I loved the small town setting. It was cozy and wholesome with a dash of spice near the middle.

This book was really cute following the life of a single parent who is about to have a queer awakening and the other character who is willing to help. Zoey was such a fun character and I liked the chemistry she had with Dani.

This book ended way sooner than I was expecting. It felt like it was surface level development but if you’re in the mood for a wholesome quick romance read then I’d suggest it.

Plot: 6/10
Pace: 6/10
Ending: 5/10
Characters: 7/10
Enjoyability: 5/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character: Zoey

Favorite Quote: ❝ "Just contemplating homicide. Trying to decide if I should bury the body or take some time off to drive down and drop it in the Everglades." ❞

The writing just wasn't for me on this one. I love book clubs, I'm looking to explore more sapphic romances, and the page count on this was appealing to me as someone who is reading too many large fantasy books. Unfortunately, the writing felt so all over the place and character names were name dropped without ever being introduced, I was confused the whole time I tried to read this. I also didn't feel any chemistry between the two main characters- one who doesn't know how to socialize because they are a workaholic mom and the other who is a socially anxious mess with a huge crush. I DNFd at 20% in so I don't want to rate lower than 3-stars because there is still a chance that the story got better. If you like linear thinking and clear progression this one may not be for you; however, if you're here just for a quick sapphic read and don't mind a slightly messy story telling style than this may still appeal to you!

Thank you Harlequin, Karmen and Netgalley for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It pains me to say that unfortunately book three in the Peach Blossom series didn’t hit the mark like the first two books did.

The pacing of this one was just too fast. And I felt like we were missing a lot of dialogue and plot. I loved Ava’s book so much. It was such a good book. Vini’s was pretty decent. I felt like there could have been a few extra moments or discussions had. But overall, a pretty good book. With Dani’s, I felt like it wasn’t really thought out. It was like, well Dani’s the last (well she’s the oldest) sister to get a book. Guess I just have to write it. It just felt rushed to me.

I was really looking forward to reading Dani’s story. Finding out more about her. She seemed very interesting in the first two books. And getting to see more of the family was fun. Even though, it was still rushed. Even Zoey’s side was just as rushed. And she didn’t feel like a fully fleshed out character. Just someone who was raised by her brother and was used by another woman. That’s it.

Even though this one didn’t work well for me, I’m still excited to see what Karmen comes out with in the future!

2.5/5 stars

I got an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and the publisher to give an honest review. Gratitude to NetGalley, Karmen Lee, and Afterglow Books from Harlequin.

 

I love seeing Dani finally getting back into the dating game. She has a busy life. As a single mom and a full-time worker, she has a lot on her plate. It was great to see her finally take care of herself.  One way she does that is to go to a book club. There, she gets better acquainted with a new person. She finds someone whom she not only finds attractive but also loves their personality.


That person is Zoey. She is the new librarian in town. She enjoys being in Peach Blossom but is wondering if she will stay. Zoey loves her job, but she also loves being a writer. Right now, she is focusing on her day job and her writing. But Dani’s friendship makes her love Peach Blossom more. She wants more than friendship; she wants to date Dani. But she does not know if Zoey feels the same. Heartbreak from the past causes Zoey not to want to be direct about how she feels.

I am glad that Zoey and Dani finally connected once they got over their reservations. I love their first date. It was a cute moment, especially when they were picking out snacks. It takes a while to get to that scene in the book. The two had a slow-burning romance. Which means it takes a while to get to the spicy parts, but it is worth the wait.

I was chosen as an early reader for this book and I’m so excited I was. It’s such a cute romantic book. Really recommend reading. A story written and told well. Loved how the characters were developed and how everyone and everything turned out

Dani is a single mother whose son attends a gaming club at the library. Zoey is a librarian and author who set up said gaming club. (Now kiss.) The Secret Crush Book Club is a very cute and cozy book. It’s on the shorter side and it doesn’t get too deep, but I did enjoy it. There were some pretty funny moments and other moments when I was like, damn, this is some good writing.

This was my first Karmen Lee book and I’m mad at myself for being so late to the party! I really enjoyed this book and the connection between the two FMC’s was so cute and genuine. I loved Zoey…and I may be a little biased as I’m a librarian who wears glasses and a cardigan. But this was a fun and cozy short read with just enough spice. Now I need to k ow what else goes on in Peach Blossom.

The Secret Crush Book Club is a charming, lighthearted romance about second chances, self-discovery, and the power of community. Centered around a woman reigniting her passion for life and love through a quirky book club, the story blends humor, heart, and a slow-burn romance. While some plot points feel a bit predictable, the warmth of the characters and the book-loving theme make it a cozy and enjoyable read for fans of contemporary romance. A feel-good story perfect for curling up with on a quiet weekend.


Thanks for NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance for allowing me to read this arc.

This might be my favorite out of the entire peach blossom series by Karmen Lee. It was spicy yet oh so sweet

An incredibly cute, cozy, sweet & spicy BIPOC blended family romance. I loved Dani & Zoey’s story, and that it focused around one of my favourite things - books. Trigger warning for gaslighting/mental & emotional abuse & mental and emotional child abuse from a previous spouse.

Really wanted to like this but unfortunately I had to DNF. Its sounded like somthing i would absolutely love. I didn't realize it was apart of a series and there are aspects of the characters that I don't really enjoy reading about. (Nothing to do with the queer aspects of the book).

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Finding oneself after divorce is never easy and to realize that you are crushing on a woman? This is exactly what Karmen Lee does with this story and I think she did it well. I liked the development of both characters and story the acceptance they receive.

"The Secret Crush Book Club" was a cute story. Zoey and Dani were appealing characters, and I enjoyed reading about their feelings developing for each other, their doubts and insecurities, their flirting, and making their feelings for each other known. Of course, having their relationship develop in the context of books (librarian, book club, book recommendations, etc.) was an appealing aspect to the story. The love and support Dani receives from her family and her coworker, Natasha, and the love and support Zoey receives from her brother and her coworker, Tiffany, is one of the things that makes this story particularly enjoyable.

this was such a cute sapphic read! i love the main characters and love this authors writing! i hope to read more of her books in the future!

This book is very cute and wholesome. It’s got Schitt’s Creek vibes! We love a queer friendly small town! I love the series and the author and if you want a cozy read, this is it!

I fell in love with this book right from the first page. The characters are great and the storyline is amazing. Definitely a 5 star must read

I’ll be sad to see this series end, but I’m so glad I got to read how the eldest Williams sister finds love. Dani’s story is warm, heartfelt, and full of the kind of slow-burn connection that makes book club meetings feel electric. I loved watching her and Zoey navigate their growing feelings while balancing family, work, and their own hopes for the future. A sweet, satisfying conclusion to the Afterglow Books series that left me smiling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! Dani, a dedicated single mom, and Zoey, a shy librarian and author, fall in love as they bond during book club meetings.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF. I couldn’t get over how cheesy and Hallmark-esque this is. Tiffany, who is meant to be comic relief, had me rolling my eyes and cringing. I’m sad I didn’t like it because it seems perfect for me on paper: I’m pursuing a career as a librarian, I run a book club, and I’m a writer, but sadly that wasn’t enough to make me stick with it. It’s always sad when a sapphic romance lets me down but luckily there are more and more being published and I know this will find its audience with other readers!

*thank you so much to netgalley and harlequin romance for the arc of this novel*

3.50 on storygraph

going into this book, i didn’t realize it was a continuation (the third in the series) about the williams sisters. from the second novel, i really enjoyed dani and was looking forward to reading this novel! but as i said in the last review about a previous work from this author, the writing isn’t quite there. i felt a connection was lacking between dani and zoey. when they were connected, it was good, but i feel like we miss the beginning and most of the tension and chemistry leading to their romance. the plot often felt like events strung together with minor dialogue, not necessarily a proper plot. i wish there would’ve been more dialogue that way we could properly see the connection and click between dani and zoey bc again, i feel it was lacking for me.
that being said, i did enjoy the topics that were touched on from single mom, to jordan’s feelings, to a coming out later in life. i just wish the writing were a bit stronger bc the bones of a good relationship were there in dani and zoey but i was left wanting more.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for the advanced copy!

I'm going to be honest- this is my first book in this standalone series. I wasn't sure what I was getting into. Having just finished, it was so fricken cute and I will be adding the first two to my Libby account! In the charming town of Peach Blossom, we meet Dani; the single mom who is just trying to figure out her life, and Zoey; the new librarian who has moved to town to write her new book. Zoey falls first for Dani, and this is something new for Dani, as she has only been with men up until Zoey. Maybe there's always been something there, but it just waited until the right person?

I loved how sweet this book was. In hetero books the third act breakup is devastating and dramatic. In this, it was more of a "I need to do this because I think I have to to protect my people, not because I don't want you," type of thing. Both of them respect each other's boundaries and it's never made to feel like Dani is pushing Zoey out of the picture because she has a kid, nor is Zoey mad that she will come last. It's refreshing to read a romance book where the obstacles seem more realistic and the couple use healthy communication to work through them.

I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read the others!