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Cryptic Heartbeat
Rene Doux is no stranger to duty and honor. Descended from a proud lineage of military service, he upheld the family legacy with four years of distinguished service in the United States Army. But the call of his true passion was undeniable, and he traded his uniform for a white coat, embarking on a journey through med school that culminated at the pinnacle of his class. Now, as the head Cardiologist at the prestigious Silver Heart, Rene’s life is a testament to the power of compassion, forging unbreakable bonds with those he heals.
Yet, when a patient’s relative—a formidable former Navy SEAL turned CIA operative—enters his orbit, Rene’s world is upended. Will his heart withstand the intensity of this new connection, or will his resolve crumble under the weight of unforeseen challenges?
Rosalina Conrad shattered ceilings as the first woman to brave the SEALs, then ascended to the ranks of a celebrated CIA agent. Her career left no room for personal ties, but a dire call regarding her father’s health sees her priorities shift in an instant. Rushing to his side, Rosalina is captivated by more than familial bonds—she is bewitched by his doctor, the very man saving her father’s life. As she navigates a labyrinth of trials, Rosalina must confront the ultimate can she endure the battles ahead, or is this the fight that will claim her?
In a tale where hearts and duties collide, Rene and Rosalina must navigate the treacherous waters of love, loyalty, and legacy. Will they emerge unscathed, or will their story serve as a poignant reminder of sacrifice?
Yet, when a patient’s relative—a formidable former Navy SEAL turned CIA operative—enters his orbit, Rene’s world is upended. Will his heart withstand the intensity of this new connection, or will his resolve crumble under the weight of unforeseen challenges?
Rosalina Conrad shattered ceilings as the first woman to brave the SEALs, then ascended to the ranks of a celebrated CIA agent. Her career left no room for personal ties, but a dire call regarding her father’s health sees her priorities shift in an instant. Rushing to his side, Rosalina is captivated by more than familial bonds—she is bewitched by his doctor, the very man saving her father’s life. As she navigates a labyrinth of trials, Rosalina must confront the ultimate can she endure the battles ahead, or is this the fight that will claim her?
In a tale where hearts and duties collide, Rene and Rosalina must navigate the treacherous waters of love, loyalty, and legacy. Will they emerge unscathed, or will their story serve as a poignant reminder of sacrifice?
357 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2025
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 7, 2025
Cryptic Heartbeat by Cierra Gardner
Rating; ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
Spice; 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Let’s just start this by saying… any book that mentions the old spaghetti factory is a winner to me!
This is a face pace, drama induced dark romance that any reader will be hooked from the first chapter!
Rene is the head cardiologist at his Hospital. When David, a homeless patient from his past returns. He is worst for wear and needs a transplant. David asks finally for them to notify his daughter.
Rose, is a badass CIA operatives that was originally trained as a Navy Seal. She has seen the darkness the world had to offer. But nothing could’ve prepared her for the phone call she was about to receive.
These characters have both been overworked and broken down for the darkness of the world. Death on the horizon of the other’s career. Which allowed for this beautiful understanding of one another. However these two has instant lust. The moment they laid eyes on eachother their fantasies bloomed… and they did not disappoint.
Cierra has written characters of beautiful depth and admiration! Those who brave the fears if most and have the biggest heart to protect others over themselves! I loved and squealed along to every second in this read!
.
Thank you so much to Cierra for the opportunity to read and review!
Rating; ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
Spice; 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Let’s just start this by saying… any book that mentions the old spaghetti factory is a winner to me!
This is a face pace, drama induced dark romance that any reader will be hooked from the first chapter!
Rene is the head cardiologist at his Hospital. When David, a homeless patient from his past returns. He is worst for wear and needs a transplant. David asks finally for them to notify his daughter.
Rose, is a badass CIA operatives that was originally trained as a Navy Seal. She has seen the darkness the world had to offer. But nothing could’ve prepared her for the phone call she was about to receive.
These characters have both been overworked and broken down for the darkness of the world. Death on the horizon of the other’s career. Which allowed for this beautiful understanding of one another. However these two has instant lust. The moment they laid eyes on eachother their fantasies bloomed… and they did not disappoint.
Cierra has written characters of beautiful depth and admiration! Those who brave the fears if most and have the biggest heart to protect others over themselves! I loved and squealed along to every second in this read!
.
Thank you so much to Cierra for the opportunity to read and review!
August 16, 2025
💋🩺 ARC REVIEW 🩺💋
Cryptic Heartbeat by Cierra Gardner
Releasing August 31st
I’m so thankful I was able to receive an ARC copy of this book before release! Check your triggers before reading! This book was very fast paced, which I loved! It’s hard to find a book of this length where you don’t have to wait until 50% to get to the good stuff. Without giving away any spoilers, Rose is an absolute badass! She is a no-nonsense type of person who handles her own shit. She is smart, driven and fearless. She receives news of her ailing father and returns home to handle business. While there she finally meets her dad’s doctor who she has been in contact with for several weeks and has developed a connection. Ren is gone for her the very first time he hears her voice. He has taken her dad under his wing since meeting him and has developed a very close relationship. He is slightly obsessed with Rose from the first conversation and can’t wait to finally meet her. This book was a good read and I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Cryptic Heartbeat by Cierra Gardner
Releasing August 31st
I’m so thankful I was able to receive an ARC copy of this book before release! Check your triggers before reading! This book was very fast paced, which I loved! It’s hard to find a book of this length where you don’t have to wait until 50% to get to the good stuff. Without giving away any spoilers, Rose is an absolute badass! She is a no-nonsense type of person who handles her own shit. She is smart, driven and fearless. She receives news of her ailing father and returns home to handle business. While there she finally meets her dad’s doctor who she has been in contact with for several weeks and has developed a connection. Ren is gone for her the very first time he hears her voice. He has taken her dad under his wing since meeting him and has developed a very close relationship. He is slightly obsessed with Rose from the first conversation and can’t wait to finally meet her. This book was a good read and I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
August 17, 2025
Im currently working through my ARCs, so my next few posts will probably be ARCs, and im not sorry about it.
First, as I said many times, do as I say, not as I do. READ your trigger warnings as always, though I did not do that because iv yet to read anything that's actually triggered me 😂🫣
This was my first book by cierra Gardner and it won't be my last Cryptic heartbeat had me in a physical chokehold i couldn't put it down it kept me intrigued throughout which isn't easy when it's over 350 pages rose was 100% a badass from the get-go damn girl was a machine. Ren seemed like such a sweetie pie, and his nickname for her "dove" had me melting. He may be sweet in the streets, but he's a freak in the sheets, let me tell you😏.
The only thing that gave me the ick was his use of the work kitty & alpha🤢but there easily looked past when the plot was plotting the romance was top tier but the plot. My god, did that have me. absolutely amazing.
First, as I said many times, do as I say, not as I do. READ your trigger warnings as always, though I did not do that because iv yet to read anything that's actually triggered me 😂🫣
This was my first book by cierra Gardner and it won't be my last Cryptic heartbeat had me in a physical chokehold i couldn't put it down it kept me intrigued throughout which isn't easy when it's over 350 pages rose was 100% a badass from the get-go damn girl was a machine. Ren seemed like such a sweetie pie, and his nickname for her "dove" had me melting. He may be sweet in the streets, but he's a freak in the sheets, let me tell you😏.
The only thing that gave me the ick was his use of the work kitty & alpha🤢but there easily looked past when the plot was plotting the romance was top tier but the plot. My god, did that have me. absolutely amazing.
September 1, 2025
Rose & Ren - a Fast Paced Romance
This was such a great read, and totally not what I expected, but in a really good way. Oh thé banter is so good, and the comic dynamics between the characters are insane at the most unexpected moments. The love story is truly Insta-Lust turned Insta-Love. And it’s a smut overload around every corner. The book is too serious to be a rom-com, and too lighthearted to be a dark romance, but make no mistake, dark elements are woven into the tapestry of the plot and simply deepens the main characters connection and gives them depth that also makes them so human and relatable. It’s also a great plot, nothing so complicated you can’t follow it, but not bland either. Something that was a great layering was that the other characters also has obvious romance dynamics, and that adds to the story but doesn’t overshadow the main characters at all.
This book did not disappoint, so pick it up and read it.
This was such a great read, and totally not what I expected, but in a really good way. Oh thé banter is so good, and the comic dynamics between the characters are insane at the most unexpected moments. The love story is truly Insta-Lust turned Insta-Love. And it’s a smut overload around every corner. The book is too serious to be a rom-com, and too lighthearted to be a dark romance, but make no mistake, dark elements are woven into the tapestry of the plot and simply deepens the main characters connection and gives them depth that also makes them so human and relatable. It’s also a great plot, nothing so complicated you can’t follow it, but not bland either. Something that was a great layering was that the other characters also has obvious romance dynamics, and that adds to the story but doesn’t overshadow the main characters at all.
This book did not disappoint, so pick it up and read it.
August 30, 2025
I think this book had some great qualities, but there was a lot going on! The first 50ish percent of the book was about their relationship and setting up her career plus A LOT of smut. It was cute, a little cheesy, and maybe a little too spicy. I started to wonder if the doctor was ever not hard. It seemed like we were just going to get their basic life story until a plot twist entered and I was actually excited to continue reading. I think there were again some good aspects of drama in the second half, but with everything else that went on it felt like a lot. Characters from the past popping up, and everyone dating plus the main plot drama, and a lot more smut. I understand these things probably set up the scene for future books in the series, but it just felt a little forced to me. Overall, it had some great spice and good drama. I just think it could have been a little more concise
August 31, 2025
This is an emotional read. With emotional reads come emotional attachment to the characters, which is what I felt. As someone who is finding themselves more becoming my parents' caregiver, I could relate to Rosalina. All the feelings she was experiencing are very relatable.
Rene is very caring. If not for him, Rosalina would not be able to reconcile with her father. As a doctor, he shows compassion. I will admit through that I did not feel the strong attraction in the beginning as Rene did towards Rosalina. Yet as the story progressed, I did see the attract grow and did feel that Rene and Rosalina shared someone special.
Rene is very caring. If not for him, Rosalina would not be able to reconcile with her father. As a doctor, he shows compassion. I will admit through that I did not feel the strong attraction in the beginning as Rene did towards Rosalina. Yet as the story progressed, I did see the attract grow and did feel that Rene and Rosalina shared someone special.
September 1, 2025
So im a nurse you can trust and believe I jumped at the chance to read this book. So, Ren is a cardiac doctor and former military but when he meets Rosalina the daughter of a patient, attraction overtakes his sense. You know the whole love at first sight thing which I love lol.
These two were attracted to each other from the start. Both in denial bit also intent on seeing it through fast as it goes once they realise the depth of the chemistry.
So wonderful this story takes us on the journey with these two professional people who make it work. Very well done!! Can’t wait to read more from this amazing author.
These two were attracted to each other from the start. Both in denial bit also intent on seeing it through fast as it goes once they realise the depth of the chemistry.
So wonderful this story takes us on the journey with these two professional people who make it work. Very well done!! Can’t wait to read more from this amazing author.
August 31, 2025
Ren is a cardiac doctor and former military but when he meets Rosalina the daughter of a patient, attraction overtakes sense.
These two were very much attracted to each other from the start. Both in denial bit also intent on seeing it through s fast as it goes once they realise the depth of the chemistry.
So wonderful this story takes us on the journey with these two professional people who make it work. So well done on loving this author as I read more of her books. Very well done!!
These two were very much attracted to each other from the start. Both in denial bit also intent on seeing it through s fast as it goes once they realise the depth of the chemistry.
So wonderful this story takes us on the journey with these two professional people who make it work. So well done on loving this author as I read more of her books. Very well done!!
September 2, 2025
This book did not disappoint.
This is my first book by Cierra Gardner, and I can't wait to read her other books.
The FML is a bad-ass. And I was here for that the whole way through the read.
It was very fast paced and you did not have to wait long for the good stuff :).
The book is too serious to be a rom-com, and too lighthearted to be a dark romance, but it's somewhere in between.
So pick it up and get to reading!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
This is my first book by Cierra Gardner, and I can't wait to read her other books.
The FML is a bad-ass. And I was here for that the whole way through the read.
It was very fast paced and you did not have to wait long for the good stuff :).
The book is too serious to be a rom-com, and too lighthearted to be a dark romance, but it's somewhere in between.
So pick it up and get to reading!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
August 24, 2025
Although I have yet to find a book that I can’t read, I do recommend reading trigger warnings before proceeding. This is the story about the bad a$$ CIA agent, Rose and the nerdy cardiologist, Ren. There is a lot of hot smexy scenes throughout. 🔥 🔥 🔥. But there are also many sweet moments shared between the couple like Ren calling her Dove. 💕.
I recommend checking this one out!
I recommend checking this one out!
August 31, 2025
MASTERPIECE!
Trigger warnings? Read them. Seriously. Or don’t—and end up whispering "what the hell" to yourself at 2 a.m. like the rest of us.
✨ Rose is a machine. Ren is a walking contradiction. The romance is fierce. The plot? Diabolically delicious. ✨
First-time readers of Gardner—welcome to your new obsession. Seasoned fans? You already know.
Trigger warnings? Read them. Seriously. Or don’t—and end up whispering "what the hell" to yourself at 2 a.m. like the rest of us.
✨ Rose is a machine. Ren is a walking contradiction. The romance is fierce. The plot? Diabolically delicious. ✨
First-time readers of Gardner—welcome to your new obsession. Seasoned fans? You already know.
September 16, 2025
This was my first time reading Cierra Gardner, and it was an enjoyable read.
Cryptic Heatbeat is fast paced, insta-lust/insta-love with a side of drama.
The story was written well, I enjoyed the MC’s they have a fun dynamic, I enjoyed that among the growing romance there’s twists and turns that kept the story engaging.
Overall this was a good read.
Cryptic Heatbeat is fast paced, insta-lust/insta-love with a side of drama.
The story was written well, I enjoyed the MC’s they have a fun dynamic, I enjoyed that among the growing romance there’s twists and turns that kept the story engaging.
Overall this was a good read.
September 1, 2025
Overall a good story! Ren and Rose’s relationship starts off with a lot of chemistry. Ren is the complete package in my opinion, taking care of Rose’s father before she was even in the picture. Several characters from each of their pasts make appearances and testing their relationship. A good read!
August 31, 2025
A smash hit for me!
Rosalina is a girl role model. She is amazing and bad@ss and strong and just the perfect FMC!
I love how Ren fell for her first. This is one of my favorite tropes!!
And the spice was definitely there! Cierra did not write that lightly lol!
Also, be sure you check the TW!
Rosalina is a girl role model. She is amazing and bad@ss and strong and just the perfect FMC!
I love how Ren fell for her first. This is one of my favorite tropes!!
And the spice was definitely there! Cierra did not write that lightly lol!
Also, be sure you check the TW!
August 31, 2025
Please read the Trigger Warnings before starting this book!!
This book was so good! I loved how it was fast paced and I didnt have to read alot into the book to get to the point and the story to come.
Cryptic Heartbeat is my first Cierra Gardner book and I cant wait to read another.
This book was so good! I loved how it was fast paced and I didnt have to read alot into the book to get to the point and the story to come.
Cryptic Heartbeat is my first Cierra Gardner book and I cant wait to read another.
September 1, 2025
This is the first book in the Bound By Honor series. It’s fast paced and easy to read. Ren is a doctor and Rose is the daughter of one of his hospital patients. The attraction is there from the first meeting. Check the triggers!! It’s hot and steamy. A great romance.
August 31, 2025
Rose and Ren are top notch! Rose is a strong FMC, she is strong, smart and fierce. Ren fell hard and quickly. Together they have a fast paced romance that held my attention captive.
September 6, 2025
No. He calls it her kitty. She calls him Alpha. This was just pure cringe and I have nothing nice to say. Sorry.
September 13, 2025
So much spice I didn't know what to do with myself...well I mean...but anyways. I highly recumbent this book!!!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews