3.75 stars

Overall I think I enjoyed this one the most out of the Kasper Ridge series so far. This is down to a combination of enjoying the solid found family aspects, seeing the ski resort finally open, and Harrison and Penny’s relationship.

Being the third book of the series, the friendship group has already been solidly established and we know most of the characters. It was lovely to see the continuation of previous characters’ storylines, which rounded out the book in a cosy, heartwarming way.

Again in developing the overall story, it was great to see the resort open and how the characters dealt with this new normal. This also included the continued treasure hunt which has definitely been a highlight of this series for me.

Now onto Harrison and Penny’s story. Though there wasn’t anything particularly revelatory or heartstopping about their romance, I enjoyed it for the most part and especially their ending. It gave me all the warm happy feelings, which is ultimately what you want out of a romance. I thought they were a little quick to get together at the beginning however, and the miscommunications during the third act breakup frustrated me, which is why I’ve dropped the rating.

Generally though, I did really enjoy this and I had a good time reading it. I’m looking forward to continuing the series.

"Only a Secret" by Delancey Stewart is a captivating contemporary romance that explores the complexities of secrets, trust, and the power of love to overcome obstacles.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This is the first book I have read by this author and my impression is that it can be read as a standalone romance but it would be better to read the series in order to get to know the characters better. The resort setting is nice, described well, and perfect for the Christmas period of this book. The romance is complex as the characters have backgrounds that they are not completely open about, but the attraction, chemistry, and heat between them cannot be denied! The only disadvantage for me was the swearing, but this was not at a level to discourage me from enjoying or recommending this book.

Even coming late in the series, I totally enjoyed the camaraderie among the characters and the obvious resolution of the relationships of other couples. Reuniting to help some of their friends to renovate and reopen a family ski resort, these ex-fighter pilots bring a lot of ingenuity and technical expertise. Close to the grand opening, a high school friend comes to get away from L.A. An ex-child star of a tremendously popular sit-com has been victimized again and needs to hide out. There she meets one of the ex-pilots who has absolutely no idea of her history as he grew up outside of the United States. The story of their attraction and relationship always threated by the back story is well done and engaging.

Only a Secret is book three in the Kasper Ridge series, featuring a group of friends and family working to get an old ski resort back open again. Plus, there’s a big mystery weaved throughout the series (which is always fun!)

Only a Secret is book 3 of Kasper Ridge series which contains of 3 other books, they can be read as stand alone or as a series. If you read it chronologically you won't get any of the couples spoiled and it will be easier to keep track of all the characters. I had no problem reading it without having read the other books.

Only a Secret was a sweet winter story, and a good start to my christmas reading. The plotline was a bit predictable, especially the conflict and the ending. Personally I don't like it when the conflict is based too much on miscommunication, and at some points the secrets were unrealistic. The spice was nice, and written good. In spite of the predictability, the story was overall funny, sweet and I want to read the other books in the series to get the opportunity to get to know the other characters even more.

This is a new to me author.

The story follows Harrison a former fighter pilot and Penny a former child star. Harrison has been working at this friends new ski resort in Kasper Ridge. Penny fresh off another Hollywood scandal heads to Kasper Ridge to escape and stay with her childhood friend.

They meet, fall in love, all the things you love in a romance except Penny failed to mention she was a former star. Things fall apart and then a surprising and beautiful ending.

I really enjoyed this book. I would love to continue with the series.

These options are my own. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for my review

#OnlyaSecret
#NetGalley

This is the third installment of the Kasper Ridge series and features a grumpy/ sunshine age gap romance. It was a fun story to read and the characters were realistic and relatable. Both Penny and Harrison are trying to get away from something in their lives and want to make a fresh start and they end up in Kasper Ridge. Penny basically wanted to get away from the identity most people associated her with and wanted to go somewhere where no one knew of her past. When she meets Harrison, he has no idea who she is, and she wants to hold on to her secret as long as she can. Harrison is reserved and a bit socially awkward, but Penny is able to make him smile and laugh and they get along well and really like each other. He relaxes more around her, but when her past catches up with her, will their relationship change?
This was a well-written, entertaining story and a great addition to the series. Although I would recommend reading the whole series only because it's so great, no worries if you haven't, you can still read this as a standalone.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a complimentary copy. This is my voluntary a d honest review.

I really enjoyed reading Harrison and Penny journey. The two of them connected pretty quickly in this fun story with just the right amount of steam for me. This book is well written. I’ve read several by this author and will continue. It had good conflict to keep me reading to the end. You don’t have to read the books in order as they all stand alone, but I would recommend doing so because there is a mystery that goes throughout the series. All in all, a solid read!

3.5/5

Only a secret is the third book in the jasper Ridge series (though it says it the fourth one on Amazon but who knows.) Luckily you don’t need to read the first 2 books in the series to understand what is going on.

I enjoyed Penny and Harrison’s story, they are both coming to Kasper to get away from there past. Both feel comfortable around each other and like they can actually be themselves.

I enjoyed there search for the mysterious treasure and I look forward to reading more about it.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and on return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story, I completely understood both character's actions even when they didn't fully understand themselves. I realised partway through that this book belongs in the middle/end of a series, but it could be read as a standalone and I'm now going to read the other books in the series!

Through a grumpy vs sunshine themed whirlwind romance, we are whisked away yet again to the enchanting mountain town that is Kasper Ridge. In a continuation of a captivating series, we FINALLY get a peek inside of Braniac’s head, i.e. the man behind the scowl.

Penny and Harrison are both products of their environment. Having a Diplomat as a father with high expectations, Harrison spent most of his time in books and overseas. Focused on his career and achievements, Harrison expertise was in a classroom or in the cockpit. Unfortunately, those didn’t translate into people skills, putting a damper on plans for his future. Penny, on the other hand, was raised to be America’s sweetheart. A childhood actress, Penny parents saw her as a means of living the high life with very little effort. Trying and failing to have control over her life, Penny is delivered unwanted expectations and scandal like consequences. Wanting to simply be herself and not a headline, Penny retreats to a small town in Colorado to ride out her latest blow-up. Their two worlds quickly collide when a mutual friend of Lucy’s brings Penny to the resort to meet the rest of the gang. Infatuation at first site, Harrison is immediately drawn to a Penny and their growing attraction quickly launches this sweet, yet steamy tale straight out the gate. The question, how long is the past willing to be silenced before it gets its claws into the present.

What I liked about this book: I absolutely love learning more and more about these guys! I do not believe in any way that these books are standalone as the over arching treasure hunt story is weeded throughout each one. In the quick read, the hunt is concluded only for Harrison to give a gleamer of hope that it has only yet begun, paving the way for the next story (we have three more eligible bachelors on the ridge so we can only guess who will be next). My favorite was Sasquatch’s dog Roscoe! Those two were definitely the comedy relief. Penny and Harrison’s story was heartwarming and so sincerely sweet. Each person just trying to find a happy ending, they were the ying yang of the group. In previous stories, Delancey wrote her female characters to be strong, independent, and thriving in a male dominated world. In this book, Penny looked at Lucy and Monroe as role models, the ideal woman she wanted to be, giving her the strength and courage to take ownership of her life. Having tried and failed in the past, Harrison becomes the missing piece of safety and security that she needed to make that happen. On the other side, Penny is able to penetrate Harrison’s stoic personality, shining a light of possibility on his severe lack of people skills. They don’t play games and their blunt and revealing honesty with each other puts the story into hyperdrive. As always, Delancey knows how to make the pages sweat and the intimate scenes between Harrison and Penny do not disappoint.

What I didn’t like about this book: Unlike the others books in the series, this one felt a little rushed and I had a little harder of a time getting into it. Part of the reason was the completely different approach with the female character. The other part was, again unlike the other books, we were taken out of the secluded town when Brainiac had to fly to Sacramento and Penny had to return to Los Angeles, bringing in more elements and players into the story - her mother, her agent, his new boss, etc. While it was pertinent to their story, it took some of the focus off the main characters.

A wonderful short read with insanely hot scenes, tender moments, and a swoon worthy couple, Only a Secret continues a story of a simple band of brothers (and sisters) finding happiness, love, and adventure.

Maybe it's that I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but I just couldn't get into this novel. The main characters came together too quickly and there was never any real drama to keep the pages turning.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Absolutely yes! I really enjoyed reading this novel. The characters were fun, it held my interest, and provided an escape from reality. I would definitely recommend!

Only a Secret is the third book in the Kasper Ridge series featuring Harrison and Penny. Harrison aka Brainiac is a stoic and sometimes grumpy former fighter pilot and not a people person but he finds himself completely at ease around Penny. Penny is a former child star trying to put her past behind her and find a new normal and Harrison was the first person Penny felt like she could be just Penny with. Penny and Harrison both felt the draw towards each other and their connection was unlike anything they ever experienced but do they have an expiration date or can they go the distance?

Each book is a stand-alone but they are best read in order because of the mysterious treasure they are searching for. The group is no closer to finding the mystery treasure even though they thought they were close this time around. Im excited to see where the series goes next and who gets their happily ever after.

Thank you @netgalley and @delanceystewart for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

I thought that this was a really good book that had a strong storyline.

It might only be a secret but that secret playa a big part in people’s lives.

I thought that the characters were really well developed and I loved their personalities and they had some great interaction. The book was romantic and a sexy read.

It is 4 stars from me for this one, I really enjoyed it – highly recommended!

In the third book in the series and Harrison who they also call brainiac also a former fighter pilot and also a professor who has taken time off. Now working at the lodge preparing for the opening he meets a woman who actually likes him.
Penny leaves Hollywood because another video has appeared on the internet and she needs to get away. Colorado with her friend is the place and she also helps with getting the lodge ready. When she meets Harrison they have an instant connection and it appears everything will work out between them. That is until her mother shows up and puts a kibosh with Harrison and then it all unravels when he figures everyone knew who she was but him. From there each needs to work on themselves and they both realize they want to be together they now must find a way It is A very good story and you find more out about the map and the treasure, overall a really good book.

I really liked the story between the two main characters, even sometimes i had a hard time relating with them as individuals, as a couple they make it so much sense. to me.

Maybe my review would be different if I had read the previous books in the series. As it stands, Penny and Harrison were likeable characters, but they each got on my nerves at time. The story started off well, but for me it faltered in the third act. I didn't think the introduction of another trope towards the end of the book was necessary, couldn't they have reunited without it? I also had an issue with the thread that used Sasquatch and his service dog as a point of humour (this also led me on a side trip to learn about American laws pertaining to service dogs). I'm still not sure if Sasquatch actually needed a service dog or was just abusing the system to rile up his friend; or if he needed one, people weren't taking him seriously and thus being resistant to accommodate his needs.

Thank you to Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for this ARC.

Only A Secret is the 3rd book in the Kasper Ridge series and this is just as good as the first two books. I loved Penny and Harrison, and they're story. Goes without saying, love all the side characters and they're banter. Can't wait to read more of this series!