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What He Never Knew (Best Kept Secrets Book 3) Kindle Edition
A standalone teacher/student romance in the What He Doesn't Know series.
I never learn my lesson.
And I always want what I can’t have.
When Sarah Henderson walks into my life, I tell myself she’s off limits. She’s my student, sixteen years younger than me, and my boss’s niece. It doesn’t matter that I see the same pain reflected in her eyes that I have in my own, or that the dead organ better known as my heart kicks to life when she’s around.
I’ve been here before, and I know how this ends.
It’s been two years since I fell for the last woman I knew I couldn’t have, the one with the ring on her finger that I chose to ignore.
Two years of trying to overcome that heartache when Sarah slides into my life.
Another woman I can’t have. Another woman I can’t stop myself from wanting.
I never learn my lesson, but with a constant reminder of how that last forbidden love burned, I think I’ve finally learned this one.
This time, I won’t chase what’s off limits.
This time, I’m staying away.
And I’ll keep telling myself that until I believe it.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateFebruary 21, 2019
- File size854 KB
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This option includes 3 books.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"The thing I love so much about opening a book by Kandi Steiner is that she continually surprises me. With her topic choices, with the brave and beautiful way she writes, and with the way she's never content to put out the same story twice. You will always get something unique and thoughtful and gorgeously written. What He Never Knew is absolutely masterful, a crowning jewel in an already stunning display of books. I cannot applaud her enough for doing what she did in between the pages of this book." -- Karla Sorensen, author of The Bombshell Effect
"Angsty, gripping and captivating. Kandi has such a magical way of telling stories, that she continually leaves me in awe and anxious for more. Be prepared to be amazed. Five musical stars for What He Never Knew." -- Kathryn Andrews, author of Chasing Clouds
"Longing and angst at its most powerful." -- bestselling author Staci Hart
"What He Never Knew is Kandi's most poignant, raw, and absolutely, devastatingly, heartbreakingly romantic novel to date and has firmly cemented its place right next to Weightless as my favorite Kandi novel." -- Chase Coe, Wander Reader
"A couple of things I've realized after finishing What He Never Knew -- I've learned life lessons, fell in love with her characters, and once again, was brought to tears by her writing. Her words are just that beautiful, and that powerful. THAT is the Kandi Steiner experience." -- Patricia Leibowitz, early reviewer
"I was wholly entranced by Steiner's prose, and never wanted the book to end. Kandi Steiner is an extraordinary artist that continues to hone her craft into some of the best romances I've ever had the pleasure to read. What He Never Knew was a true masterpiece of contemporary romance, I would HIGHLY recommend it!" -- Julia, The Romance Bibliophile
"Her books always give off such a personal feel to them, like she has lived and breathed the journey she takes her characters on. No other author touches me like Kandi. No other author draws me into a story like Kandi. I like angst and Kandi does angst right. I am in awe once again at her magnificence. " -- Roxs Reads
"The angst, heartbreak, and real flawed human emotion ripped my soul raw. The writing is superb, the pacing excellent, and the characters are so developed you feel like you know them personally." -- Shannon Avangeline, Goodreads Reviewer
"Kandi's ability to write and create painful love stories that flow with amazing character development fluidity and chemistry makes her stand out from the rest." -- Jennifer Paiva, Bookshelf Muse
"This is my first OMG book of 2019. My first book hangover of 2019. The first masterpiece of 2019." -- Renita McKinney, Goodreads reviewer
"I personally think this is one of the best student/teacher romances I've EVER read." -- Katelyn, Goodreads reviewer
"Over the past couple days, I have read What He Doesn't Know duet and then What He Never Knew and I have to say this is one of the best series that I have ever read. These characters have captivated me and I am going to have a hard time leaving them behind." -- Stephanie, Goodreads reviewer
"Kandi Steiner is always one of my favorites, she can write angst and love in such a way that you feel it too, but in my opinion this is her at her very best. This story is told in a descriptive, lyrical way, moving much like the piano Sarah plays. It's a story of loss and tragedy, of forgiveness and hope, and of love and strength." -- Carlene Inspired, Goodreads reviewer
"Reese! That one name conjures up all the feels. I was so glad to see him get his own story. And what a story it was. Heartwrenching and beautiful, Kandi always delivers. I'm a sucker for a forbidden romance and this one hit all the spots. I'm in love." -- Nana Malone, USA Today Bestselling Author
About the Author
Kandi Steiner is a Creative Writing and Advertising/Public Relations graduate from the University of Central Florida living in Tampa with her husband. Kandi works full time as a social media specialist, but also works part time as a Zumba fitness instructor and blackjack dealer.
Product details
- ASIN : B07LB653FR
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : February 21, 2019
- Language : English
- File size : 854 KB
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 397 pages
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Book 3 of 3 : Best Kept Secrets
- Best Sellers Rank: #91,653 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,022 in Multicultural & Interracial Romance (Books)
- #1,039 in Multicultural & Interracial Romance (Kindle Store)
- #13,263 in Contemporary Romance (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Kandi Steiner is a USA Today and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author living in Tennessee. Best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal.
An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. Her love for writing started at the ripe age of 10, and in 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.”
She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a hopeless romantic and found herself bursting at the seams with love stories she was eager to tell.
When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, planning her next adventure, or pole dancing (yes, you read that right). She enjoys live music, traveling, hiking, yoga, spending quality time with her family (fur babies included) and soaking up the sweetness of life.
CONNECT WITH KANDI:
➜ NEWSLETTER: kandisteiner . com/newsletter
➜ FACEBOOK: @kandisteiner
➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (Kandiland): facebook . com/groups/kandilandks
➜ INSTAGRAM: @kandisteiner
➜ TIKTOK: @authorkandisteiner
➜ WEBSITE: kandisteiner . com
Kandi Steiner may be coming to a city near you! Check out her “events” tab on her website to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers describe this book as a heartwrenching story of heartbreak and survival, with a beautiful conclusion to the previous duet. The writing is praised for its poetic prose and realistic portrayal, while customers fall in love with the characters, particularly Sarah and Reese's connection. Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of the resilience of the human spirit and consider it worth the wait.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, describing it as heartwrenching and a story of heartbreak and survival.
"...you’re looking for a lost hero, a broken heroine, and a love story to make your heart soar, you’ve found it!!! Quotes: …..." Read more
"...I feel lighter and more hopeful. If you've ever read anything by Kandi Steiner you know this is her MO - make her readers FEEL.IT.ALL...." Read more
"...Kandi, you’re absolutely the queen of angsty heartbreaking heartwarming plots that no one could ever surpass!..." Read more
"...Everyone gets their HEA. This entire series takes you on such and emotional ride! I had book hangover for days!! Try this series!!..." Read more
Customers love the story of this book, describing it as beautiful and perfect as a conclusion to the previous duet.
"...Can I magically give it more than 5 stars?! The storyline itself was phenomenal with a very steady pace that will suck you straight in...." Read more
"...Kept Secrets series, they truly made my days tolerable, enjoyable and magical... even if these series has made my heart aches for my super gorgeous..." Read more
"...This is a great ending to a fantastic trio of books, and I truly feel like I couldn’t have envisioned a better ending." Read more
"...by Kandi Steiner is a contemporary, new adult, forbidden, age gap romance told in dual POV...." Read more
Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as beautifully and poetically written, with realistic and vivid details that bring the story to life.
"...This is the third book of the What He Doesn’t Know series it can be read as a stand-alone, but you lose out an incredible duet and the history of..." Read more
"...For so many reasons. I am obsessed with her writing style, often poetic but more so…all from the heart...." Read more
"...It can be read as a standalone, but I'd recommend reading the duet (What He Doesn't Know and What He Always Knew) first because what Reese..." Read more
"...at hand, and just EVERYTHING it entails, it’s one of the most important works of art you could read about. EVER...." Read more
Customers describe this love story as heartbreakingly beautiful and sexy.
"...as she has a way of torqueing your emotions just enough that it’s delicious and not painful...." Read more
"...He is a good man, honest, sincere, lovable all rolled into an amazing admirable human being !!!..." Read more
"...Whereas with Sarah, he bloomed and shined unapologetically...." Read more
"...in this book was amazing, and how much they pushed and helped each other was beautiful...." Read more
Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a fantastic and brilliant addition to the series, with one customer noting it as the top read of 2019.
"...in Reese’s life, thank you for putting them together in this phenomenal book, thank you for their successful life together in New York, and for Baby..." Read more
"...This series is amazing though and I highly recommend it. Overall, I still loved it." Read more
"Wow!! This book was awesome. So emotional and breathtaking. Beautifully written...." Read more
"...so much hope as I devoured this beautifully heartbreaking and unforgettable read...." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly Sarah and Reese, with one customer noting the beautiful connection between the protagonists.
"...The connection between the protagonists was utterly beautiful and made my heart sing to see them both happy at the conclusion of this book...." Read more
"...Sarah and Reese are incredible characters who grow leaps and bounds and it all culminates in something that is magical...." Read more
"...He is a good man, honest, sincere, lovable all rolled into an amazing admirable human being !!!..." Read more
"...Both characters were strong and determined and I love all of their interactions and as they got more comfortable with each other the banter...." Read more
Customers find the book enjoyable and worth the wait, with one mentioning it pulls readers in immediately.
"...storyline itself was phenomenal with a very steady pace that will suck you straight in...." Read more
"...Well... thanks to your Best Kept Secrets series, they truly made my days tolerable, enjoyable and magical... even if these series has made my heart..." Read more
"...It is very raw and very gripping! I really do love Kandi's writing. She never disappoints me!..." Read more
"...Without a doubt What He Never Knew was most definitely worth the wait!..." Read more
Customers appreciate the strength portrayed in the book, particularly the resilience of the human spirit, with one customer noting how the heroine overcomes her painful journey, while another describes it as a beautiful story about having faith.
"...I really enjoyed Sarah as a character. She was mature, insightful, and strong...." Read more
"...And even though I was a bit distraught by how the book opened, Sarah's strength, personality, and perspective kept me going...." Read more
"...What He Never Knew is a beautiful story about having faith and letting your heart rule over your head. It’s emotional, raw and REAL...." Read more
"...The heroine was so strong in her painful journey and filled with such a longing to express herself through music...." Read more
Reviews with images

Third Book in the What He Doesn't Know series... Doesn't disappoint!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2019I have spent the last year devouring anything and everything I could get my hands written by Kandi Steiner. It’s unacceptable (in my opinion) that I missed out on the books Kandi released prior to the What He Doesn’t Know duet caught my eye—and miss out I did! It truly pains me that I can’t just drop everything and read her work. Kandi has impressed me again and again as I have read the books in her backstock. If you don’t follow my blog already, I am a voracious reader, and my taste is extremely eclectic. If I pick up a romance, I want a strong hero and heroine, sexxxy times that scorch my kindle, and a killer storyline. So far, I feel that everything I have read from this particular author meets those standards as well as giving readers a wide range of subgenres to choose from. Now, it’s ironic that the first books I read from Kandi was a triangle romance, because in all honestly, I dislike triangle romances immensely. LOL. And yet, I LOVED the What He Doesn’t Know Duet. Originally, I was drawn to the blurbs. But it took literally moments to get sucked into the first book in this duet last year when I read them. In preparation for reading What He Never Knew, I reread the duet so that I was on top of my game, and honestly, I think I loved it even more the second time around. Since I’m such an angst junkie, I’m addicted to Kandi Steiner’s writing, as she has a way of torqueing your emotions just enough that it’s delicious and not painful. Now that I’ve discovered her, I have a new go-to author and I am sure you will love her just as much
As much as I loved the duet, when I finished reading it, I struggled with the ending. With the lack of a happily ever after for my pick of the men Charlie Pierce was stuck between… the fictional hero that didn’t get the girl... that Kandi Steiner made me fall completely in-love with over the course of the duet. I haven’t been able to stop thinking of him until one day I found out that Kandi had written his HEA—talk about bliss! I was in heaven knowing this book was coming, and I am not ashamed to say that I stalked Kandi’s social media accounts until the blogger sign ups were available. As anyone who read and loved the What He Doesn’t Know duet would attest, readers were in for an emotional ride from the first page until the last. So I expected to be as emotional when I read What He Never Knew. I just wasn’t prepared for how emotional the read would be. In order to avoid spoiling the ending of What He Always Knew—the second book of the series—I am avoiding the use of the hero’s name in this review. Please forgive any vague references as I simply wanted to insure your reading isn’t tainted.
What He Never Knew is a taboo student/teacher romance with a much younger heroine. I can’t praise this book enough. Can I magically give it more than 5 stars?! The storyline itself was phenomenal with a very steady pace that will suck you straight in. The connection between the protagonists was utterly beautiful and made my heart sing to see them both happy at the conclusion of this book. I feel like the story has now come full circle where it wasn’t really complete for me at the end of What He Doesn’t Know/What He Always Knew. Technically you can read What He Never Knew without first reading the (What He Doesn’t Know) duet. That said, I truly believe the three books should be read in sequence to enhance your reading experience. You’ll get lost in them regardless but will understand the hero on a completely different level. You will fall in love with Sarah and hurt with her the way I hurt. I cried real tears—ugly tears in fact—while reading this one and I don’t cry easily. If you haven’t read Kandi Steiner before, please, PLEASE read these books, you’ll surely thank me and the other bloggers who have written reviews of them. If you’re looking for a lost hero, a broken heroine, and a love story to make your heart soar, you’ve found it!!!
Quotes:
…He loved that woman so much that he put himself through a daily self-flagellation just to keep her in his life.
…she wore her scars on her sleeve like a woman who’d been through as much hell in her life as I had
…I saw the way my music moved her — the same way it moved me — and I knew from that alone that she’d been cursed by her creativity, by her inability to see the world like a normal, well-functioning human would. It was the same curse I bared.
…If I could survive last night, I could survive anything. I was the girl who cried wolf.
…I curled in on myself, as if I could shelter myself now, as if I could protect what damaged goods still remained. As if anyone would want them, even if I could.
I was the girl who cried wolf. But I vowed to myself that I would not be the girl who let the wolf win.
…I didn’t know what to make of the music I made that evening, The song was pained. It was real. It was raw… and new. Fresh, like nothing I’d played before. And all the while I played it, I thought of my new student. That should have been my first warning.
… Sarah was an unstoppable force, like a Category 5 hurricane, and we’d all just been wrecked by her power.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2019Imagine this (that big voice introducing a forthcoming movie)
“From a Girl who feels everything comes a story of a man who feels too much. “
Kidding aside, I can really hear that voice in my head and I had to get that out there. Another thing to get out these is this disclaimer: The very existence of this story is a "spoiler" for the series, so if you still have the "What He Doesn't Know" books by Kandi Steiner on your TBR then read no further.
I knew this book was coming and somehow it slipped my mind how very intense Reese Walker is and I never contemplated that he’d be where he is when this story opens, two years after the end of his affair with Charlie. This is both good and bad. When the "duet" ended, everything felt tied up for me. Except for Reese. Sure Charlie's story was solidified, her choice made, but Reese was still out there. This ghost of a man, and the air was thick with his heartbreak. Kandi, well Kandi pushes that feeling out through her words, making this a somewhat difficult book to read. If you've read the series and you thought Reese felt broken before, well watch out.
Two years after Charlie proclaims her choice, Reese is STILL getting over it. But there's nothing in him that resembles a man who is at all healed, not one bit. Going through the motions of life and forced to witness the love he once considered he'd have. He never had all of it, but he could taste victory. Fool that he was. A broken hearted artists equals an inspired artists.
“Reese was an entire universe, and the piano was a mere telescope we tried to see him through.”
He’s good at faking it, but only just enough. He is STUCK. Just STUCK. Frustratingly so. Wake, work, rinse and repeat. It's as though he is punishing himself for loving a woman he should have left alone. As a passionate man, he couldn't. Miserable by his own making.
Then into his life comes a young woman, a seemingly too young for him woman who is broken in her own right. So very broken. What happened to her is just gut wrenching and hard to read. But it’s necessary to understand her and the next chapter of her life. The chapter where she will heal and become who she’s destined to be, and Reese will become a big part of that.
As the two begin interacting and sharing their stories of hurt and loss, they form a bond, trusting each other to keep them safe. We needed Reese to move on and for Sarah to take a stand for herself. Considering what she went through, it would be a very big leap for her to take the necessary steps. Is this relatively tight nit community, assumptions are made, right or wrong, and judgement is placed. I guess it’s not enough that Reese tortures himself, but people love to interfere and in some the motivation is clear and in others, not so much. I’ll just say some people need to learn to let go. Yeah, Charlie takes some missteps but Reese owns taking a stand. Sarah and Reese are incredible characters who grow leaps and bounds and it all culminates in something that is magical. Two people who release the past and learn to love - for what seems to me is really the very first time.
I guess I needed to write the review because my heart was weighed down by recalling Reese’s emotions. I feel lighter and more hopeful. If you've ever read anything by Kandi Steiner you know this is her MO - make her readers FEEL.IT.ALL.
I think Reeses words say it all…
“We’re not destined to run from our misery, we’re destined to bathe in it — and to somehow find a way to make it beautiful.”
Top reviews from other countries
- Amy ThomasReviewed in Canada on June 5, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing ending to a series!
Where do I start? Another heartbreaking read from Kandi. Reese is still caught up in Charlie and you feel everything he feels and it's excruciating. You want him to move on and find his person. Sarah is broken for some of the same reasons as Reese and some other very painful ones. Though there is a large age gap, can they be together? Is Sarah the one to help Reese be free? This was a beautiful story, with some very hard topics. You loose yourself in Kandi's books and can't put them down. I loved this book and the whole series. It left me speechless!
- CarlyReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible
I honestly love Kandi Steiner. I have been waiting what feels like forever for an ending to Charlie and Reese’s story, always wondering what would happen to Reese, so when it was announced that there was going to be a third book I was so excited.
Like all of Steiner’s characters, I was drawn in by Sarah and her story. She has been pained, wounded and left feeling broken and her suffering mirrors that of Reese. Her story is dark, compelling, and one that needed to be told, and I applaud any writer who attempts to tackle hard hitting subjects that are true to life.
Sarah is a pianist with a dream. She longs for the bright lights of the Carnegie Hall stage, determined to fight to get there rather than remain shattered. She is hauntingly beautiful and the perfect heroine to capture Reese’s attention. So when she ends up staying with her uncle and opting to call upon Reese to be her piano teacher, things start to heat up.
Reese knows he should stay away, a large age gap only one of the many reasons why he needs to refrain from falling for Sarah, but he is unable to hide his attraction. He has never felt such a connection to someone and i believed that they whole heartedly understood one another and were meant to be.
I have a soft spot for Reese, the brooding man who lives his pain and truth, and it was nice to finally see him get his much deserved ending.
The book is an addictive read with lots of passion and emotion poured into it. Everything about it felt perfect, from the connection of the characters, to the way in which they were all given a voice. It was the perfect read, and I would recommend to all readers who enjoy romance or fiction. You will not be disappointed.
- TaoaneReviewed in Australia on February 21, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best reading of 2019!
Oh, my heart, this book was everything and more.
I felt that Kandi poured her heart out in this book, so much emotion, angst, the level of feelings is so strong that makes you breathless. My skin felt electrified, and my stomach was a mess, I couldn’t eat or drink, my head was in a completed fog after finished this masterpiece, and don’t start with the music, dear lord, that is another story, is so well placed with the book, astonishing soundtrack.
Sarah, my heart ached for her, her life was her music, her best friend was her music, and this trust has broken her in the worst way possible.
Oh, Reese, I was waiting for his HEA, a love him, his soul shredded. He can’t see anything in front of him than his own thoughts of loss & pain. He is so deep in sorrow & darkness.
Sarah is something he doesn't understand, but he can't stop thinking about her.
Sarah & Reese love story is a slow burn, and that got me really hard.
This book is so far one of the best reading of 2019.
All the amazing stars.
Kandi you never stop to amaze me!!!
- Kindle CustomerReviewed in Australia on August 20, 2019
4.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed this book
I enjoyed this story of Reese and Sarah. I cried tears of sorrow and then cried tears of joy at their happy ever after, they both deserved it.
- SabrinaReviewed in Australia on January 16, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece
This book made me cry so much however, it was sooooo good. I haven’t read the other books in this series and so I went head first into this one and let me tell you I was not disappointed. Sarah has a traumatic past and Reese is was so sad about life I’m guessing it’s explained in the other two books. Although you don’t really need to know anything from the first two books to understand this one which I personally really liked.
Anyways, this book has so much angst and slow burn between the characters but it only made it that much better.
The student teacher aspect also was taboo which AGAIN I loved. He’s was her piano teacher, and helps her recover from injuries she’s previously had that affected her playing abilities. He’s so sweet and patient with Sarah and even though he’s not the most innocent charter he’s still such a good man.
Overall, this book was absolutely amazing and I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for angst, slow burn and taboo student teacher then this book is for you.