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Heart's a Mess
Violet is a woman on a mission to get her life in order. Or she was supposed to be. Sleeping with her smokin' hot new boss, however, definitely counts as a mistake. One she has no intention of repeating.
Bar owner Alex has finally got his libido back following a crushing divorce. No way is he letting the curvaceous object of his lustful affections get away. They can have a relationship without it spilling over into the workplace. Of course they can.
Because he most certainly won't be putting his hands on her in the back office, and getting busy in the storage room is definitely out... Violet may be reluctant to repeat the past—but she's not the only one on a mission.
Bar owner Alex has finally got his libido back following a crushing divorce. No way is he letting the curvaceous object of his lustful affections get away. They can have a relationship without it spilling over into the workplace. Of course they can.
Because he most certainly won't be putting his hands on her in the back office, and getting busy in the storage room is definitely out... Violet may be reluctant to repeat the past—but she's not the only one on a mission.
61 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2013
151 people are currently reading
1194 people want to read
About the author
Kylie Scott
61 books17k followersKylie is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-selling, Audie Award winning Romance author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
February 15, 2022
4 Sexual Escapades Stars ⭐
"Letting loose had made perfect sense at the time."
Bar owner Alex is thrilled to learn that his dick still functions after a recent divorce has left him questioning his manhood. But waking up hungover with a lacy pair of panties in his bed makes him feel invigorated. Now he just needs to figure out who they belong to.
"See, the thing is Vi, it's driving me crazy, not knowing what happened between us."
"Nothing happened between us."
"Now that's a lie."
"All right, we fornicated."
Violet Moore is sassy and all woman. She's technically supposed to be on good behavior and giving adulting a proper go. Unfortunately a few days into her new job and she has failed dramatically. It's one thing to sleep with your boss, but it's another when you need to provide him with the sordid details because he doesn't remember. Actually it was kinda hot...
Her Heart's a Mess was a sexy and humorous little novella filled with Kylie Scott's signature snark and heat. Watching Alex and Violet bicker their way into a mutually satisfying resolution was delicious. Set in Australia, it was easy for me to connect and devour it.
"Letting loose had made perfect sense at the time."
Bar owner Alex is thrilled to learn that his dick still functions after a recent divorce has left him questioning his manhood. But waking up hungover with a lacy pair of panties in his bed makes him feel invigorated. Now he just needs to figure out who they belong to.
"See, the thing is Vi, it's driving me crazy, not knowing what happened between us."
"Nothing happened between us."
"Now that's a lie."
"All right, we fornicated."
Violet Moore is sassy and all woman. She's technically supposed to be on good behavior and giving adulting a proper go. Unfortunately a few days into her new job and she has failed dramatically. It's one thing to sleep with your boss, but it's another when you need to provide him with the sordid details because he doesn't remember. Actually it was kinda hot...
Her Heart's a Mess was a sexy and humorous little novella filled with Kylie Scott's signature snark and heat. Watching Alex and Violet bicker their way into a mutually satisfying resolution was delicious. Set in Australia, it was easy for me to connect and devour it.
September 5, 2018
Kylie Scott really knows how to start a book enjoyable read from start to finish short quick read.
November 27, 2016
A quick read that's very well balanced.
I enjoyed it so much I wished there was more to come, not only about Violet and Alex but also about Alex's brothers.
Entertaining, fun, steamy and sweet.
Definitely recommended!
I enjoyed it so much I wished there was more to come, not only about Violet and Alex but also about Alex's brothers.
Entertaining, fun, steamy and sweet.
Definitely recommended!
July 11, 2021
I love Kylie Scott's writing style and while looking on KU I stumbled across this one and instantly grabbed it. And it was exactly what I expected. A short, hot insta lust story with enough background info to give the characters some depth.
November 5, 2019
3.5 stars
January 20, 2018
I listened to this on an audio combined with Colonist's Wife and the reader; Elena Wolf is one of my favourites.
This was a cute short read. Both MCs have been burned in the past and are scared to be open with their bounteous lust for each other.
She has just started working at the bar/restaurant that he is part owner of. He has been having trouble finding his mojo since his divorce.
I got tired of the her pushing him away. But I still enjoyed the read. Fun supporting cast.
This was a cute short read. Both MCs have been burned in the past and are scared to be open with their bounteous lust for each other.
She has just started working at the bar/restaurant that he is part owner of. He has been having trouble finding his mojo since his divorce.
I got tired of the her pushing him away. But I still enjoyed the read. Fun supporting cast.
November 25, 2016
Although this was short, it had some pretty hot sexy times. Nice little pick me up about banging the boss. Wasn't too bad.
October 25, 2017
3.5 Stars
August 28, 2015
Title: Heart’s A Mess
Author: Kylie Scott
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Erotica
Series or Standalone: Standalone Novella
Rating: 5 Stars
Review
So I’ve spent the last little while hearing great things about author Kylie Scott. How she gives good story, along with giving good character. Up until now I haven’t been able to sit down and take in any of her work, but now that I’ve started, I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be stopping in the near future.
Now I know she’s most known for the Stage Dive series and over the next little while I’ll be reviewing those (currently reading them now), but this book happens to be the one I came across first. And to be quite honest, it wasn’t a bad introduction to her writing style.
It’s a short read. I would put it somewhere between a short story and a novella based on size, but what was there within it was enough to nail me, hook, line and sinker.
We’ve got Alex (one of three brothers that own and operate the family bar) and the one night stand turned one he can’t get out of his head Violet (for the purposes of this review, Vi) who just happens to be his new employee.
What follows is what happens when you take a whole lot of alcohol and mix it together with a guy that is trying to come back from a soul crushing divorce, and the girl that’s trying to move on from the past, start a new life (along with a new job) and play it safe.
Normally I don’t gravitate toward books that are ultimately based around sex and even more so one night stands, but this one was different than what I’m used to.
It was funny. The humor present here was seriously not what I was expecting at all and that alone connected me to the characters and what would ultimately be their journey to happiness. In fact, the humor laced throughout was so well done that I found myself wanting stories for both of the other brothers by the end as well. Flow charts anyone? lol
The love scenes were steamy. I suppose scorching is a better term and they took what I already knew was going to be a pretty great couple together and put it on blast.
Vi was a challenge for Alex, and Alex was almost the unattainable dream for Vi. Her never once believing that after what had happened between them, love could grow. Feeling out of his league, when the reality was, she was perfect for him in more ways than just sexual.
The one thing that stood out in this little gem was the step away Alex makes over halfway through. The focus he puts on his own life after something Vi says to him and comes back better than ever. Dealing with the issues that had made her say what she did and putting the ball in her court. Making what happened next up to her entirely. It was fantastic.
This was a hot/cute/funny/adorable short story and one that I’m glad I picked up.
On to Stage Dive I go <3
August 22, 2017
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Tre stelle e mezzo.
Conosciamo già la fama di Kylie Scott, insomma bastano le due paroline Stage Dive e ognuno di noi inizierà a lanciare urletti isterici per una (o tutte) di quelle fichissime rockstar, di diritto tra i migliori book boyfriends di sempre.
Qui siamo in tutt’altro universo. Siamo lontani dai riflettori, dai tour promozionali e dalle groupie allupate. Ci spostiamo quindi in Australia dove una sexy storia capo-dipendente sta per iniziare. È un cliché? Assolutamente sì, ma per quanto mi riguarda non smetterei mai di leggere storie così, perché nonostante il “format” sia sempre lo stesso, non smettono mai di emozionarmi.
Qui come “campo di battaglia” non abbiamo un ufficio al cinquantesimo piano,
ma un bar-ristorante a conduzione famigliare in Australia.
Violet ha finalmente trovato il lavoro dei suoi sogni, fa la cameriera (il che non sembrerebbe granché), ma a lei piace molto, soprattutto le piace (troppo) uno dei suoi boss, Alex. Sa però che è intoccabile, soprattutto se vuole tenersi il lavoro.
Alex, appena uscito da un divorzio distruttivo, ha il morale a terra, non sta con una donna da ormai un anno e pensava proprio di aver perso ogni desiderio per l’altro sesso. Ma cosa succede se una notte si addizionano cattivi pensieri, alcol e una bella donna formosa? È la ricetta del disastro per Violet, ma nello stesso tempo la rinascita per Alex. Vuole ringraziare la donna che l’ha liberato dalla vita monastica in cui era piombato suo malgrado… se solo si ricordasse qualcosa di lei. Ha solo un reggiseno dalla taglia importante e un profumo floreale che gli è entrato dentro. Ma lui ha una missione, trovare quella ragazza e ringraziarla per bene, magari con una replica della notte prima che stavolta non ha intenzione di dimenticare. Senza sapere che la donna che sta cercando è proprio sotto il suo naso.
Continua a leggere la recensione su: CrazyForRomance
Per acquistare il libro clicca qui
Tre stelle e mezzo.
Conosciamo già la fama di Kylie Scott, insomma bastano le due paroline Stage Dive e ognuno di noi inizierà a lanciare urletti isterici per una (o tutte) di quelle fichissime rockstar, di diritto tra i migliori book boyfriends di sempre.
Qui siamo in tutt’altro universo. Siamo lontani dai riflettori, dai tour promozionali e dalle groupie allupate. Ci spostiamo quindi in Australia dove una sexy storia capo-dipendente sta per iniziare. È un cliché? Assolutamente sì, ma per quanto mi riguarda non smetterei mai di leggere storie così, perché nonostante il “format” sia sempre lo stesso, non smettono mai di emozionarmi.
Qui come “campo di battaglia” non abbiamo un ufficio al cinquantesimo piano,
ma un bar-ristorante a conduzione famigliare in Australia.
Violet ha finalmente trovato il lavoro dei suoi sogni, fa la cameriera (il che non sembrerebbe granché), ma a lei piace molto, soprattutto le piace (troppo) uno dei suoi boss, Alex. Sa però che è intoccabile, soprattutto se vuole tenersi il lavoro.
Alex, appena uscito da un divorzio distruttivo, ha il morale a terra, non sta con una donna da ormai un anno e pensava proprio di aver perso ogni desiderio per l’altro sesso. Ma cosa succede se una notte si addizionano cattivi pensieri, alcol e una bella donna formosa? È la ricetta del disastro per Violet, ma nello stesso tempo la rinascita per Alex. Vuole ringraziare la donna che l’ha liberato dalla vita monastica in cui era piombato suo malgrado… se solo si ricordasse qualcosa di lei. Ha solo un reggiseno dalla taglia importante e un profumo floreale che gli è entrato dentro. Ma lui ha una missione, trovare quella ragazza e ringraziarla per bene, magari con una replica della notte prima che stavolta non ha intenzione di dimenticare. Senza sapere che la donna che sta cercando è proprio sotto il suo naso.
Continua a leggere la recensione su: CrazyForRomance
Read
November 27, 2017Still reeling from being dumped by his ex-wife the "hero" gets black-out drunk at a party thrown by his brother and has sex for the first time in a year with a mystery woman. Turns out the mystery woman is the new waitress at the family restaurant.
So the hero has sex with a woman he literally CANNOT REMEMBER. Nothing about the woman (other than she's "well-endowed" - and he knows this because she leaves her bra behind) and he CANNOT REMEMBER THE ACTUAL SEX.
Yeah, this is just about as sexy as it sounds.
They try to stay away from each other until the brother (he of hosting wild drunken parties...) decides to lock the two into a store room together where they get drunk on some homemade gin and proceed to have sex because even though neither of them has a condom on them it's OK because they're both "clean" and she's "on the pill."
Yeah. Done. I'm out. I hate everything about you people.
So the hero has sex with a woman he literally CANNOT REMEMBER. Nothing about the woman (other than she's "well-endowed" - and he knows this because she leaves her bra behind) and he CANNOT REMEMBER THE ACTUAL SEX.
Yeah, this is just about as sexy as it sounds.
They try to stay away from each other until the brother (he of hosting wild drunken parties...) decides to lock the two into a store room together where they get drunk on some homemade gin and proceed to have sex because even though neither of them has a condom on them it's OK because they're both "clean" and she's "on the pill."
Yeah. Done. I'm out. I hate everything about you people.
January 27, 2020
Quick and mindless read.
The beginning was disturbingly funny, but the pacing was fine and Ms.Scott tried to show some character development in a quite short story.
The writing itself was a bit too fast for my liking and I hope her longer books are somehow slower. Because I want to read some of them and this quick read was like a first taste.
I did not care much for the characters here, the story was predictable and a bit flat. But there were funny moments I appreciated, so will be definitely reading her other books.
The beginning was disturbingly funny, but the pacing was fine and Ms.Scott tried to show some character development in a quite short story.
The writing itself was a bit too fast for my liking and I hope her longer books are somehow slower. Because I want to read some of them and this quick read was like a first taste.
I did not care much for the characters here, the story was predictable and a bit flat. But there were funny moments I appreciated, so will be definitely reading her other books.
May 4, 2017
Only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is that it needed another 20-30 chapters. Loved Violet and loved Alex. They needed a book not a short story.
Delightful.
Delightful.
August 30, 2017
Racconto carino che però avrei voluto leggere in una versione più estesa...
July 15, 2020
A smokin' hot novella with an amusing heroine who sleeps with her boss. Alex is one of three brothers that own a bar/restaurant & wow, these brothers need their own books. Crazy & entertaining, the brothers kept me smiling. A nice short read when you feel like something quick!
February 25, 2019
4 stars
November 21, 2013
Review originally posted at http://smexybooks.com/2013/11/short-s...
Favorite Quote: I’ve got all these ideas for new initiatives in staff discipline. You over my knee, it’ll be brilliant.”
Violet’s lifestyle changes did not include sleeping with her new boss. She’s even more embarrassed to find out he remembers nothing about that night. But, mistakes happen and as long as they continue forward on in a professional manner, nothing has to change.
Alex’s love life has been null since his divorce. When he awakes to find evidence he has broken his dry spell, he’s determined to find out with whom, and beg for a more memorable rematch. He’s positive he and the beautiful Violet can come to some sort of amicable arrangement that won’t affect them work wise. He just needs to convince her.
Heart’s A Mess is a sexy romantic niblet about about a one night stand that has the potential to become much more if the parties involved are willing to take a chance. Well rounded characters, humorous dialogue, and a fast paced storyline made this short but robust story a treat to read. I hope Ms. Scott continues the storyline and we get Alex’s brothers stories.
RATING: B+
Favorite Quote: I’ve got all these ideas for new initiatives in staff discipline. You over my knee, it’ll be brilliant.”
Violet’s lifestyle changes did not include sleeping with her new boss. She’s even more embarrassed to find out he remembers nothing about that night. But, mistakes happen and as long as they continue forward on in a professional manner, nothing has to change.
Alex’s love life has been null since his divorce. When he awakes to find evidence he has broken his dry spell, he’s determined to find out with whom, and beg for a more memorable rematch. He’s positive he and the beautiful Violet can come to some sort of amicable arrangement that won’t affect them work wise. He just needs to convince her.
Heart’s A Mess is a sexy romantic niblet about about a one night stand that has the potential to become much more if the parties involved are willing to take a chance. Well rounded characters, humorous dialogue, and a fast paced storyline made this short but robust story a treat to read. I hope Ms. Scott continues the storyline and we get Alex’s brothers stories.
RATING: B+
January 5, 2014
This is a sizzling short and quite a sweet romance between two damaged people who can't keep their hands...and other bodily appendages of each other.
Alex is coming off a nasty divorce and waking up after a party in the upstairs apartment above the pub he and his two brothers own with nothing but a bra and the scent of flowers is the first time in a year his libido was operational. Pity he can't remember who belongs to the bra.
Violet has only just started at her new job at the restaurant of the brothers pub. After a history of bad decisions where men are concerned, sleeping with her boss just about takes the cake. Lucky he doesn't remember...until...oh yes...that floral scent.
The back and forth between the two is great, the smex is sizzling and the ending is nicely done. Oh and his brothers are hilarious. Language is strongish.
Alex is coming off a nasty divorce and waking up after a party in the upstairs apartment above the pub he and his two brothers own with nothing but a bra and the scent of flowers is the first time in a year his libido was operational. Pity he can't remember who belongs to the bra.
Violet has only just started at her new job at the restaurant of the brothers pub. After a history of bad decisions where men are concerned, sleeping with her boss just about takes the cake. Lucky he doesn't remember...until...oh yes...that floral scent.
The back and forth between the two is great, the smex is sizzling and the ending is nicely done. Oh and his brothers are hilarious. Language is strongish.
December 3, 2016
A quick pleasure read with a high heat level, lots wit, and characters you will love.
Alex is recovering from a divorce and his internal dialogue is wonderful as are his brothers.
Violet is a never say blink kind of gal I can't help but love just like Alex.
Good stuff!
Alex is recovering from a divorce and his internal dialogue is wonderful as are his brothers.
Violet is a never say blink kind of gal I can't help but love just like Alex.
Good stuff!
November 18, 2017
Kylie'den daha önce de short story okumuştum (bkn: Colonist's Wife) ama o buna göre daha güzeldi. Eski eş muhabbeti araya girmeseydi daha iyi olurdu hem. 👐
May 31, 2020
I still like her style, but this was not really for me. Hardly any story. Just two people falling into lust and fighting it for a while. It had some moments, though.
December 23, 2017
1.5 stelle!
August 8, 2020
I must say that I got bored a few times, but I'm still curious if this book is part of a series!
June 30, 2020
2.75 ⭐️.
December 5, 2022
Ethically dubious, "fling to forever," short-story romance
Chubby, 31-year-old Violet has a one-night stand with her gorgeous, 37-year-old boss when he is so pie-eyed, he is clearly incapable of giving rational consent. Afterwards, she flees his apartment, but the only remorse she feels is that she had sex with her boss, not that she had sex with her drunk boss.
When bar-owner Alex wakes up in his bed with a blazing hangover, he can't remember anything that happened after he blithely consumed enough hard liquor, at a blowout party hosted by his younger brother, to land an ordinary person in the hospital with alcohol poisoning. He is astonished to discover that, before he blacked out, he miraculously managed to engage in intercourse. He figures out this crucial bit of information via three salient clues: he has the strap of a rather large bra twisted around his wrist, there's a faint smell of perfume on one of his pillows, and a crumpled condom wrapper jauntily resides on his bedside table. One might reasonably presume that any individual who found himself in such a questionable situation would be shocked that he had sex that he cannot remember. But in the world of this story, Alex is ecstatic. It does not for a moment cross his mind that he might have been sexually assaulted, or that he might have sexually assaulted someone else. On the contrary, his perception of reality is that he is one very lucky fellow, because he has been impotent for the past year since breaking up with his cheating ex-wife. In his opinion, this sleazy situation is concrete proof that he does not have erectile dysfunction! He is determined to track down the amazing woman who repaired his most crucial appendage, and leap back into bed with her again at the earliest opportunity.
The story proceeds from this initial setup to become a kind of weird, sex-fest version of Cinderella, except that all the hero has to go by, in order to find the woman who inadvertently acted as a sexual surrogate for him, is an oversized bra rather than an undersized glass slipper.
All I could think when reading this premise is the following: Imagine if the genders were reversed and a woman woke up in this situation. What would she be thinking? Not that she is delighted. Far more likely, she would be terrified that she'd been raped. Why would anyone assume it is morally acceptable for a man to be put in this position?
Unfortunately, I personally did not experience this "erotic" story as either sexy or humorous. As a result, I couldn't force myself to plow through it all the way to the end, in order to arrive at an inevitable, romance-genre, "fling to forever" HEA.
Chubby, 31-year-old Violet has a one-night stand with her gorgeous, 37-year-old boss when he is so pie-eyed, he is clearly incapable of giving rational consent. Afterwards, she flees his apartment, but the only remorse she feels is that she had sex with her boss, not that she had sex with her drunk boss.
When bar-owner Alex wakes up in his bed with a blazing hangover, he can't remember anything that happened after he blithely consumed enough hard liquor, at a blowout party hosted by his younger brother, to land an ordinary person in the hospital with alcohol poisoning. He is astonished to discover that, before he blacked out, he miraculously managed to engage in intercourse. He figures out this crucial bit of information via three salient clues: he has the strap of a rather large bra twisted around his wrist, there's a faint smell of perfume on one of his pillows, and a crumpled condom wrapper jauntily resides on his bedside table. One might reasonably presume that any individual who found himself in such a questionable situation would be shocked that he had sex that he cannot remember. But in the world of this story, Alex is ecstatic. It does not for a moment cross his mind that he might have been sexually assaulted, or that he might have sexually assaulted someone else. On the contrary, his perception of reality is that he is one very lucky fellow, because he has been impotent for the past year since breaking up with his cheating ex-wife. In his opinion, this sleazy situation is concrete proof that he does not have erectile dysfunction! He is determined to track down the amazing woman who repaired his most crucial appendage, and leap back into bed with her again at the earliest opportunity.
The story proceeds from this initial setup to become a kind of weird, sex-fest version of Cinderella, except that all the hero has to go by, in order to find the woman who inadvertently acted as a sexual surrogate for him, is an oversized bra rather than an undersized glass slipper.
All I could think when reading this premise is the following: Imagine if the genders were reversed and a woman woke up in this situation. What would she be thinking? Not that she is delighted. Far more likely, she would be terrified that she'd been raped. Why would anyone assume it is morally acceptable for a man to be put in this position?
Unfortunately, I personally did not experience this "erotic" story as either sexy or humorous. As a result, I couldn't force myself to plow through it all the way to the end, in order to arrive at an inevitable, romance-genre, "fling to forever" HEA.
May 30, 2024
Very short erotica
I only found Kylie Scott 1 month ago as I had to read books by an Australian author for a reading challenge, and I quickly found out that I really enjoy anything she writes.
This was not different. Very short, fast paced, spicy romance. Not a big fan of the cover by the content is good and free on ku.
I only found Kylie Scott 1 month ago as I had to read books by an Australian author for a reading challenge, and I quickly found out that I really enjoy anything she writes.
This was not different. Very short, fast paced, spicy romance. Not a big fan of the cover by the content is good and free on ku.
May 31, 2014
A sweet and sexy novella from Kylie Scott. Love the hero and heroine, Alex and Violet, their insecurities and their sass. Only wish this was a longer story and that the editing had been a bit more thorough. Disconcerting to read of 'Violet' twice being referred to as 'Violent'.
November 21, 2016
Super good, fun and sexy short story. I LOVED IT!! For a short story, this is perfect. Right to the point and still had clear plot-line. Likable characters that made me want to read them all the more.
5 Stars!
5 Stars!
April 15, 2017
Kylie Scott is a genius. I already knew it, but this just cements it. I mean this is a short story, less than 75 pages and it was absolutely captivating! I mean regardless of length, I had the same experience I would've have if I'd read a full 300 page novel. She doesn't short the reader on emotions, feels, and sex.
Alex is newly divorced, parties too hard, and wake up after a wild night to find his year of celibacy has broken. Now if only to find out who it was that unlocked his non-existent libido. All he finds is a bra and the faint smell of perfume. When Alex finds who is responsible for raising his dick from the dead, he rejoices. (And so did I!).
Violet has been doing so well to not make mistakes and be responsible but she manages to screw up. But she's not going to beat herself up over falling off the being-a-responsible-adult-wagon, she's just going to move on. Of course it's easier said when the guy in question won't let you avoid him.
This short story is funny, super sexy, and so entertaining! I laughed and swooned. And I will admit, I would love to read more about some of the characters mentioned in this short story like Alex's hunky brothers and the long standing manager of their successful business. Of course, I can never get enough of Kylie's stories!
Alex is newly divorced, parties too hard, and wake up after a wild night to find his year of celibacy has broken. Now if only to find out who it was that unlocked his non-existent libido. All he finds is a bra and the faint smell of perfume. When Alex finds who is responsible for raising his dick from the dead, he rejoices. (And so did I!).
Violet has been doing so well to not make mistakes and be responsible but she manages to screw up. But she's not going to beat herself up over falling off the being-a-responsible-adult-wagon, she's just going to move on. Of course it's easier said when the guy in question won't let you avoid him.
This short story is funny, super sexy, and so entertaining! I laughed and swooned. And I will admit, I would love to read more about some of the characters mentioned in this short story like Alex's hunky brothers and the long standing manager of their successful business. Of course, I can never get enough of Kylie's stories!
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