Amazon’s #1 Most Unputdownable Book of the Year. An Amazon Charts bestseller.A Wall Street Journal bestseller.A Washington Post bestseller. From New York Times bestselling authors Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward comes an unexpected love story of secondhand hearts and second chances… mysterious blue note sewn into a wedding dress.
Something blue.
I’d gone to sell my own unworn bridal gown at a vintage clothing store. That’s when I found another bride’s “something old.”
Stitched into the lining of a fabulously feathered design was the loveliest message I’d ever read: Thank you for making all of my dreams come true.
The name embossed on the blue stationery: Reed Eastwood, obviously the most romantic man who ever lived. I also discovered he’s the most gorgeous. If only my true-love fantasies had stopped there. Because I’ve since found out something else about Mr. Starry-Eyed.
He’s arrogant, cynical, and demanding. I should know. Thanks to a twist of fate, he’s my new boss. But that’s not going to stop me from discovering the story behind his last love letter. A love letter that did not result in a happily ever after.
But that story is nothing compared to the one unfolding between us. It’s getting hotter, sweeter, and more surprising than anything I could have imagined.
Something new.
But I have no idea how this one is going to end…
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2018 BLOG FAVORITE
This book broke me! I held it together. I forged on without a whimper. Until the end. As soon as I read the last page I cried. I cried hard.
Hate Notes is a heady mix of humor and heartbreak. It starts with a lovely note found in a wedding dress. The note leads Charlotte Darling to a man who is the exact opposite of who she had expected. Reed Eastwood is pragmatic and cold. No longer a romantic after the break-up with his fiancee.
In a twist of a fate Charlotte finds herself working for Reed. After their rocky start their relationship slowly develops into more. Although Reed fights his feeling for Charlotte, Charlotte doesn’t give up easily.
Charlotte is a bit quirky but that made me over her more. She’s exactly what Reed needs. Hates Notes is a sexy, humorous rom-com with unexpected heartache. It’s a beautiful story and one of the best books I read this year! 5 Stars
I got this book through Prime so it probably won’t show up as Verified but I did buy the audiobook. I love this writing duo, their stories feel so calm and never rushed, like smooth aged whiskey with a nice burn on the way down. Hate Notes is no exception with Reed and Charlotte fated to be together if they can get out of their own way. Iris is delightful, I wish she were a relative of mine. Charlotte is a breath of fresh air with her eternally positive attitude no matter what life hands her. Reed has a big mental barrier to having a relationship. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators Sebastian York and Lynn Barrington were amazing at bringing Reed and Charlotte to life. I did notice white noise in the empty spaces which I’ve never heard before. I’m not entirely sure about the title Hate Notes since it was love notes that seemed the most important.
4.5 stars
5 Star Review Hate Notes by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
There is something about Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s style of writing that resonates with me. They weave a story that has me invested from the very start.
No words can do justice to this book. It is one of my top reads and listens of 2018.
This story will tug at your heart and bury deep into your soul.
Absolutely brilliant and amazing and the narrators were spot on.
One click now you don’t want to miss this book.
I finished this book last night and I’ve struggled on how I was going to rate this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of this book. The banter, the writing, and basically the flow of the book was amazing. However, somewhere in the middle/towards the end, we hit a completely different “feel” to the book. No longer was I smiling and my heart wasn’t doing somersaults anymore, I was feeling frustrated and sad at the turn of events. Also, the “cheesiness” factor was turned up a notch.
I might add that this was the first book I’ve read written by both Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. I wanted to love this book – and I did love half of it. I’ve read other reviews (since this is my first) and it seems to be a common theme. Two different feels in the same book. Even with all of that, this will not stop me from picking up another one. They may have just have been a one off for myself so don’t be scared to try it.
The plot is something cute, the characters are somewhat likable, and the writing does flow very nicely. I’d say if you are a fan of Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s writing, pick this up.
Hate Notes is beyond perfection. This story was more than I had expected. It tug my heart strings and kept me totally captivated. The well planned out plot is so well written that I was hooked from the very first page!Hands down the duo are genius . No one could write a story like this dream team. An emotional heartwarming storyline that ignites your fingers to keep turning the pages! It was captivating, emotional, heartbreaking and at the same time uplifting. Some stories leave you speechless and leave a lasting impression on your heart and soul, this is one of those stories. This story should be a must read for all. Extremely well written.
This duo has astute ability to create stories that are intriguing, engaging, heartfelt and of course off the charts sexy and bring out all the feels. Hate Notes is no different. I was laughing at times, and at times I was emotional but in the end they puts me back together with a huge smile on my face. These two can effortlessly balance the comic light happy with emotions that tug your heart . Like always the story flows perfectly and by the time it ended it left me craving for more of Reed and Charlotte !!
One of the best books I read in 2018 .
I LOVED this book. I am reading it again!!! And, I REALLY loved the guy on the cover!
Who would have thought that a broken engagement and the need to sell a wedding gown would turn into such a beautiful, funny, heartfelt, and touching love story. That is just what happens in “Hate Notes” by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward, it’s a beautiful love story with some bumps along the way. Charlotte Darling is the heroine in this book and she is a very unique if not quirky person, which is why she meets Reed Eastwood in the first place, but to say he is unhappy with their initial meeting is an understatement, he thinks she is off-her-rocker crazy and a total waste of his time. Fast forward to an emotional yet funny meeting in a restroom that ends up changing things for Charlotte and Reed, putting them in a position to have to interact with each other on a daily basis.
I could not put this book down, and I found Charlotte to be a very interesting character, at first I did not like Reed very much, he was kind of arrogant and condescending but he soon grew on me. There are some twist and turns in this book that I did not expect, but at the same time made some things clearer. The secondary characters added a lot to the story, along with all of the little blue notes.
If you have a bucket list be sure and put “to read this book” at the top, highly recommended!!!
The best story I have read in a while!
Dear Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland:
Only the two of you could create craft a heartfelt, whirlwind romance that rivals any cherished fairytale.
If readers believe in love, second chances, and ever dreamed of creating and conquering a bucket list of life experiences, they are going to love this unputdownable book. Charlotte is a bit of a dreamer. She’s also strong, sensitive, quirky and relatable on so many levels. Reed. Wow, he’s beautiful, cocky and a bit prickly. Charlotte is determined to peel back the acidic like layers that surround his heart and get to know the man behind that letter.
“The dress was my spirit animal, and I felt like the note could have been written for me by my imaginary perfect fiancé. I didn’t want to guess the story behind this one. I wanted to live it, create my own story for this dress.”
The end of this book had me laughing and crying at the same time. Reed and Charlotte complete each other. Just like Vi and Penelope compliment each other’s writing so beautifully. Another perfect romance book to add to my best of 2018 list. Vi and Penelope make it impossible to not fall in love with their characters and their co-authored books.
Love,
Cheri @ Kindle Crack
Hate Notes Vi Keeland Penelope Ward
Beautiful Romance!
I don’t even know where to begin with the review for Hate Notes.
This book contained it all. There were many laugh out loud moments with Reed and Charlotte, but then again there were many instances where you thought you might need a Kleenex. I just didn’t understand how Reed could stay so closed off, but then they take a trip together and some new information presents itself to Charlotte.
You just can’t help but root for Reed and Charlotte. Will they get their HEA or will Reed continue to let things stand in his way?
This is a must read romance and it now moves into my Favorites List for 2018.
This was an excellent book! You get to follow the crazy love story of Charlotte Darling and Reed Eastwood. Charlotte recently ended her engagement when she caught her fiancé cheating on her. She was took her wedding dress to a vintage store to sell it for some extra cash. When she stumbles across a blue note sown into another wedding dress that caught her eye. It was a beautiful love note from the groom to the name on the embossed stationary said Reed Eastwood. Charlotte was curious to find out more about this romantic guy who wrote it. In a twist of fate she lands a new job and finds out that he is her new boss. She finds out quickly he is not the prince charming she had made him up to be. He is arrogant, mean and a workaholic. She does not make it easy for him either when they are forced to work together often. Charlotte was like no other woman Reed had met she always looked on the bright side of things and always looked for the goodness in everyone. She made him a feel alive again after a troubling past year. They both find that they have more in common than they think. Reed becomes infatuated with her and their feelings are mutual. Will Reed be able to open up and let love in again? Is Charlotte in love with a man that may never love her back?
*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***
Hate Notes by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward is so packed with feels. I went into this book without even reading the blurb, just because I love Keeland and Wards writing. These two are magic together. Their creativity and ability to draw their readers in is absolutely powerful and beautiful.
And they did not disappoint with Hate Notes.
You’ll be drawn into the zany sassiness of Charlotte Darling and the mystery that is Reed Eastwood.
And the secondary characters will definitely keep you on your toes.
I have messaged so many friends while reading this book and would recommend it to everyone I know. It is one of those books that will impact you when you least expect it, and leave you with a warmth in your heart and soul.
“That’s the thing. Reed thinks he’s a burden. But the truth is he has a burden, and it’s easier to handle when it’s shared.”
“Maybe this was a lesson that I’m okay just as I am – alone and experiencing whatever life throws my way.”
5 Stars
I loved this book so effing much!!! I loved ALL the characters. The writing duo is an always go to for me.
I loved the premise of this book. Charlotte is down on her luck. She’s recently kicked her cheating fiance to the curb and now she’s unemployed. She goes to a boutique to hock her designer wedding dress. While there, she is looking at the other discarded dresses. In one of them, she finds a blue love note sewn into the dress. She is curious about the author, Reed Eastwood, and embarks on journey to find him and learn his story.
Pretty much everything about this book is likeable–the two main characters, the witty dialogue, the smoking hot chemistry, and the quirky yet lovable secondary characters. This is one of those books that will keep you up late into the night because you can’t stop reading it.
Prepare yourselves though. In true Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward fashion, they throw something in toward the end that will gut you.
I read and listened to Reed and Charlotte’s story. It was so good. There were times I felt like I could feel the emotions coming off the pages.
You know that saying ‘opposites attract’. In this case they definitely do. Charlotte is witty and charming. Fly by the seats type of gal. She’s the sweetest little thing. I would’ve read this book alone for her character. The tension between these two was off the charts. Good tension. Bad tension. You name it, they had it.
When I am lucky enough to read a Pen and Vi novel, I know to expect an incredible read. Hate Notes delivers with sparkle. Charlotte Darling is an amusing, impulsive, intelligent, and quirky heroine with an innate goodness and kindness that will delight every reader as they root for her happy ending. It is quite literally impossible not to love her and endure every moment of adventure, eccentricity, hilarity, romance, and tragedy in avid curiosity and interest with each turn of the page. From the moment of her discovery of the blue note, we experience each blunder and angst-filled frenetic dramatic instance, fueled by her belief that there is such thing as true love. The meet-cute between her and Reed Eastwood left me sizzling with tension and a need to discover where the story would take these two on their journey toward finding happiness. Reed Eastwood is the literal man of my dreams with his chiseled dark looks and broody, intense aura. He delights in verbal sparring with Charlotte from the get-go and these two ignite flames so intense, I was dying to see them come undone. As fate twines itself around their union with fiercely enchanting charm, it’s beautiful seeing them change and grow simultaneously. Reed cares so deeply for those he loves that every interaction and thought in relation to Charlotte pulses with passion even as he resists his feelings. The constant push and pull that these characters endure leaves you wanting and it is markedly beautiful. From the moment Charlotte enters his life unconventionally through the blue note, the story is a whirlwind of the perfect romance even when fear of the unknown is an unwanted companion. Thus, every second of this angsty, emotional, passionate, and unique romance will scorch your nerve endings in the BEST WAY. This story is by far a TOP READ of 2018 for me and I cannot wait to see what this duo writes next.
A sticky sweet as molasses romance! Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward are back at it again with their latest romance, Hate Notes. This book took romance to another level with it happily ever after as this book was more of an emotional gripping second chance story. For Charlotte Darling, her happily ever after story had a different ending when she goes to sell her unused wedding dress at second hand shop. While there she spots a beautiful wedding dress and discovers a love note hand stitch into the dress from Reed Eastwood.
Charlotte a hopeless romantic imagines Reed to be prince charming but as it turns out, he is nothing what she imagined. Instead of love note she gets hate notes. And to top it off, he’s her boss. So can Charlotte break the hard exterior of Reed with her bright disposition? If you are looking for a romance full of heat, romance, and lots of emotions then this book is for you.
This is a remarkable story, told with the emotion and humor that we come to expect from these authors. The stunning portrayal given to the subject matter at hand was inspiring and brought forward by wonderful characterization. While the book depicts a love to hate scenario based on second chances it gives the reader so much more. It moves beyond the elementary relationship development into a greater comprehension of the imperfections and challenges that real life can hand you at any given point. 5 stars.
Hate Notes by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward is a contemporary standalone romance that is guaranteed to hit you in your feels and leave you aching even wth the happily ever after. Well-written and well-paced this is another fabulous release from two of my favorite authors.
Charlotte is a wonderful character. She embraces her crazy (mostly) and is learning to find herself again after realizing she changed too much to be who her cheating ex-fiancé wanted her to be. In a moment of crazy she finds herself with someone else’s wedding dress and the most beautiful love note that is stitched inside. Having just discovered her ex is now engaged again to someone who could be her sister and with her very same engagement ring she gets drunk and starts chasing down the writer of the love note. Fast forward to a tour of a penthouse suite, an awkward encounter and an embarrassing cry-fest in the bathroom and Charlotte’s life is about to get even more interesting.
Reed Eastwood is as opposite of what Charlotte imagined as he could possibly be. Expecting the author of such a beautiful and sentimental letter to exude those characteristics in public she is disappointed when he is icy instead of warm, sarcastic instead of reverent, and an absolute beast, albeit a very beautifully masculine one. But Reed has his reasons and they run deep and it seems like nothing can break or bend this man away from his isolation – but Charlotte is starting to see some of his façade crack and the more she gets a peek of the more interested she is in learning more.
An epic push-pull of emotions between two wonderful characters and I dare you to love this story! Enjoy!