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The Ramblers of St. Claire #4
Secret Paths
One night was meant to be the end of it. It turns out it was only the beginning.
Peter
I do casual. I do charm. I do leaving before anyone starts asking awkward questions. Mandy was supposed to be a one off, a mistake wrapped in temptation. Instead she has taken up permanent residence in my thoughts, my bed, and the bits of me I normally keep firmly locked away. I am not a relationship bloke, but for the first time in my life I am not looking anywhere else either.
Mandy
Sleeping with your best friend’s brother is a terrible idea. Sleeping with the village’s most infamous flirt is worse. I know exactly how this ends and it is usually with hurt feelings and very awkward family dinners. But walking away from Peter turns out to be harder than giving in, especially when what we have feels anything but meaningless.
In the village of St Claire, secrets have a habit of finding the light. As lines blur and feelings deepen, Peter and Mandy must decide whether risking friendship, reputation, and their carefully built walls is worth the chance of something real. Secret Paths is a steamy small town romance about desire that refuses to behave and love that sneaks up when you least expect it.
It contains adult content, please read the content warnings. The book is set in England and written in British English.
Peter
I do casual. I do charm. I do leaving before anyone starts asking awkward questions. Mandy was supposed to be a one off, a mistake wrapped in temptation. Instead she has taken up permanent residence in my thoughts, my bed, and the bits of me I normally keep firmly locked away. I am not a relationship bloke, but for the first time in my life I am not looking anywhere else either.
Mandy
Sleeping with your best friend’s brother is a terrible idea. Sleeping with the village’s most infamous flirt is worse. I know exactly how this ends and it is usually with hurt feelings and very awkward family dinners. But walking away from Peter turns out to be harder than giving in, especially when what we have feels anything but meaningless.
In the village of St Claire, secrets have a habit of finding the light. As lines blur and feelings deepen, Peter and Mandy must decide whether risking friendship, reputation, and their carefully built walls is worth the chance of something real. Secret Paths is a steamy small town romance about desire that refuses to behave and love that sneaks up when you least expect it.
It contains adult content, please read the content warnings. The book is set in England and written in British English.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2026
About the author
Dani Elias
47 books278 followersDani Elias writes swoony, steamy British romance about women in their forties who are very good at some parts of life and quietly unravelling in others. Her FMCs are relatable, flawed, funny, and fully human. Some are plus size, some are not, but all of them are centred, desired, and allowed to take up space in their own love stories.
Set mostly in small towns, with the occasional city romcom, Dani’s books are written in British English and focus on emotional connection, lived-in chemistry, and intimacy that deepens the relationship rather than dominating it. Her heroes are usually golden retriever cinnamon rolls with a side of nerdy dorkiness, because frankly, that’s the dream.
Based in Carlisle (UK), Dani writes romances for readers who want grown up love, real bodies, real feelings, and proof that happily ever after does not come with an age limit.
Set mostly in small towns, with the occasional city romcom, Dani’s books are written in British English and focus on emotional connection, lived-in chemistry, and intimacy that deepens the relationship rather than dominating it. Her heroes are usually golden retriever cinnamon rolls with a side of nerdy dorkiness, because frankly, that’s the dream.
Based in Carlisle (UK), Dani writes romances for readers who want grown up love, real bodies, real feelings, and proof that happily ever after does not come with an age limit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
September 5, 2026
4🌟 | 2.5🌶️
There’s something so fun about watching a “just one night” arrangement slowly turn into something neither person can ignore.
The chemistry between Peter and Mandy was immediate, and their banter made their scenes especially entertaining. The best-friend’s-brother complication only made their attraction more tempting.
Peter’s transformation from carefree village flirt to a man genuinely questioning what he wants was probably my favourite part. Mandy was smart and guarded, and I liked that she didn’t simply overlook his reputation. Their connection grew naturally, with plenty of flirting, tension, emotion, and steam along the way.
The small-town atmosphere added another layer of fun, especially with all the gossip and secrets floating around. The dialogue kept the story moving and worked particularly well for their witty dynamic, while the quieter emotional moments gave the romance some extra depth.
Overall, this was a charming, steamy, and very enjoyable romance with a satisfying payoff.
~~~~
A sincere thank you to Dani Elias and Happily Booked PR for the ARC! 🥰📚
I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨
There’s something so fun about watching a “just one night” arrangement slowly turn into something neither person can ignore.
The chemistry between Peter and Mandy was immediate, and their banter made their scenes especially entertaining. The best-friend’s-brother complication only made their attraction more tempting.
Peter’s transformation from carefree village flirt to a man genuinely questioning what he wants was probably my favourite part. Mandy was smart and guarded, and I liked that she didn’t simply overlook his reputation. Their connection grew naturally, with plenty of flirting, tension, emotion, and steam along the way.
The small-town atmosphere added another layer of fun, especially with all the gossip and secrets floating around. The dialogue kept the story moving and worked particularly well for their witty dynamic, while the quieter emotional moments gave the romance some extra depth.
Overall, this was a charming, steamy, and very enjoyable romance with a satisfying payoff.
~~~~
A sincere thank you to Dani Elias and Happily Booked PR for the ARC! 🥰📚
I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨
September 7, 2026
“ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴛᴏᴘ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ꜱʜᴀʀᴇꜱ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʙᴇɴᴄʜ, ʏᴏᴜ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇʙᴏᴅʏ ᴡʜᴏ ᴋɴᴏᴡꜱ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴋᴇᴇᴘ ᴛʜᴇ ʙɪꜱᴄᴜɪᴛꜱ.”
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
SPICE: 🌶️ 1/5
Maybe Peter was a little too soft for me.
That is not Peter’s fault. Peter is lovely. Peter is charming. Peter develops feelings and decides to pursue them like a mature adult.
I, however, like my fictional men slightly unhinged.
Don’t fall for me first. Hate me first. Irritate me. Emotionally devastate me. Look at me like you’re deciding where to hide the body. THEN we are cooking. 🤣
That being said, I really enjoyed Peter and Mandy’s story. SECRET PATHS is a sweet, steamy, later-in-life small-town romance about two people who agree to one casual night and then proceed to be absolutely terrible at keeping anything casual.
“One night was meant to be the end of it. It turns out it was only the beginning.”
Ah yes, the most reliable lie in romance: “It’s only sex.”
✨ Small-Town Romance
✨ Love in Your 40s
✨ Best Friend’s Brother
✨ Secret Relationship
✨ Friends to Lovers
✨ He Falls First
✨ No Strings to All the Strings
✨ Meddling Family and Friends
Peter is St. Claire’s resident flirt. He does charm. He does casual. He does leaving before anyone develops feelings or starts asking terrifying questions like, “What are we?”
He does not do relationships.
At least, that’s what Peter keeps telling himself.
Mandy knows sleeping with her best friend’s brother is a terrible idea. Sleeping with a man who has built an entire reputation around avoiding commitment is an even worse one. She goes into their arrangement fully aware of how it will probably end: hurt feelings, damaged friendships, and some spectacularly uncomfortable family gatherings.
But attraction has never cared about common sense, and Peter and Mandy discover very quickly that walking away from one another is considerably harder than falling into bed together.
I really liked these two as a couple. Their chemistry was natural, their friendship gave the romance a strong foundation, and their more vulnerable moments added depth to what could have been a straightforward secret-fling story.
They begin with rules, boundaries, and the mutual insistence that neither of them wants anything serious.
Those poor, delusional fools.
Before long, Peter is thinking about Mandy constantly. She has infiltrated his thoughts, his bed, and all the carefully locked parts of himself he normally refuses to examine. The man who built his entire personality around leaving first suddenly isn’t looking at anyone else.
Not a relationship bloke, my a$$.
Watching Peter realize that his usual lifestyle was no longer what he wanted was one of my favorite parts of the story. He didn’t immediately transform from town flirt to perfect partner. He had to recognize that his feelings for Mandy were real, admit that he wanted more, and decide whether he was brave enough to risk rejection and fight for her.
And I will always root for a man who falls first, panics about it, and then eventually says, “Fine. Tie me down for life.”
Metaphorically.
Mostly. 👀
Mandy enters their arrangement with her eyes open. She knows Peter’s reputation and never convinces herself that she can magically change him. She doesn’t demand more than he offers, but she also doesn’t abandon her self-respect or fall at his feet simply because he finally discovers emotions.
THANK YOU, MA’AM.
She knows her worth. She understands that wanting someone doesn’t mean accepting whatever scraps they’re willing to give you. Peter has to make his own choices and show her what he actually wants.
This is one of the reasons I enjoy romances with older main characters. Peter and Mandy are in their forties. They have histories, established lives, and enough experience to recognize when someone is playing games. They may still make questionable decisions—because age does not cure romantic stupidity—but the conflict feels grounded in the emotional walls they’ve built rather than avoidable immaturity.
Their relationship also had a softness that suited them. They slowly became a safe place for one another, and I enjoyed watching the emotional intimacy creep in while both of them continued insisting that everything was completely casual.
Sure, Jan.
My only personal hesitation was that Peter occasionally felt a little too gentle for my particular brand of fictional-man brain rot. I wanted a touch more friction, tension, or emotional destruction before the softness fully took over.
Again, this is a ME problem.
Peter is behaving like a fairly emotionally healthy adult, and I’m standing nearby asking whether he could become vaguely threatening for enrichment purposes. I recognize that I am not the control group here. 😂
The small-town setting was also a lot of fun. I was so happy to return to St. Claire, where everyone knows everyone, family and friends are deeply involved, and the concept of privacy is largely theoretical.
Peter and Mandy genuinely believe they are being stealthy throughout this book, which is precious.
This is a small village. You probably cannot change shampoo without three people noticing and someone’s aunt launching an informal investigation. Yet these two are sneaking around as though the residents of St. Claire haven’t made other people’s business their primary source of entertainment.
Watching their relationship develop alongside the growing threat of discovery added humor and tension to the story. Secrets never stay buried for long in St. Claire, and naturally, they tend to surface at the least convenient moment possible.
The wider cast continued to make the village feel warm and lived-in. The meddling friends and family weren’t simply there to create drama; they reinforced the sense of community that makes this series so comforting. Beneath the gossip and interference, these characters genuinely care about one another.
SECRET PATHS balances that lighthearted small-town charm with deeper emotional moments. The romance is fun and sexy, but it also explores vulnerability, reputation, self-protection, and the terrifying realization that the person who was supposed to be temporary has become someone you can’t imagine losing.
Dani Elias writes relationships with a lot of heart. Peter and Mandy grew on me more with every layer they revealed, and I became increasingly invested as their supposedly meaningless arrangement turned into something neither of them could dismiss.
Was Peter unhinged enough to become my newest problematic book boyfriend? No.
Was he a caring man who recognized what he wanted, grew as a person, and fought for the woman he loved? Unfortunately, yes. Disgustingly healthy behavior. We hate to see it. 🤣
Overall, SECRET PATHS was an easy, heartfelt, and enjoyable read filled with romance, drama, secret rendezvous, meddling loved ones, and two people discovering that “no strings attached” becomes significantly less convincing when every available string is wrapped around their hearts.
I really wanted Peter and Mandy to get their happy ending, even if I personally would have appreciated one minor enemies-to-lovers incident and perhaps a tasteful threat.
Four stars for another lovely visit to St. Claire—and for reminding me that sometimes the charming man who falls first deserves a chance, even if he hasn’t committed a single morally questionable act in your honor.
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
SPICE: 🌶️ 1/5
Maybe Peter was a little too soft for me.
That is not Peter’s fault. Peter is lovely. Peter is charming. Peter develops feelings and decides to pursue them like a mature adult.
I, however, like my fictional men slightly unhinged.
Don’t fall for me first. Hate me first. Irritate me. Emotionally devastate me. Look at me like you’re deciding where to hide the body. THEN we are cooking. 🤣
That being said, I really enjoyed Peter and Mandy’s story. SECRET PATHS is a sweet, steamy, later-in-life small-town romance about two people who agree to one casual night and then proceed to be absolutely terrible at keeping anything casual.
“One night was meant to be the end of it. It turns out it was only the beginning.”
Ah yes, the most reliable lie in romance: “It’s only sex.”
✨ Small-Town Romance
✨ Love in Your 40s
✨ Best Friend’s Brother
✨ Secret Relationship
✨ Friends to Lovers
✨ He Falls First
✨ No Strings to All the Strings
✨ Meddling Family and Friends
Peter is St. Claire’s resident flirt. He does charm. He does casual. He does leaving before anyone develops feelings or starts asking terrifying questions like, “What are we?”
He does not do relationships.
At least, that’s what Peter keeps telling himself.
Mandy knows sleeping with her best friend’s brother is a terrible idea. Sleeping with a man who has built an entire reputation around avoiding commitment is an even worse one. She goes into their arrangement fully aware of how it will probably end: hurt feelings, damaged friendships, and some spectacularly uncomfortable family gatherings.
But attraction has never cared about common sense, and Peter and Mandy discover very quickly that walking away from one another is considerably harder than falling into bed together.
I really liked these two as a couple. Their chemistry was natural, their friendship gave the romance a strong foundation, and their more vulnerable moments added depth to what could have been a straightforward secret-fling story.
They begin with rules, boundaries, and the mutual insistence that neither of them wants anything serious.
Those poor, delusional fools.
Before long, Peter is thinking about Mandy constantly. She has infiltrated his thoughts, his bed, and all the carefully locked parts of himself he normally refuses to examine. The man who built his entire personality around leaving first suddenly isn’t looking at anyone else.
Not a relationship bloke, my a$$.
Watching Peter realize that his usual lifestyle was no longer what he wanted was one of my favorite parts of the story. He didn’t immediately transform from town flirt to perfect partner. He had to recognize that his feelings for Mandy were real, admit that he wanted more, and decide whether he was brave enough to risk rejection and fight for her.
And I will always root for a man who falls first, panics about it, and then eventually says, “Fine. Tie me down for life.”
Metaphorically.
Mostly. 👀
Mandy enters their arrangement with her eyes open. She knows Peter’s reputation and never convinces herself that she can magically change him. She doesn’t demand more than he offers, but she also doesn’t abandon her self-respect or fall at his feet simply because he finally discovers emotions.
THANK YOU, MA’AM.
She knows her worth. She understands that wanting someone doesn’t mean accepting whatever scraps they’re willing to give you. Peter has to make his own choices and show her what he actually wants.
This is one of the reasons I enjoy romances with older main characters. Peter and Mandy are in their forties. They have histories, established lives, and enough experience to recognize when someone is playing games. They may still make questionable decisions—because age does not cure romantic stupidity—but the conflict feels grounded in the emotional walls they’ve built rather than avoidable immaturity.
Their relationship also had a softness that suited them. They slowly became a safe place for one another, and I enjoyed watching the emotional intimacy creep in while both of them continued insisting that everything was completely casual.
Sure, Jan.
My only personal hesitation was that Peter occasionally felt a little too gentle for my particular brand of fictional-man brain rot. I wanted a touch more friction, tension, or emotional destruction before the softness fully took over.
Again, this is a ME problem.
Peter is behaving like a fairly emotionally healthy adult, and I’m standing nearby asking whether he could become vaguely threatening for enrichment purposes. I recognize that I am not the control group here. 😂
The small-town setting was also a lot of fun. I was so happy to return to St. Claire, where everyone knows everyone, family and friends are deeply involved, and the concept of privacy is largely theoretical.
Peter and Mandy genuinely believe they are being stealthy throughout this book, which is precious.
This is a small village. You probably cannot change shampoo without three people noticing and someone’s aunt launching an informal investigation. Yet these two are sneaking around as though the residents of St. Claire haven’t made other people’s business their primary source of entertainment.
Watching their relationship develop alongside the growing threat of discovery added humor and tension to the story. Secrets never stay buried for long in St. Claire, and naturally, they tend to surface at the least convenient moment possible.
The wider cast continued to make the village feel warm and lived-in. The meddling friends and family weren’t simply there to create drama; they reinforced the sense of community that makes this series so comforting. Beneath the gossip and interference, these characters genuinely care about one another.
SECRET PATHS balances that lighthearted small-town charm with deeper emotional moments. The romance is fun and sexy, but it also explores vulnerability, reputation, self-protection, and the terrifying realization that the person who was supposed to be temporary has become someone you can’t imagine losing.
Dani Elias writes relationships with a lot of heart. Peter and Mandy grew on me more with every layer they revealed, and I became increasingly invested as their supposedly meaningless arrangement turned into something neither of them could dismiss.
Was Peter unhinged enough to become my newest problematic book boyfriend? No.
Was he a caring man who recognized what he wanted, grew as a person, and fought for the woman he loved? Unfortunately, yes. Disgustingly healthy behavior. We hate to see it. 🤣
Overall, SECRET PATHS was an easy, heartfelt, and enjoyable read filled with romance, drama, secret rendezvous, meddling loved ones, and two people discovering that “no strings attached” becomes significantly less convincing when every available string is wrapped around their hearts.
I really wanted Peter and Mandy to get their happy ending, even if I personally would have appreciated one minor enemies-to-lovers incident and perhaps a tasteful threat.
Four stars for another lovely visit to St. Claire—and for reminding me that sometimes the charming man who falls first deserves a chance, even if he hasn’t committed a single morally questionable act in your honor.
September 3, 2026
Really enjoyed this one!
Peter and Mandy definitely weren’t supposed to turn into anything more than one night, but of course things never quite go to plan 😂
I really liked these two together. Peter starts off as the typical charming bloke who doesn’t do relationships, while Mandy knows getting involved with him is probably going to end badly. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes for either of them to pretend it’s just casual.
There’s plenty of chemistry between them and some lovely moments as they both start letting their guards down. I especially liked seeing Peter realise that maybe his usual way of doing things isn’t what he actually wants anymore.
The small-town setting worked really well too, especially with everyone knowing everyone else’s business and secrets having a habit of coming out at the worst possible time 😂
It was an easy, enjoyable read with romance, drama, plenty of steam and characters that I actually wanted to see get their happy ending.
If you enjoy small-town romance, friends-to-lovers vibes, a bit of family drama and a man who thinks he doesn’t do relationships until he meets the right woman, definitely give this one a go.
A really fun and steamy read! 💕📚
Peter and Mandy definitely weren’t supposed to turn into anything more than one night, but of course things never quite go to plan 😂
I really liked these two together. Peter starts off as the typical charming bloke who doesn’t do relationships, while Mandy knows getting involved with him is probably going to end badly. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes for either of them to pretend it’s just casual.
There’s plenty of chemistry between them and some lovely moments as they both start letting their guards down. I especially liked seeing Peter realise that maybe his usual way of doing things isn’t what he actually wants anymore.
The small-town setting worked really well too, especially with everyone knowing everyone else’s business and secrets having a habit of coming out at the worst possible time 😂
It was an easy, enjoyable read with romance, drama, plenty of steam and characters that I actually wanted to see get their happy ending.
If you enjoy small-town romance, friends-to-lovers vibes, a bit of family drama and a man who thinks he doesn’t do relationships until he meets the right woman, definitely give this one a go.
A really fun and steamy read! 💕📚
September 4, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Once again, Dani Elias writes a story with more characters you cannot help but fall in love with.
Peter and Mandy were so funny. Peter just not knowing what to do when he realizes he can’t pull the same stunts he does on one night stands and Mandy absolutely not making it easy on them. I loved their banter and chemistry and it was a blast watching these two idiots dance around their feelings for each other.
I enjoyed this book and I enjoy this series and I can’t wait see what she writes next.
Thank you to Dani Elias and Happily Booked PR for an advanced copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Once again, Dani Elias writes a story with more characters you cannot help but fall in love with.
Peter and Mandy were so funny. Peter just not knowing what to do when he realizes he can’t pull the same stunts he does on one night stands and Mandy absolutely not making it easy on them. I loved their banter and chemistry and it was a blast watching these two idiots dance around their feelings for each other.
I enjoyed this book and I enjoy this series and I can’t wait see what she writes next.
Thank you to Dani Elias and Happily Booked PR for an advanced copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 9, 2026
Honestly, Dani just never misses. I always have fun reading her books. They are ALWAYS so easy to fly through and are overall lighthearted but do have some depth as well. I can’t count how many books of Dani I’ve read but I think I’m well past 10.
This was once again a solid 4 stars for me.
I don’t know how Dani does it (especially considering the volume of her books I’ve read) but her characters are ALWAYS so well written and each of them is different!
Good writing that will make you smile, well built characters that can be relatable, a story that is realistic and very real life but is absolutely not boring or anything like that.
It was my second read of this series and now I understand the deal with Bernard 😂
I’m trying to keep my review quick for once.
Highly recommend for a quick and enjoyable read.
As always thank you Dani and Happily Booked
This was once again a solid 4 stars for me.
I don’t know how Dani does it (especially considering the volume of her books I’ve read) but her characters are ALWAYS so well written and each of them is different!
Good writing that will make you smile, well built characters that can be relatable, a story that is realistic and very real life but is absolutely not boring or anything like that.
It was my second read of this series and now I understand the deal with Bernard 😂
I’m trying to keep my review quick for once.
Highly recommend for a quick and enjoyable read.
As always thank you Dani and Happily Booked
September 3, 2026
Secrets Paths was such a great quick read! For this book to not be as long you get to see two characters grow, fall in love, and then decide if they want to fall in love lol! It definitely gives slow burn, secret relationship, sibling’s best friend, all the things!! I enjoyed reading this book and I’m happy with how it ended! This is my first read in this series and although it’s in a series, it’s a standalone so I didn’t feel lost or like everyone was in on a secret I had no idea about.
ANDDDD now I want some cottage pie 🤣
ANDDDD now I want some cottage pie 🤣
September 4, 2026
Peter is the village play boy, flirts plays the field but doesn’t do commitment. That is until Mandy. Watch Peter come to the realization that Mandy is everything is gut wrenching.
Mandy is a doctor and far too busy to get involved with the one man she knows has made a sport out of not getting involved. She did what she needed to do protect herself.
This book is full of wonderful banter, plenty of angst and spice as well. Of did I forget to mention Peter is Mandy’s best friends brother - my bad.
A great read
Mandy is a doctor and far too busy to get involved with the one man she knows has made a sport out of not getting involved. She did what she needed to do protect herself.
This book is full of wonderful banter, plenty of angst and spice as well. Of did I forget to mention Peter is Mandy’s best friends brother - my bad.
A great read
September 4, 2026
She has done it again, characters who you will fall in love with since page one. We have Mandy and Peter in this adventure and I am in love. They gave us a story to remember, a story that I will never forget. I laugh with this two, I was giggling and smiling, feeling worried at one point but all of it was part of the experience of this journey. This town, the people in it, Bernard for sure has stolen my heart. Mandy and Peter I shall miss you, you guys have made my day and given me a new faveorite book and couple from this amazing author♥︎
Review of advance copy
Do all Englishmen flirt like this?! I fear I may be on the wrong continent, if so!
I laughed. I love the dry wit! I cried happy tears. Seeing someone actively look at fear and make a choice is so powerful. Seeing someone be afraid and do the scary thing anyway will win points with me every time.
If this had been my first Dani Elias book, I would be fully shook, touched, and remade in one fell swoop! It is not my first, so I know the way Dani wields words is powerful, yet I was in no way prepared. She is a master wordsmith, elevating the mundane into something magical.
Thank you to Happily Booked for this incredible ARC.
I laughed. I love the dry wit! I cried happy tears. Seeing someone actively look at fear and make a choice is so powerful. Seeing someone be afraid and do the scary thing anyway will win points with me every time.
If this had been my first Dani Elias book, I would be fully shook, touched, and remade in one fell swoop! It is not my first, so I know the way Dani wields words is powerful, yet I was in no way prepared. She is a master wordsmith, elevating the mundane into something magical.
Thank you to Happily Booked for this incredible ARC.
September 13, 2026
Many was everything Peter didn’t know he needed. And I loved that. Him the type flirt. A hit it and quit it kind of guy. Until he meets Mandy. And it totally destroyed everything he’d kept in place. These two were great. The way they connected so quickly. Both knowing it shouldn’t go any further than it had, but wanting it to anyway. I absolutely loved this story. Loved them. It made me feel all kinds of feelings for them.
September 7, 2026
Overall I did enjoy this book! The MC’s had a really good banter that I enjoyed throughout the book mixed with some spice! With all that I did find myself wanting more from it because I felt like something was missing but overall a good book! I do look forward to reading more Dani Elias books!
Thank you to Happily Booked PR for this ARC!
Thank you to Happily Booked PR for this ARC!
September 5, 2026
🌿❤️ One Night Was Never Going to Be Enough ❤️🌿
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️ 2 Chili Peppers
I already love Dani Elias and the Ramblers of St Claire series, and Secret Paths gave me another couple I couldn't help falling for. Peter and Mandy were funny, stubborn, ridiculously entertaining together, and watching these two insist that what they were doing was completely casual while becoming increasingly emotionally compromised was SO much fun.
It was supposed to be one night.
No complications.
No feelings.
And definitely no telling Alexandra that Mandy was secretly sleeping with her brother.
What could possibly go wrong? 😂
Peter is St Claire's infamous flirt. He knows how to charm, keep things casual, and leave before anybody starts expecting something more from him. Relationships are simply not what Peter does.
Until Mandy.
Suddenly his usual tricks aren't working. He can't treat her like another one-night stand, he isn't interested in looking anywhere else, and the woman who was supposed to be one night is taking up a LOT more space in his life than he planned.
Watching Peter realize he might actually WANT a relationship was easily one of my favorite parts.
This man was so unprepared for his own feelings. 😂
And Mandy certainly wasn't going to make things easy for him.
She knows Peter's reputation. She also knows sleeping with her best friend's brother is asking for trouble, especially in a village like St Claire where everybody seems to know everybody else's business. The last thing she wants is to become another woman on Peter's very long list and then have to continue seeing him everywhere afterward.
But there is something even deeper underneath Mandy's hesitation that I really loved.
Mandy has already been married and divorced, and she has created a life that feels peaceful and entirely her own. She's independent, set in her ways, and comfortable knowing that she doesn't have to shape her life around another person's wants or expectations.
Her biggest fear isn't simply that Peter might break her heart.
It's that loving someone again might mean losing herself.
That gave their relationship so much more depth than I expected from the fun “one night with the village flirt” setup.
Peter and Mandy both have their guards up in different ways. Mandy protects the independence and peace she has built, while Peter hides behind charm, casual relationships, and the version of himself everyone expects to see. He's also dealing with his own uncertainty about his future and who he is when the path he thought his life would take suddenly changes.
Somewhere between all the flirting, sneaking around, witty conversations, and very questionable attempts to keep things casual, they start actually SEEING each other.
And that was my favorite part. ❤️
Their banter was fantastic. Dani Elias has such a way with dry wit and dialogue, and Peter and Mandy are perfectly matched. I could happily read these two going back and forth all day.
The chemistry is definitely there too. 🔥 But what starts physically slowly becomes something much harder for either of them to dismiss. The more time they spend together, the more obvious it becomes that there is absolutely NOTHING casual happening here.
Peter starts wanting something he never thought he wanted.
Mandy starts wondering whether a relationship has to cost her the life and identity she fought so hard to build.
And meanwhile they're trying to keep everything secret from their friends, Peter's sister, and an entire small village.
Good luck with that. 😂
I also loved returning to St Claire. The British English, village atmosphere, dry humor, tight friendships, family dynamics, and small-town gossip give this series so much personality. There is something incredibly comforting about returning to a fictional place where everyone knows everyone, even when that makes hiding a relationship approximately one thousand times more difficult.
But underneath all the humor and heat, this story really got me with its quieter message about fear.
Sometimes growth isn't reaching a point where something stops being scary.
Sometimes it's looking directly at what scares you and deciding that what waits on the other side might be worth taking the chance anyway.
And one line captured Mandy's journey so beautifully:
“You do not stop being yourself because someone shares your bench, you just have somebody who knows where you keep the biscuits.”
🥹❤️
THAT.
Mandy doesn't need Peter to complete her life. She doesn't have to surrender her independence or become a different version of herself to make room for him.
There can simply be someone sitting beside her.
Someone who knows where she keeps the biscuits.
Someone who knows which tea mug she wants.
Someone who knows her fears and her routines and all the ordinary little pieces that make up a life.
Someone who sees her and stays.
And Peter learns that letting somebody close enough to truly know him doesn't mean losing himself either.
I laughed, swooned, loved the dry wit, and absolutely ate up watching St Claire's notorious flirt become completely bewildered by the realization that one woman had somehow made “casual” the least accurate word imaginable. 😂❤️
Secret Paths was funny, steamy, emotional, and another wonderful addition to a series I already enjoy so much.
One night was supposed to be the end.
For Peter and Mandy, it turned out to be the beginning of a path neither expected to take. ❤️🇬🇧
Thank you to Dani Elias and Happily Booked PR for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️ 2 Chili Peppers
I already love Dani Elias and the Ramblers of St Claire series, and Secret Paths gave me another couple I couldn't help falling for. Peter and Mandy were funny, stubborn, ridiculously entertaining together, and watching these two insist that what they were doing was completely casual while becoming increasingly emotionally compromised was SO much fun.
It was supposed to be one night.
No complications.
No feelings.
And definitely no telling Alexandra that Mandy was secretly sleeping with her brother.
What could possibly go wrong? 😂
Peter is St Claire's infamous flirt. He knows how to charm, keep things casual, and leave before anybody starts expecting something more from him. Relationships are simply not what Peter does.
Until Mandy.
Suddenly his usual tricks aren't working. He can't treat her like another one-night stand, he isn't interested in looking anywhere else, and the woman who was supposed to be one night is taking up a LOT more space in his life than he planned.
Watching Peter realize he might actually WANT a relationship was easily one of my favorite parts.
This man was so unprepared for his own feelings. 😂
And Mandy certainly wasn't going to make things easy for him.
She knows Peter's reputation. She also knows sleeping with her best friend's brother is asking for trouble, especially in a village like St Claire where everybody seems to know everybody else's business. The last thing she wants is to become another woman on Peter's very long list and then have to continue seeing him everywhere afterward.
But there is something even deeper underneath Mandy's hesitation that I really loved.
Mandy has already been married and divorced, and she has created a life that feels peaceful and entirely her own. She's independent, set in her ways, and comfortable knowing that she doesn't have to shape her life around another person's wants or expectations.
Her biggest fear isn't simply that Peter might break her heart.
It's that loving someone again might mean losing herself.
That gave their relationship so much more depth than I expected from the fun “one night with the village flirt” setup.
Peter and Mandy both have their guards up in different ways. Mandy protects the independence and peace she has built, while Peter hides behind charm, casual relationships, and the version of himself everyone expects to see. He's also dealing with his own uncertainty about his future and who he is when the path he thought his life would take suddenly changes.
Somewhere between all the flirting, sneaking around, witty conversations, and very questionable attempts to keep things casual, they start actually SEEING each other.
And that was my favorite part. ❤️
Their banter was fantastic. Dani Elias has such a way with dry wit and dialogue, and Peter and Mandy are perfectly matched. I could happily read these two going back and forth all day.
The chemistry is definitely there too. 🔥 But what starts physically slowly becomes something much harder for either of them to dismiss. The more time they spend together, the more obvious it becomes that there is absolutely NOTHING casual happening here.
Peter starts wanting something he never thought he wanted.
Mandy starts wondering whether a relationship has to cost her the life and identity she fought so hard to build.
And meanwhile they're trying to keep everything secret from their friends, Peter's sister, and an entire small village.
Good luck with that. 😂
I also loved returning to St Claire. The British English, village atmosphere, dry humor, tight friendships, family dynamics, and small-town gossip give this series so much personality. There is something incredibly comforting about returning to a fictional place where everyone knows everyone, even when that makes hiding a relationship approximately one thousand times more difficult.
But underneath all the humor and heat, this story really got me with its quieter message about fear.
Sometimes growth isn't reaching a point where something stops being scary.
Sometimes it's looking directly at what scares you and deciding that what waits on the other side might be worth taking the chance anyway.
And one line captured Mandy's journey so beautifully:
“You do not stop being yourself because someone shares your bench, you just have somebody who knows where you keep the biscuits.”
🥹❤️
THAT.
Mandy doesn't need Peter to complete her life. She doesn't have to surrender her independence or become a different version of herself to make room for him.
There can simply be someone sitting beside her.
Someone who knows where she keeps the biscuits.
Someone who knows which tea mug she wants.
Someone who knows her fears and her routines and all the ordinary little pieces that make up a life.
Someone who sees her and stays.
And Peter learns that letting somebody close enough to truly know him doesn't mean losing himself either.
I laughed, swooned, loved the dry wit, and absolutely ate up watching St Claire's notorious flirt become completely bewildered by the realization that one woman had somehow made “casual” the least accurate word imaginable. 😂❤️
Secret Paths was funny, steamy, emotional, and another wonderful addition to a series I already enjoy so much.
One night was supposed to be the end.
For Peter and Mandy, it turned out to be the beginning of a path neither expected to take. ❤️🇬🇧
Thank you to Dani Elias and Happily Booked PR for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy
Dani Elias gave me best friend’s brother + small-town secrets + the village flirt who absolutely DOES NOT DO RELATIONSHIPS and then made that man fall and I ate up every single second of it!!
PETER AND MANDY!!! I loved these two so freaking much.
It was supposed to be ONE NIGHT.
Just casual.
No feelings.
No complications.
We all know how wonderfully that plan is going to work 😂😂
Peter is the village’s infamous flirt. He does charm, casual and leaving before anyone can start expecting something from him. Relationships?? Absolutely not. Feelings?? No thank you.
Until Mandy.
Suddenly this woman is living rent free in his head and Peter, who has spent his life happily avoiding commitment, DOESN’T WANT ANYONE ELSE.
SIR!!! 😭🔥
There is something about a man who doesn’t do relationships becoming completely gone for ONE woman that gets me every freaking time.
And poor Mandy KNOWS this is a terrible idea. Sleeping with your best friend’s brother is already asking for trouble, but when that brother is Peter and everyone knows his reputation??? GIRL RUN.
Except don’t actually run because I NEED THIS 😂
I loved how Mandy tried to protect herself because she knows exactly what Peter is like. She doesn’t want to be another name on his very long list or end up heartbroken while still having to see him around St Claire. But the more these two try to convince themselves that whatever is happening between them is meaningless, the more obvious it becomes that there is NOTHING casual about it.
The sneaking around and the secrets made everything even better because in a little village like St Claire you just KNOW somebody is eventually going to find out 👀😂
And I absolutely loved the British setting and British English! It gave the whole story so much personality and I loved being wrapped up in the village atmosphere, especially when everyone seems to know everyone else’s business.
But PETER!!! Watching this infamous flirt slowly realise that Mandy isn’t just another casual fling was my favourite part. He doesn’t suddenly wake up and become a completely different person. His feelings sneak up on him and suddenly this man who doesn’t do relationships is basically emotionally compromised and I’m over here LOVING HIS SUFFERING 😂❤️
And Mandy wasn’t going to make it easy for him either. GOOD. MAKE HIM WORK FOR IT!!!
The chemistry, the friendship complications, the sneaking around, the feelings neither of them wanted, the small-town gossip and that delicious this is a terrible idea but we’re doing it anyway energy had me completely hooked.
I loved Peter and Mandy SO MUCH. Funny, steamy, emotional, messy and ridiculously addictive. What was supposed to be one night turned into something neither of them could walk away from and I was sitting there screaming JUST ADMIT YOU’RE IN LOVE ALREADY!!! 😂😭❤️
Give me a notorious flirt falling harder than anyone expected and apparently I am a VERY happy reader.
Absolutely loved Secret Paths and I already want to pack my bags and head straight to St Claire because I am nowhere near finished with this village!! ❤️🔥
PETER AND MANDY!!! I loved these two so freaking much.
It was supposed to be ONE NIGHT.
Just casual.
No feelings.
No complications.
We all know how wonderfully that plan is going to work 😂😂
Peter is the village’s infamous flirt. He does charm, casual and leaving before anyone can start expecting something from him. Relationships?? Absolutely not. Feelings?? No thank you.
Until Mandy.
Suddenly this woman is living rent free in his head and Peter, who has spent his life happily avoiding commitment, DOESN’T WANT ANYONE ELSE.
SIR!!! 😭🔥
There is something about a man who doesn’t do relationships becoming completely gone for ONE woman that gets me every freaking time.
And poor Mandy KNOWS this is a terrible idea. Sleeping with your best friend’s brother is already asking for trouble, but when that brother is Peter and everyone knows his reputation??? GIRL RUN.
Except don’t actually run because I NEED THIS 😂
I loved how Mandy tried to protect herself because she knows exactly what Peter is like. She doesn’t want to be another name on his very long list or end up heartbroken while still having to see him around St Claire. But the more these two try to convince themselves that whatever is happening between them is meaningless, the more obvious it becomes that there is NOTHING casual about it.
The sneaking around and the secrets made everything even better because in a little village like St Claire you just KNOW somebody is eventually going to find out 👀😂
And I absolutely loved the British setting and British English! It gave the whole story so much personality and I loved being wrapped up in the village atmosphere, especially when everyone seems to know everyone else’s business.
But PETER!!! Watching this infamous flirt slowly realise that Mandy isn’t just another casual fling was my favourite part. He doesn’t suddenly wake up and become a completely different person. His feelings sneak up on him and suddenly this man who doesn’t do relationships is basically emotionally compromised and I’m over here LOVING HIS SUFFERING 😂❤️
And Mandy wasn’t going to make it easy for him either. GOOD. MAKE HIM WORK FOR IT!!!
The chemistry, the friendship complications, the sneaking around, the feelings neither of them wanted, the small-town gossip and that delicious this is a terrible idea but we’re doing it anyway energy had me completely hooked.
I loved Peter and Mandy SO MUCH. Funny, steamy, emotional, messy and ridiculously addictive. What was supposed to be one night turned into something neither of them could walk away from and I was sitting there screaming JUST ADMIT YOU’RE IN LOVE ALREADY!!! 😂😭❤️
Give me a notorious flirt falling harder than anyone expected and apparently I am a VERY happy reader.
Absolutely loved Secret Paths and I already want to pack my bags and head straight to St Claire because I am nowhere near finished with this village!! ❤️🔥
September 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I am so happy to be back in St. Claire. This series has been a wonderful read; lighthearted yet deep, spicy yet romantic, and everything I love reading from Dani Elias. Secret Paths is book 4 in the Ramblers of St. Claire’s and the title couldn’t be more perfect. In the small town of St. Claire secrets don’t stay secret for long, even if you think they are. Our two MCs thought they could keep their relationship casual, but life has different plans for them. Before they know it, hearts are intertwined, feelings are meshing, and love is worth fighting for.
Peter knows he has a reputation as the town’s flirt. He doesn’t mind it though. He doesn’t do relationships, feelings, or anything below the surface. He is the one to leave before anything can begin to develop and plans on keeping it that way. Until his best friend’s sister finds her way past all his defenses. Now the man who never wanted strings is ready to be tied down for life. His character development was fun to watch as I will always root for the man who is willing to fight for the one he wants.
Mandy goes into sleeping with Peter with her eyes wide open. A terrible idea from the very start, she can’t help herself. Then she can’t seem to stay away, never pushing for more, but as long as Peter wants her around she will be there. She doesn’t make it easy for him though, as this girl knows her worth and isn't just going to fall at his feet. This is another reason I love older MCs also. They don’t play or put up with games, but rather show the person what they are missing.
I loved how these two think they are being so stealthy throughout the book, yet people who were paying attention knew. A small town holds no secrets, but reading about these two trying was so much fun. Dani everything you write is full of heart, soulful, and provides layers that unfold the further you read. These two seriously grew on me the deeper they fell for each other.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🧡Small Town Romance
🍂Later in Life Romance
🧡Love in Your 40s
🍂Best Friend’s Brother
🧡Secret Dating
🍂No Strings to Strings
🧡Meddling Family and Friends
I am so happy to be back in St. Claire. This series has been a wonderful read; lighthearted yet deep, spicy yet romantic, and everything I love reading from Dani Elias. Secret Paths is book 4 in the Ramblers of St. Claire’s and the title couldn’t be more perfect. In the small town of St. Claire secrets don’t stay secret for long, even if you think they are. Our two MCs thought they could keep their relationship casual, but life has different plans for them. Before they know it, hearts are intertwined, feelings are meshing, and love is worth fighting for.
Peter knows he has a reputation as the town’s flirt. He doesn’t mind it though. He doesn’t do relationships, feelings, or anything below the surface. He is the one to leave before anything can begin to develop and plans on keeping it that way. Until his best friend’s sister finds her way past all his defenses. Now the man who never wanted strings is ready to be tied down for life. His character development was fun to watch as I will always root for the man who is willing to fight for the one he wants.
Mandy goes into sleeping with Peter with her eyes wide open. A terrible idea from the very start, she can’t help herself. Then she can’t seem to stay away, never pushing for more, but as long as Peter wants her around she will be there. She doesn’t make it easy for him though, as this girl knows her worth and isn't just going to fall at his feet. This is another reason I love older MCs also. They don’t play or put up with games, but rather show the person what they are missing.
I loved how these two think they are being so stealthy throughout the book, yet people who were paying attention knew. A small town holds no secrets, but reading about these two trying was so much fun. Dani everything you write is full of heart, soulful, and provides layers that unfold the further you read. These two seriously grew on me the deeper they fell for each other.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🧡Small Town Romance
🍂Later in Life Romance
🧡Love in Your 40s
🍂Best Friend’s Brother
🧡Secret Dating
🍂No Strings to Strings
🧡Meddling Family and Friends
September 30, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4 Stars
Secret Paths was such a fun, sweet, and steamy return to St. Claire! I really enjoyed Peter and Mandy together, especially watching their “this is only casual” arrangement very quickly become anything but casual. 😂
Peter has spent years as the village flirt who absolutely does not do relationships, while Mandy knows getting involved with her best friend’s brother—and a man with Peter’s reputation—is probably a terrible idea. But their chemistry was immediate, and I loved watching their relationship slowly shift from physical attraction into something much deeper.
One of my favorite things was seeing Peter realize that maybe the life he thought he wanted wasn’t actually what he wanted anymore. He falls for Mandy in such a sweet way, and I loved that Mandy didn’t immediately forget his reputation just because feelings became involved. She knew her worth and made Peter show her that he was serious.
I also really enjoyed having main characters in their 40s! Their relationship felt more mature, while still giving us plenty of flirting, banter, secret rendezvous, meddling friends and family, and small-town gossip. And watching these two think they could keep their relationship secret in St. Claire was pretty entertaining. 😂
I did want a little more tension and emotional angst, which is what kept this at four stars for me, but overall, Peter and Mandy were incredibly easy to root for.
If you like:
🍂 Small-town romance
💜 Best friend’s brother
🍂 Secret relationship
💜 He falls first
🍂 No strings attached → ALL the strings
💜 Mature main characters
🍂 Meddling friends & family
💜 Reformed village flirt
🌶️ Spice + plenty of romance
…add Secret Paths to your list!
★★★★☆ — 4 stars. Sweet, steamy, funny, and full of small-town charm. Peter and Mandy’s “casual” relationship definitely wasn’t fooling anyone—especially them. 😂
A huge thank you to Dani Elias and Happily Booked PR for the ARC! 🥰📚
Secret Paths was such a fun, sweet, and steamy return to St. Claire! I really enjoyed Peter and Mandy together, especially watching their “this is only casual” arrangement very quickly become anything but casual. 😂
Peter has spent years as the village flirt who absolutely does not do relationships, while Mandy knows getting involved with her best friend’s brother—and a man with Peter’s reputation—is probably a terrible idea. But their chemistry was immediate, and I loved watching their relationship slowly shift from physical attraction into something much deeper.
One of my favorite things was seeing Peter realize that maybe the life he thought he wanted wasn’t actually what he wanted anymore. He falls for Mandy in such a sweet way, and I loved that Mandy didn’t immediately forget his reputation just because feelings became involved. She knew her worth and made Peter show her that he was serious.
I also really enjoyed having main characters in their 40s! Their relationship felt more mature, while still giving us plenty of flirting, banter, secret rendezvous, meddling friends and family, and small-town gossip. And watching these two think they could keep their relationship secret in St. Claire was pretty entertaining. 😂
I did want a little more tension and emotional angst, which is what kept this at four stars for me, but overall, Peter and Mandy were incredibly easy to root for.
If you like:
🍂 Small-town romance
💜 Best friend’s brother
🍂 Secret relationship
💜 He falls first
🍂 No strings attached → ALL the strings
💜 Mature main characters
🍂 Meddling friends & family
💜 Reformed village flirt
🌶️ Spice + plenty of romance
…add Secret Paths to your list!
★★★★☆ — 4 stars. Sweet, steamy, funny, and full of small-town charm. Peter and Mandy’s “casual” relationship definitely wasn’t fooling anyone—especially them. 😂
A huge thank you to Dani Elias and Happily Booked PR for the ARC! 🥰📚
September 8, 2026
Peter and Mandy, with their casual demeanor and lack of expectations, embarked on a journey that defied their initial intentions. They engaged in various activities, yet they remained blissfully unaware of the love blossoming between them. 😂
I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between these two characters. Their chemistry was palpable, but what truly captivated me was the depth of their relationship beyond the bedroom. It was the shared dinners, accidental sleepovers, heartfelt conversations after challenging days, leisurely walks, playful teasing, and those seemingly insignificant moments that gradually transformed Peter into an integral part of Mandy’s everyday life.
Mandy stood out as my favorite character. She had already experienced the heartbreak of a failed marriage when the mundane aspects of life overshadowed the excitement. Years of hard work had led her to build a life that was entirely her own. Her apprehension wasn’t about her inability to love Peter; it was the fear that embracing love might necessitate sacrificing the independence and tranquility she had meticulously cultivated.
Witnessing Mandy’s realization that Peter didn’t demand her to conform to a different persona was genuinely heartwarming.
Peter’s own storyline unfolded alongside the closure of the bank branch and the quest for his next career path. This journey elevated him beyond the role of a mere love interest, allowing him to explore his own aspirations and growth.
The St Claire crew added an enchanting charm to the narrative. Alexandra’s humor was infectious, the community gossip was delightfully predictable, and Bernard’s antics continued to bring laughter and amusement. 😂
This heartwarming tale seamlessly blended spicy romance, humor, coziness, and a profound exploration of the concept of creating space for love within a life already filled with contentment.
I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between these two characters. Their chemistry was palpable, but what truly captivated me was the depth of their relationship beyond the bedroom. It was the shared dinners, accidental sleepovers, heartfelt conversations after challenging days, leisurely walks, playful teasing, and those seemingly insignificant moments that gradually transformed Peter into an integral part of Mandy’s everyday life.
Mandy stood out as my favorite character. She had already experienced the heartbreak of a failed marriage when the mundane aspects of life overshadowed the excitement. Years of hard work had led her to build a life that was entirely her own. Her apprehension wasn’t about her inability to love Peter; it was the fear that embracing love might necessitate sacrificing the independence and tranquility she had meticulously cultivated.
Witnessing Mandy’s realization that Peter didn’t demand her to conform to a different persona was genuinely heartwarming.
Peter’s own storyline unfolded alongside the closure of the bank branch and the quest for his next career path. This journey elevated him beyond the role of a mere love interest, allowing him to explore his own aspirations and growth.
The St Claire crew added an enchanting charm to the narrative. Alexandra’s humor was infectious, the community gossip was delightfully predictable, and Bernard’s antics continued to bring laughter and amusement. 😂
This heartwarming tale seamlessly blended spicy romance, humor, coziness, and a profound exploration of the concept of creating space for love within a life already filled with contentment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am a HUGE fan of Dani Elias, and at this point, I swear she can just keep giving me books because I will happily read every single one! I LOVE her writing soooo much!
Now, onto Peter and Mandy.
We start with the typical one-night stand, this-can-never-happen-again promise… and we all know how well those promises work out. 😂 What follows is nothing but tension, heat, incredible chemistry, and that delicious forbidden love that keeps building and building until it finally EXPLODES.
The banter between Peter and Mandy was easily one of my favorite parts. They’re both witty, stubborn, and so perfectly matched that every interaction between them was entertaining. It had that signature Dani Elias banter that I’ve come to love, and I was absolutely HERE FOR IT.
And Peter?!
Watching the village flirt—the man who probably never thought he’d be the one falling—get completely knocked off his feet by what was supposed to be a one-night stand? Chef’s kiss.
I love when the flirt finally meets the person who makes them rethink absolutely everything, and Mandy was exactly that for Peter. Watching his feelings sneak up on him and seeing that one night slowly turn into something neither of them expected made their story so much fun.
Mandy was the perfect person to challenge him, match his wit, and make him work for it. Their chemistry was undeniable, but I also loved watching the emotional connection slowly work its way into everything.
The banter, the forbidden romance, the chemistry, and watching the village flirt fall HARD made this another Dani Elias book I absolutely loved.
Seriously, Dani… keep giving me these Fellside couples because apparently I’m never going to be ready to leave this world!
Now, onto Peter and Mandy.
We start with the typical one-night stand, this-can-never-happen-again promise… and we all know how well those promises work out. 😂 What follows is nothing but tension, heat, incredible chemistry, and that delicious forbidden love that keeps building and building until it finally EXPLODES.
The banter between Peter and Mandy was easily one of my favorite parts. They’re both witty, stubborn, and so perfectly matched that every interaction between them was entertaining. It had that signature Dani Elias banter that I’ve come to love, and I was absolutely HERE FOR IT.
And Peter?!
Watching the village flirt—the man who probably never thought he’d be the one falling—get completely knocked off his feet by what was supposed to be a one-night stand? Chef’s kiss.
I love when the flirt finally meets the person who makes them rethink absolutely everything, and Mandy was exactly that for Peter. Watching his feelings sneak up on him and seeing that one night slowly turn into something neither of them expected made their story so much fun.
Mandy was the perfect person to challenge him, match his wit, and make him work for it. Their chemistry was undeniable, but I also loved watching the emotional connection slowly work its way into everything.
The banter, the forbidden romance, the chemistry, and watching the village flirt fall HARD made this another Dani Elias book I absolutely loved.
Seriously, Dani… keep giving me these Fellside couples because apparently I’m never going to be ready to leave this world!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
⭐ 3.5
🌶️ 2.5
🥵 Spicy Chapters: 1, 3, 7, 11, 16
❤️🔥 Swoon Factor: 1.5
👫 Peter + Mandy
📚 Tropes/Themes: bestie's brother, with benefits, he falls first, he takes care of her, cinnamon roll MMC, small town, snarky banter, over 40
👀 Dual POV 1st person
💔 Content warnings: none
🎀 Special editions: none
I'm not sure if Elias has changed her writing style or maybe it's just my preferences, but this did not hit as much as her previous books.
Honestly I feel like the last two of her books have been pretty lackluster, and I think it's because of the dialogue.
It's become kinda sparse. Like I actually looked back through my previous ARCs because I wasn't sure if I was making this up in my head but in previous books there was definitely more... filler isn't the right term but maybe description? Whatever it is that's added to the dialogue so you get a sense of who's talking and any actions they're taking. For example: "she said with a sigh"
I wonder if it's to play up the snark and banter aspect of the relationships? But it just leaves me wanting more (even though I thrive on sarcasm). But they've gotten whittled down to just snappy one-liner come backs.
That aside I liked the plot, I don't think I've read this kind of relationship before from Elias, and I like how she handled the fuck buddies to relationship trope. It was nice to reconnect a smidge with one of the previous couples (Lexi + Hunter) but I would've enjoyed an update about all of them since this is the last book
So idk. I'm hoping the dialogue is a one off (well really two off but this was better than the one I read before this) but I might need a break from Elias work for a bit which sucks because finding good over 40 romance books is difficult.
🌶️ 2.5
🥵 Spicy Chapters: 1, 3, 7, 11, 16
❤️🔥 Swoon Factor: 1.5
👫 Peter + Mandy
📚 Tropes/Themes: bestie's brother, with benefits, he falls first, he takes care of her, cinnamon roll MMC, small town, snarky banter, over 40
👀 Dual POV 1st person
💔 Content warnings: none
🎀 Special editions: none
I'm not sure if Elias has changed her writing style or maybe it's just my preferences, but this did not hit as much as her previous books.
Honestly I feel like the last two of her books have been pretty lackluster, and I think it's because of the dialogue.
It's become kinda sparse. Like I actually looked back through my previous ARCs because I wasn't sure if I was making this up in my head but in previous books there was definitely more... filler isn't the right term but maybe description? Whatever it is that's added to the dialogue so you get a sense of who's talking and any actions they're taking. For example: "she said with a sigh"
I wonder if it's to play up the snark and banter aspect of the relationships? But it just leaves me wanting more (even though I thrive on sarcasm). But they've gotten whittled down to just snappy one-liner come backs.
That aside I liked the plot, I don't think I've read this kind of relationship before from Elias, and I like how she handled the fuck buddies to relationship trope. It was nice to reconnect a smidge with one of the previous couples (Lexi + Hunter) but I would've enjoyed an update about all of them since this is the last book
So idk. I'm hoping the dialogue is a one off (well really two off but this was better than the one I read before this) but I might need a break from Elias work for a bit which sucks because finding good over 40 romance books is difficult.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Book Four of the Ramblers of St Claire series by Dani Elias starts off playful, seductive and long held back chemistry and as it moves alongs develops into a romance novel filled with encouragement and self discovery.
Secret Paths is a story about a love that needs to remain a secret for many reasons: meddling sibling, small town gossip, and most importantly loss of self.
IMO, on the surface while the reader is aware in detail, the FMC's war within herself over her independence and peace and the scare of losing herself and her love in the routine of ordinary days, it reads like her journey alone. But the MMC is also struggling with losing himself, finding who he is outside of the image he has shown people, the loss of his career and set future and the ego bruise that the woman he wants may not want him just as much. I feel his journey of self and resolution would have been a good read.
The book is full of witty banter, great conversation and scenes of being seen and heard. My favorite quote is a moment with the FMC and her Rambler friend who says: "You do not stop being yourself because someone shares your bench, you just have somebody who knows where you keep the biscuits."
May we all find partners who knows where we keep the biscuits, the good tea mugs and hold our hamsters when their anxious.
High Recommend.
Secret Paths is a story about a love that needs to remain a secret for many reasons: meddling sibling, small town gossip, and most importantly loss of self.
IMO, on the surface while the reader is aware in detail, the FMC's war within herself over her independence and peace and the scare of losing herself and her love in the routine of ordinary days, it reads like her journey alone. But the MMC is also struggling with losing himself, finding who he is outside of the image he has shown people, the loss of his career and set future and the ego bruise that the woman he wants may not want him just as much. I feel his journey of self and resolution would have been a good read.
The book is full of witty banter, great conversation and scenes of being seen and heard. My favorite quote is a moment with the FMC and her Rambler friend who says: "You do not stop being yourself because someone shares your bench, you just have somebody who knows where you keep the biscuits."
May we all find partners who knows where we keep the biscuits, the good tea mugs and hold our hamsters when their anxious.
High Recommend.
September 9, 2026
"For anyone who has ever built a life they love on their own, only to discover that letting someone in does not mean giving any of it up."
I feel like Dani Elias looked straight into my mind and wrote Secret Paths because she knew it's the story I needed to hear. I love the entire Ramblers of St. Claire series, but Secret Paths has solidly moved into my top spot.
"I did not say no because I did not want you. I said no because I did. Because wanting you felt like the start of everything I have spent years being careful about."
Meeting Mandy felt like getting to see myself on the page. As a chronically single girl (mostly because I get in my own way), seeing Mandy finally accept that falling in love doesn't mean having to sacrifice yourself or your life made me emotional. Mandy is smart, strong, yet flawed; in other words, she's real. Peter was such a great character as well. Seeing him grapple with decisions about his career felt like Dani once again opened up a window into my soul. I loved Mandy & Peter together. The way that Peter gently settles into Mandy's life without demanding that her world revolve around him was so beautiful. Their chemistry felt so real and their intimate moments were so well done. I love these two.
"I spent a long time thinking loving someone meant waiting for the part where I had to hand pieces of myself over. Space. Peace. Routine. The right to be difficult without it becoming a referendum on whether the whole thing worked. But you never asked for that. You just learned where the mugs are. And which evenings not to talk to me for ten minutes. You learned my life without trying to take it from me."
Thank you, Dani, for such a beautiful story. You've got a life long reader in me.
P.S. Thank you for not killing Bernard. IYKYK.
I feel like Dani Elias looked straight into my mind and wrote Secret Paths because she knew it's the story I needed to hear. I love the entire Ramblers of St. Claire series, but Secret Paths has solidly moved into my top spot.
"I did not say no because I did not want you. I said no because I did. Because wanting you felt like the start of everything I have spent years being careful about."
Meeting Mandy felt like getting to see myself on the page. As a chronically single girl (mostly because I get in my own way), seeing Mandy finally accept that falling in love doesn't mean having to sacrifice yourself or your life made me emotional. Mandy is smart, strong, yet flawed; in other words, she's real. Peter was such a great character as well. Seeing him grapple with decisions about his career felt like Dani once again opened up a window into my soul. I loved Mandy & Peter together. The way that Peter gently settles into Mandy's life without demanding that her world revolve around him was so beautiful. Their chemistry felt so real and their intimate moments were so well done. I love these two.
"I spent a long time thinking loving someone meant waiting for the part where I had to hand pieces of myself over. Space. Peace. Routine. The right to be difficult without it becoming a referendum on whether the whole thing worked. But you never asked for that. You just learned where the mugs are. And which evenings not to talk to me for ten minutes. You learned my life without trying to take it from me."
Thank you, Dani, for such a beautiful story. You've got a life long reader in me.
P.S. Thank you for not killing Bernard. IYKYK.
September 4, 2026
This was one steamy quick read. Set in England in the small town of St. Claire, Peter and Mandy are friends through Peter’s sister, Alexandra. The friends group is tight and they think they know everything about each other. But one night Mandy and Peter turn their friendship into friends with benefits. They soon realize they don’t want it to be a one-night stand. But they also don’t want anyone to know. So, they decide to keep it secret.
The thing to know about Mandy is that she loves control, is set in her ways, and after divorcing a fellow doctor, really doesn’t want to complicate her life with another relationship. She is happy living her single life without having to worry about always making her partner happy.
Peter also doesn’t want to complicate the friends group. But it is more obvious with him that he is waiting patiently for Mandy to realize what they have.
It’s only when she realizes she actually wants more with Peter that she realizes she is scared of another relationship where she loses herself.
This is a fun, friends-to-lovers story about realizing what you want and going after it. It’s personal growth, patience, finding comfort, love, and peace you have been missing.
The thing to know about Mandy is that she loves control, is set in her ways, and after divorcing a fellow doctor, really doesn’t want to complicate her life with another relationship. She is happy living her single life without having to worry about always making her partner happy.
Peter also doesn’t want to complicate the friends group. But it is more obvious with him that he is waiting patiently for Mandy to realize what they have.
It’s only when she realizes she actually wants more with Peter that she realizes she is scared of another relationship where she loses herself.
This is a fun, friends-to-lovers story about realizing what you want and going after it. It’s personal growth, patience, finding comfort, love, and peace you have been missing.
September 6, 2026
ARC REVIEW
🍂Secret Paths
Book 4 in The Ramblers of St. Claire Series
✍️ @dani_elias_books
⭐ Rating: 4/5
🌶️ Spice: 2/5
First and foremost—thank you @dani_elias_books and @happilybookedpr for letting me read this ahead of release! 🧡
I’ve come to expect really fun and witty writing from Dani, and this was no different. Even though I haven’t read the other books in the series, I never felt lost!
If you love a quiet, steady MMC who gives the FMC space to breathe and figure out what she wants, Peter is your guy. 🥹
Mandy has rebuilt her life after realizing she and her ex-husband were better as friends. She likes the life she’s created, so major changes can send her spiraling—and Peter understands that. Instead of pushing her, he gives her the quiet strength and stability she needs.
After years of knowing each other, Peter and Mandy have their rhythm down. They know each other, they’re comfortable with each other, and when they decide to explore something physical, they definitely don't want outside noise complicating things. 👀
But honestly, their dry humor and wit were the highlight for me. 😂 Their banter was GOLD and had me laughing out loud so many times. It made their relationship feel incredibly natural and was easily one of my favorite parts of the book.
🍂 Tropes & Vibes:
🧡 No Strings Attached → More
🍂 Best Friend’s Brother
🧡 Secret Dating
🍂 MCs in Their 40s
🧡 Meddling Friends & Family
🍂 He Falls First
🧡 Quiet Strength MMC
🍂Secret Paths
Book 4 in The Ramblers of St. Claire Series
✍️ @dani_elias_books
⭐ Rating: 4/5
🌶️ Spice: 2/5
First and foremost—thank you @dani_elias_books and @happilybookedpr for letting me read this ahead of release! 🧡
I’ve come to expect really fun and witty writing from Dani, and this was no different. Even though I haven’t read the other books in the series, I never felt lost!
If you love a quiet, steady MMC who gives the FMC space to breathe and figure out what she wants, Peter is your guy. 🥹
Mandy has rebuilt her life after realizing she and her ex-husband were better as friends. She likes the life she’s created, so major changes can send her spiraling—and Peter understands that. Instead of pushing her, he gives her the quiet strength and stability she needs.
After years of knowing each other, Peter and Mandy have their rhythm down. They know each other, they’re comfortable with each other, and when they decide to explore something physical, they definitely don't want outside noise complicating things. 👀
But honestly, their dry humor and wit were the highlight for me. 😂 Their banter was GOLD and had me laughing out loud so many times. It made their relationship feel incredibly natural and was easily one of my favorite parts of the book.
🍂 Tropes & Vibes:
🧡 No Strings Attached → More
🍂 Best Friend’s Brother
🧡 Secret Dating
🍂 MCs in Their 40s
🧡 Meddling Friends & Family
🍂 He Falls First
🧡 Quiet Strength MMC
September 5, 2026
I received this as an ARC from Happily Booked in exchange for my honest opinion. My opinion is not influenced in any way by receiving this book for free.
This one didn't hit me like some of Dani's other books had.
There was nothing wrong with Peter and Mandy's relationship; their banter and friendship was cute and funny. Their slow transition from friends to something more to a full-blown relationship was satisfying to read.
Just I could not grow fond of Mandy; she was a bit too cautious with her feelings. I get her not wanting to give up what she has as an individual and lose herself in a relationship. But man, the internal fight was killing me too. I get it. Honestly, I do. Mandy just flatlined me a bit.
Peter, my man, was like a wounded puppy at times. I know Mandy didn't mean anything by her comments at times. She was just being her, and Peter understood. Made me no less wanna hug him and say it would be okay. Even though the life that you had known a few weeks ago is going up in flames. It's cool. It's good. Go look at your sister's spreadsheet.
Overall its a good read. Just this one didn't hit my feels like normal.
This one didn't hit me like some of Dani's other books had.
There was nothing wrong with Peter and Mandy's relationship; their banter and friendship was cute and funny. Their slow transition from friends to something more to a full-blown relationship was satisfying to read.
Just I could not grow fond of Mandy; she was a bit too cautious with her feelings. I get her not wanting to give up what she has as an individual and lose herself in a relationship. But man, the internal fight was killing me too. I get it. Honestly, I do. Mandy just flatlined me a bit.
Peter, my man, was like a wounded puppy at times. I know Mandy didn't mean anything by her comments at times. She was just being her, and Peter understood. Made me no less wanna hug him and say it would be okay. Even though the life that you had known a few weeks ago is going up in flames. It's cool. It's good. Go look at your sister's spreadsheet.
Overall its a good read. Just this one didn't hit my feels like normal.
September 5, 2026
HAPPY RELEASE DAY, Dani Elias!!!! Reading your novel “Secret Paths” is a treasure. I enjoyed reading it from beginning to end.
Wow! This story was so much fun to read, especially with Peter and Mandy as the main characters. The chemistry and flirting were immediate. What started as friends with benefits on the DL becomes something more complicated. Peter falls for Mandy, even making her cottage pie. Unfortunately, Mandy was scared to lose her independence and peace of mind, particularly after her divorce. It breaks my heart that Peter loses his job and a sense of himself, but does the woman he grew to love return his feelings? I absolutely do recommend reading this book.
This book is full of witty banter between Peter and Mandy. Oh, I laughed so much! Thank you, Dani, for introducing us to such lovable characters. Both characters are very relatable, especially the side characters. Overall, it was a quick read, and it flows smoothly. It had easily become one of my favorite reads of 2026.
Thank you @happilybookedpr for this ARC. This is my honest review. Thank you! Grab your copy today!
Wow! This story was so much fun to read, especially with Peter and Mandy as the main characters. The chemistry and flirting were immediate. What started as friends with benefits on the DL becomes something more complicated. Peter falls for Mandy, even making her cottage pie. Unfortunately, Mandy was scared to lose her independence and peace of mind, particularly after her divorce. It breaks my heart that Peter loses his job and a sense of himself, but does the woman he grew to love return his feelings? I absolutely do recommend reading this book.
This book is full of witty banter between Peter and Mandy. Oh, I laughed so much! Thank you, Dani, for introducing us to such lovable characters. Both characters are very relatable, especially the side characters. Overall, it was a quick read, and it flows smoothly. It had easily become one of my favorite reads of 2026.
Thank you @happilybookedpr for this ARC. This is my honest review. Thank you! Grab your copy today!
September 13, 2026
A quiet best friend’s brother romance that’s about falling softly, unexpectedly, and in secret, that’s honest and real and about realizing your person is right in front of you with each and every small moment and little step. I love me a good quiet romance, they feel like they sneak up on you just as much as they sneak up on the characters and Dani Elias did it well with this one. Here we get Peter and Mandy who agree to a one night, no strings, no complications, you’re here and I’m here fling. Naturally it gets complicated, but the way it gets complicated is divine. It’s all so natural, all so accidental. It’s one more time won’t hurt, staying the night when you know you shouldn’t, a dinner out of necessity that turns into more, emergency runs to grocery stores, and quiet discussions about problems and past relationships, and even when there’s really no pressure to make it more, Peter’s desire to stop it being a secret and Mandy’s need to protect herself blow it all up and give you a story about wanting to be chosen and needing to be the one to make the choice that is fantastic. Also I am a sucker for the way this ends, it solidifies that Mandy wants Peter and I am so into it.
September 18, 2026
Secret Paths by Dani Elias was such a fun, spicy small-town romance! I really enjoyed this story with a FMC who is trying to avoid a messy situation, a total charm-filled hero, and undeniable chemistry. Mandy is trying to stay level-headed, but sleeping with her best friend’s brother, Peter, turns out to be a massive mistake when they can't stay away from each other. Peter is known as the village's biggest flirt, but after their one-night stand, he completely changes his tune and refuses to look anywhere else.
I liked reading about Mandy trying to guard her heart and avoid awkward family dinners, while Peter definitely knows what he wants… HER! The forbidden best friend’s brother setup made for a really awesome slow burn, and their secret romance brings so much natural friction and great banter before the lines finally blur. The cozy English village setting gives the whole plot a great atmosphere, and the open-door scenes have a perfect amount of yummy spice. The pacing moves along nicely from start to finish, and the tension between them was electric. If you want a fast contemporary romance with a protective hero who falls first, you definitely need to pick this up!
I liked reading about Mandy trying to guard her heart and avoid awkward family dinners, while Peter definitely knows what he wants… HER! The forbidden best friend’s brother setup made for a really awesome slow burn, and their secret romance brings so much natural friction and great banter before the lines finally blur. The cozy English village setting gives the whole plot a great atmosphere, and the open-door scenes have a perfect amount of yummy spice. The pacing moves along nicely from start to finish, and the tension between them was electric. If you want a fast contemporary romance with a protective hero who falls first, you definitely need to pick this up!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I have really enjoyed the books in this series, and Secret Paths was another great addition to St. Claire! ❤️
I absolutely loved the small-town setting and the best friend's brother trope. Those two things together were already enough to make this one a winner for me. 😂
Peter and Mandy were so much fun to follow. I loved watching something that was supposed to be casual turn into something neither of them really expected. Peter's cheeky personality added a lot of fun to the story, and I really enjoyed their chemistry.
I also really appreciated having characters in their 40s. There's something I really enjoy about reading romances where the characters are a little older and more established, but still get to experience all the butterflies, attraction, and emotional chaos that comes with falling for someone.
Overall, this was such a good read and another book in the series that I really enjoyed. If you love small-town romance, best friend's brother, mature characters, and a cheeky MMC, this is definitely one to check out! 🧡
I absolutely loved the small-town setting and the best friend's brother trope. Those two things together were already enough to make this one a winner for me. 😂
Peter and Mandy were so much fun to follow. I loved watching something that was supposed to be casual turn into something neither of them really expected. Peter's cheeky personality added a lot of fun to the story, and I really enjoyed their chemistry.
I also really appreciated having characters in their 40s. There's something I really enjoy about reading romances where the characters are a little older and more established, but still get to experience all the butterflies, attraction, and emotional chaos that comes with falling for someone.
Overall, this was such a good read and another book in the series that I really enjoyed. If you love small-town romance, best friend's brother, mature characters, and a cheeky MMC, this is definitely one to check out! 🧡
September 4, 2026
Secret Paths by Dani Elias is another enjoyable addition to the Ramblers of St. Claire series. Peter and Mandy’s story had all the elements I love in a small-town romance: chemistry, complicated feelings, secrets, friendship, and plenty of emotional moments. I especially enjoyed the way their relationship developed from something neither of them expected into something much deeper. Peter’s usual carefree attitude started to crack as his feelings for Mandy become impossible to ignore, while Mandy struggles with knowing that getting involved with her best friend’s brother could create a whole lot of complications. The St. Claire setting and familiar community made this series so much fun to return to, and I loved seeing the characters navigate their relationships while dealing with the expectations and gossip of a small town. Overall, Secret Paths was a steamy, heartfelt romance with great chemistry and characters you can’t help but root for.
I received an ARC copy from Happily Booked PR. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel
I received an ARC copy from Happily Booked PR. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel
September 13, 2026
4 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️
I really love stories that were only supposed to be one night stands. I know in real life it’s heartbreaking. But when a one night stand turns into something more, I get so happy and my heart is full 🩷
This is the 4th book is Dani Elias’ series and my first experience with her writing. This is a small-town romance where desire refuses to dull and behave. Mandy and Peter are friends who become something more despite Mandy’s best intentions. The characters are so quirky and fun. I also love that our FMC and MMC are in their 40s. I am closer to that age and it’s so refreshing to read about characters who are close in age and have experienced life.
My favorite quote is from one of my favorite quirky secondary characters: “You do not stop being yourself because someone shares your bench, you just have someone who knows where you keep the biscuits.”
—————————————————————————————
A sincere thank you to Happily Booked PR and Danie Elias for providing me the opportunity to read and review this ARC 💜
I really love stories that were only supposed to be one night stands. I know in real life it’s heartbreaking. But when a one night stand turns into something more, I get so happy and my heart is full 🩷
This is the 4th book is Dani Elias’ series and my first experience with her writing. This is a small-town romance where desire refuses to dull and behave. Mandy and Peter are friends who become something more despite Mandy’s best intentions. The characters are so quirky and fun. I also love that our FMC and MMC are in their 40s. I am closer to that age and it’s so refreshing to read about characters who are close in age and have experienced life.
My favorite quote is from one of my favorite quirky secondary characters: “You do not stop being yourself because someone shares your bench, you just have someone who knows where you keep the biscuits.”
—————————————————————————————
A sincere thank you to Happily Booked PR and Danie Elias for providing me the opportunity to read and review this ARC 💜
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Happily Booked PR and the author for an advance copy of this book!
I’m really sad that the Ramblers of St. Clare series has come to an end because I’ve fallen in love with the characters. I thought this was a great conclusion to the series.
I really enjoyed Mandy and Peter’s chemistry. It was supposed to be a one time fling but their chemistry made it very obvious it wouldn’t stop there. I liked the story even though I wanted to smack Mandy upside the head a few times. However, I could understand her hesitation and fear.
To avoid spoilers I will just say there was one scene in particular that made me fall for Peter and had me swooning over him. I’m sure you’ll know it when you get to it.
Also, I can’t not mention Bernard. Honestly this dog has been the main character in all the books so I was super excited to see him in this one too! I’m so glad that he made it to the end!
I’m really sad that the Ramblers of St. Clare series has come to an end because I’ve fallen in love with the characters. I thought this was a great conclusion to the series.
I really enjoyed Mandy and Peter’s chemistry. It was supposed to be a one time fling but their chemistry made it very obvious it wouldn’t stop there. I liked the story even though I wanted to smack Mandy upside the head a few times. However, I could understand her hesitation and fear.
To avoid spoilers I will just say there was one scene in particular that made me fall for Peter and had me swooning over him. I’m sure you’ll know it when you get to it.
Also, I can’t not mention Bernard. Honestly this dog has been the main character in all the books so I was super excited to see him in this one too! I’m so glad that he made it to the end!
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