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Shameful Secrets #3
The Heart of Smoke
He’s a mysterious recluse with an unhealthy obsession with his therapist.He doesn’t want help... He just wants him.
Love is for those who deserve it. I certainly don’t. The person I loved most in this world died in my arms decades ago and I am to blame. I’ll forever be tormented by what-ifs where I was Mom’s hero instead of this repulsive, mask-wearing beast I’ve ultimately become. All that’s left of my heart is black smoke—suffocating and toxic. I’m nothing but a shadow of a man, locked in my dark fortress of a home, away from people and hidden in my carefully walled-up world. My family is all I have to live for. Somehow, they look past the fact I survived when Mom didn’t. Like it’s not my fault. It’s also why I’ll protect them with every single fiber of my being. Even from him. Tate Prince has been paid by my father to infiltrate our family. Invited not just into our homes, but into our past, our heartaches, and even our minds. Dad thinks this young man—a therapist with a captivating grin—is the key to repairing all the damage we’ve sustained over the years. But I know better. I can see through Tate’s friendly disposition and easygoing nature. In his eyes are dark secrets that haunt him like ghosts from another life. He’s not as perfect as he seems. Underneath his mask of smiles are ugly truths I’m desperate to uncover. And I will uncover them. If that means keeping him under lock and key where I can watch his every move, I will. It’s not captivity if he’s being paid, right? However, when I start unraveling his life, I learn there’s a lot more to Tate than meets the eye. The more I discover, the more obsessed I become. My heart, the dusty, charred, still-smoking useless organ sparks to life making me come to a startling realization. I want him. I’m not the only one who feels this way, though. Tate’s biggest secret is he already has a monster in his life. A terrible, spiteful monster—one who’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. But I’m uglier, nastier, and a hell of a lot more vicious. I may have failed to save my mother, but I will not fail this time. Tate is mine.
*** This is a complete mm standalone novel with a happily ever after. ***
Love is for those who deserve it. I certainly don’t. The person I loved most in this world died in my arms decades ago and I am to blame. I’ll forever be tormented by what-ifs where I was Mom’s hero instead of this repulsive, mask-wearing beast I’ve ultimately become. All that’s left of my heart is black smoke—suffocating and toxic. I’m nothing but a shadow of a man, locked in my dark fortress of a home, away from people and hidden in my carefully walled-up world. My family is all I have to live for. Somehow, they look past the fact I survived when Mom didn’t. Like it’s not my fault. It’s also why I’ll protect them with every single fiber of my being. Even from him. Tate Prince has been paid by my father to infiltrate our family. Invited not just into our homes, but into our past, our heartaches, and even our minds. Dad thinks this young man—a therapist with a captivating grin—is the key to repairing all the damage we’ve sustained over the years. But I know better. I can see through Tate’s friendly disposition and easygoing nature. In his eyes are dark secrets that haunt him like ghosts from another life. He’s not as perfect as he seems. Underneath his mask of smiles are ugly truths I’m desperate to uncover. And I will uncover them. If that means keeping him under lock and key where I can watch his every move, I will. It’s not captivity if he’s being paid, right? However, when I start unraveling his life, I learn there’s a lot more to Tate than meets the eye. The more I discover, the more obsessed I become. My heart, the dusty, charred, still-smoking useless organ sparks to life making me come to a startling realization. I want him. I’m not the only one who feels this way, though. Tate’s biggest secret is he already has a monster in his life. A terrible, spiteful monster—one who’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. But I’m uglier, nastier, and a hell of a lot more vicious. I may have failed to save my mother, but I will not fail this time. Tate is mine.
*** This is a complete mm standalone novel with a happily ever after. ***
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2024
163 people are currently reading
807 people want to read
About the author
K. Webster
227 books14.8k followersK Webster is a USA Today Bestselling author. Her titles have claimed many bestseller tags in numerous categories, are translated in multiple languages, and have been adapted into audiobooks. She lives in "Tornado Alley" with her husband, two children, and her baby dog named Blue. When she's not writing, she's reading, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and researching aliens.
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Can't find a certain book? Maybe it's too hot for Amazon! Don't worry because titles like Bad Bad Bad, This is War, Baby, The Wild, and Hale can all be found for sale on K's website in both ebook and paperback format.
Website: https://authorkwebster.com/
Join K-Club for exclusive, secret forbidden books like the Forbidden Flings stories! https://reamstories.com/authorkwebster
Get social with K!
Newsletter: https://authorkwebster.myflodesk.com/...
Website: https://authorkwebster.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkwebster
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristiWebster
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Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kwebsterwil...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/k-webster...
Can't find a certain book? Maybe it's too hot for Amazon! Don't worry because titles like Bad Bad Bad, This is War, Baby, The Wild, and Hale can all be found for sale on K's website in both ebook and paperback format.
Website: https://authorkwebster.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
December 27, 2024
3.5/5
This book had the most messed up family dynamic of any story I've ever read, but they were so protective and caring towards each other that I literally forgot about it. That says a lot, because usually I would just stop reading the book. The romance and the main characters also surprised me very positively, because I was almost sure that the relationship between them would be toxic, but they both turned out to be such sweet people - just wait and see - that it was hard for me not to fall in love with them both.
Also, the hints about Dempsey's book? I need it. I'm obsessed with age-gap books where the woman is older, so I know I'll eat it up.
This book had the most messed up family dynamic of any story I've ever read, but they were so protective and caring towards each other that I literally forgot about it. That says a lot, because usually I would just stop reading the book. The romance and the main characters also surprised me very positively, because I was almost sure that the relationship between them would be toxic, but they both turned out to be such sweet people - just wait and see - that it was hard for me not to fall in love with them both.
Also, the hints about Dempsey's book? I need it. I'm obsessed with age-gap books where the woman is older, so I know I'll eat it up.
![Profile Image for Megan [At The Cottage].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1634561405i%2F25103878._UY200_CR50%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 26, 2024
MM Romance
2 Stars ⭐️
This has to be the most boring K Webster book I’ve ever read and it was a chore to finish. Nothing happens in this until around 70% and that includes the completely lackluster sex scenes. It was super disappointing because this author usually writes really good mm stories even if they are OTT crazy but I couldn’t have cared less about the couple or the story line. It felt so phoned in and because K Webster didn’t release any mm books last year I was super excited to read this one but damn what a letdown.
The most interesting thing about this book had absolutely nothing to do with the couple but with the family members Tate is there to help. Let me break this down for those who didn’t read the previous books. I didn’t either but this family tree is so crazy it needs to be talked about.
✅Father: Nathan
✅Sons: Jude, Callum & Hugo
✅Almost 20 years ago Nathan falls for Callum’s high school girlfriend, knocks her up then marries her. Their twins are 17-18 in this book.
✅Callum still has major issues with his dad. DUH! Callum becomes a high school teacher and is involved with a student, Willa, who he marries and knocks up. She’s pregnant in this book.
✅Hugo had a son, Spencer, at some point. He also got married and fell in love with his young step daughter who his son Spencer was also into. Spencer & Hugo are now with her and she’s pregnant but doesn’t know which one is the father. It’s also a known fact that both men fuck her at the same time.
✅Jude, who this book is about is tame in comparison. He lost his mom in a house fire when he was 16 and blames himself for not saving her. He may have a fucked up family but he’s all about protecting them and Tate as the newcomer is a threat to him.
So Tate is hired by Nathan to come live on the family compound and become the family therapist. They all need help obviously but they are the most concerned for Jude because after losing his mom in the house fire, he has shut himself away and is just a shell of his former self. Jude wants nothing to do with Tate though and they have no therapy sessions therefore this wasn’t the therapist/patient trope I was looking forward to because they weren’t crossing any lines. The animosity between them died off real quick and nothing of any interest happened until the very end. I will say there was a bit of a twist I didn’t see coming but I think my not figuring it out had more to do with the fact I could barely stay awake reading this rather than it being some amazing turn of events.
My biggest disappointment was the absolutely lackluster sex scenes. 😭😭 K Webster knows how to write some hot smut so the fact there are only two extremely plain boring scenes that lack any amount of detail and almost fade to black afterwards just made this book even more blahhhh. It’s hard to believe this is the same author who wrote The Wild or Hood River Rat. 💔
2 Stars ⭐️
This has to be the most boring K Webster book I’ve ever read and it was a chore to finish. Nothing happens in this until around 70% and that includes the completely lackluster sex scenes. It was super disappointing because this author usually writes really good mm stories even if they are OTT crazy but I couldn’t have cared less about the couple or the story line. It felt so phoned in and because K Webster didn’t release any mm books last year I was super excited to read this one but damn what a letdown.
The most interesting thing about this book had absolutely nothing to do with the couple but with the family members Tate is there to help. Let me break this down for those who didn’t read the previous books. I didn’t either but this family tree is so crazy it needs to be talked about.
✅Father: Nathan
✅Sons: Jude, Callum & Hugo
✅Almost 20 years ago Nathan falls for Callum’s high school girlfriend, knocks her up then marries her. Their twins are 17-18 in this book.
✅Callum still has major issues with his dad. DUH! Callum becomes a high school teacher and is involved with a student, Willa, who he marries and knocks up. She’s pregnant in this book.
✅Hugo had a son, Spencer, at some point. He also got married and fell in love with his young step daughter who his son Spencer was also into. Spencer & Hugo are now with her and she’s pregnant but doesn’t know which one is the father. It’s also a known fact that both men fuck her at the same time.
✅Jude, who this book is about is tame in comparison. He lost his mom in a house fire when he was 16 and blames himself for not saving her. He may have a fucked up family but he’s all about protecting them and Tate as the newcomer is a threat to him.
So Tate is hired by Nathan to come live on the family compound and become the family therapist. They all need help obviously but they are the most concerned for Jude because after losing his mom in the house fire, he has shut himself away and is just a shell of his former self. Jude wants nothing to do with Tate though and they have no therapy sessions therefore this wasn’t the therapist/patient trope I was looking forward to because they weren’t crossing any lines. The animosity between them died off real quick and nothing of any interest happened until the very end. I will say there was a bit of a twist I didn’t see coming but I think my not figuring it out had more to do with the fact I could barely stay awake reading this rather than it being some amazing turn of events.
My biggest disappointment was the absolutely lackluster sex scenes. 😭😭 K Webster knows how to write some hot smut so the fact there are only two extremely plain boring scenes that lack any amount of detail and almost fade to black afterwards just made this book even more blahhhh. It’s hard to believe this is the same author who wrote The Wild or Hood River Rat. 💔
February 4, 2024
Heart of Smoke is a fantastic entry in this series. Tate and Jude are reluctantly pulled into each other's orbits due to a variety of circumstances. Jude is withdrawn and suffering from the death of his mother, while Tate is trying to recover from an abusive relationship that he can't shake off. Together they find themselves drawn to one another with their intense chemistry and strong pull towards one another.
This story has many heartwarming moments and other moments that left me audibly shocked at certain character reveals. Overall this is such a great read with complicated characters that I could not get enough of. The Park family is entertaining and I love getting glimpses into the other couples and hints at future stories.
I enjoyed this story and look forward to Dempsey's forbidden romance.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
This story has many heartwarming moments and other moments that left me audibly shocked at certain character reveals. Overall this is such a great read with complicated characters that I could not get enough of. The Park family is entertaining and I love getting glimpses into the other couples and hints at future stories.
I enjoyed this story and look forward to Dempsey's forbidden romance.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
February 1, 2024
This is the only MM Romance in this series, so it's only one I've read.
And honestly, it seems to most tame. It actually could have leaned more into the wrong things. Like how Tate is supposed to be Jude's therapist. In real life, that is an extremely fucked up line to cross (and I'm sure therapists would face consequences if ever found out...can they get their license revoked, potentially? idk) because the potential for manipulation and abuse of power and I'm sure even more than that could come out of it.
But Jude is so resistant to therapy that he barely even talks in about the...two sessions he "attends" for about like 10 minutes at most. When he starts to open up it's more about him and Tate just having developed a romantic relationship. It's about falling in love with someone and feeling comfortable being vulnerable enough with them to talk to them, not about an actual professional helping you.
There's a difference between a lover - even a lover who is a therapist - and getting actual professional help. There isn't that professional distance needed to truly help one's mental health. As much as we wish love could cure problems, it can't.
Tate is also privately employed by Jude's father for their whole family, as he's been fired over and over for the past two years - as we come to learn, his abusive ex makes sure he does - so he doesn't even work for a public institution or anything like that, so it's even less of a cross of any moral or ethical boundaries.
And once Tate and Jude are really together, officially, he's no longer any of the family's official therapist, he's just a part of the family.
So yeah, there was barely any fucked up-ness here. Barely anything "wrong" like it definitely was in the first two books. Hell, the rest of the straight family members lol.
Mostly this just had Jude being suspicious and aggressive towards Tate from the start because of his own traumatic reasons, and seemingly hating him. If Tate was ever angry or annoyed at Jude, it was only in reaction to Jude's behavior towards him, so I didn't even feel comfortable labeling this enemies-to-lovers. Because it just wasn't there on Tate's side. And it didn't take too long for Jude to see the error of his ways and see how wonderful Tate is.
The other main plot point in this is Tate's abusive ex, who is a looming shadow who could pop up at any moment. The underlying tension throughout until he does pop up is well done.
So, while I was looking for a little taboo in this, I didn't really get it, so this does get points off for that. I was expecting some real "this is wrong but I just can't stay away from you" vibes, but Jude was barely even a patient, so it never felt like it was. Honestly it felt more unprofessional for Tate to get close to any of the other family members, as they felt more like real patients of his and they talked a lot more easily with him.
But, aside from that, this was really good and entertaining. The chemistry between Jude and Tate was really good, and while I maybe would have liked this to be a tad longer to have gotten more sex scenes between these two, what we did get was good. Although after the first or so, I do wish they had been a tad more detailed.
I'm also a sucker for a big, grumpy guy who is really a softy underneath it all, but who will also fuck anyone up who messes with his smaller, sunshine-y lover. Also I loved Fucky - I mean Funky ;) - Tate's cat. He was a character all on his own at times. Also I adore cats so I always love when cats show up in books haha.
Would I have bought this book for 5 bucks? Eh...probably not. It should be on KU, in my opinion. I'm just glad I had a gift card to use so I didn't technically buy it myself. But it wasn't a waste at the same time, as I enjoyed this overall and had a fun time reading it. Also it was a quick, easy read and I never felt bored or anything like that. It's definitely worth a read if you enjoy K. Webster and MM in general.
Just be prepared to learn that Jude's father, about 20 years prior, slept with his son Callum's girlfriend, who was under 18 at the time, got her pregnant before she was 18, filed for divorce from their mother to be with her - and is still with her in present day - and Callum is with an 18 year old who was his high school student (and I can guess, probably got with her before she turned 18? Maybe?), and Hugo, another brother, is with his stepdaughter at the same time that his son is with her too - oh and his son, Spencer, had a baby with his stepmom, his stepsister's - who he is currently fucking along with Hugo - mom and Hugo's (I guess ex lol) wife. Oh and father and son sometimes fuck the stepdaughter/sister at the same time.
Like the mind reels from all that fucked-upness all in one family lmao. My mind reeled as I found all this out 🤣
So yeah, Jude and Tate? The most tame of them all. Which, I wouldn't have minded a little more taboo/fucked-upness. But I guess in a family full of it, these two get to be the tame, almost normal relationship.
The next book in this series is, once again, MF (only now the teenager is Dempsey and the adult is his mother's best friend, apparently? So back to being fucked up lol), so I will not be reading. But I look forward to this author's next MM, whenever that may be. (And also, if it could be a little more taboo? That'd be fun, since this author is known for her taboo.)
Can't wait for more! 😘
And honestly, it seems to most tame. It actually could have leaned more into the wrong things. Like how Tate is supposed to be Jude's therapist. In real life, that is an extremely fucked up line to cross (and I'm sure therapists would face consequences if ever found out...can they get their license revoked, potentially? idk) because the potential for manipulation and abuse of power and I'm sure even more than that could come out of it.
But Jude is so resistant to therapy that he barely even talks in about the...two sessions he "attends" for about like 10 minutes at most. When he starts to open up it's more about him and Tate just having developed a romantic relationship. It's about falling in love with someone and feeling comfortable being vulnerable enough with them to talk to them, not about an actual professional helping you.
There's a difference between a lover - even a lover who is a therapist - and getting actual professional help. There isn't that professional distance needed to truly help one's mental health. As much as we wish love could cure problems, it can't.
Tate is also privately employed by Jude's father for their whole family, as he's been fired over and over for the past two years - as we come to learn, his abusive ex makes sure he does - so he doesn't even work for a public institution or anything like that, so it's even less of a cross of any moral or ethical boundaries.
And once Tate and Jude are really together, officially, he's no longer any of the family's official therapist, he's just a part of the family.
So yeah, there was barely any fucked up-ness here. Barely anything "wrong" like it definitely was in the first two books. Hell, the rest of the straight family members lol.
Mostly this just had Jude being suspicious and aggressive towards Tate from the start because of his own traumatic reasons, and seemingly hating him. If Tate was ever angry or annoyed at Jude, it was only in reaction to Jude's behavior towards him, so I didn't even feel comfortable labeling this enemies-to-lovers. Because it just wasn't there on Tate's side. And it didn't take too long for Jude to see the error of his ways and see how wonderful Tate is.
The other main plot point in this is Tate's abusive ex, who is a looming shadow who could pop up at any moment. The underlying tension throughout until he does pop up is well done.
So, while I was looking for a little taboo in this, I didn't really get it, so this does get points off for that. I was expecting some real "this is wrong but I just can't stay away from you" vibes, but Jude was barely even a patient, so it never felt like it was. Honestly it felt more unprofessional for Tate to get close to any of the other family members, as they felt more like real patients of his and they talked a lot more easily with him.
But, aside from that, this was really good and entertaining. The chemistry between Jude and Tate was really good, and while I maybe would have liked this to be a tad longer to have gotten more sex scenes between these two, what we did get was good. Although after the first or so, I do wish they had been a tad more detailed.
I'm also a sucker for a big, grumpy guy who is really a softy underneath it all, but who will also fuck anyone up who messes with his smaller, sunshine-y lover. Also I loved Fucky - I mean Funky ;) - Tate's cat. He was a character all on his own at times. Also I adore cats so I always love when cats show up in books haha.
Would I have bought this book for 5 bucks? Eh...probably not. It should be on KU, in my opinion. I'm just glad I had a gift card to use so I didn't technically buy it myself. But it wasn't a waste at the same time, as I enjoyed this overall and had a fun time reading it. Also it was a quick, easy read and I never felt bored or anything like that. It's definitely worth a read if you enjoy K. Webster and MM in general.
Just be prepared to learn that Jude's father, about 20 years prior, slept with his son Callum's girlfriend, who was under 18 at the time, got her pregnant before she was 18, filed for divorce from their mother to be with her - and is still with her in present day - and Callum is with an 18 year old who was his high school student (and I can guess, probably got with her before she turned 18? Maybe?), and Hugo, another brother, is with his stepdaughter at the same time that his son is with her too - oh and his son, Spencer, had a baby with his stepmom, his stepsister's - who he is currently fucking along with Hugo - mom and Hugo's (I guess ex lol) wife. Oh and father and son sometimes fuck the stepdaughter/sister at the same time.
Like the mind reels from all that fucked-upness all in one family lmao. My mind reeled as I found all this out 🤣
So yeah, Jude and Tate? The most tame of them all. Which, I wouldn't have minded a little more taboo/fucked-upness. But I guess in a family full of it, these two get to be the tame, almost normal relationship.
The next book in this series is, once again, MF (only now the teenager is Dempsey and the adult is his mother's best friend, apparently? So back to being fucked up lol), so I will not be reading. But I look forward to this author's next MM, whenever that may be. (And also, if it could be a little more taboo? That'd be fun, since this author is known for her taboo.)
Can't wait for more! 😘
February 1, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone Book 1 of Shameful Secrets series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
4.25 Stars
Jude Park became a recluse after the tragedy that took his mother’s life. While his physical scars healed years ago, his emotional scar was still bleeding. Tate Prince came into his life as the family’s therapist. However, Tate’s presence not only uncovered his past but also unleashed something else within him.
Jude intrigued me right from the first book. I loved him with how he cared for his family in his own grumpy way. Tate was the light in Jude’s darkness, and Funky was another factor to love him.
The story was engaging with a hint of suspense and humor. The characters had good chemistry which led to smoking sexy scenes.
The Heart of Smoke is a story of healing and resilience. It would appeal to readers who enjoy MM light forbidden romance.
Books in the series:
🎭🔥🎭. . . (F)BR with Twinsie CC . . .🎭🔥🎭
For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:
For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.
Type: Standalone Book 1 of Shameful Secrets series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
4.25 StarsJude Park became a recluse after the tragedy that took his mother’s life. While his physical scars healed years ago, his emotional scar was still bleeding. Tate Prince came into his life as the family’s therapist. However, Tate’s presence not only uncovered his past but also unleashed something else within him.
Jude intrigued me right from the first book. I loved him with how he cared for his family in his own grumpy way. Tate was the light in Jude’s darkness, and Funky was another factor to love him.
They’re just scars. Lots of people have them on the outside. Most of us have them on the inside. They tell our story whether we like it or not.
The story was engaging with a hint of suspense and humor. The characters had good chemistry which led to smoking sexy scenes.
The Heart of Smoke is a story of healing and resilience. It would appeal to readers who enjoy MM light forbidden romance.
Books in the series:
🎭🔥🎭. . . (F)BR with Twinsie CC . . .🎭🔥🎭
For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:
For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.
January 26, 2024
"They’re just scars. Lots of people have them on the outside. Most of us have them on the inside. They tell our story whether we like it or not."
The Heart of Smoke by K. Webster is book 3 in the author's Shameful Secrets series, and whilst it can be read as a standalone (which I did) I would definitely have preferred to read the previous two books first (which I will do now!) This is Jude and Tate's story which is MM, whilst book 1 is MF (age gap, student/teacher) and book 2 is MFM (age gap/why choose). All I can say is that this is one f*cked up family!
The Heart of Smoke is an angsty tale of surviving grief and overcoming guilt and learning that you have to let go sometimes, as well as a steamy tale of finding your person and avenging a whole host of wrongs along the way.
4 stars
The Heart of Smoke by K. Webster is book 3 in the author's Shameful Secrets series, and whilst it can be read as a standalone (which I did) I would definitely have preferred to read the previous two books first (which I will do now!) This is Jude and Tate's story which is MM, whilst book 1 is MF (age gap, student/teacher) and book 2 is MFM (age gap/why choose). All I can say is that this is one f*cked up family!
The Heart of Smoke is an angsty tale of surviving grief and overcoming guilt and learning that you have to let go sometimes, as well as a steamy tale of finding your person and avenging a whole host of wrongs along the way.
4 stars
February 15, 2024
3.5 stars
I wasn’t expecting “monster” Jude’s story to be dark but it turned out to be super sweet which i really enjoyed better than the first two books. It was interesting to see Tate bring out the sweet side of Jude.
I think I’m obsessed with the Parker family…they have the most f&cked up dynamic yet so fiercely loyal and protective.
Can’t wait to read Dempsey and his mom’s best friend Sloane’s story. Yep f&cked up family 😂
I wasn’t expecting “monster” Jude’s story to be dark but it turned out to be super sweet which i really enjoyed better than the first two books. It was interesting to see Tate bring out the sweet side of Jude.
I think I’m obsessed with the Parker family…they have the most f&cked up dynamic yet so fiercely loyal and protective.
Can’t wait to read Dempsey and his mom’s best friend Sloane’s story. Yep f&cked up family 😂
January 29, 2024
This book is filled with angst, darkness, mystery, and of course, romance. Jude is heartbreaking. His thoughts about himself and the tragedy of his mother dying had me in tears. When Tate arrives, Jude is determined to send him packing.
Tate is naturally submissive, and Jude overwhelms him. I loved this book. Their first kiss was HOT! The twist shocked me. I did not see that coming. This family rallied around them, and yes we get to visit with the family of characters we already love! This book is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
Tate is naturally submissive, and Jude overwhelms him. I loved this book. Their first kiss was HOT! The twist shocked me. I did not see that coming. This family rallied around them, and yes we get to visit with the family of characters we already love! This book is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
January 8, 2025
k. webster always knows how to get me out of a slump. i couldn’t put this book down. 👏🏽
February 1, 2024
***4 "The recluse of Park Manor!!!" stars***
""They’re just scars. Lots of people have them on the outside. Most of us have them on the inside. They tell our story whether we like it or not."
Jude is a character that intrigued me from the very first moment I've read about him in the first book of the series... And when I realized that this would be an M/M story, I was thrilled to find out everything about him and his love interest...
Jude was the recluse of the Park family, the one who was hiding his scars behind his masks and he deserved some light to sneak upon the cracks of his walls and bring light into his darkness...
Tate Prince was exactly that!!! A broken, young man who had so much to give, but unfortunately, he had his own demons hunting him...
Will this odd couple manage to survive when they are thrown into each other's orbit???
"I'm the monster and he's not.
We don't belong together."
Jude Park's scars are still raw even though the fire that killed his mother had happened many years ago... His scars is not only on his body, but inside too...
His only purpose in life is to protect his family, but when Tate Prince is entering their house and their inner circle, Jude can not accept this intrusion easily...
He is determined to find out everything about this man's life and kick him out of their lives...
Also, he is refusing to talk to him for everything that he is hiding deep down inside, even though Tate is being paid for his father for exactly that cause...
This man needs to vanish from their lives and Jude is the one who will do it!!!
"Why does he even want to see the real me?
Why does anyone?
Don't they all know by now I have nothing left inside of me?"
Tate Prince is hiding from his past... Toxic can not describe the situation he was under for more than two years...
This opportunity with the Park family is what he needs to take a breath...
He just wants to find solace and peace, but the recluse of the family has taken a deep interest on him and he is not letting him catch a breath... and it doesn't help the fact that he is attracted to this monster!!!
After all, monsters were always part of his life and he doesn't need a new one to add to the mix...
He just have to get through this period and ignore Jude Park.
"I hate that I fall into these same patterns over and over again, escaping one monstr, only to fall into the arms of another."
I liked this couple very much... They started with the wrong foot, but soon, they got to know each other and they weren't what the other one was thinking...
Now, Tate wants to soothe Jude's pain and Jude wants to protect Tate from the monster of his life...
But it is not an easy thing to do...
And in between the family dynamics are constantly changing and they can not catch a break.
Can love will rise from the ashes or the thick smoke can cloud the heart's wants???
"Happiness is for others, not me. Tate deserves better than a reclusive, ugly monster."
Honestly, you haven't read for a more messed up family than the Parks!!! But in a strange way, I adore every single book in it and I love the dynamics each member has in it....
Tate and Jude were an imperfectly perfect couple and a great addition to this family full of shameful secrets... and now, i am impatiently wating for Dempsey's turn!!!
It will be a reverse age gap story and I am a sucker for it!!! Just bring it on, Kristy!!!
"You're finally seeing past that clying cloud of smoke your heart was suffocating in. There's love and beauty all around you."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
""They’re just scars. Lots of people have them on the outside. Most of us have them on the inside. They tell our story whether we like it or not."
Jude is a character that intrigued me from the very first moment I've read about him in the first book of the series... And when I realized that this would be an M/M story, I was thrilled to find out everything about him and his love interest...
Jude was the recluse of the Park family, the one who was hiding his scars behind his masks and he deserved some light to sneak upon the cracks of his walls and bring light into his darkness...
Tate Prince was exactly that!!! A broken, young man who had so much to give, but unfortunately, he had his own demons hunting him...
Will this odd couple manage to survive when they are thrown into each other's orbit???
"I'm the monster and he's not.
We don't belong together."
Jude Park's scars are still raw even though the fire that killed his mother had happened many years ago... His scars is not only on his body, but inside too...
His only purpose in life is to protect his family, but when Tate Prince is entering their house and their inner circle, Jude can not accept this intrusion easily...
He is determined to find out everything about this man's life and kick him out of their lives...
Also, he is refusing to talk to him for everything that he is hiding deep down inside, even though Tate is being paid for his father for exactly that cause...
This man needs to vanish from their lives and Jude is the one who will do it!!!
"Why does he even want to see the real me?
Why does anyone?
Don't they all know by now I have nothing left inside of me?"
Tate Prince is hiding from his past... Toxic can not describe the situation he was under for more than two years...
This opportunity with the Park family is what he needs to take a breath...
He just wants to find solace and peace, but the recluse of the family has taken a deep interest on him and he is not letting him catch a breath... and it doesn't help the fact that he is attracted to this monster!!!
After all, monsters were always part of his life and he doesn't need a new one to add to the mix...
He just have to get through this period and ignore Jude Park.
"I hate that I fall into these same patterns over and over again, escaping one monstr, only to fall into the arms of another."
I liked this couple very much... They started with the wrong foot, but soon, they got to know each other and they weren't what the other one was thinking...
Now, Tate wants to soothe Jude's pain and Jude wants to protect Tate from the monster of his life...
But it is not an easy thing to do...
And in between the family dynamics are constantly changing and they can not catch a break.
Can love will rise from the ashes or the thick smoke can cloud the heart's wants???
"Happiness is for others, not me. Tate deserves better than a reclusive, ugly monster."
Honestly, you haven't read for a more messed up family than the Parks!!! But in a strange way, I adore every single book in it and I love the dynamics each member has in it....
Tate and Jude were an imperfectly perfect couple and a great addition to this family full of shameful secrets... and now, i am impatiently wating for Dempsey's turn!!!
It will be a reverse age gap story and I am a sucker for it!!! Just bring it on, Kristy!!!
"You're finally seeing past that clying cloud of smoke your heart was suffocating in. There's love and beauty all around you."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
March 1, 2024
Despite the fact that the first two books didn’t work for me, I was looking forward to this one. It’s MM and it involved the brother (Jude) who was burned horrifically in a house fire trying to save his mother. Tate Prince is hired by the patriarch of the Park family to be a live-in therapist for the family since they have so many issues. Well, I was turned off the story immediately! These are some of the thoughts that run through Tate’s head when he meets Jude for the first time. Keep in mind that Jude wears a mask to cover his burns because he’s self conscious about how he looks. He’s no angel himself; he’s rather bitter about losing his mother in the fire and the fact that his father is a major douche nozzle. But, again, these are thoughts from a therapist who should be a kind and caring man.
The man—no, the monster—who towers above me is straight from nightmare territory.
I’ll be damned if I let some Halloween freakshow send me packing.
His eyes are cracking open my head and raping my thoughts against my will. (I particularly hate this sentence.)
Twenty thousand dollars to get the freakshow to talk to me?
Yeah. I’m calling it quits here because I already don’t like Tate. Yes, he’s human and can have negative thoughts about people, but this paints him in a very negative light. One star even though I only got through the prologue and first chapter. All those thoughts are just horrible.
Note to author: a lock DISENGAGES, it does not “unengage”. There is a difference and unengage is not the correct word for that particular sentence.
The man—no, the monster—who towers above me is straight from nightmare territory.
I’ll be damned if I let some Halloween freakshow send me packing.
His eyes are cracking open my head and raping my thoughts against my will. (I particularly hate this sentence.)
Twenty thousand dollars to get the freakshow to talk to me?
Yeah. I’m calling it quits here because I already don’t like Tate. Yes, he’s human and can have negative thoughts about people, but this paints him in a very negative light. One star even though I only got through the prologue and first chapter. All those thoughts are just horrible.
Note to author: a lock DISENGAGES, it does not “unengage”. There is a difference and unengage is not the correct word for that particular sentence.
January 24, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
This is my favorite of the series!
I love a good grumpy/sunshine and Jude and Tate were two of the best!
Tate was hired to be the Park family therapist but as soon as he comes face to face with the mask wearing Jude, he quickly realizes he’s in over his head. Yet, with a psychotic ex boyfriend stalking him, the money will give him a chance to finally escape.
Jude will do anything to protect his family, so right off the bat he mistrusts Tate and digs deep to find every skeleton in his closet. But when he goes by the saying ‘keep your enemies close,’ he’s getting more than he bargained for.
This one is a bit of a slow burn but I loved every second of it. Really I loved every second of this book. It’s one of Kristi’s more emotional and sweet reads and it made me blissfully happy. From all of Tate’s interactions with the fam to Violet’s love language with food.
You get a lot of background story not only for Jude and Tate but with Nathan and Jamie. I never wanted their story before but now I’m desperate for it. Plus you got a little hints of growing affection between the Park patriarch and Violet. Gimme than golden age story any day!
I hated to see this one end but I’m excited for Dempsey’s forbidden reverse age gap romance. And hopefully I’ll get to see everyone again.
“I’ll stay. Callum doesn’t have a library and he certainly doesn’t eat pie each day.”
“We also have ice cream,” Jude says as though to convince me further.
“The man who is quickly turning my already fragmented, blackened mind into a kaleidoscope of shattered, colorful thoughts.”
🌶️🌶️
This is my favorite of the series!
I love a good grumpy/sunshine and Jude and Tate were two of the best!
Tate was hired to be the Park family therapist but as soon as he comes face to face with the mask wearing Jude, he quickly realizes he’s in over his head. Yet, with a psychotic ex boyfriend stalking him, the money will give him a chance to finally escape.
Jude will do anything to protect his family, so right off the bat he mistrusts Tate and digs deep to find every skeleton in his closet. But when he goes by the saying ‘keep your enemies close,’ he’s getting more than he bargained for.
This one is a bit of a slow burn but I loved every second of it. Really I loved every second of this book. It’s one of Kristi’s more emotional and sweet reads and it made me blissfully happy. From all of Tate’s interactions with the fam to Violet’s love language with food.
You get a lot of background story not only for Jude and Tate but with Nathan and Jamie. I never wanted their story before but now I’m desperate for it. Plus you got a little hints of growing affection between the Park patriarch and Violet. Gimme than golden age story any day!
I hated to see this one end but I’m excited for Dempsey’s forbidden reverse age gap romance. And hopefully I’ll get to see everyone again.
“I’ll stay. Callum doesn’t have a library and he certainly doesn’t eat pie each day.”
“We also have ice cream,” Jude says as though to convince me further.
“The man who is quickly turning my already fragmented, blackened mind into a kaleidoscope of shattered, colorful thoughts.”
May 20, 2024
Awww. So in love with Jude.
Tate is a therapist who can't keep a job because his stalker of an ex keeps getting him fired. He's desperate to find a job so he can take care of himself and his adorable cat, Funky.
Nathan Park knows his entire family needs help, but mainly his closed off son, Jude. After doing his research, he chooses Tate to come live at the Park compound, knowing that Tate really needs a job and will be discrete since the entire Park family has a lot of secrets.
Jude has cut himself off from the outside world after he failed at rescuing his mother from a house fire back when he was just 16. Now Jude wears a mask (literal mask) because he doesn't want anyone to see the monster he is. He holds so much guilt, despite not being responsible for his mom's death. Jude does everything he can to try and run Tate off, but Tate has won over the entire family and it doesn't take long before Jude accepts that Tate is going nowhere. Jude is also conflicted by his attraction to Tate, who is openly gay.
It takes a long time before Jude and Tate finally start acting on the attraction between them. Of course, Tate's psycho ex finds out where he is staying and shows back up. Jude is not going to let ANYONE threaten his "sweet boy".
Tate and Jude are precious. I really love Jude so much. Who wouldn't? I did have a few issues though.
SEX: This is where I mainly had problems. For one, there isn't enough of it!!! The last two books had good sex. This one, not enough. Plus, when they finally go to consummate their relationship with penetration, they bring up condoms and STDs. None of that was an issue in the past books, which makes me think it's brought up because they're gay. That's not cool for me. I could be way off, but that's how it felt.
I was also annoyed by the intrusiveness of Gemma. She's annoyed me in the last two books and continues to do so in this one. She's too nosey and gossipy.
There are triggers that are also spoilers.
Tate is a therapist who can't keep a job because his stalker of an ex keeps getting him fired. He's desperate to find a job so he can take care of himself and his adorable cat, Funky.
Nathan Park knows his entire family needs help, but mainly his closed off son, Jude. After doing his research, he chooses Tate to come live at the Park compound, knowing that Tate really needs a job and will be discrete since the entire Park family has a lot of secrets.
Jude has cut himself off from the outside world after he failed at rescuing his mother from a house fire back when he was just 16. Now Jude wears a mask (literal mask) because he doesn't want anyone to see the monster he is. He holds so much guilt, despite not being responsible for his mom's death. Jude does everything he can to try and run Tate off, but Tate has won over the entire family and it doesn't take long before Jude accepts that Tate is going nowhere. Jude is also conflicted by his attraction to Tate, who is openly gay.
It takes a long time before Jude and Tate finally start acting on the attraction between them. Of course, Tate's psycho ex finds out where he is staying and shows back up. Jude is not going to let ANYONE threaten his "sweet boy".
Tate and Jude are precious. I really love Jude so much. Who wouldn't? I did have a few issues though.
SEX: This is where I mainly had problems. For one, there isn't enough of it!!! The last two books had good sex. This one, not enough. Plus, when they finally go to consummate their relationship with penetration, they bring up condoms and STDs. None of that was an issue in the past books, which makes me think it's brought up because they're gay. That's not cool for me. I could be way off, but that's how it felt.
I was also annoyed by the intrusiveness of Gemma. She's annoyed me in the last two books and continues to do so in this one. She's too nosey and gossipy.
There are triggers that are also spoilers.
February 10, 2024
3 - 3.25 stars!
The Heart of Smoke is the third book in the Shameful Secrets series and the only book I have read so far in this series. Tate is hired as the family therapist for a family with many, many traumas and grievances. Tate is running from an abusive man he used to be in a relationship with and working for this family might be the way to disappear. However, this family is so f*cked up but somehow they also work.
Jude is a solitary man that wears a mask to hide away from himself and the world after the trauma of losing his mother. He wants nothing to do with Tate but the more they orbit around each other, the more the attraction grows. When Jude makes an error in judgement and puts Tate back in harms way, he decides that the two of them are end game.
Tate is kind of a pushover and I didn't always care for his more submissive nature. He is undeniably attracted to Jude and wants to get past the wall he puts up. The more time they spend together, the more Tate wants Jude...forever.
With danger lurking, will Tate and Jude make it out together or are they destined to fail?
The Heart of Smoke was good but I felt like it could have been more emotional. More angsty. More everything really. I mean Tate is Jude's therapist...there is obviously a huge breach of professional here. While I loved Jude and Tate together, I also felt like their relationship wasn't super developed so their intimacy felt a little surface level. I'm used to Webster creating a really passionate and emotion filled connection between her MCs and I just didn't feel that all the time with the two of them. I also felt like the climax came abruptly and Tate and Jude were just 70% suddenly healed lol. Like I said, I enjoyed this but I think there was a missed opportunity to really create a moody romance with more dominance and deviancy.
The Heart of Smoke is the third book in the Shameful Secrets series and the only book I have read so far in this series. Tate is hired as the family therapist for a family with many, many traumas and grievances. Tate is running from an abusive man he used to be in a relationship with and working for this family might be the way to disappear. However, this family is so f*cked up but somehow they also work.
Jude is a solitary man that wears a mask to hide away from himself and the world after the trauma of losing his mother. He wants nothing to do with Tate but the more they orbit around each other, the more the attraction grows. When Jude makes an error in judgement and puts Tate back in harms way, he decides that the two of them are end game.
"Mine. He’s fucking mine now."
Tate is kind of a pushover and I didn't always care for his more submissive nature. He is undeniably attracted to Jude and wants to get past the wall he puts up. The more time they spend together, the more Tate wants Jude...forever.
"Being loved unconditionally, feeling safe, and free of fear would be a foreign concept, but it’s one I’d really like to try on for size."
With danger lurking, will Tate and Jude make it out together or are they destined to fail?
The Heart of Smoke was good but I felt like it could have been more emotional. More angsty. More everything really. I mean Tate is Jude's therapist...there is obviously a huge breach of professional here. While I loved Jude and Tate together, I also felt like their relationship wasn't super developed so their intimacy felt a little surface level. I'm used to Webster creating a really passionate and emotion filled connection between her MCs and I just didn't feel that all the time with the two of them. I also felt like the climax came abruptly and Tate and Jude were just 70% suddenly healed lol. Like I said, I enjoyed this but I think there was a missed opportunity to really create a moody romance with more dominance and deviancy.
January 27, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
I’m growing dizzy with the need to obliterate him with pleasure. I want so much more than I’ll ever deserve or receive.
The Park family is back in this third interconnected standalone in the Shameful Secrets series. It is now the emotionally withdrawn son’s turn for a HEA. While not a particularly dark romance, some darker themes are explored, so check TW if necessary.
This book has a slow start. The Park family is extensive with MANY issues (just read the first two books to get a taste), so there are a lot of initial name-droppings and character/plot recaps. Once we get established in the story, especially once the outsider Tate has been introduced to everyone, the plot progresses quickly.
I love a tortured hero! Both MMCs are broken. Jude with the crippling self-hatred from his mother’s death in a fire. Tate, who is running from an abusive and controlling ex. While their relationship starts off in a bit of a captor/captive situation, they end on a sweet note.
This is medium burn and moderately spicy. There are MM bi-awakening moments and a burgeoning dom/sub relationship between the MCs.
It is not necessary to read the first two books in the series – I read this as a total standalone – I would recommend reading them in order.
Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance
Tropes/Features: captor/captive, light enemies to lovers vibes, forbidden romance, forced proximity, therapist/patient, age gap, tortured hero, hurt/comfort, MM bi-awakening, size difference
Narrator: Dual 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: MM, medium burn, moderate spice
Book Type/Ending: Interconnected standalone with HEA
TW/CW: Available in book
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
I’m growing dizzy with the need to obliterate him with pleasure. I want so much more than I’ll ever deserve or receive.
The Park family is back in this third interconnected standalone in the Shameful Secrets series. It is now the emotionally withdrawn son’s turn for a HEA. While not a particularly dark romance, some darker themes are explored, so check TW if necessary.
This book has a slow start. The Park family is extensive with MANY issues (just read the first two books to get a taste), so there are a lot of initial name-droppings and character/plot recaps. Once we get established in the story, especially once the outsider Tate has been introduced to everyone, the plot progresses quickly.
I love a tortured hero! Both MMCs are broken. Jude with the crippling self-hatred from his mother’s death in a fire. Tate, who is running from an abusive and controlling ex. While their relationship starts off in a bit of a captor/captive situation, they end on a sweet note.
This is medium burn and moderately spicy. There are MM bi-awakening moments and a burgeoning dom/sub relationship between the MCs.
It is not necessary to read the first two books in the series – I read this as a total standalone – I would recommend reading them in order.
Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance
Tropes/Features: captor/captive, light enemies to lovers vibes, forbidden romance, forced proximity, therapist/patient, age gap, tortured hero, hurt/comfort, MM bi-awakening, size difference
Narrator: Dual 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: MM, medium burn, moderate spice
Book Type/Ending: Interconnected standalone with HEA
TW/CW: Available in book
May 6, 2024
This was my first book by K. Webster in a long while. I am a huge fan of her writing and f*cked up plots. I don’t understand how this is the same author that wrote Whispers and the Roars, Cold Cole Heart, Hale, or even Notice.
The plot was so generic and predictable.
The plot was so generic and predictable.
February 6, 2024
Jude and Tate's story is one of past traumas that bring two broken souls together through healing and love.
For twenty years, Jude has hidden away behind masks. Masks he wore after a fire destroyed his mother's home, his future, and his ability to see past what he considered his failure to save his mother.
Nathan Park, Jude's father, hired Tate Prince to be a live in therapist for his entire family. The Park family has quite the taboo dynamic and I can't wait to read their stories.
Tate is an amazing therapist with an abusive ex. Tate lives in constant fear of the man who's spent two years stalking and ruining every job and friendship Tate has had. Until the Park's.
Jude protects his family and is determined to fund out Tate's secrets and chase him away before his family divulge their deepest secrets. But what he finds and what he learns through the course of fighting Tate's interactions with his family changes the fate of everyone on Park Mountain.
This book has secrets, twists, turns, and a beautiful story of two men who love and protect those they care about who find the key to unlock the pieces of themselves that their trauma has forced them to hide.
Check the trigger and content warnings. Most of the past trauma is vague or off page, but this book touches on partner abuse, loss of family, and the self loathing they struggle with.
For twenty years, Jude has hidden away behind masks. Masks he wore after a fire destroyed his mother's home, his future, and his ability to see past what he considered his failure to save his mother.
Nathan Park, Jude's father, hired Tate Prince to be a live in therapist for his entire family. The Park family has quite the taboo dynamic and I can't wait to read their stories.
Tate is an amazing therapist with an abusive ex. Tate lives in constant fear of the man who's spent two years stalking and ruining every job and friendship Tate has had. Until the Park's.
Jude protects his family and is determined to fund out Tate's secrets and chase him away before his family divulge their deepest secrets. But what he finds and what he learns through the course of fighting Tate's interactions with his family changes the fate of everyone on Park Mountain.
This book has secrets, twists, turns, and a beautiful story of two men who love and protect those they care about who find the key to unlock the pieces of themselves that their trauma has forced them to hide.
Check the trigger and content warnings. Most of the past trauma is vague or off page, but this book touches on partner abuse, loss of family, and the self loathing they struggle with.
January 18, 2024
The mask just draws you in, doesn’t it?! When I saw this cover it intrigued me, I just had to know the man behind the mask. So many things about Jude had me guessing at his story, his past and his issues. His attitude towards Tate and his family just mesmerized me. I love a character where you have to dig deep to get to the broken roots before they take off their mask (in this case also literally) and Jude was one of those characters.
Tate was so different, where Jude was openly broken but hiding behind his walls, Tate was holding everything in, dealing with his past messes on his own. He wouldn’t let anyone see that he had his own issues to deal with, only helping others as much as he could whilst running from his past.
Jude was pushing Tate away from the first moment they set eyes on each other. He couldn’t fathom why his father would hire someone to try and ‘fix’ him and the family. He would do anything to remove this man who was invading his family.
It was Tate who did the pulling, trying to unravel this masked man in front of him. Their back and forth bringing them closer while they both tried to keep their secrets hidden.
I loved what Tate and Jude brought to the surface in one another. Being around Tate showed a different side to grumpy Jude. He became a person who cared so deeply, who would die for the ones he loved. And Tate’s past revealed itself and he didn’t give in without a fight, he had faith that Jude would be there.
An amazing romance between two broken people, learning from and healing each other, with a great dose of mystery and a twist at the end that has you gasping out loud!
I haven’t read the previous two books in the Shameful Secrets series, but this story stands on its own. I read it in one sitting, not being able to put it down! K. Webster delivered again, as she always does.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Tate was so different, where Jude was openly broken but hiding behind his walls, Tate was holding everything in, dealing with his past messes on his own. He wouldn’t let anyone see that he had his own issues to deal with, only helping others as much as he could whilst running from his past.
“I discover him watching me with interest. Like I’m some puzzle that needs putting together. I’m too broken for that shit. There’s no putting me back together. Ever.”
Jude was pushing Tate away from the first moment they set eyes on each other. He couldn’t fathom why his father would hire someone to try and ‘fix’ him and the family. He would do anything to remove this man who was invading his family.
It was Tate who did the pulling, trying to unravel this masked man in front of him. Their back and forth bringing them closer while they both tried to keep their secrets hidden.
I loved what Tate and Jude brought to the surface in one another. Being around Tate showed a different side to grumpy Jude. He became a person who cared so deeply, who would die for the ones he loved. And Tate’s past revealed itself and he didn’t give in without a fight, he had faith that Jude would be there.
An amazing romance between two broken people, learning from and healing each other, with a great dose of mystery and a twist at the end that has you gasping out loud!
I haven’t read the previous two books in the Shameful Secrets series, but this story stands on its own. I read it in one sitting, not being able to put it down! K. Webster delivered again, as she always does.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 29, 2024
I love this messed up family! If there's anyone who needs therapy, it's the Parks and that's where / when Tate comes in - and that dude probably needs a therapist himself because the trauma is just so freaking sad and angering!
Then we have the other Hero, Jude. If you've read the previous books (which I highly recommend) then you will have met Jude. The angry recluse who doesn't let anyone see him without a mask. He has major trauma and I was cheering for him from the get to. He deserves some happiness and Tate is definitely the guy to help him.
As long as you enjoy stories 'outside of the box' then this is for you. It's not your normal story and it's not your normal family but they love hard and protect their own - I love them!
A really good read.
*I voluntarily received an arc and this is my honest review.
Then we have the other Hero, Jude. If you've read the previous books (which I highly recommend) then you will have met Jude. The angry recluse who doesn't let anyone see him without a mask. He has major trauma and I was cheering for him from the get to. He deserves some happiness and Tate is definitely the guy to help him.
As long as you enjoy stories 'outside of the box' then this is for you. It's not your normal story and it's not your normal family but they love hard and protect their own - I love them!
A really good read.
*I voluntarily received an arc and this is my honest review.
January 29, 2024
Jude and Tate were amazing! I was so excited to see Jude get a book after reading the other 2 books in this series and let me tell you, this story did not disappoint at all! It was everything I was hoping for and so much more. All the characters in this series have a specal place in my heart when I read these books. They all have different pasta and things they have been though and I have loved seeing them overcome things. Judes past and what he went through being no different. It’s crazy how Jude and Tates lives intertwined. I love that Jude fell hard and fast for Tate because that man deserved to get a happy ending after that he endured. I can’t wait to see what’s to come with the other characters! 5 stars!
February 5, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
I don’t know how K Webster does it! She always manages to suck me into a story, and I could not put this book down. I was hooked and I read this in a day. I loved both of the heroes, and the family was fascinating.
Jude suffered from a tragic event when he was a teen when he tried to save a family member from a horrible fire. He was badly burned, and it ended his possible future career in the NFL. He has been a recluse, and he lives with a lot of pain and trauma. His father hires Tate to be the personal therapist to the entire family, but especially to help Jude. Jude refuses to cooperate at first and is determined to dig into Tate’s life to protect his family….and Tate has a big secret. Tate is running from a psycho ex-boyfriend who was extremely abusive. He is hoping to make a fresh start and break away by taking this job.
I loved how the family all accepted and liked Tate from the start. He was such a sweet and kind soul and he truly wanted to help them. Jude starts to be sexually attracted to Tate and starts to realize he may have been bisexual. He was never really able to realize those sexual desires since he has been living as a recluse. Jude wears a mask and has major walls built up around himself. He falls hard and fast for Tate, and they were so precious together. I loved the found family in this and all of the side characters. This is one crazy family!!!
The sex scenes were really beautiful and hot, as Jude discovers his attraction and love for Tate. I am ashamed to say I haven’t read the previous 2 books, but I will be buying those ASAP. K Webster always slays for me, and I absolutely loved this sweet MM romance.
Thank you to Unalive Promotions for providing the ARC.
TW: Previous SA, domestic abuse, death of a parent.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
I don’t know how K Webster does it! She always manages to suck me into a story, and I could not put this book down. I was hooked and I read this in a day. I loved both of the heroes, and the family was fascinating.
Jude suffered from a tragic event when he was a teen when he tried to save a family member from a horrible fire. He was badly burned, and it ended his possible future career in the NFL. He has been a recluse, and he lives with a lot of pain and trauma. His father hires Tate to be the personal therapist to the entire family, but especially to help Jude. Jude refuses to cooperate at first and is determined to dig into Tate’s life to protect his family….and Tate has a big secret. Tate is running from a psycho ex-boyfriend who was extremely abusive. He is hoping to make a fresh start and break away by taking this job.
I loved how the family all accepted and liked Tate from the start. He was such a sweet and kind soul and he truly wanted to help them. Jude starts to be sexually attracted to Tate and starts to realize he may have been bisexual. He was never really able to realize those sexual desires since he has been living as a recluse. Jude wears a mask and has major walls built up around himself. He falls hard and fast for Tate, and they were so precious together. I loved the found family in this and all of the side characters. This is one crazy family!!!
The sex scenes were really beautiful and hot, as Jude discovers his attraction and love for Tate. I am ashamed to say I haven’t read the previous 2 books, but I will be buying those ASAP. K Webster always slays for me, and I absolutely loved this sweet MM romance.
Thank you to Unalive Promotions for providing the ARC.
TW: Previous SA, domestic abuse, death of a parent.
January 29, 2024
Tate and Jude ❤️
4.5 Stars ⭐️
Can we talk about how K. Webster always delivers??? Yes we can, this book gives the feels for days!!! I was so excited when I read the blurb and after reading this book, I had good reason to be. Ugh, what can I say about these two broken men? One sees himself as a monster and the other a slave to manipulation, abuse and fear by his toxic AF ex. Their relationship build was crafted beautifully amongst the chaos of Jude's family dynamic and their issues. I adored the built up trust between these two men, not only were they fire 🔥 together they were all heart. Speaking of heart, Jude.....he turned out to be so strong yet vulnerable, he was the character that you needed to see loved wholly and to find that lifetime love in return ❤️, same with Tate, his sweet boy. I can 100% say that I loved this story and I'd recommend to anyone looking for a truly beautiful story about love, strength, forgiving yourself and family, it was fantastic!
* I received a courtesy ARC of this book, this is my open and honest review *
4.5 Stars ⭐️
Can we talk about how K. Webster always delivers??? Yes we can, this book gives the feels for days!!! I was so excited when I read the blurb and after reading this book, I had good reason to be. Ugh, what can I say about these two broken men? One sees himself as a monster and the other a slave to manipulation, abuse and fear by his toxic AF ex. Their relationship build was crafted beautifully amongst the chaos of Jude's family dynamic and their issues. I adored the built up trust between these two men, not only were they fire 🔥 together they were all heart. Speaking of heart, Jude.....he turned out to be so strong yet vulnerable, he was the character that you needed to see loved wholly and to find that lifetime love in return ❤️, same with Tate, his sweet boy. I can 100% say that I loved this story and I'd recommend to anyone looking for a truly beautiful story about love, strength, forgiving yourself and family, it was fantastic!
* I received a courtesy ARC of this book, this is my open and honest review *
February 4, 2024
Well, this was amazing. This series is great and Jude and Tate were so good together! I loved how opposite they were from each other.
The grumpy/sunshine vibes were really strong in this one and I just loved it.
The chemistry was simply wonderful. I love how Webster writes her heroes.
Read it!
The grumpy/sunshine vibes were really strong in this one and I just loved it.
The chemistry was simply wonderful. I love how Webster writes her heroes.
Read it!
January 29, 2024
Book 3 of The Shameful Secrets Series and FINALLY get to Jude and Tate’s story! We first met Jude in book 1, The Teacher of Nothing and I anxiously waited to hear what had happened to him and delve deeper into his story.
I loved the tender and sweet moments of this book and laughed at the funny lines. These characters are memorable and I thoroughly enjoyed this book! 💚💜🧡
I loved the tender and sweet moments of this book and laughed at the funny lines. These characters are memorable and I thoroughly enjoyed this book! 💚💜🧡
January 29, 2024
▪️About this book:
-MM Romance
-Forced Proximity
-Hurt/Comfort
-Size Difference
-Standalone (HEA)
▪️Thoughts:
Jude Park has withdrawn from his family since the night of the accident. Many years have passed since then, and Nathan, his father, has decided to bring a psychiatrist in to work with the family.
Tate Prince is running away from his past. It keeps coming back to torment him time and time again. He gets the opportunity of a lifetime to live with the Park family and help them with their problems.
Neither Tate nor Jude could have expected what happened next. Jude, who carries so much pain and hides behind a mask, feels he doesn't deserve happiness. Tate begins to break down barriers while also living in a panic the past will come back and torment him once again.
Jude, feeling misunderstood, felt bare to what lay beyond his mask by letting Tate see. Tate understood Jude's protectiveness toward his family, and eventually, Tate even felt at peace being embraced in Jude's safe haven. This had everything I would look for in a book a possessive hero who may seem distant and cold to the people around him, but is the complete opposite when you dive deep into Jude's story and feelings.
Jude was an absolute pie loving cinnamon roll MMC, I could not help and fall in love with. His feelings and the way he protects with all his might had me melting. In my eyes, this man has no flaws. Tate, another great MMC, who unfortunately had many horrible things happen, is on a mission to help as many people as he can while dealing with his own trauma speaks volumes about him. Sometimes, like it happened with these two characters. They needed someone to trust. They helped each other carry their burdens, opened themselves to love again, and most importantly, feel worthy of affection. And of course, our other MC, Funky, such a great companion 🐱 deserves a moment here because he's so in tune with the emotions around him.
▪️Quotes:
💬 “I just panicked.” This piques my curiosity. “You panicked? Why?” “I didn’t want you to leave…” He trails off and I supply the word he doesn’t say. Me. I didn’t want you to leave me.
💬 My heart flutters inside my chest over a stupid laugh. But it wasn’t stupid. It was a door opening. A door to him. I want to open them all, dust out the cobwebs, and let him see it’s okay to let someone in.
💬 Bite after delicious bite, he’s a glutton for the story. I feel like him, except he’s my book. I’m turning each of his pages faster and faster, hoping to learn every single bit about him sooner rather than later.
I received this book as an ARC, this is my honest opinion.
-MM Romance
-Forced Proximity
-Hurt/Comfort
-Size Difference
-Standalone (HEA)
▪️Thoughts:
Jude Park has withdrawn from his family since the night of the accident. Many years have passed since then, and Nathan, his father, has decided to bring a psychiatrist in to work with the family.
Tate Prince is running away from his past. It keeps coming back to torment him time and time again. He gets the opportunity of a lifetime to live with the Park family and help them with their problems.
Neither Tate nor Jude could have expected what happened next. Jude, who carries so much pain and hides behind a mask, feels he doesn't deserve happiness. Tate begins to break down barriers while also living in a panic the past will come back and torment him once again.
Jude, feeling misunderstood, felt bare to what lay beyond his mask by letting Tate see. Tate understood Jude's protectiveness toward his family, and eventually, Tate even felt at peace being embraced in Jude's safe haven. This had everything I would look for in a book a possessive hero who may seem distant and cold to the people around him, but is the complete opposite when you dive deep into Jude's story and feelings.
Jude was an absolute pie loving cinnamon roll MMC, I could not help and fall in love with. His feelings and the way he protects with all his might had me melting. In my eyes, this man has no flaws. Tate, another great MMC, who unfortunately had many horrible things happen, is on a mission to help as many people as he can while dealing with his own trauma speaks volumes about him. Sometimes, like it happened with these two characters. They needed someone to trust. They helped each other carry their burdens, opened themselves to love again, and most importantly, feel worthy of affection. And of course, our other MC, Funky, such a great companion 🐱 deserves a moment here because he's so in tune with the emotions around him.
▪️Quotes:
💬 “I just panicked.” This piques my curiosity. “You panicked? Why?” “I didn’t want you to leave…” He trails off and I supply the word he doesn’t say. Me. I didn’t want you to leave me.
💬 My heart flutters inside my chest over a stupid laugh. But it wasn’t stupid. It was a door opening. A door to him. I want to open them all, dust out the cobwebs, and let him see it’s okay to let someone in.
💬 Bite after delicious bite, he’s a glutton for the story. I feel like him, except he’s my book. I’m turning each of his pages faster and faster, hoping to learn every single bit about him sooner rather than later.
I received this book as an ARC, this is my honest opinion.
January 26, 2024
For me, K. Webster can do no wrong. 😊
Tate and Jude are just so cute and so sweet and delicious, like apple pie!
I loved this book, it was not as taboo as the previous 2 from the series, but it still deals with a lot of dark themes like SA, r@pe, physical and mental abuse, ch!ld abuse.
This is an MM romance and tells the story of Jude and Tate, it’s very heart-wrenching and soul crushing, the way these characters struggle to overcome their traumas and fears, their realizations and acceptance that they are worthy of happiness.
You have a lot of character building throughout the book, you see them fight their attraction and feelings, and your heart is squeezed so tight and the anxiety levels so high, that you want to scream.
And can we talk about Jude now, what a big cinnamon roll he is, OMG, so so sweet, so protective of Tate and all his family.
All through the book, you get to know more the Park family. I just love Spenser’s banter, he is just hilarious.
This is just a great book, and by the end you get to know the face behind the mask. 😉
For me, K. Webster is an automatic read, so I have no doubt about her books. I let me just tell you that the hotness of this book is high!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have, and now I can’t wait for Dempsey’s book, I’m sure that is going to be H.O.T. and completely unhinged.
Tate and Jude are just so cute and so sweet and delicious, like apple pie!
I loved this book, it was not as taboo as the previous 2 from the series, but it still deals with a lot of dark themes like SA, r@pe, physical and mental abuse, ch!ld abuse.
This is an MM romance and tells the story of Jude and Tate, it’s very heart-wrenching and soul crushing, the way these characters struggle to overcome their traumas and fears, their realizations and acceptance that they are worthy of happiness.
You have a lot of character building throughout the book, you see them fight their attraction and feelings, and your heart is squeezed so tight and the anxiety levels so high, that you want to scream.
And can we talk about Jude now, what a big cinnamon roll he is, OMG, so so sweet, so protective of Tate and all his family.
All through the book, you get to know more the Park family. I just love Spenser’s banter, he is just hilarious.
This is just a great book, and by the end you get to know the face behind the mask. 😉
For me, K. Webster is an automatic read, so I have no doubt about her books. I let me just tell you that the hotness of this book is high!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have, and now I can’t wait for Dempsey’s book, I’m sure that is going to be H.O.T. and completely unhinged.
January 29, 2024
4.25★
After one fateful event, Jude Park changed into a recluse due to the scars he carried. Keeping a distance from many, Jude is skeptical of Tate Prince, the psychiatrist hired to treat his family, and he will take all measures to protect his blood.
Narrated in dual POV, Jude and Tate are opposites and Jude’s distrust and grumpy side makes the sexual tension palpable. But Jude isn’t the only one with a past and Tate has his own secrets to keep. As they begin to realize the connection is more than doctor/patient, it leads to some hot times, especially given the added element with Jude. Overall, I enjoyed reading how Jude and Tate find peace.
The Heart of Smoke is about overcoming emotional loss. This book would appeal to those seeking a MM romance with heart.
*An ARC was provided for a review.*
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey*
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
After one fateful event, Jude Park changed into a recluse due to the scars he carried. Keeping a distance from many, Jude is skeptical of Tate Prince, the psychiatrist hired to treat his family, and he will take all measures to protect his blood.
“Hell yeah, I want to kiss him. I want to fuse my lips to his and taste his sweetness straight from the source.”
Narrated in dual POV, Jude and Tate are opposites and Jude’s distrust and grumpy side makes the sexual tension palpable. But Jude isn’t the only one with a past and Tate has his own secrets to keep. As they begin to realize the connection is more than doctor/patient, it leads to some hot times, especially given the added element with Jude. Overall, I enjoyed reading how Jude and Tate find peace.
The Heart of Smoke is about overcoming emotional loss. This book would appeal to those seeking a MM romance with heart.
*An ARC was provided for a review.*
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey*
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
January 19, 2024
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours because it was just SO GOOD. It’s fast paced and will pull at your heart strings with just the right amount of spice sprinkled in!
Tate, one of our MMCs, is a therapist hired to provide family therapy to the Park family. When he arrives to the family estate, he is met with Jude who is resistant to the idea of therapy and working through past trauma and he will do anything to get rid of Tate, even if that means digging up all of his secrets.
What these two experience together is so much more than a physical attraction. Their relationship is more than therapist/client and what they experience throughout this book together heals both of them from the traumas of their past. Tate and Jude find a way to cope with their grief and trauma while coming to terms with their feelings for one another. Their relationship throughout this book was so sweet to experience. I really just loved both Tate and Jude so much because they both feel like they are unloveable when they, in fact, deserve love most of all.
There were moments that I laughed, gasped in shock, felt angry. For a relatively quick read, this book will make you feel all the feelings. I also really loved the whole Parks family so now I’ll have to back track and read the other books in the Shameful Secrets series.
Tate, one of our MMCs, is a therapist hired to provide family therapy to the Park family. When he arrives to the family estate, he is met with Jude who is resistant to the idea of therapy and working through past trauma and he will do anything to get rid of Tate, even if that means digging up all of his secrets.
What these two experience together is so much more than a physical attraction. Their relationship is more than therapist/client and what they experience throughout this book together heals both of them from the traumas of their past. Tate and Jude find a way to cope with their grief and trauma while coming to terms with their feelings for one another. Their relationship throughout this book was so sweet to experience. I really just loved both Tate and Jude so much because they both feel like they are unloveable when they, in fact, deserve love most of all.
There were moments that I laughed, gasped in shock, felt angry. For a relatively quick read, this book will make you feel all the feelings. I also really loved the whole Parks family so now I’ll have to back track and read the other books in the Shameful Secrets series.
January 31, 2024
The Heart of Smoke by K Webster is full of twists, secrets, scorching hot passion and above all, heartache! Jude and Tate stole my heart. Jude is broken and brooding as the devastating trauma ruined him years ago. But here comes sweet and caring and loving Tate with his big compassionate heart. He will break Jude's walls but he has his secrets too. Enemies to lovers. Forced proximity. Bi awakening. Forbidden. MM.Everything that K Webster is master of.
When Tate is hired by the powerful and rich Parks family as a therapist, he feels relieved and excited. He is being stalked and harassed by his psycho ex and living with the Parks will give him a perfect escape. This family is dysfunctional ,to say the least. And Jude is the toughest nut to crack. He is suspicious of every outsider and he won't stop till he finds out Tate's secret. But Tate is under his skin too...
Jude has been through some terrible trauma and that has buried him under mountain of grief and guilt. He doesn't think that he deserves love or happiness. His sole focus is to protect his odd but loving family at any cost. And he thinks Tate is a threat. Tate is definitely running away from his ex who manipulated him, abused him and humiliated him and Tate couldn't run far..but this is his chance. The Parks have power and money but the family dynamics is beyond complicated. Tate truly wants to help them. Jude shows him hostility and anger but Tate slowly breaks down the ice around his cold dead heart. It's confusing for him to feel sexual attraction to a man but it's so strong and potent that he cannot ignore. Once he comes to know about Tate's abusive ex, he didn't stop until he could take that ah0l3 down. Tate is so sweet and soft and he ignites the protective possessive fire in Jude's heart! He also healed Jude's wounds from inside. It was a slow burn with the forbidden tension. The Parks are a twisted bunch and I enjoyed meeting the old characters again. Jude didn't want to trust Tate. He never meant to fall in love and wanted to stay behind his mask. But Tate brought him back to life..in every sense.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
When Tate is hired by the powerful and rich Parks family as a therapist, he feels relieved and excited. He is being stalked and harassed by his psycho ex and living with the Parks will give him a perfect escape. This family is dysfunctional ,to say the least. And Jude is the toughest nut to crack. He is suspicious of every outsider and he won't stop till he finds out Tate's secret. But Tate is under his skin too...
Jude has been through some terrible trauma and that has buried him under mountain of grief and guilt. He doesn't think that he deserves love or happiness. His sole focus is to protect his odd but loving family at any cost. And he thinks Tate is a threat. Tate is definitely running away from his ex who manipulated him, abused him and humiliated him and Tate couldn't run far..but this is his chance. The Parks have power and money but the family dynamics is beyond complicated. Tate truly wants to help them. Jude shows him hostility and anger but Tate slowly breaks down the ice around his cold dead heart. It's confusing for him to feel sexual attraction to a man but it's so strong and potent that he cannot ignore. Once he comes to know about Tate's abusive ex, he didn't stop until he could take that ah0l3 down. Tate is so sweet and soft and he ignites the protective possessive fire in Jude's heart! He also healed Jude's wounds from inside. It was a slow burn with the forbidden tension. The Parks are a twisted bunch and I enjoyed meeting the old characters again. Jude didn't want to trust Tate. He never meant to fall in love and wanted to stay behind his mask. But Tate brought him back to life..in every sense.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
February 3, 2024
Wow I devoured this book in a day, it was sooooo good.
We meet Tate a therapist with a past he is trying to run away from and when he is given an opportunity to hide in plain sight he takes it. Moving in with the Park family is going to be a challenge but 1 he is going to go into with everything he has.
Then there’s Jude, the Park family’s hidden member who is an grumpy as he is giant. When he’s told that Tate has come into the family to deal with everyone’s ‘issues’ Jude goes straight on the defence.
I really enjoyed the story of Tate and Jude 🖤 especially with all the members of the Park family too getting in in it 😂 I loved how the friendship and then the romance developed between the 2 of them. The tension is thick and has you biting your lip waiting for the time is will explode and when it does it’s fabulous 😍
There is spice in this book but the story is what made it stand out for me. So much has happened between the 2 characters separately and then together. They start to heal each other in ways they didn’t know someone else could do. I had so many emotions whilst reading, and when information starts to come to light it all clicks into place 🖤
A really enjoyable read and I think I will have to go back and read book 2 in the Park family 🖤
(This can be read as a standalone however there are 2 other books before this from different members of the Park family. I have read book 1 but not book 2 but I definitely need to go and read that 1 😉 )
We meet Tate a therapist with a past he is trying to run away from and when he is given an opportunity to hide in plain sight he takes it. Moving in with the Park family is going to be a challenge but 1 he is going to go into with everything he has.
Then there’s Jude, the Park family’s hidden member who is an grumpy as he is giant. When he’s told that Tate has come into the family to deal with everyone’s ‘issues’ Jude goes straight on the defence.
I really enjoyed the story of Tate and Jude 🖤 especially with all the members of the Park family too getting in in it 😂 I loved how the friendship and then the romance developed between the 2 of them. The tension is thick and has you biting your lip waiting for the time is will explode and when it does it’s fabulous 😍
There is spice in this book but the story is what made it stand out for me. So much has happened between the 2 characters separately and then together. They start to heal each other in ways they didn’t know someone else could do. I had so many emotions whilst reading, and when information starts to come to light it all clicks into place 🖤
A really enjoyable read and I think I will have to go back and read book 2 in the Park family 🖤
(This can be read as a standalone however there are 2 other books before this from different members of the Park family. I have read book 1 but not book 2 but I definitely need to go and read that 1 😉 )
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