In a Heartbeat by Laura Pavlov is live!

This is the most beautiful friends-to-lovers romance! A small-town, forced proximity, childhood best-friends to sort-of-enemies to lovers love story, Axel and Wren have a true soulmate connection and their romance is sweet, sexy, functional and gorgeously swoony, and I loved their story.

 

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Audiobook narrated by Alex Knox and Samantha Brentmoor

 

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Blurb

Wren Waterstone isn’t just one of the most decorated equestrians in the world―she was also my best friend for as long as I can remember. Until she wasn’t.

Now she’s back in Rosewood River, and thanks to a temp agency, Wren has been placed at my ranch. I have no intention of allowing my ex-best-friend to work for me, but when I see the desperation in her eyes, I can’t turn her away, even though I know I should.

Old habits die hard.

Seeing her every day is more challenging than I expected. She’s guarded. Wounded. And she looks at me like I’m the enemy. I need to know why. The more time we spend together, the more the lines between past and present blur―and we find our way back to one another. The only problem is, she’s got big dreams to chase.

And I only want to chase her.

I’ve loved this girl my entire life, and our time apart didn’t change that. I let Wren Waterstone get away once. Am I really going to make that mistake again?

 

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Review

 “I may not have liked the obstacles we’d faced to get here – but there was no question, it was worth the wait.
She was worth the fucking wait.”

4.5 stars

This is the most beautiful friends-to-lovers romance! A small-town, forced proximity, childhood best-friends to sort-of-enemies to lovers love story, Axel and Wren have a true soulmate connection and their romance is sweet, sexy, functional and gorgeously swoony, and I loved their story.

This is the fifth book in the Rosewood River series. You can read it as a standalone, but note that the series is based around a group of siblings and cousins and there is a lot of character crossover and ongoing jokes. But enough background is giving where you won’t feel lost if you pick this one up on its own.

Wren and Axel were teenage best friends, the one that they depended on to just be themselves and each other’s ‘person’. One night they crossed the line into more and were on the cusp of everything they had both dreamed of when it all went wrong. Wren left town, and it’s been two years since they’ve spoken. Now, she’s back and has taken a temp job at Axel’s ranch and they’re forced together once again.

“You are the one who left me. You are the one who didn’t speak to me for two fucking years. And I’m still the guy standing here, showing up for you.”

It’s a good set-up and full of chemistry from the very beginning. You can see there are secrets and so much pain between them, and there is some snark and bickering, but their feelings for each other run deep and it doesn’t take long for them to address their past and find their way back to where they once were.

“It’s always been you and me, Wren. I’ve got you.”

I love a functional romance, and these two are just magic together! Once they actually start talking, it’s so easy! They come together naturally, there’s no game-playing or wondering where they are at. They talk, they’re open about everything, and they fall into the most beautifully honest and heartfelt relationship.

“Are you in love with your best friend, Wren?” I asked.
“I have been for a very long time. But I didn’t think you felt the same way.”
“I’ve loved you my whole life.”

There is drama happening outside of the relationship – Wren has some pretty significant family issues going on, and she is a champion equestrian coming off a serious injury and fighting to get back into the career that she loves. She’s figuring out what she wants her life to be, and Axel absolutely shines as the sweet-hearted, supportive friend and lover. He is by Wren’s side without question, and the way he supports and defends her while encouraging her to chase her dreams is just gorgeous.

The rest of Axel’s family are all a big part of the story, and I loved seeing them all together. The guys’ group chats, the girls’ drunken nights out, and the whole crew together are so much fun, and I laughed a lot at their antics.

I loved being back with this family group, and enjoyed this book so much. I’m excited for Archer’s book coming up next to finish off the series.

4.5 stars.

An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.

 

Rosewood River

 

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About Laura

Laura Pavlov writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost-grown kids, and dog-whisperer to one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after. Be sure to sign up for updates on new releases. Laura loves to hear from readers!

 

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