After relentless bullying throughout her childhood, Tia Marie Daggen dropped out of high school and homeschooled herself, determined to create a better life.Now she is one of the best band managers in the music industry. She starts out on her own when the company she works for screws her over.Her first client? Her old high school crush, Mikey Ecosta. When she lets down her guard and lets him in, … in, things don’t go as planned. When he asks for one more chance, can Tia let go of the past and trust him with her heart?
Cocky, self-assured rocker Mikey Ecosta knows his effect on women. He flashes a sexy smile and they’re clamoring for his attention.When he meets his new manager, Tia, sparks fly, but she’s determined to keep him at arm’s length. Just when he finally convinces her to let him in, a lie rips them apart. When the truth is revealed, can he win back the one woman who can bring him to his knees, or has he lost her forever?
This book discusses suicide and attempted suicide. In-depth details are not given, but it is spoken about at length. It also talks about mental health and drug addiction. If you feel like these subjects would be hard for you to read about, please avoid.
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A Little Rockstar romance with a twist of bully makes for a sweet but rocky story. Tia was bullied to the point of dropping out and homeschooling. Years later, after losing her huge rock star clients, she quits and walks out but nothing before she sees the one boy who was sweet to her. The one boy she’s had a crush on since she was in school and has wondered what if as he rose to fame in the music industry. Mikey loses is manager and is on the prowl for a new one. His friend drops a name and off her goes. When he gets to the company she works, he’s left waiting in waiting room forever when a beautiful tornado of a woman comes through. Ranting and raving and is gone before he has a chance to as her name. And angsty whirlwind of ups and downs will have you swooning then screaming. But it’s raw and it real and you just have to look for rainbows in the storms.
What a beautifully written story!!! Tia and Mikey’s story was raw, emotional and written perfectly. There were times where I was so yelling at them to knock it off and be together. Then there were other times I’m glad they weren’t. I truly believe there is a time and place for people to be together and that is so accurate for Tia and Mikey. This book is amazing and an absolute must read.
Secret Smiles is the debut novel by Author Laura John. What a fantastic start to an interesting contemporary romance series based in the music industry.
The story is well thought out and the book was edited to perfection. I had a small amount of struggle staying engaged in the story ONLY due to the fact I have recently been reading much heavier story lines. Also, there was a lot of “tell not show” with lots of internal dialogue. Some readers enjoy this style, and for a first published book from an author, I understand the writing style.
I look forward to reading more from Author Laura John to see how her writing will grow. She is a fantastic story teller and this book, if not the whole series, is definitely worth picking up if you enjoy overcoming a bully background, lost/found love, friends to lovers tropes.
Triggers to be aware of — This story does deal with bullying, mental health triggers, and substance abuse.
Tia is one tough cookie but she has been through a lot. I felt like hugging her and then becoming her friend. Mickey is also tormented and has his own demons; but together it seems they can conquer everything. It’s a slow burn and it tugs at your heartstrings. The subject matter is tough and intense but the author does an excellent job of doing it justice.
What a roller coaster ride this turned out to be. Mikey is in need of a new manger, and Tia is in need of a client. For Mikey, he wants more with Tia but she has a rule and doesn’t want to break it. What happens when that rule is broken? Well the two will find out, and the aftermath that was once sweet turns cold and bitter. Will this relationship be Mikey’s downfall?
Ok there is so much going on in this story, that there was no way I could even cover it without leaving spoilers. I will say, I am not even sure if I like the story, I don’t think I rolled my eyes so much in a book. Like I said it was a roller coaster with the ups and downs, naughty bits were lacking, and an overload of drama. I will say it kept my attention, I actually read it in my normal time which says a lot. I give this 3.5 stars.
Many of the books I have been reading this year are new to me authors and Laura John is one of them. This book, literally left me with a huge lump in my throat because I relate so much with Tia. There are some dark topics in this book that may trigger some but to me, it made Tia very relatable.
Being bullied as a teen, Tia is now a successful band manager and is surprised when someone from her past, the sexy, smooth talking Mikey, becomes her new client. He doesn’t remember her but she sure remembers him. Tia has risen above her past and will not let anything bring her down so she keeps the distance between her and Mikey.
As sparks fly, they decide to take a chance at love but a lie threatens to destroy their HEA and it may just be too late.
Also, no cliffhangers! 5 stars 🙂
I hold a special place in my heart for Rockstar romances (I’m a music fanatic) so when I was offered the opportunity to read this book, I couldn’t say no. I expected a hot, fast-paced romance but this book was so much more. I laughed. I cried. This book was emotionally charged from the beginning. I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely fell in love with the story and the characters. It was so easy to put myself in their shoes and really feel what the story was portraying. The fact that it addresses bullying and depression were added bonuses to me since someone near and dear to me suffers from bipolar disorder. This was an awesome read and the author has now gained a fan for life.
Secret Smiles is the first book in the Love in Sienna Series by Laura John. I have to be honest and say I had a hard time liking Tia and Mickey at the beginning of the story but something made me continue. I began to warm up to the characters. They go through so much to be together. At moments it was heart breaking. Laura John does a great job with the topics of drug use, suicide, attempted suicide, and bullying. Overall, I liked this book.
Tia and Mikey are both dealing with issues from their past. Tia was bullied and felt abandoned by her mother and Mikey always wished he had stood up to the bully of the girl he liked but never had the courage to talk to. Their paths cross again but Mikey does not remember Tia and she is determined to keep Mikey at arm’s length. Mikey finally breaks down her defences and things get hot between them until the past rears it’s ugly head and turns their lives upside down. Life goes from bad to worse for everyone before finally levelling out again all thanks to hard work and Secret Smiles.
Secret Smiles was a rollercoaster of emotions right from page one which takes you through all of the feels and tackles some very strong and serious subjects that may cause triggers for some people like bullying, alcohol and drug abuse and suicide. Secret Smiles was a great start to the Love in Sienna series. Laura John is a new author to me and I am looking forward to continuing with her novels. Secret Smiles is told from the first-person point of view and is a friends to lovers, second chance, Rockstar romance.
Ok, here’s where I have to be real…there were so many times I rolled my eyes while reading this book. I’m talking ready to give up on Mikey and Tia because they just couldn’t get it together. But, I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t put the book down because I HAD to know what was going to happen. I needed to know that even though mistakes were made and hearts were broken that they were going to pull through and get their happily ever after because I fell for them. I loved how they loved so hard. I loved how strong Tia was, even when giving up would have been easier. This story pulled on my heartstrings but in the end I’m so happy I didn’t give up on them!
This was my first book that I have read by Laura John and I didn’t know what to expect when reading this book. This books tells the love story of Tia Daggen (Patricia) who was bullied in high school and Mikey Ecosta. This book deals with alot of adult issues that no one should have to deal with. The relationship between Mikey and Tia has its ups and downs with there professional and personal lives. You will have to read this book to see if these to get there happy ending or not.
This was a great book! I knew from the characters I was introduced to along the way that there would be more stories to come. I am absolutely in live with Mikey and Tia’s story. Their relationship started off very fast and spited out of control. It took them all to different places they needed to be to get different results. I’m so happy that they had to work to get where they wanted to be but they didn’t give up or stop trying. This book hit some pretty close to home scenarios that some people have encountered but have never worked through. It gives you hope and encourages you to get out there and seek help. I loved this book so much and I can not WAIT to continue the series! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read a good and real story.
Thank you Laura John for the copy of her novel Secret Smiles,
Finally a guy that has issues, Mikey Ecosta “Bad boy drug affected talented Musician and best of Cocky attitude”
Drifting through his career at a loss without a band and he signs up with Patricia Daggen, Band Manager and unbeknown to him a former school student he had known as “Fatty Patty” Tia Marie, tormented and bullied by his friends, whilst he stood around and watched but sent her Secret Smiles.
Years later these two meet, and its instant attraction, but Patricia keeps her secret of their former association, just that A Secret and keeps Mikey at bay.
Laura deals with issues that seem to me more prevalent today in our society, depression drug use suicide, pressures of life and social media.
We watch as things are twisted Lies are believed and told and love nearly lost.
the heartache that Patricia goes through with Mikey, the revealing of her secret and her issue with bullying, and then it is right there again in her present day life, when Mikey brings back into the picture Johnny Crown.
I loved how we had to see Mikey go through what he had to, to get the girl. Patricia stayed strong and to her beliefs, her heartache at whether she was really what Mikey wanted, was he able to clean himself up from drug use and stop believing the lies he had been told.
The issues were real and I just couldnt help but love and enjoy this read. Im really looking forward to Johnny’s Story “The bully” the other side of the coin or picture “HIdden Kisses”
I find there are always reasons and events why people are the way they are and do what they do.
this is Johnny and I cant wait to see if Patricia can move on finally from the hurt he caused her.
Dont get me wrong Patricia has carved herself out an Identity and Career with strong values and Successful at what she does, But again Johnny is a catalyst in the Crisis that Mikey and Patricia go through and deal with, finally coming through it together.
I loved Mikey Ecosta, he made me want to be the one he had sent those Secret Smiles to and still did to Patricia.
Awesome read. (less)
Secret Smiles is the first book from author Laura John and I was offered and Arc to read this amazing story, which for me it’s so much more than a romantic novel because it deals with topics that many people experience in their everyday day life. I absolutely love the characters of the story which were Tia and Mickey. Like I said before the characters in the story deal with topics and struggles that sometimes are topics that we don’t talk about in the everyday life but what I really love about the book is that it gave me a different perspective about this issues. I really enjoyed the story, the chemistry with the characters were super good and the love scenes super hot and steamy. They were scenes were I was laughing so hard as well as scenes were I was feeling all the angst and overwhelming emotions that the characters were making feel. Overall I think Laura did an incredible job and I would definitely be waiting for her seconmd book.
So many twists and turns, what a great read.
Ups and downs lead to happy in the end
I enjoyed this first book from a new author. I despised both Mikey and Tia at points in the book, but their story was definitely gritty and kept my interest. I only wish that their reconciliation (not the friends one, the “back together” one) didn’t feel rushed at the end of the book. This won’t stop me from trying the next book that the author writes, though.
Amazing story!
Can’t believe Secret Smiles is Laura’s debut story!
I want more stories from this Author.
Tia was bullied when she was younger, now she as become a strong, independent, successful woman and doesn’t let anyone push her around…… that’s only until she comes face to face with the person who bullied her all those years back…..
Mikey is a rockstar in need of a representative and Tia is the best at it. Lines get crossed and it seems Mikey and Tia are heading to a HEA…… yeah, think again…
Fast forwarding to the story…….
A lie leads Mikey to push Tia away!
And OMG…. how my heart broke for them.
Mikey believes his best friend and refuses to listen to anything that Tia has to say!!!! yeah, exactly my thoughts…. what kind of friend Mikey has? I’ll tell you what kind, the kind that needs to be punch
I can’t wait to read Hidden Kisses. Laura John as mention that I would chance my mind about Johnny W Crown…… can he really be redeem? Not sure, but for now……. I STRONGLY DISLIKE HIM!!!!