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Merging Hearts

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When a web developer meets an aspiring chef … he heats the codes of her heart.

Rain Dacosta is an egotistical control freak who has crossed his heart out of love and has been living with that rule for five years. That is until his father handcuffed him with his own signature.

Now he has to find a wife, or a housemate as he calls it. Which is how he meets her. This woman is too clumsy, too sunshiny, and too … Oh God forbid he ever admits she’s also too beautiful.

How has she gotten so much power over him that she’s now everything he’s ever wanted?

***

Hazel Wilmer is an emotional over-thinker whose dreams revolve around studying under a chef mentor and owning her own restaurant.

Who knew achieving this would mean getting involved with an arrogant billionaire who thinks the world revolves around him? This man is an asshole, a jerk, and an insensitive grump … but Oh Santa Maria, he’s also too hot.

Is his unrealistic attractiveness the reason her heart beats so much for him?

Their love serves as a testament that your second trial can yield perfection.

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 29, 2025

9 people are currently reading
209 people want to read

About the author

Kira Ella

2 books36 followers
Kira Ella has been afflicted with a ridiculously loud mind since childhood. To preserve her sanity, she channels the chaos onto paper. Her writing journey started with scribbling on pieces of scraps, graduating to notebooks, and now writing full novels. She's one of those lucky enough to turn their passions into careers in this economy. Currently, her most interesting adventures happen in her head, but follow her socials for updates. Surely, crazier things have happened than Kira Ella experiencing an interesting 'real' life.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Sierraaa.
321 reviews4 followers
January 27, 2025
5/5⭐️!

~~~

first off, the improvement in the author’s writing was evident from the very first page! her first book she released, Scarred Assassin, was a wonderful dark romance novel. but the maturity in writing for Merging Hearts, along with the creative references and quick wit all throughout the novel, made this book that much more enjoyable to read.

as for the characters, i adored them all! Hazel is very relatable with her quiet-until-you-get-to-know-her personality, and the sass she throws at both Su-mi & Rain had me giggling the whole time! she’s a strong black woman who knows what she wants in life and goes after it, and just happens to find a man to share her journey with🫶🏻

Rain was the perfect grump to Hazel’s sunshine throughout this book. he was downright mean at the start, but once his icy exterior was peeled back layer by layer by Hazel, you realize he can be a big softie who’s only cold to others to protect his heart from being hurt again🥺 i’m so happy he was able to give love a second chance because i just know Hazel will continue to treat him right💕

overall, this book was filled with wonderful lessons about love of all kinds, and how important that love is in our lives. Rain & Hazel are two beautiful souls, and i hope you give their book a chance!
Profile Image for Ruchita .
131 reviews13 followers
February 11, 2025
Omg, this book was absolute heaven! 💙I can't even explain how much I loved it. From the very first page, I was completely hooked. 🤌The tension between the characters, their playful banter, and the undeniable chemistry everything was just perfect! ❤️‍🔥I couldn't put it down. The way the story progressed kept me on the edge of my seat, and I found myself so invested in every moment. 💙Rain’s family is the sweetest,🥹💗 and his friends? They were beyond amazing! 👀Every time they interacted, I laughed, cried, giggled, and honestly did my little happy dance. 😩🙂‍↔️It was like a rollercoaster of emotions in the best way possible.💌

Rain is a wealthy, controlling guy who's been living with a broken heart for five years. His life takes a turn when his dad forces him to either find a wife or a housemate, leading him to meet Hazel -an aspiring chef with big dreams.💗 Hazel is clumsy, bubbly, and way too beautiful for him to ignore, even though he tries to convince himself otherwise. 🤭On the flip side, Hazel thinks Rain is arrogant and annoying, but she can’t deny the undeniable attraction she feels toward him. 💗🥹As they spend more time together, their differences start to show them how their connection could actually be perfect in the end.💌

What I absolutely loved was how it started as just a contract and evolved into something so much deeper and more beautiful. 🥹🤌😭
And let’s not forget how Kiraa nailed it with the character development. 💗She did such an incredible job of showing the depth of each character, their past traumas, and their feelings. You could feel everything they were going through, and it made the story so much more impactful. Honestly, it was just an amazing, heartwarming read from start to finish!💗💙🥹
Profile Image for The Booktrovert Records.
172 reviews6 followers
January 29, 2025
ARC Book Review
👩‍🍳Merging Hearts💙
Book 1 in the Smitten Hearts Series
By: @kiraellaauthor_

Overall: 3.75/5
Overall plot: 3.75/5
Character development: 3.75/5
Pace: 3.75/5
World building: 3.75/5
Spice 🌶️: 1/5

Thank you Kira for letting me read this book ahead of the release date!

This is the first time I’ve read Kira’s books. I must say, aside from a good book, I do a little dance when I read the FMC/MMC’s descriptions and there’s diversity. Hazel Wilmer is Jamaican, Rain Dacosta is Italian, Su-Mi Kang (Hazel’s BFF) is Korean American, and Renzo Dacosta (Rain’s brother) is African American.

If the dedication is any indicator, it’s going to be like pulling teeth when one of the main characters is going to need to try again at love. I really like how supportive both Hazel and Rain’s families and friends are. There were some moments when Su-Mi just stole the spotlight because she was so funny.

The build up to when Hazel and Rain FINALLY got together would’ve had a better pay off with at least one open door scene, but I was so happy that they finally did! Their character developments were good throughout the book but some moments were a little frustrating but I think that was the point.

Overall, I’d recommend this book if you like to read a story with elements of a marriage of convenience billionaire romance with a diverse cast and supportive family and friends. 💙

Tropes:
👩‍🍳Marriage of Convenience
🤍Billionaire Romance
💙Age gap (32-23)
👩‍🍳Grumpy and Sunshine
🤍Forced Proximity
💙Found Family
👩‍🍳Interracial Marriage
🤍Slow Burn
💙She falls first, he falls harder

🤍Out January 29, 2025💙
➡️Order Now!
➡️Add to Goodreads now!
Profile Image for Leanne.
63 reviews15 followers
February 26, 2025
I really liked both Rain and Hazel's characters and enjoyed their story and their growth throughout. However the book does feel rushed and there could have been a lot more exploration with Rain and Hazel where they could get deeper within their relationship. I feel some of the scenes would have benefitted from the MCs to actually be intimate with one another as there was a lot of build up and tension for the reader and then it was the next chapter without really knowing what happened until it's mentioned in future chapters.
Profile Image for Ishavya.
18 reviews
February 18, 2025
ARC REVIEW

Hazel and Rain's story combines forced proximity, marriage of convenience, and a slow burn romance.

Rain, the grumpy MMC, takes his time warming up to Hazel, but his gradual transformation is worth the wait.
Hazel, on the other hand, is sharp, funny, and endlessly patient, I didn't know how she had that much patience, tbh!

Rain’s character development, while slow, is deeply satisfying. Though he starts off as frustratingly stubborn, you can’t help but root for him by the end.

🗓️Merging Hearts releases January 29th!

Thank you @kiraellaauthor_ for the ARC
Profile Image for Shiro Kitana.
454 reviews8 followers
April 4, 2025
This book didn’t hit like I thought it would, and that was unfortunate. Some of my favorite tropes are grumpy sunshine and pretend couples. However, something about it just didn’t connect. As for Hazel as the main character, I did like her, but I did think she was very patient and took a lot of shit from Rain. That started to irritate me because she seemed to let it slide so easily. Meanwhile, Rain really got on my nerves with his hot-and-cold treatment. One day, he’d ignore her, and the next, he’d be nice, kind, and interact with her. This cycle went on for over 75% of the book, and it got really irritating really quickly. Also, when they revealed the reason behind Rain's relationship trauma, it felt very bland. They had been building it up to be a big, dramatic heartbreak, but while I can see how it affected him, the scene didn’t carry much emotion. Even the quick conversation they had about it felt dismissive, especially considering it had been affecting him for six years.

As for the romantic developments, it felt like a lot was happening, but at the same time, nothing was progressing. If that makes sense. One minute, they’d have a deep conversation, and the next, he’d ignore her and refer to her as just his "contract wife." Then she would say, "I’m falling in love with him," and get hurt when he ignored her. They only truly got together in the last 7-10 chapters, and even then, it felt very rushed. He realizes he loves her, she realizes she loves him, and they get together. They deal with some drama and then get remarried.

To be honest, this book was an overall letdown because I had been really looking forward to it for months. After reading it, I’m just not happy.
Profile Image for Sunny D.
162 reviews4 followers
February 2, 2025
*Deep Breath*. The way I screamed, giggled, laughed, and through my kindle multiple times after reading Merging hearts is a high number. IT WAS EVERYTHING AND MORE.

First let me say….THE BANTER was top tier. I have seen some banter before and the banter in this book between Hazel and Rain was perfection. Every little moment, fight, argument, miscommunication was followed with some great banter and I enjoyed it. The second best thing about this book honestly is that it showed the true value of push and pull in a relationship. It was so real, and very heartwarming to see how this couple made it.

Did Rain annoy me for most of the book? Yes lol he would not get it together, but I was happy when he finally came around.

Hazel is a beautifully written character. I understand that her dreams were important to her. I also loved that she was easily likable by all the family. I also felt like her worry about her sisters approval was something that people could resonate with.

I didn’t like that Rains family manipulated him into the marriage. However I did understand that they wanted him to have a better life. He was cold, distant and a workaholic, but then when Hazel entered his life, it all changed. I also loved Renzo! I don’t know why, but hearing how they became brothers made me sob!!!

I think the plot and writing were great! The banter was top 10! And the characters were pretty well written. Something I genuinely loved was that Renzo was a fashion designer. I thought this was very cool to see as his profession. Angela is by far one of the best characters. Her wisdom was truly amazing and I loved that she could see it all from the start. It was a slow burn for sure, but a good one in my opinion because it focused on two people learning to get better at communicating. The miscommunicate a lot, but not to the point where its not worth.

Overall this book was a very enjoyable read. I am so glad I got to be on this ARC team and I can’t wait for the next book. I for sure will be reading them all because Kira’s writing was great. I highly recommend this read if you’re looking for something to make you yell alot lol. Thank you Kira for this lovely read!
Profile Image for 𝓐𝓪𝓼𝓱 .
Author 0 books9 followers
February 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – SCREAMING, CRYING, THROWING MY KINDLE

Deep breath—I need to collect myself because Merging Hearts had me in a chokehold from start to finish. The banter?? ELITE. The push and pull?? Painfully real. The slow burn?? Top-tier agony, but in the best way. Kira Ella really said, let’s emotionally wreck them but make it romantic.

First of all, Hazel and Rain’s chemistry is INSANE. Like, I genuinely wanted to shake them both at times, but also?? The tension, the arguing, the witty comebacks—it was giving enemies-to-lovers but with wedding vows attached. And let’s be real, Rain tested my patience, but when he finally got his act together?? Whew. The man WOKE UP.

Hazel is so well-written—she’s ambitious, strong-willed, and so easy to love. Seeing her navigate her dreams while also trying to win over her sister’s approval?? Painfully relatable. And Rain?? The broody, emotionally constipated workaholic who doesn’t know how to function until Hazel enters his life? Yes, I ate that UP. Did his family lowkey manipulate him into marriage? Yes. But did it give us one of the best forced proximity + marriage of convenience stories?? ALSO YES.

Also, can we talk about Renzo?? The way his backstory had me SOBBING. Him being a fashion designer was such a cool addition, and Angela?? Mother Angela saw EVERYTHING from the start.

This book is for you if you love:
✔️ Elite banter that will have you kicking your feet
✔️ Slow burn tension that hurts so good
✔️ Marriage of convenience + forced proximity
✔️ Main characters that cannot communicate to save their lives but figure it out eventually

It’s safe to say I’ll be reading EVERYTHING Kira Ella writes after this. If you want a book that will make you yell, giggle, throw your Kindle, and scream into your pillow—Merging Hearts is IT.
102 reviews5 followers
February 19, 2025
"Say this outside and someone might think you like me."

Don't get it twisted. I don't have to like you to get angry when other men stare at you. You're married to me. Not that guy from the club, and not Henri Leclair."

If you love grumpy x sunshine, marriage of convenience with closed door romance, then this book is for you.

Merging hearts by Kira Ella is such a nice, easy read that has all the right ingredients for a slow burn romance.

Hazel is a loveable, aspiring chef from Jamaica, whilst Rain is a grumpy billionaire CEO who you grow to love more and more as the book progresses. You can't help but root for them as a couple. Throughout the book, there is character development for both, but especially Rain.

The side characters, in particular Renzo, Angela, and Su-Mi, really added to the book and had me laughing. I loved how they interacted with the MC, brought banter, and knew what buttons to press, all of which came from a place of love.

Rain has sworn off love for the past 5 years and put so many barriers up. However, Hazel came and turned his structured world upside down.

Everyone around them could see their connection to one another, but it took them a bit longer to admit it to themselves and each other.

Merging hearts was a feel-good, heartwarming romance book that I would definitely recommend.

"Merging hearts with you is the best decision I ever made."

Tropes:
🩵Marriage of convenience
🩵Billionaire romance
🩵Forced proximity
🩵Age Gap
🩵Slow burn
🩵Interracial relationship
🩵Found family
🩵Unlimited bickers
🩵Grumpy x sunshine

Thank you to Kira Ella and Bookworms Books PR for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Sidra Hoorain.
53 reviews
January 30, 2025
ARC REVIEW

I’m not lying when I tell you I'm obsessed!

The writing is easy to follow, and this book literally pulled me out of my reading slump! It's such a feel-good story, and i love the fact it doesn't have any third-act break-up!! I couldn't stop giggling and kicking my feet, and couldn't put the book down👇 Addicted to the book is the right word! 🫶🖤✨

First of all, I loved the playlist and dedication. 🫶😭

Firstly, Rain has an amazing character development, and I love how he uses his power in a good way. Every time I read his chapter, i was blushing like an idiot!

And Hazel? Wow. The anxiety and pressure she dealt with felt so real—it honestly resonated with me a lot, she is such a great person, and I wish I had her as my bestfriend!! 🫶💝

And Rain's parents were so supportive and open-minded, not stuck in outdated ways like most fictional parents in some books I've read, and that was really refreshing!

Let's talk about the side characters!!

Su-mi? She’s my second favorite. Witty, bold, and always speaking facts, and a bit crazy, most of the chapters she appeared in had me cackling and agreeing with whatever she had to say. Renzo is goofy, and soft, and I loved how sentimental and caring he was, Reina too!
Ysabelle reminded me of my own sister, the way she cares about Hazel and how she's genuinely worried for her, it was just like how an older sibling would worry for you.


Every character is great and amazing (except for a few, iykyk 👀).

The name of the series matches how i felt after reading this book, 'Smitten'.

Author Kira Halle has officially become my auto-buy author!! Queen absolutely cooked and left no crumbs!! 💅🤌 Can't wait to read the next book!!
Profile Image for Sophia Udoye .
83 reviews
January 29, 2025
📚: Merging Hearts by Kira Ella
Ratings: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Okay, first of all, I was NOT prepared for the way this book would take over my life. Like, Rain Dacosta?? Sir, why are you so grumpy AND so fine?? And Hazel? Girl, I love you, but why are you falling for this man’s nonsense when you know he’s trouble?? 🫠

This book is the perfect grumpy-sunshine romance, and when I tell you Rain is the grumpiest grump to ever grump, I mean it. This man has SWORN off love for five years, and now his dad is like, “Nah bro, get married or else.” And instead of looking for a wife, Rain just wants a housemate—so naturally, chaos ensues. Enter Hazel: clumsy, bubbly, and literally his worst nightmare (but also his dream girl, and he doesn’t even know it yet 😭).

Their chemistry?? 🔥🔥 One minute, they’re bickering like enemies, and the next, Rain is out here catching feelings like it’s a full-time job. And Hazel?? The way she tries to resist but also can’t deny he’s stupidly attractive?? GIRL, SAME. The tension between them had me gripping my tablet like my life depended on it. And don’t get me started on the emotional moments—because this book had me giggling, kicking my feet, and also screaming into my pillow at 2 AM.

If you love forced proximity, billionaires with tragic backstories, and a chef heroine who takes no nonsense but also has a heart of gold, this is IT. It’s giving The Hating Game meets It Happened One Summer but with extra spice and swoon-worthy moments. 10/10 recommend if you love a romance that makes you laugh, cry, and believe in love again 🥹💖.
Profile Image for Ameerah.
29 reviews
March 2, 2025
Rating: 3.75
Tropes:
💍 Marriage of Convenience
💸 Billionaire Romance
👩‍❤️‍👨 Age gap (9 years)
⛈️☀️ Grumpy and Sunshine
👩‍❤️‍👨 Forced Proximity
👫Found Family
🇮🇹 🇯🇲 Interracial Marriage
🔥 Slow Burn
🧍‍♂️She falls first, he falls harder

Review:
This book focuses on a Marriage of convenience between Hazel, a quirky and lively Jamaican woman, and Rain, a broody and reserved Italian man.

From the get go their interactions were nothing short of amusing and comical, after their first time meeting. Hazel was funny and had more patience than I could ever, and I loved seeing Rain slowly fall in love with her, truly becoming softer and more open to her love.

Watching his character grow and be more receptive to her feelings was ✨️ perfect ✨️, and their interactions were so cute and touching at times.

I loved the side characters we met as well, including Sumi, Hazel's best friend (we all need friends like Sumi fr fr) and Renzo, Rain's younger brother. They honestly were their biggest wingmen, supporters from day one lmao.

It was a great read and time honestly flew by as I was drawn more and more into the story.

Overall, it was a lovely and heartwarming read, perfect for fans of Marriage of convenience with a little more representation and a well rounded and amazing cast of characters.

Thank you Kira for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jody Hall.
24 reviews
January 30, 2025


While I found the initial meeting of Hazel and Rain in the immigration office a bit hard to follow, the story flowed much smoother from that point on.

Aspiring chef, Hazel, is most definitely the Jamaican sunshine to grumpy, Italian, web designer, Rain.She is determined to train under the tutelage of her chef idol but has convinced herself it will never happen. When Rain offers to fund Hazel's dream restaurant in its entirety in exchange for agreeing to a fake marriage to help Rain secure his inheritance and role as CEO, Hazel reluctantly agrees.

Ella does a fantastic job of showing the readers Hazel’s realization that she may never break down the walls that Rain has erected to protect his heart. Yet with a quiet determination, Hazel sets out to do just that. It’s obvious that Rain and Hazel share a mutual attraction for one another and the subtle actions they do for one another and words they exchange soon make it clear that this fake marriage could be just what each of them needs.

Hazel and Rain’s journey comes with a supportive group of siblings and friends to push the main characters out of their comfort zones where they prefer to remain. As a result, Hazel and Rain are finally able to recognize their fake spouse may well be what they’ve been searching for all along. When they fully embrace the merging of their hearts, both of their lives are richer for it.
Profile Image for Brooke.
89 reviews3 followers
January 30, 2025
“Principessa, I’m losing it.”
“So lose it.”

4/5⭐️
1/5🌶️

-Marriage of Convenience
-Age Gap
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Found Family
-Billionaire MMC
-Slow Burn
-Interracial Relationship

This is such a fun, sweet read. Hazel and Rain’s story is so heartwarming. Hazel is so pure. She is always so sweet and kind, regardless of the situation. Rain’s character development and growth was definitely worth the wait. While he initially frustrated me beyond belief, once he opened up to Hazel he became one of my favorites. I love that he keeps his loving, smiling self just for Hazel. He will go to extreme lengths to keep Hazel safe and to make sure that she is happy.

I genuinely loved all of the characters. Su-Mi is the best friend that every shy girl needs. Renzo is definitely the meddling little brother in every family. All of Rain’s family were so kind and welcoming to Hazel. I hope to see more of them in the future.
Profile Image for Zhea.
76 reviews
January 31, 2025
♾/⭐️


OKAY SO WHERE DO I EVEN GET STARTED WITH THIS BOOK 😭😭

Hazel & Rain are my babies, my love, my little sweethearts and I love them with all my freaking heart.
This is literally one of the best soft romance book I’ve EVER read.

I loved Hazel Wilmer’s mini panic-induced monologues and little rants, she was such a relatable overthinker. And Rain!! Don’t even get me started on that Italian Grump. He’s my favourite but then again, every man written by Kira is my favourite.

He was so grumpy and assholic at first but the way he cared of Hazel, even without realising, made me love him so much more and tbh, I like my (fictional) men a little grumpy so Rain Dacosta was literally perfect imo. 🎀

Kang Su-mi is literally my spirit animal, I love her.

Renzo Dacosta is a CUTIE PIE and you can’t convince me otherwise. He’s literally such a pookie 😭

Can’t wait to read about the rest of the couples in this series, I’m def looking forward to it!!! 💋
Profile Image for Maria Hussain.
105 reviews6 followers
February 10, 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪
Merging Hearts by Kira Ella is an awesome read if you're into a good marriage of convenience vibe with a sprinkle of billionaire romance, grumpy x sunshine, and an age gap twist. I practically devoured the book in a few hours, I just couldn't stop reading as I was addicted to the story. I love Marriage of Convenience, it's one of my favourite tropes and Kira showed me exactly why I love this trope so much.

Hazel is an amazing character, she is exactly everything I love about a female character. Rain is the kind of male character I fall in love with from the first few pages. On top of the romance, the book does a really great job of tackling the unique struggles that come with being Black in a world that often feels like it's stacked against you. This was my first read Kira Ella and it did not disappoint! I will definitely be reading more from her. The whole book was amazing!
Profile Image for Chasity Trimble.
483 reviews23 followers
February 11, 2025
This is the first time reading one of Kira Ella’s books and I am so glad I was able to. This was such a cozy, heartwarming and funny read. I loved how diverse the characters were — Hazel is Jamaican, her BFF Su-Mi is Korean American, Rain is Italian and Rain’s brother, Renzo is African American.

Hazel was a likeable character, for me, right from the start - so sweet, kind and genuine. It took me a little time to come around to Rain due to his grumpiness, but it didn’t take long for Hazel to add some sunshine to his life. I enjoyed the chemistry and tension between Hazel and Rain, and the banter between them had me cracking up. Oh and Su-Mi is hilarious!! Every girl needs a friend like her!

This was such a fun, grumpy-sunshine, marriage of convenience, broody billionaire love story. It will have you yelling at the characters one minute and laughing to tears the next. I loved it and would hands down recommend the read. And Kira Ella just got herself another fan! ❤️
Profile Image for Caged Soul.
328 reviews12 followers
April 6, 2025
I enjoyed this book as it has my favorite trope "Marriage of Convenience" 🫣🫣

Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.75

Tropes

💙 Marriage of Convenience
💙 Billionaire Romance
💙 Age Gap
💙 Grumpy x sunshine
💙 Interracial Romance
💙 Slow burn
💙 She falls first and he falls harder

💙 Hazel and Rain 💙

Rain, a beautiful amd broody Italian man who needs a wife to secure his Inheritance and Hazel, a lively Jamaican chef is the best fake option.

But how long will they be able to fake it?

This book is fun and sweet read. You'll enjoy the character development and the interactions between rhe main characters.

If I say, I needed more depth and more emotional bond with the characters. No doubts the way Rain softens whenever she is around but still act tough and broody. The scenes were beautifully written.

I needed more secrets to keep it more hooked. This book is sweet and easy flowing. You can definitely give it a chance in case you want to go for sweet cute Romance ❤️
Profile Image for Kelsey Fletcher.
374 reviews
January 25, 2025
I’m on the ARC team for this book but all opinions are my own

When I started this I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it, I had a bit of a hard time with the writing style in the beginning but eventually got used to it. The characters in this were very enjoyable although they were frustrating at times. Watching Rain transform from the grumpiest man ever into someone willing to show love and receive love was really great and seeing Hazel become more confident in herself and also open her heart to Rain was beautiful. The spice in this was like one chili pepper but the story was more about the romance and the character development than the naughty bits so the story didn’t lose anything by not being overtly spicy. I look forward to reading the rest of this series and hopefully seeing Renzo, Knox, and Anton find their love stories too.
Profile Image for Caitlin Webber.
9 reviews
January 29, 2025
ARC book review 💚

Firstly thank you and congratulations to Kira Ella for letting me read this ARC and for completing this book! It’s an amazing accomplishment.

I enjoyed the storyline of this one! Classic arranged marriage, billionaire x trainee chef, banter and grumpy x sunshine. The author is obviously witty and has a good sense of humour. I loved the first 30% and then my interest did wane. I found the overall way of speaking to be stilted at times, and some of the expressions were slightly odd. I liked the main female character and enjoyed the dual POV. However, I did find at times that the male character wasn’t as likeable as I have found other grumpy men in romances.

I would be intrigued to read another Ella book and see her writing style evolve. This was a good book to pick up for a chill read!
Profile Image for Kerry-Anne Nabb.
214 reviews3 followers
January 31, 2025
🪷 Marriage of convenience
🪷 Grumpy X Sunshine
🪷 Age gap
🪷 Interracial relationship
🪷 Forced proximity
🪷 Billionaire romance
🪷 She falls first
🪷 He falls harder
🪷 Found family

Rain takes grumpy to a whole new level. Definitely a “you can’t break into my life” grump. Then enters Hazel, all sunshine and rainbows.
Slow burn but worth it. You can see the war he’s having with his head and heart.
When he asks her to hold him, 😢 I wanted to reach into the pages and hold him.
Not wanted to let anyone in and believing he needs to marry asap to have the company. He seeks out Hazel to strike a deal that will benefit them both. Only things don’t go as he planned. Love was never in his plan until one day it smacked him hard in the face.
Profile Image for pagesofsia_.
113 reviews4 followers
February 11, 2025
"Merging Hearts" by Kira Ella is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted novel that explores love, personal growth, and second chances. With well-developed characters and an immersive writing style, the story keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Rain Dacosta and Hazel Wilmer are complex, relatable protagonists whose journey is filled with emotional depth, making every moment feel real and impactful. The novel perfectly balances passion and heartfelt moments, leaving a lasting impression. With a five-star rating on Goodreads, it's clear that readers appreciate the authenticity and depth of this story. If you're looking for an unforgettable read that stays with you long after the last page, "Merging Hearts" is a perfect choice.
Profile Image for Betty Wong.
376 reviews2 followers
February 15, 2025
I am a sucker for a billionaire romance story. And this one did not disappoint!
Hazel and Rain’s story has got all the tropes I love. Rain has to be one of the grumpiest MMCs I have come across. He’s on a love break - no love for the last five years! But his father has thrown a wrench and gave him an ultimatum: get married or else! Rain wants nothing to do with that and would settle for a housemate.
Which is how he meets Hazel. She’s sunshine personified and he can’t stand it. But their attraction to each other is undeniable and their chemistry is total fire!
Kira Ella’s writing style is what makes these characters so lovable. I felt like I really knew them. Makes it easy to root for them. I enjoyed this book front to back in a day. It’s a perfect weekend read!
Profile Image for Jessica | Jess_In_Time✨|.
70 reviews
October 2, 2025
3 ✨
This was a fun, easy read 😌

- Oftentimes, the hurt we faced in the past can really traumatize one’s ability and openness to love again, and that’s exactly what happened to Rain. A man focused solely on getting his company to the next level, he wasn’t interested in anything that wasn’t code-related until an ultimatum from his family or the fear of God into him😅

- I liked how the story unfolded, and finally understanding what happened to Rain’s last relationship and its impact on his relation with Hazel was heartbreaking, but our girl really knew how to filter past Rain’s BS to the man underneath~wonderful to see it unfold☺️

NB:The ebook had quite a few grammatical errors that were often distracting.
Profile Image for nic.
275 reviews
February 2, 2025
KIRA ELLA DOES IT AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR THE ARC!!


i think going from dark romance to contemporary romance is hard but here its done well and i really enjoyed this book when i didn’t think i would.

the tropes in this troped. marriage of convenience always my main girl!!

these characters i loved all their flaws and what made them them.
miscommunication at its finest.

all the intricacies with the Jamaican Patois was so fresh to see and i definitely love the way Kira continues to grow with her writing and cant wait to see whats next for her!!!


would definitely recommend this book if you like
marriage of convenience 🤍
grumpy/sunshine 🤍
age gap 🤍
billionaire!!!! 🤍
Profile Image for nighttime reader.
471 reviews
January 26, 2025
ARC REVIEW

I was happy to be the consultant for the Jamaican dialect in this book and have been grateful towards the author for actually being willing to put in the research for the character.

The relationship between Rain and Hazel is a truly a rocky one and is textbook convenient marriage with a grump. They or Rain I should say waited till forever before giving in. I will say I am biased towards him thou for being a Web Developer 😂😂
Profile Image for Lexi  B.
12 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2025
3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
1/5 🌶

Rain is probably my favorite character in the book. He's the perfect grumpy billionaire with a warm heart. Hazel is amazing wish she had more character building. Her character felt slightly rushed. I hope there's a book two so we can see what they grow into. It is a closed door romance. Not a trope I normally gravitate towards. This feels like a YA romance just aged up slightly. Kira is a great writer I'm excited to see what's to come!
Profile Image for Lili.
171 reviews4 followers
February 14, 2025
Oh my gosh, this book was so cute! Hazel, the main female character, is an absolute gem—her perspective was my favorite to read! Then you have Rain, the main male character, who starts off as a total grump. But let me tell you, he never stood a chance against Hazel! Watching him fall head over heels for her was just the sweetest thing ever. He reveals this soft, tender side that's only for her, and I was completely swept away. Also don't mess with his women!!
Profile Image for Jamie Williams.
503 reviews10 followers
January 29, 2025
I enjoyed this book. It was a really good story with characters that were interesting, entertaining and infuriating at times. Hazel was sassy and smart, and I loved seeing her grow and come into her own throughout the story. There wasn’t a ton of spice, but this was still a great book, and I would definitely recommend it.
Profile Image for Jessica Martens.
185 reviews12 followers
February 4, 2025
A cute rom-com with a little bit if spice. It was light on the enemies to lovers trope but it still was a cute story. I know platforms are cracking down on what is said in reviews so here it is: if you need a palette cleanser or just a quick, funny, angsty, nerd and chef- this is the book for you! Will definitely read another book from this author :)
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