New Release & ARC Review: Secrets We Whisper After Midnight (Decisions in Durham, #2) by Rachel Higginson

Secrets We Whisper After Midnight
(Decisions in Durham, #2)

by Rachel Higginson

Released – 24 May 2022

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Blurb

Eliza English has grown up in the shadow of her two brothers, Will and Charlie. Protective, pigheaded and overwhelmed with the day-to-day of their co-owned bar, they get in the way of every romantic relationship she’s ever attempted. She would do anything for them. And for the bar. But lately, she wants more than a life grinding through every day with only her brothers to share her burdens. Lately the crush she’s had on her big brother’s best friend is demanding more and more attention.

Jonah Mason has known the English siblings almost his whole life. Will is his best friend, practically family. Charlie is the kid brother he never had. And Eliza… well, she’s nothing like a sister at all. Actually, lately, he’s been thinking about her way more than he should. Lately, he can’t seem to think about anything else but her.

Eliza and Jonah have always drawn firm lines between friendship and anything else. Sure, there’s always been attraction, but both of them have always known anything beyond that is strictly off limits. For the sake of their work. For the sake of her brothers.

Until one moonlit night when they share secrets they never meant to whisper out loud.

Find Secrets We Whisper in the Moonlight on GOODREADS

Review

4.5 stars!

Secrets We Whisper in the Moonlight is the second book in the Decisions in Durham series and features Eliza English, sister of Will (from Decisions We Make After Midnight) and Charlie, and Will’s best friend, Jonah.

Jonah has been close to the English family since they were young. Though there was a moment when they were teens, Eliza and Jonah never crossed the line when it came to their friendship. Eliza has always been off limits and they never wanted to ruin what they have. However, lately Jonah and Eliza have been spending more and more time together, and the attraction and feelings that they have spent years suppressing start to bubble over, changing everything between them.

This book blended both friends-to-lovers and brother’s best friend tropes into one romantic, entertaining, swoony read, and I adored it. Eliza and Jonah are good friends even though Jonah started out as Will’s friend first. They have been through thick and thin and have never allowed themselves to risk their friendship. I loved that we see how close they are already and the change that starts to happen between them. It’s a slow burn romance and I enjoyed every moment leading up to when they finally made a move, as well as every moment after. They have fantastic chemistry and though I love them as friends, I adore them more as lovers.

Eliza is wonderful and I love getting the story in her POV but I have to mention how amazing Jonah is. He is thoughtful, sweet, and cares so much for Eliza. I loved how the second he was given the chance he went full force into loving Eliza. I loved how protective he was and how he stood up for her and supported her all the time.

There isn’t much drama between Jonah and Eliza, and I appreciated a sweet, swoony romance without the added angst. On the other hand, there seems to be drama all the time with the English siblings so I wasn’t surprised there were family drama laced throughout the story that created tension, especially between Will and Eliza. I am so glad I read Decisions We Make After Midnight first because I loved Will in his book but he came across colder in this story. I thought he needed to give Eliza a break once in a while in this story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and want more of this group. I cannot wait for Charlie’s book! I love second chance romances and I am excited to see his love story play out!

*ARC generously provided by the author*