What a fantastic book! I was totally hooked… I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. It was full of tension, twists and turns that kept me totally engrossed… I read it in one day as I just couldn’t put it down. This author has another hit on her hands!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this eARC. As usual Adele Parks does not disappoint, with a twisty tale of the dark world of sex- workers and multimillionaires. Following Dora, I found myself forgetting to breathe, her situations were so tense! Dora is a really likeable, relatable strong, independent young woman, treated badly in her past and trying to do her best for her future, but thwarted at every turn. The ending is totally nail biting and when you learn what the 'one last secret' is....Well......I just can't say. I haven't recovered from it yet.
Amazing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a fast paced book. I really liked Dora and could relate to some of her stories. I found the plot crazily far-fetched though and very unrealistic. It was still a fun book to read though if you put the reality aside.

Adele Parks is one of those authors who always delivers - some books are better than others, of course, but every novel is enjoyable and this one is such a success.

Here we have Dora, who is a high-class sex worker. I love two things about Parks' writing here - firstly, there is no sense of this being a glamorous world, we learn pretty quickly how horrific life can be for sex workers, even those who would be described as 'high class'. Secondly, I love how Parks has Dora tell the story. Dora speaks directly to the reader, often with sarcasm, off the cuff remarks and a brutal honesty which makes her such a likeable character.

I won't dwell too much on the actual story as to tell it in any greater detail than the synopsis may give away some spoilers. Suffice to say, that if you like Parks already, this will be another winner for you. If you've never read her before, what are you waiting for?

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Firstly thank you to netgalley for allowing me to read a copy of one last secret by Adele Parks. I do love to read an Adele Parks book because i find they always draw me in very quickly. This one was no exception. This was a brilliant read, Adele really improves with each book that she writes. This was full of twists and turns and i didnt see any of it coming. It really is 100% recommended that you read this one because it will leave you guessing and also has those multiple shock moments throughout. Well done Adele, brilliant as always

The first half of this book became quite painful to read as we saw Dora, who is usually worldly wise, land herself in a precarious situation with bad decision after bad decisions mounting up. I almost gave up at this point as I feared it was all going to get worse. But then, thankfully, we learn about Dora’s earlier life and the book takes on a whole new viewpoint. As other readers have mentioned, there is a lot that stretches the imagination and reality, would those things and those people truthfully occur in real life? But I did enjoy reading Adele’s new book and it was a page turner. I’m just not sure that the epilogue was a necessary inclusion, it didn’t really add anything to the storyline and was contradictory to a Serbian neighbours comments earlier in the book.

For some reason I always used to avoid Adele Parks books but then I got one in a Secret Santa. As I loved it I have been a fan ever since. This book was no exception. Really enjoyed it. Yes, Dora was a bit of an idiot but then can't we all and yes. I agree she was very naïve. However, the book cracked along at a fair old pace and kept me hooked right to the last page. Not all the characters were likeable, in fact most of them weren't but they were well constructed and believable. OK the plot did get a bit far fetched at times but I forgave it as it was a very good one. Dora was a character I really liked from the outset and yes I could (metaphorically speaking!) have strangled her at times. Thought the idea of being an escort during a pandemic was a challenge!

Adele Parkes is an author I always look out for, and I was pleased to receive this book to review. The main narrator is Dora, a high class escort, and at various times of her life are seen. We meet a small number of clients, and her friend, Evan, who wants to save her. When she is asked to go with a client to the south of France before she leaves that life, she is torn. She decides on one final job, even though she has more reasons to stay than go.

I’m not sure if I enjoyed this book but it was certainly one that I had to finish once I’d started it. I got a bit frustrated with Dora at times, and she came across as a bit too naive for a woman in her profession. None of the characters were very likeable, but then they aren’t meant to be. The book, as you would expect from this author, is well planned and takes you to places you could find uncomfortable but then produces a really good final part, with an interesting twist. 3 1/2⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

An absolute tour de force by the amazing Adele Parks who once created the perfect setting for a thriller. The high class escort is trying to pull one last job but comes across a man from her past that just might be her downfall.

I usually love Adele Parks' books as she is a great writer, and knows how to write a compelling story. I was drawn into this book immediately and initially couldn't put it down. However, as the story progressed it became more and more far-fetched, and just a bit ridiculous. I struggled through to the end, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it as it isn't a patch on the author's usual books, sadly.

Some Secrets Can Be Deadly….
A stunning read from the talented Adele Parks. Meet Dora. You may not like Dora. You will empathise with her, You will understand her. When Dora is pursuaded to do one last job, she agrees thinking that it cannot do any harm and events soon conspire to make the event easy for her. A week of luxury at a chateau in southern France can’t be all that bad after all. Not everything is as it seems and it’s not long before Dora realises just how much danger she may be in. After all, some secrets can be deadly.

After reading a few of Adele Parks books I was looking forward to reading this latest title from her, due for release in July.

‘One Last Secret’ introduces us to Dora and leads us straight into a world of power, sex, money and revenge. As an escort Dora has seen and experienced more than her fair share of the world, most of it unfortunately more on the seedy side of life but it has allowed her to independently pay her way. When she finally falls in love and is guaranteed a world of safety it is an easy decision to give up this part of her life for a chance of happiness. But then the offer of one last job comes in, one that won’t come with any ties, just needed to make someone jealous, easy money so what could go wrong? Things suddenly take a dark turn and Dora becomes very aware her life could be in danger…

I love Adele Parks style of writing and this latest title is no exception, you are drawn in to each chapter and the story unfolds seamlessly before you. It was very interesting to learn from the ‘other side’ of the escort world, one that is probably just built mainly on assumptions for most and to realise the reasons why these roles exist, not necessarily by choice but by necessity. I had half guessed certain elements of the twist but you are kept in suspense until the end (although I felt it dragged a little in the middle part with some long winded sections as times that went a bit off track unnecessarily) but I thought the final twist was a good ending, leaving the story a little unfinished in a ways but that ultimately could have changed the pattern of events so much if known. Very cleverly portrayed.

Another definite read from Adele and would recommend to be added to your to-be-read list.

Dora is a successful high-class escort, spending her time with select men and making them feel like they are the centre of her world. She has always felt in control of what she's done and isn't ashamed of her life choices. After an unexpected brutal encounter however, she reassesses everything and resolves to give up her job.

One of her regular clients asks her to accompany him to a old friends' reunion in rural France - he has told them all he has a significant partner and doesn't want to turn up alone. Out of loyalty, Dora agrees on the understanding that it will be a sex-free trip.

However as soon as they arrive in the exquisite French chateau it is clear that things are no longer within Dora's control and things are moving much quicker and in a much murkier direction than she anticipated.

I read this in one hit - it is very different from the middle class setting of Adele Parks' usual books but kept me hooked from the outset, turning pages frantically to find out what was going to happen next. There were enough twists to keep me second-guessing the plot outcome,

This is bound to be another hit for Adele Parks and deservedly so! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read it

I don't think I've ever been let down by an Adele Parks book yet, and this one was no exception. I've found reading harder in some ways over the last couple of years - it takes more to pull me into a book and keep me there, and I'm less likely to persist with a book that isn't gripping me (life's too short and all that) - so I'm always grateful to authors who can draw me in to a few hours of much needed escapism.

"One Last Secret" was engaging from the same start, following escort Dora, who is ready to give up her life in sex work to get married and start afresh. That is, until she's asked to do undertake one last job. It sounds like a walk in the park - a few days in a luxurious chateau with a client she trusts, who only wants her there for emotional support. But when Dora arrives, it soon becomes clear that not all as it seems,,,

I loved how the plotlines switched between the past and present so we got to see Dora's backstory as well as current events, and how decisions in the past were affecting her life. I won't say much more because the book does depend in part on the revelations towards the end, so I won't give anything away. Suffice to say that this is a beautifully written, well plotted, and riveting book with a sympathetic and fully rounded protagonist - if you're looking for an engaging thriller and a few hours of guaranteed entertainment, this is the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher, who granted me a free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great psychological thriller with an unusual protagonist in escort Dora who, after a bad experience at work, is persuaded to start a new life with her best friend, however she’s manipulated into taking one final job with one of her more steady clients. The job is for a short stay away playing the role of his girlfriend however Dora finds the stay increasingly disturbing and starts to question just what she’s got caught up in. This was slickly written and Dora was unapologetic and realistic about her job however the exact how she ended up in the role is not explained until a fair way through when you can appreciate how much she’s actually been through. The time spent playing her clients girlfriend really leaves you questioning the situation and really does play with your head. The main characters are all pretty disturbing as are the revelations that play out near the end and all in all you can just see so many points at which this could have gone a totally different way through the last few years.

Just four stars!

Dora is an escort, the oldest profession in the world. She is quite upfront about her career but after one client treats her horrifically her friend Evan, a trust fund baby, asks her to marry him and she says yes. However, one client begs her to do one last job which is to accompany him to France and fake a relationship and so she reluctantly agrees. What could possibly go wrong?

First of all, I really like Dora she seems very likable and honest though since she’s our principal narrator caution may be advised! I very much enjoy the way it’s written, it’s a compelling and engaging read and the events that play out in France lead to a multitude of questions in your mind. The atmosphere created is excellent, it varies from friendly to forced , to brittle and uneasy and at times it’s feels claustrophobic and positively nasty. All kinds of weird stuff happens, the characters in France seem very unlikable as they seem to be playing all kinds of tricks and of course you just have read on as we plough onto the inevitable violent train wreck.

The novel builds well, there is tension and suspense though disbelief suspenders are required on occasions but hey, it’s fiction! There are several twists and turns although one is easy to figure out but not entirely the reasons behind it. The end twist is good.

My only reservations all the sudden backtracking to 11 years ago as well as a narrator change and although it does eventually make sense it seems to break up the flow of the storytelling.

Overall though it’s an enjoyable read that there are parts that make you feel a bit uncomfortable.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for that much appreciated arc in return for honest review.

Admittedly, I've found Adele Parks' novels to be hit and miss over the years but I really, really enjoyed One Last Secret. The characters were incredibly well developed and I actually grew to really like and feel for Dora despite some of her decisions, especially the more I learnt about her. The plot was unique, exciting and full of twists and turns that kept me on my toes. At times I thought I knew what was going on and then I was completely in the dark. It really was hard to put down and I looked forward to when I was able to read again.

Adele writes beautifully, deftly transporting readers from a gorgeous French chateau one minute and to a dingy London flat the next. She also covers some really interesting topics that provide a lot of food for thought.

I've knocked one star off my rating because I'm not personally sure the last chapter was necessary and didn't feel massively believable to me either.

Dora is an escort and gets paid for her services so a week at a beautiful chateau in the south of France sounds an excellent assignment. She is used to role play so when Daniel hires her to pretend to his guests that she is his girlfriend it sounds a straightforward booking. She intends to give up escorting so she sees it as a last time to act out with the wealthy.
She has found love, someone she loves and trusts and who she hopes will take her away from the escort world. When she arrives at the chateau she finds herself face to face with a man she has never forgotten, the one man who really knows her. Old secrets surface and it becomes obvious that this secret could put her in great danger.

I wasn’t really sure about this one at first but the more I read the better it got. Not at all what I normally read but once I got into it I really enjoyed it.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and HQ for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

One Law Secret by Adele Parks

A week at a beautiful chateau in the south of France – it should be a straightforward final job for Dora. She’s a smart, stunning and discreet escort and Daniel has paid for her services before. This time, all she has to do is to convince the assembled guests that she is his girlfriend. Dora is used to playing roles and being whatever men want her to be. It’s all about putting on a front.
A brilliant unputdownable read , I raced through it and was then annoyed with myself for it ending too soon.
I loved the character Dora , who was complex and interesting and the way her story unfolded as the title went on.
Adele Parks has excelled herself with this one.

Well this kept me hooked all the way though, I was totally invested into the world of Dora.

I really enjoy Adele's books they never let you down, this was totally gripping with a fantastic ending.

Highly recommended
⭐⭐⭐⭐