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His Best Friend's Brother #4
Shared Secrets
His brother’s two best friends, and an HEA worth fighting for…
I’ve had a crush on Blake and Casey since I first started getting crushes.
My older brother’s best friends, they practically lived at our house growing up.
And when I was an awkward tween, I truly believed they were the coolest people on this unworthy planet.
So it’s surprising and sweet when they offer to let me stay with them in Pittsburgh.
After moving to a new city, I suddenly lose my apartment, and Blake and Casey are my unexpected salvation.
Which is great, except that I have a cardboard box full of makeup and lingerie hidden beneath my bed, and a promise I’ve made to myself.
Now that I’m on my own, I’m going to live the way I want to live, and dress how I want to dress.
I just can’t imagine wearing lipstick in front of my brother’s intimidating, older friends.
I can’t imagine having the courage to share my secret with them, until I learn that Casey and Blake have some secrets of their own…
Shared Secrets is Book 4 in His Best Friend’s Brother! This is an M/M/M easy read, featuring a few guys who learn to form a family and lots of steamy fun. Enjoy it as a standalone, or read along with the rest of the series. Enjoy!
I’ve had a crush on Blake and Casey since I first started getting crushes.
My older brother’s best friends, they practically lived at our house growing up.
And when I was an awkward tween, I truly believed they were the coolest people on this unworthy planet.
So it’s surprising and sweet when they offer to let me stay with them in Pittsburgh.
After moving to a new city, I suddenly lose my apartment, and Blake and Casey are my unexpected salvation.
Which is great, except that I have a cardboard box full of makeup and lingerie hidden beneath my bed, and a promise I’ve made to myself.
Now that I’m on my own, I’m going to live the way I want to live, and dress how I want to dress.
I just can’t imagine wearing lipstick in front of my brother’s intimidating, older friends.
I can’t imagine having the courage to share my secret with them, until I learn that Casey and Blake have some secrets of their own…
Shared Secrets is Book 4 in His Best Friend’s Brother! This is an M/M/M easy read, featuring a few guys who learn to form a family and lots of steamy fun. Enjoy it as a standalone, or read along with the rest of the series. Enjoy!
185 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2020
94 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
R. Cayden
38 books311 followersR. Cayden writes steamy M/M romance and sweet, easy reads.
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If you want to be notified of new releases, sign up for the newsletter!
You can also send along an email. I love hearing from readers, and knowing what you think of the stories!
rcayden.books[at]gmail.com
Thanks for reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
February 15, 2021
This book was okay. The three MCs weren't well developed, and their issues seemed superficial and expected. Both Blake and Casey came around to the idea of being in a committed gay triad too quickly. Even the sex felt forced. I didn't connect with this story at all.
April 28, 2021
Where’s the poly/mmm gang at?! Welcome me. I come with fresh baked cookies. Good lord, this was amazing from start to finish. I would love to be the lettuce in this hot sandwich. Excited for the last one!
July 12, 2021
The balance of 3
Blake and Casey are roommates AND best friends with sometime benefits. Add in Russell to the roommate equation, what could happen??
No real communication makes this book a bit annoying and frustrating. NGL. Have the conversation! You could have saved yourselves YEARS of angst. 🙄
I like my MMM as balanced as possible.
This one was for the most part. It was nice when they finally had an adult conversation after not doing so for so long. There was something missing though. It got to the end and while it was an HEA it left me with meh feelings.
Blake and Casey are roommates AND best friends with sometime benefits. Add in Russell to the roommate equation, what could happen??
No real communication makes this book a bit annoying and frustrating. NGL. Have the conversation! You could have saved yourselves YEARS of angst. 🙄
I like my MMM as balanced as possible.
This one was for the most part. It was nice when they finally had an adult conversation after not doing so for so long. There was something missing though. It got to the end and while it was an HEA it left me with meh feelings.
July 18, 2021
So good! Might just be my favorite in the series. A perfect mix of sweet and steamy!
January 8, 2021
I wished had received an ARC because the synopsis was interesting and I wasn't wrong. IT WAS AMAZING, I love this author and his books (obviosly). Pardon my english, but is not my first language. Lo recomiendo totalmente este libro sobre todo a las personas que les gustan MMM romance.
July 25, 2021
I love the best friends brother trope. And there was so much here to look forward to after reading the blurb. This was just a little too short considering the issues each of these men had. But even though the characters were a tad underdeveloped I still liked the dynamic. Just wish there’d been more page time to be able to connect with each man and really feel all the feelz.
December 28, 2020
Overall, this is a good story. Blake, Russell and Casey have a lot of chemistry together, and it was nice to see them acting on their attraction. The story is about discoveries, acceptance and being your true self. It is also very low angst. My only problem was that I felt the end was a little rushed, and some things were left without a proper explanation, one of them part of the plot - and that always bugs me (what can I say, I like closure...rs). And some other things should have been better explored - the make up being one of them. It is part of the story, and I feel there was space for much much more. This is my first book from the author, and I'll definitely read more of them in the future.
May 12, 2025
DNF ~35%
I was fairly certain this wouldn't be for me, but figured I'd give it a shot, and sure enough, not my bag. Everything was super superficial, and there were more issues in this one that needed slightly more depth to overcome.
I also didn't read the previous book, so the book I read right before this one was River/Leo, so I was really taken by surprise by River's cameos here, which read like an entirely different character -- he wasn't into makeup or feminine dress at all in his book, and I have to imagine maybe he discovers that in the background of the book in between? Which seems an odd choice, but it felt really jarring because he really just seemed like a totally different person.
I was fairly certain this wouldn't be for me, but figured I'd give it a shot, and sure enough, not my bag. Everything was super superficial, and there were more issues in this one that needed slightly more depth to overcome.
I also didn't read the previous book, so the book I read right before this one was River/Leo, so I was really taken by surprise by River's cameos here, which read like an entirely different character -- he wasn't into makeup or feminine dress at all in his book, and I have to imagine maybe he discovers that in the background of the book in between? Which seems an odd choice, but it felt really jarring because he really just seemed like a totally different person.
January 13, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
I enjoy the mostly low angst storylines in the His Best Friend’s Brother series, so I was happy to pick up another one of Cayden’s books. And while I really liked the characters and the relationship they built here, I definitely came away with from this one with mixed feelings. The author relied too heavily on lack of communication here to drive the plot, and it didn’t work as well for me, which was disappointing.
I really enjoyed the first person POV of all three characters throughout the book. It definitely worked to the reader’s advantage, because without it, we wouldn’t have been able to see exactly where each of the three men were coming from. I loved the found family feel of this story, especially between Casey and Blake (and their other best friend, Russell’s brother Peyton, though his role is relatively minor here).
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
I enjoy the mostly low angst storylines in the His Best Friend’s Brother series, so I was happy to pick up another one of Cayden’s books. And while I really liked the characters and the relationship they built here, I definitely came away with from this one with mixed feelings. The author relied too heavily on lack of communication here to drive the plot, and it didn’t work as well for me, which was disappointing.
I really enjoyed the first person POV of all three characters throughout the book. It definitely worked to the reader’s advantage, because without it, we wouldn’t have been able to see exactly where each of the three men were coming from. I loved the found family feel of this story, especially between Casey and Blake (and their other best friend, Russell’s brother Peyton, though his role is relatively minor here).
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
January 6, 2021
I was all prepared for predictable POT (point of tension, where we find that final problem to be solved before their happily ever after) and then it was not and I am actually not sure what happened was better, cause I am not just a hard case but a cynic as well and things going as well as they did, at that part? Yeah, suuuuure.
But that could be said about the whole book. Minor spoiler but they were all so scandalized by what the title proposes: a "forbidden" "but he's my best friend's LITTLE brother", emphasis on little and BFF and brother. So for them to use it as The Excuse and then have it just glassed over, like "yeah, wasn't a problem, we so knew it" - I am not the only one who can see the conflict, right? I do like my Problem and Solution to match - whatever prevents you from being together have better be good and whatever happens to suddenly take away or ignore the reason why they didn't just fall into each other's arms has to be good - or at least match.
Some things went a little over my tastes, maybe because I don't understand or wear or like those things (like make-up and yes, I am a female) so that was a weird point for me and I was not that impressed with naked time either. I am not sure how it came to be I feel I have enough experience to have an opinion about more-than-one-person-in-bed relationships/scenes but here we are and this was not my idea of a well-made element. What I like and search for and read for these type of stories is to see those unique people and personalities come together - like pancakes with chocolate and raspberries but oh look, there's whipped cream as well! That's some delicious combination! Is that too much to ask?
But I am not completely... bad about this book. It was one of those low on angst and hurt soothe or what it's called and just a more... average but potentially nice book.
But that could be said about the whole book. Minor spoiler but they were all so scandalized by what the title proposes: a "forbidden" "but he's my best friend's LITTLE brother", emphasis on little and BFF and brother. So for them to use it as The Excuse and then have it just glassed over, like "yeah, wasn't a problem, we so knew it" - I am not the only one who can see the conflict, right? I do like my Problem and Solution to match - whatever prevents you from being together have better be good and whatever happens to suddenly take away or ignore the reason why they didn't just fall into each other's arms has to be good - or at least match.
Some things went a little over my tastes, maybe because I don't understand or wear or like those things (like make-up and yes, I am a female) so that was a weird point for me and I was not that impressed with naked time either. I am not sure how it came to be I feel I have enough experience to have an opinion about more-than-one-person-in-bed relationships/scenes but here we are and this was not my idea of a well-made element. What I like and search for and read for these type of stories is to see those unique people and personalities come together - like pancakes with chocolate and raspberries but oh look, there's whipped cream as well! That's some delicious combination! Is that too much to ask?
But I am not completely... bad about this book. It was one of those low on angst and hurt soothe or what it's called and just a more... average but potentially nice book.
December 25, 2020
Russell new guy, best friends brother. Blake and Casey, best friends, sometime hook-ups. Together, just not together. Blake straight, Casey bisexual, and Russell gay. What they create together throws all the rules out the window.
The author interlaced each man tightly to the others and made the triad work. Insecurities and doubts were abundant but ultimately each mans issues were addressed and put to rest. There were a lot of sexy times but the words flowed nicely so they didn’t overpower the book. A definite hit for me.
I received an arc of this book.
The author interlaced each man tightly to the others and made the triad work. Insecurities and doubts were abundant but ultimately each mans issues were addressed and put to rest. There were a lot of sexy times but the words flowed nicely so they didn’t overpower the book. A definite hit for me.
I received an arc of this book.
December 27, 2020
Really enjoyed this fast reading well written romance by R Cayden, even though it was my first by this author it definitely won't be my last. I moved out of my chilhood home into the city but things weren't going exactly as I planned and ended up taking up the offer of moving in with my brothers best friends and my childhood crushes, but the longer I lived with these guys the more I realized that reality was so much better than fantasy and with some work on our parts we might have a future together forever.
January 6, 2021
I enjoyed this book right from the start.
Russell moves in with his older brothers best friends, Casey and Blake.
I liked the build up to what they explored together. They were smokin hot together but it was more than that.. Their growing relationship has substance and a realness that I really enjoyed.
The alternating point of views was well written and gave extra depth to the story. It allowed a clear understanding of each mans feelings in their current situations.
Overall this is a great mmm story I'd happily recommend.
Russell moves in with his older brothers best friends, Casey and Blake.
I liked the build up to what they explored together. They were smokin hot together but it was more than that.. Their growing relationship has substance and a realness that I really enjoyed.
The alternating point of views was well written and gave extra depth to the story. It allowed a clear understanding of each mans feelings in their current situations.
Overall this is a great mmm story I'd happily recommend.
January 16, 2021
3.5 stars
I hadn’t read this author’s work before but something about the blurb for Shared Secrets caught my eye. Despite this being the fourth title in the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone with minimal crossover between books. Though it didn’t really hook me until about midway through, Shared Secrets offers a good story with likable characters that I think many readers will enjoy.
I have to admit I probably timed reading Shared Secrets poorly. I just finished reading a highly emotional polyamory romance, so launching into another straight away automatically led to me comparing books rather than just enjoying the story before me. Initially, I felt as though Shared Secrets lacked some character and relationship depth, perhaps caught up in the physical aspect of the romance and dismissing the other elements, including one closeted character. However, that changed as the book progressed and I liked the way Casey, Blake, and Russell worked through their individual challenges as well as figuring out how to make their triad work long term.
I never fully connected with these characters, and I can’t say why. I’m not sure if it was my headspace, a writing style that didn’t ignite that chemistry for me, or what. That said, the underlying plot of Shared Secrets is a good one and I would recommend the book to fans of the best friend’s brother and menage tropes, particularly if you like a lot of steam and some easily tidied angst.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
I hadn’t read this author’s work before but something about the blurb for Shared Secrets caught my eye. Despite this being the fourth title in the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone with minimal crossover between books. Though it didn’t really hook me until about midway through, Shared Secrets offers a good story with likable characters that I think many readers will enjoy.
I have to admit I probably timed reading Shared Secrets poorly. I just finished reading a highly emotional polyamory romance, so launching into another straight away automatically led to me comparing books rather than just enjoying the story before me. Initially, I felt as though Shared Secrets lacked some character and relationship depth, perhaps caught up in the physical aspect of the romance and dismissing the other elements, including one closeted character. However, that changed as the book progressed and I liked the way Casey, Blake, and Russell worked through their individual challenges as well as figuring out how to make their triad work long term.
I never fully connected with these characters, and I can’t say why. I’m not sure if it was my headspace, a writing style that didn’t ignite that chemistry for me, or what. That said, the underlying plot of Shared Secrets is a good one and I would recommend the book to fans of the best friend’s brother and menage tropes, particularly if you like a lot of steam and some easily tidied angst.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
January 15, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this fantastic, grab-you-by-the-feels, poignant, delightful, charming, slow burning, sexy, engaging, tug-at-your-heartstrings, and totally awesome addition to this marvelous gem of a series.
June 1, 2024
old post reposted
This series is a combination of binge-reading R. Cayden's other work as well as another recommendation from an Amazon email. The series: His Best Friend's Brother. The fourth book is titled "Shared Secrets".
["His brother’s two best friends, and an HEA worth fighting for…
I’ve had a crush on Blake and Casey since I first started getting crushes.
My older brother’s best friends, they practically lived at our house growing up.
And when I was an awkward tween, I truly believed they were the coolest people on this unworthy planet.
So it’s surprising and sweet when they offer to let me stay with them in Pittsburgh.
After moving to a new city, I suddenly lose my apartment, and Blake and Casey are my unexpected salvation.
Which is great, except that I have a cardboard box full of makeup and lingerie hidden beneath my bed, and a promise I’ve made to myself.
Now that I’m on my own, I’m going to live the way I want to live, and dress how I want to dress.
I just can’t imagine wearing lipstick in front of my brother’s intimidating, older friends.
I can’t imagine having the courage to share my secret with them, until I learn that Casey and Blake have some secrets of their own…"]
This book wasn’t a brother of any of the previous characters. Which helped the confusing ness of it all that I was saying before. Though it was tied in nicely to the previous books by (spoiler alert) introducing River as a bookstore-customer-turns-best-friend type situation for Russell. Which I loved.
These three idiots kind of just fell into place. It just happened one day. No questions asked really. Though down the line there was a ton of healthy communication. It was so freaking cute and sweet. And like the other books, they encouraged each other to go for their dreams and do whatever the hell makes them happy.
#fallingforthegeek #forbiddenfriend #thegeeknextdoor #sharedsecrets #fallingfortrouble #hisbestfriendsbrother #hisbestfriendsbrotherseries #rcayden #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
This series is a combination of binge-reading R. Cayden's other work as well as another recommendation from an Amazon email. The series: His Best Friend's Brother. The fourth book is titled "Shared Secrets".
["His brother’s two best friends, and an HEA worth fighting for…
I’ve had a crush on Blake and Casey since I first started getting crushes.
My older brother’s best friends, they practically lived at our house growing up.
And when I was an awkward tween, I truly believed they were the coolest people on this unworthy planet.
So it’s surprising and sweet when they offer to let me stay with them in Pittsburgh.
After moving to a new city, I suddenly lose my apartment, and Blake and Casey are my unexpected salvation.
Which is great, except that I have a cardboard box full of makeup and lingerie hidden beneath my bed, and a promise I’ve made to myself.
Now that I’m on my own, I’m going to live the way I want to live, and dress how I want to dress.
I just can’t imagine wearing lipstick in front of my brother’s intimidating, older friends.
I can’t imagine having the courage to share my secret with them, until I learn that Casey and Blake have some secrets of their own…"]
This book wasn’t a brother of any of the previous characters. Which helped the confusing ness of it all that I was saying before. Though it was tied in nicely to the previous books by (spoiler alert) introducing River as a bookstore-customer-turns-best-friend type situation for Russell. Which I loved.
These three idiots kind of just fell into place. It just happened one day. No questions asked really. Though down the line there was a ton of healthy communication. It was so freaking cute and sweet. And like the other books, they encouraged each other to go for their dreams and do whatever the hell makes them happy.
#fallingforthegeek #forbiddenfriend #thegeeknextdoor #sharedsecrets #fallingfortrouble #hisbestfriendsbrother #hisbestfriendsbrotherseries #rcayden #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
June 21, 2021
Shared Secrets was easily my favorite of the His Best Friend's Brother series.
This book is the story of best friends Blake and Casey who have been hooking up in secret since high school. Its not a secret due to any shame. Its just that Blake identifies as heterosexual and he's only really ever felt like he wanted to hook up with Casey, his out bisexual best friend. The series really sets off when the little brother of their best friend, Russell, moves in with them. Russell is a bit younger and trying to find the courage to live as his authentic self. Throughout the course of the story, Blake and Casey find ways to encourage Russell and Russell begins to gain confidence.
The triad story does suffer a bit from a lack of communication. Many of the problems the three men have together could be solved through a few simple conversations - which they are - just after being dragged out a bit too long. But all books need to have conflict and I do prefer when the conflict is something internal rather than external.
This book does branch off from the original three couples, though the original three couples are involved as Russell befriends River, who gives him makeup advice and serves almost as a guru for him throughout the book. If you're wanting updates on what more than River and Leo are doing from the first books, you're going to be a bit disappointed. But because it doesn't lean as heavily on those characters, it reads incredibly well as a standalone - even moreso than books two and three.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. The low angst and low stakes made it a fun summer read - which is good because I read it on vacation. It is also incredibly high on the heat scale. If you're only going to read one from this series, I think I'd say this one.
** THIS IS A VOLUNTARY REVIEW OF AN ARC PROVIDED BY GRR **
This book is the story of best friends Blake and Casey who have been hooking up in secret since high school. Its not a secret due to any shame. Its just that Blake identifies as heterosexual and he's only really ever felt like he wanted to hook up with Casey, his out bisexual best friend. The series really sets off when the little brother of their best friend, Russell, moves in with them. Russell is a bit younger and trying to find the courage to live as his authentic self. Throughout the course of the story, Blake and Casey find ways to encourage Russell and Russell begins to gain confidence.
The triad story does suffer a bit from a lack of communication. Many of the problems the three men have together could be solved through a few simple conversations - which they are - just after being dragged out a bit too long. But all books need to have conflict and I do prefer when the conflict is something internal rather than external.
This book does branch off from the original three couples, though the original three couples are involved as Russell befriends River, who gives him makeup advice and serves almost as a guru for him throughout the book. If you're wanting updates on what more than River and Leo are doing from the first books, you're going to be a bit disappointed. But because it doesn't lean as heavily on those characters, it reads incredibly well as a standalone - even moreso than books two and three.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. The low angst and low stakes made it a fun summer read - which is good because I read it on vacation. It is also incredibly high on the heat scale. If you're only going to read one from this series, I think I'd say this one.
** THIS IS A VOLUNTARY REVIEW OF AN ARC PROVIDED BY GRR **
January 5, 2021
*4.5*
This was a really great MMM romance for me. Blake and Casey are best friends who live together and give a room to Russell, their other best friend's younger brother. He's new to the city and determined to live how he has dreamed of but living with the two older guys he crushed on as a kid wasn't really in his plans. When the three men come together, they work so well together with such easy friendship developing as well as attraction that no one is sure what to do with. It doesn't take long to act upon it however, with Russell's confidence blossoming with the two men's support, Blake's ease at dealing with his sexuality growing day by day but Casey goes the other way, determined that he's not the right man for them and struggling with what his heart desires and his head is telling him.
I adore the bond that these men share, firstly between Blake and Casey as their strong friendship and history shines through and then as Russell is added, he adds this balance that allows them to be what was always between there them, just in need of that one special person.
There is a great balance between flirty fun, heat and angst as each man works through his own story as well as coming together in something that no one expected. I absolutely love how the story ends for them as well.
Definitely a recommended read from this enjoyable series.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
This was a really great MMM romance for me. Blake and Casey are best friends who live together and give a room to Russell, their other best friend's younger brother. He's new to the city and determined to live how he has dreamed of but living with the two older guys he crushed on as a kid wasn't really in his plans. When the three men come together, they work so well together with such easy friendship developing as well as attraction that no one is sure what to do with. It doesn't take long to act upon it however, with Russell's confidence blossoming with the two men's support, Blake's ease at dealing with his sexuality growing day by day but Casey goes the other way, determined that he's not the right man for them and struggling with what his heart desires and his head is telling him.
I adore the bond that these men share, firstly between Blake and Casey as their strong friendship and history shines through and then as Russell is added, he adds this balance that allows them to be what was always between there them, just in need of that one special person.
There is a great balance between flirty fun, heat and angst as each man works through his own story as well as coming together in something that no one expected. I absolutely love how the story ends for them as well.
Definitely a recommended read from this enjoyable series.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
January 23, 2021
4.25 Stars
I don’t have a lot of experience reading books with triad couples, but I was eager to read this book because I’ve read the previous three. I’m really glad I read it, and I’m actually wanting to read more polyamorous love stories.
This story belongs to Russell, Blake, and Casey. The previous books have been connected by family members of one of the main characters of the previous book. This one introduced new characters, breaking the trend, but has Russell befriending River, from book two. While he and Leo are the only ones to make an appearance, the other couples are mentioned. So, the gangs all present and accounted for.
I loved the dynamic between our three MCs right from the start. Russell was hesitant to move in with them, but it turned out to be the best decision he could’ve made. I enjoyed watching Russell come into his own, Blake discover his bisexuality, and Casey open up. They each brought something into the relationship that the other needed and was better for it. I found their love story to be sweet and fun to read.
This was a well-written story, and while it did have some angst, it wasn’t draining or overly sad. Life is messy, and even the messy bits help shape us into who we are as a person. As always, the characters were easy to like and entertaining.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. ***
I don’t have a lot of experience reading books with triad couples, but I was eager to read this book because I’ve read the previous three. I’m really glad I read it, and I’m actually wanting to read more polyamorous love stories.
This story belongs to Russell, Blake, and Casey. The previous books have been connected by family members of one of the main characters of the previous book. This one introduced new characters, breaking the trend, but has Russell befriending River, from book two. While he and Leo are the only ones to make an appearance, the other couples are mentioned. So, the gangs all present and accounted for.
I loved the dynamic between our three MCs right from the start. Russell was hesitant to move in with them, but it turned out to be the best decision he could’ve made. I enjoyed watching Russell come into his own, Blake discover his bisexuality, and Casey open up. They each brought something into the relationship that the other needed and was better for it. I found their love story to be sweet and fun to read.
This was a well-written story, and while it did have some angst, it wasn’t draining or overly sad. Life is messy, and even the messy bits help shape us into who we are as a person. As always, the characters were easy to like and entertaining.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. ***
January 2, 2021
Finding the right balance in an MMM romance can be tricky, but Blake, Russell, and Casey made it seem effortless. Each of these men was so immediately likable that I couldn't help but be drawn into their everyday lives. With just enough setup to explain how the three of them ended up sharing a place, the rest of this story was a sweet and steamy build as these men turned their friendship into something more. It was such a joy to see Russell, Blake, and Casey not only grow into their feelings for each other but also gain confidence in themselves over time. Despite Blake and Casey's history, I never felt like Russell was the "outsider" of their triad, even in its earliest stages. While I was completely satisfied with the romantic journey of this story, I have to admit that the rest of the plotlines were missing some pieces. I never did find out how Russell and Blake's families reacted to their relationship, and while the epilogue did a nice job tying up all the loose ends I would have loved to get a closer look at how the three of them made their careers and relationship last. Even with those missing pieces, the conclusion of this story still left me with a goofy grin on my face and a heart full of happiness for these three adorable men.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
January 7, 2021
I really enjoyed this story. Three MCs with distinct POVs, and all with secrets - including how they really feel about one another. In a way this is a slow-burn romance, as Russell moves in with his teenage crushes Blake and Casey and the two get to know him beyond being their other best friend's shy little brother. After the three enter into a (very steamy) casual relationship, they must soon grapple with the rapidly deepening feelings developing between them.
This story is also very much about self-discovery and exploration - Blake in his sexuality, Casey in his self-worth, and Russell in his self-expression (and how Blake and Casey so fully encourage and support Russell's need and desire to express himself and be seen is especially lovely). I really liked the individuality of each MC, and how sensitive, caring and thoughtful they are toward each other in different ways.
"Shared Secrets" is an easy, entertaining, low angst read and I flew through it. It's the first book by author R. Cayden that I've read and I'm looking forward to reading the previous books in this series. I received an advance reading copy of this book and have left this honest review voluntarily. (Also read in KU.)
This story is also very much about self-discovery and exploration - Blake in his sexuality, Casey in his self-worth, and Russell in his self-expression (and how Blake and Casey so fully encourage and support Russell's need and desire to express himself and be seen is especially lovely). I really liked the individuality of each MC, and how sensitive, caring and thoughtful they are toward each other in different ways.
"Shared Secrets" is an easy, entertaining, low angst read and I flew through it. It's the first book by author R. Cayden that I've read and I'm looking forward to reading the previous books in this series. I received an advance reading copy of this book and have left this honest review voluntarily. (Also read in KU.)
January 4, 2021
Casey and Blake are best friends and roommates. Russell is their other best friend’s younger brother, newly arrived and in need of a place to stay. From there, the inevitable happens. I love how each of the guys in this novel contribute to their relationship, in ways that overlap but are nonetheless distinct. They’re all nurturing in different ways, for example-- Casey likes to cook for the people he cares for. Blake is super protective, listens to everything, and pushes to get people what they need. Russell has tons of courage and shares his strength with others. They all have their own foibles as well-- Blake is used to bottling his feelings because he looks like the kind of person who doesn’t have any. Casey can deflect like a master, but never really feels good enough. Russell is younger and shyer, just figuring out how he wants to navigate the world. I loved seeing how they managed to fit themselves together, despite the obstacles. Their relationship is hot, definitely, but more than that, it’s sweet and clearly just what everyone involved in it absolutely needs.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
July 13, 2021
Shared Secrets is the kind of book that is someone a coming out story and not. In reality it is more of a discovery story.
Russell wants to discover who he is. He knows he identifies as a boy, but he believes that wearing lacy woman's underwear and makeup is who he is.
Casey and Blake, best friends and sometimes fuck buddies, one 'straight' the other bi, find that there love for each other just doesn't fit, till Russell needs a place to stay.
Then all passion and love happen. The magic number is three for these young men. Blake wants Russell and Casey and the other are just as enamored with the other two. Starting things out as "casual" only leads to Casey feeling hurt about letting Blake and Russell be alone and since he was never really wanted (his mother threw him out of the house t seventeen). He wants them to be happy, not realizing that he loves them till it is almost too late.
Add in a few other fun people, like Russell's straight brother and best friend of Casey and Blake, and some new people they meet in Pittsburgh, we get a fun, sexy book of a different kind of love. A Triad.
Russell wants to discover who he is. He knows he identifies as a boy, but he believes that wearing lacy woman's underwear and makeup is who he is.
Casey and Blake, best friends and sometimes fuck buddies, one 'straight' the other bi, find that there love for each other just doesn't fit, till Russell needs a place to stay.
Then all passion and love happen. The magic number is three for these young men. Blake wants Russell and Casey and the other are just as enamored with the other two. Starting things out as "casual" only leads to Casey feeling hurt about letting Blake and Russell be alone and since he was never really wanted (his mother threw him out of the house t seventeen). He wants them to be happy, not realizing that he loves them till it is almost too late.
Add in a few other fun people, like Russell's straight brother and best friend of Casey and Blake, and some new people they meet in Pittsburgh, we get a fun, sexy book of a different kind of love. A Triad.
December 31, 2020
What’s better than one of his brother’s best friends? Two!
I love this series and this author. The brother’s best friend trope has always been one of my favorite because it’s so realistic. It could definitely happen in real life. Your brother’s buddies spend so much time at your house that bam! instacrush. Casey and Blake doing their best bud a favor by letting the little bro crash for awhile is something that is totally foreseeable and the spark between them and then add in Russell and you have an inferno. I like how each of the triad was going through a challenge of their own that had to be overcome before they could work as lovers. The ending was adorable and left me hungry to see if the boys did follow through with their plans and how their triad worked out over the years. I cannot wait to read the next in the series. This review is an honest and unbiased reflection of my thoughts after reading an advanced readers copy of the book. I did, however, purchase a copy for my personal library.
I love this series and this author. The brother’s best friend trope has always been one of my favorite because it’s so realistic. It could definitely happen in real life. Your brother’s buddies spend so much time at your house that bam! instacrush. Casey and Blake doing their best bud a favor by letting the little bro crash for awhile is something that is totally foreseeable and the spark between them and then add in Russell and you have an inferno. I like how each of the triad was going through a challenge of their own that had to be overcome before they could work as lovers. The ending was adorable and left me hungry to see if the boys did follow through with their plans and how their triad worked out over the years. I cannot wait to read the next in the series. This review is an honest and unbiased reflection of my thoughts after reading an advanced readers copy of the book. I did, however, purchase a copy for my personal library.
January 1, 2021
This is an interesting and sweet story. Russell left his hometown in order to discover himself, something that he wasn't comfortable doing in his hometown. Not long after he got to Pittsburgh, Russell was kicked out of the room he was renting, and having used most of his savings moving, he had no way to get another place. His brother's two best friends lived there and had offered their spare room, which he'd originally turned down, was his only choice. Blake and Casey had been living in the same house, and occasionally fooling around with each other, for years. Nobody, especially their other friend Peyton, knew about their secret. When Russell moved in they put a halt to things. Until Russell, who'd had a crush on both of them, had seemed interested. They soon started a casual thing between them, but Casey's goal in life was to see Blake happy, and Russell was perfect for Blake. Casey fought himself over letting the two of them be a couple, or being selfish and continuing the triad. The story deals with a few hard issues, but also focuses on the friendships. It's a great story.
December 26, 2020
My only real complaint about this book was it was too short!! I wanted more of Casey, Blake, and Russel. I would have liked to see them interacting a bit more, other than their smoking hot hookups. I also really wish we got to read a scene where they told Russels older brother Peyton about the 3 of them. His reaction would have been priceless!!
I really enjoyed how Russel grew into himself and how his addition to Casey and Blake really brought them all together. He bridged a gap those 2 spent so much time dancing around. He also gave them someone to dote on and care for which Casey and Blake both enjoyed. Their dynamic was very sweet with Casey loving to cook for his men and Blake always being the rock for them to lean on. I will def be reading the other books in the series.
** I was given an ARC by GRR in exchange for an honest and unbiasdd review **
I really enjoyed how Russel grew into himself and how his addition to Casey and Blake really brought them all together. He bridged a gap those 2 spent so much time dancing around. He also gave them someone to dote on and care for which Casey and Blake both enjoyed. Their dynamic was very sweet with Casey loving to cook for his men and Blake always being the rock for them to lean on. I will def be reading the other books in the series.
** I was given an ARC by GRR in exchange for an honest and unbiasdd review **
January 12, 2021
The Life They'd Fought For.
Russell never thought that within a month of moving to Pittsburgh he'd be staying with his childhood crushes Casey and Blake. He hadn't seen them since he'd been in high school but they were still gorgeous! He'd decided not to move back to his hometown after college as he wanted a chance to discover himself, but did he have the confidence to do that in front of Casey and Blake?
I loved their story, super hot with some angst, page turner, MMM , fourth in series but I enjoyed it immensely as a standalone and it did not affect my enjoyment of the story.
Russell never thought that within a month of moving to Pittsburgh he'd be staying with his childhood crushes Casey and Blake. He hadn't seen them since he'd been in high school but they were still gorgeous! He'd decided not to move back to his hometown after college as he wanted a chance to discover himself, but did he have the confidence to do that in front of Casey and Blake?
I loved their story, super hot with some angst, page turner, MMM , fourth in series but I enjoyed it immensely as a standalone and it did not affect my enjoyment of the story.
January 14, 2021
It was OK, but the plot tried to juggle too many balls and thus left several story arcs half-finished. The happy ending was too abrupt and all the triad's problems were solved too fast and too easily, with hardly a hitch. It's kind of a problem on a MMM romance/erotica book that the single MM sex scene is hotter than all the triad sex scenes.. Most of theses seemed rather perfunctory and lacked real heat ("Let's do X; X is being done (mechanical description); X was so great!"). R. Cayden usually excels on those scenes.
July 13, 2021
Well, DNF. I got to 45%, ten chapters in, just past the first sex scene, and just can't with this one.
I liked the characters, but they're too shallow. And, even though there are only three of them, twice a wrong name was used. That's always jarring, and a red flag for poor editing. The second time was at the inception of the sex scene--which was chaotic. Nice emotions, but the actions were blurred and confusing in 'anatomy doesn't work that way' ways.
Anyway, I didn't sign up to rewrite this in my head. The author's Goodreads profile is minimal and relatively new. So there's hope for later work, but this book doesn't encourage me to bother.
I liked the characters, but they're too shallow. And, even though there are only three of them, twice a wrong name was used. That's always jarring, and a red flag for poor editing. The second time was at the inception of the sex scene--which was chaotic. Nice emotions, but the actions were blurred and confusing in 'anatomy doesn't work that way' ways.
Anyway, I didn't sign up to rewrite this in my head. The author's Goodreads profile is minimal and relatively new. So there's hope for later work, but this book doesn't encourage me to bother.
September 17, 2025
This is a roommates / brother’s best friend romance, featuring Russell, Blake and Casey, and is book four in the His Best Friend’s Brother series.
Russell moves in with his brother’s best friends, Blake and Casey, after losing his apartment, but hiding his true self feels impossible under their roof.
This was a low angst, quick, steamy story. Russell moving in with his brother’s best friends was the perfect setup for all the tension, secrets, and sweet moments. Loving this series.
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 4 in series
MMM romance
Novella
Roommates
Brother’s best friends
Forced proximity
Touchy feely BFFs
MC in lingerie
Hurt / Comfort
Fear of abandonment
Bi awakening
Spicy times
Admit feelings
Found family
HEA
Russell moves in with his brother’s best friends, Blake and Casey, after losing his apartment, but hiding his true self feels impossible under their roof.
This was a low angst, quick, steamy story. Russell moving in with his brother’s best friends was the perfect setup for all the tension, secrets, and sweet moments. Loving this series.
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 4 in series
MMM romance
Novella
Roommates
Brother’s best friends
Forced proximity
Touchy feely BFFs
MC in lingerie
Hurt / Comfort
Fear of abandonment
Bi awakening
Spicy times
Admit feelings
Found family
HEA
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews