It's really hard to write this review...I can't say it was great, but I also can't say it's terrible...this story leaves you somewhere in between.

Zoe and Tate start their relationship as a one night of fun, which turns into spending a lot nights of fun.
They both have their reasons why they don't want to open up to each other

"We're not so different, you and I." "How so?"
"You say that all of your life you have been running from your family responsibilities, but I have also been running from mine. I used the excuse of this job to keep from visiting with my mom. Seeing her is painful, almost too painful sometimes."

When truths are discovered Zoe has difficult time with trusting Tate. But he is determined not to let her go. Never had Tate felt so complete or so connected to another person.He didn't know how or when it happened, but Zoe had come to mean the world to him, and he was never letting her go.

This whole story is good in it's content but the delivery is a bit lacking. I can't say what was missing - I guess I wish it to be a bit more angsty. Maybe that would persuade me to give it more stars. But now I can give it only 3.5*

***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***

The Story in 4 Sentences or Less: Event planner Zoe Burkhart and Construction Company owner Tate Carrington butt heads when the celebrity wedding Zoe’s trying to plan is in danger of not happening because of Tate’s company. Of course, Tate would have to be the sexy stranger Zoe hooked up with the night before and of course, the sparks would still be there. So Zoe offers Tate a no strings fling with an expiration date which Tate accepts but as the time flies by he starts wanting more and starts thinking about trying to convince Zoe to give them a real shot.






Like It? Hate it? Love it? Why? Secret Games is one of those books that is great fun while you’re reading it but isn’t going to be on a long term list of favorites.

Not to say that the book isn’t well written, it is. I liked Tate and Zoe and their chemistry was off the charts physically, but I think there could have been a bit more work put into building their emotional connection. There was a lot of flash but very little substance to create a believable romance.

I enjoyed the island setting and the vacation/island fling vibe going on with the story and some of the supporting characters as well. The plot isn’t overly complicated and everything is pretty straight forward.

Click It or Skip It? Click It. It’s one of those fun times reads, most of the attention is paid to the physical relationship but overall, it’s not a bad way to spend time.

Tate and Zoe get into a lot of entertaining situations as they secretly hook up while trying to get a chapel finished for a bridezilla! Fun and sexy read perfect for an afternoon when you're looking for light read.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review, all conclusions are my own.

It was good for as short as it was. Since it was short is was a quick read but it didn't capture my interest. You knew in the very beginning every single problem the couple would face and knew that they would all be wrapped up in the end. There was not much time for character development since it was so short.

I Loved the plot, the sex scenes. Looking forward to reading more books form thi's author.

Well written and entertaining story.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher*

Secret Games was a fun & sexy read. I thought the author did a fantastic job of creating unique & interesting characters & of course the back drop was beautiful.

Suzanne Rock is on my go to list of authors to read because her stories are always entertaining.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I enjoyed the story between Tate and Zoe, but I think I liked the plot more than I did the characters. They really had some chemistry and that fun. Usually I feel more from the characters and the story can be a little lacking, this time it was different, the story carried the book.

Secret Games is sexy and has a hot, sweet hero. Zoe is in the middle of dealing with the wedding from hell with the bridezilla from hell. She needs to blow off some steam so she decides to indulge in a hot one night stand with the gorgeous guy she picks up in at the resort's bar. But what will she do the next day when she shows up at the construction site of her bridezilla's wedding site and the construction company owner whom she's mad at for being behind schedule is her sexy ONS?!

Thankfully Zoe and Tate are easily able to move past Tate's little omission and start indulging in a steamy affair. But, there will be more obstacles in their way, including the resort's new no fraternization policy, Zoe's desperate need for money to pay for her mom's health care, and the secret Tate's been keeping regarding his family.

I wanted a stronger emotional connection between Tate and Zoe, and I didn't really connect with Zoe. There's something a bit generic about her and I felt a disconnect with her. I like Tate, a lot, though, and wish he had been paired with a heroine as interesting and likable as he is. The sexy times are hot, though, and I like the ending and Tate's repair of his family issues. If Zoe had been up to par, I definitely could have seen my way to 4 stars, but the way Secret Games, or more accurately, Zoe, is written, I can't justify more than 3 stars.

This is the first book I have read from this author but it wont be my last. I loved how this story unfolded with two characters that were taking a chance on a one night stand and were comfortable in letting tomorrow take care of itself. Yet that never works out well. Zoe was looking to unwind after a rough day as wedding planner and she finds the mysterious Tate. Unknown to her, Tate is also the building contractor that she has been having problems with. This does not damper their desire for each other and they continue to fall further in love while learning to trust each other. This was an incredible story that kept me charmed from the beginning.

DNF. A strong start, but definitely fizzled after that. Stopped at about 60% because I had a hard time believing that the MCs were really making the choices they were for the reasons they seemed to think they had. Thanks for the chance, though!

I’m becoming a bit hooked on these Entangled Brazen titles, and the authors that write them. Secret Games was the first work I’ve read by this author, and was full of heart and heat. What more can a gal ask for? – I say!

Who knew event planning could be so stressful? Organising the ‘Wedding of the Year’ for the latest celebrity ‘IT’ couple is starting to take its toll on Zoe Buckhart. Added to which, is the heavy weight of her own personal responsibilities resting on her shoulders. There is more than just cachet for the resort riding on her pulling of this event. What this girl needs is to let loose and unwind for the evening. Oh, and look what we have here, I think the perfect ‘release’ for her just walked into the bar *smirks*

Tate Carrington is a man bearing the weight of his own responsibilities as well. It’s hard when your family have certain expectations, and it’s not a path you wish to travel. Tate wants to be his own man! Indulging in the female delights on the island while he finishes his latest contract proves to be a welcome distraction.

And Zoe may be just the tipple to go down smoothly tonight… *snorts* Whaaa? Sorry, sorry – I couldn’t help myself.

But one night will never be enough for these two, and in order for this wedding to go off without a hitch, they will have to work (very!) closely together. Watch those emotional barriers crumble to dust, peeps.

I really enjoyed this story and the writing. It was the right side of spicy, but was more than a bit of ‘fluff’ – if you know what I mean? It makes you think about what we’re willing to do for our loved ones, and that just because you have money, happiness isn’t always guaranteed.

“Money isn’t a whole hell of a lot if it comes at a price.”

Lastly, please tell me it’s not just me that hears the Dynasty theme tune when they see the name Carrington? Someone, anyone. No? *shrugs* Guess I must be showing my age. No comment from the gallery please…

Note: Copy kindly received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Welcome back to Tropical Temptation. Secret Games is a bite size morsel of naughtiness and romance.

Zoe Burkhart is a stressed-out event planner who organizes fairy tale destination weddings.  Her most important client, country singer diva, Sadie Harris is really pulling out all the extravagances for her nuptials.  

Tate Carrington, owner of Carrington Construction, is the contractor hired to build the one of a kind chapel.  Things are not going well for either of them.  Country star diva wants rainbow roses and pink ivory wood and both are near impossible to deliver within the time frame for the wedding.

As they spend time together trying to pull off the wedding of the century in the tropical paradise, he suddenly wants more than just sex on a whirlwind holiday - he wants a life with Zoe.  If she discovers his deception, this billionaire heir turned construction owner will lose the agreement he has with his father …and Zoe, too.

If you are looking for something extra hot to get naked with, reach for this steamy romance.  Rock delivers a romance with humor, family drama and blazing hot sex scenes.   Zoe is a woman who goes after what she wants: 

" I want to talk about how I can get you in bed." 

This kind of attitude from Zoe is why Tate can't get enough of her.  The willingness and sexual freedom she exhibits with Tate will leave you cheering and squirming in your seat until the very last page.

In Secret Games by Suzanne Rock, what begins as a one night stand – a means of blowing off some stress – becomes something more. Zoe is an event planner for a tropical resort; the bride for an upcoming wedding brings her nothing but stress with outrageous demands that seem impossible to fill. With time running out, Zoe needs everything to work out – the money from this wedding will go a long way to help her. Tate Carrington is happy to help her relieve some stress but after one night, he knows it will not be enough. But with secrets abounding, can they actually make something out of this?

As with many a Brazen novel, there is a lot of sex; Zoe and Tate have a lot of fun with each other and the scenes are different enough to not make the reader feel like they’re reading the same thing over and over. Nonetheless, I wish there had been less sex and more character development. I found it difficult to sympathize with Tate, especially when he willfully keeps Zoe in the dark about who he is. The end felt rushed, leaving me wondering how and why everything worked out – not just between Zoe and Tate, but also with regards to the bride and her diva leanings. I won’t state my biggest peeve with it so as not to spoil it, but I found the message implied by the resolution to everything to be disturbing. In the end, there is nothing truly objectionable with this novel.

3.5 stars

Zoe Burkhart is a woman with a mission, and that's to make certain everything goes off without a hitch for an upcoming celebrity wedding. However, with things not going to plan, she's not sure what to do, other than head to the local bar. Yet, the moment she meets Tate Carrington, she finds her mood lifting, especially since he knows just the way to get her to forget her problems. But when Zoe discovers the truth about Tate and his family connections, will she be able to forgive him or will she walk away from the man she's falling in love with?

This is the first book I've read by this author and it was a riveting read that had me enjoying both the main and secondary characters because of their back stories and had me completely entertained by the dialogue because the hero isn't about to give up the heroine so easily, especially when she discovers what he's hiding about his family that makes her decide she can't trust him. The way this story started had me sympathizing with the heroine, as her job is hectic and making her stressed, but she can't quit because she needs a way to help her ill mother. Luckily, the hero offers her the kind of distraction she needs to take the edge off. Really, the hero is good stress relief for the heroine.

Both the main characters were fascinating and I absolutely loved the hero's back story, because he needed to get away from his dad's plans for him and live his own life. Moreover, the hero is confident, driven and I liked how determined he was to win the heroine over because he needs her in his life. I also liked the hero's back story because losing his brother made him realize that he couldn't live his life the way his father wanted him to. I also liked how willing the hero was to help Zoe when it came to her mother, While the heroine, she's resilient, courageous, independent and I liked how determined she was to do her job to the best of her ability, even if the soon-to-be bride is a bridezilla of epic proportions.

Overall, Ms. Rock has penned a wonderful read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was strong; the romance red hot and had me wondering if my kindle would spontaneously combust because of the heat between Zoe and Tate; and the ending had me totally hooked because Tate will do anything to win back the heroine after things go awry with their relationship. Will Zoe forgive Tate for lying to her about his life and keeping things from her when it comes to his past? However, what I really liked about the end is what happens at the wedding that has Tate's friend, Gavin, making a prediction about their future; and how Zoe helped Tate with his father and how she brought them closer together than they've ever been. I would recommend Secret Games by Suzanne Rock, if you enjoy the opposites attract trope or books by authors Elizabeth Otto, Amy Andrews, Rebecca Brooks and Daire St. Denis.

3.5 stars

Secret Games by Suzanne Rock was a good read.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Zoe and Tate, they had great chemistry and both were likable/entertaining characters.

Overall a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon, I highly recommend this book.

Oooh! What a juicy story this is!!  Set on a tropical island, Zoe is planning a celebrity wedding that is sure to be the answer to all her money problems. That is if she can stand the constant changes and impossible requests the bride keeps placing on her! And to make matters worse, the chapel that is being constructed for the event, hasn't even started! At this rate, she will be glad to keep her job!!

On a particularly bad day, Zoe heads to the resort bar to unwind.  There she meets a handsome and unattached stranger, Tate.  And after a couple of drinks, Zoe ends up voicing her frustrations.  Tate wants her to relax and they decide on a one night stand. Za Za Zing!! The next morning, her meeting with the construction boss ends up being Tate!  Tate knows he omitted who he was to Zoe, but after a night like they had, he wants more!  Zoe is pissed off, but she needs to get that chapel built, and Tate is the only way to get that done.  They strike a deal.  You know where this is going.....

I loved reading this spicy tale!!  Zoe was so beaten down.  I felt bad for her!  Tate really was a nice guy and I thought the two of them made a good couple! Yes there was a lot of family stuff to work through, and outside pressures, like their jobs, kept getting in the way. They really seemed to have each other's backs! I knew how this was going to end, but I really enjoyed the journey they took to get there!

reviewed by Deb

This was a good read for me. The story is fast paced with great characters and steamy chemistry. Zoe and Tate have a lot of issues with their families and even though this started as a bit of fun will they be able to say goodbye? Good story and an entertaining read. I liked it.

No review as I could not finish the book. My apologies for any inconvenience.

3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️+

This was a fun quick read but it was a little too predictable. No serious twists or turns. Likable characters, a little bit of drama - just seemed a little too formulated to me...event planner dealing with a bridezilla, financial hardships due to her mother's illness, etc. one night stand that turns into something more with a guy who has something to hide which would have an impact on her situation money), and when she finds out?...just a little too predictable for me.

Well written however, no grammatical or spelling errors, well edited. Would try something from this author again.

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.