Her love could set me free from the shadows… Seeing CoCo Becket for the first time, made my heart start beating again. It changed everything.Before her I had no purpose, no reason to live. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever met, I couldn’t help but fantasize about kissing her plump lips or having those sky blue eyes staring back at mine, seeing beyond what I truly was. Broken and … what I truly was. Broken and ashamed.
My desire for her ran deep, deeper than I expected it too. She was a Goddess and I was simply caught up in her glow, I couldn’t say no. Not to her kindness, and not to my need to be near her.
CoCo was the good in life where I was the bad. She became the sun to my never ending darkness.
When a mysterious situation brings us together, I discover that I’ll do anything to keep her safe. Even if it means risking my own life, to save hers.
Because before her, love was just a word I’d heard in passing…and now I’ll destroy anyone that tries to take her, or that love away from me.
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This is the first book by Harlow Layne that I have read, but I have quickly become a big fan, and will be reading more. Coco grew up with money, although she distanced herself from her parents and the lifestyle they had. She works in a hair salon and has a small apartment in a not so great part of town. She has recently split from her boyfriend and her parents were killed in an automobile accident. Bodhi is a down on his luck, homeless guy that has just arrived in Oasis, and he sees Coco crying in her store window, and wants to give her a a pretty flower he saw when walking to brighten her day and make her smile. He starts leaving her flowers daily. Coco has a huge heart and sees him sitting outside (he’d really been watching over her), and buys him food and talks to him. Bodhi doesn’t feel he deserves her kindness, but is attracted to her and hears she feels she’s being watched, so he decides to watch out for her. Bodhi does many things selflessly, without being asked and it is noticed at the homeless shelter as well. One night Bodhi is walking and saves Coco from an attacker and potential rapist, getting hurt in the process. This is the beginning of both of them finding each other, and helping each other over their own feelings of inadequacy. Bodhi is so giving and will do anything to keep Coco safe. Coco sees beyond Bodhi’s physical. She doesn’t let that he is homeless deter her from befriending him and having him stay with her. There are many twists and turns, but Bodhi and Coco are amazing – with lots of steam thrown in! I read this in one sitting as it was so good, I could not put it down. Any girl would be very lucky to have a Bodhi in their life!
This is my first book by Harlow Layne, and I really enjoyed it. It’s a quick and easy read, it’s mysterious – which stopped me from taking a break in reading it lol.
Coco recovers from bad heartbreak – her parents recently died and she separated from her boyfriend.
Bodhi is a homeless young man, who wanders the street by day, and sees Coco crying at work. Fascinated from this young woman, he decides he wants to make her happy.
Circumstances draws these 2 close together. Can Bodhi be the man Coco needs? Self doubt is a bit influenced in Bodhi.
I really enjoyed the book. It was a good story, easy to read. Nice writing style. I can totally see myself reading more from this author!
How can one move on with her life after so many heartbreaking moments? After losing her parents, after ending a relationship with her boyfriend that cheated on her, Coco is trying to get on with her life but a chance encounter will change her life forever as she has a secret admirer. It might sound creepy but you have to read the book to understand everything and I can’t recommend it enough for a fast paced story, with some great characters. It might have small triggers for some but I don’t consider them that big.
I really enjoyed this book. There were times I wanted to reach in a give Bodhi a hug. Such a gentle giant until you mess with his girl. I loved that Coco saw so much more in Bodhi than the surface.
This is the 1st book I’ve read written by Harlow Layne; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
A well written easy-read story that I really enjoyed. I love that along the romantic story I could found suspense and mystery. The first book of Harlow that I read, but definitely not the last!
This book is about a second chance, at life, at love,
…finding your soulmate, in an unexpected moment..
With a mixture of suspense, emotional backgrounds,
…a compelling story, that will thrill you, and make your heart smile.
Bodhi Rivers has never had a real purpose in his life until he spots a beautiful woman with red puffy eyes and he knows he will do whatever he can to make her smile. He doesn’t have much to offer her but he will do his best to get a smile on her face again.
Coco Beckett’s life has turned upside down with the death of her parents and now everything seems to be going wrong around her except for that flowers are left for her every morning and it brightens her day.
When Coco and Bodhi come together unexpectedly, Coco knows she owes Bodhi a debt of gratitude and will help him out as much as she can. Will Bodhi believe in himself the way Coco does and can he protect her from whomever is after her?
This was a great book about overcoming our own obstacles and also overlooking how someone is perceived to find the gem inside of them.
Bodhi was perceived a certain way by many people as he was homeless and therefore viewed as “less” by some people. Yet he found an ally in Lucille at the shelter and then Coco and it gave him a little confidence but he still never saw his “truth worth”. I loved that he was always there for Coco and it pushed him out of his comfort zone.
Coco was broken due to what happened to her parents and then so much started going wrong for her. At the beginning of the book you kind of wonder if the person you think might be behind it is but the book tries to sort of twist things around to make you wonder. I loved that Coco saw beyond the “outside” of Bodhi and really saw the real him. She was a truly caring and trusting person.
Unfortunately the trusting worked against Coco as well as certain things happened that made me wonder who was involved with everything as they seemed to know and have a lot of information that they shouldn’t. I was definitely worried for both Bodhi and Coco as they couldn’t get a break at all.
When everything was revealed at the end I wasn’t surprised about who but I was shocked at how. Then I was so mad at what they revealed about something else and I was just so upset for Coco. Things definitely got intense at the end and I wasn’t surprised at what Bodhi did.
The end was so heartwarming and I thought it was wonderful!!! I loved what Bodhi was able to accomplish and it made me so happy!!
This was romantic without all the sugary nonsense, it was heart wrenching and hot beyond words. Bodhi and Coco are both amazing characters who would be wonderful people.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Secret Admirer was the first book i’ve read from Harlow Layne and I enjoyed it.
I was originally both curious and aphrenrsive about reading the book from the blurb but I’m glad that I read it.
I LOVE Bodhi, he definately hasn’t had it easy but he is truly a sweetheart and genuine. I will remember Bodhi for a long time.
I loved how this book showed how love can occur if you look delve deeper into the person. Coco and Bohdi’s love is a beautiful and unique story. Bodhi and Coco’s love is done in through a natural progression. First as strangers to lovers and overcoming barriers and dangers to truly validate the love and feelings they have for each other
Everything is so original about the story. The characters and plot are unlike anything else out there, which is refreshing. You will be sucked into this story from page one. Be prepared for so many twists and turns that you won’t be able to stop reading!
I LOVE BODHI and COCO!! Seriously, I couldn’t get enough of them. Secret Admirer had the perfect mix of romance and suspense.
Bodhi Rivers, that man had me swooning. He is an artist who was down on his luck. He is drawn to Coco, there is something about her that fascinates him, but he doesn’t think that a woman like her could ever fall for someone like him. Coco is suffering from heartbreak. She has an ex that won’t leave her alone and tragically lost both of her parents.
I seriously can’t get enough of Bodhi. He is caring, he is protective and I loved reading his POV throughout the story. I loved watching him come out of his shelf throughout the story. My heart went out to Coco though. She has experienced an unexpected tragedy and now is experiencing a stalker (which is where the suspense comes). I love the chemistry between her and Bodhi throughout the story.
This story was so much more than I expected and I loved every single minute of Bodhi and Coco’s story.
This story had me hooked. I tried to read slowly as I wanted it to last but I found myself devouring it towards the end as I was desperate to know what happened. I was so happy with the way the story unfolded and ended. It was an absolutely amazing story.
Bodhi and Coco… even their names are HOT!
*trying not to give too much away here…
Coco is heart-broken and lonely. Enter Bodhi… an intriguing and mysterious stranger. Looks can be deceiving. Despite his appearance, he also happens to be a sweet, gentle and kind-hearted man. From the first times he sees Coco, he is incredibly protective of her. With an instant attraction, she seems drawn to him quite quickly.
Harlow’s story provides plenty of drama, sweetness and HOT chemistry. She’s made me melt over these two characters and their journey together. It was hard to put down at times – a real page-turner. I would definitely recommend it!
I received an ARC of this book, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,5
Excellent romance because I thought we can feel the evolution of the characters, the way they need each other to overcome their fears, although socially they are financially completely different.
Coco feels watched and assaulted, while Bodhi, homeless who has a bad image of himself, leaves her a flower each day, and intervenes to save her when she is attacked.
Together, they help each other to rebuild themselves despite the many repeated threats that terrorize Coco.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
Aww! Bodhi is so sweet! Although, I may have thought he was a little creepy to start with.
Poor Coco, so much drama!
This was a quick and easy read that keep me on the edge of my seat, wondering what was going to happen next.
And that ending? Perfect
First off, you won’t be able to put this down, so make sure you carve out the time to read this beginning to end. Bodhi & Coco are so sweet insta-love it’s hard not to feel all the emotions with them. Neither of them is in a really good place when they meet, both having a bit of baggage that only the other will really be able to help them through. I really love Harlow Layne’s writing its strong and flows seamlessly , these characters are amazing, and the twists will make you gasp!
Her Protector / Sweet Stalker
4.5 stars – “It’s savage and blistering hot,” not only describes the climate of Oasis, the setting for this love story, but also the explosive relationship that Bodhi and CoCo thoroughly enjoy.
I really liked this book. It started out slow and built at a steady pace as you watch the relationship unfold and grow strong. The suspense is well written and there are a few twists that were not predictable.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
UPDATED 8/2021:
I upgraded the rating from 4 stars to 4.5 stars.
I am SO glad I added audio to this book! I really liked the book when I read it a couple of years ago but CoCo and Bodhi continued to captivate me. They are fiercely loyal to each other, despite the circumstances. They love with their whole heart, as well as body and mind. There’s so much that could go deadly wrong but they remain strong together.
I liked the narrator, Lia Holland, but I would’ve preferred a second narrator to go with the dual POV.
Story: 4.5 stars
Narration: 3.5 stars
I loved everything about this. Bodhi is the kindest, sweetest, most charming hero I have read in a while he swoops in and saves CoCo from a stalker it seems it is love at first sight but Bodhi is holding back because he lives on the streets and CoCo is wealthy but they move past that and fall in love. I would give this more stars if I could I can’t recommend this highly enough.
I received an ARC for a honest review
This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed it. Of the two main characters, you can’t help falling in love with Bodhi but it took me longer to become a Coco fan. Watching these two move from complete strangers to friends to “more” is what makes the book good. The story is sweet and steamy and has some added mystery that makes this an enjoyable read. I’ll read more by this author. Recommend 🙂
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my review voluntarily.