He’s my Hollywood heartthrob ex-husband. My hot new neighbor. And, thanks to one reckless night, my soon-to-be baby daddy.
Patton Pierce has a knack for showing up when I least expect him—my street, my salon, my martial arts studio. Even my dreams.
Sure, I’ve pined for him over the past seven years, but if he thinks his low-slung gray sweatpants, backward cap, and infuriating grin will make me forget our past, then he’s in for a rude awakening.
But then my sister’s bachelorette party happens, and I have one too many drinks. One ridiculous dare later, and I find myself “kissing the boy I used to love”.
One kiss leads to one incredible night. And one night leads to two very pink lines.
Patton says he wants me back, that nothing would make him happier than to have this baby with me. But I’ve heard those words before. He chose Hollywood over me before, and he’ll choose it over me again.
Still, with him taking care of my every craving—both in and out of the bedroom—it’s getting harder not to fall for him. The question will he be there to catch me this time?
Author’s PINE FOR ME is book 3 of the Haircuts And Heartthrobs series but can be read as a standalone. It features a famous ex-husband, a FMC with eyeliner as sharp as her wit, a thieving hairless cat, and a bloodhound who expresses love through intense staring and aggressive plant hydration. If you enjoy swoony second chances, unplanned babies, and pets who absolutely do not stay in their lane, you’ve picked the right book.
Swati MH is a Texas raised contemporary romance author living in the Bay Area with her very own book husband and two beautiful daughters. When she's not writing stories full of humor, heart, and heartbreak, she's likely thinking about doing so . . . preferably while holding a glass of wine.
Patton and Nisha were childhood friends who tied the knot at a young age, and despite their divorce seven years ago and living in separate cities and separate life’s , their love for each other remains strong. This is truly a second chance romance, so just trust me on that!
To give you a taste of the story without giving too much away, I'll keep it simple. Their journey is filled with nostalgia and the complexities of rekindling a past love, making it a captivating read that you won't want to miss.
While I appreciate the narrative, I have to admit I wasn't a fan of how Patton was treated by Nisha. It seems he got the short end of the stick in his marriage. Nisha was aware of his aspirations to become an actor, yet she didn’t fully grasp that pursuing his dreams would mean spending a lot of time away from home. It’s a crucial aspect that adds complexity to their relationship and makes you think about the sacrifices involved.
I believe Nisha was quite adept at avoiding responsibility, often placing the blame for her struggles with infertility and miscarriage squarely on Patton. It seems to me that she was aware of the challenges she would face but was reluctant to acknowledge her own role in the situation.
That said, I still found the book to be enjoyable overall, despite my reservations about certain elements. It's just my perspective, and while I appreciated many aspects, there were a few that didn't resonate with me as much.
I almost forgot to highlight the humor woven throughout these pages. The comedic moments really bring the story to life, adding a delightful touch to the narrative. OMG, I nearly forgot to bring up Bob! Let’s just say that whenever Bob was around, everyone noticed him. You couldn’t overlook Bob... His unique energy was instantly recognized by all...
This tale also showcases a close-knit community among friends, emphasizing the bonds that tie them together. Their camaraderie is palpable, making the interactions feel warm and genuine……… Always always keep in mind this is just my opinion
I've been waiting for Nisha and Patton's book since the beginning. I just love a great second chance romance and this was it. Nisha and Patton were high school sweethearts and married at 21 while he was becoming a major actor in Hollywood. When Nisha felt like he kept choosing her last, especially after some major life changes, she knew she couldn't do it anymore. Now seven years later, Patton is back and willing to do anything to prove he's changed and she was/is his only choice. Leading to an accidental pregnancy, they explore their relationship, growing closer. Can Patton prove Nisha is his top priority?
What an emotional roller coaster ride! The story was beautifully written and will have you alternating between laughing out loud and sobbing into your kndle. This is a hard fought happily ever after and these characters have you wholly invested from beginning to end!
oh lord where do I begin. it was so good. one minute you laugh so hard with the antics then you are sobbing. full on snuffle cry. I think many fans of this author could just read one entire book with the text messages. they are hands down hilarious. she has a definite gift for these extremely amusing conversations. pretty sure the name of the chat will make you laugh out loud in a public place. don't whatever you do read them in a library cause you will full on disturb the peace. Dean of course steals the chat show. as hysterical as this read was there were some pretty heavy topics. loss of a baby during pregnancy and the breakdown of the marriage. so many times I just sobbed with the emotions of this topic. it was written very well with the utmost respect to the main character who endured this. and as a female who suffered two miscarriages you feel for this character. you will definitely fall head over bald pussy (hey it's the cat) for Patton. his back story was emotional and you saw him heal and make him a better version of himself. I really can't speak highly enough of this authors incredible talent writing a read with such emotions. from laughter to sobbing. it was a therapy session truly. it helped me heal myself from my loss.
I will fight and d!e for Patton Pierce. My heart broke for him the entire book, and no man grovels or growls "my wife" better in any universe. Nisha and Patton's story was heart breaking but they were so in love they were inevitable, no matter how much Nisha tried to resist. A lot of their journey hit close to home for me, making their amazing HEA that much sweeter.
Beautifully written with deep emotions, laugh out loud moments, and scorching hot spice, Pine for Me was an awesome end to an incredible series, but I hope Swati still gives us glimpses of this fantastic crew.
Not for me! I was bored after reading 8% of this book. I didn’t enjoy the extra pushy girl friends and how the FMC let them! I’m not fan on indecisive people and boneless at the thought of her ex husband just looking at her…. Please can the FMC be more pathetic! Plus they separated because they loved each other’s too much! WTF?! Really! And she left without talking about and left a letter! Yeah no! She is spineless as well!! Not for me, the FMC was annoying me after 43 pages!! I DNF it!!
I could not possibly have loved this book more! I was instantly invested in the love between Nisha and Patton. It was complicated and messy and so, so deep 🥹
I am always here for a second chance romance but I think all of the emotional baggage between these two was so real and raw. I’m fairly certain I was in tears more than once in some of there more intense moments between them. I loved that Patton really worked to find his way back to her, knowing it was going to take a lot!
Once again, the group chats had me laughing hysterically! Seriously, I think I had tears in my eyes at one point I was laughing so hard 😂
If you had not read any of the books in this series I HIGHLY recommend you do!! You will laugh out loud ( a lot), probably cry, and love all of the love!!
💛Quick Notes💛 Second Chance After Divorce He is obsessed Accidental Pregnancy Neighbors Strong FMC The Group Chats will have you crying laughing
⭐️Some of my Favorite Quotes⭐️
😮💨🫠“We’re a forever kind of thing, baby.”
😍 “You’re really doing this? You’re choosing us over everything else?” “You’re not a choice or an option for me, Neesh. You’re a necessity.”
🥹“In what universe, under which sky am I not yours, Patton?” I ask, sniffling. He stares at me, shoulders loosening just enough for me to notice. I shake my head. “Let me tell you, there isn’t one. I’m yours. Heart, body, soul, and anything else that might exist. In every lifetime, in every universe, under every sky, I’m yours.”
Currently wishing I had a group chat like this 🤣🤣 The friggin banter is off the charts.
Please can we appreciate how Swati weaves humour into her stories so effortlessly—it sneaks up on you and suddenly you’re laughing out loud. Her writing style is absolutely friggin Chef’s kiss 💋
This is a beautiful emotionally charged second chase romance that has all the feels and some really challenging and traumatic moments which as a reader you will feel in your soul.
However, these two are meant for eachother and honestly all I feel deep within my soul is their connection and love for eachother and their growth as individuals is so super inspiring!!
The ending had me crying with all the feels and emotions going. The ending was utterly perfection for this couple and I am so friggin obsessed with this interconnected series!!
“You’re not a choice or an option for me, Neesh. You’re a necessity.”
I love second chance stories, and this one was so heartwarming and fun to read. I truly enjoyed every minute of it.
First of all, let's start with these crazy pets. We have a klepto furless cat, and a dog obsessed with Nisha's bra, or more like her smell. I swear I could read a short story of just the pets' shenanigans with how hilarious they are.
Then we have Nisha in denial, although that didn't last long. I loved how both groups of friends unknowingly worked together to get Nisha and Patton back together.
I really enjoyed seeing the way Patton worked to prove that he was all in, and how fate's sense of humor came into play when it came to his mom.
Quote: “I’ve already done everything I ever dreamed of, except this—building a family with you. This was always the real dream, baby.”
4.5⭐️ 3.5🌶 2.75😭 Once again, Swati absolutely knocked it out of the park. This was the perfect book to wrap up the series. The friend group and found family dynamic is truly something everyone should wish for—supportive, protective, and always ready to give that much-needed push when it matters most. You can’t get anything past them, and it really is for better or worse with this crew, which I loved. Patton and Nisha’s story takes you through every heart-wrenching moment they each endure. The fight Patton is willing to put up to find his way back is a powerful reminder to never give up on someone you love, no matter how much time has passed. And Nisha—reading about everything she’s been through was both beautiful and devastating. Her trials and heartbreak had me wanting to wrap her in a hug and never let go.
This book took me through a rollercoaster of emotions. I seriously felt all of the emotions through the characters. Nisha and Patton had such a strong connection and even through all of their struggles and of being separated for 6 years they still had such amazing chemistry. And don’t even get me started on the group chats! They were hilarious. I love how close their friend groups are. Im sad this series is over but I can’t wait to see what Swati MH delivers next!
Patton is top tier boyfriend material. He’s has put in the work and now ready to claim what his heart has always wanted and that soft spot to land is his ex wife.
While second chances are not guaranteed, the author shows it’s not always a bed of roses in the journey. Sprinkled with humor as the friends assist our hero in recapturing the heart of the one that got away.
The author delivers thoughtful storytelling with difficult subjects and brings it all together in a satisfying happily ever after.
I have been DYING waiting for this book and the fact that I got it 2 weeks ago and I JUST finished it. It’s been crazy busy and I’ve had little to no time to read—but MY GOD this book! I’m already a sucker for second chances but add in a surprise pregnancy?! Swati really hit me in the chest with the infertility aspect as well, because I know exactly how Nisha felt.
I absolutely loved Patton’s groveling, and I’m so glad they got their HEA 🤍
Amazing! Seriously her books never fail! You feel everything with this book, heartbreaking, loving, funny, etc. I will continue to recommend her books to anyone that will listen. This one might be my favorite though. I related so much with Nisha as I have been in her shoes. Please give this book a read, it’s totally worth it!
Oh, this book really tugged at the heartstrings! I'd been curious about Nisha's story, and this was so worth the wait! Definitely check triggers, as this one deals with some heavier subject matter, but it was written so beautifully by Swati.
Nisha and Patton have been divorced for years. They were high school sweethearts who married young, but had a hard time during their marriage, especially since Patton was a rising Hollywood star. Years later, he shows up back in Nisha's life while making a new film, moves in across the street from her, and decides it's time to get his wife back. Nisha does not make it easy on him, and Patton has to prove he can make her the priority in his life. These two still love each other SO much, and watching them open up and try to work things out was so wonderful! When life throws them a curveball in the form of an accidental pregnancy, they have to figure out if they can really make it work.
I really loved how "all in" Patton was, not only on his plan to get her back, but once they find out about the pregnancy, too! Nisha was so strong and such an awesome FMC. I love that even though she clearly still loved him deeply, she didn't budge over the years or make it easy for him after what she went through. My heart broke for her when we finally got a glimpse into the past and what had happened!
As always in a Swati book, the group chats are epic and the banter is hilarious! I loved seeing so many favorites from other books pop up in the chaos, and those moments of levity really gave the book a good balance from the heavier stuff.
4.5 stars rounded up. Thank you to the author for providing an eARC for me to read and review!
This is the final book in the trilogy of Haircuts and Heartthrobs and Swati MH saved the best for last! Nisha and Patton are just so freaking adorable! The way that Patton knows he messed up and works so hard to be better is commendable and I loved that Nisha didn't give in too quickly. Their chemistry is great and the dynamic between them never felt imbalanced. There was a refreshing give and take between these two that really spoke to me.
I'm going to miss all of these characters so much, especially the cats! Nisha's kleptomaniac cat Beaver was hilarious and stole my heart along with Vajayjay and Snatch from the other books. I feel like a novella from the cats' point of view would be hysterical!
While this is part of a series, it is an interconnected standalone and you don’t need to read the other books if you don’t want to. Cheers to another second chance romance that I devoured! Patton & Nisha’s story is so heartbreaking, yet seeing them reconnect and learn to trust and love each other again was so sweet. Their chemistry is undeniable, but that was never the issue between them.
Patton Pierce completely stole my heart. Nisha and Patton’s journey is an emotional, beautifully written heartbreak story. This second-chance romance will hit you right in the feelings. Their past is messy and painful in all the right ways, making their reunion even more powerful. The chemistry between them is undeniable. It's loaded with longing, regret, and hope that makes you keep reading. The author delivers a deeply satisfying love story that proves some connections never truly fade, and watching Nisha and Patton find their way back to each other was everything I wanted from this couple from the start.
Reading a book by Swati is the highlight of my day!! Between the hilarious group chats and the off the charts steamy smut, I just can't get enough. Patton and Nisha's story is heartbreaking, hopeful, and beautiful. When Patton read the goodbye letter from Nisha, I cried for their pain and loss. But the group chats were my favorite especially the horse and pony chat... absolutely hilarious!! This is a great feel good second chance romance.
I love a second chance between a divorced couple. Nisha and Patton's story was perfect. Even though little Gia helped bring them back together, Patton work was perfect. The chemistry was good and it was well written.
Reading Pine For Me felt way too personal for comfort, and not in a casual “aww this is relatable” way, but in a “why is this book digging around in my emotional history” way.
Because this isn’t just a second-chance romance. It’s a divorce story. It’s two people who loved each other, lost each other, and never really stopped being connected. Even when they were living completely separate lives. And that part? That wrecked me.
Their reconnection didn’t feel easy or neat. It felt messy and scared and emotionally loaded, which is exactly how it feels when you let someone back into your heart after they once shattered it. Every moment between them felt heavy with history, and that made every glance, every touch, every almost-kiss hurt in the best way.
And the pregnancy trope?? I usually either love it or want to throw the book across the room. Here? I was weirdly invested. The emotions felt raw and messy instead of cute-Hallmark. It wasn’t just “oops baby!” it was fear, longing, regret, unfinished love, and two people who never really healed from each other. That hit harder than I expected.
So yeah, I cried more than normal reading this. Not just because it was beautiful, but because it mirrored parts of my own story. The grief, the hope, the terrifying possibility of loving someone again after a marriage ended.
Pine For Me isn’t just about falling in love. It’s about finding your way back to someone after you’ve already lost them. And when you’ve lived that kind of heartbreak, it hits different.
You Patton sir pined for Nisha for 6 years until you worked on yourself. You saw what was broke and fixed it as you needed to grow as a person and work through your past traumas.
6 years you waited to see her again at her request but you knew the whole time how she was doing as you would be where you are without her lovely father giving you the tea on her. But without him in your life over the last several years you wouldn’t be here right now, you were in a bad spot and he helped you to get where you needed.
Nisha, she was finally on a good place in her life, she was balanced finally after going through the worst heartache that one could bear. And she fought to get where she is with her friendly felines and the two best friends could ask for. But she never lost thoughts of her soulmate Patton, she knew she would always love him but could they move past what grief became between them not only that but the grief that came with the lost of their marriage as he was pursuing his career and kind of forgot about the woman he married.
The happy ending that came out between Patton and Nisha was the best thing about this book. She made him work for getting them back to where they started and trusting him again. His grand gestures were so sweet and the night of Sarina’s wedding with the wheel spin necklace…. That was the true game changer for them both.
This is a hopeful second chance romance about a couple who have experienced the pain of infertility and miscarriage. It's also about the need to rebuild trust after both partners walked away from the relationship. Patton and Nisha were best friends who married young and still love each other, even after being divorced for 7 years and living in different cities. Now a Hollywood star, Patton's pursuit of his career resulted in his being absent for important moments - until Nisha finally left. The pair is reunited when Patton travels to San Francisco for a role and both participate in a wedding party. An impetuous encounter results in a surprise pregnancy. As Nisha is expecting, the pair need to learn to communicate with each other and acknowledge their roles in the collapse of their original relationship.
The characters are well developed and you will understand Patton's fear and pain about being abandoned and Nisha's insecurity about living in Patton's shadow and her need to develop confidence in herself. Even after a long separation, their love is convincing.
There are too many references to characters from the earlier series, Elements of Rapture. They don't really play a role in the story beyond participating in group texts and, if you haven't read the previous books, the jokes don't resonate and there are a lot of names to track.
This story was the perfect second chance + accidental pregnancy story. Love how Patton has to grovel, grovel hard, to get Nisha’s attention. Love how the went from exes to parents. I personally don’t like reading chapters about the past of the MCs but this time was really well written that I enjoyed it knowing everything. Patton was so possessive and jealous, love it. Love Nisha’s relationship with her twin sister and friends. The chats as always were hilarious. The boys are really special too still loving my Hudson and…Dean…well, he is Dean. Love how they welcomed Patton to the Schlongs Hen Party. It was definitely a great end to the Haircuts and Heartthrobs series. Can’t wait to everything new in Swati’s world.
I am officially a goner for Pine For Me! Swati M.H. does it again with this emotional, second-chance romance featuring ex-spouses, an accidental pregnancy and all the pining my heart can handle. Add a Hollywood heartthrob MMC and a boss-babe heroine, and I was completely hooked.
Nisha Arora gave her heart to Patton Pierce years ago, but young love collided with his rising acting career, leaving her to face life’s hardest moments alone. Seven years later, Patton is back and determined to win her over—until one passionate night changes everything when Nisha discovers she’s pregnant. He says he’s all in, but can she trust him after everything that came before?
This story had me crying tears of sorrow and joy. Their love is epic, once-in-a-lifetime and filled with gut-wrenching angst that made me want to throw my book at times—in the best way. I deeply empathized with both characters and understood how their original breakup happened.
Balanced beautifully with humor, strong friendships, fantastic banter, adorable pets and even some unforgettable Star Wars moments, this book delivers heart, heat and healing. Pine For Me will have you believing in true love and savoring every step of the journey to the HEA. I can’t recommend it enough! 💛📚(ARC Review)
I have been waiting or Patton an Nisha's book since i knew that was were we were going for book 3 and boy the wait was worth it!
Swati write with a great balance of Rom-Com lots of Romance and Lots of Comedy - with real world struggles and life mixed in for balance. If you have read any of her other books then you know to expect hilarious text message threads - I also do recommend reading first The Elements of Rapture (Adrift, Ascend, Ablaze and Adrift) series and then the first 2 books in the Haircuts and Heartthrobs series to get the most out of these chapters so you fully understand all of the personalities in the chats. But as always Dean steals the show in the chats!
The tropes for this book is second chance (one of my favorites) and accidental pregnancy. While Accidental pregnancy isn't my favorite trope this one is DONE RIGHT!! The emotional journey between the flashbacks (to when they were first married and also when the marriage started to break down) and then back to the present day is perfection. You fall in love with present day Patton all while not liking past Patton at the same time.
Add in a hairless cat and a dog and you have a great ending to an amazing series!
Pine For Me completely swept me up—and honestly, this entire series has my heart. Swati M.H. has such a knack for delivering swoon-worthy romance while still digging deep into emotional territory, and this book is no exception.
Second-chance romances aren’t usually where my loyalty lies, but Patton Pierce changed that. Against my better judgment, I found myself rooting hard for him and desperately wanting Nisha to give him another chance. Their history, tension, and undeniable chemistry made every interaction feel loaded and meaningful.
This story balances rom-com vibes with genuine heart—laugh-out-loud moments, addictive group chat banter, and scenes that tug at your chest when you least expect it. While Pine For Me does explore sensitive themes, including pregnancy loss (please check trigger warnings), it’s handled with care and emotional depth. And for anyone wondering: yes, a well-earned HEA is guaranteed.
If you love second-chance romance, forced proximity, Hollywood heartthrobs, and found-family energy, this series deserves a spot on your TBR.
Pine For Me is the first book I've read by Swati M.H., and I really enjoyed Patton and Nisha's second-chance romance. I especially love a second-chance romance for a divorced couple, and these two characters went through the wringer.
Patton and Nisha were high school sweethearts who married young. But as his celebrity star power rose, they started to grow apart. And when Nisha was left to deal with a traumatic event all on her own, she had enough and left. Now, it's been seven years, and Patton is determined to take the small opening he has and prove to Nisha that he is a changed man.
I thought that the author handled the infertility issues very well. Having been through a miscarriage myself, Nisha's recovery with that resonated with me. Even though she left him, Patton ended up suffering just as much as she did. I really loved how that part of the story was dealt with; he had no one else in his corner, and he lost more than she did, in a way, when their marriage ended.
This book was really beautiful, and I was so happy to see Nisha and Patton get the happily ever after they fought so hard for! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
It’s not a second chance or a new path to happily-ever-after. It’s a “fuck around and find out”.
🎬❤️🎬❤️🎬❤️
🎬Second Chance Romance ❤️Accidental Pregnancy 🎬Celebrity MMC ❤️He Falls First 🎬It's Always Been You
🎬❤️🎬❤️🎬❤️
I am an absolute sucker for second chance romances and this hit the spot perfectly. Make sure you have the tissues ready as Swati is going to take you on an emotional ride!
Nisha & Patton's story has long been in the works beginning from their teenage years now to their early 30s. Even with a divorce and years apart, their love for each other was always there in the background and nobody could ever replace the other. I cried for their young love and all things lost. To say the man grovels is definitely an understatement when you find out all of the lengths he's willing to go to in order to get her back in his life permanently.
We CANNOT forget the amazing side characters & lovable animals in this wonderful world that Swati has brought us. Between the group chats, quirky hairless cats, and a dog with a penchant for all things Neesh, I howled with laughter when I wasn't crying.
Thank you, so much, for this ARC! I love being a part of your team!