Has this bad-boy bachelor met his match? In business and pleasure, he needs his nemesis! To catch the spy in his family business, Zachary Stone needs a first-rate security specialist. But the new hire is none other than Frances Wickersham, the girl who challenged a younger Zach at every turn. She’s always pushed him. This time around, the long-legged beauty is challenging his playboy ways. Now … challenging his playboy ways. Now that they are all grown-up, can they ignore their undeniable chemistry?
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Challenges, challenges. Ah, such is love.
I’m a sucker for a good romance with a set of enemies to lovers or friends to lovers. This one fit the bill. First, it’s written by Janice Maynard, so I know it’s solid. The story plugs along at a good clip and the characters are fun. Second, there’s the writing. It’s crisp. Third, the romance is wonderful.
I wouldn’t classify this story so much as an enemies to lovers story as much as a friends to lovers version. Zach never really hated Frannie and neither really went out of their way to make the other miserable. They were so competitive, which was refreshing. They were equals and I liked it. Plus, they have great chemistry. They worked well in and out of the bedroom–which is important.
If you’re looking for a fun romance that’s great for a chilly night, then this might be exactly what you’re looking for.
This an awesome ending to the trilogy of The Stone River brothers.
Zachary is the middle brother of the Farrell and Quinten Stone, owners of Stone River Outdoors.
The brothers believe that their father and Quinten’s accident was not an accident and someone is stealing Farrell’s invention ideals so they hire a professional hacker by the name of F. Wickersham.
Zachary aka the Stone Man and Frances aka Bug, Frannie attended high school together a school for the gifted and were very good friends when they both attended Glenderry. Zach and Frannie are both exceptionally smart and he was sort of disappointed when Frannie beat him out for a scholarship to Oxford. Frannie had a crush on Zach and he also had a crush on but they both failed to act upon their feelings for each.
Zachary did not recognize Frannie when she reported to RSO to begin her job because she was using her first initial F. Wickersham.
Frannie is in her element and enjoys her job as being a professional hacker traveling to globe. Zach is CFO and not really doing what he really wants to do with his life. Frannie and Zach are very much attracted to each and the sexual chemistry between the two is off the charts. Fannie is reluctant to take things farther because she knows about Zach’s playboy status.
It was nice to catch up on Quinten, Katie, Farrell, Ivy and baby Dolly.
This is a great series about the Stone River Outdoor brothers, didn’t want it to end.
Why not pick up your copy today and read about Quinten the baby brother, Farrell the oldest brother and Zachary the middle brother you will not be disappointed.
Thank you, Janice for an ARC.
Good conclusion to the trilogy. Zach is the CFO of the family business, Stone River Outdoors. He took on the job after the death of his father brought him and his two brothers back to Maine. In the previous two books, Zach and his brothers began to suspect that they have a corporate spy stealing designs. The question is: is it just theft, or is someone trying to bring down the company? To get to the bottom of the mystery, Zach hires a computer security specialist. He is stunned to discover that he hired his high school friend and nemesis, Frances.
Zach and Frannie attended the same elite boarding school for gifted students. Zach didn’t want to be there, so he didn’t focus on his studies, except for those times that Frannie challenged him. Even then, Frannie usually came out ahead, something that didn’t sit well with his teenage ego. Though they were staunch competitors, they were also good friends. What Zach never knew was that Frannie had a crush on him. He was too busy honing his early playboy skills on the popular girls.
When Zach and Frannie met again, it didn’t take long for them to be comfortable with each other, except for those pesky sparks. Zach can’t believe how beautiful Frannie grew up to be, and he can’t deny that he’s attracted to her. Frannie quickly realizes that she still has remnants of the old crush and that if she isn’t careful, she could end up with a broken heart. Though wary, she accepts his invitation to spend the weekend at his home on the coast. The attraction continues to grow, but an accident caused by his competitiveness puts an end to Zach’s plans.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Zach and Frannie. Once they return to Portland, it’s time to get down to business, but they still make time to be together. Eventually, their attraction becomes too much to resist. Both of them claim that it is short-term, no-strings, and keeping emotion out of it. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to stick to the rules. Zach finds himself opening up to her far more than he expected, which freaks him out a bit. When Frannie stumbles onto one of his deep-held secrets and tries to talk to him about it, it stirs up some insecurity in him. He pushes her away in an attempt to protect himself.
Frannie makes progress on her investigation, but when it comes time to reveal her findings, Zach refuses to believe her. I wanted to shake him for the things he said. Things take an unexpected twist as Frannie searches for the final pieces of the puzzle. I loved Zach’s gut feeling, especially his memory of a similar occurrence and what he did about it. It also opened his eyes to the feelings he’d been running from. It was sweet to see how protective Zach became. He struggled to convince Frannie of his feelings, and I loved the method he settled on. I ached for Frannie and her broken heart and loved seeing the cautious hope bloom. The epilogue was great.
What an amazing ending to this trilogy.
Two incredibly smart, albeit awkward high school friends come back into each other’s lives a dozen years later. Frankie is trying to help solve the problems Zach and his brothers have been having at their outdoor company.
This book has so much depth. The resurrection of a high school crush; drama and intrigue intensifies in regards to the business problems; and the fall of a rich playboy to the one woman who gets everything about him.
Secrets of a Playboy, the last book in The Men of Stone River trilogy by Janice Maynard, does not disappoint! Zachary Stone, CFO of Stone River Outdoors, hires F. Wickersham, a security expert, to see if there is a traitor within the company. Zachary is surprised to learn that F. Wichersham is Frannie, his high school friend. Frannie discovers more than one secret in her time working for the Stone brothers. Will Frannie be able to find a traitor and tame the playboy at the same time?
SECRETS OF A PLAYBOY is the third book in the Men of Stone River series. As much as I liked the first two, I will have to say that this one was my favorite. Zachary Stone is hiring a security expert to confirm that upcoming company product ideas are not being stolen by someone on the inside. We first meet Frannie when she shows up to interview for the position. The story pulls you in by revealing that Frannie and playboy Zach had a previous friendship. Zach was Frannie’s teenage crush. Now that they are grown up will Frannie be able to complete the job despite her attraction to Zach? And Zach is he really the Playboy he is made out to be? The plot has many twist and turns as they explore their mutual attraction. I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it to other readers.
SECRETS OF A PLAYBOY is the third in the MEN OF STONE RIVER novels. Zachary is the middle of the three brothers. All are billionaires and running the family business after their father is killed in a suspicious car wreck. The least likely to settle down with one woman. Then his friend from the private high school for gifted students he had attended came to work for his company as a professional hacker. They had been lab partners though out high school, but when she was awarded the scholarship that he had wanted they parted ways. I enjoyed reading this book, totally. Two very intelligent adults working closely together after many years apart find much more than the employee who is stealing ideas from the company. I love a happy ending! I highly recommend this book as well as the other two in the series!
I read this book in one go- I was curious about Zachary Stone, after reading about his two brothers. I wasn’t disappointed- I loved this book too: It was kind of surprising that even his brothers didn’t know the true Zachary, he managed to keep a few secrets to himself and only a Bug (Frannie) his old schoolfirend and always the one who outshone him, is able to get close enough to unravel his secrets, not that he likes it- Zachery puts up his way of a fight, by way of silence. But Frannie sees through this tactic and soon they challenge each other in and out of the board- and bedroom.
In order to catch the spy in his family business, Zachery Stone hires a first-rate security specialist and to his surprise, his new hire is none other than Frances Wickersham, the girl who pushed a younger Zach at every turn at school and always came out on top. Can they ignore their chemistry together, can they catch the villain in the company? High time to read the last installment of the series: Men of Stone River – Secrets of a Playboy.
A reunion worth having! With the final book in The Men of Stone River trilogy Janice Maynard brings us the bad boy brother’s story in SECRETS OF A PLAYBOY and he is delicious! The story line was fast paced, the passionate with a touch of snark connection they had between each other was so much fun to watch play out and we got to also enjoy the other brother’s with their forever loves a bit as well. I loved this series!
Zachary has been the brother we couldn’t get too much of a read on in the earlier books in the series but reconnecting with someone who meant a lot to him years ago brings a very down to earth persona out in him for the reader.
Frances starts off feeling like a bit of an uptight character but watching her unfold and figuratively let her hair down as she reminisces with Zach brings a touchable side out in her.
I highly recommend this book as well as the entire trilogy to anyone who loves a close knit group of brothers who have to overcome obstacles in running a high end business as they each find their happily ever afters.
“Secrets of a Playboy (The Men of Stone River Book 3)” by Janice Maynard is the final book in this series, and as much as I liked the first two books I liked this one even more. This is Frances (Frannie) Wickersham and Zachary (Zach) Stone’s story. Zach hires Frannie, a security expert, to spy on his company and he didn’t realize that F. Wickersham was a school friend of his when they were growing up. There were some questions that arose when Zach’s father died with some stolen inventions. These two are wonderful together, but they are fighting the sparks that are between them. It’s a really great, romantic read.
Zach is CEO of Stone Ridge Outdoors. He needs to hire security expert to find out what is happening at company. To his surprise, expert is a person he knows, his nemesis, Frances.
What a wonderful story, each book in series is better and better.
Loved everything in this story.
Secrets of a Playboy is the final book in Janice Maynard’s Men of Stone River trilogy. I enjoyed all of the books in the series but I believe Ms. Maynard saved the best for last.
Zachary Stone is the CFO of his family’s business Stone Ridge Outdoors. With questionable actions taken against the company and his family, he and his brothers decide to hire a security expert to investigate his father’s death and stolen inventions.
Frances (Frannie) Wickersham is a security expert and unbeknownst to Zachary is his good friend from high school.
After the initial shock that F. Wickersham is his friend, Frannie, they rekindle their friendship and take that step to uncover who is behind the acts against the company.
Will Frannie discover who has targeted the company and why? Will they discover their friendship means more to both of them?
Secrets of a Playboy is a standalone book and also a fast read. It is heartwarming watching Zachary and Frannie come to terms with their feelings. I am sorry to see this series come to an end. I received and advanced copy and chose to read and review it. This is my honest opinion.
This is the third book in The Men of Stone River Trilogy. In this story Zach Stone, the CFO of Stone River Outdoors, gets to reconnect and fall in love with his high school best friend, Frances Wickersham. He and Frannie went to an elite boarding school for the gifted together. The three Stone brothers have hired F. Wickersham to investigate possible corporate espionage within Stone River Outdoors, not knowing that Frannie was THE one and only F.Wickersham. Unbeknownst to Zach, his long ago high school nemesis has always had a secret crush on him. Working together not only reconnects their friendship but also ignites a long awaited sexual chemistry and fierce attraction between the two. This book was an outstanding finish to the Stone River Trilogy, I think Zach and Frannie’s story is my favorite of the three.
Janice Maynard has – once again – kept me turning the pages of Secrets of a Playboy right up until I finished the book! A Men of Stone River novel (the last one in the series) that is as good at the other two, but you can certainly read this one on its own. Though, I would definitely recommend you read the previous two as well – you’ll enjoy the whole series.
Zachary Stone is all grown up, and, unbeknownst to him, he has hired someone from his past, F. Wickersham (also known as Frannie). The one person who had outwitted him when he was young, and challenged him while in school. Frannie has been hired to spy into the family business – seems as if someone is leaking information out, and a hacker is just what Frannie is.
The attraction these two are fighting against (hint: it’s mostly Zach’s fault) is an interesting one. When danger is brought into the plot, though, will one of these characters realize just how important the other is in their lives?
It’s a must read and I do hope you enjoyed it as much as I did! I am sorry there are not more Men of Stone to continue the story line, but I am glad I got to enjoy their romance and stories.
Secrets of a Playboy is the final book in The Men of Stone River series. The Men of Stone River are three brothers running the family business Stone River Outdoors. Events are occurring that make them think that someone is trying to ruin the company is it espionage or not it’s up to CFO Zachary Stone to find the culprit. Zach has a reputation as a playboy and knows he has to hire a security specialist enter Frances Wickersham. Frannie is the best in her field and just so happens to be a former classmate of Zacharys from his boarding school years. They have not seen each other in over a decade and sparks are flying like crazy beat the two of them! Zachary invites Francis to his home and it is there that the friends catch up. They both realize that maybe there is more to this friendship but first they have a mystery to solve and need to figure out what they mean to each other! Great ending to this series!
What fun to shock her old high school nemesis and okay, crush Zachary Stone. Glenderry School for Gifted Children and Bug (Frannie) and Stone Man (Zachary) was a long time ago. Now Frances, “Frannie” Wickersham is a top-rated security specialist. She has been hired by the Stone brothers to ferret out the spy in the company business Stone River Outdoor Co. who is stealing intellectual property and maybe sabotaging family members. Getting to know the Stone family is a real treat for Frannie. She is an only child and the camaraderie demonstrated by the Stones is a new experience for her. But it’s the renewal of the attraction to Zachary Frannie plans to be wary of. After all she is sure Zach has well-earned his reputtion as a partying playboy. Spending much time with Zach would be a big mistake but maybe it is time she steps out of her safe zone for a change. Who knows what could happen.
Zachary Stone is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the family business. He knew he had to step up and get involved in Stone River Outdoor Co. after the death of his father and the major injuries to his brother Quinten sustained in the auto accident that killed their father. The brothers decided they needed a security specialist to investigate if any of their employees happened to be selling company intellectual property. He never guessed that F. Wickersham was his old friend from boarding school. Boy, Frannie sure has turned into a beautiful woman. Yeah, he shouldn’t get involved with her but he couldn’t resist. There is something different about her from other women he has known. Turns out to be a reincarnation of their high school relationship – hot and cold, fighting and making up again. They ended up friends but Zach has different ideas now – bedroom ideas. He just can’t fight the attraction.
Secrets of A Playboy by Janice Maynard is the third and final book in her Men of Stone River series. This story concludes the mystery of the spy stealing company intellectual property and solves the mystery of the Stone brothers’ father’s fatal auto accident. I enjoyed reading all three books in the series but Zach’s story is the most compelling to me. He has the most issues to resolve and it took the strong, caring woman in Frannie to crack his walls and discover the true Zachary Stone. Their road to a HEA was very rocky so I loved that they came out so happy in the end. This has been a very entertaining series to read.
WOW not really how I expected this 3 book series to end, but it was a fun, wild ride with the 3 brothers to find their women and HEAs Frannie and Zach have a second chance after being HS friends!