Decrypted

by Meribeth Richards

Love wasn't in the program -

but she rewrote the code.

Grumpy, single dad Lincoln Fisher is finished looking for love. The constant dating scene is taking a toll on him and keeping him from spending precious time with his daughter, Charlie. So when his most recent date ends as a dud, the much younger woman who accidentally stumbles into the men's restroom is exactly the one night stand he needs. He can have a night of fun and then focus on his daughter, his reclusive mom, and the cybersecurity company he owns with his brothers. 

Recent college graduate Sierra Thomas is ready for a fresh start. Transplanting herself to the small town of Cheatham, Kentucky to be a nanny for a single dad raising his sassy six-year-old  and caring for his grief-stricken mother seems like the right move. Ready for a new life, Sierra kicks things off by looking for love. Unfortunately, when her date turns out to be the literal worst, she finds herself crying in the bathroom instead of panting in the bedroom. That is, until an older stranger makes her a deal she can't refuse - one single night.

Or so they thought...

When Sierra shows up for duty at the adorable farmhouse she'll be calling home, the last person she expects to see is the man who swore to be a stranger the night before. He's the single dad. And she's the nanny. 

373 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 3, 2026

Reviews

[Twinkle.butt.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“So I hooked up in the bathroom with the man I’m interviewing with…”
And honestly? That sentence alone tells you exactly what kind of ride Decrypted is.

Meribeth Richards delivers a sharp, spicy, laugh-out-loud romance that blends workplace tension, sizzling chemistry, and just enough chaos to keep you flipping pages like your dignity depends on it. The banter is top-tier, the attraction is immediate (and unapologetic), and the decisions? Questionable in the most entertaining way possible.

What I loved most is that this book knows exactly what it is. It doesn’t pretend to be slow burn or overly polite. The characters are confident, flawed, impulsive, and very aware of the sparks flying between them—even when they probably should not be acting on them. The power dynamics are handled with intention, and the emotional layers underneath the heat give the story real substance.

Yes, it’s spicy. Yes, it’s messy. And yes, I was fully invested from page one.

[Meranda McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved this book and look forward to reading more by Meribeth Richards. The story was well written and had me not wanting to put it down until I had finished. The characters were top notch and I loved the ending.

[Rebecca Gulley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lincoln needs a nanny, but what he doesn’t realize is that the woman about to show up on his doorstep is the same one he had a one-night stand with.

Sierra’s first day starts off anything but ordinary. Her very first task? Get Lincoln’s mother out of the house and fast. When she succeeds, the tension between them becomes impossible to ignore.

Their story is filled with heat, longing, and irresistible chemistry that will keep you turning the pages, wondering who will finally give in to what they both want.

If you love an age-gap romance with a single dad/nanny dynamic, be sure to check out Decrypted.

[Jordan Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

[ARC Review]

First, thank you for trusting me to read and review your work before it’s released 🩶

I loved the banter between Lincoln and Sierra, I loved that she took on the role as Charlie’s mom and gave her the love she deserved. I absolutely cannot wait until book three is released!

[DoleWhipDolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My best friend Meribeth, knows sappy romances are not my thing, but her storytelling hooks me in every time. This second book in the series was right up my alley with the daddy dom who knew exactly what to say. I can’t wait for the third installment. Keep the spice coming! And the Fishers cumming.

[Kassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohh this was a fun quick read. Thank you to the author for giving me an arc of this book!
I loved the back and forth banter and the longing and tension!

I love a good single dad/ nanny trope and this book did not disappoint.

The fierceness that Lincoln had for her and how protective he was of her especially regarding the fat shaming she received was one of my favorite attributes in the book!

Really excited to see what else this author puts up I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next book!

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, but dark and spicy! I loved Decoded and don't usually like a second book more but I definitely loved Decrypted more. Now I am even more excited to see what happens in book three. They can be read as a standalone but I feel it's much better to start with Decoded as the characters are in all the books and it just helps to keep building their characters as you go along.

[Kay Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! This book was so damn good. I love the relationship between Lincoln and Sierra. Charlie is the sweetest little bit ever. Seriously this book had me crying, laughing and yelling like a mad man! 6 stars all day long.

[Andrea Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did not disappoint! Lincoln and Sierra’s story is fully of love, chemistry and spice. The banter between all the characters is great. Charlie is the cutest and just adds to the story. Maribeth has easily become one of my favorite authors!

[Samantha Fenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review to follow but WOW!

Guys go dive into book 1 Decoded in preparation!

[Jess Blanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE this story!

It's the second in the Fisher Brothers Phishing For Love interconnected standalone series.

I really liked Decoded, but I feel that Decrypted shows the POTENTIAL and BRILLIANCE of the author!

The chemistry between Sierra and Lincoln is hot and fun!
Charlie is probably my ALL TIME FAVORITE book kid! There wasn't a scene with her that I didn't love! Which includes the scenes from the previous book!

I was really looking forward to Lincoln's story since reading the first brother's (Keaton and Anna) story!
I'm really impressed that the author did so well with the difference in writing style to capture the brothers' different personalities.
Now I'm even MORE excited to read the next brother's (Camden and Skyla) story! There were quite a few scenes that set up their story without it being obvious- which I appreciate as it's a kind of unusual feat.

Often I feel with interconnected standalones (especially of brothers) each book is the same with just enough difference in plot to be separate. I appreciate that I didn't FEEL any repetitive story-telling.

While these are clearly standalones, I don't recommend reading one without the other!
You literally won't miss or gain any extra information, it just shows the relationships in such a complete and beautiful way!

[Emma Clouten · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
*Curvy FMC
*One night stand
* Grumpy Single Dad
*Mental Health Representation

Well this book had me hooked from the first chapter this book is packed full of hot spicy moments as well as great banter and a great plot with plot twists aswell which i loved. Lincoln is a single dad who looks after his daughter and mother who has depression and anxiety since his father passed. Lincoln is on a date that isn't going great. Sierra has just gotten into town and is on a date that goes from bad to worse in seconds when the date arrives and starts body shaming her. One thing leads to another her and Lincoln end up sleeping together but don't share names.

They both get a shock when Sierra turns up to the farm house to start work as the nanny. I love how Sierra would be real sassy to Lincoln throughout the book to get under his skin. Lincoln showed Sierra how a real man should treat her and worship her. The connection between Sierra, Lincoln was something else they brought the best version of themselves out with one another. I loved Sierra's bond with Lincoln's daughter that last part of the book made me cry my eyes out.
This book needs to be on your 2026 TBR you wont be disappointed

I received this book as an ARC in return for my honest review

[Lynda Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decrypted

This is the second book in Meribeth Richards' " Phishing For Love" series and it is a winner. I loved the first book and this one gave me the same feels. Such great writing, amazing characters and a fun plot with lots of sass, spice, love and a touch of angst. I was so immersed that I didn't want to put it down.

Meribeth has again given us characters full of depth. Exploring grief and how everyone deals and moves on from great loss in their own way touched me deeply. The topics were covered with compassion but also with a determination to show that you can make it through.

Sierra and Lincoln have the type of chemistry that burns the pages and sorches your soul. Their passion is off the charts as is Sierra's sass. Oh my lord, I'm here for it.

And speaking of sass, my new all-time favourite child character is in this book. Charlie had me laughing from her very first line. And the rest of the characters envelop you and bring you deeper into their world.

This is a must read addition to a must read series and I highly recommend this book. 5 stars from me.

[RomanceLand65 · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a good book. in my last review i stated she's a baby author and needs the reader to know that. I stand by that. this book took a darker tone and it relates on a different direction than the first. the mc is a hot head. and I could not warm up to him. it also has a very heavy daddy kink. once again not my thing and definitely not her fault because I don't like that trope. yes I knew both dark and daddy were triggers but it was a lot more than I expected.
I truly loved all the characters in this book but the mc. especially the off characters. they play big roles in the story and future reads.
so in all if you enjoy the higher levels of certain tropes this is your book. daddy, dark and sex scenes.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I’ve packed my bags and I’m ready to move the Cheatham. I adore everything about this series. I love the characters, I love the spice, I love the setting, I just love all the love ❤️ The story of Lincoln and Sierra had me full of emotion. Their banter had me laughing out loud from the get go. The relationships had me in tears of sadness, but ultimately tears of joy. This was a truly enjoyable read and I cannot wait until Camden’s story is released!

[Jennifer Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute! And how sexy was Daddy Lincoln Sheesh 🥵 one night stand with a woman you didn’t know was your nanny? I mean come on. And Charlie…I’m not going to lie that 6 year old spitfire was probably my favorite character 🤣 Am I wishing for a book in the future with her? Yes. Yes I am. But seriously, this was a super cute story with a grumpy sunshine, Dom(sorta)/brat thing which called to my brat 😏 spice is like a 3🌶️. His dirty talk was excellent and their banter was on point.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I absolutely loved it. I read this without reading the first book and immediately got the first book after reading this. I loved the chemistry between every character, not just between the mains. Everything seemed to flow seamlessly and paced just right. Genuinely an enjoyable read. I rated this book a 5 because my rating would have been closer to a 5 than a 4.

[Ashley Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Single dad + nanny with an age gap, grief and loss rep, plus-size representation, a crazy ex, and family drama, this book truly had everything. The plot kept me guessing the entire time, and I genuinely didn’t know what was coming next. It was laugh-out-loud funny, emotionally layered, and extra spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️. I’m absolutely continuing this series and will be auto-reading this author from now on.

[Kelli Daines]

Finished in a day! Didn’t want to put the book down. Loved This story.

[Sharilyn Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful love story—but full of spice and f-bombs! Sierra and Lincoln meet and agree to one night, but she becomes his daughter’s nanny. They both have pasts with secrets and hardships that finally catch up to them, but a happily ever after is in the cards! Read the book! It’s hot, fun, and a lovely tale! ❤️🔥❤️

[Emily Knaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Daddy Lincoln and sassy, bratty Sierra!

Here I was thinking I was getting a cute nanny/single‑dad setup, and instead I got a full‑body emotional chokehold. This book opens with a one‑night stand that is so charged, so filthy, and so unexpected that when Sierra walks into Lincoln’s house the next morning as his new nanny… I swear I felt my soul leave my body. The tension is instant, chaotic, and absolutely addictive.

Sierra is fresh out of college, trying to figure out her life, and suddenly she’s nannying for a grumpy, closed‑off single dad who uses the word fuck like it’s punctuation. And honestly? It works. The banter, the frustration, the way they circle each other like they’re both terrified of wanting too much, it’s delicious.

And listen… the dynamic between Lincoln and Sierra? It’s brat/daddy perfection. She pushes his buttons just to watch him lose that careful control, and he meets her fire with this steady, commanding energy that had me kicking my feet. The spice is hot, it’s the kind that feels earned because it’s rooted in trust, tension, and the way he absolutely worships her curves. Their meet‑cute at the restaurant after both surviving terrible dates was the moment I knew I was done for. Two strangers, both annoyed, both vulnerable, both instantly drawn to each other in a way neither of them is ready for. It’s messy, magnetic, and sets the tone for everything that follows.

But what surprised me most was the heart underneath all that heat. Sierra doesn’t just fall for Lincoln; she becomes a quiet anchor for his whole family. Watching her gently help Sharon, Lincoln’s mom, move through her grief felt tender and real. Those scenes hit harder than I expected, and they gave the story so much emotional weight, especially as Sierra was grieving her own loss. Lincoln takes care of her too, he makes sure she feels valued and protected.

And Charlie… that little girl absolutely adores Sierra. Their bond is instant and pure, the kind that makes you root for this messy, mismatched trio to become something permanent. Every time Charlie reached for Sierra, every time Lincoln watched them with that soft, terrified look I absolutely melted.

Lincoln and Sierra fight their feelings with everything they have, but the pull between them is undeniable. It’s messy, it’s complicated, it’s hot, and it’s full of that “we shouldn’t, but we can’t stop” energy that makes nanny/single‑dad romances so addictive. I’m all here for the tension, found family, emotional healing, and a hero who swears like it’s a love language! It’s must read for age gap, nanny/single dad romance lovers! There’s twists, spice, and a whole lot of heart!

A huge thank you to Meribeth Richards for the early copy! Now I need to go back and read Decoded for Keaton & Anna’s story!

[Gazelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and while it can be read as a standalone, I really enjoyed getting a more in depth understanding of the characters. Lincoln is a single father who lives with her grief-stricken mother. He does have help from his siblings, but he still takes on a lot of responsibility that he probably shouldn't have to. I read lot of romantic suspense, so I did really enjoy that aspect of this book! While some think it was dark, I don't know I wouldn't classify it as dark. I might just be more versed in the darker romance world. I also wouldn't classify this a strong "daddy kink". Using the word "daddy" and "brat",etc during dirty talk or flirting is probably lower level "daddy kink". If this had been heavy "daddy kink" I probably wouldn't have finished it. This however didn't really phase me because there was so much more to the story. What I love about this book is it takes you on an emotional journey as the characters heal, grow and find happiness. Sierra is such a strong beautiful character who has dealt with a lot of hardships/loss but is still fighting to find a way to keep moving forward. I also love a good character that you can't wait for "Karma" to knock them back to reality and this gave me several! I also absolutely loved how Sierra helped Lincoln's mom to realize she had a lot of life left to live! Highly recommend this author and her books. I think they'll only continue to improve.

[Sabína · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vášnivá noc, keď ani jeden zo zúčastnených nechce vedieť meno toho druhého, sa hneď na druhý deň zmení na „Ty ma stalkuješ?“ Takto nejako prebehlo zoznámenie sa Lincolna Fishera s novou opatrovateľkou jeho 6-ročnej dcéry a zároveň psychologičkou pre jeho matku, Sierrou Thomas. Zvládne Sierra život pod jednou strechou s najväčším hundrošom pod slnkom? Obzvlášť keď k danej situácii má veľmi veľa ľudí čo povedať.

Autorke ďakujem za ARC. 🤍 Decrypted je druhá kniha v sérii Phishing For Love (interconnected standalone, takže nemusíte čítať jednotku, aby ste si užili dvojku) a vychádza už 3. 2.❗️

Ak hľadáte oddychovú knihu s plus-size hlavnou hrdinkou, skvelým banterom a trópmi ako single dad x nanny; found family; grumpy x sunshine, potom je tento príbeh presne pre vás. 🤩 Kniha sa čítala ľahko, chémia medzi hlavnými hrdinami „chémiovala“ tak akurát a do vedľajších postáv sa zamilujete snáď ešte viac než do tých hlavných.
Jediné, čo by som tejto knihe vytkla je to, že Sierra sa voči Lincolnovi stále správala ako brat (je na to nejaký adekvátny „posteľový“ pojem aj v slovenčine? 😳) aj v nevhodných situáciách mimo ich vzťahu-nevzťahu, a to mi trošku liezlo na nervy. A nejako som sa nevedela stotožniť ani s prezývkou Little Bit pre malú Charlie - škoda, že to nebolo nikde vysvetlené.

Inak je to však veľmi príjemné čítanie a určite dám niekedy šancu aj ostatným príbehom v sérii. 😊

[Ronne Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC!!

Sierra new to town and looking to unwind before her first official job as a nanny, finds herself in the wrong bathroom after a date gone bad with a misogynist man child. Lucky for her the hottie from the next table over is looking just as smooth as the wine his date spilled on him. Single Dad Lincoln, tired of the dating scene, is looking for a night of release and then just focusing on his daughter.

What was a great night of no names and mind blowing adult fun, turns into real life the next morning as Lincoln opens the door to his new nanny and finds Sierra standing there waiting! Sierra tasked with helping navigate a mother who has lost the love of her life and the will to live and an adorable sassy little girl who has captured her heart from the start, while trying to keep her job after spending the night with a daddy who isn't very happy she is there! On top of navigating their new dynamics, blast from their past come in threatening to tear them apart!

I enjoyed that this book had a sassy Curvaceous FMC almost as much as I enjoyed the sibling banter! Lincoln has two other brothers that kept the good times rolling!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really adored this book. It kept me laughing throughout and the spice was sprinkled all over like it was going out of style. Somehow there was still a great plot as well. An excellent follow up to Decoded.
I loved Lincoln and Sierra's dynamic of grump and brat. It provided tons of opportunities for banter and romantic moments as well. Watching Charlie and Sierra's relationship grow as well was beautiful.
Charlie is clearly a delight. I can picture a few kids I know in real life saying the same things she does. I think Sharon really steals the show though. She has some amazing one liners, and I was rooting for her overcoming her grief through the whole book.
I was really surprised how Richards is able to fit so many themes into one book and make them flow seamlessly. It's a fairly fast paced read, so it's hard to put down; you just want to find out who is going to say what outrageous thing next.
Decrypted is perfect for anyone who enjoys banter, a tattooed bad boy with a soft spot for his mama and daughter, a little bit of suspense and a whole lot of spice.

[Cakes by Ara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decrypted by Meribeth Richards is absolutely amazing and a second book in the series. The story follows Lincoln and Sierra, two people from very different social statuses who meet in the most incredible way. I really loved the remarkable way their paths crossed.
What would you do if a stranger you hooked up with one day suddenly became your boss? 👀 This book was completely unputdownable! I also loved how the families stood by one another — that sense of support added so much heart to the story.
The book was very easy to read and understand, yet deeply engaging. The romantic and intimate scenes were well written and vivid; I could clearly picture them as I read.
My favourite character was Sharon, Lincoln’s mother — she truly stood out to me.
Overall, this was an incredible read. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a cozy, happy, and satisfying romance. 📚❤️ Looking forward to book 3. Meribeth Richards is an amazing writer,her storytelling had me hooked from start to finish 👏

[Samantha Rasmussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the second book in her series. It features a plus size FMC and a stud muffin single 'daddy'. This book doesn't follow the typical romance novel where you get spicy scenes after 50% of the way through with a major breakup event in the last 25%. The story is entertaining and spicy. I love that the women in this series is very confident in their bodies despite not being 'perfect'. Their bodies are perfect to the men who worship them. She introduced this super sassy and smart little girl in the first book but you really felt connected to her in this one! It was a great way to create that found family for the main characters. Although this is a romance novel, it does talk about healing after losing a family member. The themes of healing and finding family where you didn't have one are strong and heartwarming. I can't wait for the next book about the youngest brother! If you are wanting a strong FMC with good banter between the MMC, healing vibes and spice; read this book!

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive this book as an ARC and honestly what a fun and quick read! Decrypted had me effortlessly turning (or swiping I guess) the page and was just emotional enough to tug on my mama heart! You don't always expect a great plot from such a spicy book but I really enjoyed everything this one had to offer! The spicy scenes were plentiful but not overwhelming and can we talk about how awesome the plus size representation was!? I love a book that can encourage body positivity without crossing the line into a fetish (no kink shaming here, this just isn't about that). I really enjoyed this book from start to finish and I hope we get to see Seirra and Daddy Lincoln again in another book of their own! I'm also really looking forward to reading Defended when it releases later this year!!

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lincoln and Sierra

Tropes:
* Small town
* Forbidden
* Off-limits
* Single dad x nanny
* One-night stand to more
* Boss x employee
* Suspense

Lincoln hires a nanny, but he doesn’t realise he already knows the woman arriving on his doorstep... (iykwim)

This book doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is.
OTT, filthy, potty language, ‘Daddy-dom’ kink, semi-public sex, and a wild, wild story.
There was a bit of suspense towards the end, which resolved in the best of ways… And honestly, this left me wanting to get to Cam’s story already!

I found myself giggling at times, blushing at others, but having a good time reading the whole way through.

Thanks Meribeth for the advance copy.

[FN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming romcom that strikes home! With the backdrop of nanny/employee, the banters and spice is on point. I can relate the FMC insecurities being a plus size, and i absolutely love her sassy personality and how she carries herself around and in conflict, despite some issues that nagging her down. MMC has some qualities that makes me adore him, and some that just makes me want to slap him hard on the face. What really lights up the story is thier friends and families especially the MMC's daughter and mom. I really like the scene where the brothers were discussing security issues and "roasting" the MMC indirectly. That was really epic and hilarious! i couldn’t stop laughing 😂

Im thankful to be given the opportunity to read this in advance.