Review: Hate Notes by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

Hate Notes by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

Publication Date: November 6th 2018 by Montlake Romance

Pages: 301

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

About the book:

From New York Times bestselling authors Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward comes an unexpected love story of secondhand hearts and second chances…

It all started with a 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...

My Thoughts:

Charlotte’s a bit down on her luck and life has her trading in her unused wedding dress when she stumbles upon a fanciful wedding dress with a little blue note tucked inside.  The blue note is romantic and heartfelt, and Charlotte is so moved she tracks the author, Reed Eastwood, but she finds he’s nothing like what she imagined.  More like a complete jerk.

In a surprising turn of events Charlotte ends up working at his office, so of course the sparks fly! I do enjoy antagonistic romances, but I don’t like it if they get really mean. Sort of hard to forgive if things get too ugly, but that wasn't the case here.  When Charlotte and Reed meet, they started off on the wrong foot, but they get to know the person underneath when forced to work together.  Can I just say I love Iris?! She was a sweet, crafty old lady!

Charlotte was bright, quirky and full of life, even when she had every right to be down in the dumps, she was positive and saw the silver lining.  She was everything Reed didn’t know he needed.   Reed on the surface was serious and could be a bit broody, but his actions showed his big loving heart!

I loved Hate Notes! It was zany and fun it places and started off as I expected: as an antagonistic relationship turning in to romance, but it had an unexpected emotional twist.  One that made it a deeper, more meaningful read than I had counted on.

4.5 Suns