Marigold has grown up around Zach her best friends older brother. She had always had a crush on him. Until he left her embarrassed and then ignored her anytime they were around each other. Marigold doesn’t know why Zach dislikes her so much. Zach doesn’t hate her. He’s embarrassed of how he acted when he was younger, and feels Marigold can do better than him. He’s always liked her and been attracted to her. He’s just not let her know. But when he’s fixing a light in her salon and gets electrocuted the only thing he thinks of is how he never told Marigold how he felt about her. Now he’s determined to get her. But the timing for her is to coincidental because she has just started dating someone. And Zach has gone from not talking to her to telling her he’s in love with her. There story was entertaining with plenty of funny parts and a little suspense thrown in.

Of course it takes a literal shock for Zachary to act! Mari and Zachary finally get their HEA. I love these Tilikum stories!

I immersed myself in this story, and although it had a somewhat strange vibe (probably because of the subject matter), it managed to hook me. I liked the main characters, although there was something about them that didn't quite convince me.

What I enjoyed most was the mystery: it was hinted at from afar, but it remained present throughout, which made it really entertaining. Overall, the story was good and managed to keep me interested from start to finish.

I've never read this author before but this book was sooooo good! The pacing was on point, the flow flowed. Perfect! Thanks for the ARC, I appreciate it!

Loving this series! The second book was even better than the first! I was so nervous about Zach in the beginning. Loved reading Marigold and Zach love sorry.

Honestly this series is like reading a tv series. Not sure if I’ll be happy when it is done.

Thanks NetGalley

I was excited to read the second book of the Haven series, having enjoyed book one.

This storyline has a lot of suspense, and some topics that sensitive readers may want to avoid. While I did enjoy this couple and their chemistry, many parts of this didn't work as well for me as I had hoped, and I wanted something other than what this ended up to be for me.
Zachary and Marigold had some growing and hurdles to jump over before reaching their HEA, and I did finish the read happy with their ending.

I do recommend this author, and story, and appreciate my ARC. My thoughts are my own.

I absolutely love the Haven brothers and this series. All of the brothers are amazing, Zachary included. I love that he realized what he wanted and wouldn’t back down even if he was putting himself in danger. The way he loved and protected Marigold is so heart warming. Love above everything. I cannot wait to finish reading this series as it comes. I highly recommend this book/series! You will not be disappointed.

This was definitely a miss for me. If you’re here for the romance, I’m afraid you might be disappointed. I’ve enjoyed Claire Kingsley’s work in the past, but thus far this series hasn’t quite lived up what I expect in her work, and this one fell super flat for me.
Zachary is the kind of hero who goes after what he wants. Once he sets his sights on Marigold, he’s all in, making big gestures and pulling every charm in his playbook to win her over. Marigold, sweet and relatable, makes him work for it.

The romance has no substance or development really between them While Zach had plenty of cute, swoon-worthy moments, the story itself felt scattered and unsure what it wanted to be. Several subplots—strained family dynamics, Marigold’s salon, her mother’s memory issues, all the suspense- instead of working together are just a big ole tangle of loose ends. The romantic progression also felt rushed; they go from restrained to “I love you” within a few chapters, without little emotional buildup or really any chemistry at all. The romance feels like textbook telling instead of showing, almost like Claire phoned it in because she’s more interested in the other dynamics than the romance but it’s a “romance”book so she has to include it.

The suspense subplot offered some intrigue and I actually found those parts more engaging, though even that thread felt somewhat predictable and again undercooked in place.
Storms and Secrets had flashes of charm, humor, and heart, but the lack of cohesion and underdeveloped romance made it a miss for me overall. Super disappointed.

This just wasn’t for me and I DNF’d around 20%. I liked the writing style but the plot just wasn’t right for me. Thank you for the ARC opportunity! I’m hoping to try another from this author since I liked the writing style.

If Claire Kingsley writes it then I will read it for sure. I am loving the Havens every bit as much as I loved the Bailey's, and that's high praise!

Storms and Secrets is a compelling romantic suspense that blends heart-pounding tension with emotional romance. At first, the dual storylines had me curious, but they come together seamlessly in a way that’s both satisfying and impactful.

The story does include a sensitive theme - human trafficking, which are handled with care and add real weight to the plot.

I especially loved Zachary — the MMC is impulsive, loyal, and full of charm. The romance hits all the right tropes: best friend’s brother, childhood friends to lovers, and even a touch of love triangle drama. The pacing is strong, the stakes feel real, and I was invested from start to finish.

Highly recommend for fans of romantic suspense.

I am confused as to why I suddenly got an ARC when this book has been published for over a year? I read it back in march 2024 but in case it was being republished or it had edits, I gave it another try.

This book wasn’t for me. You’re telling me that Zac ignores Marigold for 15 years and it takes one (I’ll admit, life threatening) moment for him to go from 180° on his stance with her, deciding to pursue her and also somehow going from 0 to 100 in how fast he wants things to go?

The romance felt flat and even though here was another storyline happening with suspense elements, I just did not like this one.

Thank you anyways NetGalley for the arc

Storms and Secrets by Claire Kinsley is the latest in her Havens Brothers series.

I haven't read any of the others in the series, but it didn't impact my enjoyment of the book, at all. This book centers on Zac and Marigold.. They have each had feelings for each other for yeas, but haven't acted upon them. An accident makes him realize he is actually in love with her and he sets out to woo her. The only problem? She doesn't believe him, and besides that? She has a new rich suitor who may be The one.

Lets throw in a secondary plot line of someone attempting to traffic a teenage girl and it ended up being a surprisingly serious and enjoyable book.

I'm going to go read the others in the series now and catch up on the other people in the family.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in consideration of an honest review.

Thank you to sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for this arc!

I just love Claire’s writing style and I have honestly enjoyed the whole series. I hope she continues to keep writing!

In some ways, this books provided exactly what I came for: a small town romance with a HEA. But it was predictable and it lacked personality. I needed a family tree to reference because there were A LOT of side characters, and none of them had discernible characteristics or traits. Once the two main characters get together, it’s boring insta-love. I initially liked the mystery of Preston not being quite what he seems. It was an unusual side plot that held promise but fizzled out.

I would read more by Claire Kingsley in the future but I won’t finish this series. Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks for the ARC.

This whole series is very good. I love Claire's writing style and she really knows how to pull you into the story and make you feel as though you've known these characters their whole lives.

I wanted to like this book so much. I love the cover and was excited to win and review this. I DNF'd this one. The 2star rating is because I really liked the building of Zachary and Marigold's story, and really wanted to see it develop more. And while there was a TW for sex-trafficking I didn't think it would give me the icks as much as it did. I'm a social worker; I've seen a lot. But this was a nope-rope for me sadly.

Another amazing read from Claire Kingsley. The spice is lower with these small town romances but it's just enough to develop the romantic plot. The suspense makes this one a page turner. I read these backwards from the most recent to this one. So they are stand alones and easy to read in order or out of order.

Storms & Secrets by Claire Kingsley is the 2nd book in the Haven Brothers Series. Having read the 1st book, Obsession Falls, I jumped at the chance to read Zachary’s story who has a lot of making up to do when it comes to Marigold. Like the first book, there’s quite a bit of suspense and as the title implies, Storms (literally) and Secrets. Without ruining this read for anyone, suffice it to say, the nasty character that causes all the problems was obvious and not a surprise and quite easy to dislike. Marigold on the other hand was such a sweet character and so very likeable. This romantic suspense will satisfy the reader that enjoys a strong, but sweet, heroine; a small-town hero, a bit of suspense and of course, the Squirrel Protection Squad. I’m grateful to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

Storms and Secrets
Back to Tilikum with the Haven brothers. Zachary Haven an electrician has been pining for Marigold for years but unable to express or tell her how she feels so ignores her, she too has had a crush on him. When Zac is electrocuted fixing a light at Marigolds salon and ends up in hospital he realises he actually loves her and sets about to tell her, she however doesn’t believe him plus a very rich handsome man has come to town and sets about wooing her going all out to impress her.
Added to this we have a missing runaway, Briele accepts a lift off a stranger who takes her to his luxury cabin acting kind and generous, so we have the two stories interlinking leading to a sex trafficking gang making this an interesting and exciting read.
Above all the good dialogue and humour raises this to a great read.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.