Hard Secrets

Bad Boys and Bachelors #1

by Holly Stone

Ava
When my boyfriend cheats on me, it’s the last straw.
I’m done with him.
I’m done with being the good girl.
So, I do something I’ve never done before—I sleep with the hot guy I meet at the bar.
I get it out of my system.
I have fun.
I live.

When I show up to my new job, I discover that the hot guy I never intended to see again is my new boss.
Ugh. I want to hide away from the world.
The only thing I can do is pretend like it never happened.
But, he makes it so difficult with those seductive eyes, perfectly sculpted body, and a voice that makes me want to do naughty things.

Noah
Business is everything.
It’s my legacy.
It’s my shout into the void that anything we do here matters.
I can’t afford to get distracted.

But then, the cute girl from the bar ends up being my new marketing specialist, and she’s good.
Real good.
Not just at her job, either.
She manages to make me forget about my vow to never fall in love.
But, it’s not as simple as it seems.
If I follow my heart, it means I lose everything that’s important to me.
Except…what if there are things that matter more than being on top of the world.
What if the one thing I can’t bear to lose ends up being Ava?



Hard Secrets is a fun and sexy stand-alone romance. 18+

Genres: Contemporary

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2021

Reviews

[Puna · Rating 1 out of 5]

All they did was drink and whine.

[Clara Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava just left her longtime job yet was excited because she was starting a new one that will pay her a lot more. She and Patrick her boyfriend are going to go celebrate until she walks in her apartment to find him in bed with another woman. After kicking him out her first instant was to curl up and cry then she got mad and decided no she was going to go celebrate anyway. She heads to a bar and acts completely opposite of how she usually would first she drinking more, then has a one night stand.
Noah is a rich,handsome anti-relationship man who devotes his life to his company. Then he meets Ava at a bar where they hit it off and end up in bed. She rushes off in the morning with no exchange of numbers. He can't stop thinking about her then to both of their surprise she walks into his company on Monday. She is his new marketing specialist. Let's just say their second meeting didn't go as smooth as their first. Soon that would change and their chemistry would pull them back together. They had so many obstacles, miscommunication, and misunderstanding to navigate along the way. When you find your other half life has a way of making them come together even if it takes a little intervention.
I received an ARC from AuthorBoom through Booksprout for my honest review.

4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava, having just walked in on her boyfriend of 4 years cheating on her, dumped the boyfriend and told herself she was done being the good girl. She had just gotten a new job and was planning to celebrate so rather than stay home she does the complete opposite and goes to a bar, meets a hot guy and has a one night stand.
Ava goes into her new job as a marketing specialist and meets her new boss, Noah, her guy from the bar, the one she never intended to see again.
Noah's company is everything to him, he's built it up without any family money or help and he can't afford to lose sight. And he doesn't do relationships. Ava makes him realize that there are more important things in life than just work but will he feel the same way if he loses his company?

I enjoyed the book and this was a new author to me.

4 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the heat is HOT, and the physical chemistry is captivating so be careful you may just get burned all the heat coming off these pages. There were some "oh no" "oh wow" " what the what" moments and add in uncanny mishaps, and shenanigans the good kind that makes you keep turning the pages till last page has been turned. Ava just caught her boyfriend of four years cheating on her and she dumps him right then and there also, making the decision to not be such a good girl. She just got a new job and goes out to celebrate meeting a really hot guy Noah at the bar they end up having a one-night stand. Only for her to arrive at said new job the one-night stand was her boss, and his company is his heart he built it without any help from anyone and Ava is a distraction he doesn’t think he can handle yet she brought out feelings he hasn’t felt in a long time and realize that there are more important things then his company what will he do about it?

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noah and Ava meet when she goes out to drown her sorrows after finding her boyfriend cheating. They have a hot night and Ava expects that to be it. Noah is surprised as heck to find his new employee is Ava. They just can't stay away from each other. Ava has her hands full with her mom being so sick. Noah has a acrimonious relationship with his brother. His brother tries to mess with Noah's company and Ava is dealing with her very sick mother. She keeps pushing him away and he keeps pushing forward. I don't know if anyone else thought this but I kept thinking: "He is hot, rich and likes you.. a lot. Quit pushing him away." They both have a lot to work through and it is worth it in the end to get to their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen Nastasio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and Ava’s and Noah story captured your heart with two people looking for love and being hurt or rejected by the ones that are supposed to love you, now after a one amazing night stand together they find themselves together again but it’s not how they thought it would go down. Noah Keller is the CEO of Enigma Media and he has just hired a new marketing specialist and when Ava May walks in they are both shocked to see each other again. With the chemistry between them off the charts they find it hard to keep there hands to themselves while trying to remain professional and with family issues causing problems can these two have a future together. There is so much more to this book and if you want a great story then this is the book for you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anna M_82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. This was my first Holly Stone romance and I really liked it. The characters are terrific and the storyline has just enough drama without cheating or over the top craziness. I instantly liked Ava and Noah together and they seemed to instantly fall in to step together which was part of their drama. They need to work on communication to avoid missteps and misunderstandings. They both have a lot of personal stuff going on and have to learn to rely on each other or what’s the point? I also liked the chemistry between these two. Ava doesn’t like Noah get away with attitude just because he’s rich and Noah works to restore Ava’s self esteem. I’m looking forward to reading more books by Holly and recommend this one.
I received an advance copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Stars

This story follows Ava and Noah as they work their way from one-night stands, to boss and employee, to full blown lovers. Ava is a strong willed woman who doesn't like asking for help, especially since she was so used to taking care of everything herself. Noah is a billionaire playboy who never thought he'd find love.

There are many steamy moments in this novel that were tastefully done. Plus readers get to see each of these characters grow as individuals thanks to each other. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy from Booksprout

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS for Hard Secrets by Holly Stone

This is a first read for me by author Holly Stone and I will definitely be checking out more of her backlist

Ava is cheated on by her boyfriend and her one night stand turns out to be her hot new boss Noah. For Noah business is everything and he does not do relationships. This book has plenty of ups and downs but it’s pure fun ! Even though the story line is a bit predictable there is great chemistry and some laugh out loud situations.

I would recommend this book and author !

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather Mclaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. I’ve read a lot of this trope and it’s definitely a fav of mine but Holly still found a way to make it unique and her own even if at times it was a little predictable. We got to watch the evolution of Ava and Noah’s relationship all the while the book sets up the series to come as this is the first book in the upcoming Bad Boys Series. I truly recommend this book especially if you are a fan of this trope, very well done.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is steamy hot, but it is also a great story. It does have a theme that you do frequently see in romance books - Ava has a one night stand with Noah, and then finds out that he is her new boss, but there is so much more to this story. This is the first book in this series, but is a standalone book. I think that it is a wonderful start to the series, and I am looking forward to reading the others.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout, and also purchased a copy, and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly Stone did a beautiful job writing this one...the first in the bad boy series sets the stage for more delicious books. Four supportive friends maneuver life after college. This book is about Ava and Noah. It’s nice to see how they grow as individuals through their relationship. It became a bit predictable at times but was all in all a good read. I can’t wait to see if Noah’s brother will get his own book.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a rough breakup, Ava decides to embrace her inner bad girl and have a mindless one night stand! When her super hot one night stand turns out to be her new boss, she may be in trouble!

Noah doesn’t plan on ever falling in love, but his newest employee is testing his resolve!

Hard Secrects is the first book in a a new series by Holly Stone, I’m guessing (hoping) that the minor characters in this story are going to get their own love stories soon!

[Linda Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely must read, addictive and heartbreaking at moments. At last, a long story that get you at the first pages and make you live throughout the emotions, passion and misunderstandings between Noah & Ava, ❤️ Amazing story filled lots of twists and turns with his family that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the last page. Holly did a great job transmitting their feelings through her words.
I have received an Arc and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine catching your live in mate having intercourse in your bed.

Now I had ever thought imaginable regarding my reaction. Ava handled things her way then went out and did what no-one could believed she would. This book was juicy and i could not put it down. This was an introduction to this author and I'm ready for more by her.

I received an advance copy of the book for my HONEST review which I'm gladly sharing.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Secrets is the story of Ava and Noah who meet at a bar and have a one night fling after she was dumped by her cheating boyfriend. Much to their surprise they find Ava is the new marketing specialist and Noah is her new boss for the company. Even though Noah is a player, he finds a true relationship with Ava. The characters are fun and likable. The storyline is humorous and steamy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margarette Dibble · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Ava and Noah's love story

She comes home from her last day of work and finds her boyfriend in her bed with another girl so she throws him out and goes to the bar and meets Noah and has a one night stand, he's a playboy not looking for anything else like a relationship. I would recommend this book for mature readers (sexual situations) that enjoy stories that are at times laugh out loud funny, hot and steamy, and oh so romantic.

[Mulan Book Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s hot and steamy when Noah and Ava meet. And their second meeting was a bit of a shock! I thought they had great chemistry together as it was sizzling hot explosive. There are so many obstacles in their way to HEA, but it was fun to read and entertaining.

I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.

[Ann Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absorbing and entertaining read. Ava and Noah had sizzling chemistry and were both very likeable characters. There was plenty of emotion and family drama in this very well written book. The supporting characters were also very interesting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[S I · Rating 5 out of 5]

New author for me so I was happy to see her work and how her writing style is. Very pleasantly surprised. It was fun with some drama filled and the chemistry between the character was fast and exciting. A good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has pulled us into the lives of Ava and Noah and never lets go. A one night stand comes around to bite them when Ava realizes that Noah is her new boss. The story keeps you turning the pages, hoping that these people can find happiness.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Becky Hedge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written. I would recommend this book/series. At times it was a bit predictable, overall a good book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kanani · Rating 4 out of 5]

She caught her boyfriend cheating and kicks him out. She went to celebrate a new job and ends up having a one-night stand. When she started her new job, she met the owner, who's also her boss, who's also her one-night stand. This is a cute story.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING! A fantastic, beautifully written read. An intense storyline that holds your attention as you get caught up in the fierce twists and hot chemistry. Plenty of excitement and emotionally heartfelt. A thrilling must read.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely can put myself in Ava shoes in this story. Makes me open my eyes and be thankful for my life! Can’t wait to read book 2! Your an amazing author!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tatenisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ava just walked in on her boyfriend with another woman and goes to the bar and meets Noah and ends up sleeping with him. Then she starts her new job and he is her new boss. Noah must learn that everything that he wants is not always easy to get and you have to work at some things.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what a story. It’s funny how life throws a wrench in your path but that wrench is the best thing to ever happen. I really enjoyed this story. I hope there are more to follow.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kim (Chipperbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall ok

By the end the overall story was good. So much on the front end and then all rushed at that end. The girl is the most ungrateful person ever yet at the end she is just ok with him and the transplant payment? Odd. Anyways still worth the read I guess

[Mert Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Secrets (Bad Boy a and Bachelors Book 1)

Awesome book. I love happy ever after in romantic stories with the ups downs in new relationships and jobs, to all finally settle into happy. Oh yes and sexy too, hot!

[Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noah and Ava
This was a good read, it was fast past from the get go. I won't give any spoilers others then it has plenty of heat and tears. Both had their struggles and their triumphs!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.