To say I have loved every single step of this series would be a huge understatement, Beautiful Bastard drew me in, Beautiful Stranger had me swooning with delight, Beautiful Player had me fanning myself and now Beautiful Secret has me wanting to shout from the rooftops my obsession with anything this dynamic duo writes. Their ability to craft the kind of fictional leading men that could only exist in my dreams, but the kind of kick arse heroines I want to be when I grow up. They're characters are real, sexy, balanced, snarky, sweet, vulnerable, and hilarious, seamlessly blending the perfect amounts of charm and heat, they not only seep through the print into your bloodstream but they leap right off the page and straight into your heart.
In all honesty I'm not sure what I was expecting from Beautiful Secret, laughs...for sure, hot sex...heck yes, characters I wanted to fall in love with, definitely, but what I got was so so much more. Niall Stella seems to be steadfast, sure and confident, while he is very much the self assured man in all things business, his personal life is an entirely different matter. Recently divorced, Niall is floundering, not because the love of life walked out of his life and he doesn't know how to move on, but rather because he should feel something more than relief at the dissolution of his decade long marriage. The thing with public perceptions is that they are seldom correct, often what we think from the outside looking in fails to be true.
Ruby Miller is young, bright and has a promising career ahead of her, she has the skills and thirst for knowledge that will ensure career advancement. She's self assured, strong, the daughter of successful psychologists, Ruby has been raised to be direct and honest, working in London, across the other side of the world from family and friends Ruby seems to have the world at her feet, she only has one slight problem, she has a massive crush on Niall Stella, VP at her company, up until today he has never acknowledged her presence, and she is about to spend the next month with him alone in New York for work conferences and meetings.
Where Christina Lauren have excelled at instant attraction, chemistry and lust in the past, Beautiful Secret is stripped back, it's a slow burn of almost teenage like courting, at times awkward fumbling, as Niall and Ruby navigate a relationship while in New York, away from the drudgery of office filled with over eager ears and snide comments. Niall's innocence and naivety to not just sex but intimacy, to communication and relationships was endearing, for a reader like myself who is often drawn to the alpha type hero, Niall was a refreshing change that caught me off guard. Ruby's youth and effervescence made her instantly likable, her confidence and poise drew me in, but ultimately it was her vulnerability that came through despite how much she fought to keep it hidden that had me falling head over heels.
Christina Lauren have quickly become my go to authors for when I'm feeling down and low, for when I just need to laugh, for when I want something that's deliriously sexy that doesn't sacrifice it's storyline for that sizzling heat. I would almost expect after reading my tenth book by this writing couple, that the effects of their words, the impact their stories have on my mind, would somehow have dimmed, that I wouldn't feel the level of excitement I do when I see a cover reveal for a WIP, or when a copy of their newest book shows up on my doorstep or pops up on my kindle, but after finishing and revelling in Beautiful Secret I think my need, my thirst for their words has grown ten fold. There are books that you read, ones you enjoy, ones you experience, then there are books that take you on a journey you weren't prepared for, that captivate your heart and mind, books that leave you feeling lighter, and yet somehow stronger, changed. Beautiful Secret is the kind of book that leaves you envious of all the readers who get to pick it up for the first time as they experience what you already know to be true... that some books stay in your heart and mind long after you turn the last page.
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Popular Highlights in this book
“When you want someone as much as I want you, giving pleasure is almost better than getting it.”Highlighted by 210 Kindle readers- I would rather have a million angry words than a single moment of her reserve.Highlighted by 152 Kindle readers
- He was only inches from my face. We were practically married right then.Highlighted by 137 Kindle readers
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Reviews with images
Not my favorite in this series...
This has to be my least favorite full-length novel in this Beautiful Bastard Series. I did still really enjoy it... it just didn't really add anything significant to the series. (in my opinion). We only met Niall for like five seconds in a novella. (I have actually decided to not review the novellas because they're all a bit much.)From reading other reviews on Goodreads, I see that Ruby is kind of mention in Christina Lauren's other series and I honestly don't know if I want to pick that one up or not...Anywho. Ruby and Niall are probably my least favorite couple as well. I kind of feel like Niall was a bit bland. Ruby deserves someone who isn't so dense. There were times I wanted to smack the crap out of Niall because he's an idiot.Even though I didn't really like Niall, I still enjoyed this book somehow. His density made this book entertaining. It was hilarious to watch him be stupid about women.It just wasn't my favorite...
Top reviews from other countries
Colette flaherty
Brilliant book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 29, 2024
