Book Review | Secret Admirer Pact by Bernadette Marie | $25 Gift Card ~ #Romance @GoddessFish @authorbernadettemarie

A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.

Book Details

Book Review | Secret Admirer Pact by Bernadette Marie | $25 Gift Card ~ #Romance @GoddessFish @authorbernadettemarie

Secret Admirer Pact by Bernadette Marie
Published by 5 Prince Publishing on 02/06/2024
Genres: Fiction, Romance
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 139

When Will seeks to rekindle a flame with his ex-girlfriend, his best friend Monique reluctantly suggests a plan involving secret admirer notes to divert his ex’s attention.

In a surprising turn, Monique finds herself infatuated with her new boss, prompting Will to reciprocate with anonymous tokens of affection.

However, as the deceptive game unfolds, both Monique and Will come to realize that the heartfelt sentiments expressed in the secret admirer notes were their own true feelings.

So, what happens if the plan works? What happens if it doesn’t?

Source: Goddess Fish Promotions

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Excerpt from Secret Admirer Pact

From my pocket, I retrieve a paper napkin with writing on it.

Will-

I’ve been watching you. I think you’re very handsome. I’d love to get to know you.

Love,
Your Secret Admirer

The note has me laughing. It’s written in Monique’s handwriting, and I can’t even imagine why she—

I look back down at the napkin and grin. So this is Monique’s wise idea to get Brandy to notice me? I now have a secret admirer? Am I supposed to leave these little notes around the house?

I can hear Brandy moving around her room. I look at the note again, and consider it.

Instead of taking my coffee mug with me, I set it on the note. She’ll notice that I forgot my coffee, and maybe she’ll see the writing on the napkin. Well, I have nothing to lose with Monique’s little game. Grabbing my messenger bag, I hike it up onto my shoulder and head out to work. As is the norm, my phone rings as I’m leaving my office and heading to lunch.

“So now you’re my secret admirer?” I ask as I answer the phone, knowing Monique is on the other end.

Her laugh filters through and brings me a bit of warmth as I step outside in the cold.

“Why, Will, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she says on another laugh.

Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.

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Purchase Link for Secret Admirer Pact

Secret Admirer Pact

Amazon Kindle Edition
Marie, Bernadette (Author)
English (Publication Language)
139 Pages - 02/06/2024 (Publication Date) - 5 Prince Publishing (Publisher)

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My Thoughts on Secret Admirer Pact

Will and Monique are best friends who have never seen each other as anything more. When Will wants to win back his ex-girlfriend, Monique agrees to help him by sending secret admirer notes. But things get complicated when Monique falls for her new boss, and Will decides to do the same for her. As they write the notes, they realize that they are actually expressing their own feelings for each other. Will their plan lead them to true love or ruin their friendship?

This is a quick and sweet read about childhood friends who discover their hidden attraction. The book alternates between their points of view, and the secret admirer notes are a charming touch. It’s not a laugh-out-loud comedy, but it’s still a fun and satisfying story.

I enjoyed the strong bond and chemistry between the main characters. They have a lot of love and respect for each other, but will they take the risk of becoming more? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

I previously featured Something Discovered by Bernadette Marie for an excerpt book tour. After getting a chance to read Secret Admirer Pact, I’ll be reading more from this author.

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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!

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About Bernadette Marie

Bestselling Author Bernadette Marie is known for building families readers want to be part of. Her series The Keller Family has graced bestseller charts since its release in 2011. Since then she has authored and published over forty-five books. The married mother of five sons promises romances with a Happily Ever After always…and says she can write it because she lives it.

Obsessed with the art of writing and the business of publishing, chronic entrepreneur Bernadette Marie established her own publishing house, 5 Prince Publishing, in 2011 to bring her own work to market as well as offer an opportunity for fresh voices in fiction to find a home as well.

When not immersed in the writing/publishing world, Bernadette Marie can be found spending time with her family, traveling, and running multiple businesses. An avid martial artist, Bernadette Marie is a second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, and loves Tai Chi. She is a retired hockey mom, a lover of a good stout craft beer, and might have an unhealthy addiction to chocolate.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

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Guest Post from the author of Secret Admirer Pact

Why I Write Contemporary, by Bernadette Marie

I write romance because I’m addicted to that feeling of falling in love over and over again. Though I admire authors that do deep dives into research for historical facts, or those that build new worlds, I like the comfort that contemporary offers me.

Contemporary romances allow me to explore and depict relationships in today’s society, capturing the dynamics, challenges, and nuances of modern love. Characters are easy to relate to because their lives mirror those of the contemporary audience. I am able to create diverse characters and backgrounds for my characters giving them a wide range of perspectives on relationships.

When writing contemporary, I’m able to incorporate current social, cultural, and political issues into my stories. Of course, in doing so, it can date the work. But, as we all navigate through these issues as a society, it’s just another way to make my characters relatable to my readers.

One of the things I like the most about contemporary romance is the exploration of gender roles. No longer do we see only Alpha males and weak females. We see different kinds of couples, troubles, and more. We see women who are the Alpha and men with sweet understanding souls. We see changes in storytelling where there is a happily for now, not always a happily ever after with a wedding and a baby.

Is it easier to write contemporary? Sure. There’s a lot less world-building that goes on. Our characters work our jobs, shop our stores, and drive the cars we all own. But the challenge still remains in building a story of characters that offer the reader an escape from their daily lives, something that gives the reader hope, and because it’s romance, still ends on a happy note.