sydneyjetton's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jsromancebookblog's review against another edition
5.0
Funny and sweet but with a lot of steam, The Secret is the perfect addition to the Winslow Brothers series. It’s an adorably sweet but hot romantic comedy, and it’s a must read.
14 years ago, Ty and his brothers happened upon a fortune teller that predicted their fates, and he’s a bit freaked out about it. When the book begins, we find Ty returning to the fortune teller and her confirming her vision for his future. Fast forward nine months, and Ty, an English professor, and Rachel, a new graduate student, first meet in Ty’s brother’s new club. Having never met before and unknowing of who the other person is, Rachel’s goal is to make him unable to forget about her basically, and she accomplishes that. Little do either of them know, they’ll soon be forced to work alongside each other with Rachel as Ty’s TA. Unfortunately, her father is Ty’s head of the department at the university, which effectively means Rachel’s dad is Ty’s boss. There’s a lot of tension that’s caused by that, and we get to see these two go from total strangers to professor/TA to something else entirely.
I love that Ty has finally met his match with Rachel. He’s lived his whole life as a bit of a Casanova that’s been unwilling (unable?) to find anyone to be serious about for the long run until he finds himself on the receiving end of Rachel’s attention that night at the nightclub. She’s younger (26 versus his 39), but it’s not really an issue. Rachel’s mature enough to know what she wants and gutsy enough to go after it. They try to resist each other, but it’s futile. The pull between them is palpable, and the chemistry is white hot. The steam level is off the charts in the best way, and they have an addictive attraction to one another.
Also, this book is funny! Like I don’t think I’ve ever read a book by Max Monroe that I wasn’t entertained by, and The Secret doesn’t disappoint. The interactions between Ty and his family are phenomenally comedic, and those little morsels of hilarity really help to further the plotline. I love the deliberateness of how the secondary characters are used, but never do they feel unwarranted. Something I’ve come to appreciate about these authors is that they’re able to construct these stories where you’ll be laughing but also emotionally invested, and it’s all due to the well-done construction of their cast of characters.
So, if you’re looking for your next romantic comedy, look no further. The Secret’s equal parts comedic and heartfelt and has plenty of steaminess. I definitely recommend Ty and Rachel’s story and can’t wait for the next book.
14 years ago, Ty and his brothers happened upon a fortune teller that predicted their fates, and he’s a bit freaked out about it. When the book begins, we find Ty returning to the fortune teller and her confirming her vision for his future. Fast forward nine months, and Ty, an English professor, and Rachel, a new graduate student, first meet in Ty’s brother’s new club. Having never met before and unknowing of who the other person is, Rachel’s goal is to make him unable to forget about her basically, and she accomplishes that. Little do either of them know, they’ll soon be forced to work alongside each other with Rachel as Ty’s TA. Unfortunately, her father is Ty’s head of the department at the university, which effectively means Rachel’s dad is Ty’s boss. There’s a lot of tension that’s caused by that, and we get to see these two go from total strangers to professor/TA to something else entirely.
I love that Ty has finally met his match with Rachel. He’s lived his whole life as a bit of a Casanova that’s been unwilling (unable?) to find anyone to be serious about for the long run until he finds himself on the receiving end of Rachel’s attention that night at the nightclub. She’s younger (26 versus his 39), but it’s not really an issue. Rachel’s mature enough to know what she wants and gutsy enough to go after it. They try to resist each other, but it’s futile. The pull between them is palpable, and the chemistry is white hot. The steam level is off the charts in the best way, and they have an addictive attraction to one another.
Also, this book is funny! Like I don’t think I’ve ever read a book by Max Monroe that I wasn’t entertained by, and The Secret doesn’t disappoint. The interactions between Ty and his family are phenomenally comedic, and those little morsels of hilarity really help to further the plotline. I love the deliberateness of how the secondary characters are used, but never do they feel unwarranted. Something I’ve come to appreciate about these authors is that they’re able to construct these stories where you’ll be laughing but also emotionally invested, and it’s all due to the well-done construction of their cast of characters.
So, if you’re looking for your next romantic comedy, look no further. The Secret’s equal parts comedic and heartfelt and has plenty of steaminess. I definitely recommend Ty and Rachel’s story and can’t wait for the next book.
christyheartsbooks's review
1000% a me thing. The formatting of this book was driving me bonkers. I couldn't do it.
callywog's review
3.0
Rachel (26) and Ty (39)
Professor/TA, age gap, slow burn.
This was fun and playful for a while but didn’t totally keep my interest and i ended up skimming a lot.
There are 2 “almost sex scenes” and then like 7ish full on scenes, one with anal play. 3.5🔥
kidisitor's review
5.0
Before you go any farther... this book is quite sexual, so if too much sex in books turns you off, you'll probably want to avoid this one... though unless you are new to Max Monroe you should already know this. Ok, no back to the review..... What started as a game, a challenge, turns into so much more. This is a forbidden, age gap, sexy and humorous romance. Of all the Winslow boys, Ty is the biggest playboy. He has no intention of falling in love. He's happy with his life as it is.... but then one short interaction with a mystery woman and she's all he can think about. She is his mentor/bosses daughter, though he didn't know that at the time. She is sorta the female version of him. She's not necessarily promiscuous, but she isn't looking to settle down. Both are intelligent, strong, confident beings. She's just a little lost as far as what her future holds. There isn't much drama between the two of them, but there is some between her and her father. And while there is that one big break up scene, it's not because of anything wrong between the two of them... it's more due to her inner turmoil. It alternates between POVs. As I mentioned, there is lots of sexual content, suitable for mature readers. It reads easily and quickly. You'll laugh and you'll cry. Enjoy! :D
snarkymotherreader's review against another edition
5.0
Oh dear, sweet Ty. I was wondering how this book was going to work, and I am NOT disappointed.
Max Monroe turned the epic player into a swoony main character, and I am here for it!! What starts out as a game of wills between Ty and Rachel becomes a love affair neither expected.
There's an age gap. Forbidden fruit. He falls first. All the wonder and majesty of two bull-headed, die-hard players falling for each other PLUS some legit breakdowns of English literature.
Don't let anyone tell you spicy books have no merit or backbone. The Secret is one of many books that prove otherwise!
Max Monroe turned the epic player into a swoony main character, and I am here for it!! What starts out as a game of wills between Ty and Rachel becomes a love affair neither expected.
There's an age gap. Forbidden fruit. He falls first. All the wonder and majesty of two bull-headed, die-hard players falling for each other PLUS some legit breakdowns of English literature.
Don't let anyone tell you spicy books have no merit or backbone. The Secret is one of many books that prove otherwise!