The Persistence of Thornes

Wildflower Duet

by Micalea Smeltzer

Hawthorne Mills is supposed to be my chance to start over with my brothers. Becoming their guardian wasn’t the plan, but I’ll do anything it takes to keep them from being put in the system. Even if it means raising two teenage boys when I’m only twenty-three.

There’s one thing I don’t expect.

Caleb Thorne.

He’s literally descended from the founding family of the town and practically royalty here.

And also my new neighbor.

Which makes him privy to every screw up I make trying to navigate being a parental figure to my younger brothers.

It should be easy enough for me to avoid him but he’s annoyingly persistent in wanting to help me. I call it pity even if he insists it’s not.

The worst part is there’s undeniable chemistry between us and the more time we spend together the harder it becomes to resist.

But nothing good in my life has ever lasted so I fully expect Caleb to be another of those temporary things.

Especially when my past demons finally catch up with me.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Forced Proximity, Audiobook, Contemporary, Fiction

510 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 23, 25

About the author

Micalea Smeltzer is an author from Northern Virginia. Her two dogs, Ollie and Remy, are her constant companions. As a kidney transplant recipient she's dedicated to raising awareness around the effects of kidney disease, dialysis, and transplant as well as educating people on living donation. When she's not writing you can catch her with her nose buried in a book.

Reviews

[Sandy (Sandy.Reads)]

DNF at a little over 70%.

This one just didn’t work for me, which surprised me because I’ve really enjoyed the other books in the series. The Persistence of Thornes feels very different in tone and plot, and I couldn’t connect with the characters this time around.

Caleb has a major savior complex—constantly trying to fix everything and everyone—which didn’t land well for me. On top of that, the relationship felt like insta-love or even obsession, and that’s just not a trope I typically enjoy.

That said, I did really love the sense of found family in the community. The way everyone comes together and supports each other was heartwarming, and it’s one of my favorite things to see in a book.

[Samantha (bookgramsaga reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (ARC review)

''I’ve got you''

Safety warnings:
- H 29 / h 23
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Mention of child abuse (emotional and physical)
- Child abandonment
- Mention of addiction
- Mention of loss of loved ones
- Trauma
- Violence
- HEA

Everyone who knows me knows that I love (LOVE) the Wildflower books. Thayer and Salem captured my heart for years to come and I was thrilled to get the ARC for this book since despite Caleb being the third wheel in that duet, I really cared for him and his HEA.

We know he has a savior complex; he always wants to help and be the hero and normally that type of behavior doesn't sit well with me but with Caleb it works for him. He is genuine in his intentions, and we finally get to see how he felt about all that happened with Salem. That flashback of her giving birth was something we missed in the original books but seeing it from his perspective shows you how much of a good person he was despite the weird scenario he found himself in.

Halle struggled all her life; this left her with a lot of trust issues and independence. Her mother was the absolute worst and getting into the gritty details of how she was towards Halle and her twin brothers. Though they were treated much better. Halle has taken over being their guardian and she is struggling with making ends meet and providing a better life for them but honestly? I think she did a better job than she ever gave herself credit for. They were safe and happier to be away from the addiction and abused their mother subjected them to.

Despite how great she was on her quest to become a better version of her mother; I didn't feel connected to her. I struggled with the way she viewed everything with hesitation. Caleb was the driving force behind their friendship and relationship until she finally allowed herself to be happy.

I didn't feel the same connection or infatuation I did with Caleb and Halle as I did with Thayer and Salem. Maybe my issue was that I went into this with the need for that same spark.

I really enjoyed seeing the dynamic between Caleb and Salem/Thayer but especially seeing him being Seda’s daddy. And also bonus points for that showdown with his mother (finally).

[marioncoin | coin.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝑖 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖’𝑑 𝑚𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎 𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒.”

après avoir eu un coup de cœur pour la duologie des fleurs sauvages, je me devais de lire cette suite 💐

ce tome est sur Caleb qui joue un rôle important dans la duologie et qui méritait clairement son happy ending (puis bon, c'est un single dad dans une small town, il m'en fallait pas plus j'avoue)

quel plaisir de replonger dans cet univers, de retrouver Salem, Thayer, les enfants et surtout découvrir l'histoire d'amour de Caleb et Hallie, cette jeune femme tellement touchante qui élève ses deux frères jumeau,

à l'image des autres livres de Micalea, c'est une histoire douce, plutôt lente, dans laquelle il ne se passe pas trop trop de chose, mais c'est tellement agréable à lire à chaque fois, contente d'avoir retrouvé la petite ville de Hawthorne Mills le temps d'un livre

[✨️ Jessica's Bookshelf ✨️]

full rtc

WHAT?!!?! No one mentioned that this is in the Wildflower duet world? How did no one mention that this dropped?

I'm so excited to read this one!! (Screams in giddiness?)

[Em (semi-hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The writing is soft and steady, not flashy but intimate. The romance grew in the messiness of real life, and the constant fear of not being enough. The themes hit hard. Found family, forgiveness, the deep ache of responsibility sitting on young shoulders. It made me cry more than once and still left me with this overwhelming sense of hope. I think that’s what stayed with me most. This book never pretends the world is easy, but it gently insists that love is still worth it.

[✨️ Jessica's Bookshelf ✨️]

WHAT?!!?! No one mentioned that this is in the realm Wildflower duet? How did no one mention that this dropped?

I'm so excited to read this one!! (Screams in giddiness?

[Elijah · Rating 5 out of 5]

----I read this as an ARC----

Micalea has done it again. what do you mean I cried the whole book. my eyes were bloodshot and hurt so much when I finished the last page. When I read the wildflower duet... I thought Caleb to be a boring man, someone to just fill the space but be nothing very substantial.... BOY WAS I WRONG. he is the epitome of what so many people are looking for. Treating his girl as the queen she deserves... but behind closed doors? the mouth on that man!! I am SOOOOOOOO glad we got to really learn who he is besides being Salems's ex. He deserved to have his story told. and gosh was it a good one.

and don't even get me started on Halle. can this girl ever catch a break?! the feeling of just one thing after another, watching everything crash down around you but having to stay strong because... well... who else do you have. Who else will save you? She's had to be independent for so long that even when something good comes along... she's always right there waiting for the other shoe to drop and for things to fall apart yet again.... I am Halle, I am that person. I think thats why I was crying so much, I felt like I was there. I was in the story. I was reading myself on a page and it hurt in a good way.

But Caleb. he's kind. he's patient. hes... he's there to catch her when she falls... and she does. hard. Even though she's anxious, and worried, and raising her teenage brothers, and is worried they are too much for this single successful man who has a close relationship with his ex. She has to navigate jealousy, opening up, communicating, and just letting herself feel. and when she is able to do all of that, and grow, she learns how to love; unconditionally. And Halle, just like all of us out here in the world, deserves to have the good. she deserved all of the good things once she let herself have them.

I would love to see more stories in this world.... see more of Halle and Caleb, but even if we never do, I am honored that we got to see this story told. It was everything to me, and it'll sit on my heart and I will continue to recommend this to everyone that will listen.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! I don’t even know where to begin with this masterpiece. Caleb was everything and more! I knew he deserved his happy ending and I’m so damn glad he found it with Halle and her twin brothers. It was such a beautiful story!

Caleb and Halle meet when they move in next door to him and they strike a connection. Caleb is still struggling with the man he is after the things the transpired in the first two book of the Wildflower duet. He is such a golden retriever and wants to help Halle but she is stubborn and wants to be independent while going through her own problems.

Halle and her brothers go have an addict mother who is in jail and she has legal guardianship of them. She struggles but Caleb helps her through a lot and breaks down her walls. It’s a beautiful love story!

I love the found family in this and appearances from Salem and Thayer and the whole gang from the other books. I also enjoyed the spice in this! Caleb had such a dirty mouth and I loved it! A hot golden retriever?!? Say less! I loved this book so much and I’m hoping for more! Maybe a book about Laith perhaps?!?

[Gianmccall •(Kaz Brekker's Version)• · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, don't mind me. I already know I'm gonna love this one ✨🩷🌷🌻

[Lynn_G · Rating 4 out of 5]

At just twenty-three, Halle has guardianship of her fourteen-year-old twin brothers while their mother completes a prison sentence. She’s subjugated her own needs for the boys as far back as she can remember, as their mother was distinctly uninterested in catering to anything other than her own unhealthy needs. When Halle relocates with the twins to a new town, she’s immediately intrigued by and overwhelmed by the hunky next door neighbor.

Family law specialist Caleb has an almost saintly code of ethics, not only co-parenting his adoptive daughter with his ex-wife and the man who actually fathered their child, but living across the street from them as well. He bowed out of the marriage with grace, and although heartbroken, he moved on and forgave their betrayal. When he meets his new neighbors, he’s taken by Halle in a way he never was with his ex-wife.

Both Halle and Caleb have baggage to work through, and Halle’s past in particular looms large as she learns to trust Caleb’s feelings and intentions toward her. Caleb is a very different cat when it comes to s3xy t!mes, FYI, and I’m here for this choice because it at least shows some bite in a character who previously seemed rather passive and one note.

I received an advance reader copy from Valentine PR, and I’m sharing my honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved The Persistence of Thorns. This story was so sweet, heartfelt, and full of the kind of community and character connections that make you want to linger on the pages. The found-family element was especially touching—seeing how Hawthorne Mills rallies around one another brought so much warmth to the story. Halle’s resilience and determination to care for her brothers was inspiring, and Caleb’s steady presence made for such a tender balance between them. Their relationship felt both emotional and rewarding, with just the right blend of real-life struggles and soft, intimate moments.

While I highly recommend reading the books in order to get the full experience, this one does a wonderful job of bringing you up to speed if you haven’t read the earlier installments. Ashley Poston’s writing shines in the quiet moments and emotional stakes, making the story both relatable and memorable.

I’ll truly miss this community and these characters. This was a beautiful addition to the series, and it reminded me exactly why I’ve loved every visit to Hawthorne Mills.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re back in Hawthorne Mills! Salem and Thayer will always have a piece of my heart, and Halle and Caleb sure have made their place there as well.

I absolutely loved seeing all our favorite townspeople make appearances. At the end of the Wildflower Duet, I knew that Caleb deserved own love story. I was nervous because even though he is deserving of it, I still didn’t like him a ton. My opinion of Caleb couldn’t be any higher, I like him ALMOST as much as Thayer. And I have to reiterate ALMOST because I’m not sure I could I love anyone more than Thayer.

You get hints that Caleb is a caretaker to his core, he was willing to step in and be Seda’s dad when Salem came back to him. To see him step in and help Halle and her brothers from the beginning of their story, you can’t help a fall in love with him. And then to see his authoritative side in the bedroom that I was not at all expecting, but absolutely freaking loved!

I absolutely adored this story and hope one day that Laith gets his HEA.

“I probably shouldn’t say it, but the words fall from my mouth before I can stop. “You can touch me anywhere, Halle. Anytime you want.” - Caleb

“He works his pants down his legs, and at the sight of a tattoo on his upper right thigh, all my frustration evaporates.” - Halle (seriously, why are thigh tats so freaking hot?!?)

“Caleb Thorne has a heart of gold. I can’t imagine there’s another soul on earth who is as truly good at their core as this man is.” - Halle

“Let’s not dwell on the what if’s. What if’s are the thief of joy.” - Caleb

[Aly Lauck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute book. Perfect palate cleanser!

[Katy Calkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this one! I REALLY wanted to love the entire book because I absolutely loved the first ones in this series and was so excited another one was released. The story line overall was good but I felt like it could have been summed up in less pages. If you like dirty talk, there are a few pages of that involved but nothing totally consuming of the entire book at all. Caleb and Halle both have to overcome their pasts and believe a better future is there for them, somewhere. You’ll learn how this all goes for them with the original characters also coming into play. The support of the community of Hawthorne Mills is so sweet! For the ending, selfishly I wish the book would have ended at the end of chapter 41 as the majority of the last 40 pages of the book seemed to come out of left field. Maybe I went into it with too high of hopes as it still is a good book, just not AS good as the first two. 😅

[Nicolette · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

First I would like to thank Micalea Smeltzer and Valentine PR for granting me the pleasure of receiving this arc.

If you know me, then you know that THIS series is everything to me. Every single character in these books has a special place in my heart. So just know I was beyond excited to read this book.

The Persistence of Thornes follows Caleb’s story. I loved Caleb before and now I love him even more. He has officially become one of my book boyfriends and I am not even the least bit mad about it. Caleb and Halle are basically on two totally opposite sides of the planet when it comes to the way they both grew up and how they’re living. Caleb being Caleb shows Halle from the very beginning that he wants to help her and her brothers whether she’d like it or not, while respecting her boundaries.

I wish I could read this book for the first time all over again and fall in love with their story. If you haven’t read this series yet, PLEASE do yourself a favor and get on it. I promise you will not regret it. Thank you Micalea Smeltzer for your incredible writing. You sure know how to pull at my heart strings.

[Haley Pielemeier · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️Rating: 3.5/5
Goodreads Round up to 4/5
🩷 Tropes: Dual POV, small age gap, small-town, forced proximity, found family

The Persistence of Thornes is an exploration of love, loss, and the impact of past trauma. Set in the town of Hawthorne Mills, the novel dives into the intertwined lives of its residents, each carrying their own secrets.

The Wildflower series is one of my favorite series, so when I saw that Caleb was getting his own book, I jumped at the chance to review this book. Micalea's writing does not disappoint. The style of this book is just like the others: sweet, smooth, and intimate. Halle and Caleb have an immediate chemistry that grows throughout the book. I honestly loved Caleb's insta-love for Halle <3

I will say, though, can we give Caleb Thorne like at least 1 red flag? The guy is just green flag after green flag. He is the definition of what every girl is looking for, a true gentleman in the streets but lord, the mouth he has in the sheets! SWOON!

Overall, I am so glad I get to add Caleb's story to my bookshelf. After reading about him in Salem's story, you could tell he had his own story just waiting to be told. Although it is a part of a series, I feel like the other books are explained in this one so well that it is not necessary to read them before you read about Caleb and Halle.

Thank you Valentine PR & Micalea for the advanced copy

[~Amber~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I have missed this world.
Absolutely loved it. It was like the little cherry on top I didn’t know I needed.

I am so glad to have Caleb’s story. I always felt like we were in limbo with what happened with him.
I really loved Halle. She had a hard life, but really is a fighter and made her life far better than I think she even gave herself credit. A good balance to Caleb I feel.

I will say I very much enjoyed it, but the first two books will forever hold a more special place in my heart.

Just read it. You will be disappointed. These books are what got me loving Micalea. I love anything she writes.

Thank you Valentine PR for the arc.

[Joana | Khaleesiwithastarbuckscup · Rating 4 out of 5]

•Quando li o Wildflower duet fiquei logo rendida ao Caleb e queria tanto o final feliz dele e especialmente ver mesmo mais da própria personagem. Saber que ia sair este livro? Flipei completamente.

•Adorei a história, adodei mesmo. Além disso, relacionamento deles acho que começou mesmo da melhor forma. Prendeu-me logo desde a primeira bolada que ele levou na cabeça.

•A Halle é uma personagem cheia de força e ver a forma como ela faz TUDO pelos irmãos é qualquer coisa. Adoro-a por isso e por nunca baixar os braços mesmo quando os caminhos estão cheios de obstáculos.

•Vê-la a abrir-se e a perceber que finalmente não estava sozinha? Ao longo da história foi uma das coisas que mais gostei especialmente pelo desenvolvimento que trouxe à própria personagem.

•Os irmãos dela? Adoro-os. Vê-los a serem adolescentes e a não serem obrigados a crescer demasiado rápido é incrivel. Ver o amor que eles têm pela Halle deixou-me feliz, mas acima de tudo adorei como eles conseguiram arranjar o refúgio nas vizinhas (que amores de pessoas e adoro-as completamente).

•A história deu mesmo para recordar as nossas personagens do Wildfire Duet e especialmente vê-los felizes e com os seus finais felizes. O Caleb com a filha era um amor. Besides, eles todos enquanto família? Perfeito.

•Estou mesmo agradecida por ter tido a oportunidade de ler em Arc, muito obrigada!


Primeiros pensamentos após acabar: Tinha tantas saudades deles. Ver o Caleb e o seu final feliz? Deixou-me mesmo muito feliz

[Chey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved being back in this small town because I missed these characters so much. Caleb and Halle’s story was heartbreaking but so sweet. I loved them together so much and so happy that Caleb got his person. The twins killed me and I loved them SO MUCH. The ending of course had me bawling my eyes out but that ending was perfect and I couldn’t ask for anything more

[Stephanie Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely obsessed with the Wildflower Series, so this beautiful book was not any less loved.

I wasn’t a huge fan of Caleb in the last book(s); he just gave off entitled brat vibes. HOWEVER, the last thing I expected was him showing his true self in this book, and I really enjoyed seeing the character development – I can now say, I am a fan of Caleb 😉. I enjoyed seeing how blunt, but also shy, both of them were. It was beautiful seeing Seda all grown up and crushing on the next-door neighbor-twins, and seeing Halle take care of her twin brothers, even despite the hardships and trauma she’d been through.

Favorite quotes:
“You’re like my own little piece of artwork.”
“I never thought I’d meet someone who makes me crave a normal life.”
“The two of us have been a spark just waiting to ignite. Now that the flames have been fanned, we’re going up in an inferno.”

[Emma]

W.B

[Danielle (mischiefalwayswinsthewar) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4 star romance read with low angst, strong family relationships, and a strongly built relationship between the main characters.

Halle is now the legal guardian of her twin brothers - a big responsibility for her young 23 years, but she'll do anything to keep them out of the system. Including moving them to Hawthorne Mills into a home she can barely afford that's desperate for some fixing up, trying to find a second job to support them, and managing two teenage boys - she's used to doing it all on her own. Except her neighbor Caleb, successful family lawyer and certified hottie, doesn't let her; from the very first day, he helps her unpack the moving truck and shows up to help her in any way he can after. This includes offering her a job as his assistant after Halle gets fired from the local coffee shop. As the two of them spend more time together, Halle finds herself slowly letting Caleb in and falling for him, but will their differences be too much to overcome?

I really loved Halle's relationship with her brothers. Yes, they're teenage boys and definitely prove to be difficult, but I was able to see that she obviously had a strong presence in their lives always. They understood the financial struggles, they help around with things to make it easier for Halle (sometimes), and they fully support her relationship with Caleb because she deserves to be happy as well. I also loved seeing the blended family on Caleb's side and how easy it was for Halle, Quinn, and Casen to be accepted in. Caleb is so steadfast in the way he loves Halle, which she definitely needed, and I enjoyed watching them fall in love, especially with Caleb's little remarks about their future.

My only issue with this book was the conflict. Without spoiling anything, the conflict kind of just didn't make sense to me in line with the rest of the story. I can see where the idea might have come from, but it mostly felt out of place in an otherwise lovely romance book.

I did not read the first duet in the series, but I don't think that hindered my reading experience. Thank you Valentine PR for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily Jundt · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 would totally recommend this book!!!!

Oh my goodness y’all, Micaela hit it out of the park again! When I heard there was another book coming out, I was so excited! This has to be one of my favorite book series ever!

This book takes us all back to Hawthorne Mills when Halle and her twin brothers move to town to start a new life. They just so happen to move right next door to none other than Caleb Thorne. When these two meet, sparks fly and the chemistry is there, but Halle is so afraid to open up and it takes a lot of patience on Caleb’s end to help her realize he ain’t going anywhere!

Couple of things that I loved: Halle’s twin brothers, Casen and Quinn, are freaking hilarious and really sweet. Thelma and Cynthia are so underrated and totally awesome (I want to be like them when I’m old 😂). I liked getting to see a different side of Salem and Thayer and this book reminded me just how much I love those two!

The character development for Halle was my favorite part of this book. She’s so used to disappointment and people leaving or hurting her, so naturally she shys away from Caleb’s help. She’s such a strong and caring and amazing character, so seeing her get a happy ending made me happy. Plus, she’s the oldest daughter and I can totally relate to her in that way 😂

Also, the spice in this book was top notch *chef’s kiss* 💋 🌶️

[Morgan Tote · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @valentine_pr_ & @micaleasmeltzer for the ARC!! 😫🫶🏻😭💜

Let me start off by saying that when I read the Confidence Duet, I did not like Caleb. I thought he needed to let Thayer be the only father figure in Seda's life. But after this book, I am just in love with EVERYTHING! It is so beyond sweet the dynamic between Caleb, Salem, Thayer, and Seda.

I KNEW when I saw Micalea tease she was writing ANOTHER BOOK in the Wildflowers series, I was going to ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT, and I was so RIGHT!!! I thought I had an over abundance of love for Salem and Thayer, but Halle and Caleb?! WHEWWWW 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 my heart is going to burst!

Halle gets guardianship over her two teen brothers at the young age of 23. Trying to be both their sister and guardian they need is harder than she expected, moving in to the guy next door who is persistent in helping lend a hand - she realizes she’s in for a wild ride in this nosy small town that is Hawthorne Mills.

Caleb and Halle’s story is incredibly different from Salem and Thayer’s, but it was so raw. So emotional. The savior complex in Caleb honestly made my heart swoon, and Halle slowlyyyyyy letting her guard and emotions down for him 😫😫😫😫😫 I fear, I’m obsessed and I love them. The twins becoming friends with the old ladies across the street (iykyk) was just icing on the cake, honestly.

Caleb and Halle are just the second definition of meant to be (the first being Thayer and Salem, hehehe). I also need another book in this town...like idk say….. Laith’s story ;)

What to expect:
🏘️ Small Town
🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Guardianship of Siblings
💘 Forced Proximity
🚪 Next Door Neighbors
🧑‍🧒 Single Dad
🌞 Black Cat/Golden Retriever
🫂 Found Family
❤️‍🔥 Open Door

[Amara F · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I was given this book as an eArc but my review is based solely on my own thoughts and opinions*

First off, I need to find a small town like this, hot men neighbors and they help move you in and do your yard work? Sign me up haha. Also, are 14 year old boys really that obnoxious, thank goodness I had a daughter haha I’m getting stressed just reading about them lol. But they really are sweet when they try to be. It’s kinda giving stepford wives at first with how nice everyone is being, like this can’t be real haha which is kind of a sad statement now that I think about it.

This is a cute single mom (well guardian) and single dad (well sorta more like adoptive) small town romance. It all felt very real, which is nice but kinda hard at the same time for me to read because life is rough and I can relate. Caleb is so patient, which is probably the most attractive thing about him. Not sure how I feel about him during the sexy times, he seems to have a completely different personality which kinda turned me off. Laiths character, I feel like I was missing so much of his story, like there was a completely different book before this. The ending was a little crazy, I probably would have liked a better ending, more happy butttt as I said before, this book, it’s very real and raw and will tug and your heartstrings so I guess I should have expected it.

Thank you to the author for letting me arc this. I was brought along a beautiful and lively journey and really enjoyed it. Thanks for the emotional rollercoaster haha. 4 stars!!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Persistence of Thornes by Micalea Smeltzer

5 stars

Tropes:
🌸Golden retriever/black cat
🌸Small town
🌸Forced proximity
🌸Single dad
🌸She’s raising her brothers

Ohhh what a pleasant surprise it was to step back into Hawthorne Mills, one of my favorite places to be. This time we were here for Caleb Thorne’s happy ending(Yessssss!)

When I tell you that Caleb is a true daddy in every way. 🤤 The way I was swooning over this man. He was so persistent yet patient with Halle. So caring, nurturing, and loving, yet dominating when needed(ahhhhh!). Daddy Caleb is my new favorite book boyfriend.

The friendship between 15 year old twins, Casen and Quinn, and the nosey elderly lady neighbors Thelma and Cynthia is the cutest thing ever. Best friendship ever!

I related to Halle, the FMC so much. Hurt, broken, lost, non trusting, a loner, who relies on no one. Her brothers, her neighbors, her found family, and Caleb helped heal her. I loved how much this book focused around healing and love. This story puts so much hope out there.

I also loved that we got to see more into Salem and Thayer’s family dynamic. I needed to see how the OG couple and my girl Seda were doing. Now if we can just get Laith’s story, I will be all set.

“I knew from the moment I saw you that you were going to change my life. It was like the universe finally gave me everything I’d been begging for. When I saw you, I knew you were meant for me. I just hoped I was meant for you too.”

[Jenny McNerney · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-3.75 ⭐️, rounded up!

While the writing was subpar, Caleb Thorne is 💯 and the found family in Hawthorne Mills is well worth the wait for this highly anticipated spin-off of the Wildflower series. Caleb carried this book, through and through. His big heart, the mouth on this man 🥵🔥From the Wildflower duet, I've wanted Caleb to have his own love story, for him to be chosen and loved the way he deserved. Although I'm so happy he found his HEA, I felt like Halle's past and trauma overshadowed her feelings for Caleb. Yes she opened up to him and allowed herself to be vulnerable to him but I think Caleb deserved more. Maybe that's all she had to offer but Caleb deserves the 🌎 for all he did for Salem and Seda.

The love his man has for Seda...his unwavering, unconditional love for his daughter is just 👏🏼💯🥹😭. The ending when they talk about her future wedding day? 😭😭🥹

The writing and plot was so repetitive and I felt like everything was just so overly explained and unnecessary. The last 10% of the book, that "twist", totally unnecessary. Could have done without all of that but 🤷🏻‍♀️ glad there wasn't a third act breakup though!

All in all, loved revisiting this found family! Hopefully we'll get a Laith book in the future?!? Would love to see everyone again!

[JenniiTheBookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I was absolutely smitten—head over heels from page one to “The End.” Micaela’s writing cast spells, I swear. Every chapter had me giggling like a lovesick fool and swooning like the plot owed me rent. Isn’t that the whole point? To be so enchanted, so wrapped up in fictional feelings, that you’re grinning like a total maniac in public, and you don’t even care who sees?

Give me a found family, a single dad with sad eyes, a cozy small town where everyone knows you, and toss ’em in a forced proximity trope and—bam, I’m a goner. Micaela strikes again, cupid with a keyboard, and now my heart’s bursting like an overstuffed ravioli. There aren’t words—just squeals, sighs, and the occasional dramatic gasp every time Caleb rendered me speechless with how thoughtful, caring and down right bad he is when it comes to Halle (But specially when he said “baby” or “sweetheart” 🫠). He’s a cinnamon roll on the outside but he has a spicy kick to it. 🤭❤️❤️

If he doesn’t come running to me once he sees my cry across the street and asks “WHO HURT YOU?” and it’s ready for war… I simply don’t want it.

My heart is so full. 🪻💕

Please be mindful of the TWs.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was rooting for Halle and Caleb from the very beginning of this book. Both have been through more heartbreak than most. They’re the fixers—the ones who carry everyone else’s burdens, always putting others before themselves. They deserve the world, and together they bring out something beautiful in each other.

Halle has had it tough her entire life. She grew up way too fast, forced to scrimp and save for every little thing and she’s been raising her twin brothers since they were born, and at just 23, she takes on full guardianship of them when their mother is sent to prison. She’s selfless, strong, and resilient.

Caleb is the ultimate cinnamon roll hero good guy. But good guys always have a filthy side. And who doesn’t love a good guy with a dirty mouth who loves to dominate and has a praise kink 😮‍💨 I loved his bossiness and I’m pretty sure if you look up the word edging in the dictionary there’s a picture of Caleb Thorne’s mischievous smile right there.

This was my first book by @micaleasmeltzer and I’m incredibly grateful to Micalea and @valentine_pr_ for giving me the chance to read this ARC. I’ll definitely be picking up more of Micalea’s books—because this one had me hooked from the first page.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a very atypical route to reading this book. I have not read the first two in the series so I truly do not have much back story in regards to Caleb. While I think it would have enriched my experience tremendously, I do not think it absolutely NEEDS to be read to enjoy this book. Does it make me want to go back and read the others? Absolutely. I think Caleb's character will make a lot more sense to me as a whole if I do. However, this book took me by complete surprise. I have loved everything I have read from Micalea previously and this did not differ from that. Halle as an FMC was remarkable. Her strength was so beyond admirable with the past that she has and everything that her and her brothers have been through. The shining star of this book as a whole though was Caleb. Holy golden retriever, king of green flags. The way he waits for Halle to be ready because he knows they are end game is just SWOON. I adore Micalea's MMC's and Caleb might just be my favorite to date. The found family aspect always gets me and the way that these two worlds collide is truly lovely. 4/5 stars.


WHAT TO EXPECT:
*Single Dad
*Golden retriever x black cat
*Small town romance
*Forced proximity
*Banter
*Found family