Arden by Melody Anne

New York Times bestselling author Melody Anne’s novel of dangerous secrets, dark pasts, and sizzling heat.

No one would guess that dedicated teacher Arden Forbes is a billionaire. His profession gives him a purpose that wealth alone can’t provide. He’s developing another passion, too, for Keera Thompson, the new principal. She’s beautiful, enigmatic, guarded, and—after a series of violent school break-ins—in need of protection. And Arden is eager to supply it. But what he wants most is to unearth the mysteries that surround her.

After a troubling past, Keera thought she’d be safe in this sleepy town and that she’d never be shaken again. Yet nothing has unsettled Keera more than her desire for Arden—honorable, gorgeous, and available when she craves him. But despite their explosive chemistry, when it comes to letting Arden in, Keera has her limits… and her secrets.

As the threats escalate, Keera fears that everything she’s been running from is closing in, and there’s only one man to trust. But will the truth drive Arden away… or will it bring the two closer than ever before?

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
Triggers: Click HERE to see Mary Jo’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Keera is the new principal at the local high school, just wanting to do her job and fit in. She hesitated to take the job here because several years ago, her little brother was murdered here. As the daughter of a drug kingpin she's not proud of the life her father lived or the way he walked away from his family when the authorities got close.

Arden is a history teacher and the football coach at the high school. It’s all that he ever wanted to do. Everyone in town knows he doesn't have to work because his family has money, but that doesn't matter to him. He likes knowing that he's having a positive impact on his community in a meaningful way.

When Keera is hurt at school, Arden finds that it bothers him on a deeper level. There's something about Keera that calls to his soul, that soothes his rough edges. Keera likes Arden but knows that she's out of his league. She doesn't want to tell him about her messed up family but the more she gets to know him, the more she realizes that she can trust him with her secrets. Especially when the threats against her get even more serious.

Keera's emotional upset at the death of her father and her subsequent assault is heart-wrenching. Arden's careful tenderness with Keera is great and the way he sees to her comfort is endearing.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second in the series, although it links in with previous series too. It could be read as a standalone, but you will probably want to read Kian’s story as soon as you finish Arden.

Living life as a secondary school teacher and football coach, Arden is happy with his life and the philanthropic ways taught him by his parents. But when new Principal Keera finds herself and the school in danger, he steps in. And finds that she may just be the woman with whom he wants a future.

Keera has had a pretty unusual and difficult family life and now she is a self-made and solitary woman. In a competitive world, with a lot to prove, she is very independent. So, when Arden steps up she isn’t sure how to react. She, however, recognises that there is a chemistry between them that may need to be explored. Pity her life is going crazy and he and his FBI brother are constantly putting out fires.

The drama is small town, but with imported drug dealer chaos, and the resolution brings drama of its own. I loved the complications of family, issues of wealth and best of all, darling ex-police dog Max.

Lovely story with a perfect ending and much more excitement to come from the rest of the as yet unpaired brothers.

PS – Just one thing I didn’t get: what happened to Angela at the end?


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/F Mystery, Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

This book can be read as a standalone, but you might want to read book one just to tie everything together.

Arden is happy coaching football and teaching in his hometown. He also has a slight crush on the new school principal. When his brother comes to him and discloses that there is a drug issue within the school, Arden is both sad and angry. Arden is also slightly frustrated that his brother drops Max, a retired police dog off too. Arden and Max's job – to sniff out if there are drugs at the school.

Keera has a complicated past. She is trying to move pass that, but when her past collides with her present, Keera will have to confide and figure out if someone is trying to hurt her directly or is just using her past to hurt the community.

Arden is sweet when it comes to dealing with Keera. He is also very protective of her. Keera is a strong woman who has overcome her past in order to be who she is now. When she is confronted with that past, she will experience frustration and loss all over again. Keera will lean on Arden for that.

This was a sweet story with a unique twist. While it wasn't my favorite when it comes to mystery-romances, it is a quick read that is entertaining.

Also Available in the Undercover Billionaire Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

For reviews & more info, check out our Kian post.

Melody Anne is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the popular Billionaire Bachelors, Surrender, and Baby for the Billionaire series, as well as the young adult Midnight series. She collaborated with J.S. Scott and Ruth Cardello for the anthology Taken by a Trillionaire.

Melody holds a bachelor’s degree in business but found her true calling when she was first published in 2011. When she isn’t writing, she cultivates strong bonds with her family and enjoys time spent with them, as well as with her friends and beloved pets. A country girl at heart, she loves her small town and is involved in many community projects.

Melody has earned a spot on multiple bestseller lists and is a three-time Amazon Top 100 bestselling author. Best of all, she gets to do what makes her happiest—live in a fantasy world 95 percent of the time.

Connect with Melody

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Google+  ~  Instagram

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Arden (Undercover Billionaire #2) by Melody Anne to read and review.