Quick Synopsis

You’ve Got Mail meets Abbott Elementary in this “voicey and big-hearted” romantic comedy where a meet disaster between a shy guidance counselor and the hot new history teacher leads an unexpected connection.

Publisher’s Synopsis

School counselor Lucy Galindo has a secret.

To her coworkers, friends, and even family, she’s shy, sweet, and constantly struggling to hold off disaster (read: manage her anxiety and depression). But online? She’s bold, confident, and always knows what to say—it’s how she’s become the wildly popular @TheMissGuidedCounselor. It’s also why she keeps her identity anonymous. Her followers would never trust the real Lucy with their problems.

History teacher Aldrich Fletcher thought a new job would give him some relief from his drama-filled family. Instead, he’s dodging his ex-girlfriend and pining over his new co-worker—who only ever seems to see him at his worst. Thankfully, he can count on his online confidant for advice . . . until he discovers @TheMissGuidedCounselor is Lucy.

Now Fletcher has a secret too. And while Lucy can’t deny there’s something between them, she’s not sure she can trust him. Can they both find the courage to share the truth and step out from behind their screens?

Book Review

Flirty Little Secret is a debut workplace romance novel that follows an awkward guidance counselor, Lucy, with a secret online identity who has a not-so-meet-cute with the hunky new history teacher, Fletcher, who has drama at home. As they are drawn into each other’s orbits, Fletcher realizes his internet bestie is actually Lucy’s online persona.

I picked up Flirty Little Secret after seeing pre-publication buzz for the book. I knew the protagonists were teachers but went into the largely blind. The story begins with a meet-disaster, easily grabbing my attention. But it was quickly apparent that the female protagonist’s portrayal of mental illness was not the best.

As someone who has experienced the same mental health issues as the protagonist, I cannot say that it was necessarily an accurate depiction. I do think that the author did get a few things right, particularly the depiction of ADHD, especially in adult women. However, I feel like the character’s depression was largely skimmed over and her anxiety was a focus. The depiction of anxiety was quite exaggerated to the point of near annoyance. To compound on this, she is immature and judgmental in a very off-putting manner. It was very clear that Lucy desperately needed a lot of therapy. In fact, her anxiety cripples her and interferes with her job in a way that is absolutely unsustainable. In addition, Lucy’s mental health issues are primarily described through her incessant inner monologue, rather than through her actions.

I found Flirty Little Secret’s plot to be… fine. There was nothing that stood out to me or was especially delightful. I liked the portrayal of both protagonists’ families. I thought the interfamily dynamics were the high point of the novel.

What did not work for me was the relationship between Lucy and Fletcher, which is obviously the novel’s focus. Initially, Lucy and Fletcher express physical attraction to one another. But their feelings failed to build over time or really be described at all. It was physical chemistry and a few encounters and suddenly, major feelings. The romance failed to be believable or palpable. Moreover, the third act breakup was very trumped up, in my opinion. It made a big deal of a nonevent simply to check off the conflict box. To be honest, I was irritated by the unnecessary breakup and conflict.

I also would be remiss if I did not mention that Flirty Little Secrets includes a club that Lucy runs, which has the unfortunate initials KKK. As a result, Lepe makes some gratuitous, off-color KKK jokes. These did not add to the story nor make me laugh. It simply seemed in poor taste.

Even though I really wanted to like Flirty Little Secret, especially with its uncommon start and mental health representation, I thought the execution fell a bit short. If you are looking for a mindless romance that focuses on family dynamics, you may enjoy it. Otherwise, I would pan Flirty Little Secrets.

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