The Secret Seven

Diamond Cove

by Lucy McConnell, Ellie Thornton

When this group of retired friends decide to play matchmakers--things don't go as planned. USA Today Bestselling Author Lucy McConnell and Ellie Thornton take you on a hilarious journey into Diamond Cove, Florida, a place where you're always welcome and strongly encouraged to fall in love. Sometimes the path to romance is paved for golf carts and lined with palm trees.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Rom Com, Clean Romance, Contemporary Romance

113 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 16, 2022

About the author

Please hit the follow button. I'd love to keep in touch!

Lucy McConnell loves romance, chocolate, Christmas, horses, music, crochet, and fun!

She believes that romance books should:

Keep you up past your bedtime.

Make you laugh out loud.

Have happy endings.

With that in mind, she's written over 200 novels full of fun and flirty characters who navigate the turbulent waters of romance with open hearts and creativity.

If you enjoy closed-door romance, follow her on Goodreads.♥️

Reviews

[Katie (hiding in the pages)]

The kick-off book to this new series had it all--Sweetie the alligator, flamingos named after Beatles, a matchmaking group of retired friends, yummy desserts, and a romantic Florida beach. I loved how it set the series up in a way that allowed the reader to get a flavor of what is to be expected, as well as introducing the cast of characters in an endearing way.

Bring on the matchmaking--I'm super excited to delve right in!

Content: mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy through Book Funnel. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Lori R]

I really enjoyed this book.  It was so much fun to read with its humor and romance.  I liked learning the background for this new series set in Diamond Cove and I think The Secret Seven will be very busy with their matchmaking skills.  I especially enjoyed this book where Betty played matchmaker with her great grandson, Aaron.  It was really funny how she set him up.  I loved Sweetie and Bear, an alligator and his seeing eye dog, and I had such fun picturing them dressed in their costumes.  I am really looking forward to reading the other books in the series.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Wren Woodland]

His alligator filled an empty spot in his heart.

Meet Sweetie the 3.5 foot blind alligator who has charmed all the residents of the Diamond Cove Senior Living Center. With her muzzle and her seeing eye dog, she fits right in with the quirky residents and their crazy schemes. Even with a full events calendar they need to have a purpose and what better purpose than to play matchmaker. Prepare to laugh out loud and giggle uncontrollably as you read this spoof that includes everyone’s favorite grandmas and grandpas.
I can’t wait to see who they set their sights on next.

[Victoria]

This prequel is a great start to a new series! Grandma Betty is a hoot and a force to be reckoned with as Aaron, her great-grandson, soon learns when he tries to set up a date with Cocoa while his grandmother enlists her friends to help her set him up with Samantha. The result is confusion, laughter, and a happily-ever-after. Giddy with their success, The Secret Seven, organize and plan to keep matchmaking until all of their grandkids are in happy relationships. So fun--can't wait to see who's next!

[Alison Ramsay]

A fun introduction to a new series set in Diamond Cove. Take one well meaning interfering granny, several accomplices, miscommunication and a horrendous "date", plus an alligator with it's own assistance dog and you have mayhem, madness, fun and a happy outcome. This novella lays the groundwork for what sounds like a fun light hearted series.

[Ann]

What a fun start to a new series! Come meet the wonderful characters of Diamond Cove, FL This book is a fun clean read that has a blind alligator, a seeing eye dog, flamingos and a great set of match-making senior citizens. I loved it and look forward to the next book in this series.

[Rhonda]

Great preview

This is a short book about the new series of senior matchmakers set in a retirement village in Diamond Cove, Florida. The seniors had success in matching one of their grandchildren and want to continue making matches for more of their grandchildren. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

[Paula]

A meddling grandmother, an alligator, a grandson who takes care of the alligator and the chef he is crazy about make this one humorous love story. This book is the start of the secret seven who use their glory years to play matchmakers to their grandchildren. What could possibly go wrong?

[Julie]

This is going to be a great series! The Secret Seven are delightfully mischievous. Every grandchild needs a little push in the right direction for love right? This is pure fun.

[Maria Hoagland]

Loved it!! Made me laugh!

[Brandy]

This prequel has pulled me straight in! I absolutely can not wait until the next book is available much less all the others. The plot line is so believable and the characters are a hoot! Who could believe an alligator and her seeing eye dog could bring two people together?

[Shannon]

Welcome to Diamond Cove Senior Center. This story is the prequel to the series and lays out how Nancy and her other senior center residents become the Secret Seven to find love matches for their grandchildren. This story starts with Betty trying to find a match for her alligator wrangling grandson, Aaron. Only problem is that Betty isn't so great at matchmaking herself. However, she does get together a whole group of other seniors who are far more astute than she is.

The story is quirky (a blind alligator with a seeing eye dog?), but it's also endearing and cute. All the characters are interesting, and I look forward to seeing more of them in the stories to come. All in all, this is a great beginning for the stories to come. My only issue with the story? I think it brings in the other characters a little too late to get to know them well. 90% of the story is about Betty and Aaron, and the matchmakers who will be the main people in the stories going forward aren't seen until the last few chapters. They're all so interesting, I would've liked more of them from the beginning.

I received a copy from Bookbub, but all opinions are mine.

[Cathy]

How can you not like a book that’s not only set at the beach, but includes an alligator and flamingos as well?! This book by Lucy McConnell and Ellie Thornton is just great. It’s a novella, so you can read it quickly. And I didn’t want to stop reading it!

I loved Betty. She is a sweet senior citizen living in the Diamond Cove Retirement Community. All she wants is for her great-grandson, Aaron, to meet a nice young lady, fall in love and get married. I had to laugh when she hatches a plot to set him up with Samantha, the activities director. She comes up with a crazy plan and gets a lot of her friends to help her. But she doesn’t count on the heart wanting something else.

This is the start to a fun sounding new series. I can’t wait to read more about the characters that I fell in love with in this book. I really hope that Sweetie and Bear will make appearances in all of the book. As well as John, Paul, George and Ringo!

I was sent an e-copy of The Secret Seven by the author, for joining her newsletter. All opinions are my own.

[Priscila]

The Secret Seven is a fun introduction to the Diamond Cove Romantic Comedy Series. I loved that this prequel not only shows how the Secret Seven group comes to be but also shows Grandma Betty's failed attempt at matchmaking. I loved that Aaron has such a unique and interesting career, and how much in love he is with Cocoa (talk about a unique yet perfect name!). The only thing that was kind of a turn-off was the opening scene that features a conversation that Grandma Betty mistakes for something else happening since it has a double entendre. It made me put the book down for a while and pick it up later, but I'm glad I did, since Don's conversation with Aaron, and the latter's realization of "missing her" was simply one of the most beautiful moments of this book.

Overall a sweet, little rom-com that will certainly deliver on both the romantic moments and the laughs. Also, I'm actually intrigued by the concept of this new series, so I look forward to checking out (some of) the books in it.

[Shauna Jones]

Grandmas only want the best for their grandchildren
Such a sweet thought with such interesting possibilities. This is a fun look at a great-grandmother, wanting only the best for her great-grandson and maybe a few grandbabies for herself. Betty’s great-grandson Aaron was a wonderful man, caring, kind, and so thoughtful. But he was single and Betty wanted him happily married. When she sees him with Samantha, the receptionist at the retirement center where she lives, Betty sees possibilities. Soon she is recruiting her friends to help quiet Aaron find his happily ever after with Samatha. Unfortunately, she didn’t notice Aaron’s attraction to Cocoa the pastry chef in the center’s kitchen. With this book get ready for a hilarious journey as the seniors work to help grow a relationship that neither person wants. While the desired relationship starts to flounder. This is the first book in a series but all can be read in any order and I can highly recommend them all.

[Nancy]

This is such a fun series. I love the interaction with the seniors who live in Diamond Cove and all of the people they decide to match up. I've read many of the other stories in this series and really enjoyed going back to read this first book to see how the Secret Seven matchmakers came about.

When a grandmother decides to try to match up her favorite grandson who just happens to take care of a blind alligator- she might have chosen the wrong woman for him. She has no idea he already has his eye on someone else. This story has so much humor and fun situations that I didn't want to put it down until I was finished.

I read about this couple in another book when they were on their honeymoon so even though this was book one, I don't think you have to read these books in order.

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

[Kathy]

This sweet rom-com has hilarious characters. Grandma Betty is a meddling 93 year old who wants to see her great-grandson, Aaron, happily married. Living in a retirement/assisted living community, she sets her sites on the subdued but beautiful Samantha, activities director. Unfortunately, Aaron has his sites set on the beautiful baker, Cocoa. Aaron is the only alligator rescuer in the surrounding area. One of his rescues lives in the retirement community, a blind 3 1/2' pet alligator, Sweetie, with her own seeing eye dog tethered to her to keep her safe. She lives in the community fountains. Aaron comes regularly to feed Sweetie and of course to try to get up the courage to ask Cocoa on a date. Very entertaining and funny!

[J]

Dynamic author duo McConnell and Thornton are at it again with this great first rom com read in their new series Diamond Cove. These authors are my new go to for rom com delight and this book was no exception. I loved these characters! A group of retired match makers - sign me up - heck I want to be one of them! This book has Betty setting up her great-grandson Aaron with all the quirky-ness you can imagine interfering grannies and friends, a blind alligator, a seeing eye dog, flamingos and more this book was the perfect intro to what promises to be an addictively fun romcom series! I can't wait for more!!!

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

[Amanda Caswell]

Grandma Betty decides it's time for her grandson to date, happily playing matchmaker for him and the activities' director at her retirement home. Unfortunately, Aaron is interested in the on-site baker instead, leading to a comedy of errors that will either drive the couple apart--or straight into each others' arms.
The story is a cute, clean novella that sets the series for the matchmaking grandparents of Diamond Cove. I loved the couple, but I thought the mishaps were a little much by the end. Fortunately, I look forward to learning more about all the residents, and most especially finding out which resident is dressing up the blind alligator and her seeing eye dog. Enjoy!

[Narci]

This is a quirky, fun, laugh out loud and hilarious story about residents of The Diamond Cove Senior Living Center and the schemes they come up with as they matchmake their grandkids. Add in an adorable three-and-a-half-foot blind alligator called sweetie and her seeing eye dog bear. These seniors need a purpose to fill their day, so what better way than to set up their grandkids that are struggling to come together. These characters are so much fun to read, and I can't wait to read the others in the series. I loved the secret seven matchmakers and their crazy schemes. Get ready to laugh with these funny and adorable grandparents.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson]

Start with a retirement community in Florida, filled with busybodies and matchmakers with lots of time on their hands. Add a great grandson who works with the alligators - one specific blind alligator with a seeing eye dog. Then add the chef at the community as his love interest, even though the great grandma has sights set on someone else. Prepare to laugh at the antics and banter. You just have no clue as to what they will do next, but they do get people together. So totally enjoyed this book and can not wait to read more of this community.

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

[Gin]

3.5 stars.
would consider this a comedic book with romantic elements rather than a romantic comedy because the characters that eventually get together aren't really the main characters, nor do they interact with each other much. You can tell there's interest on both sides, but I'm still not sure if they propelled much of the action on their own.
Also, what kind of name is Cocoa? Coco as a name, sure. Cocoa has precedent. And I get the authors were probably angling for cutesy since Cocoa is a baker. But when websites such as BabyNames.com say that the name means "powdered chocolate," I can't take that name seriously.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Sara Gorman]

This was a super cute start of a series in which a 3.5 foot alligator is one of the main characters! When senior citizens at Diamond Cove need a little more entertainment, they take it upon themselves to start matchmaking! Starting with Betty's grandson, they create some elaborate plans to make their hopes of having great-grandchildren before they die more of a possibility. This is the prequel to the series, and I honestly can't wait until the rest of the series is released!

I did receive an ARC from the publisher, but this review contains my own opinions.

[Janet]

These senior citizens were hilarious! I love how Grandma Betty makes assumptions based on listening outside a semi-closed door and starts a series of hilarious events. Poor Aaron and Samantha! I also love that they have an alligator roaming their retirement community. How I'd love to be a resident there. I'd do just what Betty did, and start out in a bungalow, then move into the main building. I can't imagine going from my whirlwind life to a slower life as I age. No wonder Nancy, the former business owner, creates this group of matchmakers. Watch out, friends and relatives.

[Richard Goodrum]

Starts out as a train wreck. That's what much of this story felt like to me. Grandma Betty's observation skills need to improve. Messing with Aaron's love life was rather horribly thought out. Fortunately, the Diamond Cove Retirement Community has much more perceptive members: the secret seven. Once they became active, the story blossomed into a good romance.

Entertaining. Romantic. Tragic. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.

I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.

[Noreen Hussain]

Enjoyed this sweet love story set in the diamond cove retirement village.
This is the first book in the series and introduces us to the residents of diamond cove and their matchmaking attempts with laugh out loud moments.It all goes wrong,but they get there in the end.
Add in a blind alligator who has a seeing dog to help her,a sweet love story with a happily ever after.
I love Lucy and Ellie's books they always make me laugh.

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

[Kim]

This prequel is a fun start to the Diamond Cove series!
There a lot of laugh out loud moments as well as tender moments.
If you are a rom-com fan, I think you are going to love this series and this book gives you a taste of what to expect.
This is a page turner that I finished in one sitting.
I look forward to reading the rest of the series and hope to read more about Cocoa & Aaron to see how their relationship develops.

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

[♡~Demi P. Sewell~♡]

This was a super cute, quick read that I got given for a review. It's about a grandmother at a retirement home called Diamond Cove, who is all about setting up her great-grandson on a date, except it's with the wrong woman. The woman that he actually likes finds out about the date and becomes broken hearted, unbeknownst to Grandma Betty. This plays out to her learning the truth and then divulging a new plan with the other retirement home residence. It is just cute and quirky and a light summer read. Heck, you can even read it in the winter and pretend you're in Florida yourself!

[Karen]

What a delightful read. Diamond Cove is a unique, fun and surprising senior living community. The residents all have a hunger for living life to the best they can and are willing to work together to make good thinks happen for themselves and others. I hope I can live in a community like this when I get older! Laughed, and cheered throughout this great book. Cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

[Marissa]

This cute introduction to The Palms at Diamond Cove and it’s Residence was a fun little tale that showed how the secret seven came to be. It really wasn’t about the secret seven for most of the book, it was about Aaron and his hopeless crush. Betty, Aaron’s great grandma and Diamond Cove resident, tried playing matchmaker and nearly caused major catastrophe. In swoops the secret seven to save the day…
Cute and fun - clean and sweet!