Member Reviews
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. First off, I have to comment on the varying book covers. Don't let the shirtless male detour you; the romantic farm cover is properly fitting. Don't get me wrong, in true Lucy Score fashion, there is a shirtless male in the story, but the story centers around a family owned organic farm in the small town of Blue Moon. Summer spends a week on Carter's farm to write a feature story and a cute crush unfolds. If this was made into a romantic comedy for the big screen, I pictured Eva Mendes and Josh Lucas as leads.
Lucy Score’s “No More Secrets,” the first novel in the eight-book “Blue Moon” series, is a charming small-town romance set in Blue Moon Bend, New York. The story centers on Carter Pierce, an ex-Army Ranger who now runs Pierce Acres, an organic farm and orchard. After sustaining two bullet wounds during a tour in Afghanistan, Carter has left the military and is on a path to healing with the support of therapy, his family, and his close-knit community.
Summer Lentz, an associate editor at “Indulgence,” a prominent fashion magazine, is dispatched to Blue Moon to interview Carter about their farm-to-table initiative and uncover what sets Pierce Acres apart from other organic farms in the state. When Summer arrives, the chemistry between her and Carter is immediate and palpable. However, Carter remains guarded and mistrustful, requiring Summer to earn his trust to complete her assignment.
As Summer immerses herself in farm life and becomes acquainted with Carter’s family and the community, her feelings for him deepen. Despite their growing intimacy, Summer’s aspirations to become a managing editor and her personal health secret create significant obstacles in their relationship. She faces the difficult choice of whether to reveal her secret to Carter and decide between her future in New York City and her burgeoning connection in Blue Moon.
Score’s novel features colorful and memorable characters with distinctive names like Mai Tai and Rainbow. While the book touches on serious themes such as PTSD and the lasting impacts of war on Carter, the portrayal of these issues is relatively light. The community and farm life aspects of the story are particularly engaging.
However, the novel does have its shortcomings. The issue of sexual assault in the fashion industry is mentioned but not explored in depth. Although Summer stands up for herself in one instance, she does not escalate the issue, allowing the offending behavior to persist. Additionally, Summer’s significant medical secret is revealed very late in the story, and the resolution feels abrupt and overly tidy. The resolution of Summer’s career dilemma also seems unrealistically simplified, undermining the complexity of the choices she faces.
Thank you to Bloom Books, Lucy Score, and NeTGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Another Lucy Score! This book start with Summer, a journalist needing a story about farm life. And Carter, our mmc our farmer. Lucy Score knows how to write an eclectic town with such fun side characters, and this is no different! And such great banter. I love that both Carter and Summer have some of their own struggles. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the ending conflict, but that’s just me.
I’ve heard a lot of positives about Lucy Score, so I decided to try one. The main characters in No More Secrets are both very likable and just plain nice people. They both have problems that have held them back from serious relationships. Carter’s is PTSD and Summer’s is a health problem. He is a farmer, and she is a writer for a fashion magazine, covering an article about Carter’s Organic farming business. They form an intense relationship in less than a week, which was a little unrealistic, but the author made it pretty believable. The town of Blue Moon is intriguing, and Carter’s family make interesting supporting characters. I did have one problem with the book, and it may be because I’m an older reader. In the spicy, intimate scenes, the language the characters used was very unexpected for the character development. They were sweet, wholesome people who used horrible language in bed, especially Carter. It was jarring. Also out of character was some pretty heavy stuff they did during family gatherings. I love a good romance novel, including the “spice” but it has to be loving, and I wasn’t quite getting that vibe from those scenes. I was also wondering about the fact that the original printing was in 2016. Is it just re-released, or it almost feels like the icky language was added to reflect reader’s preferences now? Anyway, if you don’t mind that stuff it was a great story.
A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley, Lucy Score, and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for providing me with an ARC of No More Secrets in exchange for my honest review.
Lucy Score's No More Secrets is a delightful, quick read that serves up a sweet romance with endearing characters. The story centers around Carter and Summer, whose love story unfolds with charm and warmth. Carter’s role as a constant source of comfort and stability for Summer, especially given the myriad of challenges she faces, adds a grounding and heartfelt layer to their relationship.
One of the book's highlights is how Carter's presence becomes a sanctuary for Summer. His unwavering support and affection provide a solid foundation for their burgeoning relationship, making their connection both heartwarming and believable. The backdrop of farm life, with its focus on organic living, adds an interesting layer to the story and underscores the theme of authenticity.
However, the novel did have its drawbacks. The "insta-love" dynamic was a bit of a hurdle for me. It’s a trope that often feels rushed and can detract from the organic development of a relationship. I felt that the story would have benefited from a longer narrative, allowing for a more gradual development of Carter and Summer's romance and addressing some of the plot holes that emerged.
Despite these concerns, No More Secrets remains an enjoyable and engaging read. Lucy Score’s writing continues to captivate, and I will certainly be recommending this book to my friends and followers on Instagram. It’s a feel-good romance that will appeal to fans of sweet love stories and those looking for a charming escape.
I rate this book 4 stars, appreciating the sweetness of the story while recognizing areas where a bit more depth and development could have enhanced the overall experience.
I am a big fan of Lucy Score and this series. While this book wasn’t my favorite of the series, it still had well-developed characters and invoked both laughter and tears. Not as steamy as some of her other novels in the series, but still a winner. I highly recommend.
Absolutely loved this one! Lucy Score is a brilliant writer, and I couldn’t put this book down! I was hooked.
This was the perfect lakeside read. If you like your romance to be sweet and spicy, then go grab this one! I mean… a hot farmer!?! I absolutely loved all three Pierce brothers and I can’t wait to jump back into the town of Blue Moon Bend!
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I loved early Lucy Score. The way the character make you fall in love with them. The way you can fall in love with this new town. I loved reading every minute of Summer and Carter’s romance. My heart when their’s broken. I laughed when they laughed. I give the spice 2/5 it was there but not crazy. I prefer more but this on a Lucy Score level
If you're craving a small-town escape, this book is perfect for you. It follows city girl Summer Lentz as she visits Blue Moon Bend to write about farm life and meets Carter Pierce, a brooding farmer with a soft side. Their slow-burn romance, filled with witty banter, is both charming and heartwarming. If you enjoy small-town romances with a bit of spice, this book is for you.
Thank you, Lucy Score, Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the ARC.
Such a great comfort read. So cozy and so perfect for the season. I just love diving into these romances that you know are just going to make you feel good. I fell in love with the characters, the small town and the whole vibe. I truly loved this one.
If you're in the mood for a sweet escape to a quirky small town, Lucy Score's "No More Secrets" is for you. The book introduces us to Summer Lentz, a city girl who travels to smalltown Blue Moon Bend for a journalistic piece on farm life. Enter Carter Pierce—local farming hottie with a golden heart—who turns her assumptions upside down.
Lucy Score really knows how to keep things light and fun. The banter between Summer and Carter is adorable, and it’s hard not to root for them from the start. The town of Blue Moon is filled with all sorts of colorful characters who add a ton of charm and chuckles to the story.
I wasn’t a huge fan of how things progressed in the last 80% of the book. The whole third-act breakup and the twist that came out of nowhere felt a bit forced.
"No More Secrets" touches on some serious topics, and I think they're handled really well. Carter, a soldier back from duty, grapples with PTSD, and Summer faces her own health challenges. The way these issues are woven into the story adds depth to the characters' journeys.
Despite that, the book is a solid pick if you're into romances that mix humor and heart.
Thank you Netgalley for the copy featuring the stunning new cover!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lucy Score for an ebook in exchange for an honest review!
Rating: 4/5 Stars
This book was so fun! I love all of Lucy Score’s writing, and this one did not disappoint. I was able to binge right through it - very easy read!
This novel is a quintessential Lucy Score masterpiece, blending the best romance tropes that fans adore. With a brooding, scarred hero seeking solace in a small town and a spirited, determined heroine who challenges his walls, the story delivers all the feels. The push-and-pull dynamic, heartfelt moments of vulnerability, and a community of quirky matchmakers create the perfect backdrop for a slow-burn romance. It's everything you'd expect from a classic Lucy Score novel—full of warmth, wit, and irresistible chemistry.
Carter Pierce, a man scarred by his past and seeking solitude on his family farm in Blue Moon Bend, wants nothing to do with the bustling world outside. But when journalist Summer Lentz, a city girl with a sharp mind and designer wardrobe, arrives to interview him, she disrupts his carefully guarded peace. Despite his attempts to push her away, Summer's persistence begins to heal Carter in ways he never expected. As the two grow closer, they must confront the secrets that hold them back and decide if they can build a future together in this small town where everyone plays matchmaker.
Summer lives an exciting life in Manhattan. When she heads upstate to an organic farm for her magazine. She starts to wonder if her perfect life is so perfect. ARC from NetGalley.
I have read all of Score's more recent works but this was my first of the Blue Moon Series! I loved the town and community dynamics, the denim-obsessed goat named Clementine, and each and every character within. The plot was perfectly balanced between angst, spice, and suspense and I cannot wait to read Jax and Joey's story!
3.75 stars! No More Secrets had such Hallmark movie, Done and Dusted vibes...I adored the small-town farm aesthetic. It was light and romantic, literally the perfect fluffy rom-com.
I loved how fast-paced this book was, especially for a rom-com, the plot moved along well. I read it in one sitting on the airplane. While I liked both Summer and Carter, I did feel like both of their personalities were a bit one dimensional and could've been more developed. I also think their relationship could've contained more emotional depth, especially considering the trauma and emotional baggage both characters seemed to have. Not a big fan of the insta love either. And there were a lot of Hallmark movie cliches, though the cheesiness was kind of fun.
What stood out the most was the setting and the atmosphere. The author did a great job painting a vivid picture of the small town as well as the farm. I loved how the town felt like its own character. Desperately want to live there. I adored all of the side characters, and I'm so excited for everyone else's books! Especially Jax and Joey lol.
Thank you so much to Bloom Books for sending me an ARC of No More Secrets. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)
Blue Moon just seems like top notch small town material. I loved the whole Pierce family and cannot wait to read more. The initial “one week at the farm” timeline through me a bit with how fast things truly developed, but it was a feel good small town romance WITH SPICE
This felt like insta love and this was not my favorite by this author.
The plot twist didn’t sit right with me for starters, but this was still a decent book. I would possibly recommend this book but I felt like she has had better.
Such a great book. I loved the characters and the story. Both were well done and I can’t wait to dive into the others.