One Big Little Secret

The Rory Brothers #2

by Nicole Snow

One wild night and a surprise reunion sends a moody billionaire spinning into fatherhood in this heartwarming and steamy romance by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Nicole Snow.

I guessed wrong.
A little reckless fun with a stranger never hurts.
A drunken one-night stand doesn't leave you pregnant.
A savage twist of fate won't make your baby daddy your new boss.
Bad luck can't last forever—unless you're me.

Should we count the ways I'm cooked with Patton Rory?
He rocks the grumpy gene, dialed up to eleven.
He's so handsome the mirror winks back and his bank account has its own zip code.
He's also totally oblivious—thank God.
I'm not sure what he'll be if he figures out the little boy who trashed his fancy building and ruined his favorite tie is his son.

Maybe I'm becoming a human knot, but I won't make the same mistake twice.
If he starts acting human and making my munchkin laugh, I'm not swooning.
If his forbidden kiss tastes like pure temptation, I'll eat mud.
If he makes my heart sing, I'm still clinging to my big little secret.
Even if it's growing so massive I can't separate love from the lie.

This standalone romance read serves up a sweet and spicy secret baby entanglement with heart-rippy feels. Witness the last man who ever thought he'd be a father wake up and go all-in for the wife and son he needs more than his next breath.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Workplace, Billionaire Romance, Billionaires, Contemporary, Smut

484 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 9, 2024

About the author

Nicole Snow is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. She found her love of writing by hashing out love scenes on lunch breaks and plotting her great escape from boardrooms. Her work roared onto the indie romance scene in 2014 with her Grizzlies MC series.

Since then Snow aims for the very best in growly, heart-of-gold alpha heroes, unbelievable suspense, and swoon storms aplenty.

Current fan favorites include her Enguard Protectors series, accidental love novels, plus long beloved MC romance thrillers like the Grizzlies and Deadly Pistols.

Find more about Nicole here:

Website: http://nicolesnowbooks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolesnowbo...

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nicol...

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NicoleSnowBooks

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nicole-Snow/e/...

Reviews

[Luckylovesbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like this book as much as I like the first one in the series. A surprise pregnancy book is always tricky.
Patton said that he felt this connection with Salem the first time they hooked up and yet he didn’t immediately recognize her when he saw her six years later? He didn’t bother to leave her his number that first time? Smells like BS.

When they got together again, they still didn’t use protection. He didn’t even think about a condom. The first time, fine. They were both drunk. But afterwards, when they’re full on adults? That’s incredibly irresponsible. It really grossed me out thinking the amount of times this man has had sex with women without using a condom. How many children/baby mamas does he have? And I can’t lay the blame entirely on him. Salem didn’t say anything either. 🤦‍♀️
They never, I repeat, NEVER had the safe sex talk.

Now some things I had issues with:

•In the six years since the ONS, Patton hooked up with other people while Salem was celibate. For Patton it’s explicitly stated that he was with other people while for Salem,
➡️“No, I don’t bother telling him my experience with men has been stunted and hilariously nonexistent since my last encounter. I’ve spent my twenties in a sexual desert that rivals the remoteness outside.”

•Look, i’m not saying she has to sleep with every Tom, Dick and Harry. But I hate the insinuation that once you become a single mother, you become this unsexual creature with no life. She was a virgin when they first hooked up, which I don’t care about, but it’s honestly not fair that she’s basically a reborn virgin and he’s not. All I’m asking for is fairness.


Next, dear god I don’t even know how to put into words. When she found out, she was pregnant, she made absolutely no effort to find her baby daddy.
Here are some quotes:

➡️“I thought you were just some rich guy. Just some guy with a life to get back to where a baby wouldn’t ever fit.” And I never bothered looking for him because I didn’t think he would care about the fact he’d had a son with me. “I didn’t want that kind of friction, feeling like I’m forcing it, putting a burden on you. I didn’t want my son growing up with a father who never wanted him.”

•But if she was a broke 21-year-old she owed it to her son to find out who his father was or to at least try! If he was such a rich guy, he would’ve at least helped with child support!

➡️ “And Kayla, she was ready to send my dress to a forensics lab to have it scraped for DNA…”

•Are you fucking kidding me? I’m all for independent women and self-reliance but this isn’t independence. This is stupidity.
She legitimately had the means to find the father of her baby and she declined.
What a fucking dumbass. TSTL. I’m so over this martyr shit. I dIDn’T wAnT tO TeLl yOu bEcAuSe I DiDnT wAnT tO rUiN yOuR LiFe. Bitch please, he helped create that kid.


Some more things:

➡️ “So now I’m due for another dinner where I’ll watch Arlo, noticing all the little things I never caught before. He’s inherited my hair and my eyes and my focus.”

•I’m sorry, but if I was a dude and a random hookup from 6 years ago popped back in my life, claiming the kid they have is mine, I’d request a paternity test. Especially if I was wealthy. And especially if I was going to be emotionally and financially invested. It seems like common sense, no? You’d be surprised how many people look alike but aren’t related. And this man never questions the fact that her kid is 5 and they hooked up around the time he was conceived. Not the brightest man. They’re perfect for each other.



➡️ And the hottest gravity defying sex of my life. I don’t dare say that, though.
“Look, I’m not as stupid as I look. I know it’s made things complicated now, but hell—I was young and stupid. You were everything I needed that night. After you, I didn’t hook up that much, and when I did… well, fuck. It’s like I was always chasing the same high I only found once.”

•Maybe he should have put more effort into searching for her if it was so “gravity defying” 🙄 . And I was there folks, it wasn’t remotely “gravity defying”.

➡️“Bullshit, Lady Bug. I dreamed about you,” he rumbles, moving back on the bed and pushing me down under him. “You know how many nights I thought about seeing you again? How many times I fucking came in my hand, remembering how we burned?”

•Again, if he dreamed about her, WHY DIDN’T HE REMEMBER HER IMMEDIATELY WHEN HE SAW HER AGAIN? Smell that? Smells like bullshit.


➡️ “I just want her, secrets and all.
I’m not one for making love.
Usually, I like to pull a girl’s hair as I fuck her from behind or pin her hands above her head as I wring one orgasm out of her after the next.
Now, I don’t want any of that.
I want her to know how much this last night means to me.”

•I threw up a little in my mouth.

➡️ “Watching her, hearing her, feeling her pussy squeezing my cock—it’s all one of the slowest, sexiest experiences I’ve ever had as a man. No model I’ve fucked, with the money for endless salon treatments, ever gave back this chemistry.”

•Here’s a PSA to ALL authors, but especially romance authors: comparisons/mentions of experience with past lovers IS. NOT. SEXY.


Look, I love Nicole Snow. She’s one of go-to authors when I want a sweet but slightly smutty romance. She does an amazing job balancing the two. But this book was a huge miss for me.

[Jennifer Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. I had to do a lot of skimming because I would get a little bored in places. I wanted the MFC to get a back bone and kick her stupid friend to the curb. I mean you had the balls to leave your family and step out but you let that toxic friend continue to be in your life? No thanks, be the stronger girl.

[Sally Jask-eh · Rating 3 out of 5]

if the fella on the cover looks a little st00pid that is not a coincidence. Patton Rory is business man extraordinaire and dumber than a box of rocks. His lady love, Salem is also missing significant grey matter. They get drunk, hook up, and do not even exchange names. She shows up at her new job 6yrs later and he is her boss at a hotel in KC MO. Their son Arlo is 5 and has more sense. The story was still mostly readable, sexy occasionally heartfelt and funny. Angsty single mother struggles and soapy side drama add variety. But wow, these MCs were oblivious 🫣🫢 the baby reveal is emotional good but off the charts ST00PID

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not find it in myself to care for Salem. I love a surprise pregnancy trope and I especially love it when the couple finds each other and works it out but Salem’s victim mentality and selfish choices made me feel frustrated. One would think that after a surprise pregnancy and being a single mother for years, constantly tired and doing her best to provide considering the circumstances, the girl would not jump into having unprotected sex with the same guy who already knocked her up, but alas, Salem was mystified by the d once more. Also, shame on Patton for not even thinking about protection once.

I just felt like Salem could have been portrayed better, she is a good mom and she puts her child first but tbh, I kept rolling my eyes at the whole I’m cursed and therefore everything bad always happens to me as if her bad choices did not have a direct consequence every single time.

Her fearing the worst when finally revealing the truth to Patton made sense but then she constantly expected the other shoe to drop, having no confidence in herself even after being a single mom and being a good one at it as well, so she constantly self sabotaged and kept putting Patton in impossible situations like all of the sudden becoming a father, taking away the opportunity to tell said child he is their father and also constantly pushing back telling the rest of the family the truth.

Patton being in the navy was also confusing because nothing in the book even hinted at it until half way through and for an experience that shaped him, it is very ignored as a part of his character development.

Salem feared the worst and she kept getting it because she lacked faith in herself and kept making the wrong choices under the premise that she was already unlucky so nothing would work in the long run and isn’t that the saddest prophecy ever?

[Lisa Menor · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a fancy riverboat casino, the drinks were flowing and people were gambling. Feeling out of place, Salem is doing neither. As she contemplates her life choices, her friend Kayla, the one who invited her on this floating casino for the rich, quickly disappears and leaves Salem to fend for herself. Getting hit on by old, sleazy men wasn't Salem's idea of a fun night, until she is rescued by a handsome, confident man. Quickly, the night takes a turn for the better. Salem wakes up alone. Not one for a casual hook-up, she never got his name, just a memory. A memory in the form of a little boy named Arlo. Arlo has never met his dad. When Salem gets a job with Higher Ends International and meets her new boss Patton Rory, her past is about to appear right before her eyes and Patton is in for a huge surprise. A surprise that would shake up his orderly well thought out life and quite possibly crumble Salem's into the ground.

A real estate billionaire pining over a one night stand who thinks she's moved on, but has a child that is a constant reminder to her that she hasn't. Phenomenal storytelling! Tons of chemistry, past and present, between these amazing characters! An emotional, intense and unputdownable fantastic read!!!

[Mel 🐞 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was so boring. I was a little hesitant going into it because I thought the secret baby thing was going to be rough, and it was. This was all over the place, but nothing really happened for me to care.

The MMC is a dumbass. He’s all lovey and acting like Salem is his soulmate, but can’t do math that dates back to 6 years or pick up on very obvious similarities. Mind you this man is in a real estate business. I also hate that he was the only one who got to be a playboy. I love the single mom trope, but I don’t like how Salem was portrayed. It kinda made her seem like her life plummeted after having Arlo. I just don’t think that was very fair.

Back to Patton, he’s also somehow a Navy veteran?! This comes out of nowhere and I’m not sure how it’s relevant. He also continues to have unprotected sex with Salem a second time…RORY HAVE YOU LEARNED NOTHING!

I started to get really bored about halfway through. She doesn’t tell him Arlo is his son until chapter 17, just for them to have a sorta 3rd act breakup on chapter 23 (maybe, it was 20 something) Like girl wrap it up. Her excuses were just that she was a “black cat” and was super unlucky…Sometimes yes, but others…No babe, those are called consequences.

I really didn’t like how the MCC talked to the FMC a lot in this book and I honestly don’t think I want to continue it. The whole Evelyn thing and unnecessary details thrown in everywhere was just so overwhelming and I did not enjoy my time.

I will say justice for Archer. This man was served up on every platter when it came to blame. What has this man done to yall?! Let the man BREATH. Also I don’t know if yall knew this, but Dexter is married and it has really changed him as a person. Just wanted to make sure you knew if you didn’t already.

[M. Radd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Her Finest Work

I've read a lot of Nicole Snow's work and am normally a huge fan. This one was a bit of a let down. To be honest, I had a hard time getting through it. The third act strife felt rushed, far fetched and half baked. The female lead is a bit of a wet rag and ... Without spoilers, I will say she did something that wasn't for her to do without input and had no fall out. Will I read Archer's story when it comes out? Yes.. Am I looking forward to it after this one? No

[Alexis Salinas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole is known for writing some of the most swoony and heartfelt romances, so of course, this one was no different. She absolutely knocked this one out of the park! This was my first secret baby trope that I've read, and now I'm off to add any and all that I can find because I'm OBSESSED!! Patton was the perfect MMC. Strong, grumpy, stubborn (of course), but had the sweetest heart and all the love to give. Salem really touched my heart on a personal level, being a single mom myself. Her character meant so much to me, and it made me feel so appreciated. All her "bad luck" moments were just stepping stones on the way to her HEA. I'm so happy I read this book. It's definitely going to stick with me for a long time. LOVE LOVE LOVE!! It's one of my favorite Nicole books now!!!

[Veronica LaRoche · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I gotta say is that I’m never ever disappointed in anything that I read from Nicole. One night stand changes Patton and Salem life. Absolutely an amazing read and characters that will have you hooked.

[Zoe Jones-Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patton is in for a shock when he meets Salem, his new manager he’s supposed to mentor and his one night stand from years ago. Not only that she comes complete with a son. Little did he know that her son is the consequence of their night together. Although they’ve never forgotten each other they are both reluctant to revisit their past. So begins a dislike but professional relationship. There’s a fine line between hate and love. No matter how much they push each other away, it’s inevitable that line will be crossed. How will Patton react when he finds out Salem’s secret. One things for sure they’re definitely in for a bumpy ride and this book will draw you in for their ride. I felt Patton was a bit clueless and oblivious to the truth in front of his eyes. Where Salem felt out of her depth I wanted to scream at her to stop pushing Patton away. The book is full of plenty of drama. Between Patton’s family, his relationship with Salem and her insecurities this is one story that will keep you on your toes right to the end.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salem is a single mom of a rambunctious five year old. A 'gift' of a one nigh stand at a party thrown by her best friend's dad. After several failed start up businesses, her friend manages to get Salem into a job where one of the owners will mentor her. The boss, Patton is less than charming, but, to her total shock, Patton is the man from that one night stand. To boot, she had to bring her son to the interview. What a disaster! Patton winds up wearing Arlo's coco on his suit and shirt. She still gets the job, but after a few incidents, Arlo has named him Mr. Grumpybutt. Patton is unaware of the fact that Arlo is his son. He softens up his attitude to Skylar and even tolerating a kick to the shins and Mr. Grumpybutt pictures all over Skylar's office, they start to get along. Question is, how and IF Skylar is going to let him know, but, will her friend Kayla swoop in and get Patton to date her? This is an enjoyable story.

[Terra Oenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes this book is absolutely fantastic and will definitely have you engrossed from the beginning until the end. It's compelling and captivating and tantalizing and filled with suspense and heartbreak and surprise child. It's a second chance romance and boss and employee taboo. Salem and Patton have a one night stands and years later meet up again after she's hired to be his manager but when a little tornado destroys his coffee bar ,will he learn that's his son? This book has several twist and turns that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Throughly enjoyed this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The youngest Rory brother finally gets his chance to stand up and shine in this enemies to lovers, office billionaire romance. Patton Rory never expected to see Salem, a hook up from one hot night spent together on a riverboat cruise over six years ago. He also did not expect that she would turn up as his new office manager at High Ends a luxury hotel business venture he runs and owns with his brothers. I'm sure he also didn't expect her to start her first day with a little 5 year old firecracker named Arlo in tow.

From here, as they start to reconnect, we get to witness a very heartfelt second chance romance that had all the feels along the way. I love the Rory brothers, they give it to each other on a daily basis, but when push comes to shove, they are there for eachother in a crisis no matter what. Arlo melted my heart, this kid was too cute for words, I loved Patton and Salem's story, can't wait to see Archer get his happily ever after too.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this was perfection! I like (not love) contemporary, but when it comes to Nicole Snow, her books are always everything I seem to be looking for in that moment. You can never really go wrong with her books.

❤️romcom
💕grumpy/sunshine
❤️secret baby
💕boss
❤️billionaire
💕virgin heroine
❤️single mom
💕page turner

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole Snow writes excellent full bodied romance stories. Reading her stories is like going on a really great vacation. Getting to know the characters is like meeting a new friend. Patton is the youngest Rory brother and is driven to succeed. Salem is a young woman looking for a break and struggling with her insecurities. The plot of story is very interesting and will keep the reader invested in the outcome. Readers will be entertained by the funny incidents and dialogue. They will also enjoy the steamy scenes. This will be sure to be another hit.

[Sue MacKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her past made her present and what was she perceived her, harder than it had to be.
When an attack that wasn't aimed at her takes down her life, she's forced to realise that she's seeing things through her past.
That if she let's herself she can have the future she wants.
And the one that he never dreamed of.
I really enjoyed this, at times, heart wrenching story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kara Coens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I loved this! One night can change everything, and it sure does for Salem. I loved the sweetness and the undeniable heat!

[Ayanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8⭐️

[Natasha Bovee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great second chance, enemies to lovers, office romance. This book has it all! We get to see Salem and Patton reunite after a one night stand 6 years ago. Neither of them are expecting it and are sure the other doesn’t remember them. Their new dynamic is somewhat volatile and watching them morph into lovers and more is everything. I loved the unexpected (but you know it’s coming because it’s Nicole Snow!) suspense. This family is so strong together and I can’t wait to read Archer’s story.

[Debbie Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading the fabulous and awesome romance story. When Salem meets the man, Patton, her boss, she can't believe it is the same person years ago she spent an unforgettable passionate night with and as a result got pregnant with her son. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting love story by the phenomenally amazing author, Nicole Snow.

[Taylor Huggins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not particularly enjoy the last 25% of the book

[Nate Brightman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is the second book in Nicole Snow’s Rory Brothers series. I have to admit I was so unimpressed with the first book in this series, Two Truths and a Marriage, that after reading a healthy portion of it I just put it down and never went back to it. If I’d realized at the onset that this was a second book in the same series I probably wouldn’t have downloaded it. But as you can tell by my 3.5 star rating whatever I found lacking in the first book (I think I just got tired of Dex’s waffling in that story) I found this book more than worth finishing.
I won’t bore you with one of my long reviews because the blurbs on Amazon and Goodreads already pretty much give you as much about the story as can be said without giving the entire story away. Warning! Okay, I totally failed on that promise. I’ll just say that our heroine Salem Hopper suffers from serious self-esteem issues, thanks to her parents who never failed to let her know what a disappoint she was to them whenever she didn’t bend to their will. Which apparently was often. After several of not so well thought out businesses she’s tried to start fail she feels even worse about herself. Her only friend or as even she describes her frenemy Kayla, is a former school friend and spoiled, wealthy perfume heiress who is an expert at making her feel like less while acting like she’s doing her a favor. The scene where Salem finally works up the courage to tell Kayla off was one of my favorites in this book. Kayla invites the 21-year-old virgin Salem to a party she’s throwing on a river boat cruising the Missouri River which runs through their hometown of Kansas City. Probably just so she has someone to feel superior to. Kayla whom after years of partying has a much higher alcohol tolerance than Salem plies her with drinks and then goes off leaving Salem alone at the b,ar. When a drunken middle-aged man refuses to take no for an answer, Salem is rescued by a devastatingly handsome man closer to her own age. They drink, they gamble (his money) and win, and thoroughly enjoy each other’s company. Then, both drunk they tumble into one of the boats state rooms where Salem enthusiastically surrenders her V-card to the handsome stranger who is an experienced lover, obviously familiar with one-night stands. They don’t exchange their real names. Salem doesn’t reveal she’s a virgin and they’re both apparently too drunk and in lust to worry about birth control. When Salem awakens the next morning she’s alone. Fast forward six years and Salem is the financially struggling single mom of hyper-active (a description not a diagnosis) 5-year-old Arlo. When Salem refused to give up the baby for adoption her parents washed their hands of her and moved to retirement on a golf course in California.
Layla uses her dad’s influence which along with her work experience helps Salem get an internship managing a new luxury high rise condo building, The Cardinal which was built and being operated by the three Rory brothers company Higher End LLC. If you read Two Truths and a Marriage you already know the Rory’s are Kansas City royalty. Their great grandfather helped to get Harry Truman elected president. One of the small issues I had with this story is how much responsibility the very bright and hardworking yet relatively inexperienced Salem is given running the building right from the start. Of course the youngest Rory brother Patton is in charge of the Cardinal, which is why Layla helped her get the job so she herself would have an in with K.C. most eligible bachelor. When Salem shows up for her first day of orientation she discovers the young billionaire owner who is to be her boss is her previously unknown baby daddy. She immediately recognizes Patton for who he is, but it takes Patton a little longer to figure out why Salem seems so familiar to him. Not really surprising since they were both drunk that night and while Salem has only had one one-night stand Patton was a veteran of many. If things couldn’t get any more awkward for Salem she had to bring Arlo to her first day on the job because her regular sitter bailed on her. After a bored Arlo makes a mess of the lobby and later spills hot chocolate on Patton’s expensive suit, (having no idea that the little demon is actually his son) Salem figures this will be both her first and last day on the job. But then Patton remembers where he knows Salem from. She’s the one night stand it took him months to forget. Still despite the fact of Arlo’s age, his same blue eyes and hair coloring Patton never puts the pieces together. I guess because he remembers their one night together, Patton takes pity on her and after a stern warning doesn’t fire her. Patton doesn’t really know how to deal with his unfamiliar attraction to a woman. A woman he’s already bedded and now works for him, so his behavior to her is to be kind, gruff. Salem not trusting what Patton’s reaction to the fact that he is Arlo’s father, despite the fact that childsupport from him could make their lives so much easier, doesn’t tell him. Even after they both acknowledge their past and their attraction begins to pull them together and they eventually become lovers, Salem hesitates to reveal to Patton that he is Arlo’s father. The big reveal to Patton and then to the rest of the Rory family is a big part of the tension in this story. Salem is so used to things going wrong in her life that despite all evidence to the contrary, she convinces herself that what she and Patton have is only temporary and doomed to fall apart. Patton does his best to assure Salem that she isn’t cursed with bad luck and that he’s not going anywhere. But her lifetime of insecurities at times feels insurmountable to him. Which obviously they’re not or we wouldn’t get our very H.E.A. One small detail about this story that probably isn’t worth mentioning (but I will) is that once Salem and Peyton now both supposedly older and wiser, begin having sex, even after Arlo’s unplanned birth, nothing is ever mentioned about birth control. Since Salem repeatedly says she’s been too busy raising Arlo and focusing on her career to date, basically only having had sex that one time with Patton, I found the way neither seemed concerned about protection a bit odd. I half expected Salem to be pregnant again before the story ended. Oh, there’s also a storyline about a potential attempt to kill Arlo, stolen jewelry and taking funds under false pretenses to ramp up the tension towards the end of this story.
I thought this was a pretty good story between two people who have had absolutely no experience in romantic relationships, one of which whom doesn’t believe she’s worthy of being with the other.

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweetness, spice, cuteness, emotion and swoon are the potent blend that fuels this fun romance. I enjoyed Salem and Patton's story, and I experienced a wide array of emotions and all the feels while reading it.

[Teresa Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series
Love this family
Loved Patton and Salems intense emotional heartstopping 2nd chance love story
All the feels
Gripping
Ready for more

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets in the Past and Threats in the Present

Some relationships—with family or friends—are not helpful, loving or supportive—they may even be toxic. For Salem Hopper, her “friendship” with Kayla Persephone, the privileged and spoiled child of a well-positioned and powerful Kansas City family—some of Missouri’s elite residents—was not healthy. But, regardless of Salem’s personal insecurity in the challenging social setting of KC, when invited to Kayla’s 21st birthday river cruise filled with KC’s wealthy attendees—including many older men who were of Kayla’s dad’s business connections. And Salem—regardless of her personal discomfort—Salem was expected to attend to please her own socially climbing parents.

So, Salem, a 21-year-old sweet beauty with dark hair and hazel eyes, a still untried virgin, was not comfortable in the gathering. She possessed no experience with heavy drinking or gambling, and so was not comfortable mingling with the disproportionately self-indulgent, older attendees—mostly men—friends and business associates of Kayla’s dad. So, Salem attempted to disappear, choosing to wander around the outside of the riverboat.

But Salem’s quiet beauty and youthful sweetness did not go un-noticed. One man—younger than most the elder Persephones’ friends and associates—noticed her—especially when an older attendee tried in a drunken rush to force himself on the young woman. Patton Rory, a member of an elite, well-connected old KC family, who with his brothers was building the family’s wealth into the next generation with real estate acquisitions and the development of office buildings as well luxury hotels, intervened to rescue the beauty. And Salem knows who he is—the handsome blue-eyed, dark-haired youngest Rory is the very man that Kayla, her controlling and toxic friend dreamed about constantly—the man whom the manipulating friend had determined would become her suitor, and eventually, her man.

But when Patton notices the forced distress of the young hazel-eyed beauty with her shoulder-length dark waves, he can’t help but come to her rescue. And when he looks into her hazel eyes he is drawn by her sweet beauty and innocence as he had never been drawn before. So, not surprisingly, before the night is over, Salem is no longer an innocent girl. And although it was a one-night-mad-encounter, 9-months later, Salem sees Patton’s coppery-brown hair, sharp blue eyes in her baby boy, Arlo.

Now, 6-years later, Salem, a 27-year-old single mom, has studied, worked and gained knowledge and experience in the KC real estate world. And, she has recently applied for the position of intern-manager of the newest hotel on the KC skyline. But, what she had never seriously expected is to once more come face to face with her first and only lover—and her son’s father. And, while 6-years has passed, Patton remembers her immediately—remembers their shared one-time encounter. What is not shared is that Pat Rory, the youngest son of KC royalty, is a dad of a 5-year-old mini-me. And upon meeting mom’s grumpy boss, the quick-witted and artistically talented boy quickly re-names mom’s new boss Mr. Grumpypants—a theme that is often in the young child’s crayon-rendered satirical art.

Nicole Snow crafts an engaging story of individuals doing their utmost to support their families while honoring their own dreams. She crafts a wonderful supporting cast for the primary characters, creating a colorful and dynamic backdrop with delightful connections to other “Grumpy” connected romances. I look forward to exploring other titles by the author.

I received the review copy from Booksprout but also enjoyed reading it with Kindle on different platforms.

[Kim Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could put a title on this review it would say something like a hell of a ride or combustible desire. Throughout the entirety of this book, there was always the passion and chemistry simmering just under the surface. In fact, this gets you through the first half of the book even though this part had the least going on. It also pushes you through when both Salem and Patton are determined to make you wait for their explosive second time. Just when you think they are going to push it out to the end, it surprises you and they finally give into their desires and make the wait worth it. Aside from that though, I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. Even though the first half was so slow and Patton and Salem didn’t acknowledge their attraction to each other until the halfway point, there was intrigue they felt about the other. The desire didn’t start happening until Patton and Salem have their first kiss after 6 years. Up until that point, the book felt like foreplay. I wasn’t completely mad about that because of the way it flowed together and how it kept me interested. I wasn’t not only interested in Patton and Salem’s relationship but also loved the moments Salem had with Arlo and Patton and his brothers with their bantering and business talk. A plus to me as well was how Nicole didn’t make Patton a raging asshole who couldn’t find happiness. She made him guarded yes, and a workaholic but he was open to love or at least getting into a relationship. It was funny, but I noticed Patton kept his desires and fantasies all buttoned up in the first half, only showing glimpses of it. He was determined not to let his mind go there no matter how much he wanted to. Then when he finally unleashes it, that’s when it felt explosive. You didn’t really see these thoughts with Salem which was why it kind of felt one sided from Patton’s point of view and that made it interesting. It kept you thinking Nicole was really going to drag the inevitable out which is another reason why the first half felt so quiet and subdued. This only gets crushed when it happened sooner than I thought, but a little bit after the halfway point. I got to this point settling on a 4 because of the slow start to the book I couldn’t get behind and honestly, the toxic friend Kayla didn’t even need to be in the story. She felt like a pointless character but I get that she was more used as a symbol to Salem with her struggles between what she deserves and how she was raised. Moving on, once Patton and Salem kissed, all bets were off. I flew through the book after that. Despite all of this, I managed to get through the first half pretty quickly because it did a good job setting up the story. Then, in the second half of the book, it was like a completely different story. Patton fell for her and just wanted Salem and him to be official and a family with Arlo but there was holding back from Salem which carries up until the end of the book, along with some personal issues that come up regarding a family friend and the family themselves. When you combine the times that Patton and Salem spent together and these personal struggles, the book got immensely better and I wound up just giving it an overall 5 for storyline, heat, personal drama, existential feelings, love and for just keeping me hooked the whole time. I have high hopes for Archer’s story if this one is anything to go by.

[Daisy · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Rationally, I know it’s dumb and dangerous to be drunk and on the verge of having sex with a complete stranger."

IT IS. WTF

It was her first time and he didn't even notice. Apparently despite that, it was a smooth ride, no pun intended. She was drunk, but he wasn't and he didn't even use protection. Wtf??? Then, obviously, he left to never see her again. Pig

I can't tell if Kayla is a good friend or just a rich bitch. Those backhanded compliments, but also hyping her up??? Also, Salem is jealous of her, it seems, or holds resentment. At the same time continues to be her friend although not too happy. Kayla found her this job, and she's not grateful, or Kayla is expecting too much just because she did that. I don't get their dynamic. This is like a high school mean girl/poor girl thing. You're almost 30 and have a child. Make up your mind and set boundaries towards your friends. Or stop being friends with her altogether if you don't like her that much.
Why does Kayla even need Salem to introduce her to Patton?? She's in those circles herself, her father is rich, and he has ties to the Rory. She can easily get herself on his radar. LMAO, why would poor little Salem be the gate to him?? Because they work together? Girl, you're not looking for a job and why would he even listen to her???

She does not have bad luck, those are just the consequences of her actions. 🙄

This is unnecessarily too long and is boring me to death. Their interactions while working together are so stupid and juvenile. Professional where??? Back and forth, hot and cold, asshole and polite. They don't even know how to navigate it. Move the fuck on.

Why wouldn't she even tell him that they have a son?? Yes, their night was meaningless, apparently, and he doesn't seem to like kids, but he still has the right to know. Whatever goes on after that at least she can make an informed decision and put the past to rest. Even Arlo deserves closure on his father's matter, and if Patton doesn't want anything to do with him, well, his loss.

It's been half the book and nothing is happening. They're bickering, Arlo being Arlo and some business talk. Nothing worth of these many chapters of the same.

Her insecurities are driving me up the wall. I can only be understandable to some degree, and she's far too lost. 😒😒
Even when they had sex again, they did it without protection, not even a talk about birth control. Especially after what happened the first time. Didn't she learn her lesson?????? Hoe, are you dense?????? And Patton?? How are you fucking bitches left and right without a condom???? Hello, pregnancy. Hello STD's. I do get how he is the stupidest brother.
I mean Patton is bad, but she is worse. The only time I liked Patton was when he doused himself in water trying to get rid of the cologne smell that Kayla mentioned was of her father's company lmao

At some point, I dnf'd because what was this?

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Salem is a hard-working single mother. When she is offered the opportunity to do an internship at Higher Ends, she jumps on it. Little does she know that her new boss is her one-night stand from six years ago and that he is her son’s father. Patton is a workaholic with no desire to settle down at the moment. He wants a family someday but the company he runs with his brothers takes a lot of time and work so there isn’t time to settle down. When he realizes his new intern is his one-night stand, he decides to act like nothing happened, but he is drawn to her and soon realizes she is the one meant for him. What will happen when he finds out that Arlo is his son? Will outside pressures keep them apart?

I think the author did a good job giving Salem depth. She was only at the party where she first met Patton because her snooty rich friend forced her to go. She doesn’t feel sorry for herself even though being a single mother was unexpected and upended her life. Salem’s parents are distant and refuse to accept that she is a single mother. Salem is a hard worker with big dreams and she’s willing to take chances to make them come true. It was nice to see how all of her parts made her a perfect fit for Patton and his family. Patton feels a little put upon because his one brother is now married and focused on his wife and his other brother is focused on his young son so Patton is left as the only workaholic in the family. He doesn’t have a pity party because he’s just too busy to take the time to do so. One of the threads that has run through both books in the series is that the brothers have been raised with wealth but they are all hardworking and down-to-earth. This story focused on how tightknit they are as a family unit. I really liked that part of the book and it helped me to believe that Patton wants to have a family of his own.

There is more than one “bad guy” in this book. They serve very different purposes in the story. I am glad that the author gave both of the characters closure in the way she did. I won’t give it away but it allowed both Salem and Patton to have separate moments where they took down a bad guy.

I thought the end was a bit weak. I understand why Salem was mad when Patton walked away. I’m not sure she should have forgiven him as easily as she did. I understand the author needed a way to wrap up various parts of the story but it didn’t seem to fit the vibe of the rest of the story.

This story takes place primarily in Kansas City. This is a one-night stand, secret baby romance. I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely read more from this author in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dora Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY! What a ride! ONE BIG LITTLE SECRET is a smoldering, heartwarming, secret baby romance. This book is so unbelievably sweet, infectious, fun and flirty, witty, laugh-out-loud dialogue, and Arlo, a 5 year old boy, steals the show! Yet this is also a sexy and emotional story that it is unputdownable. This book will have you hanging on to every word because it is the perfect catalyst for love that you will devour every chapter! You simply won’t be able to get enough! Get ready to fall in love with this delicious, unapologetic, workaholic, cocky man, grumpybutt—Patton Rory. Patton and his brothers own Higher Ends Company that specializes in sleek condo unit. Patton is the youngest brother who is an eligible billionaire bachelor who does not date seriously, and he is the type of man every woman desires and longed to have. Patton and Salem meets on a river boat casino cruise for the rich that she was invited by her friend, Kayla, whose family is also rich. When Kayla leaves Salem by herself, she is approached by a drunken rich man, but rescued by a stranger who is tall, handsome, and sexy. It was only supposed to be a one-night stand, right. A drunken night after the casino cruise—they each got what they wanted—an unforgettable night!

Fast forward six years. Salem is in need of a job, and her friend Kayla gets her the interview at Higher Ends as an Intern for Higher Ends’ management program for the Cardinal project. What Salem did not expect is to work directly with Patton Rory, her son’s secret father. Now, her past is about to catch up to her! What will Salem do now? “If I hadn’t let myself go and had too much fun that one time—one time!—I wouldn’t be in this mess right now.” Patton and Salem are complete opposites, and it is their differences that fuel their witty banter and teasing in this fantastic read. Because Patton is Salem’s boss, he tries to distance himself from Salem, but there is something so hypnotic and magnetic about her that he can’t stay away from her—even though her little boy trashed his building. Will Salem tell Patton about his son Arlo? Will Patton accept Arlo as his son? Find out what happened—what a conundrum! If you’re in the mood to read one of the best secret baby romance books with humor and a dialogue that crackles, this is it! This story is entertaining and fervent with a dash of dreams coming true. There are several twists and turns within the story that makes it interesting. Nicole Snow satisfies hearts longing for laughter in their love stories, with some sexy scenes, and a battle of wits is tremendously fun. I highly RECOMMEND this book—you won’t regret it!

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like this story, and like with many other books, there were things that I really liked and things that I really didn't like. So far, though, I am enjoying this series, even if they are seeming to follow a similar formula (at least the first two do, anyway).

Something that I did like about this take on the one night stand trope is that they didn't just immediately recognize each other and have a weird/awkward confrontation. It has been 6 years, so it is feasible that they just don't immediately recognize each other. Plus, there isn't that immediate realization that Arlo is his son.
I also liked that they built up their relationship and attraction, rather than them both being immediately hot for each other, like you see everywhere. Sure, they slept together one time 6 years ago, but that doesn't mean they will instantly have a connection later.

Something that I didn't really care for is the odd issue with Evelyn. Much like the previous book, at the end-ish of everything, she randomly pulls some wacky over-the-top stuff, and the action immediately ramps up. This sudden action was also seen in the last book. If I have to guess, I would assume the next one will also follow similar lines.
I do like that her books are longer, so we get more information and time for connections to build and more background, etc. I just think that with this extra book space, there should be a way to try and spread things out a little more, and not have it just pop up all of a sudden.

Also, how did Salem go from this strong single mom trying to run businesses and learn from a mentorship to a scared doormat of a person? It didn't fit the personality that the author had built up for her to this point. It felt forced when she was ready to up and leave after Arlo was ill, like it was just there to induce drama. There was already a point of drama that could have been used (Kayla), rather than resort to something that doesn't match what we have seen so far.
I am glad that she finally stood up to her at the end, though.

Overall I did enjoy this book, and I will be moving on to the last one in the series.