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Secret Fling with the King: A Royal Boss Contemporary Romance
Being personal assistant to the king is no easy job, especially when starting a secret fling with His Majesty forms real feelings, and soon they run the royal risk of multiple lines being crossed… Find out what happens in Susan Meier’s latest Harlequin Romance!
FORBIDDEN NIGHTS WITH HIS MAJESTY…
Jessica was delighted with her promotion to King Mateo Stepanov’s personal assistant. But the unexpected sparks she feels with her gorgeous boss are a different thrill entirely! Though the guarded widower’s completely out of bounds, every incendiary glance tempts her to break the palace’s rules… Neither of them can risk the scandal that being publicly involved could cause, but the allure of a secret fling is impossible to resist. After all, what’s the harm in some short-term fun? Yet, when she’s wrapped in Mateo’s strong arms, temporary is the last thing on Jessica’s mind…
From Harlequin Be swept away by glamorous and heartfelt love stories.
FORBIDDEN NIGHTS WITH HIS MAJESTY…
Jessica was delighted with her promotion to King Mateo Stepanov’s personal assistant. But the unexpected sparks she feels with her gorgeous boss are a different thrill entirely! Though the guarded widower’s completely out of bounds, every incendiary glance tempts her to break the palace’s rules… Neither of them can risk the scandal that being publicly involved could cause, but the allure of a secret fling is impossible to resist. After all, what’s the harm in some short-term fun? Yet, when she’s wrapped in Mateo’s strong arms, temporary is the last thing on Jessica’s mind…
From Harlequin Be swept away by glamorous and heartfelt love stories.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published April 1, 2025
8 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Susan Meier
599 books457 followersGood morning! It's a beautiful sunny beginning to the day here in Western, Pennsylvania. I'm working on my 75th book. 75th! I'm very excited about that.
I've written some fun things ... those are the Silhouette Romance titles. I especially liked SNOWBOUND BABY which was book 3 of the Bryant Baby Bonanza series which also included BABY BEFORE BUSINESS and PRINCE BABY. But my favorites for Silhouette where the books of the Brewster Baby Boom series THE BABY BEQUEST, BRINGING UP BABIES and OH, BABIES! Where three bachelors inherit triplets. Those were fun to write. I go back every now and again and read them myself for a laugh!
My Harlequins are a little (sometimes a lot) more serious than my Silhouettes, but I always deliver a heart warming story that reminds readers that family and love go hand in hand.
You'll especially see that in FALLING FOR THE PREGNANT HEIRESS where Trent Sigmund decides to help his best friend Seth's baby sister Sabrina McCallan hunt down her on-again/off-again boyfriend, Pierre, to tell him he's about to be a father. Trent tries not to fall. So does Sabrina. Who knew real love had been in their backyard all along.
Sexy or sweet, funny or sad, my characters make some serious lemonade out of their lemons! :)
Because that's how I see life. I have three kids...one of whom has epilepsy. Raising him taught me (and my husband and our other two kids) that sometimes a situation that seems bad can have its blessings.
I've written some fun things ... those are the Silhouette Romance titles. I especially liked SNOWBOUND BABY which was book 3 of the Bryant Baby Bonanza series which also included BABY BEFORE BUSINESS and PRINCE BABY. But my favorites for Silhouette where the books of the Brewster Baby Boom series THE BABY BEQUEST, BRINGING UP BABIES and OH, BABIES! Where three bachelors inherit triplets. Those were fun to write. I go back every now and again and read them myself for a laugh!
My Harlequins are a little (sometimes a lot) more serious than my Silhouettes, but I always deliver a heart warming story that reminds readers that family and love go hand in hand.
You'll especially see that in FALLING FOR THE PREGNANT HEIRESS where Trent Sigmund decides to help his best friend Seth's baby sister Sabrina McCallan hunt down her on-again/off-again boyfriend, Pierre, to tell him he's about to be a father. Trent tries not to fall. So does Sabrina. Who knew real love had been in their backyard all along.
Sexy or sweet, funny or sad, my characters make some serious lemonade out of their lemons! :)
Because that's how I see life. I have three kids...one of whom has epilepsy. Raising him taught me (and my husband and our other two kids) that sometimes a situation that seems bad can have its blessings.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 1, 2026
Fantastic story from a new-to-me author! Love that Harlequin is publishing more romances with characters who are not still in their twenties. This book featured characters in their early fifties. Despite both having been married, they are discovering true first love since previous marriages didn't work out, and clearly married to the wrong people. Mature love that featured all the giddiness of first love butterflies, and the plot of working for a king was fascinating. I loved both Mateo and Jessica.
This is the perfect romance for those looking to read about grown people navigating a new relationship while still parenting and guiding adult children. This was a lot of fun and I rooted for the HEA.
This is the perfect romance for those looking to read about grown people navigating a new relationship while still parenting and guiding adult children. This was a lot of fun and I rooted for the HEA.
September 7, 2025
This book offers readers a captivating royal romance that delves into themes of love, duty, and second chances. The story centers on Jessica, who is thrilled to be promoted to King Mateo Stepanov’s personal assistant. Despite their professional relationship, an undeniable attraction develops between them, leading to a secret affair that challenges palace protocols and their personal boundaries. Jessica and Mateo, both seasoned individuals with their own pasts and obligations, bring depth and authenticity to their evolving relationship. Their journey is marked by moments of passion, introspection, and the delicate balance between personal desires and public expectations. The chemistry between Jessica and Mateo is palpable, and their interactions are laced with both tenderness and tension. Overall,, this is a heartfelt and engaging read that explores the complexities of love within the confines of royal obligations.
May 24, 2025
I truly enjoyed Secret Fling with the King. The love story between Jessica and Mateo pulled me in from the beginning, and I found myself emotionally invested in their journey. Susan Meier has a gift for writing romance that feels honest and elegant—full of chemistry without needing to be overly explicit.
The setting was glamorous, but what really stood out to me was the quiet depth of the relationship. Their connection was built on care, not just circumstance. One moment that really struck me was when Mateo noticed how Jessica approached the relationship—not as a duty, but from a place of genuine partnership.
Favorite Quotes:
“But the things she did, didn’t feel like obligations... they felt personal. Like this is how the person in his life would be a partner. They think of things for each other, do things for each other. Not just perform roles and handle mandatory tasks.” These lines beautifully captured the heart of the story: real love isn’t about role-playing—it’s about showing up with intention, kindness, and heart.
If you enjoy romance with emotional sincerity, thoughtful characters, and a refined touch, this one’s worth adding to your list.
The setting was glamorous, but what really stood out to me was the quiet depth of the relationship. Their connection was built on care, not just circumstance. One moment that really struck me was when Mateo noticed how Jessica approached the relationship—not as a duty, but from a place of genuine partnership.
Favorite Quotes:
“But the things she did, didn’t feel like obligations... they felt personal. Like this is how the person in his life would be a partner. They think of things for each other, do things for each other. Not just perform roles and handle mandatory tasks.” These lines beautifully captured the heart of the story: real love isn’t about role-playing—it’s about showing up with intention, kindness, and heart.
If you enjoy romance with emotional sincerity, thoughtful characters, and a refined touch, this one’s worth adding to your list.
March 25, 2025
When Jessica becomes the new personal assistant to widowed king Mateo, an unexpected and forbidden romance sparks between them. Their secret affair is supposed to be temporary, but it challenges their carefully constructed lives.
This is a wonderful later-in-life romance. The hero and heroine both have grown children, who lead to much of the conflict in their relationship. The overall tone of the book is light and emotional. The characters are well-suited, with a strong and enduring bond developing between them.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is a wonderful later-in-life romance. The hero and heroine both have grown children, who lead to much of the conflict in their relationship. The overall tone of the book is light and emotional. The characters are well-suited, with a strong and enduring bond developing between them.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
April 9, 2025
Love has a mind of its own. Age and status don’t matter; when it finds the couple it has chosen, there are no rules. That is what is so wonderful about the Secret Fling with the King, a middle-aged couple quite happy in the life they are living alone find themselves being pulled together, knowing that the rules of life will not allow them to fall in love. And if they dare, will the past of her daughter come back to try and destroy her again? Secret Fling with the King will warm your heart and give you hope that true love is there for everyone. A great read with characters to fall in love with.
April 2, 2025
A lot to like...
There's a lot to like about Secret Fling with the King. First off, Jessica is 52, a mom to an adult daughter with an unfortunate past. She becomes the king's temporary assistant. Matteo, the king, is a hot widower with adult children. I really liked that both Matteo and Jessica were in their 50's with adult children. They had both been married before and have lived lives.
Sparks fly when Jessica and Matteo work together, but he's a king, her boss, and of course, there's that terrible public tragedy that follows Jessica's daughter around.
Recommend.
There's a lot to like about Secret Fling with the King. First off, Jessica is 52, a mom to an adult daughter with an unfortunate past. She becomes the king's temporary assistant. Matteo, the king, is a hot widower with adult children. I really liked that both Matteo and Jessica were in their 50's with adult children. They had both been married before and have lived lives.
Sparks fly when Jessica and Matteo work together, but he's a king, her boss, and of course, there's that terrible public tragedy that follows Jessica's daughter around.
Recommend.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews