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Rival Secrets
What happens in Vegas can be deadly…
After my parents passed away, I put my culinary dreams aside to be the lawyer they wanted. However, with my 30th birthday rapidly approaching, my bestie urges me to enter a cooking competition in Las Vegas. When a contestant is murdered, my time watching from the sidelines is over. I’m suddenly thrown into the event as a finalist.
I knew the kitchen would heat up, but so did my love life when I unexpectedly met the handsome billionaire Evan Catalinus. Evan checks off all my dream guy a British accent that makes me hang on his every word, a love of food that rivals mine, and let’s not forget those body-melting kisses.
Evan declares he’s falling for me, but I sense there’s a truth he’s not sharing, and my past makes me hesitate to take this budding relationship further. Will searching for a killer bring Evan and me closer to each other, or will the secrets kept in Vegas end my life before I can discover Evan’s truth?
Rival Secrets is the first book in the Love Over Murders series. Each book is a standalone story featuring one couple’s journey to their guaranteed H.E.A. and no cliffhanger. The series is especially for lovers of swoony moments intertwined with a murder mystery.
After my parents passed away, I put my culinary dreams aside to be the lawyer they wanted. However, with my 30th birthday rapidly approaching, my bestie urges me to enter a cooking competition in Las Vegas. When a contestant is murdered, my time watching from the sidelines is over. I’m suddenly thrown into the event as a finalist.
I knew the kitchen would heat up, but so did my love life when I unexpectedly met the handsome billionaire Evan Catalinus. Evan checks off all my dream guy a British accent that makes me hang on his every word, a love of food that rivals mine, and let’s not forget those body-melting kisses.
Evan declares he’s falling for me, but I sense there’s a truth he’s not sharing, and my past makes me hesitate to take this budding relationship further. Will searching for a killer bring Evan and me closer to each other, or will the secrets kept in Vegas end my life before I can discover Evan’s truth?
Rival Secrets is the first book in the Love Over Murders series. Each book is a standalone story featuring one couple’s journey to their guaranteed H.E.A. and no cliffhanger. The series is especially for lovers of swoony moments intertwined with a murder mystery.
ebook
Published June 25, 2024
108 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Carothers
7 books29 followersWhen not consumed by her job as an attorney, J.D. Carothers loves to cook for her family and friends, read murder mysteries and romance novels, eat chocolate, and sip wine watching the sunset in Southern California.
Late at night or early on weekend mornings, she tries to find a quiet place to write her next novel and trade the stress of real life for a fantasy world where murder and romance are on the menu, along with the food she loves.
She just wishes there were more hours in each day!
For more information, visit
www.jdcarothers.com
Late at night or early on weekend mornings, she tries to find a quiet place to write her next novel and trade the stress of real life for a fantasy world where murder and romance are on the menu, along with the food she loves.
She just wishes there were more hours in each day!
For more information, visit
www.jdcarothers.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
October 3, 2024
This was such a fun romance, especially if you like a dash of mystery and cooking competitions because you get both. There was plenty of drama and secrets and the romance storyline was cute and spicy. Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East are two of the best narrators around and I’ll never turn down a book with them paired up, so good!
October 10, 2024
This was my first novel by JD Carothers and I look forward to reading another. I really had a good time and I loved listening to this one while I went about my day.
This book was a pleasant surprise and a great little mystery for someone who likes a touch of suspense. It absolutely read like an edgier Hallmark movie. A chef competition, the Las Vegas location, an undercover prince, a whirlwind romance with an instant connection and a bit of death on the side. Haha! You get what I'm saying.
Evan is a spare prince of a small country and he's looking for something to give him purpose. Cassie is an overworked lawyer who actually dreams of being a chef. They both end up in Vegas for a cooking competition. Evan is doing a favor for his friend who runs the hotel, and Cassie is the alternate competitor enjoying an all expense paid vacation unless someone drops out or... dies.
Maybe you can guess which one happens..
I found both of the characters to be charming and I think that's really important when you're telling a story with a condensed timeline. They only know each other for two weeks but I believed that they clicked and fell in love.
Narrated by Shane East and Samantha Brentmoor to great effect. They told the story very well. I look forward to the next in the series.
4 stars
2 on the spice scale
CW: Murder, grief, loss of parents
*Thank you to Must Love Audio & the author for an ALC of this title.*
This book was a pleasant surprise and a great little mystery for someone who likes a touch of suspense. It absolutely read like an edgier Hallmark movie. A chef competition, the Las Vegas location, an undercover prince, a whirlwind romance with an instant connection and a bit of death on the side. Haha! You get what I'm saying.
Evan is a spare prince of a small country and he's looking for something to give him purpose. Cassie is an overworked lawyer who actually dreams of being a chef. They both end up in Vegas for a cooking competition. Evan is doing a favor for his friend who runs the hotel, and Cassie is the alternate competitor enjoying an all expense paid vacation unless someone drops out or... dies.
Maybe you can guess which one happens..
I found both of the characters to be charming and I think that's really important when you're telling a story with a condensed timeline. They only know each other for two weeks but I believed that they clicked and fell in love.
Narrated by Shane East and Samantha Brentmoor to great effect. They told the story very well. I look forward to the next in the series.
4 stars
2 on the spice scale
CW: Murder, grief, loss of parents
*Thank you to Must Love Audio & the author for an ALC of this title.*
October 17, 2024
🎧𝗔𝗟𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 - 𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗦
𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝙼𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛 #𝟷
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎧 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹
⏳ 𝟬𝟴𝗛 𝟰𝟮𝗠
🎙️ 𝗗𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 & 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗼𝗼𝗿
♥️𝚁𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚌 𝚂𝚞𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚎
♠️𝙼𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝙼𝚢𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚢
♥️𝙱𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚒𝚛𝚎
♠️𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝 𝚁𝚘𝚢𝚊𝚕
💓𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲: 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀👑
❝ ᴄᴀꜱꜱɪᴇ ʟᴀɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴀɴ ᴏᴘᴘᴏʀᴛᴜɴɪᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴀʀᴛ ɪɴ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴏᴋɪɴɢ ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴇᴛɪᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ ꜰʀᴇᴇ ʜᴏʟɪᴅᴀʏ. ᴡʜᴀᴛ ꜱʜᴇ ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ? ᴍᴇᴇᴛɪɴɢ ᴀ ᴄʜᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ, ᴅʀᴏᴘ-ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ɢᴏʀɢᴇᴏᴜꜱ ʙɪʟʟɪᴏɴᴀɪʀᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇʟʏ ꜱᴡᴇᴘᴛ ʜᴇʀ ᴏꜰꜰ ʜᴇʀ ꜰᴇᴇᴛ. ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ɢᴏɪɴɢ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ, ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ꜱᴜᴅᴅᴇɴʟʏ, ꜱʜᴇ ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅ ʜᴇʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪᴅᴅʟᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴍᴜʀᴅᴇʀ ɪɴᴠᴇꜱᴛɪɢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ...❝
💭𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 + 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆+ 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗳
This book was such a pleasant surprise! I've never read anything that mixes royalty with a murder mystery before, and it was absolutely delightful. The mystery kept me guessing the whole time, I was totally on my toes trying to figure out who the culprit was. Plus, it's set during a televised cooking competition, which gave me major "MasterChef" vibes. As a fan of that show, I was all in!
✨The romance in the story felt kind of secondary to the mystery and the cooking aspects, but it still brought the swoon and steam. If you're into murder mysteries with a royal twist and a dash of culinary competition, you'll definitely love this one!
🎧𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄🎧
I expected nothing but perfection when Samantha and Shane teamed up, and they totally delivered. Shane's sexy British accent as the Royal Prince? Absolute PERFECTION, I could listen to him all day! Samantha always amazes me with her versatility, her ability to mimic men's voices is spot-on. This one’s a must-listen!
⚠️𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠/𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐤⚠️
- Murder
- Kidnapping
✨ 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 MUST LOVE AUDIO & EASTHOUSE PRODUCTION 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚐𝚒𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝙰𝙻𝙲, 𝙸'𝚖 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚟𝚘𝚕𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚕𝚢 ✨
April 6, 2025
*ADVANCED AUDIO REVIEW *
OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
•Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧/5
•Spice Level: 🌶.5/ 5
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠/5
•Emotional:🥺/5
•Banter: 🤣/5
•Platform: Audiobook
•Trope: Strangers to Lovers, Romantic Thriller
• THOUGHTS:
I am a newbie to JD Carothers. I was hooked right off the bat. I enjoyed Cassie and Evan. They were both strong characters who clicked and worked so well with one another. The chemistry was on par! This book is plot driven, and all I could think of with this storyline was The Food Networks cooking show Chooped. I was not upset in the slightest. I loved that they author incorporated a cooking show with a thriller/suspense element to it. It kept me entertained and held my attention! I really enjoyed that element of the book. I did enjoy the romance element of the book. It was an insta love type romance. Which I could appreciate! As stated above, this book is more plot driven, but that is what I loved about Rival Secrets. I am not upset in slightest with it. It was the perfect mix for this book. I enjoyed it and am so glad I listened! It was a good read.
NARRATOR THOUGHTS:
•Narrators: Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East.
•Dual Narration
•Listening at a 1.4 speed.
These two are fantastic. I can listen to Shane talk all day! He has such a great voice! And I feel like it has been forever since i have had him in my ears. I wnjoy his narrations so much. Samantha Brentmoor was perfection. She nails her male voices every time. The accents, all of it.
Recommendation Note:
I always encourage people to read what makes them happy. If it sounds good, read it! My reviews are just that, my opinions. I do, however, hope they are helpful and provide a little insight in helping you to determine the next book you chose to read.
Happy reading, friends.
OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
•Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧/5
•Spice Level: 🌶.5/ 5
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠/5
•Emotional:🥺/5
•Banter: 🤣/5
•Platform: Audiobook
•Trope: Strangers to Lovers, Romantic Thriller
• THOUGHTS:
I am a newbie to JD Carothers. I was hooked right off the bat. I enjoyed Cassie and Evan. They were both strong characters who clicked and worked so well with one another. The chemistry was on par! This book is plot driven, and all I could think of with this storyline was The Food Networks cooking show Chooped. I was not upset in the slightest. I loved that they author incorporated a cooking show with a thriller/suspense element to it. It kept me entertained and held my attention! I really enjoyed that element of the book. I did enjoy the romance element of the book. It was an insta love type romance. Which I could appreciate! As stated above, this book is more plot driven, but that is what I loved about Rival Secrets. I am not upset in slightest with it. It was the perfect mix for this book. I enjoyed it and am so glad I listened! It was a good read.
NARRATOR THOUGHTS:
•Narrators: Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East.
•Dual Narration
•Listening at a 1.4 speed.
These two are fantastic. I can listen to Shane talk all day! He has such a great voice! And I feel like it has been forever since i have had him in my ears. I wnjoy his narrations so much. Samantha Brentmoor was perfection. She nails her male voices every time. The accents, all of it.
Recommendation Note:
I always encourage people to read what makes them happy. If it sounds good, read it! My reviews are just that, my opinions. I do, however, hope they are helpful and provide a little insight in helping you to determine the next book you chose to read.
Happy reading, friends.
October 9, 2024
Loved it so much I’m going to binge this series!
Thoughts: 💡
This book is fun and exciting with just enough suspense to keep me guessing. Most of the elements in the crime were easy to guess, but there was one piece that gave a nice twist. With that said, this book’s strongest elements were the romance and the characters.
I really enjoyed the characters' backstories and the way the author explained their struggles. It humanized them, taking them from “poor little rich boy” to actual people. They were struggles that we can all identify with in some way even if we don’t face them to the same depth or disparity.
As the theme has been recently, I listened to this book as I read and it brought the story alive. I love listening to Samantha Brentmore and Shane East’s British accent is on point. It was a dual narration and they took it chapter by chapter so Samantha’s range of voices and accents really shined.
✨Note✨ Interconnected Standalone
Stats:📊
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Characters 💙💙💙💙💙
Narrators 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
First Person, Past Tense, Dual POV
Romantic Suspense :
☠️ 🔪 mystery on set
🍲 Cooking show
💼 Lawyer turned chef
👑 Jaded prince
🗝️ Secret identity
Thoughts: 💡
This book is fun and exciting with just enough suspense to keep me guessing. Most of the elements in the crime were easy to guess, but there was one piece that gave a nice twist. With that said, this book’s strongest elements were the romance and the characters.
I really enjoyed the characters' backstories and the way the author explained their struggles. It humanized them, taking them from “poor little rich boy” to actual people. They were struggles that we can all identify with in some way even if we don’t face them to the same depth or disparity.
As the theme has been recently, I listened to this book as I read and it brought the story alive. I love listening to Samantha Brentmore and Shane East’s British accent is on point. It was a dual narration and they took it chapter by chapter so Samantha’s range of voices and accents really shined.
✨Note✨ Interconnected Standalone
Stats:📊
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Characters 💙💙💙💙💙
Narrators 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
First Person, Past Tense, Dual POV
Romantic Suspense :
☠️ 🔪 mystery on set
🍲 Cooking show
💼 Lawyer turned chef
👑 Jaded prince
🗝️ Secret identity
October 9, 2024
A cooking competition with plot twists and a murder mystery, set in Las Vegas? Yes please! This was so entertaining, and there were so many pieces and elements to love, and they blended together so well. This is one of those stories that has something for everyone. It’s romantic suspense, cozy mystery, adventure, and yummy food all rolled into one. And the MMC is hiding that he is a member of a royal family! I mean seriously, what could be better? Except for the fact that…
The audiobook is narrated by Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East!!! It was so good, these two are just amazing, I can’t say enough good things. I always love listening to them, and they were the perfect fits for Cassie and Evan. Produced by East House Productions 👏🏼
Listen if you like ⇣
Romantic suspense
Secret identity
Billionaire MMC
Commoner x royal
Forbidden
Foodie vibes
Vegas setting
He falls first
Dual POV
Spice
The audiobook is narrated by Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East!!! It was so good, these two are just amazing, I can’t say enough good things. I always love listening to them, and they were the perfect fits for Cassie and Evan. Produced by East House Productions 👏🏼
Listen if you like ⇣
Romantic suspense
Secret identity
Billionaire MMC
Commoner x royal
Forbidden
Foodie vibes
Vegas setting
He falls first
Dual POV
Spice
November 1, 2025
Star Rating: 4/5 ⭐
Heat Rating: 2/5 🌶️
Audiobook: 5/5 🎧
What to Expect:
- Romantic Suspense
- Billionaire
- Secret Identity
- Forbidden Love
- He Falls First
- Vegas Setting
- Secret Royal
Rival Secrets is a fun blend of romance, suspense, and humor with the backdrop of a cooking competition. This story was very entertaining and kept me engaged from start to finish. Set in Las Vegas, we meet Evan, a charming British prince who is at the competition as a favor to a friend, and Cassie, a lawyer who aspires to become a professional chef. Cassie's life takes a dramatic turn when her best friend encourages her to compete in the cooking competition. Cassie is selected as an alternate, but unexpectedly becomes a finalist after a contestant is unalived. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Cassie and Evan. Evan was interested in Cassie at first sight, and although Cassie tried to push him away, they became friends who worked together to solve the thrilling mystery. The suspense element was perfect and kept me guessing.
Narration:
Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East together? Yes, please! They did a wonderful job narrating this story. Samantha and Shane were the perfect voices for Cassie and Evan, bringing the characters to life. They work well as a narrator duo and expertly portray the chemistry between the characters. I enjoyed this listening experience.
Thanks to J.D. Carothers, East House Productions, and Must Love Audio for the advanced listener copy. Opinions expressed are my own.
Heat Rating: 2/5 🌶️
Audiobook: 5/5 🎧
What to Expect:
- Romantic Suspense
- Billionaire
- Secret Identity
- Forbidden Love
- He Falls First
- Vegas Setting
- Secret Royal
Rival Secrets is a fun blend of romance, suspense, and humor with the backdrop of a cooking competition. This story was very entertaining and kept me engaged from start to finish. Set in Las Vegas, we meet Evan, a charming British prince who is at the competition as a favor to a friend, and Cassie, a lawyer who aspires to become a professional chef. Cassie's life takes a dramatic turn when her best friend encourages her to compete in the cooking competition. Cassie is selected as an alternate, but unexpectedly becomes a finalist after a contestant is unalived. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Cassie and Evan. Evan was interested in Cassie at first sight, and although Cassie tried to push him away, they became friends who worked together to solve the thrilling mystery. The suspense element was perfect and kept me guessing.
Narration:
Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East together? Yes, please! They did a wonderful job narrating this story. Samantha and Shane were the perfect voices for Cassie and Evan, bringing the characters to life. They work well as a narrator duo and expertly portray the chemistry between the characters. I enjoyed this listening experience.
Thanks to J.D. Carothers, East House Productions, and Must Love Audio for the advanced listener copy. Opinions expressed are my own.
March 10, 2025
🎧🎧AUDIO REVIEW🎧🎧
🎤Samantha Brentmoor & Shane East🎤 rocked the heck out of this performance and ✨J.D. Carothers✨ wrote one heck of an edge of your seat suspense storyline intertwined with a romance journey perfectly and I have now found my new author obsession! I am already on the hunt for the best possible way to get ahold of the audios for the next two books in this series without my debit card putting me on notice! Son of a biscuit eater this was excellent on all fronts!
Rival Secrets has a all kinds of circumstances milling about the storyline which one would think would make a reader’s brain hurt but it does not! #magic There’s the romance, the competition, the mystery, the hidden truths, and Vegas Baby! Lol Seriously, I didn’t even feel the almost 9 hours of listening time. I had an honest to goodness ”good time” listening to the story and all its parts unfold. There is excellent character growth with not a whole lot of predictability. The plot is spicy and edgy and again, not very predictable.
The absolute best part of this story is that when you think you know, you absolutely kinda do not! It will captivate you and keep you on your toes and of course you will swoon because Shane & Samantha! They absolutely cannot do wrong! Well, at least they never have for me!
UPDATE March 2025 I just did a relisten this past weekend so I could binge all 3 audiobooks THIS WEEK!! I AM GIDDY!! :)
🎤Samantha Brentmoor & Shane East🎤 rocked the heck out of this performance and ✨J.D. Carothers✨ wrote one heck of an edge of your seat suspense storyline intertwined with a romance journey perfectly and I have now found my new author obsession! I am already on the hunt for the best possible way to get ahold of the audios for the next two books in this series without my debit card putting me on notice! Son of a biscuit eater this was excellent on all fronts!
Rival Secrets has a all kinds of circumstances milling about the storyline which one would think would make a reader’s brain hurt but it does not! #magic There’s the romance, the competition, the mystery, the hidden truths, and Vegas Baby! Lol Seriously, I didn’t even feel the almost 9 hours of listening time. I had an honest to goodness ”good time” listening to the story and all its parts unfold. There is excellent character growth with not a whole lot of predictability. The plot is spicy and edgy and again, not very predictable.
The absolute best part of this story is that when you think you know, you absolutely kinda do not! It will captivate you and keep you on your toes and of course you will swoon because Shane & Samantha! They absolutely cannot do wrong! Well, at least they never have for me!
UPDATE March 2025 I just did a relisten this past weekend so I could binge all 3 audiobooks THIS WEEK!! I AM GIDDY!! :)
October 8, 2024
Rival Secrets mixes romance and murder together and I loved Cassie and Evan’s story. Cassie decides to go after her dreams and applies to a cooking show competition, lands a spot as an alternate and finds herself wrapped up in a murder mystery. I really enjoyed going on this journey with these two. I liked how Evan protected Cassie and supported her throughout the story. This book was a fun and suspenseful and I enjoyed coming up with theories as I listened.
Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East do a wonderful job of bringing Cassie and Evan romance and mystery to life. They were able to capture the connection and chemistry between their characters. I loved both of their performances. Thank you to JD for an advanced listen!
Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East do a wonderful job of bringing Cassie and Evan romance and mystery to life. They were able to capture the connection and chemistry between their characters. I loved both of their performances. Thank you to JD for an advanced listen!
April 3, 2025
This was an intense and suspenseful story.
The suspense & romance in this story were both done so well. Cassie is a great lead. She is smart, kind, talented & she is so genuine.
She is excited for the adventure of being Las Vegas, & is content to just enjoy herself.
Evan is struggling with his place in life, he is feeling like his role in his family isn’t fulfilling, he wants to be able to do more, so he ends up going to see one of his best friends in Vegas.
Cassie & Evan are drawn to each other, and their chemistry is palpable. I love that when things get intense Evan has Cassie’s back and they work together to help find the answer.
The narration was absolutely brilliant!
The suspense & romance in this story were both done so well. Cassie is a great lead. She is smart, kind, talented & she is so genuine.
She is excited for the adventure of being Las Vegas, & is content to just enjoy herself.
Evan is struggling with his place in life, he is feeling like his role in his family isn’t fulfilling, he wants to be able to do more, so he ends up going to see one of his best friends in Vegas.
Cassie & Evan are drawn to each other, and their chemistry is palpable. I love that when things get intense Evan has Cassie’s back and they work together to help find the answer.
The narration was absolutely brilliant!
March 12, 2025
Dual Narration- Shane East & Samantha Brentwood
I love these two narrators they always do an amazing job.
This story was mystery and a little suspense with romance.
Cassie is an amateur chef who decides to take a chance in a chef competition taking a break from her job at a law firm.
Evan is royalty of a small island. He wants to get away to figure out what he wants to do with his life now that roles are changing at home. He is helping a friend with a chef competition.
These two meet and it’s instant attraction and infatuation.
There is something going on with the competition and Evan is trying to help his friend keep an eye on things. Cassie is looking like the guilty party but Evan believes she is innocent.
Captivating and entertaining story.
I love these two narrators they always do an amazing job.
This story was mystery and a little suspense with romance.
Cassie is an amateur chef who decides to take a chance in a chef competition taking a break from her job at a law firm.
Evan is royalty of a small island. He wants to get away to figure out what he wants to do with his life now that roles are changing at home. He is helping a friend with a chef competition.
These two meet and it’s instant attraction and infatuation.
There is something going on with the competition and Evan is trying to help his friend keep an eye on things. Cassie is looking like the guilty party but Evan believes she is innocent.
Captivating and entertaining story.
April 10, 2025
5 Star Review Rival Secrets (Love Over Murder #1) by J D Carothers
Audio
This was my first J.D. Carothers's book, and won't be my last. Rival Secrets is book one in the Love Over Murder series.
This is Evan and Cassie's story and one that yucky had me invested. This book was an entertaining listen with a good balance of suspense and romance. In fact I was surprised by a number of the twists and turns.
I liked the characters and the story was engaging. The narration by Shane East & Samantha Brentmoor brought the characters to life for me. Their voices were easy to listen too and they brought all the passion, drama, romance and suspense to their performances.
I voluntarily listened and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Audio
This was my first J.D. Carothers's book, and won't be my last. Rival Secrets is book one in the Love Over Murder series.
This is Evan and Cassie's story and one that yucky had me invested. This book was an entertaining listen with a good balance of suspense and romance. In fact I was surprised by a number of the twists and turns.
I liked the characters and the story was engaging. The narration by Shane East & Samantha Brentmoor brought the characters to life for me. Their voices were easy to listen too and they brought all the passion, drama, romance and suspense to their performances.
I voluntarily listened and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 2, 2024
love a good suspense book
Evan is trying to figure out how he can do more with his life besides the basics being the “spare” prince.
Cassie is not living her dream and has the opportunity to join a cooking contest and just be able to get out of her normal routine.
I loved how there was a murder mystery they needed to solve when trying to compete in the cooking competition.
These two have such good chemistry!
I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one!
Evan is trying to figure out how he can do more with his life besides the basics being the “spare” prince.
Cassie is not living her dream and has the opportunity to join a cooking contest and just be able to get out of her normal routine.
I loved how there was a murder mystery they needed to solve when trying to compete in the cooking competition.
These two have such good chemistry!
I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one!
October 16, 2024
Updated with audiobook review: Shane East and Samantha Brentmoor are two of my favorite narrators! They did a phenomenal job with the narration of this book. I really love how narrators take authors words and turn it into a whole new experience for readers/listers. They fave each character perfect voice , emotion and personality. Fantastic listen!!
This is the first book I’ve read by JD Carothers and I am now a fan. A fantastic read. I love cooking shows and suspense in my romance …so this book was perfect for me.
Evan is a swoony Brit who’s in town to meet his best friend…definitely not looking for romance. He’s at a bit of a crossroads and needs time away from his family.
Cassie is also at a crossroad in her life…trying to respect her parents dreams but also wanting to go into her dream career. She doesn’t have time for romance nor is she looking for it. She is confident, talented and committed to fining the truth.
I adored Cassie and Evan together…they have more in common than they know and quickly become friends while holding their feelings at bay. Loved their dialogue, banter and beautifully blooming romance.
My heart was pounding during the cooking competitions…not knowing if there was going to be an “incident” or if they were going to finish the challenge. The suspense is perfect…twists turns and a surprising ring leader.
Looking forward to reading the other books in this series!
This is the first book I’ve read by JD Carothers and I am now a fan. A fantastic read. I love cooking shows and suspense in my romance …so this book was perfect for me.
Evan is a swoony Brit who’s in town to meet his best friend…definitely not looking for romance. He’s at a bit of a crossroads and needs time away from his family.
Cassie is also at a crossroad in her life…trying to respect her parents dreams but also wanting to go into her dream career. She doesn’t have time for romance nor is she looking for it. She is confident, talented and committed to fining the truth.
I adored Cassie and Evan together…they have more in common than they know and quickly become friends while holding their feelings at bay. Loved their dialogue, banter and beautifully blooming romance.
My heart was pounding during the cooking competitions…not knowing if there was going to be an “incident” or if they were going to finish the challenge. The suspense is perfect…twists turns and a surprising ring leader.
Looking forward to reading the other books in this series!
October 3, 2024
Amazing Story & Narration🎧Intriguing & Entertaining!
Rival Secrets
Love Over Murder, Book 1
By: JD Carothers
Narrated by: Samantha Brentmoor, Shane East
What an amazing story, an intriguing murder mystery, romantic suspense that captivates your attention the entire time, keeps you on your toes and wondering what is going to happen next. Cassandra “Cassie” Edwards went to law school only because it was what her parents would have wanted her to do, but her heart is not in being an attorney, and it is her dream to become a chef. So she enters Grand Athena’s Chef Competition, not expecting to be called, but she does and is an alternate contestant, the only home chef amongst professionals. An all expense trip to Vegas to stand on the sidelines is a fine opportunity, and she jumps on it. Evan Catalinus is royalty, and his older brother will become the next king, leaving him wondering what he will do next. So goes on a vacation to clear his mind and visit his friend who owns a hotel in Vegas, and while he was not looking to get involved with anyone romantically, one caught his interest, Cassie. Cassie does not do one-night stands or flings, but she felt an attraction to Evan and despite knowing it could never be because they lived on different continents, the chemistry between them was hard to deny. And when things go sideways with a cooking competition, Even jumps in to help his friend with the investigation and with her. There is never a dull moment in this book, and the writing, plot and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. It is a multi-layered story and has the perfect balance of drama, angst, mystery, twists and turns, thrilling and suspenseful moments, heartfelt emotions and steamy romance. Thank you for this amazing story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧 J.D. Carothers could not have chosen a better cast to bring her characters and story to life. Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East did an amazing job portraying the characters, giving each a voice that was fitting and was believable in every role. Brentmoor showcasing all aspects of Cassie’s personality and was a natural in the role, East did the same as Evan, and was great covering the American voices, too. These two made a great team, their voices and talent complemented each other and their performance elevated this already amazing story to another level. They are versatile voice artists and entertaining storytellers, and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another amazing listen.
Rival Secrets
Love Over Murder, Book 1
By: JD Carothers
Narrated by: Samantha Brentmoor, Shane East
What an amazing story, an intriguing murder mystery, romantic suspense that captivates your attention the entire time, keeps you on your toes and wondering what is going to happen next. Cassandra “Cassie” Edwards went to law school only because it was what her parents would have wanted her to do, but her heart is not in being an attorney, and it is her dream to become a chef. So she enters Grand Athena’s Chef Competition, not expecting to be called, but she does and is an alternate contestant, the only home chef amongst professionals. An all expense trip to Vegas to stand on the sidelines is a fine opportunity, and she jumps on it. Evan Catalinus is royalty, and his older brother will become the next king, leaving him wondering what he will do next. So goes on a vacation to clear his mind and visit his friend who owns a hotel in Vegas, and while he was not looking to get involved with anyone romantically, one caught his interest, Cassie. Cassie does not do one-night stands or flings, but she felt an attraction to Evan and despite knowing it could never be because they lived on different continents, the chemistry between them was hard to deny. And when things go sideways with a cooking competition, Even jumps in to help his friend with the investigation and with her. There is never a dull moment in this book, and the writing, plot and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. It is a multi-layered story and has the perfect balance of drama, angst, mystery, twists and turns, thrilling and suspenseful moments, heartfelt emotions and steamy romance. Thank you for this amazing story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧 J.D. Carothers could not have chosen a better cast to bring her characters and story to life. Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East did an amazing job portraying the characters, giving each a voice that was fitting and was believable in every role. Brentmoor showcasing all aspects of Cassie’s personality and was a natural in the role, East did the same as Evan, and was great covering the American voices, too. These two made a great team, their voices and talent complemented each other and their performance elevated this already amazing story to another level. They are versatile voice artists and entertaining storytellers, and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another amazing listen.
April 7, 2025
Steamy romantic suspense…
Story: 4 ⭐️s
Narration: 5 ⭐️s
Carothers’s first book in her Love over Murder series does what effective first books in a series should do - provide its own engaging story while also laying the ground and character work for books to follow. First up is Evan - a literal Prince in disguise - and Cassie, a lawyer who would rather be a chef.
Both Evan and Cassie are compelling characters who are each at a crossroads in their lives. Cassie‘s dissatisfied career- she’s been following her parents’ dreams rather than her own, and so takes an opportunity to follow her passion. She’s loved to cook, so when her best friend encourages her to sign up for the amateur slot in a cooking competition, she takes a chance. Luckily, she gets chosen as the alternate (if anything should happen to any of the other contestants, she can take over their spot so the show can go on) and heads to Vegas. Wonder what will happen there? Evan is also trying to find his path. His brother is about to ascend to the throne, and Evan feels like his life is just a series of a Royal obligations that don’t match his passions or interests. So he goes to visit his friend in Las Vegas to clear his head and get some advice. While there he lends a hand with the competition and he and Cassie hit it off. What follows is some murder mystery, false accusations, secret royal identities, and passion. It’s it all woven together for an enjoyable romantic suspense story.
The narration from Shane East and Samantha Brentmoor is fantastic. Both of performers are a great match to their characters, as well as a great match as co-stars. Brentmoor is one of my absolute favorites and no one plays a sexy, reluctant royal quite like East. I really enjoyed listening to them bring this story to life. And I definitely recommend this audio to anyone who likes their romance steamy with a side of suspense. I’m very much looking forward to the next book in the series, as Carothers laid some very interesting groundwork for Evan’s brother in that bonus epilogue!
I’m grateful to have received an ALC copy of the audiobook via Home Cooked Books. I also read the book via KU. All opinions expressed are my own.
Story: 4 ⭐️s
Narration: 5 ⭐️s
Carothers’s first book in her Love over Murder series does what effective first books in a series should do - provide its own engaging story while also laying the ground and character work for books to follow. First up is Evan - a literal Prince in disguise - and Cassie, a lawyer who would rather be a chef.
Both Evan and Cassie are compelling characters who are each at a crossroads in their lives. Cassie‘s dissatisfied career- she’s been following her parents’ dreams rather than her own, and so takes an opportunity to follow her passion. She’s loved to cook, so when her best friend encourages her to sign up for the amateur slot in a cooking competition, she takes a chance. Luckily, she gets chosen as the alternate (if anything should happen to any of the other contestants, she can take over their spot so the show can go on) and heads to Vegas. Wonder what will happen there? Evan is also trying to find his path. His brother is about to ascend to the throne, and Evan feels like his life is just a series of a Royal obligations that don’t match his passions or interests. So he goes to visit his friend in Las Vegas to clear his head and get some advice. While there he lends a hand with the competition and he and Cassie hit it off. What follows is some murder mystery, false accusations, secret royal identities, and passion. It’s it all woven together for an enjoyable romantic suspense story.
The narration from Shane East and Samantha Brentmoor is fantastic. Both of performers are a great match to their characters, as well as a great match as co-stars. Brentmoor is one of my absolute favorites and no one plays a sexy, reluctant royal quite like East. I really enjoyed listening to them bring this story to life. And I definitely recommend this audio to anyone who likes their romance steamy with a side of suspense. I’m very much looking forward to the next book in the series, as Carothers laid some very interesting groundwork for Evan’s brother in that bonus epilogue!
I’m grateful to have received an ALC copy of the audiobook via Home Cooked Books. I also read the book via KU. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 22, 2025
J.D. Carothers' "Rival Secrets" delivers a potent mix of romantic suspense, heightened by the intimacy of the audiobook format. The story of Cassandra and Evan is one of immediate, intense connection, shadowed by hidden agendas and the looming threat of secrets revealed.
Cassandra, burdened by familial expectations and financial strain, finds an unexpected escape in a high-stakes opportunity. The allure is magnified by Evan, a charismatic billionaire whose British accent and captivating presence ignite a powerful attraction. The narrator deftly portrays Cassandra's internal conflict, balancing her ambition with the burgeoning, undeniable pull towards Evan. The listener is drawn into her emotional turmoil, feeling the weight of her responsibilities and the thrill of her burgeoning romance.
Evan, equally captivated by Cassandra, harbors a secret that threatens to shatter their newfound connection. The audiobook format amplifies the tension of his concealed truth, with subtle vocal inflections revealing his internal struggle. The narrator's portrayal of Evan's conflicted emotions adds depth to his character, making him both charming and enigmatic.
The audio performance excels at capturing the sizzling chemistry between Cassandra and Evan. The narration effectively conveys the emotional intensity of their interactions, making their connection palpable. The pacing allows for both moments of tender intimacy and suspenseful anticipation, building towards the inevitable confrontation with Evan's secret.
"Rival Secrets" is a compelling listen for those who enjoy romantic suspense with a blend of emotional depth and thrilling intrigue. The audiobook format enhances the story's emotional impact, allowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in Cassandra and Evan's complex relationship. The exploration of trust, vulnerability, and the risks of love in the face of hidden truths resonates, making this a satisfying and engaging audio experience.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Cassandra, burdened by familial expectations and financial strain, finds an unexpected escape in a high-stakes opportunity. The allure is magnified by Evan, a charismatic billionaire whose British accent and captivating presence ignite a powerful attraction. The narrator deftly portrays Cassandra's internal conflict, balancing her ambition with the burgeoning, undeniable pull towards Evan. The listener is drawn into her emotional turmoil, feeling the weight of her responsibilities and the thrill of her burgeoning romance.
Evan, equally captivated by Cassandra, harbors a secret that threatens to shatter their newfound connection. The audiobook format amplifies the tension of his concealed truth, with subtle vocal inflections revealing his internal struggle. The narrator's portrayal of Evan's conflicted emotions adds depth to his character, making him both charming and enigmatic.
The audio performance excels at capturing the sizzling chemistry between Cassandra and Evan. The narration effectively conveys the emotional intensity of their interactions, making their connection palpable. The pacing allows for both moments of tender intimacy and suspenseful anticipation, building towards the inevitable confrontation with Evan's secret.
"Rival Secrets" is a compelling listen for those who enjoy romantic suspense with a blend of emotional depth and thrilling intrigue. The audiobook format enhances the story's emotional impact, allowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in Cassandra and Evan's complex relationship. The exploration of trust, vulnerability, and the risks of love in the face of hidden truths resonates, making this a satisfying and engaging audio experience.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 8, 2025
Cassie is a burnt out lawyer that secretly has a passion for cooking. So when she gets the opportunity of a lifetime to be an alternate in an elite cooking competition in Las Vegas, she drops everything and takes her shot. She may be an alternate, but that won't stop her from soaking up all the fun, glitz, and glam that this trip will bring to her mundane life.
Evan is a crown prince of a small Eurpoean country and second in line for the throne. With his brother set to take the throne soon and so much change happening, he is trying to find his purpose outside of royal duties, so he decides he needs a much needed break and heads to Las Vegas where his best friends runs one of the biggest hotels on the strip. The hotel that happens to be were the cooking competition is.
As a favor to his friend, Evan helps out with managing the competition and is instantly dawn to Cassie. They keep running into one another all over the hotel and at competition events that they decide to start spending time together on purpose and the spark between them is ignited. But as the competition gets underway, the financial issues of the hotel come to the forefront and when people a part of the competition start popping up dead, there is more going on than meets the eye. Solving the mystery becomes priority while still trying to keep the competition going and the closer they get to discovering the truth, the more in danger they all are, especially Cassie.
Rival Secrets is a murder mystery romance full of twists and turns that keeps you on your feet. As murder mystery is not the most common trope in romance these days, I found this story a great change of pace and I am interested to see how the next book in the series plays out.
Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East were delivered great performances here. I don't think I've ever heard them together on a title and it was fun to experience that. Samantha with a British accent was FUN! These two are some of the best in the narration game and this was no different.
Evan is a crown prince of a small Eurpoean country and second in line for the throne. With his brother set to take the throne soon and so much change happening, he is trying to find his purpose outside of royal duties, so he decides he needs a much needed break and heads to Las Vegas where his best friends runs one of the biggest hotels on the strip. The hotel that happens to be were the cooking competition is.
As a favor to his friend, Evan helps out with managing the competition and is instantly dawn to Cassie. They keep running into one another all over the hotel and at competition events that they decide to start spending time together on purpose and the spark between them is ignited. But as the competition gets underway, the financial issues of the hotel come to the forefront and when people a part of the competition start popping up dead, there is more going on than meets the eye. Solving the mystery becomes priority while still trying to keep the competition going and the closer they get to discovering the truth, the more in danger they all are, especially Cassie.
Rival Secrets is a murder mystery romance full of twists and turns that keeps you on your feet. As murder mystery is not the most common trope in romance these days, I found this story a great change of pace and I am interested to see how the next book in the series plays out.
Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East were delivered great performances here. I don't think I've ever heard them together on a title and it was fun to experience that. Samantha with a British accent was FUN! These two are some of the best in the narration game and this was no different.
October 14, 2024
RIVAL SECRETS IS NOW LIVE ON AUDIO!!
Rival Secrets, book 1 in the Love Over Murder Series, by JD Carothers, is now available for your listening pleasure!
LISTEN TODAY!
(Narrated by Shane East and Samantha Brentmoor)
https://geni.us/rival_secrets
Both narrators smashed this. The voices suited the characters so well and kept me hooked. Loved the accent and the storyline also.
This is murder mystery romance, and it was done really well. Lots of plot twists that I didn't see coming and love angst between the FMC and MMC were great.
BLURB:
What happens in Vegas can be deadly…
After my parents passed away, I put my culinary dreams aside to be the lawyer they wanted. However, with my 30th birthday rapidly approaching, my bestie urges me to enter a cooking competition in Las Vegas. When a contestant is murdered, my time watching from the sidelines is over. I’m suddenly thrown into the event as a finalist.
I knew the kitchen would heat up, but so did my love life when I unexpectedly met the handsome billionaire Evan Catalinus. Evan checks off all my dream guy boxes: a British accent that makes me hang on his every word, a love of food that rivals mine, and let’s not forget those body-melting kisses.
Evan declares he’s falling for me, but I sense there’s a truth he’s not sharing, and my past makes me hesitate to take this budding relationship further. Will searching for a killer bring Evan and me closer to each other, or will the secrets kept in Vegas end my life before I can discover Evan’s truth?
Rival Secrets is the first book in the Love Over Murders series. Rival Secrets is a significantly updated and rewritten version of Cassie and Evan's story that originally appeared in Thrill Ride. Each book is a standalone story featuring one couple’s journey to their guaranteed H.E.A. and no cliffhanger. The series is especially for lovers of swoony moments intertwined with a murder mystery.
Rival Secrets, book 1 in the Love Over Murder Series, by JD Carothers, is now available for your listening pleasure!
LISTEN TODAY!
(Narrated by Shane East and Samantha Brentmoor)
https://geni.us/rival_secrets
Both narrators smashed this. The voices suited the characters so well and kept me hooked. Loved the accent and the storyline also.
This is murder mystery romance, and it was done really well. Lots of plot twists that I didn't see coming and love angst between the FMC and MMC were great.
BLURB:
What happens in Vegas can be deadly…
After my parents passed away, I put my culinary dreams aside to be the lawyer they wanted. However, with my 30th birthday rapidly approaching, my bestie urges me to enter a cooking competition in Las Vegas. When a contestant is murdered, my time watching from the sidelines is over. I’m suddenly thrown into the event as a finalist.
I knew the kitchen would heat up, but so did my love life when I unexpectedly met the handsome billionaire Evan Catalinus. Evan checks off all my dream guy boxes: a British accent that makes me hang on his every word, a love of food that rivals mine, and let’s not forget those body-melting kisses.
Evan declares he’s falling for me, but I sense there’s a truth he’s not sharing, and my past makes me hesitate to take this budding relationship further. Will searching for a killer bring Evan and me closer to each other, or will the secrets kept in Vegas end my life before I can discover Evan’s truth?
Rival Secrets is the first book in the Love Over Murders series. Rival Secrets is a significantly updated and rewritten version of Cassie and Evan's story that originally appeared in Thrill Ride. Each book is a standalone story featuring one couple’s journey to their guaranteed H.E.A. and no cliffhanger. The series is especially for lovers of swoony moments intertwined with a murder mystery.
March 28, 2025
🎧Audio/📖ebook review
Narrated by Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East
What a thoroughly enjoyable audio. Cassie wants to follow her dream of all things food and joins a chef competition in Vegas. Evan, the spare to his brother’s princely position, needs a break from his royal upbringing to find his own path and decides to head to Vegas to visit is best friend Sean, owner of a Vegas hotel. He is enlisted to help Sean with the chef competition but wasn’t expecting to feel sparks with one of the contestants.
The suspense plot surrounding the competition takes front stage in this book with the romance aspect a very close second. I really enjoyed the story. The pacing was perfect and I loved watching Cassie and Evan get to know each other. This book reminds me of the way romance books were written in the 80s and 90s where the plot and the romance are equally important and it’s not all about steamy sex carrying the story with a tone of “I guess there’s a plot somewhere”. It’s also heavy on food description, compared to other food-based romances, since the plot is based around a chef contest with a murder. Carothers adds just the right amount of details about the dishes that will have you salivating, drawing you in but not too much that it’s overdone. She obviously knows her food.
Narrated by Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East, the audio hit it out of the ballpark. Brentmoor is fantastic. This is the first book I’ve heard her do an English accent and I loved it. Shane East always does the perfect British royal. And he gets to exercise his talent in other accents with an American and a southern accent. The combination of these two narrators really worked well together.
I really loved this food centered mystery story. And kudos to the author for creating a “imaginary” Vegas hotel based around Greek mythology. That’s a hotel I would totally want to visit if I was in Vegas. I’m looking forward to Xander’s story next, Evan’s prince regent brother.
Narrated by Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East
What a thoroughly enjoyable audio. Cassie wants to follow her dream of all things food and joins a chef competition in Vegas. Evan, the spare to his brother’s princely position, needs a break from his royal upbringing to find his own path and decides to head to Vegas to visit is best friend Sean, owner of a Vegas hotel. He is enlisted to help Sean with the chef competition but wasn’t expecting to feel sparks with one of the contestants.
The suspense plot surrounding the competition takes front stage in this book with the romance aspect a very close second. I really enjoyed the story. The pacing was perfect and I loved watching Cassie and Evan get to know each other. This book reminds me of the way romance books were written in the 80s and 90s where the plot and the romance are equally important and it’s not all about steamy sex carrying the story with a tone of “I guess there’s a plot somewhere”. It’s also heavy on food description, compared to other food-based romances, since the plot is based around a chef contest with a murder. Carothers adds just the right amount of details about the dishes that will have you salivating, drawing you in but not too much that it’s overdone. She obviously knows her food.
Narrated by Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East, the audio hit it out of the ballpark. Brentmoor is fantastic. This is the first book I’ve heard her do an English accent and I loved it. Shane East always does the perfect British royal. And he gets to exercise his talent in other accents with an American and a southern accent. The combination of these two narrators really worked well together.
I really loved this food centered mystery story. And kudos to the author for creating a “imaginary” Vegas hotel based around Greek mythology. That’s a hotel I would totally want to visit if I was in Vegas. I’m looking forward to Xander’s story next, Evan’s prince regent brother.
April 8, 2025
Audiobook Review: Rival Secrets by J.D. Carothers
Narrated by Samantha Brentmoor & Shane East
This was my first book by J.D. Carothers and my first time listening to Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East—what a team! Rival Secrets is a mix of romance, mystery, and a cooking competition where contestants are getting murdered. Cassie, the female lead, gets thrown into the mix and meets Royal Evan, a swoony British billionaire. It’s the perfect recipe for a great listen (like my puns)!
The story felt like watching a TV cooking competition, full of wannabe chefs and amazing dishes I could never make. And every time a cooking scene ended, I was left hungry. When the mystery of the murders began, it kept me hooked, and I could not tell where it was heading.
Samantha Brentmoor blew my mind in Chapter 1. She voiced a male character so well that I checked my phone to make sure I was on the right book! Hands down the best male voice I’ve ever heard from a female narrator. Some people love duet narration, but I’m learning that with the right voice actors, dual narration can be just as good.
Now, Shane East—wow. I know some audiobook listeners are obsessed with him, and now I get it. His smooth British accent was perfect for Royal Evan. NAILED IT.
The spice level wasn’t super hot, but it was sweet and emotional, which I actually loved. Sometimes, a strong connection between characters makes an intimate scene even better than just steam for the sake of it.
Tropes in this book:
Billionaire
Mystery & Murder
Romantic Suspense
This is the first book in the Love Over Murders series, and I’m already excited for more. If you like romance with a little mystery and a lot of fun, this one’s worth a listen!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)
Narrated by Samantha Brentmoor & Shane East
This was my first book by J.D. Carothers and my first time listening to Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East—what a team! Rival Secrets is a mix of romance, mystery, and a cooking competition where contestants are getting murdered. Cassie, the female lead, gets thrown into the mix and meets Royal Evan, a swoony British billionaire. It’s the perfect recipe for a great listen (like my puns)!
The story felt like watching a TV cooking competition, full of wannabe chefs and amazing dishes I could never make. And every time a cooking scene ended, I was left hungry. When the mystery of the murders began, it kept me hooked, and I could not tell where it was heading.
Samantha Brentmoor blew my mind in Chapter 1. She voiced a male character so well that I checked my phone to make sure I was on the right book! Hands down the best male voice I’ve ever heard from a female narrator. Some people love duet narration, but I’m learning that with the right voice actors, dual narration can be just as good.
Now, Shane East—wow. I know some audiobook listeners are obsessed with him, and now I get it. His smooth British accent was perfect for Royal Evan. NAILED IT.
The spice level wasn’t super hot, but it was sweet and emotional, which I actually loved. Sometimes, a strong connection between characters makes an intimate scene even better than just steam for the sake of it.
Tropes in this book:
Billionaire
Mystery & Murder
Romantic Suspense
This is the first book in the Love Over Murders series, and I’m already excited for more. If you like romance with a little mystery and a lot of fun, this one’s worth a listen!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)
October 3, 2024
Rival Secrets
Love Over Murder, Book 1
By: JD Carothers
Narrated by: Samantha Brentmoor, Shane East
WOW! This is my first JD Carothers book, and now I am hooked! This is a fabulous story and start to her Love Over Murder series and I cannot wait for more. Meet Cassie. A lawyer to make her parents happy, her true passion is cooking. Applying for a contest seemed out of her reach, but when offered a chance to go, she grabs it. Evan is on vacation, hanging with his best friend on the set of the contest show. Meeting Cassie, there is immediate chemistry, so when she becomes a suspect for problems on the set, he is there to help her find the truth. Talk about a good time. It's the building romance of two people from different worlds and the whodunnit of what is happening during the contest that had me listening nonstop. I love a good story that has me trying to figure out the answers, change my mind, and try to guess again. I love a good romance, building as the story goes on with characters that I love and root for. Carothers has a winner on her hands and has me wanting to continue to book 2.
How can it get better you ask? Have Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East tell the story! Brentmoor is just so good at finding the essence of her characters and as Cassie she is amazing. Right in her head, she is spot on in every scene. Evan comes in, there for vacation, and Shane East is right there, creating a character that is easy to love. They made a story that is exciting and passionate, the best kind of listen and I highly recommend it.
Love Over Murder, Book 1
By: JD Carothers
Narrated by: Samantha Brentmoor, Shane East
WOW! This is my first JD Carothers book, and now I am hooked! This is a fabulous story and start to her Love Over Murder series and I cannot wait for more. Meet Cassie. A lawyer to make her parents happy, her true passion is cooking. Applying for a contest seemed out of her reach, but when offered a chance to go, she grabs it. Evan is on vacation, hanging with his best friend on the set of the contest show. Meeting Cassie, there is immediate chemistry, so when she becomes a suspect for problems on the set, he is there to help her find the truth. Talk about a good time. It's the building romance of two people from different worlds and the whodunnit of what is happening during the contest that had me listening nonstop. I love a good story that has me trying to figure out the answers, change my mind, and try to guess again. I love a good romance, building as the story goes on with characters that I love and root for. Carothers has a winner on her hands and has me wanting to continue to book 2.
How can it get better you ask? Have Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East tell the story! Brentmoor is just so good at finding the essence of her characters and as Cassie she is amazing. Right in her head, she is spot on in every scene. Evan comes in, there for vacation, and Shane East is right there, creating a character that is easy to love. They made a story that is exciting and passionate, the best kind of listen and I highly recommend it.
March 13, 2025
Rival Secrets
Love Over Murder, Book 1
By: JD Carothers
Narrated by: Samantha Brentmoor, Shane East
WOW! This is my first JD Carothers book, and now I am hooked! This is a fabulous story and start to her Love Over Murder series and I cannot wait for more. Meet Cassie. A lawyer to make her parents happy, her true passion is cooking. Applying for a contest seemed out of her reach, but when offered a chance to go, she grabs it. Evan is on vacation, hanging with his best friend on the set of the contest show. Meeting Cassie, there is immediate chemistry, so when she becomes a suspect for problems on the set, he is there to help her find the truth. Talk about a good time. It's the building romance of two people from different worlds and the whodunnit of what is happening during the contest that had me listening nonstop. I love a good story that has me trying to figure out the answers, change my mind, and try to guess again. I love a good romance, building as the story goes on with characters that I love and root for. Carothers has a winner on her hands and has me wanting to continue to book 2.
How can it get better you ask? Have Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East tell the story! Brentmoor is just so good at finding the essence of her characters and as Cassie she is amazing. Right in her head, she is spot on in every scene. Evan comes in, there for vacation, and Shane East is right there, creating a character that is easy to love. They made a story that is exciting and passionate, the best kind of listen and I highly recommend it.
Love Over Murder, Book 1
By: JD Carothers
Narrated by: Samantha Brentmoor, Shane East
WOW! This is my first JD Carothers book, and now I am hooked! This is a fabulous story and start to her Love Over Murder series and I cannot wait for more. Meet Cassie. A lawyer to make her parents happy, her true passion is cooking. Applying for a contest seemed out of her reach, but when offered a chance to go, she grabs it. Evan is on vacation, hanging with his best friend on the set of the contest show. Meeting Cassie, there is immediate chemistry, so when she becomes a suspect for problems on the set, he is there to help her find the truth. Talk about a good time. It's the building romance of two people from different worlds and the whodunnit of what is happening during the contest that had me listening nonstop. I love a good story that has me trying to figure out the answers, change my mind, and try to guess again. I love a good romance, building as the story goes on with characters that I love and root for. Carothers has a winner on her hands and has me wanting to continue to book 2.
How can it get better you ask? Have Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East tell the story! Brentmoor is just so good at finding the essence of her characters and as Cassie she is amazing. Right in her head, she is spot on in every scene. Evan comes in, there for vacation, and Shane East is right there, creating a character that is easy to love. They made a story that is exciting and passionate, the best kind of listen and I highly recommend it.
April 4, 2025
“Even strong, independent people let others do nice things for them from time to time.”
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
I absolutely loved this story, and I'm definitely looking forward to listening to the rest of the series.
Cassandra is an attorney who is not currently happy with her life and applies for a cooking competition in Las Vegas in order to have a chance at living her true passion. Evan is a prince from a not well-known country who decides to visit his friend in Las Vegas to try to get some inspiration on how to be more than just the backup prince.
The 90s chick flick loving girly in me absolutely adored the romance part of the story, but I honestly believe I enjoyed the murder mystery part even more. The way the story is told makes it feel like you are part of it, trying to solve the crime along with the characters, and even though we get clues you're always wondering if your guess is correct.
The audio was done in dual narration style, and Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East did a fantastic job. The story, as well as all the characters, were easy to follow, even when there were multiple characters on scene.
Thank you, Home Cooked Books, for the ALC of this super fun story!
Quote: “He’s everything I could want in a partner—smart, caring, protective but respectful of my independent nature, and the best lover I’ve ever had... I’m not sure what true love is supposed to feel like, but it’s hard to believe it’s better than what I’m starting to feel for Evan.”
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
I absolutely loved this story, and I'm definitely looking forward to listening to the rest of the series.
Cassandra is an attorney who is not currently happy with her life and applies for a cooking competition in Las Vegas in order to have a chance at living her true passion. Evan is a prince from a not well-known country who decides to visit his friend in Las Vegas to try to get some inspiration on how to be more than just the backup prince.
The 90s chick flick loving girly in me absolutely adored the romance part of the story, but I honestly believe I enjoyed the murder mystery part even more. The way the story is told makes it feel like you are part of it, trying to solve the crime along with the characters, and even though we get clues you're always wondering if your guess is correct.
The audio was done in dual narration style, and Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East did a fantastic job. The story, as well as all the characters, were easy to follow, even when there were multiple characters on scene.
Thank you, Home Cooked Books, for the ALC of this super fun story!
Quote: “He’s everything I could want in a partner—smart, caring, protective but respectful of my independent nature, and the best lover I’ve ever had... I’m not sure what true love is supposed to feel like, but it’s hard to believe it’s better than what I’m starting to feel for Evan.”
October 15, 2024
Rival Secrets
by JD Carothers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved this book! I went in blind and I’m so happy I did. I don’t normally listen to any kind of mystery or thriller books, but this romantic mystery had me hooked! I was absolutely obsessed with figuring out who the culprit was, and the chef game show mixed with a secret prince was such a unique idea for a book in my opinion.
Evan and Callie meet after Callie gets chosen as an alternate to compete as a chef. Evan is friends with the Athena hotel owner and comes to Las Vegas as an escape from his life as a prince. They have an instant attraction! Meanwhile, mysterious and dangerous things start happening during their time at the hotel, but you’ll have to read to find out what happens next!
I love how determined Callie was as a chef! I thought she was unique and I also absolutely adore chocolate so I felt like we would be besties. I loved her chemistry with Evan! 👩🏻🍳
Evan was a protective and I loved how he pushed Callie to be her best! I felt like he always had her best interest at heart. He was also a good friend. 👑
I read this as an audiobook and I absolutely loved the dual narration from Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East- I felt like they really brought out the emotion and suspense of the book! I’m a huge fan of all their work and they really brought this book to life! 🎧
Read this book if you like suspense, romance, good food and mystery! 💕
by JD Carothers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved this book! I went in blind and I’m so happy I did. I don’t normally listen to any kind of mystery or thriller books, but this romantic mystery had me hooked! I was absolutely obsessed with figuring out who the culprit was, and the chef game show mixed with a secret prince was such a unique idea for a book in my opinion.
Evan and Callie meet after Callie gets chosen as an alternate to compete as a chef. Evan is friends with the Athena hotel owner and comes to Las Vegas as an escape from his life as a prince. They have an instant attraction! Meanwhile, mysterious and dangerous things start happening during their time at the hotel, but you’ll have to read to find out what happens next!
I love how determined Callie was as a chef! I thought she was unique and I also absolutely adore chocolate so I felt like we would be besties. I loved her chemistry with Evan! 👩🏻🍳
Evan was a protective and I loved how he pushed Callie to be her best! I felt like he always had her best interest at heart. He was also a good friend. 👑
I read this as an audiobook and I absolutely loved the dual narration from Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East- I felt like they really brought out the emotion and suspense of the book! I’m a huge fan of all their work and they really brought this book to life! 🎧
Read this book if you like suspense, romance, good food and mystery! 💕
May 29, 2025
TROPES
•Murder Mystery
•Secret Identity
•Billionaire Romance
•Vegas Setting
•Culinary Competition
After giving up her culinary dreams to fulfill her parents’ wishes, Lawyer Cassie Edwards finds herself unexpectedly thrown into a high stakes cooking competition in Las Vegas, just in time for her 30th birthday. But when a fellow contestant is murdered, she’s not only bumped into the finals, she’s also pulled into a murder mystery - as a suspect! Add in Evan Catalinus, a swoony British billionaire with a love of food and a knack for romantic tension, and things quickly heat up both in and out of the kitchen. But Evan’s holding back a secret, and with danger lurking around every corner, she must decide if she can trust him or risk it all trying to find the truth.
Rival Secrets is a light, fun read with an intriguing blend of romance and mystery. The Vegas setting adds flair, and the cooking competition gives it a playful, high-energy backdrop. Evan makes for a charming love interest, and the heroine’s passion for food is contagious. That said, some parts feel a bit rushed—especially the romance, which leaps from flirty to serious very quickly. The mystery is more cozy than suspenseful, and a few twists are easy to spot. Still, it’s a solid series starter that delivers on entertainment, and if you’re in the mood for a breezy romance with a dash of danger and gourmet drama, this one's worth a try.
•Murder Mystery
•Secret Identity
•Billionaire Romance
•Vegas Setting
•Culinary Competition
After giving up her culinary dreams to fulfill her parents’ wishes, Lawyer Cassie Edwards finds herself unexpectedly thrown into a high stakes cooking competition in Las Vegas, just in time for her 30th birthday. But when a fellow contestant is murdered, she’s not only bumped into the finals, she’s also pulled into a murder mystery - as a suspect! Add in Evan Catalinus, a swoony British billionaire with a love of food and a knack for romantic tension, and things quickly heat up both in and out of the kitchen. But Evan’s holding back a secret, and with danger lurking around every corner, she must decide if she can trust him or risk it all trying to find the truth.
Rival Secrets is a light, fun read with an intriguing blend of romance and mystery. The Vegas setting adds flair, and the cooking competition gives it a playful, high-energy backdrop. Evan makes for a charming love interest, and the heroine’s passion for food is contagious. That said, some parts feel a bit rushed—especially the romance, which leaps from flirty to serious very quickly. The mystery is more cozy than suspenseful, and a few twists are easy to spot. Still, it’s a solid series starter that delivers on entertainment, and if you’re in the mood for a breezy romance with a dash of danger and gourmet drama, this one's worth a try.
April 8, 2025
Rival Secrets is a great romantic suspense from JD Carothers! Murder, intrigue, love, cooking - it has all of it in spades, and it's like if The Great British Bake-off and Murder She Wrote had a kid.
Cassie, a home chef, has somehow found herself as the alternate in a cooking competition where high-level chefs are competing for a guest chef job at a luxury hotel. Cassie is at a career crossroads, so this is the perfect way for her to find out if she has what it takes to explore her passion. Little did she expect to become a murder suspect along the way! Evan has some secrets of his own, but the instant he meets Cassie, he knows that there is something special between them. He takes protecting her and falling in love with her seriously.
JD Carothers has weaved a great mystery, as well as nurtured a compelling romance. The spice is lower than some romances, but it allows the mystery and the connection between Cassie and Evan to take center stage.
The audio, narrated by Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East, is a fantastic way to experience this story. They both are such amazing voice actors, and they bring the emotions needed to do the story justice.
Thank you Homecooked Books for this listen!
Cassie, a home chef, has somehow found herself as the alternate in a cooking competition where high-level chefs are competing for a guest chef job at a luxury hotel. Cassie is at a career crossroads, so this is the perfect way for her to find out if she has what it takes to explore her passion. Little did she expect to become a murder suspect along the way! Evan has some secrets of his own, but the instant he meets Cassie, he knows that there is something special between them. He takes protecting her and falling in love with her seriously.
JD Carothers has weaved a great mystery, as well as nurtured a compelling romance. The spice is lower than some romances, but it allows the mystery and the connection between Cassie and Evan to take center stage.
The audio, narrated by Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East, is a fantastic way to experience this story. They both are such amazing voice actors, and they bring the emotions needed to do the story justice.
Thank you Homecooked Books for this listen!
March 17, 2025
Book 1 in J.D. Carothers' Love Over Murders series. A wonderful start to a new series and for me a new author. I absolutely loved this read / listen. Our main characters are Cassie and Evan. Cassie is an attorney with a passion for cooking and is talked into signing up for a cooking competition. Evan is friends with the hotel owner hosting said cooking competition and is visiting while contemplating some big life changes. Our main characters become close as they have compelling chemistry from the start. I love how Carothers delivers such a smooth storyline that is completely captivating as we are drawn into the mystery as well as the sweet and steamy romance building between our characters. I received an audio version of this read and found the dual narration perfectly suits these characters and the accent for Evan is swoon worthy - not to mention his characters personality too! Overall, I adored this book from start to finish and am so excited to read / listen to more from Carothers and this series!
This book was given to me for free at my request thanks to HCB and I voluntarily provided this review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read.
This book was given to me for free at my request thanks to HCB and I voluntarily provided this review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read.
April 9, 2025
Advance Listener Copy via Homecooked Books and the author.
Dual Narration: Shane East & Samantha Brentmoor
So this was a very entertaining listen and I was able to finish it over the course of several of my mother's chemo appointments, which I loved that it engaged me to that level that I focused on something else. This was my first JD Carothers book, but I really like her style.
The two main characters, Cassie & Evan find themselves in Vegas because of a cooking competition. Someone drops dead, er I mean out, and Cassie is in the running to win it all. This story presented some great chemistry between the two MCs but spice was on the lower side. There was mystery around the murder, and I feel like this could almost be a cozy mystery but juiced up a bit. Either way, it was easy to listen to and kept me engaged.
Narration was excellent by Samantha Brentmoor & Shane East, who most audiobook fans will instantly recognize as being at the top of their craft. I felt their casting was also well done.
I am definitely looking forward to moving forward in this series to the next book!
Dual Narration: Shane East & Samantha Brentmoor
So this was a very entertaining listen and I was able to finish it over the course of several of my mother's chemo appointments, which I loved that it engaged me to that level that I focused on something else. This was my first JD Carothers book, but I really like her style.
The two main characters, Cassie & Evan find themselves in Vegas because of a cooking competition. Someone drops dead, er I mean out, and Cassie is in the running to win it all. This story presented some great chemistry between the two MCs but spice was on the lower side. There was mystery around the murder, and I feel like this could almost be a cozy mystery but juiced up a bit. Either way, it was easy to listen to and kept me engaged.
Narration was excellent by Samantha Brentmoor & Shane East, who most audiobook fans will instantly recognize as being at the top of their craft. I felt their casting was also well done.
I am definitely looking forward to moving forward in this series to the next book!
April 10, 2025
🎧Audiobook Review 🎧
This is #1 of the Love over Murder series by J.D. Carothers and is a standalone.
I really liked this story and it was refreshing to read one with a good romantic plot that didn't have to rely on heavy steam!
Cassandra is a burnt out and (believe it or not) broke corporate lawyer, whose real personal pleasure is cooking. When one of her favourite finalists in a cooking competition dies and the show advertises for a replacement, she seizes the opportunity with both hands.
What I really liked was finding out about all the goings on behind the scenes of a cooking competition, which was fascinating, especially when it is held in a swanky Las Vegas hotel.
Evan is a friend of the hotel owner who by coincidence has gone to stay with him for a two week break and is asked to represent him at the competition.
So without further ado, let the games begin!
🎤 The #dualnarration by Shane East and Samantha Brentmoor was as excellent as ever.
Thank you Home Cooked Books for allowing me the pleasure of listening to this book and now I can't wait to dive into #2 of the series.
This is #1 of the Love over Murder series by J.D. Carothers and is a standalone.
I really liked this story and it was refreshing to read one with a good romantic plot that didn't have to rely on heavy steam!
Cassandra is a burnt out and (believe it or not) broke corporate lawyer, whose real personal pleasure is cooking. When one of her favourite finalists in a cooking competition dies and the show advertises for a replacement, she seizes the opportunity with both hands.
What I really liked was finding out about all the goings on behind the scenes of a cooking competition, which was fascinating, especially when it is held in a swanky Las Vegas hotel.
Evan is a friend of the hotel owner who by coincidence has gone to stay with him for a two week break and is asked to represent him at the competition.
So without further ado, let the games begin!
🎤 The #dualnarration by Shane East and Samantha Brentmoor was as excellent as ever.
Thank you Home Cooked Books for allowing me the pleasure of listening to this book and now I can't wait to dive into #2 of the series.
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