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rellimreads's review
4.0
3/25/2021 - This is book 2 in Synithia Williams’ Jackson Falls series. There are storylines that run throughout the series, so I recommend experiencing them all and in order – starting with the novella, The Promise of a Kiss.
Scandalous Secrets is another delightfully over-the-top soap opera-esque story filled with political scandal, blackmail, secret baby/paternity, stalkers, and a kidnapping. The only thing this was missing was a certain conniving someone being pushed down a grand staircase.
I also love that Williams takes the time to describe details about the characters’ appearance, clothing, and hair styles as it helps me feel like I really know what they look like. She also has a wicked sense of humor that had me laughing out loud numerous times.
Because Byron & Zoe never made it beyond close friends in college, this isn’t exactly a second-chance romance but definitely had a lot of those “feels” going for it. Zoe thinks she’ll be keeping her daughter safe by being brought into the Robidoux fold – but little does she know that it’s a whole new jungle to survive. Byron’s trying to prove himself to Zoe as a protector without taking over her entire life while simultaneously managing a fiancé, political campaign, and sudden fatherhood to a teenager. While there are bumps in the road to finding their HEA, they definitely don’t have any issues when it comes to chemistry. Two words: hot tub.
I also enjoyed getting to know Elaina better and I’m looking forward to her book, Careless Whisper.
Narration:
I continue to love Adenrele Ojo’s narration. She does a good job with all the characters and their various emotions. She captures the southern accent perfectly without it feeling caricature.
2/21/2021 - Squee!!! This was already on my TBL for this week and it’s on sale! Audio is $5.99 on Libro.fm and the ebook is $1.99 pretty much all the places.
Scandalous Secrets is another delightfully over-the-top soap opera-esque story filled with political scandal, blackmail, secret baby/paternity, stalkers, and a kidnapping. The only thing this was missing was a certain conniving someone being pushed down a grand staircase.
I also love that Williams takes the time to describe details about the characters’ appearance, clothing, and hair styles as it helps me feel like I really know what they look like. She also has a wicked sense of humor that had me laughing out loud numerous times.
Because Byron & Zoe never made it beyond close friends in college, this isn’t exactly a second-chance romance but definitely had a lot of those “feels” going for it. Zoe thinks she’ll be keeping her daughter safe by being brought into the Robidoux fold – but little does she know that it’s a whole new jungle to survive. Byron’s trying to prove himself to Zoe as a protector without taking over her entire life while simultaneously managing a fiancé, political campaign, and sudden fatherhood to a teenager. While there are bumps in the road to finding their HEA, they definitely don’t have any issues when it comes to chemistry. Two words: hot tub.
I also enjoyed getting to know Elaina better and I’m looking forward to her book, Careless Whisper.
Narration:
I continue to love Adenrele Ojo’s narration. She does a good job with all the characters and their various emotions. She captures the southern accent perfectly without it feeling caricature.
2/21/2021 - Squee!!! This was already on my TBL for this week and it’s on sale! Audio is $5.99 on Libro.fm and the ebook is $1.99 pretty much all the places.
jigsawgirl's review
3.0
This was almost a DNF for me. For people who love a story full of angst and family drama, this is probably a story for them. There is too much drama IRL for me to want to read about it. I stayed with it because I wanted to know who was behind the things happening to Byron and Zoe.
I listened ended to the audiobook. I thought the narrator did a good job. I think I have become used to male narrators acting out the male character parts, so it threw me off a bit at the beginning.
First I have to say that I didn't like Yolanda for obvious reasons. I also did not like Zoe. I was sick of hearing how strong and independent she was doing what women every day have to do. How could she talk about being on her own, not needing anyone for protection or anything else, when she was depending on Byron and his family for protection, a place to live, and looking into the email situation?
Then Zoe decides to tell Byron what he is or isn't mad about. REALLY? How is she going to tell him that he's not mad about this woman Patricia trying to act like his mother. Zoe hadn't seen him in 13 years. Had not been around for the Grant/Patricia/his mother issue, yet Zoe decided Byron was not really mad about it. She decided she knows everything he was thinking and he was only mad about his father taking a decision out of his hands. Yeah, she couldn't understand he was mad about that TOO!
This man had been telling her he loved her from 13 years ago and he sill did, yet she still can't believe it. He should have walked away from her.
Unlike Zoe, I never thought what Byron did made him think of her as being incapable of taking care of herself. She didn't want to think about it a tomorrow that wasn't promised. That was a stupid statement, thought, or whatever you want to call it. Nothing is promised. She didn't want to hear Byron tell her that he loved her. So in essence she was saying she didn't love him and if that was the case with the angst and the drama, I felt she should take her independent self back to wherever she came from and live her life.
Even her daughter understood Zoe needed to get her act together. Eventually, Byron and Zoe got their HEA, so I guess that is all that matters. So, if you are looking for a drama filled and angsty read, this one should cover the requirements.
I listened ended to the audiobook. I thought the narrator did a good job. I think I have become used to male narrators acting out the male character parts, so it threw me off a bit at the beginning.
First I have to say that I didn't like Yolanda for obvious reasons. I also did not like Zoe. I was sick of hearing how strong and independent she was doing what women every day have to do. How could she talk about being on her own, not needing anyone for protection or anything else, when she was depending on Byron and his family for protection, a place to live, and looking into the email situation?
Then Zoe decides to tell Byron what he is or isn't mad about. REALLY? How is she going to tell him that he's not mad about this woman Patricia trying to act like his mother. Zoe hadn't seen him in 13 years. Had not been around for the Grant/Patricia/his mother issue, yet Zoe decided Byron was not really mad about it. She decided she knows everything he was thinking and he was only mad about his father taking a decision out of his hands. Yeah, she couldn't understand he was mad about that TOO!
This man had been telling her he loved her from 13 years ago and he sill did, yet she still can't believe it. He should have walked away from her.
Unlike Zoe, I never thought what Byron did made him think of her as being incapable of taking care of herself. She didn't want to think about it a tomorrow that wasn't promised. That was a stupid statement, thought, or whatever you want to call it. Nothing is promised. She didn't want to hear Byron tell her that he loved her. So in essence she was saying she didn't love him and if that was the case with the angst and the drama, I felt she should take her independent self back to wherever she came from and live her life.
Even her daughter understood Zoe needed to get her act together. Eventually, Byron and Zoe got their HEA, so I guess that is all that matters. So, if you are looking for a drama filled and angsty read, this one should cover the requirements.
whatebonyreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
brandece1's review
3.0
Going into this book I figured I would enjoy it, but I didn't think that I would love it. I read the first book in the series last year and enjoyed it enough, I didn't really care for Byron so much, but I was curious to see where his storyline went. So imagine my shock when I finished this book and really, really liked it, almost loved it. There were a few things that took me out of the story and were way too over the top, which is why it's a three star for me rather than a four. But ultimately I really enjoyed my time in this world. I loved Zoe as the herione and her dedication to keeping her daughter safe. And I liked Byron way more as a hero than a side character. As far as side characters we get the whole family and the addition of Lilah. This book had all of the fun things of the first book; all the family drama, the steam, and so much more.
ohladysamantha's review against another edition
4.0
truly a solid soapy time! i definitely will read more from this author!
_tomeraider's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
bcschaos's review
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
shannanh's review
4.0
Although this book is apart of a series, it definitely can be read as a stand alone. I loved the main characters as well as their daughter, Byron's father and fiance, nit so much. I thought Byron and Zoe had great chemistry together. Although I haven't watched soap operas in a while, that was the feel I got from the book and I still enjoyed it. A cute soapy romance, and it was just what I needed to read to get my mind off whats going on in the world today. A very good job