Summer Secret

Rose Falls #5

by Raleigh Ruebins

We’re still just best friends.
…Even though we’re sharing a bed.

Owen:
Is it weird to want to sleep with your best friend? Max has always been there for me. He’s rescued me when I partied too hard and saved me from bad situations more times than I can count. And it’s never mattered that he was gay and I was straight. I knew he didn’t have feelings for me, and our friendship would never change.

Until… I changed. Seeing Max for the first time in months on this beach vacation, it’s like something’s snapped inside my head. I keep asking Max to sleep next to me in bed—it just doesn’t feel the same without him. And finally, when he admits something to me that I never thought I’d hear, I can’t help but pull him in for a kiss….

Max:
It isn’t always easy being Owen’s best friend. He’s wild and free, and I’ve had to be the responsible one for so long. When he started asking me to sleep next to him, I couldn’t say no—but then I couldn’t control my reaction to being so close to him. I started fantasizing about Owen in ways I knew I shouldn’t.

He deserves better. I shouldn’t fixate on my straight best friend, watching his body glisten in the ocean waves. But then Owen kissed me, and my entire world exploded in front of my eyes. We aren’t just sleeping in bed anymore….

But when our beach vacation is over, all of this will stop. I’m just Owen’s summer experiment, his one-time fling, and this is our little secret. Right?

Summer Secret is a 62,000-word gay romance about best friends who fall in love in a way they’d never thought possible. It features a quirky family, tons of sun & sand, and plenty of sneaky secrets in a big beach house. It’s the fifth and final book in the Rose Falls series, but can easily be read as a standalone novel on its own.

Genres: M M Romance, Friends To Lovers, Romance, Gay For You, LGBT, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

206 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2018

Reviews

[Teal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters aren't credible. The dialogue isn't credible. The rainbows-and-puppies addiction/recovery storyline isn't credible. Of course, add "to me" at the end of each of those sentences. Everything about this book was ringing false to me, but the inertia of a late-night reading trance can be difficult to break. This sentence snapped me out of it temporarily:

I pretty much couldn’t help but wear my heart on my sleeve, but he was able to keep things much closer to his chest.

I read that and thought, "Wow -- How many clichés can be stuffed into one sentence?" But a few pages later I had reason to regret my criticism, when the author came up with something entirely original:

I watched Max's eyes... the rich brown felt so calming, his dark lashes like an elixir that made me feel somehow at home...

An elixir is a liquid. One drinks it. Just like one drinks eyelashes -- no, wait. WHAT?

I can't definitely say that comparing eyelashes to a beverage is the worst simile I've ever seen. But it's certainly the worst simile I've seen in years.

Stick with the clichés, Raleigh Ruebins. Stick with the clichés.

DNF @ 21%

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet story, light on the steam, with a pretty HEA. I'd recommend for fans of the friends-to-lovers trope who are seeking a fluffy summer read.

The MCs and secondary characters are likeable. There's some miscommunication, and the men act younger than 26, but it didn't bug me too much.

Solid 3 to 3.5 stars.

[☆ Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

GAH! This book.



Owen and Max were both 26. Going on 14.

I loved them both, but sweet baby Jesus, their immature insecurities drove me fucking insane. I really wanted to shake them both until they mentally pulled their shit together.



Also, for some unknown reason, even by the end of the book, I had the damndest time remembering which MC name was which. I rarely have that problem, so not sure why it happened with this story.



The sexy bits were pretty steamy and the epilogue was nice, if not a bit over-the-top for my tastes.

I'd rate this one at around 3.25 stars.

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[Sanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good romance

I really liked this story. The writing was good and easy to read and follow in my opinion. The story was good, I liked this couple, I liked them together. It had a HEA, it was sweet and romantic. It had beautiful sexy moments at the appropriate pace but it wasn't too much about that. There was one editing mistake which didn't really bother.

It was well done all in all and I've really nothing negative to say and recommended this already around me. It's a good read to put you in a good mood.

[Heather Rawlins · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5 stars

I love series and this is so sweet getting to read Owen’s story. And who doesn’t love a romance on the beach. I love that it wasn’t overly dramatic and full of angst. Owen and Max are best friends and Owen discovering how maybe the alcohol muted everything he was feeling or thinking. I like growth in characters and definitely Owen is a more likable, caring and thoughtful person. I really liked this story. I would recommend this book.

[JD Crittendon · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎶Summer Lover!🎵🎶

Sweet, romantic, friends to lovers story about Owen & Max. I sometimes get too caught up in these stories even though I know there will be a happy ending. With this story, I kept thinking...kept dreading that something would go wrong.
However, it was just a somewhat simple, lovely story about getting one’s act together and acknowledging love!

[Mary Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I received an ARC copy in exchange for a honest review *

This wonderful romance is a part of "Rose Falls" series by Raleigh Ruebins and even though it can be read as a standalone You would miss out on great stories that are connected with Owen and Max's.

It is not a secret I love Raleigh Ruebins' writing style, she has a great talent to create believable stories with awesome characters. This book is no exception.
It is a sweet, heart warming friends-to-lovers story with likable MCs. I have to admit that I was waiting for Owen's story and it was great to finally see him finding his own happiness. I liked him in other books and now when he's a healed and "changed person" I liked him even better. I can't say that he wasn't irritating sometimes (why the hell did he lie about Max??), but in the same time I think he's fear was understandable.

The story is sweet, sexy, chemistry between MCs is amazing and sex is scorching hot. It was quite funny how Ruth wanted to play matchmaker and how it all ended :) Everything is happening FAST (and yet not fast enough) and it is impossible to get bored.

I can't believe it is a final book. I will miss these guys.

[Earlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owen and Max

This friends to lovers was a smooth transition as they actually were in love with each other.
It would only take Owen to get sober to understand what Max really meant to him even though he that he was straight.
Lovely easy romance

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/4

[Sarita Chapdelaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful book and a great ending to a wonderful series. It is beautifully written, the characters are engaging and I could not put it down. Owen is a very different person now that he is sober. In the previous book he had reached rock bottom but with his family's help he attended a wilderness program that helped him deal with his addictions. Max has missed his best friend but he couldn't keep watching Owen self-destruct. Now they are on vacation with Owen's family and Max's twin sister they are both ready to acknowledge their new feelings for each other even though Owen wants to keep it a secret. Their lack of communication does cause some angst and Owen has to decide what he wants to do with his life. I love the connection and hot chemistry between them even when they are not sure how to move forward when their vacation is over. The secondary characters add so much to this story and it's great to catch up with Patrick and Taran. I love the ending and I am sad that this series is over but I can't wait to see what Raleigh Ruebins will come up with next.

[Bretton Coppedge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owen is a man that desperately needs to get his life on track. He’s made significant progress by getting sober but he has ostracized his best friends, particularly Max. His idea of showing Max how much he has changed is to invite him to go on a summer vacation with him and his family. Max agrees because his life has been more dull with Owen gone. What Max doesn’t expect is developing new feelings for his friend now that he sees what he’s like when he’s happy and healthy. For that reason, this is an atypical friends to lovers romance because neither friend was previously attracted to the other. It was refreshing to see them develop their feelings for each other at the same time.

I think this is a worthy conclusion to this sweet series. While I didn’t like how Owen tried to keep things hidden and how he treated Max a lot of times, I liked how things ended on a hopeful note. As always, I recommend this series to people that like short and sweet stories that are low angst.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two weeks at the🌊 beach heads Owen and Max to a new stage in their lives; could it be lasting?😯
June 12, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
👍4 and a bit stars
This was a great series and I am glad that Owen got his own story here. Although it's not my favorite book in the series, this friends to lovers MM 👬romance was sweet with some minor insecurity and miscommunication but basically pretty upbeat. Reformed Owen is discovering what he wants to be and do with his life and Max is a sweet, workaholic, super supportive guy. Expect some steam and a leisurely fun time at the beach as the two renew their friendship during a seaside vacation and see it morph unexpectedly. And look for some well-meaning manipulation by Owen's mother Ruth who tries her hardest to steer her son to romance with Max's sister Megan.😏

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Wendell Hennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Max and Megan are twins, always close and sharing an apartment. At the same time they are both best friends with Owen who is a party guy. Max is gay while Owen is straight and finally Max and Owen's friendship comes to and end as Max tires of bailing him out. Owen returns home to his parents and after a few week enrolls in a wilderness addiction program. A few months later he contacts Megan wanting to speak with Max but he refuses. Owen invites Megan and Max to come spend two weeks with he and his family at an ocean front cottage rental. Max decides to go but is unaware that Owen is clean and has completed the Wilderness program They spend two weeks secretly in each others beds learning that they are strongly attracted to one another and Owen is obviously bi. Then life goes back to normal. Owen decides he needs to return to University and then go on for a Wilderness Counselling position. An enjoyable read with a happy ending.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have absolutely loved this whole series and Summer Secret didn't let me down, it was everything I expected. Raleigh Ruebins writes a beautiful love story and this was no different. I story is beautifully written, full of chemistry and an emotional rollercoaster. You could read this as a standalone but then you would miss the first half of Owens story. I'm sad this series has come to an end.

Owen returned to Rose Falls some time ago. He was a mess, an addict, his best friends had asked him to leave unable to continue cleaning up the mess he caused. Now he's clean, with the help of rehab, and wants his friends back. Two weeks at the beach on a family holiday and relationships have been repaired and more, but where where to from here.

I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Susan Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer Secret by Raleigh Ruebins is the last in their Rose Falls series, but much of it occurs on a beach in Massachusetts, which still makes for a fun read. This is Owen’s story and he has not been my favorite character to date. It is not a spoiler to say he redeems himself and finds love along the way. The path to his salvation is a believable one and added depth to the character and the story. His love interest Max, who just happens to be his BFF, is an interesting person in his own right and deserves to be rewarded for always doing the right thing. Owen’s family also plays an important role in the story, sometimes that of comic relief. This is not my favorite book in the series, but I am sad to see it end. I’ve come to look forward to spending time in Rose Falls!

[John-Torleif Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun, hot, sweet couple! Owen's character felt true to what we knew of him previously, but really showed that he had grown and was ready to discover himself. Max was so very stressed out with his job and not having his best friend around any longer that it was delightful to see him relax on their two week vacation to the coast. I loved seeing both men come to grips with their attraction for each other, and to be willing to take the plunge to see where that attraction might lead them.

I finished this book with a smile on my face and just feeling hopeful and happy. I can't think of any better praise for a romance novel than this.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Jennifer Reilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this series and sad to see it end.

Yes this book is a standalone but you get to see Owen the way he was before turning a new leaf.

Owen has returned from his rehab and doing great. He is missing his best friend max and they vacation with Owens family and Max’s sister Megan.

While getting to spend time together they realize their attraction and that they are in love. They are sweet together and watching them come to this conclusion was nice

I love that Owen is now better and making himself be the best he can be and realizes that Max is the one he needs to do it all.

This was a great book and sad to see this series end.

[AL♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer Secret is another great addition to the Rose Fall series.
This book follows Owen and Max who we met in previous books. Owen and Max are best friends, however, Owen's wild ways caused a drift between the two.
Owen is desperate for for a change and goes to a Wildness Rehab. He returns sober and missing his best friend. Owen invites Max and his twin sister to vacation with him and his family at a beach house.
This is a beautiful friend to lovers story. I enjoyed watching both characters together. This is a low angst, sexy book.. much like all the books in the Rose Falls series.
I'm sad to see the end of this series, but can't wait to see what Raleigh Ruebins has for us next.

[Golden Child · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owen & Max

I’m so happy we got Owen’s hea! After picking himself up from rock bottom, he finds he wants to stand on his own, heal past relationships and figure out his future. All of these things begin with making things up to Max, his best friend and someone who has cut him out. The beach vacation with the Davis family is the perfect way to heal those wounds, show Max that he has grown and is changing. They both realize their feelings for one another have evolved and both want more. For Owen, it’s a bisexual awakening and for Max, it’s a realization that their friendship can be more.

[Annie Elm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friends to lovers

Owen and Max have been best friends forever and while Max is gay and Owen is straight they love each other fiercely.
But when Max starts to think about Owen in a sexual way and Owen has dreams about doing things with Max that has never crossed his mind before it doesn't takes long until they act on their mutual attraction.
Now they just have to navigate their way through their strong friendship, the love that has always been there and the new addition of a sexual connection. Is it just an experiment or a summer fling or could they be something more.

[Pontiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owen has been on a wilderness retreat getting sober. He’s back home, and his best friend Max is there to
support him.

But Max has always had a crush on Owen, which is why he couldn’t watch him destroy himself. When he sees how Owen’s changed, and Owen is clean enough to focus on Max, what’s been underneath comes to the surface, and there’s no stopping them.

The sobriety issue is handled pretty well, and I like that Owen practices what he’s learned about not bottling things up. His family is great too, and Max is good for him. They’re good for each other.

KU

[devil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story. Owen has recently cleaned himself up and wants to desperately reconnect with his best friend, Max. These guys were closer than the average best friends but neither really realized the depth of those feelings until now. This book has got great characters and a good storyline with lots of hesitant but strong feelings.

*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.*

[Simera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Secret is a great ending to the Rose Fall Series. This is a BF/gay for you romance. Owen is startign to get his life back together and all he needs is his best friend Max.
Max and Owen join Owen's family for a beach vacation and secretly start a romance while there. This is such a sweet story.
I received a copy for an honest review.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story or Max and Owen. The author pulled at my emotions through out the story. Love the chemistry the two had. Thought the story was well written and characters were very likable.
The two made you want to keep reading to see what the ending would be like for them. I loved the ending.
Thank you for sharing your book with us.

[Suzanne King-Genton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book

I have to admit I have never read a book by Raleigh Ruebins that I did not like. I have read just about every one too. I love them all. I recommend them all. I know you'll enjoy reading them as well.
Thanks Raleigh for another great one!!





I'm enjoy them just as much as I have.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good grief! I'm sorry this is over and feel like I needed just a few more thousand pages! I enjoyed the series as a whole, but #4 with Patrick and Taran was good, this was was awesome. We get to know Patricks little brother in this one. He falls on love with his long time friend Max. It was so good people!

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

YALL, I am a total sucker for books with a pre-page-one love interest and not only did this have that, but it also had a pre-page-one conflict that directly affected the blossoming relationship. I will say though, I don't think this should be read as a standalone, the previous book is pretty important to get some more depth to the story.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great emotional story by Raleigh Ruebins. And with it, the series ends, too.

It's great to see Owen recovered and getting his life together. Building his relationship with Max, reconnecting with his family... this is such a sweet, loving story!. A great end to a great series!

[Jolene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good enjoyable story. I loved all the ups and downs for Max and Owen and how Owen had to go and find himself before he could move forward in life.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book

[TL Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rock bottom

Is the worst place to be, but once you’re there it’s make it or break it time. I love a story where someone overcomes their addictions and turns their journey into something others can benefit from.