A smashing hit that leaves me yearning for more
The room temp just raised about ten degrees
Hush hush cuz I need to read this again

This book was amazing and I devoured this book in just a few sittings! I loved the character development and how the story progressed.

A new author to me I haven't checked out in the past Lucia Franco. Hush Hush which is book #1 in the Hush Hush Duet. The storyline of this book has very spicy streamy content so be aware. I enjoyed the storyline for the most part and some of the character.

Thank you Net Galley for a copy of this book!

Holy s*&t balls. What a ride this was!

4.5 stars.
3.5 spice.

This was my first escort/client and age gap book, and it did not disappoint.

I laughed, I was heartbroken, and there may or may not have been tears. Ok yes I had tears of joy and heartbreak!

This book started off with so much spice, a good friendship and laughs. I felt the middle just lacked something that i cant quite put my finger on. But, the ending, OMG. I couldn't have thought of a better ending.

Looking forward to reading the sequel.

I have posted this review on Instagram, Good Reads, and Amazon.

I first read Hush Hush a year and a half ago and I loved it even more the second time I read it. Lucia Franco does age gap / taboo better than anyone. Aubrey is a character fighting for her place in the world, coming from nothing with very few people in her life. It’s a story that sticks with you long after. I’m going to go follow it up next with Say Yes, I’m not done with Aubrey and James! Thank you so much for the ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Page & Vine.

This is a captivating romance with an age-gap dynamic. The story revolves around Aubrey, a young woman who joins New York City's high-stakes escort scene and falls for James Riviera, a man she shouldn't desire. Their secret relationship, characterized by passion and concealment, tests their loyalty and sense of self. I enjoyed how the book depicted the opulent and hedonistic lifestyle of the wealthy, and the chemistry between Aubrey and James was intense. The story is filled with unexpected emotional developments, making it difficult to stop reading. While some of Aubrey's choices are controversial, the book's authenticity and complexity kept me engaged. This is a must-read for fans of intense, forbidden romance.

This story had me hooked so bad and I loved every moment of it. I felt all the highs and lows of the characters and wanted to scream at a couple of them because I was just so sucked into this story. This had all the feels of a romance but with all the spicy that you could want and need from this genre.

This was my first book from Lucia Franco, but I’ve seen her books advertised with rave reviews and after reading the blurb for Hush Hush I was hooked. I mean Pretty Woman meets Fifty Shades of Grey! Why wouldn’t you want to read that mash up! Unfortunately, for me this book was one of those ones that just didn’t live up to the hype. I loved the premise of the story even though the age gap between the hero and heroine was a little too gappy for me, she was barely twenty one while he was knocking on fifty but he was a tatted up silver fox so I could make allowances but still, anything where the gap makes the man old enough to be the woman’s father is generally a big no and the more I read, the more he came across as being manipulative and slightly sleazy. But where this book really fell flat was with the heroine Aubrey. She was completely unlikeable with no endearing qualities whatsoever and went down the escort route because it was an easy option even as she told herself it was for her dear old grandma’s sake. If that was supposed to redeem the character in the eyes of readers, it didn’t work for me. Did I finish this book? Yes, but it was a struggle. I did feel it turned into a bit of sex fest and could probably have been condensed and concentrated a bit more on the actual story.

Absolute WOW!!!
Franco is a new to me author and I could not put this read down.

Full of emotion, angst and drama, it was a journey seeing Aubrey make the decision that could change everything.

The chemistry throughout this book was sc0rching hot! I adored the ride. It was unforgettable

Lucia Franco can write a book that grabs your attention and won't let you go. I laughed, gasped, and cried while reading this book. I didn't want to put it down and read late into the night, or rather early morning hours. The only thing is that I hated the cheating that happened by the main characters. Ugh. But I ugly cried for them. I was completely invested. Loved the ending and definitely want more. Hopefully I can read book two soon.

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC. This is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Free spirited college girls get sucked into the world of high priced escorts, and one gets a lot more than she expected. Quite the rollercoaster of feelings and challenges. Some common tropes woven together, and not for the prudish. A definite spice-driven tale.

I ended up dnfing this about half way through. I went into it blind and had no idea it had cheating in it or I wouldn’t have read it. I liked most of it up until that point but I can’t get past the cheating.

I wasn't sure how much I'd like this going into it, but I heard nothing but good things. Franco did not disappoint! I loved Aubrey and Nat. Honestly their friendship at the beginning gave me life. Franco's writing is easy to follow but more so it's very personal and it's so easy to fall into the story. To root for the characters and want nothing but the best for our girl. Plus, it takes place in NYC and being born and raised there I love seeing authors write their stories there. It feels so personal to me. The spice was fantastic. I laughed out loud; I clutched my pearls. Hush Hush takes you on a damn journey and every good thing people say about it is true!

This isn’t the usual book I’m into as it is quite spicy. It has a pretty woman meets a much darker story kind of vibe to it. I can’t really say too much without giving it away. I liked that it did have a good story line to go along with the spice.

This book was okay for me. I struggled to remain focused on the storyline and the characters weren’t my favorite. It was a pretty good plot overall, so I will be recommending to my followers.

This book made me feel SOOO many emotions! The spice, had me almost crying In the end and then relief that the book ended the way I wanted it too! I absolutely loved it!

Wow! Where do I start with this book? Described as Pretty Woman meets Fifty Shades of Grey - they wasn’t kidding! I absolutely loved this, couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for another instalment. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Best friends Natalie and Aubrey are college students who come from very different backgrounds. Aubrey works two pitiful paid jobs alongside a scholarship to put herself through college following the death of her parents, she also takes care of her Grammy who raised her. Natalie has a lavish lifestyle, a huge trust fund and a well paid job to support her high end lifestyle.

Natalie opens the door to her secret job which Aubrey believed to be a shot girl. Through much persuasion and testing, Aubrey signs up to the agency and begins receiving the same pay checks as Natalie, but there are some rules - never reveal your true identity! A client changes this for Aubrey and compromises everything… her friendship, her relationship, her dream - is this really love or money.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for a copy of Hush Hush Published May 2024

Diving into “Hush Hush” by Lucia Franco was like stepping into a world where the glitz of Manhattan’s elite meets the thrill of forbidden romance. As someone who adores the escapism that books offer, this novel was a delightful indulgence. It’s the story of Aubrey, a college student entangled in a seductive game of luxury and desire with the enigmatic James Riviera, a man she knows she should stay away from but can’t resist.

What I loved most about “Hush Hush” was the way Franco paints the lavish lifestyle with such vivid detail that you can almost feel the silk of designer gowns and the buzz of New York City nightlife. The chemistry between Aubrey and James is electric, their romance a dance on the edge of a razor-sharp line between passion and peril.

Franco’s writing is a cocktail of sharp wit and steamy scenes that kept me turning the pages faster than Aubrey falls for James. It’s a story that’s as much about self-discovery as it is about love, and it’s this blend that resonates with me. For anyone who follows my reviews, you know I have a soft spot for characters who are beautifully flawed and achingly real, and Aubrey is just that.

“Hush Hush” is a book that promises—and delivers—a getaway from the mundane. It’s a guilty pleasure, a secret shared between friends, and a reminder of the thrill of living life a little on the wild side. If you’re looking for a read that’s both fun and full of depth, this is the one to pick up. Trust me, it’s a journey worth taking.

I’m usually a thriller reader so this was different than my normal read but I felt drawn to it. Kept me wanting to read more. Very enjoyable I suggest it!

Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for the ARC of Hush Hush in exchange for an honest and independent review.

As a struggling college student living from paycheck to paycheck in order to support herself and her Grammy, Aubrey is juggling two dead end jobs just to make ends meet. Even though Aubrey is on a full ride scholarship to a New York university and her obscenely rich roommate, Natalie, is footing the bill for rent, every day is a struggle for her. Any excess money she does have goes to support her only living family member left, her Grammy who raised her. Aubrey is no stranger to the struggle that so often accompanies growing up in the tough suburbs of New York. Yet, she's determined to make a difference and change it all.

Even though her best friend comes from big money, Natalie has decided to make her way in the world. Aubrey's world is blown apart when she learns that Natalie is not the 'shot girl' she thought she was. Rather, Natalie pulls her into her world of underground luxury escorts to New York's highest society members. All you need to do really, is sell your soul. Before she knows it, Aubrey is pulling in thousands for just one meet up and is addicted to the money. Everything is going as expected, that is until Aubrey meets James, a 52 year old silver fox. Aubrey is immediately deeply attracted to everything that encompasses James and quickly finds herself in a tailspin teetering between lust and love. Aubrey knows she must protect her heart at all costs and that this world of big money and seduction won't last forever. Suddenly, Aubrey is presented with the offer of a lifetime that puts her immediately at risk of losing everything and everyone she holds dear. In a steamy love story that will keep you at the edge of your seat to the very end, you certainly won't be able to finish this one without a cold shower or four.

This is hands down the spiciest book I've picked up all year (and my first age gap romance novel) and I'm not sure I'll find anything that tops this one when assessing the spice level. I'll just come out and say it, it was essentially a full blown porno for most of the book. Let's be real here ;) While the storyline was intriguing and had quite the plot twist, my biggest critique was that I absolutely could not stand the main character. I felt as if the scenes were well written and the relationship and tension between Aubrey and James was palpable, I also hated every bad decision Aubrey made throughout the book (and trust me-there were A LOT). At some points it was hard to keep going because I honestly just wanted to slap some sense into Aubrey more than a time or two, but I do see why Lucia wrote her character the way she did.

All in all, if you're on the hunt for a scorching age gap romance novel, look no further. Hush Hush has everything you could have asked for and more on that front. Pro tip: I highly suggest not reading this one in public because you're guaranteed to produce some interesting facial expressions while reading :) Enjoy!