| Title | : | Letters to a Secret Lover |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0061429880 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780061429880 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 370 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2008 |
| Awards | : | HOLT Medallion by Virginia Romance Writers Mainstream/Single Title (2009) |
Lindsey Brooks had it all—an awesome job doling out advice to the lovelorn, a fabulous high-rise apartment, and a to-die-for fiance. But then she got dumped—wearing nothing but a Kiss the Cook apron—and desperate to escape, she retreats to a tiny Montana town to reclaim a family treasure. She never dreamed anyone would try to stop her – or that he’d be sexy as sin.
Too bad she finds such a hot one …
Rob Colter isn’t into relationships—but Lindsey sees Rob as the perfect guy to help her “get back on the horse.” The sex horse, that is. Unfortunately, he comes complete with a mysterious past, which gets even more mysterious when she finds his passionate letters to another woman – whose name happens to be tattooed on his chest.
And too bad he has so many secrets …
Now Rob’s dangerous past is about to catch up with them both. And if that’s not horrible enough, Lindsey is falling for him – hard. For a girl who usually has all the answers, Lindsey is up to her neck in trouble.
Letters to a Secret Lover Reviews
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Every so often I read a book that seems to have been special ordered for my needs at the time. You know the ones – they have just the right amount of angst, just the right level of steam, the perfect amount of relationship building before they finally admit they belong together and a story line that touches you deeply. Well, Letters to a Secret Lover is all that and more.
I can’t really tell you why without spoiling the story, but Rob Colter is my champion. Few storybook heroes touch me the way he did, and I have to admit, I cried more than a few tears for him. There were moments when my heart just broke because of the pain he’s lived with – the loneliness, the emptiness – knowing that there’s something he’s missing out on and believing he’ll never have it in his life. I can’t tell you what that something was without giving away too much of the story, but suffice it to say it moved me deeply.
Lindsey Brooks was such a fun loving heroine. To be honest, I didn’t much like her in the beginning. I thought for someone doling out relationship advice on her wildly popular Love Letters blog, she was pretty ditzy. But once she left Chicago and found her way to Moosefalls, she really started to become grounded. I loved how she grew as a person, realizing that there really was more to life than shopping for Jimmy Choos and being seen with the social elite she’d always associated with before her move. I’m glad she became the woman she did, because I couldn’t have accepted her relationship with Rob under any other conditions!
The other characters, the residents of Moosefalls, were all awesome people. They were just down to earth men and women who I’d love to have as friends and neighbors!
I love Toni Blake’s writing. It’s so easy to read, so normal… so real. I don’t feel like I’m reading a book, rather more like I’m watching a story unfold before my eyes. The characters are compelling people and their passions run deep. The sex scenes sizzle and border on erotic, but never feel out of place within the story. The physical relationship enhances the emotional relationship and that’s an absolute must if I’m going to give a book 5 stars. There was one thing that I thought was a little too coincidental, but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
The bottom line – this is my 3rd Toni Blake book and I’ve loved each one. Whether part of a series or a standalone like Letters to a Secret Lover, she’s become one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. I laughed, I cried, and I’m happy to say that I fell in love with Rob, Lindsey, and the entire town of Moosefalls, Montana. And I wouldn’t mind revisiting there someday.
4.5/5 -
This was only my first book by
Toni Blake, an author that almost all of my trusted GR friends love, and now I wonder why I'd waited so long to give her a try. Maybe I was afraid of the high expectations raised by their praise, maybe I didn't want to find a new (to me) author to play havoc with my book budget, maybe I'm just too darn slow to catch up... ;)
What can I say? I adored this book! It made me smile, laugh, sigh and even shed some tears. Rob and Lindsey were amazing characters and I couldn't help loving them to pieces. They were both flawed and had to do a lot of learning and growing throughout the story, but I never got mad at their mistakes. In fact, I could relate to them, which made them much more real to me. And their love scenes... Boy, oh boy! Ms. Blake sure knows how to steam things up. Where can I find my own Rob? I'm already like Lindesy - I don't cook naked and don't wear animal-print clothes, but I can be self-centered and high-maintenance, I blabber when I'm nervous, I hiked in high heels once - don't ask, LOL! - and I wear jewel-encrusted flip-flops (mine are black, not white). I'm willing to cook naked and fill my closet with animal-print clothes and accessories, just tell me where I can find my Rob and I'm game.
Confession time: Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned... I skimmed the last pages of the book before starting to read it. Why?
As I read what I wrote above to check for grammar/spelling errors, not that it did me any good, I noticed that this is one of the worst "reviews" I've written, as I couldn't stop gushing about Rob, Lindsey and myself - of course! - and didn't say anything about the story. Oh well, there are already tons of great reviews of this book all over the internet, I'm feeling lazy and don't want to rewrite my "review". So there, this is my official review and I'm sticking to it, LOL. -
5 Stars!!I loved this book. Look past the cover and read this.
Yes…the book had a lot of smokin' hot sex, but there was also a great story to go along with it. Two very endearing characters, Rob and Lindsey, lots of humor, a little suspense, and some really terrific feel good moments. When you can’t wait to get home to read and get lost in their world, you know you’ve hit on something good. I couldn’t stop thinking about these people. I want to move to Moose Falls, canoe on Spirit Lake, have drink at the Lazy Elk, get a room at the Grizzly Inn, eat at the Lakeside Café…sounds good right…oh and find a Mr. Sexy Flannel of my own. Ahhh! Toni Blake's books are going to the top of my list. -
5 stars – Contemporary Romance
There’s probably not much left to say that hasn’t already been covered since many of my GR friends have already written such great reviews, so I’ll just join the bandwagon and do a little bit of gushing.
Letters to a Secret Lover is a fun, sweet, sexy, touching, smokin’ hot contemporary romance with a H/H who’s initial opposition transitions to an explosive attraction that results in a steamy affair and of course leads to a deep emotional connection. It’s reminiscent of Blake’s Destiny series and Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series (only waaay hotter) because of the charming small town setting of Moose Falls and endearing secondary characters that add an extra fun spark to the story.
I really liked Lindsey, even though she was a bit airheaded, naïve, shallow, and selfish at times, but she was also nice, funny, adorably cute and quirky, and most of all, real. I could totally see myself shopping and laughing over cosmos with her...or raiding her designer shoes. Her tendency to babble nonstop over ridiculous, random things when she was nervous was hilarious. I thought she was a perfect fit for Rob, who was such an incredibly sweet, romantic, caring soul underneath his surly, gruff, guarded, lone wolf, lumberjack persona. I just about melted over the way he insisted on always holding Lindsey’s hand, once she started to crack through his tough shell, and his fetish for her extravagant, animal print lingerie cracked me up. Their love scenes were supercharged with passion and scorching hot!
Rob’s painful, mysterious past and dangerous secrets were handled and revealed in a realistic, honest way. I just knew Lindsey’s revealing private details about her affair with Rob, however innocently, on her blog was going to have some serious consequences, but the twist and turn of events and character reactions still took me by surprise, which I liked since I find it irritating when I easily predict exactly what’s going to happen in a story.
So kudos to Ms. Blake for keeping the characters genuine, the story refreshing, the suspense exciting, the emotion compelling, and the romance extra steamy! It’s an enjoyable, moving romance with a lovable H/H that had me laughing, sighing, smiling, reaching for some ice water, and even crying. 5 stars! -
I don't say (or think) this often, but if I could give this wonderful, hot, tear-jerker of a story more than five stars, I would! I'm just afraid I'm not going to do it justice with my little review, but here goes...
Lindsey Brooks is an advice columnist. She writes a Chicago newspaper advice column for the lovelorn, and also a blog on the internet. She's a real girly-girl, interested in fashion (especially shoes) and her appearance so much so that she comes off sort of self-absorbed and shallow. She's a real city girl, leading a jet set lifestyle. She's got everything going for her in her professional and personal life, until one day her fiance unexpectedly dumps her, and an embarrassing photo of her appears on the internet. She's so humiliated that she wants to get out of town for awhile. She decides to turn tail and disappear to the small town of Moose Falls, Montana, a place she remembers fondly from her childhood. Her late great-aunt Millie lived there, and wanted Lindsey to take over her little canoe livery business from her before she died, but Lindsey turned her down. Now it seems like the perfect place for Lindsey to hide out while she nurses her wounds. And Lindsey would also like to buy her Aunt's business back from the new owner.
Rob Colter is the new owner of Aunt Millie's little canoe rental business. He's also living in Aunt Millie's house. He's got a reputation in town as a quiet, mysterious, gruff man, who just wants to be left alone. But in Lindsey's eyes he's got to be the sexiest man alive, even if he is a little rude and stand-off-ish. And he doesn't want to sell Aunt Millie's business, or have anything to do with Lindsey, even though he's wildly attracted to her. Rob's got some big secrets in his life, and he's learned from experience that it doesn't pay to get too close to people. Will Lindsey be able to win him over? And, more importantly, can she get past the walls surrounding his heart?
This book was so good, and it had elements about it that reminded me a lot of other books I've read. The small town atmosphere and characterizations reminded me a lot of Robyn Carr's "Virgin River" series, only (much) hotter. The character of Lindsey reminded me a lot of Blair Mallory from Linda Howard's "To Die For", only she wasn't as much as an air-head! And some of the plot twists reminded me of Pamela Clare's "Unlawful Contact", although I can't say more without giving something important away. And the H/H, Rob and Lindsey, were so hot, so absolutely perfect together! Lindsey turned out to be quite a lovable heroine; smart, sweet, and loving enough to get Rob to take a chance on life again.
This story is about regrets, guilt, second chances, and most importantly, forgiveness--including forgiving yourself. I just fell in love with the characters, and wanted their love story to work out so badly! It got so emotional near the end, I found myself tearing up. And that's a good sign for me, because that means I'm emotionally invested in the story. What more can I say except this was one of the best books I've read all year (from any genre)! -
3 out of 2,5
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The blurb - but mostly the title of the book - is misleading!
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The book is so very different from what I expected it to be based on its title and blurb.
I will try to give you some insight about the book, making sure I won’t give spoilers or giving them under spoiler tags only.
All in all, it was an OK book and I do not regret having read it but I really had higher expectations and the book didn’t live up to my expectations.
"Letters to a Secret Lover" is a book about a city girl who likes fashion, gossip and being in the limelight.
She writes an advice column in a newspaper and she is also the owner of the blog named “Love Letters”.
The break-up with the fiancé & the get away to a small town
At the very beginning of the book, she is dumped by her fiancé in a very rude and humiliating way and then, her half-naked photos with only an apron on her body are all over the internet.
Feeling devastated, Lindsey decides to leave the city for a while and she goes to the small Montana town Moose Falls to find some peace, meanwhile reclaiming a family treasure there, which she refused one year ago.
Her aunt used to live there and now she is dead, and she regrets that she didn’t treat her aunt the way she should have. She is sorry that she didn't accept her invitation and her gift last year.
Moose Falls & Spirit Lake, Montana
When she arrives at the town Moose Falls, she learns that Aunt Millie’s property and legacy now belongs to a grumpy, mysterious but a very hot guy named Rob Colter.
Rob is not a people person. He stays away from the town folks as much as possible except for relations that are business related.
He manages the canoe livery of her deceased Aunt Millie but he also has a construction business in the town.
Rob & Lindsey
When Lindsey wants to buy the cabin and the canoe livery from Rob, he says he will never ever sell it. He is finally happy in this town and with the place he is living.
She believes she can change his mind in time and she tries to befriend him, asking him to give her some insight about the life of her aunt in this town.
She asks him to take her to the places that her aunt has left her trail. She really wants to do that, I mean she wants to know more about her aunt and her life here; she doesn't fake it.
Despite being unwilling, Rob agrees to do it for the only friend he had in this town once: Millie.
And while they are visiting the places her aunt has loved, Lindsey starts to regret more because she didn’t visit her often when she was alive.
Slowly, the beauty of the town, the friends she has made here and Ron start to change the self-absorbed fashion-crazy girl into a more humble and likable one. Meanwhile, Lindsey also changes Rob and he becomes a friendlier and softer guy.
And there is also an undeniable attraction growing between them, which leads to a “sex-only” affair first, which later turns out to be something deeper and more serious.
Rob’s horrifying secret past & the love letters
Rob has secrets. He knows that when people learn about his past and his secrets, they are horrified.
Women have left him in the past because of his secrets.
People have treated him in a hostile way because of his horrifying past.
That’s why, he doesn’t let anyone get close to him anymore… or he didn’t until Lindsey. Rob slowly lowers his guard when he is with her and he starts to like and trust her.
Rob’s secret is not only about the horrifying deeds he has done. He has a tattoo on his chest that says “Gina” and Lindsey also finds some letters that Rob has written to Gina. He has never sent those letters to Gina, though.
Secrets revealed
Up until %50 of the book, we do not know what horrifying things he did in the past to scare everyone away now if they learn.
And when we learn all about it, personally, I was like, “Huh? This was the reason?”.
It was nowhere close to the horrifying things I had imagined. Therefore, I felt a little bit of an exaggeration about his past there.
After this point on, I mean after he confessed what happened in the past, I predicted who Gina was although it wasn’t revealed yet. it was so clear and easy to predict from then on but I had to wait for Lindsey to discover it.
Lindsey: Like or dislike her? That’s the hardest question…
First, I didn’t like the shallow and naïve person she was. Then, she started to seem sweet, vulnerable and cute and I started to like her. She was indeed a good person and her heart was in the right place.
But when she foolishly did what I feared she would, I was really pissed at her for making such a careless mistake. One must be really dumb to do what she did!
Rob’s past haunts him!
The book is written in the third person singular but focuses at one person’s thoughts and feelings at a time, sometimes Lindsey and sometimes Rob.
That’s why, when the book focuses on It was like showing a gun in a drawer in a movie, which means someone is going to use that gun some time in the movie. It made the next plot twist way too predictable.
The ending:
The book has a HEA, no worries 😊 It just comes after some suffering on both ends.
Safety:
- There is no cheating, no OW/OM drama.
- He is definitely not a man-whore and she is no virgin.
- He pushes her away first as he does everyone else but we know he is in fact attracted to her.
- There is no banter or no chasing and everything happens too easily, without her making him work for it.
- Both are celibate after meeting.
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Why 3 stars?
- Up until %50, I was curious about Rob’s past and his secrets, but then, not only his deeds weren’t as horrifying as it was hinted earlier but also the second part of the book was way too predictable. -1 point for that!
- The book is too long, too slow and quite dragging. (350 pages). -1 point for that!
The descriptions are too long, and there are so many pages where nothing exciting happens but they go on hiking and scenery described or they join a festival and the events described.
Also, I like well-written intimate scenes but there were too many of them and even though all of them were really good, after a certain point, they were far too many to enjoy.
- They eat pizza and have sex.
- They watch TV and have sex.
- They go on canoeing, (scenery described, of course) and they have sex.
- They confide in each other and they have sex.
- They fight and break up and they have sex. (Yeap, goodbye-sex)
P.S. The phrase “sex-horse”, which is also mentioned in the blurb, is overused in the book. I wanted to vomit every time I read it. Then, I quit counting after 20.
No editor saw how irritating it was???? -0,5 point for that!
One question
The location of the story is Moose Falls & Spirit Lake. So, shouldn't there be a picture of a lake or falls on the cover of the book instead of a horse, which makes it seem that the story is about a horse ranch and cowboys?
OMG, OMG, don't tell me that it is the sex-horse! Again!
No no no !%&$#?@# -
Great book. I really enjoyed this one, and there is so much to like about this book. For me I think the best part of this book is how well the author gives the town and the characters a real three-dimensional feel. The hero/heroine (Rob and Lindsey) were so likable and great together. Lindsey is a city girl who loves fashion, but I was very happy that the author didn't turn her into a twit. She is grounded, smart and very funny. Rob is yummy on a stick. He writes letters to someone named "Gina", and I LOVED how this really helped us see who he really is as a person despite his outward persona of a reclusive non-sociable person. The romance between Rob and Lindsey was amazingly hot and very believable. They build a real friendship too, which really added a lot to this book. I can't recommend it enough to fans who love steamy contemporary romances.
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Awesome book! If you’ve not read this Blake, you need to get it today! I just loved it! :D
At first I had trouble warming up to Lindsey because she seemed shallow and self centered, but then I really liked her. She’s dumped by her fiancé in a very public and humiliating way, and she leaves Chicago for the woods of Montana in the hopes to buy her late aunt’s canoe livery. She doesn’t really put much thought into the plan. Just loads up the Infinity and gets the hell out of Dodge.
Rob is a handsome, crabby, hermit. That’s the best I can describe him at first. He’s got some secrets, and you can just feel his pain. The story is mainly Lindsey’s point of view, but we get enough of his to understand him. He’s taken over Lindsey’s aunt’s business, and he doesn’t plan to let some city girl take it away from him, even if she is family to the original owner.
As you can guess, there is a lot of sexual tension when they meet and butt heads. Rob dislikes Lindsey on sight, and isn’t shy about letting it show. She prances around the country in heels and designer clothes, and doesn’t know what she is doing.
Both people are kind of lost, and trying to find themselves and happiness. It’s very satisfying to watch them grow. I loved them together when they finally do decide to make a go of it.
We have a great couple, wonderful secondary characters, and the steam factor is high. If you love small town stories, I’m sure you’ll love this one. -
This was all right, but for some reason I just couldn't fall in love with it. It started off strong, and I expected Mr. Douchecanoe ex fiance to get his butt handed to him later. That opening scene was nothing if not memorable. And the hero is my kinda guy...a reclusive gamma guy who's also a bit of a badass. Yum.
The rest of the story was nice...nothing in particular wrong other than it was a bit slow for me...too much back and forth and wishy-washiness, maybe? The suspense part of it felt somewhat superfluous and tacked on...not to mention the coincidence was really, REALLY one hell of a coincidence. Small world, maybe? I don't know.
Most of my friends LOVED this book. Very few gave mediocre ratings like mine, so go read some of those :D -
4.5 stars!
*grins* I loved this book!! It was a surprising, beautiful, sexy love story about second chances, acceptance, self- forgiveness, and finding happiness :)
I started it last night intending to only reading the first 10-20% of it but ended up staying up till 3:30AM to finish it! It kind of fools you a little because it starts out light and funny but before you know it, it gets really emotionally deep.
Linsday is sure she has it all – great job as a love advice columist/blogger, a to-die-for shoe collection and she is one half of Chicogo’s latest ‘it’ couple. But everything comes crashing down after her fiance abruptly and unceremoniously dumps her. Desperate to get away from the humiliation of her break up, she heads off to a small town in Montana intent on buying back the an old family property from whoever now owns it and simultaneously deciding that a little fling would help her get back on the sex horse.
Upon arriving in the town, she sets her eyes on a tall, dark, scowling hunk of a man who walks in the bar. Little did she expect he would be Rob Coulter, the reclusive new owner of her aunt’s property and who not only would not be interested in selling it but also seems uninterested in a fling or pretty much anything social. He’s gruff, rough and hot as hell and she has her work cut out for her trying to get to know this man who holds two things she now wants… But the more time they spend together, they both start realizing that they are falling for whats behind the facades they have both built up against the world.
“Well, you’re in,” and headed unceremoniously for the door.
And without meaning to, she said exactly what she was thinking, her sarcasm coming through loud and clear. “My hero.”
He stopped with one black work boot out the door and looked back, his eyes narrowing slightly, his expression going even darker. “I never claimed to be anybody’s hero, sweetheart.”
And then he was gone.
The characters were lovable, the story intrigued me and did not have any dull moments, and I adored the writing style – it was fun and light on the surface with undertones of deep and serious. Even though I was laughing out loud and cackling with glee in the beginning, it was in a more serious way, you know? It wasn’t a humorous book, it just had funny moments, and you could tell there were a lot more deeper emotions just beneath the surface and when they all came out, boy did it HIT me!!
I loved Rob! Although on the outside he appeared aloof, reclusive and gruff, as we got bits of his POV, it became very clear he had a big heart and had suffered serious hurt in the past that had left a big mark on him. Along with a tattoo of “Gina” that he had over his heart, an aversion to relationships and a series of beautiful love letters written to Gina, he was quite the mysterious, tortured and yet lovable, sexy mountain man.
And I actually also really loved Lindsay. It took her a while to lose her overly materialistic side (lol, and figure out that 5 inch spiky heels weren’t prime hiking material) but I liked that despite that, she had really good intentions, wasn’t ditzy, and grew a lot as a person over the course of the story.
I felt myself totally drawn into the story. I wanted to know more. There’s so much anticipation! So many secrets! I wanted to know Rob’s past. Why was the the way he was? What could have made such a big-hearted guy so reclusive? Who was the girl in his letters? Why did he get her name tattooed on his heart? What was their history? Why did he withdraw from people, and especially relationships? And what was it that made him open himself back up, to her? Would Lindsay end up with the property? Was that even the best decision? … I loved it! I had so many theories forming about the secrets at the same time as watching their romance unfold.
And speaking of romance, Rob and Linsday’s chemistry was on FIRE!! Their sexual tension sizzled but when they finally pushed through it, it was scorching!!!! *faints* When they fell, they fell hard. It was intense, beautiful and thrilling.
Oddly enough, at about 65% in, I put two and two together and figured it all out. I had strong suspicions from earlier on what the secret was, but at that point, I was sure. I could totally predict the bad stuff that was unfolding, I literally face palmed myself twice (yes, it hurt, I’m an idiot) while vividly imaging screaming and cursing at the heroine… but here’s the weird thing, it didn’t bother me that I knew, and the mistake was pretty innocent so I found it very forgiveable, and I still totally enjoyed every moment of the story.
By the end of the book, my heart was in my throat. My prediction was right and that didn’t help me prepare for it one tiny bit! I had fallen so in love with the characters and felt for them so strongly that I was terrified for them! … but don’t let that scare you – there is, of course, a beautiful HEA and epilogue
Definitely add this to the steamy contemporary romance to-read pile!!
I reeeeeally really hope someone in the movie industry reads this book and decides to turn it into a movie. I could picture the whole thing in my head so vividly – some of the scenes were just gorgeous. It really would make the PERFECT movie!! *crosses fingers and toes*
Here's how I could cast Rob and Lindsay
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One of the most romantic stories I've read in a while. This is truly an emotional read and will have you laughing, crying, smiling, and fuming!
After an engagement that goes horribly wrong, Lindsey decides to take a break from her high-society life in Chicago and go visit her recently deceased great-aunt's Montana Cabin. In a tiny town, in the middle of nowhere, Lindsey learns about herself and about what's really important in life. She learns about love and forgiveness and courage...all with the mostly unwilling assistance of a stubborn, sexy man.
Rob doesn't 'do' relationships. He's had it with the heartbreak that always follows. Now that he's found a place where he belongs, he intends to stick. Alone. Then Lindsey happens...and somehow she keeps worming her way into his solitary existence.
A book romance enthusiasts MUST read. Both the hero and heroine are riddled with flaws, but that's what makes watching their relationship grow so special. Have a hanky handy as you're almost sure to tear up at least once or twice. And even if you don't, you can use it to dab the sweat off your brow after reading the sex scenes!! -
For those of you that love contemporary, erotic (H/h only), well-written romance novels backed by a solid story, then you have either read Letters to a Secret Lover already or it is at the top of your "must-read" list...and if not, it should be. The heroine, Lindsay, is your contemporary "Lisa" from Green Acres, as she makes the eye-opening transition from a frivolous, materialistic city girl to a frugal, sensible-minded country lass...well, almost (it takes her most of the book to realize that 4-inch spiked heels are not one's shoes of choice in the backwoods of Montana). Reeling from a very public "jilt" by her fiance, Lindsay takes a break from writing her "Dear Abby" column (how can a "jiltee" offer romantic advice to others?) and heads off to a small town in Montana where her great-aunt once lived. Here she encounters Rob Colter, the scowling recluse who now owns the business and home of Lindsay's deceased aunt. Although Rob is surly and rude as can be, I (as well as Lindsay) was able to overlook his shortcomings because the guy is a serious hottie...tall, dark and handsome as sin, with the chiseled body to complete the package. The journey to a HEA that Lindsay and Rob embark on is a great adventure...at times funny, mysterious or poignant, yet always sizzling with sensuality as the two have a sexual chemistry that neither one can deny. Rob is one of those "to-die-for" heroes that most of us have been (perhaps unconsciously) searching for all of our lives (hmm...never thought to check out Montana). No matter, "Letters" is an excellent read...easily worth 5 stars. Don't miss it!
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Fun book to read. No darkness, minimal suspense, but great characters. Like Auntee said, this book is about mistakes, regrets, and forgiveness. Lyndsey's character was a delight. She reminded me of Sarah Jessica Parker in the role of Sex in the City. Lyndsey wrote a "love" column in a Chicago newspaper and maintained an active blog, giving readers advice on their love lives. Events lead her to a life change and she's in Montana--wilderness style--with her high fashion sense! She manages to shed some of her Chicago persona and update some of the locals on the same.
This book does have similarities to the Virgin River Series--but bump up the steam x 10! The main focus is the romance and the two main characters, though. Neat read, well written and entertaining.
Thanks for the rec. Auntee! -
After reading what I thought was so, so book by Toni Blake I decided to give her another shot. WOW! Am I glad I did. I was barely able to put down Letters to a Secret Lover.
I really liked the brooding Rob Colter from the very start of the book, despite his gruff attitude toward Lindsey Brooks. I could see that under all that mean mountain man exterior, there was a warm, caring man who needed someone to show him love.
That someone was Lindsey Brooks. At first she was a bit self absorbed and silly, but as soon as she arrives in Moose Falls, and she realizes that walking the "Magnificent Mile" in Chicago in heels is much easier than walking the trails in the wilds of Montana in heels. The one time that a girl must sacrifice fashion for comfort! This is one of many revelations for Lindsey that made her very likeable right off the bat for me.
The chemistry that oozes off the pages when these two get together is palpable! As their relationship develops, it becomes more than just hot, steamy, passionate sex. But Rob has a secret and Lindsey has her way of making him tell her things he swore he would never reveal again. It ruined relationships in the past. But there is something about Lindsey that makes Rob trust her.
I laughed, I cried and basically didn't want this story to end! But of course it does. This was one of those books that stayed with me a while after I read the last word. Definitely a keeper!!!
Oh and Toni Blake may be an auto-buy for me now! -
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Holy Mother of Pearl! I found a winner! This book was fabulous, fantastic, romantic, erotic, mysterious and and and I have run out of adjectives to use.
One thing however before I start my raving for this book. And yes, its about the cover. Now this book is set in Moose Falls. A little town surrounded by a lake and boat house. Yet on the cover we see two smokin hot lovers and some....horses? Where in the book does this relate to the little town of moose falls? Minor but still annoying.
Toni Blake has written a great read with LETTERS TO A SECRET LOVER. The plot is great, the town and its people are well-developed, and the chemistry between the hero and heroine is so good it is combustible. You can expect a story filled with humor and hot sex scenes.
After an embarassing encounter with her fiance and a window washer, Lindsay Brooks decides to get away from the gossip. Suddenly single, she runs to Moose Falls, Montana where she spent a summer years ago with her Aunt Millie. She hopes to buy back her Aunt's canoe livery, which is now owned by the sexy,recluse Rob Colter.
Rob Colter had his own reason for moving to Moose Falls, and his own reasons for being a recluse. Lindsay wants to get to know her Aunt Millie by experiencing the things she loved and Rob relucantly agrees to help. Slowly Lindsay is able to penetrate his tough exterior and gains confidence in herself as well.
This really was a great read, and I am immediatly in love with Toni Blake. I cannot wait to read more from this author. -
4.5 stars
This would have been a solid 5 stars book, if the heroine was not so eager to share her personal love and sex life on the internet. REALLY? What was she thinking? Especially since her lover was such a private man.
Well, other than that, it was a very very nice book, sexy but also emotional and heartwarming. I loved Rob immensely and couldn't get enough of him. Besides her actions above, Lindsey was also a nice heroine, exactly what Rob needed to get out of his shell. There were also many turns and twists in the plot, some of which I had guessed and some not, which kept me turning the pages until the last one. This was my first Toni Blake book but I'll certainly look out for more now. -
I was a little wary of Letters to a Secret Lover. After all, the only other Toni Blake book I’ve read (
One Reckless Summer) also had a very high rating and was pretty much universally adored by my GR friends, and that one... well... it didn’t do much for me. So I braced myself and was again prepared to be the odd one out.
Thankfully, while I can’t quite say that I loved this one to the extent that others have, I can say that I did really enjoy it. It was sooo much better than One Reckless Summer. There was far more genuine emotion in this one, and, although the plot was relatively simple, it worked because the characters were much more interesting, better developed and far more believable.
That’s not to say that this book wasn’t without its issues and implausibility, but thankfully, the good definitely outweighed the bad. The writing was better, the characters were better, the plot was better executed – particularly the mystery – and there was no distracting secondary romance. The focus was squarely where it should be – on two people falling in love.
Relationship columnist and blogger Lindsey Brooks has found herself at the centre of an scandal when she is photographed in her high-rise apartment wearing nothing but an apron and dumping dessert on her now ex-fiancé. Running away from the ensuing internet storm, she retreats to a tiny Montana town to lick her wounds while trying to reconnect to her past.
Lindsey is determined to fix the mistake she made in uncaringly refusing her now late Aunt Millie’s desire to bequeath Lindsey her canoe livery in Moose Falls. Determined to simply buy back the canoe hire business and land, Lindsey finds more than she bargained for when she meets new owner, the unfriendly and mysterious Rob Colter.
Against their better judgement, the gruff and private Rob and bubbly, talkative Lindsey find themselves unable to deny their smouldering attraction. Lindsey decides that Rob (even though he refuses to sell) would be an ideal candidate to help her ‘get back on the sex horse’, while Rob discovers he has an undeniable thing for animal print!
But Rob has another woman’s name tattooed on his chest, and he’s not willing to talk about it. When Lindsey finds love letters Rob has written to this mystery woman but never sent, her insecurities rear their ugly head again. How can a woman who has been so publicly dumped and is now sleeping with a man whose past is a mystery and who refuses to talk about the other woman, possibly give relationship advice to others?
I really enjoyed Lindsey’s character. She is a breath of fresh air to Moose Falls and I loved how easily she made friends and fit in with the town, even though on the surface she was so different. She was a strong character without being kick-ass and I thought she was pretty easy to relate to. Even though she was humiliated by her recent experience, she was comfortable in her own skin and was still prepared to trust people and let them in.
Unfortunately, she did have what I think was a major TSTL moment in order to introduce the minor suspense element of the plot. I would have liked to see the author find another way, because I don’t believe that someone who has just lived through having her privacy invaded and exposed all over the internet (and is for all intents and purposes in hiding) would then happily blog the intimate details of her life, including names, dates and places of where she will be, along with naming her lover, who values his privacy and solitude above all else. It wasn’t enough to ruin the story for me, but if the characters weren’t as appealing, it would have come pretty close.
Rob was a wonderful character, and the author did a great job of portraying someone whose past will forever govern his life. I loved his relationship with his dog, and seeing him thaw toward Lindsey and show his true nature – something that didn’t come easily. I didn’t think his secret was quite as shocking as I was expecting, and once you know part of it, the rest falls in place pretty easily, but neither did that detract from the plot. It was just far too enjoyable watching these two together to worry about things like that. If you like seeing opposites attract, then you should love Rob and Lindsey.
I’m glad I decided to take another chance on Toni Blake. While I’m still not sure I’ll be rushing to read the rest of her Destiny series, I will definitely keep an eye out for her future releases. This was a great contemporary romance read. -
This was a wonderful love story. This book read like a real life event, not a romance book. Lindsay writes a blog giving advice on love, although honestly she doesn't appear to know much about it. I found that refreshing honestly. She is open and genuine, but also a little naive. After a humiliating break up with her boyfriend (we don't like him, he's a jerk). Lindsay goes to Moose Falls, Montana to try and buy her aunts business. Only she discovers it has been sold to Rob Colter. He is unfriendly, standoffish, and very private. But she is attracted to him and pursues him.
Rob has secrets and slowly Lindsay discovers some of them, only they leave her with more questions. She discovers very beautiful letters he has been writing, but not mailing to someone named Gina (nice name by the way, don't you think, lol). While none of this was really hard to figure out, I found it very realistic and I came to care deeply and my heart broke for Rob. He really did need someone like Lindsay in his life, I loved these two together.
This was my first book by Toni Blake and It will not be my last. I ended this book with warm fuzzies all over.... -
Color me animal-print, I loved this book..
The book cover mislead me a bit, since there was not a single horse involved in the book (other than the sex horse that Lindsey was rambling about). But don't let that deter you. It was a beautiful and witty and funny and dramatic and fulfilling love story..
I loved the fact that Lindsey was a fashion slave who took her Fendi purse on a hike, which later on actually saved her life. I also loved that Rob was an animal-print fetish who got turned on by anything with animal-print. Did not see that one coming regarding the hero.
All in all, this is a great book.
Have I mentioned that I love this book?? -
Has this every happened to you? It’s midnight and you have to get up at 7am for work the next day but you only have 100 pages left of a really good book? You decide to just finish the book and you’re excited because the story is awesome. You go to bed with a giddy feeling, because the book was that good, but then the next morning you want to shoot yourself because you went to bed at 2am and you’re too exhausted to function?
Well that’s how I feel right now but Letters to a Secret Lover was worth it because it was such an enjoyable read. I just could not put it down! The whole time I was trying to figure out who Gina was and it was driving me nuts! I loved Rob. Though he put on an appearance of being mean and he kept to himself he had such a sweet nature. As for Lindsey, I liked her perky talkative nature. The two of them were so cute.
Lindsey, an advice columnist, shoe addict, fight for what you want type of girl who talks nonstop moves to Montana to try to find herself again. After a very embarrassing break up, which was displayed on the internet for the whole world to see, she’s too embarrassed to stick around and is hoping to learn more about her deceased Aunt Millie and find forgiveness for not accepting her Aunt’s last wish in taking over her cabin and canoe business. Instead she finds a hot, anti-social man now living at her Aunt’s cabin and running her business. Rob Colter is a great rebound guy and Lindsey’s first thought when drunkenly stumbling upon him is that she just wants to jump on that sex-horse. She learns that her Aunt spent her last year with Rob and they were very close so Rob agrees, though not eagerly, to help Lindsey learn about the Aunt she never really got to know. Rob and Lindsey have an undeniable attraction for one another but Rob try’s hard not to give into his urges. Eventually he does give in. A man who has decided to stay in seclusion, with secrets of his own, is finally willing to open up and share his life. That is until someone from his past almost breaks them apart! Excellent! -
I have enjoyed all of the Toni Blake books I have read, but this is far and away the best so far. In this book, after a highly embarrassing episode which coincided with the breakup of her engagement, advice columnist Lindsey Brooks goes to Moose Falls, Montana to try to retreat from the public eye while reconnecting with her family's past. She finds a barrier in her way in the form of Rob Colter, a gruff man who runs the canoe business that used to belong to her aunt. In spite of himself, Rob, who has reason to be aloof and not let anyone into his life, is charmed and attracted by Lindsey, and they are soon involved in a sizzling affair. When Lindsey's actions inadvertently cause Rob's past to threaten their very lives, their newfound attachment is tested.
In this book, it was very sweet to see how Lindsey gave Rob unswerving loyalty and trust that he had never before experienced. Although the passion between them was very steamy, their feelings for one another went much deeper. Rob had much to overcome, and the story of his past and how it had continued to affect his life was heartbreaking. This was a very touching story, and a very enjoyable book to read. -
An earlier standalone Toni Blake before she wrote her trademark Destiny, Ohio series. And it has all the same hallmarks that make a Toni Blake contemporary romance novel so good to read. Hot, troubled hero with a secret past, feisty heroine recovering from an embarrassing, broken engagement and a small town that feels like a big warm hug. Oh, and better not forget to mention it's steamy!!
4.5 stars -
Lindsey and her fiancé Garret have recently experienced a strain on their relationship, so she decides to liven things up a bit by cooking him dinner and waiting for him wearing only high heels and an apron...Little does she know he's going to dump her as soon as she opens the door. Or that a window washer is going to snap a picture of them (of her in only an apron!) and that picture would end up plastered all over the gossip mags and internet.
A few weeks later she decides she needs a break. And what better way to get away from everything than by visiting Moose Falls, Montana, where her great-aunt used to live. And if she can buy her great-aunts boat livery from the current owner even better.
Unfortunately, the current owner proves to be anti-social, grumpy, surly, arrogant, and rude...But also incredibly hot. Pity his surly behavior prevents Lindsey from using him as a leg up back on the sex horse, all the while trying to buy the livery off him...Or can she?
This was a fun, romantic, a little dramatic, a lot bitter-sweet contemporary romantic comedy with quite a lot of depths if you're looking for them. Despite being rather light-weight and fun, it actually dealt with pretty deep issues, like trust and forgiveness (not only toward others, but yourself as well). And though I wasn't really in the mood for a contemporary with depth, this one struck just the right cord for me.
The cast of characters (both leading and secondary) was wonderful - (despite the heroine being just a tad too air-headed, self-centered, and blind to pretty much everything that didn't involve her), the pacing was great, the humorous parts were nicely placed...In general, it was very well written.
I found the sudden slide into more suspenseful waters a bit rushed, and somewhat nonsensical at the beginning, but that too had its purpose of propelling the story forward, creating some great pre-ending tension, a few tears, and a few nail-biting moments.
4½ stars
P.S. Though I'm sure the "letters to a secret lover" were meant to create suspense, intrigue and tension between the two leads, I found that part of the story rather predictable, and couldn't fathom how Lindsey didn't figure it out sooner (I guess it had to do with that "blindness" I mentioned). But that's just me. -
I'm sorry to say I've only given this one 3.5 stars. All my GR friends that have read it rated it very highly, so I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't a huge hit for me.
I enjoyed the storyline of the book, but one of my biggest problems was Lindsey. She grated me the wrong way and I couldn’t connect with her at all. At the start I was comparing her to a Paris Hilton wanna-be with her clothing and shoe obsession and I’m exactly the opposite to that. I wear a suit to work, but apart from that I’m a huge tracky dacks fan. So when Lindsey was obsessing about clothes I found myself frowning a lot.
Rob on the other hand was hot. I didn’t have a problem picturing the sexy lumberjack and had images of Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Joe Manganiello in my mind and flannel ain’t too bad if its on a sexy guy. Hell, a sexy guy could wear a potato sack and I would still drool.
Then there was Lindsey and her blog…that gave me the cranks too.
I could probably understand her posting information about her sexy new lover to hundreds of people if the guy knew she was doing it – and didn’t mind, but to do it without his permission whilst giving out detailed information on her location was just plain stupid and disrespectful - IMO. And obviously I found it very hard to forgive her for that.
On a different note, I did enjoy the writing style of the author. Her sex scenes were hot and there was a lot of humorous internal dialogue and if Lindsey hadn’t annoyed me so much I would have rated the novel higher. -
Letters to a Secret Lover was a quick, enjoyable, if some what forgettable read.
I liked the setting. This story takes place in a very small and quaint town known for it's fishing, camping, and canoeing adventures. Lindsey, our heroine, has come to nurse an embarrassed and wounded heart following the break-up of her very public engagement. I wish I would've liked Lindsey more. In the beginning, she comes off as a spoiled and privileged socialite, and by the end, my opinion of her had improved only a bit. As a "Dear Abby" columnist, her job was to give relationship advice to her followers. During her romance with Rob, she writes to her followers all about their sexual relationship. This "kiss and tell" rubbed me wrong.
Rob saved this book for me. Aloof, mysterious, and very sexy, he was an awesome hero. I loved his dry sense of humor and I also enjoyed watching him come out of his shell and open himself up to love. However, I never really understood why he fell for Lindsey, (other than the fact that they had some really awesome chemistry in bed). Lindsey didn't really seem like his type and I couldn't really see that changing.
As an aside, the "Letters to a Secret Lover" part of this book wasn't a big surprise for me. I saw it coming a mile away!
My favorite book by this author is
One Reckless Summer. If you are new to this author, I'd recommend starting there:) -
My first Toni Blake read! And Toni Blake has a brand new fan!
I've read and enjoyed many of her
Lacey Alexander books, so some of my wonderful GR friends encouraged and assured me that I would love her Toni Blake books too. And of course, they were right, as usual!!
Letters to a Secret Lover is such a wonderful read! The storyline grabbed me from the beginning and I was hooked! I absolutely fell in love with the H/h. Lyndsey is sexy, funny, quirky, talkative and refreshing! She made me smile and giggle quite a few times! Rob is a dark and mysterious loner, with a tortured past and when his secrets were revealed, my heart broke for him. Their chemistry was amazing and the sex sizzled!
I also loved all of the Moose Falls townsfolk.. they were friendly, real, down to earth, small town people!
I laughed and I cried, and I didn't want to put it down!!
5 Stars!!! -
This was a very good contemporary romance. Even though I didn’t like author’s style in this book, I liked the originality of H/h love story, the excellently written love scenes and the sweet ending.
HERO is a Loner, rejected by society because of his past, ridden by guilt, currently living in a remote little town where he hopes his past actions are never known so he can have at least a peaceful life. But then a city woman looking to reconnect with her past arrives, disrupting his life, awakening his lust, daring him to believe in love.
SCENES/CONTENT: many/steamy
GENRE/TONE: contemporary/drama
LENGTH: 334 pages -
Interesting premise,enchanting location, loved the hero.... completely disliked the heroine.. I felt like strangling this character more times than i can count for her sheer stupidity. I mean, a chic city girl who enjoys fashion does not necessarily have to rhyme with naivete, which is precisely how i felt this character was portrayed in the story. Bad, bad, bad! It ticked me off to no end, but i have to give thumbs up for the steam factor, as well as Rob`s character. I enjoyed them a whole lot!! :)
-
This was a great read. I really like small town settings at the moment.
The main characters are cute together and reasonable (which is something you don't always find in a romance). I really liked this book, but I didn't love it as much as some people have. Good read though! I wish I had a misty island to canoe out to during Halloween to tell ghost stories when I was a kid.... -
WOW!!!
this book hit my heart..I loved it! my second book from toni blake.
I thought I'm not gonna read another book from her because my first read book "tempt me tonight" was a disaster for me. it kept me from cringing, twisting my heart. dagum!
But this book gave me a second chance to read some of her books.
