Thank you to Elsie Silver, Bloom Books, and Raincoast for the advance reader copy of Heartless, the second book in the Chestnut Springs series.
The first time I read through the first few Chestnut Springs books I got super attached to Willa and Cade. The second time through I loved them even more! He’s the grumpy cowboy single dad and she’s the sunshine nanny, who won’t be able to help but fall for him and his little boy.
Working as a nanny for the world’s grumpiest single dad should be simple…except she can’t keep her eyes off him. And he can’t keep his hands off her. Cade Eaton is thirteen years older than Willa Grant, and he barely looks her way, even though she’s living in his house for the summer. That is, until she gets him into the hot tub one night for a game of truth or dare. Then, all bets are off―and so are their clothes. Cade is gruff, a little rough around the edges, but broad-shouldered ranchers with calloused hands and filthy mouths are this city girl’s kryptonite. So who is she to resist? But it’s in their quietest moments together that he softens. It’s in the unexpected way he takes care of Willa that she realizes his hardened exterior is just a façade. And it’s when she watches him go all sweet with his little boy that she starts to fall for him, whatever the consequences. Someone once convinced Cade that his best wasn’t good enough. But Willa has never felt more cherished than she does in his arms. Her contract says this arrangement is only for two months. But her heart says this is forever.
Check out my more detailed thoughts below…
- Characters: I adore Willa, Cade, and of course Luke. Willa is feisty and I loved every second of it. I love her friendship with Summer, bestie goals those two. I love the touch of having the text conversations at the beginning of each chapter, and the bestie texts were the best. Cade is your classic grump but I couldn’t help but fall for him right away. He is such a good dad to his son Luke and the way he cares for his family and their ranch. He has a big heart, even if he would be the last person to admit it. Of course, Luke is an adorable kid along with the rest of the Eatons and the extended family who shine in their side roles in each instalment.
- Setting: The Wishing Well Ranch in Chestnut Springs is just such a special place. In contrast to Flawless where Summer and Rhett are on the road (a motif that continues into the next book where Jasper and Sloane will road trip away from Chestnut Springs), this book is the only instalment (so far) with lots of dedicated time on the ranch. Me the city mouse, this ranch temporarily converts me into a country mouse – and I can totally see why Willa fell for it so hard.
- Pacing: Elsie’s books are so easy to read, as they are the perfect length – not too short or too long. This story is just so compelling, with a plot that never rests for too long so I guarantee you will read it quickly because you will never want to stop reading. If I have one passing complaint is that the ending and resolution felt a tad rushed, but that could have totally stemmed from me never wanting this book to end.
- Romance: As Willa radiates sunshine she soon melts Cade’s grumpy exterior and he can’t help himself from falling in love with the nanny. It showcases one of the best elements about single dad romances – the sweet moment of the love interest falling not just for her hero but for his child too. Cade had been hurt before and deserved the happiness Willa brought to their lives. Plus, this book is super hot, even hot enough to steam up a hot tub.
Heartless receives five out of five stars.
You can pick up the story below…
Shop Local | Amazon | Indigo
Thank you again to Elsie and Raincoast for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!
