Untouched Heart

Heart City Billionaires #2

by Emme Goode

When Isabelle meets her boss’s brother, Gage Heart, all bets are off. She can’t stop thinking about the hot, tattooed, broody grump, and she’s torn between professionalism and a magnetic pull to a man she should not want.

Great job, loving family, strong female friendships—Isabelle has a full, happy life. She’s perfectly content to let the same kind of love her parents have find her, but the last person she expected to feel an intense attraction to is her boss’s brother and her new client. As Isabelle and Gage continue to be thrust together, her curiosity about the mysterious giant gets the better of her. Once she steps into his world, though, she knows there’s no turning back.

Struggling with the grief of losing his best friend and the guilt that comes along with it, Gage has closed himself off to the world. He avoids relationships and holds himself back with his friends and family. Meeting Isabelle is like a shock to his system. He’s entranced, caught up in her light, and he can’t help but step into it fully. But when an accident threatens her life, Gage regresses into his grief and pushes her away. He’s torn between his belief that he isn’t good enough for her and knowing that she was made for him.

Undeniable attraction, match-making siblings, and an exciting surprise they never expected have Gage and Isabelle fighting for each other, learning to let go of the past, and embracing their future.

Untouched Heart is the second book in the Heart City Billionaires series. It has everything you need: a hot, tattooed grump; a sweet, curly-haired sunshine; boss/best friend’s brother; strong female friendships; all the spice; and the kind of intense, all-consuming love story that will have you falling for Gage and Isabelle.

Genres: Romance, Surprise Pregnancy, Billionaire Romance, Found Family, Slow Burn, Friends To Lovers

367 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 27, 2025

Reviews

[Shanna Ferris · Rating 5 out of 5]

• Billionaire bar owner
• Grumpy x sunshine
• Protective/Only soft for her
• Accidental pregnancy after 60%
• Caretaking MMC
• "Mine"
• Grief x Mental health rep
• Hurt x Comfort
• Good girl x Good boy
• No third act breakup

I am obsessed with Emme’s books. If she writes it, I WILL READ IT! I had the incredible honor of being a beta reader for this one, and what an honor it truly was. I absolutely loved working with her and getting to watch this book come to life as her beautiful brain pieced it all together. Gage and Isabelle’s book is so special for so many reasons, but number one is the stunning way she brought out the depth and vulnerability in both of their personalities. Stunning honestly feels like an understatement. Their book will forever be one of my favorites.

There is just something so special about these two characters, and watching them grow and develop as the story went on was so well done. We meet Gage at a pretty low point in his life and watch him battle his sense of worthiness and the heavy self doubt that comes from losing his best friend in such a traumatic way. I loved that Emme brought Isabelle into his life right when he needed someone to remind him that he was still deserving of love and of a future. And what a beautiful future she gave these two. Isabelle was the perfect match for Gage. She was gentle, confident, and with the most beautiful heart.

Not only was their emotional connection written so well, but their chemistry!! AHHH!!! Emme gave these two some of the BEST spice scenes. In my opinion, she never misses, but this book… HOT D*MN!!! 🔥

There’s no third act breakup in this book, and it worked perfectly. We get to see their beautiful future, the foundation of their relationship, and everything in between. I needed it. I devoured it. I was hooked from the start. I cannot wait to see where else Emme takes this series. The Heart family has officially stolen my heart!

[Britt; footnotes+whimsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALPHA/ARC READ. Welcome back to book two of Heart City Billionaires! I love being in Emme's world, so please come join me down under! We have lots of fun, I promise. You can jump in here if you'd like, but I'd be lying if I didn't recommend starting at the beginning of Emme's author journey because she's interwoven her stories so beautifully to have the best reading experience. Just my two cents, but you do you!

Isabelle Asher is the definition of sunshine. She brings hope + life with her wherever she goes. Her families' past has shaped her into the beautiful woman she is, which is amazing because it could've easily gone the other way and no one would've been shocked. Gage Heart is the definition of guarded. Ten years ago he lost his best friend in a car accident, and although it wasn't his fault, Gage blames himself because he was behind the wheel. That event shaped who + what he thought he needed to be.

Luckily Izzy + Gage's paths cross at work when she's assigned to his new project and a simple work trip changes their dynamic. These two BOTH feel a connection that can't be explained, and after they return neither can ignore the inevitable. Slowly but surely they are spending more + more time with each other - some by design, some by chance, and others by stealthy recon, which leads to some of my favorite scenes! They compliment the other so well, and give the other what they need. Their connection is bone deep and it leaps off the page at you. Simply put, they are EVERYTHING.

Tropes:
Billionaire
Grumpy x sunshine
Best friend’s brother
Secret relationship
Late stage surprise
No 3rd act break-up

[Katie Thayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨
Untouched Heart
By Emme Goode

I’m a big believer in letting what’s meant to be find you. You can’t force fate. You can be open to the journey life wants to take you on, and you have to be willing to pivot and change, but in the end, what’s truly meant for your heart will be unstoppable when it’s ready for you.

I think Gage Heart is all my little reasons in between that turn the nothings into something.

“Being seen by you is like being kissed by sunlight. I haven’t been in a relationship before. Apart from a few months here and there in high school. But if it’s anything like what we’ve been doing then I think I’d be good at it. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to be your everything, because you’re already mine.”

Gage and Isabelle’s story is so beautiful, healing and sexy!! Seeing Gage go from closed off, and just trying to survive. To smiling, joking and thriving all because of Isabelle. She showed him what it’s like to live his life and enjoy it. To live in the warmth and light and not carry the guilt he has been for years. Because Gage is worthy of everything good, worthy of love. And Isabelle wants to be there with him and help anyway she can, just by continuing to show up. Gah, I love them so much!!!

Tropes:
Billionaire
Best Friend’s Brother
Grumpy x Sunshine
Broken Boy
Hurt x Comfort
Surprise Pregnancy

Spice Starts at: 34%🔥

Spice: 4/4🌶️
Stars: 4.5/5⭐️

Available on Kindle Unlimited Nov 27th

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

I have been waiting for Gage and Isabelle’s story, and it was more than I expected it to be.

Gage and Isabelle have instant chemistry, but their love grows in a slow and careful way. Isabelle opens her heart easily, while Gage keeps his locked up, convinced that letting someone close will only end in heartbreak.

Gage won me over immediately. He is the soft kind of grumpy, the kind shaped by guilt and hurt rather than attitude. He is not a flashy billionaire. He is quiet and gentle, drives a Ute, wears normal clothes and carries a tragedy that has convinced him he is unworthy of love.

Isabelle is pure warmth and sunshine. Her patience and empathy is exactly what Gage needs in order to feel safe enough to let go of his fear and believe he deserves something good. Watching him slowly trust himself enough to let someone in, and then love her with his whole heart, is the most beautiful part of this story.

Their growth together is tender and emotional. Seeing Gage open up and love her back with everything he has made me melt.

This story is soft, emotional and full of heart, with just enough heat to make their connection feel real and earned. If you love protective grumps, sunshine heroines with quiet strength and romance that heals as much as it loves, Gage and Isabelle’s story is for.

[Misty • booksplusplants · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gage and Izzy!! I’ve been dying for Gage’s story, and Emme did not disappoint!

He is a grumpy, tattooed (and pierced) man who prefers to be alone…until he meets Isabel, who is literal sunshine. She shines light on all his dark places and shows him he’s more than worthy of love. I loved how down bad he was, and truly so soft for her.

These two had so much chemistry, they were perfect together. I love this world that Emme has created! I can’t wait for more.

ARC review

💛Billionaire MMC
💛Grumpy x Sunshine
💛Brothers best friend
💛Hurt/comfort
💛3rd act pregnancy
💛Mental health rep

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta (this book is gold)

📕Book Review (Beta)📕
Emme Goode is quickly establishing herself as one of my favorite authors for her ability to weave a cast of characters together, to captivate a reader to want to hear about their family dinners, to giggle at the snark within their group texts, and to swoon. Gage and Isabelle were the sweetest and most unexpected pairing, but those are the best. Often the ones who don’t think they are worth the time to get to know (maybe they are guarded, shy, closed off and grumpy) are so endearing and relatable and Gage was just a dream of an MMC in my opinion (and he whimpers). I loved the raw passion, emotional intimacy, the impeccable grief rep, and those corded forearms…

👋 Therapist Take: This story had lots of layers and so much swoon. Two guarded people trying to avoid hurt and trying to avoid connection end up being connected in ways they hadn’t thought could happen. The thing about Emme Goode’s writing is that it’s layered with so much beauty and exquisite pain-it’s effortlessly enjoyable, you can’t stop reading it and you like all the characters. That’s hard to do (have me giggling, sniffling, and longing to know more about every character she includes) and so effective because you know every character will have a role and a purpose-just like the people in our lives. Gage (MMC), wafting through his grief and survivors guilt and doing all the “right things” he thought (grief therapy 👏🏻, keeping others safe, guarding his heart), and Isabelle (FMC) opening him with grace and light and just pure support and comfort. I loved watching these two find each other and start really loving again.

Thank you to Emme for the opportunity to beta read 🫶🏻💛

[Jen | The Jenny Edit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gage and Isabelle's story? Perfection personified.

Billionaire
Grumpy x sunshine
Best friend’s brother
Secret relationship
Late stage surprise

I truly look forward to opening up Emme’s books because they feel like a giant, warm (very sexy sexy) hug. That’s because she doesn't just write compelling characters; she peels them back layer by layer until I’m bleary-eyed at 2 a.m., emotionally compromised and loving every second. The way she reveals the raw, tender places in both Gage and Isabelle — giving them equal weight, equal complexity — is the kind of writing that makes you become addicted to her talent and waiting impatiently for your next hit of Emme in your veins. 😉

And then there's the chemistry. Oh, the chemistry. These two are a sexual inferno. The kind that makes you need to put the book down, fan yourself and then dive back in because hot dayum!

Here's what really got me, though: there's no tired third-act breakup. No manufactured drama. No "we need space" nonsense that makes you want to throw your Kindle across the room.

Instead, we get something truly beautiful — watching two people actually build something together. Their past, their present, their future: it's all there, messy and beautiful and real.

I inhaled this book. Started it, couldn't stop, emerged on the other side a changed person. This series? I'm already fiending for whatever comes next.

Thanks to Emme for this arc and for having me on her team!

[Shushi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice - 🌶🌶🌶

Trope - grumpy × sunshine, billionaire romance, best friend's brother, boss × client, mental health rep, PTSD, grief, broken MMC, friends to lovers, kinky, no third-act break-up, romcom, secret relationship, slow burn, sex club activities, workplace, steamy, pierced MMC, surprise pregnancy, HEA
Bonus chapter - 1

First off, thank you, Emme, for the ARC. You have done it once again. Gage and Isabelle captured my heart in a way I couldn't think was possible.

Gage is the broken Heart brother. He keeps to himself after experiencing a loss close to home. He hasn't overcome it and lives in darkness — until the sunshine of a woman, who is also his brother's best friend, enters his life. One look at her and he wants a bit more from life; he wants to enjoy it with her, but his fears hold him back. Isabelle is sweet, hardworking and an amazing woman. She loves to know and explore things that look too secretive, and Gage is no exception. Ever since their first meeting, she feels this urge to learn more about him and heal what she never broke. This story will take you through a plethora of emotions; you'll cry, laugh, smile, and most of all learn something new about love and grief.

From their very first meeting, you can feel a connection so strong between them that you can't explain it. Gage was a total grump for everyone but her, and just when I thought I couldn't love him any more, he kept proving me wrong. This man was grumpy, possessive, sweet, and so darn HOT.

I knew one of the micro tropes was "he sleeps better with her", but damn, I wasn't prepared to see the scene in front of my eyes, because I screamed out loud.

Gage was so unexpected. Where Caleb was conventionally caring, sweet, protective and loving, Gage was opposite but everything more and better. I love Caleb, but Gage touched my soul in a way I never expected. Ahh, I loved him.

I died when the first spicy scene hit, because wdym and AHHHH🔥🔥!!! If you thought Claire was hot with her power, Izy was gonna rock your world. That woman was attractive with her sudden confidence. The spicy scenes were so darn HOT!! How were they getting hotter and wilder with every passing minute? Idk, but I ate them straight up!!

I loved Gage and Izy's chemistry. My heart was full when I read their journey. Those small, soft moments of vulnerability and affection just made their relationship even more beautiful. The person I became after they started openly expressing themselves was CRAZY!! These two will make you fall in love with them and the idea of love. Every moment they spent together was more meaningful and wholesome than the previous one.

The grief and healing aspect of the book just touched every part of my soul in the right place.

Gage's laugh was so beautiful and manly—mind you, I have only read this book on my device, so it's all in my imagination, but regardless, it was so hot 🔥🙈.

I had a smile plastered on my face throughout their moments. Like AHH, they were so cute, especially during that one festival scene (that's all the spoiler you are getting).

I cried my eyes out during that one scene —if you have read book 1, you know exactly what I am talking about— but then what came next filled the hollow space left by the previous scene. Ahh, I was so happy for Gage and Izy, they deserved the love, happiness, life and joy they found.
_______________________
Side characters and plot -
1. Reading scenes that occurred simultaneously in both books from a different POV had to be the best thing. They just kept adding more depth to the scenes.
2. The sibling shenanigans were literally GOLD, especially those meddling ones. Oh, but Beth and Mason stole the show. Their personalities were so dynamic, and they both constantly made me laugh.
3. Caleb was just so Caleb, and it just reminded me of how much I loved him.
4. All the side characters were beautifully written, be it Grams and Graps, Gage's parents, Izy's parents and siblings. My favourite were the Heart siblings; they had this undeniable sibling vibe that anyone would have felt and filled their hearts with affection.
5. Loved how each and every character had some input in making Gage and Izy's story more comforting and lovely. Joe, Jennie and Evelyn stood out with the way they added perspective to an important topic without taking any limelight out of others' pain.
6. August was there in this book, I could feel his angelic presence even though my brain kept saying "he's not real, he's fictional".
_________________________

You think Caleb is your favourite and made you swoon, Gage is gonna come and hit you like a truck. This man, I'm gonna cry 😭. His protective and sweet side killed me more than once, like, how was he so perfect?

The final chapters were gorgeous; you could feel the love these two carried in the way they were written. I cried so much during their special scene —like, could it be any more beautiful?

The Heart siblings are gonna fill the Heart house with babies, first Caleb and now Gage, ahh, the epilogues kept making me excited for their future generation.

The epilogues once again made me smile and cry. The bonus epilogue was so darn spicy, I had to take a minute and stop.

I love everything Emme writes, and this one was no exception. This book was so well written and expressed.

I wish I could spoil this book more for everyone, but I can't. But if you want to know more about Gage and Izy's beautiful journey, read Untouched Heart on November 27th.

Definitely recommended.
Overall 5/5

[Penelope Bloom · Rating 3 out of 5]

My opinion of this book may really be personal preference, so take from that what you will. I did enjoy the characters, to a certain extent. My biggest issues were with the writing and the plot. I thought we had a lot of instances of things being overly explained to me, rather than shown to me, and that is a style that turns me off. I also thought there were some plot points that were a bit contrived as a few examples - water breaking right at the wedding? Caleb and Lex's story also didn't really feel organic to me. And some of the writing was a bit cringe, in my opinion (and not just in the spicy scenes). That being said, I did find it to be an enjoyable read and if you're willing to suspend your disbelief and don't mind the stylistic issues as much as I do, I definitely think it's worth reading.

Tropes included:
💰 Billionaire Bar Owner
🥰 Best Friend's Brother
⛅️ Grumpy x Sunshine
💔 Broken Boy
🥰 Hurt x Comfort
🎗️ Mental Health Rep
🍼 Third Act Pregnancy

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

First for me by this author and I really enjoyed!! I just love a spice/steam heavy romance especially one that has a splash of surprise pregnancy. I also thought the previous grief storyline of the MMC was well thought out and treated with care, I was genuinely interested in his past. The only time I found myself wanting to skim was during some of the work convos, side character convos (same name dropping from other standalone stories in the series which can be hard to pull off in my opinion) but any scenes with the two main love interests really shined, they had heaps of chemistry together.

Thank you to the author and love notes PR for the eARC!

[Melinda]

BETA READ.

[Janae · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! This series just gets better and better. My favorites are the side characters in the families.

[Chiara^•^ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Untouched Heart by Emme Goode
4,5/5⭐
3/5🌶️

I have to say, this book has quickly become my favorite by this author! I have to admit, I didn't really know much about Gage before this—just that he’s Caleb’s brother and owns the bar. But wow, this story completely surprised me in the best way possible! Gage turned out to be such a complex character, and his journey toward finding happiness with Isabelle is so touching and heartwarming.

Gage is a billionaire with a bit of a tough exterior. He is grumpy, hardly ever smiles or laughs, and keeps to himself, seemingly avoiding relationships. But beneath that hard surface, he’s carrying a lot of pain and guilt, feeling like he doesn’t deserve to be happy. Then there’s Isabelle—she's Gage's sister's best friend and the marketing manager for Smoke and Barrel. She’s the opposite of Gage: warm, sweet, and funny, and she has this amazing light that draws Gage in from the moment he sees her.

Their relationship unfolds at a nice, slower pace. At first, Gage tries to push Isabelle away, but he can’t help but be attracted to her light. I loved the moments when he feels protective and possessive over her. Even though he’s confused about his feelings, as they spend time together, he starts to feel lighter. He begins to move past his grief and guilt, smiling more and slowly lowering those walls he built around himself. Isabelle stands by Gage through thick and thin, showing him that he truly deserves love and happiness. She’s so understanding and knows just when to give him space. Those tender, vulnerable moments between them were some of my favorites. And I loved seeing Gage take care of her, always being there when she needed support.

Gage and Isabelle's families are fantastic, and those family moments added so much warmth to the story. Watching Gage slowly work through his trauma and start to live again with Isabelle by his side is such a beautiful journey. The way both their families come together to support one another is heartwarming. In the end, I think this book is amazing! Gage and Isabelle’s story is not only beautiful but also healing.

[lucialeelibros · Rating 5 out of 5]

e-ARC review ❤️⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐✨!!!!

This story is one of those truly beautiful ones. The kind you read with a soft, silly smile on your face. The kind that makes you let out those little squeaky noises of excitement (you know the ones) because he’s being exactly the kind of man we all secretly dream of… while she has no idea what’s happening. Gage and Isabelle are a gentle bandage for the heart. A slow burn, but steady. Romantic, sure. The kind of love that doesn’t rush, but it never hesitates.

Gage, my boy. He’s broken not in a dramatic, theatrical way, but in that quiet, deep way where you convince yourself you don’t deserve to be loved. He lost something huge, something that left a mark, and he carries that weight silently. And Isabelle is light. Warm, funny, kind, full of ideas and full of heart. She works with Caleb, and they have that easy, natural kind of friendship. And yes, she dreams of what her sisters have: real love, the kind that builds, that stays, that feels like home.

Then Gage shows up: tattoos, piercings, intense eyes and she’s convinced someone like him would never look her way… while he’s internally losing the ability to breathe because of how hard she hits him from the very start. If only they could see themselves the way the other sees them.

I really believe that what’s meant for you will find you. Sometimes it arrives quietly, sometimes it shakes everything, but it always arrives. And when it does, life starts to look different, sound different, feel different. That’s what Isabelle was for Gage: color where there was grey, light where there was shadow, love where he thought nothing could grow anymore. She reminded him of his worth through laughter, through silence, through the gentle way they kept choosing each other.

In this story you’ll find:
• Billionaire
• Best Friend’s Brother
• Grumpy x Sunshine
• Broken Boy Energy
• Hurt x Comfort
• Surprise Pregnancy

And now… Emme. What can I even say? This woman feels like a friend to me already. We met completely by accident on Instagram, and I’ve been cheering for her since her debut. And now here we are three books later and I’m still just as excited as day one. Thank you for trusting me to be part of your ARC team. I’m genuinely happy to be here. And what’s coming next… I know it’s going to be incredible. I can feel it.

[Renee (aredheadwithbedhead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"She didn’t break down my walls. She chipped away, brick by brick, replacing them with love. Her love. That’s what keeps me strong. That’s what keeps me brave. Not fighting against loss, but letting love guide me through the trials."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌶️🌶️🌶️

One of the most touching books I’ve read this year!! Gage and Isabelle have my heart in a chokehold and their book deserves all the praise it’s receiving 💛 A new favourite from Emme without a doubt!

Gage is such an incredible MMC!! Grumpy bar owner, tattooed and pierced, that prefers to be alone until he meets HER. What’s not to love?! His journey through grief was one of the most beautiful, heartbreaking and realistic I’ve read in a long time 🥺 He struggles with guilt after tragically losing his best friend and doesn’t believe himself worthy of love until he meets Isabelle. His quiet acts of service & protectiveness absolutely MELTED MY HEART and I was down bad for his man by the end of the book 🙌🏻 OH! And did I mention he frequents a schmex club where they have masked sexy times together? SO HOT!

I adored Izzy! She is pure sunshine and couldn’t have been a better match for Gage to support and love him through his struggles. Their chemistry was so strong right from the start and I loved seeing them both try to fight the inevitable.

The third act pregnancy was perfection!! It only added to the growing affection between Gage and Izzy and wasn’t a dramatic point in their story – which I loved! The also couldn’t get enough of the Heart family interactions in this book 👏🏻 They had me laughing out loud with their banter and you can’t help but fall in love with all the siblings (and look forward to their books in future).

Thank you so much to Emme for the arc opportunity! 💛

[Nicole Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I loved this so much!!! Just want to start by saying thank you so much Emme Goode for letting me be on your Arc team and letting me read this masterpiece series that I’m obsessed with!

Gage!! I was so excited for his story even after just reading book 1 I was obsessed and needed to know more! He is a true grumpy, broody, delicious mmc carrying trauma and that man was just beautiful to read!

Isabelle is just pure sunshine and I just love love love a grumpy/sunshine dynamic like this! I love that we got to read their story right from the beginning where it all began in the first book. The spice, the banter, the family love! This book was perfection!

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ ARC review ✨

3.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Emme Goode and Love Notes PR for the ARC!

The tropes had me very excited for the books and I hate to say i was a little disappointed. I feel like there were big plot holes, storylines that didn’t go anywhere, and their relationship felt superficial.

At first it seemed like an obsession at first site which I really love but I didn’t feel their relationship progress towards anything. Very rushed to me personally.

There were A LOT of characters introduced that felt like I got a ton of their story more than Gage and Isabelle. I also did not read book one so I am probably missing a lot of information.

The trauma is was really good, I liked Gage working through his issues and Isabelle helping him through it.

The sex club was fun but it was barely touched on and they barely explored anything 🌶️ again, another storyline that went nowhere.

All in all the book was good, but am I interested in reading the rest? Not really.

[Vanessa Wrafter · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed this it honestly had me sold from the start i was locked in , Grumpy sunshine accidental pregnancy, this had me laughing emotional and at times apprehensive, loved the dynamic with gage and isabelle as the figure out life together, really enjoyed this read i was so lucky to have arc read this thank you Emme ❤️

[Danielle Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars
4 Chili Peppers

Once again Emme brings the spice. Holy take a cold shower. besides the spice the story is jus awesome. I love these Heart siblings and each one has a lot of depth and character. Each struggling and overcoming their own things. Billionaires but honestly wouldn't know it. No one struggles for money in these books LOL.

In this book, we get to deep dive into Gage. Who has so much grief, guilt and loss that he closed up. His journey is something else. I love this grump who is super closed off opens up with Isabelle. She almost literally and figuratively brings him back to life. Not just with her but a new side with his family and friends. We get a little of caleb and Lex and Claire but nothing really. Love the Heart family dynamics and the banter. Having books with good family values, good friends (especially female friends) and successful is nice.

I am not sure the timeline with everyone when they meet, get married and have kids. At some point I would love that. Like are their kids playing together and all that.

You get a little intro to some other characters that will have some books, and some old ones too.

There is a lot about coming out of depression and therapy, like a LOT. Some of it was really on the nose, telling not showing (which you have to sometimes) and I felt like it was a lot. Probably didn't need it so much, especially towards the end. That being said, Having a man deal with grief, trauma and depression maturely but going to therapy and coming out the other side, is so important. We deal a lot with women but for men the struggle is just as hard if not harder and I think this was great.

- Billionaire Romance
- Tattooed MMC
- Trauma/Depression/Therapy
- Kink
- 3rd Act Pregnancy
- Will do anything for her
- Possessive MMC
- Independent and loving FMC
- Cute nicknames

As always loved it and look forward to the other characters in this world.

[Amanda Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

5⭐️
2.5🌶

It's official. Gage is my favorite. Hands down. I am a PUDDDDDLE for that man. 🫠🫠🫠🫠

Ughh this was fantastic!! The emotional connection, the love, the caretaking, the family dynamics,EVERYTHING was just perfect.

Gage is a giant teddy bear that I just wanted to give a big hug to. He is so protective and possessive over Izzy from the very start and I absolutely ate it up. He literally made me melt into a giant puddle with his words and the way that he took care of Izzy. It broke my heart that he felt he didn’t deserve but Izzy never gave up on him and stood by him through it all.

Izzy is probably one of my favorite FMC's ever written. She was sunshine and happiness and the light that Gage needed in his life. The third act pregnancy was done soooo well and their reactions to it felt so natural and real.

And can we just take a minute and applaud the spice in this book please 👏👏👏👏. Cause yessssss.

Emme is officially on my 'must read' author list and I cant wait to see what else she comes up with!

Tropes:
✨️ Grumpy/Sunshine
✨️ Billionaire
✨️ Hurt/Comfort
✨️ Third Act Pregnancy
✨️ Bad Boy x Good Girl
✨️ Caretaking

[Naylah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5⭐
Spice: 3🌶️
FMC: Isabelle Asher
MMC: Gage Heart

While reading about Isabelle and Gage, so many emotions went through me. It’s such a beautiful story about grief, friendships, and love.

Isabelle was such a wonderful character, and it was easy to like her all the way. A woman who is curious, knows what she wants and gives anything to make the people around her happy. An actual sunshine who wants to bright up your life.

Gage was struggling pretty roughly, and it was written so beautifully. I could really feel along with him, and many times, his story broke my heart. But his story was also what made him unique, just the way he was. He was a grumpy billionaire bar owner, but whenever he was around Isabelle, you could see his true colors.

Gage and Isabelle connected from the start, and they fell for each other little by little. The curiosity they had towards each other was high, and the love between them was intense. It was beautiful to witness how they opened up to each other and slowly gave their hearts away, for the other to keep.

The spicy scenes were spicing and were hot from start to finish. But the sweet scenes were definitely the ones that warmth my heart and made me fall in love with them even more. Their love was just so strong and powerful. It was definitely firing of the pages, and the thing that weakened my heart the most was towards the end, where their child is born and held by them. It's always such a precious moment 😍

Again, there was so much banter between the heart siblings, and i’m here for it. They definitely make me laugh every single time, and I definitely cannot wait to read Mason and Beth’s stories.

Thank you, Emme, for another wonderful story and for gifting me an ARC to read and review Isabelle and Gage early. They definitely captured my heart ♥

Tropes:
🟡 best friends brother
🟡 billionaire
🟡 hurt x comfort
🟡 grumpy x sunshine
🟡 accidental pregnancy
🟡 mutual pining
🟡 mental health rep
🟡 dual first person pov

Quotes:
‘And my Isabelle. My very own angel. My light, my heart, the hand I get to hold as I move through this life, knowing i’ll never truly be alone again. She keeps me safe and protected from the shadows. She’s led me to a path I never thought was in the cards for me.’
‘A guarded man, with secrets hidden behind tattoos, and a heart that feels as untouched as my own.’
'The way he looks after me and wants to do things for me, it feels like I have a true partner in all of this.’
'My heart slows. My breath becomes deeper. My head becomes heavier. And when I sneak out of her bed nearly five hours later, I realise that’s the first time in nearly ten years that I haven’t had a nightmare.’

[Draia · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

I absolutely loved the first book in this series, Untethered Heart—Caleb and Lex were some of my favorites of the year—so I was beyond excited to dive into Untouched Heart. And wow… Gage and Isabelle did not disappoint. From the very first page, I was hooked, and I ended up devouring this book because it’s one of those stories that refuses to leave your brain.

Gage starts off at a really low point in his life. He’s carrying guilt, grief, and heavy self-doubt after losing his best friend in such a traumatic way. He’s surviving, but barely. Then Isabelle walks into his life like sunlight cutting through a storm, gentle but steady, confident but full of heart. She shows him—without ever saying it outright—that he’s still worthy of love, happiness, and a future. And let me tell you, the future these two build together is absolutely beautiful.

Their relationship is slow-burning in the best way. At first, Gage tries to push Isabelle away—he’s afraid of his own feelings and unsure if he deserves happiness. But Isabelle’s light is impossible to resist. The tender, vulnerable moments between them are my absolute favorite parts: the way he feels protective and possessive, the little cracks in his walls that let her in, the moments when he starts to smile and laugh again. Watching Gage slowly move past his grief and guilt, learning to live in the warmth and light, is just… everything.

Gage needed someone he could care for, someone who would give him a sense of purpose and help him prove to himself that what happened to August wasn’t his fault. Enter Isabelle and their baby, and suddenly the third-act pregnancy trope becomes a total win. Seeing Gage completely beside himself while taking care of Isabelle and the baby had me swooning. Forget third-act breakups—this is how it’s done. He’s utterly devoted, tender, and completely heart-melting as a caretaker.

I also loved how much of Gage’s POV we got. Too often, romance novels lean heavily toward the female perspective, so getting inside his head made his journey even more meaningful. We see his struggle, his vulnerability, his joy, and the way he learns to love and live again. After glimpses of him in previous books, truly knowing him in this one made the story even more special.

And bonus points: seeing Lex and Caleb pop up was such a treat. It made the Heart family feel alive and interconnected without stealing the spotlight from Gage and Isabelle. Honestly, this series has officially stolen my heart, and I am already counting down the days until Mason and Beth’s stories.

💕Thank you to Emma Goode and Love Notes PR for this ARC!💕

[Tvisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Cozy, Steamy Escape ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

If you adore seeing a sweet beam of sunshine melt the heart of a grumpy, broken hero—especially one with a troubled past—you need this book.
It serves up the perfect combination of high-heat romance and deep, satisfying emotional payoff.

I love a good "Grumpy Sunshine" story, especially when billionaires and tattoos are involved! Here is the review of 'Untouched Heart' by Emme Goode......

🥂 'Untouched Heart' Review:
May Cause Intense Feelings and Unexpected Babies! 💸
Grab your coziest blanket and clear your schedule, because 'Untouched Heart' is not just a book; it's a full-body, feel-good experience. This is the ultimate comfort read if you like your MMC large, moody, and in desperate need of a hug.

Genre:
-Contemporary Romance
-New Adult

The Main Dish (Tropes):
-Grumpy x Sunshine (The gold standard!)
-Billionaire Romance
-Hurt x Comfort.
-Billionaire Bar Owner × Marketing Girl
-HEA

The Side Fixings (Microtropes):
-Best Friend's Brother
-Forbidden Romance (kinda )
-Romantic Tension
-Mental Health Rep
-Third-Act Pregnancy (which wasn't a surprise at all 😭)
-Match-Making siblings!

Spice Level:
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Confirmed to have "all the spice." Bring the fire extinguisher.

The Plot:
Light Meets Darkness ✨

The FMC, Isabelle is a total sunshine that finds happiness & positivity in every person & their dark corners of heart!! She's expecting a passionate romantic partner just when Gage pops into her life 🙌🏻

The MMC Gage Heart, He is a "hot, tattooed, grump," a "mysterious giant," (6'5ft 👀) and a Billionaire Bar Owner. He also happens to be her boss's brother and a new client, immediately setting up that delicious professional tension.

Gage is dealing with the Grief. He’s shut off, avoiding relationships, and generally living in a self-imposed cave of guilt. But Isabelle's light is like a sunshine to his system. She doesn't just knock on his door; she kicks the whole damn wall down. (Hahaha)

The story hits a major plot twist when an accident threatens Isabelle’s life, causing Gage to retreat straight back into his "I'm not good enough for her" trauma spiral. But don't worry, the book promises that their undeniable attraction, those meddling siblings, and an exciting surprise will have them fighting for that future.

Pacing & Emotional Ride:
Yes the road to life isn't straight same here it's a rollercoaster of emotional ride.

It's gradual at the start a normal (not so normal) possessive behaviour for her girl. Then figuring out the attraction between them, After that they speed dive devouring each other like there's no tomorrow.

[Lara De · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay so right at the start I was like, “wait… do I like this?” because it’s sad and soft at the same time and I didn’t know how to feel. But then it just… grabbed me. Quietly. And suddenly I couldn’t stop.

It’s cozy and emotional. Light and heavy. Healing and messy. Real 🤍

It’s grief and love and support and showing up for someone who’s been hurt without trying to “fix” them. It just felt real. And it made me feel way more than I wanted to, honestly.

The spice.

🥵🥵🥵

I’m only saying this … nella notte.

If you know, you know.
I had to put the book down and stare at the wall for a minute.
In a good way.

This was instantly 5 stars. No questions asked. It just is.

It’s not trying to be some dramatic twisty thriller — it’s just about two people who literally pull toward each other whether they want to or not.

Isabel + Gage = magnets.

Actual magnets. I could feel it through my phone. Every time they got close I was like 🫠🫠🫠

Now I need to scream about Mason because OH. MY. GOD.

HE had me laughing out loud in public, on a bus full of people…
I looked unhinged 🫣😅 but I didn’t care.

You tell Mason “A” and he somehow hears “C.”
He just… works on a different brain channel and I love it.
And when I realized what actually happened — I had the exact same reaction Gage did.
I’m still laughing. Every time I think about it I start laughing again. No control. Nilce. Nada. Zero

Beth also needs her own chaos book. That woman is a storm and I need to read her story like I need oxygen to breathe.

And Isabel’s dad (not the sperm donor, her actual dad) deserves a hug and a crown. The way he loves his wife and his girls? That kind of love should be bottled and sold because the world needs more of it. Can he adopt me ? Maybe ?

This book made me cry, laugh out loud, blush, yell “no, no, no!” and then read until my eyes literally closed on me

I didn’t want to stop reading. I was mad every time I had to sleep.

Yes— like a child throwing a tantrum. 😇😅

As soon as I finished it I was like, “Okay, well, when is next book coming out now?”
But actually I need to go back and read the first book too because I need all of it. Every piece, every character, every hint.

These books are a drug and I’m hooked 🤍🤷🏼‍♀️

And then when Mason’s story comes out?
I’m devouring it.
No pause.
No breaks.
I NEED TO KNOW.

I don’t even know what exactly I need to know, I just know I need it.
That’s how deep I’m in.

So yeah 5 stars — obviously 🤍✨🫶🏼

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Untouched Heart by Emma Goode is a story about healing after losing a best friend and finding love along the way. I'm a sucker for a good billionaire romance and Untouched Heart delivered. Whether it was the grumpy vs sunshine vibes, the yearning from the MMC, Gage, or the slow burn romance between Gage and Isabelle...this book kept my attention the entire time I read it. I felt that this story was more about Gage's healing journey, more so than Isabelle. I loved getting to know Gage's family and how close they were. I also loved seeing how dedicated Isabelle was to her job and making sure that everything ran smoothly. While this book does have a mostly happy tone to it, there are some somber sections especially at the end, where my eyes started tearing up just because of how everything connected.

The intimacy between Gage and Isabelle is definitely different than what I thought it would be, considering the type of people they are in public, however, I felt that both of them were able to be their true selves during those scenes.

Overall, this book is a 4.5/5 for me. When it comes to the spice, I'd rate it a 2/5.

I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy reading spicy billionaire romances and open door spice scenes. I also recommend this book to readers who enjoy stories about found family, healing journeys, slow burn romance, and male yearning.

Quotes that stuck out to me while reading are:

"It's never too late to start living"

"I'll never give up on you. Your hard days will be my strong ones. Your happy days will be the ones I savour and keep. And no matter which way it goes, there will never be a day that you won't feel my hand in yours because I'm not letting go. Ever. I love you."

"Dark days will still come. Some might be scattered with rain, but after every storm, light finds its way through. Sun seeks out the shadows, like a hand reaching out in unity to walk with you.

"An untouched heart deserves to be held. Because one. I deserve to find the light. Two. I deserve this kind of love. Three. I deserve to live for why, instead of why not. Four. Life can be so beautifully unexpected, so make the most out of every step. Five. Whoever's watching over you, you gotta make it worth it."

Thank you Love Notes PR for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: November 27 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

I’m still trying to get myself together after finishing this book because I’m in tears, this book was emotional and so beautiful. Emme Goode has a way of writing romance that feels honest and gentle but still hits deep. This book swept me up in such a warm, tender way that I didn’t want to stop reading, not even for a moment.

Gage and Isabelle…where do I even begin? I loved Gage and Isabelle’s chemistry. Their pull toward each other is strong, steady, and so natural that I felt every spark between them. There’s something incredibly tender about how their connection grows? never rushed, never forced, just beautifully real. Every glance, every conversation, every quiet moment between them carried this sweetness that made my chest feel tight. Their love isn’t loud, it’s steady and consuming in the softest way.

Gage broke my heart in such a quiet, powerful way. His grief felt heavy, but not hopeless, and watching him try to guard himself while also being drawn to Isabelle had me feeling everything right along with him. Isabelle, with her kindness and bright spirit, brought so much light into his darkness. Their love didn’t feel like something sudden, it felt earned, fought for, and deeply true.

And can I say how much joy I felt when the story brought us back to the Heart family? they add this wonderfully chaotic, loving energy that balances the heavier emotions. Their teasing, their affection, that sense of fierce loyalty…it made the world of the book feel full and alive. I could honestly read an entire book just of their family dinners, they’re THAT entertaining.

This book is a perfect blend of steamy romance, emotional depth, and a family dynamic that makes you feel like you’re part of their world. Gage and Isabelle’s story is messy, real, and totally worth every second of the ride. By the time I reached the end, I felt like I had lived through their highs and lows, laughed with them, cried with them, and ultimately celebrated their love with them.

Huge Thank you to Emme Goode and Lovenotespr for the ARC <3

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Billionaire romance, best friend’s brother, boss’s brother, surprise pregnancy, grumpy/sunshine, opposite attract

[C_C · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

"Untouched Heart"

(Heart City Billionaires # 2)

by Emme Goode


When I was reviewing this series' first book, Untethered Heart, I wrote this:
"
But girl... I will not sleep well until I can read Gage's story. He will set the world on fire. Because it's always the quiet ones, right?
"
So when I heard  Gage's story was going to be the next book, I was so excited for this one.

Emme has a way of building the tension between the main characters that leaves readers right on their edges... and on their knees (pun intended) 🤭.

Her writing is always teasing and building and... delivering. The intimate scenes Emme writes are 💥🌶️🔥

I knew Gage was going to be explosive, but Isabelle? Their chemistry is way off the charts.

Oh, and one mention to Portugal inside the book? It was a proud moment for me 🏡

Best of luck for the release day. This book deserves the world.

Thank you to the author for this 🔥 ARC.

---

some my favorite quotes:


I want to soak up all her sunshine. That's what she is - beaming, bright, and delicate.

Pain is measured against the hardest thing you've endured.

Light can't survive in the darkness, and Isabelle is incandescent.

There's just something about Isabelle that feels like mine.

She was the most unexpected thing to walk into my life, and she proves it further when she stands and walks over to me.

It was redefining my fucking existence.

Like a mark upon my soul, Gage Heart was meant to be embedded in my existence for better or worse.

"I'll be your safe space, Gage."

"You're breathtaking," he says, transfixed and unwavering.

"But don't you know?" I whisper. "You already have me."
Gage's eyes flutter closed. "Isabelle."

With Isabelle, I want to fuse myself to her. I can't get enough. I want her every way I can get her. I want the fast passion, but I want the slow burn too.

It feels like she is bringing me back to life.

Isabelle is the last thing I was ready for.

"You want to know what it's like to be trapped in the hands of someone who wants to consume you?"

[Loverulesall_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐
3🌶️

Emme certainly did not mess around when she wrote this book! I can honestly say if she writes it, I would be insane not to read it. Untouched Heart seriously hit me right in the feels, and I'm still not over it! 🥹

This story follows Gage, the second of the Heart siblings who we met in the previous book (Caleb + Lex) and Isabelle - his sister's bestie/marketing manager for his upcoming business venture, Smoke and Barrel. Together, their love was simply unmatched 🫠💗

Firstly Gage - I just simply wanted to give the man a damn hug and tell him "it's all gonna be okay"🫂 Grumpy and closed off, he's a man living with pain and guilt daily for the past 10 years. Since the accident that tragically took his best friends life, he thinks he's to blame and doesn't believe he deserves happiness again.

Gage might be vulnerable but Isabelle handles him with so much care and empathy, he can't help but be attracted to her light. She is a true optimist, the lightness to his darkness, and together they worked so well. Isabelle is also not afraid to put in the hard work and shows time and time again that she is there for Gage - that he truly deserves to be loved and he will never feel alone again.

Gage in general was a tortured soul but despite this, his love for Isabelle was so sweet and pure, albeit protective. He took care of her like no other... but did that man love fiercely! For Isabelle, Gage would move heaven and earth just to keep that smile on her face. I loved reading this other side of Gage, where you could see true self emerging from the darkness. He definitely found his purpose in life again through the help of Isabelle (and their lil bean) 🙏🏻

Undoubtedly, the love found within the Heart family is what makes Emme's books so heartwarming and special. Their family unit is down right tight, where nobody is afraid nor embarrassed to let their feelings show/known. The banter between the siblings too? Gosh... this family has my whole heart ❤️

I seriously cannot recommend this book enough, which will make you cry, laugh, scream and kick your feet in the air for Gage and Isabelle. I am so looking forwards to Mason's book and how he will be ultimately brought to his knees!! 🧎🏻

Thank you so much Emme for the eARC. All opinions are my own, and as always, it's a privilege to be part of your team. I cannot wait to see what more you bring for us in 2026! 🫶🏻🩷

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌼This is an incredibly tender love story that's workplace adjacent with a whimsical, smart fmc, a healing and loving mmc, supportive families of origin and friends, and impeccable mental health rep. Izzy and Gage meet while working on a new bar for Gage to open. Izzy bursts through Gage's walls like sunshine and he doesn't know quite how to handle the comfort she brings, except to assert protection and possessiveness. Izzy doesn't deny her feelings and the two find their way into something together before a hiccup tests their bond and forces Gage to make strides in his healing so he can truly be a partner.

☑️ I requested this ARC based on the great reputation of the author among my friends and have been so pleased that the quality of her stories, spice, and care paid to the sensitive subjects tackled in her books lives up to the hype.

What to expect:
💰 Billionaire Bar Owner
🥰 Best Friend's Brother
⛅️ Grumpy x Sunshine
💔 Broken Boy
🥰 Hurt x Comfort
🎗️ Mental Health Rep
🍼 Third Act Pregnancy

Things I loved the most about this book are:
💛detailed interconnections to Emme's other books (truly a standalone but if you love series like me, you'll appreciate this approach!),
💛well rounded characters who have healthy relationships with friends and family and a variety of interests and hobbies,
💛time and attention paid to the unending work of healing and living with trauma and loss
💛happily ever after that goes far into the future,
💛plus the spice is very nice 😉 🌶️🌶️🌶️

💭Therapist takeaway: Healing takes work and comes in many forms -- a weekly support group, the wisdom of someone else's stories, connecting to the earth, animals, and others, accepting company and love from others, etc. And sometimes patience and non-judgement are the greatest gifts of love.

Content warnings include grief & loss, discussion of past trauma and intimate partner violence, car accident and injury, labor & delivery

I enjoyed early access to this book thanks to the author and Love Notes pr in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you cross a tattooed, grumpy man who’s closed off to the world with a woman who radiates pure joy, you know you’re in for something special. Untouched Heart absolutely delivered on that promise. Gage and Isabelle hooked me from the start and pulled me straight through their story. I found myself craving not just Isabelle’s journey, but Gage’s layers just as much. Their dynamic felt like a perfect blend of opposites attracting—her light against his shadows—without ever feeling forced. Isabelle’s drive to help Gage see the beauty in life, even through all the darkness, added a quiet grace to the story. And Gage’s instant connection to her? Written in a way that made it feel natural, never rushed.

I did have two small issues. First, Gage’s sullen attitude—while understandable and essential to his arc—felt a bit heavy for most of the book. I wanted just a little more relief from it. Second, and this is entirely personal preference, I was a bit disappointed with how quickly Isabelle moved on from a major incident. The adult in me recognizes that her response was mature and completely valid—especially after her talk with her stepfather—but the romance reader in me wanted something a little messier, a little less composed.

That said, Untouched Heart is a quick, engaging read with deeper emotional roots than I expected. The world is built beautifully, the pacing flows, and even the supporting characters have weight. Mason, for example—what is going on with him?! His scenes with Gage were some of my favorites, including one specific exchange that had me laughing out loud.

And of course, I can’t forget the spice. The heat level adds the perfect glaze over the romance—not too much, not too little, just enough to make Isabelle and Gage’s connection feel deliciously real.
I’d definitely recommend Untouched Heart to anyone who loves a grumpy/sunshine pairing with heart, depth, and just the right amount of steam.