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A Secret Match
Everett Kinkade is a world-famous professional wrestler and a sexy heartthrob for millions of adoring female fans. But Ev has a secret he doesn’t dare share with anyone—he’s gay.
After years of being Ev’s secret lover, Josh is tired of hiding in the shadows and wants Ev to openly acknowledge their relationship. Coming out, however, is the last thing Ev wants and fears it will ruin his career.
But one night in a moment of truth, Everett outs himself on live TV. There’s no going back, and his announcement sparks a firestorm of problems, both personally and professionally. He’s forced to come to grips with who he really is while facing down a tag team out to destroy him.
Torn between living a lie and losing the man he loves, Ev has risked everything. Can he find a balance between his career and his heart?
Genres: Gay / Contemporary / Sports / Athletes
- GenresM M RomanceContemporary
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2014
2 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Kelli A. Wilkins
61 books33 followersKelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 9 mystery/thriller/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror, mystery, and thriller fiction.
Her latest book, The Route 9 Stalker, was published in January 2026. This mystery/thriller is set in Central NJ and follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case. Meet him for the first time in The Route 9 Killer.
Kelli's 24th romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in 2025.
In 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.
Visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and to find all her social media links.
Her latest book, The Route 9 Stalker, was published in January 2026. This mystery/thriller is set in Central NJ and follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case. Meet him for the first time in The Route 9 Killer.
Kelli's 24th romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in 2025.
In 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.
Visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and to find all her social media links.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 18, 2014
Originally posted on The Book Nympho
I'd be lying if I didn't admit this cover sucked me in even before I read the blurb. I'm still fascinated with it.
A bit of background
Everett Kincaid's a professional wrestler who's gay and deep in the closet, even though he's been in a secret committed relationship for two years. His fear is that his career will end if he acknowledges his true nature. Complicating things even more is the sexy image and lifestyle that's been developed for his wrestling character. When Josh, his committed partner, walks out on him, Everett is forced to come to terms with what's most important in his life.
The wrestling
I've never watched wrestling but have family members who are insane about the sport. It really looked fake to me when I was growing up but today's wrestlers are true athletes, even though the match outcomes are pure theater.
This story educated me about the behind-the-scenes realities of professional wrestling and I found it incredibly interesting. I loved Everett who is one of the good guys. His partner, Vinnie, knows about he's gay and isn't concerned in the least. In fact, some of the funnier moments are when he probes Everett for details about the m/m sexual experience. The wrestling scenes were mesmerizing on the page!
The romance
Everett's romance with Josh varied from hot & steamy to frustrating when he suddenly left him. Everett's sudden admission left him rudderless and unprepared for the consequences. The book packs an emotional punch for such a short novel and I was completely drawn in.
A little nit
My only nit with the story is discovering, while in the middle, it is a sequel to an earlier book. It stands alone pretty well but, as I'm a character-driven reader, I couldn't shake the sense that I was missing essential details about events that occurred in the first book. I went on a search because those events were pretty significant. I probably would have rated the story higher if I'd read the earlier book.
The bottom line
I enjoyed this story in spite of having missed reading the first book. I highly recommend it but also advise starting with the connected book, A Perfect Match.
(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)
I'd be lying if I didn't admit this cover sucked me in even before I read the blurb. I'm still fascinated with it.
A bit of background
Everett Kincaid's a professional wrestler who's gay and deep in the closet, even though he's been in a secret committed relationship for two years. His fear is that his career will end if he acknowledges his true nature. Complicating things even more is the sexy image and lifestyle that's been developed for his wrestling character. When Josh, his committed partner, walks out on him, Everett is forced to come to terms with what's most important in his life.
The wrestling
I've never watched wrestling but have family members who are insane about the sport. It really looked fake to me when I was growing up but today's wrestlers are true athletes, even though the match outcomes are pure theater.
This story educated me about the behind-the-scenes realities of professional wrestling and I found it incredibly interesting. I loved Everett who is one of the good guys. His partner, Vinnie, knows about he's gay and isn't concerned in the least. In fact, some of the funnier moments are when he probes Everett for details about the m/m sexual experience. The wrestling scenes were mesmerizing on the page!
The romance
Everett's romance with Josh varied from hot & steamy to frustrating when he suddenly left him. Everett's sudden admission left him rudderless and unprepared for the consequences. The book packs an emotional punch for such a short novel and I was completely drawn in.
A little nit
My only nit with the story is discovering, while in the middle, it is a sequel to an earlier book. It stands alone pretty well but, as I'm a character-driven reader, I couldn't shake the sense that I was missing essential details about events that occurred in the first book. I went on a search because those events were pretty significant. I probably would have rated the story higher if I'd read the earlier book.
The bottom line
I enjoyed this story in spite of having missed reading the first book. I highly recommend it but also advise starting with the connected book, A Perfect Match.
(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)
Read
January 2, 2016Will Josh continue with A Secret Match when he wants it all to be open.
Everett Kinkade is a famous wrestler with many fans. Many of those fans are woman who delight in watching the sexy man perform. Ev has a secret though - he is gay.
Josh has been Ev’s secret lover for some time now. He is tired of hiding in the shadows and wants Ev to meet his friends an family.
Without thinking and tired of not being himself, Everett outs himself on TV. Now he is facing a wealth of problem - professional and personal. Disappointed fans and a tag team out to destroy him are the least of his problems. Will he be able to have his love and his career?
Everett stayed in the closet to save his career. Josh no longer wanted to live as his secret. He wanted to be able to show off his lover, share his family and his friends. When they fight about just before going on the road again, Ev is devastated, but he must keep his mind in the ring or there could be more issues than just coming out. Tired of playing the games, Ev outs himself on TV.
It was easy to understand the views of both Ev and Josh. Josh did not want to be A Secret Match. He wanted more in life. Ev knew that coming out would cause incredible problems, but he had some surprising support. Ev did have many problems when he came out but with the help of Josh, his rough journey to being himself will be better.
Kelli A. Wilkins does an excellent job of showing what happens when you come out. It requires incredible bravery for one with Ev’s profession. Take a walk with Ev and Josh and experience it for yourself. Feel Ev’s pain and Josh’s love and desire to help him. One story you do not want to miss - A Secret Match by Kelli A. Wilkins.
Everett Kinkade is a famous wrestler with many fans. Many of those fans are woman who delight in watching the sexy man perform. Ev has a secret though - he is gay.
Josh has been Ev’s secret lover for some time now. He is tired of hiding in the shadows and wants Ev to meet his friends an family.
Without thinking and tired of not being himself, Everett outs himself on TV. Now he is facing a wealth of problem - professional and personal. Disappointed fans and a tag team out to destroy him are the least of his problems. Will he be able to have his love and his career?
Everett stayed in the closet to save his career. Josh no longer wanted to live as his secret. He wanted to be able to show off his lover, share his family and his friends. When they fight about just before going on the road again, Ev is devastated, but he must keep his mind in the ring or there could be more issues than just coming out. Tired of playing the games, Ev outs himself on TV.
It was easy to understand the views of both Ev and Josh. Josh did not want to be A Secret Match. He wanted more in life. Ev knew that coming out would cause incredible problems, but he had some surprising support. Ev did have many problems when he came out but with the help of Josh, his rough journey to being himself will be better.
Kelli A. Wilkins does an excellent job of showing what happens when you come out. It requires incredible bravery for one with Ev’s profession. Take a walk with Ev and Josh and experience it for yourself. Feel Ev’s pain and Josh’s love and desire to help him. One story you do not want to miss - A Secret Match by Kelli A. Wilkins.
October 18, 2017
Really enjoyed this book. Everett is forced to hide his personal life because of the world he's a part of. The image of a rough, tough wrestler contradicts with his true feelings and desires. Unfortunately he's not allowed to just be himself, which leads to his discovering what's really important. Terrific details about the wrestling world, as well. I've seen it on TV, but had no idea of what was going on behind the scenes. Exciting story that left me rooting for Everett to finally be happy and have the life he deserved.
September 11, 2014
First off – the world of professional wrestling is something I am familiar with, having a son who was totally engrossed in the whole thing. Having had the conversation with him as he got older about it being “scripted”, I loved reading this story about the storylines and how they come about.
Everett is a famous wrestler, very popular with the ladies and he has his charming, ladies-man persona honed to perfection. A flip of that long hair and a flash of that smile and the ladies swoon. The problem? Everett lives well in the closet but has a boyfriend who he loves and wants nothing to do with those ladies. Compounding the problem is the constant traveling Everett has to do for his job. It means leaving Josh for weeks at a time. Since Ev hides his relationship with Josh, he isn’t able to bring Josh with him. They don’t go out anywhere and Ev hasn’t met any of Josh’s friends. Obviously, Josh hasn’t met Ev’s either.
Even worse, Ev is so ashamed of being gay it sort of hurts your heart. “If anyone discovered his secret, he’d die.” Variations on this thought happen often for Ev. Even in his own home, there isn’t a single picture of Josh and Ev. He believes that if Josh were a woman “I’d be normal”, as if by being gay he isn’t normal.
When they have “the talk”, I was a little bit pissed at Josh for demanding Ev come out, because I felt that is such a personal decision and Ev truly believes his career is over if that happens. But then I had to think about it from Josh’s perspective. “I want you to stop hiding me, denying I exist.” How much would that break your spirit, knowing the person you love won’t even look in your direction of someone else is there? When he introduces you as his “brother, or cousin, or friend”. So tough.
I did love that both Josh and Ev have amazing best friends. Ev’s is a seven-foot-tall wrestler named Vin and part of the story focuses on the new storyline involving Vin and his wife, Danni. Josh has Trope, a flamboyant, loyal one who calls Josh out on the fact that he is rocking a big secret of his own. When Josh realizes it’s not all Ev, it’s a great moment.
The story focuses for the first half on how to make these two understand what they have together and the second on how to survive being a gay wrestler when there’s a homophobic tag team out for your blood (serious, too, they’ve already mangled one wrestler) and how to handle the manager who controls your career. Nick, his name is, and he’s a complete hairball.
I liked the story very much and I thought the ending was perfect. He may wrestle in front of millions and be a big, bad man, but meeting the family has him panicking. Adorable.
Everett is a famous wrestler, very popular with the ladies and he has his charming, ladies-man persona honed to perfection. A flip of that long hair and a flash of that smile and the ladies swoon. The problem? Everett lives well in the closet but has a boyfriend who he loves and wants nothing to do with those ladies. Compounding the problem is the constant traveling Everett has to do for his job. It means leaving Josh for weeks at a time. Since Ev hides his relationship with Josh, he isn’t able to bring Josh with him. They don’t go out anywhere and Ev hasn’t met any of Josh’s friends. Obviously, Josh hasn’t met Ev’s either.
Even worse, Ev is so ashamed of being gay it sort of hurts your heart. “If anyone discovered his secret, he’d die.” Variations on this thought happen often for Ev. Even in his own home, there isn’t a single picture of Josh and Ev. He believes that if Josh were a woman “I’d be normal”, as if by being gay he isn’t normal.
When they have “the talk”, I was a little bit pissed at Josh for demanding Ev come out, because I felt that is such a personal decision and Ev truly believes his career is over if that happens. But then I had to think about it from Josh’s perspective. “I want you to stop hiding me, denying I exist.” How much would that break your spirit, knowing the person you love won’t even look in your direction of someone else is there? When he introduces you as his “brother, or cousin, or friend”. So tough.
I did love that both Josh and Ev have amazing best friends. Ev’s is a seven-foot-tall wrestler named Vin and part of the story focuses on the new storyline involving Vin and his wife, Danni. Josh has Trope, a flamboyant, loyal one who calls Josh out on the fact that he is rocking a big secret of his own. When Josh realizes it’s not all Ev, it’s a great moment.
The story focuses for the first half on how to make these two understand what they have together and the second on how to survive being a gay wrestler when there’s a homophobic tag team out for your blood (serious, too, they’ve already mangled one wrestler) and how to handle the manager who controls your career. Nick, his name is, and he’s a complete hairball.
I liked the story very much and I thought the ending was perfect. He may wrestle in front of millions and be a big, bad man, but meeting the family has him panicking. Adorable.
October 1, 2014
I have to admit that I know very little about wrestling, I'd never really watched it on television or anything like that, but did occasionally glimpse it while channel surfing. It was my husband who told me that a lot of it was staged and I was very surprised at that, I'd had no idea.
In this book, Everett has been wrestling for a while and is the pin-up of millions of female fans worldwide, something his boss, Nick (or Nick the Prick as the wrestlers call him) is very keen to cash in on. Nick is the one who decides who gets into the ring, who gets a chance at the championship belts and sometimes who wins them as well.
But Everett has a big secret that he fears getting out: he's gay and has been with Josh for almost two years by the time the book starts. On his way to a bit match, Josh gives him an ultimatum: tell the world about them or they are finished.
Josh is fed up of being Everett's dirty little secret; there aren't even photos of them together in their apartment, in case someone sees them and deduces they are a couple.
I really felt for both Everett's and Josh's predicament here, I could well understand both their points of view. The world of wrestling seems very macho and Everett thinks if he comes out as gay, his career may be over in one fell swoop. But is his career worth losing Josh over? The tension between their two differing views felt very real and both were in emotional turmoil for a lot of the book.
Everett does a lot of travel for his wrestling job, and Josh is left alone for weeks at a time, time enough to think, is this really what he wants? A man who won't even admit he exists, never mind tell people they're together?
There were a lot of wrestling terms and jargon that I didn't understand, but I was still able to keep up with the story. When Nick decides on a storyline where Everett is supposed to steal his best friend's wife, Danni, as part of his next round of matches, Everett has had enough and announces on live television that he's gay. But Josh never watches the wrestling, and he doesn't know it until a lot later in the book. Sometimes I felt that the two of them needed to be locked in a room together and talk things through before they were let out again!
Well written, with interesting characters, it was a fun, romantic story with a bit of angst along the way, but not too much. It is a romance after all, not a tragedy.
Review copy supplied by author
In this book, Everett has been wrestling for a while and is the pin-up of millions of female fans worldwide, something his boss, Nick (or Nick the Prick as the wrestlers call him) is very keen to cash in on. Nick is the one who decides who gets into the ring, who gets a chance at the championship belts and sometimes who wins them as well.
But Everett has a big secret that he fears getting out: he's gay and has been with Josh for almost two years by the time the book starts. On his way to a bit match, Josh gives him an ultimatum: tell the world about them or they are finished.
Josh is fed up of being Everett's dirty little secret; there aren't even photos of them together in their apartment, in case someone sees them and deduces they are a couple.
I really felt for both Everett's and Josh's predicament here, I could well understand both their points of view. The world of wrestling seems very macho and Everett thinks if he comes out as gay, his career may be over in one fell swoop. But is his career worth losing Josh over? The tension between their two differing views felt very real and both were in emotional turmoil for a lot of the book.
Everett does a lot of travel for his wrestling job, and Josh is left alone for weeks at a time, time enough to think, is this really what he wants? A man who won't even admit he exists, never mind tell people they're together?
There were a lot of wrestling terms and jargon that I didn't understand, but I was still able to keep up with the story. When Nick decides on a storyline where Everett is supposed to steal his best friend's wife, Danni, as part of his next round of matches, Everett has had enough and announces on live television that he's gay. But Josh never watches the wrestling, and he doesn't know it until a lot later in the book. Sometimes I felt that the two of them needed to be locked in a room together and talk things through before they were let out again!
Well written, with interesting characters, it was a fun, romantic story with a bit of angst along the way, but not too much. It is a romance after all, not a tragedy.
Review copy supplied by author
October 3, 2014
Night Owl Review
****4 1/2 stars****
Original Review Published here: http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...
Everett Kinkade is a world famous professional wrestler. Millions of female fans who will do almost anything to gain his attention however, Everett has a huge problem that interferes. Everett is gay and so in the closet that beyond his boyfriend and his best friend no one knows he is gay. Everett is scared about what everyone will think and what it will do to his career. He is also ashamed of being gay witch is also enforced by his past with his parents and his career choice.
Josh is head over heels in love with Everett but he is tired of being in the closet. He wants Everett to be spend time with his family and his friends. Josh is tired of making excuses for Everett when Josh is with his friends and family. I really like Josh’s best friend because he points out that Josh is hiding things from Everett and that Everett is not the only one with problems in his relationship.
The connection between Josh and Everett is intense. The biggest issue they seems to have is that they don’t communicate well. Josh and Everett seems to spend a lot of time either in bed or hanging out. They don’t go out as a couple because of Everett’s insecurities about being spotted. The sex scenes were scorching. I liked that this book focused on the relationship between Josh and Everett.
I found this book well written with an interesting plot. The ending is set in a way that leaves you with hope for Josh and Everett that while the road might not be easy they will tackle it together. I hope there is a sequel to see how Josh and Everett adjust to life now that everyone knows about them. The main characters and the secondary characters were fascinating and charming. Overall, I loved this book.
****4 1/2 stars****
Original Review Published here: http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...
Everett Kinkade is a world famous professional wrestler. Millions of female fans who will do almost anything to gain his attention however, Everett has a huge problem that interferes. Everett is gay and so in the closet that beyond his boyfriend and his best friend no one knows he is gay. Everett is scared about what everyone will think and what it will do to his career. He is also ashamed of being gay witch is also enforced by his past with his parents and his career choice.
Josh is head over heels in love with Everett but he is tired of being in the closet. He wants Everett to be spend time with his family and his friends. Josh is tired of making excuses for Everett when Josh is with his friends and family. I really like Josh’s best friend because he points out that Josh is hiding things from Everett and that Everett is not the only one with problems in his relationship.
The connection between Josh and Everett is intense. The biggest issue they seems to have is that they don’t communicate well. Josh and Everett seems to spend a lot of time either in bed or hanging out. They don’t go out as a couple because of Everett’s insecurities about being spotted. The sex scenes were scorching. I liked that this book focused on the relationship between Josh and Everett.
I found this book well written with an interesting plot. The ending is set in a way that leaves you with hope for Josh and Everett that while the road might not be easy they will tackle it together. I hope there is a sequel to see how Josh and Everett adjust to life now that everyone knows about them. The main characters and the secondary characters were fascinating and charming. Overall, I loved this book.
October 20, 2014
Full Review pending
3.5 stars
Everett Kinkade is already a disappointment to his family, and he won’t compound it by being an openly gay man. He dates Josh in secret for 2 years before Josh just can’t stand it anymore.
Josh subtly puts an ultimatum out there: come out or we “might” be done. So Everett does it – on live television!
There is a lot of fall out, most of it surprisingly good, but at the end of the day, Everett realizes that coming out has to be something he did for himself and not for anyone else.
There is a lot of great inside information about professional wrestling in this book, so that was cool to learn about. I enjoyed seeing the different personalities from backstage.
Everett is a very conflicted guy and his relationship with Josh is tepid at best, but I felt that the main thrust of the story was less about their relationship and more about being true to oneself.
It has a HEA and Josh and Everett stay together, but I think the author could have done more to convince me they were a good “fit” in the first place. Josh doesn’t even watch Everett’s matches and besides getting together for sex, they don’t spend much time together. Josh is hiding something pretty big and when the secret is revealed it was not met with (what I think) was an appropriate amount of consideration to how it would affect their lives together.
I had not read a book by this author before, and if another came I’d give it a chance, but I think from a story-development point-of-view, Kelli could have done more to build the relationship of Josh and Everett before tearing it down and re-building it.
Overall it was an interesting read with a fairly sweet romance and I enjoyed it.
3.5 stars
Everett Kinkade is already a disappointment to his family, and he won’t compound it by being an openly gay man. He dates Josh in secret for 2 years before Josh just can’t stand it anymore.
Josh subtly puts an ultimatum out there: come out or we “might” be done. So Everett does it – on live television!
There is a lot of fall out, most of it surprisingly good, but at the end of the day, Everett realizes that coming out has to be something he did for himself and not for anyone else.
There is a lot of great inside information about professional wrestling in this book, so that was cool to learn about. I enjoyed seeing the different personalities from backstage.
Everett is a very conflicted guy and his relationship with Josh is tepid at best, but I felt that the main thrust of the story was less about their relationship and more about being true to oneself.
It has a HEA and Josh and Everett stay together, but I think the author could have done more to convince me they were a good “fit” in the first place. Josh doesn’t even watch Everett’s matches and besides getting together for sex, they don’t spend much time together. Josh is hiding something pretty big and when the secret is revealed it was not met with (what I think) was an appropriate amount of consideration to how it would affect their lives together.
I had not read a book by this author before, and if another came I’d give it a chance, but I think from a story-development point-of-view, Kelli could have done more to build the relationship of Josh and Everett before tearing it down and re-building it.
Overall it was an interesting read with a fairly sweet romance and I enjoyed it.
September 24, 2014
In a Nutshell: Very enjoyable romance of an established couple at a crossroads. The wrestling plot was interesting for this non-wrestling fan as well.
The Set Up: Josh is tired of feeling like his lover’s dirty secret and asks pro-wrestler Ev to consider coming out. Ev’s can’t imagine a gay pro-wrestler but with his friends’ support maybe he can do it.
Why I Read This Book: I love established couple romances so this was a no brainer for me to read.
What I Liked: Josh and Ev’s tension felt very real and organic. I love how the story was told, with both Josh and Ev remembering how they met, feel in love, and started building a life together. This made me really care when Josh tells Ev that he wants them to be a real couple, who go out together and are introduced to each others friends. I understood both Josh’s desire for a full life and Ev’s reluctance to come out for fear of his job and life even. This tension was very well written and kept me hooked.
What I Also Liked: I’m not a pro-wrestler fan at all but this turned out to be an interesting setting for such a uniquely told romance. Ev’s fellow wrestler, both the good and the ugly, gave great atmosphere to this novella, especially his best friend and the best friend’s wife. Ev’s big reveal was totally romance-novel worthy and had me cheering as well.
What I Didn’t Like: This isn’t a long story. It didn’t feel rushed or shortchanged but I know Amber Quill books are expensive. I really enjoyed reading this novella but not sure I would pay nearly $6 for it given its length.
IMO: I really enjoyed this unique romance set in the exotic (to me!) world of pro-wrestling and recommend it to MM readers.
The Set Up: Josh is tired of feeling like his lover’s dirty secret and asks pro-wrestler Ev to consider coming out. Ev’s can’t imagine a gay pro-wrestler but with his friends’ support maybe he can do it.
Why I Read This Book: I love established couple romances so this was a no brainer for me to read.
What I Liked: Josh and Ev’s tension felt very real and organic. I love how the story was told, with both Josh and Ev remembering how they met, feel in love, and started building a life together. This made me really care when Josh tells Ev that he wants them to be a real couple, who go out together and are introduced to each others friends. I understood both Josh’s desire for a full life and Ev’s reluctance to come out for fear of his job and life even. This tension was very well written and kept me hooked.
What I Also Liked: I’m not a pro-wrestler fan at all but this turned out to be an interesting setting for such a uniquely told romance. Ev’s fellow wrestler, both the good and the ugly, gave great atmosphere to this novella, especially his best friend and the best friend’s wife. Ev’s big reveal was totally romance-novel worthy and had me cheering as well.
What I Didn’t Like: This isn’t a long story. It didn’t feel rushed or shortchanged but I know Amber Quill books are expensive. I really enjoyed reading this novella but not sure I would pay nearly $6 for it given its length.
IMO: I really enjoyed this unique romance set in the exotic (to me!) world of pro-wrestling and recommend it to MM readers.
October 21, 2014
I don’t know anything about wrestling. I never watched it as a teenager, and certainly don’t as an adult, so all I really know is that’s is staged and lots cheering for large sweaty men. That being said, I actually enjoyed the book. I didn’t expect not to or anything, but I thought it’d be weird and it just wasn’t. It’s just another athletic job. Only a couple things were weird about it, but they were supposed to be for even the characters weren’t loving what was going on.
There are some flashbacks and I am not a fan of that, but they were few and specific. The love scenes are sexy, but not amazing. My only other complaint is that it felt like there was a book before this (which there is apparently), and I feel like this book should be able to standalone a little better.
The story has its funny moments and is quite heartwarming. Coming out is a big thing and Ev just dives right out there…almost accidentally. I loved the secondary characters (though Nick really is a sleazeball and the “villains” were grade-A jerks) and I really liked the ending. The match is a little unexpected and the epilogue is cute. For a book about a big bad wrestler, the book as a whole is just kinda cute.
A Secret Match is a heartwarming tale of learning to accept oneself and not be afraid of being who you are. Don’t miss this sweet read!
There are some flashbacks and I am not a fan of that, but they were few and specific. The love scenes are sexy, but not amazing. My only other complaint is that it felt like there was a book before this (which there is apparently), and I feel like this book should be able to standalone a little better.
The story has its funny moments and is quite heartwarming. Coming out is a big thing and Ev just dives right out there…almost accidentally. I loved the secondary characters (though Nick really is a sleazeball and the “villains” were grade-A jerks) and I really liked the ending. The match is a little unexpected and the epilogue is cute. For a book about a big bad wrestler, the book as a whole is just kinda cute.
A Secret Match is a heartwarming tale of learning to accept oneself and not be afraid of being who you are. Don’t miss this sweet read!
September 26, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
The world of entertainment wrestling. Not a place most of us get to hang out behind the scenes and the setting was interesting and unique. There is a lot of sports action, wrestling matches, and jargon used to round out the experience.
We meet Everett and Josh when they have already been together for two years and Josh has had it. At first, he understands Everett’s need to keep his sexuality hidden for his career, but Josh now wants to move forward with a life with Everett. We do get to see a few scenes from their early days as a couple through flashbacks which definitely helps to build the connection between the two of them.
They don’t communicate well. Everett travels a good portion of the time and was so freaked out about being in a committed relationship with a man that he did not even tell Josh what he did for a living for six months. Josh did not even ask him in all that time what his job was and Josh is certainly keeping some big secrets of his own.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
The world of entertainment wrestling. Not a place most of us get to hang out behind the scenes and the setting was interesting and unique. There is a lot of sports action, wrestling matches, and jargon used to round out the experience.
We meet Everett and Josh when they have already been together for two years and Josh has had it. At first, he understands Everett’s need to keep his sexuality hidden for his career, but Josh now wants to move forward with a life with Everett. We do get to see a few scenes from their early days as a couple through flashbacks which definitely helps to build the connection between the two of them.
They don’t communicate well. Everett travels a good portion of the time and was so freaked out about being in a committed relationship with a man that he did not even tell Josh what he did for a living for six months. Josh did not even ask him in all that time what his job was and Josh is certainly keeping some big secrets of his own.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
June 13, 2018
A SECRET MATCH
Everett Kinkade is a world-famous professional wrestler and the sexy heartthrob of millions of adoring female fans. But Ev has a secret he doesn’t dare share with anyone. He’s gay.
After years of being Ev’s secret lover, Josh is tired of hiding in the shadows and wants Ev to openly acknowledge their relationship. Coming out is the last thing Ev wants and fears it will ruin his career.
One night in a moment of truth, Everett outs himself on live TV. There’s no going back, and his announcement sparks a firestorm of problems—both personally and professionally. He’s forced to come to grips with who he really is while facing down a manipulative boss and a tag-team out to destroy him.
Torn between living a lie and losing the man he loves, Ev has risked everything… can he find a balance between his career and his heart?
Order your copy of A Secret Match here:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FERW65A
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/md6rZb
Everett Kinkade is a world-famous professional wrestler and the sexy heartthrob of millions of adoring female fans. But Ev has a secret he doesn’t dare share with anyone. He’s gay.
After years of being Ev’s secret lover, Josh is tired of hiding in the shadows and wants Ev to openly acknowledge their relationship. Coming out is the last thing Ev wants and fears it will ruin his career.
One night in a moment of truth, Everett outs himself on live TV. There’s no going back, and his announcement sparks a firestorm of problems—both personally and professionally. He’s forced to come to grips with who he really is while facing down a manipulative boss and a tag-team out to destroy him.
Torn between living a lie and losing the man he loves, Ev has risked everything… can he find a balance between his career and his heart?
Order your copy of A Secret Match here:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FERW65A
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/md6rZb
September 16, 2014
Looks like I'm getting more critical by the minute :(
Ok, I know nothing about wrestling and to be honest, it doesn't interest me in the least. Nevertheless, the cover and the blurb spoke to me and yes, I bought it and read it - rather - at once. Well, sadly it couldn't hold my interest. Even if this whole wrestling business was depicted very realistic, well, for me it sounded like some hands-on theatre. And I also missed the chemistry between Ev and Josh. I liked the out-of-the-blue outing Ev did and I liked Ev. I also like Danni and Vin, but overall the whole thing couldn't grab me. It felt bland and put-on. But I finished it, yeah!
Ok, I know nothing about wrestling and to be honest, it doesn't interest me in the least. Nevertheless, the cover and the blurb spoke to me and yes, I bought it and read it - rather - at once. Well, sadly it couldn't hold my interest. Even if this whole wrestling business was depicted very realistic, well, for me it sounded like some hands-on theatre. And I also missed the chemistry between Ev and Josh. I liked the out-of-the-blue outing Ev did and I liked Ev. I also like Danni and Vin, but overall the whole thing couldn't grab me. It felt bland and put-on. But I finished it, yeah!
February 8, 2015
I enjoyed this. It was nice to see professional wrestling, of which I'm a big fan, written in a realistic manner instead of making the characters and the world cartoonish. The ending for the couple was a little abrupt, but I did like their relationship.
October 23, 2014
Ev and Josh's story is great but there is something missing in the book. It's like it's bot finished idk. It feels like it's incomplete to me. Specially the ending.
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