Macon's Heart

San Francisco #2

by Nicole Pyland

This is book # 2 in the San Francisco Series.

Macon Greene is a reluctant, world-renowned violinist. She’d never had a problem playing for a crowd as long as she wasn’t giving a solo. Her friends never seemed to notice her reluctance. In fact, her friends seemed to only really notice one thing about Macon – she always had a different woman around her. Sometimes, she’d flirt. Sometimes, they would. Rarely would it go anywhere. Unfortunately for Macon, she had a bit of a reputation.

Joanna Mason had a new profession and a new group of friends. Things were looking up in her life, with the exception of love. She’d never been able to find the right guy for her. Of course, she was spending a lot of time with a group of lesbians these days through her friendship with Emma Colton. That might have something to do with it. While Emma had found her soulmate in Keira Worthy, Joanna was starting to wonder if she’d ever find the person she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

As Joanna and Macon’s friendship becomes the most important relationship for both women, Macon wonders if she’ll ever have the courage to tell Joanna how she feels or if she’ll just have to find a way to get over it. Joanna hadn’t ever thought of being with a woman until she started spending all her free time with the beautiful and remarkably talented Macon. Suddenly, both women have a lot to think about.

Recommended order of reading the books in the series:

Checking the Right Box (San Francisco Series Book #1)
Keep Tahoe Blue (Tahoe Series Book #1)
Macon's Heart (San Francisco Series Book #2)

Genres: Lesbian Romance, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Music, Lesbian, LGBT, Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published May 17, 2019

About the author

Nicole Pyland is a bestselling author of lesbian romance stand-alone novels and series like Chicago Series, Holiday Series, Royalty Series, Sports Series, and more. Since 2017, she’s published over 60 novels (not including her What Happened After shorts), and more books are on their way.

Nicole grew up in Indiana, studying English & Film and then getting a MS in Behavior Analysis and moving to California, working by day as a Head of Training at a startup. She lives with her wife and their opinionated cat, who spends his evenings helping her write stories by occupying half the chair.

Newsletter: nicolepyland.com/newsletter

Reviews

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something just seemed off...

Nicole Pyland is one of my go to authors. I love her writing style and her characters and how her now three series seems to weave together without forcing you to have read the previous series. This installment of the San Francisco series was about Greene and Jo. I did love enjoy their story and the interactions of all the characters but something in the writing seemed different from previous books. Sentences seemed choppy to me and the flow of words didnt feel right at times. I also found it more repetitive at times which left me skimming her and there to get back to the story. I hate to rate it so low but compared to previous books it just didnt work for me. Now, that being said fans of the series have to read it because...well...like I said the characters are great. I'm hoping the next one will be awesome because Hill deserves her happy other half. 3.49*

[MaxDisaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
I like the dynamics between Macon and Joanna. They are fun, sweet and relatable. And I love their chemistry.
Macon is a cinnamon roll, even though she's sometimes dense as hell, and her parents are arseholes. Same goes for Jo. How are they functioning adults after being raised by parents like that is beyond me.

[Corporate Slave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Pyland’s series! Obviously I love the idea that we get glimpses of the characters from her series so that’s pretty cool. Pyland is an expert in chemistry between her MCs and this one was no different..
both characters are very interesting and she pulled it off quite well.
Having said that, my rating for this one was 3.5 rounded up to 4 because I felt the story was somehow dragged a bit. It just felt like the storyline didn’t have depth, so Pyland had to fill in the pages so it stretches from a novella to a normal book..
but if you’re a fan of her series, I still definitely recommend it :)

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s weird how in some books you find the I love yous come way to soon when the characters say it after a few short week and in other you think it’s adorable. In this one it is adorable. Adorable actually sums this whole book up for me, Macon and Joanna are just that.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the 2nd instalment of the San Francisco series.... Liked it better than Book 1. The flow wasn't that good for book 1 but book 2 seems better to me. Plot in book 2 was interesting (to me at least). We got to know Straight Joanna and Macon aka ‘the player'. Long story short, Joanna is not as straight as she she thought and Macon is not a player as everyone seemed to think!

Ratings: 4.5 ⭐️ ..... moving on to book 3 now :)

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book though sagged a bit in the middle. Lovely ending and Book 3 to look forward to. NP writes angst so well and I always want to meet her MCs. Recommended.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh what a good read this one was. I have read most of Pyland's books and have enjoyed most of them. I thought that the San Francisco #1 was lacking, but Pyland bounces back and gives a really good and steamy romance on this one. I really like the interaction between Macon Greene and Joanna Mason. They have a really easy friendship and Joanna is really able to pull things from Macon no one else can. This book takes place a year after San Fran 1, so we get a hint at how the friendship between the MC's has grown during the year. You really don't need to read book 1 to read this, but I suggest you read the Chicago series and San Fran #1 so you can get familiar with some of the other characters in the book.

I rate this one 4.25 stars.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved Macon!! Favorite book from the series!

[bookster · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[XR · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when I read books that have situations in them that remind me of my own life. A trip down memory lane is always a plus, both good and bad, to remind yourself what you've endured. I really liked this book and all the memories in conjured up for me. Plus, the chemistry between Macon and Jo's super hot.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was way better than the first one. A true 4. Macon and Jo kept me interested and there wasn’t any unnecessary drama in sight.

[Michelle Schuler]

Macon's Heart

Nicole Pyland is talented. I love this book and have read it several times. Low angst. Amazing chemistry. The author knows how to pair her couples flawlessly. I look forward to more in the future.

[Rey Hawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't get enough of Nicole's books.
They have everything, they're funny, cute, sexy and even a little sad sometimes.
I can't wait to read more from her, she become one of my favorites, so I don't even know what to say.
Just go for it, you'll not regret it!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart Strings

Hot damn, that’s another 5! I think these 2 are my second favorite couple. Charlie and Hailey will always be first.

[Lorraine Rusnack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it 💕

Best so far of the San Francisco series. What an adorable couple. Glad the finally took it to the next level. Very hot too!!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐

La primera historia cómo que no me llamo y me fui directo a esta. Hasta ahora es de lo mejorcito qué le he leído a la fecha. Y es muy probable que siga adelante con los nuevos personajes.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Macon and Jo together... But because I loved Keira and Emma the most and Macon is kind of a dick to her friends... I wanted to rate this lower. But I'm not because I really like Jo and I haven't quite finished the book... I'm hoping Macon apologies for being a bitch the whole book. And I guess even though Macon sucks as a friend to Kiera, my favorite, she is a good gf when not battling her own insecurities I guess.. idk if I didn't like Jo as much as I do I probably wouldn't like this book because Macon sucks. But as with all her novels this book is well written with good grammar, good character development, and a sweet love story. And I love first time converting straight girl romances. So since I'm only like 75% through and hoping Macon gets redeeming friend ark by the end (though probably not because Kiera seems to be way too nice) it gets 5 stars from me.. judging by the romance and writing alone.

Edit: now that I've finished the book Macon is an even bigger asshole and I lowered my rating. How the hell can you be pissed at your best friend from assuming you sleep with the strangers you leave the bar with and you never correct her? Lie by omision and Kiera is the asshole? I'm sorry if you leave the bar with girls that you just met whoever you are it's assumed you sleep with them. If you flirt with every girl I mean come on. Macon is an asshole and yelled at Kiera throughout the book because she's a liar and Keira has to apologize. Idk if the writer has the skewed logic or if Macon was meant to be written as an asshole. I mean how can you be pissed at your friend for not knowing something you never correct her on. It's ridiculous. And it made me like this book way less than I would have if Macon wasn't so self centered.

[Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked it.

I very much enjoyed the pacing of this book. It wasn't an Insta-love pairing, but it wasn't a slow burn either. Sometimes I want one of those but I really like this goldilocks right in the middle style story. I liked how we got more story and the more "serious" drama after they were already together. Sometimes during slow burns where the exciting climax is the couple finally getting together, I am left slightly unsatisfied because I want more and I know I'm not going to get it. This book also set up the next book nicely at the same time. I often don't want start a "new couple" aka a book about someone else besides who I just read about when I finish a series book like this and it's only because I trust the author that I keep going, but, while I like Macon and Joanna, I was ready to let them go so to speak. I'm excited to read Hillary in the next one and will for sure be getting it when it comes out.

[Marty Preslar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to a great series

With this newest addition to the San Francisco Series, and by extension the Chicago and Tahoe Series, since they are all intertwined, we get another wonderful glimpse into the lives of some of these fantastic characters. Macon, better known as Greene, and Joanna this time.

Being both a photographer and a musician at different times in my life I always appreciate stories about characters who practice either of those professions. Getting a story about both is a wonderful bonus. But the real joy of this story is the fantastic character development and chemistry between the leading ladies, as I've come to expect from a Nicole Pyland novel.

I received an ARC of this book.

[Julia]

I really enjoy Pyland's books. They're easy reads and entertaining. I enjoy getting to know all the characters throughout each series. However. After reading so many of her books, I've noticed that they all seem to have the same template. They're all love at first sight, regardless of when feelings are admitted. I am longing for something different, something more inclusive. How is it possible that every lesbian couple she writes about has sex the exact same way, nearly every time. Every character is femme, or borderline neutral. No masc female characters. No trans characters. No poc.

Anyways. I ended up enjoying Macon and Jo's love story. And I will keep reading Pyland's books, unless something more problematic arises. It's good. The sex scenes are good and she always comes up with such interesting personal stories for these women.

Also, both books in the San Francisco series mention strap-on's at the very end but there are no sex scenes with them being used. And that's a bummer.

[Robert M · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* for Joanna, and Macon needs a pair of running shoes, not entirely convinced she’s done running, lol. Also not convinced she ever would have called from overseas without her friends calling her. I guess she’s damaged goods and is super lucky Joanna is in for the long run and to drive the plot. Though I was glad that Joanna went on another date. The running wasn’t over the top, but they are best buds and suddenly can’t communicate? I really liked the banter between the two and their friends so it made up for some of the questionable drama.

[charles clayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌈ENTICING🌈
My most notable fact has to be the way she blends !😍
To me Nicole is a terrific writer and that means she definitely composes her books in her mind before formulating them , to hard copy !
I mite have posted this before . But I loved the Chicago series and I'm definitely in love with the San Francisco series . And greatly anticipating the next installment of the Lake Tahoe series !💞

[Steph Reads Faerie Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my top faves of Pyland's. Almost as great as Ember and Eva's story, and that's saying something. I really loved this book and the Tahoe Blue book! I'm really really psyched to see the Tahoe series! I am also really excited for Hill's book coming out on the 11th of this month. Ive seen early reviews that promises immense chemistry and cuteness so yay.

[Shannon Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Macon definitely has heart

I absolutely love series that are about a group of friends and each book is for a certain friend. I just love Macon and Joanna, they were perfect for each other from the very beginning. You see Macon’s fear of not being enough almost causing her to lose Jo before they even began.

[sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this!

This book was unfathomably better than the first one in the series. I was worried going in. But I absolutely loved it. There was a bit of annoying drama near the end, but luckily they handled it properly. The Book is definitely worth the read, and I would recommend it to all.

[Ashley Gedir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gem, worth the wait

I always wait impatiently for a new one of Nicole’s to come out. Well developed, well rounded and of course I didn’t put it down until it was done and now I have nothing to read.

[Margaret L. Hedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I loved Macon’s Heart. It’s a great continuation of the series. It was great to see Macon coming into her own as a musician and in her relationship. Painful at times during her trials, but you can feel the triumph in the end.

[Jessica Roberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I love how the Chicago series, Tahoe series and San Francisco series are all intermingled. Love this group of friends.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

This is a nice love story. I love the main characters and all their friends. The story is well written with a great ending.