From New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting comes a new romance about trading secrets, breaking the rules, and playing for keeps.My name is Ryan Kingston, and I’m a rule follower. I’ve never been in a fistfight. I always obey the speed limit. I don’t get drunk, and I definitely don’t pick up random women at bars.Except the night I found out that my whole existence has been a lie.I got … existence has been a lie.
I got drunk. And picked up a stranger.
Her name was Queenie, and she was everything I’m not: reckless, impulsive, and chaotic. We did shots and traded secrets. And ended up naked at my place.
She left me a thank-you note in the morning and her panties as a parting gift. But no way to contact her.
Six weeks later I’m sitting in the first official team meeting of the season, and there she is. I neglected to mention that I’m the goalie for Seattle’s NHL team.
And Queenie? Turns out she’s the general manager’s daughter.
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Helena Hunting brings it with A Secret for a Secret. I simply adore King and Queenie. King is known as the boy scout, he follows the rules and walks a straight line. Queenie is a little bit of a wreck. She is more impulsive and a runner when things get tough. They both harbor a few secrets that you will just be like what the heck just happened. I love King and Queenie together. They balance each other out. King shows that when the going gets tough he will stick with you. You’ll laugh and love right along with King and Queenie. How can you not when it comes to anything Helena Hunting writes. I couldn’t put this one down. Just wait until you fall in love with Queenie and King just like I did.
I loved this book! King and Queenie couldn’t have been more opposite. He was straight laced, rule follower, a bit anal, and focused. Queenie was impulsive, chaotic, deeply hurt by her mother and her first boyfriend. This book started out with a bang, ( literally) when they first meet. It definitely had some secrets, angst, humor, sweet and sexy. I love all of the characters Helena has written in her books. King is definitely at the top of my list of favorite men in her books! I highly recommend this book. Don’t forget book 1, A Lie For A Lie and Book 2, A Favor For A Favor!
My sweet King and his Queen have such a beautiful love story.
I laughed out loud so much while reading this book and I remembered why I love so much this series and these characters.
Each one has a secret and it’s not always easy, to tell the truth, or find the courage to spill out all the beans.
Family drama, feelings to go for days and bumpy road ahead won’t keep them to find their happily ever after.
You need to read this series!
Goalie Ryan (King) Kingston has two problems he is dealing with, the first is finding out that his sister is actually his mother AKA “momster” and that his former one-night stand who left a sticky note telling him thanks and no phone number is the daughter of the team’s general manager and the team has just been warned off from dating her. Queenie Masterson is working as her dad’s assistant until she figures out what she wants to go back to school to finish her degree.
A Secret for a Secret has so much in the story that I wasn’t expecting and I didn’t want to stop to reading one more chapter so I read until it needed charging. You need to buy the entire series plus it’s related to her Pucked series for more books to read!
P.S. I would love to see Jake Masterson’s story!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 King and Queen Stars! I devoured this one! I absolutely loved Kingston and Queenie’s banter, so witty and flirty. Their chemistry is off the charts hot! Add in past characters and prepare to laugh and swoon. A great addition and probably my favorite of this series! A definite must read!
A Secret for a Secret is the third book in the All In series. Helena Hunting has become well-known in the Rom-Com genre and rightfully so. You can always count on good humor to go along with a great story!
Ryan “King” Kingston plays for the NHL’s Seattle team and to put it mildly, he’s got a crazy family. He’s just learned some life altering news, so he does what he rarely does and heads to a bar to have some drinks. What he doesn’t anticipate is taking a woman home with him and even beyond that, he doesn’t ever expect to see her again. But you know how that goes…
Queenie Masterson is trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life. She’s just recently lost her job and decided to move closer to her father, Jake, who is the GM of the Seattle NHL team. She ends up becoming his assistant and while she’s good at her job, it seems that chaos tends to follow her.
When King and Queenie realize that they were each other’s one-night stand from weeks before things become complicated. They have chemistry like no other, but because they are both affiliated with the team, and Queenie promised her dad that she wouldn’t date players, things hit a dead end before they can reconnect. Will that stop them though?
King is amazing. He’s quirky, but I loved that about him. He is so down to earth, caring, considerate and he’s definitely a rule follower. The way he treats Queenie and stands by her, defends her and loves her is awesome. Queenie is short on self esteem and rightfully so based on things that have gone on in her life. I enjoyed seeing her grow as the book went on when she was surrounded by the right people.
Another aspect that I loved is that we got to see people from previous books, including Alex and Violet, which is always wonderful. This was highly entertaining and I look forward to what Helena Hunting has to offer us next!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Ryan Kingston – what a truly wonderful, sweet guy he is. Until, apparently, you get him in he bedroom, then he’s anything but. He’s also the goalie for the Seattle ice hockey team, which means he’s tall, and ripped, two of my favourite traits. One thing’s for sure, he’s definitely met his match in Queenie (yep, you’ve got it, King and Queen – cute), you couldn’t get two more opposite people, but opposites definitely do attract, chaos and mayhem seem to mould together quite well with neat and organised . Addictive, sweet and sexy, and of course there are Helena Hunting’s trademark funny moments. Wonderful writing and an addictive storyline with all the feels. A must for all Pucked fans, and there are a few cameos from that series, so great to check in with the Waters family. All books in this series can be read as stand-alones. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.
Helena Hunting is a writing genius because this series only gets better and better!!
Ryan Kingston is sweet, a total gentleman, and so respectful to everyone, but underneath all that buttoned up, milk-drinking handsome man is a dirty, insatiable guy. King is truly the perfect fictional boyfriend and I swooned HARD!
Queenie is the kind of beautiful chaos we all feel like at times. She is currently working for her father because she hasn’t decided what she wants to do with her life. Lots of bad decisions, mistakes, and indecisions have led her back to living with her dad which is also how she ends up back in the sights of King, a man she didn’t think she’d see again after their amazing one night stand.
King is steady, loyal, and a huge rule follower. When he finds out that his sister is actually his mother, you could say that his world is a little shook. For a man who never drinks, he heads to a bar, meets Queenie and well…the one night stand takes off from there. Something he has never done. Weeks later she appears as the managers new assistant who also happens to be his daughter. King, the rule follower, feels even worse, but it doesn’t dampen the feelings he has for Queenie.
As much as they try to follow the no-fraternization policy, it is nearly impossible. Their connection crackles whenever they are near and King finds himself drawn to the chaos as much as Queenie is drawn to his calm. I think that is what I love about this entire series, Helena is so good with each couple supporting and loving their faults, knowing that no one is perfect, but that together they complete each other.
Also for Helena fans, you will love the follow ups with past characters and I could totally see a second generation with all of the children these virile men keep helping with.
The amount of time it took me to read this book has nothing to do with how good it was at all. I’ve just been in a weird reading place since November of 2019. Every time I picked up A Secret for a Secret, I enjoyed what I read but then I’d put it down and it’d take so long for me to pick it back up. Reading is hard especially right now but I loved this book!
I’ve been waiting to read A Secret for a Secret since I finished A Favor for a Favor back in November! I was not disappointed and I am so glad that I got the chance to read this book early. I loved King and Queenie so dang much! From the beginning, I was laughing and swooning over their antics. It was fun to learn about King and why he drank so much milk and was so straight-laced compared to his teammates. He was such a good guy that it made it that much hotter to see him let loose in the bedroom. Queenie’s story was heartbreaking and I felt for her so much. No one should have to be torn down by someone who should have had her back. But she had an amazing father who she’d been made to feel as if she shouldn’t rely on by people in her life. The two of them together was electric. They had so much chemistry it threatened to melt my kindle. I loved how their differences are what made their relationship so strong. They each had what the other needed. I liked that they weathered through any storm and craziness that was thrown their way and came out of it even stronger. The pacing was amazing and the fact that once Queenie and King were together, they made it work, made this story that much better. I also liked that it wasn’t about them keeping the relationship from Queenie’s dad. But how he found out was hilarious. This book was so dang funny and amazing.
I was able to relate to King and Queenie so profoundly that everything that they went through, I felt in my soul. I am just like King with following rules and needing to have everything in order. I like the organization. Queenie and I shared the problem of having someone in your life that tore you down if you weren’t doing what they wanted you to do or if they were jealous. I’ve never related to two characters so profoundly and that made me love this book even more.
It was fun seeing the others. I loved seeing Rook, Lainey, Kody as well as Bishop and Stevie. Bishop was still just as funny in this one as he was in his book and the way he needled Rook was hilarious. But what I enjoyed even more in A Secret for a Secret was how we got to see more of Violet and meet her two little ones. Lavender will win you over from the moment you meet her and the devotion River showed to his sister was so sweet. I loved meeting them and I can’t wait to see more about them in the future.
A Secret for a Secret was well worth the wait and I am ready for the next spin-off. I’m sad this series is over but it was such a fun one! I’m excited for everything Helena has coming for us this year.
*I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
A Secret for a Secret will hook your attention from the very beginning! It is Ryan Kingstons book and is so well worth reading that you will want to be all the characters friends!
This story is witty, steamy, with some really great lol moments and add in some secrets and disappointments and you have a winner of a story on your hands!
Kingston is the most amazing caring fictional boyfriend you will definitely want to meet! I cant even with his whole demeanor, his beautiful words of inspiration and the way he loves those close to him!
I particularly loved how Queenie’s struggles were something rather close to what alot of people go through in life and how it shaped how she perceives things!Kingstons support is insurmountable and I really loved how their story unfolded and especially how it ended!This book was so worth 10 stars! It has everything you want in a story and I highly recommend reading it!
Absolutely amazing!! Kudos to the authors talent at writing such a wonderful story!
“There’s no place I’d rather be than the eye of your storm.” King is just the sweetest!
I absolutely love King and Queenie! They are so amazing together! I love love love the banter between Bishop and Rook and the bromance between Bishop and King. King really is the best boyfriend ever!
Milk drinking, automotive safety poster-child, neat-freak Ryan Kingston, NHL goalie, finds his perfect match in indecisive, spontaneous, artistic, and perpetual doomsayer Queenie. And as opposite as these two seem, they click so perfectly well together, it is scary cute. It takes them a good part of the book to realize this, and another good part of the book for Queenie to get it, but the end results when they are finally in sync? Absolutely magical!
This book has so much going on in it – Steaminess, oh yes! Romantic, definitely! Comedy, duh, but course! Cute kids, can we say small Waters children? Over-protective dad, Jake was wonderful (and now I want his HEA!) Drama-Llama, a couple jerk-faces *grrrr. A wild and unexpected family, but still full of love, absolutely! Hockey players and in-law teasing, yes, if you read the first two books in the series, Rook and Bishop are friendlier, but still at each other, and provide some great LOL moments!
See, it is all there, and it was all wonderful, and I couldn’t put it down once I started, and the ending and the epilogue has tears of happiness streaming down my face. Now, about Jake……..
I absolutely loved this fun and sexy forbidden romance! Kingston has always followed the rules, doing what’s right for everyone, even at the sacrifice of his own happiness. That is until he receives some shocking news that turns his world upside down. He breaks all his own rules, drinks alcohol, meets an amazing woman who he has a one night of explosive passion like he’s never known before. He wants more from her only to find her gone when he wakes up. Now weeks later they meet again and he discovers she is totally off limits to him. Queenie’s life is complete chaos. She is unorganized, and is trying to find her place in the world. King is so hilarious as he wars within himself to be the rule follower but also the explore his dominant passionate side with the one woman who makes him want more, his Queen. Queenie loves how safe and desired King makes her feel, but she struggles with feeling worthy of such a good, kind, clean man. These two may be total opposites but they are so perfect together, making each other stronger and more complete. I loved watching Queenie find her passion and realize her worth after being put down for so long by those she trusted. King is everything I love in my heroes. He was so kind, loving and deliciously dirty behind his polos and khakis! This All In series just gets better and better! You don’t want to miss this fun, emotional, heartwarming, and steamy romance!
Ryan Kingston is the guy girls dream about. Polite and sweet in public but can get down and dirty in private. He’s the polar opposite of Queenie. She’s way more impulsive, she’s an act now think later kind of girl. One night, the two meet, and both spilled secrets to each other that they’ve never shared with anyone else. After all, they’re complete strangers, never to see each other again, and after that one explosive night, neither contacted the other again. Until 6 weeks later, when Queenie shows up with her father to work, her father that happens to be the general manager of the Seattle Hockey team, the same team Kingston plays goalie for. Neither was prepared to see each other, but now that they’re back in each other’s lives are they willing to take the risk?
This has turned into one of my favorite series by Helena. A Secret for A Secret is a great addition to the All In Series, it’s full of humor and is such a heartwarming story. But don’t let that fool you, it is STEAMY, and King will have you swooning over him in a heartbeat. Helena absolutely nailed this story, and I loved that Queenie brought out a different side of King, but that he also brought out a different side of her. They were the perfect coupling and the true definition of opposites attract. I will also say, I LOVED that we got to catch up with Rook and Lainey, and Stevie and Bishop, as well as Violet and Alex. I think that’s what I love the most about all of Helena’s books and this one too, we get to catch up with past characters, and they truly play an integral role in current books. I’m ready for more Helena in 2020!
Ladies, I know you have been waiting for Kings story, and now you have it! He is basically everything you’d want in a man without realizing it. He is the epitome of a ‘good guy,’ but isn’t boring or lame or whatever adjectives one might typically describe a ‘good guy.’ Sure he drives like a grandpa, milk is his drink of choice and he refuses to allow himself to get worked up about things and heaven forbid he raise his voice in anger, but… he is loyal, not afraid of confrontation (though he tries to keep things peaceful,) sweet, respectful to a fault, and has a few secrets of his own. Least not forgot he is hot, and good in the sheets. One word, stamina. 😉 She is a hurricane. Everything he is not. Messy, chaotic and living her life on fumes. She’s also a bit lost. On paper they are nothing alike, have nothing in common, but they are anything but. They balance each other perfectly. She shows him how to loosen up and he shows her how to calm the fires burning inside. If you are familiar with this author, you will appreciate the humor, well, you’ll appreciate it either way. It’s a pretty lighthearted read, though there are plenty of angsty situations that happen and words spoken that bring the lightness down a notch or two. There is some sexual content to bring the steam factor up. As usual with this author, it’s well written and well plotted. Easy and quick to read. While this is part of a series, each book can be read as a stand alone… though you will enjoy the characters more if you’ve read the previous books. There is also some of the Pucked characters included. Yay Violet! 😀 Due to the sexual content and the nature of parts of the story, I would suggest this for mature readers.
*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series, and A Secret for a Secret is no exception. When a bomb is dropped on Ryan Kingston, goalie for Seattle’s NHL team, he has an uncharacteristic drunken one nightstand. With very little recollection of exactly what happened the next morning, all he finds is a thank you note and a pair of ruined panties. Queenie’s avoided almost everything that has to do with the NHL for the last several years despite the fact that her dad’s the GM of a team, Ryan Kingston’s team to be exact.
I adored this couple and this book. A super polite Captain America type that’s anything but behind closed doors, yes, please. Queenie was so relatable to me in general, everything from feeling like a constant train wreck to her impulsiveness and fears. The balance between King and Queenie was just so perfect, he was so calm and level to her storm. It’s always amazing to “see” Violet, and Lavender made my ovaries ache to hold a baby. This book has everything, drama (more than the others, but not too much), a super swoony H, hilarious side characters (thank you, Bishop and Violet), and ultimate karma in the end (I’m looking at you, Corey and Sissy), it’s absolutely the perfect distraction. Thank you to Montlake for an ARC
I absolutely love this hockey romance. Love the story and characters. Helena has a way with words. So can’t wait for the audiobook. It’s a reread for sure. So lucky to have gotten an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Can’t say enough great things about this book.
I loved this book, and I think that this may be my favorite book in the All In series. We met Ryan Kingston, aka King, in the previous books. He is the goalie for the expansion Seattle NHL team and is a by the book guy. When he is at a particularly low point, he meets Queenie. They get drunk and end up hooking up. Queenie is having her own tough time. She is floundering in life, she quit college just shy of a degree, and has lost her latest menial job. After their hot night together, she skips out before King wakes up figuring she will never see him again. Of course, six weeks later, she is working as her father’s assistant as the new manager of the Seattle NHL team and they come face to face. King and Queenie seem like polar opposites, he is order, she is chaos, but they are both fundamentally good people with good hearts. Add in a lot of steamy scenes, crazy exes and a few secrets and you get a great read. I received an ARC of this book from the author and NetGalley for my honest review.
Wow. Queening is one tornado of a compassionate loving woman. Kingston is one upstanding beast of a man. They make for one well balanced fierce strong compassionate couple. I love the chemistry between them and there connection. It was a perfect balance of everything. Could not put this book down.
4.5 stars
I have been in a bit of a reading slump with everything going on in the world, but when the opportunity to read and listen to A Secret for Secret came up, I couldn’t resist. I have been waiting to get my hands on Kingston’s story from the moment he was introduced in the series, and he was everything I hoped he would be and more! I know that some readers love the bad boys and others can’t get enough of the alphaholes, but there is no hero I love more than the all around good guy with the heart of gold. I don’t think that there could have been a more perfect hero written for me than Ryan Kingston.
I loved everything about King and each new quirky thing I learned about him, from his geriatric driving skills to the OCD dishwasher loading, just made me love him more. On paper, Queenie couldn’t have been more different than King, but I loved how they challenged and also supported each other. I do wish that Queenie would have gained her confidence a little sooner, but given her history, I understand why things played out the way they did. King and Queenie each learned a thing or two from the other and they complemented each other very well. Plus, their chemistry was amazing and scorching hot! I thought that I was going to burst into flames from all of the anticipation and build up. Having King be the opposite of a boy scout in bed was a fantastic bonus 😉 What I love best though, is that Helena Hunting can write an insanely sexy scene and follow it with one of the most hilarious and awkward moments ever. Strawberries will never quite be the same for me. LOL
The story was fairly low on angst, but there was a little too much OW/OM drama going on around our characters at times for me. I did appreciate that it was never a question of where King or Queenie stood in that drama though. The series and characters definitely live up to the “All In” name. Catching up with Pucked series favorites, Alex, Violet, and their family was wonderful and I loved getting to see what the future holds for them. I’m excited to see where these Lavender and River story bread crumbs lead and I definitely have my fingers crossed that momster and a certain GM might get their own HEA. A Secret for a Secret was a wonderful book to finish this series!
Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 4.5 stars
Story 4.5 stars
I was fortunate to be able to listen to the audiobook as well as read the ebook, and the casting was amazing. I have to say that Jason Clarke was a million percent the perfect choice to voice Kingston. He has just the right amount of boyish charm and sexy growl to bring the character to life. Stella Bloom was equally fantastic as Queenie and I was very impressed by their ability to voice numerous characters (male and female) distinctly and believably. This was a truly enjoyable listening experience.
*I voluntarily read and listened to an advance review copy of this book*