by: Kelly Cain
Series: Secret Ties
Genre: Contemporary Multicultural Romance
Release Date: July 18, 2023
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Her family history has more thorns than roses…
Lauren Steele has always been grateful for her adoptive family’s love and support. So much so that she takes over the family floral business when her parents retire, despite her dreams of working on political campaigns. Instead of crafting clever speeches, she spends her days writing out romantic messages on behalf of her clients—a bittersweet reminder that she’s never been on the receiving end of one of these orders. She’s accepted her simple life, until the sexiest man she’s ever met walks into her shop looking for a job.
Ben Specter fixes problems for a living, and he’s been hired to investigate Lauren. His client is a wealthy, powerfully connected man running for governor, and Ben’s research unearthed a massive skeleton in the man’s closet—a secret older sister that his mother never mentioned. Getting closer to Lauren is strictly business, but the more time Ben spends with her, the more the lines between work and pleasure blur.
But when his deception is revealed, will Lauren be able to trust Ben and believe that what they shared was real?
Two Sides of a Secret is the standalone second book in Kelly Cain’s Secret Ties series that features adoption romances.
Lauren Steele has known she’s adopted her whole life. It’s not a secret that can be kept when you’re black and your parents are white. At an early age, Lauren and her family dealt with racism from within their families. Resulting in her parents making the decision to no longer associate with their families. Lauren knows what her parents have sacrificed for her and believes that it is her duty to repay them by taking care of them and running their beloved florist shop, even if her dream and passion lies in another field. Lauren’s parents mean the world to her, and unlike others in her adoption support group, she has no desire to search for or be reunited with the people who gave birth to her.
Ben Specter is a political fixer, tasked with investigating the background of an up-and-coming gubernatorial candidate. When it’s discovered one of the candidate's parents has a child who was given up for adoption, Ben goes to investigate the person undercover. Posing as Ben Specht, he pretends to be a local grad student and takes a job with Steele Florist as a delivery driver. Before he knows what happens, the line between work and pleasure gets blurred and the resulting fallout is more than he or Lauren could ever expect.
Two Sides of a Secret was a really good story. Honestly, I wouldn’t expect anything less from Kelly. She’s an amazing author who really knows how to draw a reader into the story. The title and book cover really fit this book perfectly. Lauren is very reserved and doesn’t seem to trust easily. But she’s someone that once she lets you into her world she gives you her whole heart, be that friendship or something more. Ben was someone I wasn’t fond of. While I understand he had a job to do, I wasn’t happy with his deceit and his pursuit of Lauren. Ultimately, he does do some much-needed reflection and personal growth. The story ends in a HEA, but personally, I think Lauren should have made Ben work harder and grovel more.
~ Favorite Quote ~
“Have a little faith.”
**Received a copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.**
Rating: 4.5
Purchase Two Sides of a Secret from:
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The Key to Forever releases September 18, 2023
Kelly writes Black, Blewish, and multicultural romance with determined women directing their own fates, and the swoon-worthy men who adore them. She loves reading most genres but please don’t ask her to pick just one. However, she can pick her favorite book boyfriend – Will Herondale.
When she isn’t reading or writing, Kelly is most likely using a genealogy site to research her extended family, both old and new. Or cooking/baking something delightful. She has two adult daughters, and a granddaughter.
She is represented by Amy Brewer at Metamorphosis Literary Agency.
She has collaborated with a group of wonderful authors (and great friends), and their short story collection, Déjà You, is available.
Places to find Kelly Cain:
great featured quote
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