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Secondhand Smoke
1988
After an accident claimed the lives of her friends, Janelle Duncan is left in the limbo of overwhelming grief. Her parents keep telling her to move on, but the rest of their small town never wants her to forget what she did. So, she decides to do the next best thing—spiral into the tempting depths of self-destruction with the help of local wannabe rock star, Scott Barrett.
Scott remembers what Janelle was like in high rich, popular, and untouchable. But after running into her two years later, she’s changed—who wouldn’t after what she’d gone through? He’s busy enough trying to kickstart his music career, but he isn’t going to turn her down when she offers a few quick bucks. Plus, he could use a little excitement and she’s as intriguing as they come.
Scott remembers what Janelle was like in high rich, popular, and untouchable. But after running into her two years later, she’s changed—who wouldn’t after what she’d gone through? He’s busy enough trying to kickstart his music career, but he isn’t going to turn her down when she offers a few quick bucks. Plus, he could use a little excitement and she’s as intriguing as they come.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2025
22 people want to read
About the author
Talia Aden
3 books20 followersTalia Aden is an indie author who's been in love with writing since she was old enough to love stories. She dreamed of publishing a book from the age of ten, and now she's making that dream a reality with her debut novel, "All in Good Time". She has since added another 1980s romance to her repertoire.
Talia has a passion for crafting stories that'll make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside (with maybe a little heartbreak in between). From lighthearted rom-coms to more serious fare, she has a knack for creating characters and plots that'll keep you hooked.
Talia has a passion for crafting stories that'll make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside (with maybe a little heartbreak in between). From lighthearted rom-coms to more serious fare, she has a knack for creating characters and plots that'll keep you hooked.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 6, 2025
ARC READER REVIEW -
Honestly I thought it would take me months to get through this book because I’m in the middle of two other books but once I started I was invested in these characters. This book made my heart hurt at some points I was so invested in these fictional lives I got anxiety from what was happening!! I wish we got more of what happened before hand (I don’t want to give to much details for spoiler reasons) BUT even without that I was rooting for them!!
Definitely read the TRIGGER WARNINGS for this book. It has in depth things that could bother some!
Honestly I thought it would take me months to get through this book because I’m in the middle of two other books but once I started I was invested in these characters. This book made my heart hurt at some points I was so invested in these fictional lives I got anxiety from what was happening!! I wish we got more of what happened before hand (I don’t want to give to much details for spoiler reasons) BUT even without that I was rooting for them!!
Definitely read the TRIGGER WARNINGS for this book. It has in depth things that could bother some!
July 4, 2025
Oh my gosh, I’m so sad I finished this!!
Nell is recovering from a traumatic accident involving her and her friends. While trying to deal with things, she meets Barret, the so-called "satanic" guitarist, and his friends/band.
I honestly can’t put into words how much I loved this book. If I could forget it just to experience it all over again, I would!
Nell’s story made me cry multiple times. Her journey and growth were written so beautifully.
And then there’s Barret. I swear I fell head over heels for that man. Move over, Nell, it’s my time to shine!!
I absolutely adored the relationship between Barret and Nell. Their connection, the way he tried helping her, was just perfect. And the other band members were such gems. I adored each and every single one of them!
Truly, you need to give this book a try! I promise you won't regret it!!
Nell is recovering from a traumatic accident involving her and her friends. While trying to deal with things, she meets Barret, the so-called "satanic" guitarist, and his friends/band.
I honestly can’t put into words how much I loved this book. If I could forget it just to experience it all over again, I would!
Nell’s story made me cry multiple times. Her journey and growth were written so beautifully.
And then there’s Barret. I swear I fell head over heels for that man. Move over, Nell, it’s my time to shine!!
I absolutely adored the relationship between Barret and Nell. Their connection, the way he tried helping her, was just perfect. And the other band members were such gems. I adored each and every single one of them!
Truly, you need to give this book a try! I promise you won't regret it!!
July 23, 2025
this book isn't for somebody seeking a gentle reprise or a light hearted novel
this story is a fight for survival and the heart wrenching path to rebirth and healing
a story of tragedy & loss, grief, depression, addiction and isolation. The reader is effortlessly and without conscious thought able to feel each and every emotion, thought, panic attack; each cut breath and each ragged sob.
each page in this book is a step the reader takes with Nell as she navigates a world that feels determined to snuff her out in a misguided attempt at balance.
The authors emotive writing, descriptive style and sensation evoking moments allow the reader to fully experience the broken hearted nature of Nell's struggles and isolation while carrying burdens alone what most people still struggle to carry with help.
Through Nell the reader experiences the necessity of being numb, the fear of feeling and anger both internal and external that dogs her days.
We also see her resignation to a colourless life and her brief sparks of colour only in moments of bittersweet remembrance or atonement - reached through stolen items symbolic of her guilt and emotional stasis within.
with heart wrenching accuracy, we the reader get to experience firsthand Nell's struggles with mental health conditions such as PTSD, Survivors guilt, depression, panic attacks, and addiction in an environment with little to no support
Through Scott the reader experiences the pain of addiction in the family and what suffering or complications that can bring loved ones. We see financial struggles and the necessity to undertake less than pleasant necessities to live, yet also the determination to find beauty and purpose even in the midst of pain, doubt and heartbreak.
We see Scott's compassion, even when he doesn't need to be, the unending patience, the sympathy and that constant safe love that a person is capable of in dark times.
We are able to see a maturity beyond years lived, born from his own struggles and challenges. through extensive detailed character creation the reader also gets to experience the joys of Scott's found family through his band as they rise in ability and popularity, through the quiet but unrelenting support of his uncle and the overall strength of chosen relationships that surround him.
the depth of secondary but no less major characters such as Nell's parents, community members, and family of those lost only deepen and intensify the emotional and psychological tapestry of this work.
Through the use of underlying themes, repeating patterns and emotional context, author talia crafts this book specifically to imitate and mimic the precise nature of addiction; where the highs are highs, the lows are low and recovery is painful soul shattering work but infinitely worty it and endlessly rewarding for the open road ahead
I cannot over recommend this book, it changed me and it will change you
this story is a fight for survival and the heart wrenching path to rebirth and healing
a story of tragedy & loss, grief, depression, addiction and isolation. The reader is effortlessly and without conscious thought able to feel each and every emotion, thought, panic attack; each cut breath and each ragged sob.
each page in this book is a step the reader takes with Nell as she navigates a world that feels determined to snuff her out in a misguided attempt at balance.
The authors emotive writing, descriptive style and sensation evoking moments allow the reader to fully experience the broken hearted nature of Nell's struggles and isolation while carrying burdens alone what most people still struggle to carry with help.
Through Nell the reader experiences the necessity of being numb, the fear of feeling and anger both internal and external that dogs her days.
We also see her resignation to a colourless life and her brief sparks of colour only in moments of bittersweet remembrance or atonement - reached through stolen items symbolic of her guilt and emotional stasis within.
with heart wrenching accuracy, we the reader get to experience firsthand Nell's struggles with mental health conditions such as PTSD, Survivors guilt, depression, panic attacks, and addiction in an environment with little to no support
Through Scott the reader experiences the pain of addiction in the family and what suffering or complications that can bring loved ones. We see financial struggles and the necessity to undertake less than pleasant necessities to live, yet also the determination to find beauty and purpose even in the midst of pain, doubt and heartbreak.
We see Scott's compassion, even when he doesn't need to be, the unending patience, the sympathy and that constant safe love that a person is capable of in dark times.
We are able to see a maturity beyond years lived, born from his own struggles and challenges. through extensive detailed character creation the reader also gets to experience the joys of Scott's found family through his band as they rise in ability and popularity, through the quiet but unrelenting support of his uncle and the overall strength of chosen relationships that surround him.
the depth of secondary but no less major characters such as Nell's parents, community members, and family of those lost only deepen and intensify the emotional and psychological tapestry of this work.
Through the use of underlying themes, repeating patterns and emotional context, author talia crafts this book specifically to imitate and mimic the precise nature of addiction; where the highs are highs, the lows are low and recovery is painful soul shattering work but infinitely worty it and endlessly rewarding for the open road ahead
I cannot over recommend this book, it changed me and it will change you
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2025
Rating: 3.5/5
First and foremost, thank you so much for selecting me as an ARC reader!
I really enjoyed this book! I loved how Nell and Barrett’s relationship progressed as they struggled through the ups and downs. I wish the back story was a little more developed, but even without knowing everything I was still in tears. Nell’s journey after going through such a traumatizing event and emerging on the other side as the happier, more authentic version of who she was before is very heartwarming and inspiring. I do feel like the book was a little more fast-paced than I would have liked it to be and I wish we had gotten more of a deep dive to make it a smidge more impactful. However, I don’t think the intended purpose was lost despite that and if the right person were to come across this it could impact their lives in a positive manner. Especially if they are in a position similar to Barrett. There were a lot of time jumps throughout the book which made it feel like it happened in a shorter amount of time that it did. Ultimately, I devoured this book and love love loved the growth and reflection that took place. It was refreshing to read a rockstar romance where the rockstar isn’t the one dealing with these specific issues but the one trying to help them come out on the other side. This is outside of my normal genre but I hope this review is helpful regardless!
First and foremost, thank you so much for selecting me as an ARC reader!
I really enjoyed this book! I loved how Nell and Barrett’s relationship progressed as they struggled through the ups and downs. I wish the back story was a little more developed, but even without knowing everything I was still in tears. Nell’s journey after going through such a traumatizing event and emerging on the other side as the happier, more authentic version of who she was before is very heartwarming and inspiring. I do feel like the book was a little more fast-paced than I would have liked it to be and I wish we had gotten more of a deep dive to make it a smidge more impactful. However, I don’t think the intended purpose was lost despite that and if the right person were to come across this it could impact their lives in a positive manner. Especially if they are in a position similar to Barrett. There were a lot of time jumps throughout the book which made it feel like it happened in a shorter amount of time that it did. Ultimately, I devoured this book and love love loved the growth and reflection that took place. It was refreshing to read a rockstar romance where the rockstar isn’t the one dealing with these specific issues but the one trying to help them come out on the other side. This is outside of my normal genre but I hope this review is helpful regardless!
July 1, 2025
What a beautiful and indepth love story, each character & situation was handled with such care.
Nell is recovering from a tragic accident using the only methods she thinks will help, meeting Barrett along the way finding him to be compassionate and caring in all aspects.
I loved, loved this book and would read it again. You felt every step of the way how each character felt, and why they were feeling it. Even the side characters you can't help but love. Everyone had their own development and it all fit together so well. The emotions, and themes that are covered are handled so well & delicately.
I would have read it in one sitting if I hadn't hit midnight at 75%, as soon as I could this morning I was on it and absorbed it.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to read it early, I will definitely be recommending it to others!
Nell is recovering from a tragic accident using the only methods she thinks will help, meeting Barrett along the way finding him to be compassionate and caring in all aspects.
I loved, loved this book and would read it again. You felt every step of the way how each character felt, and why they were feeling it. Even the side characters you can't help but love. Everyone had their own development and it all fit together so well. The emotions, and themes that are covered are handled so well & delicately.
I would have read it in one sitting if I hadn't hit midnight at 75%, as soon as I could this morning I was on it and absorbed it.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to read it early, I will definitely be recommending it to others!
August 21, 2025
i received an arc for my honest review :)
normally when I say a book has the plot of a wattpad rockstar x yn story i mean it as an insult. but not this one. i actually liked the characters and plot, even though theyre all a little flat in some ways which is what made it feel very wattpad self-inserty. a lot of nell's backstory wasnt fleshed out, which made it hard to understand her? like. car crash killed her friends? ok thats traumatizing. but it's practically shoved to the side until it can be used to develop the love story and then it's gone again. I'd like to know more about her friends, especially since KC was practically the catalyst for the entire thing. really heavy for a romance but its a heavy story anyway dealing with drug use and ptsd. adding a little more backstory and trauma recovery would have just been like sprinkles on a cupcake yk?
normally when I say a book has the plot of a wattpad rockstar x yn story i mean it as an insult. but not this one. i actually liked the characters and plot, even though theyre all a little flat in some ways which is what made it feel very wattpad self-inserty. a lot of nell's backstory wasnt fleshed out, which made it hard to understand her? like. car crash killed her friends? ok thats traumatizing. but it's practically shoved to the side until it can be used to develop the love story and then it's gone again. I'd like to know more about her friends, especially since KC was practically the catalyst for the entire thing. really heavy for a romance but its a heavy story anyway dealing with drug use and ptsd. adding a little more backstory and trauma recovery would have just been like sprinkles on a cupcake yk?
July 14, 2025
I received secondhand smoke as an ARC, and let me tell you this book is absolutely fantastic. It will pull at all of your emotional strings. There were moments I wanted to scream, cry, laugh, smile, and completely sob. If you are looking for a book that will have you a complete emotional wreck this is the book for you. You can absolutely tell so much love and thought went into this book. The story of Nell and Barrett is absolutely, tragically, emotionally, beautiful. I am so sad that this book ended. I need more of their story. 10/10 would recommend. This is a wonderful beautiful tale of forgiveness, love, compassion, and healing. Thank you so much to Talia Aden,For choosing me as an ARC reader you did a beautiful job with this book.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
July 23, 2025
I got pulled into reading the book by the trope of pastors daughter x “satanic” guitarist but it turned into so much deeper than that. I ended up binge reading it all in one morning.
I didn’t know what to expect but the plot of Nelle has me tearing up. Her recovering story is so heartbreaking with everything she went through.
I loved every moment of Nelle and Barrett relationship but Barrett saving her and knowing when to let go really got me. Her having that support system (Barrett and his band) is everything.
I would definitely recommend to another bookish friend for a read.
I didn’t know what to expect but the plot of Nelle has me tearing up. Her recovering story is so heartbreaking with everything she went through.
I loved every moment of Nelle and Barrett relationship but Barrett saving her and knowing when to let go really got me. Her having that support system (Barrett and his band) is everything.
I would definitely recommend to another bookish friend for a read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2025
Holyyyy smokes, I did not know what I was getting myself into when I read this book. But to summarize, this book broke me and healed me in so many different ways. Talia writes in some pretty heavy topics so definitely check out the trigger warnings and take care of yourself! But overall, the tropes were fantastic (I have a soft spot for religious good girl and metalhead guitarist bad boy) and the heartbreak was absolutely worth the healing that this book gave me and I cannot wait to dive into any other book she has written!
November 20, 2025
uhgghh this one got me right in ALL the feels.
first feels were those leg kicking "ohhhh he likes her like a lot alot" sort of feeling
then it was "oh shit this poor girl" kind of feels
that melted into "Why can't her parents fucking help her?!?"
and then lots of dread.
and then tears
oh, and then more tears.
and then just that feeling you get as a book ends and you are like "shit, what now?"
also please can we get a sequel with Dennis and some girl? that or if you see it pop up on AO3... it's not my fault
first feels were those leg kicking "ohhhh he likes her like a lot alot" sort of feeling
then it was "oh shit this poor girl" kind of feels
that melted into "Why can't her parents fucking help her?!?"
and then lots of dread.
and then tears
oh, and then more tears.
and then just that feeling you get as a book ends and you are like "shit, what now?"
also please can we get a sequel with Dennis and some girl? that or if you see it pop up on AO3... it's not my fault
April 15, 2025
This book was truly stunning. I’m so grateful to Talia Aden for the ability to read this so early.
Nell is emotionally recovering from the tragic accident that took the lives of her best friends at the beginning of the summer when she runs into Barrett, a familiar face from high school. Their reconnecting gives Nell the outlet she’d been seeking for months.
The themes and emotions in this book broke my heart and put it back together again. I absolutely loved it!
Nell is emotionally recovering from the tragic accident that took the lives of her best friends at the beginning of the summer when she runs into Barrett, a familiar face from high school. Their reconnecting gives Nell the outlet she’d been seeking for months.
The themes and emotions in this book broke my heart and put it back together again. I absolutely loved it!
July 6, 2025
A sweet story of girl learning to cope after a traumatic event. This book does a good job of showing Nell’s growth from the beginning of the book to the end, but I wish we would have seen more of Nell’s healing process and not just the set up for it. The sweet romance is a nice bonus to the story. The MMC is kind and goofy, and the balance between the two perspectives was really well done.
July 29, 2025
I loved the perception of how difficult trauma is and how easy substance abuse can overtake a person in this book, and how support and build a person back up. The emotions are so beautiful and the story is so sweet, and I always love a good ending to a roller coaster of a story. This book was so captivating.
July 11, 2025
I couldn’t read this book fast enough! I loved Nell and everything she overcame and what she had gone through. Barrett was so selfless for her and just so amazing honestly! It was a pretty perfect ending as well!
July 7, 2025
this book had it all! I love the story and how its not just standard love story I can fix you all on my own. if your looking for a rockstar romance you found it!
July 12, 2025
Wow! This is a really good book!! I loved the whole story following Nell and Barrett’s world. Loved the spice. Loved how it was all about grieving and healing. Just amazing!
July 19, 2025
Secondhand Smoke is an incredible book. Talia did an amazing job describing the characters. i can't wait to see what else she has in store for her future books.
August 23, 2025
😭
Im crying, but in a good way. This story is heavy but so super good. I can really feel the depression and despair. I can also feel the desperation to be better.
Im crying, but in a good way. This story is heavy but so super good. I can really feel the depression and despair. I can also feel the desperation to be better.
Read
July 15, 2025Another beautifully emotional story from author Talia Aden. I was instantly hooked by Nell and Barrett and consumed this book in two days. Aden has a gift for weaving complicated and important family dynamics, as well as internal conflict, within her stories and this book is no different. Ultimately a love song dedicated to our main female protagonist, Nell, Secondhand Smoke illustrates the importance of self-love and self-reliance in the establishment of happy and healthy romantic relationships.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews