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Hidden Hearts #2
More Red
Not yet published
Expected 14 Mar 26One new city. One powerful family business. One once-in-a-lifetime love on the line.
Ali Stinson thought the hard part was over.
She survived losing everything, fell in love with the cinnamon-roll bartender who saw the real her, and said yes to a future she never dared to imagine.
Now that future is playing out in New York.
New city. New apartment. New expectations.
When Sam returns to his family’s business, their days start filling with boardrooms, charity events, and obligations that never seem to end. Ali is the outsider in a world of old money and east coast expectations, trying to find her footing while the man she loves is pulled in a dozen directions at once.
She doesn’t want to be the problem.
She doesn’t want to be the reason he walks away from a second chance with his family.
But every new responsibility, every half-truth, every secret from the past makes it harder to believe they’re still on the same team.
Sam knows he asked Ali to trust him.
He meant it when he said she came first.
But the deeper he’s pulled into the family business, the more impossible it feels to protect Ali from the fallout of choices made long before she walked into his bar.
When business pressures collide with old wounds and new betrayals, Ali and Sam have to decide if the love they fought so hard to find is strong enough to survive what comes next, or if some happily-ever-afters burn out under the city lights.
More Red continues Ali and Sam’s story with steam, drama, and hard-won hope, and ends in a deeply satisfying place for readers who love emotional, character-driven romance. There are no love triangles, no cheating, and no cliffhangers.
Author’s note on reading order:
More Red is Book 2 in the Hidden Hearts series and should be read after Ruby Red to fully enjoy Ali and Sam’s journey.
Ali Stinson thought the hard part was over.
She survived losing everything, fell in love with the cinnamon-roll bartender who saw the real her, and said yes to a future she never dared to imagine.
Now that future is playing out in New York.
New city. New apartment. New expectations.
When Sam returns to his family’s business, their days start filling with boardrooms, charity events, and obligations that never seem to end. Ali is the outsider in a world of old money and east coast expectations, trying to find her footing while the man she loves is pulled in a dozen directions at once.
She doesn’t want to be the problem.
She doesn’t want to be the reason he walks away from a second chance with his family.
But every new responsibility, every half-truth, every secret from the past makes it harder to believe they’re still on the same team.
Sam knows he asked Ali to trust him.
He meant it when he said she came first.
But the deeper he’s pulled into the family business, the more impossible it feels to protect Ali from the fallout of choices made long before she walked into his bar.
When business pressures collide with old wounds and new betrayals, Ali and Sam have to decide if the love they fought so hard to find is strong enough to survive what comes next, or if some happily-ever-afters burn out under the city lights.
More Red continues Ali and Sam’s story with steam, drama, and hard-won hope, and ends in a deeply satisfying place for readers who love emotional, character-driven romance. There are no love triangles, no cheating, and no cliffhangers.
Author’s note on reading order:
More Red is Book 2 in the Hidden Hearts series and should be read after Ruby Red to fully enjoy Ali and Sam’s journey.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 14, 2026
8 people want to read
About the author
D.L. Croisette
10 books134 followersDL Croisette is a storyteller. The characters in her head demanded their tales to be told. Not one to back down from a challenge, she now spins them into romantic adventures full of drama, emotions, and courageous characters who rediscover their strengths. Collector of international friends, avid traveller and always up for a new experience, she snaps photos to remember each escapade, and peppers the best into her stories. She’s probably at an outdoor café right now, dreaming up a bold new heroine to stir up trouble. (Fun!)
Stay in touch with her on Instagram and Facebook at @dlcroisette or sign up for her newsletter over at dlcroisette.com.
Stay in touch with her on Instagram and Facebook at @dlcroisette or sign up for her newsletter over at dlcroisette.com.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an ARC. I really liked this second book in this series. I actually loved it more than the first and I am excited to read the third. Its a love story but it has many twists and turns, issues to overcome. I love Ali, she is a strong female character.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ruby Red by DL Croisette
Everyone has a past, even the rich. Ali Stinson was married to a billionaire, she’s now a divorcee and she got money, the house, the car and the Lear jet and she spends her money how she wants. Ali is stunningly gorgeous, people’s heads turn when she walks in the room, and she only does one night stands. Ali has boxed up her heart and sealed it. Ali had rented three private cabanas at The Diamond Club, and fancied herself a taste of the pool boy. She went into the middle cabana and motioned him her way. Once he entered she made a “shh” motion and they began to kiss. Not what Ali was used to, he kissed her passionately until his boss interrupted. Ali made it seem like she had lost her contact. The owner wanted to talk to Ali, who happened to be her best friend, to let her know that her credit cards were not clearing. The next day Ali got in contact with her financial company and went for a meeting only to find out that her money was stolen and it would take months to investigate. In the interim, Ali was completely broke. Her best friend allowed her to run a bill under the owner’s name, but Ali had no idea how she would afford anything else. The pool boy was also the bartender, Sam and Ali was attracted to him. Sam couldn’t get his mind off that mind blowing kiss either Ali, and he was beyond excited to see her show up at The Diamond Club. When Ali ends up drinking too much and attempts to drive, Sam gets her a cab and hangs onto her keys. This way he knows she will have to see him again.
This is a slow-burn, emotional novel with romance in the air. Ali has her walls up, and Sam’s willing to prove himself to her, but will that be enough after everything she’s been through?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Everyone has a past, even the rich. Ali Stinson was married to a billionaire, she’s now a divorcee and she got money, the house, the car and the Lear jet and she spends her money how she wants. Ali is stunningly gorgeous, people’s heads turn when she walks in the room, and she only does one night stands. Ali has boxed up her heart and sealed it. Ali had rented three private cabanas at The Diamond Club, and fancied herself a taste of the pool boy. She went into the middle cabana and motioned him her way. Once he entered she made a “shh” motion and they began to kiss. Not what Ali was used to, he kissed her passionately until his boss interrupted. Ali made it seem like she had lost her contact. The owner wanted to talk to Ali, who happened to be her best friend, to let her know that her credit cards were not clearing. The next day Ali got in contact with her financial company and went for a meeting only to find out that her money was stolen and it would take months to investigate. In the interim, Ali was completely broke. Her best friend allowed her to run a bill under the owner’s name, but Ali had no idea how she would afford anything else. The pool boy was also the bartender, Sam and Ali was attracted to him. Sam couldn’t get his mind off that mind blowing kiss either Ali, and he was beyond excited to see her show up at The Diamond Club. When Ali ends up drinking too much and attempts to drive, Sam gets her a cab and hangs onto her keys. This way he knows she will have to see him again.
This is a slow-burn, emotional novel with romance in the air. Ali has her walls up, and Sam’s willing to prove himself to her, but will that be enough after everything she’s been through?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
More Red by D.L. Croisette is an easy five star read for me. This book took everything I loved about Ali and Sam in Ruby Red and deepened it in the most emotional and satisfying way.
Watching Ali step into a new life in New York felt so real. She is no longer just surviving. She is trying to belong in a world of old money, high expectations, and constant scrutiny. My heart ached for her as she tried to be supportive while quietly wondering if she was becoming the sacrifice in Sam’s return to his family’s powerful business. Her vulnerability feels honest and relatable, especially as secrets and half truths start to chip away at the solid foundation they fought so hard to build.
Sam is still that cinnamon roll bartender at heart, but now he is caught between love and legacy. You can feel the pressure closing in on him from every direction. He wants to protect Ali, to put her first, but the weight of his family’s past and present choices makes that promise harder to keep. His struggle never feels selfish. It feels human.
The romance is emotional, steamy, and deeply character driven. There are no cheap twists, no unnecessary drama, just two people trying to hold onto each other when the world keeps pulling them apart. The tension is rooted in love, fear, and the very real question of whether happily ever after can survive real life.
More Red is heartfelt, angsty in the best way, and ultimately so rewarding. If you love romance that focuses on growth, loyalty, and fighting for the relationship instead of against it, this book will absolutely steal your heart.
Watching Ali step into a new life in New York felt so real. She is no longer just surviving. She is trying to belong in a world of old money, high expectations, and constant scrutiny. My heart ached for her as she tried to be supportive while quietly wondering if she was becoming the sacrifice in Sam’s return to his family’s powerful business. Her vulnerability feels honest and relatable, especially as secrets and half truths start to chip away at the solid foundation they fought so hard to build.
Sam is still that cinnamon roll bartender at heart, but now he is caught between love and legacy. You can feel the pressure closing in on him from every direction. He wants to protect Ali, to put her first, but the weight of his family’s past and present choices makes that promise harder to keep. His struggle never feels selfish. It feels human.
The romance is emotional, steamy, and deeply character driven. There are no cheap twists, no unnecessary drama, just two people trying to hold onto each other when the world keeps pulling them apart. The tension is rooted in love, fear, and the very real question of whether happily ever after can survive real life.
More Red is heartfelt, angsty in the best way, and ultimately so rewarding. If you love romance that focuses on growth, loyalty, and fighting for the relationship instead of against it, this book will absolutely steal your heart.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this book. It’s the second one in the series and I am looking forward to the next book. I would recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews