Can they do what’s right…without betraying their hearts?Senatorial candidate Byron Robidoux always does the right thing. And, after years of focus and dedication, his life and campaign are going exactly to plan—until a blackmailer jeopardizes everything. No one is supposed to know that thirteen years ago, Byron told a lie to protect a college friend. And now that lie could destroy his career…and … could destroy his career…and threaten the woman he never stopped loving.
Zoe Hammond hardly recognizes the refined and handsome politician Byron has become. The last time she saw him, he was the friend who saved her life by claiming to be the father of her unborn baby. For that, she’d do anything for him. Except Byron’s world of wealth, reputation and deceit isn’t a place where Zoe or her daughter belong. But when a menace from the past comes calling again, staying with Byron is best for them all. And, as the searing attraction between them builds, they soon realize some things are worth fighting for…especially love.
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I loved this impressive romance!
This exemplary romance addresses the protective hero trope in a fresh, new way that is both empowering and thought-provoking. Their secret from years before is about to blow wide open, so Byron and Zoe decide to get out in front of it to control the narrative. Just how much control can, and should, be exerted becomes a central issue between the two.
Byron’s personal journey involves his steps to finally deciding to be his own man, stepping out from his father’s plan for him and standing up for his own decisions. He acts exactly as we hope he would, until we hope he doesn’t. He’s a hero with a quiet strength and low-key confidence that never comes off as arrogance.
Zoe has a complex history with men and relationships, so she doesn’t interpret Byron’s actions the same way that he intended them. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as her viewpoint causes them both to examine exactly what love really means between them. The whole book is so well written that the reader really feels both points of view and can sympathize with each side. I was truly impressed with the way this dichotomy was presented and ultimately resolved. By itself, it makes this book a winner.
The romance is complicated by both her unknown stalker and his political campaign, in addition to the usual family complications. The ending was quite surprising, yet not at all out of place. Again, I was impressed with the author’s choices and applaud her not taking the easy, predictable route. This was the first book I’ve read by this author, and I’m beyond impressed. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
First love isn’t always easy especially if it’s not reciprocated. Add in a lie told for the best of reasons, a political race, blackmail and a cyber stalker and you have a recipe for a fantastic second chance romance suspense thriller.
Synithia Williams brings all the feels, creating wonderful characters who are real with both strengths and weaknesses. Scandalous Secrets is a wonderful read for anyone who believes in true love and second chances. I want more stories like this.
This is the second book in the Jackson Falls series with the prominent Robidoux family. The storyline is about Byron Robidoux who is running for a Senate seat election. Zoe Hammond is an old friend who Byron helped when they were in college and now because of him helping Zoe, a big secret is about to be exposed that not only will threaten Byron’s campaign but also threaten Zoe and her 13 year old daughter’s life.
Now the time has come where Byron has to find Zoe and see what can be done to stop the person who is threatening them and the truth of what really happened in college when Byron helped Zoe out of her predicament be exposed to the public.
I loved reading Byron and Zoe storyline of friends with secrets and afraid to love, along with the plot twist and turns. The characters you can feel the rollercoaster emotions of love, anger, protection, caring, revenge and mistrust. I found myself at times really getting upset with a character as if I was right there in the storyline. When this happens you know that the author has drawn your attention until the very end and you want more.
Some of the characters from the first book are in this book and it is good to see what is going on with them also. I look forward to reading the next book of the Robidoux Jackson Falls family.
I highly recommend this book to read.
Cassandra H.
I received a ARC from Netgalley and this review is of my own honest opinion and thoughts..
#ScandoulsSecrets #SynthiaWilliams #Harlequin #Netgalley
Wonderful slow-burn, second-chance-at-love romance! I was happy to see Byron find love after all, instead of persevering in his rather cold & rational approach to and marriage. He’s closest to his father, and seeing him stand up Grant and stick to his principles was very gratifying, though it was also a little heartbreaking to see how Byron’s happiness and integrity fell victim to his father’s ruthless machinations. Zoe is an amazing character, who worked tirelessly to become a good parent to Lilah and to free herself of her ex as well as the horrible, toxic values and the low self-esteem that she was raised with. The latter perhaps even harder to accomplish than the first. Zoe and Byron have an immediate spark when they reconnect, not dulled by time nor distance, but the odds are not in their favor. They need to learn to trust each other, and trust in the strength of love. I think the gradual way in which this learning curve was written, really helped me believe it, and it made me root for them all the more. I enjoyed the combination of romance, finding family (even if in part a slightly dysfunctional one), and the element of suspense in this love story. Lots of drama and sweetness, though never too out there nor too cloying. I also really liked how the author wrote Lilah, her character, and her growing bond with Byron. She’s an integral part of the story, and struck me as a very lively and authentic teenager. “Auntie” Elaina, aloof, enigmatic and take-charge, is easily becoming my favorite of all three siblings, and I can’t wait to find out her story!
I’ve just ordered and received the next one featuring his older sister. Looks like a good read.
This is book 2 in Synithia Williams’ Jackson Falls series. There are storylines that run throughout the series, so I recommend experiencing them all and in order – starting with the novella, The Promise of a Kiss.
Scandalous Secrets is another delightfully over-the-top soap opera-esque story filled with political scandal, blackmail, secret baby/paternity, stalkers, and a kidnapping. The only thing this was missing was a certain conniving someone being pushed down a grand staircase.
I also love that Williams takes the time to describe details about the characters’ appearance, clothing, and hair styles as it helps me feel like I really know what they look like. She also has a wicked sense of humor that had me laughing out loud numerous times.
Because Byron & Zoe never made it beyond close friends in college, this isn’t exactly a second-chance romance but definitely had a lot of those “feels” going for it. Zoe thinks she’ll be keeping her daughter safe by being brought into the Robidoux fold – but little does she know that it’s a whole new jungle to survive. Byron’s trying to prove himself to Zoe as a protector without taking over her entire life while simultaneously managing a fiancé, political campaign, and sudden fatherhood to a teenager. While there are bumps in the road to finding their HEA, they definitely don’t have any issues when it comes to chemistry. Two words: hot tub.
I also enjoyed getting to know Elaina better and I’m looking forward to her book, Careless Whisper.
Narration:
I continue to love Adenrele Ojo’s narration. She does a good job with all the characters and their various emotions. She captures the southern accent perfectly without it feeling caricature.
I have read several books by Synithia Williams when she was writing for Harlequin Romance and I enjoyed them tremendously.
We met India Robidoux in “Forbidden Promises” when she came home to Jackson Falls to help her brother Byron Robidoux with his run for the Senate. This is the second book in the series where we will find out the outcome of the Senate race.
Zoe Hammond and Bryon met in college and became friends. Bryon helped Zoe out when she became pregnant by her abusive jerk of a boyfriend and stated that he was the father of her child. Now their secret has come back to bit him the butt. When you’re in the political arena you’re fair game to any and everything. Your public life and whoever else is or was in your life becomes a part of the game.
Zoe and Bryon haven’t seen each other in sometime. Byron is receiving emails about him being an absentee father and Zoe is receiving threatening emails that she believes are coming from her ex-boyfriend.
There is drama, romance, trust issues, secrets all threats to Byron for the senate.
Love the characters and all that’s going on with Byron, Zoe and Lilah’s race to the senate.
I received a copy of “Scandalous Secrets” from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The next book “Careless Whispers” featuring the Robidoux Family.
Byron Robidoux was seeded into this series from the very beginning, and now he gets his own highly anticipated story. The Robidoux clan is steeped in secrets, recriminations, personal issues and drama aplenty. Byron’s campaign for the U.S. Senate is gaining momentum, though a secret from the past has the potential to derail his ambitions. Zoe’s life has been at times unstable, dramatic and turbulent, however a bright spot had been Byron’s friendship. They share a secret, which someone is now threatening to expose. It was wonderful seeing these two grow from friends to lovers while dealing with emotions, attraction, drama, strife, and individual growth. I look forward to what comes next for this compelling family.