Scandalous Secrets is a perfect scandalous second chance romance. This is also the second book in the Jackson Falls series. I have not had the pleasure of reading the first book, but this was still good as a standalone.

The story follows Byron Robidoux, who is running for senate and comes from a wealthy family, but a past secret could hinder him from winning the seat. Years ago, Byron agreed to be the father of his college friend, Zoe, who was in an abusive relationship and needed a way out. Byron is now being demanded to tell everyone the truth to save his career, but he does not want to put Zoe and her daughter in danger.

This book was a nice break from my usual thrillers. The story was read like a juicy soap opera with a sweet second chance romance and a fun baby daddy twist. There is plenty of drama and scandal that will keep you entertained. Byron’s family dynamics are messy and complicated. Zoe has a secret that is protecting her family. Zoe was my favorite character. She is independent and strong, and I loved how she could overcome being in an abusive relationship. I also loved the way that Byron and Zoe rekindled their romance. Both had to be vulnerable and trust each other after what happened in the past. It was not an easy feat for both of them because Zoe had to keep a strong front with her daughter, and Byron needed to let his guard down. If you’re looking for a fun, scandalous story with a feel-good romance, this book is for you!

Thank you to NetGallery and to Harlequin Publishing for giving me a copy of the book.

A light and sweet romance. Perfect for those looking for a quick romantic read. I really enjoyed the characters in the book.

This is a fairly straightforward romance featuring common tropes, but was a comforting and well written story that romance fans will enjoy.

CW: [abusive/stalker ex; hero’s mother died of breast cancer; car accident; child kidnapping (hide spoiler)]

I liked the writing voice and angst (family melodrama FTW! It read soapy in a good way), but the stalker/abusive ex storyline stressed me out. Like I felt anxious and worried to the pit of my stomach — I guess stressful times (aka pre-election 2020 during a pandemic) isn’t the best time for me to read about the threat of domestic violence. And if you look at the CWs, you’ll see that it doesn’t stay a threat.

I am upset by the ending. Spoiler: [First, I HATED the child kidnapping plot decision. I do not like seeing children in danger in fiction. Second, the hero is a senatorial candidate in North Carolina. The book never discusses policy or party names, but it’s fairly obvious that the hero is a Democrat. In the end, he loses the election and he’s like “I’m glad, now I get to spend more time with my new family and have privacy.” And I’m like... well, this means that the Republican won. WTF!? That’s not happy to me. Why go through this whole freaking campaign book and then have the Democrat hero lose the election? 😭 (hide spoiler)]

The spoilers are depressing to read, especially because the 2020 November election is seven days away. I definitely read this book at the wrong time (I mean, the new SCOTUS justice was confirmed TONIGHT by the GOP senate). My timing is abysmal. So you see why I was mentally affected by the story’s election results in the end.

I am conflicted by my rating because I like the voice/storytelling enough to read another book in the series (I love the hero’s sister Elaina), but the election/child kidnapping plot decisions sucked out any enjoyment in the story. If you think you’d be okay with what I describe in the spoiler tag, I would recommend SCANDALOUS SECRETS. It’s just that so many plot decisions (child kidnapping, election results, evil ex/fiancée, etc) overlapped with my “I never like this” list of themes, so this is a reader-book mismatch.

I have just really enjoyed this Jackson Falls series from Synithia Williams so far. It hits all of my soapy vibes that I need every once in a while.This one has a fun twist on the secret baby trope plus has a second chance romance, which I always love. Byron is running for Senate, and in this book the political maneuvering takes more of the center stage than it did in book one. His family dynamics are complicated and so is his campaign - insert I love mess GIF here.

Byron *is* engaged to someone else at the beginning of the book but it’s very clear they are together for optics, not for love, so there is no cheating.What I loved most about this book is Zoe, she is really strong and shows how hard it can be to overcome an abusive relationship. The tenderness and vulnerability she shows with Byron even though she has to be hard as steel for her daughter’s sake was just done extremely well.

And I am SO ready for Elaina’s book!!

This was a really enjoyable political romance! I love politics in romance and the pacing and plot of Scandalous Secrets was excellent. I really enjoy Synithia Williams writing and look forward to reading more of her books!

This was the first I've read by this author, so it was also the first one I'd read of the series. It was also the first from Harlequin I'd read in a long time. But I'm ready for more quick reads and the comfort of a romance with likable characters is nice right now.

Scandalous Secrets delivers on this. You are pretty much set up with who is good, who is not; but there are some possible red herrings that keep readers wondering about. In addition to the straight-forward "second chance" aspect of the novel, there's also a mystery/threat that affects the characters and their actions. This was resolved pretty well, although the romance is the focus here. Even though the background of Byron's run for the Senate is important to how things fall out, it doesn't become the actual setting.

I liked our MC, Zoe, although I've been lucky that I have never felt belittled or physically threatened growing up or in relationships, sometimes I have trouble relating to how that may affect someone's outlook and trust issues. For this reason, I feel the book serves as a good example of how one can deal with the past, present, and future in healthier ways. I would recommend it for some teens for this reason; however, the fairly explicit sex scenes might not be appropriate for many.

All in all, a good beach read or, at this season, a good one with which to curl up on the couch!

Synithia Williams delivers again in Scandalous Secrets. I found this to be a nice read, and I have recommended it to readers on my blog and on social media platforms.

This was a well-written romance with an original plot and play on tried-and-true tropes. I felt it was a little slow, but overall very enjoyable. I did purchase this title for my library's collection, and would recommend it to patrons who enjoy romance with political intrigue and very light suspense. A great pick for fans of the childhood sweetheart trope as well.

Byron is engaged to yolanda. Yolanda works for a law firm. India and travis are an item. Byron may have a secret child. Byron Is
s running for office and someone wants a million dollars to keep the baby secret. I didn't care for the cussing

Byron and Zoe. I mean, what can I say about them other than I absolutely loved their story! I was already intrigued with him after his sister’s book, and I am so happy with how everything turned out! I’m not going to spoil anything, but run out and grab this book and series if you haven’t already!

What is a fantastic story without a little drama....or a lot. 😊 Byron is running for US Senate and a surprise visit threatens to turn his campaign on it's head. Zoe has had a lot of turbulence in her life, so it isn't so surprising when threatening emails start coming through, but she ignores them. A pop in visit at Zoe's work from Byron using a coded nickname has her stumped. This is where the drama begins and it is a fun and winding tale. This is my second book from Synithia and I loved it. Can't wait for the next tale of the Robidoux clan. I was provided an eARC from NetGalley for review.

This is the second book in the Jackson Falls series with the prominent Robidoux family. The storyline is about Byron Robidoux who is running for a Senate seat election. Zoe Hammond is an old friend who Byron helped when they were in college and now because of him helping Zoe, a big secret is about to be exposed that not only will threaten Byron’s campaign but also threaten Zoe and her 13 year old daughter’s life.
Now the time has come where Byron has to find Zoe and see what can be done to stop the person who is threatening them and the truth of what really happened in college when Byron helped Zoe out of her predicament be exposed to the public.
I loved reading Byron and Zoe storyline of friends with secrets and afraid to love, along with the plot twist and turns. The characters you can feel the rollercoaster emotions of love, anger, protection, caring, revenge and mistrust. I found myself at times really getting upset with a character as if I was right there in the storyline. When this happens you know that the author has drawn your attention until the very end and you want more.
Some of the characters from the first book are in this book and it is good to see what is going on with them also. I look forward to reading the next book of the Robidoux Jackson Falls family.
I highly recommend this book to read.
Cassandra H.
I received a ARC from Netgalley and this review is of my own honest opinion and thoughts..
#ScandoulsSecrets #SynthiaWilliams #Harlequin #Netgalley

There's something about seeing the Harlequin logo that has me one-clicking, ready to indulge in a great romance. And this author definitely brought me that. This story really got to me. This was hot!

Thank you to @tlcbooktours and the publisher for the copy.

I enjoyed this book - the second in the Jackson Falls series. The story follows Byron as he continues his campaign for Senate. He must deal with a blackmailer who wants to share a secret from Byron’s past.

This is a second chance romance. I enjoyed seeing Byron and Zoe’s relationship grow. Zoe is a strong woman and she stood up for herself despite everything Byron’s family/senate race threw at her.

There was a bit of a soap opera quality to this story. Some things just felt a little over the top. That being said, it was an engaging story.

Title: Scandalous Secrets
Author: Synithia Williams
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5

Senatorial candidate Byron Robidoux always does the right thing. And, after years of focus and dedication, his life and campaign are going exactly to plan—until a blackmailer jeopardizes everything. No one is supposed to know that thirteen years ago, Byron told a lie to protect a college friend. And now that lie could destroy his career…and threaten the woman he never stopped loving.
Zoe Hammond hardly recognizes the refined and handsome politician Byron has become. The last time she saw him, he was the friend who saved her life by claiming to be the father of her unborn baby. For that, she’d do anything for him. Except Byron’s world of wealth, reputation and deceit isn’t a place where Zoe or her daughter belong. But when a menace from the past comes calling again, staying with Byron is best for them all. And, as the searing attraction between them builds, they soon realize some things are worth fighting for…especially love.
This was a solid read. Zoe was a strong character, although she took her independence a little too far at times, and she always thought Byron was at fault in everything, without waiting to hear his side of things (like his campaign manager releasing their photos, and Zoe had already decided Byron was the guilty culprit). This made her come across as pretty judge-y and a bit close-minded.
I loved the dynamics with the Robidoux family, although their father was a bit much. Byron himself was conflicted and contradictory. He was perfectly willing to marry someone who was the “right” choice—even though he didn’t love her—and years ago, he’d wanted to marry Zoe, even when his family thought she was wrong for him.
Synithia Williams has loved romance novels since she was 13. Scandalous Secrets is her newest novel.
(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/HQN in exchange for an honest review.)

Scandalous Secrets is the second book in the Jackson Falls series by Synithia Williams, but I read it as a stand-alone and didn't feel like I was missing anything by not reading the first book. This was a drama-filled, soap opera of a little novel, with some intrigue, steam, and heart. There were some redundancies of dialogue, and it didn't make me feel like I couldn't put it down. But overall, a really enjoyable second chance friends to lovers romance! Give it a try!

TW: Domestic abuse, kidnapping

I really enjoyed this follow up to&nbsp;<em>Forbidden Promises</em>! I stand by the fact that it reads like a Shonda Rhimes show in a lot of ways, just with much more focus on the characters winding up happy at the end. It follows Byron, who is running for U.S. Senate (which really just doesn't make sense based on his campaign strategy, but whatever) from North Carolina, and Zoe, single mom and Byron's friend... Essentially, back in college, Byron lied for Zoe and said that her baby was his because Zoe's actual significant other was an abusive jerk. (CW for discussion of domestic violence) Although Byron proposed at the time, Zoe left town. Now, Byron needs her to do him a favor because he's being blackmailed about being an absentee father. The problem is Zoe's getting emails again that seem like they might be from her ex. Oh, and also, Byron is engaged. To somebody else.

I really love this very messed up family, but also I side eye them so much. So many machinations. There's something about Bryon with Zoe and her daughter that just gets me too. I think Byron is a really good guy, who is capable of making really dumb decisions, like staying with his fiancé whom he's not in love with for entirely too long. Zoe has lingering trust issues and issues about being controlled based on her past relationship and I thought those issues were presented realistically, though I did occasionally feel like maybe she should have healed a little more than she had. That said, I think Zoe was a great character and I understood her. And I loved getting to know Elaina a little more and I cannot wait for her book!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/F Second-chance romance, friends-to-lovers

Byron has always been a protector. When he sets his sights on running for office, he knows that it'll be a battle. He has the right political connections, the right family members, and he is on his way. However, a secret from his past is coming back full force and he has to decide how he wants to handle it.

Zoe Hammond is a strong, confident woman and mother. She has figured out that she doesn't need a man to save her, nor does she need her mom's bad advice. When she sees Byron again after a decade, she has to readjust her expectations for her quiet, safe life. Zoe has been receiving threatening emails and has just felt uneasy for a while. When she sees Byron again, she can't help but feel safe when he offers her protection.

Zoe and Byron will have to figure out if their past should stay there or if they should forge ahead and see if their past will help shape their future. This is a well-developed story, but it felt almost too drawn out. There was a lot of history to sort through, so I can appreciate that, but I wish that we would have seen more of the future aspect. Trust is hard for both main characters and while their lives were moving along just fine before they reunited, what if they were to sail along even smoother once they see each other again?

Overall, this is a good story. It is well developed, and you really get to know the characters. It's the second book in the series and while it's not absolutely necessary to read book one, I do suggest it, as the relationships will make more sense. The romance and mystery didn't wow me, but it was a fast read. I do hope I get to see Elaina's story next. She, for me, is by far the most intriguing character.

Triggers: Kidnapping, Domestic Abuse

If you are wavering on if you should pick up this book, do it! My 3 star rating is not because it's not an enjoyable book for the right person. I enjoyed this wild ride of a soap opera. But, this one for me was a filler until I get to Elaina's story which I am really waiting for.

We met Byron Robidoux in the first Jackson Falls book, Forbidden Promises - at the end there is a hint of what Byron's book would be about and I was looking forward to it. Byron is running for Senate and a past secret from college threatens to uproot his chances. Bryon finds Zoe, who say that her daughter was Byron's in order to get out of an abusive relationship, trying to convince her to help out his campaign by releasing the fabricated truth to the public. But Byron was in love with Zoe in college and the feelings they both have threaten to ruin everything that Byron is trying to build.

Zoe was IT for me in this book. Byron I could take or leave. It was nice seeing India and Travis again. Grant is still the ACTUAL WORST. But Zoe (and Elaina) were absolutely amazing. Zoe's strength, her ability to push back and know her own worth - I loved it. She never capitulated! I did enjoy seeing Zoe and Byron's relationship grow, but I would've loved a bit more of them on solid ground enjoying themselves. Synithia William's books are like amazing soap operas - the DRAMA. And I can't wait for the drama that will come with Elaina's book. My biggest gripe from Forbidden Promises was that Elaina felt so one-dimensional even though she was pivotal to India and Travis' story. But, Elaina really started to thrive here and I loved seeing her open up to Zoe - both women who have been taken advantage of by men and have been forced to be strong, invulnerable.

I can't wait to see Elaina's book and if she isn't with "Alex the Asshole" I am going to be so upset!

Thank you to Harlequin Romance for an advanced copy for review!