Thoughts Only He Heard: A Spicy Contemporary Romance

by Lina Beck

A standalone spicy Canada-based forced proximity, haters-to-lovers, secret identity romance. Book one in The Uncovered series.

The only way Private Investigator Leonora McKay can silence her overthinking mind is by stepping knee-deep into other people’s problems.

When Nora accepts what should be a routine serving case, curiosity quickly turns into obsession. The job pulls her into a bitter dispute between two powerful rivals and straight into the path of a man who has spent years perfecting the art of staying lost.

Daxon Wilder is a puzzle she cannot let go of. A silent millionaire who is sharp-edged, controlled, and dangerously magnetic, he is impossible to read and far too easy to want. His presence commands her body until the lines begin to blur between performance and desire. Between surveillance and truth. Between pretending and wanting.

The deeper she sinks into his world, the clearer it becomes that nothing about this case is what it seems. Just when she thinks she has found the exit, Nora is caught in a devastating web of lies, some of which may be her own.
When the truth finally surfaces, it shatters everything and leaves only distance between two lost souls. But even the lost are not immune to pain.

Years pass in silence until a wedding invitation forces their worlds to collide once again.

Face to face in a not-so-awkward reunion filled with cheesy jokes, questionable flirting, and too many unspoken truths, Nora and Daxon are forced to confront what they lost and what still burns between them. Now they must decide if their connection can survive the truth that once tore them apart.

Because a happy ending is not something you find. It’s something you choose to fight for.

About the series:
Let Lina Beck take you around Toronto, the city she found her own happy ending in, highlighting her favorite spots in this standalone romance in The Uncovered series.

Centered on the messy and beautiful truths we all carry: the moments that make us stumble, the flaws we hide, and the courage it takes to let them be seen and heard. From millionaires to hockey players and more, each story offers a fresh perspective on love.

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2026

About the author

Lina is a romance author and minimalist at heart, born and raised in a small European country until love swept her across the ocean. Her own love story feels like something out of a novel, proving that no distance is too great when it comes to fate.

When she’s not lost in a book, traveling, or indulging in good food, you’ll find her rewatching The Vampire Diaries, exploring cozy cafes, or wandering with a croissant in hand, lost in daydreams.

Lina writes emotional, drama-filled romance with unexpected twists and unforgettable characters. Through her stories, she brings the vivid movies in her mind to life, creating worlds readers can fully lose themselves in.

Reviews

[Tiffani Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advanced reader copy provided by author!!

I hated having to put the book down. I wanted to continue reading in one go. The plot twists, the curiosity, it all had me so hooked. I will definitely be rereading this in the future.

[blueberrynuggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4.75 true rating**

**This was an ARC provided by Lina, so thank you so much for this opportunity.**

Wow. I could not put that down to save the life of me. Like, a little mystery, a little romance, and a whole lot of fucked up feelings? OO sign me up.

The main characters are entirely too relatable, the plot was plotting and heheeeeeee gimme the next pls

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75

Being originally from Toronto and seeing my home city as the backdrop for a story always gives my heart a little flutter. Getting to escape to Muskoka for a wedding felt so nostalgic and authentic to a true Ontario summer; it is the kind of setting that just feels like home.

Thoughts Only He Heard by Lina Beck is a complete "mood." If you have ever wanted to be inside the mind of a Private Investigator, Leonora (Nora) is your girl. She is witty, a total overthinker, and uses her work to drown out her own internal noise. When she takes a job to track down a mysterious "X," she finds herself pulled into a high-stakes world she never expected, and the tension between her and Daxon is absolute fire.

Daxon is everything I want in an MMC: magnetic, guarded, and incredibly sharp. Their dynamic is so addictive because it plays with that thin line between professional surveillance and genuine desire. The story does not just give you a quick fix; it delivers a messy, vulnerable journey that forces them both to confront the truths they have been hiding.
It is steamy, it is smart, and it perfectly captures that feeling of finding the one person who actually "hears" the thoughts you do not say aloud. I am already counting down the days until 2027 for the next book in the series about Alice and Colton. Thoughts Only He Heard is officially out!
Tropes for my check-list readers: ❤️
• 🔥 spicy contemporary romance
• 🔎 hate to love
• 🔥 forced proximity
• 🔎 private investigator x millionaire
• 🔥 secret identity
• 🔎 reunion romance
• 🔥 Toronto, Canada-based
• 🔎 HEA

Huge thank you to Lina Beck for the early copy! I am voluntarily leaving my honest, Toronto-proud thoughts.

[vaeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a good puzzle, but this one genuinely took me for a turn. the mystery behind the case had me hooked instantly - I was right alongside Nora, tangled in a web of lies trying to piece everything together.

Nora is everything a PI should be: calculated, controlled, sharp, and always ten steps ahead… until X walks in and completely shifts her entire dynamic. I was so intrigued by the dynamic between these two. while Nora kept pushing for answers, X was determined to keep his secrets hidden - and once everything started unraveling, it spiraled fast.

and we can’t forget our wingwoman… Alice is easily one of my favorite characters. she was the complete opposite of Nora, but also exactly what she needed. Alice’s comedic relief was everything and added the perfect lighter moments throughout the story. I truly couldn’t put this one down!!

[colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

this was such a fun and quick read! i really loved the private investigator aspect because it made the story stand out and kept things interesting the entire time. the mystery and tension between the characters made this super easy to fly through.

i didn’t realize how short this was going into it, so i definitely would’ve loved a little more depth with the characters and their connection. i just wanted more time with them overall!!!

still, this was a great read and i had a great time with it! thank you lina for the arc <3

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such a good time with this one. The dual POV worked really well for me, and I was pulled in pretty much right away by Nora’s case, the whole mystery around “X,” and the way it slowly dragged her into Braxton’s world. I loved that it wasn’t just a straightforward romance, there were secrets, tension, messy family dynamics, and enough drama to keep me reading!

Nora and Braxton had the kind of chemistry I always enjoy. Their banter was fun, the attraction was strong, but what I liked most was watching the emotional side of their connection underneath all the lies and misunderstandings. It gave me romance, spice, and characters I actually wanted to see fight their way back to each other. Definitely a 5-star read for me!!

[L.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

X marks the spot...

A fantastic new release that I couldn't put down! I was intrigued by this story from the start. A PI fmc and a millionaire mark? Sign me up! The storyline pulled me in from the first page and didn't let go.

This romance is full of sarcastic banter, secrets, interesting developments, and some delicious spice. There's also humor, relatable emotional dynamics and well developed side characters along with some good twists. Highly recommend! xoxo

[Shandie McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received from Author. The enemies to lovers angst had me in a hold the entire book and the mystery of who X is and why he was being looked for made it so I couldn’t put this book down. I really loved the twists and turns of both Nora’s and X’s stories. I absolutely loved this story and need more of Nora and X in my life.

[Kelsey Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ✨ Do you ever read a romance and wish it had a splash of mystery? Well stop scrolling because you found it.

My true crime loving soul absolutely loved being inside this Private investigator FMC’s mind. She was funny, witty, and definitely a STEM girlie. Her job? Find the mysterious “x” for a generous amount of money. I bet you think you know where this is going, but the path isn’t what I expected and that made this read so much fun.

In keeping in the mystery energy I’m going to keep tight lipped about most of the details. But if you want a fun, sexy story that will have you flipping pages and wondering how it all ends - give this story a read!

Thank you Lina Beck for the opportunity to Beta Read

[Wendy Marie (myrisingphoenixera.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
2🌶️
🔥Contemporary Romance
🇨🇦Set in Toronto Cananda
🔥Forced Proximity
🇨🇦Haters to Lovers
🔥Hints of Mystery
🇨🇦Private Investigator FMC
🔥Not Your Typical Millionaire MMC
🇨🇦Overthinking FMC
🔥Secret Identity
🇨🇦Reunion Romance
🔥Dual First Person POV

I first became a fan of Lina Beck with her debut mafia romance because of the unique twist and storytelling. She has once again written a unique story, but this time she has crushed a contemporary romance. Thoughts Only He Heard is unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s more than a romance, at its core it’s about finding yourself and finding someone who sees you for you and stays. Lina has a way with words that will draw you in, destroy you, and then put you back together. Nora is a private investigator who mainly works smaller cases. She decides to take a job from a tech CEO to serve papers, but she has to find the person first. All she’s given is the name of ‘X’. This isn’t her typical case but the mystery of who X is too interesting to pass up. Nora does her deep dive research and figures out he’s part of a friend group who has been spotted at an exclusive pop up club. She isn’t sure if this lead will turn into anything but when she catches the attention of a guy at the club and is invited to the VIP section she finds X is among the group. He is immediately suspicious of her and assumes shes just another puck bunny after his NHL player friends. Nora ingraiates herself in the group and gets invited to other parties. The immediate chemistry between Nora and X is explosive with firey and witty banter. After a few short weeks X and Nora continue but heads each time they meet until everything blows up. Nora knows it has to end when she finally figures out his name. When Braxton figures out the truth of who Nora is he’s shocked/angry/hurt only for things to get worse when he finds out his brother was the one who hired her. Nora ends up in the middle between the estranged brothers. Nora and Braxton are torn apart by all the deceit and betrayal. A few years later they are brought back together at the most unulikely of places, at Braxton’s brother’s wedding. They might not have been in a relationship but what they shared was life altering. Pushed together by their friends Alice and Colton, they finally have an honest conversation. They’re both vulnerable, sharing things about themselves that ultimately brings them closer together. I absolutely love these characters, the humor is fun and the relatability is endearing.

🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading.

Plot: 5
Engaging: 5
Character: 5

Thank you Lina Beck for the gifted advanced copy.

📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦‍🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦‍🔥

A Few Favorite Quotes:
“It takes the right person to have the natural command my body listens to. And his song is a symphony.”

“I need you. This feeling you awaken in me. I want to feel it over and over again. Make me yours. And I’ll make you mine. For as long as we allow each other. We can still take it day by day. But together.”

“We’ll keep going until you’re so thoroughly f_ € ked you won’t remember your own name. Only mine, tasting so strong on your tongue you’ll know no other flavor.”

“I don’t know heaven. I might have visited hell. But whatever this place is, it feels like somewhere in between. Like coming home while discovering somewhere new at the same time. Like being a damned saint.”

“You’re mine.”
“And you’re mine.”
“Today, tomorrow, and for days to come.”

“I love you, Daxon,” she exhales, a wide smile hiding the most chaotic of thoughts. I don’t need a second to think it over. “I love you too. My strongest obsession. My biggest desire. The most beautiful deceiver.”

[Jem · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SUCH an interesting read and honestly hooked me way faster than I expected.

Millionaire broody MMC + private investigator FMC + hockey/frat boy vibes??
Yeah, this had a lot going for it from the start, and as someone who loves detective shows, courtroom dramas, and anything involving investigative work, I was immediately invested.

Nora (aka Olivia during the investigation) was such a fun female main character to follow. Smart, capable, a cat mum, and genuinely impressive at her job - I loved watching her piece things together throughout the case. The Bluetooth scene where she figures out X’s identity?? Actually so clever.

And X…listen. At first I was very much like “this man is a walking red flag,” but then the layers started peeling back and suddenly I was emotionally invested. Seeing his grief, family struggles, and vulnerability underneath that cold exterior added so much depth to his character.

This quote in particular really got me:
“You wake up in a completely different world. One you don’t know how to live in. The simplest things take twice as long, because part of every moment is missing and there’s no one to ask. No one to turn to.”

That hit HARD.

I also really enjoyed the overall plot and the reveal involving X being connected to the investigation in the first place genuinely caught me off guard. The twists worked really well for me and kept me engaged the whole time.

My only real issue was the pacing towards the end. The first 70% felt really strong, but once Alice was introduced things started moving very quickly, and the sudden two-year jump felt a little jarring.

I’m hoping the sequel gives more insight into Alice and Nora’s friendship because I definitely wanted more development there.

That said, I’m still really excited for the next book because I already adore Colton and need to see where things go from here.

Overall: intriguing plot, layered characters, emotional moments, and enough romance + mystery to keep me fully entertained 📚✨

[Andrea_books201 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐

In this book, we meet Nora, a Private Investigator who seeks the truth for others. She ends up involved in a case a little different from her usual work: finding X.
Yes, you read right, X.
It is practically all she knows about him. Nora decides not to let the work go and that way she enters in the world of X, a mysterious, millionaire man, with a lot of unknowns surrounding him, starting with a basic thing, his name.
And as you’ve probably already guessed, it becomes so much more than that.
Things happen, lies are discovered, and a wedding comes along when they meet again. It could change nothing or everything, depending on wether they decide to play along.

Nora is intelligent and determined, although she overthinks everything and tries to use her work as a way to silence those thoughts.
X doesn’t trust easily, he is reserved but also intense in a way that makes you notice him and want to know more.

It’s true that I found the first part of the book interesting but a bit more tedious. However, I devoured the second half in one sitting.
Romance and spicy part is good, but I feel like it is a little intense in some parts.

Of course, I have to mention the moment I discovered why the book is titled that way, as well as why we call him X, it left me open-mouthed.
I also have to mention Alice and Colton; I found them hilarious and I already want to read the second book to find out more about them.

So if you like romance with some mistery, a wedding in the mix, friends, and plenty of secrets, this book is for you.

Thanks to the author, Lina Beck, for the ARC copy in exchange of an honest review.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this early as an arc!!!


While the writing was good - the story, overall, fell short. I felt like the FMC and MMC had zero chemistry, and that the only thing that was important for them was the sex. It wasn't until the god damn two epilogues where you saw them have something more - and if I have to wait until the epilogues to feel, understand, see why and WANT these two people should be together....that's a failing. Which is why I have tagged this as no romance - because we do not see a romance. We see people in lust having sex, but we sure as fucking hell don't see them falling in love.

I mean, shit, there was a point where I thought the MMC was going to be the man that hired her - and why the hell did he kiss her? What was the point?

Spicy? 2 spice scenes, and 1 that was pretty fade-to-black. Very vanilla. Beginner's spice, more like.

While most people enjoyed Alice and Colton? I found Alice overbearing and annoying. I liked Colton.

And other than the wedding being in Muskoka, NOTHING about this book gave off Canadian vibes.

[Sheree Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy.

This was such an enjoyable book! Nora's character had me interested and then hooked from the first page! I've never read a book based on a Private Investigator so that was something different. I loved how real her character was and found her quite relatable. And I also loved her cat Oliver. He was so cute!
The idea of having a character with a hidden identity was so fun! X was a very interesting character and I liked how we learnt about him along with the FMC. I'm like how we got to see him overcome his trauma and to see his and Nora's relationship.
Alice and Colton were great at side characters. They both added to the story and I can't wait to see more from them.

I would definitely recommend this for lovers of second chance romance and something fun and different. Check it out on May 6th!

[Shauni Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3.5

-Private Investigator FMC
-Broody MMC
-Secret Identity
-Dislike to Lovers

This story follows our FMC Nora who is hired by the CEO of a tech firm to find and serve papers to a guy named X. Nora is able to not only find X, but she's able to infiltrate his closest circle of friends. X is automatically suspicious of Nora but also can't seem to avoid her.

I really liked the mystery in this book, I have never read a book with a private investigator FMC and I really liked that aspect, it made the book stand out. I liked the spice, I felt like there was a good amount without it taking over the entire story which can happen in some stories. I also really enjoyed Colton and Alice, they were a great addition to the story line and I'm excited to read their story next.

Thank you so much to the author Lina Beck for this advance readers copy 💗

[Maggie Beese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Private investigator Nora is hired by the CEO of a tech company to find the mysterious "X". As she gets closer to "X" through his friends, he is still a mystery, and she is determined to figure him out. She also might just fall in love along the way.

🔎 Private investigator
❤️ Enemies to lovers

I absolutely loved the concept of this book! Nora's career as a private investigator had me hooked right away, and her personality had me hooked right away! I loved the mystery involved at the beginning and the forbidden aspects of their relationship. Their chemistry off the bat was perfect, and I love how they fell for each other even when they weren't supposed to. The third act breakup felt inevitable and very natural with this one, and I loved their redemption! I also loved Alice and Colton, and I'm excited for their book!

Thank you to Lina Beck for the advanced reader copy of this book!

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 in The Undercovered Series.

This was an ARC read I had the privilege of reading before it was released!

This book SUCKED me right in! The whole PI thing got me. It reminded me of Jessica Jones on Netflix lol. I’m a sucker for gossip and mystery! But the thing that got me the most in this book is the banter between the FMC and the MMC. Nora and X relationship is perfection. I always had a smile on my face when they would interact with each other. And then to add their best friends in on top of their banter. I absolutely loved it! The book definitely showed the roller coaster of life with all the ups and downs it has to offer and I can relate to that.
I highly recommend reading this book and cannot wait to get it to add to my trophy shelf 😍.

Please read this if you want a good laugh and have a constant smile on your face!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Elixabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Plot/Spice/Tears/)
📚 4/5 - 🌶 3/5 - 💧3/5


I was a sent a complimentary copy with no expectation for a favorable reviewn.


Nora is a private investigator that was hired CEO of a wealthy Tech Security company to track down the identity of someone who goes by X, so he can be severed papers. She infiltrates his inner circle, and things really take of from there.

There were some excellent surprises in this stoy that I never saw coming. I absolutely loved the banter between Nora and X, their tension and spice was so hot. The heartbreak and betrayal? Ugh so many tears were shed.


I'm so excited to read Alice and Coltons book, the both seem like a lot of fun!

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC review✨

This story was a sweet and relatively quick read.

Nora takes a PI job from a high profile client and ends up getting way more than she bargained for! She thinks this is an easy serving job with a fat paycheque, but when she finally meets X, she quickly realizes there’s a lot more here.
X does his best to keep himself hidden, even from those he should be closest to. When Nora enters the equation, he starts to question whether he’s been right all along ?

This story has drama, humour and a splash of smut to tie it all together!

Can’t wait to read Alice & Colton’s story next!

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m on the fence with this one. It was definitely a different kind of read, wood overall made it good. But I honestly had a hard time getting into it. I think both the FMC and MMC were great characters. I guess I’m just not really big on the P.I. Aspect. And honestly, the cover doesn’t match the synopsis. The cover makes this sound like a cutesy tour romance, which obviously it’s really not.
I do think the book was good enough overall though, that I’m not opposed to reading another and seeing if things change for me.

[Kathleen Gupton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC copy of this book!!

I thought this book was a good amount of mystery and romance! It has a moderate level of spicy, so if that's not your thing you won't care for this book. However, it has a good amount of plot so it's not a "heavy spice with no content" situation!!

If you're looking for mystery, a private investigator, broody MMC, drama, and romance - give this one a try!

[Reanna Wagens · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ 3🌶

FMC- Nora
MMC-X

Nora is a PI who is a witty, overthinking black cat and I loved this about her. I also love that she found her *pixie dust*.
I was completely entertained throughout the entire book.
Im glad how she got her found family after having such a rigid routine and finally took a chance outside her comfort zone.
Definately going to read the next book!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, spicy ride 🥹💅 enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, secret identity… I was hooked on Nora and X immediately. The tension was so good, and X was ridiculously magnetic while Nora was so easy to root for. The reunion had me giggling and stressed at the same time 😭 I really enjoyed it 💖✨

[Larissa C · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Overall, I enjoyed this book! It was a fun female detective story with some sports and romance. I appreciated the slow burn for Nora & X. I also enjoyed the wedding plot line in the second half to bring everyone back together. After the time jump, it’s clear both have matured and realized what they were needing. It was an easy and fun read.

Review was for an ARC provided by the author.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary Romance
PI FMC x Millionaire MMC
Forced Proximity
Secret Identity
Reunion Romance

I quite enjoyed the book and these tropes as well as the dual POV between the characters and felt that it allowed the reader to get into the story, would definitely recommend to those who would enjoy a story with this type of plot and looking forward to the next book!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a unique read. A PI?!? Okay, we have our main character (we also get dual POV, her and him) private investigator hired to find this mysterious guy named X. She finds him and doesnt expect to feel the way that she does towards him. Things get spicy!!!! But he doesn’t know who she really is…. And what she’s after…

[Mary Alber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for this E-ARC of the book. This was a quick read, with Nora being very relatable. She’s a PI, hired for a case of finding “X”. I was a little confused on why she needed to find this man, although it came together towards the end. Overall, I’m looking forward to book two and will definitely continue reading this series.

[Jaime Ehrenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was unsure if I would like Nora from the opening of this book but quickly became intrigued with her investigation on X. There was mystery sprinkled in with the witty banter and tension which I love. The build and anxiety around Nora and X’s relationship felt relatable. Alice and Colten as supporting characters were adorable and helped the second half of the story stay entertaining.

[i_want_ all_the_spoilers · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐
FMC - Nora
MMC - X

This was a romance with a side of mystery. A short read that got me hooked on a Saturday.
I did have a “what was that” moment when three moving parts of the story met. It was short, and felt out of place somehow. But besides that one chapter I really enjoyed the read.
The story flowed nicely, the lonely FMC got her found family.

I do question the FMC backstory. Because she feels too… traumatized, but we get a glimpse of a normal family in one paragraph she mentioned something about her family.

Now about my fav quotes:

“I’m tempted to keep you,” I whisper, the thought slipping out between us.Her stare turns feral. She lifts her head halfway. “Keep me. Have me.”
Nora hums in victory, but soon her hands travel down my abdomen as she whispers in my ear, “Claim me. Ruin me.”


“You’ll sooner find me dead in the streets than wearing colors on a daily basis. In black I put my trust, so I should trust myself too. The art of pretending is reserved for the actual job. ”

“You’re staring,” he says quietly, not looking up from his glass.“I’m observing,” I correct him. I lean in, reaching for the cutlery. “It’s what you’re paying me for.”

Definitely not about the FMC “Sometimes I like to pretend she’s a magical creature, sprinkling her magic on people who are running low on it. She can talk to anybody about anything and has the charm and charisma to convert almost anyone into a fan.”

“Let’s go, fairy dust.” I nod toward the door.Alice pouts in protest. “Do I have to?”“Yeah. Because the next thing that comes out of your mouth might be too much even for me.”She grins widely. “So the foursome wasn’t?”

A promise I love “I don’t need that. I need this. I need you. This feeling you awaken in me. I want to feel it over and over again. Make me yours. And I’ll make you mine. For as long as we allow each other. We can still take it day by day. But together.”

[Laci Wimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a quick read read that I really enjoyed. The mystery of finding X, and then finding out why he was Nora’s target got me hooked from the beginning. It was a little spicy,🌶️🌶️🌶️, and I’ll definitely read the next book in the series!