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fsmeurinne's review against another edition
5.0
I read this as a standalone, I now want to read the previous books to the series. Clark and Emerson story is amazing. Clark is the hot manwhore that meets Emerson, her father's business colleague daughter. Their story is not easy, she is broken, he wasn't looking for a girlfriend, they will discover secrets and will have to fight their demons. A 5 star read.
skullinda's review against another edition
4.0
The Secret has no doubt become one of my favorite books in this series and I was excited to dive into this book since I was first introduced to Clark. His character has always been a bit of a playboy, (what am I saying? They're all playboys.) and seems to have a soft spot for beautiful, defenseless women. That doesn't stop short on how this man helps Emerson, a girl that has lived the last few years of her life in fear. I would be down to play the damsel in distress to this 6 foot plus greek god of hotness. Just sayin'.
I love the way the author builds the story on Clark and Emerson's friendship and disguises it with a fake relationship. This showed how much Clark was willing to help a total stranger and it shined a light on how amazing he is. Even through Emerson's hesitancy and secretive past, he remained patient, calm and collected. Not against those who are a threat though. For a girl who is new to town, this woman had enemies lurking in every corner, ready to attack at any moment. But have no fear because her warrior boyfriend is ready to strike back.
If you're in the mood for a friends-to-lovers romance mixed with a bit of bullying, then start this series now. This book touches on sensitive topics such as rape and bullying. So it may not be for you. Please read at your own discretion.
I love the way the author builds the story on Clark and Emerson's friendship and disguises it with a fake relationship. This showed how much Clark was willing to help a total stranger and it shined a light on how amazing he is. Even through Emerson's hesitancy and secretive past, he remained patient, calm and collected. Not against those who are a threat though. For a girl who is new to town, this woman had enemies lurking in every corner, ready to attack at any moment. But have no fear because her warrior boyfriend is ready to strike back.
If you're in the mood for a friends-to-lovers romance mixed with a bit of bullying, then start this series now. This book touches on sensitive topics such as rape and bullying. So it may not be for you. Please read at your own discretion.
pelicanfreak's review against another edition
4.0
First of all:
Props to Beck & Hallman for writing a character who suffers from anxiety. It’s not easy to find representation for things like this. Sure, it’s a trauma / PTSD-type response, but she’s living with crippling anxiety and I felt like it was depicted pretty well.
The continuity could’ve been a smidge better, but it seemed like the authors look some liberties with this for the sake of ‘showing instead of telling’ so I’ll take it.
When I read this one, I was 3 books deep into binging this series and I mostly like it—these characters are a bit sweeter than books 1 & 2’s and the ‘mystery’ a little less obvious. The misunderstandings were less stretch-y, etc. Overall, pretty well-played.
Some of this one even made me laugh … if you’ve read book 2, picture Ava about to ‘rearrange someone’s face’ in standing up to a bully/ for a new friend. This whole scene was fun!
Oh! And towards the end, I couldn’t help but notice the Corium crossover—absolutely loved this.
Overall: 4 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
It’s likely I’ll read on in this series.
Audio:
Both of these narrators continue to sound great and I’d definitely listen to either of them any time. I do appreciate the perfect sound quality as well. 5-star performance, 5-star production.
Props to Beck & Hallman for writing a character who suffers from anxiety. It’s not easy to find representation for things like this. Sure, it’s a trauma / PTSD-type response, but she’s living with crippling anxiety and I felt like it was depicted pretty well.
The continuity could’ve been a smidge better, but it seemed like the authors look some liberties with this for the sake of ‘showing instead of telling’ so I’ll take it.
When I read this one, I was 3 books deep into binging this series and I mostly like it—these characters are a bit sweeter than books 1 & 2’s and the ‘mystery’ a little less obvious. The misunderstandings were less stretch-y, etc. Overall, pretty well-played.
Some of this one even made me laugh … if you’ve read book 2, picture Ava about to ‘rearrange someone’s face’ in standing up to a bully/ for a new friend. This whole scene was fun!
Oh! And towards the end, I couldn’t help but notice the Corium crossover—absolutely loved this.
Overall: 4 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
It’s likely I’ll read on in this series.
Audio:
Both of these narrators continue to sound great and I’d definitely listen to either of them any time. I do appreciate the perfect sound quality as well. 5-star performance, 5-star production.
amyjanealice's review against another edition
1.0
Ok so in the last 10% of the book things went from 0-100 verrrry quickly. A totally unrealistic plot point that no one seems to bat an eyelid at and the story just... ends?
Terrible grammar and punctuation with the use of past and present tense simultaneously throughout which made it a very jarring read.
There’s insta-love and then INSTA-LOVE, as in the second they meet. Both characters were totally dependable on each other from their first interaction. The characters definitely needing fleshing out more, as neither really had any defining features except Clark liked to have sex and drink whisky and Emerson was quiet? Also there just had to be the whole “oh she has freckles and doesn’t wear makeup and wears baggy sweaters and just ISN’T LIKE OTHER GIRLS!!!” You can wear so much make up and no clothes and your pain is still valid???
I also had issues with how the authors handled Emerson’s experience and how she deals with it as the story progresses, but as I cannot comment on the representation from experience I won’t state those here.
Yeaaah so this just wasn’t for me sadly.
Terrible grammar and punctuation with the use of past and present tense simultaneously throughout which made it a very jarring read.
There’s insta-love and then INSTA-LOVE, as in the second they meet. Both characters were totally dependable on each other from their first interaction. The characters definitely needing fleshing out more, as neither really had any defining features except Clark liked to have sex and drink whisky and Emerson was quiet? Also there just had to be the whole “oh she has freckles and doesn’t wear makeup and wears baggy sweaters and just ISN’T LIKE OTHER GIRLS!!!” You can wear so much make up and no clothes and your pain is still valid???
I also had issues with how the authors handled Emerson’s experience and how she deals with it as the story progresses, but as I cannot comment on the representation from experience I won’t state those here.
Yeaaah so this just wasn’t for me sadly.
ohitsmaria9's review against another edition
5.0
Emerson suffers from crippling anxiety. Always living in fear. Clark doesn't care about anyone but himself. As we learned in the last book he does not shy away from attention. They are polar opposites, but their differences are what bring them strength. Emerson shows Clark he was a heart while Clark shows Emerson she is so much stronger than she realizes. They truly teach each other so much. Their story is so much different than the first two books in the series.
thisiswhyshedied's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
hananlovesbooks's review
4.0
The moment I started this book I couldn’t put it down.
It got my attention from the get go.
I adorned Clark and Emerson.
Clark the sexy built guy everyone knows.
Is suddenly brought to his knees by a shy timid slip of a girl.
Emerson is beautiful young lady afraid of her own shadow.
Who suddenly finds herself pulled to a strange guy.
Both of them so opposite but fit and complete each other.
I love how Clark was with Em.
How his presence was her calm.
How his voice would ground her.
I liked that Emerson finally finds someone to be able to lean on and trust.
Someone who can hopefully bring out her strong side.
Great friends to lovers story.
It’s touching and emotional.
It got my attention from the get go.
I adorned Clark and Emerson.
Clark the sexy built guy everyone knows.
Is suddenly brought to his knees by a shy timid slip of a girl.
Emerson is beautiful young lady afraid of her own shadow.
Who suddenly finds herself pulled to a strange guy.
Both of them so opposite but fit and complete each other.
I love how Clark was with Em.
How his presence was her calm.
How his voice would ground her.
I liked that Emerson finally finds someone to be able to lean on and trust.
Someone who can hopefully bring out her strong side.
Great friends to lovers story.
It’s touching and emotional.
mandersjojo's review against another edition
4.0
Emerson and Clark have an interesting story. Clark is such a great guy. So supportive and loving. Emerson was very reserved with falling in love because of her past but Clark was able to help her lower her walls.