A Secret for a Secret (All In #3) by Helena Hunting

A Review by Wendy 

4.5 Rules to Be Broken Stars
* * * * 1/2  

Spoiler Free

We have heard over and over again, opposites attract. When there is an agreement over the ages about something like this, it is no surprise when it turns out to be true. Helena Hunting took this idea and made it one of the core meanings in A Secret for a Secret.

Ryan Kingston, the goalie for Seattle's NHL team, is trying desperately to get drunk. He has lined up numerous potent drinks and is struggling to down any of them.

Were they made incorrectly-nope
Were they not tasty-nope

They were perfectly fine. The problem was that Kingston wasn't a drinker. The only drink he indulged in was...Milk, gallons of it. So as he sat at the bar, taking sips of these drinks, it was like he was taking medicine and the medicine was going to get him what he needed...A Blinding, Solid Drunk.

Queenie Masterson is after the same results, however, she has no problem downing two martinis one right after the other. She is sitting next to King and wonders out loud why he has all these drinks in front of him. King, introduces himself as Ryan, why, he has no idea, and proceeds to say he learned a secret about his life today and wants to just forget about everything. Queenie, understanding exactly that feeling and shares with Ryan she too has had a terrible day and has another secret to share.

Both look at each other and at that moment decide to share a secret for a secret. They tell what has been the deepest, darkest thing that is giving them this pain, and the telling is liberating. It also binds them and Queenie decides to guide Ryan into having shots, and then see where things go.

Well, They Go Extremely Well, Thank You Very Much. Ryan wakes, hungover barely able to get out of the bed, and looks for Queenie. Unfortunately, all that is left of this amazing, sensual, amazing woman is a post-it note telling him thanks, but no telephone number for him to follow up.

This is really disappointing because Ryan wanted to go out with Queenie and get to know her better. She had this energy, nothing like his normal vibe. She was like an exploding star, bright and shiny. As he remembers their time together, how intense and clearly very different from his time with his ex-girlfriend for the past years, Ryan cannot put it aside.

Which is very unusual for Ryan. Ryan has always been able to compartmentalize things, yet Queenie keeps seeping into his head. She is there when he goes through his numerous routines. His cleaning up, his exact driving, and organized eating pattern directed by his phone alarms.

Ryan isn't the only one who has had thoughts about the sexy time they shared. Queenie has spent many a night reliving the dirty, filthy things this conservatively dressed hunk of a man did...yes, he left quite an impression.

Queenie is back in Seattle because she has returned home to try to figure out her life. It seems Queenie hasn't been able to get herself on a path for some time now. Queenie, being 24, felt it was time to be settled, have her career on track. She should not be starting a new position as her father's personal assistant. As the General Manager of the Hockey team, her dad had always had an assistant, so the position made sense. It just frustrated Queenie that once again, she ran to her dad to help her and she felt she should be doing more.

It is the first day of the new season for Ryan and as the team is gathered to go through the usual meetings, talks from the GM and Coaches, he sees this beautiful woman with her back to him and the team. When she turns, he is shocked to see the bedmate he has been dreaming of...there right in front of him. After a couple of worries about her relationship with the GM, it turns out she is his daughter.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

And Queenie is just as shocked because her dad asked her to not get involved with any of the people involved with the team, on the ice and off.

This is the perfect set up and if this story was about this conflict only, it would entertain. But Helena Hunting took it to another level involving multiple layers of conflicts and cray cray. We have both of them wanting to be with each other but fighting their desires because of the dad.

We have Ryan's family and all of their insanity, Hannah not included. There are ex's popping up and causing all sorts of things. Through it all, though, you have Ryan standing right beside Queenie supporting when she thinks she doesn't deserve it. He is what she needs and she is everything he never knew he wanted.

This story took me by the hand, told the story of Still Waters Run Deep...and just because a guy wears khakis and polo shirts, don't assume he is all J. Crew and not hiding an alpha beast underneath.

I do not know if this is it for this series. I think for sure a little novella may be coming for Queenie's dad...if not, Ms. Hunting...hint hint...just sayin' there is something there...

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

About Helena Hunting

Helena Hunting is the author of The USA Today and NYT bestselling PUCKED Series. She lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes everything from romantic sports comedy to new adult angst.