Masked Brother’s Best Friend: A Short Secret Identity Romance

by Holly Harper

I signed up to live out my darkest fantasy. I never expected it to make me want the one man I could never have even more.

I've spent years secretly wanting my brother's best friend.

He's overprotective, frustrating, and completely off-limits.

When my best friend tells me about an exclusive app that lets people safely explore their deepest fantasies, it sounds like the perfect distraction.

One anonymous request. One masked stranger. One unforgettable pursuit through the dark.

It should finally help me move on.

Instead, my mysterious pursuer understands me in ways no one else ever has... and suddenly the man I've wanted for years is impossible to forget.

Some fantasies are meant to stay hidden.

Mine is about to catch me.

If you like your men possessive, obsessive, and hungry for one woman, then read on! Each book in this series is a short standalone story, which should be able to be read in under to hours.

Brother's Best FriendForbidden RomanceLongtime CrushMasked ManMasked PursuitSecret IdentityMorally Gray HeroProtective / Possessive MMCHe Falls FirstPrimal PlayDual POVHEA

132 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2026

Reviews

[Michele Flannery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallie had wanted Cole for years but he uses her brother as a stop gate every time she pushes. He won't let other men close but he won't step up either. When she signs up for Hush, Cole loses his mind, he can't let another man fulfill her wishes, so he signs up to be exactly what she requested. Now he's jealous of himself and she's wishing she could merge two men into the perfect man. Cole needs to step up or finally step out of the way.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[addictedtodarkromance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and super steamy novella. It's less on plot (but there still is one!) and high on spice.

Hallie and Cole both want each other but he's her brother's best friend and therefore he feels like he can't be with her. So she turns to a service that offers a way to fulfill her darker needs in a safe way. Hallie is matched up with someone and it went so well she wanted to try again. But Cole isn't okay with her being with just anyone and eventually knows something needs to give.

Cole was possessive and protective of her and she was worried he'd never choose her. The pull between them is strong and their spice is spicing!!

Overall: 4 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice/Heat Intensity: 5 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Cole & Hallie
Darkness: 1 out of 5 🖤
Type of book: MF, Dual 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Standalone
Ending Type: HEA
 
 
*OTT: Possessive, obsessive, dominant, and protective MMC
*Eyes only for her
*Secret Identity
*Brother's Best Friend
*Primal
* Restraints
*Forbidden Romance
*Longtime Crush
*Masked Man
*No cheating or sharing
 
 
⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be offensive or triggering to some. Please check all the authors' TW/CW before reading! 18+
 
*I received an early copy of this book and am voluntarily writing this review.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

He spends years holding back, then becomes the man she runs toward in the dark.

Hallie has spent years wanting Cole, her brother’s best friend and the one man who looks at her like restraint is costing him something. He’s protective, possessive, always there when she needs him, and unwilling to cross the line between them. She’s tired of being wanted by a man who refuses to choose her, no matter how obvious his jealousy becomes.

When an exclusive fantasy app gives Hallie a safe way to explore something darker, she sees a chance to stop waiting. One anonymous masked pursuer, carefully chosen boundaries, and a chase that lets her finally ask for the intensity she’s kept hidden.

But the experience only makes everything messier. Her mysterious pursuer knows exactly when to push, take control, and give her the uninhibited desire she’s been craving. Meanwhile, Cole’s jealousy and obsession become harder to ignore, even as he keeps fighting what he wants most and losing ground every time she slips beyond his reach.

Soon, desire, secrecy, and years of suppressed attraction begin bleeding together. Hallie wants tenderness without sacrificing intensity, while Cole has to confront how much of himself he’s buried beneath restraint, possessiveness, and fear.

Hallie stops accepting half-measures and starts insisting on what she actually wants. Cole has to decide whether loving her means more than protecting her from a distance, and their push-pull connection shifts toward trust, vulnerability, and a sexual intensity neither of them can pretend away.

A dark, kink-forward brother’s best friend romance with forbidden longing, masked pursuit, primal play, possessiveness, and years of unresolved tension. It’s about desire, trust, control, and the difference between wanting someone in secret and choosing them openly, with tenderness and obsession finally allowed to exist together.

The Elevator Pitch: After years of wanting her brother’s best friend, Hallie turns to an anonymous masked fantasy for the intensity Cole refuses to give her. What begins as an escape from impossible longing pulls desire, secrecy, and possession into dangerous alignment, forcing both of them closer to truths they’ve spent years avoiding. Beneath the masks and forbidden attraction is a romance about being fully known, openly chosen, and brave enough to stop hiding what matters most.

Heat Level: 🖤🔥 Erotica / Kink-Forward

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masked Brother’s Best Friend is book three of The Masked Pursuit Series.

Anyone could see that Hallie and Cole are totally into each other. However, he is her brother's best friend and doesn't want to act on his feelings due to this. When he sees she has signed up for Hush, he takes his chance to have one night where he can fully be with Hallie with no consequences.

[Val · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t like this. MMC is a COWARD!!!!! I felt like he cared more about her brother than he did her. He doesn’t choose her until like the last 30 pages.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

You know what’s sadder than a man pining for his best friend’s sister? A best friend who’s known about it for years and never said a damn word! Hallie has been in love with her brother’s best friend, Cole, for as long as she can remember, but she knows he’s branded her firmly OFF-LIMITS. Sure, he’s always there when she needs him, but therein lies the problem. Having him so close, seeing him almost every day, and being on the receiving end of all that attention only serves as a constant reminder of the one thing Hallie can’t ever have. But Hallie is done waiting for him to change his mind! So, when her bestie tells her about Hush, an app designed to turn fantasies into reality, Hallie figures it might just be the perfect distraction. However, when Cole discovers her plans, his jealousy and possessiveness come out to play. Because apparently, he might not be ready to claim Hallie, but the thought of another man getting close to her? Oh, hell no! Cole gives serious Jekyll-and-Hyde vibes! Overprotective, controlled and frustratingly repressed around Hallie, but a much more intense side emerges when inhibitions disappear. Suddenly we get a very different man: intense, possessive, and more than willing to give Hallie exactly what she needs. The contrast is enthralling, and watching him finally let go of the control he clings to so desperately makes for one hell of a ride! Of course, one encounter is never going to be enough, and Hallie finds herself drawn to a mysterious stranger who awakens feelings she can’t quite explain. Meanwhile, Cole is battling his own demons and years of feelings he’s kept firmly under lock and key. He wants her, he’s always wanted her, but admitting it means confronting everything he’s spent years trying to deny. What makes this such a deliciously complicated situation is that Hallie is caught between the man she’s loved for years and the tantalizing mystery man who awakens something unexpected. I have to admit, I wasn’t thrilled with Cole’s willingness to cross that line as long as he could keep his identity—and his true feelings—hidden in the dark, and it made for some seriously complicated emotions because Hallie deserved more than being treated like someone’s dirty little secret, no matter how good their encounters felt! But seeing Cole finally forced to confront what he wants and acknowledge that he can’t keep Hallie at arm’s length forever? That was the payoff I was waiting for! This is a deliciously angsty, jealousy-fueled romance packed with pent-up desire, forbidden feelings, and a masked man who knows exactly how to push all the right buttons. Cole might have taken the scenic route to get there, but watching him finally admit that Hallie belongs in his life made all that deliciously frustrating tension worth it!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lolly Weichl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took two tropes I already love and somehow made them even more addictive: brother's best friend and secret identity.

What pulled me in immediately was the heroine's longtime crush. She's spent years wanting the one man she knows she shouldn't. He's protective, frustrating, completely off-limits, and somehow always seems to know exactly what's best for everyone. Watching her try to move on while still secretly wanting him felt relatable in a way I wasn't expecting.

Then the masked pursuit begins.

What I enjoyed most was the mystery behind the connection. The masked stranger understands her in ways nobody else does, and every interaction leaves her wanting more. The tension comes from knowing someone is seeing parts of her she's never fully shared while she's desperately trying to figure out who is behind the mask. It created that perfect blend of anticipation and chemistry that kept me turning pages.

The brother's best friend dynamic added another layer because there are already years of history between them. This isn't a romance built on instant attraction. It's built on a crush that's been quietly growing, mixed with years of boundaries that were never supposed to be crossed. That made every stolen moment feel bigger because there was already so much emotional weight behind it.

I also loved the possessive energy from the hero. Not in a controlling way, but in that "I've been paying attention longer than you realize" kind of way. Once everything starts falling into place, it becomes obvious that his feelings run much deeper than she ever suspected. Those moments where she begins to see the truth behind his actions were some of my favorites in the book.

The story moves quickly, but it doesn't feel rushed. The secret identity element keeps the momentum going while the romance delivers plenty of tension, longing, and anticipation. It's one of those books that's very easy to read in one sitting because every chapter leaves you wanting to know what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Cole! For a man who has spent years convincing himself that his best friend's little sister is off-limits, he certainly has a hard time keeping his jealousy and possessive side under control! And poor Hallie has spent just as long wishing he would finally do something about the attraction neither of them can seem to hide.

I loved the chemistry between these two! Hallie is tired of waiting for Cole to admit what everyone else can plainly see, so when she discovers Hush, an exclusive app that allows her to safely explore her fantasies with a masked stranger, she decides it's time to stop wishing and start living. Little does she know that the mysterious man pursuing her through the darkness is the very man she's been trying to get over!

What made this story so much fun was seeing the two different sides of Cole. Around Hallie, he's the protective, sometimes frustrating best friend who refuses to cross that invisible line. But behind the mask? All that carefully controlled desire finally comes pouring out! I loved getting both perspectives, especially watching Cole struggle with his feelings while Hallie tries to understand why her mysterious stranger seems to know exactly what she wants.

The combination of forbidden attraction, years of longing, a little mystery, and plenty of scorching chemistry made this such an entertaining read. I also appreciated that beneath all the possessiveness and intensity was a genuine connection between two people who had cared about each other for years. Watching them finally move beyond their fears and acknowledge what they meant to each other was just as satisfying as all the steamy moments!

And that sweet epilogue? The perfect finishing touch!

A quick, deliciously steamy romance that proves sometimes you have to hide behind a mask to finally reveal what's been in your heart all along!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Catherine Ramirez Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallie’s long-held crush on her brother’s best friend Cole makes for an engaging slow burn, especially once their carefully maintained friendship collides with a masked encounter arranged through Hush. The alternating Hallie and Cole chapters let you see the deliciously complicated aftermath from both sides: Hallie is drawn to the masked man, while Cole wrestles with knowing she doesn’t realize it’s him and with the feelings he has kept buried for years.

I liked the mix of teasing domestic moments, yearning, and the contrast between Cole’s restraint as her friend and his more confident masked persona. The story also gives attention to agreed boundaries and follow-up after the encounter, which helped the central setup feel considered. The brother’s-best-friend obstacle resolves warmly, and the epilogue gives the couple a sweet glimpse of everyday life together. A quick, steamy read with a satisfying payoff.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masked Brother’s Best Friend by Holly Harper is an appealing read for anyone who loves forbidden romance, secret identities, and plenty of romantic tension. The brother’s best friend trope added an extra layer of excitement, especially when attraction and loyalty are caught in the middle. I love the intrigue that comes with a masked romance and the mystery of discovering who someone really is behind the disguise. It makes the romantic premise even more interesting and keeps the focus on the excitement of secrets, unexpected connections, and complicated feelings. As a short romance, this book is a great option for readers looking for a quick escape into a story filled with romantic possibilities. Overall, Masked Brother’s Best Friend is one to consider if you enjoy short, intriguing love stories with a little mystery mixed in.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nathalie DeSousa · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

This is the third book in this serie. This time is a brother's best friend seeking the girl who has own his heartg but is off limits to him

Hallie and Cole have been in love with each other for quite some time, but have never acted on their sentiments. He has tried to restrain his responses to her other relationships and advances, showing his alpha side : protective, possessive, and feral.

Years of frustration and feelings push Hallie to sign up with Hush, an app that matches couples based on fantasies, the key is anonimity - masked man-, and it is Cole who answers the ad and gives her the passionate primal side he has been keeping hiden from her.

But once will not be enough, and they will wrestle with the contradictory feelings the encounter and the real person bring in each other. Someone will have to make a decision soon!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Obsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohh this was a fabulous read!

Very well written with an exciting and hot story. We get both a sweet and caring love story and the spicy thrilling fun of the masked stranger! If you're after a satisfying quick story you can read in an afternoon, this is a winner.

I also wanted to comment on the pacing - I found it to be perfect. Sometimes novellas can feel like they are rushing through to get the plot points happening without giving enough detail in some areas - but not with this one. It helped that with this story the two characters were already friends so very little setup was needed to get them started, but to me this hit a great balance between there being enough of a story to be satisfying and all of it being fleshed out enough not to find any of it lacking detail. Kudos to the author!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallie has been in love with her brother Mason's best friend for a while. She knows Cole is interested, but he has never crossed that line. Her friend Sophie shows her the Hush App, which caters to any fantasy, and she decides to try it.

Cole vowed he would never cross that line with Hallie, even though he wants her. Yet, as soon as a man shows interest in her, he scares her off. When he accidentally sees a notification on her phone, he knows he has to be the one she acts out her fantasy with.

Sophie and Cole dance around their attraction, but can they ever be together? Cole knows he has to decide. Is Sophie more important to him than facing the consequences with her brother?

A quick, steamy fantasy romp leading to an HEA.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cathy D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallie has been in love with Cole, her brother’s best friend for years. Cole is always there for Halie, though not in the way that she needs, he is jealous of other men, but refuses to cross the line with her.
Hallie leans about HUSH a fantasy app and she decides to go for a masked pursuit fantasy. When Cole sees the notification from HUSH on Hallie’s phone, he applies to HUSH and they are matched, but he is to wear the mask and not talk. I loved seeing both sides of Cole and Halie also wants both the masked man and the man she loves, Cole. This was super steamy, but also a book with a lot of heart. For Cole and Hallie, this was not just physical, there was a real relationship with a HEA and great epilogue!

[Sandy · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

What does it take to finally cross the line and stop wasting time, even when the heroine, tired of waiting forever for the hero to come to his senses, is dating someone else and the hero hasn't managed to ruin things for her? Apparently, it's her special request.
I enjoyed him torturing himself with jealousy because it is his own fault, but not their suffering from the fallout of his rejection.
How wonderful🤨, seeing how miserable the heroine's brother's friend is without her, her brother does not interfere in any way or acknowledge his friend's feelings for his sister.😡
Because of the consequences of the hero's stupidity I want to lower the star.😅

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are pure fantasy, yes, but also pure, unadulterated fun. Hallie has been in love with Cole for years. Cole, the stubborn fool, has spent that time denying how he feels, yet being there for Hallie, always taking care of her, and sometimes being a possessive a$$. He takes a risk when he finds out Hallie has signed up for a sexual encounter, signing himself up to be paired with her. Spicy times follow. Very hot, spicy times. I appreciated that while, as I wrote earlier, this story is pure fantasy, the author still took the time to write appealing characters with genuine emotions. The app might be fantasy, but the relationship between Hallie and Cole was all heart.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sherree Nickels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okayyy, a masked man + brother’s best friend + forbidden romance + longtime crush?! You already know I was intrigued! 😏🔥

This was such a fun, quick read with plenty of chemistry and that delicious “we probably shouldn’t… but we absolutely are going to” energy.

The secret-identity/masked-man element made it even more exciting, and I loved the tension between the characters. It was short, spicy, flirty and super easy to fly through.

I definitely would’ve loved a little more because I wasn’t quite ready for it to end! 🖤

[Belle of The Bayou · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

⭐ 4.5
🌶️ 4.5/5

"Masked Brother’s Best Friend" was an absolutely amazing read! It was spicy, sweet, and funny, all rolled into one perfect short story. This book was incredibly spicy, but not in a way that took away from the story or plot. The characters and storyline were well developed. This an all-around fun read!

• Brother’s best friend
• Masked man / masked-man pursuit
• He falls first
• Morally gray MMC
• Hidden identity
• Dual POV

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow…the book has a bit of everything. Brothers best friend, secret fling, mutual pinning and exceeded fantasies. What started as a way for Hallie to get over her crush on Cole, became Cole’s way to let go of his fears only if just for one night. While there is a bit of drama, the book is very interesting, especially the scenes in the woods. Be warned…the heat is off the charts on this one!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[C · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This is the third book of the series and I was wondering how the MMC was going to be in the know - problem solved. I did think she would catch on faster but then we see what we expect to see.

I really enjoyed this book, even if I did want to smack the MMC a few times to stop him from being so stubbornly foolish.

Friends.....running because exercise matters.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hallie has crushed on her brothers best friend, Cole, for years. Cole has used his friendship as a way of stopping a relationship even though he has feelings for her. Hallie signs up for a dark fantasy hook-up and when Cole finds out, he applies to be her partner. This is a dark, stalker romance that is "safe" because in the end they know each other. This is a quick, steamy read, good for an afternoon escape.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Take one woman whose been in love with her brother's best friend for years and you get a spicy read. He's always been drawn to her but doesn't want to ruin his friendship with her brother. Now Hallie decides to try an app that will let her explore her fantasies involving a masked stranger, but little does she know who he actually is. Enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an electric and scorching-hot read! Holly Harper delivers a fantastic secret identity romance packed with off-the-charts chemistry, high-stakes tension, and a wonderful protective hero. The pacing is fast, the heat is next-level, and the forbidden dynamic keeps you completely hooked. If you are looking for a fast-paced, suspenseful short romance that truly scorches the pages, this is an absolute must-read.

[Kell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 of The Masked Pursuit Series, this is about Hallie and Cole. Hallie’s trying to forget the guy she’s always liked, and Cole can’t imagine anyone being with her unless it’s him, one app changes everything. I like that Cole realizes he can fight for Hallie by telling the truth.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kittykat2103 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have loved these little shorts.

All the masked series is related to an app which helps you organise your s#£ual fantasy.

Have loved each of these troupe. Great we story & love how the characters actually have a little depth.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallie had crushed hard on her brothers best friend Cole, but he was off limits, when shes introduced to Hush she gets her masked chase fantasies only he knows far to much of what she needs to be a stranger! Well written fast paced steamy off limits, romance

[Thee_reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

HALLIE & COLE

Whoooo! 😮‍💨
This is such a good one.
It’s sweet and very spicy.
Without giving anything away,
Cole & Hallie has always been in love with each other, it took hush to make them show it.
Totally worth the read.

Total HEA
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.

[Lisa Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story so much. While he did go about getting the girl a little strangely I love now the story unfolded. The chemistry is off the chart and just kept getting better through out the book. I can honestly say I will read this again and again.

[Ruby M · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. This is a great quick that gets to the point without any unnecessary filler. This one hooks you immediately and never drags.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carrie Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short, sweet and steamy off-limits romance. With a great story, character's and banter. That I would absolutely recommend adding to your TBR list.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.