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Secret Admirer
His mission: Get close to Alice May. Learn her secrets. Expose her lies. And if she's guilty...lock her up.
Undercover FBI Agent Zander Todd typically spends his days and his nights tracking killers. But, lately, he's been pretending that he's a different man. He's been working his way into the life of beautiful but reserved Alice May. He's supposed to make her trust him completely. Alice is the key to a serial murder case that the FBI has been working for years. She's also the chief suspect.
Alice was engaged to Hugh Collins, the man who turned out to be the elusive "Secret Admirer" killer. Hugh picked women that he thought were perfect, he seduced them, and when they failed to live up to his image of perfection...their Secret Admirer brutally killed them. The only time that Hugh broke his MO--that was with Alice. Hugh was on his way to the chapel to marry Alice when the FBI killed him. The FBI has long suspected that Alice may have been involved in the killings, but they could never find solid evidence to tie her to the crimes.
Her goal: Bury her past. Pretend to be someone new. Live a lie.
Alice May knows better than to trust a handsome man with a seductive smile. The last time she fell for a charmer, she learned her lover was a serial killer. Not the news a woman expects to learn on her wedding day. Since that brutal revelation, she's sworn off men, she's gone into hiding to get away from voracious reporters, and she hasn't let herself get close to anyone.
But...a year has passed since her life fell apart. And it's hard to be alone all the time. She thinks that one night, one date with Zander might remind her of what it's like to be alive. To feel normal. The passion that burns between them is white-hot and electrifying. It's so intense that it scares Alice. She never expected to ever want anyone that much.
He will punish her.
Their passion ignites the fury of a killer who has been watching her, waiting for her. A man who has finally decided that Alice isn't quite so perfect. And if she's not perfect, then Alice has to die.
When Alice's life is threatened, Zander must reveal his true identity. The new betrayal batters at Alice's soul, but when Zander takes her into protective custody, they are forced into close proximity. With a killer watching her every move, Alice has no choice but to trust Zander. Because her past isn't dead, but if Alice isn't very, very careful...she will be.
Author's Note: SECRET ADMIRER is a romantic suspense novella of 40,000 words. It is a complete, stand-alone story.
Undercover FBI Agent Zander Todd typically spends his days and his nights tracking killers. But, lately, he's been pretending that he's a different man. He's been working his way into the life of beautiful but reserved Alice May. He's supposed to make her trust him completely. Alice is the key to a serial murder case that the FBI has been working for years. She's also the chief suspect.
Alice was engaged to Hugh Collins, the man who turned out to be the elusive "Secret Admirer" killer. Hugh picked women that he thought were perfect, he seduced them, and when they failed to live up to his image of perfection...their Secret Admirer brutally killed them. The only time that Hugh broke his MO--that was with Alice. Hugh was on his way to the chapel to marry Alice when the FBI killed him. The FBI has long suspected that Alice may have been involved in the killings, but they could never find solid evidence to tie her to the crimes.
Her goal: Bury her past. Pretend to be someone new. Live a lie.
Alice May knows better than to trust a handsome man with a seductive smile. The last time she fell for a charmer, she learned her lover was a serial killer. Not the news a woman expects to learn on her wedding day. Since that brutal revelation, she's sworn off men, she's gone into hiding to get away from voracious reporters, and she hasn't let herself get close to anyone.
But...a year has passed since her life fell apart. And it's hard to be alone all the time. She thinks that one night, one date with Zander might remind her of what it's like to be alive. To feel normal. The passion that burns between them is white-hot and electrifying. It's so intense that it scares Alice. She never expected to ever want anyone that much.
He will punish her.
Their passion ignites the fury of a killer who has been watching her, waiting for her. A man who has finally decided that Alice isn't quite so perfect. And if she's not perfect, then Alice has to die.
When Alice's life is threatened, Zander must reveal his true identity. The new betrayal batters at Alice's soul, but when Zander takes her into protective custody, they are forced into close proximity. With a killer watching her every move, Alice has no choice but to trust Zander. Because her past isn't dead, but if Alice isn't very, very careful...she will be.
Author's Note: SECRET ADMIRER is a romantic suspense novella of 40,000 words. It is a complete, stand-alone story.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2018
234 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Eden
309 books6,808 followersAward-winning author Cynthia Eden writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas.
Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.
Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
July 3, 2018
3.75 Stars
This is Hugh and Alice’s wedding but Alice is alone in the chapel and when Hugh arrived, he’s in the burning vehicle with a woman at the back seat and stabbed in the heart! But how is that possible her fiance be a killer, the Secret Admirer! The person who abducted women, kept them for a while, torturing them, then when he was done playing with them, would sab them in the heart! Hugh was an engineer, a volunteer firefighter, a “good” person! All the evidence indicated he was the killer and now the police suspicious of Alice!
Did she know what he was doing to those women? Did she know he was torturing them? Were her covering for him? were she helping him?
Because now after almost a year, the secret admirer took another victim! And this is Zander’s job to get close to the suspect, lying to her, betray her trust and uncover her secrets to find the truth.
I like Ms. Eden’s work and always enjoy reading them and as I thought, this one didn’t disappoint me either! I liked the writing style and it held my interest until the end. It was compelling and a page-turner even though I knew everything from the first chapter! So no it wasn’t that suspenseful for me! Told in multiple POV, 3rd person. It’s well-written and fast-paced. It can be read as a standalone novel. Overall, I liked it and hope you enjoy it as well!
This is Hugh and Alice’s wedding but Alice is alone in the chapel and when Hugh arrived, he’s in the burning vehicle with a woman at the back seat and stabbed in the heart! But how is that possible her fiance be a killer, the Secret Admirer! The person who abducted women, kept them for a while, torturing them, then when he was done playing with them, would sab them in the heart! Hugh was an engineer, a volunteer firefighter, a “good” person! All the evidence indicated he was the killer and now the police suspicious of Alice!
Did she know what he was doing to those women? Did she know he was torturing them? Were her covering for him? were she helping him?
Because now after almost a year, the secret admirer took another victim! And this is Zander’s job to get close to the suspect, lying to her, betray her trust and uncover her secrets to find the truth.
I like Ms. Eden’s work and always enjoy reading them and as I thought, this one didn’t disappoint me either! I liked the writing style and it held my interest until the end. It was compelling and a page-turner even though I knew everything from the first chapter! So no it wasn’t that suspenseful for me! Told in multiple POV, 3rd person. It’s well-written and fast-paced. It can be read as a standalone novel. Overall, I liked it and hope you enjoy it as well!
May 30, 2018
I enjoyed this one a lot. Zander was a great hero and Alice was a strong heroine. This is nothing new because this author always gives me a good pair of MCs. I only wished it was longer.
June 25, 2019
It’s been a while since I last read a Cynthia Eden and enjoyed the hell out of it!
The suspense aspect was done well, though I guessed correctly (still feeling smug about that). Hero and heroine was likable. Loved the epilogue too.
Recommended.
The suspense aspect was done well, though I guessed correctly (still feeling smug about that). Hero and heroine was likable. Loved the epilogue too.
Recommended.
June 4, 2018
Not my favourite by CE, but compared to the average romance/suspense it was still good.
I used to better twists/suspense by this author. Don't get me wrong, or do *lol*, but some FBI 'tricks' didn't make much sense to me and were amateurish.
It pissed me off that they killed female FBI agent. Common guys, why didn't she wear bp-vest?!?
Overall too many unnecessary victims.
Spoiler for Leonor!
I used to better twists/suspense by this author. Don't get me wrong, or do *lol*, but some FBI 'tricks' didn't make much sense to me and were amateurish.
It pissed me off that they killed female FBI agent. Common guys, why didn't she wear bp-vest?!?
Overall too many unnecessary victims.
Spoiler for Leonor!
May 30, 2018
Three and a half
What should be the happiest day of Alice’s life turns into a nightmare when her fiancé is killed and his murderous spree as the ‘Secret Admirer ‘ is discovered. Alice has tried to come to terms with the shocks and revelations but nothing was the same and so here just one year later Alice is trying to rebuild her life far from the town where everyone knows her.
Zander is undercover trying to discover the truth behind the ‘Secret Admirer’ and the possibility that Alice wasn’t oblivious of the crimes but was in actual fact an accessory. Yet something doesn’t feel right as Alice truly does seem innocent and clearly reluctant to let anyone into her life let alone trust them . Theres a huge part of Alice that wants to be normal again and not live in fear of others . Perhaps taking a chance on the charming Zander wouldn’t be necessarily the worst thing in the world but he hasn’t exactly been honest with her and Alice is about to find out that even Zander has ulterior motives.
Ok this is a novella so don’t expect a long drawn out plot. What you do get is a book that’s heavy on the romance set in a suspense driven story but unfortunately I very easily worked it out. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad book just that I enjoy working out who could be the villain in whodunnit type stories . I actually liked Zander but there’s very little character development for him which meant it was Alice who primarily captured and held my attention. I also must give a shout out to Zanders grumpy partner Randall who helped keep the action and suspense flowing nicely. Bottom line is if you want a story with romance, mystery and surprises then this book could certainly entertain you.
This voluntary take is of an advance copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
What should be the happiest day of Alice’s life turns into a nightmare when her fiancé is killed and his murderous spree as the ‘Secret Admirer ‘ is discovered. Alice has tried to come to terms with the shocks and revelations but nothing was the same and so here just one year later Alice is trying to rebuild her life far from the town where everyone knows her.
Zander is undercover trying to discover the truth behind the ‘Secret Admirer’ and the possibility that Alice wasn’t oblivious of the crimes but was in actual fact an accessory. Yet something doesn’t feel right as Alice truly does seem innocent and clearly reluctant to let anyone into her life let alone trust them . Theres a huge part of Alice that wants to be normal again and not live in fear of others . Perhaps taking a chance on the charming Zander wouldn’t be necessarily the worst thing in the world but he hasn’t exactly been honest with her and Alice is about to find out that even Zander has ulterior motives.
Ok this is a novella so don’t expect a long drawn out plot. What you do get is a book that’s heavy on the romance set in a suspense driven story but unfortunately I very easily worked it out. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad book just that I enjoy working out who could be the villain in whodunnit type stories . I actually liked Zander but there’s very little character development for him which meant it was Alice who primarily captured and held my attention. I also must give a shout out to Zanders grumpy partner Randall who helped keep the action and suspense flowing nicely. Bottom line is if you want a story with romance, mystery and surprises then this book could certainly entertain you.
This voluntary take is of an advance copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
October 25, 2024
Alice May was living a fairytale life, until her wedding day. That day she learned that her fiancé, Hugh Collins, was the infamous "Secret Admirer" killer. Hugh died in a fiery crash, but that didn't stop the police from believing that Alice may have been his partner in crime. Now a year later, Alice has moved to the mountains of North Carolina. She is befriended by handyman Zander Todd who talks her into going out to dinner. Little does she know; Zander is an undercover FBI Agent who has been assigned the job of keeping a close eye on Alice. The Secret Admirer is active again and has already killed one woman. Does Alice know who the killer is? Or is she the elusive Secret Admirer?
I picked up this book to fulfill a challenge. This is the first time I've read anything by this author. The story was OK, but I felt like I've read this same storyline so many times before. Nothing new in this one. My rating: 3 Stars.
I picked up this book to fulfill a challenge. This is the first time I've read anything by this author. The story was OK, but I felt like I've read this same storyline so many times before. Nothing new in this one. My rating: 3 Stars.
December 27, 2018
Cynthia Eden is a fab writer and whilst I liked this book overall I feel it needed to be teased out a bit more, rather than a novella it should have been a full novel, this would have given Alice and Zander more time to interact, and for Alice to resolve her feelings towards her fianace and the secrets Zander has been keeping. A novel would have also allowed the cultivation of a more multi-dimensional bad guy.
June 28, 2018
On the day of her wedding, Alice May waited at the chapel for her groom to arrive. But he didn't show up. He is killed and she discovers that her fiancé was the serial killer, Secret Admirer. One year later, Alice is living a quiet life when Zander Todd comes into her life. Zander is an undercover FBI agent, trying to get evidence that Alice was her fiancé's accomplice. There was another murder with the same MO recently and the FBI is sure that Alice knows something.
You got the typical response when Alice learns who Zander really is. Of course she is angry. I felt she didn't stay angry long enough but that's my opinion. There wasn't much of a mystery because I guessed early on who it was. But it was still a good story with an unexpected surprise added in.
You got the typical response when Alice learns who Zander really is. Of course she is angry. I felt she didn't stay angry long enough but that's my opinion. There wasn't much of a mystery because I guessed early on who it was. But it was still a good story with an unexpected surprise added in.
August 7, 2018
This story is an ode to stupidity!
If FBI, police or other agencies work this way it's not strange that there're so many criminals around!
I was pulling my hair while reading!
Since the start I was like: What??? Why did FBI suspected her being his fiancee's acomplice? If they just checked her alibi they could already know the truth! But what they do? They put an undercover angent on her!!! If you have so much money to throw out, please send some to me: I'll use it better!
If FBI, police or other agencies work this way it's not strange that there're so many criminals around!
I was pulling my hair while reading!
Since the start I was like: What??? Why did FBI suspected her being his fiancee's acomplice? If they just checked her alibi they could already know the truth! But what they do? They put an undercover angent on her!!! If you have so much money to throw out, please send some to me: I'll use it better!
May 30, 2018
2.75 stars
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as her other books. From what I’ve read in her LOST series she always has this elaborate story, full of action and mystery. Maybe because this one is short it didn’t play as well. I guessed who the killer was from the start , but there was one surprise that I didn’t anticipate though.
I guess, what really spoiled it for me was the heroine. Nothing wrong with her. She was good, maybe too good. No wonder why the killer was obsessed over her and called her perfect. Because she was. Stunning, sexy, oblivious to this, kind, shy, innocent, trusting, honest and so, so selfless. The one who would die to save the life of innocent stranger, who would stay strong when life treats her poorly. She was perfect and at the same time so normal. Even if she was strong to bare all of it, the whole story still reminded about that damsel in distress situation. She calls help, he races to help her, she cries her eyes out, he consoles her, she wants him, he obliges.
I just wasn’t in the mood for this. I so wanted her to be this kickass woman like Lilah in Murder notes , even her being a villain like Lana in The Risk would be sooooo much better in my mind.
And the hero was like simplified version of her previous heroes, because the book was too short to elaborate.
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as her other books. From what I’ve read in her LOST series she always has this elaborate story, full of action and mystery. Maybe because this one is short it didn’t play as well. I guessed who the killer was from the start , but there was one surprise that I didn’t anticipate though.
I guess, what really spoiled it for me was the heroine. Nothing wrong with her. She was good, maybe too good. No wonder why the killer was obsessed over her and called her perfect. Because she was. Stunning, sexy, oblivious to this, kind, shy, innocent, trusting, honest and so, so selfless. The one who would die to save the life of innocent stranger, who would stay strong when life treats her poorly. She was perfect and at the same time so normal. Even if she was strong to bare all of it, the whole story still reminded about that damsel in distress situation. She calls help, he races to help her, she cries her eyes out, he consoles her, she wants him, he obliges.
I just wasn’t in the mood for this. I so wanted her to be this kickass woman like Lilah in Murder notes , even her being a villain like Lana in The Risk would be sooooo much better in my mind.
And the hero was like simplified version of her previous heroes, because the book was too short to elaborate.
May 31, 2018
This was a quick and safe read. Cynthia Eden is one of my favorite authors. I love her LOST Series.
Sadly I couldn't connect to the characters. Everything happened so fast (falling in love, solving the crime) and the couple just spent the time together in the cabin/police station. The story was very focused on the Secret Admirer and any other aspects were cut out.
I don't even know what the Heroine did for a living, if she had a job or any other family. I don't know how old the Hero and Heroine are. About their lives, their passions, their plan for the future. Nothing was discussed. They fell in love rather fast and in bed and that was it.
And I found it very unprofessional and a bit unbelievable that the female police officer was shot and then died.
The twist at the end was all right, I knew from the beginning who the murderer was.
An ok-read for me. Maybe the next one will be more interesting for me.
Sadly I couldn't connect to the characters. Everything happened so fast (falling in love, solving the crime) and the couple just spent the time together in the cabin/police station. The story was very focused on the Secret Admirer and any other aspects were cut out.
I don't even know what the Heroine did for a living, if she had a job or any other family. I don't know how old the Hero and Heroine are. About their lives, their passions, their plan for the future. Nothing was discussed. They fell in love rather fast and in bed and that was it.
And I found it very unprofessional and a bit unbelievable that the female police officer was shot and then died.
The twist at the end was all right, I knew from the beginning who the murderer was.
An ok-read for me. Maybe the next one will be more interesting for me.
October 31, 2020
4.5
Review posted on Got Fiction?
The plot for this book is fantastic! Are there more out there like this? Let me know in the comments, because I think I found my new catnip. Undercover heroes (or heroines)!
Alice was set to marry a man who was killed in a police chase on the way to the wedding. Her fiance turned out to be the Secret Admirer-a serial killer of women who looked like her. And she had no idea. The FBI however, doesn't buy that. They believe the Secret Admirer had a partner, and since some of the "mementos" that he kept were in her house, they think she was that partner. A year later, she's trying to rebuild her life, and has isolated herself from everyone. Her hunky neighbor Zander has been helping her fix some of the problems her cabin keeps having, and he's making her rethink her lonely life.
Zander is an FBI agent who is supposed to get close to her and prove that she was working with the Secret Admirer killer. All those things going wrong with her cabin? Sabotaged by the FBI so he can pose as a helpful handy neighbor. But as he gets to know Alice, he not only believes she's innocent, but he's starting to fall for her. She finally accepts a date with him, and it goes so well she runs to his cabin afterwards to let him know she's ready for more. She's tired of hiding and she's ready to live again.
But there's another murder and it's suspiciously similar to the Secret Admirer killings. Soon Zander realizes that she's no longer a suspect in his eyes, but now a victim. And when someone breaks into her home and trashes her room, he blows his cover and calls his team in.
Alice is furious, and hurt, and furious some more. Zander's partner thinks she knows more than she says, and doesn't want to admit that she could be a victim. And Zander? He never thought about what would happen if Alice knew he'd lied to her, and he's finding that it hurts. The betrayal in her eyes has him wanting to fix everything. He wants to start over with her, but she's obviously not having it. I love how this was handled, and I love that she was mad at him. I think a lot of times, the betrayal is forgiven too quickly (for my taste) and I get that the story has to move along, but come on, she can be mad for more than one page! This one had her salty for a while, and I loved that.
This was a novella, but I really think this would have been an amazing full-length book. I love LOVE the betrayal trope, and Zander totally betrayed Alice, so this is totally my catnip. But I wanted more. So, give me more, mention some in the comments, or on twitter if you follow me there. I'm all in for the undercover trope now.
Review posted on Got Fiction?
The plot for this book is fantastic! Are there more out there like this? Let me know in the comments, because I think I found my new catnip. Undercover heroes (or heroines)!
Alice was set to marry a man who was killed in a police chase on the way to the wedding. Her fiance turned out to be the Secret Admirer-a serial killer of women who looked like her. And she had no idea. The FBI however, doesn't buy that. They believe the Secret Admirer had a partner, and since some of the "mementos" that he kept were in her house, they think she was that partner. A year later, she's trying to rebuild her life, and has isolated herself from everyone. Her hunky neighbor Zander has been helping her fix some of the problems her cabin keeps having, and he's making her rethink her lonely life.
Zander is an FBI agent who is supposed to get close to her and prove that she was working with the Secret Admirer killer. All those things going wrong with her cabin? Sabotaged by the FBI so he can pose as a helpful handy neighbor. But as he gets to know Alice, he not only believes she's innocent, but he's starting to fall for her. She finally accepts a date with him, and it goes so well she runs to his cabin afterwards to let him know she's ready for more. She's tired of hiding and she's ready to live again.
But there's another murder and it's suspiciously similar to the Secret Admirer killings. Soon Zander realizes that she's no longer a suspect in his eyes, but now a victim. And when someone breaks into her home and trashes her room, he blows his cover and calls his team in.
Alice is furious, and hurt, and furious some more. Zander's partner thinks she knows more than she says, and doesn't want to admit that she could be a victim. And Zander? He never thought about what would happen if Alice knew he'd lied to her, and he's finding that it hurts. The betrayal in her eyes has him wanting to fix everything. He wants to start over with her, but she's obviously not having it. I love how this was handled, and I love that she was mad at him. I think a lot of times, the betrayal is forgiven too quickly (for my taste) and I get that the story has to move along, but come on, she can be mad for more than one page! This one had her salty for a while, and I loved that.
This was a novella, but I really think this would have been an amazing full-length book. I love LOVE the betrayal trope, and Zander totally betrayed Alice, so this is totally my catnip. But I wanted more. So, give me more, mention some in the comments, or on twitter if you follow me there. I'm all in for the undercover trope now.
August 14, 2018
Full review to come.
December 2, 2018
For some strange reason, I dropped another book from the 'Romantic Suspense' Halloween Bingo square and replaced it with Secret Admirer. I don't know why, but I guess I was hoping that I'd find another Cynthia Eden novel I'd come to really like. I suppose I would be more disappointed if I hadn't then decided to shuffle the initial book I'd considered reading onto a different Bingo square.
But that's a moot point.
I'm actually rambling because I needed a couple paragraphs to start off this post. Secret Admirer has a summary blurb that is six paragraphs long, and sort of just takes you in circles, repeating itself a couple times. So I needed a lead-in to basically tell everyone that here is my own half-assed summary of the book.
The Story
Alice May's fiancé, Hugh, died on their wedding day... the same day that she found out he was the infamous Secret Admirer, a serial killer who had murdered five other women, all who looked eerily similar to Alice in appearance. A year later, Alice has left her home and is trying to start her life over, away from the stigma of having been engaged to a monster.
Along comes Zander Todd, a neighbor in a nearby cabin who has been helping her out whenever something in her home breaks. What Alice doesn't know is that Zander is an FBI agent, assigned to get close to her and find out what she knows or might know about her deceased fiancé. Because another murder has recently occurred, in the same fashion as the Secret Admirer killings from a year previous, and the FBI think that Alice might have had more to do with those killings than she'd admitted to. That maybe she had participated and is picking up where her fiancé left off.
But as Zander and Alice begin to form a closer, more intimate bond, it seems that the real killer has set his sights on Alice now. And so in order to keep her safe, Zander will have to admit his reasons for getting close to Alice in the first place, no matter that his intentions are no longer just part of his undercover act.
My Thoughts
There were two factors working against this book.
First of all, Cynthia Eden has already written this story once before in Die For Me - A Novel of the Valentine Killer . Secret Admirer is essentially the same story with a different twist, but a lot of similar scenes. Even one of the surprise twists in the end was pretty, unapologetically similar. There were a few differences, such as the killer's media dubbed name, or how our hero and heroine meet. But some other factors, such as the description of how the 'Secret Admirer' killed his victims, or staged their bodies seemed to echo the 'Valentine Killer.' I couldn't get past how similar both books were.
Second of all, this book felt rushed. Even if I had read this one before Die For Me, I probably would have found it mediocre at best because of how abrupt and over-dramatic it was written. The romance was rushed and the ending resolution was rushed. The conclusion was pretty predictable and I felt like our killer pretty much walked in with neon signs pointing at him--he was hard to miss.
Simply put, if more thought had been put into this book, like maybe giving us a better look at how our hero and heroine bonded for the past couple months before slinging the "I love you's" around, or even giving me a reason why our heroine, Alice, would so easily trust another man again after what she'd gone through with her fiance, I probably would have been a bit more accepting. Simply citing that Zander is "just different" doesn't really cut it for me. In essence, we were told that the two got to know each other over a course of two months, but we don't get to see any of that--only those first chapters where Zander flirts with Alice, promises that he's not out to hurt her, then she just automatically trusts him, and then they jump into bed together.
I wanted more from them than that, honestly.
On a side note, I will openly admit to being a fan of Jayne Ann Krentz and Jill Shalvis, two authors who's books are pretty much the same formulaic romances over and over again. It sounds like I'm being contradictory, but in the case of JAK or Shalvis, I always come back to their books because they are charming and attractive in spite of their ever recycled material.
It's unfortunate that aside from being an echo of Die For Me, Secret Admirer was also not actually written all that well. If it had been, I might have just mentioned the similarities briefly, and then moved onto talking about other parts of the book. I have a pretty high tolerance for things like this.
Die For Me wasn't even really one of my favorite Cynthia Eden novels, truth be told, and I had found the heroine pretty depressing. So this makes Secret Admirer doubly frustrating, because it just echoes a book I'd already read before, but didn't really care too much for, and doesn't improve on it. Alice is no different from the heroine of Die For Me, so by default, that makes Die For Me the better novel because it was a bit more fleshed out than Secret Admirer, which is a disappointing, really. I've been looking for another great Cynthia Eden book ever since her Deadly trio, which I had found very enjoyable and hard to put down--I still haven't found another Cynthia Eden work like that.
Fortunately, this book was extremely bite-sized and it didn't take long to breeze through it.
On a another side note, while writing this review, I had a moment wherein I couldn't remember the heroine's name. Mere hours after finishing the book, and I could not conjure the heroine's name and had to go look it up. This is how unforgettable this book is going to be to me...
***
Halloween Bingo 2018
(any romance which has a significant sub-plot that involves mystery, thriller, or suspense)
Other possible squares: New Release; Genre: Suspense; Terrifying Women; Murder Most Foul
Review originally posted at Ani's Book Abyss | Secret Admirer
But that's a moot point.
I'm actually rambling because I needed a couple paragraphs to start off this post. Secret Admirer has a summary blurb that is six paragraphs long, and sort of just takes you in circles, repeating itself a couple times. So I needed a lead-in to basically tell everyone that here is my own half-assed summary of the book.
The Story
Alice May's fiancé, Hugh, died on their wedding day... the same day that she found out he was the infamous Secret Admirer, a serial killer who had murdered five other women, all who looked eerily similar to Alice in appearance. A year later, Alice has left her home and is trying to start her life over, away from the stigma of having been engaged to a monster.
Along comes Zander Todd, a neighbor in a nearby cabin who has been helping her out whenever something in her home breaks. What Alice doesn't know is that Zander is an FBI agent, assigned to get close to her and find out what she knows or might know about her deceased fiancé. Because another murder has recently occurred, in the same fashion as the Secret Admirer killings from a year previous, and the FBI think that Alice might have had more to do with those killings than she'd admitted to. That maybe she had participated and is picking up where her fiancé left off.
But as Zander and Alice begin to form a closer, more intimate bond, it seems that the real killer has set his sights on Alice now. And so in order to keep her safe, Zander will have to admit his reasons for getting close to Alice in the first place, no matter that his intentions are no longer just part of his undercover act.
My Thoughts
There were two factors working against this book.
First of all, Cynthia Eden has already written this story once before in Die For Me - A Novel of the Valentine Killer . Secret Admirer is essentially the same story with a different twist, but a lot of similar scenes. Even one of the surprise twists in the end was pretty, unapologetically similar. There were a few differences, such as the killer's media dubbed name, or how our hero and heroine meet. But some other factors, such as the description of how the 'Secret Admirer' killed his victims, or staged their bodies seemed to echo the 'Valentine Killer.' I couldn't get past how similar both books were.
Second of all, this book felt rushed. Even if I had read this one before Die For Me, I probably would have found it mediocre at best because of how abrupt and over-dramatic it was written. The romance was rushed and the ending resolution was rushed. The conclusion was pretty predictable and I felt like our killer pretty much walked in with neon signs pointing at him--he was hard to miss.
Simply put, if more thought had been put into this book, like maybe giving us a better look at how our hero and heroine bonded for the past couple months before slinging the "I love you's" around, or even giving me a reason why our heroine, Alice, would so easily trust another man again after what she'd gone through with her fiance, I probably would have been a bit more accepting. Simply citing that Zander is "just different" doesn't really cut it for me. In essence, we were told that the two got to know each other over a course of two months, but we don't get to see any of that--only those first chapters where Zander flirts with Alice, promises that he's not out to hurt her, then she just automatically trusts him, and then they jump into bed together.
I wanted more from them than that, honestly.
On a side note, I will openly admit to being a fan of Jayne Ann Krentz and Jill Shalvis, two authors who's books are pretty much the same formulaic romances over and over again. It sounds like I'm being contradictory, but in the case of JAK or Shalvis, I always come back to their books because they are charming and attractive in spite of their ever recycled material.
It's unfortunate that aside from being an echo of Die For Me, Secret Admirer was also not actually written all that well. If it had been, I might have just mentioned the similarities briefly, and then moved onto talking about other parts of the book. I have a pretty high tolerance for things like this.
Die For Me wasn't even really one of my favorite Cynthia Eden novels, truth be told, and I had found the heroine pretty depressing. So this makes Secret Admirer doubly frustrating, because it just echoes a book I'd already read before, but didn't really care too much for, and doesn't improve on it. Alice is no different from the heroine of Die For Me, so by default, that makes Die For Me the better novel because it was a bit more fleshed out than Secret Admirer, which is a disappointing, really. I've been looking for another great Cynthia Eden book ever since her Deadly trio, which I had found very enjoyable and hard to put down--I still haven't found another Cynthia Eden work like that.
Fortunately, this book was extremely bite-sized and it didn't take long to breeze through it.
On a another side note, while writing this review, I had a moment wherein I couldn't remember the heroine's name. Mere hours after finishing the book, and I could not conjure the heroine's name and had to go look it up. This is how unforgettable this book is going to be to me...
***
Halloween Bingo 2018
(any romance which has a significant sub-plot that involves mystery, thriller, or suspense)
Other possible squares: New Release; Genre: Suspense; Terrifying Women; Murder Most Foul
Review originally posted at Ani's Book Abyss | Secret Admirer
June 13, 2018
2.5 stars
no crime thriller of cynthia eden's will ever be as good as deadly fear. lmao
this was alright- but super predictable. i wish she writes something different the next time!
September 24, 2019
I got hooked to the particular genre, that is, Romantic Suspense because of Cynthia Eden only. She really is a pro at writing page turners that keep you intrigued till the end. And with Secret Admirer, she has done it again.
The novel follows Alice May a year after she learnt that her fiance was none other than the infamous Secret Admirer, the cruel murderer of 5 innocent women who all eerily resembled her. She has built a new life for her and she is almost fine, albeit lonely. Then she starts developing feelings for Zander but soon learns that everything is not as it seems. And also that Secret Admirer is back and this time he wants her dead.
Honestly, I'm familiar with Eden's writing so guessed the killer right from the beginning. Though the twist at around 80% of the novel was unpredictable and I loved it. LOVED!!
The novel is fast paced and I completed it in a sitting. An enjoyable read that fans of Cynthia Eden must read.
The novel follows Alice May a year after she learnt that her fiance was none other than the infamous Secret Admirer, the cruel murderer of 5 innocent women who all eerily resembled her. She has built a new life for her and she is almost fine, albeit lonely. Then she starts developing feelings for Zander but soon learns that everything is not as it seems. And also that Secret Admirer is back and this time he wants her dead.
Honestly, I'm familiar with Eden's writing so guessed the killer right from the beginning. Though the twist at around 80% of the novel was unpredictable and I loved it. LOVED!!
The novel is fast paced and I completed it in a sitting. An enjoyable read that fans of Cynthia Eden must read.
June 4, 2018
3.5 RATING - Cynthia Eden romantic suspense/thrillers always rate high on the readability scale with me. She definitely has a formula with these books and on one hand, I enjoy that style, on the other hand, I feel like they’re all very similar and the stories tend to run together after a while. More guilty pleasure type reads than well fleshed out thrillers but still at the top of my TBR - just happy to have something new in this genre from this author.
February 20, 2019
It used to be harder to figure out the baddies in her books but now they are pretty obvious. Also the hero needed to grovel way more.
June 24, 2025
I love this author's romantic suspense novels, this one not so much given I saw who the baddie was in the prologue so it fell rather flat
May 30, 2018
The only saving grace was the climax scene of heroine saving herself and one small twist otherwise this book has the dumbest agents and the heroine getting over the betrayal in few hours and living happily ever after and a predictable villain.
June 14, 2018
Good read
This book was good and easy to read but too obvious. I had it mostly figured out well before the ending.
This book was good and easy to read but too obvious. I had it mostly figured out well before the ending.
March 26, 2019
I can always count on Cynthia to give me a good read. Enjoyed this quick read by her. The ending was a bit surprising but I'm glad. Also, love the twists and turns that Cynthia is always throwing in for the reader.
June 8, 2018
2.5 Stars
I liked the MC's and the plot/mystery but dammit I wish this were a full-length novel! Bec it's a novella, I felt some things moved way too fast, too abruptly!
I liked the MC's and the plot/mystery but dammit I wish this were a full-length novel! Bec it's a novella, I felt some things moved way too fast, too abruptly!
March 17, 2022
Secret Admirer is an intense, pulse-pounding read that will keep you glued to the pages. I had an idea of the identity of the bad guy early on but I was still drawn into the story to see how it would all play out and if I was right. Eden does a great job of packing in a lot of tension, excitement, suspense, betrayal, and drama in this novella. The story is chock full of all the yummy stuff to hold your interest. The characters are strong, likeable and engaging and the storyline plausible with the right amount of creepy to give you goosebumps and an unexpected twist at the end. Even though lies and betrayal were at the start of the relationship between Alice and Zander, I enjoyed their journey and the overall outcome of the story. The only downfall to me is I wish it would have been longer. I would have loved to have a deeper look into their lives and a bit more wooing in the relationship.
June 5, 2018
An intense and exasperating story that had me on pins and needles throughout the novella. For the short length of the story, there was a lot of fierce action and danger fit into the tale.
The whole idea of the Secret Admirer killer, and the fact that is Alice had had such an intimate relationship with him, was just creepy kind of spookiness that can keep a reader up at night.
I liked Alice, she seemed to be a survivor, a true heroine, and a woman who had it together, most of the time, and admiringly, considering what she had gone through. She had kindness and understanding in her that went beyond most, and she had spunk and courage that was impossible not to notice and applaud for. I absolutely LOVED when she turned to the other FBI agent and told him that she did not appreciate his attitude or like him at all. You go, Alice!
FBI Agent Zander Todd was in a tough spot. He had lied, he had used Alice's trust to get into her life, to win her over, and in the process, lost his heart for her. Now, the tables are turning, it is Alice who is in danger, it is Alice who needs FBI, and it seems that the unit might not be up to the task to keep her and other victims of the Secret Admirer safe and alive. There's fumbling of the agents to protect those in the killer's way, while there's still doubt in some people's mind if Alice had something to do with the murders.
The connection and the romance between Alice and Zander have had time to develop over the months Zander has been undercover on the case and part of Alice's life. That time happens off the pages yet the referrals to it give a believable idea of the bond they have formed over the time.
The story was intense, it was fast-paced, and because of the novella length it didn't go as deeply into the characters, the issues, and the solving of the crimes as a full-length novel could have, but I enjoyed the story immensely. I sat down and read it at once, the story was engaging, the characters alluring, and the crimes chilling and fear-inducing.
An entertaining and enticing tale!
~ Four Spoons
The whole idea of the Secret Admirer killer, and the fact that is Alice had had such an intimate relationship with him, was just creepy kind of spookiness that can keep a reader up at night.
I liked Alice, she seemed to be a survivor, a true heroine, and a woman who had it together, most of the time, and admiringly, considering what she had gone through. She had kindness and understanding in her that went beyond most, and she had spunk and courage that was impossible not to notice and applaud for. I absolutely LOVED when she turned to the other FBI agent and told him that she did not appreciate his attitude or like him at all. You go, Alice!
FBI Agent Zander Todd was in a tough spot. He had lied, he had used Alice's trust to get into her life, to win her over, and in the process, lost his heart for her. Now, the tables are turning, it is Alice who is in danger, it is Alice who needs FBI, and it seems that the unit might not be up to the task to keep her and other victims of the Secret Admirer safe and alive. There's fumbling of the agents to protect those in the killer's way, while there's still doubt in some people's mind if Alice had something to do with the murders.
The connection and the romance between Alice and Zander have had time to develop over the months Zander has been undercover on the case and part of Alice's life. That time happens off the pages yet the referrals to it give a believable idea of the bond they have formed over the time.
The story was intense, it was fast-paced, and because of the novella length it didn't go as deeply into the characters, the issues, and the solving of the crimes as a full-length novel could have, but I enjoyed the story immensely. I sat down and read it at once, the story was engaging, the characters alluring, and the crimes chilling and fear-inducing.
An entertaining and enticing tale!
~ Four Spoons
May 31, 2018
Another book by Ms Eden that I was not able to put down till I finished it!! This storyline was suspenseful, intense at times, action packed and the romance, well that was off the charts! As soon as you start reading, this book takes off.... Alice May is getting married or is she? When the groom dies in a crash on his way to the wedding and a dead body is found, Alice May realizes her soon to be husband is the Secret Admirer that has killed 5 woman. Fast forward a year later and a new dead body. Is this a copy cat killer, did Alice May's fiancée really die? Undercover FBI Zander Todd's job is to find out was Alice May involved? Problem is, it's no longer a job for Zander, he is falling in love with her. The twists and turns that Ms Eden takes you through to the end are exhilarating. Every time I think I have one of her books figured out she puts another twist in that I never expect. If you love a good romantic, suspenseful book, this is the book for you!
June 2, 2019
Wow... What can I say? This book, like all other books kept me at the edge.
Alice learns on the day of her wedding that her fiance is a serial killer. While she can't bring herself to believe that, he dies the same day with a female corpse in his car's trunk. Life isn't easy for her. She becomes the target for hate group and the FBI, who is convinced that she's an accomplice to her fiance's crimes.
An year later, Alice is once again targeted when another corpse surface with the same M.O. It takes two months for Zander to crack her walls. Finally, when Alice is ready to move on, another blow waits for her. She learns Zander is not who he claims to be. He's a FBI undercover operative.
The book is fast paced with thrilling twists and turns. We are always at the edge because to us the killer is dead. The new killer could be a copy cat or an old accomplice. A very good read. I'll be back for more as usual. She's my go to author!
Alice learns on the day of her wedding that her fiance is a serial killer. While she can't bring herself to believe that, he dies the same day with a female corpse in his car's trunk. Life isn't easy for her. She becomes the target for hate group and the FBI, who is convinced that she's an accomplice to her fiance's crimes.
An year later, Alice is once again targeted when another corpse surface with the same M.O. It takes two months for Zander to crack her walls. Finally, when Alice is ready to move on, another blow waits for her. She learns Zander is not who he claims to be. He's a FBI undercover operative.
The book is fast paced with thrilling twists and turns. We are always at the edge because to us the killer is dead. The new killer could be a copy cat or an old accomplice. A very good read. I'll be back for more as usual. She's my go to author!
May 23, 2018
Alice was getting married when her fiancé was killed and had a woman’s dead body in the vehicle with him. He was known as the Secret Admirer, a serial killer who killed women that looked like Alice. She moves into a cabin in the mountains. Zander is an undercover FBI agent and he is supposed to get close to Alice and find out if she was the partner of her dead boyfriend. He falls for her and then she starts getting stalked. When she finds out Zander has been lying to her, she is very angry because not only has he lied but thinks she had something to do with the killings. He knows she’s innocent, he just has to keep her safe from the stalker.
Excellent story. Suspense, action, sex, and surprises. I read this in one sitting. Couldn’t put it down. Be prepared to jump at every little sound after reading this.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for the author *
Excellent story. Suspense, action, sex, and surprises. I read this in one sitting. Couldn’t put it down. Be prepared to jump at every little sound after reading this.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for the author *
May 29, 2018
Really great read. As I've mentioned several times before Cynthia is the nicest person yet she can write some really ugly bad guys :).
Here we have a woman about to be married only to have her wedding day destroyed by the death of her intended who also turns out to be a serial killer. The FBI think she had knowledge of the murders or was even part of the action.
Fast forward a year and Alice is trying to rebuild her life and is pretty much a loaner. She has moved and now lives in a cabin in the woods. She is under FBI surveillance and the agent is her handyman. She has come to trust him. He is always there to help her and when he asks her on a date she sort of accepts. She cooks him dinner.
After dinner and a kiss, Zander heads back to his cabin before a storm catches him. Who shows up at his place just after midnight drenched from the rain? :)
Let the games begin!
Enjoy!
Here we have a woman about to be married only to have her wedding day destroyed by the death of her intended who also turns out to be a serial killer. The FBI think she had knowledge of the murders or was even part of the action.
Fast forward a year and Alice is trying to rebuild her life and is pretty much a loaner. She has moved and now lives in a cabin in the woods. She is under FBI surveillance and the agent is her handyman. She has come to trust him. He is always there to help her and when he asks her on a date she sort of accepts. She cooks him dinner.
After dinner and a kiss, Zander heads back to his cabin before a storm catches him. Who shows up at his place just after midnight drenched from the rain? :)
Let the games begin!
Enjoy!
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