I received this book for free from Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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All I wanted was a break–two weeks off from being Pixie Hart, country music sensation, and fourteen days of peace, privacy, and solitude as plain old Kelly Jo Sullivan.
But thanks to some overzealous paparazzi, my family refuses to let me go anywhere alone, and I’m stuck sharing this tiny cabin with a tall, dark, and bearded stranger.
And guess what? There’s only one bed.
Well, he can couch it.
Xander Buckley might be hotter than a stolen blow torch, and I get that he’s a former Navy SEAL and all, but the man gives new meaning to the words overbearing, overprotective, bossy alpha male. I can’t even post a photo on social media without him warning me it’s not safe, or take a morning jog without him following behind.
But he’s made it clear that what he says goes, and if I don’t like it, I can kiss my vacation goodbye.
Instead, I end up kissing him.
I don’t even know how it happened–one minute we were at each other’s throats, the next we were at each other’s mercy. What’s even more shocking is how good we are together. He understands my need for freedom, and I understand his need for control.
But emotional trust doesn’t come easily to me. And we’re on two completely different paths.
Without question, I’d put my life in his hands.
Just don’t ask me to give him my heart.

After devouring the Cloverleigh Farms series by Melanie Harlow, I’ve been wanting to read her new Cherry Tree Harbor series. So when I saw the sign up for book two in this standalone series, I signed up right away. I have book one waiting for me as an audiobook, and I dived right into this book when I was able too.

In ‘Hideaway Heart’ we read the story of Kelly Jo Sullivan, a.k.a. Pixie Hart. Kelly is a country sensation and has been working non stop for years. Finally she is able to take a little break from her life in the spotlights and she travels to a remote cabin all by herself. The last thing she wanted and expected was Xander Buckley standing on her porch telling her he is hired to keep her safe. Kelly tries to get rid of the handsome ex- Navy Seal, but soon needs to except he isn’t going anywhere. Kelly and Xander have two totally different lives, moving in very different directions, but soon find out they are each other’s perfect match.

‘Hideaway Heart’ was a perfect read to get away from the very wet Dutch weather. I started reading, and couldn’t put it down. A country singer, my favorite kind of music, and a grumpy handsome Navy Seal? Can things get better? I don’t think so. From the moment Kelly and Xander meet there is this intense attraction between them. I loved how totally different they were, but somehow they really understood each other.

The romance between Kelly and Xander was amazing. I loved reading about their chemistry, and their banters where just so good! They definitely where the kind of couple that gave me all the ‘swoon’ feelings. I loved how a lot of this book involved only the two of them in a small cabin. And no.. it wasn’t only sexy times in there.

The fact that Kelly is a country singer really gave this book something extra for me. I love country music, and reading about her passion for singing and life in Nashville was really fun. Even if her life in Nashville wasn’t all that fun most of the time. Kelly’s life was very interesting to read about. And I admired how she developed as a character throughout the book.

Xander’s character definitely made me swoon. He was hardworking and determined to make his new bar a success. When he got called in to protect Kelly, he didn’t hesitate a moment and did what he had to do to keep her safe. I loved how he felt things so intense, but didn’t figure it out all at ones himself. Sigh.. I can’t wait to read more books about his siblings.

‘Hideaway Heart’ was a great read and I can’t wait to listen to book one in this standalone series. If your into small town romances and some great chemistry, this book is definitely for you.

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Check out my other reviews in the Cloverleigh Farms Next Generation series here:

About Melanie Harlow

USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she's not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like Ted, Lasso, Schitt’s Creek, and Fleabag. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.

Melanie is the author of the BELLAMY CREEK series, the CLOVERLEIGH FARMS series, the ONE & ONLY series, AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, and the FRENCHED series. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.

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I received an ARC Valentine PR & Literary Management.

Maureen Bakker

Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always!  Facebook | Instagram