Blair's Whispers: A Steamy Romance About Love, Trust, and Betrayal

Blair & James #1

by Anita Best

Some secrets are meant to be whispered… but what if they destroy everything?

Blair has spent years guarding her heart, keeping love at a distance after a past that left her shattered. But when she meets James—charming, mysterious, and undeniably magnetic, she feels something she hasn’t in a long hope.

Falling for him was never part of the plan. Trusting him was even riskier.

Because James isn’t just any man. He has secrets, secrets that could ruin everything. And when the truth finally comes out, Blair is left questioning

Was any of it real? Or was she just another whisper in the dark?

A steamy, emotionally intense romance filled with passion, deception, and undeniable chemistry—perfect for fans of angst-filled love stories that leave you breathless.

Genres: Romance, Romantic

270 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2025

About the author

Anita Best is an indie romance author who writes deeply emotional stories filled with tenderness, tension, and transformative love. Her books blend heart-aching intimacy with steady heroes, brave heroines, and the kind of slow-burn devotion readers want to live inside forever.

Outside of writing, Anita is a proud wife, devoted mum of two, and full-time dreamer—splitting her days between family life, running her event space, and creating the next world her readers can escape into.

Connect with Anita on Instagram/TikTok at @mzzbesttbest for updates, exclusive teasers, and a front-row seat to her author journey.

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blair has spent years alone, careful not to have her heart broken but when she meets James she feels something she hasn't felt in a long time. But James has secrets that could ruin everything.
Can she trust him with her heart?
A great read! It's hot, it's angsty, it's everything you want in a spicy story!

[Peter Sokoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the ARC of Blair's whispers was like stepping into a whirlwind of emotions I didn’t know I needed as a man that's already in love.

Blair and James—what can I say? Their chemistry was palpable, but it was the slow unraveling of their walls that truly pulled me in. Both characters are deeply scarred, each carrying pain that could have easily made them bitter. But instead, the author chose to show us how even the most broken hearts can still beat for love.

There were moments I found myself holding my breath, anxious for James as he tried so hard to protect what little peace he had left. And yet, through all the hurt, their love felt incredibly earned.1

I especially appreciated how the pacing was thoughtful, it was worth every second.

Thank you to the publisher and author for this early copy—it was a gift to read.

[Kristin Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for this book. I was skeptical about reading this book, probably because it was this authors debut book and I was scared the author wouldn’t do justice to romance. Boy did I think wrong.

The minute I started the book, I couldn’t stop reading. It felt like I was in each character’s life. For a debut book? This was excellent. The story telling was great, the love story was very relatable. The cliffhanger was something else.

I can’t wait to read more from this author. Thank you for introducing me to your world, Blair and James.

[Alaina Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC and the opportunity to review!

3.5⭐️🌶 Blair and James have both been betrayed and left to pick up the pieces from love before. When a mutual friend puts them on a blind date, sparks fly. Both extremely guarded and have an air of mystery to them but they can't help the attraction. James seems effortlessly confident and in control but Blair misses nothing. She says it like it is and has a sass about her that makes me smile.

This story is so passionate and feels mysterious. We get to know slowly about each of their backgrounds watch as they become more vulnerable with each other.

I did really like this story and the way the end was left with an opening for a second book. I am interested in what's to come for sure.

The only critiques I have are that I wish it would state who's POV we were reading when it switched instead of me trying to figure it out. I also understand why James' big reveal would have hurt her but it felt more dramatic than it needed to be imo. The story has great plot points and I was intrigued to see what happened next, but I think I needed more details and fluff in the story. It felt as if they were jumping forward in the plot and left me confused at times.

Can't wait to see what happens down the line with this story.

[Virginie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blair’s Whispers

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

As an ARC reader, I had the privilege of diving into this book early—and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The characters? Vulnerable, raw, and so heartbreakingly human that I wanted to reach through the pages and give them a pep talk (or maybe a hug… or ten). 🤍

The story? Excellent. Emotional, gripping, and sprinkled with just the right amount of tension. However, the constant back-and-forth between the characters did feel a bit repetitive at times—like watching two people play emotional ping-pong with no referee. 🎾😅

But overall, Blair’s Whispers is a beautiful, moving read that captures both the messiness and beauty of human connection. Four stars for making my heart ache in the best possible way. 💫

⸻

Blair’s Whispers

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

En tant qu’ARC reader, j’ai eu la chance de découvrir ce livre en avant-première—et il ne m’a pas déçu. Les personnages ? Vulnérables, bruts, et tellement humains que j’ai eu envie de traverser les pages pour leur faire un câlin (ou deux… ou dix). 🤍

L’histoire ? Excellente. Émotive, captivante, avec juste ce qu’il faut de tension. Par contre, les nombreux va-et-vient entre les personnages ont fini par être un peu redondants—comme assister à une partie de ping-pong émotionnel sans arbitre. 🎾😅

Mais dans l’ensemble, Blair’s Whispers est un roman magnifique et touchant, qui capture avec justesse la complexité des relations humaines. Quatre étoiles pour m’avoir fait mal au cœur… mais de la plus belle des façons. 💫

[Adetola Ayeni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written love story that’s both heartwarming and emotionally deep. The characters felt real, and the romance was unforgettable. A must-read for any romance lover!

[Rayo Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I savored this book! I adored it! I relished every single word 😍!!! Blair and James are the real deal. Yes, they have been scarred. Yes, they might be unwilling to put all their cards out — but they only had eyes for each other from the very first day they met!!!

Insta-love? Why not!!!! There was nothing slow about their love story at all!!! They fell hard and fast, and it was so beautiful seeing how they came together. At one point, the one question constantly on my mind was: who is Anna!!! Who is this woman that could change James’ mood all of a sudden — but thank God ooo 😅

When the blurb said “undeniable chemistry,” you better believe it!!! Blair and James brought the heat and the chemistry 🥵🔥

[Mandy Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an advanced copy of this book. I finished the book less than 2days but I have just been too busy to leave my review.

The author did a fine job in creating a realistic and relatable Hero and Heroine. James wasn’t perfect without flaws like every cliche romance book, James can easily be every girl’s book boyfriend.
At some point. I thought the book was about me because I could imagine myself embedded in the writing, that how great the characters were.

Oh yeah! knowing this is the author’s debut book makes me crave more. I highly recommend.

[Lawlah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blair Whisper pleasantly surprised me in the best way. It is beautifully written, and for a debut novel, the storytelling was impressive and well executed.

The story follows Blair and James, two people dealing with the scars of past relationships and struggling to give love another chance. Thanks to Tracy, Blair’s best friend, fate steps in and sets them up.

The attraction between Blair and James was instant, and I enjoyed how natural it felt.

What really stood out to me was how the author explored their insecurities. James fears that Blair will eventually leave him, while Blair is constantly afraid that James will turn out like her ex, making her ready to run at the slightest sign of trouble. Their emotional baggage was portrayed in a very realistic way.

I loved Tracy and Anna’s characters and how they helped ground Blair and James in their own ways.

Blair and James truly tested my patience with their lack of trust, but their insecurities were understandable and well written.

This is a solid 4-star read, and I recommend it.

Thank you to the author for this ARC.

[Ophelia Benabou · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was…complicated? I found the writing to be very repetitive, but I think the characters were well-written and it could make a great longer book. I just think there was too much information crammed in to make the characters fully-fleshed out in such a short book. In the beginning as well the chapters appeared to be kind of following the same sort of path? Like every chapter the same stuff was happening in the same order, i.e. she thinks he’s dangerous, he does a surprise, she thinks she “should have done x, y, z, but he makes me do things I wouldn’t normally do”, she thinks he memorizing her, she asks if he does this a lot and he tells her the other people didn’t matter as much as her, she’s not sure she’s ready to explore these feelings and everything is “slow and deliberate”.

James’ obsession with Blair right from the beginning was very sweet, and I liked that he describes her as “striking” and “breathtaking” instead of beautiful. I found the writing for him to be very repetitive with the em dashes, which made it difficult for me to enjoy the story as I kept getting held up on the writing.

I will say, I like them together and again I think it’d be a great story if it was fully fleshed out but it was just too rushed and I didn’t feel a ton of chemistry. The second sexy scene after her having misplaced her phone was great, but the first one on the beach didn’t really scream chemistry to me. It was mostly good, but I would categorize it with every other short romance story. It wasn’t anything exceptional or super intriguing as is, but I think if it was longer you could really get into the “secret” theme and set the story up better. Just felt rushed!

[Sonia's Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by the author, and for a debut, she did amazing with this story.

Blair's Whispers is a heartwarming slow burn romance story that follows the lives of Blair and James—two people who have had their fair share of bad relationships, and are slowly opening their hearts to finding love again, without being hurt.

I started enjoying this story when I got to the middle of the book...yeah, it's slow burn! I love the chemistry between Blair and James. Despite the fact that they tried to conceal their feelings, they still found themselves going back to each other. I rooted hard for them.

I connected with Blair so much. I understood how she felt; the mixed signals she was getting from James and honestly, her feelings were valid! I also understood her need for trust in a relationship, because who wouldn't?

Then James...he's a good, kind, and thoughtful man. Amidst all these qualities, he also had secrets and fears, because of the kind of woman he was involved with, before Blair; but I didn't understand why he kept acting creepy, and when I found out the secret he was hiding, I was pissed, because it's not that deep. But then again, I understood where he was coming from, lol.

Blair and James are a cute couple. I enjoyed their story. I also loved the friendship between Blair and Tracy—something I pray for. 🥹💕

If you love a messy-heartwarming romance story, I recommend "Blair's Whispers." ❤️

[Blessing Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever read a book that left you wanting more? This is that book, trust me🤭😩

Blair’s Whispers is such a masterpiece, for a debut novel it exceeded my expectations and I applaud the author for a very good work❤️

I loved how this book dives into a lot of emotional themes and issues. James and Blair were such a good match together, their chemistry and friendship was so beautiful to read, it made me blush all through☺️ I love how the author tackled the issue on trust and confidence.

Blair was low on trust, but James always reassured her and I love it. The pacing of this book is incredible, the writing style is beautiful and engaging, there were no wasted pages in this book. Tracy is another character I loved in this book, she’s such a girl’s girl, her loyalty and friendship with Blair was written so well, their friendship together was so pure and special.

Overall, this book is a 9/10 for me, just because of that cliffhanger, I’m holding on to my 1%😂 This is your cue to read this book❤️ and trust me, you wouldn’t be disappointed.

[G.T. Dípè · Rating 5 out of 5]

What really stood out to me in this book was how Anita blends romance with suspense. There’s always a feeling that something deeper is unfolding, and it kept me turning the pages late into the night. The story isn’t just about love, but also about learning to trust again after being hurt. I could really feel what the characters were going through, and I found myself rooting for them the whole way.

[Chiamaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blair’s Whispers is the kind of story that creeps up on you quietly and stays with you. Anita has such a gift for capturing the emotional complexity of love, trust, and vulnerability. Blair is a character I instantly connected with, strong, smart, and deeply human. And James? Whew. Smooth, observant, and mysterious in the best way.

Their chemistry is magnetic, but what really pulled me in was the slow unraveling of their fears, pasts, and the parts of themselves they were too afraid to show. The writing is intimate and poetic without being overdone. The dialogue feels real, the banter sharp, and the emotional beats hit just right.

This book made me laugh, blush, reflect, and yes! whisper “just one more chapter” way past midnight. Anita truly nailed the art of the slow burn and gave us characters you root for from page one. I’m so proud of her for writing something so beautiful and can’t wait for more readers to discover this gem.

I highly recommend 'Blair's Whispers' if you love emotional romance with tension, heart, and beautifully flawed characters.

[Amy Osabuohien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly beautiful and has a great pace. One for the lovers

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is not my usual go-to (I am more of a romcom girly) but this was a breeze to read, only 200+ pages. At first I thought it was gonna go a little bit dark (I'm to blame because I really didn't read the blurb again prior to starting, I just assumed based on the cover, my bad😅) but really it was just a story of two people who had sucky past relationships and carried over that emotional baggage to their current relationship.  The first 30% was really exciting: the getting to know phase, the flirty banter, both of them trying so hard not to be impressed by the other.  As their relationship progressed, there was always an undertone of keeping things from one another which frustrated me a little bit. The chemistry and lust were very believable though, and I think the author did a good job of making you feel that what these characters had was real.

I think the FMC was constantly making rash decisions in this book though, despite being burned in her relationships before. It could've gone a completely different way if it was any other guy. I also would've preferred that they both did therapy as they clearly needed it.

(spoiler alert) I would've liked to have seen Blair meet Anna, like what was the point of her?😅 And the reason for James' lies wasn't really that heavy which was a little anticlimactic for me.

Overall, this was a very easy read, and free on Kindle Unlimited if you want a short spicy romance book🥰

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ Engaging story with a strong hook

Blair’s Whispers was interesting, and the plot definitely had me hooked throughout. I’ll admit I was a little irritated with the main characters at times, mostly because the miscommunication trope isn’t usually my favorite.

The main thing that kept this from being a five-star read for me was the lack of character and setting descriptions. I’m a very visual reader, so I love knowing what the characters are supposed to look like. The physical descriptions were fairly brief, and I found myself wishing for just a bit more detail to help fully picture the story. That said, aside from that, I did feel like the main characters were well developed and interesting.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I’m really looking forward to seeing where the author takes the story in book two.

Things I especially enjoyed:
✨ A plot that kept me engaged from start to finish
📖 Well-developed main characters
💭 Emotional tension that kept the story moving
📚 A strong setup for the next book in the series

❤️ Thank you, Anita Best, for the chance to read and review your book.

[Oluwatomisin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. The romance? The sex scenes? It’s a slow burn love and it’s a 9/10 from me. If you are a hopeless romantic or you just need to read a romance novel without it being cringe, this is for you🤭 it also highlights a beautiful friendship between two women.

[Adekemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a slow start at first but it quickly picked up as there were loads of things that spiked curiosity and I just wanted to know, did Blair and James end up together?
A very steamy romantic read, which didn’t leave friendship out of it. I enjoyed it and after I got into it, I finished in 2 days.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*

As an ARC reader, I was so excited to read this author's first book!
I loved the characters and storyline of this book. Anita leaves the readers wanting more and more, making it hard to put the book down.

I do wish it was a little more polished from an editorial standpoint - there were lowercase Ls instead of an I, " used when no one was speaking, and a few other grammatic misses.
I also wish that there was the character name at the beginning of a chapter or character switch, so you knew which viewpoint it was from.

Overall, it was a great read and I cannot wait to read more from this up and coming author!

[S. Onoruese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply did not want the book to end and I cannot wait for the second one. I could hardly put it down. It had an addictive element to it that made you intrigued about the next page and what wonders were hidden in it and I was hooked. The character development is great and the romance was mushy and steamy. I felt connected to Blair in so many ways, her experience spoke to me. Without giving any spoilers, it was simply incredible and I can’t wait to know where the writer will take this story next.

[Marine Riechert · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is an angsty, emotional book that will have you all up in your feels. it covers real life situations that we can get ourselfs in and them fighting their way out and to eachother.
the plot and charracter growth is just amazing. really good read

[Evi Unubreme · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breathe of fresh air. The characters are so relatable, and not perfect which makes it a very intriguing read . Highly recommend

[Uchechukwu Omu · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Blair’s Whispers" is a compelling, well-written romance with great characters and emotional depth. The chemistry between Blair and James is electric, and the slow build-up of their relationship keeps readers engaged.

[Bryson Lorde · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of things could have been avoided if they had just communicated effectively.

[Kamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The steamy scenes were intentional. This author found a way to make it enjoyable and realistically hot, it felt like I was part of James & Blair.

[doyin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blair’s Whispers follows Blair and James, two people coming out of messy past relationships and still dealing with the emotional aftermath. Blair, especially, is trying to heal from a relationship that wasn’t healthy, and it takes a lot for her to open herself up to love again.

Then James kind of barrels into her life unexpectedly. He’s not perfect either, he has his own secrets and unresolved baggage, and that’s really what this story is about: two people carrying different scars from the past and trying to move forward together.

Their connection starts as attraction but gradually grows into something deeper and stronger. Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. A lot of things come in between them, and they face several challenges, but what I liked is that they tried to stay strong and fight through those obstacles together.

This is the kind of book you just pick up and enjoy. It’s very fast-paced, the type where you keep reading and before you know it, you’re done. There’s romance, emotional tension, and enough drama to keep things interesting without feeling too heavy.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It’s an easy, engaging romance that’s perfect if you’re in the mood for something quick and heartfelt.

[Anita Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As the author, I lived inside this story long before anyone else could read it, and still, every time I revisit it, it pulls something new out of me.

Blair’s Whispers is about love, yes, but it’s also about the silence between heartbreak and healing, the tension of starting over, and the slow unraveling of secrets that change everything. I poured my heart into Blair, James, and their world, and I hope you’ll feel that on every page.

If you’ve ever tried to rebuild yourself after being broken… this one’s for you. ❤️

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the Author for the Arc for an honest review.

I love this book. I think the concepts are great! I did find myself skimming

[Helen Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into Blair’s Whispers not knowing what to expect, and I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. Blair and James fall hard and fast. It is definitely insta-love, but it still worked for me.

Even with Blair being guarded because of past trauma and a failed relationship, the connection between them felt intense and deep.

I liked how they met through Blair’s friend, Tracy. She felt like a genuine friend and not just someone placed in the story to move the plot forward. James comes across as confident and in control, while Blair is observant, straightforward, and a little sassy. I enjoyed her character and the way she noticed things about him early on, even as she was falling for him.
Watching both of them slowly open up to each other was one of my favorite parts of the book. The story felt passionate and slightly mysterious, and it kept me interested in seeing where things were going.
One thing I struggled with was identifying whose point of view I was reading when it switched. I often had to pause and figure it out, which pulled me out of the story at times. I also felt like some parts moved forward too quickly. I wanted more details and more moments to really sit in their connection.

I understood why James’ "big reveal" hurt Blair, but for me ,Blair was being dramatic(It's not that deep Blair ).Still, the plot kept me engaged, and I genuinely wanted to know what would happen next.

And that ending. The cliffhanger is very real.

Overall, I did enjoy this story, and the way it ended has me curious about what comes next. I am definitely interested in continuing this journey with these characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.