Review: Dear Heart, I Hate You by J. Sterling
Note: This ARC was provided by InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review.
Dear Heart, I Hate You is a standalone adult contemporary romance novel and the latest release from bestselling author J. Sterling. This is the fifth title by the author that I've read and I must say that this is her at her finest. The story of twenty-nine-year-old Boston resident Cal Donovan and twenty-seven-year-old California girl Jules Abbott was both sweet and fun with the right amount of heat and drama added to keep things interesting from start to finish. Their tale begins when they meet in a Boston bar while Jules is in the city for a conference. The connection is instant and it's pretty clear to both Cal and Jules and everyone else around them--and me, too, of course--that it's more than just a passing attraction. They both note how refreshing different the other is from the usual members of the opposite sex they interact with on a personal level. Both workaholics with career plans that neither plans on altering, they get the need and drive to succeed. What neither planned for was meeting "the one" and being on opposite coasts.
I liked how both Cal and Jules interacted with one another, making it feel real and honest. There were no pretenses between them. You know when someone tells you that they simply clicked with another person? That's exactly how it was with these two. Of course, the major stumbling block is her being in Malibu and he being Boston. Maintaining a friendship from miles away is one thing but working on a relationship and building on the foundation that was set during the first few days you were together is no walk in the park. Cal and Jules have worked hard to get to the point that they're at in their professional lives, but is either one willing to make a sacrifice in order to be with the person that is their missing piece? I would be hard pressed to find anyone slacking in terms of making the relationship work because these two really were in love and really wanted to see where their journey together would take them. I mentioned earlier that there was drama but it wasn't drama that was overly angsty, allowing this gem of a book to be lighthearted fare.
Cal and Jules were fantastic main characters and were both the heart and soul of this book. They were also surrounded by a great cast of supporting characters who provided inserts of humor when necessary and nuggets of wisdom as well. Admittedly, I adored Lucas, Cal's best friend and co-worker, and while I know a follow-up novel entitled In Dreams featuring Cal's brother Cooper and his fiancée Katherine, I really, really, REALLY hope he gets his own book as well. Oh, and let's not forget Tami, Jules's best friend and someone who was a bit of a scene-stealer as well. All in all, this book was so much more than what I was expecting it to be. From the writing to the story itself and to the main characters, I loved every single thing about this book and it was such a great mid-week read. As I mentioned, Cooper and Katherine will be getting their story told and that's definitely one that I'm looking forward to and I already have it added to my to-be-read list. If you're looking for a light but great read, go with Dear Heart, I Hate You. Five stars. ♥
Date Read: 12 May 2016
Learn more about J. Sterling.
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