Hush Money

by T.D. Colbert

Ten years ago, I made the wrong choice.

I chose a life that was all wrong for me… instead of the billionaire best friend I’d secretly loved but never thought I deserved.

Now fate’s handed me a do-over. I need rescuing—and who is the knight that comes blazing through in his Escalade?

My long-lost best friend.

He takes me in. Lifts me up. And then lays me back down—if you know what I mean.

Lines are crossed, boundaries are blurry, and I’m faced with the same decision that I had to make all those years ago. And once again, I’m staring down the same impossible choice I faced all those years ago.

Only this time, it’s not impossible. This time, I’m choosing me. Choosing us.

But he’s caught in a storm of his own. Trouble big enough to shatter everything. The world as he knows it may quite literally be ending.

What he doesn’t know is that mine has always revolved around him. And now that I’ve been given a second chance, I’ll burn it all down before I lose him again.

Genres: Second Chance, Friends To Lovers

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2025

About the author

T.D. Colbert is a romance & women's fiction author. When she's not chasing her family, she's probably under her favorite blanket, reading a book, or writing one. Taylor lives in Maryland, where she was born and raised. For more information, visit www.tdcolbert.com.

Reviews

[Mostly Bookish Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Ten years ago, I made the wrong choice.”

With that single line, *Hush Money* pulls us back into the world of the Everett brothers — this time through Keaton and Evie.

Oh, Evie. She’s been Keaton’s best friend since their teenage years, the person who knew him better than anyone else. But when faced with love and fear, she makes the heartbreaking choice to walk away — marrying the wrong man and leaving Keaton to pick up the pieces. His love for her never fades, though he tries to bury it under miles of distance and time, rebuilding his life on the West Coast while carrying the ache of what could have been.

Their paths collide again when Keaton returns to New York to help his brothers take down their corrupt father — a man whose empire was built on lies. When he walks into the diner where Evie works, the years melt away. The connection is instant, the love still there, raw and unresolved. And when Keaton later rescues Evie from danger, their long-overdue second chance begins.

As they navigate old wounds and new challenges, Evie comes to understand that Keaton’s love was never about money or power — it was always about *him*, about the steadfast heart he offered her without conditions. Watching them finally find their way back to each other is both tender and triumphant.

At just under 200 pages, "Hush Money" is a quick read, but it’s packed with heart, redemption, and a beautiful reminder that true love can survive even the worst decisions.

⚠️ *Note:* Be sure to check the trigger warnings — there are some sensitive topics explored.

And now, as the Everett saga continues, I’m more than ready for the final brother’s story. Bring it on, T.D.! 💕

[CLEO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some friendships are destined to become forever.

The Everett brothers have the biggest hearts — and Keaton might just have the softest one of all.

Keaton and Evie were never quite childhood sweethearts… but they were almost. Best friends who never took that next step. Until life pulled them apart.

Now Keaton’s back home after years away, and one stop changes everything. The girl he left behind — the one who still owns his heart — is right where he hoped she’d be.

For Evie, seeing Keaton again is a shock she never saw coming. Two friends who once meant the world to each other are back in each other’s orbit, this time older, braver, and ready to face what they never could before.

With family drama swirling around the Everett brothers, Keaton is determined to rebuild — not just his life, but Evie’s confidence, one loving gesture at a time.

A tender, emotional friends-to-lovers, small-town, second-chance romance that will make you swoon, smile, and maybe shed a tear.

[kimblah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evie is just trying to make it through her days. Keaton is forced to come back to the city, when all he has done is try to get away from it. After Evie chose another guy instead of her best friend, Keaton, when they were 21, he left for the other side of the country. But he never stopped thinking of her. Now he’s back home & he knows where to look for her. So he goes, & there she is.

Thank God he finds her. He’s right on time to save her, & he does. I loved watching their love story finally emerge. I loved getting to read about taking their friendship (from forever ago) to the next level. The spice was spicy, & the dialogue was as fun to read as ever. I love how down to earth T.D.’s characters always are, how you can always find something to relate to about each one.

Another fantastic book from T.D. Colbert! I’ll never stop shouting from the rooftops about her stuff. If you like romance, read her books! You won’t regret it!

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evie and Keaton were best friends from the age of 15 years, but raised in different environments but similar circumstances. Her mother cared about appearance and little about her daughter. His father is a multi billionaire who runs big a corporation. Money hasn't mattered to both of them. One night Evie made a mistake..she chose Tanner over him and lived to regret it all. Now years later, in fear of her husband Keaton is back to save her. He promised to always be there whenn she needed him. Now it is her turn to be there for him. Everett Enterprises is in trouble and it is having a hard effect on him. Her strength is his comfort and support. It is now their time, and she is to make that decision in her time, but Keaton's interests are invading his time. A new beginning of something that began and has never actually ended. A constant for them both and for life, despite all the interruption and conflict they have suffered.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely beautifully written. Keaton and Evie’s story tugged at every heartstring. They were best friends growing up, and of course they secretly loved each other all along — which made their slow-burn romance even more powerful.

There was so much longing and desperation between them, and when they finally came together… wow. Fireworks. The way Keaton loves Evie is intense, emotional, and deeply moving. You feel every glance, every unspoken word, every moment of hope and heartbreak.

I’m fully invested in this love story and can’t wait to see how the trilogy concludes! Highly recommend to anyone who loves emotional, character-driven romance with a slow burn that pays off.

[Thuy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I opened Keaton & Evie’s story, I WAS HOOKED!!! Best friends since high school, opposite upbringing, deep hidden feelings since forever, now in their 30s, a second chance for these two.

The second book in the Everett Brothers series, we get Keaton’s story but also the continuing story about how these boys are taking down their awful father. I looove Keaton’s character and how much he absolutely loves his Evie. Like, heart melting, heart warming and you just want to root them on so bad. I definitely recommend this series. Can’t wait for baby brother Brooks’ story! Love love love!

[Shavon Stemmler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️ the plot 🌟🌟🌟 the everything 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I had the privilege to read this book as an ARC. Keaton and Evie live in opposite worlds but are the best friends. When Evie chose another man Keaton left. Ten years later he’s back and she is surviving her choice. Keaton and Evie are brought back together ending with the same choice. Will Evie choose Keaton? Will the trouble in Keaton’s life keep them apart? This was a couldn’t put down book for me. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book and see how the story continues.

[Dawana · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Hush Money was a sweet second chance romance about best friends who went separate ways until fate gave them a second chance. I thought for sure the title was about the main couple, Evie and Keaton, but it was about the other disaster in Keaton’s life at the time. Evie was a Cinderella and her Prince Charming was her best friend. Only she didn’t feel like she could have him and broke his heart. It was sweet reading how they overcame that and moved on. I hope you enjoy it just as much!!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read from this author and I’d certainly be interested in reading more. I loved Keat and how devoted he was to Evie. I felt sorry for Evie for having a despicable mother but I had a hard time with why she allowed herself to ever get that far along in a relationship where she felt she was always walking in egg shells. She was a college educated social worker. This is a nice second chance romance where you’ll easy fall in love with Keaton!

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ A quick read that I devoured in a single sitting.

💭 Keaton and Evie have a history built on friendship that was almost more. Flashbacks throughout the book give you a window into that backstory in a way that lets you see just how deep that history is, and I loved it. While I'd wished for little more tension and time for the romance to build, Keaton's got those “it’s always been you vibes,” where you get the sense he's just waiting for her to be ready, and he'll jump. We get a continuation of the story with Keaton's dad, and I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out in book #3!

☑️ If you enjoy those “it’s always been you,” second chance kinda vibes, billionaire MMCs, and a fast paced romance… this is one you should check out!

📍I’d recommend you read Book #1, Old Money, first!

I was kindly provided an ARC by the author, but my review is honest and completely my own.

[Jenn Lockwood Editing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked again! This series…these brothers…incredible!

I love how devoted Keaton is to Evie! He just gets her.
And the continuing story with their father is so intriguing. I cannot wait for book 3…both for the next brother and to see how their horrible father gets taken down!
Of course it’s a must-read!

[greenapplemojito · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't get me wrong - it was a decent and nice book. I liked the MMC, but I just felt the story fell a bit flat and got wrapped up a bit too quickly and easily. I was also slightly disappointed in the pace and timeline of certain aspects of the storyline. I just wish we got more story and excitement in the book.

[M Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story but Amazon says Book 2 of 2: Everett Brothers but turns out there's a book 3 and there's no real ending to the story behind the Everett business. We still don't find out what happens to the father. It feels a little like the ending was rushed.

[Abby Heil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but super good!

[Sara (slem_reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read, excellent storytelling, little to no resolution to an ongoing plot.