She was the fruit of a forbidden tree, but nothing in this world was going to stop me from tasting her. My name is Dylan Murphy, and I work for the rich and powerful of an exclusive Manhattan building. Graham Morgan was my first boss, but soon after I was working with some of the most famous entrepreneurs, business moguls, and movie stars in the city. They trusted me because I always followed the … followed the cardinal rules:
Never betray secrets. And never, under any circumstance, get personally involved.
I’d never dreamed of violating my professional mantra.
Not until she walked past me.
The look we exchanged that night set my body on fire, and I knew right then and there that no matter the consequences, she was going to be mine. But she was one of them—off limits and out of my league, but she was the kind of woman who I was willing to risk everything for.
I keep other people’s secrets for a living, but the biggest secret of all might be my own.
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Disclaimer: I was provided an advance reader copy by the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review and opinions.
out of
A chance encounter puts them in each others’ path, but life throws them together by the most unusual and messed up circumstances. Dylan and Penelope fire chemistry starts from day one, but there’s plenty that’s going against them. How can they surpass all that?
I wasn’t sure what to expect but I absolutely loved this story! When you read as much I do, you get tired of the same formula and this book was a much-needed breath of fiery air! I loved the twists and turns and Dylan’s devotion and protectiveness. But what I enjoyed the most was watching these two discover things about themselves and about what they thought they wanted out of life. I love books that make me think and this is one of those books that stays with you for a while. Fire chemistry + sexy tattoed hero + awesome story= five stars for Secret Keeper!
I really enjoyed this book. Although it took me a little while to get into it. I struggled to connect with the characters. But once I did I really did begin to enjoy it. I must admit this wasn’t the story that I thought it was going to be but it was a good read all the same.
Dylan and Penelope are in totally different phases in their life but they just work. But every time you think it’s a done deal. Something else is thrown at them again and again. This story is proof you can get what you want, eventually. Even though there is a lot of deceit and loneliness, there is above all else real passion and undeniable love.
I do recommend this book. But be prepared to have a little patience and give the characters a little time. It’s will be worth it.
Reviewer: Donna
First time reading anything by Christoper Harlan and it won’t be my last. Great dynamic characters, I mean who doesn’t love a tatted up cocky guy with a great heart. It’s an insta love kind of story.
I am loving all of these Cocky Hero Club novels and if the first ten are any indication of what’s to come it’s just going to get better. I am finding so many great authors I have never read before, it’s always great to expand your horizons!
**I was generously provided with an Advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest Review **
Dylan is a secret keeper for a living. As the PA to a very wealthy man he has had access to information that no one wants shared. Penelope is fiancé of one of those very wealthy men. Unfortunately for her when she starts to learn his secrets it turns her life upside down. Can Dylan keep his own secrets in order to get the girl of his dreams?
I have read several Christopher Harlan books so knew that Secret Keeper would be good. There is so much chemistry between Dylan and Penelope it is almost palpable. Harlan gives us fun banter, sexy scenes and an intense story. A great addition to the Cocky Hero Club World. Love Secret Keeper and always looking forward to my next read by this great author.
Very good suspense romance that completely sucks you in to see what happens next! This story is excellently written and is definitely a must read
Of all the first round of Cocky Hero Club books, this is the one I was most looking forward to and Christopher Harlan delivered one heck of a cocky hero with Dylan.
Dylan is a secret keeper in the world of the rich. It’s part of his job and he’s really good at it. He’s also gorgeous with tattoos and a dirty mouth. The attraction between him and Penelope is instant but she’s off limits. They come from similar poor backgrounds and both found themselves in this different world that the rich and powerful live in.
Dylan was the PA to Graham and is now looking to be employed by Chandler. Chandler is a ruthless business man and was Penelope’s fiance. As he works to prove himself to Chandler, he wonders if being a secret keeper is such a good thing after all.
Many twists and turns, hot sex and drama keep you entertained from beginning to end.
The secret keeper is a fun story about Dylan and his predicament over his job ending and his dream job and of course the job he intends to get before his dream job comes along.
Dylan and Penelope have a connection and it’s the spark that starts the fire! So hot!
Wonderful cast of characters too!
Love the connection with the characters from Stuck up Suit!
It’s part of the Cocky Hero Club which is inspired by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s Stuck Up Suit. You don’t have to have read Stuck Up Suit to enjoy this one. Dylan is a good guy. He’s a hard worker. He kind of has a little mystery to him and I was trying to figure out what he actually did for a job. Penelope is sweet nice girl. I really liked her. There’s an instant connection between Dylan and Penelope but here are a lot of other things going on too. This one has a lot of secrets that get revealed. It has twists, drama, and romance all wrapped up into a great story.
He’s from a working-class family, raised by his grandparents. He’s loyal, sticks to his morals, and can keep a secret. Dylan Murphy is the Personal Assistant to a very rich man that opens his world up to so many things. Dylan idolizes Graham and works very hard for him. He was hired when he needed a job most, right after he returned home from his duty in the Marines. Dylan lives in a very ritzy Co-Op owned and run by Graham and his rich friends that also live in the Co-Op. Dylan is a man who gets things done, he is not only the PA for Graham, but he is also the manager of the Co-Op where they live. He’s a fixer in a way. The first time he sees Penelope, he is drawn to her. He is smart enough to keep his distance though once he finds out that she is taken, that is until he learns that her fiancé is not who she thought he was.
Penelope is also from a working-class family. She isn’t looking for a man to give her the world, but when Chandler comes up to her in a bar and introduces himself to her and asks her out, she’s charmed. Things are fine until after they become engaged and she learns who Chandler really is. The son of a media mogul that is ruthless in business and life. She needs to get away from him when his secrets start to come to light, but he’s holding her family over her and she can’t escape him, until Dylan decides that she’s worth any sacrifice and will do anything to help her and bring down the corrupt media mogul.
I enjoyed this story. It’s a story of two people who get a taste of the rich life, but don’t lose their morals and keep their roots. These two will go through a lot to get to the actual truth and bring down the corrupt fiancé, but they will have some help along the way from the people that Dylan has shown true respect and dedication to. Graham knows who Dylan is and will help him to attain his own goals. There are secrets, challenges, angst, and suspense throughout this story and the true hero will finally win in this story, but it will take a lot of dedication, planning, and help to get to the ultimate goal. I give this story a 4-star review and recommend it if you like stories of the underdog coming out on top and an Alpha male that doesn’t need to shove his way into anything to accomplish his goals.
I love a good Christopher Harlan story and this one was good. When your job depends on keeping secrets, information falling into your lap at every turn, learning when to use it (or not) becomes the most important thing you will do. Dylan has what it takes to be good at what he does but what happens when he falls for the absolutely last person he should fall for. Will he give everything up to get the girl, or will he give up the girl to keep what he’s worked so hard for?
This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and I didn’t know what to expect. I absolutely loved reading this book and seeing where the romance was going and how the story progressed, This book is a complete must read.
The cover of this book pulls you in first and then the way that this author writes is so great that you will not be able to put this book down. It’ll grip hold of you and won’t let go until you have finished it. The Question is can you keep a secret?
Dylan is an all round good guy, he’s extra hard working is sexy as hell and his tats, oh my ladies you may need hosing down. He oozes confidence and knows what he wants. He knows that information and secrets are like gold dust and keeping secrets just became part of he knows what he needs to do.
Penelope is also a very sexy beautiful lady who thought that she had everything planned out, that is until she meets Dylan. She knows that he’s different and that draws her in more so like a magnetic pull and she can’t believe how she is feeling.
These two characters feel something from each other that I think was missing in each of there lives and when they see each other there connection is strong and there chemistry is so hot and the flirty -ness between them both is awesome to see too.
( NO SPOILERS)
I absolutely loved these characters and how this author has written them. I couldn’t wait to read on and see what was going to happen and this story line completely captivated me right from the very beginning. This book has twists and turns and will keep you guessing all the way through. This story line was awesome and I couldn’t put it down right from the start and everyone needs to read this book, its a real must read and I highly recommend that everyone reads it when it gets released. This book is a great addition to the Cocky Hero Club.
I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future.
Thank you to the author and publishers for allowing me to read an early copy of this book.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
This is another new to me author that I enjoyed so much!!! I haven’t read many of the previous books that this Cocky Suits spin-off is known for, but this was such a fun and unique romance!
Dylan is a secret keeper for a living. He has aceess to deeply personal information that nobody wants shared, and is damn good at is job. When he comes across Penelope, who is the fiance of one of the wealthy men he keeps secrets of, things get intense fast. I don’t want to spoil anything, but this book was just such a delight! I Will definitely be reading more from this author!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!**
Dylan’s job is to basically be a secret keeper but he Penelope the last thing he wants to do is keep that secret. This story had lots of twists and turns and I loved the pace of it
Secret Keeper was my first read by Christoper Harlan and overall I found it to be an enjoyable read. This is the story of Dylan Murphy a man who grew up with rags, now workin for the rich. When he finds himself facing a dilemma of conscience. Take a job for a new slime ball or the unemployment line what will he choose. To make matters worse he just so happens to meet the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen… and part of that new job has to do with her.
Penelope was a great character. She was having a rough go of it, but had finally found a bright spot in her life. That ray of sun was, Dylan. He was like a fairytale dream come true really, but that’s the thing about fairytales, they can never really come true and always have a villain. This book was a quick read and had heat, lust, and secrets and lies. Your also gonna get, forgiveness, a funny grandma and a bit of angst.
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book. All options are my own.
This was a good solid four star read with steam scenes and a HEA that will please everyone!
4.4 stars
This is the first book I have read by the author and it will not be the last. It is the story of Dylan, a man who came from humble beginnings who winds up working for the rich. However, as he is faced with a choice of unemployment or going to work for another wealthy man with questionable morals, he meets Penelope as she is moving into her fiancé Chandler’s apartment. The two have an attraction but Penelope is definitely taken. However, not all is as it seems and when Penelope uncovers the truth about Chandler cheating, she finally leaves and runs into Dylan again. As Dylan is working for Chandler things are acrimonious, made worse by Chandler setting him up. Will Dylan take the fall? Will Dylan and Penelope have the chance to see where their attraction takes them? This is one engaging storyline filled with drama, heat, secrets and lies. I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book.
This is the first book of the new Cocky Hero Club series that I jumped into and if the others are like this, then there’s going to be some amazing reads as the series progresses. Whilst I’ve read some of Christopher Harlan’s previous books, I know very little about the books this new series is based upon. However, I feel this is possibly a good thing because I’m able to judge the book on its own merits rather than comparing it to the books by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward.
Secret Keeper held my interest from the start and I loved how the author introduced Dylan and Penelope to us. We learn a little bit about their lives, but we’re not overwhelmed with information. Then changes happen in both of their lives on the very same day and that’s when the story really gets started. Christopher Harlan gives us love, romance, angst, drama, intrigue and so much more in a story of twists and turns with also several ups and downs. Secret Keeper gives us a hero and also a villain like any good story, and a few secrets are revealed along the way. Christopher Harlan doesn’t disappoint and this great addition to this new series has me excited for the other authors books.
I want to end this review by saying that Christopher Harlan picked THE perfect cover model. The model matched the description of Dylan within the book so well and I love it when that happens. It shows just how much time and care this author puts into his books.
*I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book
Having read Christopher’s work before, I knew he would do a Cocky World novel justice, and he sure did not disappoint!
In this story, we are introduced to Dylan and Penelope. Dylan is the all-American good boy, and keeping secrets is his forte.
Penelope had a plan for her life. But, as with life, plans can be changed, and that happens when she meets Dylan.
These two are drawn together by a powerful magnetic force, and Christopher does an amazing job of bringing out their relationship for readers to devour and enjoy.
This was a fabulous addition to the Cocky World Series!
Where to start and what to say to do this great read justice……
Christopher Harlan is a new author to me but after reading Secret Keeper (Cocky Hero Club) that will be changing. I love the concept that Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward have put together with The Cocky Hero Club but I have to be honest and say as excited as I was I was also very wary of other authors expanding stories featuring my hero’s well if every book is as good as this one there is nothing to worry about.
Dylan Murphy works for Graham Morgan, he has learnt everything he knows from one of the best and that’s never betray secrets and never get personally involved. Looking after the exclusive Manhattan Building has its challenges and Dylan is about to find himself breaking all his rules with his latest challenge …..
Penelope Genaro is about to move into the building with her fiancé but when she finds him cheating on her the plans all go out the window but when Dylan is asked by the fiancé to get some information for him and also convince Penelope to come back to him in exchange for a job things get real interesting……..
This book has so much going for it, I loved Dylan and Penelope, I loved catching up with Graham Morgan but most importantly I loved this authors style of writing, I loved how he wove the drama and intrigue into the perfect romance and what can I say about the chemistry this couple share apart from it’s intense so with all that being said I need to tell you please one click this gem of a read you won’t be disappointed. Looking forward to reading more from this author and more from the Cocky Hero Club.
Although this author is new to me and I wasn’t sure what to expect I can honestly say that I absolutely loved the story so so much. Once I started reading it I couldn’t stop. I was pulled into the story and was invested in their lives. I needed to know what was going to happen next and I just devoured it. I loved the storyline with all its twists and turns. A definite must read.
I didn’t want this book to end! Christopher took characters from another Hero Club book and used them to create a brand new story! Dylan is the keeper of secrets in this high priced co-op – the man that sees everything and knows everything but keeps it to himself. Penelope is a woman stuck in an unfortunate situation that only becomes worse when she meets Dylan. But that doesn’t stop him! This story follows Dylan and Penelope as they make their way through a world that neither belonged to but are all caught up in. With assistance from the character in the first book and many others, they get everything I figured out for their happily ever after! Absolutely worth the read – you will not be disappointed!!!