Rival Secrets

Love over Murder, Book 1

By: J.D. Carothers

Narrated by: Shane East, Samantha Brentmoor

What happens in Vegas can be deadly…

After my parents passed away, I put my culinary dreams aside to be the lawyer they wanted. However, with my 30th birthday rapidly approaching, my bestie urges me to enter a cooking competition in Las Vegas. When a contestant is murdered, my time watching from the sidelines is over. I’m suddenly thrown into the event as a finalist.

I knew the kitchen would heat up, but so did my love life when I unexpectedly met the handsome billionaire Evan Catalinus. Evan checks off all my dream guy boxes: a British accent that makes me hang on his every word, a love of food that rivals mine, and let’s not forget those body-melting kisses.

Evan declares he’s falling for me, but I sense there’s a truth he’s not sharing, and my past makes me hesitate to take this budding relationship further. Will searching for a killer bring Evan and me closer to each other, or will the secrets kept in Vegas end my life before I can discover Evan’s truth?

Rival Secrets is the first book in the Love Over Murders series. Rival Secrets is a significantly updated and rewritten version of Cassie and Evan's story that originally appeared in Thrill Ride. Each book is a standalone story featuring one couple’s journey to their guaranteed H.E.A. and no cliffhanger. The series is especially for lovers of swoony moments intertwined with a murder mystery.

©2024 Dreamlific Publishing (P)2024 Dreamlific Publishing

I'm HOOKED!! This audiobook was AMAZING!

This was the first book I have listened to by J.D. Carothers and I'm hooked! I'm already obsessed with this series and just started book two! The story and the characters were well written. The narrators Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East did a wonderful job telling this story. I love both of these narrators so I was excited to listen to this book. They will hold your attention and keep you entertained the entire time. You will also feel like you really get the characters they portray them so well.

Cassie became a lawyer to make her parents happy after they passed away. Her true dream job was to be a chef. So when her friend urges her to sign up for a cooking competition she decides to go for it. When she gets a call that she didn't win a spot but as a back up she leaves for Las Vegas to stand by and watch from the sidelines. When a contestant is suddenly murdered she becomes a finalist in the show and a suspect.

Evan is a spare prince and is looking for something to give him more purpose so he decides to help his friend who owns a hotel with a cooking competition. When he meets Cassie you can tell these two have instant chemistry. I just love how protective he is of her. Evan will definitely make you swoon! Now Evan and Cassie have found themselves in a little murder mystery and a blooming romance. What will happen next?!

This book was so addictive and I definitely didn't want it to end. I has so many swooning and smiling moments in this book. I loved having a romance story with a mix of suspense put in there. Then add in the Prince story line and it was just perfect! You will get the perfect happily ever after story and will be left with a big smile! I highly recommend this book and can't wait to see what happens next in book 2!

Enjoy a romantic suspense? Then this book is for you!

The story starts with Cassandra “Cassie” bored with her job as a lawyer. Her best friend convinces her to apply for a cooking competition. You can hear Cassie’s excitement to this new opportunity to take part in the cooking competition as an alternate.

We learn about Evan as a prince. He is also sounding bored with his life— looking for meaning. He is escaping Catalinius for an extended vacation in Las Vegas staying at his friend’s hotel. Evan is asked to attend a few events including the cooking competition.

The dual narration by Shane East and Samantha Brentmoor. I absolutely love these two narrators. There are different voices for each character. I don’t think I ever heard Shane East do a Texan/Southern accent. It made me chuckle. I enjoyed Samantha’s male British accent. I enjoy the differences in each character’s voice.

There is a mystery intertwined into the story. There are two murders connected to the cooking competition. Each of the contestants including Cassie (the alternate) are under investigation. Things heat up inside and out of the kitchen. The chemistry between Evan and Cassie sparks the more time they spend with each other. However, there’s the underlying mystery on who’s behind the ongoings of the cooking competition. There’s also the fact that Evan hasn’t told Cassie his true identity. Each time Evan calls Cassie “princess,” I internally squealed. Though not telling Cassie that he’s a prince, obviously backfires at the most opportune moment.

I just love trying to figure out the culprit. I did not guess at all the culprit even though I was taking notes throughout this listen. J.D. Carothers is a new to me author and I will be checking out the rest of this series. If you are a fan of Catherine Cowles, you will enjoy Rival Secrets.

Great First Novel For The Series

Rival Secrets is a sweet suspense romance. I love this book, cooking contests is my jam. Cassie is a contestant & Evan is the best friend of the owner of the Athena (The Hotel).

I like the first time they had sex, it was so sweet and sensual. I like the zip line part, this part was kind of funny. I really like the murder mystery, I liked how Evan and Cassie got together to help solve this case.

Shawn East & Samantha Brentmoor did an exceptional job brining all the characters to life,

Chef Kiss

J.D. Carothers' "Rival Secrets" delivers a potent mix of romantic suspense, heightened by the intimacy of the audiobook format. The story of Cassandra and Evan is one of immediate, intense connection, shadowed by hidden agendas and the looming threat of secrets revealed.

Cassandra, burdened by familial expectations and financial strain, finds an unexpected escape in a high-stakes opportunity. The allure is magnified by Evan, a charismatic billionaire whose British accent and captivating presence ignite a powerful attraction. The narrator deftly portrays Cassandra's internal conflict, balancing her ambition with the burgeoning, undeniable pull towards Evan. The listener is drawn into her emotional turmoil, feeling the weight of her responsibilities and the thrill of her burgeoning romance.

Evan, equally captivated by Cassandra, harbors a secret that threatens to shatter their newfound connection. The audiobook format amplifies the tension of his concealed truth, with subtle vocal inflections revealing his internal struggle. The narrator's portrayal of Evan's conflicted emotions adds depth to his character, making him both charming and enigmatic.

The audio performance excels at capturing the sizzling chemistry between Cassandra and Evan. The narration effectively conveys the emotional intensity of their interactions, making their connection palpable. The pacing allows for both moments of tender intimacy and suspenseful anticipation, building towards the inevitable confrontation with Evan's secret.
"Rival Secrets" is a compelling listen for those who enjoy romantic suspense with a blend of emotional depth and thrilling intrigue. The audiobook format enhances the story's emotional impact, allowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in Cassandra and Evan's complex relationship. The exploration of trust, vulnerability, and the risks of love in the face of hidden truths resonates, making this a satisfying and engaging audio experience.

The Kitchen isn't the only thing heating up!

Evan and Cassie

The narrators did excellent job of telling this story. Especially Shane his voice 🔥🔥🔥🔥.

This was really interesting. It was like a combo of shows for me. I got a food challenge/Top Chef, Hallmark movie, mystery vibe. Cassie is competing in a culinary competition when she meets Evan a friend of the casino owner where the show is being recorded. Not only do you get their relationship, the competition, someone sabotaging the competition, blackmail, Cassie being a suspect to a murder, money being siphoned from the casino, kidnapping and secret royalty. There is a lot going on that kept this an entertaining story.

Great narration!

Dual Narration- Shane East & Samantha Brentwood
I love these two narrators they always do an amazing job.

This story was mystery and a little suspense with romance.

Cassie is an amateur chef who decides to take a chance in a chef competition taking a break from her job at a law firm.

Evan is royalty of a small island. He wants to get away to figure out what he wants to do with his life now that roles are changing at home. He is helping a friend with a chef competition.

These two meet and it’s instant attraction and infatuation.

There is something going on with the competition and Evan is trying to help his friend keep an eye on things. Cassie is looking like the guilty party but Evan believes she is innocent.

Captivating and entertaining story.

Rival Secrets: Love Over Murder Book 1

🎧🎧AUDIO REVIEW🎧🎧

🎤Samantha Brentmoor & Shane East🎤 rocked the heck out of this performance and ✨J.D. Carothers✨ wrote one heck of an edge of your seat suspense storyline intertwined with a romance journey perfectly and I have now found my new author obsession! I am already on the hunt for the best possible way to get ahold of the audios for the next two books in this series without my debit card putting me on notice! Son of a biscuit eater this was excellent on all fronts!

Rival Secrets has a all kinds of circumstances milling about the storyline which one would think would make a reader’s brain hurt but it does not! #magic There’s the romance, the competition, the mystery, the hidden truths, and Vegas Baby! Lol Seriously, I didn’t even feel the almost 9 hours of listening time. I had an honest to goodness ”good time” listening to the story and all its parts unfold. There is excellent character growth with not a whole lot of predictability. The plot is spicy and edgy and again, not very predictable.

The absolute best part of this story is that when you think you know, you absolutely kinda do not! It will captivate you and keep you on your toes and of course you will swoon because Shane & Samantha! They absolutely cannot do wrong! Well, at least they never have for me!

UPDATE March 2025 I just did a relisten this past weekend so I could binge all 3 audiobooks THIS WEEK!! I AM GIDDY!! :)