden, so well deserved.

Thank you again for allowing me to read your story, your book and giving me an insight into your life

When Cleo meets her boyfriend ‘Mark’ at the beginning of the story, I was shouting ‘please no’ at the blatant lies and disregard for other people including his son who he didn’t know the age. On paper it’s easy to read and say why couldn’t you see what he was like, but when you are living that life I guess it isn’t so black and white.

The relationship develops quickly but also the signs of major jealousy and anger issues from Mark are clearly evident. I did a lot of crying out through the book ‘don’t do it’ ‘just leave’ ‘why?!’ All useless shout outs knowing that the trail of destruction was going to get worse with Mark.

The final part (without giving any spoilers) would be the final nail in the coffin for anyone, how Cleo deals with the fallout of it all is remarkable. I needed a glass of wine by this point!

This book as the author told me is not for the faint heartened. There is swearing and details of the physical abuse received, told at times with a sense of humour which would not normally be appropriate for this type of scenario but i didn’t find it offensive. It brought light to a traumatic subject and actually made me laugh (then wanting to give Cleo a hug and dragging her away)

This is an intensive read, prepare to be shocked, sad and angry on this rollercoaster of Cleo’s life but you will also smile at her wit throughout as well as being amazed by her forgiveness towards Mark. It’s such a good read, I ended up reading it all in one night.

Oh and I know what I’m doing if I ever come across a hair make over competition to win a trip to New York!

"When was it he first hit me?" Is the prelude to the raw, honest and emotional journey that Cleo takes you on in this beautifully written memoir.

When I was first asked to read this book, I was warned by the author that this would be a tough read and she wasn't wrong! But I usually find the toughest reads are the ones that teach you the most.

Cleo meets the intensely charming Mark whilst on shift in A and E and had a loveable rogue persona quickly draws her in. Little did she know, that everything she thought she knew about love and life would be turned upside down. Mark is dishonest, intense, violent, jealous, manipulative and angry and I quickly became one of those people screaming at the choices Cleo was making. But it's one of those situations where, it's easy to sit on the outside looking in to see anything other than black and white. I veered between wanting to grab Cleo and give her a reality check, yet at the same time wanting to squeeze her and say "I've got you!".

Just when you think the ultimate betrayal has been served. Hurricane Mark gathers pace and delivers another crushing blow.

I admire Cleo's unapologetic honesty when telling her story. When most people would see Cleo as a victim, she feels the very opposite and even manages to inject humour and wit with excellent timing. Cleo has grit, determination, resilience, empathy, courage, enduring love, forgiveness and loyalty in unbelievable proportions!

This book will have you feeling angry, sad, hopeless, hopeful and above all inspired!

One of the best books I've read this year.

This was an incredibly raw and powerful book telling the story of Cleo and Mark's relationship spanning 20 years of their lives together. Some of it was so difficult to read and I had to put aside the fact that it was actually Cleo I was reading about rather than a fictional character as the thought of someone real dealing with this was very emotional for me. I'm lucky enough to have never experienced any of what Cleo had to deal with but some of the people closest to me have so a lot of what was spoken about really struck a chord with me.

I found it really well written and despite the subject matter it was gripping from the start and I devoured in one day as I just had to know how it ended. It wasn't all doom and gloom, Cleo's writing was really descriptive and some parts did make me chuckle. The ending was not what I was expecting but I was glad of it.

I would really urge people to read Cleo's story as I think it's one of those that will stick in your head long after you've finished it. It's available on Kindle Unlimited at the moment or is only £1.99 for a Kindle copy.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 from me.

I was so lucky that Cleo James sent me a copy of her book.
I settled down to read it and was hooked from the first page. I sat engrossed for a full day.
An honest and heartfelt account of her life with her partner and their ups and downs over the years. I completely connected with the authors story and was rooting for her throughout. A story of a strong, independent woman who faced life’s challenges head on like the queen that she is.
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read your book and I’d completely recommend others to pick up a copy. You won’t be disappointed x

Amazing!

I loved this book! Honestly the emotional rollercoaster I went on whilst reading about the highs & lows of this couples relationship was somethink else! I could relate to the heroine so much in places and it really pulled on my heart strings. I will be watching out for more work by this author in the future! ⭐

Wow! I so enjoyed reading Cleo’s story! It was so compelling and kept me reading way past my bed time. It was full of twists and turns which kept me guessing right until the very end. Written with such honesty, raw emotion and humour. I would definitely recommend this beautiful, real-life and unconventional love story. Be prepared to go on a rollercoaster!

I read this book in a day! I couldn't put it down. It was uncomfortable to read at times as you follow Cleo through her tumultuous relationship with Mark. However as the story develops so do the secrets! And the ending has left me with so many questions.....!

Incredible, from beginning to end!

⭐️ 4.5 ⭐️

Vilken vidrig vidrig bok, jag fullkomligt hatar den.

Wow

Wow what a great read, Literally couldn’t put this book down. Cleo you are so forgiving and have the biggest heart.
Can’t wait for the next book to see more skeletons in Mark’s closet.

TW: Contains mental and physical abuse and abortion.

"When was it he first hit me?" Is the perfect prelude to the raw, honest and emotional journey that Cleo takes you on in this beautifully written memoir. When I was first asked to read this book, I was warned by the author that this would be a tough read and she wasn't wrong! But then, I usually find that the toughest reads are the ones that teach you the most.

Cleo meets the intensely charming Mark whilst on shift in A and E, with his lovable rogue persona quickly draws her in. Little did she know, that everything she thought she knew about love and life would be turned upside down. Mark is dishonest, intense, violent, jealous, manipulative and angry and I quickly became one of those people screaming at the choices that Cleo was making. But it's one of those situations where it's easy on the outside looking in, to see anything other than black and white. I veered between wanting to grab Cleo and give her a reality check, yet at the same time wanting to squeeze her and say, "I've got you."

Just when you think the ultimate betrayal has been served. Hurricane Mark gathers pace and delivers another crushing blow.

I admire Cleo's unapologetic honesty when telling her story and when most people would see Cleo as a victim, she feels the very opposite and even manages to inject humour and wit with excellent timing. Cleo has grit, determination, resilience, empathy, courage, enduring love, forgiveness and loyalty in unbelievable proportions.

This book will have you feeling angry, sad, hopeless, hopeful and above all inspired.

A definite must read!