Two Hearts for Rent: A Novel

by Felicia Kingsley, Hillary Locke (Translator)

For two writers at war, anything under the sun can happen—including love—in an emotional and witty romantic comedy by the author of No Place to Be Single.

Mid-June through mid-September. Three blissful months at an oceanfront getaway. It would be almost perfect. If not for him. If not for her.

An accidental double-booking forces California screenwriter Summer Hale and New York novelist Blake Avery to share a mansion on the beach in the Hamptons. Neither is up for playing a game of happy roommates.

He sees only a petulant Hollywood hack, and she sees a brash womanizer with a bloated ego. So from the start they set house rules to maintain boundaries. But when Summer gets blindsided by a personal deception and a professional setback, Blake reveals a surprisingly vulnerable and sympathetic side.

As the months heat up, the former enemies find themselves falling for each other against all odds. But two writers should know that a good love story comes with unpredictable twists. At the end of the season there’s one that might cost Summer and Blake everything—including their hearts.

336 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 15, 2027

About the author

Felicia Kingsley is a bestselling author whose romantic comedies have sold more than four million copies. Her novels include Two Hearts for Rent and No Place to Be Single, which has been adapted into a Prime Video film for a 2026 global release.

Per saperne di più, la sua pagina Facebook è www.facebook.com/feliciakingsleyofficial

Reviews

[shay ౨ৎ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

We follow a screenwriter and novelist who happens to be booked for the same mansion in the Hamptons. How bad could it be? Very.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. The blurb sounds rather enticing, but I could not get into it. There were some moments that had me baffled enough to laugh out loud, though! I did not feel connected with the characters nor the plot, if I can really call it that. I appreciate the author’s effort in writing banter between the two main characters, but there were moments where the dialogue was incredibly long without much development. On the topic of development, the side characters were underdeveloped, so I found myself skimming the rest of the book.

Blake left a strong impression on me when I first started the book, and it wasn’t a good one. Yes, he is a manwhore. I understand character development, but I found it hard to believe that Blake made a whole 180 and was no longer a womanizer. The switch felt almost instant and non-genuine. I will say: Blake did have his moments, like standing up for Summer. Summer, on the other hand, did not stand out to me. She is described as a determined woman trying to make a name for herself, but there is a particular scene that challenges that description of her. In short, I couldn’t find myself rooting for either of them.

The pacing of the book felt rather slow, but the anticlimactic ending solidified a disappointing book for me. However, if this book ever gets picked up for an adaptation, I think it would be a great summer movie!

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Hearts for Rent by Felicia Kingsley (Jun. 2027) [reading August '26]
334-page Kindle Ebook

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Movie Rating Equivalent: R for adult content

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🏖🏎📚🖥🎬

Misleadingly Sweet Cover, Raw Humor: Packed with Uninhibited Banter!

Two Hearts for Rent is an utter riot—and honestly, the cover does a massive injustice to the story inside. Looking at it, you’d expect a sweet, quiet women’s contemporary fiction novel or a cozy Lifetime movie you'd buy for your mom. What you actually get is an R-rated, HBO-level romantic comedy packed with sharp, uninhibited banter.

​Most romances claiming an "enemies-to-lovers" setup usually feature a minor misunderstanding where the leads quickly become standoffish comrades. This book gives you actual enemies. It throws two absolute jerks—a novelist and a screenwriter—into an overbooked home owned by a divorcing couple. Both are dating even bigger jerks who abandon them for their careers, setting off a genuine, War of the Roses style rivalry (minus the physical pranks). I devoured every single second of their chaotic dynamic.

​The execution and writing style immediately won me over. Just nine chapters in, I was already downloading No Place to Be Single and Friends Like These straight to my Kindle library. Looking at Felicia Kingsley's catalog, she only has four books total, so I'll be finishing them all in no time—and I'm already eagerly anticipating her next book!

​Recommend to others: Absolutely! This is easily the best romantic comedy I’ve read all summer. If you have Kindle Unlimited, it’s an effortless add to your library—though it is more than worth purchasing outright for anyone who loves high-heat, laugh-out-loud banter.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Amazon Crossing via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


Artists for the Soundtrack: Oasis, Nirvana, Britney Spears, Blink-182, Good Charlotte - I'm no longer dictating the songs I read or think of while reading, but those are the ones I can remember off the top of my head.

Featuring: Partial Bibliography for Felicia Kingsley, Writers, Summer, June, September, Californian vs New Yorker, Dual POVs, Double Booked Trope, Enemies-to-Lovers, Sag Harbor, Long Island, New York; Couples, Rivalry, Novelist, Screenwriter, Columnist, Actress, Meet-Ugly, Sex, Vegetarian, Television Production, Hollywood Politics, Thrills, Self-Actualization, Self-Worth, Book About Books, Acknowledgments, Author’s Links, Playlist

Live Status Updates: 📌 This story is completely different from what I thought it was going to be! I only skimmed the blurb, so I assumed it would be your typical "two people show up for an overbooking and fall in love" trope.

​At the start of Chapter 2, I realized there are actually two couples who show up for an overbooking—all because a divorced couple invited two different author friends to stay at their house for the summer before it hits the market. Opening with the first couple arriving right out of the gate had me confused at first, but now it's just hilarious.

​I haven't even finished Chapter 2 yet, but I'm wondering how these two authors are ever going to end up together when they are both already attached. Messy, messy!

📌 Oh well, I should have just finished the chapter! Next page in, I had to stop because it got even better: of course these couples are connected! Let me finish this chapter!

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Two Hearts For Rent was such a fun, heartwarming romance that left me with a smile on my face. What I loved most was the slow build between Summer and Blake. The yearning, the chemistry, and watching their relationship gradually evolve felt genuine and incredibly satisfying. They complemented each other so well, and I found myself rooting for them pretty much the whole way through.

This book also had me laughing throughout. The humour was one of its biggest strengths!

That said, there were a few moments where I felt a little disconnected from the story. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but I think some of the more random plot developments pulled me out of the emotional flow at times. It never stopped me enjoying the book, but it did keep it from being a full five star read for me.

Overall, this was a warm, funny, feel-good romance, with a good amount of spice! I loved seeing the characters grow, and the ending felt completely earned, it gave everyone the future they deserved. It was the kind of book that felt like I’d been wrapped up in a warm hug, and that’s exactly the kind of feeling I love to take away from a romance.

[Jessica Devlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved this book but unfortunately it’s not quite a 5 star read for me.

I give it 3.5/4ish stars but with some edits and/or adds, this can become a 5 star.

The author does a great job creating complex protagonists and even supporting characters. I could see myself there with all the characters, in all the scenes and it felt so real to me.

The dialog is engaging and it kept me guessing what was going to happen.

Blake was so beautifully complex with the proper edge and gentlemanly behavior. He was rude, abrupt and unforgivingly unapologetic. He called it like he saw it and boy he was spot on with some observations. He also could be vulnerable and had no problem claiming Summer and allowing her into his heart. He really was a complex character and I loved having inside knowledge of what his inner thinkings were.

Summer was also interesting. She had her weak moments. Especially around her family and accepting low standards of how people should treat her. Blake helped her see this and blatantly called it out, eventually opening her eyes to the truth she couldn’t or didn’t quite want to see. She was weak in a way that didn’t make you dislike her because she was weak. She worked hard, stood up for herself sometimes and persevered. She only let George and her family treat her like crap. I loved how when her Dad and sister came for lunch she told them how it was-kinda. I was cheering her on. I hated it right along with Summer when she had to go to Boston.

The narcos scene was a funny but an unbelievable part of the plot. In real life they would all be dead. I felt like this was a nice way to break up the plot a little. It was a cute scene.

What I wasn’t a great fan of:

I really disliked how aggressive the publisher was. It took way too long in the book for me to have the knowledge that she was Blake’s ex-wife. I feel like that could have been explained with a simple sentence when we first encounter her screaming and swearing (not very professional) at Blake on page 9. She was so aggressive initially that it was a turn off for me as a reader. Coming right out of the gate it was just too much without the context that she might be an angry ex-wife. I think having this knowledge upfront would have been something great to tell the reader early so we have the context and so we wonder about why she hates him so much. - this is how it comes across. Then later down the road when Summer finds out they are exes we can just learn she’s always been angry in general which was a problem with the marriage.

Let’s talk about the pregnancy scare.
First spotting doesn’t mean you are not pregnant. Did she spot or full on get her period? We never know because it’s not really touched on again in the book. I was half expecting the author to announce Summer as being pregnant, especially when it’s mentioned that she was eating a lot of food.

Summers script being stolen was slightly disappointing too. She just gives up! I mean she has her moment with the jerk Chase, but that’s it. Blake doesn’t really say much about it. This is her baby! Why isn’t she more fired up? At least explain why she decided not to chase it. Give me some explanation other than a feeling of that’s just how it is because it’s a boys club type of feel.

I HATED the ending. It. Just. Ends. It felt rushed and like something was missing. When Summer wrote her review about Blake’s latest novel that she gave 3.5 stars to I kinda feel like her explanation is similar here- there is so much more the author could have done with the ending. I was disappointed.

There needs to be an epilogue! I really want to know about how Summer and Blake ended up. Does Summer & Blake shove her recent success in her families face? What happened with her family when she went back to LA to be the producer? How did she and Blake overcome this? Where are they living? Do they get married? What happens to Blake’s apartment that he was renovating? Was the romance novel a success? Did he ever publish cleopatra? Does summer see NYC in the fall? So many untied items. I NEED more!

If this came with an epilogue, and there was no change about the publisher being really nasty out of the gate at page 9, and nothing else was changed, it would be a 5 star for me.

[Alishba Qadir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d like to thank NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis.
Two couples accidentally end up sharing a mansion in the Hamptons. The problem? One of them is a famous bestselling author and the other is the critic of his books, who has never managed to write a single positive review of him or his books – each accompanied by their respective girlfriends. Throughout the book, we see how the relationships between the main characters, Summer and Blake, develop.

Characters.
Summer is the typical heroine who irritates you with her insecurity and makes you want to slap her to snap her out of it. You feel like slapping Blake for exactly the opposite reason. He’s cocky, cheeky, shameless… In short, a full-blown Casanova. But he’s got his charms, especially in the arguments they have; it’s funny to see how he doesn’t take anything seriously. On the other hand, it’s great that Summer comes up with sharp comebacks and doesn’t just play the usual ‘good girl’ who has nothing to say.
As for Chayanne and George, I’d say they’re excellent supporting characters. George is utterly unbearable from the start; I don’t understand how Summer – or anyone, for that matter – could put up with someone who couldn’t go a single day without his dehumidifier. Chayanne is perfect for illustrating Blake’s personality and what he’s like in love; he complements him very well.

Pace.
I thought the first half was very fast-paced, funny, light-hearted and an easy read. I have to admit that afterwards the book gets a bit more boring, as if the author were looking for ways to pad it out, such as the whole subplot involving Dwight and the gangsters (which I won’t dwell on to avoid spoilers; I’ll just say that I found it a bit pathetic how quickly everything was resolved).

Plot.
The rom-com is well done; it’s funny without forcing the jokes, and the ‘enemies-to-lovers’ dynamic is evident right from the start. Personally, I like this sort of trope and I think it’s very well developed. You can see how their love for each other gradually develops; they don’t just go from hate to love between pages 25 and 26, but rather you can see an evolution and a shift in their feelings towards one another, even though the attraction has always been there.

Personal opinion.
I found it a very entertaining book, very summery, perfect for this time of year. What’s more, it was a very easy read; I finished it in four days, even though English isn’t my first language. If they ever make a film based on this book, I’d love to see it – I think it’s perfect for the big screen.

It’s perfect for fans of The Hating Games and for anyone looking for a summer read.

[Ana Luiza · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 ✨

pt-br:

É como se a autora tivesse pego “Leituras de Verão”, “Como terminar uma história de amor” e “Nora sai do roteiro”, colocado em um liquidificador e algo tivesse dado errado.

Algumas partes são engraçadas, e tem mais diálogos do que narração, ou seja, obviamente, torna a leitura mais rápida. Mas não necessariamente boa ou incrível, porque parece que faltou algo. Os personagens não são tão bem desenvolvidos, os plots de suas vidas são rápidos e rasos, sem algo concreto de verdade. Temos alívios cômicos, como também fatos inesperados, mas é bem plano.

Devo admitir que autora quase ganhou o meu coração quando citou Ally McBeal, Yentl e Sabrina (1954), e quando o romance começou a se formar melhor, me intrigou, mas depois ela caiu num clichê e pareceu que não sabia o que fazer ali.

Não é exatamente ruim, mas não é exatamente bom também. É uma leitura para se fazer quando não querer ter preocupações, não pensar muito, apenas relaxar e passar o dia lendo.

inglês/english:
Imagine taking “Beach Read”, “How to End a Love Story”, and “Nora Goes Off the Script”, throwing them all into a blender, but forgetting to secure the lid properly. That is exactly what reading “Two Hearts for Rent” felt like. Something in the mix just went a bit wrong.

Let’s start with the positives: it’s an incredibly fast-paced read. The book relies heavily on dialogue rather than dense narration, which keeps the pages turning quickly. It’s light, it has its genuinely funny moments, and it delivers some unexpected twists along the way. I must admit, Felicia Kingsley almost fully won my heart when she dropped references to Ally McBeal, Yentl, and the classic Sabrina (1954). When the romance finally started to take shape, I found myself genuinely intrigued.

However, “fast” doesn’t necessarily mean “incredible”. Just as the story gained momentum, it fell right into predictable clichés, and it felt as though the author wasn’t entirely sure how to handle the plot from there. The overall experience is rather flat. The characters lack deep development, and their personal subplots are resolved so quickly and superficially that nothing ever feels truly concrete.

Ultimately, Two Hearts for Rent isn’t exactly bad, but it isn’t remarkably good either. It is, however, the perfect kind of “no-thoughts, brains-off” read. If you are looking for a low-stakes, stress-free book to just relax and pass the time on a lazy afternoon, this will do the trick.

Thank you NetGalley, Amazon Crossing, and Felicia Kingsley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

[paperbackotter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for supplying me with such a charming story in exchange for an honest review.

Immediately upon starting Two Hearts for Rent by Felicia Kingsley I knew I was going to have to just get comfortable because I was going to consume this novel in one reading. Kingsley has written a beguiling case of enemies to supportive, lusty lovers.

The premise begins with our two main characters renting the same house in the Hamptons unbeknownst to the other. Summer, an aspiring writer, comes to the Hamptons for work. She is an assistant to one of the producers of a popular tv series and hoping for a chance to share her screenplay with the lead producer. She is organized, a rule follower, non confrontational, and gullible. Blake, a highly successful author with writer’s block, is there to pen his next novel by his deadline in the fall. He is charismatic, caustic, and unabashedly flippant. He cares not a whit how others perceive him. Honestly his unapologetic behavior, surprisingly, is one of the reasons I love this character so much. Under all that bluster and brazen behavior lies a caring and supportive person… which Summer eventually comes to know.

The dialogue is quick-witted and crackles with energy. Kingsley creates a quick paced story through sarcastic humor and antics. As a reader, I was eagerly waiting for the next scene to see how Blake would handle Summer’s dilemmas and to see how Summer would begin to see and trust the man beneath the witty banter.

I have to admit I was taken aback in the first chapters when Summer and her boyfriend, George, walk in on Blake and his flavor of the week. Though I was a bit ruffled by it, I quickly came to understand it was actually a perfect way to set up the personalities of all characters involved. It grabbed my attention, that’s for sure.

I was disappointed with the rapid conclusion. I would have enjoyed another chapter or an epilogue to fill in some of the blanks.

Overall, I was tickled with Two Hearts for Rent by Felicia Kingsley. I am going to stop writing and go download her other books onto my Kindle.

[Julianne Harkleroad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felicia Kingsley brings Two Hearts For Rent: a slow burn, bodice ripper with some soul. Her opening, thought provoking statement hints at the heart behind the novel and motivation for characters throughout. If you're looking for a spicy book about two enemies who refuse to let anyone in, Two Hearts For Rent is your next read!

Best selling novelist Blake Avery and his beautiful girlfriend Cheyenne head toward his friend's vacation home. He's famous, prideful, and kinda lazy- totally on brand for a behind deadline author who refuses to work (at all!) until he decides to write the entire book in one sitting. Summer Hale and her fiance George are also heading to a friend's vacation home for the summer. She is a screenwriter, very particular, hardworking, and strict. Don't worry- it's not the *same* friend, they're just married to each other... it's the same vacation home... Summer can't stand to share her space with these entitled and entirely too beautiful people. Her relationship is on life support and she's already stressed enough to be constantly reminded of that too. Blake decided his next novel would be written here, so he's not going anywhere until it's finished. They're at an impasse.

The insights into their heart motivations were my favorite parts of the book. Learning why Summer is so particular and Blake's character redemption gave the book depth and made this love story relatable. I'll have to check out Kingsley's other works!

Troupes: dual-POV, double booked, forced proximity, grumpy (FMC) X sunshine (MMC), opposites attract, slow burn, enemies to lovers, heart change, requisite break up, grand gesture, HEA
Spice: 4/5 🌶️
Gore: 0/5 🩸
Language: 3/5 👀
Triggers: belittling family, stealing coworkers

Thank you to AmazonCrossing and NetGalley for this ARC!

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic enemies to lovers romantic comedy book. I loved how each chapter had an alternating first-person point of view with Blake and Summer.

Blake is a handsome famous cocky writer who is addicted to cigarettes, women, and procrastinating. He is with a woman who is not his girlfriend, Cheyenne, who is a gorgeous not so smart actress. They arrive at the vacant mansion of Marina Bronstein in The Hamptons. Right when, they are about to start to bless the house, another couple enters the mansion.

Summer is a screenwriter for a popular show who doesn't get enough credit for her work. She is very health conscious, warm, and somewhat disorganized. Her boyfriend, George, is an uptight older germaphobe who doesn't ever seem to have enough time for Summer. He seems to be more in love with his work than with Summer. George is also a highly serious literary critic who never has anything nice to write about Blake. Summer and George arrive at Fox Bronstein's mansion and when they open the door they see a woman on the dining room table with a man leaning forward between her legs.

The two couples were accidentally double-booked for the luxurious summer mansion by the Bronstein's who are in the middle of a messy divirce. Both couples have to determine how to make the other couple leave. Neither find the perfect solution and they end up stuck together.

As time passes, Cheyenne and George leave for business matters and Blake and Summer have to learn to coexist in one space without their lovers. This is a nightmare since they hate each other.

There are many twists and turns throughout the rest of the book. There were plenty of moments that made me laugh and I cried during one of the final chapters.

[Sue Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beautiful cover and intriguing description immediately drew me to Two Hearts for Rent. I also really wanted to love it because I've read several romances with similar plotlines and have always enjoyed the creative dynamic between characters in the publishing and writing world. Unfortunately, this one just didn't fully work for me. I also had a really hard time getting into the story, and it took me quite a while to feel invested in the characters and where the plot was headed.

The banter between Summer and Blake was easily the strongest part of the book. Their personalities bounced off each other well, and I enjoyed watching their relationship gradually shift from constant bickering to something more. Blake was the standout character for me, with enough vulnerability beneath his confident exterior to make him interesting. That said, I felt the romance progressed a little too quickly once they finally gave in to their feelings. I wanted more tension and emotional development before they became a couple. There were also several side plots that felt unnecessary or underdeveloped, and some of the more over-the-top moments pulled me out of the story rather than adding to it.

The ending also felt abrupt. After spending so much time with these characters, I would have loved an epilogue or even a few more chapters to provide closure. There were several storylines that felt unfinished, leaving me wanting more from the conclusion. While this wasn't a standout read for me, it was still an easy, fast-paced romance with some enjoyable moments. Readers who enjoy enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and light summer romances may have a better experience than I did.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Crossing, and Felicia Kingsley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Mar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“I'm not participating in a pissing contest," Summer says on page 56.

Except, it is a pissing contest. The entire first 1/3 of this book is just nonstop pissing contests. There’s little to no description of the setting or events, just nonstop bickering dialogue. It felt like I was reading a script and not a novel. Then this book parades Summer around in front of each person in her life while they do something shitty to her so that Blake has the opportunity to mansplain to her why each one of them sucks because we can’t have feminism unless it’s explained by a man and paralleled with extreme misogyny.

About halfway through the book, it’s clear the author realizes she made Blake into too much of a thoughtless manwhore and decides she needs to make him redeemable and deep. Suddenly, he’s not constantly objectifying women and craving sex. Women just throw themselves at him because everyone else is the problem and he’s not to blame. While I would normally call this character development, it feels more like a sudden 180 and we get so little of his actual backstory that he feels flat and motivation-less most of the time.

The book is slow paced and plot driven. There’s character development but it feels disjointed and nonsensical.

While I normally love a sweet summer romance where I can turn my brain off and just live in the vibes, I don’t think this one will be fulfilling that role for me.

[G ♡ ⋆｡˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the overall concept of the story, and it was a fun, easy read that perfectly captured the relaxed feel of a summer romance. The forced proximity setup was entertaining from the start, and the chemistry between Summer and Blake kept me interested as they slowly went from reluctant roommates to something more. The writing was smooth and engaging, making it easy to keep turning the pages.

One of my favorite parts was the glimpse into the writing world. Since both main characters are authors with very different careers and creative processes, it was interesting to see how they approached their work and how that shaped their personalities. It added an extra layer to the story beyond the romance and made their interactions more enjoyable.

There were a few things that didn't fully work for me. Some of the characters' decisions felt frustrating, and I wanted a little more emotional depth as the romance developed. Although the slow-burn relationship was sweet and had some genuinely heartwarming moments, parts of the story followed familiar romance beats, making a few twists feel predictable.

Overall, this is a light, entertaining romance that's perfect if you're looking for a relaxing read.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Chantal Côté]

DNF at 50%.

I really wanted to love Two Hearts for Rent. A summer romance set in the Hamptons sounded exactly like the kind of light, cozy escape I was looking for. Unfortunately, halfway through, I realized that the tone of the story simply wasn’t working for me.

I struggled in particular with Avery’s character. I found him extremely macho and, at times, almost crude, which made it difficult for me to connect with him or become invested in the romance.

I was also surprised by some of the directions the story took. The scene involving the narcos felt very out of place to me and unnecessary within what I had expected to be a fun summer romance. By the time I reached the part involving a nun and a rather unexpected job in a script, I found myself wondering more about where the story was going than enjoying the journey.

Of course, this may be exactly the kind of quirky, over-the-top humor that works for other readers, and I can absolutely see this book finding its audience. For me, though, it was simply too far removed from the cozy Hamptons summer romance I had hoped for.

At 50%, I no longer felt invested enough to continue, and rather than force myself through the second half, I decided to call it a DNF. Sometimes a book and a reader simply aren’t the right match, and unfortunately, this one wasn’t for me.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Crossing for the ARC!

Who wouldn't want to go to the Hamptons for the summer? Anyone so when Summer and Blake both receive invitations to summer at a tony Hampton home with their respective SO, they pack and go. The catch- the other has no clue that they've been promised the home for the summer.

Throw in that Blake is a successful author, Summer an aspiring screenwriter and her boyfriend George is a literary critic who has written scathing reviews of Blake's books and there is humor to be had.

It's a case of force proximity, scorned love, slow burn romance, grumpy vs sunshine and maybe a secret side bet and any sleuth can see the ending coming for Summer and Blake, but you won't care! It's a fun, carefree rom/com that checks pretty much all the boxes.

The side characters weren't necessary- I'm looking at you Dwight. His whole story arc seemed a bit implausible and over the top and honestly just not needed. Once you read the book, you'll understand what I mean. His character and those of the Aguilera brothers come and go and don't provide any value to the overall story. In fact, it was the one scene that plays out in the book with all of them that lowered this rating from 5 to 4 stars.

Language- 3/5
Spice 3/5

[Sneha R · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Review of ARC from NetGalley***>/i>

I picked up Two Hearts for Rent because I was in the mood for a light, fun romance, and it ended up being exactly what I needed. This book was incredibly easy to read, and I found myself reaching for it whenever I had a free moment. The banter was fun, the chemistry was great, and I loved how the story balanced humor with more emotional moments.

What I enjoyed most was how invested I became in the characters. They felt imperfect in a way that made them believable, and I loved seeing them slowly open up and grow throughout the story. There were quite a few moments that made me smile, a few that made me laugh, and overall it just left me feeling happy.

For me, this was the kind of romance that reminds me why I enjoy the genre so much. It's warm, entertaining, a little spicy, and full of heart. If you're looking for a book that's easy to get lost in and leaves you with that cozy, satisfied feeling when you turn the last page, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a try. 💕📖

Thank you

[Carie Selby · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (If I could.)

Every once in a while, a book comes along that reminds you why you love reading in the first place.

Two Hearts for Rent completely stole my heart.

I laughed. I smiled. I got frustrated. I gasped out loud more than once. And by the end? I was full-on crying happy tears.

The chemistry is effortless, the banter is fun, and the emotional depth caught me completely off guard. I found myself caring so deeply about these characters that I didn’t want their story to end.

Without giving anything away, this is one of those romances that asks you to believe people can grow, own their mistakes, and choose love anyway. It doesn’t take the easy road, and I appreciated that so much.

This book gave me butterflies, broke my heart, put it back together, and left me closing the final page with the biggest smile on my face.

📚 Carie’s Call: Read it. Go in as blind as you can. Trust the journey. It’s absolutely worth it.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy.

I love a good enemies-to-lovers story, and this book fit this category well. The author did a great job in creating layers to each of the main characters’ storylines and character arcs. I loved watching their growth and development unfold. The side characters connected to the main characters could have been written better. Some of the side characters’ storylines felt choppy.

Occasionally the author dropped a piece of information into the story that would have been helpful much earlier, and would have helped make more sense of things.

The first 50% ish of the book was great, and then I felt like it meandered and was less interesting for about 20% of the book before it picked back up again.

I wanted more from the ending than we got. I felt like the ending was gaining speed and then just…ended. It was a bit jarring.

Overall I really enjoyed this reading experience and am glad I had the chance to read it!

[Melanie Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer Hale and Blake Avery are accidentally double-booked for the entire summer, and neither has much interest in being accommodating. They set rules, keep their distance, and spend plenty of time judging each other before things start to shift.

The writer-versus-writer dynamic was fun, especially because they come from such different corners of the industry. Summer is dealing with a professional setback and a personal betrayal, while Blake gradually turns out to be less obnoxious and more complicated than she expected. I liked watching the hostility soften without disappearing overnight.

This is very much an enemies-to-lovers summer romance, and some of the beats are familiar, but the setting and the creative-career tension gave it enough personality for me. I also appreciated that their attraction develops alongside real vulnerability rather than just banter.

My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the beginning of Two Hearts for Rent. It started off strong, especially with the great banter between Blake and Summer. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic was definitely one of my favorite parts of the book.

Blake is an author and Summer is a screenwriter, and they end up staying at a beautiful beachside mansion for the summer with their respective partners. The catch? Their friends, who are going through a divorce, promised them they would be the only ones staying there. Needless to say, things don’t quite go as planned.

As the summer goes on, Blake and Summer slowly start to fall for each other, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop.
Somewhere along the way the story starts to slow and get stagnant. It’s still good just doesn’t have that same strong start as the beginning.

If you’re a fan of witty banter, enemies-to-lovers, and a summer romance, I think this is a great read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for this e-arc

[Olga Elton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance is not usually my forte. Romantic novels often feel a little too sweet and unbelievable for my taste. But after finishing a particularly gruesome thriller, I was craving something light, heartfelt, and easy to get lost in, and Two Hearts for Rent turned out to be exactly what I needed.

Summer and Blake are both very likable characters, and I genuinely enjoyed spending time with them. Their story was sweet without feeling overwhelming, entertaining, and full of feel-good moments. This was such an easy, enjoyable read, and it gave me a lot of positive emotions which was exactly what I was hoping for.

Even as someone who doesn’t normally reach for romance, I had a great time with this one and would happily recommend it to anyone looking for a light, charming, feel-good read.

I received an advanced copy of Two Hearts for Rent by Felicia Kingsley through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Maritza Higuera · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the very beginning, I was invested in the characters and their journey. The chemistry between them felt natural, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way. One thing I especially appreciated was the handling of the miscommunication trope. Normally, it’s not one of my favorites, but here it was done just right. The misunderstanding felt believable, was resolved in a timely manner, and never dragged on longer than it needed to. It added to the story instead of taking away from it.

The ending was incredibly satisfying and left me with a smile. I loved how the characters grew throughout the novel, and their happily-ever-after felt well deserved.

This was my first book by Felicia Kingsley, but it certainly won’t be my last. If you’re looking for a charming, heartfelt romance that delivers all the feels, I highly recommend Two Hearts for Rent.

[Beth Gerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was into this book and the characters and their blossoming relationship until the very end. When a well-written and fun romp of a book all of a sudden devolves into poor communication being the crux of the problem, it is done for me. Grown adults not verbalizing easy facts about what is happening or how they feel but instead expecting others to read their minds is the fastest way for me to DNF a book.

I finished this one, but really felt cheated by the ending. The build up and all of the circumstances leading to the main characters relationship is so fun and well fleshed out that by the end it's just annoying that THIS is the bridge they can't manage to navigate.

I do enjoy the author, this is my 2nd novel of hers and I will probably seek out others, but this trope is really my least favorite crutch.

I received an ARC from NetGalley

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blake Avery is a very successful, best-selling author currently on a deadline to finish his next book by autumn. Summer Hale is a budding screen writer trying to break into the industry. When they both find themselves staying in the same house for the summer, their contrasting personalities and similar work experiences make for a lively few months.
I enjoyed this book as an easy summer romance novel. Whilst the plot is predictable and it hits almost every cliché, there is a depth to the characters that made it enjoyable.
I did find the weird 'I'm not like other girls' moments quite frustrating, there is nothing wrong with liking popular music. There are also a lot of brand name drops which feel out of place and out of touch particularly with the chat show host.

Netgalley ARC

[Beverly Wolff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This light hearted enemies to lovers romance was just what I needed! Summer and Avery are both writers, she an unknown screenwriter, he a famous best selling author. They are accidentally doubled booked in the same summer home for the entire summer. Neither is willing to leave, They are complete opposites, she is the "good girl" type, he is the "bad boy" type and the banter begins immediately between the two. It had me laughing out loud at times. I loved Avery's friend Dwight who shows up unexpectedly. Although he had really nothing to add to their love/hate relationship, I found him to be a hysterically funny character.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Crossing for the ARC! I loved every word.

[Elise Aucoin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled getting into this book. I found most of the characters to be a bit insufferable in the beginning. With some development, things did improve a bit. I did enjoy seeing the relationship between Summer and Blake evolve.

There's a random subplot in the middle of the story that I found a bit odd. It's not really wrapped up in the end, and I wouldn't say it adds to the story in a significant way. I also found the passing of time a bit jarring - sometimes, from one sentence to the next hours will have passed by and it takes me a moment to compute that the setting has changed.

I would've liked an Epilogue to tie some things up in the end. Overall, it was an okay read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Crossing and Felicia Kingsley for the opportunity to read the ARC.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blake Avery tiene millones de lectores, una carrera envidiable y la costumbre de conseguir todo lo que quiere. Summer Hale trabaja el doble para obtener la mitad del reconocimiento y está cansada de que nadie la tome en serio.

Cuando una confusión los deja viviendo en la misma casa durante el verano, ambos están convencidos de que la solución es simple: ignorarse. Pero la verdad es que no es tan simple y terminan peleándose una y otra vez, hasta que esas discusiones e convierten en algo más.





Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Alex Abbott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to read Two Hearts for Rent, Blake and Summer's story was refreshing, tumultuous and kept me wanting more.

The romance in the story was slow burning, with the characters not admitting any romantic emotions until well over halfway, which I LOVED. The book falls into the enemies to lovers category, but was done really well, with the usual they arrived at the motel with one bed scenario that we all know and love.

Trying to write this without spoilers - there is one scene that I truly loved with Dwight, but it was never brought up again or even referenced at all so it feels like it was added as a great element and then dropped like a moot point.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

HANDS DOWN!! ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE READ THIS YEAR!! Most of my top books were an emotional roller coaster, but this one made me SO HAPPY! I am one to yearn for a third act break up just to feel something, but this one made me wish to spare them. I cannot put into words how much this book made me feel! The plot is everything! The tone of the book is so lively from the start and I cannot for the life of me put it down since! I like how every chapter had depth and substance that the different twists were so random, yet so enjoyable, which made it even better. AH! Blake and Summer! I will never forget about you!!

Brb recommending this to EVERYONE.

[Eleni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thank the author and NetGalley for the free advanced copy. I was initially drawn into the story although it sounded familiar. There were some descriptions here and there of the characters, their looks or playfulness. It was in general a very light read just to unwind but left me with the feeling that is intended for a young audience (20s). The plot falls when things just move on and are tight rapidly. I liked the way she wrote with flow i just needed more plot or depth. Overall is an entertaining read for the summer.

[Emily Streeter · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept of this book was very appealing, but it just fell flat. About 20% in, I found myself skimming the pages instead of actually reading because there was so much dialogue about minute details. Summer’s character was a bit insufferable and boring. Although I enjoyed Blake’s character, it was not enough to keep me engaged. I kept holding on because of the good tension and chemistry between the two of them, but I was having to work too hard to force myself to keep reading. I DNF’ed at 53%.