Hideaway Heart by Melanie Harlow

Hideaway Heart is every bit fun, witty, and steamy as I’d hoped it would be. When the book begins, we find Xander, the second eldest Buckley, nearing the opening of his bar but doing a favor for the man that saved his life by bodyguarding his little sister Kelly Jo (aka country music star Pixie Hart). She’s absolutely fed up with being told how to live by just about everyone when she takes a vacation in the northern part of lower Michigan, and the last thing she wants is her older brother’s military buddy infringing on her time away. Xander, who owes his life to Kelly Jo’s brother, won’t be deterred and refuses to walk away from the job though. Add in the fact that there’s an attraction brewing on top of everything else going on, and we’ve got quite the push and pull that leaves the reader wondering if it’ll all work out in the end.

  I love how feisty Kelly Jo is but how sort of uncertain she is, too. There’s something about that dual nature within her character that makes her feel so real and familiar. And Xander is exactly as manly and charming as I figured he would be based on his appearances in his brother’s book. Together, their banter was fun and at times fiery, and I loved seeing their relationship evolve. Plus, something Harlow does well is create a world that’s just so realistic feeling. From her descriptions of characters to the setting to the feelings the characters have, I find myself easily immersed in her books. This book was incredibly easy to get lost in, and I was instantly taken by every aspect of it. The second book in the Cherry Tree Harbor series is absolutely addictive and spicy, and I couldn’t get enough of it. I’m loving this small-town series so far, and I cannot wait to see what else is in store next.