Hidden Flames

Shelby Creek County #1

by Jean Marie

Steamy Small Town Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Family Secrets, Unrequited Love, Feisty Female & Protective Male

My best friend shattered my heart when he turned into an enemy overnight.

That was years ago...

Joseph and I weren’t supposed to cross paths again.
Until we did...
And he saved me from my drunk ex.

After we reconnected, things seemed to be going well.
But it was clear that he hated seeing me with another man.

A steamy night was inevitable but one that neither of us anticipated.
The memory of his hands on my waist took up permanent space in my heart.

But I knew I had to stop.

Especially since I was being forced to keep a big secret from him.
One that would destroy the biggest thing that's keeping us together.

Trust.

After this disaster, a second chance would be impossible.
I was in love with my best friend, and I was about to lose him once again.

Genres: Romance

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 23, 2023

Reviews

[zen_s · Rating 1 out of 5]

sighs~ the book was boring as hell, and the execution just feels off.

firstly, the introduction of the characters wasn't done really well. it was briefly mentioned that the hero is a chef but what about the heroine? throughout the book, the hero's occupation doesn't seen to be stated clearly? is she a chef or is she a waitress? and additionally, the weird thing is that the hero and heroine just seems like they don't have an actual job, because not much is talked about it. then the hero and heroine interaction with each other in the first few chapters just seems like it's from the middle part of the book, not the very beginning, so when i read it, in my mind was like "does the author think the readers already know the characters?" etc...

secondly, the characters felt really childish and "character-less". or being childish is also a important character trait? the things they fight and argue about just keeps on repeating like a cycle.

lastly, there are 20 chapters plus an epilogue but the hero's pov only appear on chapter 17 and 18. honestly, giving the hero just 2 chapters?? the author might as well completely opt out his pov since it doesn't seem to make it a better book to read either way.

overall i'm not a fan. will not be continuing the series.

[Rebmay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the chemistry between Joseph and Melissa. Other than the fact that he is not great in the communication department, Joseph is a great book boyfriend. Attentive, very protective and a romantic at heart. Yes, he tends to go overboard on the protection side, but Melissa is more than capable of sorting his possessive and aggressive sides out. She has learned to stand up for herself due to her abusive, controlling and neglectful parents. She has worked hard to be independent, support herself and date whomever she wants, not just whom suits her parents or anyone else. She is far from perfect herself, though, since she is still trying to gain the approval of her parents and keeps their secrets, even from Joseph. Discovering he has held a torch for her since they were in college softened her attitude towards him and leads her to actually give him a chance to show her how he feels. They certainly produce lots of steam together, in and out of the bedroom. With her secrets and their deficits in communication, can they really build a future together?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[La'Jacinth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets...

Melissa and Joseph was a typical couple...with juvenile communication skills. This entire issye coukd have been solves in one conversation. I get the drama but make it make sense. These two people are adults and have careers that require reasonable communication skills.

Keeping secrets is a relationship killer. Joseph could have told Melissa exactly how he felt about her instead of being a louse and mean to her. Melissa could have told Joseph exactly what she was doing, without using names. She could have said I am helping a family member with an addiction by attending meetings with them as support. Mystery solved. Now that mom is a special kind of ---. Melissa should have cut ties long time ago but she wanted to help her mom. Neither really wanted help, so you have to look out for self.

Interesting book but some things I could not relate to because my brain just doesn't work that way.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joseph and Melissa met in college and they became fast friends, but one day, Joseph started being surely causing Melissa to pull away. She did not come from a very good home life which she never talked about. She was not allowed to call her parents mom and dad unless it was in the public eye. She only dated dead end douchbags which drove Joseph crazy with his over protectness. He had been in love with her since college and had to try to set back watching her date these awful men. Finally, her friend, Ashley helped her see it was the disfunction of her parents marriage and family life that was causing her to choose those men. Joseph was a good guy and nothing like any of the other guys, she had dated in the past. She should give him a chance. Enjoy a fabulous story that the love of a good man and kind, caring friend rescued this woman from a lonely life.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kirsten Ensman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was ok

The story deals partly with abusive parents and a grown daughter. the way they treat her is like they use her and still hate her. Which would seem to be the way abusive people would act. I get that she feels like she needs to help because she hopes he will change. However, since she is grown she could make demands of her own especially with his fear of being found out. The hate from the mother is next level and pathetic. There is one thing I noticed a lot in this authors writing and that seems to be she over uses people being "exhausted" over some anxiety. Honestly, it gets a bit annoying. I realize some exhaustion can happen however do we have to bring it up all the time or way to many times in the same story?

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book, everything stopped so I could finish it. I didn’t do laundry, I didn’t watch television, everything ceases to exist except this book. It drew me in from page 1. Melissa used to be friends with Joseph but he changed and she never understood why - until now.
This book had some laugh out loud moments and some steam. It had all the feels at just the right time. I’m telling my friends about this book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashley Carr, LSoR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joseph and Melissa were best friends back in the day. She comes from a dysfunctional family so she has had to grow up quickly and is fiercely independent. Joseph couldn’t communicate that was the downfall of their relationship. They went their separate ways but reconnected when Joseph saves her from her ex. Melissa discovers Joseph has had a thing for her since college but never made a move. Now she is carrying secrets that could put a stop to a romantic relationship before it ever gets started between Joseph and Melissa.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enemies to lovers romance between Melissa and Joseph. They were friends until Joseph became disgruntled with Melissa for unknown reasons. After Joseph saves her from an unpleasant encounter with an ex they try to be friends again. Things heat up and get steamy and they decide to try dating. But Melissa has a secret that threatens to destroy their new relationship. Generally a solid book with good character development and steamy scenes, not much suspense but overall a quick, easy read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book Shelby Creek County series. Hot and steamy friends to lovers romance. Melissa and Joseph both have serious issues with communicating. Joseph has had feelings for Melissa for years but never said anything. He's resigned himself to being in the shadows of her life. Melissa tends to date losers who have no potential for a relationship. She also comes from a very toxic family, her parents are horrible.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joseph and Melissa touched my heart in this story. They were once best friends until they went their separate ways. They reconnect when he saves her from her ex. She comes from a dysfunctional background, and it has impacted her life as an independent woman who refuses help. Now that Joseph is back in her life will secrets from the past break them apart again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BecReadReview · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joseph is a big, strong, protective & you feel bad for him. Melissa though independent was fustrating to a point when she refused to share or see anything beyond her independence. No suspense but secrets & a unrequited love finding its HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa and Josephs steamy story, a small town romance, old friends united. An engaging story and well developed characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kandiemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storyline and wonderful characters. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to reading more from the author. I recommend reading this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a family that poor girl comes from. Also what jerks she dated. I would love to see what the future holds in store for them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer Engle]

Just a sad book

The characters in here were sad and upsetting. They were blind, irresponsible and really needy. To put up with each other's behaviors was depressing and unhealthy.

[Chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, cute, sweet, and easy read. Exactly what I wanted after the devastation that Nevernight was.

[Jamie Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

I enjoyed Melissa and Joseph's story! With their background, it wasn't surprising that they had problems communicating! But they worked it out!

[robert tabora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hopeless Romantic

Great story line and Characters. Joseph and Melissa’s love story is so adorable. They take so long to fall in love. They finally have there happy ever after.