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Holliday Family #0.5
Heart Eyes
Dean’s a grump who wants to be left alone. Hannah's a liar in need of a fake boyfriend.
While photographing a sexy Valentine’s Day photoshoot, Hannah Holliday tells her models that the grouch who owns the hotel they’re shooting at is her boyfriend.
This is news to Dean Harris, her quote-unquote ‘boyfriend’.
Hannah has her reasons, but none of them matter to Dean, reluctant hotelier. He’s busy avoiding his guests and trying not to leer at the tall, freckled boudoir photographer. As his best friend’s cousin, Hannah’s off limits, and having the Royal Hotel linked to her boudoir photography business is a risk he can’t afford.
But before either of them can say tit pic, Dean’s attending a wedding as Hannah’s fake date, and learning how to sext.
The relationship might be fake but the horniness is real.
Heart Eyes is a 29,000 word romcom. It's a fake-dating, grumpy and sunshine story set in a small town in New Zealand, featuring phone sex and dirty talk. TWs include dissolution of a marriage (off-page, historic) and alcohol consumption (on-page, mild).
"Steamy and satisfying." –USA Today bestselling author LENORA BELL.
"Hilarious, heartwarming & deliciously spicy." Pacific Passions author COURTNEY CLARK MICHAELS.
"Divinely Feminist." Goodreads review of Eyes On.
While photographing a sexy Valentine’s Day photoshoot, Hannah Holliday tells her models that the grouch who owns the hotel they’re shooting at is her boyfriend.
This is news to Dean Harris, her quote-unquote ‘boyfriend’.
Hannah has her reasons, but none of them matter to Dean, reluctant hotelier. He’s busy avoiding his guests and trying not to leer at the tall, freckled boudoir photographer. As his best friend’s cousin, Hannah’s off limits, and having the Royal Hotel linked to her boudoir photography business is a risk he can’t afford.
But before either of them can say tit pic, Dean’s attending a wedding as Hannah’s fake date, and learning how to sext.
The relationship might be fake but the horniness is real.
Heart Eyes is a 29,000 word romcom. It's a fake-dating, grumpy and sunshine story set in a small town in New Zealand, featuring phone sex and dirty talk. TWs include dissolution of a marriage (off-page, historic) and alcohol consumption (on-page, mild).
"Steamy and satisfying." –USA Today bestselling author LENORA BELL.
"Hilarious, heartwarming & deliciously spicy." Pacific Passions author COURTNEY CLARK MICHAELS.
"Divinely Feminist." Goodreads review of Eyes On.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2023
5 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Esme Brett
10 books142 followersEsme Brett writes spicy romcoms that are horny, heartfelt, and hilarious. She is passionate about stories that intersect humour, heat, and take-no-bs feminism. Her areas of expertise include winged eyeliner, fits that clash, books that bang, peonies, and wine that’s less than 9 dollars. You can find her on Instagram and TikTok at @esmebrettbooks.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 24, 2025
I finished this in one sitting!! It was absolutely adorable and hilarious. The kiwi humour shone through in this one and it was just such a delight! Dean is the ideal book boyf and the spice was spicy 🌶️
I can’t wait to read more about Caroline in the next book!
I can’t wait to read more about Caroline in the next book!
Want to read
September 23, 2024𝓹𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭
So, this is actually a 0.5 novella, given this is a side couple from the first book in the series. I think. And it was published a year ago but listed as book two. 🤔
So, this is actually a 0.5 novella, given this is a side couple from the first book in the series. I think. And it was published a year ago but listed as book two. 🤔
May 3, 2025
I've heard so many good things not only about this book but also Esme Brett's books in general so I decided to pick up Heart eyes because it was a short read.
I read this book in one sitting and loved every second of it. Dean is the most grumpiness of grumps I have ever met and it was hilarious seeing him be put in his place by a 70 year old lady who actually made him see the error in his ways.
I really enjoyed Hannah as a character too. She has been through a lot and watching her realise that she is a strong capable independent woman made me grin after years of her being put down and had to fit into the mold her husband expected of her.
The immediate chemistry between these two was top tier. I loved it all so much. The fake dating scenario was hilarious but honestly they both were attracted to one another so it wasn't true faking dating which I always love.
I love how they immediately understand one another and the way Dean showed his support silently to Hannah in certain scenarios made me a bit teary eyes because it's how my partner does it for me too.
The sexting and the naughty pictures added so much to this story. I loved it so much and want even more!
This is very quintessentially kiwi too which I loved. For such a short read this truly packs a bunch, it made me laugh out loud, smile and kick my little feet.
I can't wait to meet Esme at ages of pages
I read this book in one sitting and loved every second of it. Dean is the most grumpiness of grumps I have ever met and it was hilarious seeing him be put in his place by a 70 year old lady who actually made him see the error in his ways.
I really enjoyed Hannah as a character too. She has been through a lot and watching her realise that she is a strong capable independent woman made me grin after years of her being put down and had to fit into the mold her husband expected of her.
The immediate chemistry between these two was top tier. I loved it all so much. The fake dating scenario was hilarious but honestly they both were attracted to one another so it wasn't true faking dating which I always love.
I love how they immediately understand one another and the way Dean showed his support silently to Hannah in certain scenarios made me a bit teary eyes because it's how my partner does it for me too.
The sexting and the naughty pictures added so much to this story. I loved it so much and want even more!
This is very quintessentially kiwi too which I loved. For such a short read this truly packs a bunch, it made me laugh out loud, smile and kick my little feet.
I can't wait to meet Esme at ages of pages
April 11, 2025
This is such a short, sweet, spicy novella I devoured this in one evening!
Hannah is a boudoir photographer and a bit of a liar. Dean is a hotel owner and a grump who wants to be left alone. While photographing a Valentine’s Day photoshoot at his hotel, Hannah tells her models Dean is her boyfriend. She doesn’t know why, and neither does Dean, but he goes along with it. Did I mention Hannah is also the cousin of his best friend?
This book was hilarious, with so much kiwi humour injected throughout, even through the spicy scenes. The sexting was impeccable and I need more of it now immediately (I would have been so good with just an entire novel of just this).
Both characters were extremely relatable, especially Hannah, and I LOVED how confident she was. She often times put him in his place, and we always love to see a man put in his place, especially a grumpy one. Their romance was a very very fast burn which is expected in a novella, and I loved it so much.
If you love:
Grumpy X Sunshine
Fake Dating
A confident FMC
Phone stuff ;)
New Zealand settings
then add this to your TBR immediately. Esme is one of my favourite New Zealand authors and I love all of her novels so much!
Hannah is a boudoir photographer and a bit of a liar. Dean is a hotel owner and a grump who wants to be left alone. While photographing a Valentine’s Day photoshoot at his hotel, Hannah tells her models Dean is her boyfriend. She doesn’t know why, and neither does Dean, but he goes along with it. Did I mention Hannah is also the cousin of his best friend?
This book was hilarious, with so much kiwi humour injected throughout, even through the spicy scenes. The sexting was impeccable and I need more of it now immediately (I would have been so good with just an entire novel of just this).
Both characters were extremely relatable, especially Hannah, and I LOVED how confident she was. She often times put him in his place, and we always love to see a man put in his place, especially a grumpy one. Their romance was a very very fast burn which is expected in a novella, and I loved it so much.
If you love:
Grumpy X Sunshine
Fake Dating
A confident FMC
Phone stuff ;)
New Zealand settings
then add this to your TBR immediately. Esme is one of my favourite New Zealand authors and I love all of her novels so much!
November 26, 2024
My Rating⭐⭐⭐⭐
❤️Fake dating
❤️Rural New Zealand setting
❤️He’s so hot and grumpy
❤️She’s a boudoir photographer
❤️Fun phone stuff *wink wink*
❤️Bit of an age gap
DEAN.. umm Dean. So. Hot. I realise that’s not the most eloquent way to begin a review but, like, are you kidding me?! I loved every second of Dean.
I loved Hannah too. She was so relatable and real and I loved how unexpectedly confident she was. Dean had really met his match with her. I actually think this would have worked really well as a full length novel because the only thing I wasn’t completely sold on was how fast the relationship moved. It was fantastic nonetheless but I definitely would have loved a full length story about these two.
I would recommend it if you want quick but wonderful read with fake dating, a MMC with lots of grumpy vibes but who is really a total cinnamon roll and a FMC who will make you want to be her best friend.
Amount of spice:🔥🔥
Explicitness: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Open door and explicit
❤️Fake dating
❤️Rural New Zealand setting
❤️He’s so hot and grumpy
❤️She’s a boudoir photographer
❤️Fun phone stuff *wink wink*
❤️Bit of an age gap
DEAN.. umm Dean. So. Hot. I realise that’s not the most eloquent way to begin a review but, like, are you kidding me?! I loved every second of Dean.
I loved Hannah too. She was so relatable and real and I loved how unexpectedly confident she was. Dean had really met his match with her. I actually think this would have worked really well as a full length novel because the only thing I wasn’t completely sold on was how fast the relationship moved. It was fantastic nonetheless but I definitely would have loved a full length story about these two.
I would recommend it if you want quick but wonderful read with fake dating, a MMC with lots of grumpy vibes but who is really a total cinnamon roll and a FMC who will make you want to be her best friend.
Amount of spice:🔥🔥
Explicitness: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Open door and explicit
March 14, 2025
“…his jacket hugged him like a horny Chardonnay mum on a wine tour.”
A racy, spicy, hilarious romcom.
Hannah is a boudoir photographer. Unfortunately the picturesque B&B she has booked and is planning on setting her photo shoot has over booked and she quickly has to pivot.
Enter reluctant hotelier Dean (who happens to be Hannah’s cousin’s sexy brooding best friend), and his newly renovated historic home stay.
The New Zealand rural setting makes for the comedic background with almost naked models and slippery eel encounters - this scene had me in stitches.
💛 grumpy sunshine
💛 fake dating
💛 cousin’s best friend
💛 age gap
💛 forced proximity
💛 hilarious antics
💛 spicy
I absolutely adored this book and can’t recommend it enough.
A racy, spicy, hilarious romcom.
Hannah is a boudoir photographer. Unfortunately the picturesque B&B she has booked and is planning on setting her photo shoot has over booked and she quickly has to pivot.
Enter reluctant hotelier Dean (who happens to be Hannah’s cousin’s sexy brooding best friend), and his newly renovated historic home stay.
The New Zealand rural setting makes for the comedic background with almost naked models and slippery eel encounters - this scene had me in stitches.
💛 grumpy sunshine
💛 fake dating
💛 cousin’s best friend
💛 age gap
💛 forced proximity
💛 hilarious antics
💛 spicy
I absolutely adored this book and can’t recommend it enough.
October 2, 2024
This is a cute and quick read - definitely read this as a prequel novella to the series, as it introduces a few of the characters in passing.
I really could have done with a full blown novel version of this, but I’ll take what I can.
Also, this is no big criticism really, given that this is largely self-published, but it could have done with another editing round, particularly with Esme describing her own pet ‘can’ in the back matter bio.
Otherwise highly recommend as a cosy day read. I’m looking forward to book 1 in the series (it’s already on my bedside table H O T T O G O)
I really could have done with a full blown novel version of this, but I’ll take what I can.
Also, this is no big criticism really, given that this is largely self-published, but it could have done with another editing round, particularly with Esme describing her own pet ‘can’ in the back matter bio.
Otherwise highly recommend as a cosy day read. I’m looking forward to book 1 in the series (it’s already on my bedside table H O T T O G O)
October 1, 2025
Super cute and funny! Great, well-rounded characters with realistic lives and all the issues that come with. Hannah is a believable mix of confident and insecure, and as much as you want her to stand up for herself more, she has reasons that make sense as to why she doesn't. Dean is a grumpy man content with his own company, but Hannah rolls into his life and shakes it up lie a thunderstorm. And Ghost is there just happy to see everyone and get lots of pets!
A fun introduction to the rest of the Holliday family, and I'm looking forward to the other books now.
A fun introduction to the rest of the Holliday family, and I'm looking forward to the other books now.
July 12, 2024
POV: Dual
Story: 5/5
Characters: 7/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5 (I read a lot of spicy spice. This rating should be taken with a grain of salt)
Do I wish the story was longer? Yes. I love novellas! But this story was so good that I wanted it to be longer. Hannah and Dean are perfectly imperfect in the best ways. I loved the simmering heat between them. There aren’t a LOT of spicy scenes but they’re goooood.
Story: 5/5
Characters: 7/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5 (I read a lot of spicy spice. This rating should be taken with a grain of salt)
Do I wish the story was longer? Yes. I love novellas! But this story was so good that I wanted it to be longer. Hannah and Dean are perfectly imperfect in the best ways. I loved the simmering heat between them. There aren’t a LOT of spicy scenes but they’re goooood.
April 5, 2025
Fantastic novella, love this author’s style and loved these characters. The humor was top tier and I loved and appreciated both characters. Loved that Hannah was an “amazon” and had only confidence in herself and adoration from Dean. They loved each other because of, not despite. And Ghost 🥹 I’d just finished Eye Candy so it was nice to see mention of some of the other characters. Delightful to learn about places and culture in New Zealand. Would definitely reread.
November 1, 2024
For a short novella I was really sucked in. I absolutely adore Dean. Can I get a dean please. The way he is immediately so protective of her 🥹
This is my second Esme Brett read and I'm a big fan. Her Kiwi humour is so spot on. I laughed out loud several times 🤣
This book felt extra special as it's based in the region I live in! So so fun!
Another banger Esme!
This is my second Esme Brett read and I'm a big fan. Her Kiwi humour is so spot on. I laughed out loud several times 🤣
This book felt extra special as it's based in the region I live in! So so fun!
Another banger Esme!
February 15, 2025
Spicy - tick
funny - tick
Grumpy / Sunshine - tick
Fake dating - tick
I loved this story, the two main characters seemed to be drawn to each other even before they knew each other, and the chemistry was sizzling from the moment they laid eyes on each other.
If you like stories with a bit of bite, check out this one. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
funny - tick
Grumpy / Sunshine - tick
Fake dating - tick
I loved this story, the two main characters seemed to be drawn to each other even before they knew each other, and the chemistry was sizzling from the moment they laid eyes on each other.
If you like stories with a bit of bite, check out this one. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 5, 2024
Very fast burn but I could imagine every surrounding so well!! Short but good for what it was
October 22, 2024
Funny, sexy, sweet! Hannah and Dean are perfect together and seeing their fake relationship evolve was a delight
April 12, 2025
Short and sweet. Very insta-love, which is understandable in short form, but I think maybe a bit more oomph to their connection beyond attraction would have won me over more.
I loved the setting!
I loved the setting!
July 29, 2025
super cute - will read the rest of the series as they come out!!
September 24, 2025
RTC 📸🏨
September 27, 2025
This was cute
March 21, 2025
Love a good grumpy x sunshine. The sexting was inspired. Wish more books had this.
March 30, 2025
"Sure, I was a heterosexual and sexually-inclined fish, but men were bicycles. Or something."
I devoured this in one sitting.
Hannah is a boudoir photographer who quickly has to revise her shoot location and the only place with availability is run by Dean, the reluctant owner of a beautifully renovated home stay... did I mention he is also her cousins best friend.
This little book is packed with hilarity and sizzling chemistry. Not to mention the sexing that was impeccable (I needed way more of it). My only complaint is that this book isn't a full length novel because please give me more.
I'm officially an Esme Brett stan.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews