Member Reviews
Every time I read one of Helena's books I think I can't love her characters more than I did in the last book, but I'd be wrong. Queenie and King are so perfect for each other. She is all chaos and he's the ultimate Boy Scout. They meet in a bar and a one night stand happens. Imagine King's surprise when at the team meeting in walks the girl you can't forget. Turns out she's the GM's daughter.
I loved reading their story. I also loved the interaction with Stevie, Lainey, and especially Violet. We get to see the interaction with the kids too. I HIGHLY recommend this book, series, and Author!!
Ryan Kingston is everyone's dream - polite, kind, a professional athlete, and he always follows the rules. One night, though ... he doesn't. After finding out some life altering information & going to a bar, he picks up a stranger named Queenie. They drink, share their secrets, and she is gone the next morning, leaving only a thank you note. When King shows up to the first official meeting of Seattle's NHL franchise (where he is the goalie), he is shocked to see Queenie (and even more shocked to see that she is the general manager's daughter). Of course, he isn't supposed to date her, but he can't stop thinking about her. How is he going to follow that rule?
I knew that I was going to love King's story because of his cameos in the other books, and this story did not disappoint! He is the perfect gentleman & such a rule follower, so it was fun to see him let loose a little bit & see the story behind this character. I loved the progression between him & Queenie, and I loved that there was more communication between them. So many romance novels can use miscommunications as a plot point, and while this could've gone that route, I thought that they dealt with difficulties that arose in a very mature way. I loved King's family as well, and it was so fun to see them with him. This series is really entertaining, and Helena Hunting did an amazing job with this book (again!). She's made me a forever fan of hockey romances.
Ryan is the goalie for the Seattle NHL team, but he is not your typical athlete as he is polite, his public image is impeccable, and he has recently ended a long-term relationship with his girlfriend. After receiving news that turns his life upside down, it becomes a night of unusual activity as he finds himself at a bar swapping secrets with a beautiful woman and spending a steamy evening with her never expecting to see her again.
Queenie tends to act first and think second which has led to some mistakes in her past. She now finds herself staying in her father’s guest home and working as his assistant at the hockey team he manages. When she shows up for her first day of work, she is about to find out that the man she spent one night with plays for the team and he is determined to show her that one night was not enough.
Between working together, his family and her past things are about to get complicated but with the help of some good friends they may just realize that all they need is each other.
Ryan appears to be the perfect gentlemen in public but when it comes to the bedroom appearances can be deceiving while Queenie is a dynamo who brings fun into Ryan’s life. Even though they appear to be opposites they balance each other to perfection.
If you could never read another book ever then it needs to be King and Queenie’s story! King is just the epitome of a good gut, straight laced, a Boy Scout if you will. Queenie is in limbo and wants to have King be the naughty guy with her she knows he can be. Their story is sweet, sexy and the perfect cherry on top of the All In series. Get ready for all the feels cause Helena has done it again! I always think the last book boyfriend is my favorite and then she goes and one ups herself!
If you are looking for the ultimate swoon worthy romance than look no further Secret for a Secret it! It is absolutely fantastic, I fell in love with King and you will too! Secret for a Secret is everything you will want out of a romance and Helena Hunting delivers just that! So buy it already! I am voluntarily leaving my honest review after reading this arc, I loved it so much I purchased my own copy!
when I first read about King in "A favor for A favor" I already was interested and charmed my him. King was the good boy how loves his milk:) he was loyal to his friends.
So I was really looking foreword to read more about him.
I read the book in one sitting, I was so into the book that my day went by without me notching. For me this is the definition of a great book.
The story starts when A boy meets A girl, boy and a girl get drunk and spend the night together.
Good start right? But what happens when you see your one night stand at your work place?
The story was rainbow of emotions for the readers and for the characters.
Queenie- with her life been a mass- trying to figure out herself, she had the strength to start over.
King- with his family drama.
The book was everything I wished for and more, it was funny,sexy, the characters had real life problems and the have dealt with them, as a reader I could relate to them.
King is my favorite male character in this series and i`m super excited about the book for Lavender :)
5 Stars!
Ryan Kingston grew up in Tennessee, and has always been polite, respectful, and big on manners and morals. Hockey is his passion, and he’s lucky to be living his dream playing professionally. He’s a goalie for an NHL team in Seattle, and is the team’s levelheaded golden boy with the wholesome image. He’s a rule follower who always does the right thing. He rarely drinks alcohol, and doesn’t do one night stands. Then he finds out his life has been one big lie after another. He acts a little out of character, and shares an unforgettable evening with a gorgeous stranger by the name of Queenie. She was his opposite in every way, and the next day she’s gone. He has no way to contact her, and thinks he won’t see her again. Six weeks later she turns up at a team meeting, and he learns she’s his general manager’s daughter.
Queenie Masterson is a feisty, reckless, impulsive 24 yr. old woman that some may say is a handful. Lately everything’s a mess, and she’s trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life. She’s been let down and disappointed a lot, and the only person she can truly count on is her dad. She’s moved back to Seattle to be closer to him, and while there unexpectedly meets a guy that she has insane chemistry with. He seems like a genuinely good guy, but she’s not in a place where she can handle complications, so she can only commit to one night. Then their paths cross again and that crazy attraction is still there. She hasn’t forgotten about him, and realizes she wants this beautiful man, but he’s off limits because of his connection to her father. Soon he becomes too much of a temptation to resist, and they both grow tired of fighting the pull between them. He’s calming, and she’s chaos, but they just work. She makes him lose control, but he fully embraces her wild, passionate soul. She’s turned his world upside down, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. Will he eventually work his way into her heart, or will secrets threaten to destroy them?
A Secret For A Secret (All In, #3) by Helena Hunting is a sexy, forbidden, sports romance that’s flirty, fun, and full of emotion. Kingston is dreamy, swoony perfection! This milk drinking, khaki-wearing Boy Scout completely stole my heart!!!
Wow! The dynamics of these two! This was everything I love in a read. The characters just took my heart on a amazing ride. I loved the chemistry between these characters and the storyline was just so touching I couldn’t put it down! The ending gave me tears and All The Feels! Another must read.
These opposites attract in all the right ways when a wild child falls for a milk drinking, door opening, extra-polite Boy Scout who unleashes a very dirty man when he takes his clothes off. And although the chemistry is sizzling between them, there is more than their heat that burns between them. But will the secrets they are keeping, tear them apart or bind them forever?
We have a new King and Queen in the romance world and you do not want to miss their story!
Received a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review.
3.5-3.75 stars. This was a pretty good book. Queenie is the daughter of the general manager of a pro hockey team. She recently lost her job and is forced to move into her dad's guest house and get a job as his assistant. Ryan Kingston is a pro hockey player on the team. He and Queenie meet at a bar and don't know who each other are. They trade secrets with each other and get rip roaring drunk. They have a sloppy makeout session before passing out. They are shocked to later meet again at work. As they are forced to spend time together, they find a continued attraction, which leads to a relationship. They have a lot of drama and baggage to get through but eventually they get an HEA.
I liked this story. It was interesting and held my attention. But I will say I didn't connect as much with this book as I did with the others in this series. Queenie and Kingston were pretty good characters, but not my favorites by Ms. Hunting. I just found Kingston a little too odd. He always wore the same clothes - a white polo shirt and khakis. He was stammering and embarrassed around Queenie for much of the book. He did turn more alpha in the bedroom, but he was just one of those guys that's a little too nice, otherwise. He was a "boy scout" of a guy, perfectly nice and supportive. On the other hand, Queenie was a bit of mess. Her personal life and her home were often a disaster. I didn't feel a ton of chemistry between them, but I did eventually feel the love and sweetness between them. This book is full of drama from outside forces. Both of them had ex-BF/ex-GF drama. There is drama in the press. Both of them had mommy issues and Queenie had daddy drama. She also had past relationship baggage to get over before she could move on with Kingston. It was just a bit much all in one book. Still, I liked the book in general. There was a good story and good writing. Queenie and Kingston had some sweet, funny and sexy moments. I was glad that they weathered their problems and came out stronger together. I was happy with where they ended up by the end of the book. They were happy and in love.
Overall, this was a good book, if not my favorite in the series. I liked Queenie and Kingston's relationship progression. I also enjoyed the glimpses of other characters from the series. I look forward to more from Ms. Hunting in the future!
4.5 Rules to Be Broken Stars
* * * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
We have heard over and over again, opposites attract. When there is an agreement over the ages about something like this, it is no surprise when it turns out to be true. Helena Hunting took this idea and made it one of the core meanings in A Secret for a Secret.
Ryan Kingston, the goalie for Seattle's NHL team, is trying desperately to get drunk. He has lined up numerous potent drinks and is struggling to down any of them.
Were they made incorrectly-nope
Were they not tasty-nope
They were perfectly fine. The problem was that Kingston wasn't a drinker. The only drink he indulged in was...Milk, gallons of it. So as he sat at the bar, taking sips of these drinks, it was like he was taking medicine and the medicine was going to get him what he needed...A Blinding, Solid Drunk.
Queenie Masterson is after the same results, however, she has no problem downing two martinis one right after the other. She is sitting next to King and wonders out loud why he has all these drinks in front of him. King, introduces himself as Ryan, why, he has no idea, and proceeds to say he learned a secret about his life today and wants to just forget about everything. Queenie, understanding exactly that feeling and shares with Ryan she too has had a terrible day and has another secret to share.
Both look at each other and at that moment decide to share a secret for a secret. They tell what has been the deepest, darkest thing that is giving them this pain, and the telling is liberating. It also binds them and Queenie decides to guide Ryan into having shots, and then see where things go.
Well, They Go Extremely Well, Thank You Very Much. Ryan wakes, hungover barely able to get out of the bed, and looks for Queenie. Unfortunately, all that is left of this amazing, sensual, amazing woman is a post-it note telling him thanks, but no telephone number for him to follow up.
This is really disappointing because Ryan wanted to go out with Queenie and get to know her better. She had this energy, nothing like his normal vibe. She was like an exploding star, bright and shiny. As he remembers their time together, how intense and clearly very different from his time with his ex-girlfriend for the past years, Ryan cannot put it aside.
Which is very unusual for Ryan. Ryan has always been able to compartmentalize things, yet Queenie keeps seeping into his head. She is there when he goes through his numerous routines. His cleaning up, his exact driving, and organized eating pattern directed by his phone alarms.
Ryan isn't the only one who has had thoughts about the sexy time they shared. Queenie has spent many a night reliving the dirty, filthy things this conservatively dressed hunk of a man did...yes, he left quite an impression.
Queenie is back in Seattle because she has returned home to try to figure out her life. It seems Queenie hasn't been able to get herself on a path for some time now. Queenie, being 24, felt it was time to be settled, have her career on track. She should not be starting a new position as her father's personal assistant. As the General Manager of the Hockey team, her dad had always had an assistant, so the position made sense. It just frustrated Queenie that once again, she ran to her dad to help her and she felt she should be doing more.
It is the first day of the new season for Ryan and as the team is gathered to go through the usual meetings, talks from the GM and Coaches, he sees this beautiful woman with her back to him and the team. When she turns, he is shocked to see the bedmate he has been dreaming of...there right in front of him. After a couple of worries about her relationship with the GM, it turns out she is his daughter.
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...
And Queenie is just as shocked because her dad asked her to not get involved with any of the people involved with the team, on the ice and off.
This is the perfect set up and if this story was about this conflict only, it would entertain. But Helena Hunting took it to another level involving multiple layers of conflicts and cray cray. We have both of them wanting to be with each other but fighting their desires because of the dad.
We have Ryan's family and all of their insanity, Hannah not included. There are ex's popping up and causing all sorts of things. Through it all, though, you have Ryan standing right beside Queenie supporting when she thinks she doesn't deserve it. He is what she needs and she is everything he never knew he wanted.
This story took me by the hand, told the story of Still Waters Run Deep...and just because a guy wears khakis and polo shirts, don't assume he is all J. Crew and not hiding an alpha beast underneath.
I do not know if this is it for this series. I think for sure a little novella may be coming for Queenie's dad...if not, Ms. Hunting...hint hint...just sayin' there is something there...
Helena know how to bring the laughs and feels in her books!
A Secret for a Secret is the final book in the All in Series and following Kingston and Queenie. What can I say about King....... you know the saying a Gentleman and the streets and a wolf in the sheets is the perfect description. Kingston; milk drinker, speed follower and all around Boy Scout!
Queenie a little lost and a complete whirlwind, and just what Kingston needs . These two compliment each other like pineapple and olives.
We get to see some old favorites from the Series and of course what would a Helena Hockey book be without Alex and Violet. You will laugh... at times uncontrollably, and cringe for the predicament our characters get into!
This book is the 3rd in a series of interconnected standalones. The chemistry between the main characters is very enthralling and for those invested in the series this will not disappoint. The depth of the character development is impressive and believable, the build of the story is steady and not rushed. I would recommend this title to any who enjoy romance.
A Secret for a Secret is an opposites attract love story with a crazy cast of characters and lots of steam! Hunting brings us back to Seattle for Ryan's story.
Ryan is an alter boy-always does the right thing, doesn't like alcohol, and definitely doesn't do one night stands. Queenie is a party girl-she is as free spirited as they come, and has no problems with casual sex. The fact that these two have chemistry is undeniable. However, Queenie leaves after their tryst with nothing more than a post it note.
I liked these two as a couple! The both help each other be brave in different ways. They really are the ying to the other's yang. Overall, the story is low angst, which I really appreciate! You also get cameos from the previous couples in the series, and I love that too. Finally, the story has a touch of forbidden romance because Queenie's father, the general manager, is NOT okay with players dating his daughter. Since Ryan is such a good guy, this is a challenge for him, but he is willing to do what it takes to be with Queenie.
A Secret for a Secret will delight fans of Huntings books because you get the same witty banter, steamy sex, and laughs throughout!
3.5 stars!
I loved Ryan and Queenie! I really enjoy Helena's books because their all so different and suck me in each time. Her Pucked series is what got me hooked on her books. I love seeing older characters pop up in books.
Helena Hunting is the Queen of hilarious hockey romances that get you right in the feels. King and Queenie are pure magic, and so relatable. I've been waiting for King to get his book since then first book of the series, and it was well worth the wait. King and Queenie balance each other out perfectly, she brings a bit of chaos to his order and rules, and he centres her. I'm so sad this series is over now, but it was fantastic to see glimpses of mich loved characters from the Pucked series, and I cannot wait for Lavender to get a book! A must read.
I am truly in love with this series and all of the wonderful people that have materialized from Helena's imagination. Our straight laced goalie Ryan Kinston caught my attention in the last book and I so could not wait to see what may be hidden under that polo and khakis. Oh Queenie , I absolutely feel in love with your spirit and sass.
When a chance meeting in a bar turns into no last names, chemistry, passion and secrets ….this is going to be very interesting !
When these two meet again the circumstances are so different and Queenie wants to prove her worth to the team and her family but King has other plans. Get ready to be wooed and courted Queenie. Ryan Kingston is on his A game on and off the ice.
Get ready for a swoon worthy romance filled with laughter, passion and so much fun!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Ryan Kingston... I stan for you, I swoon for you, you are EVERYTHING. You sweet, sexy rule following/by the book man.But don’t worry ladies, he’s still an alpha through and through and you’ll be puddle on the floor by him because he will melt your heart.
<b> “You may need to set some parameters for me, my queen, so I know how out of control I’m allowed to get here” </b> gahh!!! How sexy can he get?!
The relationship between King and Queenie is oh so sweet. With instant chemistry 💣Queenie completely flipped Ryan’s world upside down and he’ll never look back. Queenie is witty, adventurous, fun, loving, sweet, and just so perfect at bringing King out of his shell. King becomes enthralled with her, protective of her, but yet still so loving and understanding. A alpha you’ll be sure to swoon over.
This book has everything you could want, it packs humor, at times I had to put the book down I was laughing so much. It has sweetness that will just fill your heart up, steaminess, ladies you’ll be blushing🔥. Add a little bit of angst, and of course a HEA and you have your perfect stand-alone Hockey romance! Helena knocked it out of the park with this one! I absolutely adored this book 💜
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book (given by the author through Netgalley)...
This is Kingston’s story.
Okay I really enjoyed this story especially Kingston and his Boy Scout ways; then we have Queenie who calls herself a cyclone of impulse who really was just trying so hard to make her father happy. Now it must be stated that Queenie’s father, Jake, loves his daughter and always puts her first, but to Queenie she feels like she ruined her father’s life which is not true.
Queenie and King have a spark since their first meeting and, unfortunately, for our couple that spark only intensified. I loved everything about this book because this book was steamy, sweet and hilarious; the perfect scene to show this is the strawberry milkshake incident. King and his Queen compliment each other in the best way and of course their crazy group of friends make things more enjoyable, Violet and Bishop for the win!
I didn’t want this book to end! Perhaps we will get a books on Jake and maybe King’s momster, Hanna.
“No place I’d rather be than the eye of your storm.”
I have been anticipating this final book in this series. I was very curious how she was going to make a sweet, straight & marrow Kingston into a swoon hero. But never doubt Helena she is the master. My favorite part of this book was getting to meet all the Baby Puck, I truly cant wait for their stories.
Queenie is the exact opposite to King which is what makes them work. Plus the chemistry is epic. I laughed so many times with this book. Queenie really is a storm. I lost it with a certain allergic reaction scene. Holy cow! I was uncomfortable and amused all at the same time.
Thank you for so many brilliant one liners. This group of characters are all so perfectly brilliant. I don’t want to ever live in a world without people like Violet or Bishop.
This book and King’s surprisingly dirty mouth are everything! I will always devour anything you write Helena! The King and Queen have spoken!
Ryan Kingston is the guy you dream about as a little girl when you play princess. He’s also the guy you dream about as an adult when you play naughty. It takes a pretty special man to be both. He is that man.
Helena Hunting has a unique ability to create characters that you fall in love with from the first time they grace the page of the book. Ryan Kingston and Queenie Masterson are no different. If anything, they grabbed me sooner. And honestly, that doesn’t make any sense. So that tells you something.
This book was gripping, funny, sexy, and sweet. All the things that make me unable to stop reading until the book is over, regardless of how much sleep I miss. From the small glimpses of King in the prior book in the All In series, I knew I was going to love him. I was right. He is the perfect mix of Boy Scout and freak, and the only woman who could have brought out both sides was Queenie. Her chaos to his calm was what brought the beauty of their relationship to the forefront.
The friendship these two formed before the physical...I mean aside from that one time...was what made them so lovable. You could seriously feel their want through the pages, the fight they put themselves through to maintain their ‘safe’ relationship.
I will never get enough of these characters, these series, and the love that pours from the pages.