Hate Notes by Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward Published by Montlake Romance on November 6, 2018
Pages: 301
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Amazon Audible
From New York Times bestselling authors Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward comes an unexpected love story of secondhand hearts and second chances…
It all started with a mysterious blue note sewn into a wedding dress.
Something blue.
I’d gone to sell my own unworn bridal gown at a vintage clothing store. That’s when I found another bride’s “something old.”
Stitched into the lining of a fabulously feathered design was the loveliest message I’d ever read: Thank you for making all of my dreams come true.
The name embossed on the blue stationery: Reed Eastwood, obviously the most romantic man who ever lived. I also discovered he’s the most gorgeous. If only my true-love fantasies had stopped there. Because I’ve since found out something else about Mr. Starry-Eyed.
He’s arrogant, cynical, and demanding. I should know. Thanks to a twist of fate, he’s my new boss. But that’s not going to stop me from discovering the story behind his last love letter. A love letter that did not result in a happily ever after.
But that story is nothing compared to the one unfolding between us. It’s getting hotter, sweeter, and more surprising than anything I could have imagined.
Something new.
But I have no idea how this one is going to end...
Hate Notes is an office-based enemies turned lovers story that delivers an entertaining mix of whimsy, feuding, and romance, with a whiff of mystery.
Charlotte and Reed get off on the wrong foot, which makes her an easy target for his snobby disdain. Whereas Reed comes across as intimidating, rude, and unfeeling, Charlotte is wildly appealing with her bubbly personality and relentless optimism. As she sets out on a journey of self-discovery, it’s wonderful to see Reed’s hard edges begin to soften as he gets swept up in Charlotte’s infectious sea of enthusiasm.
Despite the title, Hate Notes is a really sweet slow burn romance, so don’t expect a bunch of hate sex dominating the plot. I thoroughly enjoyed the fun challenges Charlotte and Reed tackle together. They have wonderful chemistry, and their inability to lie to each other is incredibly refreshing. While there is clever bickering and plenty of humor, there are also some more serious issues tackled. And, of course, Charlotte’s need to discover the history behind the swoon worthy blue note helps drive the story.
As far as side characters go, I loved Iris so much that I wanted her to adopt me! Her huge heart and sly scheming won me over from the start.
Some of the dialog turns cliché toward the end and there are aspects that seem rushed while others. However, the heart-melting epilogue makes up for it. I count this as a solid win.
Recommended for fans of:
Office romance
Bucket lists
Enemies to lovers stories
Consignment stores
About Penelope Ward
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over 2-million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over twenty novels.
In 2014, Penelope’s fourth novel, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance.
Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
Penelope can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.
About Vi Keeland
Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles have appeared in over a hundred Bestseller lists and are currently translated in two dozen languages. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.
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Lovely review, Angela! <3 🙂 I'll definitely read this book next year.