Monday, September 26, 2022

Review: "Only a Secret" by Delancey Stewart

Congratulations to Delancey Stewart on the release of her latest novel, "Only a Secret," book #3 of the Kasper Ridge series. While each book can technically be read as a standalone, I'd recommend reading the series in order for the best experience. Clues to an overarching mystery involving a treasure map and mysterious inheritance are revealed in each book, building upon what was revealed in previous stories.

In need of a place to hide after scandal erupts, former child star Penny Davis hops on a plane to Colorado to take refuge with an old school friend in the small town of Kasper Ridge. Her friend connects her with Aubrey Kasper, co-owner of the Kasper Ridge Resort, who's happy to offer Penny a position as bookkeeper when she learns that she has a degree in accounting. Penny hopes it will be a chance to start fresh without the baggage of her past; she's tired of everyone thinking they know her because of what they read online. It seems like her wish might be granted when she meets former fighter pilot and engineering professor Harrison "Brainiac" Ketcher, an old friend of Aubrey's brother Archie who's helping the Kaspers get the resort up and running again. He's drawn to Penny almost as soon as he meets her but has no idea of her past as a child star, which she finds refreshing. However, when he finds out about her true identity - and the scandals of her past - will Harrison still see Penny the same way?

Penny and Harrison were incredibly likeable, sympathetic characters and it was easy for me to root for them both individually and as a couple. Penny's parents took advantage of her from the time she was young, and she hadn't had good luck with romantic relationships either. I completely understood why she wanted to build a new life for herself away from Hollywood, though I wish she had been honest with Harrison about her past a little sooner. As for Harrison, after being criticized several times for not being "empathetic," he had taken the words to heart and started to doubt himself and his abilities. I believe Harrison was empathetic, though he wasn't always very good at showing it. He cared deeply about his friends, particularly Archie, and did anything he could to help them. 

Overall, I very much enjoyed "Only a Secret" and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I can't wait for the next book in the series - hopefully starring Archie/Ghost!
 
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
 

About "Only a Secret"

My life is over. At least my life as a child actress. Because guess what? I haven't been a child for years, but no one seems able to forget the curly haired little girl I was on that insipid sitcom.

So when my best friend from high school invites me to the tiny mountain town where she's settled to attend the opening of some fancy new ski resort? I go, hoping maybe in nowheresville, Colorado, no one will remember who I used to be.

And when I meet the handsome and broody Harrison Ketcher, I think I've gotten my wish.


They call him "Brainiac" so it's no surprise he never watched the show. He was too busy memorizing physics books, I guess. He's a former fighter pilot slash engineering professor on sabbatical in Kasper Ridge, and despite being a few years older than the guys I usually date, there's something irresistible about him.

Maybe it's that he has no idea who I am. Maybe it's those steely blue eyes. Maybe it's the feeling that I'm the only person in the world who makes him laugh in that low, sexy way.

But the closer I get to Harrison, the more certain I am that I'm not the only one keeping secrets. He doesn't know who I am... but do I really know who he is?

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