Thanks to HTP and MIRA for the copy of this book!

Holy dark and twisty thriller! I wasn't quite expecting some of this content - there were a *lot* of details about escort services - but it helped with the story overall. Fast-paced thrillers are my jam, and this one definitely hit!

A crazy one is what this was. I went in blind, and not knowing what to expect I absolutely enjoyed this twisty story. It was a little slow to get going but it picked up and I could not wait to see how it would end. There were a few twists I didn’t see coming but also a few that I did figure out ahead of time. I enjoyed this one overall and it was an entertaining and suspenseful read. This was my first book by this author and I will definitely be reading more.

Thank you to NetGalley and MIRA Books for the digital galley to review.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA, HCC and Netgalley for the gifted e-ARC to read and review.

One Last Secret is out now!

One Last Secret is definitely the type of book where you need to suspend some reality, stop questioning all the convenient coincidences and go along for the ride.

We hear the story from Dora's POV. She's a compelling main character. She can be selfish and cold and has some serious armour built up. But we see glimpses into her past that show another side of her. And oh is she clever.

The first part of the book started slow for me, but once Dora was in France, things took off and went down a path that was equally fun and frustrating read with an emphasis on the fun. Though I did keep wanting to shake her and yell "LEAVE THE HOUSE. JUST LEAVE," but of course that would have ruined the fun.

Parks delivers some great surprises with the ending. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, she threw in a well thought out twist that I did not see coming.

I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing author Adele Parks for the Storytime in Paris podcast on the Paris Underground Radio podcast network, which features interviews with authors who have a French connection.

Here is what I said:
Ep 46. Adele Parks, “One Last Secret”

Welcome back to Season Five of Storytime in Paris! I have an excellent season lined up for you, if I do say so myself, and I’m delighted to introduce our season premiere guest: 22-time Sunday New York Times Top Ten, multi-million bestseller Adele Parks. Adele’s work has been translated into 31 languages and, as if that weren’t enough, Queen Elizabeth granted her the honor of MBE for Services to Literature in the New Year Honours List 2022.

Adele’s latest novel is “One Last Secret,” a psychological thriller told from the perspective of a high-end sex worker who takes one last job before hanging up her garters for good. It’s about “power, sex, money and revenge,” and is filled with fabulous twists and turns.

In our conversation, Adele talks about why she chose a sex worker as her main character, the research she did, and why that character can sometimes be confrontational with the reader. She also shares how she transitioned from writing romantic comedies to psychological thrillers, how she avoids stereotypes, spidergrams, and so much more. Then, she treats us to a reading from “One Last Secret.”

Find the full episode at parisundegroundradio.com/storytimeinparis, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

This was an enjoyable book. There were moments that I didn't even see coming.

Dora has found a way to make a comfortable living. She gets to travel, enjoy the finer things in life and not worry about where her next meal is coming from. While the life of an escort may not sound appealing, it has it's definite perks with the right client base.

When one last job seemingly falls into her lap right before her exit from the life, Dora has a hard tie resisting it. The allure of the money and how she can put it towards her future is too much for her to pass up. Despite her promise she takes one last job, thinking that she'll never have to tell this little secret to anyone.

A story about deception, lies and striving for what you want in life.

I got 19% into this book and it was painfully boring. I GET IT youre a sex worker. I GET IT. Stop telling me a million times. NOTHING IS HAPPENING. Where is the story line even going? This is painfully boring. I had to DNF at this point, I could not find one redeeming quality to make me continue reading

One Last Secret by Adele Parks is such a well written fantastic suspenseful novel.

I really liked the main character Dora and her story.

There were multiple twists and turns.

The end really surprised me, in the best possible way.

I love everything Adele Parks writes, and this was no exception.

Known as Natalya professionally, Dora is a no-nonsense, high-rate escort. She makes no apologies, holds few grudges, and understands just what she's gotten herself into. In One Last Secret, Dora guides us through her life, mistakes, and thought processes, all while telling a titillating tale of pulling one last job before her marriage to the man of many a lady's dreams.

Dora knows taking this job without Evan's knowledge--especially so soon after her beating and rape, so soon after their engagement--is a bad idea, but she gets on the fancy flight to France. Soon, she's losing track of time and having trouble keeping her story straight. She's supposed to be pretending to be the client's girlfriend, but soon enough, his friends know that she's hired. And soon after that comes the video of her with another guest. Did the earlier assault scramble her brain? Or is she suffering some kind of PTSD? Because Dora doesn't remember anything the way that everyone else seems to do.

Although the layout of the book was unconventional--half the book from Dora's POV, then a section from her start as a sex worker, then on to her mother, followed by the father of her child, the viewpoint always shifted just as the current one was growing a bit tedious. I didn't really feel like any of the voices but Dora's were all that strong, but Dora was amazing, fresh, bright.

I didn't love the ending; it worked out too easily and smoothly. Regardless, I had trouble putting the book down, and I will reiterate just how engaging Dora was. A definite must-read for fans of the current trend toward psychological suspense and thrillers, and a new twist on the house-party theme.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of One Last Secret by Adele Parks.

Dora is an escort, who maybe doesn't love her job, but appreciates the good income and surprising stability that it provides. But when she is given a chance to leave it all behind, she can't help but take one more job. And while it seems like a typical, luxury job, she is blacking out and forgetting things. Unbeknownst to Dora, this was an excursion that had way more sinister consequences, and she may be way over her head.

Okay, great start, good set up, exciting premise. I definitely didn't see any of it coming, but none of it redeems my one major issue. DUDE, END ALREADY. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I read a book that just insisted on lasting forever. I felt like it was a thirteen hour book that easily could have been condensed to eight. It wasn't a bad story, not at all, it was a great story. But nothing is worth long windedness, and after too long, you really stop caring what happens to the story.

Dora is an escort and she has one last job for one of her favorite clients before she gets out for good. And it's at a French chateau with a private chef, wine tastings, all the trappings of the high life. It sounds like the perfect hight to go out on. But when she arrives at the chateau, things are not what they seem.

I really did like Dora, although at multiple points throughout I was questioning her intelligence! So many red flags! Parks does a great job of highlighting escort/sex work. Also, the amount of twists in this gave me severe whiplash. Overall, a compelling read.

Adele Parks does it again. I have read and loved her books before and this one is no exception. It's good.

Dora is an escort. She has sex for money. She also has a life. While it's nothing exceptional it's hers. She doesn't hurt anyone or cause trouble for anyone. She is what she is. There are reasons that she does what she is doing. No doubt. You'll find her, or most of her, back story later in the book. The why she started in this line of work. I felt sorry for Dora much of this book. She honestly wanted more out of her life. She wanted to be an actress. She would have been too. But a man stood in her way. Yes he did. Not that he exactly forced her into anything but he did lead her to believe things. One, that he was not still married.

After she is beat by a client her best friend Evan asks her to marry him and quit the business. She agrees. He just wants to keep her safe. He is also very much in love with her and they have not slept together. He knows her in a way that no one else does. But she still has a couple of secrets that she will take to her grave. I can't say that I blame her though.

She agrees on one more job. As a true escort. No sex involved. To go with an old client to a chateau in the south of France. There she finds that things are not at all what they appear to be. Strange things keep happening. She keeps blacking out and just having strange things happen. Very quickly she is learning that things are not so cut and dry. Things are not on the up and up.

Everything really takes off and you get a good look into what is going on. About who is who and why things are happening the way they are. What deep secrets are being kept. Who will survive this week of horrors?

This book ends with a big surprise too. I didn't expect it at all. I thought it was a bit cruel though. But it made it what it was and that is not up to me to change right. I just think maybe Dora would appreciate knowing. Therefore I did not like this ending that much. Though it was unexpected. I was totally surprised. This story has a few surprises along the way. They keep you wanting more for sure.

Thank you #NetGalley, #AdeleParks, #HarlequinTradePublishingMIRA for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about his book.

4.25 stars. Get it. Read it. Enjoy!!

So I think I found a new auto buy author? Adele Parks had me flipping (I guess swiping😂) the kindle pages with her new book One Last Secret.

Dora is a high end escort, you learn that right from the get go of the story. She is not ashamed at all at how she makes her money and find this job works well for her. When something occurs Dora decides to leave behind the escort business but then agrees to do a favour for client for one last job.

Honestly, this story was unputdownable. For the first bit I literally had no idea what was going to happen. Was Dora a unreliable character? Or was something else going on ? The author sprinkled hints throughout and I found myself thinking hmmmm. But I honestly don’t want to say more because I had no idea about anything to do with this book and it surprised me so many times in all the best ways! I loved how the story was told as well, Dora seemed to be just telling you all her secrets like she was writing in a diary or something. A must read for a psychological thriller lover!!

Thank you to @htpbooks for the @netgalley review copy!

Sadly, not my favourite novel from Adele Parks. I found that although it wasn’t a particularly long read, some of the chapters dragged on unnecessarily. The synopsis intrigued me and I was excited to receive this ARC. I look forward to the next book from Parks.

Adele Parks has definitely written this book with the wow factor all the way through it. I have no words on how great this book is. From the storyline to the execution of the whole crazy story. If you think you know.. you might but just know there is more..oh so much more!!!!

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

Adele Parks is the queen of secrets. One Last Secret is Parks’ best book yet. Dora is a multi-layered character – a gold mine of opportunity. I absolutely love the way Parks crafts her stories. The layers, the questions you can’t help but ask yourself and the fascinating plot. Nothing is ever quite what it seems. One Last Secret packs a punch. Dora’s holiday – if you will – may just be her undoing.

I highly recommend you take a trip to the South of France and find out.

Ever wondered what the classic film Pretty Woman would be like if it was actually a dark noir? Adele Parks provides the answer to that question in her latest thriller One Last Secret.

Dora has always known her job was dangerous. As a high-end call girl, she doesn’t experience the same level of risk as her street worker counterparts, but clients tend to think of those in the sex trade as less than human and treat them accordingly. She’s experienced more than her share of petty abuse, but nothing had prepared her for the beating given by the allegedly carefully vetted new client her handler had connected her with. Dora leaves the expensive hotel she met him at battered and bloody and ready to get out of the game altogether.

And wouldn’t you know it, one look at her bruised, abused face is all it takes for her bestie Evan to propose marriage. They’ve never had sex - it’s been refreshing for Dora
to have a friend without benefits in her life - but they are as intimate as two people can be without it. They share nearly everything with each other - Evan is one of the few people who knows just what Dora does for a living, and he loves her anyway. Dora knows all his foibles and hangups, too - and loves him anyway. They come from two different worlds - she’s the daughter of immigrants who had to flee their wartorn homeland, and he’s the son of one of the richest and most powerful men in Britain, but that has never mattered. Several years into their unexpected friendship they’ve found they connect more with each other than they do with their so-called peers. They’ve been circling the idea of taking their relationship to the next level, but Dora is pleasantly surprised and delighted by the fact that Evan is willing to skip the in-between steps of dating and living together to head straight to the altar. She says yes, and just like that, they’re engaged. Evan does demand she quit her job. He’s worried there could be another incident like the one she just lived through. Dora also fears a repeat of that experience and is happy to hang up her stilettos and start planning a wedding.

Then Dora gets a call from Daniel. Among her former clients, he was a favorite. He didn’t just come for the sex - the two of them had been friends of sorts. Dora was his confidant for all the things he couldn’t tell those he knew and loved. Daniel had told only her about his secret longing for his best friend’s wife, how said longing had kept him from dating and marrying, how he just couldn’t seem to move on. Now he’s telling her that said bestie, bestie’s wife, and Daniel are all supposed to attend a corporate event at a French chateau. It’s meant to be a luxurious, decadent retreat for couples - and since Daniel has been lying to everyone that he has a significant other, he’s been invited to attend. He absolutely needs Dora to go. She’s the only woman acquaintance he has who knows him well enough to pull off being his fake girlfriend.

Evan will be away for that week on business of his own. She doesn’t really want to step back into that world, but somehow, Dora finds herself grudgingly agreeing on the condition she won’t be expected to have sex with Daniel. But once she arrives at the venue, she receives several nasty surprises, the worst of which is that one of Daniel’s coworkers was the violent customer she’d barely escaped alive from the week before. Just what has she gotten herself into?

To put it mildly, a complicated mess. Dora finds herself playing cat and mouse in an elaborate revenge plot the type of which I am fairly certain you can only find in fiction. It’s hard to sympathize with Dora as she discovers herself in deep trouble because it is obvious from the very beginning that taking this trip with Daniel is a colossally dumb mistake.

The story is told in the first person singular for the most part, which might have helped readers better understand some of Dora’s foolish choices but the author doesn’t use her narration to good effect. Rather than allowing us to sympathize with our heroine falling into trap after trap by giving us reasons for her to be that naive, we instead are simply given a front-row seat to Dora behaving stupidly. This was disappointing since at the start of the novel Dora is presented as a tough, savvy, worldly-wise woman who knows what's what. Once she joins Daniel on his trip, she becomes an ingenue style of character, which really didn’t fit with her previous persona.

The other characters in the novel don’t fare much better. Daniel and Evan are the seconadary key players and were simply whatever the plot needed them to be. On the plus side, Daniel’s inexplicable and superficial nature is explained toward the end of the text. Evan, however, was simply surreal throughout the novel. We know he adores Dora and that they are emotionally close, but while we are told that over and over we never really see what it is that unites them. Given their relationship is pivotal to the story not having that crucial information really hampers the narrative.

The rather ridiculous plot and foolishly naive heroine made this a tough read. The writer’s carefully crafted and choreographed twists and turns were wasted on me simply because the storyline seemed so unbelievable that nothing was surprising. It fell short as a mystery as a result.

There are good points. The prose is smooth, and the pacing is excellent. Another positive is that the beginning - where Dora talks about her life as a prostitute, and the setup for the trip takes place - is intriguing.

One Last Secret is definitely a your-mileage-may-vary type of read. If you have a high tolerance for convoluted vengeance tales, you may well find yourself loving the book. If like me, you find that type of plot rather ludicrous, you should give this a miss.

This is the first book that I have read by Adele Parks and I was instantly hooked from the beginning.
The main character was likeable and as I read her back story and how she lived her life I found myself rooting for her and how her life was headed. I did not see the twists coming as she made a choice that would have far reaching consequences with her life. While she had always seemed so savvy and smart with her choices the ones she made while in France seemed out of character.
Overall this book was a page-turner and I cannot wait to read more of Adele Park's novels.

Another great one by Adele Parks, with tons of twists and turns. I had an inkling of part of the twist fairly early, but it was just part of the twist, there was a lot more that added to it!

Midway through the book I literally had to go back and re-read a few pages as I didn't see that coming, which is exactly what I love about reading thrillers! The epilogue had me hating the author for all the things I was made to go through emotionally earlier in the book. But in a good way? I'm a reader, not a writer so that likely makes no sense until you've read the book.

I received this as an Advanced Reader Copy - Killer Crime Club on FB, thanks for the chance to read this ahead of release!

I absolutely LOVED this twisty domestic thriller with a tell it like it is sex worker protagonist. The first person POV was excellent! I was so invested in this story and it kept me on my toes from beginning to end with twists I didn't see coming and a shocking/heart breaking ending. If you like revenge stories and memorable protagonists you don't want to skip this one! Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!!

I love reading Adele's books so I was excited to read this one. One thing I have learned over the years is that the moment you let your guard down, something is sure to happen. Clearly, Dora hasn't learned this lesson. One last stint as an escort for a client she's had before... she let her guard down... and that's when she finds herself facing the secrets of the past and fearing for her life.

I'm not sure how realistic this is, or that I could relate, but it was entertaining and thrilling. Perfect for anyone looking for a quick thrill.