This is one of those books where I just couldn't connect enough with the characters to want to know more. I do think the writing itself was good and would read other books by the author, but these characters were not enough to keep me engaged.

Single POV, Spicy, Age Gap, Forbidden Romance, Cheating

The MC's of this book are very hard to connect too. Audrey sites being able to provide for her grandmother as a more factor in her financial decisions but then don't see her follow through. While the chemistry between Audrey and James is hot I couldn't get past the cheating.

dnf @ 50%. I wasn’t a fan of this one. It was steamy but there was 0 plot and the spicy scenes honestly weren’t memorable.

I read this book and listened to the audio, it had a very unique (to me) premiss.
I would love to read more books in this world
Highly recommend

ARC Review
3.5 Stars
I'm so torn on this one! There were parts I loved and parts I hated. The smut was good and the asinine stories "on the job" were hilarious, but there was sooo much lying involved. I also though the book was 50-100 pages too long. It felt dragged on for a bit about 3/4 of the way in.

Aubrey is a student, struggling to hold down a job, pay her rent, keep on top of her school work and look after her grandmother. But what if money wasn't an option and work could be fun?

But the life of a sex worker can get complicated when you fall in love. 

This novel gave a lot of spice, a narrative that will make your jaw drop, and characters you'll love so much you will cry. 

I adored the character of Grammy she was the sweetest character and I was so attached. 

I loved how Franco wrote the ending scenes as my heart was palpitating scared for everything to blow up. 

If you like spice, tension and a happily ever after, this is for you.

Lucia Franco’s Hush Hush is a captivating exploration of an underground world of New York escorts, and while the beginning felt slow and somewhat predictable, the story quickly transforms into an exhilarating ride that kept me hooked. Initially, I was close to putting it down, but I’m so glad I persevered—this book exceeded my expectations!

Franco's writing style is engaging and descriptive, creating an easy-to-read pace that complements the character development beautifully. I loved following the protagonist on her journey, and the evolution of her relationships added depth to the narrative.

The allure of the escort world is fascinating, and some of the stories shared about the clients provided humor that balanced the heavier themes. The intimate scenes, particularly the FF moment between Christine and Aubrey, were raw and empowering, allowing Aubrey to fully embrace her sexuality. The steamy scenes involving Reece, Valentina, and James were sizzling hot!

The twist revealing that James is Natalie’s father took me completely by surprise. It added layers of complexity to the story that I didn’t see coming, especially as the emotional stakes rise with Grammy's diagnosis. The web of lies and the unraveling of relationships brought a gripping intensity to the plot.

The conclusion wrapped up satisfyingly, highlighting the importance of friendship over romance. Natalie’s reconciliation with Aubrey and her willingness to embrace her feelings for James left me with all the feels. This book is definitely among my top reads for 2024, and I can’t wait to see what Franco writes next! Highly recommend diving into this one!

Fantastic book with great core characters. Recommend to friends for anyone who loves this genre of book!

Book review 📚
Hush Hush by Lucia Franco
⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is my first read from Franco and although the first part was rather slow and somewhat boring, it really did pick up and take an interesting turn. Once past the slow, somewhat predictable parts, it gets really good, very quick!

I was intrigued by the cover of this book and thought I’d give it a go, I like taking chances with authors I’ve not read before and Franco really did exceed. I wont lie, it was a very close DNF in the first quarter, but if you stick it out you will definitely enjoy it!

Franco has a brilliant writing style, its descriptive and she sets an easy to read pace. I loved the character development throughout and enjoyed following on the journey through the book. I would definitely recommend this book.

Well that book was definitely one of the more interesting reads I've had in awhile. To be honest I wasn't really liking it for the first part of the book, another poor college girl hooks up with guys for money trope. I wasn't feeling it. However, mid way through the book there is a twist I didn't see coming and it sure spices that story up right away! After that I couldn't put this book down and thoroughly enjoyed it! Spice level was on point and of course everyone loves a happily ever after! Would highly recommend to those who love a super spicy romance with a twist!

Thanks to NetGalley, Lucia Franco, and Victory Editing for allowing me to review this ARC!

Was a very hard read unfortunately, as the heroine made some questionable decisions. Found myself cringing at times.
Such a shame as I’ve enjoyed this author’s other books

This was a fun book. Very graphic romantic novel with a complicated story line and the main character that was complex. At times you love her and at times she is terrible. I felt the book went a bit long as well.

🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
🔥🔥🔥🔥

I am absolutely KICKING myself for not reading this sooner! It’s so good!
It’s brilliantly written, and funny too! The spice is super hot. I do think maybe more could have happened with Daniel or it could have ended early. By the end I just ended up feeling sorry for him!!
The first 20% was a little slow for me personally but I know why we needed to get the character build for aub and get the basis for the friendship with Nat.
Speaking of, that friendship is one of the absolute shining starts of this book. So wonderful.

-Escorts
-BFs dad / forbidden
-In secret

Whoooo this book was EVERYTHING!! Hush Hush is up there in my top books of 2024!! The spice and the storyline were all very well written! Now I want to find me a silver fox like James! Mmmm!

The concept of an underground secretive world of New York escorts was very alluring and some of the John stories straight up made me laugh from the fetishes (but they’re probably very real that some men are into).

I thought the sprinkle of the FF sex scene with Christine and Aubrey was raw and let Aubrey lean into her sexuality and let passion drive her. The duo sex scene with the Reece and Valentina and James was HOTTT!

The SHOCK was when James turned out to be Natalie’s dad.. did not see that one coming! I thought Daniel was introduced well and had hopes for him but then he became a wet noodle compared to James.

The web of lies spun her up at the worst time with Grammy’s diagnosis and the unraveling was emotional and intense.

The conclusion wrapped up well that she chose her friendship over her love. She needed a friend to lean on and she did. Love the reconciliation between Natalie and Aubrey and Natalie giving her blessing and James coming back in the picture. Ugh my hearttt! Loved it!

It's a FAVE, no ifs buts or maybes. I don't know where to start or where to even find the words to describe how much I enjoyed it but then again no word could do the justice of showing much I loved this book. I mean it's like pretty woman vol 2 :James and Aubrey.
I was mesmerized instantly, the plot, the characters, the twists......chef's kiss ,I don't even want to share anything to detailed because I feel like everyone should experience it with little to no spoilers because in my opinion that's the best way to experience this masterpiece. If I could some how read this for the very first time again I definitely would and since I can't because it's taken up permanent residence on my heart and stick to re-reads.

This book sucked me in and didn't want to let me go. Getting sucked in to the life of a high end escort was thrilling, at times magical, and then all too real.

There is a spicy age gap in this story, which isn't usually my cup of tea, but it was so well written that I didn't bother me like I was worried it would.

Aubrey and James' chemistry was off the charts hot! And I absolutely adored Natalie, Aubrey's bestie.

At times, I did feel like it was dragging a bit, but not enough to make me stop reading. I will definitely be picking up book 2! (4 stars)

What a read, definitely pretty woman vibes, darker and much more delicious but nowhere near 50 shades. I’m loving these age gap romances at the minute and finding this phenomenal book was perfect.

“I don’t want to lose myself”
“So get lost inside me and I’ll take care of us”
This was a really good age gap, forbidden, extremely steamy read!

A steamy read. The story follows Aubery and James. They are at college and Aubery is struggling to make ends meet, when one of her friends suggest she becomes a high end escort.

this was absolutely wonderful!! i loved every second and highly recommend it, all the tropes were favourites of mine and the whole book flowed beautifully