What do you think?
Rate this book
Stone Heart
Holly
Ten years ago, I left my hometown, with a heart full of hurt, riddled with distrust and the humiliation of others' actions clinging to my very bones.
Nothing could ever make me return home. That was until my father passed away and left my childhood home to me. Now I’m back, my little girl in tow, hoping to give her the type of childhood I had. To start fresh and make something of myself.
Only, I never expected him to be here. For the onslaught of buried emotions, it would pull from me.
I thought bringing my daughter into this world would be hard. But facing Cameron Stone after all this time proves more difficult, especially when he is still the most charming and handsome man I ever met.
Cameron
Ten years ago, the love of my life disappeared from my life, and it has forced me to live with the ache of that loss every single day. I bury it deep, keep my head high and my feet moving forwards. Life is good. I’m finally in a better place and ready to settle down.
So the last person I expect to see again is beautiful Holly Matthews.
She’s home. Back in my life, dredging up the past and unravelling years of pain to simmer between us.
I thought I had faced all my demons, but witnessing her return with her family is a bitter pill I’m not yet ready to swallow.
Ten years ago, I left my hometown, with a heart full of hurt, riddled with distrust and the humiliation of others' actions clinging to my very bones.
Nothing could ever make me return home. That was until my father passed away and left my childhood home to me. Now I’m back, my little girl in tow, hoping to give her the type of childhood I had. To start fresh and make something of myself.
Only, I never expected him to be here. For the onslaught of buried emotions, it would pull from me.
I thought bringing my daughter into this world would be hard. But facing Cameron Stone after all this time proves more difficult, especially when he is still the most charming and handsome man I ever met.
Cameron
Ten years ago, the love of my life disappeared from my life, and it has forced me to live with the ache of that loss every single day. I bury it deep, keep my head high and my feet moving forwards. Life is good. I’m finally in a better place and ready to settle down.
So the last person I expect to see again is beautiful Holly Matthews.
She’s home. Back in my life, dredging up the past and unravelling years of pain to simmer between us.
I thought I had faced all my demons, but witnessing her return with her family is a bitter pill I’m not yet ready to swallow.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2024
146 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 13, 2024
NOPE. NOPE. NOPEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
Reminder to myself - This is why: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Reminder to myself - This is why: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 21, 2025
another dumpster fire
April 14, 2025
1. Awkward writing. Eg.
“His face lights up and I remember all too well that look he’d stupefied me with, made every naïve cell twist in on itself and combust because he was that hot in college. As a man, he’s catatonic.”
“After I left Cameron, I became good as a ghost.”
“His top is tight and shows off ample muscles as he pushes all three swings, his legs toned.”
“Bad morning, coffee?”
“I have so many plans for the house, but I didn’t want to throw Beau out of the loop with too much change.”
“Cam, you’re tittering on the edge.”
2. Changed from present tense to past tense and back again, sometimes in the same sentence.
3. Holly had a five year old daughter who was allowed to do up her own seatbelt without supervision. Yikes.
4. The book continuously made vague references to something that happened in the past for so long that by the time I finally found out what it was, I was so bored and annoyed that I didn’t care anymore.
5. This book was ridiculous. Ten years ago, Holly caught Cam in bed with another woman and left town. He was actually drugged and SA but she didn’t know that. Everyone in town knew what she saw and what it looked like but they all hated her because she believed that he cheated and “abandoned” him. Now that she was back in town, no one would tell her what actually happened; they all preferred to glare at her, ignore her and blame her for Cam’s problems.
DNF
“His face lights up and I remember all too well that look he’d stupefied me with, made every naïve cell twist in on itself and combust because he was that hot in college. As a man, he’s catatonic.”
“After I left Cameron, I became good as a ghost.”
“His top is tight and shows off ample muscles as he pushes all three swings, his legs toned.”
“Bad morning, coffee?”
“I have so many plans for the house, but I didn’t want to throw Beau out of the loop with too much change.”
“Cam, you’re tittering on the edge.”
2. Changed from present tense to past tense and back again, sometimes in the same sentence.
3. Holly had a five year old daughter who was allowed to do up her own seatbelt without supervision. Yikes.
4. The book continuously made vague references to something that happened in the past for so long that by the time I finally found out what it was, I was so bored and annoyed that I didn’t care anymore.
5. This book was ridiculous. Ten years ago, Holly caught Cam in bed with another woman and left town. He was actually drugged and SA but she didn’t know that. Everyone in town knew what she saw and what it looked like but they all hated her because she believed that he cheated and “abandoned” him. Now that she was back in town, no one would tell her what actually happened; they all preferred to glare at her, ignore her and blame her for Cam’s problems.
DNF
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2024
Cam and Holly. What a story this is!
So much hurt, pain and trauma. My heart was in bits for them both, for different reasons. Cam's conflict about things and some of his reactions to situations was funny but also sad to see as he couldn't cope and really never did understand the reasons.
But his care for Beau and Holly. He just needed his Holly back. But the push and pull was perfect. All the lovely little small details were dealt with amazingly well and such sensitive topics dealt with. Just perfect
So much hurt, pain and trauma. My heart was in bits for them both, for different reasons. Cam's conflict about things and some of his reactions to situations was funny but also sad to see as he couldn't cope and really never did understand the reasons.
But his care for Beau and Holly. He just needed his Holly back. But the push and pull was perfect. All the lovely little small details were dealt with amazingly well and such sensitive topics dealt with. Just perfect
February 11, 2024
4.5/5 ⭐️
I started this book going back and forth on liking Cam and towards the end I understood him so much better. I loved the aspect of him working on his mental health not only for his self but for Holly and Beau 🫶🏼
I would’ve loved more of Holly and Cam together & more of Cam’s journey at the end, instead of the time jump. But overall, it had me in my feelings throughout the whole story 💗
I started this book going back and forth on liking Cam and towards the end I understood him so much better. I loved the aspect of him working on his mental health not only for his self but for Holly and Beau 🫶🏼
I would’ve loved more of Holly and Cam together & more of Cam’s journey at the end, instead of the time jump. But overall, it had me in my feelings throughout the whole story 💗
February 9, 2024
Rachel never misses. With every story she writes, she explores new territory, new themes, new dynamics. She is an incredibly talented and versatile writer. It’s always a joy to read her books and Stone Heart was no different. This small town romance is filled with heartache, loss and tears. But above all, it is about love and hope.
Holly was a quiet, shy, keep-it-to-herself kind of girl at school. When the most popular boy Cameron spotted her in the library, he was captivated by her beauty. She was different and he loved that she was not like other girls. Sly glances turned into conversations and soon they found themselves falling for one another. They knew they were it for each other and that their love is the forever kind.
However, fate got in the way. An unfortunate incident happened and the misunderstanding separated them for years. A decade later, Holly returned to Richmond with her daughter Beau. She wanted to bring her up in the town she grew up in and the house her father left them after he passed.
The plan was for Cameron to move to London after graduation, so the last thing Holly expected was to see him with his new girlfriend. Needless to say, things were awkward and tense but they tried to remain civil and respectful. It was obvious they never truly moved on and that they were still deeply in love with one another.
Anger was their biggest enemy. Cameron harboured so much rage, the only way he knew how to navigate the relationship with Holly was to hurt her and punish her for believing the worst and leaving him. When the truths came to light, Holly felt so guilty and regretful. She was determined to fix things between them.
Their story was utterly heartbreaking, I’d cried ugly tears. After so much lost time, my only hope was for them to find their way back to each other because they were meant to be. Cameron went on a journey to heal and to find himself. The ending might not be perfect for some but it was for me. It was realistic and what the Matthews deserved.
Holly was a quiet, shy, keep-it-to-herself kind of girl at school. When the most popular boy Cameron spotted her in the library, he was captivated by her beauty. She was different and he loved that she was not like other girls. Sly glances turned into conversations and soon they found themselves falling for one another. They knew they were it for each other and that their love is the forever kind.
However, fate got in the way. An unfortunate incident happened and the misunderstanding separated them for years. A decade later, Holly returned to Richmond with her daughter Beau. She wanted to bring her up in the town she grew up in and the house her father left them after he passed.
The plan was for Cameron to move to London after graduation, so the last thing Holly expected was to see him with his new girlfriend. Needless to say, things were awkward and tense but they tried to remain civil and respectful. It was obvious they never truly moved on and that they were still deeply in love with one another.
Anger was their biggest enemy. Cameron harboured so much rage, the only way he knew how to navigate the relationship with Holly was to hurt her and punish her for believing the worst and leaving him. When the truths came to light, Holly felt so guilty and regretful. She was determined to fix things between them.
Their story was utterly heartbreaking, I’d cried ugly tears. After so much lost time, my only hope was for them to find their way back to each other because they were meant to be. Cameron went on a journey to heal and to find himself. The ending might not be perfect for some but it was for me. It was realistic and what the Matthews deserved.
February 9, 2024
This book made a twist to the "i thought you cheated, but i was raped trope". Hero was drugged and raped in college. Heroine walked in, hero was "yes! Save me" (but could not talk due to drugs) and heroine left him there, because she thought he was cheating. All his friends at the party were aparently drugged also, and laughed at heroine and how she was bad fuck, did not put out enough etc and thats why hero was with Sarah in that room (what drug makes the friends talk like that?) It was NEVER adressed as to why they said and goated heroine. Later when she comes back she is friendly with all of them.. no mentions of the past. They dont talk about it with hero also.
Anyway heroine runs off that night and dissapears for 10 years. She is celibate ofc the whole time, but goes to sperm bank and has a 5y old kid.
Sarah, the rapist, accused hero of raping her instead and there was the whole trial. Half the town thought hero was rapist. His parents abandoned him. Hero struggeled, was sad, thin, dead eyes etc. He was the victim. He won the trial or Sarah dropped the charges. He stayed in this town and fucked everything and everybody for 10 years. Had this manwhore reputation. Just before heroine came back to town, he decided to go steady with a FWB. Everybody tells him what a great girl she is. We get several lovely detailed sex scenes with the girlfriend on page. No condoms mentioned.
Anyway around like 70% or later heroine finally founds out she was in the wrong. Before that hero angry kissed her in a public bar and his girlfriend dumped him. He had regret about hurting the girlfriend.
80% they fuck. Condom was mentioned in this one (omg.).
Hero goes away for 8 months, to heal. Heroine almost dies in housefire. Both celibate. He comes back - HEA.
Girlfriend is semy mean, but mostly a victim. She did lash out at heroine few times because she was hurt and jelous.
Anyway heroine runs off that night and dissapears for 10 years. She is celibate ofc the whole time, but goes to sperm bank and has a 5y old kid.
Sarah, the rapist, accused hero of raping her instead and there was the whole trial. Half the town thought hero was rapist. His parents abandoned him. Hero struggeled, was sad, thin, dead eyes etc. He was the victim. He won the trial or Sarah dropped the charges. He stayed in this town and fucked everything and everybody for 10 years. Had this manwhore reputation. Just before heroine came back to town, he decided to go steady with a FWB. Everybody tells him what a great girl she is. We get several lovely detailed sex scenes with the girlfriend on page. No condoms mentioned.
Anyway around like 70% or later heroine finally founds out she was in the wrong. Before that hero angry kissed her in a public bar and his girlfriend dumped him. He had regret about hurting the girlfriend.
80% they fuck. Condom was mentioned in this one (omg.).
Hero goes away for 8 months, to heal. Heroine almost dies in housefire. Both celibate. He comes back - HEA.
Girlfriend is semy mean, but mostly a victim. She did lash out at heroine few times because she was hurt and jelous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2024
This is a solid 4 star read.
Check trigger warnings - SA on page!
I really enjoyed this book and it could have been a 5* read but there was just something missing for me. This is the story of Holly and Cameron who are high school sweethearts. Cameron is the popular one and Holly is the nerd and he falls hard for her. They are torn about by horrible circumstances and Holly leaves for 10 years and Cameron has no way of finding her (and he does try). Holly returns to town with her daughter after her father's death. What she doesn't know is that Cameron still lives in town and never left. Cameron has been through a pretty traumatic time in the years that Holly has been away and she knows nothing of it. She blames him for their separation when actually he wasn't to blame and needed her support. Cameron is a bit of a player "What bam thank you Cam" during their separation although when Holly returns he is dating Nadine and makes a few stupid decisions with her off the back of Holly's return. The book is beautifully written and you can really feel the love between the characters. It's a great story and well worth the read.
Now, why didn't I give it 5*…….there were just a few things missing for me:
1. I wanted to see a bit more of Holly and Cam getting together in the first place back when they were teenagers;
2. I wanted to see more of what happened to poor Cam in the aftermath of the SA and accusations;
3. I don't particularly enjoy seeing my H or h getting it on with others on page once the other has returned and it took away from the story a bit for me especially as it happened more than once;
4. I wanted to see more from his parents, that seemed like a pretty pivotal relationship;
5. What happened to Sarah - for all the trauma she caused she just appeared to get off scot free?
6. Where was the apologies from his friends to Holly?
Still a great read but there were a few too many loose ends for me to give it 5*
Check trigger warnings - SA on page!
I really enjoyed this book and it could have been a 5* read but there was just something missing for me. This is the story of Holly and Cameron who are high school sweethearts. Cameron is the popular one and Holly is the nerd and he falls hard for her. They are torn about by horrible circumstances and Holly leaves for 10 years and Cameron has no way of finding her (and he does try). Holly returns to town with her daughter after her father's death. What she doesn't know is that Cameron still lives in town and never left. Cameron has been through a pretty traumatic time in the years that Holly has been away and she knows nothing of it. She blames him for their separation when actually he wasn't to blame and needed her support. Cameron is a bit of a player "What bam thank you Cam" during their separation although when Holly returns he is dating Nadine and makes a few stupid decisions with her off the back of Holly's return. The book is beautifully written and you can really feel the love between the characters. It's a great story and well worth the read.
Now, why didn't I give it 5*…….there were just a few things missing for me:
1. I wanted to see a bit more of Holly and Cam getting together in the first place back when they were teenagers;
2. I wanted to see more of what happened to poor Cam in the aftermath of the SA and accusations;
3. I don't particularly enjoy seeing my H or h getting it on with others on page once the other has returned and it took away from the story a bit for me especially as it happened more than once;
4. I wanted to see more from his parents, that seemed like a pretty pivotal relationship;
5. What happened to Sarah - for all the trauma she caused she just appeared to get off scot free?
6. Where was the apologies from his friends to Holly?
Still a great read but there were a few too many loose ends for me to give it 5*
February 8, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥
OMG. This book took me on an EMOTIONAL journey. Not only was there so much angst and tension between the main characters but this is a slooooow burn. I'm used to reading A.R. with her mafia romances so this was a fun treat to read a small town romance by her!
We meet Holly and Cameron who used to date in high school but when things went south Holly ran and never looked back. Both of them were broken-hearted and years later Holly is back in town. After her father passed she received his house and decided to come and raise her daughter in the town she grew up in. Not expecting to run into Cameron Stone, they are both shell shocked to say the least.
Both of them harbor anger towards one another for how things were left years ago but they realize they are going to have to be in the same town so they better get used to one another. It also doesn't help that Beau (Holly's daughter) is best friend's with Grace. (Cam's niece)
When I tell you that I cried more like bawled at multiple parts of this book...when we find out the reason behind Cam and Holly's break up..my heart broke. Also, the last 20%... so much happened! I don't want to give spoilers but know in the end Cam and Holly get their HEA...FINALLY.
This was a great read and it definitely pulled at the heartstrings. Beau and Grace had the cutest friendship. Plus Beau and Cam together made my heart swoon! I enjoyed that Holly and Cam finally got the closure they were after. It really helped them both heal. The mental health rep in this book was perfect! It shed light on issues in a respectful way. But please check trigger warnings as well! I can't wait to see what's next!
Read if you like:
💗 Small town Romance
💗 Tension
💗 Slow burn
💗 Second chance
💗 Single parent
💗 Mental health rep
💗 A twist towards the end
💗 Jealously/pining
🔥
OMG. This book took me on an EMOTIONAL journey. Not only was there so much angst and tension between the main characters but this is a slooooow burn. I'm used to reading A.R. with her mafia romances so this was a fun treat to read a small town romance by her!
We meet Holly and Cameron who used to date in high school but when things went south Holly ran and never looked back. Both of them were broken-hearted and years later Holly is back in town. After her father passed she received his house and decided to come and raise her daughter in the town she grew up in. Not expecting to run into Cameron Stone, they are both shell shocked to say the least.
Both of them harbor anger towards one another for how things were left years ago but they realize they are going to have to be in the same town so they better get used to one another. It also doesn't help that Beau (Holly's daughter) is best friend's with Grace. (Cam's niece)
When I tell you that I cried more like bawled at multiple parts of this book...when we find out the reason behind Cam and Holly's break up..my heart broke. Also, the last 20%... so much happened! I don't want to give spoilers but know in the end Cam and Holly get their HEA...FINALLY.
This was a great read and it definitely pulled at the heartstrings. Beau and Grace had the cutest friendship. Plus Beau and Cam together made my heart swoon! I enjoyed that Holly and Cam finally got the closure they were after. It really helped them both heal. The mental health rep in this book was perfect! It shed light on issues in a respectful way. But please check trigger warnings as well! I can't wait to see what's next!
Read if you like:
💗 Small town Romance
💗 Tension
💗 Slow burn
💗 Second chance
💗 Single parent
💗 Mental health rep
💗 A twist towards the end
💗 Jealously/pining
February 8, 2024
This was such a fantastic book, I adored the plot & all the bumps in the road for the two main characters to get their happy ending. Every love story is written so differently for every couple & theirs definitely had some awful moments, but they overcame it once they finally actually spoke from their hearts. This starts with Cameron Stone, he is the villages handyman & known around town as many different things, but it’s due to a tragic night that he lost everything because of an awful woman. Of course when found in the situation he was found in everyone believes it’s the man who is in the wrong, but that was not the case & what hurt the most was his parents & the love of his life wouldn’t hear him out, but his best friend Dan will always have his back. He tries to move on & every one actually believes he can, but that’s until Holly Matthew’s steps back into Richmond with a little girl named Beau standing next to her. Holly decided to come back to the village & give her daughter the life that she deserved, but it came with stepping back into the town that she left because of heartbreak. Everything becomes very difficult to keep feelings from getting hurt or the fact that they have so much unsettled emotions, when truths come out people get hurt & finally things become so much clearer from that night. My heart fell when Cam decided he needed to focus on himself & the only was he could was leaving, but it was all worth it in the end because the ending & epilogue had me clapping with so much excitement & the tears definitely flowed for these two & their little family. There wasn’t much spice, but the storyline & these characters had me so wrapped into the scenes because of the connection that it really didn’t need anymore.
February 10, 2024
You can’t possibly be serious with this book.
What is up with you female authors who love to write your virginal, saint, sacred than Mother Theresa, celibate female characters against a scarred, disgusting manwhore? Is it a kink? Is it your deepest desire to encounter one? Is it what you aspire? It really baffles me.
The FMC in here has a vagina that is more sacred than the Holy Grail because she was celibate for 10 FUCKIN YEARS. Why you ask? Well you see because she has a trauma where she caught her boyfriend(the MMC) cheating on her! Which I know is not what happened but that is beside the point.
The MMC here had probably procured enough STD for the entire population of their town. He fucks anything that has vagina. Why you ask? Well because HE HAS A TRAUMA.
The fuckin double standard of this author. The MMC was SA’d, that’s what the FMC caught when she thought he was cheating on her. They both had traumas on that event but making your female character fuckin celibate for 10 yrs while the guy who was raped being a manho is just icky! Imagine if the roles were reversed and it’s the FMC who got SA’d, then I can say with 101% confidence that she’ll be too traumatic to have sex with anyone. God why do people write these.
Aside from my celibacy issue with the FMC, she’s not actually stupid, she does not have the body betraying syndrome and the occasional acts of a doormat. The MMC had a gf when she returned to town and she was adamant to not make a move on him or to steal anyone’s man, or get his attention, she was respectful of their relationship since she had a trauma of cheating. Her personality is perfect for a second chance trope but Mother Theresa in heaven! She’s as virginal as mama Mary 🤗
What is up with you female authors who love to write your virginal, saint, sacred than Mother Theresa, celibate female characters against a scarred, disgusting manwhore? Is it a kink? Is it your deepest desire to encounter one? Is it what you aspire? It really baffles me.
The FMC in here has a vagina that is more sacred than the Holy Grail because she was celibate for 10 FUCKIN YEARS. Why you ask? Well you see because she has a trauma where she caught her boyfriend(the MMC) cheating on her! Which I know is not what happened but that is beside the point.
The MMC here had probably procured enough STD for the entire population of their town. He fucks anything that has vagina. Why you ask? Well because HE HAS A TRAUMA.
The fuckin double standard of this author. The MMC was SA’d, that’s what the FMC caught when she thought he was cheating on her. They both had traumas on that event but making your female character fuckin celibate for 10 yrs while the guy who was raped being a manho is just icky! Imagine if the roles were reversed and it’s the FMC who got SA’d, then I can say with 101% confidence that she’ll be too traumatic to have sex with anyone. God why do people write these.
Aside from my celibacy issue with the FMC, she’s not actually stupid, she does not have the body betraying syndrome and the occasional acts of a doormat. The MMC had a gf when she returned to town and she was adamant to not make a move on him or to steal anyone’s man, or get his attention, she was respectful of their relationship since she had a trauma of cheating. Her personality is perfect for a second chance trope but Mother Theresa in heaven! She’s as virginal as mama Mary 🤗
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2024
This was different to what we’ve had from A.R. Thomas before, but that’s what I love about her books, she’s incredibly versatile and nails it every single time. This second chance romance was raw, emotional, all consuming and filled with so much angst, mutual pining, forgiveness and healing.
𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: small town, second chance romance, slow burn, single mum, SA survivor, grumpy hero, mental health rep.
I am not usually a lover of a super slow burn, but I didn’t mind this as their journey, both individually and then together built it up so beautifully it was well worth the wait. There is so much hurt, resentment, lost time and misjudgements made but below the surface there was pure love between these two. It was clear they were soulmates, and life dealt them a blow which knocked them off course. But it was time for them to come back together.
Cameron is our grumpy hero who has been through so much and still working on himself, especially when his first and only love, Holly walks back into their small town stirring old feelings and hurt. His emotional journey throughout this book is raw, real and handled with complete care. Were there times I wanted to shake him? Yes, but could understand the reason behind it and I felt for him every step of the way.
Beau had my heart throughout this, the moments with her and Cam were some of my favourites and I loved how sweet he was with her and how he stepped up for both her and Holly.
Please check triggers before reading. There is OW drama and cheating (not between our MCs).
𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: small town, second chance romance, slow burn, single mum, SA survivor, grumpy hero, mental health rep.
I am not usually a lover of a super slow burn, but I didn’t mind this as their journey, both individually and then together built it up so beautifully it was well worth the wait. There is so much hurt, resentment, lost time and misjudgements made but below the surface there was pure love between these two. It was clear they were soulmates, and life dealt them a blow which knocked them off course. But it was time for them to come back together.
Cameron is our grumpy hero who has been through so much and still working on himself, especially when his first and only love, Holly walks back into their small town stirring old feelings and hurt. His emotional journey throughout this book is raw, real and handled with complete care. Were there times I wanted to shake him? Yes, but could understand the reason behind it and I felt for him every step of the way.
Beau had my heart throughout this, the moments with her and Cam were some of my favourites and I loved how sweet he was with her and how he stepped up for both her and Holly.
Please check triggers before reading. There is OW drama and cheating (not between our MCs).
February 8, 2024
This book took me by suprise, at first i wasn't sure. i'm not for the cheating trope, but this book is a very important one to read. Love can heal, it can make you a better version of yourself. But is can also break you. It begins with the misunderstanding of when they were younger, her being mad with him, leaving him, thinking he did her wrong. And in the beginning i kinda hated him ( well hate is maybe a strong word but ..) i didn't like him. I didn't like how he handled things but when you get hints and pieces along the way, that just make so much sense about how he is, how he acts, why he acts the way he does. The book just sucks you in. I had to know what happend that night, i had to know why both their lives were destroyed. Grief, hurt, anger, madness, love all these emotions are at the forefront of this book. Towards the end, it broke me, made me feel guilty ( just like the fmc Holly) for not liking him, for not giving him the benefit of the doubt. They both matured so much, the way they communicated, how they let go in order to heal and then finally do get their happy einding. THANK GOD!
This is a strong book with a whole bunch of emotions, mental health, living and growing up, the power of not giving up, of fighting for what you believe in and who you are as a person. It had some twists and turns that had me at the edge of my bed when i was reading, my heart was beating so fast.
It's incredible and a very important story to have read!
This is a strong book with a whole bunch of emotions, mental health, living and growing up, the power of not giving up, of fighting for what you believe in and who you are as a person. It had some twists and turns that had me at the edge of my bed when i was reading, my heart was beating so fast.
It's incredible and a very important story to have read!
January 24, 2024
One of the things i love about AR Thomas is everytime you pick one of her books up we get a totally different read. She’s proving every time just how much of a versatile author she really is.
Stone Heart is a heavy emotionally read so get those tissues out.
A small town second chance romance packed with so many loveable characters and the ones we love to hate too!
Covering a sensitive topic, Thomas writes a raw story in a brilliant way, it’s not your everyday plot and she delivers with excellence!
Cameron and Holly’s story is a slow burn and in all honesty i’m not a lover of slow burns but when the story and plot is this consuming, it’s not even thought about. Instantly you need to know more, so many questions are swirling round your head and the need to find out the answers makes it a real page turner.
Theres so much anger, hurt, mis judging, missed out time but underneath all that there’s still love and maybe hope. Follow these two on their reconciliation, as we understand the truths of that hurtful past, that will fill you with anger and break your heart, their confrontation and forgiveness, saying bye that will rip out your heart and long for their re union and happy ever after they fully deserve to leave us content.
Stone Heart is a heavy emotionally read so get those tissues out.
A small town second chance romance packed with so many loveable characters and the ones we love to hate too!
Covering a sensitive topic, Thomas writes a raw story in a brilliant way, it’s not your everyday plot and she delivers with excellence!
Cameron and Holly’s story is a slow burn and in all honesty i’m not a lover of slow burns but when the story and plot is this consuming, it’s not even thought about. Instantly you need to know more, so many questions are swirling round your head and the need to find out the answers makes it a real page turner.
Theres so much anger, hurt, mis judging, missed out time but underneath all that there’s still love and maybe hope. Follow these two on their reconciliation, as we understand the truths of that hurtful past, that will fill you with anger and break your heart, their confrontation and forgiveness, saying bye that will rip out your heart and long for their re union and happy ever after they fully deserve to leave us content.
February 12, 2024
I would give this 3.5 stars. I liked a lot of things about this book. Conversely, I found a bunch of things in this book not believable. I think, in this day and age, a young college girl leaving, while in classes, without a trace, for 10 years, is not believable. It is hard to buy that she couldn't be found. Her dad still lived in the town. Also, wouldn't the police have interviewed her to see what she saw. I don't find it believable that she knew nothing of what happened after she left, never looked into what happened to Cam in his life, never heard any story of a trial, in her hometown, that her dad lives in, that her ex was a part of. Also, I don't believe that a teen, would be so damaged by her bf cheating, that she refuses any relationship, ever, romantic or sexual, and chooses a sperm donor to have a child, in her 20's, because she was ready to love. Seriously? Also, why did they not address how bad his friends treated her, and what they said to her that night, that reinforced the belief that he cheated? And why did they never discuss why she left, and never heard his side? That is a big betrayal to get over, after 10 years, and just then to brush it aside.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2024
Wow I was not prepared for all the emotions that this book made me feel!!
Cam and Holly come face to face after 10 years when one single night changed both of their lives in a way they never could have predicted. Suddenly 10 years worth of pain, anger and trauma come rushing to the surface, both of them angry at the other for what happened that night.
They are thrown into spending time together as Holly's daughter and Cam's goddaughter become the best of friends at school. The atmosphere and tension between these two could be cut with a knife. When the truth if finally revealed it brings a whole different whirlwind of emotions that they both have to try and heal from.
You could honestly feel the love and longing of what could have been between these two.
Holly and Cam were put through such an emotional rollercoaster and I was rooting for these two so much and it was definitely worth the wait.
This is yet another great story from A.R. Thomas.
This book does come with Trigger Warnings:
*Cheating
*SA (Doesn't happen on page but is talked about in some detail)
Cam and Holly come face to face after 10 years when one single night changed both of their lives in a way they never could have predicted. Suddenly 10 years worth of pain, anger and trauma come rushing to the surface, both of them angry at the other for what happened that night.
They are thrown into spending time together as Holly's daughter and Cam's goddaughter become the best of friends at school. The atmosphere and tension between these two could be cut with a knife. When the truth if finally revealed it brings a whole different whirlwind of emotions that they both have to try and heal from.
You could honestly feel the love and longing of what could have been between these two.
Holly and Cam were put through such an emotional rollercoaster and I was rooting for these two so much and it was definitely worth the wait.
This is yet another great story from A.R. Thomas.
This book does come with Trigger Warnings:
*Cheating
*SA (Doesn't happen on page but is talked about in some detail)
February 9, 2024
Stone Heart by A.R Thomas was such a great story. A story that hurt my heart and by the end made it smile.
Cameron MMC is haunted by his past, in love with Holly who left him when she thought he cheated. His parents disowned him after the cheating accusations without finding out his truth…that left him empty and lonely.
Years later, Holly returns to town after her father dies leaving her the house. Holly returns with a daughter Beau and never moving on from her first love. When Cameron sees Holly all of their attraction to each other is just as strong as it was years before.
I loved how Cameron fell in love with Beau as if she were his own. My heart hurt for Cameron after reading what happened and how everyone turned their backs on him. This book just emphasizes how important communication is and how jumping to conclusions not only hurts you but everyone around you. This was such a great book and I cannot wait to read more books by A.R. Thomas. I was given this as an ARC in exchange for my thoughts and opinions.
Cameron MMC is haunted by his past, in love with Holly who left him when she thought he cheated. His parents disowned him after the cheating accusations without finding out his truth…that left him empty and lonely.
Years later, Holly returns to town after her father dies leaving her the house. Holly returns with a daughter Beau and never moving on from her first love. When Cameron sees Holly all of their attraction to each other is just as strong as it was years before.
I loved how Cameron fell in love with Beau as if she were his own. My heart hurt for Cameron after reading what happened and how everyone turned their backs on him. This book just emphasizes how important communication is and how jumping to conclusions not only hurts you but everyone around you. This was such a great book and I cannot wait to read more books by A.R. Thomas. I was given this as an ARC in exchange for my thoughts and opinions.
February 7, 2024
Cameron and Holly are broken beautiful. A true testament to how a story can change directions in one quick second. How the decisions we make shape our lives and the consequences those decisions carry.
Cameron is haunted by his past, functioning out of necessity not out of joy. Holly left with a snapshot of the truth and coming back has to face what those decisions caused. Their tension and fire are palpable but the wounds they both carry run deep.
This book shows that without being whole, you can never give yourself to another fully or in a healthy way even if that causes pain. To truly love someone you have to love yourself and to be truly happy you have to find that within before you can find that with anyone else. Cameron and Holly show that love isn’t always easy but it is always worth it.
Cameron is haunted by his past, functioning out of necessity not out of joy. Holly left with a snapshot of the truth and coming back has to face what those decisions caused. Their tension and fire are palpable but the wounds they both carry run deep.
This book shows that without being whole, you can never give yourself to another fully or in a healthy way even if that causes pain. To truly love someone you have to love yourself and to be truly happy you have to find that within before you can find that with anyone else. Cameron and Holly show that love isn’t always easy but it is always worth it.
April 5, 2024
I'm speechless! What. A. Book! The beginning drove me nuts. I hated it and was about to skim or DNF but something compelled me to go with it even in the worst parts, and I realize now that it's the writing and the power of Cam, couldn't hate him even if I so so wanted to. I could see his hurt and longing beneath at them layers of grime, I could see his reasoning. I hated the parts with Nadine but I could still power on because somehow he felt like he was worth that pain and
heartache. One thing I really hate though is his friend's influence on him, it's manipulative, it's toxic. The end seemed justified though.
I don't know if I love it or not, the highs are too high and lows, equally low. And yet, this goes into my angsty revisit-ables.
heartache. One thing I really hate though is his friend's influence on him, it's manipulative, it's toxic. The end seemed justified though.
I don't know if I love it or not, the highs are too high and lows, equally low. And yet, this goes into my angsty revisit-ables.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2024
I don't want a "Hero" who fucks every available woman because he has trauma. I want one who gets therapy and looks for someone of worth to pour his heart into. He wasted 10 years of his life rather than get help, deal with his trauma, and fight for the woman who was also traumatized by this. But nope... he does his thing until she drops back into his lap and then doesn't feel the need to apologize for wasting an entire decade while she sat on a damn shelf, also broken??
He's no hero. If she was SA and turned into a whore while the broken-hearted ex bf stayed celibate, that book would get roasted.
He's no hero. If she was SA and turned into a whore while the broken-hearted ex bf stayed celibate, that book would get roasted.
Read
February 23, 2024Great story
This book was great ,so great I read it in 1 day ,holly and cam were once a couple and so in love until holly caught cam cheating so she ran without confronting cam ,10 yes later she's back and sparks still fly but theirs that night in question and a lot of bad feelings and distrust still there,theirs more to the story than holly ever thought but it still looks like it's something they'll not get over ,and a part in the story that had me dreading it'll all go tits up ,but no spoiler ,really did enjoy this book more then I thought it would plus being set in England even better
This book was great ,so great I read it in 1 day ,holly and cam were once a couple and so in love until holly caught cam cheating so she ran without confronting cam ,10 yes later she's back and sparks still fly but theirs that night in question and a lot of bad feelings and distrust still there,theirs more to the story than holly ever thought but it still looks like it's something they'll not get over ,and a part in the story that had me dreading it'll all go tits up ,but no spoiler ,really did enjoy this book more then I thought it would plus being set in England even better
dnf
September 21, 2025DNF - 17%
I know there’s a trigger warning at the starting of the book which tells there’s gonna be a lot of other woman drama but nope. This is not for me. If it’s a romance book about two people falling in love with each other, then drifting away from each other but then eventually falling in love with each other again then I expect their love story and their drama but totally not the explicit details of the guy fucking other woman when the FMC stays celibate all the time during that period.
Also the writing is bad because it’s not engaging at all. And every other chapter so far is about this guy ( I forgot his name ) kissing or fuxking his girlfriend ( Not FMC ) and he’s a douche tbh
I know there’s a trigger warning at the starting of the book which tells there’s gonna be a lot of other woman drama but nope. This is not for me. If it’s a romance book about two people falling in love with each other, then drifting away from each other but then eventually falling in love with each other again then I expect their love story and their drama but totally not the explicit details of the guy fucking other woman when the FMC stays celibate all the time during that period.
Also the writing is bad because it’s not engaging at all. And every other chapter so far is about this guy ( I forgot his name ) kissing or fuxking his girlfriend ( Not FMC ) and he’s a douche tbh
January 28, 2024
This book was PHENOMENAL. But prepare yourself it will absolutely rip your heart out (it gets put back don't worry). I honestly loved everything about this book, the character development was top notch, the chemistry along with the tension between Cam and Holly was beautifully written. And let's be honest though Beau and Grace stole the show lol I absolutely adored those little girls. This book was very raw and real and just a rollercoaster of emotions. I loved that it touched on topics that you don't see often, this book is definitely in my top favorites.
January 30, 2024
This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it.
It is a slow burn but Cam and Holly’s story needed it. They used to date in college until Holly left town.
Now 10 years later she’s back with her 5 year old daughter Beau. Old feelings quickly resurface but it’s not easy for these two.
They are both angry at each other and there’s some truths that come out that were heartbreaking. I was routing for them from the start.
I absolutely loved the interaction Cam had with Beau & Grace.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
🧁Small town
🧁Second Chance
🧁Single mum
🧁Grumpy Hero
🧁SLOW BURN
🧁SA survivor
It is a slow burn but Cam and Holly’s story needed it. They used to date in college until Holly left town.
Now 10 years later she’s back with her 5 year old daughter Beau. Old feelings quickly resurface but it’s not easy for these two.
They are both angry at each other and there’s some truths that come out that were heartbreaking. I was routing for them from the start.
I absolutely loved the interaction Cam had with Beau & Grace.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
🧁Small town
🧁Second Chance
🧁Single mum
🧁Grumpy Hero
🧁SLOW BURN
🧁SA survivor
February 9, 2024
I do a lot of reading. This book was one of the best I have read in a very long time.
Each character including the side characters are created well thought put and presented in real raw form. The many layers of trauma, life experiences lay the storyline out in an amazing emotional journey. With real raw depiction of the aftermath of things and the track it put them on in life you will cry, laugh, hope, smile and every other emotion as you read this book. This author did an amazing job with this book. Must read 10 star in my eyes!
Each character including the side characters are created well thought put and presented in real raw form. The many layers of trauma, life experiences lay the storyline out in an amazing emotional journey. With real raw depiction of the aftermath of things and the track it put them on in life you will cry, laugh, hope, smile and every other emotion as you read this book. This author did an amazing job with this book. Must read 10 star in my eyes!
February 17, 2024
This is my very first book that read from the Author and I definitely was not disappointed. I really enjoyed her way of telling a story and getting the reader, invested in the characters. I truly enjoyed reading about Cameron and Holly and it was just a beautifully crafted story. I felt drawn in as the reader and I definitely did not want it to end. It definitely took the reader in an emotional roller coaster ride. Just the emotions the characters went through, you as the reader could feel that also. Such a great story and cannot wait to read more from this Author.
February 12, 2024
Not that bad, the writing was a bit clunky at times, I couldn’t tell how the characters got from one point to the other. The H was so wishy washy and the way he was still with the OW when he was clearly still in love with the h was such dick behavior. I didn’t really feel the chemistry between the H and h either. The h was ok too I guess. I loved Beau though, such a lovely child. I love authors who portray little kids accurately and Beau was perfect!
February 29, 2024
Honestly this could have been a 5 star read for me as second chances are my romance crack but there was too much detail with Nadine. It's a me thing, but it takes away a bit of the romance for me. I will say he did treat her dirty though and deserved some of the things she said to him, but she did end up crossing a line. Beau was great and I loved her friendship with Grace. Now I'm going to see if Dan and Emily have a story.
January 28, 2024
Oh my so much hurt in this book, the pain these two have gone through is shocking. Lies can hurt so many people. What a great read this was I was routing for them throughout but half way through I felt crushed what a brave person Cameron is. I don’t want to give spoilers away so I will just say go and read.
February 10, 2024
This book was an emotional one! It takes you on an emotional rollercoaster with the main characters Cam and Holly. There's very raw and real emotions from the story that Thomas tells here and it shows very easily that love isn't always easy but very much worth working for. Great character arc and development as well as storyline. Great book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews