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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Love these two authors but was funny.
I loved Reed & Charlotte’s story! The way it was told, the struggles they faced and their determination to be together was inspiring in the end. Not sure if I’ve ever read an epilogue like this one. Well done!!!
I would recommend this book. I liked that the hero had to work out problems instead of the heroine.
An easy read, I enjoyed this story and will re-read at some point.
Hate Notes by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
I fell for Reed just as quickly as Charlotte did, right when she found that note. Reed is romantic and charming in his little note, but when he and Charlotte finally meet, she learns a completely different side to him, something baser, rougher. He’s arrogant and belittling, but quickly meets his match in Charlotte.
Their story isn’t one I’d put down so quickly if you’re turned off by somewhat of a slow-burn. The beauty in this book is the friendship that blossoms between the two, mending both broken hearts little by little. It’s a story of trust and unconditional love.
Hate Notes is a modern-day fairy tale that features a closed-off Beast who slowly is peeled open by his Beauty. Their trials are definitely something to experience!
4.5/5
LOVED this book. The cover alone is swoon-worthy and exactly fits the description of Reed, down to the blue note paper! Charlotte is a quirky heroine, very likeable.
Parts of the story are very improbable, but hey, we love our fairy tales.
Surprise! I really a intestine story. Didn’t expect. Worth your time.
A little hard to get through and a bit contrived but generally fun
Where do I start with this review?
I know some people reading that first line of my review might question whether or not this book was good and not only do I believe this book is worth the one-click and read but this writing duo has given me an entertaining romance story about two characters that are living different lives after heartbreak. Let me explain…
Charlotte Darling is at the lowest point in her life after being cheated on, dumped, jobless, and finding out that her ex-fiancee has announced his engagement to the woman he cheated on Charlotte with… with the ring her gave her! Of course, Charlotte has the typical, yet necessary pity party by buying a used wedding dress…??(Charlotte, NO!) But inside the dress, Charlotte finds something blue inside, a love note from Reed Eastwood to Allison. With curiosity eating at her, Charlotte does some internet digging and finds out that Reed is a real estate agent of wealthy properties and she makes an appointment to view an expensive property… while drunk. (Oh, Charlotte!) As you can imagine, the viewing was a mix of a lot of attraction, awkwardness, and Reed abruptly ending it with his icy, condescending demeanor. Charlotte not only finds herself crying in the bathroom in the lobby of the building, but being comforted by the boss of the real estate company that Reed works for, Iris Locklear (Reed’s grandmother). In this bathroom, Charlotte and Iris share stories of heartbreak, but Iris’s story ends with her marrying a man that was initially mean to her and she offers Charlotte a job as an assistant in her company because she sees so much of herself in Charlotte.
Reed Eastwood is not your typical Prince Charming, that man died when his relationship with Allison bit the dust.Even though he has looks that will make you swoon, he has an equally icy demeanor that will have you running for the hills. When he meets Charlotte for a property viewing, he knows that she lied on her application to view the property but he entertained her because of… curiosity. Upon meeting her, he is enthralled by her looks but he is also certain that she is crazy. After being a complete jerk to her at the viewing, the last place Reed expects to see her again is in his office… working for his company as a PA. These two are forced to work together and through their back and forth heated conversation they start to fall for one another. Unfortunately, Reed doesn’t know how Charlotte truly came to meet him and interject herself into his life… a little blue note.
I hope you’ll give this story a read because I found it to be an original, entertaining story by one of my favorite author duos. Keeland and Ward continue to write romance stories that have me enthralled and relating to their characters.
** I voluntarily left a honest review after reading an advanced review copy of this book **
This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. At the beginning I was laughing and at the end I was crying. Wonderful story.
Outstanding!
I only give 5 stars to books I read more than once
Loved this beautiful sweet story. Charlotte and Reed who both have broken engagements meet after she finds a beautifully written blue love note stitched in the lining of a wedding dress in a second hand store. Then through a mishap Charlotte meets Reed who is arrogant and cynical and through a twist of fate he becomes her boss. The characters are strong and so believable and the story is funny, captivating and sometimes sad but I could not put this book down. Highly recommend it.
I listened to it the audio.
A wonderful sweet story. The characters were cute and fun. I loved each adventure with them. The ending was fabulous. I was so overwhelmed I even cried.
The narration was good. Both narrators did a great job.
3.5
Ugh was at almost 95% and didn’t renew my Prime membership so I lost the book.
Anyway, I didn’t get to read the epilogue but liked most of the book. It was a slow burn, (really slow) taking time to develop their relationship then bam, I love you.
I understood the H’s thinking and liked him. I found he h annoying at times, a little too optimistic, and romantic.
It was a good read, not great but pretty good.
One of the best romances of the Year…5++ stars!
Keeland and Ward are an amazing author duo and just hit this story right out of the ballpark. It’s a unique, original, beautifully-written and heartwarming. Hate Notes has everything I look for in a romance: endearing and unforgettable characters, well-written plot, sensual tension, sizzling connection, witty dialogue, humor, and all the feels along with a sigh-worthy HEA. And yes, I laughed hard and cried equally as hard. By the end, I was just an emotional wreck and felt wrung out. Oh, but it was so worth it!
I can’t begin to retell the story, but once I connected to Charlotte whose unflappable and upbeat humor, and charismatic attitude hooked me from the beginning, I knew she would be one of the few heroines I could never forget. Her heart, though bruised, had the capacity for love and much more. I loved that she never gave up on Reed once she knew the truth. And Reed. The man’s heart still hurt over his ex’s betrayal, but Charlotte proved she was in the relationship for the long haul no matter the hurdles.
There are tons of favorite scenes in this story, but one was just too adorable. That her job was teaching dog surfing. Just hilarious! Yeah, I laughed so loud and long I made the neighborhood dogs bark. Hate Notes is an enjoyable, romantic story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished.
“We certainly incite very odd reactions in each other, don’t we?”
“Yes, but I enjoy it . . . even when you send me your little blue hate notes. I enjoy every minute of bickering with you.”
I thought the first half of Hate Notes was fun, witty, fresh, with the perfect amount of love/hate between Charlotte and Reed. However, I found the second half to be more somber, angsty and lacking compared to the first half. Ultimately, the conclusion delivered but I wish it maintained more of the cheeky playfulness throughout.
I’d give it 4 1/2 stars if that were an option. Well developed characters with great snarky dialogue between Reed and Charlotte in an engrossing story. Charlotte was delightfully quirky and original while being very believable. Nicely developed block to romance that was well set up but not clearly predictable. It made perfect sense in retrospect and gave a very believable basis for Reed’s opposition to getting involved with Charlotte. I know quite a few men who believe as Reed did and can’t see any other alternative. The event that unblocked him was realistic, amusingly told and fit right in with what I know about men with those kinds of challenges. I loved how straight forward the author was about sex in those circumstances. The secondary characters were slight, but delightful. The issue of adoption was handled with sensitivity. My only gripe was with the grammar mistakes. Vi consistently made the same two mistakes that drive me nuts. Just because you compound a pronoun , it doesn’t change its form. For example: I went to the store. Mike and I went to the store. She gave me the books. She gave Mike and me the books. Not: “She gave Mike and I the books”. The other consistent mistake was the use of “that” for people. Correct: The man who sat in the bookstore,was gorgeous. Incorrect” “The man that sat in the bookstore. “That” refers to things, “who” refers to people. Other than needing a better editor or grasp of English grammar, Vi is a wonderful story teller.
Why haven’t I discovered this writing duo sooner!?!? I loved this story. The underlying current of mystery keeps you turning the pages. What will be the final outcome of this no-so-developing relationship. Both having suffered heartache and now Reed’s health issue prevents him giving his heart to his true love. This book gave me feels & was a binge-worthy book. The second book I’ve read from these authors. They will forever be on my “must-read” lists!
2018 published, both POV, contemporary, friends in love, M/F romance, NYC, office, plot, read, romance.