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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I finished Hate Notes this morning; began it last night and now, have a book hangover.
I haven’t had tears running down my face like that in forever.
The story was reminiscent of a Doris Day/Rock Hudson romance. It hit all my buttons.
#officeromance #jiltedlove #emotionalscars #dontgiveuptheship
Hate Notes was a beautiful, emotional ride through Reed and Charlotte’s story of friendship to unconditional love. I fell in love with both of these characters as they laughed and cried their way through their crazy relationship and it is the type of story that will stick with me for a long time.
Charlotte was a bit of fun and crazy that knocked the straight and all too serious Reed on his ass! He never saw her coming and he never knew how much he needed her in his life.
Iris was a fun side character and an adorable manipulator in getting these two to see what was right in front of them all along.
I absolutely loved this story!
Take a chance on it! You will not be disappointed!
Wow! I just fell in love with this book! I loved all of the humor in it and the back and forth. My cup runneth over! I feel like everyone should love this story as much as I did.
Wow, what a book! I loved this story. I really thought it was going to just be another romance where the guy is afraid to love because he got burned by love, but it was SO MUCH MORE! I have never read a romance with a storyline like this.
I will not give it away because the surprise is one of the best parts! When all was revealed I was shocked and relieved and sad and just wanted to yell at the authors! But then I accepted it because it was real. Crap happens. And they wrote an amazing heroine who put love before EVERYTHING. Charlotte was just fantastic. She’s probably one of my favorite heroines.
Reed started out like every other jerky, alpha male hero. They aren’t my favorite and I thought I would just have to suck it up, but there was so much more to him! He was extremely stubborn and his intense jealously was annoying at times. But the way he loved Charlotte helped me love him more.
There’s many uses of the f-word. I would have preferred less but obviously it didn’t prevent me from dropping any stars. There’s 2.5 sex scenes, none were very long, but very graphic words and descriptions were used. I actually kinda hoped that they’d of been longer.
This book was amazing and I will definitely be reading more books by these authors!
Three.
That is the number of times I had to set this book aside because I was crying hard enough that I couldn’t read the damn page.
HATE NOTES was not at all what I expected going in. I’d chosen it because it was everywhere. I’d just come off of reading two really good books back-to-back and had no clue what I was in the mood for. I didn’t even read the blurb. The book came up in my Kindle Unlimited recommendations so I dove in.
The main female character Charlotte Darling is the most unhateable (yes, I know that’s not a real word) person on the planet. She’s a little odd but in a completely endearing way. Through a truly comical twist of events, she ends up working at a real estate firm, and despite his frosty demeanor, falling for her boss.
Reed Eastwood comes off as a total dick as he does his best to avoid getting involved with Charlotte. I wont blow the reason but I will tell you that you don’t find out until well after half way through the book. And the reason is kind of hard to argue with.
HATE NOTES has several plot lines all running at once involving both of these characters. The story takes you through the full gamut of emotions, tears being a common occurrence. I thought I had the big Reed reveal figured out early on and was fully prepared for a BDSM spin, and I couldn’t possibly have been more wrong. This is not that kind of book at all. The sex scenes are steamy even if they were a bit too chatty at times for my taste.
I don’t want to say too much more and spoil the book. I loved HATE NOTES, cover to cover. If you’re a fan of Kendall Ryan, you’d love this book. READER BEWARE: BRING TISSUES!
“I Can’t Make You Love Me”
“She said, ‘Forgive me for being a dreamer,’ and he took her by the hand and replied, ‘Forgive me for not being here sooner to dream with you.’”
I was so hyped for this book, having read the synopsis and really good reviews. While the story wasn’t exactly what imagined it was going to be and didn’t fully meet my expectations, I still enjoyed it very much.
The description of Hate Notes foretold of an original plot and the book definitely did not disappoint. The note in the wedding dress, Charlotte and Reed getting off on the wrong foot over dog-surfing and kind stranger Iris changing Charlotte’s life just out of the goodness of her heart. All of that and so many more surprises on the way wasn’t and was exactly what I expected. One thing that I was not ready for was how wonderfully weird Charlotte was. Some things she said or did bordered on cringe for me, but overall I found her spontaneous and quirky personality charming. Her crazy met businesslike and reserved Reed very well because it drove out his more passionate and carefree inner self from his cold exterior. I especially enjoyed their dialogues. With a humorous and a wild card like Charlotte you never knew where it would end up. Simply said, it built a good developing relationship and romance with the perfect drama from him fighting her, or rather his feelings for her, at every turn.
Although I liked the drama that came with it, I didn’t like that Charlotte was the only one fighting for their relationship. She was the one having to constantly push and make all the effort to convince him to be with her. She tried so hard that she was toeing the line of desperation and that just didn’t look good in my eyes. I get why Reed was so hesitant and I loved the chock value of the revelation as to why he was. However, I wanted to see him fight for her as much as she fought for him at some point. And sure, he changed his tune in the end, but I wouldn’t say he ever actually fought for her like she did for him since she accepted him with open arms. There were room for a bigger struggle and an explosive conclusion, especially if the exes were properly taken advantage of by the authors. Allison was there in the story, but she was a waisted opportunity since she didn’t really do anything and it was never really clear as to why she sought Reed out in the first place. Some more room and drama from her could have been the perfect oomph to set the relationship into place, like Reed having to prove to Charlotte that it is her he wants and not Allison or something along those lines. Anyway, I’m just spitballing here.
Hate Note went from an original and thought out beginning to a sort of rushed ending. Not that I did not enjoy how the book ended, but it felt like it it came from out of nowhere. One second Reed went from “it can’t happen” to “I was wrong all along and now I can have her”. The same with Charlotte. It felt like she wanted and patiently waited on him him and then suddenly gave up out of nowhere. There were no closer explained thoughts or incidents that gave these conclusions more sense which made it seem so random. That’s why I wanted a bigger climax, like playing the Allison card, giving the story a bigger and flashier ending. Still, I love a happily ever after and therefore I loved the last chapter with the look into their future. It was the perfect end to this story.
Very angsty, very touching, and a really great read!
Both Reed and Charlotte faced similar circumstances of a bad breakup just before their weddings. Reed became angry and cynical (borderline d-bag) and Charlotte chose the opposite route. She attempted to be positive and cheery (borderline extremely annoying) despite all the crap she went through.
There are so many great characters that make this story so entertaining and emotional. I loved it all! (By the way, have some tissues ready…!)
Anytime these two authors collaborate you know you’re going to get a high quality, wonderful story!!
Omg i loved this book so much ,it made me smile and laugh and cry ,it had me feeling all the feels and i freaking loved every second of it! This is a MUST READ FOR EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!!
I freaking love Charlotte ! she’s badass and so funny 🙂 i loved her attitude and how unique she is ,she does things i’ve only dreamed of and she puts herself out there even if it won’t go in her favor ,she’s brave and i loved that she was willing to fight for Reed ! the moment she read that note everything changed and then when she actually meets him for the first time i was dying from laughter (Dog surfing instructor ) that was so brilliant 🙂 the love/hate thing they had going was great but when they finally admit that they like each other that was awesome ,she pushes Reed to live life to the fullest and it was so great to see them find their happily ever after!
I love Reed , he’s so freaking bosses and is a little rough around the edges but in the best way possible, the moment he meets Charlotte he’s drawn to her and the more he gets to know her he sees everything he wants and thinks he can’t have ,he doesn’t want to be a burden on someone so he thinks if he keeps his distance then he won’t hurt her but that never works out , he ends up hurting them both but he makes it right in the end 🙂 they make each other be better and they grab life by the horns and they never let go 🙂
The ending is perfect and so romantic and heartbreaking at the sametime ! this book will break your heart and put it back together 🙂 Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward wrote such a beautiful story and i loved it 🙂
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters are slightly unrealistic, at least in my world where everybody puts themselves first. But Charlotte’s personality was quirky and enjoyable. It was a HEA that I finished over my morning coffee and made me smile the rest of the day.
meh
As usual another great book from these authors!
This story was not anything like what I expected, it was so much more. Charlotte Darling the realist, but also a dreamer.
Reed Eastwood, who had erected walls that where almost impossible to penetrate, but Charlotte finally got through.
This story has a The feels, and Sebastian York and Lynn Barrington narrating win win.
All the feels! From beginning to end!
I loved this! Charlotte is that glass half full kinda girl who doesn’t let anything, even being jilted, get her down. Reed is the guy who needs that optimism. He’s let his past, present, & future hold him back for too long. Charlotte shows him a whole new perspective on life. Fantabulous!
I’m not going to say I completely disliked this book because I read it in one day, but at the same time I found the story to be weak and the characters not very likable.
The thing about Hate Notes is that I thought it was mostly going to be a two people literally sending each other hate mail. Nope. OK whatever I’ll get over it. But let me start off by saying that I think the main character Charlotte is batshit crazy and Reed should have run as far away from her as possible.
First off Charlotte’s reason for seeking out Reed were weak at best, but I carried on through all the perfect coincidences that it literally doled the story for me. Charlotte makes a comment about her ex who gets engaged to another woman 77 days after she broke off their engagement, but she is literally like a dog in heat over Reed who she stalked after finding a note he left his fiance in a wedding dress she tries on when she’s trying to pawn off her own dress because she desperately needs money, only to trade it in for the dress she finds the note in. If that doesn’t tell you she’s unhinged idk what will. Also, Charlotte be all up in Reed’s business all the fucking time, pulling up his file that says personal on his computer, pushing him to tell her about his ex when she knows they clearly didn’t get married because she has the dress and stalked him online. The girl is nosy and it was super annoying. I mean damn girl can’t you be single and focus on yourself for five minutes.
I can’t say I loved Reed all that much either because he was an asshole to Charlotte throughout the whole book. I’m not kidding. The shit wasn’t even sexy. I love me a good alpha male who sometimes has to put his woman in her place and she’s salivating at the mouth over his dominance, but this wasn’t it. The man was hot and cold and not all that. I can’t say anything about him really interested or stuck with me.
As you can see there were a lot of things about this book that just missed the mark for me. The story was too perfect with everything falling into place for the heroine that I could have predicted the entire story. The heroine is a hot mess who I couldn’t bring myself to like because she was literally chasing him through the entire book and I honestly thought she was trying to trap him. Reed wasn’t much better. I hate to say that I didn’t see what other people saw and just didn’t care for this book.
I love me a good enemies to lovers romance. Throw in some laughs and the right amount of angst and you have a total winner in Hate Notes. I loved watching Reed and Charlotte fight their feelings for each other as they moved from enemies to true trusting friends. They both have unresolved issues in their lives that they haven’t dealt with. But together they just may be able to come to terms with all of it. Charlotte endeared herself to me with her quirky personality as she grabbed life by the horns and LIVED! And sexy, grumpy Reed… I couldn’t help but fall for him as he followed Charlotte’s lead and started to dip his toes back in the land of the living. And the ending… melted my heart!
I needed to judge for myself…
Listening to Hate Notes was a test. This duo of authors have produced some of my very favourite read/listen’s so I was keen when it first hit my radar. I’d read the blurb and some reviews and hesitated. I wasn’t convinced that this storyline was going to work for me. For one, you kind of have to be in the mood for a douchewaffle hero. You also have to be in the right frame of mind to deal with broken-hearted and rebound main characters. So, I put Hate Notes to the side, but it kept shining through all the other covers and stayed or my radar for a long time.
Then, I had an epiphany…what about listening instead of reading. There’s this slight separation I get from listening instead of reading. I guess you could say that for me, it’s like watching a movie. I don’t put myself in the characters shoes when I’m watching a movie but I definitely do when I’m reading. Add in the fact that Sebastian York was crooning in my ear, I decided to listen was the best way for me to try it out.
I really enjoyed the experience. Yes, I had some “issues” but that slight separation from Charlotte made it a lot easier. Honestly, Charlotte annoyed the crapper out of me at first. She was just that wee bit annoying, invasive and judgemental. I think she was supposed to come off as entertaining and a little bit quirky but it just didn’t work for me. Eventually, she settled down and I started to love her excitement and exuberance. I admired her determination to find herself.
Reed, oh how I liked this man…but it could have something to do with the cover model and Mr York whispering sweet nothings in my ear. I’m sure readers would have found him rude, condescending and an absolute douchewaffle, but, for me, he was just a bloke…dealing with stuff. The more I got to know him, the more I liked him. Yes, he wasn’t always nice but the situation surrounding the un-nice parts were really the reason for his douchewaffleness.
Great story, loved Reed’s grandmother and her manipulating ways. The sexy times come way later in the story but I didn’t mind. We really had to get through all of the hidden hurts before they could ever be together.
I’m so glad I waited and listened instead of reading. The narrators do an amazing job and I was sucked in from start to finish. I will be back for more from Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward in the future, I’m sure of it.
Loved this book, couldn’t put it down.
We all love a good love note, what about a hidden love note?
Charlotte has a unique way at looking at gently used items. Each piece has its own story. Finding hidden treasures and giving them a story is sweet.
Some would say it’s fate that two people find one another after they had break up, or a loss in the family. With Charlotte and Reed I’d say it was fate mixed with a little bit if Charlotte. She seems to be in places where Reed is in vicinity and they clash at first, but then click.
Reed can be a smug sob at times with Charlotte, Charlotte can hold her own when it comes to him.
Their banter is great, the chemistry is even better, well once Reed opens his eyes.
Note notes isn’t just about hidden treasures it’s about finding love with the right person.
This book was so much more than what I expected – the laughter, depth of the characters and the surprise revelations had my emotions going up and down the entire read. I swooned, laughed, cried, and fell in love with both characters. These authors continue to blow me away with their talent and the stories they create.
A Sweet-Hot Fulfilling Treat!!!
I adore when there is heat in my sweet treats!!! This story is a perfect example of a sweet-hot romance tinged with a little of the bitter found in life. We all taste this “bitter” to a lesser or greater extent. Despite the measure of this bitter…difficult times and issues faced, we have control of our optimism and happiness. We can choose to reach out and embrace the gifts before us or refuse to even consider them, let alone reject them entirely. This story is about those very choices our characters make in this story.
The authors here create a perfectly charming heroine in the character of Charlotte. She is an optimist who has been knocked back a step or two by a cheating fiancée. Along with her curious nature and a little bit of fate or “the universe” assisting her, she finds her way into the life of the curmudgeonly disposed hero, Reed’s life. Do I have to mention he is gorgeous and so sexy?
Now if you like it with a ton of romantic and lest I forget…erotic tension…this story has got loads of it. The authors just about twist our romantic hearts into a dozen knots. Why is Reed so determined to keep that distance between Charlotte and him? All I can say is…hang in there…all the tension is worth it!
Told in alternating first person POVs, this story touches your heart, along with the physical chills and thrills of reading about two people discovering each other and acting on the heat between them even while knowing it is just for one night. The erotic scenes are so very well written…enticingly detailed. I love the fact that our hero, Reed, is quite the dirty talker…and thinker!!!
This was my second audio book ever. It was a unique experience for me to hear the “down and dirty” come out of the mouth of a narrator…Geesh!. For that matter…I thought it was narrated well by both narrators.
I recommend this story to those who are in the mood for romance with blessed heat and made realistic by the travails of life.
Favorite Quotes:
“Maybe this was a lesson that I’m okay just as I am—alone and experiencing whatever life throws my way. Maybe I am enough. I am enough. In that moment, I realized that while it might take some time, I would really be okay no matter what happened between Reed and me—because I would have myself. And I was strong—perfectly imperfect.”
“It was funny how sometimes the universe placed something in front of you that was exactly what you needed to see at exactly the right time.”
Oh my goodness… Words are hard to describe how much I loved this book. I find myself hopelessly in love with Reed Eastwood and Charlotte Darling.
A Wonderfully written story with two strong and passionate characters. Beautiful story line that really makes you believe in Destiny, Fate, and Perfect Timing. A Five Star Read that will leave you Speechless and stay with you for all time.