“Lee crafts an electric will-they-or-won’t-they between two well-developed characters who come together as a convincing and passionate couple. Readers won’t want to put down this sexy slow burn romance.” –Publishers Weekly She’s done waiting for what she really wants… “If I don’t have you after that kiss, I’ll burn to dust from the inside out…” Aspiring fashion designer Adelaide Song wants … designer Adelaide Song wants to prove she’s more than just a pampered heiress. All she needs is a little courage–and the help of deliciously sexy Michael Reynolds, her childhood crush and her brother’s best friend. But when her secret crush turns into an illicit liaison, Adelaide realizes mixing business with pleasure spells trouble for all her plans…
From Harlequin Desire: Luxury, scandal, desire–welcome to the lives of the American elite.
Love triumphs in these uplifting romances as Jayci Lee transports you into the glamorous world of high fashion where passion clashes with familial duty–don’t miss the Heirs of Hansol series:
Book 1: Temporary Wife Temptation
Book 2: Secret Crush Seduction
Book 3: Off Limits Attraction
more
This is the third book I have read by this author. This trilogy of books are some hot ones for sure. Take example this scene from the book:
Adelaide: “I get to have you whenever I want, wherever I want, and I want to have you right here tonight. Got it?”
Michael: “So you want to get me wet and naked?”
Adelaide nods.
Michael: “Do you want to watch me undress”
Adelaide: “Yes”
Michael: “How badly?”
Adelaide: “Badly, please”
Now, if that did not get you hot and bothered; I am not sure what would. Thus the reason this book is from the Harlequin Desire line.
Adelaide may come from money but she is out to prove her own worth. She is intelligent as well as not afraid to show she is a strong woman. Although, it does not hurt to have a strong, sexy man by your side either. Michael is just that man. The chemistry they shared is hot. You could feel the sparks flying between them.
This book was a quick read with enjoyable characters. I have become a fan of Jayci Lee. Plus, I must admit that it does not hurt that at least one of her main characters in her books are Asian. As an Asian; this makes me happy to see more books featuring this ethnicity.
I read the first installment of the Heirs to Hansol series but it is not necessary to have read book 1 to enjoy book 2.
Secret Crush Seduction is enjoyable many of the same reasons I loved in Book 1. Competent MCs, and a steamy, emotional journey that is, at its core, a story of two people giving in to their long-time attraction.
The story starts with Adelaide Song, who wants to take on more of leadership role in her family empire. But her grandmother can’t see past her party girl past (The Hansol Empire’s matriarch made her appearance in book 1 and she is not to be trifled with). Adelaide is no longer that wild teenager and she sets out to prove this to her grandmother.
Part of her plan involves her brother’s best friend, Michael Reynolds, who handles the company’s PR and who she has pined for since she was young. She doesn’t realize that he has long been attracted to her as well, an attraction he tries to crush. Lucky for us romance readers, he fails and eventually gives in, their connection growing until they can barely manage it. Of course, this puts Adelaide’s entire plan to prove herself to her grandmother in danger, while Michael also faces his own risks as an executive becoming emotionally involved with one of the heirs of the empire. Whatever will they do?
Lee delivers on another fun, steamy, engaging read that keeps you glued to each page. And the covers so far have been exquisite. Looking forward to the next installment!
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars Brothers best friend, long time crush stories usually hit my happy buttons quite hard. I’m not entirely sure what it was about Michael and Adelaide’s story that missed, but maybe because the “third act breakup” and the reconciliation happened all in the last chapter and there wasn’t nearly enough grovel. Also they didn’t hash out the issues really. But I for sure would love more from Adelaide because she was a boss for real. Quick, tropetastic and full of inclusion all the way. I recommend this series for sure
SECRET CRUSH SEDUCTION is book two in Jayci Lee’s Heirs of Hansol series.
Adelaide Song is trying to prove to her family – especially her grandmother, the formidable family matriarch – that she has changed her wild child ways and is worthy of a place in the family business.
To help her, Adelaide entangles Michael Reynolds, head of publicity for Hansol Corporation into her plans to design a clothing collection for people with autism experiencing sensory issues. Within the constraints of this genre romance, for the most part, the author competently addresses this challenge.
Adelaide and Michael explore their feelings for each other as they work together to make the fashion show a success. Michael was Adelaide’s first, albeit unrequited, love. Michael finds himself attracted to Adelaide buy he is wary of tangling with Adelaide because he greatly esteems the Hansols and he would hate to lose their respect.
Lee manages to infuse plenty of tension between Adelaide and Michael; the chemistry between them is obvious even though there’s a reluctance to acknowledge it. Frustratingly, this book doesn’t quite work for me it relies heavily on miscommunication to drive the story.
Lee definitely gets a thumbs up for her continued inclusion of diverse characters. It’s never gratuitous and I appreciate her efforts.
While this book didn’t quite hit the spot, I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I don’t read a lot of Harlequin Desire books anymore because I tend to want longer stories. But I do have a few authors that I enjoy and whose books I will search out. And Jayci Lee is one of those authors. I read the previous book in this series and I was excited for Adelaide’s story. I love a good brother’s best friend story and Secret Crush Seduction is that. Adelaide has had a crush on Michael for so long and when they start working together, they both decide to give in to that attraction. But their love story is only part of the story. Adelaide is trying to redeem her image as a party girl in the eyes of her grandmother and the world. She has started a big charity project at her family’s company and this is a chance for her to prove herself. Finally exploring her attraction to Michael couldn’t come at a worse time. I especially liked that Adelaide’s charity project is sensory-friendly clothes and the ideas for it are a great addition. I understood Adelaide’s hesitance to making their relationship known but Michael’s was one that could have been solved with an open conversation. That being said, this was a great story and I did really enjoy both Adelaide and Michael’s characters.
*Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the first book of Jayci Lee’s Heirs of Hansol series when I read it earlier this year, so I’ve been looking forward to getting my hands on the follow-up, “Secret Crush Seduction,” ever since. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as I had hoped, but even so, I liked main characters Adelaide and Michael and it was easy for me to cheer them on to their HEA.
When the story began, Adelaide was determined to overcome the party girl reputation of her past so that she could find a place for herself within her family’s fashion empire, Hansol. In an effort to prove to her formidable grandmother that she had changed, she came up with the idea of hosting a charity event focused on autism awareness. She quickly realized that she would need help coordinating the event, particularly on the PR side. Her brother’s best friend and Adelaide’s childhood crush, Michael, was the perfect candidate for the job. It was immediately apparent that Michael and Adelaide were attracted to each other, but for various reasons, each was determined not to let the other know. However, as they worked together on the charity event, their feelings for each other grew, and they soon began an affair. They agreed that the affair would end as soon as the charity event was over, but would they really be able to stop?
I felt bad for Michael because he had clearly suffered when his parents divorced and again when his wife left him a few years before the story began. His reasons for being scared to start a relationship with Adelaide were completely understandable. That said, it really irritated me that Michael refused to share those reasons with Adelaide and instead made decisions about her future without even discussing them with her. Rather than acting like her partner, he often treated Adelaide like a child who was incapable of making decisions for herself. I think if he had been honest with Adelaide and worked together with her to find a solution to their problems, I would have liked this book a lot better than I did.
At any rate, even though I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first one in the series, I would still recommend it for fans of contemporary slow burn romance. I look forward to the next book in the series, which will feature Adelaide’s cousin Colin.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Secret Crush Seduction is the second book in the Heirs of Hansol from Jayci Lee. We get Adelaide Song and Michael Reynolds story in this book which is a friends-to-lovers romance.
Adelaide Song wants to take her place in her family’s business, but because of her wild child college years, she feels as if her grandmother doesn’t take her seriously. She has an amazing idea to add to their fashion empire and knows she can be successful. Michael Reynolds is her older brother’s best friend and trusted family friend…and also the man Adelaide has loved her entire life. Adelaide knows her grandmother will support her latest project for the company if she can get Michael to help her out, and she can show Michael she has grown up as well.
I really adored the chemistry between Adelaide and Michael. Yes, there was major sexual attraction there from the beginning, but their working chemistry was just as strong. Michael is insanely attracted to Adelaide, but because he is her older brother’s best friend and a family friend, he fights his attraction to her in the beginning. Adelaide is such a strong woman, but I saw her absolutely blossom and really come into her own as she worked on her fashion show project with all the designers, she handpicked. I felt like she was more willing to go after what she really wanted not only with her work life, but her love life, and Michael is who she always wanted. I really did love them as a couple, even when they were keeping it a secret from Adelaide’s grandmother. I didn’t love that Michael wasn’t being entirely truthful about his reason for not being long term, and honestly that was really the only thing I didn’t love about this story. Adelaide deserved better and for all the talk about her not being mature, I felt like Michael not sharing his secret was a disservice to her.
Secret Crush Seduction was a sexy and emotional read. I really enjoyed this own voice story and can’t wait to read the rest of the stories in this series. I somehow skipped book one, but it is awaiting me on my kindle right now. I really enjoy Ms. Lee’s voice and look forward to more books from her in the future.
Rating: 4 Stars (B)
Review copy provided by publisher
SECRET CRUSH SEDUCTION by Jayci Lee is book Two in The Heirs of Hansol Series. This is the story of Adelaide Song and Michael Reynolds. Adelaide wants to show her family that she is a grown women who is ready for the responsibility of their family fashion empire business. To do so she gets the help of her brother’s best friend and who also is the PR person. Adelaide has always had a crush on him and when they start working closer together their feelings just start to grow. This was a really enjoyable read. I will be looking for more books from this author.
Jayci Lee has done it again. This time its Adelaide’s turn to prove that she is ready for a position at the family’s fashion empire. When help comes in the form of her her brother’s best friend/childhood crush, mixing business with pleasure might might backfire. I loved reading this book. Adelaide and Michael are amazing and of course grandma song bestows us with her wisdom. I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series.
While I liked this book, I wish I could have loved it. Considering age gap and brother’s best friend tropes are two of my absolute favorites, I have to admit that I feel let down by my reaction to this book. While on the surface Adelaide and Michael were likable and had good chemistry, this coupling never really solidified for me. I felt there was a distinct lack of an emotional connection between this pair and for me personally, this made this book a bit of a chore. As for the story, initially I thought things started off promising but in the end came up a bit short to fully satisfy me. I am choosing to post a candid review.
Adelaide and Michael’s friends to lovers story in Sweet Crush Seduction by Jayci Lee, book two in the Heirs of Hansol series, is a story of personal growth and seeing beyond the covering. Adelaide Song is tired of being treated like a kid as well as only being remembered for the wild child she became in college. She wants to take her place in the family business, using her fashion designer and business degrees. Creating a charity fashion show featuring formal and business wear for people on the Autism spectrum will give her the right platform to demonstrate her skills and talents. Not being able to do this all by herself she involves Michael Reynolds, her childhood crush and brother’s best friend, to assist her. Working together Michael realizes that not only has Adelaide grown up but there’s a magnetism arcing between them. When they are together, their electricity sets off sparks and their chemistry sizzles. As the time draws closer to the night of the Fashion Show, Adelaide discovers that mixing business with pleasure could derail her plans for a forever together with Michael.
Ms. Lee wrote as emotional and searing story that should not be missed. She provided a tale rich with sizzling chemistry, personal growth, and supportive characters giving Adelaide and Michael a chance at a forever love. I highly recommend Sweet Crush Seduction to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Secret Crush Seduction is the second in Jayci Lee’s The Heirs of Hansol series. It is an absolutely delicious brother’s BFF, unrequited love story about Adelaide Song and Michael Reynolds.
Ms Lee’s does a lovely job balancing the story elements with the fiery romance. Adelaide knows she needs to revamp her reputation. She crushed on her brother Garrett’s best friend Michael for years, and went a little wild in college when her heart was broken when he married someone else. While she went on to pull herself together academically, her grandmother still doesn’t seem to trust her to step into a role in the family business. She needs a big something to help everyone see that she is fully ready and able to contribute to Hansol as an adult, in control of herself and her reputation. And she deeply misses the friendship she and Michael used to share.
Cue one charity fashion event where Michael steps in to help as the company’s front-facing PR specialist. Spending time together is both torture and everything they’ve ever dreamed as they both struggle to keep everything on the up and up. Ms Lee writes their longings beautifully, and it’s safe to say that just about everyone can see the threads of desire weaving these two together, not to mention the rising temperatures.
Secret Crush Seduction is a terrific page-turning romance, and I also loved the Korean-American representation. Ms Lee’s characters are well written, and her women are especially fierce and strong and smart. None of the characters are perfect, but recognize and accept responsibility for their actions, and know how to give an apology. I can’t wait for more from this author!
I loved Adelaide! She could be a vulnerable, little hot mess, but don’t disregard her drive and determination to succeed. She could pull herself together to shine with the best of them!
And poor Michael. He wasn’t at all prepared for her toughness and hits to his emotional security! He didn’t give her the credit she deserved until it was almost too late. Even though I knew what was coming, even I hoped he would pull his head out and see what was basically screaming right in front of him!
I enjoyed and appreciated the detail over Adelaide’s Austism-themed fashion show. The time and consideration regarding textures and sensory issues-to name a couple of things-was well thought out and mentioned points I related to! Having a daughter on the spectrum, I can attest that shopping for clothes can be a frustrating headache with issues over fabric texture, zippers, and buttons, etc, but we mostly find a way to prevail:)
Secret Crush Seduction was a great addition to the Heirs of Hansol series. There were strong characters, great chemistry, and a wonderful storyline! I am doubly excited Garret and Adelaide’s cousin Colin is getting a book as well!!
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley/Harlequin. This is my honest review.