I received a copy of this for my honest review.

This is a heartwarming story of an FMC who struggles with mental health issues, which causes her to have a very unfavorable view of herself. She creates an Instagram account to be a "better version" of herself, and in doing so befriends one of her followers. This follow just so happens to be our MMC who joins the same school she works at and is drawn to her. Will they discover their secret relationship? Will her insecurities cause her to pause her life?

I loved the open conversations about mental health issues. I feel it is important to normalize issues that come with mental health. Characters were good story was fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central) Publishing for this advanced reader copy.

This book was funny, cute and sweet. I enjoyed watching the romance develop, a little awkwardly in the best way, between Lucy and Fletcher. With Lucy dealing with anxiety, depression and ADHD, I found her thoughts, feelings and insecurities relatable. Ultimately a lovely story of trust, overcoming insecurities and leaning into family. I was definitely surprised it was a debut novel from Lepe and I look forward to more from her.

Thanks to Netgalley the publisher and or the author for giving me the chance to read and review Flirty Little Secret.

Love everything about this book especially the plot. The characters were a little flat but other than that it was really good

In "Flirty Little Secret" by Jessica Lepe, readers are introduced to Lucy Galindo, a school counselor with a hidden identity. To the outside world, Lucy appears to be a shy and sweet individual, constantly battling her own inner struggles with anxiety and depression. However, online, she transforms into the confident and outspoken persona known as "@TheMissGuidedCounselor". This online alter ego has gained immense popularity, but Lucy keeps her true identity a secret because she believes her followers would never trust the real Lucy with their problems. The story takes an intriguing turn when Aldrich Fletcher, a history teacher seeking respite from his complicated family dynamics, enters the picture. Instead of finding solace in his new job, he becomes entangled in a web of emotions as he navigates his feelings for a co-worker who only seems to witness his worst moments. Desperate for advice, he confides in his trusted online confidant, @TheMissGuidedCounselor, unaware that Lucy is the one behind the anonymous persona. As the plot unfolds, Fletcher stumbles upon the truth about Lucy's secret identity, and a new secret of his own begins to weigh on his conscience. While undeniable chemistry exists between them, Lucy is hesitant to fully trust Fletcher. Will they find the courage to reveal their true selves to each other and step out from behind the safety of their online personas? Jessica Lepe skillfully weaves a tale of personal struggles, hidden identities, and the power of trust in "Flirty Little Secret". The characters are well-developed, with Lucy's internal battle between her real self and her online persona resonating strongly with readers. Lepe beautifully captures the complexities of mental health issues and the challenges individuals face in opening up to others. The romance between Lucy and Fletcher evolves naturally throughout the story, allowing readers to become emotionally invested in their journey. The element of suspense, as Lucy grapples with the decision to trust Fletcher, adds an extra layer of anticipation to the narrative. "Flirty Little Secret" is a captivating contemporary romance that explores themes of self-discovery, trust, and the courage it takes to break free from the confines of our own insecurities. Lepe's storytelling prowess keeps readers engaged from beginning to end, leaving them yearning for more.

Exactly what I expected and needed out of a teacher fake dating trope! Also while I totally agree that the Konfident Kids Klub needs a new name ASAP, I am infatuated with the kids in that group.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing this book to appear.

Honestly, this book is an easy read...but for the wrong reasons. Nothing really happens / goes on in it.

I had problems with it.

1.) I felt the relationship between the teachers was done very... poorly. Like, too many mistakes and red flags thrown about. I thought there is a rule where in office / workplace romances shouldn't interfere with your work? Well, let me tell you, it was being involved - heavily. Kids are gossiping about the teacher, the teacher doesn't seem to have her shit together (she's 28 and guidance counselor? how? she acts as if she is 17). There is a portion of the book where she is near having sex while changing shirts.

2.) I felt that the whole plot was coincidental, but poorly written coincidental. Out of the ENTIRE United States, how can you tell me that she is the one who is behind the blog? How? The odds are incredibly slim that she and he are literally in the same area. Or, excuse me, he moves to her area making himself closer to her.

3.) The behavioral health issues make sense... but I felt they weren't handled in a clinical sense. Could be that I have worked in the medical field for 15+ years, but with the signs and the issues she was showing, girl needs heavy therapy. Like, it's interfering with your work life... maybe, just maybe, you might want to look into intermittent FMLA? Does this woman KNOW about intermittent FMLA? (Which, I will admit, since I work in handling disability / FMLA, I know more than the average individual...) But come on, there could have been more research and care.

I give it two stars for idea and the behavioral health issues, but given my backround in medical and business, this didn't come off as strong or as good as it should have been.

An absolute gem of a debut from author Jessica Lepe! Lucy is a guidance counselor with an online “alter ego” where she dispenses advice she feels she is unqualified to give in real life. Enter Fletcher, the new teacher at the school where Lucy works, who has had a secret crush on Lucy’s online persona, and who starts to crush on her in real life, too. But Lucy is a classically insecure woman dealing with the stigma of depression, anxiety, and ADHD, and can’t believe that someone would want to be with her for all of who she is.

I really related to this book, because I’ve been in Lucy’s shoes, but I also feel like it was written so well and with such grace and humor, that those without this particular cocktail of mental health struggles will also be able to relate. The humor in this book was absolutely spot on and I laughed out loud in several spots. At the same time, descriptions of the Impossible Thing (that one tiny thing that can’t be done when you’re depressed, no matter how small or insignificant) were on point. I did find myself suspending belief for a minute that both Lucy and Fletcher had social media profiles with zero identifying information on them, but I could also see how that was possible in the author’s brain, so I was able to get on board with it.

If you love romance that is funny, relatable, and also tackles tough subjects (think Lyssa Kay Adams, Abby Jimenez), you will love this book. Big thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the advance copy!

Lucy is a high school guidance counselor, and Fletcher is the new history teacher who has come home to support his family. The two have been talking online anonymously and built up a friendship, without sharing any personal info. In between their real-life dual POVs, we see their DMs, and the funny duality of them navigating their lives while also confiding in each other online (unknowingly) about the same exact situations.

Fletcher is sweet and kind. A great MMC!

This story is sweet and cozy while also showing mental health representation and covering tough topics. It’s also hilarious. Fletcher's ex also works at the school, and is chasing after him while he's trying to pursue Lucy. Lucy has a secret crying closet at the school, so iconic! Fletcher's first day was also a comedy of errors. I HIGHLY recommend picking this one up!

Also, the content warning at the beginning is amazing! Compassionate and thorough. It even mentions which (potentially) triggering events are off vs on page. Exactly what I hope for from a book that covers tough topics!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced e-book!

Jessica Lepe's "Flirty Little Secrets" is the perfect example of a fresh, laugh-your-pants-off rom-com. It has all the nostalgic feelings of your favorite teen movie, the sizzling tension of a secret identity romance, and enough hilarious DM exchanges to keep you snorting coffee all day. But this isn't just any high school teacher/guidance counselor love story! Jessica tackles complex themes like self-discovery, second chances, and learning to love yourself (and someone else) unconditionally, bringing diverse voices and unique perspectives to the table; making romances even more relatable and heartwarming. She gives us characters you'll root for and cheer for their happily ever after (even if it means breaking a few rules!). So ditch the textbooks and grab your tissues (for laughter and maybe a few tears) because Flirty Little Secrets is about to take you on a wild ride! I hope you'll read this incredible story, and I can't wait to see what else Jessica Lepe comes up with next.

Tropes:
- You've Got Mail meets Abbott Elementary
- Meet Disaster
- Forced Proximity
- Guidance Counselor x History Teacher
- Mental Health Representation

Arc received from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was FUNNY. It absolutely had me laughing and smiling throughout because of the personalities and situations that these characters got themselves into. Even better- despite its comedic quality, the author was able to handle serious situations and topics such as living with depression, parent divorce, and ADHD.

I really liked Lucy's character. She was very relatable and her struggles with mental health were really represented well. Her advice on her Instagram was a bit too cliché for my taste but Fletcher…Fletcher ate that up. He loved that part of her and I loved that for them.

They work as a couple and it was great to see them both individually grow and support each other.

I do think some of the long descriptions were unnecessary at times and could have been shortened. But overall a fun read that I enjoyed and would recommend for fans of You've Got Mail.

**Thank you to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for providing ARC in exchange for an honest review **

Unfortunately, this book does. Not hit the mark for me, but I’m thankful for the chance to read it. The language is too drawn out and flowery. There was too much in chapter one about how this man had hot water spilled on his crotch, but if it’s so hot why didn’t he react at all? He seems pretty chill , but internally freaking out. This really set the tone for how the rest of the book is going to read, and I’m not sure if that’s something I want to tie myself down into. It’s not compelling.

It's been awhile that I've given a 5 star out automatically.. but this was a cutesy little romcom that had complex characters (dealing with very real life problems, mental health set backs etc.) who are very relatable with multicultural backgrounds that were refreshing & I couldn't put it down. I absolutely fell in love with Lucy and Fletcher & even Lucy's sister Amira had me laughing out loud while reading, I enjoyed their family dynamic. Reading Lucy's advice content for her incognito handle was surprisingly very helpful too. I can personally relate to Lucy having to deal with the mental health struggles she has and I felt so seen and not alone by her character and her attempt to be that sunshine for everyone else that she couldn't seem to be for herself. It's a must read! This is a debut author and I truly believe/hope Jessica Lepe is going to be putting out a lot more 👏🏽

Flirty little secret was the heartwarming book that I needed this time of year. Lucy had so much charm and wit, and I absolutely related to her character and fell for her hilarious absurdness instantly. Fletcher is a gem of a man, because given his circumstances in life, he sets himself apart, and he’s nothing like his family, except maybe his awesome mom.

I loved Lucy’s quirkiness and how even when she self doubts she’s the brightest person in the room! The steam of the story is light but I love that we got to know the characters on a deeper level and truly got to understand who they are.

As a teacher and someone who also battles some of the same battles as Lucy I appreciated the insight and the knowledge that I’m not alone. This author did a beautiful job at highlighting those struggles.

I grabbed Flirty Little Secret as a Read Now after reading a little bit of the synopsis and I was so delighted by the story! I am a sucker for the hidden identity (a la You’ve Got Mail) trope, and watching this teacher/guidance counselor couple fall for each other in real life alongside their mystery online friendship was very believable and realistic. Lucy projects a “perfect” social media image while living with ADHD, anxiety and depression, and seeing the ways she was able to care for herself while also expressing her needs to family and Fletcher was very aspirational. I deeply despised Fletcher’s father and felt their story wrapped up a little too nicely, but other than that, I loved this story and read it in one sitting.

Thank you Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the advanced review copy.

Flirty Little Secrets is a lighthearted rom-com that isn’t afraid to shy away from weighty mental health topics. Jessica Lepe’s use of social media posts and conversations is an effective technique of blending the main characters’ online and real life personas.

Lucy and Fletcher have an anonymous online relationship long before they ever meet thanks to Lucy’s @TheMissGuidedCounselor Instagram account. They’ve become friends through their back and forth messaging without knowing anything more than their Instagram handles. On the first day of real life Fletcher’s new teaching job he meets anxiety ridden, insecure Lucy, the guidance counselor at his high school. As their real life romance blossoms and Fletcher realizes Lucy’s true identity, their online relationship threatens to derail what could be their Happy Ever After.

Jessica. Lepe has written two real, flawed, passionate main characters. She deals with mental health issues in an honest and compassionate manner, and illustrates how easy it has become to hide behind the anonymity of the keyboard. I found myself invested in the characters and thoroughly enjoyed sharing their journey.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review. .

Loved this book! Flirty Little Secret is a wonderful romcom highlighting anxiety and really makes you identify with the main character! It was so sweet!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I received a copy of Flirty Little Secret for free as an ARC reader on NetGalley.

What can I say - I saw so much of myself in Lucy, riddled with self-doubt, always feeling not good enough, but still trying to show the world a side of myself that has it all together. For Lucy that means an Anonymous yet confident internet persona that is at odds with her more timid and anxious IRL identity. Or is it? Maybe all it takes is the right person to show you that the hidden confidence deserves to be celebrated. Maybe the right person will show you that you can be timid and unsure while also being a strong and badass inspirational role model.

Overall, this was an enjoyable short read that made me smile and did a nice job balancing plot and representation.

While I liked the story and the characters very much there were a couple plot holes for me. 1. Are we really to believe that Fletcher’s IG persona was ALSO so barren and anonymous that he was able to not give away his identity. That’s just not how IG works. Or was it new IG via Threads? Something here just didn’t add up. 2. I failed to see why Fletcher’s dad had to be a billionaire - it just didn’t add anything to the plot to me. But maybe that’s just me feeling like the rich guy poor girl thing was an unnecessary layer in the equation.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

Wow, I was pleasantly surprised by this story. It had Abbott Elementary vibes (but high school), and I teared up at one point during a situation between Lucy and a student. I’m a teacher so parts of this book related to and appealed to me quite a bit. I adored Lucy & Fletcher, I LOL’d in several parts, teared up, and felt overall happy with the storyline. It wasn’t slow, nor was it rushed, I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish!

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

I want to start with how much I appreciate the author’s Content Guidance. It’s nice to see the author’s honesty and vulnerability about her mental health diagnoses.

My feedback being a 4 instead of a 5 might be unfairly contributed to what might be editing issues (I.e. sentences with grammatical issues. I admit this is my first ARC so I hope those are things that would be corrected for the actual release.

Outside of this, what I most enjoyed about this book was how much I personally related to Lucy. Not only do I suffer from anxiety, depression and ADHD, I am also mixed which means I can relate to the struggles of identity or feeling like you belong. I appreciate seeing a main character who faces these struggles but can still find happiness and success.