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Spencer Brothers #3
Il segreto del testimone (Fratelli Spencer Vol. 3)
Essere il testimone è difficile. Essere innamorato dello sposo è ancora peggio.
Un biglietto è stato lasciato sotto la mia porta, e all’improvviso devo dire al mio migliore amico che è stato scaricato il giorno del suo matrimonio.
Quando si tratta di Adam, però, non c’è niente che non farei. Andrò in luna di miele con lui, lo inviterò a vivere con me e dimenticherò che nascondo dei segreti che potrebbero distruggere la nostra amicizia.
Voglio Adam da anni, eppure solo ora sembra che i miei sentimenti siano meno “a senso unico” di quanto pensassi.
Attraversare quel confine potrebbe costarmi tutto. In fin dei conti, c’è un motivo per cui non dovresti mai innamorarti del tuo migliore amico – soprattutto quando lui pensa di essere etero.
Il segreto del testimone è un’avvincente storia d’amore MM caratterizzata da amicizia d’infanzia, vicinanza forzata, risveglio bisessuale e un amore che dura da decenni. Aspettatevi romanticismo, calore, divertimento e segreti che non rimarranno nascosti a lungo.
Un biglietto è stato lasciato sotto la mia porta, e all’improvviso devo dire al mio migliore amico che è stato scaricato il giorno del suo matrimonio.
Quando si tratta di Adam, però, non c’è niente che non farei. Andrò in luna di miele con lui, lo inviterò a vivere con me e dimenticherò che nascondo dei segreti che potrebbero distruggere la nostra amicizia.
Voglio Adam da anni, eppure solo ora sembra che i miei sentimenti siano meno “a senso unico” di quanto pensassi.
Attraversare quel confine potrebbe costarmi tutto. In fin dei conti, c’è un motivo per cui non dovresti mai innamorarti del tuo migliore amico – soprattutto quando lui pensa di essere etero.
Il segreto del testimone è un’avvincente storia d’amore MM caratterizzata da amicizia d’infanzia, vicinanza forzata, risveglio bisessuale e un amore che dura da decenni. Aspettatevi romanticismo, calore, divertimento e segreti che non rimarranno nascosti a lungo.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2025
About the author
Ana Ashley
63 books798 followersMeet Ana Ashley, your friendly neighborhood romance author!
Ana has been lost in the pages of books for as long as she can remember, taking a few amusing missteps with her childhood writing attempts. But everything changed when she discovered the magical world of LGBTQ+ romance—cue the confetti!
Ana's books offer sweet and sexy romance with a charming mix of humor and heart. Getting her guys together wouldn't be the same without the meddling but well-intentioned cast of secondary characters, who always insist on having their own story.
When she’s not crafting heartfelt tales, you can find her indulging in her favorite pastime of baking delicious treats, enjoying quality time with friends, or staying up late immersed in the pages of a good book.
You can find out more about Ana and her works-in-progress by joining her Newsletter. To sign up visit Ana's website anawritesmm.com
Ana has been lost in the pages of books for as long as she can remember, taking a few amusing missteps with her childhood writing attempts. But everything changed when she discovered the magical world of LGBTQ+ romance—cue the confetti!
Ana's books offer sweet and sexy romance with a charming mix of humor and heart. Getting her guys together wouldn't be the same without the meddling but well-intentioned cast of secondary characters, who always insist on having their own story.
When she’s not crafting heartfelt tales, you can find her indulging in her favorite pastime of baking delicious treats, enjoying quality time with friends, or staying up late immersed in the pages of a good book.
You can find out more about Ana and her works-in-progress by joining her Newsletter. To sign up visit Ana's website anawritesmm.com
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September 17, 2026
The Best Man’s Secret is book three in the Spencer Brothers series by Ana Ashley. This is Adam and River’s book and I think it’s my favorite of the series. These two melted my heart.
Adam Spencer is thirty years old. He works with his two brothers at their PR agency. Adam believes himself to be straight. He has been best friends with River since they were five years old. River is a part of their family and the two of them have always been inseparable. When he started dating Victoria seriously, though, it seemed like River pulled away a little bit. He and Victoria never got along. Now, it’s his wedding day. Except the bride never showed up. Left at the alter, he takes River, his brothers and their partners on his honeymoon. Little by little during their time together, re-establishing their friendship, he starts to notice things about River he never noticed before. How beautiful he is, the way he smiles, the way his clothes fit him. And his own body wakes up. How can this be happening? Is it grief? Or was it there all along, just waiting for the right time?
River Hartley is also thirty. He manages the restaurant, Lusitana, that Adam’s parents own. He loves his job and the Spencers are like his own family. River is an out gay man. At some point in his teens, though, his feelings towards his best friend changed, and he realized he was in love with him. He has kept his secret all these years. How is he supposed to watch him get married? But when he receives a note from the bride to be, saying she was leaving, it is River’s job to tell Adam.
After their time together during the “honeymoon” Adam and River become closer than ever before. Adam is keeping his questioning feelings a secret. Can he risk their lifelong friendship to explore these new feelings? Is this all just a phase after being left at the alter? Or was it River all along that held his heart? Was he always supposed to end up here, with him?
This was just the sweetest book. Of course, the brothers do their best to cause mayhem and get all up in each other’s business. But River and Adam just squeezed my heart with the way they were together. I adore this family so much. I thought the ending was perfect. Now, there is one more novella to go. One more couple that needs a HEA. Drew and West in The Fostered Promise.
Adam Spencer is thirty years old. He works with his two brothers at their PR agency. Adam believes himself to be straight. He has been best friends with River since they were five years old. River is a part of their family and the two of them have always been inseparable. When he started dating Victoria seriously, though, it seemed like River pulled away a little bit. He and Victoria never got along. Now, it’s his wedding day. Except the bride never showed up. Left at the alter, he takes River, his brothers and their partners on his honeymoon. Little by little during their time together, re-establishing their friendship, he starts to notice things about River he never noticed before. How beautiful he is, the way he smiles, the way his clothes fit him. And his own body wakes up. How can this be happening? Is it grief? Or was it there all along, just waiting for the right time?
River Hartley is also thirty. He manages the restaurant, Lusitana, that Adam’s parents own. He loves his job and the Spencers are like his own family. River is an out gay man. At some point in his teens, though, his feelings towards his best friend changed, and he realized he was in love with him. He has kept his secret all these years. How is he supposed to watch him get married? But when he receives a note from the bride to be, saying she was leaving, it is River’s job to tell Adam.
After their time together during the “honeymoon” Adam and River become closer than ever before. Adam is keeping his questioning feelings a secret. Can he risk their lifelong friendship to explore these new feelings? Is this all just a phase after being left at the alter? Or was it River all along that held his heart? Was he always supposed to end up here, with him?
This was just the sweetest book. Of course, the brothers do their best to cause mayhem and get all up in each other’s business. But River and Adam just squeezed my heart with the way they were together. I adore this family so much. I thought the ending was perfect. Now, there is one more novella to go. One more couple that needs a HEA. Drew and West in The Fostered Promise.
March 9, 2025
The audacity of having a 3-part epilogue, 2 of which are told from the POV of characters from prior books. Not even them looking over the main MCs. Nope. Dick sucking.
DICK SUCKING.
Was there not enough of that in THEIR OWN stories?
Probably not a big deal in the grand scheme of things but I'm deeply offended nonetheless and will not be consoled.
Otw a routine best friends to lovers where one has been in love for ages and the other thought he was straight.
The only deviation from the norm is they got together after the straight MC was jilted at the altar and there was a bit of angst over the authenticity of his feelings(as opposed to him maybe 'imprinting' on his bestie because he's the only safe person for him in the aftermath).
Liked that a bit. Was going to rate this 3 stars but nah.
Not after the epilogue tomfoolery.
DICK SUCKING.
Was there not enough of that in THEIR OWN stories?
Probably not a big deal in the grand scheme of things but I'm deeply offended nonetheless and will not be consoled.
Otw a routine best friends to lovers where one has been in love for ages and the other thought he was straight.
The only deviation from the norm is they got together after the straight MC was jilted at the altar and there was a bit of angst over the authenticity of his feelings(as opposed to him maybe 'imprinting' on his bestie because he's the only safe person for him in the aftermath).
Liked that a bit. Was going to rate this 3 stars but nah.
Not after the epilogue tomfoolery.
December 27, 2024
What a way to end the series!
All throughout it's been clear River was in love with Adam, the twin of Lex. Adam was straight, though, and about to marry Victoria.
Jilted, Adam takes River, his brothers, and their men, to the honeymoon to get over the end of his relationship, but his eyes are opened to what's been there all along: River.
I appreciated how Adam took time between the end of him and Victoria and acting on his feelings for River. They were adorable together and really communicated. Them between the sheets? Fire.
What was also lovely was the extended epilogue, so we got to visit with Lex and Noah's povs before we end up with Adam.
This was the perfect book to end the series with.
All throughout it's been clear River was in love with Adam, the twin of Lex. Adam was straight, though, and about to marry Victoria.
Jilted, Adam takes River, his brothers, and their men, to the honeymoon to get over the end of his relationship, but his eyes are opened to what's been there all along: River.
I appreciated how Adam took time between the end of him and Victoria and acting on his feelings for River. They were adorable together and really communicated. Them between the sheets? Fire.
What was also lovely was the extended epilogue, so we got to visit with Lex and Noah's povs before we end up with Adam.
This was the perfect book to end the series with.
March 17, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝑅𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒜𝒹𝒶𝓂
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕:
💍 MM
💍 friends to lovers
💍 forced proximity
💍 bi-awakening
𝑴𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
I did not read the series in order because this one called to me first: childhood friends to lovers, one has been in love with the other for ages, the other is about to marry his girlfriend... and she cancells the wedding.
I had lots of fun with this, it's a very cute story between two friends who pine for each other for a while because they don't want to jeopardize their friendship, I loved the spice and it made me want to learn more about Adam's brothers!
𝑅𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒜𝒹𝒶𝓂
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕:
💍 MM
💍 friends to lovers
💍 forced proximity
💍 bi-awakening
𝑴𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
I did not read the series in order because this one called to me first: childhood friends to lovers, one has been in love with the other for ages, the other is about to marry his girlfriend... and she cancells the wedding.
I had lots of fun with this, it's a very cute story between two friends who pine for each other for a while because they don't want to jeopardize their friendship, I loved the spice and it made me want to learn more about Adam's brothers!
February 2, 2025
4.5 stars
December 29, 2024
I don't know how a lifetime love can feel too much like Insta love, but somehow it does. I still love the characters and the family, but this doesn't have the same spark and energy that Noah and Lior's book had. If only something had happened to open Adam's eyes, my feelings on this whole book would be different, but all of a sudden, after 25 years of friendship and heterosexual belief, he was obsessed with River. If it had been sparked by River's honesty about his feelings, then I could get behind that, but it came from nowhere. Insta love, a trope that just doesn't work for me.
October 24, 2025
River et Adam (30) avec un Culomètre à 🍑🍆
📣 Livre reçu en service presse.
River doit annoncer à son meilleur ami, Adam, qu'il a été plaqué le jour de son mariage. Il est prêt à tout pour Adam et l'aime secrètement depuis des années. Il craint de franchir la ligne, car Adam se croit hétéro.
➺ La femme d'Adam est toujours une peste insupportable, ça n'a pas changé depuis le premier tome.
➺ Je ne sais pas comment Adam ne peut pas voir les sentiments de son meilleur ami, ils sont tellement forts et tout leur entourage semble l'avoir compris.
➺ Adam est vraiment très à l'aise avec toute forme de sexualité (en même temps, ses frères sortent avec des hommes), évidemment le club gay va servir d'électrochoc.
➺ Étonnamment, contrairement à ce qu'il peut se passer dans ce genre de scénario, Adam parait profondément amoureux de sa fiancée et la situation m'a vraiment fendu le cœur.
➺ River est ultra fort mentalement pour subir cette situation.
➺ La découverte progressive de sa nouvelle sexualité et de ses sentiments pour River est très agréable à lire, c'est beau de voir Adam découvrir sur lui-même et s'épanouir comme ça !
Bref, une belle romance qui conclue cette super saga en beauté ! Contente que tout se termine bien pour chacun d'entre eux, mais triste de les quitter, je vais peut-être relire le tome 2 pour ne pas les quitter trop vite !
📣 Livre reçu en service presse.
River doit annoncer à son meilleur ami, Adam, qu'il a été plaqué le jour de son mariage. Il est prêt à tout pour Adam et l'aime secrètement depuis des années. Il craint de franchir la ligne, car Adam se croit hétéro.
➺ La femme d'Adam est toujours une peste insupportable, ça n'a pas changé depuis le premier tome.
➺ Je ne sais pas comment Adam ne peut pas voir les sentiments de son meilleur ami, ils sont tellement forts et tout leur entourage semble l'avoir compris.
➺ Adam est vraiment très à l'aise avec toute forme de sexualité (en même temps, ses frères sortent avec des hommes), évidemment le club gay va servir d'électrochoc.
➺ Étonnamment, contrairement à ce qu'il peut se passer dans ce genre de scénario, Adam parait profondément amoureux de sa fiancée et la situation m'a vraiment fendu le cœur.
➺ River est ultra fort mentalement pour subir cette situation.
➺ La découverte progressive de sa nouvelle sexualité et de ses sentiments pour River est très agréable à lire, c'est beau de voir Adam découvrir sur lui-même et s'épanouir comme ça !
Bref, une belle romance qui conclue cette super saga en beauté ! Contente que tout se termine bien pour chacun d'entre eux, mais triste de les quitter, je vais peut-être relire le tome 2 pour ne pas les quitter trop vite !
June 24, 2025
Sapevo che questo volume sarebbe stato il migliore, lo sapevo ancora prima che Adam capisse di provare qualcosa per River. Il loro amore è speciale, forse perché già nel libro di Lex ho empatizzato con River. Non è stato difficile, essendo lui delicato nei modi, riservato, educato e sempre pronto a sostenere il suo migliore amico, persino quando è in procinto di convolare a nozze, con qualcuno che non è lui. Lo ama da sempre, lo ha fatto da vicino e anche da lontano, prendendo addirittura la decisione di allontanarsi da lui, dal lavoro, da tutto ciò che ha sancito il loro amore. Niente, ho amato River in tutto, persino nel modo in cui ha affrontato la situazione con Adam, dopo che lui ha confessato di provare qualcosa che non si aspettava. È stato elegante, gentile, sensuale, tanto da dirgli che non avrebbe dovuto dimostrare niente a nessuno, nemmeno a sé stesso. La scrittura è travolgente, ricca di momenti strappalacrime, almeno per me, e mi ha emozionata tantissimo. Ovviamente, la lettura è più che consigliata, ma suggerisco di leggere i precedenti volumi prima di procedere alla lettura di questo. Ciò vi permetterà di conoscere meglio le dinamiche di questa storia e di affezionarvi ai personaggi, così come meritano.
Valutazione: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶️ 🌶🌶🌶
Emozione: 💘💘💘💘💘
Recensione a cura di Strana Family Book Blog
Valutazione: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶️ 🌶🌶🌶
Emozione: 💘💘💘💘💘
Recensione a cura di Strana Family Book Blog
May 4, 2025
RECENSIONE A CURA DI ELYXYZ
Attendevo con trepidazione la storia di Adam e River, che sono i migliori amici fin da quando avevano cinque anni. I due sono cresciuti assieme, con River che è stato praticamente adottato dagli Spencer, tanto da considerarlo scherzosamente il quarto figlio.
Nel presente, lui ripaga il loro amore come responsabile del ristorante di famiglia, lavorando con passione, competenza e dedizione.
River è sempre stato un amico fedele di Adam, pur tenendogli nascosta la sua attrazione di lunga data : ha infatti paura di rovinare il loro legame, essendo Adam etero e un passo dal matrimonio.
Quando però le saltano ei due partono con il resto dei fratelli Spencer verso la luna di miele già pagata , la loro vicinanza fa smuovere qualcosa nel nostro sposo mancato e la successiva convivenza risveglia e cementa delle emozioni e dei sentimenti a lungo sopiti.
Continua sul nostro blog!
Attendevo con trepidazione la storia di Adam e River, che sono i migliori amici fin da quando avevano cinque anni. I due sono cresciuti assieme, con River che è stato praticamente adottato dagli Spencer, tanto da considerarlo scherzosamente il quarto figlio.
Nel presente, lui ripaga il loro amore come responsabile del ristorante di famiglia, lavorando con passione, competenza e dedizione.
River è sempre stato un amico fedele di Adam, pur tenendogli nascosta la sua attrazione di lunga data : ha infatti paura di rovinare il loro legame, essendo Adam etero e un passo dal matrimonio.
Quando però le saltano ei due partono con il resto dei fratelli Spencer verso la luna di miele già pagata , la loro vicinanza fa smuovere qualcosa nel nostro sposo mancato e la successiva convivenza risveglia e cementa delle emozioni e dei sentimenti a lungo sopiti.
Continua sul nostro blog!
December 28, 2024
yay
Best friends finding love is one of my favorites. This did not disappoint. I enjoyed the mutual pining, the this is weird but also right moments. I loved the finally jumping because after all this is your best friend and who else is going to take care of your heart. The writing was great the smexy was yum and we love the meddling family.
For further me:
Dual pov
Demisexual rep!!! No Smexy before relationship
No cheating/sharing
Switch
Ehh on diversity only because I’m not sure about side characters
Best friends finding love is one of my favorites. This did not disappoint. I enjoyed the mutual pining, the this is weird but also right moments. I loved the finally jumping because after all this is your best friend and who else is going to take care of your heart. The writing was great the smexy was yum and we love the meddling family.
For further me:
Dual pov
Demisexual rep!!! No Smexy before relationship
No cheating/sharing
Switch
Ehh on diversity only because I’m not sure about side characters
December 27, 2024
Sweet with a bit of angst as River longed for his best friend, Adam since teenage hood. Adam for his part never saw River or any man in that way until he was left at the alter and his eyes, mind, and heart opened to new possibilities. While I'm sure reading this series in order would give you better context, reading as a stand alone I don't think took anything away from the romance between River and Adam.
April 29, 2025
3.5⭐️2.5🌶️
May 23, 2026
Disappointing
I admit childhood friends to lovers isn't my favorite trope. Adding a bi awakening adds to the believability hurdle.
I liked Adam and River before. I don't feel like I learned more about them in this book. River is a loyal friend, who has been in love with Adam forever, even though he would've had a better chance with Lex or Noah.
We don't find out why Adam was dating someone who didn't like his friend or family. Someone who insisted everything had to be her way. Did they have anything in common? We also don't get any reason for his sudden attraction to River.
The conflict here is entirely Adam realizing he's attracted to River, deciding whether to do anything about it, and figuring out if he should trust his relationship with River or if he's putting unrealistic expectations on himself or his relationship.
The problem is we aren't privy to Adam's thought process before his ill-thought-out "grand gesture". I rarely abandon a book I'm 90% through. The climax was so empty of meaning and sentiment that I didn't care about the denouement. Adam could've walked in the front door and said, "Hey honey, I'm home," and it would've had more impact.
I admit childhood friends to lovers isn't my favorite trope. Adding a bi awakening adds to the believability hurdle.
I liked Adam and River before. I don't feel like I learned more about them in this book. River is a loyal friend, who has been in love with Adam forever, even though he would've had a better chance with Lex or Noah.
We don't find out why Adam was dating someone who didn't like his friend or family. Someone who insisted everything had to be her way. Did they have anything in common? We also don't get any reason for his sudden attraction to River.
The conflict here is entirely Adam realizing he's attracted to River, deciding whether to do anything about it, and figuring out if he should trust his relationship with River or if he's putting unrealistic expectations on himself or his relationship.
The problem is we aren't privy to Adam's thought process before his ill-thought-out "grand gesture". I rarely abandon a book I'm 90% through. The climax was so empty of meaning and sentiment that I didn't care about the denouement. Adam could've walked in the front door and said, "Hey honey, I'm home," and it would've had more impact.
May 11, 2026
Review
Tropes & Themes
Friends to lovers
Bi-awakening
Demi-sexual
What I loved / liked :
All the snippets with Adam’s family, especially those with the parents and grandma. I really love their mother.
There was no depression phase after the cancelled wedding. Adam didn’t let himself down, he moved on right away, taking his brothers on his honeymoon, finding the positive attitude rather than brooding.
Like Lex and Emery, these two have a beautiful and deep connection.
What I hated / disliked :
The fact that Victoria was a real bitch until the end, and there was barely any atonement. Sure, she helped Adam to grow up and introspect, but I’m not sure it was even necessary.
Ellie’s absence from this book. It would have made sense to see her more in this one. We didn’t even get her reaction to her sister’s no show at the wedding.
The end was one of the worst I ever read. I read someone commenting on the fact that two epilogues were by Noah and Lex. That wouldn’t shock me actually. I would have loved it if they’d been real epilogues. Those were absolutely pointless. We could have guessed that all the couples were still sex on legs at that point. However, I would have loved to hear more about their past year, what they’d been up to, what changed and so on. Too bad because I am so pissed at those last 10% that I am removing another star for that.
Quick summary:
There’s a couple of chapters as prologue that happen three weeks before the wedding to introduce Adam, the groom, and River, his best friend. River is gay and has always been in love with Adam. Almost. They met when they were 5 and have been best friends since then. At 14, he realised he loved Adam and has been suffering since then, even more so now that Adam’s about to get married. Adam has always been oblivious to River’s feelings, though he’s always been kind of unconsciously attracted to him.
On the day of the wedding, River gets a letter under his door. It’s from Victoria for Adam, apologising for the last minute cancellation (and at this stage, my guess is she knows Adam loves River and wants him to be happy). River gives him the note. They drive to Adam’s apartment and see that Victoria has really left with her two suitcases that were ready for their honeymoon. They return to the vineyard and announce the cancellation to all the guests.
River follows Adam to his room, joined by the family, everyone surprised by his calm, and he suggests that all the boys should go with him on his honeymoon to Maui. They depart the following morning. Adam feels weird and possessive when the flight attendant and then later the bartender at the hotel flirt with River. They share the same suite but first enjoy a tour of the bars after they had a drink with the others.
The first day, they go on a fishing trip that ends with everyone going into the see rather than fishing, though Adam caught a small one. The next day they mostly laze, the couples hiding in their rooms. Adam and River have dinner together. A woman flirts a bit with Adam and its River’s turn to get jealous. They enjoy another drink on their balcony and go to sleep together.
Adam wakes up and watches River’s body, aroused and jerks off in the bathroom. They have breakfast with the others, the bartender from the first night being their server, then spend the day at the beach. Before they leave, River takes a moment alone, but he’s joined by Adam and confesses he’s demisexual. Back in their room, River goes to take a shower. As Adam walks out to go search for his lost sunglasses, he bumps into Lex who actually has them, and they have a bro moment as Adam realises he’s confused by this new attraction to River. As he walks back into the room, he hears River obviously jerking off in the shower. He gets even more confused as River says his name.
On their last day at dinner, they have a moment together, Adam stressed to return to his place and in case Victoria returns. River offers him to stay at his place like they did back in college and they reminisce fun times. The guys are in fact conscious of River’s feelings and they are worried he’ll get hurt.
Two weeks later, Adam and River act all domestic, cooking and having dinner together. River tries to push him a bit, to talk to his parents and get his stuff from his apartment. Adam is more and more confused by his attraction to River.
A few days later, at the restaurant, Adam speaks with Drew, from Star Finders, who works there now. Drew is in love with his foster brother and refuses to confess his feelings to him but he pushes River to do it with Adam. That night, he finds Adam looking at old pictures surrounded by a few boxes that contain what he got back from his old apartment, which is little, and they cuddle while listening to their old playlist.
The next day, Adam takes the day off, and drags river out to breakfast, then a walk, then to help at Star Finders. As they finish painting the first room, they remember some fun stuff from their teenage hood and almost kiss but are interrupted by West. They eventually paint three rooms, West thanking them with tacos, and Adam says he’ll think about a fundraiser to help at the hospital. They finally kiss when they get back home, then have a conversation on how Adam’s attraction has been building since their night out three weeks before the wedding. Although Adam suggests a handjob, they part ways for the night.
A busy week later, they their Friday evening at Tanner’s with the brothers who tell River that Adam has been weird all week, they consider ideas for the charity and plan to meet for Sunday lunch at the parents’. Come Sunday, Adam drags River to his old bedroom and they kiss, Adam saying he wants more. Back to their place, they have blowjob and handjob.
At Lusitana, Drew teases River on Adam’s presence, who promises to wait for him that night but when he gets home, River finds him asleep. Adam falls sick then and River sweetly takes care of him. Their comfort and connection feels really genuine.
Several days later, Adam is getting better at last. River is awake and watching him sleep when his mom, who’s working abroad, calls and says she’s considering moving back and worries for him as she’s always known he had a crush on Adam. Adam wakes up and after a bit of sex, they both go to work.
Adam is stuck on a project at work. Lex notices and go to speak with him, obviously conscious of something going on but Adam doesn’t reveal his secret. Then it’s River dropping by with coffee and pastry, and he actually helps him to sort out his ideas for the project, also planning a date on Saturday.
Adam wakes River with a BJ and they go on their date, a cooking lesson with a renowned chef (from a past book I guess) and his husband and they have dinner at Lusitana. Back home, Adam tops River for the first time. In the morning, they’re awoken by the brothers who barge into their room and at first, they don’t see Adam who had hidden under the covers. They have breakfast together and as the brothers go to work on the auction event, River goes to Lusitana.
Two weeks later at the auction, Adam is the first the first bid, and he raises a weird number from an unknown bidder who turns out to be Victoria. They step outside to talk, and we understand that she did that as an atonement, wiring to him that same amount to cover the wedding expenses. They’re joined by River and as she understands that they’re now together, she leaves. Adam fears that she’ll destroy their reputation, lying that it started before and he cheated on her, so Adam follows her to make things clear. She explains that she actually cheated on him once, and eventually believes he never did, but as she accuses him of being a red flag for River, he leaves confused and drives aimlessly until he reaches Lex’s home to crash there.
The next day, River waits for Adam at home and when he gets there, he tells him the truth about his feelings and his secret plan to leave after the wedding to move on but stayed to support him. Adam realises how dependant on everyone he is, especially River and decides to move out for a while, to figure himself out and promises he’ll come back.
A month later, River is quite depressed on his day off, when Noah shows up and forces him to follow him. He takes him to Lusitana. Everyone’s there and Adam delivers a speech of love. They escape 20 minutes later to a hotel where they have sex.
Epilogue 1, one year later, by Lex. They’re all back in Maui for Adam and River’s wedding. Lex and Emery are getting ready after exchanged BJ’s. River shows up panicked because he lost the rings so they start searching for them.
Epilogue 2, by Noah. He and Lior just have sex. The guys show up still looking for the rings, but they were with Lior. They have sex again before Noah gets ready to be River’s best man.
Epilogue 3, by Adam. Adam getting ready and his reunion at the altar with River.
Characters of the series :
Alexis Spencer: 27, twin with Adam, graphic designer
Emery Livingston: 27, a teacher with a bitch family. He lost his memory in a car accident after he became Lex’s fiancé.
Adam Spencer: 27, twin with Lex, copywriter, creative director
River: 27, Adam’s best friend who has secretly been in love with him for years.
Noah Spencer: 30, accounts director
Lior Van Stern: 47, owner of a glass museum
Avo Jacinta : the boys’ grandmother
Carla: their mother
Jack: their father
Victoria: Adam’s current fiancée, very cold and self centred.
Ellie: Victoria’s sister and Emery’s colleague and best friend
Ren: a server at the restaurant where Frederick and Emery had their date, hyperactive twink, fond of succulents
Frederick : the son of Emery’s mother’s best friend. Back from Europe. Lied that he was gay 15 years before to get his mom off his back but is straight, until he meets Ren
Jax: 32, Noah’s old friend, ex military who just retired and lives in Noah’s building
Tanner Beckett: 30, owner of Tanner’s bar, dated Jax’s little sister back in high school before he came out as gay.
Jodie: Jax’s sister, used to date Tanner, moves to live in Cliffsborough, accidentally pregnant, marries Matt, Tanner’s bartender
Weston Hart : paramedic, cofounder of Star Finders. Foster brothers
Drew Carter : bartender at Lusitana, cofounder of Star Finders
Pierce: 46, Lior’s ex, a CFO at VSE who starts his firm in architecture.
Meatball: 30?, the brothers’ cousin, an artist who gets his first book out.
Tropes & Themes
Friends to lovers
Bi-awakening
Demi-sexual
What I loved / liked :
All the snippets with Adam’s family, especially those with the parents and grandma. I really love their mother.
There was no depression phase after the cancelled wedding. Adam didn’t let himself down, he moved on right away, taking his brothers on his honeymoon, finding the positive attitude rather than brooding.
Like Lex and Emery, these two have a beautiful and deep connection.
What I hated / disliked :
The fact that Victoria was a real bitch until the end, and there was barely any atonement. Sure, she helped Adam to grow up and introspect, but I’m not sure it was even necessary.
Ellie’s absence from this book. It would have made sense to see her more in this one. We didn’t even get her reaction to her sister’s no show at the wedding.
The end was one of the worst I ever read. I read someone commenting on the fact that two epilogues were by Noah and Lex. That wouldn’t shock me actually. I would have loved it if they’d been real epilogues. Those were absolutely pointless. We could have guessed that all the couples were still sex on legs at that point. However, I would have loved to hear more about their past year, what they’d been up to, what changed and so on. Too bad because I am so pissed at those last 10% that I am removing another star for that.
Quick summary:
There’s a couple of chapters as prologue that happen three weeks before the wedding to introduce Adam, the groom, and River, his best friend. River is gay and has always been in love with Adam. Almost. They met when they were 5 and have been best friends since then. At 14, he realised he loved Adam and has been suffering since then, even more so now that Adam’s about to get married. Adam has always been oblivious to River’s feelings, though he’s always been kind of unconsciously attracted to him.
On the day of the wedding, River gets a letter under his door. It’s from Victoria for Adam, apologising for the last minute cancellation (and at this stage, my guess is she knows Adam loves River and wants him to be happy). River gives him the note. They drive to Adam’s apartment and see that Victoria has really left with her two suitcases that were ready for their honeymoon. They return to the vineyard and announce the cancellation to all the guests.
River follows Adam to his room, joined by the family, everyone surprised by his calm, and he suggests that all the boys should go with him on his honeymoon to Maui. They depart the following morning. Adam feels weird and possessive when the flight attendant and then later the bartender at the hotel flirt with River. They share the same suite but first enjoy a tour of the bars after they had a drink with the others.
The first day, they go on a fishing trip that ends with everyone going into the see rather than fishing, though Adam caught a small one. The next day they mostly laze, the couples hiding in their rooms. Adam and River have dinner together. A woman flirts a bit with Adam and its River’s turn to get jealous. They enjoy another drink on their balcony and go to sleep together.
Adam wakes up and watches River’s body, aroused and jerks off in the bathroom. They have breakfast with the others, the bartender from the first night being their server, then spend the day at the beach. Before they leave, River takes a moment alone, but he’s joined by Adam and confesses he’s demisexual. Back in their room, River goes to take a shower. As Adam walks out to go search for his lost sunglasses, he bumps into Lex who actually has them, and they have a bro moment as Adam realises he’s confused by this new attraction to River. As he walks back into the room, he hears River obviously jerking off in the shower. He gets even more confused as River says his name.
On their last day at dinner, they have a moment together, Adam stressed to return to his place and in case Victoria returns. River offers him to stay at his place like they did back in college and they reminisce fun times. The guys are in fact conscious of River’s feelings and they are worried he’ll get hurt.
Two weeks later, Adam and River act all domestic, cooking and having dinner together. River tries to push him a bit, to talk to his parents and get his stuff from his apartment. Adam is more and more confused by his attraction to River.
A few days later, at the restaurant, Adam speaks with Drew, from Star Finders, who works there now. Drew is in love with his foster brother and refuses to confess his feelings to him but he pushes River to do it with Adam. That night, he finds Adam looking at old pictures surrounded by a few boxes that contain what he got back from his old apartment, which is little, and they cuddle while listening to their old playlist.
The next day, Adam takes the day off, and drags river out to breakfast, then a walk, then to help at Star Finders. As they finish painting the first room, they remember some fun stuff from their teenage hood and almost kiss but are interrupted by West. They eventually paint three rooms, West thanking them with tacos, and Adam says he’ll think about a fundraiser to help at the hospital. They finally kiss when they get back home, then have a conversation on how Adam’s attraction has been building since their night out three weeks before the wedding. Although Adam suggests a handjob, they part ways for the night.
A busy week later, they their Friday evening at Tanner’s with the brothers who tell River that Adam has been weird all week, they consider ideas for the charity and plan to meet for Sunday lunch at the parents’. Come Sunday, Adam drags River to his old bedroom and they kiss, Adam saying he wants more. Back to their place, they have blowjob and handjob.
At Lusitana, Drew teases River on Adam’s presence, who promises to wait for him that night but when he gets home, River finds him asleep. Adam falls sick then and River sweetly takes care of him. Their comfort and connection feels really genuine.
Several days later, Adam is getting better at last. River is awake and watching him sleep when his mom, who’s working abroad, calls and says she’s considering moving back and worries for him as she’s always known he had a crush on Adam. Adam wakes up and after a bit of sex, they both go to work.
Adam is stuck on a project at work. Lex notices and go to speak with him, obviously conscious of something going on but Adam doesn’t reveal his secret. Then it’s River dropping by with coffee and pastry, and he actually helps him to sort out his ideas for the project, also planning a date on Saturday.
Adam wakes River with a BJ and they go on their date, a cooking lesson with a renowned chef (from a past book I guess) and his husband and they have dinner at Lusitana. Back home, Adam tops River for the first time. In the morning, they’re awoken by the brothers who barge into their room and at first, they don’t see Adam who had hidden under the covers. They have breakfast together and as the brothers go to work on the auction event, River goes to Lusitana.
Two weeks later at the auction, Adam is the first the first bid, and he raises a weird number from an unknown bidder who turns out to be Victoria. They step outside to talk, and we understand that she did that as an atonement, wiring to him that same amount to cover the wedding expenses. They’re joined by River and as she understands that they’re now together, she leaves. Adam fears that she’ll destroy their reputation, lying that it started before and he cheated on her, so Adam follows her to make things clear. She explains that she actually cheated on him once, and eventually believes he never did, but as she accuses him of being a red flag for River, he leaves confused and drives aimlessly until he reaches Lex’s home to crash there.
The next day, River waits for Adam at home and when he gets there, he tells him the truth about his feelings and his secret plan to leave after the wedding to move on but stayed to support him. Adam realises how dependant on everyone he is, especially River and decides to move out for a while, to figure himself out and promises he’ll come back.
A month later, River is quite depressed on his day off, when Noah shows up and forces him to follow him. He takes him to Lusitana. Everyone’s there and Adam delivers a speech of love. They escape 20 minutes later to a hotel where they have sex.
Epilogue 1, one year later, by Lex. They’re all back in Maui for Adam and River’s wedding. Lex and Emery are getting ready after exchanged BJ’s. River shows up panicked because he lost the rings so they start searching for them.
Epilogue 2, by Noah. He and Lior just have sex. The guys show up still looking for the rings, but they were with Lior. They have sex again before Noah gets ready to be River’s best man.
Epilogue 3, by Adam. Adam getting ready and his reunion at the altar with River.
Characters of the series :
Alexis Spencer: 27, twin with Adam, graphic designer
Emery Livingston: 27, a teacher with a bitch family. He lost his memory in a car accident after he became Lex’s fiancé.
Adam Spencer: 27, twin with Lex, copywriter, creative director
River: 27, Adam’s best friend who has secretly been in love with him for years.
Noah Spencer: 30, accounts director
Lior Van Stern: 47, owner of a glass museum
Avo Jacinta : the boys’ grandmother
Carla: their mother
Jack: their father
Victoria: Adam’s current fiancée, very cold and self centred.
Ellie: Victoria’s sister and Emery’s colleague and best friend
Ren: a server at the restaurant where Frederick and Emery had their date, hyperactive twink, fond of succulents
Frederick : the son of Emery’s mother’s best friend. Back from Europe. Lied that he was gay 15 years before to get his mom off his back but is straight, until he meets Ren
Jax: 32, Noah’s old friend, ex military who just retired and lives in Noah’s building
Tanner Beckett: 30, owner of Tanner’s bar, dated Jax’s little sister back in high school before he came out as gay.
Jodie: Jax’s sister, used to date Tanner, moves to live in Cliffsborough, accidentally pregnant, marries Matt, Tanner’s bartender
Weston Hart : paramedic, cofounder of Star Finders. Foster brothers
Drew Carter : bartender at Lusitana, cofounder of Star Finders
Pierce: 46, Lior’s ex, a CFO at VSE who starts his firm in architecture.
Meatball: 30?, the brothers’ cousin, an artist who gets his first book out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2024
**4.5**
Equally happy and sad to have River and Adam's book as it's the final one of the series. It's known that River has been in love with his best friend forever but Adam was getting married to Victoria who, as everyone else knew, wasn't the best match for Adam and she shows that by leaving before the wedding and leaving a note for someone else to tell him.
River may not have liked Victoria but he would never wish this on his best friend. However, they end up going on Adam's planned honeymoon, along with his brothers and their partners and having an amazing time. In some ways they reconnect after Adam had been obviously spending more time with his fiancée than his best friend. However, most unexpected is what Adam starts to see in his best friend.
A bisexual awakening, demisexuality, best friends to lovers romance that is fairly low angst, minus the leaving at the alter and pining for the best friend. The strong sense of family really shines through, with support, love and a healthy dose of fun. Adam and River's strength of connection and friendship is felt from the start and only deepens as they find a new aspect to share. A highly recommended romance that can be read as a standalone but more enjoyable if you've read the series, I think, though I'm probably biased.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
**audio review**
Alexander's narration for this is so good! He perfectly brings across the personality and strong relationship between the MC's. The only thing I would have liked would be a bit more differentiation between Adam and River's voices.
Equally happy and sad to have River and Adam's book as it's the final one of the series. It's known that River has been in love with his best friend forever but Adam was getting married to Victoria who, as everyone else knew, wasn't the best match for Adam and she shows that by leaving before the wedding and leaving a note for someone else to tell him.
River may not have liked Victoria but he would never wish this on his best friend. However, they end up going on Adam's planned honeymoon, along with his brothers and their partners and having an amazing time. In some ways they reconnect after Adam had been obviously spending more time with his fiancée than his best friend. However, most unexpected is what Adam starts to see in his best friend.
A bisexual awakening, demisexuality, best friends to lovers romance that is fairly low angst, minus the leaving at the alter and pining for the best friend. The strong sense of family really shines through, with support, love and a healthy dose of fun. Adam and River's strength of connection and friendship is felt from the start and only deepens as they find a new aspect to share. A highly recommended romance that can be read as a standalone but more enjoyable if you've read the series, I think, though I'm probably biased.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
**audio review**
Alexander's narration for this is so good! He perfectly brings across the personality and strong relationship between the MC's. The only thing I would have liked would be a bit more differentiation between Adam and River's voices.
January 15, 2025
I was enjoying this up until right towards the end, when the most unnecessary third-act break up of all time happened (and the fourth wall break of calling it a third-act break up was awful). For so-called best friends who know each other better than anyone, their lack of communication was absolutely baffling. And I’m sorry, but if someone needed to go no-contact with me for a month in order to figure out if they really loved me, then you would actually have to sedate me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2025
Buongiorno Peccatrici
Attendevo il terzo volume della serie "I Fratelli Spencer: Il Segreto del Testimone" di Ana Ashley, con impazienza e non sono rimasta affatto delusa. Adam Spencer e River Hartley mi avevano già conquistata nei libri precedenti per la loro amicizia, interazione, il prendersi cura dell'altro (soprattutto da parte di River) e qui hanno solo confermato l'idea che mi ero fatta di loro.
Avete presente due migliori amici che fin da piccoli passano ogni momento insieme, tanto che River è considerato un'altro figlio per la famiglia Spencer, ma nel momento che Adam si fidanza con Victoria, un pochino di allontanamento è inevitabile. All'inizio della loro relazione passano molto più tempo insieme, Adam trascura un po' gli affetti, poi a Victoria non piace proprio River e l'intensa che i due migliori amici hanno, ma nel momento che lei decide di non presentarsi all'altare e proprio sotto la porta di River che infila il biglietto di addio.
Lui farebbe tutto per Adam, come ha sempre fatto del resto, ma essere colui che gli spezzerà il cuore proprio non lo immaginava.
Adam travolto da questo tsunami, decide che solo attraverso la famiglia può esserci la ricostruzione e soprattutto traendo la forza da River.
Peccatrici, questo è un viaggio nella profondità dei sentimenti, nella scoperta del sé. Perché alcune volte è più facile restare in un rapporto che non ci soddisfa ma che conosciamo, piuttosto di rischiare e mettere tutto in discussione.
Adam si ritroverà a conoscere sé stesso e scoprire un uomo che non ha mai percepito. Comprenderà sensazioni che mai ha sperimentato e si troverà a guardare con occhi altrui avvertendo la necessità di crescita del Io interiore.
River dovrà scendere a patti con i suoi sentimenti e mettersi a nudo come mai ha fatto.
La famiglia Spencer sarà il filo conduttore che tiene unito questo meraviglioso nucleo, dove non vi è mai giudizio e si dispensa supporto.
Ana Ashley è riuscita in questo volume ha darmi infinite emozioni e mi ha fatto sognare con un amore complicato ma assolutamente possibile. Ha parlato molto di amicizia, rispetto, conforto ed è entrata nel mondo della sessualità di ognuno dei protagonisti, in modo delicato.
Carissime, io posso dirvi che esco da questa avventura più che soddisfatta e non posso far altro che invitarvi ad incontrare Adam, River e tutta la famiglia Spencer.
Vi auguro buon viaggio ❤️
La vostra Fly
Attendevo il terzo volume della serie "I Fratelli Spencer: Il Segreto del Testimone" di Ana Ashley, con impazienza e non sono rimasta affatto delusa. Adam Spencer e River Hartley mi avevano già conquistata nei libri precedenti per la loro amicizia, interazione, il prendersi cura dell'altro (soprattutto da parte di River) e qui hanno solo confermato l'idea che mi ero fatta di loro.
Avete presente due migliori amici che fin da piccoli passano ogni momento insieme, tanto che River è considerato un'altro figlio per la famiglia Spencer, ma nel momento che Adam si fidanza con Victoria, un pochino di allontanamento è inevitabile. All'inizio della loro relazione passano molto più tempo insieme, Adam trascura un po' gli affetti, poi a Victoria non piace proprio River e l'intensa che i due migliori amici hanno, ma nel momento che lei decide di non presentarsi all'altare e proprio sotto la porta di River che infila il biglietto di addio.
Lui farebbe tutto per Adam, come ha sempre fatto del resto, ma essere colui che gli spezzerà il cuore proprio non lo immaginava.
Adam travolto da questo tsunami, decide che solo attraverso la famiglia può esserci la ricostruzione e soprattutto traendo la forza da River.
Peccatrici, questo è un viaggio nella profondità dei sentimenti, nella scoperta del sé. Perché alcune volte è più facile restare in un rapporto che non ci soddisfa ma che conosciamo, piuttosto di rischiare e mettere tutto in discussione.
Adam si ritroverà a conoscere sé stesso e scoprire un uomo che non ha mai percepito. Comprenderà sensazioni che mai ha sperimentato e si troverà a guardare con occhi altrui avvertendo la necessità di crescita del Io interiore.
River dovrà scendere a patti con i suoi sentimenti e mettersi a nudo come mai ha fatto.
La famiglia Spencer sarà il filo conduttore che tiene unito questo meraviglioso nucleo, dove non vi è mai giudizio e si dispensa supporto.
Ana Ashley è riuscita in questo volume ha darmi infinite emozioni e mi ha fatto sognare con un amore complicato ma assolutamente possibile. Ha parlato molto di amicizia, rispetto, conforto ed è entrata nel mondo della sessualità di ognuno dei protagonisti, in modo delicato.
Carissime, io posso dirvi che esco da questa avventura più che soddisfatta e non posso far altro che invitarvi ad incontrare Adam, River e tutta la famiglia Spencer.
Vi auguro buon viaggio ❤️
La vostra Fly
December 25, 2024
First of all, a big thanks to Ana Ashley for the free advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
I have binged the Spencer Brothers series in the last few days, including the two novellas that are out. I had read the novellas before, but not the main series; now that I have, I can definitely say that I adore the three Spencer brothers and their friends so much!!
This is Adam’s story. After his fiancée leaves him on their wedding day, he goes on his honeymoon to Maui with his brothers, their partners, and his best friend and best man, River. River, we quickly learn, has had feelings for his best friend for about half their lives, and whilst on this “bro-cation”, Adam’s feelings start to shift too. This is a best-friends-to-lovers story featuring a bi awakening for an MC in his 30s, and it’s fairly low-angst. There’s not a lot of drama either, only a little bit when the ex-fiancée shows up out of the blue. Adam’s twin brother Lex and older brother Noah, as well as their partners Emery and Lior, provide comic relief and comfort throughout the book, as has been the case in the previous books as well. They’re a tight-knit family, which I adore, and the friends we meet throughout are intriguing as well.
Having finished the stories of Lex and Emory, their friends aren’t ans Frederick, Noah and Lior, their friends Jax and Tanner, and now Adam and River, I’m definitely excited for the formal novella coming in February 2025, featuring West and Drew, who’ve made appearances in a couple of the novels so far!
Thanks again to Ana Ashley for this ARC; Ana’s stories are always heartwarming and never fail to make me smile. I also really appreciated the few glimpses of Chester Falls we get throughout this series, and although I haven’t yet read the Single Dada is Stillwater series, I believe there was some crossover with that series too!
I definitely recommend this book (although I’d recommend reading the series in order) to anyone who wants a sweet, heartwarming reading experience with interconnected books and overlapping timelines 😊
I have binged the Spencer Brothers series in the last few days, including the two novellas that are out. I had read the novellas before, but not the main series; now that I have, I can definitely say that I adore the three Spencer brothers and their friends so much!!
This is Adam’s story. After his fiancée leaves him on their wedding day, he goes on his honeymoon to Maui with his brothers, their partners, and his best friend and best man, River. River, we quickly learn, has had feelings for his best friend for about half their lives, and whilst on this “bro-cation”, Adam’s feelings start to shift too. This is a best-friends-to-lovers story featuring a bi awakening for an MC in his 30s, and it’s fairly low-angst. There’s not a lot of drama either, only a little bit when the ex-fiancée shows up out of the blue. Adam’s twin brother Lex and older brother Noah, as well as their partners Emery and Lior, provide comic relief and comfort throughout the book, as has been the case in the previous books as well. They’re a tight-knit family, which I adore, and the friends we meet throughout are intriguing as well.
Having finished the stories of Lex and Emory, their friends aren’t ans Frederick, Noah and Lior, their friends Jax and Tanner, and now Adam and River, I’m definitely excited for the formal novella coming in February 2025, featuring West and Drew, who’ve made appearances in a couple of the novels so far!
Thanks again to Ana Ashley for this ARC; Ana’s stories are always heartwarming and never fail to make me smile. I also really appreciated the few glimpses of Chester Falls we get throughout this series, and although I haven’t yet read the Single Dada is Stillwater series, I believe there was some crossover with that series too!
I definitely recommend this book (although I’d recommend reading the series in order) to anyone who wants a sweet, heartwarming reading experience with interconnected books and overlapping timelines 😊
April 17, 2025
Un matrimonio che salta? Interessante. Due migliori amici che si conoscono sin dall’infanzia? Adoro! Tanti segreti? Mi ci fiondo!
Adam sta per sposare la fidanzata Victoria quando, senza alcun preavviso, questa scompare dai radar, lasciando il futuro sposo confuso e pieno di dubbi. A prendersi cura del suo cuore spezzato c’è River, il suo migliore amico da che ne ha memoria. Quest’ultimo è da sempre innamorato di Adam, ma quando finalmente prende una decisione in merito alla situazione, ecco che le carte in tavola vengono di nuovo rimescolate con l’annullamento del matrimonio. Per non sprecare la luna di miele, Adam parte ugualmente in compagnia di River e da qui inizierà un nuovo viaggio alla scoperta di se stesso. Infondo si sa, i segreti, non possono rimanere tali tanto a lungo…
Probabilmente potrei parlare per ore e ore de Il segreto del testimone di Ana Ashley. Terzo volume autoconclusivo della serie I fratelli Spencer è godibile anche singolarmente senza aver letto i precedenti. Difatti, non ho avuto grosse difficoltà, al contrario mi sono sentita parte della famiglia. Lo stile dell’autrice è davvero piacevole e coinvolgente, la sua penna è delicata e in grado di trasmettere emozioni e sensazioni. Il lettore percepisce ogni sentimento, ogni dubbio e paura vissute dai protagonisti. Mi è piaciuto tanto entrare a far parte di questa chiassosa e numerosa famiglia, tant’è che non vedo l’ora di immergermi nelle avventure precedenti della serie e gustarmi in serenità le storie dei fratelli di Adam. Così come vorrei scoprire cosa combineranno gli amici di questi nel prossimo libro della serie. Ho apprezzato tantissimo sia Adam che River, entrambi sono così dolci e hanno un gran cuore: sono proprio fatti l’uno per l’altro e il loro amore e affetto traspare da queste pagine.
È stato davvero bello e appassionante assistere al loro percorso di crescita, così come l’intreccio in sé a cottura lenta. Devo ammettere, però, che River mi ha proprio affascinata e spesso ho fatto il tifo per lui. Vederlo soffrire, faceva stare male anche me. Sono stati teneri e divertenti anche i momenti di gioia creati dagli Spencer, insieme sono vero e proprio caos e ne ho adorato ogni istante. Insomma, le premesse per una splendida storia d’amore, già leggendo i tropes, ci sono tutte e credetemi, le aspettative saranno assolutamente soddisfatte! Se siete alla ricerca di un bel Romance M/M appassionante e romantico, senza grandi scossoni, in grado di farvi sentire partecipi delle vicende e, soprattutto, che vi faccia provare delle bellissime emozioni, non potete lasciarvi sfuggire Il segreto del testimone.
Per me sono decisamente 5 stelle!
Adam sta per sposare la fidanzata Victoria quando, senza alcun preavviso, questa scompare dai radar, lasciando il futuro sposo confuso e pieno di dubbi. A prendersi cura del suo cuore spezzato c’è River, il suo migliore amico da che ne ha memoria. Quest’ultimo è da sempre innamorato di Adam, ma quando finalmente prende una decisione in merito alla situazione, ecco che le carte in tavola vengono di nuovo rimescolate con l’annullamento del matrimonio. Per non sprecare la luna di miele, Adam parte ugualmente in compagnia di River e da qui inizierà un nuovo viaggio alla scoperta di se stesso. Infondo si sa, i segreti, non possono rimanere tali tanto a lungo…
Probabilmente potrei parlare per ore e ore de Il segreto del testimone di Ana Ashley. Terzo volume autoconclusivo della serie I fratelli Spencer è godibile anche singolarmente senza aver letto i precedenti. Difatti, non ho avuto grosse difficoltà, al contrario mi sono sentita parte della famiglia. Lo stile dell’autrice è davvero piacevole e coinvolgente, la sua penna è delicata e in grado di trasmettere emozioni e sensazioni. Il lettore percepisce ogni sentimento, ogni dubbio e paura vissute dai protagonisti. Mi è piaciuto tanto entrare a far parte di questa chiassosa e numerosa famiglia, tant’è che non vedo l’ora di immergermi nelle avventure precedenti della serie e gustarmi in serenità le storie dei fratelli di Adam. Così come vorrei scoprire cosa combineranno gli amici di questi nel prossimo libro della serie. Ho apprezzato tantissimo sia Adam che River, entrambi sono così dolci e hanno un gran cuore: sono proprio fatti l’uno per l’altro e il loro amore e affetto traspare da queste pagine.
È stato davvero bello e appassionante assistere al loro percorso di crescita, così come l’intreccio in sé a cottura lenta. Devo ammettere, però, che River mi ha proprio affascinata e spesso ho fatto il tifo per lui. Vederlo soffrire, faceva stare male anche me. Sono stati teneri e divertenti anche i momenti di gioia creati dagli Spencer, insieme sono vero e proprio caos e ne ho adorato ogni istante. Insomma, le premesse per una splendida storia d’amore, già leggendo i tropes, ci sono tutte e credetemi, le aspettative saranno assolutamente soddisfatte! Se siete alla ricerca di un bel Romance M/M appassionante e romantico, senza grandi scossoni, in grado di farvi sentire partecipi delle vicende e, soprattutto, che vi faccia provare delle bellissime emozioni, non potete lasciarvi sfuggire Il segreto del testimone.
Per me sono decisamente 5 stelle!
December 27, 2024
It’s finally Adam and River’s story! Been waiting a while for these two. River has been in love with his best friend for a very long time. But he has watched Adam remain oblivious to his feelings, dating woman after woman until finally asking Victoria to marry him. No one particularly likes Victoria, but if she makes Adam happy, they’ll stand aside. And soon River will have to decide how to step back from his best friend to keep his heart from shattering even more. But everything changes when Victoria leaves Adam the morning of the wedding. So he’ll be there for his best friend like always. But something is changing in Adam and River can’t help but wonder if he can hope about a future for them. Adam can’t help but be hurt after being dumped on his wedding day, but as more time goes by the more he realizes that maybe getting married to Victoria would have been a mistake. Because suddenly, he is looking at his best friend in a way he never had before. And the little things over the years and the feelings he has always had for River are starting to come into perspective. Could he have always felt this way about his best friend and now only realize it? And the more he looks the more he realizes that something between them could be what he has been waiting for all along. I adored River and Adam. It was so clear early on in this series how much they mean to one another. River clearly loved Adam and Adam just needed his eyes open to see what was in front of him all along. They were just too cute! I loved this series! It’s been so fun and emotional and sweet. I’m looking forward to the next novella so I don’t have to say goodbye completely to this series just yet!
December 25, 2024
I received a free copy. This review is submitted voluntarily.
River is the Manager of Lusitana, a Portuguese restaurant owned by Adam’s parents. He’s also been in love with his best friend Adam at least since their early teens but the latter is straight. Adam started a PR firm with his brothers Lex and Noah. The book opens the day of Adam’s wedding to Victoria, only she left a note under River’s door saying she was calling the whole off and was running away. Adam decides to go ahead with his honeymoon in Hawaii and invites River and his brothers along. During the honeymoon, something stirs in Adam, and he starts to notice River (they shared a suite and bed together, though nothing happens). From there, the couple goes through a few snags but eventually arrive at a happy ending.
This is a trope I really enjoy – a gay guy pining for his best friend who is straight. There is limited angst (most of it self-imposed) and I’m a sucker for this kind of happy ending. The main characters are totally sympathetic, notwithstanding Adam’s lack of perspicacity. River is always making sacrifices for Adam who takes a while to see it. The fiancée from the first wedding reappears and makes a scene but eventually sees that Adam and River were made for each other. Thus, other than those two scenes, there are no nasty secondary characters and Adam’s brothers contribute a lot of humour to the story. The plot goes along in a linear fashion, with no real diversions. Ms Ashley once again knocks it out of the park.
River is the Manager of Lusitana, a Portuguese restaurant owned by Adam’s parents. He’s also been in love with his best friend Adam at least since their early teens but the latter is straight. Adam started a PR firm with his brothers Lex and Noah. The book opens the day of Adam’s wedding to Victoria, only she left a note under River’s door saying she was calling the whole off and was running away. Adam decides to go ahead with his honeymoon in Hawaii and invites River and his brothers along. During the honeymoon, something stirs in Adam, and he starts to notice River (they shared a suite and bed together, though nothing happens). From there, the couple goes through a few snags but eventually arrive at a happy ending.
This is a trope I really enjoy – a gay guy pining for his best friend who is straight. There is limited angst (most of it self-imposed) and I’m a sucker for this kind of happy ending. The main characters are totally sympathetic, notwithstanding Adam’s lack of perspicacity. River is always making sacrifices for Adam who takes a while to see it. The fiancée from the first wedding reappears and makes a scene but eventually sees that Adam and River were made for each other. Thus, other than those two scenes, there are no nasty secondary characters and Adam’s brothers contribute a lot of humour to the story. The plot goes along in a linear fashion, with no real diversions. Ms Ashley once again knocks it out of the park.
January 3, 2025
The third Spencer brother finally gets his HEA, although not exactly how he planned it. Adam is getting ready for his wedding when his best friend has to give him the news that his bride ditched him. Although he never liked Adam’s fiancé, River never wanted to be the one to hurt Adam with the news. However, Adam decides to go on his honeymoon with River, his brothers and their partners. It is in Hawaii that Adam finally starts to see River in a new light. He’s always seen himself as “straight” though, so these new revelations are a bit confusing. As for River, he’s been in love with Adam since they were teens, but always put their friendship first believing he couldn’t hope for any more. Once they share their first kiss however, it’s like the floodgates have opened and new desires spill out. How can Adam be sure that what he’s feeling isn’t a rebound effect, even though he’s never thought about men in that context before? He never wants to hurt River, and if this new situationship implodes their friendship could go with it. With a nasty confrontation, a little soul searching and some help from his brothers, Adam finds that all he needs & wants is River. River gets the man he’s always dreamed of and their relationship is more solid than ever. The epilogue takes the reader back to where it all started and wraps it all together. I am definitely looking forward to the next book to round out this series.
May 9, 2025
Il segreto del Testimone
Fratelli Spencer serie #3
Ana Ashley
Eccomi arrivata alla fine di questo libro, dove sono costretta, a malincuore, a dire addio ai protagonisti Adam Spencer e River. Migliori amici fin da piccoli, il centro uno dell'altro da sempre, non si erano accorti (River già lo sapeva) che, oltre al semplice volersi bene, la loro unione andava al di là della classica amicizia. Una storia che mi ha rapita per il modo coinvolgente della scrittura di quest’autrice che, anche se con il genere MM, è riuscita a farmi emozionare con le sue parole. Molte volte, nella vita, diamo per scontato da che parte stiamo e cosa preferiamo; ma, come ci insegnerà Adam, niente è certo. Lui credeva di vivere una storia fantastica, al punto di voler passare la vita con la sua fidanzata. Invece, inaspettatamente, nel suo cuore si è sentito sollevato, quando tutto è andato a rotoli. Non scegliamo noi chi amare, bensì è l'amore a scegliere per noi. L'importante è non farsi mai frenare dalle paure e metterci in gioco con tutto noi stessi, per rincorrere la nostra felicità. Un libro super consigliato, perché amerete questa famiglia. Lo so, sono un po' pazzi gli Spencer, ma vi faranno scoppiare il cuore d'amore per il sentimento che li unisce.
Valutazione: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶🌶🌶
Emozioni: 💘💘💘💘💘
Recensione a cura di Julia Altamura.
Strana Family BOOK Blog.
Fratelli Spencer serie #3
Ana Ashley
Eccomi arrivata alla fine di questo libro, dove sono costretta, a malincuore, a dire addio ai protagonisti Adam Spencer e River. Migliori amici fin da piccoli, il centro uno dell'altro da sempre, non si erano accorti (River già lo sapeva) che, oltre al semplice volersi bene, la loro unione andava al di là della classica amicizia. Una storia che mi ha rapita per il modo coinvolgente della scrittura di quest’autrice che, anche se con il genere MM, è riuscita a farmi emozionare con le sue parole. Molte volte, nella vita, diamo per scontato da che parte stiamo e cosa preferiamo; ma, come ci insegnerà Adam, niente è certo. Lui credeva di vivere una storia fantastica, al punto di voler passare la vita con la sua fidanzata. Invece, inaspettatamente, nel suo cuore si è sentito sollevato, quando tutto è andato a rotoli. Non scegliamo noi chi amare, bensì è l'amore a scegliere per noi. L'importante è non farsi mai frenare dalle paure e metterci in gioco con tutto noi stessi, per rincorrere la nostra felicità. Un libro super consigliato, perché amerete questa famiglia. Lo so, sono un po' pazzi gli Spencer, ma vi faranno scoppiare il cuore d'amore per il sentimento che li unisce.
Valutazione: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶🌶🌶
Emozioni: 💘💘💘💘💘
Recensione a cura di Julia Altamura.
Strana Family BOOK Blog.
December 29, 2024
**********Contains Spoilers**********
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was definitely my favourite of the series. After Adam is jilted on his wedding day by his utter b*tch of a fiancée Victoria, who didn’t have the balls to even speak to Adam about it, she delivered a note under his best friend River’s door about leaving and making him tell him the bad news. It would be absolutely heartbreaking having to not only go through that but then to have to tell all the wedding guests what happened. I’m glad that Adam had River, his brothers and their partners for support. Adam invites them all on his honeymoon and turns it into a holiday with his brothers.
River has been in love with Adam for years but has kept them secret. While on holiday Adam starts having some confusing feelings about River. I liked that Adam actually thought about how he now feels about River before jumping into things. I thought that they were great together and their chemistry was off the charts. I’ve pre-ordered the next Spencer Brothers novella, The Fostered Promise which I’m looking forward to reading when it’s released in February, as well as more books from Ana Ashley in the future. I’d definitely recommend this novella, series and author to everyone.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was definitely my favourite of the series. After Adam is jilted on his wedding day by his utter b*tch of a fiancée Victoria, who didn’t have the balls to even speak to Adam about it, she delivered a note under his best friend River’s door about leaving and making him tell him the bad news. It would be absolutely heartbreaking having to not only go through that but then to have to tell all the wedding guests what happened. I’m glad that Adam had River, his brothers and their partners for support. Adam invites them all on his honeymoon and turns it into a holiday with his brothers.
River has been in love with Adam for years but has kept them secret. While on holiday Adam starts having some confusing feelings about River. I liked that Adam actually thought about how he now feels about River before jumping into things. I thought that they were great together and their chemistry was off the charts. I’ve pre-ordered the next Spencer Brothers novella, The Fostered Promise which I’m looking forward to reading when it’s released in February, as well as more books from Ana Ashley in the future. I’d definitely recommend this novella, series and author to everyone.
February 9, 2025
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Have I already said that I really like Ana's writing style - as well as the Spencer Brother series.
This book is about River and Adam. The beginning is quite heartbreaking, because River has been in love with Adam his whole life. And now he is best man at Adam's wedding. River is not the only man with a broken heart, as Adam's bride-to-be Victoria calls off the wedding and only tells Adam in a letter. What follows is a vacation with his best friend and brothers instead of a honeymoon with his bride.
I love stories about best friends to lovers. Adam and River are two very likeable characters, both of whom I immediately took to my heart. And I was delighted to meet the brothers from the previous volumes again.
The story is romantic and sweet and it was nice to see how Adam's feelings for River change. Is it perhaps more than friendship after all?
If you're in the mood for an absolute feel-good story, this is the one for you.
The audiobook was narrated by Alexander Cendese and, as always, he did a great job. He has a great reading pace, gives the characters different voices and I found it very pleasant to listen to his voice. He brings the story to life and I really enjoyed the audiobook.
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Have I already said that I really like Ana's writing style - as well as the Spencer Brother series.
This book is about River and Adam. The beginning is quite heartbreaking, because River has been in love with Adam his whole life. And now he is best man at Adam's wedding. River is not the only man with a broken heart, as Adam's bride-to-be Victoria calls off the wedding and only tells Adam in a letter. What follows is a vacation with his best friend and brothers instead of a honeymoon with his bride.
I love stories about best friends to lovers. Adam and River are two very likeable characters, both of whom I immediately took to my heart. And I was delighted to meet the brothers from the previous volumes again.
The story is romantic and sweet and it was nice to see how Adam's feelings for River change. Is it perhaps more than friendship after all?
If you're in the mood for an absolute feel-good story, this is the one for you.
The audiobook was narrated by Alexander Cendese and, as always, he did a great job. He has a great reading pace, gives the characters different voices and I found it very pleasant to listen to his voice. He brings the story to life and I really enjoyed the audiobook.
April 24, 2025
«Adam…» sussurrò, e la sua voce si ruppe sul mio nome.
Mentre iniziavo a muovermi, mi resi conto che non era solo un atto fisico. Ogni spinta in lui era il culmine di ogni parola non detta, ogni sguardo scambiato era l’inizio di qualcosa irreversibile, e non volevo che finisse mai.
Sono arrivata all'ultimo fratello Spencer, ovvero il gemello Adam.
La sua storia è stata meravigliosa, vivere la sua amicizia con River, appassionante e ammaliante.
Seguire i loro passi da piccoli, a quando sono adolescenti e poi il rinforzarsi dell'amicizia durante gli anni del college fino a vederli adulti ed essere l'uno l'ancora dell'altro, ha dato all'amicizia il suo più alto significato.
Ma la loro amicizia non è il solo sentimento che li lega, River nasconde ben altro e solo il tempo, la situazione e un abbandono daranno ad Adam la possibilità di guardarsi dentro e scoprire quel qualcosa che è sempre stato latente, ma lì dentro fin da sempre.
Il mio pensiero è fin troppo riduttivo per esternare ciò che per me è stata questa lettura, ecco perché vi invito caldamente a leggere questa storia perché non potete assolutamente perderla.
Un grazie a Ana Ashley per questo regalo, adesso spero solo che possa essere tradotta in lingua italiana la novella dedicata a Drew e West.
😍😍😍
Mentre iniziavo a muovermi, mi resi conto che non era solo un atto fisico. Ogni spinta in lui era il culmine di ogni parola non detta, ogni sguardo scambiato era l’inizio di qualcosa irreversibile, e non volevo che finisse mai.
Sono arrivata all'ultimo fratello Spencer, ovvero il gemello Adam.
La sua storia è stata meravigliosa, vivere la sua amicizia con River, appassionante e ammaliante.
Seguire i loro passi da piccoli, a quando sono adolescenti e poi il rinforzarsi dell'amicizia durante gli anni del college fino a vederli adulti ed essere l'uno l'ancora dell'altro, ha dato all'amicizia il suo più alto significato.
Ma la loro amicizia non è il solo sentimento che li lega, River nasconde ben altro e solo il tempo, la situazione e un abbandono daranno ad Adam la possibilità di guardarsi dentro e scoprire quel qualcosa che è sempre stato latente, ma lì dentro fin da sempre.
Il mio pensiero è fin troppo riduttivo per esternare ciò che per me è stata questa lettura, ecco perché vi invito caldamente a leggere questa storia perché non potete assolutamente perderla.
Un grazie a Ana Ashley per questo regalo, adesso spero solo che possa essere tradotta in lingua italiana la novella dedicata a Drew e West.
😍😍😍
June 25, 2025
Ho sempre pensato a come l'autrice avrebbe sviluppato la trama di Adam perché quando si tratta di questi tipi di libri in cui uno dei due non è ancora consapevole di essere gay, può portare a tirare fuori un pessimo libro. Per fortuna non è questo il caso e la Ashley si conferma, per me, un ottima scrittrice. Ho apprezzato il personaggio di River perché nonostante provasse per Adam un sentimento più profondo dell'amicizia gli è stato vicino sempre e questo fa di lui una persona coraggiosa e fidata che non pensa solo a se stesso. Adam invece ha avuto un brutto risveglio ma è stato bravo a non piangersi addosso e cercare di trovare in tutto il casino un risvolto positivo. Ho apprezzato il fatto che Victoria non fosse presente nel corso della storia perché ha reso più facile per Adam concentrarsi sui sentimenti che ha iniziato a provare piano piano nei confronti del suo migliore amico e il confronto finale anche se breve è servito a mettere un punto all'intera faccenda. La storia scorre rapida e serena, non ci sono momenti pesanti e i dubbi e le incertezze non rendono la lettura pesante. L'epilogo mi è piaciuto un sacco dando spazio alle altre coppie per leggere un pò della loro quotidianità dopo tutto il tempo passato.
December 27, 2024
Best friends romance with sizzle😉
I loved the way this novel begins, with poor Adam getting a gift from his fiancee no groom wants hours before the wedding and BFF
best man River is chosen to deliver it! River is the pining best friend who is so inextricably involved with Adam's family, yet he considers ditching them all rather than standing on the sidelines to watch his secret love Adam happily married to someone else. A great start to an MM romance that remains slow burn through the first half and then ignites.
The other Spencer brothers and their guys appear throughout the book. I had read their stories so I knew their background but, if you haven't, Lior and Noah's age gap romance isn't particularly well explained here and, if you're interested, you need to read the second book in the series. It's good and, though I liked this latest in the series, I liked the first two books, particularly The Lost Fiance Twist, more. The epilogue here is actually divided into three parts, heavily involves the other brothers, and I felt was a bit too extended.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
I loved the way this novel begins, with poor Adam getting a gift from his fiancee no groom wants hours before the wedding and BFF
best man River is chosen to deliver it! River is the pining best friend who is so inextricably involved with Adam's family, yet he considers ditching them all rather than standing on the sidelines to watch his secret love Adam happily married to someone else. A great start to an MM romance that remains slow burn through the first half and then ignites.
The other Spencer brothers and their guys appear throughout the book. I had read their stories so I knew their background but, if you haven't, Lior and Noah's age gap romance isn't particularly well explained here and, if you're interested, you need to read the second book in the series. It's good and, though I liked this latest in the series, I liked the first two books, particularly The Lost Fiance Twist, more. The epilogue here is actually divided into three parts, heavily involves the other brothers, and I felt was a bit too extended.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
January 12, 2025
Sweet final book in the series
This is a best friends to lovers, bi-awakening, jilted groom, forced proximity story. It’s a sweet story of a long unrequited love finally getting resolved. The beginning is heartbreaking for both MCs. The best man who has a plan to uproot his whole life because he can’t bear the thought of watching the man he loves belong to someone else. And the jilted groom who gets a note, not even left with him but with his best man, from the bride saying she’s gone. When the groom decides that he should still take his Hawaiian honeymoon with his best friend and his brothers and their partners things slowly begin to change as Adam realizes his feeling for River are more than friendship.
It’s a nice journey though after dealing with the Victoria thing for two previous books I kind of expected more of an explanation and penalty in that situation. The epilogue was nice as a wrap up on the brothers. And like with the first two books we get a separate novella with the story of two of the side characters.
I enjoyed the series and will check out more of this author’s backlist.
This is a best friends to lovers, bi-awakening, jilted groom, forced proximity story. It’s a sweet story of a long unrequited love finally getting resolved. The beginning is heartbreaking for both MCs. The best man who has a plan to uproot his whole life because he can’t bear the thought of watching the man he loves belong to someone else. And the jilted groom who gets a note, not even left with him but with his best man, from the bride saying she’s gone. When the groom decides that he should still take his Hawaiian honeymoon with his best friend and his brothers and their partners things slowly begin to change as Adam realizes his feeling for River are more than friendship.
It’s a nice journey though after dealing with the Victoria thing for two previous books I kind of expected more of an explanation and penalty in that situation. The epilogue was nice as a wrap up on the brothers. And like with the first two books we get a separate novella with the story of two of the side characters.
I enjoyed the series and will check out more of this author’s backlist.
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