What He Doesn't Know: What He Doesn't Know Duet, Book 1

Honestly, I wasn't really liking this book until the last 10%. Up until then, I was honestly thinking about not continuing the series, but now I'm jumping right into the next one. This book is very raw and messy. I'm officially intrigued to see where this goes

Title: What He Doesn’t KnowAuthor: Kandi Steiner @kandiesteinerGenre: Romance, New AdultTropes: second chance love, friends to lovers, dual POVSpice: 🌶️🌶️Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“They say there are two sides to every story, and I suppose in most cases, that’s true. But the one I live inside of? It has three.”Charlie Pierce is a wife, a kindergarten teacher. On the outside she looks happy and seems to be living her best life, but on the inside she’s full of turmoil and angst. Things are falling apart in her life and her marriage and she can’t figure out what to do to keep everything together. Enter Reese, her brother’s best friend and her first crush. They haven’t seen each other in 14 years, but when he’s hired to teach at her school, he shakes things up and her happy facade starts to crumble.This book is literally the definition of an emotional rollercoaster. The way this book had me in chokehold should be illegal. I don’t think I took a single breath during the last five percent of the book. I loved that this book was duel POV so we could get to see and feel what both Charlie and Reese are thinking. You can feel the love Charlie has for her husband, but also the love she has for Reese. The angst you feel as you watch Charlie struggle with how her heart and brain are telling her two different things is heartbreaking.The way Reese challenges her to find herself is amazing. He doesn’t want to change her, he just wants her to really be herself and stop changing just to please the people. He puts himself out there for her time and time again.In the end, Charlie has some decisions to make. On to book 2!

This author consistently puts out quality writing so it comes as no shock that she knocked this out the park as well.This is not your typical tropey romance novel.It's taboo in that the main female character is married and faced with coping with her feelings for her first love who has returned to town and her feelings for the man she married and still loved very much.It's a love triangle and one of the more angst filled one's I have read. Things are complex although I won't say why. You need to read the book and discover that for yourself. There is a lot that is slowly unfolded throughout the book that gives you perspective and understanding for why these people behave as they do, feel as they do, love as they do.There is no happy ending with a neat bow. At least not in this book. It's a series and we won't know how this ends until we finish it.It's somewhat painful and raw... as real life often is but beautifully written.

I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read this story (and the subsequent books which I'm planning on reading soon). I know it isn't everyone's cup of tea and I'm sure other reviews will tell you why that is. For me, those triggers don't really affect me and I absolutely love a good love triangle. This was a GREAT triangle in my opinion. Over and above the angst and relationship drama, Kandi even got a gasp out of me when a twist I didn't see coming hit the pages.

“The ring on her finger was a symbol of her commitment to another man.That alone should have sobered me.That alone should have been at the forefront of my mind, but it wasn’t.Charlie Reid was married, she was Charlie Pierce now, and still, it didn’t matter.I loved her, anyway.”Wild. Chaotic. Turbulent. Heart wrenching. That’s what this book is. I’m breathless after finishing. And I’m saying this right now, What He Doesn’t Know is hands down one of the best and most intense reads I’ve ever read. I am BLOWN AWAY by the ride I went on! As a fan of Kandi’s previous books, I can tell you that this is undoubtedly her BEST BOOK TO DATE—best writing, best plotting, best every. single. damn. thing. I went into it knowing my heart was going to bleed, knowing I would be left raw, teetering at the edge of a cliff and needless to say, both those things happened in spades. Now, I feel so messed up, so destroyed and consumed and giddy and elated. I didn’t even sleep last night. I obsessed over every detail. This story was an adrenaline rush, a gut punch that began with a powerful prologue and ended with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger! And I knew, God did I know, that this was going to HURT SO GOOD. And it delivered.Steiner holds nothing back when it comes to angst! From the moment we meet Charlie and Cameron (our married couple) to the second Reese reappears in Charlie’s life you feel the tension start to kindle. Charlie (our heroine) holds secrets in her lifeless eyes that compels the reader to pay attention. You feel pulled toward the messy drama, knowing Cam and Charlie’s relationship is broken yet at one time it wasn’t. At one point this married couple was blissfully happy and full of life and possibility. Then you meet Reese and see that he and Charlie go way back, all the way to childhood. There’s a bond there that’s already been cultivated by time and memories. As the chapters progress and the story unfolds, you be come tethered to the what’s happening. I swear, it’s addictive. I couldn’t read fast enough. I almost wanted to look ahead to see what would happen next I was so buzzed over this trio of characters. I lived for the feels, was entrenched by them.And holy books, are those emotions POWERFUL. CHAOTIC. One minute I raged, the next I cried, and then I felt guilty for getting angry and upset. It’s emotionally complex. Understanding the breakdown of Cam and Charlie’s relationship leaves you devastated and conflicted. Charlie is a lovable character who breaks your heart. She’s been frozen out by her husband and the moments of rejection are a palpable, living thing—something I think every woman can relate to.This story is juicy, told from different pov’s. It’s got endless twists and turns you’ll NEVER SEE COMING, moments that’ll leave your jaw hanging open. This is a tale of sticky boundaries and blurred lines. A story of broken hearts and mistakes. A book of black and white and grey areas in life. If you are a person who loathes when people cheat in novels, this isn’t your book. LINES ARE CROSSED! It’s wicked, messy, heartbreaking. People aren’t perfect. They do things that might not seem right to you but feel right to them. Most times the road to happiness is paved with stones from hell. I believe that. Always have.Overall, the first part of this duet slayed me. I am overwhelmed with emotion for it. I feel like this review is long-winded, scattered, and intentionally vague but I really don’t want to tell you major details. I went into it this untainted by opinion and I came out of it absolutely spellbound and desperate for more! It is without a doubt a top recommendation. My most FAV read of the year. And I really hope you take a chance on this masterpiece. It’s truly unforgettable."They say there are two sides to every story, and it was in that moment, in that dark, desperate snapshot of my life that I realized I hadn’t asked him for his."

Relationship are complicated but add in a third and a loss. Her marriage has been on a slippery slope. She’s left feeling lost and unloved. Her husband deals with his emotion differently and can come across as cold and unfeeling. The boy who uses to live next door comes back into the picture.Things are about to become even more complicated. Sometimes when you read these types of story you kinda know the couple the author is leaning more towards but, this story I didn’t expect the reaction of the husband. Well played. Will make the second part so much more interesting.

Diferente da maioria dos livros, esse é sobre se apaixonar de novo pelo seu próprio marido e não viver na ilusão que outra pessoa vai te fazer feliz

This is the first book in a new series. This is a well written flawless story which has engaging characters, humour, witty banter, intrigue, twists, emotions, making choices, betrayal, family, friendships, and love which all leads to a riveting and addictive page turner. This story ends in a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to read the next book this compelling series.

Wow. Just wow.This is such a beautiful, heart breaking , honest story. I lost count of the times Kandi ripped my heart from my chest but my God did I love this story and just how much I felt. There are stories that you connect with from the beginning and for me this was one of those books. Charlie had me from the very beginning and she made my soul ache. She's a woman who knows pain, she's a woman who could be you in fact she probably is you. Her struggles are real and brutal. She is such a strong, resilient person and she makes the best of what she is given and smiles through almost everything. But even a strong person has their breaking point and I think I broke right along with her. And I'm not sure where her path is about to lead but I can't wait to take it with her. 2 months can either pass in the blink of an eye or feel like an eternity depending how you love them. Cameron has a lot to make up for and I look forward to seeing him grovel. And Reese, I'm intrigued to see where that part of her story leads too. I guess I'm just greedy and want it all. But I really can't wait to see who gets their happily ever after.Kandi you really have done a fabulous of writing Charlie's story. The emotion is raw and so very real. I lost myself completely in your words and even though I am terrified of what you are about to do with my heart I can't wait to jump into What He Always Knew.

What he doesn't know is part one of Kandi Steiner's duo. It is a story about a woman who is recovering from loss who is going through the motions of life, never acknowledging or realising how unhappy she may be, until a blast from the past returns.Charlie is very straight laced, she has a good job, resides in the town she grew up in and married the 'perfect man', yet things only appear perfect on the outside. You learn Charlie's husband is a workaholic and not all he appears. Inside she is battling a war and is just waiting to break free.Reese has returned to the town he grew up in, battling his own demons he hopes to put his past to rest and move on. Reese is handsome, a musical virtuoso and has something that captures Charlie's attention. She is drawn to the excitement he brings and the way in which he makes her feel.This books deals with a relatable topic and shows differing ways in which people deal with the pain of grief and loss. Charlie is very relateable and you root for the chemistry between her and Reese.The books plays upon you moral compass as a reader, and leaves you deliberating who Charlie should choose in her life.What he didn't know is a very compelling and addictive read and I was unable to put it down. I would recommend to anyone who loves relatable romances which are well written.

Wow that angst…I feel her and Cameron’s love please don’t lose each other …if she ends up with Reese I sm going to go nuts 🌰