Secret Hope

by Edie James

The cards are stacked. The storm is rising. Their hearts are the wildest gamble of all.
Knight Tactical medical officer Kenji Marshall is drowning in debt and desperate enough to bet everything on one last poker tournament. But the exclusive island event he enters is more than it seems—and the host has deadly intentions.
Professional poker player Cassidy Reynolds has spent her entire career building Haven House, an international foundation dedicated to saving trafficked children. When she’s targeted for elimination, her only ally is the former SEAL with secrets of his own.
A rogue hurricane snaps communications, trapping them on the island with a cartel king bent on making them disappear. If Kenji and Cassidy can’t trust the chemistry crackling between them, they’ll be outplayed—and outlived—by a dealer who rigs every hand.


Faith under fire. Love on the line. Hope Where every mission echoes with danger. Faith lights the way. And love is the ultimate rescue mission.

Genres: Romance, Suspense

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2025

Reviews

[Lyn Herbohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of action!

I always enjoy books from this author and was not disappointed. Once the action started it just kept going, and it was interesting that the team was absent for a lot of the story, leaving Kenji and his friends to deal with the danger. I would have given 5 stars except that a few scenes seemed to be missing. I’m not sure if it was just due to errors in the ebook or something else, but they sometimes confused an otherwise great read.

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secret Hope has nonstop action, romance, and danger. Kenji has an addiction problem. Most of this story the team is absent, leaving Kenji, Cassidy, Sophia, and Spencer to team up and stop the danger. I enjoyed Sophia's and Spencer's characters as their characters added to the storyline. Great read.

[Lila · Rating 2 out of 5]

The comedy, quips, and humorous jabs are definite rib ticklers. Spencer's chatty rambling is great, like a sugar-high toddler. While the story has potential, the continuity issues and some highly improbable scenes render the book ridiculous. This reads more like an unedited draft than a polished, finished product.

Continuity issue: After eliminating Regan from the tournament, and everyone vacated the casino, Cassidy returns to her room. Obviously, she would have been dressed appropriately. So, why was she described as wearing the maid's uniform again?

Continuity issue: When did Kenji rescue Cassidy from a panic room with garden shears?

Really??!! Are they moving around outside in the middle of a Category 4 hurricane? With wind speeds around 150mph and a storm surge that could hit 18 feet, they would have been swept away! They are on a small Fijian island after all.

The redeeming factor is how Kenji recognized, admitted, and overcame his gambling addiction. There was raw honesty in that subplot of the overall story.

[Tom Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

Really highlights the cost of one of biggest addictions today - gambling. Good plot lines, and stronger faith helps to rescue the one struggling.

All these - well most - are good reads, and better than TV; but, let's not let any book get in the way of our daily Bible Reading! Nothing will free you more, or allow you to create more.

[Mary Ott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another One

Ah...another unmistakably gut wrenching story by Edie James. The magnitude of her imagination is unending. Every story has unimaginable situations of danger wrapped together with love and intrigue. I'm never disappointed!

[Kathy Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

KTeacher

Thank you, Edie, for writing realistically how devastating addiction is, and how possible (but hard) redemption is with commitment to a Savior and a support group to rely on.
I loved this book! Thank you!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenji’s story was unexpected. The unveiling of this complex character was fascinating.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read. Kenjie was an awesome character....flawed addict, but a hero. Lots of suspense and action in this book. Loved it.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you or someone in your family or a close friend has a gambling addiction, this book is likely not for you. Lots of anguish. This book is not for me. Did not finish.