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Secretly Mine
She's back in town with no time for the rebel who stole her heart long ago…but now he's playing for keeps.
Fifteen years ago, Dash Stratton married the spunky girl next door to protect her, a secret they've both kept for a decade and a half. Now, she's back for the first time since that day, and she needs a divorce. Can Declan convince her that the man of her dreams is the one she's been hiding all this time? He has thirty days to change her mind, or lose her forever.
When Leila Kerrigan inherits a sprawling lake house, the last thing she wants is to return to her hometown to sort out the will. But when she arrives and learns she must live in the house for thirty days before selling it, she realizes it's a chance to recover from the freefall her life is in.
But all hopes of a quiet, restorative hideaway are ruined when Leila discovers that her co-heir and roommate for the next month is the town bad boy she married fifteen years ago…and hasn't seen since. Dash is tall, muscled, moody, and ridiculously attractive. A virtual stranger…who is much too tempting for a woman who has no heart left to share.
Leila has thirty days to sell the house, persuade Dash to set her free, and heal secrets she has held for too long. But the accidental single dad has secrets of his own…and he's not willing to lose Lexi a second time.
ABOUT THE New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Stephanie Rowe is "contemporary romance at its best" (Bex 'N' Books). She is a Vivian® Award nominee, and a winner and five-time nominee of the RITA® award, the highest awards in romance fiction. The author of more than fifty published novels, Stephanie specializes in small-town contemporary romances, contemporary western romance, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and cozy mysteries.
Fifteen years ago, Dash Stratton married the spunky girl next door to protect her, a secret they've both kept for a decade and a half. Now, she's back for the first time since that day, and she needs a divorce. Can Declan convince her that the man of her dreams is the one she's been hiding all this time? He has thirty days to change her mind, or lose her forever.
When Leila Kerrigan inherits a sprawling lake house, the last thing she wants is to return to her hometown to sort out the will. But when she arrives and learns she must live in the house for thirty days before selling it, she realizes it's a chance to recover from the freefall her life is in.
But all hopes of a quiet, restorative hideaway are ruined when Leila discovers that her co-heir and roommate for the next month is the town bad boy she married fifteen years ago…and hasn't seen since. Dash is tall, muscled, moody, and ridiculously attractive. A virtual stranger…who is much too tempting for a woman who has no heart left to share.
Leila has thirty days to sell the house, persuade Dash to set her free, and heal secrets she has held for too long. But the accidental single dad has secrets of his own…and he's not willing to lose Lexi a second time.
ABOUT THE New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Stephanie Rowe is "contemporary romance at its best" (Bex 'N' Books). She is a Vivian® Award nominee, and a winner and five-time nominee of the RITA® award, the highest awards in romance fiction. The author of more than fifty published novels, Stephanie specializes in small-town contemporary romances, contemporary western romance, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and cozy mysteries.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2023
31 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Rowe
112 books1,537 followersHailed as a "paranormal star!" by J.R. Ward, Stephanie Rowe is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty-five novels. She is the 2018 RITA® winner for Best Paranormal Romance, as well as a five-time nominee for this prestigious award. For more on Stephanie and her books, visit her at www.stephaneierowe.com, or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StephanieRow....
A life-long reader, she began crafting stories at age ten, but didn't realize it was her dream until she was an adult.
Once the light dawned, she immediately left behind "work" as the world defines it and went to "work" as she defines it, which means getting up every morning with a smile in her heart so she can spend the day doing that which makes her spirit sing.
Stephanie believes in learning to listen to your heart in order to figure out what your dreams are, and then opening yourself to the inspiration that will direct you there. She believes we all deserve the right to enjoy life, and for the ride to be as easy as we want it to be, and that we all should accept nothing less than making our dreams come true.
Stephanie lives in New England, and spends every day doing her best to fill it with people, observations and activities that uplift her soul, which include writing, tennis, dancing, friends, and her amazing family.
A life-long reader, she began crafting stories at age ten, but didn't realize it was her dream until she was an adult.
Once the light dawned, she immediately left behind "work" as the world defines it and went to "work" as she defines it, which means getting up every morning with a smile in her heart so she can spend the day doing that which makes her spirit sing.
Stephanie believes in learning to listen to your heart in order to figure out what your dreams are, and then opening yourself to the inspiration that will direct you there. She believes we all deserve the right to enjoy life, and for the ride to be as easy as we want it to be, and that we all should accept nothing less than making our dreams come true.
Stephanie lives in New England, and spends every day doing her best to fill it with people, observations and activities that uplift her soul, which include writing, tennis, dancing, friends, and her amazing family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 20, 2023
Secretly Mine by Stephanie Rowe
Birch Crossing series #5. Contemporary romance. Can be read as a standalone. Some previous characters appear but enough background is included.
Leila Kerrigan and Dash Stratton got married when she turned eighteen. The wedding was to protect Leila from her step-father and Leila immediately left town after the ceremony. She back in town fifteen years later, when she inherits half a house with conditions that she must live there for thirty consecutive days. With Dash. She needs the money from the sale of the house, but Dash needs the house to care for his children.
Touching, cheerful, tender and poignant. I loved the jokes each made about them being married for 15 years which were both funny considering the situations and pointed. Both Leila and Dash have emotional issues to work through. They help each other over hurdles and problems as if they actually have been partners for length of their marriage.
Beautiful and heartwarming ending and epilogue.
Birch Crossing series #5. Contemporary romance. Can be read as a standalone. Some previous characters appear but enough background is included.
Leila Kerrigan and Dash Stratton got married when she turned eighteen. The wedding was to protect Leila from her step-father and Leila immediately left town after the ceremony. She back in town fifteen years later, when she inherits half a house with conditions that she must live there for thirty consecutive days. With Dash. She needs the money from the sale of the house, but Dash needs the house to care for his children.
Touching, cheerful, tender and poignant. I loved the jokes each made about them being married for 15 years which were both funny considering the situations and pointed. Both Leila and Dash have emotional issues to work through. They help each other over hurdles and problems as if they actually have been partners for length of their marriage.
Beautiful and heartwarming ending and epilogue.
October 13, 2023
This is a well written book with strong characters in Leila and Dash. Married by necessity and living apart for the last fifteen years, they reconnect due to the selling of the inherited house. The author takes you into their lives with secrets, a ton of emotions and their growing love. The secondary characters play a huge role in bringing the story around. She moves the story beautifully with her descriptive scenes and delivers an entertaining story.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
October 17, 2023
Leila and Dash are perfectly compatible with each other.
They were refreshing to read about.
I loved reading about everyone in town coming together to help the couple with the new babies they were put in charge of. I cried a couple times but smiled a lot. A very good feeling book!
They were refreshing to read about.
I loved reading about everyone in town coming together to help the couple with the new babies they were put in charge of. I cried a couple times but smiled a lot. A very good feeling book!
October 14, 2023
The swoons, the healing and the love
Phew. This book…just wow….it really packs an emotional punch. This author paints such rich and vibrant pictures with her words. The characters are so three dimensional they could almost walk off the page in all their messy, lovable, relatable humanness. I was right there with Leila and Dash feeling all the big feels - the love, the joy, the fear, the sadness, the laughter, the regret, the pain, the tears, the hope and the healing. Leila is a 33 yo woman whose life recently imploded. Homeless, jobless, and short on funds, she returns to Birch Crossing, the small town she escaped from 15 years ago to sell the house she inherited. Dash is a 40 yo construction worker and welding artist in Birch Crossing. Leila is also his wife who he married 15 years ago to protect her and has not seen her since. He also recently unexpectedly became a dad. Unbeknownst to Leila and Dash, they inherited the house together with a 30 day cohabitation requirement before any decisions are made and Dash needs to keep the house as much as Leila needs to sell it. There are many obstacles and a boatload of baggage between them and their HEA but I loved the journey to get there. The story was well written and included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline as shown through sweet moments, steam, laughs, supportive friends, painful pasts, slight danger, and all the heart squeezing love. This book is a true standalone in an interconnected series. Despite not having read the other 4 books, I was able to follow the story without feeling like I was missing things. I loved this book so much that I’m now going to go read the other books in the series.
Phew. This book…just wow….it really packs an emotional punch. This author paints such rich and vibrant pictures with her words. The characters are so three dimensional they could almost walk off the page in all their messy, lovable, relatable humanness. I was right there with Leila and Dash feeling all the big feels - the love, the joy, the fear, the sadness, the laughter, the regret, the pain, the tears, the hope and the healing. Leila is a 33 yo woman whose life recently imploded. Homeless, jobless, and short on funds, she returns to Birch Crossing, the small town she escaped from 15 years ago to sell the house she inherited. Dash is a 40 yo construction worker and welding artist in Birch Crossing. Leila is also his wife who he married 15 years ago to protect her and has not seen her since. He also recently unexpectedly became a dad. Unbeknownst to Leila and Dash, they inherited the house together with a 30 day cohabitation requirement before any decisions are made and Dash needs to keep the house as much as Leila needs to sell it. There are many obstacles and a boatload of baggage between them and their HEA but I loved the journey to get there. The story was well written and included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline as shown through sweet moments, steam, laughs, supportive friends, painful pasts, slight danger, and all the heart squeezing love. This book is a true standalone in an interconnected series. Despite not having read the other 4 books, I was able to follow the story without feeling like I was missing things. I loved this book so much that I’m now going to go read the other books in the series.
October 17, 2023
Absolutely loved this book. A second chance at love that is truly the first chance. Two broken people who come back together to heal each other. Love how they except each other and their flaws with no question. How a town of wonderful people are there for support with whatever is needed.
This is just the perfect feel great story.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
This is just the perfect feel great story.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
October 17, 2023
What an interesting idea for a plot point. Dash and Leila have been married 15 years but barely know each other. He came to her rescue then they parted. Neither has ever wanted a divorce. Now Leila is back in Birch Crossing after a failed relationship that left her hurt and broke. Dash's life has changed and is about to change even more. The two must live together in the home they're to inherit. What will come of this? Dash's reputation may no longer apply. Leila may not need rescuing anymore. What do they really know of each other?
The story is so interesting, sweet and not at all an easy progression for these two. Dash is such a great guy. He's always loved Leila. Leila isn't interested in a relationship. The entire town is conspiring to push the two together. As is the now deceased "Aunt Bea".
I loved this story start to finish. The characters are fabulous, including quite a few from the first books in the series. The story is fun, touching, interesting, compelling. Rowe just keeps writing stories that grip the reader and leave us feeling good about the world.
Thanks to the author for the ARC.
The story is so interesting, sweet and not at all an easy progression for these two. Dash is such a great guy. He's always loved Leila. Leila isn't interested in a relationship. The entire town is conspiring to push the two together. As is the now deceased "Aunt Bea".
I loved this story start to finish. The characters are fabulous, including quite a few from the first books in the series. The story is fun, touching, interesting, compelling. Rowe just keeps writing stories that grip the reader and leave us feeling good about the world.
Thanks to the author for the ARC.
October 18, 2023
What a fun read Secretly Mine by Stephanie Rowe turned out to be. The basic premise is that bad boy, Dash Stratton, had given in to his sister’s pleading and married her friend, Leila Kerrigan, on Leila’s eighteenth birthday. Leila’s mother was dead and her stepfather was a piece-of-work. Right after the wedding, Leila left for New York where she had been for the past fifteen years. Dash had stayed in Birch Crossing and taken care of Bea and George and their house. He had worked with George, who built things from iron, and learned from him, continuing on even after George died. He made things for friends and neighbors. Ironwork was his happy place. Then, the worst happened. His sister, Maura, and her wife, Sophia, died in a car wreck, leaving twin baby girls and naming him as their guardian. Sophia’s parents tried to break the will and wrest the guardianship away from Dash. He fought, and although it cost him all his savings, he won and was days away from bringing the girls home. Then the worst happened, or the best, maybe. His wife of fifteen years showed up. She brought with her the news that Bea’s will stipulated that they live together in the house for thirty consecutive days after which they could sell or do whatever they liked.
Dash was a bad boy grown up and he had done so nicely. He worked construction and his body showed it. He had the biggest heart around and was undeniably hot. Leila had just broken up with a man she’d been with for eight years. She found out he’d been cheating for the last two and now the girlfriend was pregnant. She was wrung out and that was a positive description. The two had some vast problems to overcome. She had no interest in being a mother and she needed the money selling the house would provide her. Dash needed a home for his girls. This was both a funny book and a heart-wrenching one as they didn’t even try to fight the attraction. Live in the moment: they had a few days. Leila came back to friends from her youth and Dash remained surrounded by current friends. Their banter was funny and the old lady who was Bea’s best friend and their arbiter was a laugh and a half. Birch Crossing was a small town at its best. This was a great story.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Secretly Mine by the author. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #StephanieRowe # SecretlyMine
Dash was a bad boy grown up and he had done so nicely. He worked construction and his body showed it. He had the biggest heart around and was undeniably hot. Leila had just broken up with a man she’d been with for eight years. She found out he’d been cheating for the last two and now the girlfriend was pregnant. She was wrung out and that was a positive description. The two had some vast problems to overcome. She had no interest in being a mother and she needed the money selling the house would provide her. Dash needed a home for his girls. This was both a funny book and a heart-wrenching one as they didn’t even try to fight the attraction. Live in the moment: they had a few days. Leila came back to friends from her youth and Dash remained surrounded by current friends. Their banter was funny and the old lady who was Bea’s best friend and their arbiter was a laugh and a half. Birch Crossing was a small town at its best. This was a great story.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Secretly Mine by the author. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #StephanieRowe # SecretlyMine
October 16, 2023
Meant to be together.
Leila is in a tough spot and needs money. She finds out she has inherited her Aunt Bea’s house and is going back to Birch Crossings after fifteen years to sell the house and pay off the debt that her ex has shackled her with. What she doesn’t know is that there is another beneficiary of her aunt’s house. Dash Stratton, who married Leila fifteen years ago, to save her, needs the house that Aunt Bea left him. He can’t afford another place to live and is taking custody of his two nieces in another week.
The relationship between Leila and Dash is amusing and emotional. They fit so perfectly together as they can read each other’s thoughts and have an innate sense of the other’s feelings, even before they understand why. The humorous banter between them had me chuckling through a good portion of this book. The rest of the time tugged at my heart, had me waiting for the other shoe to drop, and gave me so many feelings, I wanted to hug both of them. Stephanie Rowe has a masterful way of bringing these feelings out to play and letting the reader absorb them through the story. I love how she uses community and the quirky characters in the small town to help with issues and form the type of found family we all want to be a part of. Showing us Dash’s undying adoration and Leila opening herself up to new possibilities and enduring love. This whole series has been full of excellent characters and wonderful emotions. I love the nods to the Hart Billionaires and the town of Bass Derby from the Mia Murphy cozy mysteries. I received an arc of this book, and this is my honest review.
Leila is in a tough spot and needs money. She finds out she has inherited her Aunt Bea’s house and is going back to Birch Crossings after fifteen years to sell the house and pay off the debt that her ex has shackled her with. What she doesn’t know is that there is another beneficiary of her aunt’s house. Dash Stratton, who married Leila fifteen years ago, to save her, needs the house that Aunt Bea left him. He can’t afford another place to live and is taking custody of his two nieces in another week.
The relationship between Leila and Dash is amusing and emotional. They fit so perfectly together as they can read each other’s thoughts and have an innate sense of the other’s feelings, even before they understand why. The humorous banter between them had me chuckling through a good portion of this book. The rest of the time tugged at my heart, had me waiting for the other shoe to drop, and gave me so many feelings, I wanted to hug both of them. Stephanie Rowe has a masterful way of bringing these feelings out to play and letting the reader absorb them through the story. I love how she uses community and the quirky characters in the small town to help with issues and form the type of found family we all want to be a part of. Showing us Dash’s undying adoration and Leila opening herself up to new possibilities and enduring love. This whole series has been full of excellent characters and wonderful emotions. I love the nods to the Hart Billionaires and the town of Bass Derby from the Mia Murphy cozy mysteries. I received an arc of this book, and this is my honest review.
October 18, 2023
As seen on my blog (Jessie's Reading Corner):
TITLE: Secretly Mine
AUTHOR: Stephanie Rowe
SERIES: Birch Crossing
SERIES ORDER: 5
RELEASE DATE: 10/17/2023
GENRE: Small Town Romance
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (I’d give it 10 if I could)
DISCLAIMER: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was not my first Stephanie Rowe book I read, bit was my first book in her Birch Crossing series, and I can tell you I fell head over heels for Leila and Dash! Their story made me laugh, cry, and swoon!
I read a lot of books where the heroine is the sassy one, but hardly ever do I read one where the hero is. Dash has the weight of the world on his shoulders and yet when he’s with Leila, he turns into this massive goofball and I couldn’t help laughing at and with them!
Their love story is heartbreakingly beautiful! I’ve never wanted to cry so much while reading a book before!
I also fell in love with this town, with it’s meddlesome centenarians and close-knit community. I can’t wait to go back to the beginning to where it all began!
Thank you Stephanie for the advance copy!
TITLE: Secretly Mine
AUTHOR: Stephanie Rowe
SERIES: Birch Crossing
SERIES ORDER: 5
RELEASE DATE: 10/17/2023
GENRE: Small Town Romance
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (I’d give it 10 if I could)
DISCLAIMER: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was not my first Stephanie Rowe book I read, bit was my first book in her Birch Crossing series, and I can tell you I fell head over heels for Leila and Dash! Their story made me laugh, cry, and swoon!
I read a lot of books where the heroine is the sassy one, but hardly ever do I read one where the hero is. Dash has the weight of the world on his shoulders and yet when he’s with Leila, he turns into this massive goofball and I couldn’t help laughing at and with them!
Their love story is heartbreakingly beautiful! I’ve never wanted to cry so much while reading a book before!
I also fell in love with this town, with it’s meddlesome centenarians and close-knit community. I can’t wait to go back to the beginning to where it all began!
Thank you Stephanie for the advance copy!
October 17, 2023
Ok, just wow. I mean you get all the emotions in the book. It was such a great book to cozy up and read.
Fifteen years ago Dash and Leila were married to help her out of a horrible situation. Now Leila is back to take care of business so she can fix her life. Then after 15 years of being apart from Dash, they just come together in such an amazing way. The struggle is real between them and with everything that life constantly throws at them.
I really loved Leila and Dash. You feel the struggle that Leila has gone through. It really hits hard and had me tear up some. She struggles so much through the book and you just telling her believe in yourself. You can do this!
And then Dash, oh that man. He’s had it just as rough but in a different way from Leila. You hurt for him but you she what an amazing guy he is even after having life throw an insane freaking curve ball at him. I really loved him! He was so sweet and funny at times. You could feel the love that he has for Leila. It makes you fall in love with him more and more.
Fifteen years ago Dash and Leila were married to help her out of a horrible situation. Now Leila is back to take care of business so she can fix her life. Then after 15 years of being apart from Dash, they just come together in such an amazing way. The struggle is real between them and with everything that life constantly throws at them.
I really loved Leila and Dash. You feel the struggle that Leila has gone through. It really hits hard and had me tear up some. She struggles so much through the book and you just telling her believe in yourself. You can do this!
And then Dash, oh that man. He’s had it just as rough but in a different way from Leila. You hurt for him but you she what an amazing guy he is even after having life throw an insane freaking curve ball at him. I really loved him! He was so sweet and funny at times. You could feel the love that he has for Leila. It makes you fall in love with him more and more.
October 15, 2023
This book tugged at my heartstrings, gave me some laughs and a few moments with an elevated pulse. Dash and Leila married 15 years ago in name only to save her from her stepfather’s control. Her best friend’s sexy older brother was her knight in shining armor then and now he needs someone to help ground him and give him the encouragement to recognize his worth and true self.
The two main characters have grown up in their 15 years apart, but they still have a bit more growing to do with the help of each other to find happiness. I enjoyed how their attraction was quick to ignite when Leila return to Birch Crossing and how well they fit together. The story had some unexpected road bumps for to keep things interesting and engaging, but thankfully no overly dramatic relationship angst.
A great story that truly engaged my emotions and had such a satisfying ending. I received a free ARC from the author; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
The two main characters have grown up in their 15 years apart, but they still have a bit more growing to do with the help of each other to find happiness. I enjoyed how their attraction was quick to ignite when Leila return to Birch Crossing and how well they fit together. The story had some unexpected road bumps for to keep things interesting and engaging, but thankfully no overly dramatic relationship angst.
A great story that truly engaged my emotions and had such a satisfying ending. I received a free ARC from the author; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
October 18, 2023
Loved this book! Dash and Leila's story is definitely not a conventional one! Leila always had a secret crush on her best friends older brother, and fate has them marrying to help Leila out of a bad situation at 18. They don't see each other again after that for 15 years, and went on to live their seperate lives. Fate and some meddling older ladies (and townspeople) have them reuniting for a joint cause. Come to find out they both inherited a house from a beloved caretaker to them both growing up. This has Leila back in the town she left behind to sell it and hopefully move on. Dash needs to keep the house for his own different reasons. Dash and Leila soon find out the inheriting the house comes with some stipulations that throws them together in ways they aren't prepared for. This was a great story line that had me in all my feels. I loved how the characters storyline played out, and this is another of Stephanie's books that I thoroughly enjoyed reading!
October 19, 2023
Dash and Leila meant everything to each other once. But after their wedding Leila vanished.
Now she has to live in her inherited house before she can sell it and get back to her new life. Slight wrinkle in her plan - her soon to be ex-husband is her new room-mate!
Leila and Dash pack an emotional punch, I'll tell you. They had me all up in my feels. They're fully fleshed out with quirks and flaws like in real life. The small age gap between them was a bigger deal when they got married than now, now they're in their 30's and 40's. Life has gone on for this estranged duo, and Dash is a new dad. So he has a lot on his plate before Leila's arrival.
They have a great chemistry, allowing for all the hurt and anger to come to the surface. But more importantly they can laugh together as well. This is the small town romance I love at it's best. Interfering busybodies and all!
Now she has to live in her inherited house before she can sell it and get back to her new life. Slight wrinkle in her plan - her soon to be ex-husband is her new room-mate!
Leila and Dash pack an emotional punch, I'll tell you. They had me all up in my feels. They're fully fleshed out with quirks and flaws like in real life. The small age gap between them was a bigger deal when they got married than now, now they're in their 30's and 40's. Life has gone on for this estranged duo, and Dash is a new dad. So he has a lot on his plate before Leila's arrival.
They have a great chemistry, allowing for all the hurt and anger to come to the surface. But more importantly they can laugh together as well. This is the small town romance I love at it's best. Interfering busybodies and all!
October 16, 2023
A second chance romance that packs all sorts of emotions! The author gives her readers another book that has great characters and a storyline that everyone will love. They've been married for 15 years but haven't seen each other since but the sparks fly when she returns and they both find out they have to live together to get an inheritance. Aren't scheming old ladies who mean well the best! From the start she's fighting what she feels because being back isn't with happy memories, he's not fighting what he feels but has a secret. So much going on in this book, lots of fun character, a couple who has be willing to give their relationship a shot to realize the past is just that the past.
October 19, 2023
I really liked Dash and Leila. Their chemistry worked, but I found the 15 year marriage hard to believe. Leila was in an 8 year relationship but in all that time never wanted a divorce. Both knew they were married but never got together or did anything about it for 15 years! But it was just one part of the story and the rest was so good that I was able to ignore the marriage. I loved how the twins part of the story ended so different than expected. I loved Bea and her brilliant inheritance idea. And Eppie was a wonderful addition to the story. I also really enjoyed all their friends and look forward to reading their books. I would definitely recommend this book. It was an all around great read.
October 12, 2023
Leila and Dash have been married for 15 years and yet they’d never lived together. It was a marriage of necessity to protect Leila and they each went on with their lives separately. When their beloved pseudo aunt Bea dies, she leaves her house to the two of them with some interesting caveats.
It’s a sweet story filled with the characters in Birch Crossing we’ve grown to love. Plenty of emotion, sound advice from the entire town and some angst tossed in for good measure. The story line and characters are typical of those we’ve come to expect from Ms Rowe and this is an easy read. Wonder who in Birch Crossing will have the next story. Its bound to be entertaining as is this one.
It’s a sweet story filled with the characters in Birch Crossing we’ve grown to love. Plenty of emotion, sound advice from the entire town and some angst tossed in for good measure. The story line and characters are typical of those we’ve come to expect from Ms Rowe and this is an easy read. Wonder who in Birch Crossing will have the next story. Its bound to be entertaining as is this one.
October 17, 2023
This was so well written and definitely tugged at the heartstrings. Dash and Leila married for 15 years in name only. He married her to save her from an abusive stepfather and give her a chance to get away.. She has returned to Birch Crossing to claim her inheritance from Bea who was like a mother figure to them all. But thanks to Bea’s stipulations they are thrown together and Dash and Leila discover each other and now it’s her turn to save him and make him see his worth. Their journey was filled with love, laughter, heartbreak, sexy times, some heavy emotional moments and suspenseful ones. It was quite the journey with Dash and Leila in order to find their happily ever after. Stephanie you never disappoint. Thank you for choosing me to be a part of your ARC team!
October 16, 2023
The story of Dash Stratton and Leila Kerrigan began fifteen years ago when Dash married Leila in order to keep her safe.
Leila is back in town to both get a divorce and sell the house she inherited. But a curveball occurs when she’s not only required to live in the house for 30 days, but Dash is the other person that inherited the house.
Dash never forgot her. Will 30 days be enough to convince Leila they are meant to be together or will Leila leave everything behind?
The story is engaging and the characters well developed . Both were perfect in their imperfections.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Leila is back in town to both get a divorce and sell the house she inherited. But a curveball occurs when she’s not only required to live in the house for 30 days, but Dash is the other person that inherited the house.
Dash never forgot her. Will 30 days be enough to convince Leila they are meant to be together or will Leila leave everything behind?
The story is engaging and the characters well developed . Both were perfect in their imperfections.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
October 17, 2023
Dash Stratton and Leila Kerrigan have been married for 15 years but have never lived together. Dash, the town bad boy and rebel, married Leila, the girl next door, to protect her from her greedy step father.
Now fast forward 15 years, life has been hard for them both and they are both back in Birch Crossings where everyone knows everyone’s secrets and business and everyone helps their neighbors. Dash and Leila must stay in the house that they inherited jointly for 30 days straight or lose the house to charity. While they both have their reasons for needing the inheritance only one can win, or can they? Can they both win in a special way?
Now fast forward 15 years, life has been hard for them both and they are both back in Birch Crossings where everyone knows everyone’s secrets and business and everyone helps their neighbors. Dash and Leila must stay in the house that they inherited jointly for 30 days straight or lose the house to charity. While they both have their reasons for needing the inheritance only one can win, or can they? Can they both win in a special way?
October 14, 2023
What a great book. Dash and Leila are great I love a man who would help out is his sister's best friend by marrying her to protect her and her inhertance. When Leila returns to Birch Crossing 15 years later and finds out that she has to live with Dash her husband in name only to inherit Bea's house or should I say half the house hilarious times with both of them. I love how things work out between them and I love how Stephanie slips in a mention about her other series The Hart's. I really enjoy reading Stephanie's books and look forward to the new releases.
October 15, 2023
Stephanie has done it yet again!!!!
Married for 15 years to a man that saved you from a wicked step-father. Going home won't be easy for Leila. She has to go back for her inheritance, she does not expect to find her husband also there. Both have to co-habitate a house for 30 days straight to receive the inheritance.
Dash and Leila have stayed married for 15 years. Why???? I guess living together for 30 days they will have plenty of time to figure it out.
If you love a good romance story, your going to love this one!!!
Married for 15 years to a man that saved you from a wicked step-father. Going home won't be easy for Leila. She has to go back for her inheritance, she does not expect to find her husband also there. Both have to co-habitate a house for 30 days straight to receive the inheritance.
Dash and Leila have stayed married for 15 years. Why???? I guess living together for 30 days they will have plenty of time to figure it out.
If you love a good romance story, your going to love this one!!!
October 18, 2023
Secretly Mine, the 5th book in Stephanie Rowe's Birch Crossing, is an unexpected delight. Watching the magic between them grow was amazing, and what a beginning! 15 years married and not a day together! This surprise fit the couple and the community perfectly. I didn't understand Dash's reluctance to sell his iron work, or even to recognize it as art, but I believed 100% that it was that important to him. I did understand Declan's concern about maintaining the marriage that she so wanted to hold on to.
October 22, 2023
Man and wife on paper they haven't seen each other since their legally binding vows that were signed, but not sealed with a kiss. Leila left town, not looking back. Now an inheritance brings her back to town. Dubbed the town bad boy Dash has proven himself to be responsible, loyal and loving. Revelations at the will reading change everything, as the pair must cohabitate to fulfill the conditions of inheritance. This was an enjoyable read with emotion, growth, humour and resolution as they give themselves a second chance at real love.
October 24, 2023
So loved Dash and Leila
This was a great love story. I think they were always meant to be and just didn't know it. Bea was a genius with her stipulations in her will. It could have backfired but it didn't. Fifteen years they were apart, stayed married and never asked each other for a divorce. Hmmmm I wonder why. Because they were meant to be. I loved everything about their story. Their joking around, their being serious, their being scared and of course them finally realizing they were meant to be. Great great read.
This was a great love story. I think they were always meant to be and just didn't know it. Bea was a genius with her stipulations in her will. It could have backfired but it didn't. Fifteen years they were apart, stayed married and never asked each other for a divorce. Hmmmm I wonder why. Because they were meant to be. I loved everything about their story. Their joking around, their being serious, their being scared and of course them finally realizing they were meant to be. Great great read.
October 17, 2023
Such a great read ✨
Such a unique and wonderful take on a second chance romance. Leila and Dash immediately grabbed my attention... not to mention all my emotions during their journey. Imagine meeting your husband again after 15 years....all but a stranger- a hunky one, but a stranger none the less. Leila and Dash are forced together by strange (and sad) circumstances, and need one another. Always a husband/wife in name only all these years....could that change? Once the entire town gets into the antics of matchmaking who knows what will happen 😉. I loved these characters so much. I absolutely fell in love with the entire town of Birch Crossing! Can't wait to visit again ❤.
Such a unique and wonderful take on a second chance romance. Leila and Dash immediately grabbed my attention... not to mention all my emotions during their journey. Imagine meeting your husband again after 15 years....all but a stranger- a hunky one, but a stranger none the less. Leila and Dash are forced together by strange (and sad) circumstances, and need one another. Always a husband/wife in name only all these years....could that change? Once the entire town gets into the antics of matchmaking who knows what will happen 😉. I loved these characters so much. I absolutely fell in love with the entire town of Birch Crossing! Can't wait to visit again ❤.
October 17, 2023
I absolutely loved Dash’s and Leila’s story. His and Leila’s story was raw, real, and healing. They didn’t do things in the “right” order. Getting married 15 years ago and learning to “live” together due to a will stipulation, it doesn’t take long to know these two were meant for each other. This book was fantastically written, and Stephanie Rowe once again did not disappoint!!! Must read book in a must-read series.
October 18, 2023
This was an engaging and emotional read that is a second chance romance, as well ;) Leila and Dash have been married for 15 years but haven't lived together for any of them. He married her to help her escape her step-father but fate has brought them back together again. She definitely isn't looking for love but Dash realizes the sparks that fly between them mean there's a chance at some much more. Expect to get swept up and carried away on a fun and compelling reading ride :D
October 20, 2023
Dash and Leila had sizzling chemistry and I could picture Bea smiling down on them with her house clause. Both had been through such tough times it was great to see them support and just live in the moment and be happy. Lots of emotions, cute babies, crazy crafters and huge support in this small town. Absolutely loved it Stephanie is one of my favourite authors.
I reviewed an arc copy of this book with no obligation to review.
I reviewed an arc copy of this book with no obligation to review.
October 15, 2023
Loved this book. It was so well written and I just couldn’t put it down. Dash and Leila are so right for each and I loved how there was no awkwardness and they just fell into the banter and easiness they always had. There are lots of emotions in this book and it will tug at your heartstrings.
I received a copy from the author and leave my review voluntarily.
I received a copy from the author and leave my review voluntarily.
October 18, 2023
I have not read any of the other books in the birch crossing series, but have read many of Stephanie Rowe’s other series. I didn’t feel as if I was missing a portion of the plot by not reading the other books. Dash and Leila’s story is unique. Forced together under unusual circumstances Dash and Leila will have to sort through their past in order to have a future. A wonderful second chance romance that had me falling in love with Birch Crossing.
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