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 has entrenched herself pretty firmly in the Rom-com genre. Her PUCKED series just keeps on giving, the characters delighting us whenever they make an impromptu appearance, Esp Violet.
Then she suddenly surprises you with a heartfelt story like this one. she can extract tears from your eyes as adeptly as he can make you spit out your drink with sudden bursts of laughter
“Thank Baby Jesus riding a freaking Unicorn”
Earlier two books – A Lie for a Lie and A Favor for a Favor had a lighter vein in them. This one does too, but it’s more than a few laughs. It’s full of Changes and Challenges. All the characters go through it and everyone’s reactions to them is most fascinating to watch.
Hanna’s life changed when she was 18, which sets off a chain reaction of upheavals that upends lives of Kingston & his mom, and then his brother.
On the other end, Jake’s life changes at 20, which brings a major turbulence in Queenie’s life, while going through some heart breaking twist in her life too
All are shaken up, all try their best to hang on to their loved ones, nobody wants to hurt anybody….and therein lies the problem!!
They hide secrets” which ultimately dry up to become skeletons in their closets
Its an eye-opening story, with lots of laughs and funny situations thrown in, but don’t take your eyes off the central theme of trust.
Trust Broken & Restored.
“I feel like I’ve finally found my person. The one who won’t try to tame my chaos but will let me live in it and help me balance my impulsiveness with stability. He’s yin and I’m yang. He’s sugar and I’m salt.”
I did laugh a lot, esp strawberry scene, but I was glassy eyed too.
Every human being makes mistake, doesn’t mean they’re a mess, just that they’re in a messy situation.
Kingston is the poster child of what a Golden Good boy should be.
A 70 point safe driver, a teetotaller, considerate, polite, punctual and respectful.
“Such a pretty boy. So nicely dressed, so polite. So very, very respectful. But good God, get that man’s clothes off and get him into a bed, and it’s a whole different story.”
Falls for an impulsive, A tad confused Queenie and it’s like the opposite poles just click in place.
Their love is obviously lust and passion but it’s their connection anchored by Kingston which gives much needed acceptance and stability in her life that is most adorable.
“She’s my raging rapids, and I’m her calm lake at dawn. We’re good. Perfect.”
It’s a heartwarming tale of selfless love explored in depth by Helena, surprising and heart melting at every turn.
This one is the best of the series yet, and there’s a fantastic, shy surprise in this book that just made me all gooey with love and adoration
5 stars for Strawberries & Lavender
After being introduced to Kingston in A Favor for a Favor, I couldn’t wait to read more about him! A milk loving, sweetheart from Tennesse – yes please!
Kingston ends up meeting a woman at a bar named Queenie. They meet at a particular low point in both of their lives. Kingston and Queenie end up getting drunk together, have a one night stand and don’t see each other for a number of years.
Fast forward a few years and Kingston is now a NHL hockey player in Seattle. Queenie has decided to take a job as an assistant for her dad, who is the coach of the NHL hockey team.
The first interaction between Queenie and Kingston was hilarious! I will admit that it took me a while to warm up to Queenie and Kingston together. But as usual I never should have doubted Helena Hunting’s writing style. There were certain parts of the book that had me seriously laughing out loud.
As usual the steamy scenes were so HOT! The chemistry between Queenie and Kingston was amazing and I loved how she was the chaos to his calm. Kingston is THE PERFECT boyfriend and I loved how sweet he always treated Queenie.
I have loved loved loved this series and can’t wait to see what HH has in store next!
Audiobook:
Story: 4
Narration: 4
Overall: 4
I truly enjoyed listening to the audiobook of A Secret for a Secret. The audiobook was narrated by Jason Clarke and Stella Bloom. Both Jason and Stella did an amazing job portraying Kingston and Queenie.
I could always tell if Kingston or Queenie was anxious or happy. And the various characters making appearances in the book (hi Violet!) were always portrayed perfectly. I am so happy I had a chance to listen to audiobook in addition to reading A Secret for a Secret.
I’ve bookmarked so many parts that had me laughing out loud or had me sighing over how cute Queenie and Kingston are together.
Definitely pick up your copy of A Secret for a Secret when it releases May 12, 2020!
I received a complimentary advance audiobook of this title from the publisher and e-book from the author.
Funny, Irreverent and with a lot of sense of humor that will also carry passion and love on every page we get to turn.
Queenie is living with her dad, after many heartaches that life has constantly given her, she has so many things that she has to solve especially her heart that has been burned so many times in the past by people who supposedly needs to protect her and love her but end up breaking her apart.
King is getting out of a very weird situation his family lied to him about certain things that are not really making his life any easier but Queenie is here to save him, from his constant rules that are very hard to break but at the same time she is the only one who can make him feel relaxed and out of control.
A Secret for a Secret is the story of two very different souls trying to connect in any way they can, life has brought them together with an intention of healing any wound or heartache that life and family keep bringing at their doorsteps.
I love how different Queenie and King are, how this makes them blend so good no matter how it seems like they will never be the perfect couple at the end, all their differences were the perfect element and balance to make this relationship the best for them.
One of my favorite parts was the Kids you will have to meet them to see what I’m talking about, they really brought so much to the story and the main characters..
A secret for a secret has a little bit of angst, the secondary characters are in charge to bring Chaos to Queenie and King’s life, they were mean, insecure and very vengeful. they really brought so many tears to Queenie’s life. but in the end, Quennie was successful and strong to be able to finally put all this behind and finally show the best version of herself.
it was a great book, a great story, with so many great characters, the story really will bring you a smile and a few tears but most will make your heart sing.
ARC received for an honest review
Another super cute story from Helena Hunting. And set in my favourite city in the USA that I have visited – Seattle. We are already on a winner!!
Forget the other two books in this series (well, don’t really, but just for the minute) – A Secret for A Secret is a definite favourite.
King and Queenie are all kinds of sweet and cute and full of lust for each other. Oy, you can cut the sexual tension through a knife, and there are proximity pheromones flying all around them *fans self*
King is so the antithesis of hockey players we have seen before. He really is a boy scout when it comes to life, to his career, to women. And if you are like me, you can’t help smiling every time he is on the page.
I freaking adore Queenie. She is floundering, not sure what she want in life, and now she has found her King, is even more confuzzled.
The character I didn’t think I was going to get along with was Queenie’s dad,and I was completely surprised with his actions and the way he reacted to things. He was so not what I was expecting.
There were WTF moments right from the beginning of this story, and they kept on coming. I was anxious but impatient to turn each page to find out what was happening.
I also love love loved getting to see Violet and the Waters family. There is one that will completely steal your heart.
I want, no, I need more of this series. Please give me more Ms Hunting.
A Secret for a Secret by Helena Hunting is book three in the All In Series. Every book is aboutr another couple and can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Ryan Kingston is goalie for the Seattle NHL Team. He’s a good guy, slightly ocd, a bit like a puppy. You simply have to love him, no choice.
Queenie is the manager’s daughter and she’s just finding her way in live. She starts working as her dad’s PA. On her first day both meet and there’s insta attraction on both sides. But while Kingston is the rukle follower par excellence, Queenie is a bit a free spirit.
I loved reading Kingston and Queenies story. I loved meeting characters from the original Pucked Series, Alex, Vi – and the kids are so adorable.
Reading A Secret for a Secret is like coming home, I loved every single thing about the book,
5 beautiful stars.
Ryan Kingston, King to his friends, is at a bar drinking. It is absolutely not something he’d normally do but this day he has learned a secret that has changed everything he ever thought about his life. While he is sitting at the bar, trying to decide which of the drinks in front of him to drink, he sees her.
Queenie came to the bar to forget her day too. She and Ryan hit it off. The next morning, Ryan wakes up and remembers what happened the night before. Queenie is gone leaving nothing behind but a scribbled thank you and a pair of panties.
Weeks later, a Ryan is at the rink, ready to practice with his new team. He’s the goalie for Seattle. In walks his general manager with a woman. Things go from bad to worse when the woman is introduced as the general manager’s daughter and Ryan gets a look at her. It’s Queenie.
Breaking rules is not something Ryan does. He doesn’t speed, he doesn’t fight and he goes through more milk than a toddler. Queenie is a free spirit and believes herself to be a failure because that’s what her mother told her.
I loved this book. This is book 3 in Helena Hunting’s series All In. I have loved all of the author’s previous books and this one did not disappoint. The characters are multifaceted and you feel like you really know them. Some of the characters from her precious series, Pucked, walk through the stories. It’s like being able to catch up with old friends.
Don’t miss A Secret for a Secret. One word of advice; don’t start this book before you go to bed. You’ll be up all night because you won’t be able to put it down.
Another fantastic book in the All In series. King is the goalie for the Seattle NHL. He is as wholesome as they come and doesn’t do one night stands, except for the one time a few months ago. . Queenie has had her fair share of challenges and when she takes the job as her father’s (The general manager of the Seattle NHL team) assistant, she has no idea that she is about to run into her one night stand. They have electric chemistry from the start and it is a challenge to not act of the chemistry that is still there in their current situation. I loved King and his sweetness and abilities to roll with the chaos that Queenie’s world seems to bring. This is a stand alone book, but we also get to catch up with some of our favorites from the previous books. I loved that we got a great scenes with Bishop and Rook, in addition to Violet. I also loved seeing Alex and Violet’s kids, especially Lavender and can’t wait to read more her in the future. I definitely recommend this book!
This book got me out of my COVID-19 slump, probably not the best thing to lead with but 100% truth. Helena Hunting has a way with words and characters that instantly brightens my life. King and Queenie are nothing like I expected and everything I needed. Ryan Kingston is definitely the wholesome milk drinking “boy scout” that we expect from meeting him in previous books. His goodness (for lack of a better term) is reminiscent of Alex Waters in Pucked, asking for consent and being overly considerate of others. Where Alex was wholesome and Canadian and raised to be that way, King is just good, good down to his bones, and his background is colorful and really fun to read about (Don’t worry I won’t give any spoilers). Queenie as described in the book is a storm. She is a whirlwind and while we know from the blurb that she is the General Manager’s daughter, she is so much more. She is a level of controlled chaos that King welcomes into his life and it is everything!
I loved this book so much and I tried to read slowly, take my time but like all of Helena Hunting’s books I devoured it in less than 24 hours (would have been one sitting but sleep and work interfered- damn them). The peeks into Alex and Violet’s life were present in this book, as they were in other books in the All In series, and I think there were some teasers to future books and future characters embedded into this story, I am crossing my fingers that I am right.
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley and voluntarily give my review.
“I’m falling in love with her chaos.”
I am an absolute sucker for a hero who loves a heroine who doesn’t fully love herself. I live for a hero who appreciates nearly every single thing about a heroine that she considers a flaw about herself. Nothing gives me the feels more than a hero who knows to give a heroine the space to grow at her own pace, and supports her while she does it. Ryan Kingston is all of that, and Queenie is the perfect passionate storm that blows into the calm that is his life.
Queenie and King start as one night of unexpected fun when they both needed it. When they are pushed back together as sort of co-workers, Queenie being King’s bosses daughter, they decide it’s best to keep it platonib. *insert side eye* But I think we all know how that song and dance goes. This one was just so dang good. Of course there is some silly drama, and some laugh out loud moments, this IS a Helena Hunting novel, but at its core this is two opposite souls clicking into place.
A Secret for A Secret is a yin and yang love story that will make you swoon hard and feel all of the feels. Loved it and loved Queenie and King.
“I feel like I’ve finally found my person. The one who won’t try to tame my chaos but will let me live in it and help me balance my impulsiveness with stability. He’s yin and I’m yang. He’s sugar and I’m salt.”
This is an all-round good story. It has a little of everything I look for in a romance novel. It stirs your emotions and has you rooting for the couple from the start. There’s some angst, a dash of ‘what did I just read’, enough Awe! to make you swoon, a soupcon of hilarity and plenty to make you fan yourself. There is ex drama, family drama, & a forbidden relationship.
Ryan Kingston ‘King’ is the archetypal good boy. Respectful, considerate, teetotal, polite. He’s never met a rule that shouldn’t be followed.
Queenie, on the other hand, is impulsive, sassy, chaotic, confused, worrier. She the hot mess. Lacks self-confidence
Both are passionate. Though only one of them is following their passion.
After a secret is exposed King uncharacteristically decides to head to a bar to drown his problems, though not very successfully until Queenie lends a hand. Leading to a one-night stand which is totally out of character for King.
She’s gone in the morning, for a disappointed King life goes on unchanged, until the first practice of the season. King discovers that not only is Queenie his GMs new assistant, she’s also his only daughter. Queenie would quite like to hide from the situation; King, true to his nature takes the first opportunity to confront the situation head on.
They are the perfect foil to each other. King brings stability to Queenie, Queenie mayhem/chaos to King.
“She’s my raging rapids, and I’m her calm lake at dawn. We’re good. Perfect”
Secrets of any size can cause problems, hence why we hide them. There are secrets aplenty, some inconsequential, others that are life changing in their enormity
A shy little flower in the story will melt your heart.
ARC from the author in return for an honest review. I have also purchased this book.
We meet Queenie and man that poor girl has some hangups and they are understandable, her mom was horrible, she wanted her dad to have a life since he was really young when Queenie was conceived and unfortunately Queenie had horrible taste in men, pre King. Then we have King whom we have met before in the previous books, as straight laced as they come and dude really needed a shake up and he got that and more with Queenie, these two were so different and yet what each other truly needed. Her ex ended up with that crazy crazy chick we had men in the first book (Rook’s) so since he was so nasty he got what he deserved with the nut. So we get drama, because we needed it but we got some tender moment with Queenie and Lavender, and was anybody else but me surprised of all these kids? Did I miss something, after I read I went back to the previous books to see what in the world did I not read, I mean I remembered Robbie and I knew she was pregnant again but then boom we have 4 kids..Anywho I loved myself some River and Lavender and how River took care of her, my heart melted..Anyways guys please grab and Enjoy!
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
One drunken night of fun ends up being more than Ryan “King” Kingston bargains for when the woman of he had the special night with ends up being his hockey team’s GM daughter. Queenie has so many more secrets than just her father’s identity – and some of those secrets will definitely change her future. But can the girl who is such a hot mess and thinks she has done nothing but disappoint everyone in her life actually find her purpose with King? Can King and his Queen get their fairy tale HEA once her secrets are revealed? The readers cannot help but fall in love with these characters and once the story starts be prepared for an emotional and entertaining roller coaster of a journey. This series has gone 3 for 3 so far and cannot wait for more!
4.5 A Secret for a Secret is my new favorite of the series. I love Kingston! He is so different from almost any other hockey player character I have read, and I loved it! He’s normally very proper, organized, and by the books, but with Queenie that’s not always the case for him. She brings out more sides of him that he doesn’t normally show. I loved seeing all sides of him. I especially love how much he cares for Queenie. He’s always there for her and giving her encouragement, he’s totally swoon-worthy. They say, he’s the calm and she’s the storm and I couldn’t agree more. They fit so perfectly together and are such an adorable couple. I felt really bad for them many times with all the issues that arise, including one major jerkface that I wanted to punch. They’re a strong couple though. I’m very sad to see this series come to an end, I have really enjoyed it. *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Wow, Kingston & Queenie…..I loved everything about this book! I stayed up way to long because I just couldn’t stop reading. They are just the most amazing couple. I absolutely love King & his Boy Scout personality & how Queenie added chaos to his calm. My favorite quote “I’d rather have her chaos than stay stuck in the calm, where everything is lackluster.”
I love this All In series, and this one didn’t disappoint! 4 1/2 stars for this!
We meet Queenie, daughter of the GM Jake of the hockey team. She’s always had to run home to daddy when things happened to her, and here she is yet again, living in his pool house and now working for him as his assistant for the team. Her first day she’s in the team meeting with her dad, and she see’s Ryan Kingston, or Ryan as she knows him. They had hooked up about six weeks before after telling each other what sorrows they were drinking away in the bar. King is a stand up straight laced guy, so it’s unusual that he took her home for the night. King is a sweet guy, you will fall in love with him, but don’t let all that sweetness fool you, he’s got a dirty side as well which I know you will enjoy! Grab this book asap! King & Queenie will worm their way into your heart!
“No place I’d rather be than the eye of your storm.”
I have been anticipating this final book in this series. I was very curious how she was going to make a sweet, straight & marrow Kingston into a swoon hero. But never doubt Helena she is the master. My favorite part of this book was getting to meet all the Baby Puck, I truly cant wait for their stories.
Queenie is the exact opposite to King which is what makes them work. Plus the chemistry is epic. I laughed so many times with this book. Queenie really is a storm. I lost it with a certain allergic reaction scene. Holy cow! I was uncomfortable and amused all at the same time.
Thank you for so many brilliant one liners. This group of characters are all so perfectly brilliant. I don’t want to ever live in a world without people like Violet or Bishop.
This book and King’s surprisingly dirty mouth are everything! I will always devour anything you write Helena! The King and Queen have spoken!
Outstanding! I absolutely loved Queenie and Kingston’s story. This was an all-in read for me. It was fantastic to see a leading male show all the feels. Helena Hunting is always full of surprises and her writing brings me happiness. So needed during this pandemic.
A truly wonderful book with descriptive details that brought me laughter and entertainment.
A. Must. Read.
Every time I read one of Helena’s books I think I can’t love her characters more than I did in the last book, but I’d be wrong. Queenie and King are so perfect for each other. She is all chaos and he’s the ultimate Boy Scout. They meet in a bar and a one night stand happens. Imagine King’s surprise when at the team meeting in walks the girl you can’t forget. Turns out she’s the GM’s daughter.
I loved reading their story. I also loved the interaction with Stevie, Lainey, and especially Violet. We get to see the interaction with the kids too. I HIGHLY recommend this book, series, and Author!!
Sunshine. Rain. Calm. Chaos…. A Secret for a Secret is the latest book in Helena Hunting’s All In Series that just brings a balance to two people who are the opposite of each other and yet the perfect mates for each other. Kinston’s (King) life is full of order and rules. All which work well for the most perfect guy in the world. Unlike some of his NHL teammates he is a milk drinking, speed limit driving, well-mannered gentleman who meets Queenie whose life is a constant flux between a hurricane and tornado who is trying to find herself and her place in her own world as well as the world around her. The chemistry between King and Queenie is instant and their adventures of forbidden love takes you on an enduring journey that makes you fall in love alongside them. This book will make you laugh and cry and just simply sigh… I could not put this book down. If you want fun loving and an amazing new book boyfriend?? You will need to read this book!!
Helena and hockey, they go together like olives and pineapple, if that’s too weird for you imagine two things that blissfully mesh, that IS Helena Hunting and hockey. This whole story started in Pucked, and seeing this season come to a close is bittersweet. I know we will see some of these characters again, but still, it is not my usual cackle fest of a review resting in the knowledge more books were coming with these characters in them. Instead, we’ve seen people grow up, mature, and move on in the seasons of their lives. *Gives self a vigorous shake* Time to talk happy stuff about King and Queenie.
King was a unique character for us. He wasn’t a manwhore (which some have been), he wasn’t broody and damaged (which some have been), nor was he hiding some secret that was going to bite him on the butt (no spoilers!). He’s an amazingly good guy. Safe driver. Goalie extraordinaire. Ax thrower. Milk drinker. And he’s fallen for his queen. Honestly, y’all when he referred to her as, “my queen,” I melted. He’s charmingly impressive. That is what blends him beautifully with Queenie.
In many ways, she’s his opposite, but in others, the similarities draw them together. Queenie needs a King to stand by her, encourage her, and believe in her. She is probably one of the more multifaceted characters Helena has introduced us to in this series. Her outward confidence in some areas belies all the hurt and blame she’s mistakenly placed on herself, making her think she’s not enough. That hurt and blame covered a truly empathetic spirit we got to watch bloom, especially when she was interacting with Lavender. Honestly, this story was sublime in its loveliness.
Then there’s the chess aspect. All three of the novels in this series have to do with chess pieces. I could go there, but I’m not. Invent your moves; I’m sure Helena is good with it. I hope we will visit with King and Queenie again as I would love to see how the relationship between Queenie and Lavender grows as they age. I would like to know what happens with Queenie’s dad. Does he find love? He’s a good guy. Same for Hanna, King’s momster. She’s a good woman. Helena, you have many threads to tie up in that one last book you are promising that is coming. There are Pucked children we need to know about, Kody, and River. See, Helena we, your tribe, just are not quite emotionally ready to say goodbye ultimately to all these people. So, let’s not sunset them entirely…just yet.