July 11, 2026

Secret Husband by Kate Meader - ARC Review


Years ago, I broke her heart, but fate has given me a second chance. I am here to claim my wife—and I will fight like hell to make her mine.

Lauren

I might be late to the game of life, but things are finally starting to go my way. I’ve just started my own sports talent agency, stepped on the first rung of the property ladder, and landed myself a normal boyfriend who’s about to propose. (I found the ring!)

Unfortunately, I have a slight problem—as in a husband who is surplus to requirements. Somehow, I got married without even realizing it to the guy who broke my heart years ago. Now he’s back in my life, making demands and turning my world upside down. Except I’m no longer that starry-eyed girl in love with the Russian hockey star. These days I’m a ball-busting tigress for my clients, and the last thing I need is Alexei Nazarov ruining everything for which I’ve worked so hard.

But when he makes me an offer I can’t refuse, I wonder if I’ve struck a bargain with the devil who knows my heart better than anyone …

Alexei

Years ago, I met a hockey playing spitfire and fell ass over skates for her. But my life was in disarray, and I had to let her go. When a chance comes to reconnect with her, I grab it with both hands.

There are obstacles. A boyfriend (unworthy), her disdain for me (admittedly, hot), and the fact I hurt her deeply (my biggest regret). It won’t be easy, but nothing worth doing ever is. Known for fighting dirty on the ice, I am not opposed to fighting dirty off it to get what I want.

And I want Lauren Yates …





There are books that you like both characters, and there are books where one of them holds your heart just a little more than others, and this book was the latter. Alexei is one of my all time favorite Kate Meader heroes.

Alexei was handling so much, well, they both were, but there was just something about how willing he was to make Lauren his priority when anyone else might have said they just couldn't handle everything they had to and also focus on someone else.

The way this is written, you get to know both characters, how they will react, and how they will feel about things, which helps as you can disagree with the things they do while still being able to say it is in character for who they each are and how they would react in the situation.

It's the character development that really makes this one an excellent read.




Buy This Book!