Secret Billionaire Next Door

by Lyla Harte

I made a marriage pact with my best friend.
Now he’s a billionaire… engaged to someone else… and I’m raising his daughter.

I swore I’d never set foot in Willow Creek again.
But life has a cruel sense of humor—now I’m back, with the secret I’ve carried since the night we crossed the line from friends to something more.
The night that changed everything.

Theo Jackson is no longer the guy who made me laugh until my ribs ached.
He’s colder. Harder. Still devastatingly gorgeous.
And completely off-limits.

I tell myself I’ll keep my distance.
Then he shows up at my door in the rain—angry, beautiful, impossible to ignore.
Pulls me into his arms and kisses me like the years between us never happened.

I’m falling for him all over again.
But the truth I’ve hidden could ruin everything.
Because when Theo learns I kept his daughter from him…
I won’t just shatter his heart.
I’ll destroy the life he thought he built without me.

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2025

Reviews

[Caroline Reichardt]

What a story about Camilla and Theo. From lovers at age 18 to being away and not seeing each other for 15 years. Camilla comes back to town for her sick Grandmother and Theo comes back to town to run his father’s garage after his death. This story is steeped in loss and deception and it keeps you on your toes throughout the entire story. They meet after 15 years in the town diner and each have secrets from each other. Theo’s life is complicated and Camilla is worried about her grandmother. This story weaves through secrets, differences, and love. I know when you read this story you will enjoy it. It has a great plot and is well written. I would recommend this book. I received a free copy of this book but am leaving this review on my own.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo and Camila warmed your heart and had my emotions all over the place with their heartfelt story. They were best friends that turned into something more leading them to making a pact. Life got in the way of their relationship having them going in different directions, but their one intimate night left consequences. Fifteen years later they reconnect, and the feelings are still in place but so are the secrets that Camila has been hiding. When they come out will she and Theo be able to rebuild and go from there to get a chance for happiness.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie Juhl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secret Billionaire Next Door by Lyla Harte is the first book of the Willow Creek series.
Camilla and Theo's story is a second chance story with secrets that neither want to tell. There is a lot of drama in the storyline and a marriage pact. I enjoyed their story, and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BusyM3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one of this series Willow Creek. This is a new author for me, and I am looking forward to reading more in this series. The story too me a bit to get into it. The character are likeable and fit well together. A second chance at love for Theo and Camila.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this ARC with high hopes. Unfortunately, it wasn't for me.

The story was repetitive. It felt like I read the same chapters over multiple times.
It also held inconsistencies, Grandma in the living room, but the next mention of her was being discharged from the hospital.
Overall, it just missed the mark for my personal tastes.

[Karen Ruedisueli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theo was a great character. It took 90% of the book before Camilla told Theo her secret. Her dithering was too much of the story. She constantly lied to everyone. And her secret was 14 years old...... good grief!!

So I finished the story. I received copy and my opinion is my own.

[Susan Klipp · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a mess

Chapters are repeated often. Unknown calls are suddenly from the fiance, it's all just a mess. By the time a chapter related for the third time I DNFd it.

Too bad. It seemed like it would have been good.

[De Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh the drama and the secrets that pervaded this book. It was just *chef’s kiss* 🤌🏻 The characters and lot were very well developed and enticing. I got pulled in and didn’t come up for air until the ending…which was phenomenal.