📚Dirty Little Secret by Rachael Brownell delivered a sweet friends to lovers romance. The story hooked me from the first page and I soon found myself engrossed in this romantic story where the hero fell in love with his best friend’s sister.
Title: Dirty Little Secret
Author(s): Rachael Brownell
Series: Lake State University #1
Also in this series: Tempting Little Tease, Risky Little Affair , Wicked Little Promise , Scandalous Little Obsession , Torrid Little Passion , Tangled Little Truths, Twisted Little Lies, Defiant Little Love
Published by Rachael Brownell Books on September 9, 2021
Pages: 206
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Source: Wildfire Marketing Solutions
Format: eArc 
Purchase: Amazon
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He’s my brother’s best friend.Which makes me off limits.My brother made that clear to all his friends the summer I turned fourteen.That didn’t stop me from falling in love with him. From dreaming about sharing my future with him. From wondering what it would be like to be with him.It didn’t stop the heated looks he’d send me when no one was paying attention. Or how he always found a way to be near me, to touch me. To protect me.For six years we fought against the waves of desire but the current kept pushing us toward one another. Then I had him.We collided with hurricane force. Our connection… explosive. It felt right, being with him. With the first kiss, I gave him my heart. With the first touch, I gave him my body. When I saw the love in his eyes, I handed over my soul.I should have known it was too good to last, though. The next morning, he was gone, and my heart shattered. I left it on his bedroom floor as I did the walk of shame. It’s been nine months since I laid eyes on him. Yes, I’ve been avoiding this moment. But I can do this. I can fight my attraction for one night. Even if the moment I see him again, I know that night is going to come rushing back to me, along with the days and weeks of agony that followed.Because he still owns every piece of me.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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Release Date: September 9
📚Dirty Little Secret, the first book in the Lake Street University series and what a wonderful start. I had no expectations when going into this book. In the end I had a food time reading this sweet romance. Although not a blow your mind read, but if you were to look up the definition of charming, you would find ?Dirty Little Secret.
The story introduces Finn and Willow, who have been in love with each other since they were teenagers. However, any relationship outside of friendship between them was forbidden by Willow’s brother, Max. He threatened bodily harm to any of his friends who dared show any romantic interest in his sister. As a result, Finn and Willow danced around their feelings for each other. A dance can only last so long, though. Before you know it, Finn and Willow embarked on a secret relationship. How long can they keep their relationship secret from their friends and family?
I enjoyed getting to know the characters. Willow and Finn together burned up the pages. While Finn wanted to shout to the world about his feelings, Willow held back, fearing the fallout at the discovery of their secret. Aside from the challenge of keeping their relationship secret, they faced other obstacles. Finn stood by her through it all.
The author whetted my appetite for the secondary characters, and now I am looking forward to their stories. Told from alternate POVs ?Dirty Little Secret made me tearing up, laughing and swooning.
I loved the story, however, the story arc relating to the secrecy of Finn and Willow’s relationship took awhile to be resolved. I thought this aspect of the story dragged on for too long. Secondly, Max’s reaction to learning about the relationship puzzled me.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Fans of friends to lovers of college romance should consider adding 📚Dirty Little Secret to their Reading list.
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About Rachael Brownell
Rachael Brownell is an award-winning author of young adult and new adult romance.
Rachael lives in Michigan with her husband, son, snuggly dog, and hateful cat. She moonlights as a bartender a few days a week (her excuse to get out of the house and socialize) and writes almost full time. Her first book was published way back in 2013 and since she’s released 30 additional titles. She writes all kinds of romance – dark, sexy, sweet. When she’s not writing her next novel, you can find her hanging out with her family, watching her son play baseball, or running on the treadmill at the gym (though she skips more days than she goes). She also enjoys golfing but is still learning, so if you see her on the course… stand back.
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That sounds fun. The brother being the reason they stayed apart for so long is interesting and now I want to know hoe he reacted.
His reaction wasn’t what I expected, but it was interesting.
I just love this review you have here hun. Isn’t it the best when an author writes such wonderful secondary characters that you have to read those books too? I swear authors like to torture us with those teasers haha
They sure do.
This one sounds tasty to me, I’m glad you liked it – lovely reviewing!
It is and thanks.
Dirty Little Secret sounds great. Might check this series out.
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Dirty Little Secret sounds like a great read. Might have to check this series out.
If you do, I hope you enjoy it.
Great review. Not really my kind of read, especially is the storyline goes on for a while. Glad you enjoyed it.
I understand. Not every read is for everyone.