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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Clark and Emerson’s story will take your breath away with its passion, protectiveness and a profound soul finding love.
Clark is known as a manwhore, never having a steady girlfriend always just out for fun,until he meets Emerson.
He doesn’t understand why he feels the overwhelming need to protect her defend her.
What starts off with his demanding father expecting him to watch over a business colleagues daughter who is packed off to stay with them for college.
Emerson can’t believe that her father simply says you want to go to college off you go, and by the way you are going to stay with total strangers while you go to college. He knows about her anxiety. What he doesn’t know is the real secret behind them.
Emerson who suffers from anxiety/panic attacks, doesn’t know how she will handle herself around Clark.
What will happen when the manwhore meets the frightened broken girl, that has captured him, every moment with her makes him want to discover her secrets.
A highly recommended read.
Emerson has a dark and tragic past that has left her in constant fear, it’s so debilitating at times that she has to lock herself away from the outside world to cope. She doesn’t do relationships because the thought of someone touching her sends her reeling, and she can’t do feelings, opening herself up to someone just can’t happen. They wouldn’t understand the darkness she comes from…or so she thinks.
Then she meets Clark, and for the first time in her life she meets someone who sees past the damage and gives her hope that maybe he is the one who can heal her broken world, and teach her to trust. She knows he is a good man, he has proven that time and again, but she also has trouble believing that he would want anything more than friendship with her…so she does her best to keep a healthy distance from him. But he isn’t going away so easily!
Between the pages of The Secret lies a story of a deeply wounded young woman and man who saves her, and helps her to see that she is worthy of unconditional love. Page after page this story broke my heart, what Emerson endured was unimaginable and so painful, I felt every ounce of her pain. This was a tragic story, but also a beautiful one too, the transformation Emerson goes through is inspiring, and it did my heart so good to see her find happiness. I was also pleased to see the growth in Clark, I had my doubts about him, but having this chance to see him in a different light changed my feelings completely. What a wonderful addition to the series, it’s words touched my heart, soothed the ache is caused, and by the last page had it rejoicing! This is by far one of my favorites series that I have read this year, each story is beautifully told, and comes with characters that are certain to linger long after you say goodbye to them! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
A beautiful and heartwrenching romance. This amazing standalone storyline is from the North Woods University series and had me engaged page after page. It is a story of the search for love and happiness that is painful, heartbreaking, and amazing. The characters are well developed, broken, interesting and really complete each other. Amazing sizzling hot chemistry and includes a horrifying unimaginable secret that their powerful connection helped ease the pain and nightmares. I voluntarily reviewed this ARC and can’t wait for another North Woods read.
In this book the authors bring us Emerson and Clark’s story. These two characters are opposites when it comes to popularity around campus yet when they meet and are thrown together, they form an amazing bond. Emerson has been through a lot and there are some possible triggers surrounding her secret so be warned. She has zero self-confidence and truly believes she is unlovable, expecting Clark to turn his back on her once he finds out her secret. Clark is a rock; he wants to help Emerson and he’s going to do his best for her. The emotion and the chemistry between these two characters is amazing. This is a great story that has been brilliantly written by these two authors who work so well together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A worthy book to add to the series, I was once again pulled into the drama that these authors do so well. Em is a broken young woman who finds comfort for the first time in a long time with Clark. Clark is the longtime playboy who feels a connection with Emerson that he’s never felt before. As the story evoles, the authors cleverly weave in some of our favorite characters from previous books giving the story depth and added pleasure. Popping in a few meaningful flashbacks give added credence to Emerson’s behavior. I felt so many emotions while reading this book. The ending scenes were the perfect setup for more books. I can’t wait to read them.
Phenomenal! Any story that keeps me on the edge of my seat and grips a hold of my heart from beginning to end is a story worth reading. This is a compelling read, a real nail biter, and an emotionally deep read. The gripping storyline is well-developed and intriguing with characters that are amazing but broken. They are what each other needs and are perfect together. A riveting read and is strongly recommended!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is my favorite book so far in this series and by this author. I cannot wait to read the next book. This book pulls you in and makes you feels as the characters do and it made me feel like I was there with them and knew them. This book hits home and makes me wish there was a Like for all of us as well as a Clark.
The Secret (North Woods University,#3
Each book in his series just gets better by these two authors! Clark and Emerson’s story was written in away that pulled the readers in as you follow all of the drama, pain and angst that Emerson had to go through. Clark who is a notified womanizer, is drawn to Emerson the first time he met her and witnessed her meltdown as he was the only person Emerson would allow to touch her. When these two are placed into a situation that they will be living together, you will witness all the care and devotion Clark gives Emerson to help her heal. Will Clark be able to help this broken young woman to overcome her fears and tell him her secret? Now Clark finds himself having feelings for her and will do anything to help her, especially when her past returns and Clark is told the truth. As Emerson and Clark explore their feelings for each other, Clark is determined that he will do everything he can to bring this man down. The one person he turns for help is his father when these two have a poignant moment, his father agrees to help him and gives him a opportunity for Emerson to heal and get her life back. You will be on edge until the end as you witness all that Clark puts into action to ensure Emerson will never be hurt again as they start a life together filled with love and devotion. Even past friends are featured in this story! This book had it all, passion, suspense and drama. This is a must read, can’t wait for Sebastian’s story, this book is going to be a hot one!! Well done J.L. Beck and C. Hallman! I voluntairly reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
This book was wonderful! J L Beck and C Hallman are spot on as usual! I absolutely fell in love with Clark and Emerson. They were both pulling my heart strings from the beginning. Emerson meets Clark at a social gathering their fathers were invited to. Clark tried coming on to Emerson and she went into a full blown anxiety attack. He is able to calm her down which is an almost impossible feat. Emerson’s father arranges for her to live with Clark and his father so Clark can look after her while they are at college together. Clark is a sex machine, handsome with dimples, and has his pick of the ladies. But he finds himself drawn to innocent Emerson who is far from the women he is used to. And despite Emerson’s social anxiety, Clark is the one person that seems able to talk her into a comforting state. Clark knows she is holding a secret to her past. Emerson is afraid to get too close to Clark because if he knew the secret she was hiding from everyone he would never look at her the same again.
I loved Clark and Emerson the whole story from start to finish was so good I couldn’t put it down it made me cry when her story was revealed and how Clark just couldn’t give up on her and help her have the peace she needed
I loved Emerson and Clark’s story. I have been waiting on this book and I wasn’t disappointed. Emerson has been hiding a secret from everyone. She has anxiety and social issues from a traumatic experience. Clark meets her a function and comes on to her. She ends up having a panic attack and he helps her. After that initial meeting he has thought about her. She ends up coming to live with him for college. I really enjoyed their story it’s my favorite one in the series. I’m looking forward to the next one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Secret
North Woods University Book 3
By J.L. Beck & Cassandra Hallman
Exceptional story of a girl who feels like she is broken, tarnished, unworthy of love, and unable to tolerate human touch. One anxiety attack away from a total meltdown. And a guy that is a self proclaimed cocky rich playboy who girls are falling at his feet to be with him. He has no plans to settle down and enjoys his life with the exception of his bitter dislike for his father.
Emerson feels like she is broken, emotional wreck that is afraid of everything especially being touched due to past events in her life. Anxiety that has her having debilitating attacks that leave her vulnerable with no one to turn to. Forced to attend yet another charity event by her father who doesn’t care about her or her feelings she encounters a handsome drunk guy. He asks her out when she says no he touches her arm which sets off a panic attack. Realizing what’s happening he tries to calm her by holding her and telling her “It’s okay,your okay. Just breathe,no one is going to hurt you.” When she finally calms down she is shocked when she feels at ease like she can trust him.
Clark has a reputation as a player who is cocky and everyone knows he doesn’t plan on dating one girl. Then he is at another charity event that his father has forced him to attend when he spots a beautiful redhead standing in the corner by herself. Upon the course of meeting her he sets off a panic attack in her which he feels terrible about. After she leaves without finding out her name he can’t seem to get her out of his thoughts. Then with a twist of fate and a favor that Clark father does for Emerson father she ends up at his front door.
She brings out his protective side and calms his playboy side now all he can think of is the shy,jittery, fear filled,anxiety ridden redhead who thinks she’s broken.
One of the many quotes I loved from the book….
“I’m broken, Clark.” “You can’t fix me, there is no cure. I’ll be like this forever.”
“You’re not broken Em, you might be hurt,torn,bleeding, shattered into a million pieces but you’re not broken, because you can heal… you will heal and then you will be whole again. They might have plucked your petals, but you’ll bloom again,and when you do, you’ll be the biggest, brightest most prettiest flower ever.”
I absolutely loved Emerson and Clark’s journey and also how his father came through for him when he needed him the most.
Five beautiful emotional
I love this story. The Secret by J.L and Cassandra is a sweet and loving story, but also deals with a hard issue but done so carefully.
We get Emerson and Clark in this story. We have seen Clark in the last couple of books, and he did not come across as a very nice person at times. But when Clark meets a special woman – Emerson- he knows he has found someone he wants to spend the rest of his life with her. But there is something different about her. Not just the way she acts, but something is scaring the crap out of her, and he wants to help her. In the process of helping her, a friendship blooms and eventually love.
The Secret is a beautifully told story by two fantastic authors!
Each of the books in this series The Bet and The Dare especially had lead characters that id happily like to hurt for how they treated the MFC. In this book there isnt that. Emerson is quiet, shy, reserved and afraid of people in general. She not great in social settings. Whilst Clark is outgoing, easy-going and full of himself. Two opposites of the spectrum and two unlikely people to get along but they say opposites attract. They do in this book but with the secret Emerson holds its not all plain sailing with them. Still there relationship together in this book is a lovely trusting, caring one and i loved how Clark treated her. This book showed a more compassionate side to him than the playboy one in previous books. I couldnt love these characters more. The secret definitely brings on the feels thats for sure
Her world is riddled with panic and fear. Anxiety wraps around her very being morning, noon and night.
He is a god surrounded by women, never settling down, feasting on them all, one at a time.
One event, one night, one shadowed corner he finds her, and now his thoughts are of her alone.
A knight in shining armour to calm her soul is he, but what causes her distress and severe reactions.
Will she ever let him in…?
Do you believe in true love? this book will romance your socks off, and leave you in a state of major swoon!
He truly sees her, and even better he wants to help. That alone had me claiming him as mine.
So selfless and caring, kind and considerate whilst protective and fierce. Perfection in a man!
Shes a shivering wreck, no confidence or self belief. The world around her petrified her. I just wanted to wrap my arms around her and tell her she was safe.
Their souls entwine to create something majestic and pure.
Through darkness there is beauty, and this book is that to a Tee! I was hooked from the start and sated by the end but secretly I was left wanting more!
This series gets better and better if that’s even possible! and the ending oh me, oh my!! I need Sebastians story right NOW!
This series is awesome – I love each man no matter how wrong they are at the beginning but find themselves once they meet their soul mate. The story starts off with Emerson, a timid, shy young lady at a party that is hosted by her father, and Clark is there being his way when he notices her and takes her out back without realizes that she is going to have a panic/anxiety attack. Once he realizes this, he immediately tries to calm her down and starts to apologize for his stupidity. Once she calms down, she leaves him, but doesn’t ever give him her name. Well time passes and now he is getting a call from his father that there is a friend of his that needs help with his daughter as she is very timid and needs a place to stay while going to same college that Clark goes to. He disagrees in helping this person out until he opens the door and find Emerson the same girl he had been thinking about for a while.
The story takes off from them where he begins to help Emerson with her fear and anxiety as he remembers his own mother’s issues. Emerson learns to lean into him and come out of her shell until the secret she holds comes back into her life, but Clark protects what is his and Emerson doesn’t know it but she will be his. The great part of this book is that the previous characters, Van, Rem, and their girlfriends, Ava and Jules, have a huge part of the story. Helping Clark and Emerson out also bring in the Rossi’s from Hallman and Beck’s other books. You must love Vance in this book as his no-nonsense character is special here.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
How could you do this to me rip me to shreds? I don’t like this! You both are evil. I know you both are loving this! Drink it up. I loved this book and I want more of it. I can’t wait until the next book. I loved both of these people because you meet one of them in the first two and the other you meet in last chapter of the book before this one. I don’t want to give things away……
This is the 3rd book in this awesome series. When we met Clark in the previous story, he came across as a total jerk and playboy, but I must say, he certainly redeems himself in this story. When Clark sees Emerson at a party, he is immediately drawn to her and just wants to protect her and keep her safe, especially when he sees her having a panic attack. When fate brings them back together again, Clark is there for Emerson as they are both broken souls, who help heal each other. This is a beautifully written story from this gifted duo of authors, and this is an emotional, raw, and gritty story which has secrets, healing and love which leads to an all round powerful read. I was totally enthralled throughout, and look forward to reading more from these authors’ whose work I recommend for all.
I found myself totally enthralled and enveloped in this read. I’ll be honest here and say that this book had such an impact on me, that it is hard to put into words my feelings about it. Emerson and Clark’s story somehow manage to gut me emotionally while ultimately filling my heart with joy. It is painful, beautiful, poignant, heartbreaking and heart melting. Emerson made my heart hurt. What her secret is and what she deals with every single day is horrifying and for most of us, thankfully, unimaginable. She needed a hero. NO, this girl deserved a Superhero and boy, oh boy did she get one. If you are familiar with the previous books in this series (Don’t stress if you aren’t because this can be enjoyed as a standalone), Clark will be familiar to you. I really do not think anyone suspected what greatness lurked beneath that playboy exterior. I know I didn’t. Trust me, meeting the right woman not only changed him (as is the usual case in a romance) but morphed this man into The Deity of book boyfriends!!! He stole my heart as he stole into Emerson’s. He was so tender, patient, kind, supporting and loving with her and of her, that the term swoon worthy can’t even do him justice. This is very special romance, that features a one of a kind couple that are sure to leave their mark on your heart.
The Secret is book 3 from this series and a stand alone, NA contemporary romance. Much like its predecessor, previous characters appeared in the story to play minor parts and features different couple.
So, this is the story of Clark, the bestfriend of Vance and Ava from The Dare and the new, shy girl in town, Emerson. We were given a glimpse of their story from the last book and I was so excited to read it since then. Let me tell you, this has a different vibe from the previous two books. That much I can tell, because spoiler ya know! On that note, it still got the drama, suspense, secrets but it is less angsty for me. I loved the slow build of romance and I feel that it was necessary to have it in this pace as you will know when you read the story. Nevertheless, I loved it and very much enjoy reading. And OMG! I CANNOT wait to read Sebastian’s story! Oh my heart! I wonder if we will have Lex’s story too?