Top Secret

4.5 stars — Dudes, isn’t it weird how you don’t know you’ve missed something until you get it again? I really love the way this duo writes together. I don’t even know how to describe what it is about their writing, but it’s just seamless. And you get the best of both writers. And OMG, their M/M romances in particular are just super steamy and hot combined with realism and dimension. And that’s the thing that stands out the most for me in this book, the depth of our two heroes. They are so real. I love how completely different they are from one another, yet I empathize with both of them, and truly feel like I understand how they came to be the men that they are now. And they’re both eminently likable! Keaton truly is a lovable puppy dog, seeking approval from his loved ones, while trying to embrace who he is inside. I loved his nerdy mind, his passion for animals, and his willingness to look deeper within himself. I LOVED that he didn’t try to hide or squash the new things he was learning about himself…I mean, he panicked and was confused, but he forged ahead. And Luke just broke my heart. He had so much drive, but it came from a place of insecurity. He was truly shaped by his past and his childhood, and it was hard to watch the arrows keep coming his way. I wanted him to discover his worth earlier, to learn to trust faster, but in the end it wouldn’t have been believable. And in the end it made every step forward that much more satisfying. And the two of them together…

This M/M college romance was such a fun and compelling read! I absolutely loved the dynamic between Luke and Keaton. Their initial dislike for each other, paired with their anonymous conversations on a dating app, created a fascinating contrast as they started to connect in completely different ways. I was obsessed with their chemistry and the way their story unfolded. Luke and Keaton come from very different backgrounds, and I appreciated how the book explored their struggles despite their vastly different upbringings. Their growth as individuals and as a couple made their romance feel real and heartfelt. The story kicks off with Keaton's girlfriend suggesting a threesome, which leads to the app download that sets everything in motion. While I liked her character, I do wish she had been more upfront about what she truly wanted. That said, if she had been, we wouldn’t have gotten Luke and Keaton’s incredible love story—and that would have been a tragedy! Overall, I loved this romance and can’t wait to dive into more books by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy. Their ability to craft dynamic characters and a compelling story is top-notch, and Top Secret is no exception. Highly recommend!