To save her son, shy but determined waitress Becky McAllister would do just about anything. But she never expected “anything” to include the brother of the man who broke her heart. Steve Parker needs a wife, now, if he has any hopes of winning his local DA election and becoming the advocate for the underserved he’s always dreamed of being. The sweet waitress seems like just the person—if he can … person—if he can get her to agree.
One year of marriage—no strings, no personal attachments. Becky gets the insurance funds she needs for her son’s surgery while Steve’s poll ratings soar. Neither planned on a commitment in their future, so they should have no problem making it through the year without getting emotionally involved, right?
Except Becky’s holding on to a secret from her past—one that would change everything.
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Are you a sweet romance fan? While I love a good, steamy romance, I also love a good, clean sweet romance. And Elsie Davis delivers a feel-good, heart-warming romance in Small Town, Big Secrets. It’s the next book in her Trinity River series but I can honestly tell you that it IS a standalone title. I haven’t read book one yet, and at no point did I feel like I had missed out on any backstory. But if you follow my reviews, you know I’m a series junkie, so at some point, I’m going to be catching up on book one, Back in the Rancher’s Arms!
From the wrong side of the tracks, Becky is a single mom working hard to make ends meet. But with a huge medical bill hanging looming in her immediate future, she’s left wondering how she’s going to keep making ends meet. Rich, successful lawyer Steve is running for the DA position and needs a boost in the polls. When he proposes a fake marriage idea to Becky, she can’t turn it down. But will she be able to keep her secret safe, and her heart, too?
NICUnurse’s Rating: You gotta love small towns. When your reputation is golden, you are golden. But when your reputation isn’t quite so golden, it’s a struggle to overcome your past and your mistakes. Yet, sometimes love will find you anyway. And it can be from the last person you’d expect it to be. While Becky is definitely no wallflower, I loved the white knight theme. Some of us never quite outgrow our love of fairytale endings! We’re living in a time of true uncertainty right now, and sometimes you just need that kind of an escape. Thankfully, this book delivered just that.
I give Small Town, Big Secrets by Elsie Davis 4 out of 5 stars!
Small Town, Big Secrets is the first book I remember reading written by Elsie Davis. It certainly is the first in this small-town series that I have read. The is pure contemporary romance with a mother in distress over the cost of her child’s surgery. In walks, maybe runs into her is a better description, is the knight in shinning armor. From there drama, angst and family members coming into play.
This marriage of convenience story is an enjoyable read, taking my mind off life today while reading about someone whose problems can be solved by the end of the book. It is well-written, though the beginning restaurant scene was more fantasy then realistic. I see someone like Steve Parker being polite and kind but not so interested in the server where he is having lunch. Still for an afternoon read I was taken to a place where love does win out for political minded well as for the everyday person.
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Small Town, Big Secrets by new to me author Elsie Davis, is a well-written book that I enjoyed immensely. It is a clean romance that kept me engaged from start to finish. This is the second book from the Trinity River series and it can be read as a standalone.
Becky McAllister is 23, a waitress, and a single mom to her five-year-old son. With the exception of bumping into her ex, she loves living in the small town that she grew up in. Money is always tight and now her son needs a hernia operation. Her wealthy ex is beyond wicked, and he has never acknowledged their child or paid any child support. In fact, blackmail is his preferred method of communication.
Steve Parker is an attorney with a heart of gold. It is unfortunate that both his parents and his brother are the complete opposite. Steve’s need to help others has led him to run for the local District Attorney’s office. Unfortunately, his single status does not poll well with the voters. He needs a wife to in order to appear settled. Running into Becky and proposing a marriage of convenience will help both of them. Becky agrees to marry Steve in exchange for medical care for her son. However, Becky’s past may be too difficult a situation for them to overcome. Luckily, once they are completely honest with each other, their happily ever after can begin to thrive.
I truly liked this novel, and the developing love connection between Becky and Steve was delightful and flirty. I immediately connected with both of them as individuals and as a couple. The secondary characters were unique in their own right, which added a lot of interest to the present happenings. Overall, this is a terrific read and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
I never know what I’m going to get with a book when the storyline is marriage of convince. This book however was super adorable I loved Bryon his personality really shined through. I had a love/dislike with Steve at first he comes off as everyone should just love me no matter what, but he grew on me really quick and the author did a good job and showing his heart but still making him a fighter. Oh my Becky is a fighter and my heart truly just broke for her sometimes in the book, she knows what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it when it comes to Bryon. This is a first book for me by this author and I want to much more. Such a good read and I like that the author kept it a clean read.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion.
Wow! This book is something else! I confess that this is the first book of this author that I read and I just loved it!
I enjoy marriage of convenience books and this one is super well written and has great characters. Becky and Steve meet under non-conventional circunstances and their lifes are very complicated.
Becky has to take care of her son without any help of the father. He needs a surgery and she needs money for the medical procedure. Steve is from a family from influence and money and wants to be the youngest DA ever in the city, but he needs a wife and family.
This is a perfect match but some secrets are going to be between them and only love will win in the end.
This is a romantic, well written, sexy book that you will love from the first page.
I loved it!!
On a fact finding mission to his hometown, DA candidate Steve Parker bumps (literally) into Becky McAllister and soon starts to give serious thought to his campaign manager’s suggestion that he marry to boost his poll figures. Although Becky is in serious need of money to pay for an operation for her five year old son, she is not easy to convince. Both are concealing secrets that get in the way of their burgeoning feelings for each other. An enjoyable read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Small Town, Big Secrets is the second book in the Trinity River series, but it was perfectly fine as a stand-alone. I’ve never read any books by this author, but I fell in love with the small town of Trinity Rivers. If you enjoy reading series of small towns this is a must-read series. I loved the characters and the heartwarming feel of the town.
Becky McAllister had given up her dreams when she discovered she was pregnant. Her son, Byron became her world and when he needed an operation, she is willing to do anything to get it done. Even contacting Jack Parker, Byron’s dad for the money for the operation. Jack had blackmailed her into not telling anyone he was Bryon’s dad and she had kept that promise but she needed help. When Steve offers her a deal that will pay for his surgery, she thought her heart was safe and they could make a short marriage work.
Steve Parker was hoping to win the election for the local DA position. He dreamed of becoming an advocate for those in need. To win the election he needs a wife to help raise his poll ratings. He returns to his hometown of Trinity River to investigate some of his father, Judge Parker dealings. Meeting Becky and learning she is trying to contact his brother intrigues Steve. He offers her a deal when he hears she needs money for her son’s operation. He needs a wife and she needs better insurance so them getting married seemed like a good decision. He never planned on developing feelings for Becky and Byron or wanting to be part of their lives.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A pleasant romance about a woman raising her young son, Byron, alone. Becky is saving everything she can to meet the deductible for her Byron’s upcoming surgery. His father, Jack Parker, has never been a part of their lives, but she knows that she must ask for his help. When she meets Steve, she has no idea who he is, but he needs a temporary wife for his upcoming election campaign and she needs health care for her son. Can they help each other? Too late she finds out his last name is Parker and Jack is his younger brother. Can they stay married for one year until her son is recovered and Steve wins his campaign? A slightly different spin on the “wife needed” storyline. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
Small Town, Big Secrets is adorable. I loved every moment of this one. Becky is super sweet and loving. I love the family dynamics with in the McAllister family. The support Becky receives from her mom and sister is wonderful. Byron is such a delight. He will put a smile on your face. Becky and Steve have a cute meet cute and you can feel the little sparks starting. They have a complicated relationship in the beginning and by the end they will steal your heart. I love how Steve stands up to his family. He is so caring and doesn’t want to repeat his parents mistakes. You can see him fighting his feelings for Becky and her son Byron from the very start. Steve is that stand up guy you can’t help but to love in the end. There are so many sweet moments between Steve, Becky and Byron. I seriously couldn’t get enough of this one.
Fake relationship become real love!
Waitress Becky McAllister would do anything to pay the deductible and copay for the surgery that her son Bryon needed even marrying lawyer Steve Parker for a year so he could win the election for the DA’s office. Steven Parker knew that he needed a wife and he could help Becky by marrying her but what did Becky want.
Becky was interested in marrying Steve because he would help Byron, but she didn’t know if she was ready for the storm if everyone would out who was Byron’s father. Steve never expected to fall in love with Becky, but he realized he was in love when she canceled the engagement and then had to do some groveling (and I love good groveling).
Small Town, Big Secrets is all about love in a small town where you think everyone knows your business, but they don’t.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This stand alone story is a sweet, touching, clean romance.
Steve Parker and Becky McAllister meet literally by accident. Neither knowing their lives would change forever and that in fact, they were already connected .
Steve, a lawyer from a prominent family in town , is running for DA in Houston. Becky is a single mom and a waitress struggling to support her family , especially when her little boy needs surgery.
Steve, who needs to win points for the election, proposes a marriage of convenience. Becky helps his image, and Steve pays for Byron’s surgery.
Neither expecting to have feelings. But misunderstands and Byron’s paternity, get in the way.
Will they find their HEA, or will each go their separate ways having lost what could have been a wonderful life?
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Entangled: Bliss. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Small Town, Big Secrets by Elsie Davis a light and sweet five-star read. This is number two in the Trinity River series but they can be read as stand-alone as I didn’t realise it was a series and didn’t feel like I missed anything, I will be going back as if the story is about who I think I am sure they have another sweet read to take in. This was predictable in places and wasn’t always a five-star read but overall, Becky and her love for Byron will just wrap you up in love. I like how Parker wasn’t what you thought of him either, there was something special about him and his manner, something bubbling under the surface. If you want sweet and special, you won’t go wrong with this one.
So… I want to start this review by clarifying that I respect all the hard work that goes into writing a book. Also, that I’m just a nobody reader with no literary training so this is just my opinion on a story I read.
Now that that’s out of the way, I took a chance on Small Town, Big Secrets because I liked the sound of it by the blurb. I have absolutely no issue with the whole pretend relationship romance trope and I usually find them very enjoyable. Add the fact that the heroine is a single mom and I was so eager to jump in! Unfortunately, the story just crashed and burned for me.
Every character felt sadly one dimensional, almost cartoonish in their personalities and actions. The writing was tons of telling with very little showing and this made it harder for me to connect and engage with the story. I don’t mind a predictable plot, but with everything else going on, it turned Small Town, Big Secrets into a dragging mess I wasn’t overly interested in. There was also this huge part of the plot that didn’t pan out for me, that was Becky’s son’s need for surgery… (view spoiler)
I forced myself to finish Small Town, Big Secrets as I wanted to see how the author managed to close all the dangling threads of the plotline, but I have to be honest here: it was work. I found no real enjoyment in reading this story, it felt more like a chore really. Now, this doesn’t mean other people won’t love this book, it just didn’t work for me at all.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
I loved this sweet read with such a strong, single mom and a sweet, make things right man. I adored Becky, she’s an amazing mom, with such an adorable son, Byron. Steve has a good heart and I enjoyed how their relationship grew. The story flowed, kept me involved, and loving every minute. It’s a must read!
‘Small Town, Big Secrets‘, the second title in the ‘Trinity River‘ series is the type of romance that gets my emotions all riled up and swinging from happy to sad to totally frustrated and angry with some people. It’s not easy to keep secrets in a small town, I lived in one for decades so I speak from experience – but, it is possible. And for this couple, Becky is holding onto a firecracker of a secret. I enjoy the possibilities of the marriage of convenience trope. Will they fall, can they see how right they are for each other or will they simply ignore the feelings growing between them? That is certainly true for Becky and Steve. Each has a valid reason for agreeing to a marriage of convenience, after all, each gets exactly what they need and desire most. Yet when emotions get involved, and the truth comes to the surface, those tender emotions developing are going to have to fight to keep Steve and Becky from walking away from each other – something neither really wants to happen, despite outward appearances.
I completely fell in love with a little charmer named Bryon, Becky’s son. And the scenes between Bryon and Steve are some of my favorites in this story. Unfortunately, there are also some nasty pieces of work here as well. I’ll never understand why some people act as they do, and it was this part of the story that earned my anger at people and events. Watching Becky, Steve, and Bryon begin to form a family, to get that chance for a real happy ever after was a delight to watch unfold. Yes, there are potholes and huge craters along the way and I enjoyed the journey immensely.
I didn’t read the first story in this series, ‘Back in the Rancher’s Arms‘ before this review – and I really didn’t need to for I followed along in this small town just fine. But I will go back and pick it up for I enjoy this new-to-me author’s storytelling voice – and I’d like more. If you love a good marriage of convenience romance, if watching a small child bind the hearts of two adults even closer, and you like seeing wrongs righted then you’d enjoy ‘Small Town, Big Secrets‘.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from Entangled Publishing via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
A sweet and endearing story. Becky is a single mother in a small town. She has kept the name of the dad a secret the entire time. For medical reasons she may need to change that. Steve is an attorney who has lived with wealth all his life. This has not made his life easier. These two literally run into each other and a friendship is formed. The author shows how secrets can be destructive even when we believe we are keeping them for good reasons. They usually erode trust in each other and it’s only when they are brought to light that the happiness they seek can be achieved.
This was a sweet romance and even though it was the second book in a series I had no problems at all following it as it read as a total stand alone
Becky a single mother will do whatever she needs to in an effort to keep her son Byron safe and if that means a marriage of convenience so that she gets health insurance so be it. Steve Parker needs a wife to help with his aspirations to be the DA and he is willing to pay the sweet the shy waitress to make it happen What neither expected was the connection that they felt Will this marriage of convenience become so much more and what is the secret that they both are hiding
What I liked:
Part of a series: Trinity River
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I had a hard time staying interested in this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.