Hale Brothers Book 2
Book Blurb:
She's my best friend's little sister and the only person who can save me from my darkness.
RILEY EVANS has been in love with her sister’s best friend HAYDEN HALE for as long as she can remember. He’s never noticed her, and even when he finally does, he keeps his distance.
Years later, Hayden is a world-famous musician, shattered by his friend’s death and drowning in guilt inside his penthouse walls. Riley walked away from the stage and chose to teach kids ballet instead of chasing unattainable perfection.
When her sister asks her to check on Hayden, Riley doesn’t expect to connect with him in such a close way. She definitely doesn’t expect one night to change everything.
Now she’s pregnant with his child.
With the press circling and his grief pinning him in place, Hayden is terrified of destroying the only person who makes him feel alive—Riley. And yet he can’t help but fall for her. Will he finally admit that she’s never been invisible to him, or will he lose her forever because she’s done waiting for him to choose her?
Tropes:
*Netgalley ALC *Best friends younger sister *rockstar MMC *Ballerina FMC
*childhood crush (FMC Side)/Long term pining *Grief/loss/guilt *surprise pregnancy
*one night only --> more *Friends to more *forced proximity *pierced 👇 MMC
*Spice *miscommunication/no communication *age gap
*State Challenge New York/California (repeats)
Trigger warnings check them prior to reading (suicide in past)
Thoughts:
Riley (FMC) has been in love with her older sister's best friend Hayden since forever... unfortunately for her he has never noticed her as anything more than a younger sister. She has tried to get over her crush but it doesn't help that he has a larger than life personality as a member in a very popular band.
Hayden (MMC) has been going through a lot the last year and while he knows his family and band mates care about him he can't help but continue to think about the last moments spent with his friend and fellow band member, could he have done anything differently and if so would that have changed the outcome? He is struggling with severe grief and guilt.
Riley's sister (Hade's best friend) asks her to check on him since he has gone off radar and hasn't been contacting anyone back, being worried about him she has been checking on him when she can she know's he's going through a hard time.
Riley's apartment takes some smoke/fire damage when the apartment above hers catches on fire and while it needs to be cleaned up Hayden comes to the rescue and offers her a place to stay, it doesn't hurt that he's not as sad when she's around and just having her there is a comfort she has been a welcome reprieve from the darkness enveloping his life he hasn't even enjoyed playing music lately and he hasn't been able to write anything new.
Riley's feelings towards Hayden have always been there but when she's in closer quarters to him she can't help but have them intensify... this isn't going to work. Hayden lately has been having feelings that are "more" than friendly towards his new room mate... but is this a response to grief or is something truly there?
Riley is well aware of feelings of depression and anxiety related to her own past history dealing with the pressure of being a perfect ballerina and does her best to support Hayden through his own difficult times.
After a one night only situation that turns into another one (and maybe more) they end up with a surprise pregnancy... but Riley can't wait around forever for Hayden to decide if he wants to be with her and choose her she needs to protect her heart. Will Hayden be able to decide what he wants before it's too late?
There was minimal "rockstar" stuff involved other than discussions of occasionally being in the studio and doing a few shows due to them being on a break to grieve the loss of their bandmate and friend.
I felt the pacing was a bit uneven at times like it moved fast then it would be slow again as far as their relationship was going, and the spicy times happened a bit awkwardly (if that makes sense) like I just didn't feel like any of their actions or what they were talking about was leading them to more a few of those times but next thing you know it's on (did I miss something?)
Hayden frequently went to help the widow of his friend with her 3 year old son and I liked the found family aspect of this, Riley also had a good friend that was always there for her. Their own family was on the other coast in California but still checked in often.
It took so long for Hayden to really decide what he wanted and there was nothing really concrete in their relationship due to a lack of communication about what their situation currently was that I didn't always feel fully invested in them as a couple, I think because of this the more heartfelt moments didn't fully land for me it almost seemed at times he was building a closer relationship with his friend's widow than with Riley.
I did appreciate that Hayden was fully on board with supporting Riley throughout her pregnancy and wanted her safe away from the media, even moving her back in with him so she would be in a more secure location and getting her care at his own doctor's office.
Some issues on both sides --> MMC seemed to be maybe using the FMC for emotional support at least at the beginning especially since he knew she had feelings for him after overhearing a conversation. FMC seemed to be expecting more than MMC was able to give when she knew he was still going through the greiving process.
I received the ALC from Netgalley and think that both Narrators did a good job with bringing this story to life and I feel they helped me stick with the story.
This was a cute forced proximity, best friends sister/friends to more, surprise pregnancy story if you enjoy these tropes you might enjoy this book.
Have you read this one? What did you think?
If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression and SI help is available:
