Secrets… they can make or break you.I would know. I’m hiding the biggest secret of all. My scars are so much more than skin deep. They consume me, control me. Then I meet him. Clark Jefferson. Cocky jock. Popular, greek god lookalike with a smile that’ll make your panties disappear. He wears a clear warning label: Heartbreaker. And if I was smart I would stay away from him. With my past, my …
With my past, my secrets, nothing could ever come of being with a man like him. He frightens me and excites me. He makes me want to break free of the suffocating fear that claims my heart.
He sees me, really sees me, and so we strike a deal. He’ll be my fake boyfriend, he’ll try and help me overcome my fear, my anxiety.
But secrets can’t remain secrets forever and as I grow closer to Clark my feelings for him grow too. Soon the line between fake and real blurs and when the past I’ve been running from finally catches up with me I’ll have to confess to Clark the truth or let go of a love that was only ever supposed to be fake.
This is book three in the North Woods University Series. It can be read as a complete standalone and contains NO cliffhanger, NO cheating, and a HEA. Please be advised this series contains sensitive material not suitable to all readers. This is NOT a YA series.*
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After reading The Dare (the second book in the North Woods University series) I wondered how Vance’s friend Clark’s story would play out. Clark really grew up in this story and I loved it! Meeting Emerson changed him for the better. In the last book, Clark was a player who was never with a woman for more than a night or two. But with Emerson, his personality changed 360°. He became sweetly devoted to helping Emerson through her anxieties. Emerson’s anxiety and panic attacks were so severe that I felt so bad for her. I really loved Clark and Emerson together, they had an instant connection that wasn’t electric at first but more of a slow burning romance that fit the story perfectly. The ending was pretty stunning! I think the next book in this series is going to be interesting.
This one there are so many words for this one. I was patiently waiting on this one because I just knew that it was going to be freaking amazing. I was so right. This one was off the charts excellent. These two together are amazing writers and this book proves that from beginning to end. The two characters in this one were a match made in haven. Just perfect for each other. There was so much emotion in this book. It was hard at times to get through because you could easily feel what Emerson was feeling. Something happened to Emerson when she was younger. She has lived with that and dealt with the after math. But she hasn’t dealt with it very well. She is scared and has isolated herself. Clark is not someone that should even get close to Emerson because of his lifestyle but there is something about her. He wants to protect her and bring her out of her shell. I absolutely loved these two working together. I loved the storyline and the chemistry. This was just an amazing book that I highly recommend one clicking.
What an absolutely FANTASTIC book!!! This book had me laughing and excited and talk about invested. I was drawn in right away and I really felt for the characters, especially Emerson. Having an anxiety disorder helped me really understand where she was coming from. And then there is VERY patient and sweet Clark, that I also felt bad for, for a different reason. My favorite quote by Clark gave me a good laugh. “If this is what it feels like to jerk off with Emerson in my mind, then f*ck me, having actual sex with her must be some kind of religious experience.” This story gave me ALL the feels, like compassion and anxiety wondering what would happen next, and got me all hot and bothered. So grab a fan, some tissues and get comfy because you will not want to put it down!! I really love the cameos that are in the book of characters from other books in the same world. (This book is even better if you read the two previous books in the North Woods University world.) I really hope there are more to come! Enjoy!!
The Secret was another terrific story in the North Woods University series. This duo’s writing is so captivating and their storylines so entertaining. I fell in love with Emerson and Clark, two wonderful characters. They were perfect for each other. The emotions are raw and heartfelt. The journey Emerson and Clark go on will have you rooting for them. This story pulls you in and keeps you hooked til the end. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
Clark and Emerson are absolute perfection and the third book in the series is epic. These can be read as standalones but I recommend starting from the beginning. Emerson is so lost and scared hiding secrets that make her have major panic attacks and when she meets Clark at a event he soothes her and when they unexpectedly meet again they both find what they both desperately need!
I voluntarily reviewed a advanced readers copy of this book
This is a great story with wonderful characters. This is the third book in the North Woods University series, but all can be read as stand-alones because they each follow a different couple.
Clark is totally infatuated with Emerson after meeting her at a gala their fathers insisted they attend. He meets her again when she’s moving into his house after his dad said it was a favor to Emerson’s dad to let her stay there. There are definite sparks between these two, the only problem is that Emerson has a secret and it’s a debilitating one. Will things work out with Clark and Emerson? Or will Emerson’s secret be too much for Clark to bear? This is a great read and I highly recommend it!
Heartbreaking and Beautiful!
Absolutely fantastic story but tragically heartbreaking at the same time. Clark is an amazing character that came off as a complete man whore in the previous books, but we finally get to see the better side of him. We get to read about his backstory and why he’s the way he is. There was always a great guy underneath his tough, womanizing exterior. Emerson broke my heart. She is such a beautiful but broken angel who has gone through such tragedy in her life. When Emerson meets Clark he’s like a light in a storm for her. They were made to find each other. Clark is her anchor in her never ending tornado of anxiety and depression. They are absolutely beautiful together.
Fantastically well written, with amazing and complicated characters. These two authors write such beautiful stories. Highly recommend.
The Secret is a slow burn, friends to lovers romance that is packed full with secrets, love, and broken trust.
Emerson is a woman that is broken down and shattered. She is scared of the world and the demons that lurk around the corner. With a disturbing past, she tries to Love day by day, but when she runs into Clark.. her attitude starts changing. Can Clark make Emerson feel alive again? Can Emerson trust Clark with her biggest secret?
I really enjoyed The Secret by Beck and Hallman. Its a slow burn romance that has darkness, lies, and deceit oozing out from the pages. I had an idea of what had happened to Emerson, but her story was so haunting. My heart hurts for her.
Clark showed a different side to him in this book. We don’t get the playboy, arrogant, jock Clark. We get the loving, compassionate, kind Clark with just a smidge of his cockiness. We all know he can’t change TOO much or else he wouldn’t be Clark anymore.
I can’t wait to see what happens in The Vow, book five of the North Woods series. I’m excited to figure out just what happened at the end of The Secret. I want to know more about Sebastian!!
The moment I started this book I couldn’t put it down.
It got my attention from the get go.
I adorned Clark and Emerson.
Clark the sexy built guy everyone knows.
Is suddenly brought to his knees by a shy timid slip of a girl.
Emerson is beautiful young lady afraid of her own shadow.
Who suddenly finds herself pulled to a strange guy.
Both of them so opposite but fit and complete each other.
I love how Clark was with Em.
How his presence was her calm.
How his voice would ground her.
I liked that Emerson finally finds someone to be able to lean on and trust.
Someone who can hopefully bring out her strong side.
Great friends to lovers story.
It’s touching and emotional.
This book is my favorite book so far in the North Woods University series! I loved it! It was an amazing, intense, heartwarming story! It was a roller coaster ride I’m glad I was on! Clark and Emerson were great together! Clark was just what Emerson needed! He would help her in any way he can.
JL Beck and C Hallman have written another fantastic book! I can’t wait to get Sebastian’s story!
I liked the 180 and growth Clark showed as the story progressed. Positive changes. Broken is an understatement when referring to Emerson! She was shattered, but Clark seemed to be the glue that helped put her together! Swoon!! The lengths Clark goes to to keep Emerson safe beyond my wildest dreams. I’m loving Luke and Grace already, and I can’t wait and hope for their story. This is the first story I’ve read in a long time where I didn’t dislike the H and h- thank you authors. It makes the book so much more enjoyable to like both main characters.
love this series
dark forbidden amazing intense broken beautiful love story of Clark and Emerson
ready for more
This was a heartwarming story.
Clark – a jock, who sleeps around – meets Emerson – a shy girl with anxiety issues – at a big party.
There you have the start.
Emerson has a secret that until now have dictated a big part of her life – but no more. She will not let it be her life. Clark is trying to help her…
I loved the characters and to meet some of the other people from the earlier books.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
4*
Clark is tipsy when he first meets Emerson at a function his father forced him to attend. Emerson feels broken she doesn’t trust after what happened in her past. Emerson is surprised that Clark makes her feel safe but how & why? Clark can’t understand why he feels so protective over her.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Clark and Emerson. I was torn in two by this book. Emerson is hiding something that she has shared with no one. It’s so bad that she suffers from severe anxiety. She “meets” Clark at a charity event that neither of them want to be at but family obligation has them there. As Clark approaches Emerson, she starts to have an attack. He is concerned and goes after her. What happens next is fate. He calms her to the point that she can control it. She has no idea who he is an visa versa. When she is sent to move with him and his father, she is shocked to see him. But they learn about each other and Clark finds he can be protective of someone else. This is a coming of age story for both characters. The growth that they go through is heart wrenching.
Emerson went through something tragic and horrific. My heart hurts for her. I love seeing her heal and be able to love.
Clark knows from the beginning that Emerson needs to feel safe and protected. He’s so gentle with her. He helps her come out of her shell and be the person that she wants to be.
Overall I really enjoyed The Secret. It’s a tragic heartbreaking beginning but end in the best way. JL Beck & C Hallman have given us another great read!
I need more stars!
Get your tissue box ready!!
Clark is a playboy who meets a good girl with severe social anxiety and deep secrets that cause them. He can’t get her out of his head. Soon after Dad informs him that a former business partner’s daughter will be coming to live with them while attending North Woods University. When Clark realizes that this girl is the girl that has been occupying his all playboy tenancies fall away. All he wants and needs to do is help and protect Emerson. Although we see old friends Rem, Jules, Vance and Ava, this is a completely different story coming out of North Woods University and I am IN LOVE!! And the outrageous intro to Sebastian’s book The Vow is just…juicy!
I read a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Josi and Cassy have been doing a phenomenal job writing together. I love the North Woods series. I knew this would be different than the previous two, and I was not disappointed. If you read the previous book, you met Clark. Clark certainly surprised me. He is a known manw**re, player, womanizer and he has a chip on his shoulder. He is hot and he knows it. Emerson is shy, quiet and has deep anxiety. This book gave me all the feels one can have. I laughed, cried, yelled at certain characters. These two both have jacka**es for fathers and that is just one thing they have in common. While they have things in common, they are also opposites. Em has her secrets and wants to keep them. She is scared to lose Clark because of them. Clark has made a promise to never leave her and to never let anyone hurt her. Will he keep his promise once he knows all her secrets? These two have a deep connection that is more emotional than physical. I absolutely loved this storyline and the characters. It was great to see characters in previous books. If you haven’t read any of these North Woods books, definitely don’t miss this one. I do recommend reading them all, they are that good.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. This is the third book in this series and can all be read as a standalone but you would be missing out if you didn’t read them all.
Clark can’t seem to forget the girl who had a meltdown in his arms. He seen the sadness in her eyes and knew he should be the one to take it away. Too bad she disappeared without even telling him her name.
Emerson has been through the unimaginable and kept it a secret for years. She’s living but just barely. Everything comes to a screeching halt when he opens the door to where she’s staying during college. Can she let him get close?
This book was amazing. It did have some sensitive subjects but was beautifully written. Definitely a must read. 5+
Well here I go again…these two authors blow me away. Their collaborations are simply wonderful, no matter what they produce. They put their skills together and create some truly thoughtful and engaging stories. Sometimes they are rough, featuring hard men (the Rossi Crime Family series), at other times they venture into bully romances (the first two Northwoods University books). But this time they gave me a hero, a true, loving, patient and kind hero. I love Clark…
This is the story of Emerson, a deeply wounded and frightened young woman who is struggling to just get through life despite anxiety attacks and nightmares. She’s isolated, alone and lonely. She meets Clark (thank god), who tries to show her that he is a gentle, patient and loving man. And, my oh my, he is that and much more. Emerson’s Secret is devastating, and Clark’s solution is shocking and the whole story is an engaging, heart-rendering read.
Like I said, I’m entranced by this writing duo, and they didn’t disappoint in this story of love and the search for happiness. Highly recommended.