Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>One Last Secret</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>One Last Secret</i> by Adele Parks presents itself as a psychological thriller, but unfortunately falls short of delivering on its promises. While the premise holds potential, the execution lacks the necessary depth and suspense to truly engage the reader.

<h4>The Details</h4>

What could have been a gripping exploration of the complexities of human relationships instead feels shallow and contrived.

One of the biggest issues with <i>One Last Secret</i> is its lackluster character development. The protagonist is thinly drawn with a lack depth, making it difficult for readers to become emotionally invested in their fate. As a result, the dramatic twists and turns of the plot fall flat, failing to elicit any real sense of suspense or tension.

Additionally, the pacing of the novel leaves much to be desired. The story meanders along at a sluggish pace, with long stretches of exposition and dialogue that do little to advance the plot or build tension. As a result, the book feels overly long and drawn out, making it a chore to get through rather than a gripping page-turner.

Furthermore, the resolution of the central mystery feels unsatisfying and rushed, with key plot points left unexplained and loose ends left dangling. Instead of tying up the narrative threads in a satisfying manner, the ending feels abrupt and anticlimactic, leaving readers with more questions than answers.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>One Last Secret</i> is a disappointing and forgettable read that fails to deliver on its promise of suspense and intrigue. While Adele Parks may have had a compelling premise to work with, the execution ultimately falls short, resulting in a lackluster and unsatisfying reading experience. Readers looking for a truly gripping psychological thriller would be better off looking elsewhere.

I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. The author did a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!

This book was great but kind of sad and I truly felt for Dora. I found it to be a quick and easy read that I truly couldn't put down. 5 stars!!

I liked several parts of this book. The story in itself was heartbreaking, and showed how hard life can be no matter how hard you try. There was an underlying foreboding feeling that kept me invested. My misgivings came when Dora travelled to France for a last job. When the revelation came, it seemed a bit far-fetched. Also, some chapters were too long and maybe not necessary. I liked one of the twists but not the last.

Book Review:
Title: One Last Secret
Author: Adele Parks
Rating: ⭐️/1 star

Does anyone else grab large print books from the library when their available just to give your eyes a break? Just me? Must be a middle-aged type of thing 🤣🤷‍♀️. I had high hopes for this one as Parks is usually a pretty decent suspense writer. It was okkkkkay. Kinda all over the place. I did listen to a lot of this one audiobook as I was working, so I may have been a tad distracted throughout. I have read other reviews stating confusion and seemingly missing pieces, soooooo.....?

Theodora is a sex worker/escort who takes on a last-minute client even though she's technically "retired" after getting engaged to her best friend, Evan. She promised him she'd be done but this offer is really too good to refuse and she swears it will be her very last one. The client, Daniel, is one she has worked with for months, and he needs a favor of her. He needs Dora to act as his girlfriend at the celebration party of a colleague where his married crush will also be attending? Okay? This is a no-sex required offer, so Dora doesn't feel as bad deceiving Evan. But things get super weird and super confusing, and wtf did I just read? Then we go back eleven years, which makes everything even worse, and at this point, the train is off the tracks, and can this book just end? So yea, I'm not super impressed, and I still have no idea what the book was really about.

Published: December 27th, 2022

Thank you, @netgalley and @_mira_books_ , for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was quite an entertaining domestic thriller with lots of twists and turns.

Dora is an escort and is quite pragmatic about her job and her life. Her exposure to luxury has always created a longing within her soul, but her hopes and dreams have been dashed by a series of bad choices and horrible luck. Earning a living the way she has done affected her outlook on the future but changing anything seems daunting. Until she’s beaten badly while servicing a client. Despite everything, it seems that someone does love her and it’s time to give it all up for wedded bliss. But first, she has accepted one last call to pose as the girlfriend of a long time client. No spoilers.

This was fast and fun and easy to read in a single setting as I had a hard time putting it down. I actually liked the narrator, Dora, with alol her inner musings. Sure, some of the crazy stuff that happens in France seemed to stretch my credulity but I just went with it. The climax was a bit surprising and yes, I did hope it would all turn out OK for Dora.

I’ve not read any other books by this author, but I definitely liked the writing style and the careful plotting. I’ll look for additional titles in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mira for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. Keep in mind that this book is about escorts, AKA prostitutes, and that lifestyle.

"One Last Secret" by Adele Parks is a gripping novel that is a bit of a slow burn to start. The narrative is primarily set in the present, but there are flashbacks that provide crucial insights into the characters' pasts. These flashbacks are integral to the plot, but their introduction can be a bit jarring. In my experience, the transition to the 11-year flashback was not as smooth as it could have been. As someone who was switching between the ebook and audiobook, this sudden shift in time and perspective was confusing and momentarily disrupted the flow of the story. I found myself questioning if I had the correct audiobook on and had to go back and find my place in the book. I was enjoying the book up to the 11 year flashback but I seemed to lose interest from that point on.

I enjoyed this book. It started out strong. At first I liked Dora. She was unapologetic about her life and was trying to make a new life for herself. Then things went off the tracks. She makes many bad decisions and the last few chapters get crazy!

First of all, let me say tha I really enjoy reading anything Adele Parks writes, so fair disclaimer. Secondly, despite how the reader personally feels about sex work and sex workers, I think Ms Parks did a fantastic job of humanizing them, and I think that's something all readers can appreciate. Third of all- this book did a great job of NEVER taking the route I expected it to take. I felt such empathy for Teodora, despite her career and her choices, so I was genuinely rooting for her the entire book. Don't want to give anything away, but I was satisfied with the conclusion, and had a fun time getting to that conclusion. Have already recommended this book, and plan to continue to do so!

Synopsis:

Dora is an escort who has just gotten engaged and decided to leave her work in the past, when she gets a call from a former client for one last job at a beautiful chateau in the south of France. She has to play the role of Daniel's girlfriend. When Dora gets to the chateau, she realizes nothing is what it seems. She finds herself face-to-face with a man she has never forgotten, the one man who really knows her. As old secrets resurface, she realizes that one last secret could cost her her life.

Review:

This is one of those books where you are screaming at the book telling the MC to stop for a second and PLEASE RECONSIDER!! It was so frustrating to see Dora doubting herself and doing things she really didn't want to, nor should be doing. It got her into a lot of trouble. It was an interesting (albeit potentially unrealistic) look at how the uber wealthy might live. There were lots of twists and turns, which made it a very enjoyable read!

Thanks to Mira book for my eGalley!

I will forever be obsessed with Adele Parks. She can do no wrong! Another great thriller! This one may replace my favorite " I Invited Her In".

One Last Secret by Adele Parks is a thriller full of secrets! The characters are on a weekend getaway where hidden tensions escalate and long-held secrets threaten to destroy relationships. Each character has their own motivations and skeletons in the closet. However, the plot twists and revelations were missing details and it didn't seem to flow. I kept finding myself needing breaks from this book because it wasn't grabbing my attention as much as other fast paced thrillers.

Dora is a smart and discreet escort/sex worker who is in high demand. She is very particular about who she takes on as a client and when one of her favourites, Daniel, recommends her to someone, she accepts. He is a nasty man and beats her quite badly. She decides it is time to leave the business, and ends up getting engaged to her best friend, Evan. When she gets a call from Daniel to work one last job, she agrees with conditions. She is just pretending to be his girlfriend while they go on a weekend getaway with a group of his friends and acquaintances, there will be nothing else. Once they arrive at the chateau in the south of France, things start to happen and Dora realizes that she needs to leave as soon as she can. She begins to have memory lapses, she hears conversations that she questions and is sure that one of the men is the one that assaulted her. What is going on? Can she safely get back home?

I really liked Dora. The story is told from her POV, and we also get some of her past which made her situation more understandable. She was not ashamed of what she did and always stood up for the fact that it is just her job, it doesn't make her less or dirty. She has finally found what she wants out of her life and I wanted it for her too, but agreeing to this last job because it paid really well, was not the best decision she ever made. As the reader, I knew something was hinky, but she didn't have that information. Things pick up and the story moves quickly with Dora being confused and frightened. There are some twists to the story and of course, past secrets come back to haunt her. I figured out who was after Dora about halfway in, but a lot of details still eluded me. In perfect Adele Parks fashion, there is a couple of final twists that had me smiling and nodding This story included an epilogue that had me a bit disappointed which is why I only gave this one 4 stars. There is some disturbing subject matter in the story, including physical assault and rape so if those are triggers for you, you may want to bypass this book. I enjoyed reading this book, so recommend it to those who enjoy a psychological thriller.

Dora is a high-end call girl desperate to put the life behind her, but decides to take one last job with someone she trusts.
What follows is a twisty, winding road with a not completely surprising reveal along the way in the exact kind of page-flipping, engaging tale readers can depend on from Adele Parks.

you are taken on the journey of her life, her struggles, decisions how she got to where she is now. A high class escort. You respect how this is a choice that allows her the financial freedom to support herself and keep herself and her family cared for. I really enjoyed this read - if you like a good thriller where you stay up late (or early) to see what happens next you will not be disappointe

I haven't turned my tv on in over a week.

This girl does not have even one regret about that decision.

Instead, I have been reading some back to back incredible books and my mind has been blown. There is nothing better than some fabulous weather and a book you can throw yourself right into.

I love Adele Parks . Just My Luck, Lies Lies Lies, and Woman Last Scene, were amongst some of my favorites BUT after reading One Last Secret, this one instantly became my most favored of all.

This book is absolutely insane! Revenge, Lies, Deceit! I mean, yes, please!!!

Jam packed with wild twists and turns, you will never be able to put this one down and you won't want to!

Check out this teaser :

Everyone has secrets, don’t they?

One last client

A week at a beautiful chateau in the south of France—it should be a straightforward final job for Dora. She’s a smart, stunning and discreet escort, and Daniel has paid for her services before. This time, all she has to do is to convince the assembled guests that she is his girlfriend. Dora is used to playing roles and being whatever men want her to be. It’s all about putting on a front.

One last chance

It will be a last, luxurious look at how the other half lives before Dora turns her back on the escort world and all its dangers. She has found someone she loves and trusts. With him, she can escape the life she’s trapped in. But when Dora arrives at the chateau, it quickly becomes obvious that nothing is what it seems…

One last secret

Dora finds herself face-to-face with a man she has never forgotten, the one man who really knows her. And as old secrets surface, it becomes terrifyingly apparent that one last secret could cost Dora her life…

From the Sunday Times number one bestseller Adele Parks comes a blisteringly provocative novel about power, sex, money and revenge.

This is my first Adele Parks book, but will not be my last.. I’m surprised I haven’t read one of her books yet because wow this book had me hooked from the beginning, and held my attention till the shocking end.that I never saw coming it literally made my jaw drop. I don’t want to give too much away. It is fast paced with lots of twists and turns, a well written book I definitely felt Dora’s pain the tragic circumstance that threw her life into a free fall, I definitely felt her pain and could sympathize with her character. I highly recommend this book for fans of thrillers 📕
The ARC was provided by the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to thank both NetGalley and
the publisher, Harper Collins Canada,
Release Date December 22, 2022

This one was so far-fetched, but oh so addictive. Lots of crazy twists and some disturbing content. Overall, an interesting read.

One Last Secret by Adele Parks took me on quite a ride. I didn’t know what to expect at any given time, and I like that in a thriller. In fact, I usually don’t like super-gonzo twists, but in this case, the ones that occurred were just plausible enough to keep them from being too over-the-top. Dora was an interesting character, hardened by life but still caring enough to help a friend out – at her own peril. The author carefully chooses when to reveal another piece of Dora’s puzzle so that it coincides with what is occurring in the present narrative.

I didn’t really guess any of the twists (except for what was going on at the chateau – and even then, I was only partially right). The last third of the book – where everything starts to come together – was definitely a roller coaster. I didn’t know what to expect at any given point, and (as I mentioned) the twists were just believable enough to be entertaining. I would definitely recommend One Last Secret and will continue to look for more from Adele Parks. **For more reviews, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews**

It may have taken me a while, but boy does it feel good to finally have read a novel by Adele Parks! One Last Secret intrigued me immediately with the conversational writing style and the fact that Dora is an escort, but as the story goes on it just gets better and better. I found myself a little confused at one point, but I quickly set myself straight and I just couldn't wait to get to the end to find out what would happen. I thought the book was almost done and then I still had 3 hours of the audiobook left, and I think that just goes to show it doesn't have some quickly wrapped-up ending. Parks takes the time to fully get through things and the twists were a total doozy. You may think you have it figured out, but my guess is that you won't! I sure didn't.

I thought the audiobook was nicely done, and Kristin Atherton was a great narrator who I thoroughly enjoyed listening to. Dora is in her early 30s and to me, Atherton sounded much older than that, but I also never would have guessed Dora's age unless it was said in the book. She felt like an older character to me and for that reason, I thought Atherton was the perfect fit voice-wise. This is a slow burner for the most part, but the story gets crazy wild, so hang onto your horses! I would recommend One Last Secret to readers that enjoy domestic suspense, revenge, and healthy doses of uniqueness. I couldn't get behind some of Dora's decisions which seemed silly compared to how she is in the rest of the book, but I was here for all the rest.