Bitter Brews and Secret Pages

by Emily Campbell

After escaping an abusive relationship, Harper Greene is determined to rebuild her life. Seeking refuge in the small coastal town of Bayshore, South Carolina, she takes a job at Harbor Craft Brewing & Books, a charming bookstore-brewery hybrid owned by the brooding and distant Nolan Hayes. But as Harper tries to create a new life for herself, the ghosts of her past refuse to let go.

Harper’s new start comes with challenges. Nolan’s cold exterior masks a growing curiosity about the woman he’s hired—one he can’t seem to figure out. Their chemistry is undeniable, but Harper is desperate to keep her secrets buried. She’s been running from the scars left by Cole Remington, her dangerous ex who believed he owned her. But in a town this small, keeping the past hidden is easier said than done.

Trusting Nolan with her past might be her only way forward, but the truth could shatter the fragile bond they’ve begun to form. And as her secrets come dangerously close to being exposed, Harper must decide: can she really escape her past, or is it already too late?

In this romantic suspense novel of love, survival, and second chances, Bitter Brews & Secret Pages weaves together the tension of a haunting past with the promise of a new beginning. Will Harper find the strength to reclaim her life, or will the darkness she fled come back to claim her once again?

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2025

Reviews

[Sarah * Between the Lines Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved!!

This was such a good story of a second chance love with suspense and spice.
There are some triggers of SA and abuse. But the way Emily wrote this was just spectacular.

[Britney ☆]

rtc

[Yasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a powerful standalone romance that I would recommend with a note to read the trigger warnings beforehand. The story centers on Harper Greene, who has escaped an abusive relationship where she endured physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of her ex-boyfriend. After fleeing for her safety, Harper finds herself in the quiet coastal town of Bayshore, South Carolina, hoping to heal and rebuild her life in peace. She starts working at a charming bookstore and brewery owned by Nolan Hayes.

Given her traumatic past, Harper is understandably cautious about meeting new people and is careful to keep her walls up. She rarely leaves her house unless necessary, always ensuring her windows and doors are locked. Over time, though, she begins to open up to the kind townspeople and starts developing feelings for Nolan.

Nolan, too, has a complicated past that makes him wary of getting too close to anyone, especially Harper. Both characters carry emotional scars, but they work together to confront their fears and learn to trust again.

At its core, this book is about healing from abuse, battling internal demons, and the delicate journey of letting someone else in. It’s a beautiful, slow-burn romance filled with moments of vulnerability and strength. I truly enjoyed reading this heartfelt story.

[Melanie Ollila · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars but Goodreads doesn’t give me half stars! A fast one evening read!

We’re back in Bayshores where Harper is getting settled in after escaping an abusive relationship. Ellie is helping her get a fresh start working at Harbor Craft Brewing & Books owned by Nolan.

Out the gate it gave me the Julia Robert’s movie Sleeping With the Enemy vibes. You are tense with anticipation of when the ex is going to appear, that is very predictable and the book blurb premise so not a spoiler.

Harper’s fear and past trauma development are well written to set the stage, but I struggled a bit once she starts developing relationships in the community. It moves from a suspense to a Hallmark sort of vibe, and missing a bit of closure with the ex.

There are sections when you start moving into the relationships with the other characters where it seems repetitive. There are two POV so maybe they are written too similarly that it seems like you’re rereading the same page.

Overall, entertaining, mid spicy romance, and a quick read!

[Yasmin Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Emily Campbell for choosing me to be an arc reader for this novel! Her writing style is out of this world and it really has you hooked from the moment the novel begins. Fair warning, this book does have some trigger warnings and can get intense. But the way Emily uses descriptive language in her writing, it makes it all worth it! She really made you feel and hear what was going on when Harper would sense someone was watching her. The way she made us hyper aware with Harper about her surroundings really made me feel like I was with Harper, standing side by side, waiting to see what’s going to happen next.

I absolutely love how Harper, despite what she went through, was able to find her happily ever after. As someone who has been in a similar situation like her, getting a happy ending made my heart swell 🫶🏽 Nolan is a knight in shining armor and just embodies being the protector she always needed. I give this book 5/5! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Bayshore and read Eli’s story !!

[Andie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romantic suspense, heavy TWs - please read at the beginning of the book.

Overall, 4/5⭐️! Here are my notes⬇️

Characters:
-Nolan - the man you ARE, sir. The vulnerability he was able to show w Harper was so creative and fun to read. “Dove” - Love that nickname!!!
-Ellie - I love you. Thats all. We need more of you in the world.
-Harper - her growth throughout the book was so much fun to read, and so palpable while she was with Nolan. The powerful, raw scene where Harper is on Nolan’s couch after the Cole scene…wow. Emotions are so real.

Writing style: easy to follow, some grammatical/editing errors however easy to brush by.

Plot:
-trigger warning: SA, physical, emotional ab*se
-love the bookstore/bar vibe!!! That’s my dream?!!?
-interesting with multiple POV!

Tropes:
-vulnerable/hostage situation
-protective MMC/escapee FMC
-workplace romance
-forced proximity
-small town love
-surprise pregnancy

[Sharon A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bitter Brews & Secret Pages by Emily Campbell

3🌟🌟🌟

Harper escapes an abusive relationship and ends up in a small town working at a Book Store where she believes she can hide out and start life over. It’s hard for her to trust people but when she starts to feel like she is being watched, she reaches out to Nolan the owner of the book store and someone she feels an attraction to but is cautious of. He proves to be her safety net and protector as are other people in the town, who become more like family. Her ex isn’t going to just let her start her life over. He’s lurking by watching her and disrupting her peace. Will she flee again, or will her ex drag her back or worse, or will she stay and fight?

[Gracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ✨
First, thank you so much to Emily Campbell for an ARC of her debut novel. Overall, I really liked this book, but I couldn’t shake the feeling it was something I had read before. I really enjoy Nicolas Sparks Safe Haven, and it’s pretty similar vibes. Nolan and Harper are so cute, but I wish we got more interaction (conversation) between the two of them earlier in the book because that would have helped me see their connection a bit better. I’m excited to read her holiday novella that’s also set in Bayshore! Eli was so charming, so I can’t wait to read his story.

[Allthebooksallthetea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a really great story of healing and found families. I love the town this book is set in, it really gives this warm, small town, we’re all in this together vibe that you can’t help but want to be a part of. This one has multiple POV’s throughout, back and forth banter and side characters you like as much as the main characters. There are some dark themes present throughout but it’s mostly off page. On page however is a little bit of spice 😉

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was honored to be chosen for an ARC copy of this book!

This is a book about a woman who is trying to escape an abusive relationship and finds love in a small town. Learning to trust again and open up to her new friends and finding contentment in her new life.
I enjoyed the overall story, but felt confused but how fast the characters got together and would have loved more of a build up to their story. Some of the chapters felt a bit repetitive in nature and the ending felt somewhat rushed and a little confusing.
Overall, I think the story was very good but could use a little more character and story development. If felt like two different books in one.

[Christina Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an ARC of this one and had never read anything from @author.emily.campbell before so didn’t know what to expect. What I got was a small town romance with some suspense and a little bit of spice. It’s a story of losing one’s self to abuse, but finding [and ultimately loving] one’s self again through trust and strength of others. It was a fast read that kept me turning pages to see what would happen next.

[Jody Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Campbell’s Bitter Brews & Secret Pages is a thrilling story of survival, love, and resilience. Harper Greene, escaping an abusive past, finds a safe haven in the cozy Harbor Craft Brewing & Books, owned by the mysterious yet kind Nolan Hayes. Their slow-burning romance is filled with tension and healing, making their journey incredibly emotional. With suspenseful twists and turns, Harper’s past threatens to derail her new life, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Campbell skillfully weaves heartbreak and hope, delivering a story of strength, trust, and second chances. It’s a heartwarming and nail-biting read—I’ll be telling everyone to give it a read 🫶🏼

[Dalmatians_and_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

First things first, I am in love with the brewery/bookshop. I recently visited The Literary, a book bar, and I loved the visuals I got while imagining Harbor Craft Brewing & Books.

I felt all the emotions during this book. I was happy, I was nervous, I was mad.

I do wish there was more closure with the abuser and what happened with his future.

[Rebekah Godfrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! The suspense had me checking my surroundings a could of times haha
I thought Emily did a wonderful job writing about very hard subjects! I could feel Harper's PTSD radiating off of the pages.
The way that the town took her in and helped her and protected her was just so sweet! I love the found family trope!

[Madisson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an emotional and fast-paced read! It reminded me a little of Safe Haven with the plot of a woman escaping an abusive boyfriend and hiding in a coastal town, but the setting here with the bookshop and the brewery was different and I wish it existed in real life! It truly takes a village, and Harper certainly has one at her back.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC!!

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially, I was confused about the genre of this book. I looked at the graphics and it sells it as a romance, but this is not ... I feel it's more like a thriller that wants to be a romance. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story and was invested in the characters all the way through.
I want to emphasize to people to please read the trigger warnings for this book, they are essential for this book. It's very well written and triggering.
I'm not a fan of jumping into a relationship when trauma is still very much at the center of the issue. This is fiction and I won't dock points for it. We collectively need to address self healing before jumping into a physical relationship. There's no knight in shining armor that can fix it all with a searing kiss. I just felt they jumped right into baby making without resolving the trauma. In my opinion, this is something that gets glossed over a bit much on stories. The entire DV was emotional.
There were parts that felt a bit rushed towards the end.
If Eli doesn't already have a book, he needs one pronto.
I'm in awe with this author who's made me react with visceral emotions for what I thought was an easy and fluffy read. Good Job Emily!

[Gina Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nolan and Harper’s romance made my heart swell with joy! It was a sweet and spicy love story that checked all the boxes and then some! Thank you, Emily & team, for providing me with an ARC! I can’t wait to read what Emily’s publishing next!!

[Saharah Vanvalkenburgh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts out with the fmc and her dv and her leaving that relationship. Then she moves to a new state and meets new friends.she starts falling for her boss. Her ex-husband comes looking for her to bring her home as he put it. But the mmc doesn't let that happen.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars 🌟
This book was so good! This was a quick read, full of suspense and romance. I loved the bar/bookstore, so fun! Harper was such a strong character, everything she went through and everything that happened and she didnt give up. And Nolan being there for her 🫠 I was rooting for her and Nolan the whole time. Nolan was so sweet! They were so perfect together. The ending was so beautiful, I loved it 🩷 I really enjoyed reading this, literally couldn't put it down.

🩷He falls first
🩷Romantic Suspense
🩷Forced Proximity
🩷Small Town

[Ashley Brumback · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC edition. Overall, the story was good. She did a great job of painting the scenes and giving us the emotions the main character was going through. Some parts were a bit muddled. As if it were the same part of the story at the wrong place in the chapters. I would have liked to have had more from Nolan's perspective, but I really enjoyed it.

[Rachael Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this book. Some sections were a little repetitive. I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Harper and Nolan grow and it didn’t feel rushed.

[Lauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Bayshore might be my favorite fictional small town.
This book was full of suspense which I loved. Not knowing if and when Cole would pop up had me on edge. My heart went out to Harper and her situation. So glad she had Nolan by her side. I would have loved to have more of a buildup to their relationship but other than that it was an enjoyable, fast paced read.

[Stacey Kelley · Rating 1 out of 5]

It gives me absolutely no pleasure to give a low rating, but I will always give an honest review. This book just frustrated me. The romance feels forced. There are so many plot holes and inconsistencies.

There was no chemistry or buildup between Harper and Nolan. The only reason there’s even an inkling that he likes her as more than a friend are a few random comments from side characters. He senses she’s running from something or someone and he just kisses her out of the blue without consent? And then he just continues to push her with subsequent interactions. Read the room, Nolan. The romance felt forced and not organic, and the ending felt rushed and disjointed.

[Isabel Marquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing! It had a perfect blend of romance, self-discovery, and mystery, all wrapped up in a delightful 350 pages. I couldn’t put it down! I connected with Emily through threads and became a new fan. I can’t wait to see what else she writes!

[Jocelyn Delarosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Rating: ⭐️ 4.75/5
Spice Rating: 🌶️ 1/5

I was not expecting this book to hit me so hard in the feels. Seriously…make sure to check the trigger warnings because some of the topics covered might hit a little too close to home, and that’s okay. If it’s not for you, it’s okay to skip.

That being said, I found this story of a woman’s struggle to overcome her past and move forward so heartwarming. While the premise might seem cliché, Emily Campbell does an amazing job of capturing the emotions in a way that makes it feel fresh and raw.

And ugh, the chemistry between Harper and Nolan? Perfection. My heart was fluttering right along with hers, I swear! If you love an emotional rollercoaster, do yourself a favor and pick this one up!

[Nanii’s Book Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

• 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 ⇝ ★★★.75

This book follows Harper, a woman running away from her last relationship–an abusive relationship that left her completely isolated and dependent on her partner. This was an okay read it reminded me of the movie Safe Haven (I LOVE THAT MOVIE). Some parts seemed repetitive to me, but the suspense was good. I enjoyed Harper and Nolan’s ending; she deserved it after everything her ex put her through.

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫 ↴
This is an Advanced Reader copy. Although this book was given to me as an ARC my thoughts are my own. Thank you to Emily Campbell for the ARC opportunity!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 ↴
📚One Bed
☕️Bookshop
📚Witty Banter
☕️Found Family
📚Small Town Vibes
☕️Romantic Suspense

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 ↴
Domestic abuse (emotional & sexual) • Stalking • Gun violence • Anxiety & panic attack rep

📚 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 📖

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, fast paced, suspenseful romance.

Harper, the FMC, is running from an abusive relationship. She runs to Bayshore where she meets Nolan, the MMC, who owns the local brewery/bookstore.

She starts to notice things off around her home and is worried that they ex has found her. Enter Nolan who is about to be her protector. Then we get forced proximity, one bed goodness.

I was absolutely sucked into the story. Its not super spicy, so if you aren't into a lot of spice, you will absolutely enjoy this.

I did feel like a couple of things were repetitive but I don't really think it took away from the story.

Definitely an enjoyable, fast read.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an emotional ride, Harper leaves an abusive relationship and goes to her grandmother's old house in a little coastal town. The suspense in this book and how she's looking over her shoulder feels so real.

I would have loved for the book to have been longer to get more details about Harper and Nolan's relationship, but over all this was an enjoyable read! Do make sure to check out the trigger warnings though!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a fast page turner. A book filled with suspense, romance, and small town charm. I loved the vivid coastal town of Bayshore, North Carolina. Also the idea of a brewery and bookshop all in one sounds like such a fun bookstore! Harper is constantly on the run and fear that her ex will find her one day. She is escaping an abusive relationship. She has decided to find sanctuary at her grandmothers house in Bayshore. I just love Harper’s journey and story in this book. It’s a story about learning to trust another after traumatic past and healing and beginning to live again.

“I’m scared of letting someone in again.” Nolan reached out, gently covering her hand with his. “I get it. But I’m not going anywhere. You’ve got me, Harp. For as long as you’ll have me.”

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great cozy read.

I adored this book. It was the perfect read for my slump.

Small town romance with a bit of suspense.

Harper moves to Bayshore to start over. She meets Nolan who at first seems to not like that she's there until he shows her that he does in fact like her.

Things seem to be working out for her until something comes back to haunt her from her past. Something dangerous and not willing to let go.