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Bow Street Brides #6

A Dangerous Secret

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The long-awaited 6th book in the best-selling Bow Street Brides series! Enter a world of headstrong heroines, dashing thieves, dangerous noblemen, and sizzling passion...

A DARK SHELL OF A MAN...

Four years ago, Ronan Hawke lost his wife and newborn daughter in a fire that left him physically scarred and emotionally destroyed. Ever since that horrific day, he has buried himself in his work as a Bow Street Runner. Isolated from everything and everyone, he disguises his pain with silence…until one day, purely by happenstance, he bumps into a woman in the park. A woman with his wife’s face, but no memory of who he is.

A WOMAN WITH NO MEMORY...
Lady Sophia Green is minding her own business with her nose in a book when the largest man she has ever seen nearly runs her over…and accuses her of being his wife! Sophia has no recollection of the fire that supposedly took her life, or the behemoth who claims to be her husband. For the past four years she has been living a quiet life in Mayfair with her parents and daughter. A daughter who shares the same green eyes as this strange, compelling man she cannot remember.

A LOVE THAT CANNOT BE FORGOTTEN...
Desperate to reclaim his wife and daughter, Ronan begins courting Sophia again and it isn’t long before old, forgotten sparks begin to burn anew. But not everything is as it seems, because the person who staged Sophia’s death is still out there…and they’ll do anything to keep her from Ronan.

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2021

112 people are currently reading
112 people want to read

About the author

Jillian Eaton

89 books489 followers
Jillian Eaton has written over forty historical romances and is known for finding the perfect balance between "intense emotions, sizzling chemistry, and light-hearted humor" (Swept Away by Romance). She grew up in Maine and now lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their three boys on a 17-acre farm where they rescue and rehabilitate senior horses.

When she isn't writing, working at the barn, or playing a cutthroat game of Harry Potter Monopoly with her family, Jillian enjoys gardening, hiking, and being an adjunct professor at her Alma mater, Delaware Valley University.

If readers are new to her books, she always suggests the following:

Sweet and Swoony Romance: Duke at First Sight
Spicy and Mysterious: A Dangerous Seduction
All Around: Bewitched by the Bluestocking
Bit Darker: The Duchess Takes a Lover

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5 stars
151 (56%)
4 stars
79 (29%)
3 stars
30 (11%)
2 stars
6 (2%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for HR-ML.
1,273 reviews55 followers
December 23, 2021
Ronan thought his wife Sophia and baby dtr died in a fire.
Sophia thought him likewise, dead. She had memory
issues as a consequence of the fire. Nearly 4 years on,
they met again. The author went back/ forth on the past
and present: this felt tiresome.

Bow Street Runner "gentle giant" (except toward criminals)
Ronan and Sophia, dtr of a baronet, had wed @ Gretna
Green. Her parents opposed the match. Natch.

Ronan couldn't read, so how did he read/ write Runner
reports? A female Runner, Juliet, helped Sophia get
a 2nd opinion on her memory. Provided by a female
veterinarian, Dr. Livingston, who performed hypnosis.
And it worked! I'd like to read more on Dr. L.

A nice little story.
Profile Image for Elaine.
4,479 reviews92 followers
December 14, 2021
The first half of this book I had tears in my eyes, even though I knew there was going to be a HEA. I whizzed through the second part, feeling better. Such a lovely loving couple. 5☆
Profile Image for Hanah.
222 reviews2 followers
January 2, 2022
Although I rated the book 4 stars, I thought the book was excellent. This is more of a me issue than an author issue. There were times I felt there were too many inner thoughts rather than actual conversations. I would like to see more interaction between Ronan and Sophia in the present time of the story. Nevertheless, I adored Ronan and Sophia; and their love story was so heart breaking.
Profile Image for Lori D.
4,080 reviews131 followers
December 6, 2021
A wonderful, heart tugging story that will pull you in from the first sentence and spread a smile!

She ran into him, literally, on their first meeting and she actually talked to him! Him, a Bow Street Runner, much beneath her station. He just could not believe after talking to her, she asked if they would meet in the morning!

But tragedy happens and they are separated. He thought she was dead and she could not remember.
Can these two ever find each other again?

I have enjoyed this series so much and this has to be one of my favorites!
Profile Image for Elodie’s Reading Corner.
2,554 reviews152 followers
November 30, 2021
🌠 A Dangerous Secret 🌠
Bow Street Brides Book 6
✒️ Jillian Eaton
https://www.facebook.com/jillianeaton...
Release Date 12/01/2021
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W4LX5LK/...

𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯

A DARK SHELL OF A MAN...
Four years ago, Ronan Hawke lost his wife and newborn daughter in a fire that left him physically scarred and emotionally destroyed. Ever since that horrific day, he has buried himself in his work as a Bow Street Runner. Isolated from everything and everyone, he disguises his pain with silence…until one day, purely by happenstance, he bumps into a woman in the park. A woman with his wife’s face, but no memory of who he is.

A WOMAN WITH NO MEMORY...
Sophia Green is minding her own business with her nose in a book when the largest man she has ever seen nearly runs her over…and accuses her of being his wife! Sophia has no recollection of the fire that supposedly took her life, or the behemoth who claims to be her husband. For the past four years, she has been living a quiet life in Mayfair with her parents and daughter. A daughter who shares the same green eyes as this strange, compelling man she cannot remember.

A LOVE THAT CANNOT BE FORGOTTEN...
Desperate to reclaim his wife and daughter, Ronan begins courting Sophia again and it isn’t long before old, forgotten sparks begin to burn anew. But not everything is as it seems, because the person who staged Sophia’s death is still out there…and they’ll do anything to keep her from Ronan.

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

Will she let fears and lies lead her away …

Having not read the previous books in this series, I had some fears to fell a bit lost among the characters. Gladly it was not the case.
This lovely second romance is a surprising light read, despite the sadness the hero bears, it is no angsty read nor depressing story.
We go back next forth in time as the narrative progresses, Ronan remembering the good moments they shared despite the shortness of their acquaintance.
Ronan is a man who did not see coming the upheaval Sophia would be in his life. One day he was a surly runner, the next he was in love. But his happiness was short lived when she was ripped from his life as fast as she barreled in.
Now he just survives one day from another to the next, nothing tastes anything, light has been torn from his existence, his parcel of humanity now only ashes.
So who is this woman who look like exactly like her but a more demure version of her.
Sophia does not remember a year in her life, the one year she married and had a daughter. So she can only trust her parents’ words about her dead husband. Until she crosses path with a mountain of a man who states he is said spouse. But she has no memory of him, yet her skin tingles when he is near. So she the obedient daughter is lost, whom to believe, a stranger who shared her daughter’s eyes or her family. To find the truth, she will have to go out of her safe path.

A sweet tale of falling in love again as the heart has a memory of what was once.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen foreplays and lovemaking scenes.

Now I am much curious about Charlie and Flint.

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CW5bnb_I...

https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...

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1,645 reviews15 followers
December 1, 2021
One of my favorites by this author. Unusual story line with the h not remembering anything about the H. It's about trusting your instincts and letting go.

Unique H/h. He is a big man and stands out in a crowd. He grew up poor and has made himself a honorable and loyal man. He doesn't say much but when the h bumps into him she is anything but shy. She grew up privileged and is out of his league. Their courtship was funny at times because the h was so far out there and the H was the opposite. Their love comes shinning through and you felt it reading it. So when the h loses her memory your heart will break because the H believes she and their daughter have died.

I must admit, I knew who was responsible for the fire. I was convinced I was right as I know my own name. Well, this author threw a major curve ball and I admire her imagination. It all made sense when it unraveled to who was responsible.

The scenes with the Dr and the h were unique also. All in all this is a story about finding love, losing it and discovering it again. The child and her outlook added a light heartedness to this story.

Foreplay outside of marriage, the act within - heat level 4 out of 5 and filled with love. Some crude words used twice.

Ends at about 95% on my e-reader rest blurb for another story. No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, very romantic and a some spice. I found this story to be unique, has mystery, humor, sadness and romance. Great main and secondary character's.
Profile Image for Candy Briggs.
731 reviews14 followers
December 2, 2021
Ronan Hawke is a Bow Street Runner. He never had anything to do with the ton. He knew what went on under all the glamour and glitz. He was out for a walk when Miss Sophia Green ran into him while reading her book. When she paid attention to him, she could not believe how tall he was. She was a spicy little thing. She treated him as if he was an equal but he was a commoner. She then proceeded to tell him she would see him tomorrow morning for a walk. This continued for a while and eventually, they married. He had watched as his whole life died when there was a fire at their home. He tried to save both Sophia and Emma, their daughter. He could not and was haunted. He had lost all that he cared about.

This is a touching story of love, betrayal, and caring. He just wanted to die. He had nightmares about what happened that day. I thought this tale was so romantic. He had tried to treat her well and I think they were happy. I wanted to cry at times. There were some not-so-nice people in his life, but he tried to stay away. I wish it had been longer I really kept wanting to continue reading.
It was exciting, sad but also joy. The author wrote this book to keep your interest and she did. I hope you did not wait till night to start it. I did and I was up very late. So very worth it.

I received This Arc from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
Profile Image for Lana Birky.
1,703 reviews22 followers
December 1, 2021

It was a delight to get back to the Bow Street Brides & this was worth the wait. This book will give you hope, make you smile & know that miracles really do happen!

Ronan Hawke lost his wife & baby daughter in a fire four years ago & since then, he has thrown caution to the wind at his job as a Bow Street Runner. The heartbreak he feels from his lost loves is sad, as are the emotions this big, burly man shows.

Sophia Green is living with her parents and four-year-old daughter since her accident that left her experiencing amnesia of certain parts of her life (the eleven months when she was married to Ronan) & since her parents did not approve of Ronan, they lied & said her husband was an American & had died.

Ronan & Sophia do accidently run into each other & the road back is a bumpy, emotional journey before they get to their HEA. I highly recommend this book & the entire series - the couples in these books are such perfect matches, but it is not always easy getting to their HEA. I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.
8 reviews
November 29, 2021
I loved this book! I absolutely fell in love with Ronan. His love for Sophia never ceased despite her "loss." I liked that Sophia didn't doubt Ronan's claim after their initial visit, that she was his wife. Despite not recognizing Ronan, Sophia felt something about him, and was smart enough to realize that his eyes were the same as Emma, her daughter. Ronan was willing to give Sophia time to recognize him, and how he was so sweet with her was just so swoon-worthy. Fantastic secondary characters, return characters from the other books, and I see that Felix is still his charming self. One thing I would like to see in any upcoming book, was for a story about Charlie the doctor who helped Sophia with her memory, and Flint, Ronan's protege. It seems to be an interesting story to be written. Jillian Eaton doesn't disappoint!

I am expressing my honest opinion on this book. Received an ARC with the condition of an honest review.
Profile Image for Emma.
2,864 reviews39 followers
December 9, 2021
Dang!!! What an emotional story. Page after page I had no idea what I would be feeling or experiencing next. All the emotions the characters experienced were so realistic. I cannot imagine what Ronan must have felt after he lost his family and then four years later to find them again. Except Sophia did not remember Ronan. She had amnesia. When the part her parents played in keeping the truth from her was uncovered, I could not fault her for how angry and disgusted she was with them. I really felt that her mother was a very large ugly shebeach. What a vile woman. Then when the only female Bow Street Runner solved the mystery of Sophia's lost memories it was quite amazing. Not only that but she also found out how the fire that kept Sophia and Ronan apart was started. An excellent read. I highly recommend it.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Haunting
Page-turner
Realistic
Scary
Tragic
Unpredictable
Wonderful characters
162 reviews5 followers
December 5, 2021
It’s been a while since we had the last installment of this series. If you’re looking for a short read, this is a good choice. Ronan Hawke is a Bow Street Runner who was married to a lady above his station, Sophia. The story starts with their meeting, but we learn that Ronan is only dreaming or remembering the wife he lost in a fire several years earlier. He is a broken man. When he literally bumps into Sophia in the street, though, he is stunned. However, Sophia doesn’t remember him at all. She has been living with her parents for four years, raising a daughter whose father she has no memory of.

The story details Ronan and Sophia’s relationship and unravels the mystery of how Sophia came to forget Ronan. Although the book is short (novella more than novel), Ronan and Sophia are fully developed characters and I loved them both. This is one case where I didn’t feel like half the story was missing in a novella length story—it’s all here and feels complete. It’s not completely clean, but it’s not overly spicy either, if that’s something you care about.

You can read this without reading the first 5 installments of the series, but some of the characters have their own stories in earlier books (if you haven’t read them, it won’t diminish your enjoyment of this one), and they’re good, so you might as well start at the beginning. Hopefully we won’t have to wait so long for the next book (there’s some setup for another—this isn’t the end of the series).
Profile Image for Bridget Love to read Lewis.
2,461 reviews28 followers
December 18, 2021
A blast from the past

Ronan has thrown himself into a career at Bow Street. He has been a shell of a man that lost his wife and daughter in a fire! When he walks into her almost like the original meeting!?? Sophia was frightened not of his size but in his stunned excitement he grabs her! It was like hurrah!! Sophia doesn't recognize him at first but those eyes! Green like her daughters so unlike her own!??
When Sophia confronts her parents she is devastated at their deception! When Sophia decides to be brave I wait for the other shoe to drop and when it does just wow! I love Flynn and the doctor can't wait for their story!!! This one had all the emotions from tears to laughter and back again!!
2,426 reviews22 followers
November 28, 2021
WOW! This book! It is sweet and lovely and miracles do exist. There is heartbreak and feelings that will give you all of the feels. I love a story about a big burly man and showing his emotions. Ronan is a fantastic hero. Sophia wants to find her way back and she does…this is a romance, remember. We get to see the original romance as it develops along with the Sophia coming back from her amnesia. I don’t want to say too much and give away the story but know that this is a fantastic feel-good story.

Psst…Jillian, hoping Flint will get his own story. Really, please.

I received a complimentary copy from the author.
Profile Image for Margaret.
3,214 reviews33 followers
December 4, 2021
I have not read this series in order, but I do not think it really matters. Yes, there are characters from previous books, but the book is so well written it does not take away from the story. Ronan Hawke lives for his job as a Bow Street Runner. He has nothing else to live for since he lost his wife and daughter four years ago. Fate and luck fall in his favor when he discovers his wife and daughter are alive, but his wife does not remember him. This book moves really fast and has flashbacks to explain the past. Nothing better than solving a mystery and a happy ending that this couple richly deserves.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book gifted by the author.
767 reviews11 followers
November 29, 2021
This story of Ronan and Sophia is a story which left me smiling. It was an enjoyable read which I finished in one day. Ronan was a gentle giant who loved his wife and child who he thought died in a fire. Sophia was a wife who did not remember her husband after a tragic accident. The two of them finding each other and finding love again, plus the past love story was wonderful. I always love Jillian Eaton’s writing, and this book was no exception.
I received an ARC and am leaving my honest opinion.
62 reviews3 followers
December 2, 2021
A Dangerous Secret by Jillian Eaton is the latest of her Bowstreet Brides series. Ronan, a bowstreet runner, has been left with a physical impairment and a broken heart by the loss of his wife and baby. There has been a horrible deceit performed. Soon he literally runs right into a young lady who looks identical to his deceased wife. Is it a case of mistaken identity or are more evil things afoot?
I was sent a arc copy for my honest opinion. I only wish there were more of the story. Ronan, Sophia and their daughter, Emma are all very endearing characters.
4 reviews
April 24, 2022
I read the whole bow street runner series and I absolutely LOVED them. I don’t want to ruin the surprise of who the slasher was in this series for anyone but what a big surprise that was! I stayed up way later then I should have at night just to finish one of her books because I couldn’t put it down. In fact I enjoyed her writing SO MUCH that I have just started one of her other series. Believe me I’ve been an avid reader all my life of historical romance and she rates right up there with the big names. Thanks for the great read:)
Profile Image for Rhonda Jones.
102 reviews1 follower
November 28, 2021
Sophia has no memory oof her life before the accident. She only knows what her parents told her. Her American husband died in an accident. Ronan is is still mourning the loss of his wife Sophia and daughter Emma. A chance encounter reunites them to be the family they were meant to be. Ronan is a gentle giant and Sophia is a woman who goes after what she wants. When Sophia gets her memory back. She realizes her pare to lied to her and sets to go to Ronan to make up. I love this story.
Profile Image for Kat Green.
1,147 reviews19 followers
November 27, 2022
I loved reading about Ronan Hawke’s story, so sad to lose his wife and baby in a fire. His grieving was pretty much kept in silence, meaning he didn’t talk much to anyone, but he especially didn’t talk about his tragedy. He stuffed in silence. He sounds like a complete hunk to me, large, well muscled, silent type… but if you’re enjoying reading the series about the Bow Street Brides, I think you’ll enjoy his story! 😍
351 reviews
February 28, 2024
Great Reading!

What an amazing series about some Bow Street Runners and the lovely, formidable women who loved them! I thoroughly enjoyed all of the books in this series and really can’t choose any one better than the others. I encouraged readers who enjoy reading historical romance to give this series a try. Though the tales flow especially well in order, they can certainly be read as stand alone.
Profile Image for Aj.
2,492 reviews
December 1, 2021
I loved this story from start to end. Nothing sings out to me like love lost and found again. Ronan and Sophia are courageous and passionate and their love won't be forgotten. Jillian Eaton weaves a lovely romance amidst four years of heartache for Ronan and the courage of Sophia to find her way back to her bow street runner.
6 reviews
December 3, 2021
Another great addition to series! I'm so glad Roman got his own story. He was a mysterious, brooding, tragic figure in previous books. His second chance with the wife he loved deeply and thought he lost was heartwarming. Her amnesia is just another obstacle in their HEA.
12 reviews
December 8, 2021
Such heartbreaking circumstances the characters found themselves in. But their strength gave their love a second chance. Interesting twist of plot though. Just when I thought I knew whodunit this author gave a surprise! I especially love Emma. So endearing. One can never go wrong with this author.
1,290 reviews5 followers
December 13, 2021
Another brilliant addition to the series

This is another brilliantly written story that is a great addition to the series. This spicy plot follows a couple who find each other again after being lied to for four years. This is a very moving and enthralling story.
394 reviews1 follower
December 31, 2021
Surprisingly Lovely.

Loved Ronan's and Sophia's story. Unimaginable tragedy shattered their lives. A miracle brought them back together! Memories can be erased, but our hearts never forget!
Profile Image for Sara Reads (mostly) Romance.
353 reviews246 followers
September 1, 2022
Does anyone have news on Flint and the Doctor? They hinted at a lil romance between them! this one was unique but the writing wasn't very engaging and it wasn't much of a romance. more of a mystery that was kind of obvious
Profile Image for Pam  Bereznak.
1,825 reviews135 followers
December 3, 2021
Good read.
Would have loved to see these characters with a bit more depth.
Too short of a story to get that but overall I liked it.
33 reviews
December 6, 2021
It's been a long time since I read a book where the hero treats the heroine so lovingly, and I could actually understand why she fell in love with him.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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