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The Secret Weapon
Hollywood heartthrob Anderson Stone is snatched from his comfortable life of wealth and fame. Riddled with grief, he is determined to seek the truth behind her death — and when bold FBI agent Jade Sawyer makes him an offer he can’t refuse, he just might get the chance.
But upon embarking on an undercover operation where Jade and Anderson must pretend to be a couple, Anderson soon finds out that there’s more to Roxanne’s demise than meets the eye. A secret underground society of Hollywood elites named the Dawn has been festering through LA for decades, rife with debauchery and criminal activity that just about everyone he knows seems to be involved in.
As they waltz their way into VIP rooms and exclusive masquerade balls, Jade and Anderson begin to uncover the truth behind everyone’s favourite stars.
But upon embarking on an undercover operation where Jade and Anderson must pretend to be a couple, Anderson soon finds out that there’s more to Roxanne’s demise than meets the eye. A secret underground society of Hollywood elites named the Dawn has been festering through LA for decades, rife with debauchery and criminal activity that just about everyone he knows seems to be involved in.
As they waltz their way into VIP rooms and exclusive masquerade balls, Jade and Anderson begin to uncover the truth behind everyone’s favourite stars.
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2022
11 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Bowdler
20 books155 followersRachel Bowdler grew up and still lives just outside of Manchester, on the edge of West Yorkshire. Her books feature queer and plus-size characters finding their happily ever afters. You can usually find her hosting the Swords & Sapphics Podcast, writing under the pen names Bonnie Woods and Bryony Rosehurst, and working as a freelance editor.
Her festive debut novel, Honeymoon for One, was brought to readers in 2022 and became a bestseller in lesbian romance.
Her festive debut novel, Honeymoon for One, was brought to readers in 2022 and became a bestseller in lesbian romance.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 13, 2022
I absolutely loved this! It's very different from what Rachel usually writes, but I'm not mad about it! As is normally the case in her stories, there is an enemies to lovers style romance, but the heat level is taken up a notch here, and I loved the developments between the two characters.
The main difference from her other works is that this is a mystery story. While I love Rachel's cozy small town romances, I also loved this juxtaposition of the dark, grimy side to the Hollywood elite. The mystery is fun, and though the twists weren't all too shocking for me, it didn't detract from the story at all. An easy five stars, can't wait for more of what Rachel has to offer!
The main difference from her other works is that this is a mystery story. While I love Rachel's cozy small town romances, I also loved this juxtaposition of the dark, grimy side to the Hollywood elite. The mystery is fun, and though the twists weren't all too shocking for me, it didn't detract from the story at all. An easy five stars, can't wait for more of what Rachel has to offer!
April 29, 2021
CONTENT WARNINGS // sexual assault, drugs, alcohol, violence, murder
July 26, 2022
3.75 Stars for me
Let me start off by saying that this is one messed up group of people and one of the characters will need therapy for the rest of his/her/their life.
The story was interesting with a ton of push/pull and an H that was out of his league. I liked most of the unraveling of the mystery although the ending was a wee bit OTT. The story was probably 65% mystery, 20 % romance and 10% drama. There was mostly implied heat between the characters and generally described group sex scenes but almost on the PG13 level.
I think it is worth the read/listen.
Let me start off by saying that this is one messed up group of people and one of the characters will need therapy for the rest of his/her/their life.
The story was interesting with a ton of push/pull and an H that was out of his league. I liked most of the unraveling of the mystery although the ending was a wee bit OTT. The story was probably 65% mystery, 20 % romance and 10% drama. There was mostly implied heat between the characters and generally described group sex scenes but almost on the PG13 level.
I think it is worth the read/listen.
April 9, 2022
The secret world of Bowdler's Hollywood feels ripped from maybe not the headlines but blind item gossip blogs. We follow an FBI agent enlisting a movie star in an undercover operation to expose a secret society linked to a series of suspicious deaths.
Incredibly fast paced, Bowdler doesn't let the reader rest for a moment and it all builds to a twisty turny finale. Very much a thriller first so go into this expecting action and tension. I love celebrity romance and I think if that's your primary draw Saving the Star also by Bowdler does more in that space. There definitely is glitz and glamour in The Secret Weapon but the driving force is the murder mystery.
The chemistry between Anderson and Jade is great. Jade especially stands out as a realised character and enjoyed being in her head a lot.
low "spice" on page if that's a dealbreaker or dealmaker! For me the chemistry and tension between the characters was enough that I didn't miss anything more explicit.
Incredibly fast paced, Bowdler doesn't let the reader rest for a moment and it all builds to a twisty turny finale. Very much a thriller first so go into this expecting action and tension. I love celebrity romance and I think if that's your primary draw Saving the Star also by Bowdler does more in that space. There definitely is glitz and glamour in The Secret Weapon but the driving force is the murder mystery.
The chemistry between Anderson and Jade is great. Jade especially stands out as a realised character and enjoyed being in her head a lot.
low "spice" on page if that's a dealbreaker or dealmaker! For me the chemistry and tension between the characters was enough that I didn't miss anything more explicit.
April 9, 2022
I always look forward to a new book by this author as she's so incredibly diverse, and I am always left hanging on her every word.
This did not disappoint.
A show stopping start and the tension doesn't leave the book until the very last page.
Some tricksy characters that make for fascinating reading.
Great read.
This did not disappoint.
A show stopping start and the tension doesn't leave the book until the very last page.
Some tricksy characters that make for fascinating reading.
Great read.
August 10, 2022
When his friend is murdered, our hero wants to know who did it. Enter our heroine who has a plan on how to help. But that plan might just put both of them in deep water.
This is a romantic suspense story set in Hollywood. The story is well written and easy to read with a fun and intriguing cast of characters. I really liked both our leads and it was fun watching them learn to work together. The plot moved at a good pace and the mystery was well done. Overall, it made for a very enjoyable read and I look forward to exploring more from this author.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
This is a romantic suspense story set in Hollywood. The story is well written and easy to read with a fun and intriguing cast of characters. I really liked both our leads and it was fun watching them learn to work together. The plot moved at a good pace and the mystery was well done. Overall, it made for a very enjoyable read and I look forward to exploring more from this author.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
April 23, 2022
omggg this book is amzing ive never read anything like this the suspense in here was potrayed perfectly the plot twists were perfect as well anderosn and jade were so cute as well it was such an easy read and i highly reccomend
May 8, 2022
A fantastic, riveting read. Deliciously dark and dangerous. Great characters, a well written storyline. Would recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 17, 2021
This suspense romance takes you, one badass undercover FBI agent and one Hollywood heartthrob deep into secret society 😍 Badass women and soft men are my biggest weakness so this book was absolutely perfect for me.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews