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The Burkes of Burnside Creek #2
Secret Montana Love
After ten years, a shattered heart, and broken dreams, he’s back.
My brother’s best friend and my one true love.
Gorgeous, sexy and completely off-limits.
Our love was forbidden, searingly hot, and all I’d ever desired.
Losing him nearly destroyed me.
Seeing him again, I wish I were brave enough to believe what could be.
He’s all my traitorous heart desires.
Now, he wants a second chance, for him and his beautiful daughter.
Watching them together, I yearn for what we could have been.
If only…
I never could resist Chase, and the passion burning between us is hotter than ever.
But it’s not enough.
Secrets destroyed us ten years ago.
Will they shatter us again?
My brother’s best friend and my one true love.
Gorgeous, sexy and completely off-limits.
Our love was forbidden, searingly hot, and all I’d ever desired.
Losing him nearly destroyed me.
Seeing him again, I wish I were brave enough to believe what could be.
He’s all my traitorous heart desires.
Now, he wants a second chance, for him and his beautiful daughter.
Watching them together, I yearn for what we could have been.
If only…
I never could resist Chase, and the passion burning between us is hotter than ever.
But it’s not enough.
Secrets destroyed us ten years ago.
Will they shatter us again?
- GenresContemporary
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2022
About the author
Fiona Cullen
4 books191 followersFiona Cullen likes her tea strong, loves a long-winded story, and is always rooting for the underdog. An author of sexy, small-town contemporary romance, her heroes are men you’d want to bring home to meet your parents for family dinner and her heroines are women you’d want as your best friend. Fiona calls Montana home, and is happiest when she’s fly fishing a cool, clear Montana river, hiking a trail, or immersed in the beauty around her.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 14, 2022
I will always be thankful to authors who write celibate characters in fictional romances! In this one, both H & h have been celibate for their entire 1o yr separation!
The problem though I had is that the writing/dialogue was a bit off-putting. I don't like forced chemistry/emotions in characters and this is how its written. From the start, Hero is already professing his love and the "secret" revealed with no fan-fare. Then we have dialogue between characters that act as if they were pre-teens instead of adults. That just irritates me to be honest.
So while I liked it and didn't DNF, it unfortunately didn't capture my full attention and I skimmed a lot.
The problem though I had is that the writing/dialogue was a bit off-putting. I don't like forced chemistry/emotions in characters and this is how its written. From the start, Hero is already professing his love and the "secret" revealed with no fan-fare. Then we have dialogue between characters that act as if they were pre-teens instead of adults. That just irritates me to be honest.
So while I liked it and didn't DNF, it unfortunately didn't capture my full attention and I skimmed a lot.
July 27, 2022
3.5 stars
I was really looking forword to this book after I read and enjoyed the first book in this series and this one did not dissapoint me, at all. This book was just so lovely to read and I had the best of time reading it.
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion
I was really looking forword to this book after I read and enjoyed the first book in this series and this one did not dissapoint me, at all. This book was just so lovely to read and I had the best of time reading it.
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion
July 15, 2022
I'd been waiting for this book because I LOVE a good second chance romance, but this was just too sappy and OTT cringey/made-for-TV-movie-ish. It lacked believable tension, and I just couldn't get over the fact that Ali NEVER asked Chase WHY HE'D STAYED GONE FOR TEN YEARS!!!!! WTF?! Annoying, sappy, lacking development, forced misconceptions--it was a mess. Not worth the wait. I DNFed.
July 12, 2022
This is my first read from Fiona Cullen and it's an enjoyable romance with a good dose of angst between the two MC's. This is the second of the series and, though I haven't read the first, I didn't feel like I'd missed anything except that I'd like to go back and read it.
Chase and Ally are looking to have a second chance at their HEA when Chase moves back to town after ten years away, having left with no notice, giving no reason and no goodbye. It's not a welcoming return but things moved forward quicker than I expected. You can feel the history between the two and how much pain and guilt they both feel but also how much love there still is. As they try to move forward together, there's still moments of lashing out, hurting each other and lack of communication which drag them back again. For me it was the communicating that seemed a bit repetitive and you'd think they'd learn from their history. I was also expecting a little more from Ally's dad in regards to how he affected their relationship but that just seemed to go to the side. I am happy with their HEA, you can feel their content and excitement for the future along with Sera who's just the sweetest little thing.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Chase and Ally are looking to have a second chance at their HEA when Chase moves back to town after ten years away, having left with no notice, giving no reason and no goodbye. It's not a welcoming return but things moved forward quicker than I expected. You can feel the history between the two and how much pain and guilt they both feel but also how much love there still is. As they try to move forward together, there's still moments of lashing out, hurting each other and lack of communication which drag them back again. For me it was the communicating that seemed a bit repetitive and you'd think they'd learn from their history. I was also expecting a little more from Ally's dad in regards to how he affected their relationship but that just seemed to go to the side. I am happy with their HEA, you can feel their content and excitement for the future along with Sera who's just the sweetest little thing.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
July 6, 2022
Secret Montana Love has everything a romance lover could want. It has passion, hot love scenes, great characters, plot twist that drops your mouth wide open, and ultimately, at its core, family.
I am not a contemporary romance reader but I love the historical books written by Fiona's alter ego so I have toys book a try. I am very happy that I did. The plot flowed well, didn't jump around, and made sense. It was very logical and the secret twist was 😲, which was nice because normally the secret twist isn't very secretive. The characters are very well developed and I love how they are all tied together someway or another. Family is a very essential theme in all this authors books and I'm thrilled that it continued in her contemporary works.
I will absolutely read the third, fourth, fifth, and beyond books in this series. I easily recommend this book, truly enjoyed it, and encourage you to give it a read.
I am not a contemporary romance reader but I love the historical books written by Fiona's alter ego so I have toys book a try. I am very happy that I did. The plot flowed well, didn't jump around, and made sense. It was very logical and the secret twist was 😲, which was nice because normally the secret twist isn't very secretive. The characters are very well developed and I love how they are all tied together someway or another. Family is a very essential theme in all this authors books and I'm thrilled that it continued in her contemporary works.
I will absolutely read the third, fourth, fifth, and beyond books in this series. I easily recommend this book, truly enjoyed it, and encourage you to give it a read.
July 8, 2022
Chase Harrington left for college and never returned to Burnside Creek, leaving behind his best friends, Nolan Burke and Caleb Doyle, along with his true but secret love, Alessia (Ally) Burke.
10 years later, Chase returns to Burnside Creek with a secret to large to stay hidden for long.
I loved the mystery behind Serena Harrington, Chase’s 10 year old daughter. I didn’t connect the dots until just before Ally does and it’s mind-blowing, but in the best way.
Chase and Ally still have strong feelings for each other, even with a 10 year estrangement and all the secrets between them.
I loved seeing the other family members, especially cousin Caleb, the lawyer and Nolan along with his wife, Theo.
This story can be read as a stand alone with a happy ending, but the first book (Forbidden Montana Love - Nolan and Theodora’s story) is just as good and provides a lot of context behind the safe return of Chase and Serena.
10 years later, Chase returns to Burnside Creek with a secret to large to stay hidden for long.
I loved the mystery behind Serena Harrington, Chase’s 10 year old daughter. I didn’t connect the dots until just before Ally does and it’s mind-blowing, but in the best way.
Chase and Ally still have strong feelings for each other, even with a 10 year estrangement and all the secrets between them.
I loved seeing the other family members, especially cousin Caleb, the lawyer and Nolan along with his wife, Theo.
This story can be read as a stand alone with a happy ending, but the first book (Forbidden Montana Love - Nolan and Theodora’s story) is just as good and provides a lot of context behind the safe return of Chase and Serena.
July 14, 2022
This book has an incredibly unique twist on the second chance romance/single dad trope I’ve never read before, and that made the story really interesting. Chase and Alessia/Ally went to college together and broke up before Chase left town for 10 years, leaving everything behind (including his best friend, Ally’s brother). Upon returning home, secrets are revealed that shock everyone and change their lives forever.
I enjoyed the story and the steam. I do feel the characters could have some more dialogue development and the author could explain more of what is going on in their minds throughout the dialogue and conversations. Also the characters don’t sound like twenty-something adults in America, they sound very regal and way too well-versed in language. Maybe dumb them down a bit. 😜
I enjoyed the story and the steam. I do feel the characters could have some more dialogue development and the author could explain more of what is going on in their minds throughout the dialogue and conversations. Also the characters don’t sound like twenty-something adults in America, they sound very regal and way too well-versed in language. Maybe dumb them down a bit. 😜
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May 19, 2022
Foreword PR is delighted to be working with Fiona Cullen for her release of Secret Montana Love! Secret Montana Love is a uber sexy & forbidden love, second chance, brother's best friend contemporary romance standalone and the second book in her emotionally captivating The Burkes of Burnside Creek Series.Visit here to find out how you can read early: Secret Montana Love
July 5, 2022
Secret Montana Love is book 2 in the Burkes of Burnside Creek series is about Ally and Chase and their second chance at love.
Chase returns to Montana with his daughter to win back not just the love of his life but also his best friends. Chase and Ally navigate learning to trust one another again and as more secrets are revealed. Ally comes from a large family and there are some good side characters that added humor to the story. Ally and Chase were likeable characters but I felt for their age, they had a lot of issues and communication was a key one.
I did not read book 1 in the series and I do not feel that it caused any missing pieces to book 2.
Chase returns to Montana with his daughter to win back not just the love of his life but also his best friends. Chase and Ally navigate learning to trust one another again and as more secrets are revealed. Ally comes from a large family and there are some good side characters that added humor to the story. Ally and Chase were likeable characters but I felt for their age, they had a lot of issues and communication was a key one.
I did not read book 1 in the series and I do not feel that it caused any missing pieces to book 2.
July 13, 2022
As the second book in the Burkes of Burnside Creek series, this was a good read. I enjoyed the characters and the second chance HEA for Chase and Ally. There’s a lot of history between these two and plenty of angst, anger, humor, love, and family along with a twist. As the couple reconnects and opens up about the past, secrets emerge that throw them off course and they have to backtrack to once again move forward. The only thing that was a little tiresome and repetitive for me was the lack of communication. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.
*I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
*I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
June 22, 2022
Grab this book NOW!! Get yourself a drink, tissues, get your favorite blanket and get ready to get cozy in your favorite spot for the day! This book as it all for you. It's a love story, mystery, suspencful and heartwrenching! The characters are very well brought to life, and you can certainly feel the motions that they feel. All I can say is that Chase and Ally will have you smitten, will have you on the edge of your seat biting your lip. FANTASTIC READ!! I have another favorite author to my shelf as well!
July 13, 2022
After leaving town ten years ago with no goodbyes to anyone, Chase is back. In this story you will find out why he left and stayed away for ten years. Also, there will be a lot of forgiveness to be found between lovers and also best friends. Chase is determined to win Ally back and plans to stay in town with his ten-year-old daughter who you will enjoy her excitement of life.
July 15, 2022
I liked Chase and Ally's story. It felt so real. I love Fiona's storyline. I love the idea of two lovers getting a second chance with love and a chance at a HEA. I loved their chemistry but those two deserved to be locked in a room to work out their communication issues. Other than that I was really entertained by their story.
I received this as a complimentary copy and I freely left this review.
I received this as a complimentary copy and I freely left this review.
July 20, 2022
This was a slightly different take on a single dad/second chance story. I loved the concept, though. There was so much to work through in this one. There were a lot of secrets, and not just from one person. Trust had to be given. Love had to be uncovered from all the pain and emotional baggage. I loved Chase's sacrifices when it came to Sera, even at his own happiness. I loved watching Ally and the Burkes fall in love with Sera, and she with them. I didn't like seeing Ally so broken, but I loved that she took the time to get through all the pain. I loved that Chase came back with an end game, even though it was quite the journey to get there.
July 14, 2022
This book was so beautiful and I wanted to throw my phone across the room but I loved it.
This couple went through hell and found their way back to each other and I can't even find the words to explain why this book was so good.
It has slow burn, second chance, even a bit of mystery!
This couple went through hell and found their way back to each other and I can't even find the words to explain why this book was so good.
It has slow burn, second chance, even a bit of mystery!
August 19, 2022
Alessia and Chase grew up together. Chase was Alessia's brother and cousin's best friend. They started seeing each other in secret while away at college. Then when Alessia gets pregnant. She believes Chase is horrified with the news. So, when he asks her to marry him out of duty. She tells him no. She then has the baby in secret and gives her up for adoption. Her family never knowing. Then her mom dies not too long after this. And her father unbeknown to her, threatens Chase. When he returns after 10 years no one is really happy to see him. But he is determined to make Ally his again.
I absolutely loved this book. You must read Forbidden Montana love first. There are too many little things you will need to know for Chase and Allys story to make sense. You can feel the emotions they both still have for each other. And then when Alessia realizes Chase's daughter is her daughter. There is so much confusion. All they needed was better communication. I definitely recommend this book!
I absolutely loved this book. You must read Forbidden Montana love first. There are too many little things you will need to know for Chase and Allys story to make sense. You can feel the emotions they both still have for each other. And then when Alessia realizes Chase's daughter is her daughter. There is so much confusion. All they needed was better communication. I definitely recommend this book!
November 13, 2022
Disappointing !
If you want to read a book about a couple of adults behaving like spoilt children, telling and living lies and throwing temper tantrums this is the book for you !!
If you want to read a book about a couple of adults behaving like spoilt children, telling and living lies and throwing temper tantrums this is the book for you !!
April 10, 2023
It's such an interesting storyline, and I mean that in a good way. It is so great to read stories that are connected and have so much much meaning and truth behind them. Love this book and author.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews