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Meet the Housewives of Sydney. They are wealthy, elegant, poised, and constantly in the public eye. But what goes on behind closed doors, in the private homes and parties where the cameras and paparazzi aren’t welcome? Delve into the most personal details of their relationships, their friendships and their lives. The only question is: can you handle the heat?
Willow has loved Seb for as long as she can remember, but he has a past that she can’t handle, so she’s never done anything about it. But to not have him in her life is unthinkable, so she holds on to him the only way she can – through friendship. Now his writing career is taking off, and Willow finds herself increasingly jealous of his groupies and increasingly unable to keep her feelings to herself.
An unexpected visit leads to an unanticipated kiss – and Seb and Willow end up in her bed. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to Willow, but can she trust that Seb wants more than a bit of afternoon delight – and can she trust herself to let go of the past in order to gain a future?
Willow has loved Seb for as long as she can remember, but he has a past that she can’t handle, so she’s never done anything about it. But to not have him in her life is unthinkable, so she holds on to him the only way she can – through friendship. Now his writing career is taking off, and Willow finds herself increasingly jealous of his groupies and increasingly unable to keep her feelings to herself.
An unexpected visit leads to an unanticipated kiss – and Seb and Willow end up in her bed. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to Willow, but can she trust that Seb wants more than a bit of afternoon delight – and can she trust herself to let go of the past in order to gain a future?
- GenresContemporary
45 pages, ebook
First published February 1, 2015
71 people want to read
About the author
Christina Phillips
78 books459 followersChristina grew up in England and spent her childhood visiting ruined castles and Roman remains and daydreaming about Medieval princesses and gallant knights. When she wasn’t lost in the past, she was searching for magical worlds in the backs of wardrobes and watching old Hammer Horrors from the safety of behind the sofa. She now lives in sunny Western Australia with her high school sweetheart and their two cats who are convinced the universe revolves around their needs. They are not wrong.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 9, 2015
The Secret Confessions series is certainly one that has brought up many varied relationship complexities however perhaps none more complex as falling in love with your mother’s ex-toyboy. Yes, this is the backdrop chosen for Willow and Seb’s relationship.
Without traipsing too deeply into this particular aspect of the story, I will disclose that initially I felt this was perhaps a story arc that would inhibit my enjoyment in reading Willow’s story. I mean really, how on earth can that kind of complexity begin to be sorted within a short story?! However, Phillips not only overcame the complexity of the relationship but also provided just enough context, fed to the reader at just the right time to answer, and in part alleviate, what otherwise could have been an uncomfortable and awkward sticking point in Willow and Seb’s relationship and thus the reader’s relationship with the characters.
Willow and Seb’s relationship and budding romance was extremely well-paced and adequately allowed for the build-up of anticipation between them. Theirs was a slow-burning romance, one that had been building over the previous three years, and Phillips was strategic in the placement of back-story so as to slowly introduce the reader to the characters and their history together. Upon finishing it did feel as though we’d all come through the journey together and certainly there was a tangible connection to the characters.
I really liked Willow and Seb though I can’t entirely pin-point why. Perhaps it was that they’d overcome a huge relationship hurdle and still progressed forward with one another… Perhaps it was Willow’s easy-going, unpretentious nature… I’m not sure, but they’re good, solid characters who’d certainly make for a great stand-alone read that further explored their relationship independent of the Secret Housewives series.
– J’aimee Brooker, AusRomToday
Without traipsing too deeply into this particular aspect of the story, I will disclose that initially I felt this was perhaps a story arc that would inhibit my enjoyment in reading Willow’s story. I mean really, how on earth can that kind of complexity begin to be sorted within a short story?! However, Phillips not only overcame the complexity of the relationship but also provided just enough context, fed to the reader at just the right time to answer, and in part alleviate, what otherwise could have been an uncomfortable and awkward sticking point in Willow and Seb’s relationship and thus the reader’s relationship with the characters.
Willow and Seb’s relationship and budding romance was extremely well-paced and adequately allowed for the build-up of anticipation between them. Theirs was a slow-burning romance, one that had been building over the previous three years, and Phillips was strategic in the placement of back-story so as to slowly introduce the reader to the characters and their history together. Upon finishing it did feel as though we’d all come through the journey together and certainly there was a tangible connection to the characters.
I really liked Willow and Seb though I can’t entirely pin-point why. Perhaps it was that they’d overcome a huge relationship hurdle and still progressed forward with one another… Perhaps it was Willow’s easy-going, unpretentious nature… I’m not sure, but they’re good, solid characters who’d certainly make for a great stand-alone read that further explored their relationship independent of the Secret Housewives series.
– J’aimee Brooker, AusRomToday
February 11, 2015
This is a series of books that I just happened to see over at Netgalley. Without realizing I got book #9 in the series. I decided why the heck not, try it and see what I think.
There may be characters in this from other books but I have no idea. The two main characters definitely know each other, so there is a history there that is touched on but not too deeply. Right from the get go the reader is in on the secret about Willow and Seb. They both are in love but neither know it! The fun is to come though since Seb has decided that he is going to put in a last ditch effort to get Willow to his side, and not just as a friend.
They only have three short days together when this starts. Since they both are in love with each other, I'm sure you can imagine how those days are spent and it is HOT, HOT, HOT!! Seb doesn't waste a moment pussy-footing around and gets right to the point of his time there. And that is right about when you'll need some water! Or wine because he is not playing!
I loved that I did not have to read the prior books but to be honest, this was like a quickie and now I'm curious for more.
In short: CAN be read alone but I think I would have preferred reading it in the series.
Received from Netgalley for an honest review.
There may be characters in this from other books but I have no idea. The two main characters definitely know each other, so there is a history there that is touched on but not too deeply. Right from the get go the reader is in on the secret about Willow and Seb. They both are in love but neither know it! The fun is to come though since Seb has decided that he is going to put in a last ditch effort to get Willow to his side, and not just as a friend.
They only have three short days together when this starts. Since they both are in love with each other, I'm sure you can imagine how those days are spent and it is HOT, HOT, HOT!! Seb doesn't waste a moment pussy-footing around and gets right to the point of his time there. And that is right about when you'll need some water! Or wine because he is not playing!
I loved that I did not have to read the prior books but to be honest, this was like a quickie and now I'm curious for more.
In short: CAN be read alone but I think I would have preferred reading it in the series.
Received from Netgalley for an honest review.
December 18, 2014
This story started out different than the rest of the series because Willow was not already married. She was a single young lady that had not settled down yet. Willow sort of kept to herself and had a good friend, Seb, that visited her quiet often. Willow thought that there was never a chance of them ever being more than friends until Seb showed up at her house unannounced and asked to stay a couple of nights with her while his apartment was being remodeled. Seb had planned this as a way to get to Willow and show her that he wanted more than just a friendship with her. A treasured gift brought all the pieces together for Willow and she realized that she had always had feelings for Seb just as he had for her. This was a steamy, romantic read and I really enjoyed it!!!
I received a copy of this book for an honest review!
I received a copy of this book for an honest review!
May 11, 2016
This was a sweet story of two people that were young when they were silly and made choices they thought they had to live with. Years later, Willow and Seb both desire each other but don’t act on it. Seb has been leaving hints to Willow for years. He is very romantic even if he’s not direct. Sometimes you just have to be up front with your feelings. Once Willow figures out what Seb has been trying to say, she has to free herself from what she believes is expectations of others. Willow and Seb are an awesome couple. Pick this story up today
May 1, 2015
I enjoyed Willow and Seb's story. Mostly because I love friends-to-lovers story lines, but also because it was written by Ms. Phillips. There's just something about the way she writes that makes the book touch me.
This is the first book in the Secret Confessions that I've read and I will be checking the others out.
This is the first book in the Secret Confessions that I've read and I will be checking the others out.
February 4, 2015
Willow (Secret Confessions: Sydney Housewives #9)
by Christina Phillips.
This was a great, short little read. Willow has been friends with Seb for quite a while now but she would love to be much more, and unknown to her, Seb feels exactly the same way, and he's decided he doesn't want to be just 'friends' any more.
It was a great, fast read, fun, hot and sexy. Loved it!
by Christina Phillips.
This was a great, short little read. Willow has been friends with Seb for quite a while now but she would love to be much more, and unknown to her, Seb feels exactly the same way, and he's decided he doesn't want to be just 'friends' any more.
It was a great, fast read, fun, hot and sexy. Loved it!
February 19, 2015
This is my first book from this author and from this series so I didn't know what to expect from it.
A very short story, great to read at during lunch time, about how friendship can turn into love. Hot, sexy and romantic!
Cant wait to read the previous and next books!
A very short story, great to read at during lunch time, about how friendship can turn into love. Hot, sexy and romantic!
Cant wait to read the previous and next books!
February 4, 2015
Willow and Seb have been friends for awhile now. The both dream of being together but the other doesn't know. Will they get a chance, can they make it work? I like the characters, this was a quick read with steamy sex scenes. I was given an ARC for a fair and honest review.
March 1, 2015
Hot but also sweet friends to lovers
March 1, 2015
Would you be able to fall in love with your mother’s ex-lover? That’s the problem facing young Willow in the latest story in the Sydney Housewives series. Not that you can choose who you fall in love with, but Willow got to know Seb when he was one of her mother’s hangers-on (potentially with benefits). They’ve remained friends to this day, but Willow’s fallen hard. Seb is now enjoying a career high as an author and women are falling over themselves to meet him. So Willow feels like it’s not a great time to let him know how she feels, but Seb has other ideas. He’s been dropping increasingly obvious hints, but Willow’s either oblivious or not interested. Where do they go to from here?
Well, to the bedroom of course. And that’s where things start getting hot and steamy in this friends to lovers story. You’ll forget all about Willow’s mum when you read these scenes – you just know that these two are meant to be together. I enjoyed having a younger, unmarried member of the Double Diamond Dinner Club as the protagonist in this short story – it allowed for a little naughtiness and freshness to be added to the series (even though some of the older members might want to take the crown for naughtiness). I liked how the backstory of Seb and Willow was told – it didn’t feel like anything was skimped on and the that the progression of their relationship was natural. Plus, I thought Seb was quite cute and an all-round nice guy. Willow seemed like someone I’d want for a friend, so I wasn’t jealous of her – it was more like seeing two of your best friends getting it together finally!
This was a fun read that equally balances the sweetness of friends to lovers with steamy sexiness. I zoomed through it and I’ll certainly be reading more by Christina Phillips – she can create a whole world in a short story!
Thank you to Escape Publishing for the eARC. My review is my own and honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Well, to the bedroom of course. And that’s where things start getting hot and steamy in this friends to lovers story. You’ll forget all about Willow’s mum when you read these scenes – you just know that these two are meant to be together. I enjoyed having a younger, unmarried member of the Double Diamond Dinner Club as the protagonist in this short story – it allowed for a little naughtiness and freshness to be added to the series (even though some of the older members might want to take the crown for naughtiness). I liked how the backstory of Seb and Willow was told – it didn’t feel like anything was skimped on and the that the progression of their relationship was natural. Plus, I thought Seb was quite cute and an all-round nice guy. Willow seemed like someone I’d want for a friend, so I wasn’t jealous of her – it was more like seeing two of your best friends getting it together finally!
This was a fun read that equally balances the sweetness of friends to lovers with steamy sexiness. I zoomed through it and I’ll certainly be reading more by Christina Phillips – she can create a whole world in a short story!
Thank you to Escape Publishing for the eARC. My review is my own and honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
February 23, 2015
Willow Adams is wealthy, elegant and privileged, but she's alone. She's been in love with Sebastian Wallis for years. She understands they can only be his friend. At one time he was her mother's boy toy. Now he's a world famous author with the world at his feet. She desires him. However, the past stands between them. Can she put it behind her? Happiness has eluded Willow. I understood her reluctance to talk about his relationship with her mother. Seb is all Alpha male and he's going to fight for Willow. They become lovers. Any chance of a future depends on them facing what happened nine years ago. Willow needs to understand and move forward. Christina Phillips wrote a wonderful friends to lovers story that kept me reading. Her characters are well written and passionate. The story is short and satisfying. A perfect addition to the continuing series (Secret Confessions: Sydney Housewives).
February 20, 2015
'Secret Confessions: Sydney Housewives- Willow' by Christina Phillips is a great read. Wow! I loved reading about Willow and Seb. This is a super hot, quick read. Highly recommend to all fans of romance. I'm looking forward to reading all the other 'Secret Confessions: Sydney Housewives' stories now!
July 24, 2019
The whole Sydney Housewives series was a great, quick read. If any of my friends were looking for these types of books, I'd definitely recommend!
February 28, 2015
Friends to lovers is my favorite trope, so this story was ideal for me. As always Ms. Phillips does an awesome job. I enjoyed the characters and the mess they managed before love won over.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews