Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Let me start by saying i haven’t read anything else by this author and I did not know it was part of a series. Now that being said i think it is why i had no idea what was going on. I technically DNF’d this book but only because I didn’t know what was going on. I felt like I was dropped into the middle of some other book without any context. But I also couldn’t get into the writing style either. I might come back to this after checking out the other two books but idk.

A huge thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

This is the third book in the Peach Blossom trilogy following Dani and Zoey. You don’t have to read them in order but I will definitely be going back and reading the other two!

I loved this! I loved these characters. I thought the author did such a good job at making you really feel for the characters and giving them such depth in such a short amount of time. And I’m always a sucker when there’s a mom and I’m a sucker for librarians and having those two together made for the perfect romance.

I am also obsessed with this authors writing style now. I loved all the little jokes and quips so much. I am so excited to go back and reading the others in this series!

3.5 ⭐️

Dani is a divorced, single mother who’s tired of spending time alone. Zoey is the librarian with a secret crush on Dani. However, that’s not the only secret she’s keeping.

I enjoyed reading Dani navigating motherhood and discovering feelings of attraction to another woman. And Zoey wanting a relationship yet not wanting to repeat certain patterns from the past.

This is an adorable cozy sapphic romance that’s easy to read. This is the third book in the series but can be read as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance for this ARC.

Thanks NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC!

I love Karen Lee's work! And this is another to add to my shelf. I read this in a sitting. It's such a cute and cozy small town romance.

Overall: 4.25/5
Spice level: 2/5
Tropes: small town, bi-awakening, slow burn, single mom

This ending to the Peach Blossom sisters' stories was pretty cute! The angst level was pretty low, as was the spice level, which takes a little while to come, no pun intended.

Zoey and Dani have the sweetest chemistry, but I understand the hesitation they both display about getting together.

I love when a bi-awakening storyline has the character just accepting themselves as they are without fear. This was Dani. Her fear wasn't in her identity but in external familial factors.

I did feel like there were loose ends left, and there was no real declaration of love between the characters. It made the story feel a little incomplete to me.

Overall though, I enjoyed their connection and Zoey's patience with Dani.

What a sweet and cozy modern sapphic love story. Appreciated the diverse and book loving characters. Our readers will love this one!

I find myself wanting more with a lot of Karmen Lee’s work, which is a testament to how good she writes characters. The Secret Crush BookClub was a sweet, low angst/conflict, small town romance. It’s nice to see the other characters of Lee’s books in the Peach Blossom Universe. I loved seeing what the Williams family was up to. There was a nice blend of comedy queer cultural references. It was a ln easy read and a fast one too because l couldn’t put it down!

I did feel like there needed to be a little more in the middle of the story, a little more building of Zoey and Dani’s relationship. I would’ve also liked a bit of a resolution or to see more being done about the situation with Jordan’s dad. It felt unresolved. I’m a huge fan of epilogues too and I found myself wanting one!

This is definitely a book I will come back to and I hope this isn’t the last we see of the Williams family!


Thanks NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC!

This book was really cute! Perfect little small town queer awaking romance. I loved getting to see Dani as a person and not just as a sister or a mom. And Zoey feels like she's my spirit animal, I saw so much of myself in her. I love when the characters are relatable. The book did seem a little shorter and more surface level than I usually prefer, but overall, I enjoyed it. If you're looking for something a little more lighthearted with a found family feel, this is perfect for that. While it is the third in the series, I think it could be read as a standalone. However, to understand and get the most of all the other relationship dynamics, I recommend reading the whole series in order.

Ahh so cozy and cute! Loved the cozy chill vibes from the start, binged this book in a day and enjoyed myself! So thankful to have been given this arc from NetGalley

The Secret Crush Book Club by Karmen Lee is one of the standout gems in the Peach Blossom series, blending heart, heat, and humor in a way that makes it truly unforgettable. Dani, a fiercely devoted single mom, and Zoey, the charming new librarian with a secret side, are bold, likeable characters who immediately draw you in. Their chemistry is palpable from the first glance, and the way their relationship unfolds—from shared book club meetings to steamy, emotionally charged moments—makes for a story that’s equal parts sweet and sexy. This installment feels especially personal, as it beautifully explores how love can bloom in the most unexpected places, even when life feels full to the brim.

What makes this book one of my favorites in the series is how unapologetically real the characters are. Dani’s vulnerability as a mother navigating loneliness and desire is deeply moving, while Zoey’s quiet strength and hidden passion bring a lovely balance to their dynamic. Their romance is both empowering and tender, showing that starting over doesn’t mean starting from scratch—it means daring to turn the page. With vibrant side characters, clever dialogue, and a setting that feels like home, The Secret Crush Book Club is a joyful reminder that love stories are best when written with courage, honesty, and a little bit of heat.

I liked this novel a lot. It was on the shorter side, and a bit “simpler” as a result, but in a way that left me very happy and satisfied. This is not a book filled with drama; it is more like a nice hug that is comfortable and leaves you feeling warm and happy. The protagonists were delightfully cute together. If you want a straightforward romance that is well written and has great characters then I would recommend this one in a heartbeat.

It is part of a series but can easily be read as a standalone (and I actually mean that, your fine!).

My Rating: “A”
Converted Rating: 5-Stars

Highlights:
-Its just heartwarming.
-They are SO cute together. I’m talking about butterflies and shy smiles. Absolutely heartwarming.
-Gay panik!
-Sexy librarian. Cardigans.
-The amount of content per page count is very satisfying.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.