What do you think?
Rate this book
The Weston Group #3
The Mysterious One
A spicy grumpy-sunshine, age-gap, close-proximity romance from USA Today best-selling author Marni Mann …
I’m the mysterious one. The angriest alphahole who never bends. And she’s the woman who will bring me to my knees.
As the executive chef and face of my family’s billion-dollar empire, time is the one luxury I don't have. With endless responsibilities and nonstop demands, I lost my passion and love for the art of cooking. What used to be my dream job is now my worst nightmare. I was ready to walk away and give up everything we’d built …
Until Alivia happened.
She was supposed to be a temporary diversion so we could satisfy each other’s desires and then never see each other again …
Yet I knew she was different right away. A woman who was my complete opposite, the calm to my storm. The sunshine to my darkness. With a body that left me speechless.
What I didn’t see was how much we both craved a break. Me from a career that would eventually kill me, her from an abusive home life.
When two people in pain connect, an explosion erupts. That was us. All fire and longing, mixed with a genuine need to seek shelter in one another’s arms.
While I’m still savoring the taste of her on my lips, I see her again unexpectedly and wonder … is our connection enough to surpass the secrets between us, or were we only meant to have those two nights together?
I’m the mysterious one. The angriest alphahole who never bends. And she’s the woman who will bring me to my knees.
As the executive chef and face of my family’s billion-dollar empire, time is the one luxury I don't have. With endless responsibilities and nonstop demands, I lost my passion and love for the art of cooking. What used to be my dream job is now my worst nightmare. I was ready to walk away and give up everything we’d built …
Until Alivia happened.
She was supposed to be a temporary diversion so we could satisfy each other’s desires and then never see each other again …
Yet I knew she was different right away. A woman who was my complete opposite, the calm to my storm. The sunshine to my darkness. With a body that left me speechless.
What I didn’t see was how much we both craved a break. Me from a career that would eventually kill me, her from an abusive home life.
When two people in pain connect, an explosion erupts. That was us. All fire and longing, mixed with a genuine need to seek shelter in one another’s arms.
While I’m still savoring the taste of her on my lips, I see her again unexpectedly and wonder … is our connection enough to surpass the secrets between us, or were we only meant to have those two nights together?
Audible Audio
First published December 29, 2025
877 people are currently reading
1322 people want to read
About the author
Marni Mann
62 books7,109 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Marni Mann knew she was going to be a writer since middle school. While other girls her age were daydreaming about teenage pop stars, Marni was fantasizing about penning her first novel. She crafts sexy, titillating stories that weave together her love of darkness, mystery, passion, and human emotions. A New Englander at heart, she now lives in Sarasota, Florida, with her husband and their Yellow Lab. When she’s not nose deep in her laptop, working on her next novel, she’s scouring for chocolate, sipping wine, traveling, or devouring fabulous books.
Visit her at:
WEBSITE: www.MarniSMann.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MarniMannAuthor
INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/marnimann/
NEWSLETTER: http://marnismann.com/e-mail-signup/
Visit her at:
WEBSITE: www.MarniSMann.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MarniMannAuthor
INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/marnimann/
NEWSLETTER: http://marnismann.com/e-mail-signup/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 508 reviews
Currently reading
December 29, 2025Available now!
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
https://geni.us/TheMysteriousOne
Audiobook: https://geni.us/TheMysteriousOneAudio
Narrated by: Jason Clarke & CJ Bloom
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
https://geni.us/TheMysteriousOne
Audiobook: https://geni.us/TheMysteriousOneAudio
Narrated by: Jason Clarke & CJ Bloom
December 18, 2025
Turns out I was in fact NOT in a book slump and I just needed a Marni Mann book. Who would have thought but also, if there was anyone to pull me out of a book slump, it would be Marni. I honestly don't know how she does it but she consistently delivers me top tier spicy perfection! And The Mysterious One is no different!
Whenever you pick up a Marni Mann book, there are a few things you can expect.
1. The spice hits in the first 10%
2. The plot usually starts with a One Night Stand
3. Her MMCs are deliciously cocky and they come with an insatiable appetite 👀
4. Top Tier Banter
5. Will make you want to binge the book in one sitting
And let me tell you something, The Mysterious One has every single one of those bullet points and it was everything I wanted and more. I absolutely love Marni's MMCs. They just turn me into goo. I am so invested in the Weston's and was so excited for Walker's story. This man quite literally carries their family business on his shoulders and he's at his breaking point. Leave it up to his younger sister Eden to encourage him to relieve a little stress by getting on top on someone 👀 and what better way then with finding your perfection sexual match on an app called Hooked. This app leads him to Alivia. A much younger woman who fully understands his darkness. These two are complete opposites but also so similar, which worked for their relationship. They were able to see the darkness in each other, understand that darkness and help each other achieve the happiness they so desperately deserve.
I loved Alivia's sunny disposition. For someone who has had to work so hard to overcome her hardships, she has never let that affect her view on life. And that was exactly what Walker needed. Walker also wanted to shower Alivia with a life she's never had and one that she deserves. Both of their stories made me tear up a couple of times. I felt so sorry for Alivia. The life that she had to experience was gut wrenching at times and I am so beyond happy that she found someone like Walker.
Ugh, I loved this one. But that was to be expected. I have never not liked anything that Marni has delivered me. Like most of her MMCs, Walker is that alpha hole that we all love.
You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Billionaire Romance
- Age Gap (12 years)
- One Night Stand
- Close Proximity
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- He's Her Boss
- He's a Chef
- Tragic Past
* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Marni Mann and Valentine PR for allowing me the pleasure to read The Mysterious One as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
Whenever you pick up a Marni Mann book, there are a few things you can expect.
1. The spice hits in the first 10%
2. The plot usually starts with a One Night Stand
3. Her MMCs are deliciously cocky and they come with an insatiable appetite 👀
4. Top Tier Banter
5. Will make you want to binge the book in one sitting
And let me tell you something, The Mysterious One has every single one of those bullet points and it was everything I wanted and more. I absolutely love Marni's MMCs. They just turn me into goo. I am so invested in the Weston's and was so excited for Walker's story. This man quite literally carries their family business on his shoulders and he's at his breaking point. Leave it up to his younger sister Eden to encourage him to relieve a little stress by getting on top on someone 👀 and what better way then with finding your perfection sexual match on an app called Hooked. This app leads him to Alivia. A much younger woman who fully understands his darkness. These two are complete opposites but also so similar, which worked for their relationship. They were able to see the darkness in each other, understand that darkness and help each other achieve the happiness they so desperately deserve.
I loved Alivia's sunny disposition. For someone who has had to work so hard to overcome her hardships, she has never let that affect her view on life. And that was exactly what Walker needed. Walker also wanted to shower Alivia with a life she's never had and one that she deserves. Both of their stories made me tear up a couple of times. I felt so sorry for Alivia. The life that she had to experience was gut wrenching at times and I am so beyond happy that she found someone like Walker.
Ugh, I loved this one. But that was to be expected. I have never not liked anything that Marni has delivered me. Like most of her MMCs, Walker is that alpha hole that we all love.
You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Billionaire Romance
- Age Gap (12 years)
- One Night Stand
- Close Proximity
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- He's Her Boss
- He's a Chef
- Tragic Past
* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Marni Mann and Valentine PR for allowing me the pleasure to read The Mysterious One as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
Read
January 13, 20265⭐️
3.5🌶️
🔥Billionaire
🔥Age Gap
🔥Grumpy/Sunshine
🔥Opposites Attract
🔥One Night Stand to More
🔥Boss/Employee
🔥Dual First Person POV
There are very few authors who can write romances with heart and heat like Marni Mann. I absolutely ate this up, pun intended. Walker is burnt out and is struggling with the pressures of the family business resting on his shoulders. His siblings force him to take a vacation. Enter Alivia, younger, a dreamer, and thriving in adversity. They match on a dating app and their one night turns into two days together. They don’t share names or anything too personal. After she leaves his hotel room, Walker gets called into his resurant Charred. Alivia is in for a surprise on her second night at her new job when she hears yelling coming from the kitchen and see that the chef is the man she just spent two days with. When he finds her in the kitchen after hours practicing her knife cuts, he starts teaching her. It’s not long before they can’t keep their hands off each other. Walker quickly realizes he needs to change his ways when Alivia has a full blown panic attack after hearing him yelling again in the kitchen. Walker yelled so much because he didn’t want to be in the kitchen anymore and was taking it out on everyone else. Alivia’s passion for cooking is infectious, bringing passion back in his life and the kitchen. It’s always fun seeing the Weston siblings together. I loved all the food talk and how Walker explains he thinks of creating a dish like painting a picture. The spice is literally ‘chef’s kiss’. Walker loves spreading Alivia out on every surface from the kitchen to the bedroom. Their chemistry was off the charts from their first meeting. The passion and the deep feelings they have for each other was palpable.
🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading.
Plot: 5
Engaging: 5
Character: 5
Thank you Marni Mann and Valentine OR for the gifted advanced copy.
📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
A Few Favorite Quotes:
“I needed to taste that smile. I needed to know what it felt like on my lips.”
“How her presence was making me want to stand in this room and not ever leave it and feel emotions far beyond creativity. Alivia was making me feel more. She was making me want more.”
“But if you want me to kiss you, then you need to come here. Now.”
“You’re saying two people who have gone through it separately can create something perfect together?” “Perfect?” I chuckled. “No. I f*€k !ng hate perfect.” I cupped her face. “But what we’ll have is special. Unique. And everything we both want.”
“You can kiss me. That’ll be enough.” “But the lip gloss is so sparkly that you’ll be covered.” I positioned my mouth in front of hers. “Make me f*€k !ng sparkle, then.”
“This is happily ever after. This isn’t a happy for now.”
“You’re the hero of this story. Our story. The man who saved me. Who pulled me out of the darkness and didn’t let me return.”
“My Whiskey, my Walker—you’re my happily ever after when I thought I only deserved a happy for now.”
3.5🌶️
🔥Billionaire
🔥Age Gap
🔥Grumpy/Sunshine
🔥Opposites Attract
🔥One Night Stand to More
🔥Boss/Employee
🔥Dual First Person POV
There are very few authors who can write romances with heart and heat like Marni Mann. I absolutely ate this up, pun intended. Walker is burnt out and is struggling with the pressures of the family business resting on his shoulders. His siblings force him to take a vacation. Enter Alivia, younger, a dreamer, and thriving in adversity. They match on a dating app and their one night turns into two days together. They don’t share names or anything too personal. After she leaves his hotel room, Walker gets called into his resurant Charred. Alivia is in for a surprise on her second night at her new job when she hears yelling coming from the kitchen and see that the chef is the man she just spent two days with. When he finds her in the kitchen after hours practicing her knife cuts, he starts teaching her. It’s not long before they can’t keep their hands off each other. Walker quickly realizes he needs to change his ways when Alivia has a full blown panic attack after hearing him yelling again in the kitchen. Walker yelled so much because he didn’t want to be in the kitchen anymore and was taking it out on everyone else. Alivia’s passion for cooking is infectious, bringing passion back in his life and the kitchen. It’s always fun seeing the Weston siblings together. I loved all the food talk and how Walker explains he thinks of creating a dish like painting a picture. The spice is literally ‘chef’s kiss’. Walker loves spreading Alivia out on every surface from the kitchen to the bedroom. Their chemistry was off the charts from their first meeting. The passion and the deep feelings they have for each other was palpable.
🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading.
Plot: 5
Engaging: 5
Character: 5
Thank you Marni Mann and Valentine OR for the gifted advanced copy.
📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
A Few Favorite Quotes:
“I needed to taste that smile. I needed to know what it felt like on my lips.”
“How her presence was making me want to stand in this room and not ever leave it and feel emotions far beyond creativity. Alivia was making me feel more. She was making me want more.”
“But if you want me to kiss you, then you need to come here. Now.”
“You’re saying two people who have gone through it separately can create something perfect together?” “Perfect?” I chuckled. “No. I f*€k !ng hate perfect.” I cupped her face. “But what we’ll have is special. Unique. And everything we both want.”
“You can kiss me. That’ll be enough.” “But the lip gloss is so sparkly that you’ll be covered.” I positioned my mouth in front of hers. “Make me f*€k !ng sparkle, then.”
“This is happily ever after. This isn’t a happy for now.”
“You’re the hero of this story. Our story. The man who saved me. Who pulled me out of the darkness and didn’t let me return.”
“My Whiskey, my Walker—you’re my happily ever after when I thought I only deserved a happy for now.”
December 31, 2025
3,5.
I was expecting more of this story but it was just okay. The female character didn’t convince me.
It’s worth reading.
I was expecting more of this story but it was just okay. The female character didn’t convince me.
It’s worth reading.
December 29, 2025
5🌟, 3.5🌶️
Every once in a while, a book comes along and reminds me why I love reading so much.
The Mysterious One hit exactly the way Marni Mann’s books always do, fast chemistry, sharp banter, and that addictive pull that makes you forget everything else. From the first chapters, I was locked in, emotionally invested, and completely prepared to binge this in one sitting.
Walker Weston is burned out in a way that feels painfully real. He is carrying his family's expectations, a demanding career, and the slow loss of passion for something he once loved. He is grumpy, guarded, and unraveling at the edges. Alivia comes into his life when neither of them is looking for anything lasting, and yet she becomes everything. She is younger, warm, and quietly strong, shaped by a difficult past that never dimmed her light. Their connection starts as an escape and quickly becomes something deeper, built on seeing and understanding each other instead of pretending the pain does not exist.
Together, they heal in a way that feels tender, earned, and deeply emotional. Alivia softens Walker without trying to fix him, and Walker sees her worth long before she can see it herself. Their love is comforting, passionate, and full of heart, the kind that makes you smile without realizing it.
I devoured this story, felt every emotion, and would do it all over again without hesitation.
~~~~
Special thanks to Marni Mann and Valentine PR for providing this Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. ✨
Every once in a while, a book comes along and reminds me why I love reading so much.
The Mysterious One hit exactly the way Marni Mann’s books always do, fast chemistry, sharp banter, and that addictive pull that makes you forget everything else. From the first chapters, I was locked in, emotionally invested, and completely prepared to binge this in one sitting.
Walker Weston is burned out in a way that feels painfully real. He is carrying his family's expectations, a demanding career, and the slow loss of passion for something he once loved. He is grumpy, guarded, and unraveling at the edges. Alivia comes into his life when neither of them is looking for anything lasting, and yet she becomes everything. She is younger, warm, and quietly strong, shaped by a difficult past that never dimmed her light. Their connection starts as an escape and quickly becomes something deeper, built on seeing and understanding each other instead of pretending the pain does not exist.
Together, they heal in a way that feels tender, earned, and deeply emotional. Alivia softens Walker without trying to fix him, and Walker sees her worth long before she can see it herself. Their love is comforting, passionate, and full of heart, the kind that makes you smile without realizing it.
I devoured this story, felt every emotion, and would do it all over again without hesitation.
~~~~
Special thanks to Marni Mann and Valentine PR for providing this Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. ✨
Read
December 17, 2025🔥 Grumpy x Sunshine
🌶️ Spicy Romance
📏 Age Gap
🏠 Close Proximity
🖤 Brooding Alpha Hero
☀️ Soft Sunshine Heroine
🍽️ Chef Hero
💼 Billionaire Adjacent
💔 Emotional Healing
❤️🔥 Intense Chemistry
🤫 Secrets
✨ Happily Ever After
Star: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
The Mysterious One is a richly layered, emotionally immersive romance that showcases why Marni Mann excels at blending heat with heart. As the third book in The Weston Group series, it deepens the family legacy while delivering a powerful standalone love story that feels intimate, intense, and deeply human.
At the center of the story is the most closed-off Weston brother yet, a man defined by discipline, control, and responsibility. As the executive chef and public face of a billion-dollar empire, he carries the weight of expectation on every decision he makes. The pressure has drained the joy from the one thing he once loved, leaving him burned out, bitter, and emotionally unreachable. Marni Mann does an excellent job of portraying the quiet exhaustion that comes with success, showing how ambition can slowly suffocate passion when there is no room left to breathe.
Alivia is the perfect counterbalance to his darkness. She is warmth, gentleness, and strength wrapped in a sunshine personality that never feels naive or overdone. Beneath her light is a woman who has endured far more than she should have, surviving an abusive home life with resilience and quiet courage. Her calm presence cuts through his anger in a way that feels natural and earned, and their age-gap dynamic adds an extra layer of tension and emotional complexity without overshadowing the story.
Their connection ignites quickly, but it never feels shallow. What begins as an attempt at temporary escape transforms into something far more meaningful as they recognize pieces of themselves in each other. Both are craving relief, safety, and a moment of peace, and when they come together, the chemistry is explosive. The spice is undeniable and intense, yet it is grounded in emotion, longing, and vulnerability rather than existing for shock value alone.
What makes this romance especially compelling is how deeply their pain is woven into the narrative. Their time together becomes a refuge, a place where they can be honest about their fears and exhaustion without judgment. Mann captures that fragile space between desire and emotional dependence beautifully, making their bond feel urgent and real. The unexpected reunion, lingering secrets, and emotional stakes keep the tension high, forcing both characters to confront what they are willing to risk for happiness.
The Mysterious One delivers a satisfying balance of passion, emotional growth, and heartfelt connection. It is a story about reclaiming joy, choosing love over fear, and finding light in the darkest moments. Fans of grumpy-sunshine romances, age-gap dynamics, and emotionally rich contemporary love stories will find this book both addictive and deeply rewarding.
🌶️ Spicy Romance
📏 Age Gap
🏠 Close Proximity
🖤 Brooding Alpha Hero
☀️ Soft Sunshine Heroine
🍽️ Chef Hero
💼 Billionaire Adjacent
💔 Emotional Healing
❤️🔥 Intense Chemistry
🤫 Secrets
✨ Happily Ever After
Star: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
The Mysterious One is a richly layered, emotionally immersive romance that showcases why Marni Mann excels at blending heat with heart. As the third book in The Weston Group series, it deepens the family legacy while delivering a powerful standalone love story that feels intimate, intense, and deeply human.
At the center of the story is the most closed-off Weston brother yet, a man defined by discipline, control, and responsibility. As the executive chef and public face of a billion-dollar empire, he carries the weight of expectation on every decision he makes. The pressure has drained the joy from the one thing he once loved, leaving him burned out, bitter, and emotionally unreachable. Marni Mann does an excellent job of portraying the quiet exhaustion that comes with success, showing how ambition can slowly suffocate passion when there is no room left to breathe.
Alivia is the perfect counterbalance to his darkness. She is warmth, gentleness, and strength wrapped in a sunshine personality that never feels naive or overdone. Beneath her light is a woman who has endured far more than she should have, surviving an abusive home life with resilience and quiet courage. Her calm presence cuts through his anger in a way that feels natural and earned, and their age-gap dynamic adds an extra layer of tension and emotional complexity without overshadowing the story.
Their connection ignites quickly, but it never feels shallow. What begins as an attempt at temporary escape transforms into something far more meaningful as they recognize pieces of themselves in each other. Both are craving relief, safety, and a moment of peace, and when they come together, the chemistry is explosive. The spice is undeniable and intense, yet it is grounded in emotion, longing, and vulnerability rather than existing for shock value alone.
What makes this romance especially compelling is how deeply their pain is woven into the narrative. Their time together becomes a refuge, a place where they can be honest about their fears and exhaustion without judgment. Mann captures that fragile space between desire and emotional dependence beautifully, making their bond feel urgent and real. The unexpected reunion, lingering secrets, and emotional stakes keep the tension high, forcing both characters to confront what they are willing to risk for happiness.
The Mysterious One delivers a satisfying balance of passion, emotional growth, and heartfelt connection. It is a story about reclaiming joy, choosing love over fear, and finding light in the darkest moments. Fans of grumpy-sunshine romances, age-gap dynamics, and emotionally rich contemporary love stories will find this book both addictive and deeply rewarding.
December 31, 2025
I really enjoyed this one! Walker and Alivia are in two completely different phases, yet somehow work so well together. Walker is in the midst of trying to find his love for the kitchen again and kind of throwing a grown up tantrum, while Alivia is just trying her best to survive and escape her abusive household as unscathed as possible. I loved the understanding and support these two had for each other, weather it was reigniting a passion for something once loved or for helping make a life long dream come true. I loved reading their story and watching them grow both individually and as a couple. This is one of my last reads of 2025 and I'm glad I'm ending the year strong with this one!
December 29, 2025
If there's one thing I know that I'm going to get from a Marni Mann story, it is the tangible chemistry between the main characters. Chemistry that is not only hot AF, but that you can feel from the moment the two characters interact. Since the very first Weston Group book, I've been curious about Walker Weston, the executive chef of the family's high end restaurants. He's talented and produces food unlike anyone, but he's tightly wound and crashing hard, taking it out on everyone around him. When their latest restaurant is set to have its grand opening, his sister sends him packing to take a break to relax, "get it together" and maybe find a (sexual) connection on a dating app that will clear his mind of all his obligations. When Walker takes the advice and meets Alivia on day one of his break, he needs more than one night with her. But Alivia is also running from something. Her home life is anything but healthy and she could do with a little reprieve. But she has nothing to give anyone right now, but mind blowing sex with her unnamed Hooked connection. Two souls needing to clear their heads and they just so happen to be able to give each other what the other needs. One night is not going to be enough for these two.
I loved that Mann brought in the Hooked dating app aspect to this story which connects a previous world of hers. But then add in an age gap and unexpected workplace between the grumpy/sunshine characters and I was feral for more of Walker and Alivia. Their connection was immediate, easy and they balanced each other so perfectly right from the moment Alivia arrived at Walker's hotel room. The way they talked and understood each other and what they needed made me believe that these two were made for each other. There's a balance that Alivia provides for Walker's "Type A" that allows him to breathe just a bit easier and soon he finds joy in something that he thought he lost. I loved that Alivia give that to Walker, but that he could also provide something for her in return by giving her patience, a safe space and building her natural gift.
Overall, The Mysterious One is a great addition to the series. I loved seeing Walker find happiness in his field again while Alivia gave us the kick of emotional from her family life yet still exuded strength day in and day out. While the book starts off boiling hot, we slow it down to a simmer and see two characters working hard to work towards their goals while trying to "keep it classy" in the kitchen. The trust is there and grows and the spice boils up again from the connection they formed at the beginning. From there, we get to see the evolution of Walker go from angry grump head chef, to a mild grump that supports his woman. They clicked and brought purpose to their futures together and I loved where that ended up taking them. I can't wait to see what will come next for the next Weston sibling.
I loved that Mann brought in the Hooked dating app aspect to this story which connects a previous world of hers. But then add in an age gap and unexpected workplace between the grumpy/sunshine characters and I was feral for more of Walker and Alivia. Their connection was immediate, easy and they balanced each other so perfectly right from the moment Alivia arrived at Walker's hotel room. The way they talked and understood each other and what they needed made me believe that these two were made for each other. There's a balance that Alivia provides for Walker's "Type A" that allows him to breathe just a bit easier and soon he finds joy in something that he thought he lost. I loved that Alivia give that to Walker, but that he could also provide something for her in return by giving her patience, a safe space and building her natural gift.
Overall, The Mysterious One is a great addition to the series. I loved seeing Walker find happiness in his field again while Alivia gave us the kick of emotional from her family life yet still exuded strength day in and day out. While the book starts off boiling hot, we slow it down to a simmer and see two characters working hard to work towards their goals while trying to "keep it classy" in the kitchen. The trust is there and grows and the spice boils up again from the connection they formed at the beginning. From there, we get to see the evolution of Walker go from angry grump head chef, to a mild grump that supports his woman. They clicked and brought purpose to their futures together and I loved where that ended up taking them. I can't wait to see what will come next for the next Weston sibling.
December 31, 2025
✨ARC Review✨
The Mysterious One is the third book in the Weston Group series, focusing on the journey of Walker and Alivia. We finally delve into his narrative after encountering him in numerous books by Marni. It’s quite refreshing to witness Marni develop characters like Weston and Alivia, who confront significant challenges, especially when compared to some of her other works. It was truly magnificent to observe how the dynamics shifted slightly in this book.
The Mysterious One is the third book in the Weston Group series, focusing on the journey of Walker and Alivia. We finally delve into his narrative after encountering him in numerous books by Marni. It’s quite refreshing to witness Marni develop characters like Weston and Alivia, who confront significant challenges, especially when compared to some of her other works. It was truly magnificent to observe how the dynamics shifted slightly in this book.
Want to read
July 17, 2025fuckkk yeahhhhh!!!! already know i’ll be going feral over walker’s story when it comes out 🥰
December 17, 2025
The Mysterious one by the amazingly talented Marni Mann was a truly exceptional read. Add in Walker Weston, who gives his brothers a run for their money in the very best of ways -IYKYK 😉
A se3y one night stand, plenty of tension & just the right amount of the feels to make you forget about reality for a while.
As the Weston group was expanding, launching new projects & opening new restaurants Walker Weston was becoming increasingly more frustrated. He was drinking more than he knew he should. He was lost.
The mysterious one is Walker Weston’s story, as head chef in their kitchen Weston is becoming more & more frustrated at all the expectations that are landing at his table (quite literally)
To create a better menu, to provide more, to be the best. He’s left with little to no time for anything, other than to work long, gruelling hours.
He’s fallen out of love with his craft.
Enter Alivia, She is a very likeable character. She’s sassy & smart. She has had a truly horrific childhood at the hands of her neglectful mother but it hasn’t dimmed her light or her warmth warmth to help others. She has a real vulnerability to her.
All she desperately wants is to work hard, raise enough money to escape from her alcoholic mother & step-father.
Walker & Alivia meet when they match on the dating app ‘Hooked’, scoring a perfect 100% they agree to meet & forget all their problems & enjoy each other for one night.
The instant grumpy-sunshine tension and sparks pulled me right in, and you could just feel the chemistry. Both needed to mentally escape their day to day reality. It turned out to be so much more than that ~ She’s the escape that Weston needs. He can’t let her go. She’s the balm for his soul & he needs her in his life, in more ways than one.
This was not simply a romance, it was something more. It was finding a story about finding the courage to change your life, even if you're not sure what/how to do to make it happen. For waiting for the right time/person to enter your life & help you navigate the path that leads to success & happiness.
I don’t want to spoil this story for you other than to say ~ This is a beautiful love story about two broken souls who find each other when they most needed to.
I loved how the story blended laugh-out-loud banter with real emotional depth.
The way Walker & Alivia were to each other was everything that each other needed & more. It had me swooning, it was heart melting. The love for each other was unwavering & so tangible you could feel it on every page. They pull each other out of the darkness & into the light, bringing each other back to life.
Sprinkle in some of Marni’s magic & you’ve got a perfect recipe.
Thank you Marni for giving us readers another truly wonderful read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A se3y one night stand, plenty of tension & just the right amount of the feels to make you forget about reality for a while.
As the Weston group was expanding, launching new projects & opening new restaurants Walker Weston was becoming increasingly more frustrated. He was drinking more than he knew he should. He was lost.
The mysterious one is Walker Weston’s story, as head chef in their kitchen Weston is becoming more & more frustrated at all the expectations that are landing at his table (quite literally)
To create a better menu, to provide more, to be the best. He’s left with little to no time for anything, other than to work long, gruelling hours.
He’s fallen out of love with his craft.
Enter Alivia, She is a very likeable character. She’s sassy & smart. She has had a truly horrific childhood at the hands of her neglectful mother but it hasn’t dimmed her light or her warmth warmth to help others. She has a real vulnerability to her.
All she desperately wants is to work hard, raise enough money to escape from her alcoholic mother & step-father.
Walker & Alivia meet when they match on the dating app ‘Hooked’, scoring a perfect 100% they agree to meet & forget all their problems & enjoy each other for one night.
The instant grumpy-sunshine tension and sparks pulled me right in, and you could just feel the chemistry. Both needed to mentally escape their day to day reality. It turned out to be so much more than that ~ She’s the escape that Weston needs. He can’t let her go. She’s the balm for his soul & he needs her in his life, in more ways than one.
This was not simply a romance, it was something more. It was finding a story about finding the courage to change your life, even if you're not sure what/how to do to make it happen. For waiting for the right time/person to enter your life & help you navigate the path that leads to success & happiness.
I don’t want to spoil this story for you other than to say ~ This is a beautiful love story about two broken souls who find each other when they most needed to.
I loved how the story blended laugh-out-loud banter with real emotional depth.
The way Walker & Alivia were to each other was everything that each other needed & more. It had me swooning, it was heart melting. The love for each other was unwavering & so tangible you could feel it on every page. They pull each other out of the darkness & into the light, bringing each other back to life.
Sprinkle in some of Marni’s magic & you’ve got a perfect recipe.
Thank you Marni for giving us readers another truly wonderful read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 2, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐-> ♾️🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶
🔪 Grumpy Sunshine
✨️ Age Gap
🔪 Broody Alphahole x Soft Sunshine Heroine
✨️ Forced Proximity
🔪 Chef Billionaire 💰
✨️ Emotional Healing
⚠️ CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS ⚠️
✨️ 📚 ARC 📖 / 🎧 ALC 🎧 REVIEW ✨️
🎙Narrators: CJ Bloom & Jason Clarke 🎙
As always Jason and CJ gave Walker and Alivia their voices and ther amazing delivery of their story!! I am ALWAYS down for a book with Jason Clarke narrating! He always gives the best narration, while showing the emotions behind the characters so flawlessly.
✨️📖 On To The Book Review 📖✨️
I have been here since the first Weston group book and I will be here until the end. I will forever love this series! Each brother having their own book is like a huge reward for being so patient while it was being written. Marni has a way of bring that spice in the first 10 percent that really kicks off the book like nothing else.
Alivia and Walker have the most magnetic connection that takes off like a horse in a race! As they build thier relationship they see so much of themselves in each other. What was supposed to be a one time thing became so much more. Both Alivia and Walker crave the escape from their lives and find each other. They have chemistry that is undeniable, and it only only grew each time they spent time together. Each one had something to teach the other.
Each one had some pain whether it was not feeling the love for what they once had or not being able to just live a somewhat peaceful life. I felt so deeply for Alivia with each interaction she had when she went home. Walker had such a way of calming Alivia when she needed it. I loved that they each had that affect on each other, and wasn't scared of showing it to each other as much as they can. Walker had the expertise of cooking and I was so pumped when he started showing Alivia how to cook and plate the food.
There was so much emotion woven throughout every single page, whether it was the secrets they had or how much they needed to just spend time together as an escape it will so well executed. There were so many other ways this book captivated me but it stole my heart and stomped on it a few times. But I am more than happy about the tears that I shed and will gladly shed for the next 10 books.
Thank you 🫶🏻 to ✨️ Marni Mann & Valentine PR ✨️ for the complimentary 🎧 ALC 🎧. ✨️ All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary✨️.
🌶️🌶️🌶
🔪 Grumpy Sunshine
✨️ Age Gap
🔪 Broody Alphahole x Soft Sunshine Heroine
✨️ Forced Proximity
🔪 Chef Billionaire 💰
✨️ Emotional Healing
⚠️ CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS ⚠️
✨️ 📚 ARC 📖 / 🎧 ALC 🎧 REVIEW ✨️
🎙Narrators: CJ Bloom & Jason Clarke 🎙
As always Jason and CJ gave Walker and Alivia their voices and ther amazing delivery of their story!! I am ALWAYS down for a book with Jason Clarke narrating! He always gives the best narration, while showing the emotions behind the characters so flawlessly.
✨️📖 On To The Book Review 📖✨️
I have been here since the first Weston group book and I will be here until the end. I will forever love this series! Each brother having their own book is like a huge reward for being so patient while it was being written. Marni has a way of bring that spice in the first 10 percent that really kicks off the book like nothing else.
Alivia and Walker have the most magnetic connection that takes off like a horse in a race! As they build thier relationship they see so much of themselves in each other. What was supposed to be a one time thing became so much more. Both Alivia and Walker crave the escape from their lives and find each other. They have chemistry that is undeniable, and it only only grew each time they spent time together. Each one had something to teach the other.
Each one had some pain whether it was not feeling the love for what they once had or not being able to just live a somewhat peaceful life. I felt so deeply for Alivia with each interaction she had when she went home. Walker had such a way of calming Alivia when she needed it. I loved that they each had that affect on each other, and wasn't scared of showing it to each other as much as they can. Walker had the expertise of cooking and I was so pumped when he started showing Alivia how to cook and plate the food.
There was so much emotion woven throughout every single page, whether it was the secrets they had or how much they needed to just spend time together as an escape it will so well executed. There were so many other ways this book captivated me but it stole my heart and stomped on it a few times. But I am more than happy about the tears that I shed and will gladly shed for the next 10 books.
Thank you 🫶🏻 to ✨️ Marni Mann & Valentine PR ✨️ for the complimentary 🎧 ALC 🎧. ✨️ All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary✨️.
December 31, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
From the jump, Walker is throwing adult-sized temper tantrums. Poor me. No one understands the pressure. No one gets what I sacrifice. Meanwhile, the “pressure” is largely self-inflicted, and instead of dealing with it, he takes it out on everyone around him. He’s not the charmingly grumpy, misunderstood hero type. He’s abrasive, entitled, and way too comfortable being cruel.
That attitude makes his initial interactions with Alivia especially hard to swallow. When she shows up as a hostess at his restaurant—after they’ve already shared an intense, escape-the-world weekend together—he’s cold, sharp, and unnecessarily cruel. Yes, Walker is abrasive across the board, but there’s something particularly painful about watching him treat her that way. Especially knowing Alivia comes from a home where raised voices and aggression already dominate her life.
That said… growth matters. And Walker does grow.
The turning point comes when he realizes that his yelling genuinely triggers Alivia. Instead of dismissing it or doubling down, he starts making conscious changes. Small ones at first. Then bigger ones. You can feel his walls coming down as his feelings for her deepen, and suddenly his anger doesn’t feel like the only thing driving him anymore.
And when it really counts—when Alivia needs safety, stability, and someone to choose her without hesitation—Walker shows up. No questions. No excuses. She walks into his home, and in that moment, it becomes hers too. That quiet, instinctive way he protects her? It rewrote everything I thought about him.
Once Walker commits, he commits fully. The care he shows Alivia, the way he believes in her talent, and how fiercely he supports her dream of becoming a chef redeems him in a big way. Even better, Alivia helps him rediscover why he fell in love with cooking in the first place—before it became a burden instead of a passion.
This book didn’t ask me to love Walker immediately. It asked me to watch him earn it. And by the end, I did. Not because he was perfect, but because he learned, changed, and showed up when it mattered most. And honestly? That made all the difference.
From the jump, Walker is throwing adult-sized temper tantrums. Poor me. No one understands the pressure. No one gets what I sacrifice. Meanwhile, the “pressure” is largely self-inflicted, and instead of dealing with it, he takes it out on everyone around him. He’s not the charmingly grumpy, misunderstood hero type. He’s abrasive, entitled, and way too comfortable being cruel.
That attitude makes his initial interactions with Alivia especially hard to swallow. When she shows up as a hostess at his restaurant—after they’ve already shared an intense, escape-the-world weekend together—he’s cold, sharp, and unnecessarily cruel. Yes, Walker is abrasive across the board, but there’s something particularly painful about watching him treat her that way. Especially knowing Alivia comes from a home where raised voices and aggression already dominate her life.
That said… growth matters. And Walker does grow.
The turning point comes when he realizes that his yelling genuinely triggers Alivia. Instead of dismissing it or doubling down, he starts making conscious changes. Small ones at first. Then bigger ones. You can feel his walls coming down as his feelings for her deepen, and suddenly his anger doesn’t feel like the only thing driving him anymore.
And when it really counts—when Alivia needs safety, stability, and someone to choose her without hesitation—Walker shows up. No questions. No excuses. She walks into his home, and in that moment, it becomes hers too. That quiet, instinctive way he protects her? It rewrote everything I thought about him.
Once Walker commits, he commits fully. The care he shows Alivia, the way he believes in her talent, and how fiercely he supports her dream of becoming a chef redeems him in a big way. Even better, Alivia helps him rediscover why he fell in love with cooking in the first place—before it became a burden instead of a passion.
This book didn’t ask me to love Walker immediately. It asked me to watch him earn it. And by the end, I did. Not because he was perfect, but because he learned, changed, and showed up when it mattered most. And honestly? That made all the difference.
December 27, 2025
Grumpy - Sunshine. Age Gap.
Alivia - has a very sunny disposition. She has lived in horrible conditions her whole life. Now that she is 23, she has been trying to save up money for an apartment, but with her moms husband taking more and more money from her each month she is t sure if she will ever save up enough money to actually move out. Her mom is an alcoholic and her new husband also. But they are living in his house and he wants her to pay monthly rent and electric to him plus his daily beer money. She can’t work just to get money to supply their addictions.
Alivia needs something for herself. She sets up on a dating website. Maybe a one night romance is what she needs. It won’t solve all her problems but it’ll solve her getting out of the house for a while. She matched with Whiskey35. She isn’t sure who he is but 100% match she needs to find out who he is in person.
Walker, is the executive chef for the family. He runs all the restaurants and approves all the menus. Walker is running on empty. Cooking doesn’t give him joy any more. Walker isn’t happy in the restaurants and he isn’t happy with his family pressuring him. Walker takes a break and goes to one of the hotels they own for a week long break. While he is there he connects his dating app which gives him a 100% match to a woman he must meet. Once they are together their connection is off the charts! He doesn’t want to let her go but after 2 days of being together he needs to get back to reality and so does she.
But a few days later he sees her again at his restaurant! Is she stalking him!? Who is she?? Is she working for him?
I did receive a free ARC copy of this book. I am freely leaving an honest review.
Alivia - has a very sunny disposition. She has lived in horrible conditions her whole life. Now that she is 23, she has been trying to save up money for an apartment, but with her moms husband taking more and more money from her each month she is t sure if she will ever save up enough money to actually move out. Her mom is an alcoholic and her new husband also. But they are living in his house and he wants her to pay monthly rent and electric to him plus his daily beer money. She can’t work just to get money to supply their addictions.
Alivia needs something for herself. She sets up on a dating website. Maybe a one night romance is what she needs. It won’t solve all her problems but it’ll solve her getting out of the house for a while. She matched with Whiskey35. She isn’t sure who he is but 100% match she needs to find out who he is in person.
Walker, is the executive chef for the family. He runs all the restaurants and approves all the menus. Walker is running on empty. Cooking doesn’t give him joy any more. Walker isn’t happy in the restaurants and he isn’t happy with his family pressuring him. Walker takes a break and goes to one of the hotels they own for a week long break. While he is there he connects his dating app which gives him a 100% match to a woman he must meet. Once they are together their connection is off the charts! He doesn’t want to let her go but after 2 days of being together he needs to get back to reality and so does she.
But a few days later he sees her again at his restaurant! Is she stalking him!? Who is she?? Is she working for him?
I did receive a free ARC copy of this book. I am freely leaving an honest review.
December 31, 2025
Marni Mann never fails to deliver!
This is the third book in The Weston Group series, and we follow Walker and Alivia. Walker is the famous chef of the family, but he is not in a good place when the story starts. He has a lot on his shoulders, and his siblings just don’t seem to understand how much he’s dealing with. He lashes out at his staff and has a very short fuse. When his sister Eden tells him he needs to take some time off and just “have some fun”, he matches up with a woman on the Hooked app (another Marni series) and invites her to his hotel room. Alivia shows up and they have a wild couple nights together. Alivia is much younger than Walker and does not have a good home life. She is trying to save as much money as she can so she can get a place of her own, but her mom and stepdad are alcoholics and take all her extra money to blow on booze. She has a passion for cooking and starts working at Walker’s restaurant not knowing who he is, they never exchanged names at the hotel. At first Walker is very hesitant to work with her, but when he learns that she’s trying to learn about cooking and staying late every night, he ends up staying as well to help her. I really loved both of these characters; Alivia is perfect for Walker and helps him deal with the problems he’s having talking to his family. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
This is the third book in The Weston Group series, and we follow Walker and Alivia. Walker is the famous chef of the family, but he is not in a good place when the story starts. He has a lot on his shoulders, and his siblings just don’t seem to understand how much he’s dealing with. He lashes out at his staff and has a very short fuse. When his sister Eden tells him he needs to take some time off and just “have some fun”, he matches up with a woman on the Hooked app (another Marni series) and invites her to his hotel room. Alivia shows up and they have a wild couple nights together. Alivia is much younger than Walker and does not have a good home life. She is trying to save as much money as she can so she can get a place of her own, but her mom and stepdad are alcoholics and take all her extra money to blow on booze. She has a passion for cooking and starts working at Walker’s restaurant not knowing who he is, they never exchanged names at the hotel. At first Walker is very hesitant to work with her, but when he learns that she’s trying to learn about cooking and staying late every night, he ends up staying as well to help her. I really loved both of these characters; Alivia is perfect for Walker and helps him deal with the problems he’s having talking to his family. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
December 31, 2025
The Mysterious One by Marni Mann was the perfect read to wrap up my year. Nothing overly dramatic, just a beautifully crafted story.
“I love the endless faith you have in me. And I love how that belief is so strong, you make me want to believe in the impossible.”
I love the way the author builds her male characters. Walker is incredibly attentive, and I adored every gesture he made with Alivia in mind. He understands her needs so effortlessly. Their lives couldn’t be more different, yet something draws them together and they complement each other perfectly. Alivia’s perseverance truly impressed me, especially considering how hard life has been on her. I also found myself deeply empathizing with Walker.
“There’s nothing stronger, more protective, more loving than your arms.”
I liked that Alivia doesn’t feel the need to reject everything Walker offers her just to prove a point. She does speak up when things go too far and voices her fears about the fact that they come from very different worlds, but she also appreciates and enjoys what she’s given without turning it all into a battle of egos.
Thanks @valentine_pr_ for the ARC of this book!
“I love the endless faith you have in me. And I love how that belief is so strong, you make me want to believe in the impossible.”
I love the way the author builds her male characters. Walker is incredibly attentive, and I adored every gesture he made with Alivia in mind. He understands her needs so effortlessly. Their lives couldn’t be more different, yet something draws them together and they complement each other perfectly. Alivia’s perseverance truly impressed me, especially considering how hard life has been on her. I also found myself deeply empathizing with Walker.
“There’s nothing stronger, more protective, more loving than your arms.”
I liked that Alivia doesn’t feel the need to reject everything Walker offers her just to prove a point. She does speak up when things go too far and voices her fears about the fact that they come from very different worlds, but she also appreciates and enjoys what she’s given without turning it all into a battle of egos.
Thanks @valentine_pr_ for the ARC of this book!
December 29, 2025
The Mysterious One is book three in The Weston Group series by Marni Mann. As per usual Marni wrote an AMAZING book!! Walker and Alivia's love story was so good. I love how they met! Mr Hook-Up was one of Marni's first books I ever read and it's so cool that Walker and Alvia meet on the dating app. I loved how their chemistry was instantaneous but they had so much more to their characters. Walker works in a high paced environment as a chef and wants a way to find the quiet in all the noise and Alivia has her own things to work through with her neglecting mother and trying to find a way to escape this. Overall, I loved it so much and cannot wait to see what's coming next from Marni. Thank you so much to Marni and team for kindly sending me an arc to read and review. This is my own honest opinion on the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I didn’t realize I had such an affinity for chefs until this book. Apparently, all it takes is a man in an apron with knife skills and I’m done for. Consider this trope officially unlocked. I’ll be hunting down more kitchen romances immediately.
Alivia’s personal life is something no one should have to survive, yet she carries this quiet resilience that just glows through every page. Despite the circumstances she was born into, and the ones still clawing at her in adulthood, she refuses to let them define her. She’s strong, she’s relatable, and she’s determined to build a life beyond her trauma.
Walker, on the other hand, has everything he thought he ever wanted… except himself. The restaurant world is draining him dry. Expectations, deadlines, family pressure, the image of perfection... until he’s lost sight of his first love: cooking. He’s snapping at everyone around him, burning out fast, and spiraling in a way that feels painfully authentic. And then, Alivia. Their meeting may not be “meet-cute” material, but their spark is immediate, electric, and impossible to ignore. What starts as temporary solace turns into something tender, healing, and needed.
Marni Mann writes with such intensity and heart that she hooks you by page one. What was supposed to be an escape, a single night, a release valve, becomes exactly what both Walker and Alivia were desperate for without knowing it: each other.
All I can say is yes, Chef- pass me another serving.
Alivia’s personal life is something no one should have to survive, yet she carries this quiet resilience that just glows through every page. Despite the circumstances she was born into, and the ones still clawing at her in adulthood, she refuses to let them define her. She’s strong, she’s relatable, and she’s determined to build a life beyond her trauma.
Walker, on the other hand, has everything he thought he ever wanted… except himself. The restaurant world is draining him dry. Expectations, deadlines, family pressure, the image of perfection... until he’s lost sight of his first love: cooking. He’s snapping at everyone around him, burning out fast, and spiraling in a way that feels painfully authentic. And then, Alivia. Their meeting may not be “meet-cute” material, but their spark is immediate, electric, and impossible to ignore. What starts as temporary solace turns into something tender, healing, and needed.
Marni Mann writes with such intensity and heart that she hooks you by page one. What was supposed to be an escape, a single night, a release valve, becomes exactly what both Walker and Alivia were desperate for without knowing it: each other.
All I can say is yes, Chef- pass me another serving.
December 29, 2025
Marni Mann writes with passion. She hooks you almost immediately. The Mysterious One did just that! What was meant as an escape, a brief hook up, turned into what both Walker and Alivia needed.
Walker Weston is the Executive Chef of the famous Charred LA restaurant, part of the Weston family portfolio. Walker has lost his passion for food and everything around him. Alivia is just trying to survive. Her mom is an alcoholic and she lives with her and her horrible stepdad. She has one goal in sight! Do whatever it takes to get away from them.
From the first meeting, Walker and Alivia connect deep within their souls. A chance coincidence brings their lives together and their magnetic pull can’t keep them away.
Between their connection, the cooking and love that grew, this story had me hook, line and sinker. I couldn’t put it down. I loved everything about this book- the storyline, the characters, the food references.
My heart broke for Alivia but then was so filled as her dreams became reality.
Marni is the queen of alpha billionaires and Walker Weston has moved to the top of my list!
Walker Weston is the Executive Chef of the famous Charred LA restaurant, part of the Weston family portfolio. Walker has lost his passion for food and everything around him. Alivia is just trying to survive. Her mom is an alcoholic and she lives with her and her horrible stepdad. She has one goal in sight! Do whatever it takes to get away from them.
From the first meeting, Walker and Alivia connect deep within their souls. A chance coincidence brings their lives together and their magnetic pull can’t keep them away.
Between their connection, the cooking and love that grew, this story had me hook, line and sinker. I couldn’t put it down. I loved everything about this book- the storyline, the characters, the food references.
My heart broke for Alivia but then was so filled as her dreams became reality.
Marni is the queen of alpha billionaires and Walker Weston has moved to the top of my list!
December 31, 2025
4.25⭐️
Marni knows how to give you an amazing story! And man the audio was chefs kiss.
Marni knows how to give you an amazing story! And man the audio was chefs kiss.
January 2, 2026
ARC review! Thanks to the author and Valentine PR for the ARC.
I really enjoyed this one, and honestly, Marni never disappoints when I’m craving a spicy read with a confident, cocky, slightly obsessed man. Walker is a burned out alpha, carrying the heavy weight of his family’s expectations. Alivia was the perfect contrast with her sunny, resilient personality, especially after everything she’s been through to make her so strong. They truly saw the darkness in each other...
Like always, the chemistry and banter were on point, and the story didn’t shy away from either the emotional or spicy moments.
I really enjoyed this one, and honestly, Marni never disappoints when I’m craving a spicy read with a confident, cocky, slightly obsessed man. Walker is a burned out alpha, carrying the heavy weight of his family’s expectations. Alivia was the perfect contrast with her sunny, resilient personality, especially after everything she’s been through to make her so strong. They truly saw the darkness in each other...
Like always, the chemistry and banter were on point, and the story didn’t shy away from either the emotional or spicy moments.
December 30, 2025
Marni Mann once again charms with her spicy and engaging storytelling in The Mysterious One. Her latest addition to the Weston Group series is simply fantastic, and Walker really holds his own alongside his brother, 'The Wildest One,' Beck.
As you might expect from Marni's books, the journey of Walker and Aliva toward their happy ending isn't without its hurdles. But believe me, it's absolutely worth every moment! I've always found Walker incredibly intriguing- he's dedicated and responsible, carrying the weight of the family business, while the others seem more relaxed and balanced in life.
However, things begin to change when Walker reaches his breaking point. So his younger sister, Eden, steps in with encouragement, urging him to take a breather and even suggesting he use an app to connect with someone and ease his stress.
That's how he meets Aliva- a vibrant, much younger woman who quickly sees something in Walker that resonates deeply with her. Despite being quite different in many ways, their shared sadness creates a powerful bond that helps them truly understand each other in a way no one else can. This special connection guides them toward their well-deserved happy ending.
However, before reaching that point, the couple faces numerous challenges. Yet, through it all, Aliva remains cheerful and optimistic- even when Walker is being a grump! And trust me, Alivia had plenty more reasons to be grumpy, having gone through some really tough times herself. Still, she never lets it get her down, and her story is genuinely heartfelt and emotionally moving. That resilience makes her happy ending with Walker all the more meaningful.
And as for Walker- well, he's just Walker, the possessive alpha we all want in our favourite book boyfriends and in life.
And with a perfect blend of spice, witty banter, and emotional depth, The Mysterious One truly has it all. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
My thanks to Valentine PR for the opportunity to read and early copy of The Mysterious One. All thoughts expressed are my own. 😊
As you might expect from Marni's books, the journey of Walker and Aliva toward their happy ending isn't without its hurdles. But believe me, it's absolutely worth every moment! I've always found Walker incredibly intriguing- he's dedicated and responsible, carrying the weight of the family business, while the others seem more relaxed and balanced in life.
However, things begin to change when Walker reaches his breaking point. So his younger sister, Eden, steps in with encouragement, urging him to take a breather and even suggesting he use an app to connect with someone and ease his stress.
That's how he meets Aliva- a vibrant, much younger woman who quickly sees something in Walker that resonates deeply with her. Despite being quite different in many ways, their shared sadness creates a powerful bond that helps them truly understand each other in a way no one else can. This special connection guides them toward their well-deserved happy ending.
However, before reaching that point, the couple faces numerous challenges. Yet, through it all, Aliva remains cheerful and optimistic- even when Walker is being a grump! And trust me, Alivia had plenty more reasons to be grumpy, having gone through some really tough times herself. Still, she never lets it get her down, and her story is genuinely heartfelt and emotionally moving. That resilience makes her happy ending with Walker all the more meaningful.
And as for Walker- well, he's just Walker, the possessive alpha we all want in our favourite book boyfriends and in life.
And with a perfect blend of spice, witty banter, and emotional depth, The Mysterious One truly has it all. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
My thanks to Valentine PR for the opportunity to read and early copy of The Mysterious One. All thoughts expressed are my own. 😊
December 30, 2025
How do you put the pieces back together when they’re not only shattered, but unrecognizable, and they no longer fit perfectly together? ─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
The Mysterious One (The Weston Group, #3)
by Marni Mann
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Wow!!!
This novel is incredibly good.
Full transparency: there were 2 major things that irked the sh•t out of me… however, they did not ‘ruin’ the book or anything off the wall like that. They would be big spoilers to mention, so let’s not go there. That being said, damn damn damn… what a story.
𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗘𝗥 is my new fave (probably until the next book in this series comes out😂, we all know how that goes.)
𝗔𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗮 is also great. I normally don’t love a main female character that’s younger that 25 in an age gap simply because I find a lot of authors tend to ‘dumb down’ or infantilize them to make the character seem young. That was not at all the case here. Thankfully!
Excellent flow. Great dialogue. Well done spicy content
•••••
Hard subjects are broached- so if you have known triggers and don’t see them as spoilers- ya might want to check those out.
•••••
It was so great to read this one. Simply delicious!
• Opposite Sides of the Track
•Tragic Past
•Age gap
•Close Proximity
•Kitchen Scenes
•He Hand Feeds Her
And So Much More
4.5 stars rounded up
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
“Because I won’t be gentle. I’ll fuck you so hard and so fast and so deep, if you think you couldn’t breathe before, this will be far worse.”
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴.* :☆ﾟ. ───
The Mysterious One (The Weston Group, #3)
by Marni Mann
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Wow!!!
This novel is incredibly good.
Full transparency: there were 2 major things that irked the sh•t out of me… however, they did not ‘ruin’ the book or anything off the wall like that. They would be big spoilers to mention, so let’s not go there. That being said, damn damn damn… what a story.
𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗘𝗥 is my new fave (probably until the next book in this series comes out😂, we all know how that goes.)
𝗔𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗮 is also great. I normally don’t love a main female character that’s younger that 25 in an age gap simply because I find a lot of authors tend to ‘dumb down’ or infantilize them to make the character seem young. That was not at all the case here. Thankfully!
Excellent flow. Great dialogue. Well done spicy content
•••••
Hard subjects are broached- so if you have known triggers and don’t see them as spoilers- ya might want to check those out.
•••••
It was so great to read this one. Simply delicious!
• Opposite Sides of the Track
•Tragic Past
•Age gap
•Close Proximity
•Kitchen Scenes
•He Hand Feeds Her
And So Much More
4.5 stars rounded up
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
“Because I won’t be gentle. I’ll fuck you so hard and so fast and so deep, if you think you couldn’t breathe before, this will be far worse.”
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴.* :☆ﾟ. ───
December 30, 2025
Marni does it again! There seriously isn’t a book that I’ve read by Marni that I didn’t devour and this one is no different 👏🏻
A billionaire chef who doesn’t do relationships but ends up falling SO HARD for his new server that was his one night stand?! YES PLEASE 🔥
Walker is a famous billionaire chef, but lately has been losing his passion in the kitchen. His family suggests signing up for a hookup app and clear his mind for a few days. What he doesn’t expect is for it to actually work.
Alivia meets with Walker and they spend two incredible nights together, but go their separate ways. That is until she starts her new serving job and it’s for the restaurant that Walker owns and runs.
These two have so much chemistry, but Walker tries hard to resist her. But being around her is the only thing that brings him happiness. When he finally allows himself to give him - these two are HOT! Both in and out of the kitchen. I mean a hot kitchen scene?! DANG 🥵
This book was just SO GOOD! From the swoon + spice to the emotional pasts that Alivia struggled with and everything Walker was going through. Walker was so protective of her and I loved every minute of it! 😍
This is MUST read if you love:
💰Billionaire Romance
💥One Night Stand
🔪Workplace
😈Age Gap (12yrs)
🧎Boy Obsessed
Spice: 3.5 🌶️
A billionaire chef who doesn’t do relationships but ends up falling SO HARD for his new server that was his one night stand?! YES PLEASE 🔥
Walker is a famous billionaire chef, but lately has been losing his passion in the kitchen. His family suggests signing up for a hookup app and clear his mind for a few days. What he doesn’t expect is for it to actually work.
Alivia meets with Walker and they spend two incredible nights together, but go their separate ways. That is until she starts her new serving job and it’s for the restaurant that Walker owns and runs.
These two have so much chemistry, but Walker tries hard to resist her. But being around her is the only thing that brings him happiness. When he finally allows himself to give him - these two are HOT! Both in and out of the kitchen. I mean a hot kitchen scene?! DANG 🥵
This book was just SO GOOD! From the swoon + spice to the emotional pasts that Alivia struggled with and everything Walker was going through. Walker was so protective of her and I loved every minute of it! 😍
This is MUST read if you love:
💰Billionaire Romance
💥One Night Stand
🔪Workplace
😈Age Gap (12yrs)
🧎Boy Obsessed
Spice: 3.5 🌶️
December 31, 2025
Things are about to get hot in the kitchen – and we’re not just the dishes - for chef Walker Weston when his latest hook-up walks into his restaurant as the new waitress.
The Mysterious One was a deliciously angsty romance about a chef on the edge, and the girl who swooped just in time to rescue him. Walker was a man on the verge of a breakdown, suffocated by his family's ambitions for their ever-growing culinary empire which piled more and more pressure on him as the executive chef. They just didn’t seem to realise just how close he was to the edge – a two-week vacation wasn't going to cut it or miraculously heal him, especially when they yanked him back in after just a couple of days. What Walker needed was a pinch of passion, a dash of excitement, and a whole lot of Alivia. They met on a hook-up app, and for one glorious night, Walker forgot his troubles. Alivia had no idea who he was, and Walker loved her for it – she saw him, not his celebrity chef persona. She brought a much-needed spark to his life, reigniting his passion and helping him find freedom from his emotional burdens. As they navigated their whirlwind romance they grew together as Alivia helped Walker rediscover his love for cooking, and he returned the favour helping Alivia to find the courage to pursue her dreams and together theirs was a match made in culinary heaven.
The Mysterious One was a deliciously angsty romance about a chef on the edge, and the girl who swooped just in time to rescue him. Walker was a man on the verge of a breakdown, suffocated by his family's ambitions for their ever-growing culinary empire which piled more and more pressure on him as the executive chef. They just didn’t seem to realise just how close he was to the edge – a two-week vacation wasn't going to cut it or miraculously heal him, especially when they yanked him back in after just a couple of days. What Walker needed was a pinch of passion, a dash of excitement, and a whole lot of Alivia. They met on a hook-up app, and for one glorious night, Walker forgot his troubles. Alivia had no idea who he was, and Walker loved her for it – she saw him, not his celebrity chef persona. She brought a much-needed spark to his life, reigniting his passion and helping him find freedom from his emotional burdens. As they navigated their whirlwind romance they grew together as Alivia helped Walker rediscover his love for cooking, and he returned the favour helping Alivia to find the courage to pursue her dreams and together theirs was a match made in culinary heaven.
Review of advance copy
"sʜᴇ ʀᴇᴋɪɴᴅʟᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴅᴇsɪʀᴇ ɪ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ɪ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɢᴇᴛ ʙᴀᴄᴋ. sʜᴇ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴍᴇ ғᴇᴇʟ. sʜᴇ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴇ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ. ᴀɴᴅ sʜᴇ ʀᴇᴍɪɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪᴛ ᴡᴀs ᴀʟʟ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴛ."
The Queen of Spice has done it once again!! Walker Weston was one dirty talking book boyfriend, I just couldn't get enough of the grumpy chef!! I've been so curious about Walker since we were first introduced to him and the elusive, workaholic did not disappoint.
Walker is explosive and has lost his love for cooking, the ultimate burnout but his siblings refuse to let it continue so enter the "HOOKED" app thanks to his sister. Did he find the perfect match? Yes, he sure does. Alivia has had a rough upbringing and is doing everything in her power to make her life better but when she's matched with Whiskey35 things take a minor detour. These two were sizzling, explosive, absolutely enchanting and I was here for every delicious morsel of their interactions!
“ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ’s ɴᴏ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ɪ’ᴅ ʀᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ʙᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ʜᴇʀᴇ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ’s ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ sᴛʀᴏɴɢᴇʀ, ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ, ᴍᴏʀᴇ ʟᴏᴠɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴀʀᴍs.”
I loved watching Walker's love for cooking become reignited by his relationship with Alivia and I loved watching Alivia grow to become the amazing woman she already was just standing her ground and taking what she deserved!
“ʏᴏᴜ’ʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇʀᴏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs sᴛᴏʀʏ. ᴏᴜʀ sᴛᴏʀʏ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀɴ ᴡʜᴏ sᴀᴠᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ. ᴡʜᴏ ᴘᴜʟʟᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀʀᴋɴᴇss ᴀɴᴅ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ʟᴇᴛ ᴍᴇ ʀᴇᴛᴜʀɴ. ᴍʏ ᴡʜɪsᴋᴇʏ, ᴍʏ ᴡᴀʟᴋᴇʀ—ʏᴏᴜ’ʀᴇ ᴍʏ ʜᴀᴘᴘɪʟʏ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ɪ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴅᴇsᴇʀᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ғᴏʀ ɴᴏᴡ.”
If you're obsessed with a grumpy/sunshine, billionaire, age gap, close proximity, opposites attract romance that will have you consumed by the story and the love that exudes from the pages.... then pull up a chair and indulge in this decadent 5 star read!
The Queen of Spice has done it once again!! Walker Weston was one dirty talking book boyfriend, I just couldn't get enough of the grumpy chef!! I've been so curious about Walker since we were first introduced to him and the elusive, workaholic did not disappoint.
Walker is explosive and has lost his love for cooking, the ultimate burnout but his siblings refuse to let it continue so enter the "HOOKED" app thanks to his sister. Did he find the perfect match? Yes, he sure does. Alivia has had a rough upbringing and is doing everything in her power to make her life better but when she's matched with Whiskey35 things take a minor detour. These two were sizzling, explosive, absolutely enchanting and I was here for every delicious morsel of their interactions!
“ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ’s ɴᴏ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ɪ’ᴅ ʀᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ʙᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ʜᴇʀᴇ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ’s ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ sᴛʀᴏɴɢᴇʀ, ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ, ᴍᴏʀᴇ ʟᴏᴠɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴀʀᴍs.”
I loved watching Walker's love for cooking become reignited by his relationship with Alivia and I loved watching Alivia grow to become the amazing woman she already was just standing her ground and taking what she deserved!
“ʏᴏᴜ’ʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇʀᴏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs sᴛᴏʀʏ. ᴏᴜʀ sᴛᴏʀʏ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀɴ ᴡʜᴏ sᴀᴠᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ. ᴡʜᴏ ᴘᴜʟʟᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀʀᴋɴᴇss ᴀɴᴅ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ʟᴇᴛ ᴍᴇ ʀᴇᴛᴜʀɴ. ᴍʏ ᴡʜɪsᴋᴇʏ, ᴍʏ ᴡᴀʟᴋᴇʀ—ʏᴏᴜ’ʀᴇ ᴍʏ ʜᴀᴘᴘɪʟʏ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ɪ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴅᴇsᴇʀᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ғᴏʀ ɴᴏᴡ.”
If you're obsessed with a grumpy/sunshine, billionaire, age gap, close proximity, opposites attract romance that will have you consumed by the story and the love that exudes from the pages.... then pull up a chair and indulge in this decadent 5 star read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Mysterious One (The Weston Group #3) by Marni Mann. Walker has been a powder keg due to the stress of not only being the eldest of the Weston siblings but a renowned chef. After an extremely stressful night at the restaurant Walker is calling it quits. When his sister comes up with a plan, Walker ends up meeting Alivia. Alivia decides to escape her life for one night from an alcoholic neglectful mother and an equally alcoholic, as well as verbally abusive step father. Alivia just wants to get a free moment from the chaos of her home life. She wants out. Walker wants out of the chaos of the many responsibilities he must handle with being an extremely accomplished chef and entrepreneur. The two of them end up spending some time together. The sexual attraction is off the charts and Walker can not get enough of Alivia. However when their paths cross again the attraction is still there. Getting to know Walker and Alivia's story together and individually was so good. Walker has his issues but Alivia's are enough to make a person want to not only cry but also want to fight. Such a good story. Good from the beginning to the end. Matter a fact I finished this book in one night. 5 stars for me.
December 29, 2025
This is a perfect grumpy/sunshine and opposite attract, but where two people who are trying to escape life are brought together. It was only supposed to be a one night stand, but deep down it was so much more.
Walker Weston (Whiskey) was an executive chef for his families five star restaurant and he was burnt out. He was loud and taking it out on his staff and everyone around him. He couldn’t find his passion anymore, so his sister told him to take time off and escape with a woman for a night.
Alivia has a rough home life. She dreams of being in the kitchen and hoping to save enough money to move out of her toxic home life soon. So when a perfect match lands on an app she forgot about, she needs the escape.
These two are electric together. She gets him to laugh, something he hasn’t done in a long time. And she is sassy, she tells him like it is, something people don’t do and it’s refreshing. And he spoils her, takes care of her. Their bodies sing together, it’s hot! But they also blend and flow so well together and so easily. They find it hard to stay away from one another and he wants to protect her. And she calms him and helps him find his passion in the kitchen again..in more ways than one.
This story is tragic, it’s spicy, it’s electric, and it’s addictive. You can’t put it down and you are cheering them on and rooting for a HEA.
Walker Weston (Whiskey) was an executive chef for his families five star restaurant and he was burnt out. He was loud and taking it out on his staff and everyone around him. He couldn’t find his passion anymore, so his sister told him to take time off and escape with a woman for a night.
Alivia has a rough home life. She dreams of being in the kitchen and hoping to save enough money to move out of her toxic home life soon. So when a perfect match lands on an app she forgot about, she needs the escape.
These two are electric together. She gets him to laugh, something he hasn’t done in a long time. And she is sassy, she tells him like it is, something people don’t do and it’s refreshing. And he spoils her, takes care of her. Their bodies sing together, it’s hot! But they also blend and flow so well together and so easily. They find it hard to stay away from one another and he wants to protect her. And she calms him and helps him find his passion in the kitchen again..in more ways than one.
This story is tragic, it’s spicy, it’s electric, and it’s addictive. You can’t put it down and you are cheering them on and rooting for a HEA.
December 31, 2025
this book had me in a freaking chokehold! I could not put this book down and almost pulled an all-nighter finishing it! This entire book was pure perfection from start to finish and was such a beautiful and emotional story. I just love the one night stand to lovers trope because ever since they saw each other in at the hotel room door they were CHANGED and no I’m not being dramatic because this book did the love at first sight thing so well!
Alivia and Walker are the true definition of made for each other and their chemistry is so damn beautiful. He’s a famous chef who’s grown sick of his job and she’s a struggling waitress who loves cooking. They both have their own traumas yet they fit perfectly together. He’s this grumpy asshole chef (kinda giving where’s the lamb sauce Gordon Ramsey so he screams a lot) and he agrees to stop yelling in the kitchen because it triggers her. And the character development was top tier! The way she is his inspiration, how seeing her love cooking, is making him love cooking again just the most tearful masterpiece of a plot device ever. He helps her achieve her dreams and it’s so sweet! Walker is everything I want in a man, and he cooks too! The plot, the characters, the writing? It was all just amazing. I loved everything about this book and I give it a 5/5!
Alivia and Walker are the true definition of made for each other and their chemistry is so damn beautiful. He’s a famous chef who’s grown sick of his job and she’s a struggling waitress who loves cooking. They both have their own traumas yet they fit perfectly together. He’s this grumpy asshole chef (kinda giving where’s the lamb sauce Gordon Ramsey so he screams a lot) and he agrees to stop yelling in the kitchen because it triggers her. And the character development was top tier! The way she is his inspiration, how seeing her love cooking, is making him love cooking again just the most tearful masterpiece of a plot device ever. He helps her achieve her dreams and it’s so sweet! Walker is everything I want in a man, and he cooks too! The plot, the characters, the writing? It was all just amazing. I loved everything about this book and I give it a 5/5!
January 8, 2026
Marni does it again!! I enjoyed the story of Alivia and Walker and the audio had me hooked. Both dealing with challenges in their lives, they needed a break. The two meet through a dating app. What was supposed to be a one time distraction and escape quickly became an everyday need and desire. A desire to learn about, support one another, and much more. This wasn’t my first time listening to CJ Bloom and Jason Clarke but I knew they were going to bring the characters to life. IMO both are amongst the best to narrate in dual style narration. Jason has one of the best femme voices and is so versatile and CJ keeps up and matches the talent and the energy. Age-gap, grumpy yet soft and protective, angsty, and the spice? Oh my goodness listening to the spice scenes had me blushing each time. I love Marni’s work. I need to listen to it again!
Thank you to Valentine PR and Marni Mann for the ALC!
Thank you to Valentine PR and Marni Mann for the ALC!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 508 reviews