Men view love as a game. One you can walk away from.
At least that’s what the men in my life have taught me. My dad ran off when I was young, and just when I thought I was getting my own happily ever after, my ex left me on my own with two kids.
Trying to pick up the pieces, I move to a small town where I can have help from my children’s grandparents. I think I know what to expect from small-town life. Until I meet my new neighbor.
Knox Madigan. Local hero. Great smile. So hot I'm sure I’d be burned if I got too close.
Literally. He and my kids are in a major prank war. From whoopie cushions in my bed to snapping fireworks under my front door mat, I’ve witnessed it all. But I can’t hold it against him because my kids are smiling more than I’ve seen since their dad left.
Every meddling person in this town thinks we’d be the perfect match, but I know better.
History’s shown men view love as a game, and he’s an expert. But I can’t afford to play with my heart again. Especially since it’s not just my heart on the line.
My favorite stories are the ones that make you laugh, cry, and feel. In all of my books, you’ll find amazing curvy women, heartwarming moments, and plenty of laughter.
I currently live in Colorado where I watch way too many rom coms, chase my three boys up the mountains (huffing and puffing), and write books for lovely readers like you.
I received Hello Tease as an ARC and omg. It is so good! I am biased, I love Kelsie’s writing style but I promise you it’s great. Larkin and Knox made me feel like I knew what love is. They reminded me of what I want in life. Heck, Knox made me realize the type of man I deserve. Larkin made me realize how strong you can be when it comes to fighting to love yourself. I highly recommend Hello Tease. You will not regret it
Another wonderful book in the Hello series by Kelsie Hoss! 🤗 It has been so fun getting to know the Madigan family, and Knox brought even more depth to their story. The character growth is inspiring, and I love that the issues they face are realistic. One of my favorite things about Kelsie's writing style is how relatable her characters are. 🥰 Not just the women, but the men, as well. They are absolutely people I would want to surround myself with in real life.
Larkin faces the very scary reality of single parenthood without a support system. Knox has a history of feeling unlovable and irrevocably damaged. Their journey from neighbors to something more is heartwarming. From whoopee cushions to first words, Hello Tease will bring you all the feels! 💓
💬Favorite Quotes: 🏡"Your porch or mine?" 🪙When all I could find was my dirt, he saw the gold... 💙"I don’t care what I call you as long as I can call you mine.”
Thank you so much to Kelsie Hoss for allowing me to read an ARC of Hello Tease! I am looking forward to spending more time with "those motley Madigans" in Hello Quarterback! 🏈
I started reading Kelsie Hoss' books 2 years ago...and every book just seems to be getting worse and worse, and more repetitive. Every page I turn I seem to know what’s going to happen.
If this is your first book, go back and read her collection and you’ll see what I mean. I have no regrets reading it though and I'm still pushing to see her books continue in the hopes they’re less repetitive.
If you want a super predictable, fluffy read, then go for it. Otherwise, my main issue is that these books are sold as the "funny fat friend" gets a chance, but so far, none of the plus size girls are funny. They're just lacking confidence and love, all of them. There hasn't been one book I've read where the plus size girl has any confidence at all. Enter the gorgeous, perfect man who ravishes and adores the woman. I get it, that's every one's dream situation, but what is the woman bringing to the table in these relationships? Idk, maybe this genre just isn't for me, because even romances should have a little reality. I really looked forward to these books as the "funny fat friend" and I didn't find myself represented in any of them.
I absolutely loved this book! Hello Tease is now officially my favorite book in the Hello series!
I've been a fan of Knox from previous books, so I was very excited for him to get his own story. He always made me laugh with his silly jokes and pranks. But seeing him step into a more serious role made me love him even more!
His love story with Larkin was really heartwarming. They had me swooning, laughing and even tearing up while reading.
Hello Tease is filled with a whole lot of heart, a bit of humor and plenty of heat. It's a must read for sure, add it to the top of your TBR!
Favorite Quote: "I want to make the most of every minute with you."
Review: THIS BOOK 🥹 KNOX MADIGAN is a man whom we all deserve. He was a dream come true!!!! I LOVED LOVED AND LOVED Larkin’s character this girl was soooo strong with everything she’s been through and she deserved to get the BEST MAN to be with.
Knox Madigan 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 this man babysat, made her coffee and was just soooo dreamy 😘 he made Larkin so comfortable in her skin and showed her what LOVING someone truly is 🥰 he found his own dream in Larkin and the kids and wasn’t going to give them up. They were his and he was there FOREVER!!!!
Larkin this woman 😘😘 moved to a new town, for a new beginning for her and her kids and found something special waiting 🫶🏼 she was a badass mom and I loved how protective she was of her kids and how they came first for her. The way she fell in love with Knox but still held back because of her kids was 🥹 but she truly deserved the world and I’m sooo glad Knox made her see that and won them all over 🫶🏼🫶🏼
What I loved: * Larkin eyeing up the police officer when he pulls her over 😮💨 * I love how Knox is interacting with Emily it’s CUTE ☺️ * Knox inviting Larkin and her kids over for dinner with him and his family 😊 * Emily meeting her favourite quarterback player at the dinner 🥰 * The prank 🤭🤭 * Knox volunteering to look after Jackson and Emily so Larkin can go out for a girls night 🥰 * Larkin baking brownies for Knox 🤤 * The whoopee cushion prank 😂 * Knox is sooo good with Emily and Jackson 🥹🫶🏼 * Knox wanting to take care of Larkin ☺️ * Knox getting Larkin and the kids tickets for the diamonds game 🥰 he really wants them to be an US and I love him for it 🫶🏼🫶🏼 * Larkin singing to Jackson to calm him so she can put him in his car seat 🥹🫶🏼 * Knox holding up his hand palm for Larkin to hold 🥲🥲 CUTIES * THE KISS CAM WOHOOOO 🥵😮💨 * OMG OMG 🥲🥲 Jackson’s first word was Dada and he called Knox that my heart is melting 🫠 🥹🫶🏼 * Their first time together was soooo PERFECT 🥹 Knox made Larkin feel so beautiful about herself! 🫶🏼🫶🏼 * Everyone working together to watch Emily and Jackson this town is one big FAMILY 🥹🥹 * Hahahah the things Knox is doing for love 🫶🏼🫶🏼😂😂 * 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵 officer 😮💨 * Their first date aaaaaah 🥰🥰 Knox’s taken her to goat yoga this man knows her sooo well!! * 😂😂😂 the goat peeing on Knox and Larkin peeing her pants with laughter 😂 * THEIR LOVE CONFESSION 🥹🫶🏼🥰 * Knox going to his mom’s grave for advice 🥹🥹 * Jackson taking his first steps to get to Knox 😭😭🫶🏼 * THIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY DESERVE ALL THE HAPPINESS 🥲🥰 * Knox proposing to Larkin in Paris 🥹🥰this is what dreams are made of 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 4.5/5 🌶️🌶️.5 2.5/5
Tropes: •Small town romance •Single mom •Pluz size heroine •Neighbours
With each book, this series just keeps getting better and better! This family has wormed its way into my heart and isn’t letting go!
Knox and Larkin have a not so meet cute when he pulls her over the first week in a town she just moved too. Instead of giving her a ticket and follows her to make sure she’s not a liar and the moment he meets her kids, and realizes they’re his new neighbors…their fate is sealed. How though does a man win the heart of a woman who has never truly been loved. How does he heal the wounds of her past when his own is dark?
I loved the strength of Larkin. As a once single mom myself I am always Leary with single parent books because they don’t always get it right, but Kelsie got this right! She really highlighted the fear, the pain and overall anxiety of navigating life with children when your village is small. Larkin was a woman who did what needed to be done for the figure of her children and I loved seeing her grow as she navigated her new normal.
Knox…WHAT A HECK OF A MAN! He jumped right in and became the friend and shoulder Larkin needed. He also became a rock for her kids as they faced uncertainty.
A very beautiful read that will suck you in and hold your heart after the last word is read….
3.5⭐️ I’m only continuing the series because I’m no quitter. I did enjoy this book more than the most of the others. Maybe her writing style is just not up my alley but it’s lacking a little something, maybe it will continue to grow in the rest of the series. I did enjoy Mia and Knox premise but seemed a little rushed as with most of her stories. Cute little story of single mom love.
Another author I found on TikTok, but this one has *not* let me down.
I absolutely love this series. One of my favorite things is that they can be a standalone novel, and are also part of a series. If you haven't read the other ones, don't worry, this one is still GOOD.
We love a plus sized queen who knows her worth, and who puts her kids first. Larkin is a strong, level-headed leading lady who stands up for herself.
I deducted the 0.2 stars because as a nurse, it drives me absolutely insane when authors don't have any idea as to what working as a nurse is actually like. It's a tiny pet peeve of mine, but we'll forgive Kelsie (mostly because her books are fabulous, and so is she).
*Totally blessed to have received an ARC from the author, in exchange for my honest book review*
There’s something about a man in uniform. That line was enough to get me to love Knox. His personality and heart made him an ideal man. I loved him. He’s such a great MMC. Larking was a perfect match for him. She was so strong and always put her kids first. Sometimes she did that to a fault, which made all the conflict seem like it could really happen. I love this series, these characters, and this town. Can’t wait to get the rest of the Madigan brothers stories.
Such a great book. Loved Larkin, Knox, Emily and Jackson plus all the band of characters (family, friends and townsfolk). Quick, easy read with a lot of depth. It was sweet, sexy, swoony, funny and a splash of angst.
This series I swear gets more fun with every book! Knox Madigan was an angry young man after he, his brothers and their dad lost their mom and his life could have turned out far different than it has. But he's got a great support system, as you may have read if you've met any of his brothers or friends in previous books. If not that's okay you can always go back. Now Knox cruises Cottonwood in his police cruiser keeping the small town safe. New in town Larkin a single Mom and her two young children have just arrived. Larkin is very much on her own her only support currently is her ex-husband's parents who will help with the kids. Unfortunately this arrangement doesn't last long. Fortunately for Larkin police officer Madigan was smitten the moment she entered town with her and her little ones. Knox starts planning to infiltrate their lives almost immensely and his always supportive family is always eager to lend a hand. I really loved how careful the story was with the kids, yet also showed their raw emotions too. Because they do get angry and act out. How concerned Larkin was with how Knox would feel if he never had the same opportunity as others if he chose a ready made family. It's a wonderful story about finding your place, your people, and the freedom to choose your own happiness. I have voluntarily left this review.
Light fluffy read. I kept having deja vu reading this book. So much so that I checked my amazon and goodreads to see if I had already read this book. It's her most recent book, so I don't think that was it. It's just so much like other books in the genre that it was very predictable. I don't really mind being predictable with romance novels. You don't have to reinvent the wheel, but something was missing for me in this book. I didn't really connect with the characters or the spicy parts. Her kids were adorable, and I loved his quick loving relationship with them. I would have liked to see more of his family in the book as well.
Kelsie Hoss hit it out of the park again with this book. “Hello, Tease” had me swooning from the very first page! The characters such as Knox and Larkin (bonus, she is plus size!) felt so real. I laughed with them, cried with them, and desperately rooted for their happily ever after. If you're looking for a heartwarming love story with a dash of humor this is the perfect book for you!
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review and I can honestly say I loved this book. The story is a nice mix of spice, sugar, and angst. Characters are multidimensional and the chemistry is easy. I liked that in the end, Seth showed that he possibly could do right by his children, even though there’s no doubt Knox will be a wonderful stepdad.
“Lead with love.” This quote perfectly sums up the love story between Know and Larkin. My HEA came when Knox told her, “…I choose you Larkin. I choose you and this family.” The proposal in Paris? The beginning of a mending of the strain between them and Seth and Seth’s parents, even the sliver of the wedding we are shown through Ford’s eyes? Icing on the cupcake.
Trope: Friends to lovers small town romance with a side of tortured heroine and found family. Plus size rep. Movie rating I give it an R. Five out of five stars overall, four of five hearts romance/angst, no violence, and three out of five flames for spice.
I would give this around 3.9 stars if i could lol this was really cute, Knox is def a green flag compared to other book guys there were def embarrassing and frustrating moments but it was good
A solid 4 stars! I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review and all opinions are my own.
Knox and Larkin’s love story is so swoony that it made me wanna giggle and kick my feet up. This book is a really heartfelt beautiful story and also has some fun creative takes on classic romance tropes-this is my new all time fave meet cute! And you KNOW the spice is a perfect blend of romantic and blush worthy 😉
One of the things I think Kelsie Hoss does best is write stories with mature relatable characters and that was a highlight of this book for me-the behavior of the main characters (and the conflict/tension between them) is completely believable. Even though Knox and Larkin have an insta love vibe the story does a great job of addressing the obstacles that are between them in a true to life way. I love the combo of swoon and realism and this book struck that note for me!
I got this book as an ARC from the author Kelsie Hoss. I can honestly say it may just be my favorite book in the series now. I’ve always kind of had a thing for a man in uniform. Not only is Knox that but he is fun, protective, and beautiful? Sign me up! If you haven’t read this book yet, I highly recommend it!
In this series, all the male characters seem almost too perfect, but as readers, we can't help but love them. Knox, in particular, comes across as the most endearing. I truly enjoyed his "Prince Charming with a naughty side" persona.
Larken was pleasant, although she did feel somewhat similar to Farrah, and I admire the way Kelsie portrays all of the children's characters.
4.75 - 5 stars, You heard me right in the rating, because this book was the best of what Kelsie Hoss writing so addicting. Well written, strong, and witty female lead with a man so down bad for her it's indescribable. All with a firm focus on family and friends that her other books had without all of the rising issues of the previous books.
Through speaking of issues let us talk about the lingering issues I had with this. The quick proposal because what is a Kelsie Hoss ending without a sudden proposal and while I am all about happily ever after the time jump to couple to marriage always seems sudden to me. Through it did not feel as jarring as it usual did with the development of Knox and Lakin. Next we speak of Seth's parents whom we only saw the bad sides of even worst than Gage's father in his novel. While we could somewhat see his point of view and clear regret in his actions, Seth's parents lacked that. Instead choosing to gaslight and guilt Lakin once she entered a new relationship in spite of their son being the cheater through out Lakin pregnancy and birth of Jackson. Making me feel as through Seth nor his parents did not deserve a real redemption given the gaslighting they allowed Seth and themselves inflict on Lakin. Final minor issue was the odd fart pillow laid on Lakin bed when Knox knew about the date. As it was put with no real explanation to whose idea it was through I assume it was Emily, through still a minor gripe in the overall scheme of things.
Onto the better parts, Knox was everything Fletcher was not. He held some morally grey things in his past but nothing too bad that you could understand his ex's point of view. Through I do heavily question his choice in friends and understand why Lakin would be so upset hearing the comments. Especially when Knox handle his "friend's" reactions off screen as we saw. I do not blame Lakin for her doubt given her issues with Seth and his fidelity. I must admit the best revenge was seeing Jackson refer to Knox as dada over his own father. Something I do not feel pity towards Seth at all. Jackson maybe an adorable baby but he knew so much more than he likely should have in spite of his grandmother's cruel words to not speaking right away. For I suspect given he was so small he saw the darker sides of Seth and how they affected Lakin more than Emily did. With Emily's childhood innocence and hope for her father you could see why she loved him so much. Unlike how a certain other child acted towards his mother during the time of struggle.
I also greatly enjoyed Lakin sister who did not sound like the worst and did nothing more than build Lakin up while making excellent points. Something I can not say for every book sibling (looking at you Libby |Book Lovers| ) I have read. While her relationship with Claude was sudden it was not one I could root against nor did I feel she was a disadvantage to the story.
Finally onto Knox's actions toward Lakin, because those were something else. He planned an entire event just to invite her over. Pulling his family in on it so he would have an excuse to see her again. He let her daughter prank him over and over just to make her smile. He got into a well deserved almost fist fight and abandoned his "friends" the moment he saw who they truly were. He spoke to his brother when he needed to make a choice and try to truly see what it would feel like from Lakin's point of view. He was always understanding towards those who deserved it and was supporting them in spite of the rocky start Lakin and him had. With her speeding over the limit to pick up her kids in time and him not believing her.
Lakin meanwhile was a strong woman who while skeptical of Knox's intentions did not feel like she had bad limits. She clearly learned from her past and made sure she knew what was coming. After the textual encounter with Knox's crappy friends, she made it clear what he was getting into and wanted to make sure the past would not repeat itself. She set that limit and with good reason and never did she down talk Seth nor his parents in front of the children. Showing truly how strongly she was written nor did she overstep any boundaries unlike other female leads.
As I crown Lakin my current favorite female lead and Knox current favorite leading male. For in spite of being a mere 300 pages it held up with the spice being well done without taking up so much of the story that the characters lacked without (if one wants to skip like me). With overall well written characters, actions, and plot that is a worth while read. So if anyone is reading this for spoilers so they might read the book or to re-read the book than let me just say it was one of Kelsie's Hoss best if not her best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.