Review: Elastic Hearts by Claire Contreras (Hearts #3)

Note: This ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

"I think I'm falling in love with you," I whispered as she slept. "And I really don't fucking want to. You probably don't even want a serious relationship right now. You probably just want to have fun." I sighed. "But the thought of you having fun and being like this with anybody but me...kills me."

No words. I finished reading Elastic Hearts, the final novel in the much loved and lauded Hearts series from bestselling author Claire Contreras, and I was at a loss for words, though I would think my huge grin would have been evidence enough of how I was feeling. But an hour has passed and I'm hoping I've collected my thoughts and feelings sufficiently so that I can come up with a review that lets you know how absolutely amazing this book was! If you're expecting this to be anything like the first two books--Kaleidoscope Hearts and Paper Hearts--leave those expectations behind because this book is different but in a totally fantastic way. The two things that I can confidently say it shares with its predecessors is the twosome that you won't be able to resist falling for and becoming emotionally invested all throughout and the heart-tugging storytelling that is classic Claire Contreras--but with so much more sexual tension this time around. This more than works as a standalone, but do yourselves a favor and read the series in order.

Victor Reuben and Nicole Alessi have a past, one that neither of them has acknowledged in the five years since Victor nipped their sizzling connection in the bud because of his professional ambitions. Soon after Victor let her go, Nicole went on to quickly fall in love and marry a Hollywood actor, the very same actor that she is now divorcing. With Victor as Nicole's lawyer, things should be settled in a timely and worry-free fashion...but being in close proximity to one another is wreaking havoc on their sanity and the chemistry between the two of them is as palpable as ever. Neither one of them can afford the distraction and giving in to their desires could lead to complications that may end up with Victor losing his license to practice law and Nicole in a scandal that would may very well make her soon-to-be ex-husband's pale in comparison. But what's been simmering for five years is more than ready to boil over, and like it or not, both Victor and Nicole will need to choose whether to merely step aside or to finally give in and dive deep.

I loved Victor and Nicole because they were so much more than what they were at the very beginning of their story. They met and went their separate ways, and I more than appreciated that neither was pining for the other during the five-year separation. Was there a heck of an attraction between them five years ago? Sure, and maybe it could have turned into something much more than lust had they stayed together, but I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason and that there's a time for everything. Neither one of them was prepared for that something more. She was just twenty-two and about to graduate from college and he was starting a job he saw taking him far. But now at thirty-one and seeing Nicole again, ready to file for divorce from the man she's been married to for five years, Victor is beginning to come to certain realizations, and when that sensitive side of him comes out, it's difficult to look elsewhere. And Nicole is no helpless damsel; she's independent and intelligent and she goes after what she wants: Victor.

As much as I adored having Oliver and Estelle Hart (Kaleidoscope Hearts) and Jensen and Mia Reynolds (Paper Hearts) around and playing important but non-scene-stealing roles in this book, I'm glad that the focus was really on Victor and Nicole. Some series that bring back past main characters tend to shift the focus a tad too much, but not in this case and rightly so. Victor and Nicole had my full attention from the very beginning and nothing could have distracted me from them. I wouldn't, however, mind if Claire Contreras decides to write a book about some of the supporting characters, namely, Gabriel Lane (Nicole's soon-to-be former husband), Marcus (no last name mentioned and Nicole's bodyguard and driver), Brent Thomas (someone living in Nicole's neighborhood), Corinne (also no last name and Victor's assistant), and Chrissy (who doesn't have a last name and Nicole's best friend). Just putting that out there, but that's for the future. For now, let may simply say that Elastic Hearts is Claire Contreras at her best. Five-plus stars. ♥

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Read my reviews for the Hearts series:

Kaleidoscope Hearts (book one) - five-plus stars - My Review

Torn Hearts (prequel novella) - five-plus stars - My Review

Paper Hearts (book two) - five-plus stars - My Review

Elastic Hearts (book three) - five-plus stars - My Review (posted above)

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Release Date: 20 March 2016

Date Read: 20 March 2016

Learn more about Claire Contreras.

Purchase Elastic Hearts on Kobo.