A grieving heiress. A celebrity psychologist. A decade of friendship. UNDONE BY ONE BOLD MOVE.
When Camille first met Jackson she was too young. Too innocent. Too traumatized.
Friendship was less than what she wanted, but all she could handle.
Ten years later and she’s a different woman. Strong, successful, brave.
At exactly the wrong moment, one bold move threatens everything. The safe harbor of Jackson’s family. The unconditional commitment of his friendship. The collection of secrets she never knew existed,
Claims and confessions come hard and fast as Jackson and Camille navigate all that has never been said.
Each step they take, closer to the truth and each other, demands another layer of secrets must fall.
Collecting Secrets is a steamy standalone contemporary romance with no cliffhanger. You will meet characters who will reappear throughout the series.
I believe that everything we experience exists as a story within us.
My journey as a writer includes the award-winning poem I penned at the ripe old age of seven, decades of hiding and doubt, and then finally… finally!... realizing that art needs to be shared. Storytelling is part of my heritage, even though I denied it for so long. The stories I created - true and imaginary - have saved me numerous times.
My characters come to me, like old friends excited to tell me what's new. They represent the world I see and the world I want to see.
More than anything, I care about recovery from life’s setbacks… getting back on your feet after life has brought you to your knees… and my characters fight the hard fight for the lives they know are waiting for them.
I’ve drawn my inspiration from the many flavors of my life experience. Once a sad, shy girl, I’ve also been an MIT-trained engineer, biotech executive, professional dancer, yoga teacher and business owner, school founder, spiritual counselor, entrepreneur, and author.
And I own a magic wand that I’m certain will work one day.
When I’m not typing, furiously trying to capture the stories that pour from me, you can find me loving my people to excess, globe-trotting to the next great adventure, and sporting bright red lips as a tango diva.
And of course on my digital homes: pekavanagh.com and boldsoulcoaching.com.
Collecting Secrets is book one of Friends & Lovers by P. E. Kavanagh. Camille Moreau was at her best friend Emma King wedding when Charlie her boyfriend left her, and she was devastated. Jackson King found Camille crying outside her hotel room finally admitted to her that he loved her. However, when both went back to New York, Camille found out something about her parents that changed her life forever. The readers of Collecting Secrets will follow Jackson and Camille blossoming romance.
Collecting Secrets is the first book I have read of P. E. Kavanagh. I was not sure what to expect when I opened this book, and I was pleasantly surprised by the plot. I did not like the way P. E. Kavanagh incorporated the two parts of the book the historical and the present it did not flow well for me. However, presided the flow issues Collecting Secrets is an enjoyable book to read. I like P. E. Kavanagh portrayal of her characters and the way they interact with each other. Collecting Secrets is well written and researched by P. E. Kavanagh.
The readers of Collecting Secrets will see what happens when correction is involved in the judiciary and corporate business. Also, the readers of Collecting Secrets will learn about the importance of friendship and the benefits it gives to everyone.
Thank you to P. E. Kavanagh and voracious readers for my ARC copy of this book for an honest review. I recommend this book.
This was a very interesting read. It was my first by this author but I will certainly be back for more.
I was lucky enough to read a copy of this book from voracious readers.
I’m a sucker for a best friends brother romance, but this one was different, there was plot twists galore that I never saw coming about their pasts and families.
I loved how Jackson and Cammy loved each other from practically their first meeting but knew it wasn’t the right time and place. I loved their friendship that grew with them and how at ease they were with each other and able to talk about anything. How Jack loved her enough to help her explore her feelings and emotions with other men as she grew and matured knowing that he would have his time with her later.
Their solid friendship is, I think how they survived all the tests put to them during their relationship, I did however find some of the dialogue a little too polished and perfect, they always seemed to say the right thing and nothing without thinking. However it didn’t spoil the story one bit for me.
I will certainly be reading more from P E Kavanagh and this series.
This is a MUST read people! This is a beautiful romantic love story between two great characters. This book is overloaded with excitement, shocking secrets and sexy scene's.
A friends to lovers story full of angst, drama, and love. Camille and Jackson have been best friends for 10 years. He comes from a family of money and privilege, she was orphaned in high school when her parents passed away. She was taken in by her college roommate's family which included Jackson, her roommates older brother.
For years they have kept the feelings they have for each other hidden, a secret that should not see the light of day for fear of destroying the friendship they have built. They are each other's rock. This is the first secret they keep from each other, but unknown to them, there are secrets all around them which begin to be uncovered as their relationship develops.
One spontaneous kiss. That's all it took. The relationship has changed and charting their way after was not an easy one. Fear of losing a friendship has them cautious which makes for a great slow burn. And just when you think you have the HEA and wonder why there is so much story left, BAM, there come the SECRETS.
Usually in stories like this, plots become predictable but I was kept guessing the entire time. It flowed well, the unravelling of the secrets was paced as to not be too much or drag. This is when you wonder will Camille and Jackson get their HEA? I highly recommend.
I really enjoyed this book, it was relatively short but also managed to fit a lot of story and excitement into one book, I really liked that it was a stand-alone book and it properly tied together storylines, leaving no loose ends that frustrate you as a read. I was greatly satisfied with the ending of this book and thought it worked well as a standalone book as sometimes getting into a book series can feel overwhelming and demanding and for me at least, I really love reading a stand-alone book that I can enjoy and then move on to another book rather than reading 5 books on the same characters.
Straight from the outset I was engaged with the story and found the characters' relationships intriguing and exciting to read about. The story develops quite quickly as it's a short novel but I liked this aspect because it didn't leave you waiting for the good stuff for too long, there wasn't a never-ending 'will-they-won't-they' that lasted for an entire book or hundreds of pages. The romance between Camille and Jackson was sweet and romantic and sexy and everything you want out of a romance novel. If you've ever read the 'After' series by Anna Todd then I would recommend this book as there were lots of similarities.
Not only was there romance though, there was also drama and twists that added a little extra to the story, in my opinion, some of the twists weren't necessary and at first it seemed like they were starting a complex storyline that they wouldn't be able to resolve before the end of the book, but it worked and it created some tension and even had my heart pounding at one point as I wondered what the outcome was going to be, so it certainly keeps you entertained.
If you're looking for a quick romantic read full of drama and excitement then this is definitely a book for!
*I received a volunteer review copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only
Collecting Secrets by P.E. Kavanagh is the first in the Friends & Lovers Series. Collecting Secrets is an excellent start to a series I can’t wait to read. I haven’t read a book so fast in a while I really loved this book! I usually don’t get into books that jump from the past to the present numerous time throughout the book, but in this one, it really worked. I loved reading about how Camille and Jackson met and important parts of their friendship. The different perspectives used in this book also helped to know the feelings and thoughts of each character. In a lot of the books that I read the characters don’t generally start off as just friends so this was so refreshing. I absolutely loved the buildup of Camille and Jackson beginning their relationship. The progression seemed very natural. Camille and Jackson were also awesome support systems to each other. Each had issues that popped up in the book and each issue was handled with support. Towards the end of the book, there was so many twists and turns that popped up that it seemed like it was going to be impossible for Camille and Jackson to get their happy ending. The only thing that really bummed me out is that you don’t get a look into their future. I hope that they will be featured in the next book. I am happy that I also have the second in the series, Coming Home. Which I will be reading very soon!
*I received a free copy of the book for review from the author via Voracious Readers Only*
Camille Moreau and Jackson King are the best of best friends. After meeting him through her roommate, Cam vows never to sleep with him, denying their attraction. Little did she know, that Jackson had always been in love with her.
Years later, when Cam is dumped by Charlie, Jackson takes the chance to profess his affection by kissing her when she's crying post-breakup. And the one kiss changes everything for them.
I enjoyed reading Collecting Secrets. It was a fast paced romance, sometimes too fast but it was a good work. How their friendship developed to more and how everyone else's reactions were, was interesting to read. Also, Jackson being a psychologist + writer really upped the story. He was the one for Camille and they both knew it.
I felt that the only downside was the fast pace of the book. It felt extremely speed. For example, even after years of friendship, Camille has little problem with being a bit too affectionate (not the friendly one) with Jack. While it may have contributed to the romance, it felt unrealistic.
Collecting Secrets is definitely a great book if you love Romance and I hope I get to read the sequel.
Thank you Voracious Readers and P E Kavanagh for providing the eARC of this book!
I enjoyed this story. It describes the slow burn romance from a decade of friendship between the main characters.
The characters are well thought out and I really enjoyed the dual timeline in the story. The narration splits between present day and different events in the 10years of friendship which have affected their relationship for in good and bad ways.
It was a story with a happily ever after but with plenty of scope to continue this love story throughout the series. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!
I received an advance reading copy of this book from the author through Voracious Readers and I have to say it was a great read. I had never read anything by this author before and I admit I don’t read a lot of romance, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I really enjoyed it! The story was engrossing and the characters engaging and well-rounded. I particularly enjoyed the flashbacks the author used throughout the story - they weren’t too long to distract from or slow the pace of the story - but added another dimension to the reader’s understanding of the characters and the reasons they acted the way they did. I am definitely adding this author to my must-read list of authors. Well done, P.E. Kavanagh!
Cons: • Some of the dialogue seems a little immature. • Shift from view points. • Too fast • Scenes changes are rapid that it doesnt allow the reader to absorb the situation before chnaging quickly. • At certain places too much drama is created which could have been avoided.
Pros:
1. Love the before and now changes. Provides a wholeness to the story. 2. The relationship build up between the two is something that everyone wishes to have. 3.
Camille and Jackson have been best friends since she started college, but Jackson has been keeping his true feelings for her secret for a long time. It is not until she gets dumped by her boyfriend at a wedding that Jackson admits he loves her. But will the relationship between the two help or hinder their best friend status? What happens when family secrets are revealed? And will the two be able to get past those secrets to take their relationship to the next level? With beautifully written characters and a storyline that was an emotional journey this is a book that should not be missed. I look forward to reading more from this author.
As part of my commitment to read and review more often in order to support emerging authors, PE Kavanagh is a is a new-to-me author.
The author places the reader straight into the action within the first couple of pages. As the title suggests, it's a Friends & Lovers book, in this case Long term friends to lovers. As the story progresses, there are a number of flashbacks going back to when they first met which tended to slow the pace but she didn't linger too long on these and they did enhance the story.
As I've been reading a lot of dark 'romance' lately this book read very tame in comparison and it lacked the bite I find I enjoy with those types of novels - but that's unfair of me because the author isn't going after those audiences.
PE Kavanagh's writing is excellent, there is no doubt about that. It's smooth like warm caramel, easy reading at its best. I would definitely add this book to your Kindle if you prefer a book with no triggers or dubious characters with bad intentions.
I received this book from the author through Voracious readers in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book. The characters are interesting and their journey to discover each other and their pasts has many great plot twists. It was fun to watch them build and grow their relationship from friends to lovers as you moved through the book. It is a great romance story.
I recently got a complementary copy from Voracious Readers in return for an honest review. Plenty of suspense and romance to keep the storyline evolving. I couldn't put it down until I was finished. I was hooked from the very beginning with great characters and the developing story. I had a very hard time putting this book down. Would definitely recommend this author.
A really good read from a new-to-me author! A friends to lovers story with plot twists you never saw coming and a happily ever after. Loved the strong connection between Camille and Jackson. Will certainly read more from PE Kavanagh.
I received this book from Voraciousreadersonly.com and glad that I did.
This is a well written friends to lovers romance with strong characters in Camille and Jackson. The author does a great job building their story with both fighting their feelings for each other. She brings a slow burn romance throwing in many obstacles for them to overcome along the way. She had me glued to the pages with all the twists and turns as she delivers an intense and emotional read.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I received a copy of Collecting Secrets by P.E. Kavanagh through Voracious Readers Only, and I really enjoyed it! The story was in constant flow, interesting, and I didn’t want it to end! Definitely a must read!
Camille and Jackson have a lot to lose when something happens between them that pushes their beautiful, safe friendship into new territory. Considering all Camille has lost, I can understand why she guards that friendship and doesn’t want anything to risk it, not even love. Jackson, however, has known for a very long time how he feels about her. That secret is just the tip of the iceberg or secrets that comes crashing into the light as Camille finds herself needing her friend more than ever.
I loved the depth of the plot and the way the characters grew as things changed around them. It was a beautiful story to read and a smoking hot chemistry added to the appeal. Highly recommended.
I was lucky enough to read a copy of this book from voracious readers, a friends to lovers book that had me enthralled from the first page. Will be on the look out for more from this author
I received an arc of this book and am volunteering to leave a review. This is my first book by this author but it will not be my last. This is also the first book in this series but can be read as a stand alone with no cliffhanger. This is the story of Camille and Jackson who have been best friends for years. When Camille is dumped by her latest boyfriend Jackson confessed his love to her. Camille has been through more than her fair share in life and is hesitant to jeopardize her friendship. As family secrets are revealed each character grows as well as their need for each other’s love. Great romantic story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first time I have read anything by this author and I was glad my path has crossed with her. Camille Moreau has had strong feelings for Jackson King from the first time she see's him, as has he for her, They start out as friends then soon become best friends that tell each other ever thing. It all comes to a head at a rehearsal dinner,after Camille's boyfriend breaks up with her,Jackson see'e how upset she is, she goes back to her hotel room where jackson follow's her, he makes a move on Camille by giving her a kiss then he fesses up to loving her she doesn't no what to do with this information, knowing that she has had feeling for him for so long. The characters are fab, its lighthearted and full of humor, sarcasm you will love it great read looking forward to the next in the series
A love that stands the test of time. A story a lifetime in the making. What if your one true love was with you every step of the way growing up and you never realised?
Camille and Jackson have known each other since childhood. The tragedy of losing her parents brought the two of them together. And while each has hidden their feelings for the other, they can only be best friends, right?
What an absolutely gorgeous story, so wonderfully written, that will keep you interested and intrigued long after the final words have been read.
Secrets will be revealed. Secrets that will either bring Camille and Jackson closer together or rear them apart.
The perfect weekend read, that will definitely add one more book boyfriend to your list.
4\5🌟🌟🌟🌟
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was a fabulous read.. I loved it. Two characters who were well written. Emotional, sexy, and filled with twists and turns. Cannot wait to read more from this author. This was my first read for theirs. Will be back for more. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers.
I am a sucker for a good romance novel, and this one didn’t disappoint me. I was captivated by Camille and Jackson. The friendship and the the love that kept them together. Thank you 💖
Loved it. Camille met Jackson, her roommate's brother, on her first day of college. They both have feelings for each other but keep the secret to themselves. Later in life, Camille gets dumped by her boyfriend at a wedding. Jackson felt it would be the perfect time to reveal how he really feels. Camille learns secrets about her dead parents. That secret ties into a secret for Jackson and his family. Will they be able to get past all these secrets and get their HEA? Or does Camille and Jackson's relationship end before it ever really gets started.?
This is the first book by this author. I will definitely be adding her to my list to read.
This was a great story about a young girl and her college roommate's older brother. They start as friends and develop into something more. It is a crush for both of them that really develops over time. I loved this story.
Collecting Secrets shows Camille and Jackson navigating the twists and turns of a new relationship having been super close friends for a decade. Not only do they have to come to terms with seeing each other in a more romantic and sexual way, they have some extra 'rich people' problems thrown into the mix. The book swaps between past situations Camille has found herself in with Jackson and his sister, and the present. Each of the 'flashbacks' add background details to the present plot points to give you more of an understanding into the characters and their pasts. There are 'graphic' sexual scenes, which all revolve heavily around consent (there is even a scene where Jackson refuses to have sex with Camille even when she seems to want to) which is refreshing to see in these times where rape-culture is such a big deal. There are a few plot points that seem to be just thrown in to put the characters into a certain situation. However, from my point of view, these seem to help to show how their decade of friendship helped them to get past these things and understand each other more.