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Peach Blossom #3
The Secret Crush Book Club
A dedicated single mother and a librarian with a secret write their own sweet and sexy love story in this small-town rom-com about family, friendships and embracing the next chapter.
“ HAWT sex scenes… Every touch, kiss, caress, feels incredibly real and deliciously sexy.” —Autostraddle on The 7-10 Split
Nothing cures a lonely heart quite like a good book
and an unexpected crush…
For Dani, life is a juggling act. As a single mom devoted to her son and family, she barely has a moment to herself. But when her sister announces she’s moving out of the house, the ache of loneliness creeps in, and Dani can’t help but wonder if there’s something else she’s been missing in her life…
Zoey came to Peach Blossom eager to start her new job as the town’s librarian and to do a little research for her next book. Yet she never expected to find inspiration in fellow book club member Dani, whose captivating brown eyes tell a story of their own. Before they know it, lingering glances over their favorite fiction turn into first dates and sizzling nights.
As their connection deepens, the two women must decide if they should turn the page on what their lives used to look like, or if this thrilling plot twist is the happily-ever-after they’ve been chasing all along.
The Secret Crush Book Club is a spicy, fast-paced romance you can read in one sitting.
Peach Blossom
Book 1: The 7-10 Split
Book 2: The Relationship Mechanic
Book 3: The Secret Crush Book Club
“ HAWT sex scenes… Every touch, kiss, caress, feels incredibly real and deliciously sexy.” —Autostraddle on The 7-10 Split
Nothing cures a lonely heart quite like a good book
and an unexpected crush…
For Dani, life is a juggling act. As a single mom devoted to her son and family, she barely has a moment to herself. But when her sister announces she’s moving out of the house, the ache of loneliness creeps in, and Dani can’t help but wonder if there’s something else she’s been missing in her life…
Zoey came to Peach Blossom eager to start her new job as the town’s librarian and to do a little research for her next book. Yet she never expected to find inspiration in fellow book club member Dani, whose captivating brown eyes tell a story of their own. Before they know it, lingering glances over their favorite fiction turn into first dates and sizzling nights.
As their connection deepens, the two women must decide if they should turn the page on what their lives used to look like, or if this thrilling plot twist is the happily-ever-after they’ve been chasing all along.
The Secret Crush Book Club is a spicy, fast-paced romance you can read in one sitting.
Peach Blossom
Book 1: The 7-10 Split
Book 2: The Relationship Mechanic
Book 3: The Secret Crush Book Club
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2025
51 people are currently reading
7917 people want to read
About the author
Karmen Lee
27 books232 followersKarmen Lee is an avid reader of anything and everything. She’s a lifelong Southerner living it up in Atlanta, Georgia with her kid, her cats, and humidity. When she’s not packing lunches or working her normal nine-to-five, you can usually find her drinking coffee too late at night, watching House Hunters International and dreaming up ways to show her readers a good time. You can keep up with her on Twitter (@Author_KLee) or Instagram (@authorkarmenlee).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
September 1, 2025
what. the hell. they were actually not together/in a relationship for the entirety of this book and it’s a ROMANCE? where was the depth? the emotion? the yearning???
3 stars i GUESS for it being a quick read and the audiobook narrator was phenomenal but. that’s about it
thank you to netgalley and harlequin for the alc!
3 stars i GUESS for it being a quick read and the audiobook narrator was phenomenal but. that’s about it
thank you to netgalley and harlequin for the alc!
August 29, 2025
Karmen Lee’s The Secret Crush Book Club is a charming read that largely delivers on its promise of fun and romance. If you're looking for something lighthearted, a few laughs sprinkled in, and low angst, this book is definitely worth picking up.
Despite a somewhat unconvincing 3rd act reversal, the authentic and enjoyable relationship between the leads remains.
The reason I rate this at 3.5, not 4, is that the prose could be better: it’s basic and colloquial with some less than stellar grammar and expression. Given this is a publisher of some renown, I would have hoped a copy editor’s eye would have improved it.
The flip side of my criticism is that, despite this quibble, I still enjoyed the story. So while the prose could be better, this author’s strengths are very much in the characters and their arcs individually and together. Ultimately, The Secret Crush Book Club is a delightful story that exudes warmth and offers a delightful escape. It's clear that Ms. Lee knows how to craft an engaging, character-driven romance that leaves you smiling. If you're looking for a book to brighten your day that doesn’t demand too much from you, this one might be worth adding to your reading list.
Despite a somewhat unconvincing 3rd act reversal, the authentic and enjoyable relationship between the leads remains.
The reason I rate this at 3.5, not 4, is that the prose could be better: it’s basic and colloquial with some less than stellar grammar and expression. Given this is a publisher of some renown, I would have hoped a copy editor’s eye would have improved it.
The flip side of my criticism is that, despite this quibble, I still enjoyed the story. So while the prose could be better, this author’s strengths are very much in the characters and their arcs individually and together. Ultimately, The Secret Crush Book Club is a delightful story that exudes warmth and offers a delightful escape. It's clear that Ms. Lee knows how to craft an engaging, character-driven romance that leaves you smiling. If you're looking for a book to brighten your day that doesn’t demand too much from you, this one might be worth adding to your reading list.
July 27, 2025
3.25⭐️
A lonely, single mom joins a book club led by a gorgeous librarian with a secret.
Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 7 hours 11 minutes
🎤: Angel Pean
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Format: Dual POV
I have already found my love for this audiobook narrator in books like The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton. I really love her tempo and the sound of her voice as she reads. She gives agency and a voice to each character with only minute changes to her narration style. I never have to adjust my speed and she's very accurate and concise in her dictation. I will continue to seek out this audiobook narrator as a favorite.
Themes:
📖: Loneliness
📖: Love of family and friends
📖: Embracing the next chapter
📖: Coming out later in life
Representation:
📚: Sapphic relationship
📚: Single mom
📚: Black cast
Tropes:
💗: Friends to Lovers
💗: Book club
💗: Small Town
🥵: Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Potential Triggers: domestic violence **check authors page/socials for full list.
Short Synopsis:
Dani is a lonely single mom looking for a connection. Zoey is a librarian with a secret and a crush. Will book club start to sizzle?
General Thoughts:
The romance between Dani and Zoey is so sweet and romantic. But it's not without some conflict and tension which only adds to the sweet contrast between our FMC's.
I really enjoyed the single parent aspects involving our character Dani. The added tension involving her parenting with her ex-husband really set a tone for her storyline. Felt very relatable to what a lot of parents go through coparenting. I do feel like this particular aspect of the book remained unsolved for the most part though. There was no resolution for neither Danny Jordan or the father. And that was a little disappointing because it felt like a plot hole.
Zoey was a really fun character that I felt really paired nicely to Dani. I really liked Zoe's temperament and the overall way she carried herself. She was a fun character and easy to root for. However, I was a little underwhelmed with the huge secret that she was keeping from Dani and the town. I still don't really understand why it needed to be a secret. And I felt like the general reason given was very shallow and underwhelming as well.
I did really enjoy the general storyline, as well as the sexual tension that built up throughout the story. I felt like the sex scenes were well written and embodied the overall sweetness of the story. I felt the book moved at a very good pace and was just the right length to keep you entertained and ended at a good point before it became too long.
Overall, I've already purchased the authors backlog, and I will definitely continue to read her previous two books. I liked the story well enough to continue in this series of interconnected standalone's. I also would like to learn more about the characters I learned about in this novel.
Disclaimer: I read this audiobook via free ALC through NetGalley and Harlequin Audio. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
A lonely, single mom joins a book club led by a gorgeous librarian with a secret.
Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 7 hours 11 minutes
🎤: Angel Pean
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Format: Dual POV
I have already found my love for this audiobook narrator in books like The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton. I really love her tempo and the sound of her voice as she reads. She gives agency and a voice to each character with only minute changes to her narration style. I never have to adjust my speed and she's very accurate and concise in her dictation. I will continue to seek out this audiobook narrator as a favorite.
Themes:
📖: Loneliness
📖: Love of family and friends
📖: Embracing the next chapter
📖: Coming out later in life
Representation:
📚: Sapphic relationship
📚: Single mom
📚: Black cast
Tropes:
💗: Friends to Lovers
💗: Book club
💗: Small Town
🥵: Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Potential Triggers: domestic violence **check authors page/socials for full list.
Short Synopsis:
Dani is a lonely single mom looking for a connection. Zoey is a librarian with a secret and a crush. Will book club start to sizzle?
General Thoughts:
The romance between Dani and Zoey is so sweet and romantic. But it's not without some conflict and tension which only adds to the sweet contrast between our FMC's.
I really enjoyed the single parent aspects involving our character Dani. The added tension involving her parenting with her ex-husband really set a tone for her storyline. Felt very relatable to what a lot of parents go through coparenting. I do feel like this particular aspect of the book remained unsolved for the most part though. There was no resolution for neither Danny Jordan or the father. And that was a little disappointing because it felt like a plot hole.
Zoey was a really fun character that I felt really paired nicely to Dani. I really liked Zoe's temperament and the overall way she carried herself. She was a fun character and easy to root for. However, I was a little underwhelmed with the huge secret that she was keeping from Dani and the town. I still don't really understand why it needed to be a secret. And I felt like the general reason given was very shallow and underwhelming as well.
I did really enjoy the general storyline, as well as the sexual tension that built up throughout the story. I felt like the sex scenes were well written and embodied the overall sweetness of the story. I felt the book moved at a very good pace and was just the right length to keep you entertained and ended at a good point before it became too long.
Overall, I've already purchased the authors backlog, and I will definitely continue to read her previous two books. I liked the story well enough to continue in this series of interconnected standalone's. I also would like to learn more about the characters I learned about in this novel.
Disclaimer: I read this audiobook via free ALC through NetGalley and Harlequin Audio. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
August 25, 2025
The Secret Crush Bookclub by Karmen Lee
Peach Blossom series #3. Harlequin Afterglow. Diverse sapphic romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Single mother Dani is busy with responsibilities from motherhood to work and home. When her sister moves out of the house, and her son striving for his own independence, Dani finds herself a little lonely and restless. She goes to the library hoping for inspiration s more than expected. Librarian Zoey is happy to show Dani around the stacks and as they chat, invites her to a bookclub meeting.
Bookclub chats turn to lingering glances and more but each has issues to deal with. Zoey is only in Peach Blossom temporarily and it’s Dani’s first time realizing she may be interested in more than a friendship with another woman. What’s next for either of them?
🎧 I listened to an audiobook copy of this book, narrated by Angel Pean. The performance brings Dani to life with voice inflection and emotions that are clear. There is a distinct voice for Zoey and a few of the secondary characters too.
I listened at 1.5 and above to more closely match local conversation speed.
As a reader and lover of bookclubs and book events, I enjoyed the premise of this story. This romance had me a little surprised by some of the phrases and language used which is part of the Afterglow format. True voice. I cheered for the HEA. So glad Dani was able to find her love.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Harlequin Audio.
Peach Blossom series #3. Harlequin Afterglow. Diverse sapphic romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Single mother Dani is busy with responsibilities from motherhood to work and home. When her sister moves out of the house, and her son striving for his own independence, Dani finds herself a little lonely and restless. She goes to the library hoping for inspiration s more than expected. Librarian Zoey is happy to show Dani around the stacks and as they chat, invites her to a bookclub meeting.
Bookclub chats turn to lingering glances and more but each has issues to deal with. Zoey is only in Peach Blossom temporarily and it’s Dani’s first time realizing she may be interested in more than a friendship with another woman. What’s next for either of them?
🎧 I listened to an audiobook copy of this book, narrated by Angel Pean. The performance brings Dani to life with voice inflection and emotions that are clear. There is a distinct voice for Zoey and a few of the secondary characters too.
I listened at 1.5 and above to more closely match local conversation speed.
As a reader and lover of bookclubs and book events, I enjoyed the premise of this story. This romance had me a little surprised by some of the phrases and language used which is part of the Afterglow format. True voice. I cheered for the HEA. So glad Dani was able to find her love.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Harlequin Audio.
October 5, 2025
2.75 stars. Perhaps more like 2.5. This was cute but alas, I don't have much to say about it. It's been a while since I finished, so I don't remember a lot that I want to say in my review. But unfortunately, I think this is how I feel about a lot of this author's books. It was just fine! In terms of this particular series, I still think the second book is my favourite, and the first is my least favourite. This one sits smack in the middle.
Zoey is a mild-mannered librarian with a second, secret career as a best selling author. Dani is a single mom to a pre-teen boy. They're known each other for a few months, as Dani's son is part of the gaming club Zoey organised. Dani's been pretty unlucky in her dating life and social life lately, and she joins Zoey's book club as a chance to make friends (not realising that Zoey is one of her favourite authors). Meanwhile, Zoey has been nursing a huge crush on Dani for the longest while. As they become friends, the relationship progresses.
I'm sad to say, I spent most of my time listening to this just being a bit bored. There were so many cute elements, so many things I like to see in a romance, but none of it is really memorable. Aside from the fact that it's been several days, and I don't remember a lot about it, I apparently also didn't take many notes while reading, which is never a great sign. I feel like the book didn't deliver on a lot of its promises. Yeah, there's a book club, but we don't see a lot of it. I wish we'd spent more time seeing them bond over books, discussing books, et cetera. The secret crush part of it didn't last long. And I really expected Zoey being an author would play a bigger part in the story, but it didn't. Meh.
I liked the toaster oven part of the story, with Dani coming out a little later in life. The scenes with her and her sisters, figuring things out, were cute. (Though sometimes cringey.) Zoey and Dani were sweet and adorable together. I always like single parent romances to see the dynamic with the kid and the love interest. This was okay in that regard, although there were times when Jordan did NOT sound like a child, lol. But that's often the case with kids in books. And the writing was just... fine.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Angel Pean, and I did enjoy that. I've liked every book I've listened to by her, and this was no different. But the book itself... IDK. I've already run out of things to say about it. It was cute and I liked it, but nothing more than that.
Zoey is a mild-mannered librarian with a second, secret career as a best selling author. Dani is a single mom to a pre-teen boy. They're known each other for a few months, as Dani's son is part of the gaming club Zoey organised. Dani's been pretty unlucky in her dating life and social life lately, and she joins Zoey's book club as a chance to make friends (not realising that Zoey is one of her favourite authors). Meanwhile, Zoey has been nursing a huge crush on Dani for the longest while. As they become friends, the relationship progresses.
I'm sad to say, I spent most of my time listening to this just being a bit bored. There were so many cute elements, so many things I like to see in a romance, but none of it is really memorable. Aside from the fact that it's been several days, and I don't remember a lot about it, I apparently also didn't take many notes while reading, which is never a great sign. I feel like the book didn't deliver on a lot of its promises. Yeah, there's a book club, but we don't see a lot of it. I wish we'd spent more time seeing them bond over books, discussing books, et cetera. The secret crush part of it didn't last long. And I really expected Zoey being an author would play a bigger part in the story, but it didn't. Meh.
I liked the toaster oven part of the story, with Dani coming out a little later in life. The scenes with her and her sisters, figuring things out, were cute. (Though sometimes cringey.) Zoey and Dani were sweet and adorable together. I always like single parent romances to see the dynamic with the kid and the love interest. This was okay in that regard, although there were times when Jordan did NOT sound like a child, lol. But that's often the case with kids in books. And the writing was just... fine.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Angel Pean, and I did enjoy that. I've liked every book I've listened to by her, and this was no different. But the book itself... IDK. I've already run out of things to say about it. It was cute and I liked it, but nothing more than that.
August 25, 2025
Tropes:
~cozy, small town romance
~slow burn
~single mother
~queer awakening
This cozy and adorable, low-stakes romance is great to pick up for the start of autumn! The romance did take a bit of a back seat and make this feel like it was toeing the line of women's fiction, but I didn't mind since I enjoyed both MCs and their journey to one another.
Zoey is the new librarian in town and quickly forms a crush on Dani, a single mother who has never been romantically interested in women...until she starts to develop feelings for Zoey. Dani's son also adores hanging out with Zoey, which added a cute found family aspect.
The narrator did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life, so I highly recommend the audiobook! Overall, this was a feel-good romance that left me with a smile on my face.
**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, who provided me with an eALC in exchange for an honest review
If this book was Taylor Swift lyrics:
"'Cause she's the kind of book that you can't put down
Like if Cleopatra grew up in a small town"
~cozy, small town romance
~slow burn
~single mother
~queer awakening
This cozy and adorable, low-stakes romance is great to pick up for the start of autumn! The romance did take a bit of a back seat and make this feel like it was toeing the line of women's fiction, but I didn't mind since I enjoyed both MCs and their journey to one another.
Zoey is the new librarian in town and quickly forms a crush on Dani, a single mother who has never been romantically interested in women...until she starts to develop feelings for Zoey. Dani's son also adores hanging out with Zoey, which added a cute found family aspect.
The narrator did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life, so I highly recommend the audiobook! Overall, this was a feel-good romance that left me with a smile on my face.
**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, who provided me with an eALC in exchange for an honest review
If this book was Taylor Swift lyrics:
"'Cause she's the kind of book that you can't put down
Like if Cleopatra grew up in a small town"
May 20, 2025
I liked this novel a lot. It was on the shorter side, and a bit “simpler” as a result, but in a way that left me very happy and satisfied. This is not a book filled with drama; it is more like a nice hug that is comfortable and leaves you feeling warm and happy. The protagonists were delightfully cute together. If you want a straightforward romance that is well written and has great characters then I would recommend this one in a heartbeat.
It is part of a series but can easily be read as a standalone (and I actually mean that, your fine!).
My Rating: “A”
Converted Rating: 5-Stars
Highlights:
-Its just heartwarming.
-They are SO cute together. I’m talking about butterflies and shy smiles. Absolutely heartwarming.
-Gay panik!
-Sexy librarian. Cardigans.
-The amount of content per page count is very satisfying.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
It is part of a series but can easily be read as a standalone (and I actually mean that, your fine!).
My Rating: “A”
Converted Rating: 5-Stars
Highlights:
-Its just heartwarming.
-They are SO cute together. I’m talking about butterflies and shy smiles. Absolutely heartwarming.
-Gay panik!
-Sexy librarian. Cardigans.
-The amount of content per page count is very satisfying.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
September 18, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
A fast and enjoyable read. I liked it. Small town and slow burn. Some spice towards the end 🤭.
This read left me satisfied with my choice.
A fast and enjoyable read. I liked it. Small town and slow burn. Some spice towards the end 🤭.
This read left me satisfied with my choice.
July 26, 2025
3.75/5
Admittedly this is my first Karmen Lee romance, and it would be the third in a series - love that it can be read as a standalone and that I did not feel lost at any point in this story. I do have the physical copies of the first two in the series, but buying and reading are separate hobbies okay…we don’t shelf manage around here.
This was definitely a very cute and a bit more on the lighter side of reading for me, which is not a bad thing at all. Felt like a refreshing change of pace. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for the same, check it out on August 26, 2025.
As a wlw who is also a single mother, I think it is amazing anytime I can sink my teeth into a story with one. Dani was definitely easily relatable for me in this way. I enjoyed following along with her insecurities with dating and her anxiety around what we should do and what we want to do. This felt well written to me as someone who has had the same inner conversations and concerns.
Throw into the mix an incredibly patient, understanding and sexy VELMA-esque librarian? Maaaaaan. This sexy librarian also runs a book club, and is also your favorite author?? Zoey was so incredibly adorable and I was very excited that she was able to find something healthy after being taken advantage of. I think we can all relate to this.
This was a slow burn that felt way more focused on the self-acceptance IMO. I love this. We deserve to be happy, we deserve to be praised and complimented. We deserve to bask in our accomplishments. We deserve easy love.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Books for this ARC of The Secret Crush Book Club in exchange for my honest review.
Admittedly this is my first Karmen Lee romance, and it would be the third in a series - love that it can be read as a standalone and that I did not feel lost at any point in this story. I do have the physical copies of the first two in the series, but buying and reading are separate hobbies okay…we don’t shelf manage around here.
This was definitely a very cute and a bit more on the lighter side of reading for me, which is not a bad thing at all. Felt like a refreshing change of pace. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for the same, check it out on August 26, 2025.
As a wlw who is also a single mother, I think it is amazing anytime I can sink my teeth into a story with one. Dani was definitely easily relatable for me in this way. I enjoyed following along with her insecurities with dating and her anxiety around what we should do and what we want to do. This felt well written to me as someone who has had the same inner conversations and concerns.
Throw into the mix an incredibly patient, understanding and sexy VELMA-esque librarian? Maaaaaan. This sexy librarian also runs a book club, and is also your favorite author?? Zoey was so incredibly adorable and I was very excited that she was able to find something healthy after being taken advantage of. I think we can all relate to this.
This was a slow burn that felt way more focused on the self-acceptance IMO. I love this. We deserve to be happy, we deserve to be praised and complimented. We deserve to bask in our accomplishments. We deserve easy love.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Books for this ARC of The Secret Crush Book Club in exchange for my honest review.
August 28, 2025
*3.75
This is such a cute small town sapphic romance!
I really was craving a soft sapphic romance and this served exactly that.
Dani is a nurse & single mom, she's just living day by day but wants to branch out. She goes to her local library in hopes to find some self-help books to change up her routine.
Enters Zoey, who is the town's newest librarian and an author. She's been in town for a short amount of time but in her time there, she's crushed on Dani from afar. When Dani comes into the library, Zoey extends an invitation to Dani and invites her to her local book club. And so the romance begins!
My main issue with this novel was the length of it, this felt more like a novella due to how quick the relationship builds. This book would have done wonders if it was a bit longer and we got to see more of the relationship building aspect and the development of coming to terms with your sexuality at a later stage in life.
I'm new to the Peach Blossom-verse and to be honest I never want to leave! I can't wait to see what's next in Karmen Lee's work.
This is such a cute small town sapphic romance!
I really was craving a soft sapphic romance and this served exactly that.
Dani is a nurse & single mom, she's just living day by day but wants to branch out. She goes to her local library in hopes to find some self-help books to change up her routine.
Enters Zoey, who is the town's newest librarian and an author. She's been in town for a short amount of time but in her time there, she's crushed on Dani from afar. When Dani comes into the library, Zoey extends an invitation to Dani and invites her to her local book club. And so the romance begins!
My main issue with this novel was the length of it, this felt more like a novella due to how quick the relationship builds. This book would have done wonders if it was a bit longer and we got to see more of the relationship building aspect and the development of coming to terms with your sexuality at a later stage in life.
I'm new to the Peach Blossom-verse and to be honest I never want to leave! I can't wait to see what's next in Karmen Lee's work.
July 29, 2025
The secret Crush Book Club by Karmen Lee
-every time they talk it had me giddy and blushing
-love the bookish vibes and book club vibes
-love Canadian rep 🇨🇦
-love the single mother rep having the book club as her weekly social time is cute , love them bonding
-this was cute but not wow they spent most of the book being friends then lovers which is fine but i was expecting more
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️
-every time they talk it had me giddy and blushing
-love the bookish vibes and book club vibes
-love Canadian rep 🇨🇦
-love the single mother rep having the book club as her weekly social time is cute , love them bonding
-this was cute but not wow they spent most of the book being friends then lovers which is fine but i was expecting more
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 11, 2025
thank you to harlequin audio & netgalley for this ARC! this series has a very special place in my heart i just loveeeeeeeee these sisters and this little town. all the books are so sweet and feel good and this one was no excuse. it was a little bit of a slow burn but i loved the story. i need book 4 to be the dad’s story.. oh
August 25, 2025
2025 reads: 226/300
i received an advanced listening copy from the publisher via netgalley. i am leaving this review voluntarily.
in this third book of the peach blossom series, a a single mother, dani, and a librarian, zoey, write their own love story. between work, her son, and the rest of her family, dani barely has a moment to herself. that doesn’t bother her too much until her sister announces she’ll be moving out. now, dani is wondering whether something else has been missing from her life. zoey is in peach blossom on a short-term librarian gig while she researches for her next book. she’s surprised to find inspiration less from the town, and more from dani, a fellow book club member. as they get closer, they must decide whether to pursue the sparks between them.
after reading the 7-10 split and the relationship mechanic earlier this year, i was really looking forward to this book! as with the previous two books in this series, the secret crush book club is short, sweet, and full of depth. despite its length, karmen lee did not shy away from difficult topics—single parenthood, realizing your sexuality later in life, and past relationship hurts, just to name a few. with that said, dani and zoey didn’t spend much of the book actually in a romantic relationship, but i think it was worth the wait, as we were able to see their friendship build first before diving into romance. dani also had to take some time to figure things out for herself, both in terms of her sexuality and her son’s wellbeing, so the slow build worked well, in my opinion.
the audiobook was narrated by angel pean, whose lovely voice suited both characters so well. i highly recommend this audiobook to anyone looking for a short romance book.
i received an advanced listening copy from the publisher via netgalley. i am leaving this review voluntarily.
in this third book of the peach blossom series, a a single mother, dani, and a librarian, zoey, write their own love story. between work, her son, and the rest of her family, dani barely has a moment to herself. that doesn’t bother her too much until her sister announces she’ll be moving out. now, dani is wondering whether something else has been missing from her life. zoey is in peach blossom on a short-term librarian gig while she researches for her next book. she’s surprised to find inspiration less from the town, and more from dani, a fellow book club member. as they get closer, they must decide whether to pursue the sparks between them.
after reading the 7-10 split and the relationship mechanic earlier this year, i was really looking forward to this book! as with the previous two books in this series, the secret crush book club is short, sweet, and full of depth. despite its length, karmen lee did not shy away from difficult topics—single parenthood, realizing your sexuality later in life, and past relationship hurts, just to name a few. with that said, dani and zoey didn’t spend much of the book actually in a romantic relationship, but i think it was worth the wait, as we were able to see their friendship build first before diving into romance. dani also had to take some time to figure things out for herself, both in terms of her sexuality and her son’s wellbeing, so the slow build worked well, in my opinion.
the audiobook was narrated by angel pean, whose lovely voice suited both characters so well. i highly recommend this audiobook to anyone looking for a short romance book.
December 6, 2025
Falling in love in the library and through a book club? Yes please!
This is a slow-burn sapphic romance that explores new experiences, family dynamics, and the leap you sometimes have to take when falling in love.
We return to the small town of Peach Blossom, catching up with familiar faces from the series, though this story can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone.
Told through the dual perspectives of Dani and Zoey, the novel follows Dani - a mum feeling a bit directionless, with quiet evenings and a son who has more of a social life than she does at the library. One night, while checking out books (and Zoey), she has an unexpected queer awakening 🏳️🌈
Zoey, meanwhile, is a librarian and author with cute glasses, cute cardigans, a calm presence, and a long-standing crush on Dani. She’s been hoping for a real-life romance rather than the fictional stories she writes.
It’s a sweet story about carving out time for yourself and exploring your sexuality a little later in life. The book focuses as much on family dynamics and the everyday realities of motherhood as it does on the romance - at times, even more so - as Dani figures out her role as a parent while wanting to date. The romance finds its rhythm in the final third, and there’s a touch of wonderfully hot 🌶 at the end! 💝
This is a slow-burn sapphic romance that explores new experiences, family dynamics, and the leap you sometimes have to take when falling in love.
We return to the small town of Peach Blossom, catching up with familiar faces from the series, though this story can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone.
Told through the dual perspectives of Dani and Zoey, the novel follows Dani - a mum feeling a bit directionless, with quiet evenings and a son who has more of a social life than she does at the library. One night, while checking out books (and Zoey), she has an unexpected queer awakening 🏳️🌈
Zoey, meanwhile, is a librarian and author with cute glasses, cute cardigans, a calm presence, and a long-standing crush on Dani. She’s been hoping for a real-life romance rather than the fictional stories she writes.
It’s a sweet story about carving out time for yourself and exploring your sexuality a little later in life. The book focuses as much on family dynamics and the everyday realities of motherhood as it does on the romance - at times, even more so - as Dani figures out her role as a parent while wanting to date. The romance finds its rhythm in the final third, and there’s a touch of wonderfully hot 🌶 at the end! 💝
October 28, 2025
sooo cuuute!!
keine unnötigen Missverständnisse? Ehrliche Kommunikation über Gefühle? Offene Unterhaltungen über Herausforderungen?
ich bin begeistert 😍😍
keine unnötigen Missverständnisse? Ehrliche Kommunikation über Gefühle? Offene Unterhaltungen über Herausforderungen?
ich bin begeistert 😍😍
October 1, 2025
Such a sweet and engaging read. I loved the characters and they got closer and found love. Bit sad as I think it's the last book in the series and I enjoyed each book a lot.
September 23, 2025
This was a super cute, sweet, cozy, low stakes, slow burn romance. There are really no big conflicts and the story is drawn out, but in a good way. The whole book is really about these two women reaching the relationship destination as opposed to being in a relationship. There are also some really sweet moments of Dani parenting her tween.
Honestly, the worst parts of this book to me were the two straight men, Mason and Jacob. Mason comes in and is overprotective in an annoying, boundary pushing way. Like I get he raised his sister, but for him to out Zoey’s secret that she was already trying to find the right time to reveal, was such a dick move. The fact that he blew this up to unreasonable proportions makes me think the author was just scrambling for a “conflict”, but it didn’t really fit.
And then ofc the other awful straight male, Jacob. I don’t even have words for how much he sucks. Jacob’s arguments/concerns are just homophobic/biphobic honestly and thank god his son was less stupid than him as a father.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this audiobook ARC.
Honestly, the worst parts of this book to me were the two straight men, Mason and Jacob. Mason comes in and is overprotective in an annoying, boundary pushing way. Like I get he raised his sister, but for him to out Zoey’s secret that she was already trying to find the right time to reveal, was such a dick move. The fact that he blew this up to unreasonable proportions makes me think the author was just scrambling for a “conflict”, but it didn’t really fit.
And then ofc the other awful straight male, Jacob. I don’t even have words for how much he sucks. Jacob’s arguments/concerns are just homophobic/biphobic honestly and thank god his son was less stupid than him as a father.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this audiobook ARC.
October 3, 2025
4.5
Sept 26: my girl Dani gets a book too.. omg sign me uppp
already preorder book 2 but ill be preordering this as well.
September 13: Def my fav in the series and so sad to see it end. I loved them so much its not even funny and by them I mean all the sisters, love interests and basically their communities.
Sept 26: my girl Dani gets a book too.. omg sign me uppp
already preorder book 2 but ill be preordering this as well.
September 13: Def my fav in the series and so sad to see it end. I loved them so much its not even funny and by them I mean all the sisters, love interests and basically their communities.
June 16, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for the advanced copy!
I'm going to be honest- this is my first book in this standalone series. I wasn't sure what I was getting into. Having just finished, it was so fricken cute and I will be adding the first two to my Libby account! In the charming town of Peach Blossom, we meet Dani; the single mom who is just trying to figure out her life, and Zoey; the new librarian who has moved to town to write her new book. Zoey falls first for Dani, and this is something new for Dani, as she has only been with men up until Zoey. Maybe there's always been something there, but it just waited until the right person?
I loved how sweet this book was. In hetero books the third act breakup is devastating and dramatic. In this, it was more of a "I need to do this because I think I have to to protect my people, not because I don't want you," type of thing. Both of them respect each other's boundaries and it's never made to feel like Dani is pushing Zoey out of the picture because she has a kid, nor is Zoey mad that she will come last. It's refreshing to read a romance book where the obstacles seem more realistic and the couple use healthy communication to work through them.
I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read the others!
I'm going to be honest- this is my first book in this standalone series. I wasn't sure what I was getting into. Having just finished, it was so fricken cute and I will be adding the first two to my Libby account! In the charming town of Peach Blossom, we meet Dani; the single mom who is just trying to figure out her life, and Zoey; the new librarian who has moved to town to write her new book. Zoey falls first for Dani, and this is something new for Dani, as she has only been with men up until Zoey. Maybe there's always been something there, but it just waited until the right person?
I loved how sweet this book was. In hetero books the third act breakup is devastating and dramatic. In this, it was more of a "I need to do this because I think I have to to protect my people, not because I don't want you," type of thing. Both of them respect each other's boundaries and it's never made to feel like Dani is pushing Zoey out of the picture because she has a kid, nor is Zoey mad that she will come last. It's refreshing to read a romance book where the obstacles seem more realistic and the couple use healthy communication to work through them.
I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read the others!
May 30, 2025
I find myself wanting more with a lot of Karmen Lee’s work, which is a testament to how good she writes characters. The Secret Crush BookClub was a sweet, low angst/conflict, small town romance. It’s nice to see the other characters of Lee’s books in the Peach Blossom Universe. I loved seeing what the Williams family was up to. There was a nice blend of comedy queer cultural references. It was a ln easy read and a fast one too because l couldn’t put it down!
I did feel like there needed to be a little more in the middle of the story, a little more building of Zoey and Dani’s relationship. I would’ve also liked a bit of a resolution or to see more being done about the situation with Jordan’s dad. It felt unresolved. I’m a huge fan of epilogues too and I found myself wanting one!
This is definitely a book I will come back to and I hope this isn’t the last we see of the Williams family!
Thanks NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC!
I did feel like there needed to be a little more in the middle of the story, a little more building of Zoey and Dani’s relationship. I would’ve also liked a bit of a resolution or to see more being done about the situation with Jordan’s dad. It felt unresolved. I’m a huge fan of epilogues too and I found myself wanting one!
This is definitely a book I will come back to and I hope this isn’t the last we see of the Williams family!
Thanks NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC!
August 23, 2025
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
this one is the third in a series but it can be read as a stand alone
dani single mom to jordan has tried dating but she hasnt really felt any of them were right.... she feels as though she is in some mid life crisis so whilst she is at the library waiting to pick jordan her son up she ask the new librarian zoey to recommend some self help books....
unbeknown to dani, zoey has a secret crush on her.... and hopes one day that dani will notice her.....
zoey also invites dani to her new book club and at a loose end dani agrees to go...
have to say thoroughly enjoyed this storyline, the one liners were pretty funny and the complex world of a single parent trying to bring a child up is covered really well plus the joys of trying to find new friends and maybe even a life...
looking forward to more from this author
this one is the third in a series but it can be read as a stand alone
dani single mom to jordan has tried dating but she hasnt really felt any of them were right.... she feels as though she is in some mid life crisis so whilst she is at the library waiting to pick jordan her son up she ask the new librarian zoey to recommend some self help books....
unbeknown to dani, zoey has a secret crush on her.... and hopes one day that dani will notice her.....
zoey also invites dani to her new book club and at a loose end dani agrees to go...
have to say thoroughly enjoyed this storyline, the one liners were pretty funny and the complex world of a single parent trying to bring a child up is covered really well plus the joys of trying to find new friends and maybe even a life...
looking forward to more from this author
August 2, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy of this book.
I was truly moved by the tenderness in Dani and Zoey's story. This book beautifully explores the journey of coming out and self-discovery later in life, portraying it with nuance and heart. The characters are richly developed, each with authentic backstories grounded in real-life challenges, such as, family dynamics, single parenthood, the complexities of raising a teenage son navigating his own emotions, and the strength of deep-rooted friendships.
Zoey being a librarian was an unexpected delight (truly the quiet fantasy I didn’t know I needed). The romantic tension between the leads was gentle yet passionate, with just the right amount of spice to make you root for their happily ever after.
I was truly moved by the tenderness in Dani and Zoey's story. This book beautifully explores the journey of coming out and self-discovery later in life, portraying it with nuance and heart. The characters are richly developed, each with authentic backstories grounded in real-life challenges, such as, family dynamics, single parenthood, the complexities of raising a teenage son navigating his own emotions, and the strength of deep-rooted friendships.
Zoey being a librarian was an unexpected delight (truly the quiet fantasy I didn’t know I needed). The romantic tension between the leads was gentle yet passionate, with just the right amount of spice to make you root for their happily ever after.
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645808644i%2F7494844._UX200_CR0%2C6%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
November 12, 2025
3.5, rounded up.
I think this was my least favorite of the Peach Blossom books—mostly because the plot was just kinda hanging out and there wasn't as much development between Dani and Zoey as I had wanted.
I did love the later-in-life realization Dani had, although I was less of the "gay for you" trope that popped up just a little bit (and was squashed, kinda, as Dani realized that her thoughts for some women HAD been pretty huge hints, actually). I also wanted a bit more resolution with the ex husband situation than there was, even if it was just with Jordan (Dani's kid).
There was also some librarian stuff that felt...not correct.
Anywho, I do enjoy these books. They are cute, they are fun, and the Williams family is delightful.
I think this was my least favorite of the Peach Blossom books—mostly because the plot was just kinda hanging out and there wasn't as much development between Dani and Zoey as I had wanted.
I did love the later-in-life realization Dani had, although I was less of the "gay for you" trope that popped up just a little bit (and was squashed, kinda, as Dani realized that her thoughts for some women HAD been pretty huge hints, actually). I also wanted a bit more resolution with the ex husband situation than there was, even if it was just with Jordan (Dani's kid).
There was also some librarian stuff that felt...not correct.
Anywho, I do enjoy these books. They are cute, they are fun, and the Williams family is delightful.
September 4, 2025
I finished this book several days ago but have been a touch under the weather. But I'm feeling better and ready to knock this one off my NetGalley list, officially.
I had already purchased the first two in this series but didn't get into them until I was approved for The Secret Crush Book Club. Luckily, I had plenty of time between the award date and publishing date to knock the whole series out.
So I did enjoy the book - the whole series, really - but they all were so superficial and all three ended very shortly after the couples get together. We get some of the details of the first two sisters and their partners throughout each subsequent book, but it's still not much.
The series is fine as it is but I tend to love the slower burn books that have more meat to them. My ratings would have been higher, too, if there had been just a bit more attention paid during proofreading. I know that I'm not really supposed to knock off points for an ARC book that has missing words and other editing issues because it hasn't gone all the way through the publishing process yet, but I felt okay about it this time because the same issues were in the first two books and they weren't ARCs.
I will also say that I enjoyed the second two books more than the first. I'll look for Karmen Lee's upcoming release, too. I do like her writing voice and I did sort of fall in love with Dani. And Zoey.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
I had already purchased the first two in this series but didn't get into them until I was approved for The Secret Crush Book Club. Luckily, I had plenty of time between the award date and publishing date to knock the whole series out.
So I did enjoy the book - the whole series, really - but they all were so superficial and all three ended very shortly after the couples get together. We get some of the details of the first two sisters and their partners throughout each subsequent book, but it's still not much.
The series is fine as it is but I tend to love the slower burn books that have more meat to them. My ratings would have been higher, too, if there had been just a bit more attention paid during proofreading. I know that I'm not really supposed to knock off points for an ARC book that has missing words and other editing issues because it hasn't gone all the way through the publishing process yet, but I felt okay about it this time because the same issues were in the first two books and they weren't ARCs.
I will also say that I enjoyed the second two books more than the first. I'll look for Karmen Lee's upcoming release, too. I do like her writing voice and I did sort of fall in love with Dani. And Zoey.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
October 28, 2025
A small town bookclub. A secret author. A single mom. Low angst. And Karmen Lee’s signature happily ever after. What more could you ask for?
Since I read the first book (well the second, because I read them out of order), I knew this would be a 3 book series. All of them are sapphic romances, written by a woman of color about women of color. Representation is everything and I’m always here for it!
While it isn’t set in stone that you need to read these in order, I would suggest not starting with this book. Each book in the Peach Blossom series follows a different sister, but in this book Ava (star of The 7-10 Split) has multiple scenes with her sister, including a big spoilery one. IMO, read them in order, just so you learn things as they were intended to be learnt.
What I loved about The Secret Crush Bookclub is that where Zoey lying (a lie by omission is still a lie) to Dani about being the author of one of her favorite series, it turned into a fangirl moment instead. It was such a cute scene with Dani saying she wished that she would have told her so that she could have had her sign all of her books. She’s so real for that!
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted ALC.
Since I read the first book (well the second, because I read them out of order), I knew this would be a 3 book series. All of them are sapphic romances, written by a woman of color about women of color. Representation is everything and I’m always here for it!
While it isn’t set in stone that you need to read these in order, I would suggest not starting with this book. Each book in the Peach Blossom series follows a different sister, but in this book Ava (star of The 7-10 Split) has multiple scenes with her sister, including a big spoilery one. IMO, read them in order, just so you learn things as they were intended to be learnt.
What I loved about The Secret Crush Bookclub is that where Zoey lying (a lie by omission is still a lie) to Dani about being the author of one of her favorite series, it turned into a fangirl moment instead. It was such a cute scene with Dani saying she wished that she would have told her so that she could have had her sign all of her books. She’s so real for that!
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted ALC.
November 10, 2025
This narrator does such a wonderful job! Each character was so distinct and recognizable that I was able to read this one without having the book in front of me to read along! Peach Blossom is one of my favorite small town series and I need everyone to read about these sisters and their sapphic love stories🥲🫶
September 16, 2025
3.5 stars. I liked the story line of the single mom discovering she is interested in a woman for the first time. Also I love a super open minded small town
September 18, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ SCBC was a cozy sapphic slow burn.
Dani and Zoey meet and at the library where Zoe works, but their bond deepens after Dani joins the book club that Zoe hosts.
While labeled as romance, there’s not much of it until the last maybe 15% of the book. Before that, there’s a lot of introspection about their thoughts. Most of the story is geared towards Dani’s life, balancing motherhood and feeling as though she’s in a quarter life crisis.
Dani gets a new awakening and opens her desires to finally get excited about the possibility for love and Zoe feels like a safe place to land.
This was a nice read; I love slow burn romance, but slow as though things pop off within the first 40-50%, not at the very end. I would’ve liked to have read more about them as a couple and dealing with issues as they arose, instead of tidying everything beforehand. The drama with Dani’s ex gave the story a little extra pizzazz because I also need a character thrown in to add a little extra depth!!
The narration was ok, I’ve heard the narrator before but her tone for this book was pretty monotone to me and I felt as though I was being read to, which is literally what was happening, but… you know what I mean 🤗
Thanks to @netgalley for my ALC!! 🎁
Dani and Zoey meet and at the library where Zoe works, but their bond deepens after Dani joins the book club that Zoe hosts.
While labeled as romance, there’s not much of it until the last maybe 15% of the book. Before that, there’s a lot of introspection about their thoughts. Most of the story is geared towards Dani’s life, balancing motherhood and feeling as though she’s in a quarter life crisis.
Dani gets a new awakening and opens her desires to finally get excited about the possibility for love and Zoe feels like a safe place to land.
This was a nice read; I love slow burn romance, but slow as though things pop off within the first 40-50%, not at the very end. I would’ve liked to have read more about them as a couple and dealing with issues as they arose, instead of tidying everything beforehand. The drama with Dani’s ex gave the story a little extra pizzazz because I also need a character thrown in to add a little extra depth!!
The narration was ok, I’ve heard the narrator before but her tone for this book was pretty monotone to me and I felt as though I was being read to, which is literally what was happening, but… you know what I mean 🤗
Thanks to @netgalley for my ALC!! 🎁
July 10, 2025
completed as part of my 24hr readathon, RTC!
again, i’m in my romance era, this book was perfect!!! i haven’t read the first two books in the series and didnt feel like i was missing anything (which i love for interconnected series). i will definitely be going back to read the first two. i just loved how the queer awakening was done in this book, perfect, fantastic, all the adjectives
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
side note: goodreads, why is this book labelled lesbian when one of the MCs is bisexual!!!!!!!!!
again, i’m in my romance era, this book was perfect!!! i haven’t read the first two books in the series and didnt feel like i was missing anything (which i love for interconnected series). i will definitely be going back to read the first two. i just loved how the queer awakening was done in this book, perfect, fantastic, all the adjectives
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
side note: goodreads, why is this book labelled lesbian when one of the MCs is bisexual!!!!!!!!!
July 4, 2025
This had some personal mild triggers for me. Like her ex Jacob! That man was on page for 2 pages and I was ready to “whoop dat sas” (in my Jill Scott voice). Then one of the conversations between Dani and her sisters sounded a little to me like lesbians trying to protect Zoey from the baby gay. That sort of rubbed me the wrong way. Because would Dani have been wrong if she was looking for a romantic connection but not a physical one? (As long as she was honest about that.) And she was asking for advice on the matter so why question her intentions?? With that being said I found the connection and chemistry between Dani and Zoey absolutely electric. Like I felt like a voyeur reading this book and it was hot! Another aspect that hit home was Dani navigating her dating life as a single mom. Lee touched on the very heart of my fears and concerns so I felt seen and connected to this book and Dani’s character. I will definitely be going back to read Ava and Vani’s stories because all the characters in this book felt worth getting to know deeper. While I enjoyed the book a lot, the pace felt a little top heavy on the build up, with not enough time spent with the characters really basking in the HEA. And I would have liked an ending that didn’t feel like a hard stop, but I’m always thrown off when I don’t get an epilogue. (yes I’m greedy I’m aware) Overall I truly enjoyed this read and can’t wait to add it to my shelf because it’s my favorite cover in this series for sure!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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