Cover Image: The Secret One

The Secret One

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Member Reviews

Obsessed with this series! As the books continue I get more invested in this series – and with everything coming to a head in this book I was so anxious to see how it all ended up! In a story of fate, Christof meets McKenna while in college during a moment of weakness for both of them – Christof dealing with the death of his sister-in-law and McKenna the death of her father. A pivotal conversation for both of them, they part ways and don’t exchange contact information. Years later McKenna has followed her dreams based on that conversation, and Christof is doing everything he can to please his family. When they end up meeting again on the side of the road and realize they recognize each other, they take it as a second chance to explore what could have been so many years ago. I loved their story – between McKenna afraid to let anyone into her close bubble and Christof speaking up for himself and going after what he truly wants in life versus the family business – it was a great read! In addition, wrapping up the story of Judy and how the series had begun where this family was able to resolve some of their issues was the best ending! I can’t wait to see if this series will continue!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

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I really loved this one! Cristof and McKenna are great characters and I loved their story even more than the previous brothers. McKenna and Christof are amazing together. Christof is definitely my favourite Romano brother. I just love everything about him. I really enjoyed this story!

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I’m a sucker for stories that include fate and how fate brings two people together after a long time. I enjoyed reading about their two, seven year apart encounters and how they did find a way back to each other regardless of how many years have passed since their first meeting. Christof was truly swoon worthy, he was so sweet and so supportive about his family and McKenna.

I cannot wait to go back and read the first two books in the series

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I have never read Ruth Cardello before and I was happy to read this book. This book was very secretive and romantic. If you like romantic fiction then this book is definitely for you.

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Chris and McKenna met several years earlier in a bar when she was feeling her lowest yet the sparkling repartee between them serves as the stimulant for their reunion years later. McKenna is a spunky ,atypical female who is at one with all things auto. and can take or leave the male species.Chris is a master negotiator who has a daunting task ahead and needs a little help, so he enlists McKenna .The magnetism and passion between these two just jumps off the page, giving you a front row voyeuristic view.The revelation of the mystery alluded to in the first book in this series is somewhat anti-climatic after all the hype but does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.Miss Cardello has done it again, well done.Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.

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This is the third installment in Corisi Billionare series. To be honest I was not the biggest fan of the first book in this senses when I read it a year ago.

I was looking forward to this story as I do love family drama mixed with romance. Also fake engagement/relationship trope is addicting. The scenery of the story was beautiful and I liked both Christof and McKenna.

The area where it comes short to me is the heavier romance and chemistry. For me to really enjoy a book there needs to be some more steamy scenes and real connection of a physical level, in addition to the emotional. Their sex scenes we’re rushed and lacked depth. This book felt a lot more catered towards the family drama, suspense and secrets. Which subsequently didn’t engage me as emotionally as I would like.

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I love this series so much and the Secret One might be my new favorite. I loved Christof and McKenna. I flew through this book and didn't want it to end. I can't wait to read more from Ruth Cardello.

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How can a chance meeting in a bar and one steamy kiss make such an impression that life changing decisions are made? "Mack", McKenna Decker will always be grateful for the brief encounter with the hot college student she met ten years ago and always wondered if he finally found his way. Meanwhile, "Chris", Christof, bought a clunker a week after his encounter with the hot girl in the bar and named the car Mack and has been working on her ever since. After a chance meeting on the side of the road ten years later, their wild and crazy story begins. Filled with laugh out loud huge Italian family gatherings and tender moments that left me grabbing for tissues to wipe my eyes, this was truly a story I'm glad I didn't miss. I've since purchased the first two in the series because The Secret One was such a great read!

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Gosh!!!! This is one of the most entertaining books I've read. The entire premise of the story, the chemistry between Christof and McKenna is pure joy along with the way Ruth Cardello develops their relationship. The bond among the entire clan of the Corisi family is heartwarming and wish for similar family.

And when the great Dominic Corisi makes an entry, the story is hit with lightening and thunder. A definite read!!!!

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A wonderful and intriguing story that revolved around both the romantic journey between Christof and McKenna as well as the Romano and Corisi family feud. While this could be read as a stand alone, you will want to read the previous books. I really liked McKenna. She had a good head on her shoulders, was humble and was successful in a male dominated profession. No saving needed. Christof was almost too good to be true since he didn’t have any character flaws. It was beautiful watching their relationship develop. Mild steam, lots of drama and angst. Definitely recommend.

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This book was a little far fetched but I like this author so regardless did enjoy. So we meet Christof who met McKenna years ago in college and both of them were dealing with tragedy and loss of a loved one., they part ways has many tend to do as we go on with our lives. Cue ten years later and bam we meet again, I couldn't really think that at the side of a road, we meet again and remember each other so quickly, but maybe that is because I tend to not remember many things and people. McKenna has a hard time letting people in and she is pretty hot and cold with Christof, but his persistence pays off. And Christoff finally puting his foot down with his family..All in all I did enjoy.

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Characters that met ten years ago but almost no recollection because they had been drinking. Mckenna and Christof meet again the attraction is still there and his family drama.

The story was alright, there were too many characters, too much focus on the family stuff, and it just didn't click after a while.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book received from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Each book in the Corisi Billionaires series has lead to what unfolds in this story. Full of secrets, lies and romance - you can't help but be swept away into the drama as you watch it all unravel.

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Do you believe in destiny or being in the right place at the right time, if so you should definitely start reading this book. Christo is the fixer in the Romano family and no issue is bigger than what is now facing him with an unexpected trip to Italy. The catch, his mom wants him to bring a fake fiance. Her perfect candidate is McKenna who he hasn't even taken out of a real date yet. Let's back up a minute, they meet through a mutual love of cars when Christo was stranded on the side of the road and McKenna stopped to start, I know the role reversal is a nice bonus, dude in distress. The attraction was simmering even through that chance encounter and they would uncover a stronger connection. So when she's game to go on this wild ride to help resolve a private family matter it opens up the possibilities to do much more, even perchance the happily ever after.

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A sexy, fun, emotional and action packed journey that is filled with intriguing and engaging charters, witty and memorable dialog, heart racing twists, exciting turns and undeniable passion with a small second chance twist. Thrilling edge of your seat read from beginning to end. Loved it!

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Thoroughly enjoyed the characters and very much looking forward to Gian’s story and meeting the whole family again!!

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F Romance

Christof and McKenna meet in a bar when they are both in need of a good ear to listen. What they couldn't know is that fate is funny, and she wasn't finished with them. I absolutely loved how they met and felt that it truly added a bit of whimsy to the story.

Christof is a Corisi. He is starting to take more responsibility from his brothers and really engage in the family business. When he finds himself on the side of the road, the last thing he expects is to meet a beautiful woman who knows more about his car than he does. There's something about her that he can't quite place, but he knows that he's meant to see her again.

McKenna is used to knowing more about cars than almost anyone. It's made her wary of men because they normally don't like that aspect of her. But when she sees a beautiful car, along with a beautiful man, she can't help but stop to make sure everything is okay. She loves her life and knows that she might not have taken the steps to finding her dream without the push of a handsome stranger.

When McKenna and Christof meet again, they find their connection hasn't really diminished. What begins as a fake engagement, blossoms into a family affair that neither can really control.

When you first begin this series, you don't know very much about the Corisi family. They are a hard family to know with so many secrets. But as the series progresses, their secrets become unraveled and you're left hoping that these two families can find a way to coexist.

I loved McKenna and Christof's story because it was full of secrets, romance, and fun. I'm not sure if I would categorize this as an insta-love story, but their connection was so strong when they first met, that maybe others will think of it like that. I can't wait to see if there will be more about this family.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This may be the third in this series, but it links to a number of other books in this wonderful collection of books by the talented Ruth Cardello. I would definitely recommend that you read back as far as you can to get the full story, but certainly the earlier books in the series.

The story brings together two family lines and finally gives up some secrets and rights some wrongs – but actually, the biggest secret, to an extent, remains exactly that even at the end… so I am intrigued as to how and when that will be part of the series.

Christof is such a totally good guy. We first get to see him as a young college kid drinking far too much and needing his dad to come and help him get home, and him admitting to the meeting he had with Mack, a beautiful young woman. He even names his car after her. But it is seven years before fate brings them together again and, as they say, the rest is history… although, the events which lead to them cementing the deal are anything if ordinary.

As the two of them pull off the reconciliation of the century, reuniting the Corisi and Romano houses in deepest Italy, we really see the connection between them. And as Christof helps his family heal, McKenna also lays to rest some of her demons too.

SO much more for you to enjoy reading, but I refuse to reveal more!


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars rounded up to 4

This was a good book, but as I had not read books one and two, I was a little lost.

The characters were very well written. I loved the backstory of McKenna and Christof, and the way they reconnected years later.

Christof knows that there is something special about Mack, even if can't clearly remember their first meeting. After a few dates, he knows that Mack is the one person he can see spending the rest of his life with. That's why this crazy plan of his mother's to ask Mack to go to Italy as his fiancée is a really bad idea. Christof doesn't want to drag Mack into his family's problems, especially with Dominic Corisi trying to ruin his family in Italy.

McKenna knows that agreeing to go with Christof to Italy is going to be risky for her heart, but she needs to expand her horizons to know for sure if she can be the person that Christof needs.

This book had a few up and down moments for me, but overall it's a good read.

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Another great read by a talented author I really enjoyed reading it and will definitely read more and recommend reading it

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3.5 stars!
This is book 3 in the Corisi Billionaires.
Sweet and heartfelt, this installment focuses on brother Cristof.
Family drama and secrets get entangled in his attempt to explore his chances with a woman from his past he wants to reconnect again.
This story was enjoyable and I was rooting for cristof and McKenna, but there were some elements of the story they didn’t seem believable and others that felt rushed.

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3.5 stars

I was looking forward to this third book in the series and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a fake engagement story?

There are many things I liked about this one, from the characters and the fact they come from different worlds, a more unusual job for our heroine, chemistry and great banter and Italy, one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

While hyped up about everything, many parts of the story just felt flat or not exactly what I was expecting. I mean, rich family, Inheritance and many hidden secrets, all the drama and danger that comes with it, everything altogether, unfortunately, didn’t add up for my expectations, it just felt like a very steamy and tame love story.

I recommend it for romance lovers of nice and quick reads.

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