October 7th, 2026
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October Reads Worth Falling For

Danger, desire, second chances, and unexpected romanceβ€”discover this month’s Fresh Fiction Featured Books.

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A poisoned cousin, a five-year-old's life, and a family with too many secrets.


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Supernatural sparks fly
between a bookseller
& her hard-boiled ghost.


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If Her Highness thinks I’ll let another man claim her and my child, she’s lost her royal mind. Sophaya’s mine.


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She found a body. Then she started asking the wrong questions.


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He ghosted her ten years ago. Now she’s stuck with him for Christmas.


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She’s the lady everyone overlooks. He’s the prince who can’t look away.

THE WILD SIDE

The Wild Side, April 2024
by Fern Michaels

Kensington
368 pages
ISBN: 1496746805
EAN: 9781496746801
Kindle: B0C9VT9HKR
Hardcover / e-Book
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"How many school guidance counselors work undercover operations?"

Fresh Fiction Review

THE WILD SIDE
Fern Michaels

Reviewed by Evie Harris
Posted April 15, 2024

Romance Suspense

Melanie Drake didn't start as a school guidance counselor. After serving as an agent for the Office of Special Investigations for several years, she knew when it was time to get out. Her logic was that if she could prevent even one child from going astray she would be accomplishing something important. All she wanted was her own small house, a dog and a quiet life. Just as she had achieved all that her former boss contacted her. She was the only one he trusted for a special assignment. While not happy about being drawn back into her old life, she is nothing if not loyal and resolute. Once again, she puts herself in what could be perilous undercover situations. Will all her past experience and her skills keep her safe enough so she can return to the new life she had built?
In THE WILD SIDE, a novel by Fern Michaels, readers follow Melanie's life from childhood to the present. Skillfully crafted, Melanie is a fascinating character. No matter what obstacles she encounters her nature will not allow her to become a victim with one exception or to fail.
The narrative moves quickly. Blended in are strong themes of family and loyalty. What I found to be particularly interesting is the detailed explanation of what steps and training Melanie had to go through to become a special agent. Also, notable is her adjustment to working in a school setting, especially with all the new restrictions in place.
I enjoyed reading THE WILD SIDE. It is interesting and engrossing. Highly recommended.

Learn more about THE WILD SIDE

SUMMARY

A seemingly ordinary guidance counselor goes undercover as a high-class escort to bring down a dangerous network of ruthless and powerful men in the gripping new standalone page-turner from legendary, #1 international bestseller Fern Michaels.

The season's must-read for fans of Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, James Patterson, and Janet Evanovich.

For Melanie Drake, school guidance counselor in a small Virginia town, the day’s challenges typically involve a playground scuffle or a student skipping school. It’s worlds away from her previous career as a vital part of the Office of Special Investigations. There, she devoted herself heart and soul to covert operations, the riskier the better.

Since leaving, Melanie has cherished her peaceful, calm existence, with her two beloved retired service dogs for company. Then a call comes from her former supervisor, Rich Patterson. He needs her back for a highly specialized assignment. An international group of billionaires is known to meet regularly for decadent dinners, and they always hire high-class escorts for the occasion. Only the most elegant, well-educated, and sophisticated women will do. Infiltrating those meetings could yield information vital to national security.

Melanie’s loyalty is indisputable. She’s willing to pose as an escort and glean every scrap of intel that she can. But these men aren’t just wealthy and powerful, they’re also exceptionally ruthless. One slip, and they won’t hesitate to eliminate Melanie, by any means necessary. . .

EXCERPT

No excerpt available.

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