Review: Beating Heart by Laura Pavlov (Magnolia Falls #4)


Note: An advance reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author.

Oh, my Hearts, and by "Hearts" I mean Nash and Cutler. This father and son duo finally get their own happily-ever-after in Beating Heart, the fourth and newest novel in the Magnolia Falls series penned by Laura Pavlov. If you read the previous book, Forbidden King, you'll recall that six-year-old Cutler had a bit of a health emergency when he suffered his worst asthma attack to date. His pediatrician, Doc Dolby, who has been around for decades, already hinted back then that he was seriously considering retiring. And now, here we are, with Doc bringing in twenty-nine-year-old Emerson Chadwick, and unsurprisingly, Nash is not thrilled with this turn of events. Cutler, however, has no qualms whatsoever, immediately smitten with his new doctor and turning on the charm. It also looks like Emerson is Nash and Cutler's new neighbor, leading to the threesome to spending time together. Nash knows not to get attached, especially not with Emerson making it clear from the get-go that working in Boston is her dream. He's determined to protect Cutler's heart from breaking, but who's going to safeguard either his and Emerson's?

Cutler has consistently been such a scene-stealer and a thief of hearts, but even he took things to a level where no one could have possibly resisted him, not even Emerson who was only supposed to stay in Magnolia Falls for six months. Oh, and we can't forget Nash (sorry, Nash!) because I'm sure he played some part in that happily-ever-after as well. I loved Emerson's independent spirit and big heart. She and Nash just clicked, and it was clear that they belonged together, especially once they got out of their own way. Her care and concern for Cutler was so darn endearing, and seeing Nash trust her and welcome her into their circle was heartwarming. Naturally, the rest of the Ride or Die crew--Romeo, River, King, and Hayes--made sure to make their opinions (and teasing) known, as did Demi, Ruby, Saylor, and Peyton. (Speaking of Peyton, I so wish for a short story or novella with her and a certain someone that I won't mention for fear of spoilers!) I loved this latest visit to Magnolia Falls (and dare I hope for an upcoming series set in Rosewood River featuring Emerson's brothers and cousins?!), and I can't believe we've only got one more book left. Gah! Five stars for Beating Heart.

-------------------------

Read my reviews for the Magnolia Falls series:


Loving Romeo (book one) - five stars - My Review

Wild River (book two) - 4.5 stars - My Review

Forbidden King (book three) - 4.5 stars - My Review

Beating Heart (book four) - five stars - My Review (posted above)

-------------------------

Release Date: 15 August 2024

Date Read: 02 August 2024

Learn more about Laura Pavlov.

Purchase Beating Heart on Amazon.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Book Spotlight: Girl Breaker by Harper Kincaid

Image
Girl Breaker (Break on Through #3) by Harper Kincaid Date Released: January 17, 2017 Samhain Publishing About Girl Breaker Sometimes the best thing a good girl can do is make a bad decision.  Jessica has always been the girl with her head in the clouds and her nose in a book, only dating the "nice guys". But when rough-around-the-edges Viking-biker-god, Mad Max, and his precocious little girl move onto her street, Jessica falls hard and fast for both of them. Max is no stranger to women wanting to share his bed—and he's always been more than happy to oblige them all. He's lived wild all his life—that is, until a daughter shows up on his doorstep and he meets a redheaded angel down the block. There's nothing more he wants than to claim Jessica as his, to bring the gorgeous spitfire to his bed. But a man like him doesn't get a happy ending with a woman like her. He's got a whole other life, one he's kept secret for good reason. If Jessica
Read on...

Release Blitz: Blue Skies by Marie Sinclair

Image
Blue Skies (Blue Skies #1) by Marie Sinclair Release Date: October 11, 2023 About Blue Skies Greg loves his job as a flight attendant. If only his love life could make him as happy, he’d be all set. Asexual and HIV-positive, Greg has had a series of untrustworthy boyfriends who saw him as a challenge or told him they could accept his sexuality and status. Until they couldn’t. Still reeling from his latest breakup, Greg’s romantic heart beats a little faster when he meets Holden at a club, even though his brain whispers caution. For Holden, relationships are something he can’t afford. He’s been in the closet his entire adult life because it could cost him his job if anyone finds out he’s gay. At forty-eight, hook-ups, one night stands, and quickies in a bathroom are as good as it gets for him. It’s all he’s looking for when he goes to Neon. Instead, he finds Greg. Drawn to each other from the start, the two experience a bit of a bumpy take-off. But then Holden ends up on Greg
Read on...

Review: Him by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy (Him #1)

Image
Four years' worth of meaningless sexual encounters flash through my head as I break the kiss and slide down his body again. All those guys I hooked up with in the past...they're a blur. They're faceless. Sometimes they were faceless even when I was with them. I got off, they got off, but I wasn't fully present. I always held something back from them. Not with Jamie. I can't hold back with him, and never could. Holy book hangover. It's confirmed: there's something seriously wrong with me to have waited as long as I did to read this novel, though I'm counting getting it on sale as an absolute bonus. I get it now. I seriously and absolutely get why Him , the first book in the series by the same name from the writing tandem of Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy, has received and continues to receive the stellar reviews and accolades it's gotten since its release in July of last year. I've read many an M/M romance novel and yes, I've read
Read on...