I grabbed this book when I saw it as a “read now” option. I love the online secret identity trope. I love the tension and watching them eventually figure it out!
I thought this book was really cute and actually pretty funny. I loved watching their relationship grow both as coworkers and online.

I liked Lucy’s character a lot and really related to her. Her struggles with ADHD, depression and anxiety felt realistic and was done really well.

The only thing I didn’t like about this book was that it felt a little wordy at times. Some descriptions and things could have definitely been shortened up a bit.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book! The second half fell a bit flat, but I’d still recommend it to romance readers!

This book surprised me in the best possible way- it is much more than it appears to be.The characters are perfectly real with real-life mixes of anxiety, depression, doubts and insecurities. They have been through real world struggles and continue to do so here. And their story is told with sweetness and humor and grace. And they were supported and cheered on by some truly loving (and loveable) supporting characters. I really cared about these people and loved watching them find their way to a happy ending.

Flirty Little Secret is a romance akin to You’ve Got Mail. Lucy and Fletcher have just met as he starts working at her school, but unbeknownst to either of them they met long ago on Instagram and are already close friends. As they get to know each other in real life, feelings develop, but obstacles like mental health and past relationships threaten to get in the way….and how will they react once they learn they’ve known each other all along?

First of all, I hate to refer to mental health as an obstacle, when taking care of oneself is a necessity. But what I love about FLS is that the mental health is openly discussed. Instead of treating Lucy’s ADHD, depression, and anxiety as character flaws or quirks, even when it’s hard for her, Lucy is open about how she is feeling overwhelmed and the effect it has on her emotions.

The rest of the story is cute, but would honestly earn a 3 star or a DNF if the mental health aspect hadn’t been prevalent. There’s a lot of exposition compared to real time action. I do believe in the love story, but I also wish I had seen more of it rather than backstory on the characters and their families.

I would recommend this book to people who love romances, Shop Around the Corner stories, and may have some neurodivergence themselves!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was drawn in by the You've Got Mail comparison and stayed for the loveable characters. I saw a lot of myself in Lucy and enjoyed seeing how she and Fletcher grew as friends and as a couple.

This book had my laughing out loud and I couldn't put it down. While there were plenty of funny bits, the author handled the difficult issues in a believable way and I feel it was done well.

I will certainly be on the lookout for more books by this author in the future!

Thank you Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the advanced review copy

2024 is probably going to be the year of the dnf…there is just not enough time to read books that I am not enjoying. I made it to about 40% of this one. I THINK it is loosely “Glee” fanfic, with a high school guidance counselor with anxiety and the teacher who had feelings for her. Fortunately, there is no singing in involved but there are borderline inappropriate student interactions and talk about “influencers.” I think I’m just too old for this book.

I think this was a solid debut novel. It includes two characters who are imperfect but together complementary. I am a social worker myself, so I found a lot of the parts in relation to therapy realistic, as well as the doubt that comes within this role as someone who also has my own mental illness I am in treatment for. The friendship between the two main characters was slightly more believable than the romance. However, by the end of the novel I was able into buy into their relationship. I like the addition of complex family dynamics. It definitely added a layer to the storytelling and helped move along the storyline. I found parts of this to be predictable, but I also don’t think that it all together a horrible thing. It was good to have a book that I knew was going to be an almost for sure have a happily ever after.


4/5

This may not be an absolutely perfect book, but it was absolutely the perfect book for me at the moment. I desperately needed to feel seen and understood and this book gave me that. I often struggle with anxiety and depression and just feeling like I am too much for people. It was kind of refreshing to read about a character that felt like me. There were two relatively spicy scenes and they were fun to read. I love these characters. My complaints are actually mostly about the side characters. Brodie and Georgia and Liv and Mom and Dad all had a lot of random information given to us about them, but it felt like a strange mix of too much and not enough. I also wish there was more time for the love between Fletcher and Lucy to develop. It kinda went zero to 60. Otherwise, I loved it.

This book features some really well drawn characters with diverse and interesting backgrounds. I especially enjoyed the representation for mental health issues like ADHD (the scene where the FMC’s shower breaks right before her big date because she’s been ignoring the problem definitely felt too real). The side characters like the FMC’s sisters and the other teachers at the school were also all really dynamic. The love story was solid, and the HEA felt earned. What kept this from being a perfect book, for me, was that some of the side plots would be put down for long periods of time, only to be picked up seemingly randomly, and others weren’t picked up at all, leaving me slightly confused by points at times. However, this is definitely a matter of personal taste and individual reader experience may vary. Overall, a solid debut.

3.5⭐️

You’ve Got Mail vibes with a meet disaster? Say less! I truly loved this premise of two teachers developing a friendship online and bonding over their shared experiences, fears, and hopes, while unknowingly working a matter of feet away from each other in the same school. Lucy and Fletcher were so easy to love, relate to, and ultimately root for their happily ever after.

The mental health rep was unparalleled - the normalization of conversations with friends and family about panic attacks, anxiety, depression, ADHD, therapy, and medication were so authentic and vulnerable, and honestly refreshing to see on page. There were so many times when Lucy would talk about living with ADHD that I felt so seen and truly grateful that Lepe held space for this discussion. These characters were more than their diagnoses and I loved Lucy’s journey of loving herself and embracing that she was enough and made the world a brighter place. And Fletcher - while he didn’t personally understand what it was like for Lucy, he never dismissed her concerns, but rather always listened, met her where she was at, and took the opportunity to learn how he could best support her.

I adored the side characters and would love to see Julieta, Amira, and Nia (maybe even Brodie) get their own stories. It’s also such a beautiful thing when an author can take an initially unlikable character and flip the script for readers to pause and recognize their own preconceived notions and judgment. I really appreciated how Lepe did this with Georgia’s character and loved how she left space for Georgia and Lucy to connect and a friendship to blossom.

While there was so much I enjoyed, the third act breakup was rather irksome. Given their anonymous online identities, the reader knew there would eventually be a moment when the MCs discovered their ‘secret identities’ but I was really hoping there wouldn’t be a major conflict. I personally felt Lucy and Fletcher communicated well, sometimes venturing into oversharing, but the point being, they actually talked. Lucy was upfront about her anxieties, concerns, and family and Fletcher was too. The problem I had was that this third act breakup that was rooted miscommunication and felt like an unnecessary speed bump. While I think it gave Lucy and Fletcher the space to for individual reflection, I wish it had been avoided.

Third act breakup aside, I liked the side characters, the supportive friends and family that rallied around and embraced Lucy and Fletcher, the mental health rep, the You’ve Got Mail Vibes, and the meet-disaster. While Flirty Little Secret was a fun story with cutesy cover, it has such beautiful emotional depth, relatable moments, and thoughtful conversations. I am looking forward to what Lepe writes next!

Anonymous besties online and crushes/dating irl trope, this one was a very sweet / healing read. I loved the banter between the MCs! There's also huge anxiety/depression rep on page!

TWs - panic attacks/anxiety/depression on page, sexual assault of a minor (a student is tricked by an older guy into meeting him and he tries to kiss her, at which point she escapes from him and is eventually rescued by a teacher she knows), cheating (secondary character)

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

I received a copy of this for my honest review.

This is a heartwarming story of an FMC who struggles with mental health issues, which causes her to have a very unfavorable view of herself. She creates an Instagram account to be a "better version" of herself, and in doing so befriends one of her followers. This follow just so happens to be our MMC who joins the same school she works at and is drawn to her. Will they discover their secret relationship? Will her insecurities cause her to pause her life?

I loved the open conversations about mental health issues. I feel it is important to normalize issues that come with mental health. Characters were good story was fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central) Publishing for this advanced reader copy.

This book was funny, cute and sweet. I enjoyed watching the romance develop, a little awkwardly in the best way, between Lucy and Fletcher. With Lucy dealing with anxiety, depression and ADHD, I found her thoughts, feelings and insecurities relatable. Ultimately a lovely story of trust, overcoming insecurities and leaning into family. I was definitely surprised it was a debut novel from Lepe and I look forward to more from her.

Thanks to Netgalley the publisher and or the author for giving me the chance to read and review Flirty Little Secret.

Love everything about this book especially the plot. The characters were a little flat but other than that it was really good

In "Flirty Little Secret" by Jessica Lepe, readers are introduced to Lucy Galindo, a school counselor with a hidden identity. To the outside world, Lucy appears to be a shy and sweet individual, constantly battling her own inner struggles with anxiety and depression. However, online, she transforms into the confident and outspoken persona known as "@TheMissGuidedCounselor". This online alter ego has gained immense popularity, but Lucy keeps her true identity a secret because she believes her followers would never trust the real Lucy with their problems. The story takes an intriguing turn when Aldrich Fletcher, a history teacher seeking respite from his complicated family dynamics, enters the picture. Instead of finding solace in his new job, he becomes entangled in a web of emotions as he navigates his feelings for a co-worker who only seems to witness his worst moments. Desperate for advice, he confides in his trusted online confidant, @TheMissGuidedCounselor, unaware that Lucy is the one behind the anonymous persona. As the plot unfolds, Fletcher stumbles upon the truth about Lucy's secret identity, and a new secret of his own begins to weigh on his conscience. While undeniable chemistry exists between them, Lucy is hesitant to fully trust Fletcher. Will they find the courage to reveal their true selves to each other and step out from behind the safety of their online personas? Jessica Lepe skillfully weaves a tale of personal struggles, hidden identities, and the power of trust in "Flirty Little Secret". The characters are well-developed, with Lucy's internal battle between her real self and her online persona resonating strongly with readers. Lepe beautifully captures the complexities of mental health issues and the challenges individuals face in opening up to others. The romance between Lucy and Fletcher evolves naturally throughout the story, allowing readers to become emotionally invested in their journey. The element of suspense, as Lucy grapples with the decision to trust Fletcher, adds an extra layer of anticipation to the narrative. "Flirty Little Secret" is a captivating contemporary romance that explores themes of self-discovery, trust, and the courage it takes to break free from the confines of our own insecurities. Lepe's storytelling prowess keeps readers engaged from beginning to end, leaving them yearning for more.

Exactly what I expected and needed out of a teacher fake dating trope! Also while I totally agree that the Konfident Kids Klub needs a new name ASAP, I am infatuated with the kids in that group.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing this book to appear.

Honestly, this book is an easy read...but for the wrong reasons. Nothing really happens / goes on in it.

I had problems with it.

1.) I felt the relationship between the teachers was done very... poorly. Like, too many mistakes and red flags thrown about. I thought there is a rule where in office / workplace romances shouldn't interfere with your work? Well, let me tell you, it was being involved - heavily. Kids are gossiping about the teacher, the teacher doesn't seem to have her shit together (she's 28 and guidance counselor? how? she acts as if she is 17). There is a portion of the book where she is near having sex while changing shirts.

2.) I felt that the whole plot was coincidental, but poorly written coincidental. Out of the ENTIRE United States, how can you tell me that she is the one who is behind the blog? How? The odds are incredibly slim that she and he are literally in the same area. Or, excuse me, he moves to her area making himself closer to her.

3.) The behavioral health issues make sense... but I felt they weren't handled in a clinical sense. Could be that I have worked in the medical field for 15+ years, but with the signs and the issues she was showing, girl needs heavy therapy. Like, it's interfering with your work life... maybe, just maybe, you might want to look into intermittent FMLA? Does this woman KNOW about intermittent FMLA? (Which, I will admit, since I work in handling disability / FMLA, I know more than the average individual...) But come on, there could have been more research and care.

I give it two stars for idea and the behavioral health issues, but given my backround in medical and business, this didn't come off as strong or as good as it should have been.

An absolute gem of a debut from author Jessica Lepe! Lucy is a guidance counselor with an online “alter ego” where she dispenses advice she feels she is unqualified to give in real life. Enter Fletcher, the new teacher at the school where Lucy works, who has had a secret crush on Lucy’s online persona, and who starts to crush on her in real life, too. But Lucy is a classically insecure woman dealing with the stigma of depression, anxiety, and ADHD, and can’t believe that someone would want to be with her for all of who she is.

I really related to this book, because I’ve been in Lucy’s shoes, but I also feel like it was written so well and with such grace and humor, that those without this particular cocktail of mental health struggles will also be able to relate. The humor in this book was absolutely spot on and I laughed out loud in several spots. At the same time, descriptions of the Impossible Thing (that one tiny thing that can’t be done when you’re depressed, no matter how small or insignificant) were on point. I did find myself suspending belief for a minute that both Lucy and Fletcher had social media profiles with zero identifying information on them, but I could also see how that was possible in the author’s brain, so I was able to get on board with it.

If you love romance that is funny, relatable, and also tackles tough subjects (think Lyssa Kay Adams, Abby Jimenez), you will love this book. Big thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the advance copy!

Lucy is a high school guidance counselor, and Fletcher is the new history teacher who has come home to support his family. The two have been talking online anonymously and built up a friendship, without sharing any personal info. In between their real-life dual POVs, we see their DMs, and the funny duality of them navigating their lives while also confiding in each other online (unknowingly) about the same exact situations.

Fletcher is sweet and kind. A great MMC!

This story is sweet and cozy while also showing mental health representation and covering tough topics. It’s also hilarious. Fletcher's ex also works at the school, and is chasing after him while he's trying to pursue Lucy. Lucy has a secret crying closet at the school, so iconic! Fletcher's first day was also a comedy of errors. I HIGHLY recommend picking this one up!

Also, the content warning at the beginning is amazing! Compassionate and thorough. It even mentions which (potentially) triggering events are off vs on page. Exactly what I hope for from a book that covers tough topics!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced e-book!