I’ll admit it. I messed up. Mistake #1: Asking Peter Barnidge for a job.Mistake #2: Accepting his offer instead of throwing it in his face like I planned.Mistake #3: In the interest of stopping before #99, I’ll pretend the only other mistake was withholding one, tiny little nugget of truth during my interview. Peter Barnidge… Where do I even start? How about that after my first day working for … after my first day working for Mr. Superstar International Bestselling Author, his name became my favorite kid-friendly cursing substitute. Stub a toe? Peter Barnidge it! Bank account is overdrawn? Son of a Barnidge! And when I realized I was falling for my boss? Well, what the Barnidge?
I wish it was easier to just plain hate him, instead of the twisted, confusing blend of hatred and attraction I feel. But he’s the bad kind of attractive. Dark with a side of smoldering heat. The kind of hot that makes me want to do that Catholic cross thing every time I look at him, because one glance takes my brain straight to a world of sin.
Speaking of sin… I also lied a little during my interview. But I’m a single mom and I’d do anything to provide for my daughter, even if it meant keeping one tiny little secret. Unfortunately, even small secrets have a way of growing over time.
I think it’s only a matter of time before he finds out, and somehow, I don’t think he’s going to be happy when he does.
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I doubt that even a hurricane could wipe this smile off my face.
It has been there since the very first chapter.
I have zero complaints over this book.
The back and forth “humor” – more like sexually charged attacks – is what I look forward to most from Penelope Blooms books. I have not read a single one of her books that fail to have me laughing every few seconds.
I would highly recommend.
Happy reading!
Rating 5 stars
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Peter the author (and a bit of an ass) and Violet the digital marketer (and single mom to an adorable Zoey) end up tangled together at work. Of course the sparks fly, but Peter’s slow to trust and Violet’s keeping her daughter a secret, laying the groundwork for a key misunderstanding. I’m happy to report that it’s not the only drama in the book–instead there’s additional backstory and outside forces creating building a compelling story.
Characters from the other Objects of Attraction books make an appearance (including Grammy, who’s always good for some hilarity), but it definitely feels less like a continuation of series in terms of overall tone–it’s more of a traditional contemporary romance with some romantic comedy elements. Her Secret is nicely balanced with enough heart to get you invested but not so much drama to have you screaming at your Kindle. It’s more on the serious side, but there are plenty of (mostly more subtle) funny moments, plus a few laugh out loud ones. There’s a bit of steam, but it’s definitely a slow burn and on the lower side of steaminess when it comes to Penelope Bloom’s books.
Overall, I enjoyed the read and I’d recommend it to those that’ve read other Objects of Attraction book as well as new-to-the-series or new-to-the-author readers.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I voluntarily read this arc. I loved Penelope Bloom books
Peter Et Violet don’t disappoint. Zoey is a cute addition.
I love the publishing back story Et scorned lover in Kristen.
Always great a easy read Et a HEA
Read it now you will not be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The ingredients are: .one very handsome business man and a woman who will not take no for an answer when it comes to her career. You mix the two together and you are going to see fire.
Both have been hurt, both have baggage from those past hurts, they just deal with it a bit differently. Peter chose to closed his heart and seal it shut. Violet isn’t able to do that, she has a bit of a bigger secret to hide. There is spark between these two immediately, and the more they are around each other the more it grows.
Things heat up for these two just as quickly, both trying to be ahead of one another, but always finding themselves back to it being the two of them. It doesn’t take long before the past shows up. It also doesn’t take long for surprise visitors to appear, some are good, but not all. Of course the not so good visitors are the edge needed for secrets to be revealed. No doubt when these secrets are revealed it changes the spark….but not necessarily in the way you thought it would. Violet and Peter have fought their feelings, but with everything out in the open, there can be no more fighting it anymore. There is so much they have gone through to get to this very spot, there is no turning back.
Secrets can bring hurt and anger, but it can be just what two people need to realize what is right there in front of them….something they both swore would never be a part of them again.
Another good installment in the series
Violet is desperate. She has a daughter she needs to provide for and it’s been hard. She only needs one break and she knows things will get better. When she tries to make contacts at a local book convention she’s turned away everywhere. Then she has an idea, she has a friend’s billionaire husband announce during an interview that bestselling author Peter Barnidge should hire her. What can of worms did she just open?
To keep people at a distance, Peter hides behind a gruff exterior. His former lover stole a piece of him in the form of a book he wrote that became a bestseller. But when Violet barges into his life all of his walls start to crumble. But he just knows she’s hiding something. What could it be?
This book is an absolute must read with the wonderfully written storyline and characters that were so well fleshed out that I couldn’t put this book down, so I ended up reading it in one sitting!
Will Violet’s secret destroy her chance with Peter?
This is my 6th book by Penelope and I love an author who writes in dual point of view. Violet is at a book convention with her daughter trying to drum up new business when she literally crashes into Peter, a big time author. After the convention, she gets her friend’s husband to announce on TV that Peter should hire her. Peter does the unthinkable, because there is just something about Violet that he can’t forget. But will Violet’s secret of being a single Mom destroy any chance she has with Peter? You have to read to find out and the plot twists will keep you turning the pages.
Four and a half stars.
This book is everything I have come to expect from this author. Violet and Peter are quirky and loveable, aided by her friend Lilith and his brother Henry. As usual, the ending isn’t exactly a surprise but the journey is interesting. If you are looking for a great way to spend an afternoon, you can’t miss with this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Her Secret by Penelope Bloom is a great read. interesting,fun,steamy with a roller coaster ride of emotion. great storyline,interesting characters with great chemistry,well done!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is really funny, witty romanticly brilliant book. At times I laughed so hard that my hubby asked me if I am alright and what am I reading.
I really relaxed reading this book. It was amazing.
Peter is strong and confident and sexy as hell.
Violet is a strong and independant single mother. She is srubborn and stands up for herself, doesn’t let anyone to walk all over her. She takes care of her daughter and would do anything for her. I loved her too. She has a small role but significant nonetheless.
This series is wonderful. It is great to see all the previous characters pop in now and then. I really have to start rereading from the first one, because I enjoyed them all.
Penelope did her job really well. I always look forward to reading about next characters because I know that she will do something amazing with them. I love this crazy bunch of guys and girls.
I received an arc of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Violet needs more clients for her marketing company. Who better to try to claim as a client than famous author, Peter Barnidge. Too bad he’s so dismissive and rude to her when she meets him the first time. But it fires her up and she uses the resources she has to get an interview with him. And voila, she’s hired! The sparks are flying between the two from day one, but will they ever catch fire? Will they make it when he discovers the secret she’s been keeping from him?
I loved Her Secret. It’s witty and sexy and fun. Peter came across as a jerk at first, but once he opened up, I fell in love with him just like Violet did. I think Violet is my favorite heroine of this author’s. She’s strong, she’s sassy, she’s a great person and a fabulous character. And her chemistry with Peter is HOT! Can’t wait for more in this awesome series.
Absolutely a Fun, Romantic read!
This was the second book in this group I’ve read by Penelope Bloom & I thoroughly enjoyed this one & the prior. I bought the others in this group & fully plan to read them but so many books so little time. If they’re half as good (which I’m sure they are just as good) then I need to make a better effort. Her Secret had me giggling & laughing out loud. It also had its more serious heartfelt moments. I loved Violet & Peter’s back & forth. This one is definitely on my Recommend to a friend list.
This is easily my favourite book in the series next to “His Banana”!
I adore enemies to lovers romances and with a touch of the forbidden, being that Peter is Violet’s boss and that she’s’ keeping a major secret from him, this book was delectable.
Penelope Bloom has such a gift for adding humour, wit and laugh out loud moments in her books. She makes her characters interesting, but still real enough to relate to. The sparring and banter between Peter and Violet was absolutely spectacular. Witty, sharp and often hilarious!
The grudging attraction between them grows as the sexual tension mounts and is on the verge of an explosion, but when Peter finds out what Violet has been hiding from her, how will he ever trust her again?
I absolutely loved this book! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Oh how fun this series is. It has it all. The hot romance, the comedy, the drama, and of course some suspense. This series of books, even though they can all be read as a stand alone in my opinion, has the greatest cast of characters. In this one we get with Peter and Violet and boy do they have a lot of chemistry together. We get to see a little of my two favorite characters and that is William and Grammy. I love them two together. I would love to see another story about him, Hailey and grammy. Boy they are fun to read about. But off my soap box, lol. This is of course well written and has the most fantastic flow to it. I love how we get to see past characters because they just add to the story. This series of books is so very addicting. Once you get your hands on it then you have to read them all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a good read. I enjoyed this one more than the last one in this series. The writing flowed well, and although it didn’t follow the exact formula as the others, I thought it was a nice change. I understand why Violet lied, I would do anything to help support my kids as well. Peter and Violet have great chemistry. I knew it was going to be good with the way they argued with each other. You could just tell they were going to be awesome together. I liked seeing the cameos that characters from the other books made. The ending was perfect for these characters, and I was happy to see them get their HEA.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
It was an absolute pleasure to read this humorous, highly entertaining “enemies to lovers” romance. The main characters have complex personalities & they are confrontational and/or quirky at times. I found the story-line and plot fascinating, it definitely kept my attention. There are some character crossover from previous books but this book is complete & standalone.
There is: a determined mother (Violet), her playful & very active daughter (Zoey), a rude, condescending well-known author (Peter Barnidge), his more likeable brother (Harry), a deceitful ex-girlfriend (Kristen), an outrageous grandmother, twists & turns, drama, intrigue, memories, rudeness, plans, verbal bluntness, arrogance, verbal conflict, rage, frustration, strange attractions, friendly advice, defiance, jealousy, verbal banter, confrontations, explanations, vulnerabilities, apologies, sarcasm, love, happiness, some steam & a well-deserved epilogue.
I would recommend this romance to people who enjoy reading this genre.
Violet is a single mom of a cute little daughter, and Peter is a successful author who is a tad broken. This is a well written flawless story, which is humorous and thoroughly entertaining. I was totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and look forward to reading more from this extremely talented author, whose work I highly recommend for all.
As per normal when I start to read a book in this series by Penelope bloom she has me laughing within the first few lines and pages. I love violet’s feisty nature which seemed to counteract peter’s no nonsense attitude. I also loved that William and grams were in this story, ever the tag team, hilarious to a fault. I was cackling with laughter at the helicopter scene.
Then there is lilith she’s totally out there and brings darkness to the funny side you just love her for it. Am amazing read so hope there’s more to come.
Put one reclusive hunk and a determined but gun-shy single-mom, then add off-the-charts chemistry and you got another great story to add to the already growing list of must-reads by Penelope. There’s laughter, romance, and just enough chase to have you falling head-over-One-heel for these characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a light, humorous read with cameos from characters in the rest of the series.
At first I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy the story….it wasn’t clear where it was going.
Happily the author surprised me and took the less obvious route to a HEA.
Violet and Peter were believable characters, with solid back stories. Sparks flew between them, leading to some cracking dialogue.
And I loved Violet’s vindictive side!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book via Booksprout.