Secretly Hers by Jamie Beck

Posted June 22, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Secretly HersTitle:  Secretly Hers
Series:  Sterling Canyon #2
Author:  Jamie Beck
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  June 21, 2016
Publisher:  Montlake Romance
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

On her thirty-first birthday, hopeless romantic Kelsey Callihan has all but given up on happily ever afters, which is why she agrees to a risqué proposition from Sterling Canyon’s notorious playboy, backcountry skier Trip Lexington. After all, every girl needs a little fun, and with Trip, there are no mixed signals or risks of a broken heart. And if his tips can help her land a husband in the process, all the better.

Trip couldn’t be happier with his secret, no-strings fling with sweet and sexy Kelsey until she calls it quits after meeting a man she believes could share her dream of marriage and family. His jealousy turns to outrage when he discovers that the man is his estranged half brother and lifelong rival.

Now Trip must decide whether the fire in his gut is due to sibling rivalry or something much more dangerous…like love.

Read on for my thoughts on Secretly Hers.  No true spoilers, promise.

Sometimes you want something so badly that fate just seems to keep pushing it further out of your reach.  That’s Kelsey’s problem.  She wants the whole happy family deal, the loving husband and kids.  Not that having that would make her complete, but it’s what she believes will make her happy.  Unfortunately, Kelsey’s been putting off a slightly desperate vibe lately, and dates are not going as well as intended.  So much so that it’s earned her a rather cruel nickname that she does her best to ignore.

Meet her answer – Trip.  One super sexy player with the melt your panties glances and the wicked, know it all about women grin.  Trip is more than willing to help Kelsey with her desperation problem.  One secret fling, some pointers on how to pick the man who fits what she wants – without looking like she’s actually considering him.  Some one on one education and Kelsey gets what she wants and Trip, well he gets Kelsey for a while.  Perfect plan.  Both parties get exactly what they want with some sexy times to add to the mutual enjoyment.  Yeah, perfect.  Until something changed, and the playboy discovers that behind this game he’s wanting to play for keeps.

I had fun with Secretly Hers.  Trip does indeed come off as the ultimate manwhore.  And maybe there are some underlying issues behind that persona that the world at large isn’t aware of.  When the ongoing competition with his half brother flows over onto the relationship with Kelsey, Trip gets a bit of a wake up call.  Maybe love is possible when you’ve got the right woman in it with you.

Definitely steamy, often times charming, occasionally cringe-worthy, Kelsey and Trip’s journey to their happy ever after is one emotional roller coaster ride that you won’t want to miss.

*I received an e-ARC of Secretly Hers from the publisher, Montlake Romance and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Available in paperback, audio and for the Kindle