Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
I loved the premise of this but it just wasn't working for me. The writing was very clunky and the dialogue just didn't feel like real people. I couldn't get in to it so it's just not for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third installment in the Peach Blossom series, and much like it's predecessors, it was amazing. As someone who didn't truly discover and explore her sexual orientation until well into adulthood, also after having a child, I felt truly connected to this story. I saw much of myself in Dani. I absolutely loved this story line and it had just the right amount of spice. I'm fully convinced Karmen Lee can't write a bad story.

This book was definitely a cute read. I loved watching Dani's story Unfold. Dani entered strange waters of dating while being a single mother. Zoey Had a really toxic relationship before entering this current one. I loved Dani and Zoey relationship it was definitely a palate cleanser. I would be honest this book was on the short side I would have loved for it to be a little longer I didn't want to put it down. The ending came fast, but all in all I really loved the book

3.5 stars (rounded up)

I really enjoyed my time reading this book. It started off a bit slow for my liking—the first half I was slightly bored—but I am so glad I stuck with it because the story was so worth it. This is the third book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone!

Even though I think this book started off too slow, the way the story progressed was very cute. The characters really shined in this book; I truly cared about every character—even the side characters (and I have not read the books prior to this in the series). The romance is very sweet; I was rooting for Dani and Zoey ever since they met.

The plot of this book was pretty good. I love reading about adults with adult problems in romance because I find I can relate to them more than the teens/young adults that I often see in romance. Once I got to the halfway point in the book, I was hooked and did not want to stop reading. The length of the book is good, in my opinion. I often find that a lot of romance books seem to drag on too long for my liking.

Overall, a very enjoyable read! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a good adult sapphic romance.

Thank you so much to Karmen Lee, Harlequin Publishing, and NetGalley for providing a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
*Review will be posted to my blog [http://calliesbooks.wixsite.com/calliesbooknook], Goodreads, Fable and Storygraph by the end of July.

This was a sweet read with a small-town romance vibe that I’d expect from a Harlequin novel. I loved the characters in this book and definitely neglected some housework to keep reading their story. Both Zoey and Dani seemed like people I could be friends with in real life, and I could definitely relate to their struggles. This was an enjoyable read, with lots of sweet moments between family and friends, with only small, minor moments of angst and drama.
Bonus: As a librarian, the library setting of this story did not disappoint.

Dani was juggling being a single parent, a nurse, and the eldest daughter (Whew), while Zoey, a librarian and author, was trying to find community in the small town she had just moved to. They have a cutesy encounter while Zoey is working one day, and the rest is history!

I was smiling and giggling the whole read. Dani and Zoey were both so lovable. There’s usually one person in the relationship dynamic that’s a little frustrating, but not here. They were both mature and sure about what and who they wanted. I love reading romance novels featuring Black Women MCs that don’t make trauma a central theme. Their banter was cute, both of their support systems were amazing, and the plot points were interesting but not stressful at all (imo). The only character in the book that got on my nerves was Jacob.

Shoutout to the representation for the Girlies who experienced their Queer awakening in/around their 30s but jumped right in, and for having these women fall for each other in a small town that was affirming.

I loved it! Highly Recommend!

This is the cutest, most cozy sapphic read. I mean it's a single mom and a librarian love story set in a small town! Dani and Zoey are the most adorable couple yet and the way Dani treats her son makes me want to cry. Zoey is this amazing librarian who is also an author I mean how can you not fall for her especially when she treats everyone with such kindness. This is a shorter book, but you get everything-- the falling for each other, the meeting of families, and some spicy scenes that will have you fanning yourself!
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for the arc.

Dani and Zoey=Swoon 🥰💜

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and now I will be going back to read the first two in this series to get the back story of the side characters.

The book flows effortlessly and kept me engaged, with a smile on my face, for the first page. I enjoy stories that include single moms and Dani is one to love and respect. Zoey easily grabbed my heart with her depth of sweetness and understanding.

Dani comes from a loving family with two queer sisters. She hasn’t really dated since her divorce from her son Jordan’s father and she has never dated women. While at the library picking up her son, she meets Zoey. Zoey is the kind of needy librarian, wearing a cardigan with more to her than at first glance. They have an immediate warmth for each other.

The story is sweet, humorous and heartwarming. The author seamlessly flows through Dani’s light angst around dating in general and what it means to introduce a love interest to her son. Dani and Zoey were so easy to love and the side characters were likable and flowed well with the story. Light on spice, but perfect for the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Romance for the arc. I leave my review with pleasure!

The Secret Crush Book Club was a very cute and cozy small-town sapphic romance with Hallmark movie feels. It follows Dani, a single mom, and Zoey, the new-in-town librarian and author. We meet Dani as she is struggling with dating as a single mother and watch her navigate her attraction and feelings for Zoey.

This is a great book for people looking for a low angst read. This was the first book I have read by Karmen Lee and I will definitely be going back to read the first two books in the Peach Blossom series.

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

3.5/5⭐

THIS WAS SO CUTE! I needed an easy palate cleanser read in between fantasy books, and this was the perfect choice. I was able to finish it in only a few hours, and it was exactly what I needed. 

I loved getting to see Dani’s struggle with dating as a single mother, as well as Zoey’s struggles with entering a new relationship after her toxic experience with her last partner. Their relationship was so sweet, and reading this felt like watching a hallmark movie. 

The only reason I didn’t rate this higher is because I wish it had been longer. I wanted more of Dani + Zoey’s relationship development before they got together as well as after the the third-act conflict. The ending felt kind of abrupt, and I was expecting there to be a little more story before it was over.

Overall I really enjoyed + highly recommend reading this one when it comes out!

Tropes/Vibes:
- Sapphic Romance
- Small Town
- Oldest Daughter
- Single Mom x Librarian

This was so cute! And it was perfect to read during pride month. I didn’t read any of the other books in this interconnected standalone series but I didn’t have a hard time following this. This story and this couple definitely stood on their own. It was romantic and sweet and perfect for any bookworm. I love romances about book clubs or book stores. This was a lot of fun and I will definitely be going back to read the rest of this series.

I thought this was a sweet romance. I’m usually a huge sucker for the single mom trope and I thought this book did pretty decently at it.

Normally, I prefer when series give readers a little more context to the book because often it’s been awhile between reading books and you tend to forget characters and arcs. I love when series books can stand just as well as their own stories, especially when it’s a romance.

Dani and Zoey were both adorable and I love a good sapphic romance with women with some life experience. And a beautiful bi-awakening without much crisis is always a win in my book.

I loved the way that the book club was weaved in and thought that that was really fun!

Overall, solid book, good vibes. I just wish it stood better as its own story so that people who maybe haven’t read the others or who have already forgotten them can fully enjoy the story too.

*This book 3 for the Peach Blossom series. I really enjoyed the fact that this reads as a standalone because it was my introduction to the series, but I recommend reading in order for a heighted experience.

This was so sweet!!! I loved Zoey and Dani.

Zoey was the sweetest and Dani was so human! A slow burn that will have your cheeks burning from all of the smiling you will do.

Without giving away the plot, Dani is a single mom who comes to the realization that life doesn't have to be how it always has been. She deserves the right to "feel". We journey with her as she discovers what is true and what is habit. Zoey has had he heart broken in the past from giving to much of her self but even with her shaky past she can not help but poor herself into Dani!

A great quick sweet read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! I didn’t connect to this romance that much but it was very sweet and I think many readers will enjoy it. I think I just wanted more of an escape.

I have never swooned so hard for a book! I have loved all of Karmen Lee's books. This one was no exception. I loved the characters and how they are different but still work. This book is cutesy, and is like a warm hug after a long afternoon. 5 star read and its will be recommending it to everyone I know.

Dani and Zoey🥹

I was swept off my lil feet with this story ! I LOVEEEED it. The banter,the butterflies, the found family, the lessons and character development. Sometimes a good paced calm happy ending is JUST what's needed in the book world of 2025 and I got my fill here! I loved the slight innocence organically building into passion and love. I love the single mom aspect in a romance book especially a sapphic one. The BOND? Ugh it went by too fast !!! Thankyou NetGalley and Author for this Arc in exchange for my honest review.

The 3rd installment in the Peach Blossom series. The Secret Crush Book Club follows Dani, a single mom & Zoey, the neighborhood librarian. This is a sexy, sapphic romance, full of spice, kick your feet cuteness & feel good love between family. I truly adored this book and the little lessons & pieces of advice from Daniel. I loved seeing the amazing love between Dani & her family and how they were all so involved in helping Dani with Jordan.

I also loved Zoey & how understanding she was with Dani. Dani was still learning about herself & unsure of how she felt about women but Zoey was so patient & kind, never pushing her towards more. I highly recommend this book.

📖 Title: The Secret Crush Book Club-Peach Blossom #3(can be read as a standalone)

✍🏾 Author: Karmen Lee- a new to me author, I haven't read The 7-10 Split or The Relationship Mechanic yet

📅Publication date: 8-26-25 | Read 6-5-25

📃 Format: eBook 288 pgs.

Genre:
*AA Interests
*LGBTQIA+
*Rom-Com

Tropes:
*small town romance
*sapphic romance
*single parent
*book about books/book club
*family drama

👆🏾POV: 3rd person dual

⚠️TW: anxiety, death of parent, toxic parent

🌎 Setting: Peach Blossom, GA

Summary: Dani is lonely after her sister moved out, so when she picks up her son from the library, she and Zoey have an encouraging conversation. Zoey has a secret crush and invites Dani to join her book club.

👩🏾 Heroine: Dani Williams-a day-shift nurse

👩🏾 Heroine: Zoey-the new town librarian, an author who writes under an alias Caitlyn Martin

🎭 Other Characters:

* Jordan- Dani's 11yr.old son, in the esports league Zoey started
* Ava and Lavenia "Vini" Williams- Dani's sisters
* Daniel-Dani's father, widowed
* Jacob-Dani's ex-husband/ Jordan's father
* Natasha-Dani's work friend sets her up on a blind date w/ Vernon
* Mason-Zoey's brother, in the military
* Tiffany-Zoey's friend and coworker

🤔 My Thoughts: I was glad to see an uncomplicated relationship. Dani and Zoey were two women who liked and pursued each other with little to no drama. Jacob was a narcissist that didn't want to talk to Jordan about him getting married and having another baby. Dani took parenting seriously and always put Jordan first. Happy Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈🌈!

Rating: 4/5 ✨
Spice level 4/5 🌶️open door

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin-Romance | Afterglow Books by Harlequin, and Karmen Lee for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

This was a cute, quick sapphic romance. I like that there's single mother trope. I also liked that one of the two main characters is a librarian!

A small town single mom who works hard for her family and new town librarian has a secret sexy love story that takes place in their small town. Dani loves her son a lot but she doesn't have much time to her self but when she meets with Zoey who is new to town a the town librarian.