Heart of Gold

by Kirstie Goode

Things change.

Some say in the blink of an eye. For Quinn, it was one summer.

The summer QB1 Grayson Collins broke her heart.

She was determined she would be alright because she had a plan.

Phase 1: Hook up with someone else this summer.

Phase 2: Avoid Grayson come August at Ridge University.



That was easier said than done because Quinn’s plan was laced with flaws, beginning and ending with Gavin Richardson.

When Quinn meets Gavin on a cruise, she immediately misjudges his character, and he underestimates their chemistry. A failed hookup turns into them exposing secrets thinking they’d never see each other again.



A month later, Quinn is shocked when her roommate drags her to the first home football game, and Gavin takes the field.



Now she’s stuck between her first love, who says they made a mistake, and the boy whose heart is the same color as his uniform. Golden.

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 2024

About the author

Kirstie Goode is the author of the Waves Series and her most recent Legacy High Series. Most of her books fall into the New Adult/ Young Adult Contemporary Romance categories but ultimately prefers not to box herself into one genre. She enjoys writing relatable characters that you will love and maybe want to strangle at the same time. She enjoys a good plot twist and is a happily ever after enthusiast.


For more on Kirstie visit her website at www.kirstiegoode.com

She also uses social media… but mostly to procrastinate.
Instagram: @authorkirstiegoode
TikTok: @authorkirstiegoode
Also on Facebook!

Reviews

[Mariah Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know many people aren’t going to like what I say but… Quinn doesn’t deserve Gavin. How can you be with someone like him and not think he’s the one. I know she went through a lot but HOLY. The back and forth from her was really annoying. Her giving Grayson so many chances to have access to her was insane to me. If my ex did even half of the things he did. I wouldn’t mind reminding him every time that he talks to me that I’m moving on. But Gavin is a sweetheart and the best guy you’ll ever know. He’s your ideal boyfriend or even book boyfriend. There were a lot of moments where he had me giggling and swooning. 🫠 The beginning/ how they met had me laughing. This book also had its sad/ scary moments which had me crying. Ugh, I’m going to miss you Gavin!! 🥲 Overall, I think this was a really good book. I can talk for days about this book and I’m dying to talk about certain things, but I won’t. Fine… I’ll be honest with myself even though she had questionable moments… Quinn deserves a guy like Gavin. Even though she pissed me off multiple times. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jessie Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Kirstie Goode does it again! I absolutely loved this book and getting to know the characters at Ridge U. Quinn and Gavin are the sweetest (even when things get spicy) and have such a strong chemistry right from the first "fumble". It was definitely a nail bitter there for a bit, and I definitely had some close the book and shake my head moments, but the banter between the characters had me laughing and squealing with delight. I adore Gavin and his sweet, golden retriever ways. He is definitely a new favorite BBF. Quinn has had a rough few years, but I feel that her spunky, determined personality shines through when she figures out what she really wants.
Grayson is a total asshole and I will probably hate that name now.
I really liked Ava and Remi as supporting characters. They are both loyal, there for their friends, and deserve a HEA too.

Also, I can't wait for book 2 and hopefully get the full story of Levi and Alabama "Allie." *chef kiss*

[Camille (bookish.cami) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book blind becasuse Kristie did a self recommended when I was on the hunt for some football romance reads. This book didn't disapoint it checked all boxes for me and I absolutely adore Gavin!
Gavin is usually the man any girl would be lucky to have and the fact that Quinn had to be stand offish at first but slowly open up and realize just how much Gavin was the perfect guy!
Greyson pissed me off! yep 100% boy f'd up when he did what he did but then to try and play with Quinn's feelings and not allow her to be happy now that is just wrong! There is so many moments in this book I was swooning for Gavin because boy was hooked to his Daisy!
I enjoyed how they just allowed themselves to fall for each other at their own pace and they could see the beauty and communicate with each other. Gavin standing up for himself against his father was also so heartwarming!
There was some of this book where I felt for Quinn because of what her best friend had done.
Levi is also one of my favorites and I would love to get to know him some more.
This book is so good I finished it in the span of two days. Very enjoyable and I can't wait to read the next one in this series.

[Brit.Readz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and I want to know if the next book is about Remi and Ava!

Quinn (Daisy) and Gavin (phoenix) BELONG together y’all! I was SO MAD at Greyson this whole book… gosh Quinn was so patient with him. Gavin sounds like a smoke show and like the best boyfriend ever. The fact that he got her fav drink… you know when… was so so cute!!!!! 🥰 I LOVED this story. It was very easy to follow and a great quick read! I’m thankful to have been able to grab an early copy of this! Kristie did a great job with this book!!

[Julie Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the way Quinn and Gavin met, and then the surprise element of how they reconnect , but Quinn just irritated me so bad with her insistent need to still talk with Grayson. Like girl, open your eyes! Some parts did feel a little rushed too, and some pretty important plot points just went without explanation. The other characters and set up for their stories seem interesting though, so it won’t stop me from continuing with it.

[Cassie Hopkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sports romance, forced proximity (kinda), first/second loves. Quinn was Gavin's first love and Gavin was Quinn's "second" love. The story is angsty and an emotional rollercoaster. It blew my mind the things Quinn's ex-boyfriend would do to hurt Quinn and Gavin. I'm glad the mcs got their HEA at the end of everything they went through together. Definitely recommend to all!!!

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so cute, I loved the nicknames and how they meet and the scene where they see each other again at school felt like a Troy and Gabriella moment ,this book had me giddy and kicking my feet ,I had a good time reading this I wish it would've been longer but it's a perfect little palette cleanser 🌼💛

[Rhonda Mellons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready for a good read?

I enjoy the writing style of Kirstie Goode! The storyline is well thought out and thorough. The book interesting, so it holds your attention. I've read all her books, so far. Can't wait for more to come.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a cute fast read 😊

[Heather McCowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved this style of writing. Such an easy story to fall into. 10/10 would recommend, only gave it 4 stars because I am choosing to be very greedy with my 5 stars this year.

[Christina Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨

Heart of Gold by Kirstie Goode
5/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶

✨Tropes✨
🏈Football Romance
💛Forced Proximity
🏈First Love vs Second
💛Golden Retriever MMC

🐦‍🔥𝚆𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚖𝚢 𝚓𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚢?
🌼𝚆𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚊 𝚝𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗?
🐦‍🔥𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛. 𝙸’𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚃.𝚂𝚠𝚒𝚣𝚣𝚕𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚜.
🌼 𝙸𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎? 😍
🐦‍🔥𝙶𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚊 𝚋𝚎 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎

✨Review✨
I cant say enough good things about this book.
The millennial in me was giddy with all the references and banter.
Gavin is the tidy, sweet, patient, protective boyfriend that we all wished we would have had in college and Quinn really is his perfect match. This book was the perfect read for football season. The writing was great and easy to read. This is one of those books that could easily be read in one sitting and will put the biggest smile on your face. I can’t wait for Levi’s story in book 2!
Also heavily pushing for a Remi/Ava story!

“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆.“
“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂.“