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He's her archnemesis.
She's his secret obsession.

The small town of Suitor's Crossing knows Caleb Vickers and Sierra Kipley hate each other. Her bakery and his coffee shop are sworn enemies, and that's how they'll stay.

Until a big corporation comes to town and threatens their businesses...
***

Return to Suitor's Crossing and their legend of heart sparks, in the Hearts Collide series. These steamy romantic comedies feature plus-size curvy heroines and the burly men who adore them!

Rival Hearts is a steamy novella spin-off from the Mountain Men of Suitor's Crossing series and includes enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and hilarious hijinks!

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2024

112 people are currently reading
265 people want to read

About the author

Hallie Bennett

64 books265 followers
Hallie prefers steamy, insta-love stories where the curvy girl finds love with a filthy-talking hero. And when she ran out of reading material, she decided to write her own stories. If you want a quick, hot read, she's your girl!

Instagram: @authorhalliebennett
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Facebook: @authorhalliebennett

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
Profile Image for kymagirl.
6,386 reviews89 followers
May 19, 2024
Bakery owner Sierra (h) and coffee shop proprietor Caleb (H) are local rivals whose businesses face a new threat from a chain restaurant. Forced to team up, they create "The Cafe Clash," a contest designed to attract customers and stave off their mutual competitor. As the competition heats up, so does their relationship, evolving from rivalry to a promising partnership. Sweet and spicy enemies to lovers, curvy girl, small town romance with a side of humor.
1,280 reviews12 followers
May 16, 2024
Will the contest winner also win the heart of the next-door business owner? 

Sierra Kipley owns the Buttercream Dreams Bakery in Suitor's Crossing. There's a new chain restaurant in town selling both coffee and pastries, and it's certainly affecting her sales. 

Caleb Vickers owns Brewed Coffee Shop, located in the same building and next door to the bakery. He's been infatuated with Sierra since he first met her. Knowing it irritates her, he usually tries to get a rise out of her. It can be awkward at times for them since his best friend, Cole, is married to her best friend, Shannon. 

Sierra overheard Caleb's mention of a plan to combat the chain restaurant. She must learn that plan! Shannon wasn't able to get info from Cole, so there's only one thing to do. At 2 a.m., the women find the hidden key to Brewed and enter the shop. Shortly afterwards, Caleb enters through the back door, and police car lights are flashing at the front. It's only then that she learns that Caleb has a burglar alarm. 

Caleb's plan is a contest, The Cafe Clash. There are three rounds. Winning is based on the number of customers served during a set number of hours. 

Competition will either bring them closer together, or she might do him in!

I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Profile Image for Sharon McMaster.
317 reviews4 followers
May 21, 2024
This sweet and caffeinated read gave me all the feel goods. Rival Hearts while short had me hooked right from the beginning from the break-in to the banter between the characters but also some of the things they said made me laugh out loud while reading. “Shannon didn’t know anything. Cole’s lips were zipped tighter than a nun’s chastity belt,”

Bakery Owner, Sierra put Caleb down into the archnemesis category immediately because it’s easier to avoid how attractive he is if she treats him like the person who is going to steal all her business from her bakery. Coffee shop owner, Caleb was instantly attracted to Sierra but when she put up this rivalry between them, he just played along with it. Big Corp comes to town and threatens both of their businesses with a one stop shop of both of their specialties, so they have to play nicely with each other to try to save their business. They create a competition to get the local community involved in helping to bring business in the door for both of their shops, but it also brings feelings into play as well. I enjoyed watching the feelings between them develop with their banter and the chemistry. I look forward to the series.

I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Profile Image for Laura Moylan.
1,549 reviews
May 25, 2024
Sierra Kipley runs the local bakery but next door is Suitor's Crossing's fave coffee shop which is run by her "archnemesis," Caleb. Both of them are going crazy trying to make their businesses in the black because a chain restaurant that combines both of their specialties opened up 6 months ago. So they are both on the decline and are worried. Her bestie, Shannon is talked into a 'caper' and she is worried that her husband, Cole, who is Caleb's friend is going to be mad at his wife. I laughed a lot during this beginning part. Sierra is a bit nutty but she is hilarious and I love her and Shannon's dynamic duo status. Seeing how Caleb deals with everything and how they come up with some ideas to raise sales for both of them is both ingenious and hilarious. The reason, Sierra is upset with Caleb is crazy and I laughed over that as well. He, I'm a bit miffed at because of his arrogance and overconfidence. But, he ends up evening out. I love the story and it gets really funny. They overcome a lot and it is very inspiring. I also found myself eating donuts and cookies while reading. lol. I'm so susceptible to that kind of thing. I hope there are more books in the series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,509 reviews4 followers
May 25, 2024
Sierra owned the local bakery. Her best friend and her got caught breaking into the local coffee shop owned by Caleb. Her archnemesis. He gets under her skin. Since he was the one who caught her, he suggested since she was looking to get some sorta secret from him he suggested a little fun contest between the two shops. She agreed and they started putting out their best baked goods and coffee. One day their friend suggested that they should join forces and combine their stores.
They do just that. While working together, Sierra realized she really liked him. He wasn't the bad guy but the good looking other shop owner. They were baking together and getting to know one another in a whole different level. Caleb would take her on dates and she enjoyed his company. Once they had the name of the new store they showed their new recipes to the town. It was a great success and their friendship turned into love. Everything turned out so well between combining the two stores and getting together. They couldn't believe their luck.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,030 reviews30 followers
May 17, 2024
Sierra, the female lead, has regarded Caleb, the male lead, as her business nemesis since he opened a coffee shop next door to her bakery. But they’re both planning how to survive now that a major chain coffee store has opened a branch in town. When Caleb suggests they work together, Sierra’s not sure this is a good idea…

Caleb has been attracted to and interested in Sierra since he met her, and he’s played along with her rivalry because it allowed him to interact with her. But he’d really like if they could change the narrative now - he’d like to be significantly closer to her!

This short story is dual POV, well written, and a steamy sweet, contemporary small town, romantic comedy. I was amused by Sierra’s determination to view Caleb as the bad guy and appreciated how her perspective changed once she got to know him a little. I enjoyed Caleb’s patient playfulness. I enjoyed their relationship development, and the way they worked toward their shared goal. I also enjoyed meeting other people who lived in town and look forward to more in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Michelle Frater.
1,759 reviews20 followers
May 18, 2024
This was a cute read, but something about Sierra’s determination to see Caleb as the bad guy just seemed a bit childish to me. While Caleb liked to poke the bear and kept the rivalry going, both their businesses were doing well, so I didn’t see a reason for her resentment. The arrival of a bigger competitor, however, forces them to join forces and Sierra suddenly sees Caleb in a different light. Hmm. Makes you wonder if she was hiding her true feelings all along. The fun part starts when they come up with a “friendly” competition to help their business. The Café Clash was a hoot, although I thought Caleb did cheat a little in the first round. As the sparks fly, the heat rises in more than the kitchen, which leads to a whole new outlook on their previous enmity.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Tiffany  Hill.
756 reviews15 followers
January 18, 2025
**Sweet Rivals**

"Rival Hearts" is the first book in the new series *Suitor’s Crossing: Hearts Collide*. This sweet short story features an enemies-to-lovers theme, filled with just the right amount of spicy and humorous banter.

Caleb, the coffee shop owner, has been secretly in love with his next-door neighbor, Sierra, the bakery owner, since the moment he laid eyes on her. However, Sierra has always viewed him as her nemesis. When a large coffee chain threatens both of their businesses, they decide to join forces. They create a “friendly” competition between their shops. The banter between them is amusing, and the sparks begin to fly as they work together. Meanwhile, the town legend has found another couple’s heart spark.

The story is fast-paced and can easily be read in one sitting. One of the things I love about Hallie Bennett's books is that they are standalone and can be enjoyed independently. However, if you read her other works and series, you'll find little Easter eggs featuring past favorite couples, which is always a delightful surprise.
1,146 reviews5 followers
May 21, 2024
'Rival Hearts' was funny. The fascinating plot was filled with a break-in, hilarity, a possible conglomerate takeover, competition, admiration, combining forces, developing a relationship, and love.
Moreover, Caleb and Sierra, the protagonists, were soul mates who hemmed and hawed about achieving their HEA. Also, I liked the vivid descriptions, imagery, humor, and figurative language the author used such as, “Shannon didn’t know anything. Cole’s lips were zipped tighter than a nun’s chastity belt,” or "Our meal is basically a deconstructed charcuterie board—or an elevated Lunchable, depending on how you look at it—meats, cheeses, fruits, along with an assortment of crackers." Overall, I liked the amusing narrative.
I received a copy for free and am voluntarily giving my honest review.
1,120 reviews8 followers
May 24, 2024
This was a cute enemies to lovers book, with Sierra, the owner of Buttercream Dreams, a pastry shop and Caleb, the owner of Brewed, a coffee shop that also sold pastries; the only thing is, the feud was all one-sided—Caleb was extremely attracted to her but Sierra refused to see it. She considered Caleb as her arch nemesis and did her best to avoid him but once a big chain that sold a combination of Sierra and Caleb’s offerings moved into town and started stealing their business, they needed to figure out how they could work together to capture the town’s attention in order to rebuild their businesses.

This was a fast read but the it was more than enough to keep my attention throughout and ended on a sweet note.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Curvy Girl Book Nerd   (Jen S).
4,663 reviews63 followers
May 30, 2024
Rival Hearts is book 1 of the new series Suitor's Crossing: Hearts Collide. It's a short and steamy frenemies-to-lovers, he falls first, OTT, instalove, curvy girl gets her hunk romance. Sierra is a sweet and sassy curvy bakery owner. Caleb is a charming, burly, and hunky coffee shop owner. He secretly likes Sierra, but she considers him her arch nemesis due to their competing businesses. But when a large chain restaurant threatens their businesses, they decide to work together. This was such a short, fun, and spicy read. This couple had insane chemistry, and the snarky banter was hysterical. I just adored Caleb. He was so sweet to Sierra. We also got a great HEA. I'm looking forward to this series!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Davina.
72 reviews2 followers
June 1, 2024
I love Caleb and Sierra's story. They each have a business that are competitors to each other ,but also compliments each other. I don't want to give away the book so I'm going to leave it right there. This book was a page turner from beginning to end. I didn't want to put it down so I read it in 96 minutes. The story drew me in and held me captive because I couldn't wait to see what happened between the wonderful characters. I highly recommend this movie on your TBR list if you like this genre because Hallie Bennett knocked this one out of the park in my opinion. I cannot wait to read the next one in the series. I think Hallie Bennett is one to watch.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarilly leaving a review.
206 reviews3 followers
June 6, 2024
I am in love with Sierra and Caleb’s story! I know I say this again and again, but I can always go into a Hallie Bennett book knowing I will quickly fall in love with her characters and storyline. I also know that once I start, I’m not stopping until I finish. This in a quick read that packs laughs, spice, a swoon-worthy male lead, a strong female lead, and small town vibes!
Sierra and Caleb own their own shops and do not get along. When a chain store threatens their coffee/bakery stores, they realize that they may have to put aside their feelings to try to overcome this obstacle. The competition heats up, but what about feelings?! I love the dual POV and laugh out loud moments! You’ll love it, and you’ll be left wanting to read more of her books!
1,162 reviews5 followers
May 23, 2024
I found this book to be highly enjoyable and entertaining. Caleb and Sierra are business rivals that are next door to each other. Caleb owns a coffee shop and Sierra owns a bakery. Ever since Caleb laid eyes on Sierra, he’s wanted her. Unfortunately for him, she hates his guts. Well, maybe hate is too strong of a word but she definitely doesn’t like him. Because there is a chain invading their town, Caleb proposes a contest between the two shops to drive up sales. As they work together, they become cozier with each other.
This book was funny and I didn’t want it to end. This is a must read for everyone!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Grinning Cat.
3,828 reviews124 followers
May 23, 2024
Cat’s Stats
MMC/FMC- Caleb and Sierra
Genre -Contemporary Romance
Length - 12 chapters and an epilogue; about 70 pages
Heat- 🌋🌋🌋☄️ (1🌋=2☄️) The alphabet has been exploited here- we’ve got words starting with P and T and D and C…
Series? Y
Safety? Y
Triggers - explicit erotic content, Ebil nameless corporate chain
Tropes- Enemies to Lovers, Bookstore-Bakery-Inn, Small Town Romance, BBW
Mewsings
What I liked- this was really cute! They had great chemistry and synergy.
What I didn’t - I’d have liked more about the Heart Sparks.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,233 reviews28 followers
May 24, 2024
I loved Rival Hearts Suitor's Crossing: Hearts Collide. He’s known for coffee and she’s known for cakes. Somehow they ended up rivals but now it’s all about working together for the greater good. Caleb just played a long with Sierra, he’s always had a crush and now working together maybe they can finally explore their feelings. Sierra would never admit her crush on Caleb but now that they are working together it’s harder to control. I loved this storyline and the characters. I love that the heart spark is still at work. There are some very funny parts to this story and I would definitely recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Cierra Allen.
221 reviews12 followers
October 29, 2024
This was a cute little quick read. I loved the story. The challenge they did. It not only helped both of their businesses, but it helped them move in a better direction in their relationship. I enjoyed watching these two slowly work their way up from enemies to lovers. It was a bit weird to read my name (wrong spelling) but still. I always get a kick out of it when there's another Cierra or in this case Sierra.

The baker x barista was adorable, even better when they merged. I wish it was longer. But I'm seeing that it's part of the charm. I enjoyed it. It was cute as heck. Would recommend.
4,012 reviews34 followers
May 21, 2024
Rival Hearts Suitor's Crossing by Hallie Bennett is a good, and enjoyable short steamy curvy plus size girl small town opposites attract enemies to lovers romantic comedy read. The story has a good entertaining world building story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. This story is an entertaining steamy fast paced romance read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lisa Petty (Book Bangers Blog).
2,312 reviews20 followers
May 23, 2024
Sometimes a rival is the best way to fall in love or it's the best way to kill each other. For Caleb and Sierra, they have a rival, but yet their attraction is one you couldn't miss. When they decide to work together to bring in business their sparks will fly. But Sierra has worked hard for what she has built. Can they use a friendly competition more? And what happens when the heart shows you the way and you have to open the door? I loved this sweet story of two people who were afraid to love but decided it was better than losing.
Profile Image for Danee.
4,921 reviews
May 23, 2024
What a wonderful story this was. We follow Sierra and Caleb. They are not best friends because she has a bakery and he has a coffee shop and they are at each other's throats and make fun of each other. But everything changes when another company wants to establish itself and they join forces to deter the new competition. The more they work together, they grow closer and admit that they have feelings for each other. A real page turner and highly recommended to read.

I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
Profile Image for Fran.
2,496 reviews4 followers
May 24, 2024
This is an excellent feel good romcom and I loved it. Caleb owns the coffee shop by Sierra’s bakery and they’ve been rivals for 3 years. But when a well known chain comes to town they decide they have to work together to keep their businesses going. I loved Caleb and Sierra, not only are they working together but they’re finally finding they can get along in more ways than one. This is a spicy sweet steamy romance, feel good story from beginning to end and I love it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Shannon.
4,113 reviews31 followers
May 29, 2024
I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

This is the first book in the series and can be read as a standalone story.
Caleb and Sierra are arch enemies but only in Sierra's mind, Caleb is attracted to Sierra but doesn't push the idea until both their businesses, a coffee shop and a bakery, are in danger of closing due to a big brand store opening nearby. They work together ro drum up more interest in their stores and soon the beginning of their romance starts. Cute story, likable characters.
2,472 reviews15 followers
June 8, 2024
Hallie Bennett kicks off a brand new series, Suitor's Crossing: Hearts Collide with the delicious enemies-to-lovers Rival Hearts. Caleb and Sierra have been business rivals since her bakery opened next to his coffee shop. When a chain shop opens up in town, Caleb suggests they join forces. While he has always enjoyed riling her up, it has been a way of expressing his attraction, and he's not going to let the opportunity to win her over slide. A fun, short romance full of entertaining banter and steamy encounters.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Melissa Wilson.
1,297 reviews10 followers
May 13, 2024
This is book one of the new series Suitor's Crossing Hearts Collide. I was excited to see it was Sierra and Caleb's book. We meet them in Shannon (Sierra's best friend) and Cole (Caleb's best friend) story. The love/hate between Sierra and Caleb was good. If was a fast paced story. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Anni Barkla.
230 reviews5 followers
May 15, 2024
This is a super cute and sassy short read. Stubborn curvy baker Sierra & hunky persistent barista Caleb are the perfect leads. Arch rivals, both ignoring their true feelings. This was a slow burn with lots of feels, and all the love… of coffee & cake. A “sweet” feel good read with a HEA.

Thank you for allowing me to read your book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jessica.
70 reviews
May 16, 2024
This is exactly the happy, fluffy, spicy, short and sweet palette cleanser I've come to love from Hallie Bennett! Even though this is a short read, the main characters are well developed, and I really understood the essence of each one despite the short amount of time I had to get to know them. The plot moves and a quick clip, but all the necessary parts of a good story are there! If you are looking for something fun and low angst, this is a winner!
Profile Image for Didi.
1,983 reviews
May 22, 2024
A charming visit back to Suitor’s Crossing where ‘hearts spark’. Sierra sees Caleb, the owner of Brewed, as her “archnemesis”. Celeb just wants her to be his forever. A competition ensues between Buttercream Dreams and Brewed to combine forces to against a big chain competitor. Sweetness, lol moments, sizzling sparks, friends, treats, sassiness, doubts, banter, realizations and love for the win! Darling HEA epilogue.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lisa Bing.
6,291 reviews71 followers
May 23, 2024
This was a fun sort of enemies to lovers romance that brings together competitive business owners Sierra and Caleb. She really did try to see him as the enemy but Caleb's playfulness showed he saw her in a different light. When they came up with the competition to help their businesses, things got quite humourous ;) I love that the sparks began to fly as they spent more time together and that they did manage to get their HEA. Good fun!
Profile Image for L KQ.
5,727 reviews22 followers
May 24, 2024
Competition to Drive Business

A small town rivalry between coffee and baked goods has kept Caleb and Sierra at odds and friendly banter. When both their businesses are in trouble they start a competition that could bring them closer together or destroy their livelihood. This story will have you invested in wanting to see them succeed. I really enjoyed the banter between them which kept me smiling.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Aspen G.
1,728 reviews5 followers
May 24, 2024
Rival Hearts is hot hot hot! Hot pastry maker Sierra and her coffee brewer business neighbor Caleb have steamy chemistry, and her self-proclaimed rivalry with him is fire. She is sassy and saucy and too much fun with her off the wall narratives. Caleb is gorgeous and patient and funny, though serious about his Sierra. This was a fun short read with an interesting plot!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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