When Lucy Winslow returns home to the small town of Whisper Grove for her beloved Nana’s funeral, she never expects to inherit an entire estate. Overnight, she goes from grieving granddaughter to sole beneficiary of a surprising fortune. But the real shock comes a few days later, when three incredibly hot men show up out of nowhere on her newly-inherited front porch.
Following a mysterious gas leak and then a devastating fire that leaves her displaced, Lucy finds herself as the unexpected fourth roommate staying in the guy’s house for the summer. Lucy tries not to give into her attraction, but Nash is the steady and caring type and Ren is optimistic, adding comedic relief while showing Lucy how to have fun again following her devastating loss. Colson is an angry mystery she can’t quite read, but is dying to figure out.
As the four grow closer, the secrets haunting Whisper Grove start to unravel. Strange incidents, whispered warnings and a creeping suspicion that someone doesn’t want Lucy to find out the truth. Now, Lucy must decide whether to fight for the men who have become her home or leave before her presence puts them all in danger.
Secrets of Whisper Grove – Kat Wilde ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars) Grief, secrets, danger, and three very different men who will absolutely ruin you. Secrets of Whisper Grove opens with grief that feels heavy and real. Lucy returns to her childhood home after losing her Nana—the woman who raised her—and from the very first chapter, the writing pulls you into that hollow, aching loneliness. The quiet house, the memories, the guilt for still being alive when Nana isn’t… it’s intimate and emotional in a way that immediately grounds the story. Then everything cracks wide open. A shocking will reading reveals Nana was far from the simple baker Lucy believed her to be, and almost overnight Lucy’s life shifts from quiet mourning to whispered threats, hostile relatives, and a growing sense that someone is watching her. Whisper Grove may look peaceful, but it’s crawling with secrets—and some of them are deadly. Enter Nash, Ren, and Colson. The three men who own the local landscaping business aren’t just small-town eye candy—they’re layered, complicated, and deeply bonded in a way that’s messy, honest, and unconventional. Nash is calm, steady, and protective—the emotional anchor. Ren is sunshine incarnate: warm, flirty, optimistic, and impossible not to fall for. Colson (Cole) is rough around the edges, controlling, guarded… and hiding more vulnerability than he wants anyone to see. The tension between Lucy and Colson is immediate and sharp—mutual irritation masking something far more charged. Meanwhile, Ren’s easy affection and Nash’s quiet strength pull Lucy in different directions, creating a slow-burn why-choose dynamic that simmers before it explodes. And when it does? 🥵 The spice is explicit, unapologetic, and emotionally charged. Power exchange, voyeurism, bi-awakening themes, and a raw intimacy between all parties make the romance feel dangerous in the best way. Nothing here feels thrown in for shock—it all ties back to character, trust, and need. What really elevates this book is the suspense. The gas leak, the near accident, the feeling that someone wants Lucy gone—it adds a constant undercurrent of dread that keeps you turning pages. This isn’t just spicy romance; it’s a story about survival, found family, and learning how to lean on others after profound loss. By the time the lines between grief, desire, danger, and healing blur, you’re fully trapped in Whisper Grove—and you won’t want to leave. Read this if you love: why choose / reverse harem small-town secrets forced proximity protective MMCs with trauma grumpy x sunshine x caretaker dynamics bi/poly dynamics suspense + spice emotionally wounded FMCs found family 🖤🌲🔥 Secrets of Whisper Grove is tender, filthy, intense, and addictive—and I will absolutely be continuing this series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Secrets of Whisper Grove by Kay Wilde ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
First and foremost, I want to thank Kat Wilde for gifting me an e-arc of Secrets of Whisper Grove and allowing me to read this ahead of release. This review is voluntary and all opinions are honest and my own.
This is a small town romance with a lil mystery and it was a perfect palate cleanser for me.
It felt a little fast paced or rushed towards the beginning but I think builds for the ending. It’s a cute little small town with the FMC working through grief and how Lucy navigates in a dynamic that Ren, Colson, and Nash already have established. Once they navigate that, I love seeing how each person offers a different element the other needs.
I do need to know what happens with Ember, Lawson and Reed because I’m intrigued by her missing story.
Lucy returns to Whisper Grove after the heartbreaking loss of her Nana, inheriting everything much to the dismay of her aunt and uncle. They go so far as to threaten her, convinced they deserve a share of what she’s been left. From the start, you can feel that something isn’t going to stay calm for long.
Nash, Ren, and Cole show up to discuss the remaining work at Nana’s house, and that first meeting? Rough. But when Lucy runs into trouble at the property, she turns to them. What starts as temporary help quickly turns into her staying with them, and that’s where everything really begins.
Ren is the emotional, sweet heart of the group. He leads with kindness and warmth, and you can feel how deeply he cares. Nash is the steady protector, grounded and strong in a way that makes you feel safe just reading about him. And Cole… Cole pretends he doesn’t care, but his feelings slip through every chance they get. Watching his guarded exterior crack was one of my favorite parts.
Lucy absolutely benefits from having these three men beside her during such a vulnerable time, but what I loved most was that it wasn’t one-sided. The men needed her just as much. Their dynamic didn’t feel like a simple romance; it felt layered, emotional, and full of small moments that carried real weight.
There were a couple of twists that genuinely surprised me and added tension throughout the story. Lucy’s reactions felt authentic, and watching the guys – even Cole – lean fully into protective mode showed just how strong their emotional bond had become.
The ending was not what I expected, which honestly made it even better. When I looked back, I had a few “ah-ha” moments that made everything click. Together, the guys built a strong foundation, and Lucy stepping into that space completed the group in a way that gave the whole story a true found-family feel. I received this book as an ARC and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
The sun peeking through the leftover clouds is shining right on them and there’s an unfamiliar feeling creeping in my chest.
Lucille aka Lucy- sweet and sassy! Loved her. She is back in Whisper Grove after the unfortunate passing of her beloved Nana. After inheriting Nana's house and land and an insanely rich bank account she’s trying to find her footing as her uncle and aunt make threats to “get what they deserve”. Enter suspense plot. The guys own a local company they run fixing houses and show up to follow up on her Nana's house work. Their first meeting didn’t go as planned and they dont start off on the right foot but quickly find their way. Due to a series of unfortunate events Lucy goes to stay with the guys until her Nana's house is fixed. I love when the boyfriends are boyfriends and their dynamics were perfect! They each offer each something different. The spice was chef's kiss!
Ren- the sweet golden retriever who would literally do anything for Lucy and the guys! I loved him! He truly made Lucy laugh and brought lightness to the story! His sad backstory only made me love him more! Nash- the strong, protector who also gets a little bossy and demanding in the bedroom… swoon! Colson- I love a broody man who puts off “I DGAF” attitudes but is also so down bad for Lucy! His secret project for her house was so meaningful and sweet. I loved his and Lucy’s dynamic and the chemistry.. of the chart.
I loved the nicknames they had for each other! The group play was so freaking HOT!!
The ending was suspenseful and kept me seated! I didn’t want to put it down. I also hope we get an Ember, Lawson and Reed story next!
This was an easy read with found family vibes that I really enjoyed!
4.5⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Tropes: Why Choose MMMF DP “Good Girl” “Sweet Boy” Dark, Suspense Small Town Found Family
Thank you to Twisted Chaos PR and Author Kat Wilde for eARC. All opinions are my own.
Three men to protect her. One killer in the dark. And a love rooted in danger. 💞🌱🔪
📖 Secrets of Whisper Grove by Kat Wilde ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes: 💞 Why Choose 🏡 Small Town 🌧️☀️ Grumpy × Sunshine 🐶☀️ Golden Retriever × Sunshine 🏠 Found Family 🔒 Forced Proximity 💑 “Boyfriends” Are Sort of Boyfriends
After her grandmother passes away, Lucy returns to Whisper Grove and unexpectedly inherits her entire estate. Still grieving, she’s trying to figure out her new life when three men—Nash, Ren, and Cole—show up at her porch to offer their condolences and help around the property.
Not long after, a series of “accidents” (including a gas leak) forces Lucy to move in with them, turning her into the fourth roommate in a house full of tension, comfort, and unexpected connection.
This story felt warm and comforting from the very first page, and I was hooked right away. Nash, Ren, and Cole all have very different personalities, but they balance each other—and Lucy—so well. Nash is steady and caring, Ren is optimistic and funny, and Cole is the grumpy one you slowly grow to understand. Together, they help Lucy rediscover herself.
The twists weren’t super shocking, but they definitely added more depth and intrigue to the story—especially once it becomes clear that Lucy might actually be in danger. That element made everything more intense and interesting.
I really enjoyed how, even with the spice, the emotional connection never gets lost. You can see how much they care for each other through the little day-to-day moments, not just the romantic ones. Their relationship feels genuine and supportive.
Overall, this was a sweet, engaging why-choose romance with great found-family vibes and just the right mix of comfort and heat.
Thank you Twisted Chaos and Kat Wilde for this ARC. 💕📚
First, I’d like to thank Kat Wilde and Twisted Chaos PR for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest and spoiler free review.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Thoughts: If you are looking for a sweet why choose romance with some suspense, then Secrets Of Whisper Grove will be perfect for you!
I really enjoyed the characters in this story. Lucy, Nash, Ren and Cole definitely stole my heart. This why choose relationship wasn’t just a simple love story. As a reader we get to learn how Nash, Ren and Cole came to be together and it definitely pulled at my heartstrings just seeing how much these men were so perfect for each other both emotionally and intimately. Each one of the men truly know each other and understand each other so well that it was so nice and refreshing to see that sort of connection in a romance story that involves multiple love interests. I felt like Lucy was a really nice addition to them all, even when things were a bit bumpy in the beginning with her and Cole, I felt like things worked out well in the end and she became yet another safe space for all of them.
I also really liked the mystery/suspense aspect of the story. It definitely had me in shock at certain points and also had me guessing along the way on who could be behind it all. Seeing how protective the men became over Lucy and how much they all just wanted to keep her safe and to just keep her in general proved how quickly they formed their little family together. I think a lot of readers are going to enjoy this story a lot and I cannot wait for everyone to meet Lucy, Nash, Ren and Cole.
Tropes: * Small toen romance * Mystery * Why choose (MMMF/MM) * Grumpy x sunshine * Golden retriever MMC * Forced proximity * Found family
Safety: Blood, gun violent, murder/attempted, suicides, grooming, loss of a parent, gruesome injuries, drugging, grief.
Returning to Whisper Grove after her grandmother passes away, Lucy doesn’t expect to inherit her fortune. Not long after that, Nash, Ren and Colson enter her life….
Now, these men are already in some form of a relationship, so the addition of Lucy definitely shook things up! It was shaky at first - that first meeting was disastrous, and just when you think it’s going to get better, then Cole and Lucy meet….
There’s attraction, resistance, sweet beginnings, lust, love and hopefully a little more. This was a sweet why choose - a bit of smut, a gradual growth of their relationship, and each character bringing their own strengths and challenges, but ultimately, all able to heal together and create a sweet found family. Of all the characters, I really like Ren, but I would have to say that Cole is my favourite. He was hard work to begin with, with by the end… bless….!
A bit more swords crossing than I usually prefer, a third-act break-up, and a twist that was a little expected, yet not. However, it was still very enjoyable.
But… I do want to know what’s happening with Ember, Miles and Reed!
Secrets of Whisper Grove by Kat Wilde was a pretty good read. For the most part, the book was really consistent. There were a couple of parts that were inconsistent or a smidge insufferable.
I thought that the FMC was overly snappy for no reason at times. I get it, the book is written with the FMC going through a grieving process. But one moment she's snapping at one of the MMC's early on, and later she's smugly sitting in a club while her friend chastisizes him.
Or later in the book, when something major happens to the FMC, and Colson (our beloved grumpy MMC) is suddenly ten toes down for her and frantic even though he couldn't careless about her.
It was just a bit off, but beyond those two big inconsistencies for me, the book was really good. Like really good. Great chemistry between Lucy and Ren with Nash.
The spice was there. Once they got involved with each other, it definitely there, but it wasn't like super detailed. Pretty fast paced spice scenes, especially to get back to the plot of the story.
Which at the end, wasn't quite the twist I was expecting. The ending was definitely full of surprises. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for book two for sure.
Thank you Kat and her PR time for giving me a chance to read this book. I did quite enjoy it, beyond those couple of blips.
Secrets of Whisper Grove by indie author Kat Wilde hit the book scene in an explosive way—and I’m not being dramatic. This suspenseful romance had me glued to my Kindle, heart racing, fully committed to saying “just one more chapter” until suddenly it was over and I was staring at the wall in shock. After losing her beloved nana, Lucy Winslow returns to Whisper Grove only to discover her nana left her everything. Cue the fallout. Her uncle and aunt are furious, the tension is thick, and nothing about Lucy’s homecoming is simple. Then enter Ren, Colson, and Nash—and from that moment on, Lucy’s world is flipped completely upside down. Each connection feels distinct and intentional, and watching the way each man finds his own path with Lucy is addictive. The chemistry? Explosive. The tension? Constant. You can feel it crackling off the pages. Kat Wilde does an incredible job weaving romance with suspense, keeping you guessing while pulling you deeper into Whisper Grove’s secrets. And that plot twist at the end? Absolutely was not ready for it. At all. If you’re looking for a book that grabs you fast, keeps you on edge, and leaves you desperate for more, Secrets of Whisper Grove needs to be on your TBR immediately. 🔥📖
This is a quick burn with nuanced relationships. Cole, Ren, and Nash have a previously established relationship, using that word lightly, in comes Lucy. And things start to reshape.
Lucy has just lost her grandma and inherited her house. They show up on her porch to talk repairs. However, first impressions aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.
After a second encounter and some weird things happening at Lucy’s house she ends up moving in with the guys while her house is being fixed.
Through circumstances outside their control she ends up extending her stay. Some of them come together without issue and with exaggerated ease. Some have a little more groundwork before it plays out smoothly.
I enjoyed the story. There is suspense and smut. Love how they all have different and interconnected relationships. It’s a fun time. But I did feel like some parts should have hit harder. But were kind of just glossed over. Otherwise it was fun time.
I received an ARC for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
This is one heck of a debut novel! Kat Wilde absolutely killed it with this one! I was immediately captured from the first chapter! It’s got all a girl needs in it!
We’ve got three hot men who like her and each other! 😉 A dark suspense aspect! A grumpy/sunshine duo And the cutest sweet man
We start with Lucy moving back home to take care of things because her nana passed. The strangest things start happening but thank goodness there are three men willing to help her through this scary time.
I loved the pacing of this book and I thought everything was perfect from beginning to end. The chemistry between the main characters is exactly what I like in my books. It’s the perfect dark why choose read with Suspense and mystery and a lot of spice 🥵.
I will definitely be continuing to check out all books released by this author.
And I’m so excited to learn more about Ember’s story!
Thank you so much twisted chaos PR and Kat Wilde for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 🖤
Secrets of Whispher Grove is a suspenseful, why choose romance with plenty of spice!
Lucy has moved back home after the death of her grandmother. While grieving and trying to decide her future she meets three men. Cole, Nash, and Ren are best friends that own a landscaping business together. After the death of their beloved client, Lucy's grandmother, they stop by to finish some projects they had started before her death. It is instant attraction, but Lucy has bigger problems coming. After some threats and a mysterious gas leak, Lucy calls the boys for help. What follows next is a wild ride of lust, love, and acceptance.
I enjoyed Kat Wilde's writing and she did a wonderful job portraying each character. All of them have their issues but they each bring something to the table to help each other heal. Cole was definitely my favorite.
Unfortunately, I saw the end coming a mile away. It was just a bit too obvious, but the story was still enjoyable.
If you like why choose with sword crossing, a little mystery, and drama this is the book for you.
Small Town Secrets and the Perfect "Why Choose" Dynamic Secrets of Whisper Grove by Kat Wilde is a beautiful, high-heat debut that balances raw emotion with a captivating "why choose" dynamic. The story opens with a portrayal of grief that feels incredibly real as Lucy navigates the loss of her Nana, and while the beginning moves at a breakneck pace, it builds perfectly toward the finale. I loved watching Lucy find her place within the established bond between Cole, Ren, and Nash; the "boyfriends-as-boyfriends" trope was a total highlight. Each man brings a unique element to the relationship, creating a spicy, interconnected love story that feels both vulnerable and intense. I’m already dying to know the story behind Ember, Lawson, and Reed! A huge thank you to Twisted Chaos PR and Kat Wilde for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Content Warning: Grief, loss of a loved one, stalking/threats, and explicit sexual content.
Secrets of Whisper Grove is a book I wouldn’t normally reach for. I’m not an RH girly, but I genuinely enjoyed this one. Each character felt layered and purposeful, never like they were added just for the sake of spice.
The FMC came across as age-appropriate, which I really appreciated. I loved that she’s feminine—she giggles, cooks, and embraces softness—but also has a bossy streak (seriously, don’t dirty her floors). The backstories were beautifully written, and I truly felt for these characters.
This small-town romance also weaves in a touch of mystery. While it wasn’t anything groundbreaking, it added some fun, suspenseful moments. If you love RH books and/or romance with a suspense element, I think you’ll enjoy Secrets of Whisper Grove.
Please check trigger and content warnings. This book does include spice and explores darker themes, including past abuse.
I received a copy of this book as an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Dark romance, why choose, found family. Very spicy MMMF story with an equal balance of plot. I think this book would be a great one for those new to the genre. It has a few dark elements throughout, but the main characters are just beautiful people. There isn't a lot of angst, and I was able to predict the mystery elements quite early on. I'm not too sure about the writing style. It's very polite, which just doesn't sit right for the dark romance genre to me, but it still works. I found it difficult to put the book down once I started. Would I buy it- Yes!
The book kind of reminded me of a spicy clue 😂 Lucy gets her grandmothers house and weird things start happening to her. She temporarily moves in with Nash, ren, and Cole as they work on her house.
To be honest, I’m a bit surprised with how things turned out with her aunt and uncle. So good job author keeping me guessing!
This book was super spicy with lots of mm. The spice was fantastic though. Loved the different relationships the men had with each other. I appreciated that they were blue collar, having their own landscape/restoration/construction business they did themselves.
I absolutely loved this book!! All the characters were very easy to fall in love with even though they were all different in their own ways. Law is my fav side character and I’m thinking he will be the next book cause we all know who he’s actually with *no spoilers* I was about 60% in and still wondering if this was gonna be tied up or a cliffhanger it’s safe to say that it doesn’t have a cliffhanger ending so I’m assuming these will be interconnected standalones. Cole, Ren & Nash will steal your hearts.
Wow! What a pleasant surprise. Went in completely blind and now I’m obsessed and can’t wait for the next box. I love me a good RH and this one was great and when the boyfriends are boyfriends say no more! I also love a good found family trope and this one really drove that home for me they way they were all interconnected and always had each others backs. Spice was phenomenal filthy and feral just the way it should be . This story has it all with some personal loss, grief some trauma. It was told in a compelling way that each twist and turn kept us filled with some suspense.
I’ve only gotten into why choose in the last few months and they’ve mostly been dark romance. But every so often a cozy one comes across my kindle. I just really loved the feel of this book. The setting, the characters, the vibes.
I liked the FMC, Lucy. She was genuinely cool and independent, but also vulnerable and emotional. So she felt real.
The three MMCs! Nash, Cole, and Ren. Each one felt unique in their personalities. Their dynamic with each other was great. It’s my favourite when the boyfriends are also boyfriends so this was *chef’s kiss* and each of them had a different dynamic with the FMC too. A good amount of spice to enjoy throughout!
The overall story/mystery wasn’t complex but it absolutely worked to keep things moving forward. A really enjoyable read from a debut author!
This book definitely teased something with some supporting characters too. So I look forward to a follow-up! 🤞🏻
Yall this book was HOT. I’ve truly never met a reverse harem that I didn’t love, and Secrets of Whisper Grove was no exception to that!
The FMC is dealing with/processing grief and has her 3 protectors there to help her through it. The characters felt real and raw (no pun intended) and I liked the world building. Small town romance and reverse harem is my new obsession.
OMG!!! This book was AMAZING! I devoured this book in no time. I am a sucker for why choose so I knew this book was right up my alley. Also, the nicknames throughout the book were perfection! Love. Darlin'. Rich Girl. Pookie. Sweet Boy.
Kat Wilde did a wonderful job on this book. I felt so many emotions while reading. I thought Lucy's story was told so well. I cannot wait for what comes next. I am so glad she got her HEA with Nash, Cole, and Red!
Inject this into my veins. This cozy yet sexy af world that Kat Wilde created with Lucy and her THREE (3) men is everything you could want out of a why choose romance with a suspense element. It leaves you wanting more and I can’t wait to see what she does with the rest of the characters in this world.
✨ARC review✨ thank you so much to Kat and Twisted Chaos for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing book.
First and foremost I need book two like yesterday. also please inject this straight into my veins cause it is ✨chefs kiss✨🤌 I absolutely will be thinking about this book for WEEKS and telling everyone I know to read it
I enjoyed reading this book. The pacing was nice and the storyline flowed well. I liked all of the characters. They each had very strong personalities. They certainly have hurdles to overcome, but they manage to do so together. I think that Ren was my favorite character. He loves so deeply and feels things so strongly. This romance has just enough suspense to keep you guessing.
Secrets of Whisper Grove is a great book that was easy to follow. Each character felt individualized and I think readers will find different reasons for loving each of the three guys. Our main character, Lucy, has just returned home after the death of her Nana. We get to experience some romance, suspense and a touch of mystery.
You experience some romance, suspense and a touch of mystery along with an unusual RH twist When Lucy returns home for her Nan's funeral she meets Cole, Ren, and Nash who are all boyfriends till they add Lucy to the mix. The mystery and suspense keeps you guessing who is messing with them. If you like RH romance with a little suspense and mystery you will like this book
Secrets is an under 300 page quick read at least for me it was. Lucy has just moved back to town when she meets Cole, Ren, and Nash. The guys already have an established relationship when they meet Lucy. Who they come to see as the missing part that they didn't realize was missing.
Secrets has suspense, family drama, love, sadness, and it's a why choose.