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Secrets and Speed Dating
Trying to move on from a disastrous engagement, Sophie Morgan needs a date for her best friend's wedding—and fast! And what quicker way to find a man than speed dating? Only it's bar manager Dan Halliday who catches Sophie's eye.
Dan can't resist helping a damsel in distress, so he offers her a deal—a few shifts in the bar in exchange for the date—no strings attached. But when pretence leads to passion, they both get more than they bargained for. And it's too late to have any secrets between them….
Dan can't resist helping a damsel in distress, so he offers her a deal—a few shifts in the bar in exchange for the date—no strings attached. But when pretence leads to passion, they both get more than they bargained for. And it's too late to have any secrets between them….
First published June 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 3, 2011
The heroine Sophie is trying to re-build her life after her fiancé left her, she had to leave her job and home, and moved back to her home town. Always a planner, she has a very detailed project - 'The Sophie Project' - to help her get back on track. Her first task is to find a boyfriend, she has a friends wedding to attend soon and can't stand the thought of attending alone. She meets the hero Dan after a disastrous attempt at speed dating and she ends up telling him everything, including her project, but not her biggest secret. Dan is very intrigued by Sophie, he recognises her vulnerability as well as her bravery in trying to re-build her life after everything she has been through. He is also very attracted to her so he offers to be her fake boyfriend in return for her helping out at his bar. Dan tries hard to push Sophie into more spontaneity, which also means he gets to spend more time with her. Despite Sophie's attempts to ignore the chemistry between her and Dan, she eventually gives in a falls for him. But with Dan's reasons for not wanting a long term commitment and Sophie's secret being very closely related it seems like there can never be a future for them.
I adored this book, it's just lovely. I remember reading this last year during the New Voices competition and enjoying it, I have to admit I thought it would be aimed at the Modern/Presents line rather than the Romance line. But Leah has managed to write this with all the sizzle you would want without the 'actual sex', great work! My heart broke for Sophie and her struggles, I really empathised with her character, especially as she is not written as self pitying or a martyr. She has so much chutzpah and spirit yet with the perfect amount of pain. Dan is a great hero too, and brilliantly written; during the major 'black moment' I hated and hurt for him at the same time.
The premise is original and well developed, I couldn't stop reading as I needed to know how these characters got their HEA. And it's worth it!
A fantastic debut by Leah Ashton, congrats.
I adored this book, it's just lovely. I remember reading this last year during the New Voices competition and enjoying it, I have to admit I thought it would be aimed at the Modern/Presents line rather than the Romance line. But Leah has managed to write this with all the sizzle you would want without the 'actual sex', great work! My heart broke for Sophie and her struggles, I really empathised with her character, especially as she is not written as self pitying or a martyr. She has so much chutzpah and spirit yet with the perfect amount of pain. Dan is a great hero too, and brilliantly written; during the major 'black moment' I hated and hurt for him at the same time.
The premise is original and well developed, I couldn't stop reading as I needed to know how these characters got their HEA. And it's worth it!
A fantastic debut by Leah Ashton, congrats.
May 10, 2019
Protagonistas: Dan & Sophie
Profesiones: Abogado/Dueño de Bar & Directora de Proyecto
Pais: Australia
Profesiones: Abogado/Dueño de Bar & Directora de Proyecto
Pais: Australia
July 30, 2012
Leah Ashton exquisitely balances fun and flirty romance with heart-wrenching emotional drama in her superbly written debut novel for Harlequin Romance, Secrets and Speed Dating!
Sophie Morgan has not had the easiest of times lately. In the last couple of months, she’s lost her high flying job, her boyfriend has left her for somebody else and she’s back living at home with her caring – if slightly suffocating – mother. Sophie is sick and tired of feeling sorry for herself. She’s determined to get her life back and not let all these past setbacks get in the way of her future. The former project manager quickly hatches a plan to reclaim her life and be the mistress of her own destiny. But first she must find a date for her best friend’s wedding! Determined to quell her compassionate friends’ pitying looks, Sophie wants to find the perfect man to take to the wedding. She wants to find a man who is gorgeous, charismatic and successful – but finding a guy who fits all these requirements proves to be easier said than done! Sophie is about to give up her search for Mr. Perfect – until devastatingly attractive bar manager Dan Halliday catches her eye!
Dan had been drawn to Sophie from the very first moment she had walked into his bar. Smart, stylish and drop dead gorgeous, Dan couldn’t help but wonder what a beautiful woman like Sophie was doing at a speed dating event! When the two get chatting at the end of the night, Dan’s interest in Sophie intensifies when he hears of her plan to find the perfect date for her friend’s nuptials. Dan could never resist a damsel in distress and he quickly offers his services in exchange for a couple of shifts at the bar. Sophie quickly leaps at the chance of earning some spare cash before she finds a proper job and at having gorgeous Dan on her arm for the wedding! Lady luck finally seems to be smiling down on Sophie, but little does she realize that things are about to get a whole lot more complicated!
Dan makes it clear from the very beginning that he is not interested in a long-term relationship, but his long-held resolve to stay single starts to crumble when he finds himself unable to stop thinking about Sophie. Pretend passion awakens long-buried feelings in the two of them, but are Sophie and Dan ready to put their hearts on the line for a second time? Or will they continue to let past insecurities and powerful secrets get in the way of their happiness?
Leah Ashton has got a bright future ahead of her if Secrets and Speed Dating is anything to go by! A hugely enjoyable and terrific page-turner that sparkles with modern and believable characters, sizzling sensuality, red-hot sass, witty banter and searing emotion, Secrets and Speed Dating is an outstanding contemporary romance about starting over, mixed blessings and the meaning of love that will touch your heart, bring a tear to your eye and make you laugh out loud.
Sensitively written and beautifully told, Secrets and Speed Dating is an outstanding debut novel from a writer set to take the world of contemporary romantic fiction by storm: Leah Ashton!
Sophie Morgan has not had the easiest of times lately. In the last couple of months, she’s lost her high flying job, her boyfriend has left her for somebody else and she’s back living at home with her caring – if slightly suffocating – mother. Sophie is sick and tired of feeling sorry for herself. She’s determined to get her life back and not let all these past setbacks get in the way of her future. The former project manager quickly hatches a plan to reclaim her life and be the mistress of her own destiny. But first she must find a date for her best friend’s wedding! Determined to quell her compassionate friends’ pitying looks, Sophie wants to find the perfect man to take to the wedding. She wants to find a man who is gorgeous, charismatic and successful – but finding a guy who fits all these requirements proves to be easier said than done! Sophie is about to give up her search for Mr. Perfect – until devastatingly attractive bar manager Dan Halliday catches her eye!
Dan had been drawn to Sophie from the very first moment she had walked into his bar. Smart, stylish and drop dead gorgeous, Dan couldn’t help but wonder what a beautiful woman like Sophie was doing at a speed dating event! When the two get chatting at the end of the night, Dan’s interest in Sophie intensifies when he hears of her plan to find the perfect date for her friend’s nuptials. Dan could never resist a damsel in distress and he quickly offers his services in exchange for a couple of shifts at the bar. Sophie quickly leaps at the chance of earning some spare cash before she finds a proper job and at having gorgeous Dan on her arm for the wedding! Lady luck finally seems to be smiling down on Sophie, but little does she realize that things are about to get a whole lot more complicated!
Dan makes it clear from the very beginning that he is not interested in a long-term relationship, but his long-held resolve to stay single starts to crumble when he finds himself unable to stop thinking about Sophie. Pretend passion awakens long-buried feelings in the two of them, but are Sophie and Dan ready to put their hearts on the line for a second time? Or will they continue to let past insecurities and powerful secrets get in the way of their happiness?
Leah Ashton has got a bright future ahead of her if Secrets and Speed Dating is anything to go by! A hugely enjoyable and terrific page-turner that sparkles with modern and believable characters, sizzling sensuality, red-hot sass, witty banter and searing emotion, Secrets and Speed Dating is an outstanding contemporary romance about starting over, mixed blessings and the meaning of love that will touch your heart, bring a tear to your eye and make you laugh out loud.
Sensitively written and beautifully told, Secrets and Speed Dating is an outstanding debut novel from a writer set to take the world of contemporary romantic fiction by storm: Leah Ashton!
March 17, 2019
Ditinggalkan tunangan dua bulan sebelum pernikahan, Sophie merasa hidupnya hancur. Namun, ia berusaha bangkit dengan mengikuti kencan singkat. Aku cukup terkesan dengan karakter Sophie yang terus terang dan sangat terencana. Perkenalan dengan Dan, pemilik bar tempat dilaksanakan pertemuan mencari teman kencan singkat, mengubah rencana Sophie.
Secara umum aku suka ide ceritanya. Sangat realistis dan tidak banyak drama. Aku suka bagaimana penulis membangun chemistry para tokoh utama dan memberi peran yang pas pada tokoh pendukung.
Alur maju-flashback dan plot yang rapi membuat penasaran dan tidak ingin melewatkan bagian detailnya.
Membaca ini seperti mengingatkan bahwa tidak semua rencana kita akan terlaksana, tapi jangan sampai kegagalan membuat kita berhenti berharap.
Secara umum aku suka ide ceritanya. Sangat realistis dan tidak banyak drama. Aku suka bagaimana penulis membangun chemistry para tokoh utama dan memberi peran yang pas pada tokoh pendukung.
Alur maju-flashback dan plot yang rapi membuat penasaran dan tidak ingin melewatkan bagian detailnya.
Membaca ini seperti mengingatkan bahwa tidak semua rencana kita akan terlaksana, tapi jangan sampai kegagalan membuat kita berhenti berharap.
December 8, 2018
Aku suka ending-nya realistis.
April 9, 2021
Cute, kinda fizzled out a little bit though.
December 28, 2011
I was really looking forward to this book as had voted for it to win in the New Voices 2010 competition but have to say I was disappointed in the finished product - the storyline that I voted for had been changed, obviously editorially.
I just couldn't like Sophie and for me this book needed some actual passion and it was sadly missing. As this was published as a Romance novel I'm not surprised that it was toned down for said audience but this is just too tame.
But on a positive note - it has a really super good opening line and it promises a good story and set in Perth with gorgeous locations (rather than the usual Sydney/Melbourne areas).
I just couldn't like Sophie and for me this book needed some actual passion and it was sadly missing. As this was published as a Romance novel I'm not surprised that it was toned down for said audience but this is just too tame.
But on a positive note - it has a really super good opening line and it promises a good story and set in Perth with gorgeous locations (rather than the usual Sydney/Melbourne areas).
did-not-finish
October 29, 2012This is one of those that mostly fell prey to, "But there are so many books in the world I want to read!" I might've given it more of a chance if it was a different genre (contemporary romance is a tricky one for me) or if I had fewer library books out, but, as is, it didn't capture my attention enough to continue.
August 27, 2013
I really did like this book. The characters are real, and it just flows along in a heartwarming romance with two people who start out as strangers, then become friends, and then get their Happily Ever After.
Good emotions, great characterisation, for me, this one kept me reading late into the night.
:-)
Wendy
Good emotions, great characterisation, for me, this one kept me reading late into the night.
:-)
Wendy
July 30, 2012
An excellent debut. Looking forward to more.
August 3, 2013
kind of boring really, but read to the end
March 10, 2014
This story packed quite an emotional punch.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews