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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4.5 stars
We finally got Ryan’s book and it was so good! Him and Queenie were just amazing together and now I just want more Pucked-landia, which we’ll be getting more of later this year! Also side note, seeing Violet be an awesome mom was so heartwarming. Especially from where she started and all.
Trigger Warnings: verbal abuse
Kingston is cute, proper and an all around gentleman. While Queenie is a tornado.
This is a perfect opposites attract with some surprising moments that has you thinking, maybe King ISN’T just a Boy Scout.
These two are obviously a match made for each other. King is very attentive to an insecure Queenie but they fit together so well you just can’t see it going any other way.
When Kings possessive side come out, Oh My, look out!!
I love these easy, feel-good reads that makes you happy to read.
I listened to this book on Audible and I loved it!
Queenie and Kingston were made for each other. They met at a bar and had a one night stand. A few weeks later they get a big surprise! She is at his Seattle NHL meeting. Such a funny and steamy storyline, and with serious issues. They each come from families with drama.
I really loved this book and the ending was so beautiful. Loved it and will listen to it again.
We got to know Ryan Kingston as Bishop Winslow’s best friend and know he’s a very straight-laced, milk drinking kind of guy. The idea of him picking up a stranger at the bar for a night of passion doesn’t quite gel with the character so I couldn’t wait to find out more. The initial meeting between the two is pretty casual and doesn’t leave the impression that this is a love for the ages so I was interested to see what brought them back together. Ryan’s attracted to Queenie’s outgoing and creative personality and she can’t resist him because he’s the sweetest man she’s ever met. I expected her working for the team or him playing for her father would be the major obstacle for the couple but Hunting doesn’t take the easy way out and makes it much more interesting.
One thing we have to address here is the names. I try not to be negative in my reviews and not to be overly critical because writing isn’t easy and writing well is harder still. I don’t post reviews for books I really don’t like a book and would never suggest to others. It seems kind of petty and self-serving, not to mention pretentious but it would be dishonest to withhold all criticism, especially minor stuff like this. Calling the heroes in this series Rook, Bishop and King is super corny but I can live with it since they have relatively minor roles in one another’s story. However, Queenie is just too ridiculous for words though, especially with his nickname so the names annoyed me enough to be a bit of a distraction throughout the story. I still enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it.
Queenie’s a college dropout who doesn’t know what to do with her life and she carries an immense burden, considering herself a failure and a parasite on her father. After all, he sacrificed his career as an NHL player to be a single dad and has spent his life taking care of her, which includes bailing her out time and time again. At twenty-four, she should be self-sufficient and career-oriented, not living in his guest house and incapable of holding a job. This kind of angst could be annoying in a character but it’s understandable here and Queenie’s backstory makes her a very sympathetic character. Her mom took off when she was just a few months old but has sporadically popped back into Queenie’s life just enough to destroy her daughter’s self-esteem and undermine any confidence the girl has ever mustered.
Through the years, her mother has convinced Queenie that her very existence was a mistake that destroyed her parents’ relationship when in fact her mother’s self-entitlement and lies were the real problem. Queenie was one semester away from graduating with dual degrees in art and psychology with the intention of becoming an art therapist for children when mom popped back into her life to tell her pursuing those degrees was a waste of time and her father’s money since her art is no good and Queenie quit school. Now she bounces around between dead-end jobs, never developing the skills to excel anywhere until taking on the job as her father’s assistant.
For the first time, she’s good at something and while she doesn’t want to do this for the rest of her life, it gives her an opportunity to rebuild the self-worth she so desperately lacks. Despite the no fraternization policy for players and employees, Ryan’s request to date Queenie is granted because he’s a model player. The front office knows he won’t shirk his duties to the team or thumb his nose at the rules so they can be together and they’re really great together. He’s working hard to help her appreciate her own talents and she’s trying hard to believe that she’s worthy.
Working there also puts Queenie in frequent contact with the Waters family since Alex is head coach and their daughter, Lavender. The little girl suffers from severe anxiety and crippling shyness but she easily warms to Queenie and opens up to her like no one else. She decides that career in art therapy isn’t such a bad idea after all and applies to the local university, intent on finally finishing her degree. The two have never been happier and they’re both on top of the world, until a mid-season trade upends their world by revealing a dark secret from Queenie’s past that will shock everyone, especially King and Jake. She’s done nothing wrong but still managed to hurt the two people she loves most and soon spirals back into self-loathing.
Ryan’s got issues of his own because his family is a handful of insane dynamics and they cause no shortage of problems for him and for his relationship with Queenie. This story had some fresh turns from what I expected, which was really nice, and also brings back a minor character from an earlier book to play a pretty significant role, which was fun. Their story isn’t as LOL funny as Stevie and Bishop’s and doesn’t quite reach the level of emotional that I got from Rook and Lainey, but it’s a great read with likeable characters and a perfect lead-in to A Kiss For A Kiss, Jake’s story.
A Secret for a Secret is the third book in All In series!! If you have read this series, you know that it is a spin off from the Puck series. It is a friend to lovers, sports romance told in dual pov.
One of the things about Helena’s books you can always count on a funny, quirky, laugh out loud “meet cute” and she did not disappoint on this one.
Ryan Kingston is a NHL goalie, a good guy, the best, a real boy scout, always does the right thing. Until one night he finds himself sitting in a bar with six different drinks in front of him, from expensive scotch to some kind of fruity cocktail having trouble getting drunk. The thing is he is not really a drinker, but after the news he learned from his family he needs it. And then he hears “Excuse me, is this seat taken?” She takes a seat, he turns around to the most beautiful girl, but she looks sad. They introduce themselves to each other and they proceed to get drunk. He wakes the next morning to a sticky note on the doorjamb!
Push forward six weeks and it is time for King to report for hockey practice. In the team meeting Jake, the general manager introduces the team to his new personal assistant Queenie, she also happens to be his daughter. King realizes things just got bad, his one-night stand was with his GM’s daughter!! As much as King is a boy scout, and rule follower, Queenie is a little more impulsive and wilder. Let the fun begins!!
I enjoyed this story from start to finish and can’t wait for the next book coming.
I loved spending time with the entire Pucked family!! I can’t wait to see if there is a story for Jake and Hanna…there is something there!!
The first 60% of the book was a bit slow, then after that it progress at a better pace in my opinion. I just wished the first half of it wasn’t so slow.
I have been waiting to read Ryan Kingston’s story, I was so intrigued by him from previous books. He’s so different than any hockey players I’ve read. He’s like a preppy, so organised, so controlled, genuine and a total nice guy. But this one woman came to him like a storm and brought chaos to his life. Then he finds out he actually had a one-night stand with his team General Manager’s daughter. There’s a silent policy, not to get involved with anyone related to the team members, and that includes Queenie. But can he really stay away from her?
Like I said, it was a bit slow at first, but then after that, it starts to picked up and I couldn’t put it down. There’s heavier conflict in this one, compared to the previous books. Truly Helena’s style, her characters are just amazing and hilarious!
I absolutely adore Kingston. These hockey players are even better off the ice. I love that the team and their spouses always show up from all the other stories. Gives us a glimpse of where they are now. All hail The King
Wow! This was a really good book, their relationship in my opinion was just so easy at least for the first half of the book. Once Queenie’s past came to surface, things got tough, but none the less great. It only made King an even better guy than he already was. This Boy Scout is the BEST! I read this one really quickly.
“‘King and Queenie? That’s epic.'”- Ronan
Their one night stand was the best bad decision they’ve made. All the laughs and swoon-worthy bits are in my highlights.
“I link my pinkie with hers, and again, that jolt of energy hits me. Like the static in the air that comes with a thunderstorm. ‘A secret for a secret?’ ‘Exactly.’ ”
This is just a great book, read it and you won’t regret it.
This one was another fun novel from a hilarious author. I really enjoyed it, although I liked the previous book a bit better. But this wasn’t bad at all!
Oh my word I loved this book so much!!! King and Queenie were everything!! They were absolutely perfect for each other! I would give this one more than five stars if I could! I couldn’t put this book down! I was hooked right away! While there are issues that both King and Queenie have to work through, there was also great humor. Once again Helena Hunting proved why she is one of the queens of Romcom. I would absolutely recommend this book!
After discovering a secret that was kept from him his whole life, King breaks his rule-following ways & has a one night stand with an amazing woman who doesn’t leave her number the morning after. Weeks later she shows up as the assistant to the GM, oh and is his daughter.
These two are complete opposite and I love it! King is such a rule follower, but get him in the bedroom and his reserved demeanor goes out the window. Queenie has been shaped by her past, but is such a caring individual. I love her interactions with Lavender, the daughter of the hockey team’s coach. I also really loved the growth these this characters went through in this book. I can’t say enough great things about this book and I am so glad another is coming out!
I’ve loved this series but I have to say “A Secret for a Secret” is my favorite. When King meets his Queen his by the book world is flipped upside down and in a good way. This is a charming, entertaining, and absolutely adorable romantic story. I enjoyed every single second of this book.
Exceptional.
OMG I LOVED THIS STORY.!!
I want my very own Ryan Kingston….he is adorable so chivalrous and put together,everything in his life has order and he is a stickler for the rules.
Until Queenie comes into his life and he loses his control with her and what became a one night stand becomes a complication, when they discover that her dad is the manager for the Hockey team he plays for and she is now assisting her dad when his assistant retired unexpectedly.
So now they get to see eachother everyday were the attraction just gets stronger and stronger…and hard to fight especially when they become friends.
But the rules are NO Dating the players and Queenie’s Hot Hockey player King is all about rules and not breaking them…So could she convince him to let lose and break the rules ?
King is the best I loved the way he was so polite and respectful but wild between the sheets,he really did treat Queenie like a Queen..But he puts everyones else’s feelings before his own happiness and that is his downfall.
Queenie has insecurities and thinks that she is a screw up,she has a secret that when it is revealed could destroy her relationship with king before it can even get started…But she was actually stronger and braver than she thought she was and she was perfect for King like she said she was the storm to his calm.I Loved them together,they did make me swoon.
This is a fantastic edition to this series and I just adore this Hockey world Helena Hunting has created,I cannot get enough of it.
Excellent.
5 stars.
Love Helena Hunting !!!!!
Oh boy, this book was an emotional roller coaster and I loved every minute of it!
This Book In 5 Words:
Amazing. Sexy. Addictive. Passionate. Phenomenal.
King was absolutely AMAZING…and exactly what I hoped he’d be: a stand-up amazing man, but with a secret edge to him that only came out around his “Queen,” our lovely main character, Queenie, who I adored! She was sassy, pure chaos to King’s calm, and flawed in a very realistic and authentic way. I loved both her and King to bits! Their chemistry was so, so sexy and they complemented each other in the most wonderful of ways! I loved getting to see their relationship grow!
Along with loving King and Queenie, I loved seeing so much of the other All In couples (Lainey and RJ, and Bishop and Stevie), and I loved that we saw a lot of Violet, Alex, and their children…makes me very excited for one of Helena’s future projects since there are some strong hints to two future novels–as always with Helena Hunting’s books, I’m always eagerly waiting for more…I’m greedy like that with my faves. 😉
I honestly have nothing, but good things to say about A SECRET FOR A SECRET! I adored this book so, so much! I loved the characters, I loved the romance, and I absolutely loved how the story unraveled! I’ve yet to meet a Helena Hunting book that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy and love, but her All In series is most definitely my favourite so far! Highly recommend it to anyone who loves sports romance, contemporary romances, sexy alpha heroes, and heroines that you can’t help wanting to be best friends with! 😉
Star Rating:
I loved the Pucked series, I loved A Favour for a Favour and I absolutely loved King, but Queenie… I hoped she would be a little more charismatic. Don’t get me wrong – she was still okay and I really enjoyed reading their story, I just had higher expectations. To me, there was no real chemistry between King and Queenie, and, taking into consideration how often Queenie spoke about the dirty side of King, I expected more steamy scenes.
King is the perfect boyfriend material and I loved him, but the chemistry… there was not enough chemistry for me and that’s why I’m giving 4, not 5 stars
I just love being transported into the magic of a Helena Hunting book- she always charms, always entertains, and always leaves my heart so happy. While her love stories may play with familiar tropes, Helena always brings her own unique and quirky pizazz to every story she tells. They capture, they squeeze your heart, and they leave you heads over heels in love with her characters. And Kingston and Queenie stole my whole heart. A Secret for a Secret is so charming, swoony, heart warming, and of course, deliciously steamy.
I love Helena’s hockey stories, and this one features Ryan Kingston- NHL goalie and all around good guy. Calm, steady, orderly, level and even keeled. But of course, his stoic calmness is rocked when he meets Queenie- the manager’s daughter, new team assistant, and his former one night stand. WHOOPS. And hurricane Queenie is coming in to rock the seemingly unshakeable foundation of Ryan- and the result is just ADORABLE and entertaining.
Ryan is so endearing. I am so head over heels for him. He truly is just a NICE GUY, but the kind of nice guy that brings out all the sexy in the bedroom. Nice, straight laced guys CAN finish first- because Ryan is so swoony. I loved how Helena juxtaposed his reserved steadiness with Queenie’s chaos. He’s so devoted, so steady, so unshakeable- and his dependability is really sexy. But I loved most how he matched Queenie’s needs- he’s protective, understanding, and so very compassionate with her.
Oh Queenie. Every time I read a new Helena heroine, I find myself saying that she’s my new favorite, but I can’t help but fall in love with Queenie. I loved her sassiness and messiness. Her past relationships have left her self-conscious and unsure. Those that should have loved and lifted her up have brought her down- so her self-confidence is non-existent, she’s insecure and lost. And her life as the result is a bit out of her control- she can’t get it all together. Her fractures have her defensive, protective mode. She wants to protect herself from pain and hardship- so she runs, she hides, she turns into herself and puts her head in the sand when she’s at risk. And oh my- did I deeply, DEEPLY relate to that. There’s so much authenticity to how Helena tells her story, and inspired a real kinship between me and Queenie. And I LOVED watching her come into herself, finding her self-worth and finding her own security, as she starts to learn to love herself.
These two have the most amazing chemistry, with so many nuances and such a strong emotional intimacy. We have shades of the quirky and fun, but we also have a vulnerability and honesty with each other that is so tender and emotional. I laughed, I swooned, and my heart hurt in places. These two fall together and form their own little team. Kingston helps bring the calm center to Queenie, and she challenges him in just the right way. All the butterflies!
I love loved this book ryan and queenie are everything, ryan is straight and right on the line of boring and love his milk drinking lol, and queenie is unpredictable and has fun with life all around, these two have a chance encounter where they meet and sparks fly, i love love the passion these two have, queenies pushes ryan out of his comofort zone and its amazing to see, and one word ill leave you with , Strawberries, youll laugh youll cry this book has all the feels,
A Secret for a Secret is Book 3 of the All In series by Helena Hunting. Even though it’s part of a series, it stands perfectly fine on its own. I started off with the All In series and then went back to catch up on the Pucked series! O…M…G! These stories are some of the best I have ever read. Ms. Hunting is a very talented author and Kingston and Queenie are such a dynamic couple. This story has quickly become one of my all-time favorites! I really am not a huge sports fan but holy hotness. I have been converted!
A Secret For A Secret is book three in the All In series by Helena Hunting! This book is all about the goalie Ryan Kingston and Queenie, the girl he met at a bar one night. Only problem…she happens to be the daughter of his teams general manager. Oh, and she’s off limits. u2063
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Well, I love Ryan Kingston. I was skeptical about the third book because I actually loved Rook so much from book one! But Ryan is now my number 1.u2063
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I loved how sweet and “gentle” he was with Queenie. I loved how he wanted the very best for her. Queenie’s secret caught me off guard but it made the story so good. Corey was a complete ass and he got what was coming for him. u2063
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I also loved that by the end of the book, Queenie was finally doing exactly what she loved. Her relationship with Lavender and eventually becoming an art therapist just made me smile! u2063
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Im so sad that this book is over. I need more! I’m going to miss Rook, Bishop, and Kingston. But, swipe to see what Helena commented back the other day on my comment. We are getting another book about Lavender. I sure hope there are some appearances from Kingston, Queenie, and the crew!u2063
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Highly recommend this series. It’s sports romance and it’s got our favorite Helena Hunting steam. u2063
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