Hearts in Harmony by Gemma Brocato - Review and Giveaway

 

Title: Hearts In Harmony (A Five Senses Novel Book #2)

Author: Gemma Brocato

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publish Date: May 5, 2014

Publisher: Lyrical an imprint of Kensington

Tour Organized by Literati Author Services 

SYNOPSIS:

Pippa Sanders’ life is filled with songs of leaving, longing and loneliness. Since the death of her husband, her children have been her world. She’ll do anything to protect them, including encasing her heart in ice until they’re college age. She’s made a practice of shying away from any relationship that could break her heart when it ends. And it’s worked so far.

Clay Mathers has made a temporary move to Granite Pointe, Massachusetts to help with his mother’s Christmas tree farm while she recovers from a stroke. Although his long-range plans don’t include staying in the small town, a little female companionship during his short residency would be welcome. While on duty as sentry against protestors at a military funeral, he finds Pippa visiting her husband’s grave, and begins a campaign to make her into a friend–with benefits.

What starts as a simple affair evolves to something more, something that changes the soundtracks of both their lives…the beating of two hearts in harmony. CONTENT WARNING: Contains strong language, hot sex and a spicy hero.  

MY THOUGHTS:

3 out of 5 stars

So many of the books I read focus on the emotions and flutters of first loves. They are my go-to. But every now and again, I will read a book that deals with second chances. And that is what I found in Hearts in Harmony.

Pippa Sanders is a ridiculously strong woman. After her husband was killed in combat, she is left alone, 4 months pregnant (with twins, no less) and completely heartbroken. But she doesn't let it break her and she throws her heart and soul into being there for her children. Heart and soul, all in, 100%...her children are her life. Her devotion to her kids is completely admirable...and maybe a little bit of a defense mechanism.

When an uncomfortable situation at her husband's grave site results in a chance meeting...and heated exchange...with Clay Mathers, the beginnings of a crack develops in the wall Pippa has so carefully constructed and maintained. And when she realizes that maybe she is feeling things she hasn't felt in a very long time, it completely throws her for a loop.

And that's where this book gets fun.

I'll admit, Clay irked me at first. He is brash and arrogant and completely just...obnoxious. Very much a speak before he thinks character. And I did NOT like him at first. In fact, I almost had to stop reading. But I kept going and before I realized what had happened, I started to think that maybe he wasn't the #&%$ that he first seemed to be.

Oddly enough, it was Clay's interaction with Pippa's twins that made me look at him in a different light. And normally, I am not a fan of kid characters in the books I read - they remind me of child actors in Soaps. BUT...that's just me and the fact that I found myself enjoying the scenes with the twins was a pleasant surprise.

(I promise that I'm not an absolute ogre like I seem to be in the previous paragraph - I really do like children :) )

All in all, I am very happy that I didn't stop reading and that I that I didn't let my initial impression of Clay deter me from their story. I guess where I'm going with this is that second chances can be pretty awesome. And if you are in the mood for a fun, spicy read this summer, add Hearts in Harmony to your to-read list.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon | Itunes | Kobo |Barnes and Noble | All Romance Ebooks

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gemma's favorite desk accessories for many years were a circular wooden token, better known as a 'round tuit,' and a slip of paper from a fortune cookie proclaiming her a lover of words; some day she'd write a book. All it took was a transfer to the United Kingdom, the lovely English springtime, and a huge dose of homesickness to write her first novel. Once it was completed and sent off with a kiss, even the rejections addressed to 'Dear Author' were gratifying. After returning to America, she spent a number of years as a copywriter, dedicating her skills to making insurance and the agents who sell them sound sexy. Eventually, her full-time job as a writer interfered with her desire to be a writer full-time and she left the world of financial products behind to pursue an avocation as a romance author. Her gamble paid off when she was a 2012 Finalist in the prestigious Golden Pen contest for Romantic Suspense and she received contracts for her first and second book.

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GIVEAWAY:

Be sure to enter my Rafflecopter drawing for a chance to win the grand prize pack worth $100. Each item in the pack has some significance to the story. I’ll be drawing one random winner on May 31. Good Luck. a Rafflecopter giveaway