DNF at 23%. I struggled to get into this, despite the book not even being that long. The characters were alright, but I just didn’t feel the connection.

The Secret Crush Book Club by Karmen Lee was absolutely amazing! This sapphic romance had everything I love — sweet banter, undeniable chemistry, and a love story that kept me smiling the whole way through.

The book is set in Peach Blossom, and honestly, I’m obsessed. The town felt so charming and alive that now I want to pack a bag, move there, and join this book club myself. The way Lee built this world makes me want to not only visit Peach Blossom but also dive into the other books in the series.

I absolutely enjoyed the back-and-forth between the characters. Their banter was witty and fun but also heartfelt, which made their romance that much more swoon-worthy. The story balanced lighthearted, flirty moments with emotional depth, and it felt so authentic.

This is the kind of romance that warms your heart and leaves you wanting more. If you’re looking for a sapphic love story filled with charm, laughter, and a setting you’ll want to revisit again and again, The Secret Crush Book Club is it.

This was cute but a little too Hallmark-y for me. I just didn't really connect with the characters like I wanted to. I enjoy Lee's books so I was sad this one didn't fully work for me.

Dani, a single mom, is trying to find out who she is and what she needs in love. She's been feeling lonely and wondering tif it's time to put herself out there but worries how it will affect her son. Zoey, the new librarian, is seeking a place to call home and someone to connect with. When the two begin spending time together, sparks fly but is timing on their side?

I loved this book so much! It was a perfect palate cleanser, quick read and so sweet. I loved all the characters and they all felt genuine and real. All characters were complex and deep and I found myself connecting to each of their personalities. I loved the focus on family, second chances, finding yourself, and building connections. Dani and Zoey were so patient and caring with each other and their slow burn was sweet and hot.

The book is number three in the Peach Blossom series but I haven't read the first two and was able to read it just fine. Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Harlequin Romance, NetGalley, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC!

I had a lot of fun back in Peach Blossom again! I enjoyed the themes of self discovery in this third installment, especially as far as sexual orientation. It was such a great representation of discovering more about yourself well into adulthood and what it means to surround yourself with a supportive group.

I also liked that it touched in the pressures of doing things “the right way” as a parent and highlighted the importance of taking your children’s feelings into account. I do think some things were swept under the rug really easily to allow for the end to wrap up nicely but regardless, I enjoyed my time in Peach Blossom.

I think this is. 3.75 rounded up to 4! I would love to visit these friends and their town again.

Thank you to Harlequin - Romance | Afterglow Books by Harlequin and Netgalley for this eARC!

I picked up The Secret Crush Book Club after reading and enjoying the second book in the Peach Blossom series! I love a small town romance series, and I enjoy Karmen Lee's writing, so I was sure this would be another fun read!

I did enjoy The Secret Crush Book Club as expected, it was a sweet, thoughtful exploration of coming out a little later in life and when you're one of the pillars of a family unit. Dani being 30 (or just about) with a child, two sisters, and her elderly father all relying on her in some shape or form on top of a nursing career - it made total and complete sense why she hasn't had the time or space since her divorce to explore this side of herself. I loved that aspect of the book, and I loved how understanding Zoey was of it. As someone who loves a "eldest daughter finally does/gets something for herself" narrative, I do wish we saw a bit more depth to that role Dani was in and how those burdens could be lightened a bit more by her family giving her support or space - I was missing that pivotal moment to a degree. Other than Dani's ex, everything was almost too easy - but I did love that the town and their community were so supportive of them.

I gave The Secret Crush Book Club a 3.75 / 5 rating, rounded up to 4/5 for netgalley and goodreads. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone looking to pick up more small town romances, particularly those looking for sapphic stories.

I was so happy to get is arc and I loved the concept of the book love connection. I also really liked that this book includes a single mom and two Black main characters in a sapphic story. While the writing didn’t wow me the story was cute overall and there was good character growth! If you liked the other books in this series you will like this one!

this book was a fun one. i enjoyed my read. like Les’s other books it was low stakes. i would recommend to anyone looking for a quick lighthearted read.

quick and emotional romance with some great romantic tension, although the resolution took quite a bit longer than I would have liked. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

I love Karmen Lee's romances so much. They're funny, tender, romantic, steamy, and FUN! Any book lover will love this sapphic romance based on a book club (: That setting is like catnip to us hehehe.

The Secret Crush Book Club by Karmen Lee was such a cute sapphic romance that gave me all the warm fuzzies! Both FMCs were so lovable, working through their own stuff while slowly finding their way to each other. It’s a slow burn done RIGHT, and I was rooting for them from the jump. Absolutely loved how their story unfolded—definitely keeping an eye out for more from this author! Karmen Lee is on my “read more from” list for sure!

A very quick read. Slow burn that then heats up quickly. I loved that the main character tries to figure themselves out before truly committing to something so new to them.

Their chemistry is sweet. Zoey's willingness to take things at Dani's pace was perfect. Figuring out who you are with and without someone is so important, soI loved that about this story.

This sweet, late-in-life-queer-awakening, slow-burn was the perfect way to end this trilogy! I loved reading about Dani and Zoey and their slow journey to love. I think all the fears and concerns that Dani went through questioning her sexuality were well written as it is something anyone would go through when they spend most of their life thinking they're wired one way only to find out it was not true. Zoey was very patient with Dani, even given her own past heartbreak, and was the type of supportive girlfriend that Dani, or anyone in that position, would need when they're finding out more about themselves.

Another thing I appreciated was the support from Dani's sisters. Ava is and has always been the firecracker of the group but her kindness to her oldest sister coming to her with questions was amazing to read and shows that she has grown a lot from the one that we met in THE 7-10 SPLIT. We didn't get to see a lot of Vini which made sense considering she was off exploring the world with her girlfriend but she did make appearances to show sisterly support as well.

And Daniel, their Dad? I LOVE seeing a positive paternal role model in a Black book, especially when he's measured against Dani's pathetic ex. It goes without saying Daniel was more of a father to Jordan than Jacob was. And I also love how supportive Jordan was about Dani and Zoey getting together since he ultimately wanted his mother to be happy.

This was swoon-worthy on so many levels and is definitely one I will re-read again. This author is now one of my top favorites and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us.

Another cute low-angst slow burn to round out the sapphic Peach Blossom trilogy. With a queer awakening! I love everyone except Jacob lol. Even Mason because we had Ava for two books (if you know you know). I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest review. 4.25 stars for a solid end to the series.

Took me some time to get invested with these characters, the beginning had a slow start but once they went on a first date things started to get more engaging. I didn’t realize that this was a series but it could be a good standalone also. Thank you to Harlequin Romance & Netgalley!

This one was a slow burn for sure, but don’t get it twisted, the heat and chemistry between Dani and Zoey were absolutely 🔥🔥🔥. I loved how Karmen Lee brought together a small-town charm with a story that’s all about family, friendship, and stepping into the next chapter of life with hope and a little bit of spice.

Dani’s juggling act as a single mom felt so real and grounded, and Zoey’s quiet confidence as the librarian with her own secrets added the perfect mystery and pull. Watching them go from shy glances over book club picks to sizzling first dates was the kind of slow build that leaves you satisfied but still wanting more.

The way their relationship unfolded was sweet and sexy without rushing, and the backdrop of Peach Blossom gave it such a cozy, inviting vibe. If you’re here for romance that’s as much about emotional connection as it is about physical chemistry, this is a lovely pick.
The characters in this series continue to glow up in all the right ways, from showing up for themselves to finding love that feels earned. Recommend if you like your rom-coms with heart and a slow-building spark.

3.5
“There’s no such thing as having to start on page one, sometimes chapter 1 happens after the book is already done.”
“A memory surfaced of easy smiles and the brush of hands as a book passed between them”

Thanks to Harlequin Audio for an E- ARC and ALC. Awe this was such a cute read! This was overall a cute quick listen! I enjoyed the slow burn aspect and I love that Zoey was so patient with Dani as she was trying to navigate her feelings, sexuality, and just trying to figure things out! I loved the aspect of the book club that brought them together and the soft quick touches and glances, and the bread crumbs of their connection slowly built was so cute to see! Dani’s shy introverted self was always such a breathe of fresh air, I love how she allowed herself to finally put herself first in her life. I wish Dani and Zoey would have had more time to bask in their relationship once it was official before the story ended / came to a conclusion, however this still is an enjoyable read! I love that both Dani and Zoey are huge family oriented people and further solidified their connection as they came together and the support of their family!

3.5★

This was an enjoyable and relatively fast read for me. I appreciated the growth that we saw Dani experience and I adored the support from Zoey while Dani was working through the big changes in her life. I have a bit of a hard time after thinking about it giving this more than a 3.5 however due to the lack of romance. There was a friendship created and it was a slow burn which I respect but I wish for a romance book it had just some more. It didn't take too much away from the book but again in sitting on it, it felt like I wanted more then what I got. But again the personal growth we see from Dani was a great thing to read about imo.

this book was cute. cute chemistry, cute book club, cute moments. but i needed more in order to feel invested.

i feel like the characters both had some things they needed to work through in their personal lives that they weren’t really working on. characters more focused on each other. i do wish the book was longer since so much more could’ve been added or done.

i did like reading queer characters in a small town and someone discovering their sexuality later in life. that was all really well done.

if you’re wanting a short, sweet read then i’d try this one

Thank you to NetGalley and Karmen Lee for this ARC! I was so happy to be back in Peach Blossom again. This story follows Dani, a nurse and divorced single mother, and secret romance author and the new librarian at her son’s favorite library, Zoey. They have only talked in passing but when Zoey invites Dani to join her bookclub as a way to get to know her, the crush being to bloom! I think this was done so well! Zoey and Dani were so cute together. I love that we see Dani figuring it out without feeling pressured or rushed, and how she takes her son’s feelings into consideration. I HATE his father.. he really can kick rocks. I love their dad Daniel, and I love that we even get check ins with the other Williams sisters. I’m kinda mad it’s over because I wanted more! 😭