Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Secret Signs

Rate this book
Sonja is finally at a good point – a degree that’s on track, friends who feel like home and a to-do list that isn’t just “make it through the day”. After years of keeping her head down and her history locked away, she’s finally daring to want more – including a frosty stranger in a bookshop who pretends he can’t understand her.

Adon doesn’t do “approachable”. Not being able to speak has made him sharper, leaner, ruthlessly selective about who gets anywhere near his orbit. Feelings are a distraction, vulnerability a liability, and people are noise. So when the woman from the bookshop keeps reappearing – all stubborn warmth and reckless kindness – he tells himself it’s coincidence. And when coincidence starts to look a lot like fate, his answer is still the absolutely not.

Only, “no” gets harder to hold when a single look from her can drown out a crowded room. What should have been a one-time irritation turns into a slow, reluctant fascination. He should shut it down; instead, he finds himself wanting things he’s spent a lifetime refusing to need.

Love is a dance – messy, off-beat and terrifying – and somehow they’re both already on the floor.

A raw and tender slow-burn romance about sign language, second chances and the fierce courage it takes to let someone all the way in.

498 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2026

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Aileen Carter

5 books26 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
12 (50%)
4 stars
9 (37%)
3 stars
2 (8%)
2 stars
1 (4%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for herbookcorner.
87 reviews7 followers
May 27, 2026
I really enjoyed this story. I found it both interesting and original. It is rare for me to read a story where one of the main characters has a disability. The fact that the MMC was unable to speak did not take away from the development of their love story at all! Instead, it allowed the book to explore the challenges and realities of communicating through text messages or ASL, as well as the frustration of not always being able to express yourself or react to situations in the same way as others. I found all of this incredibly meaningful and touching. I think this story beautifully shows that not being able to communicate verbally does not mean someone cannot have a fulfilling and happy life.

I was also deeply disturbed by Sonja’s past. Her story was heartbreaking and devastating to read. Even though this is fiction, it reflects the reality that some children unfortunately experience similar situations. Those scenes were difficult to get through, but I believe they were necessary in order to fully understand her trauma, her reactions, and the decisions she makes in the present.

I also loved watching their relationship evolve. Sonja and Adon are very similar in some ways while still being completely different people. Their chemistry and dynamic were funny, sweet, and emotional. I especially loved that their relationship developed through dance. I thought it was such an original and thoughtful choice. They were able to get to know each other not only through conversations, but also through movement and dance itself. I think many people forget that dance is a form of expression, just like any other art form. It is such a beautiful way to reveal yourself that way to another person.
Profile Image for FabledWhimsy.
63 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 30, 2026
Thank you so much to Aileen Carter for the ARC of Secret Signs! I had the absolute pleasure of being a part of Aileen’s reviewer team and made my way through the Love Series over the last few months. This series captured my heart from book one! Aileen makes such endearing and charming characters, they are the bread and butter of these books. Each book surpasses the other and I have experienced the full range of human emotion on this journey!

♡──♡──♡──♡──♡──♡──♡──♡──♡

♡ This was a strong 6-star read. I don’t rate books 6 stars often, but when a book moves you like this one does, it deserves it. There isn’t a ranking system that feels accurate to represent all the emotions I felt on this journey. This book lives and breathes in the quiet moments, its charm and wonder fill the space between spoken word. We are given time to breathe, to sit with sentiments unable to be expressed out loud. There is an intensity to this story. Whilst the narrative is not filled with action that loudly demands attention, it is filled with tenderness and softness that holds your attention and gently encourages you to look deeper. It’s warm and welcoming, a safe place to land and rest. Secret Signs creates an atmosphere that feels like being seen for the first time. I wish I could bottle how this book made me feel and save it for a rainy day.

♡ I fell hard and fast for our mute MMC Adon and I will adore the representation in Secret Signs forever. He is swoon worthy! He has smashed his way into my top 10 book boyfriends with ease! I am so happy to see Authors diversifying their stories more and more. There are so many different people in this world and so many different stories to tell. Adon is a compelling character from the start. Seeing through the eyes of someone who cannot communicate verbally was eye-opening and brings to light a lot of the struggles and issues people come across who communicate in different ways. He is multifaceted and so much more than his disability. Representation like this is incredibly important, Aileen's characters are fully realised and never reduced to stereotypes. Adon is unbelievably loving and thoughtful. I have never seen an MMC who is so considerate of their significant other. He creates and encourages strong boundaries and stresses how important communication actually is. He takes his time and loves deeper than any ocean.

♡ All the characters in this book shine so bright. Especially Sonja. She is what would happen if you took a sun beam and gave it sentience. She is who I wish I could be. At a glance she is so confident and full of joy. She is undeniably charming and pulls people into her warmth and orbit effortlessly. Once we dig deeper, we see what she has suffered at the hands of others, and it is dark. I 100% recommend checking trigger warnings and checking in with yourself whilst reading this. Sonja’s story is one of survival and bravery, her narrative is important, and I appreciate the care that Aileen takes with these characters and their trauma. Sonja is perfect for Adon in every way, she thaws all the deeply frozen parts of him. She understands that communication is so much more than sound, and she sees Adon for everything he is. Sonja only ever sees Adon as overflowing with kindness and warmth in abundance.

♡ I am frustrated with my inability to describe how tender and thought-provoking this book is! It doesn’t feel like there are enough words in the English language to convey how wonderful I found this. What Secret Signs does so well is show the many different ways we show love. A lot of us are comfortable saying the words: “I love you” but what do our actions say? What feelings do we express on our face? What do our eyes show? Silence can be loud and there are a thousand different ways we can show adoration and affection. We lean on spoken words, but we never take the time to slow down and look deeper. Secret Signs captured my heart and held it within its pages the whole time. Tenderness is steeped in each word in ways that warmed me to my bones. The love these characters share feels like salvation. If you like contemporary romances that are character-driven and full of soul, you will adore Secret Signs as much as I did.
Profile Image for Aria .
326 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 24, 2026
Secret Signs is a soft, character‑driven slow burn about two guarded people learning to let someone in, even when it feels like the riskiest thing they could do. Sonja is finally clawing her way into a life that feels like hers—with a degree on track, friends who feel like home, and the quiet courage to want more out of it. Enter Adon, a sharp, emotionally armored man who relies on sign language and has taught himself to keep the world at arm’s length, including the strangely persistent woman from the bookshop who refuses to be ignored.
The story shines brightest in its emotional intimacy and the quiet, low‑drama way the relationship builds. The slow‑burn romance leans on small, repeated moments—shared looks, accidental run‑ins, and the gradual lowering of defenses—rather than big dramatic twists. The focus on sign language and nonverbal communication adds warmth and authenticity, and the book handles Adon’s journey from practiced isolation to tentative openness with tenderness and realism.
For me, it lands at 3 stars because the pacing occasionally feels a bit stretched and some of the angst circles familiar beats without pushing them in new directions. The plot is thin by design—the book lives and dies on mood and chemistry—but readers who prioritize slow, tender, low‑angst romance over high stakes will likely find it very satisfying. It’s a cozy, heartfelt read about second chances, quiet vulnerability, and the courage it takes to say stay instead of run.
Thank you, Aileen Carter, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for andshe.reads.
751 reviews16 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 12, 2026
Aileen Carter will always be an auto read author. I absolutely have loved all her love series books & this one is no different.

Adon is the definition of grumpy & Sonja is the complete opposite, riddled with sunshine at least on the outer layer it seems. Over the course of the story they break down each other's barriers & connect in a way only love can ignite. What I loved was how Sonja & her teasing really helped Adon come out of his shell & it was great seeing that banter returned.

As with previous books interconnected characters make appearances & i love this as I always wonder what comes next at the end of their own stories so I really appreciate getting the little updates.

I appreciated the disability rep in this one as the majority of the book is about being unable to speak & using sign language or other ways to communicate.

Carter also touched upon some really sensitive subjects & she covered these amazingly well & with care & respect.
Another thing which was covered well was the sex scenes. Omg how delicate & considerate Adon was that very first time made my heart melt. Then once they were comfortable the spice turned up a few notches 😜

I think Adon & Sonja might just be my favourite couple yet. The emotional intensity with strong chemistry from their very first meeting has swayed me.

Another great addition to The Love Series I hope we get more after this.

Thank you Aileen Carter for sending me an ARC.
29 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 29, 2026
This is a beautifully told contemporary romance 😍

This is book 4 of The Love Series and is a spin off from the original friend group we follow in the first 3 books!

The MMC is non speaking, grumpy, obsessed and protective ❤️ It was fascinating learning how he navigates the world. The FMC is sunshine 🌞 She is strong and brave, a survivor, decisive and admirable ❤️

It is a slow burn, with sole mates and beautiful friendships. 🥰

They have both suffered so much in their childhoods and that is referred to in the story so please read carefully but it is necessary part of the story allowing us to learn what has made them into the adults they are today. Which also makes this book one hell of an emotional roller coaster!! 🤣😉

It was beautiful watching them be vulnerable with each other and healing together 😍 There is also a light sprinkling of spice as we follow their relationship ♥️

I really enjoyed this book and thoroughly recommend this one for all the romance readers out there 👌♥️
Profile Image for Deceptively  Revelling.
48 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 2, 2026
This turned out to be a very sweet book! Adon starts off completely grumpy while Sonja is literal sunshine but they have an instant spark, unable to keep away from each other.
The story has a big focus on sign language and not being able to speak and does it well. Their realistic insecurities are explored and it’s so nice to see them finding ways to help each other. It was refreshing to see their main conflict nearer the beginning rather than a typical 3rd act breakup.
The spice had the perfect amount of description and the sensitive topics were handled gracefully. I love that they talked through their thoughts and feelings about sex which is not something you often see.
Adon has ended up being my favourite of the guys so far with his dry humour and caring nature, protectiveness and sexiness. Definitely the sweetest book!

I received an advanced copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Amy.
66 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 17, 2026
First of all, thank you to Aileen Carter for the complimentary advanced copy of ‘Secret Signs' in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

'Secret Signs' is a really moving love story that goes beyond the typical romance novel. It deep dives into, at times, difficult-to-read themes and the complexities of balancing relationships when you already have a lot going on in your life.

The disability and mental health representation throughout the book never once felt tokenistic. I also felt that the tough themes present in the book were written with respect and sensitivity.

Those familiar with the Love Series will be pleased to see the return of characters from the previous three books, along with a host of new, endearing characters, who, in my opinion, elevated the story.

This was a really lovely book to read, and I'm looking forward to Aileen's next release.
Profile Image for Katherine.
55 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 22, 2026
Sorry Kaydan and Karalina (from Pitched Love), Sonja and Adon might be my favorite couple from the Love series.

I've been lucky enough to be an ARC reader for all of Aileen's books and her storytelling has only gotten better!

This might be her longest book and at times it does feel a bit long, but overall, it was an enjoyable read. You do get to see some of the other characters from the Love series, but you're also introduced to new ones. Haoyun, Nanyamka, and Zaine are the supportive and loving friends everyone should have in their lives. Houyan is especially hilarious and I would love to see more of her and Jordan either in their own book or as recurring characters in another book.

Minor spoiler, but I appreciated that there was no third act break up.

Favorite quotes:
“In the end, love is felt, no matter the language.”
“I’m forever silent—and forever guilty of hurting the only person I swore to protect”
“That’s what relationships are—sharing the weight”
Profile Image for alvareadss.
117 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 18, 2026
Somehow it always gets better and better!!!

3/4 into the book I was just thinking, what twist is she gonna throw into this because the book feels done, it wasn’t done. And when I continued reading it didn’t feel dragged out, it was perfect to see the last bit of development with the characters!

Sonja and Adon, perfect for each other in every shape and form. The way they “bickered” in the beginning but then started to listen to each other had me giggeling and kicking my feet.

Everything about it, gorgeous, cute, dangerous, give me 10 more of them!!!
Profile Image for Sherelle de koning.
129 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 25, 2026
✨️Review copy received by the author✨️
⭐️4,5 (rounded up)
🌶2

This was absolutely adorable!
I've really enjoyed the other books in this series, but I loved that this book was a little out of bounds irt what you usually read in books.

The MMC in this book is non-speaking (not by choice). I feel like the struggles have been written very well and I loved this chapters in his pov.

Thank you, Aileen, for giving me an early copy of the book!
Profile Image for Dee Layton.
666 reviews15 followers
June 2, 2026
This was such a phenomenal book. When I got the opportunity to advance read it I realized it was fourth in the series. The series is the love series. So I did go back and read books one through three which I'm glad I did because they were just as great. I think the author did a phenomenal job with this book. I think it was everything I thought it was going to be and way more. I love the characters and just absolutely everything about it.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
145 reviews2 followers
June 3, 2026
I loved the story of Adon and Sonja. Adon is non-speaking and comes across cold and hard when really he has a heart of gold. Sonja is the epitome of sunshine. Adon and Sonja meet for the first time in a bookstore. He has the only copy of the special exition book that she wanted. Little do they know that they will meet again and a delightful love story evolves. The story has great banter, sarcasm, laughter, drama and tears.
Profile Image for Casi Brook.
14 reviews
June 3, 2026
Two main issues with this book:

1. There are a lot of typos and some missing words throughout the book.

2. The ending was too dark for me between Sonja’s brutal panic attack and Adon torturing himself bc he hates himself so much. And he leaves while she’s in the hospital bc he thinks she lost her voice. He assumes the worst (like he always does) and decides to leave and isolate rather than get actual answers. It was too heavy and ruined the book for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for francesca Button.
10 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 5, 2026
Every book i read by Aileen i say is my favourite yet but I think I Secret signs actually wins that title! I loved this, so beautifully written. I love that Aileen isnt scared to touch on and include disabilities in her stories
Story builds well and holds a steady fast pace with twists you cant predict!

I received a ARC copy on exchange of a honest review.
87 reviews
June 2, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. I have loved reading the other stories in this series. I appreciate the humor in the little moments between the characters. This was a different way of telling a love story where one of the characters cannot speak. I think signing is a beautiful language in itself so it really added to this.
Profile Image for Sarah.
188 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 30, 2026
Thank you for the ARC! I enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Sam.
246 reviews19 followers
May 26, 2026
I loved reading Sonja and Adon’s story. It was a deeply emotional slow burn romance. It was full of yearning, second chances and the power of letting people in. Add in the sign language as communication between them because Adon couldn’t speak and you felt his feelings even deeper than you would if he could voice them.
Profile Image for Rhyan.
97 reviews
May 30, 2026
I really enjoyed Sonja and Adon’s story! There were definitely some heavy themes throughout, but there were also some really beautiful moments too.

Both Sonja and Adon have some heartbreaking pasts. It was beautiful so see them together and for Sonja to break through Adon’s walls.

My only criticism is I wish we would have gotten more back story on Adon. We got a lot more on Sonja, and I think we would understand Adon a little better if we had more history.

But overall, I still really enjoyed their story and think the representation was done well 💜
176 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 29, 2026
Love that the use of different ways of getting around language/communication barriers and the exploration of different causes of mutism. The Author does not make either character out to be a victim but strong and independent.

As always, there is misunderstanding and misinterpretation of actions to stir things up, but a great ending. Best of all, there is no miracle fix to make it unbelievable and clichéd
Excellent writing and great to see old characters back with the new
Profile Image for Book.Lover.1986.
224 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 31, 2026
I enjoyed reading this book.

I loved the characters and seeing how their relationship grows through ups and downs.

I was hooked from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down.

I can't wait to read another book by Aileen.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews