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Donut Doubt: A Man of the Month Club
He’s her brother’s best friend. She’s the one thing he’s never allowed himself to want.
Ethan Cole has built his life around loyalty and restraint, especially when it comes to Callie Reyes. She’s off-limits, protected, and not his to touch. But when National Donut Day turns Morning Star Donuts into the center of Hearts Bend chaos, the careful distance between them starts to crack.
Callie is done being handled and overlooked. Ethan is done pretending he doesn’t want her. With her brother always close and the whole town watching, every glance feels dangerous and every doubt pulls tighter.
Some lines aren’t meant to be crossed. Others were never meant to hold.
Welcome to Hearts Bend, Texas, where every road leads to love. Join your favorite Man of the Month authors as we kick off 2026 with a new town and new love stories.
Ethan Cole has built his life around loyalty and restraint, especially when it comes to Callie Reyes. She’s off-limits, protected, and not his to touch. But when National Donut Day turns Morning Star Donuts into the center of Hearts Bend chaos, the careful distance between them starts to crack.
Callie is done being handled and overlooked. Ethan is done pretending he doesn’t want her. With her brother always close and the whole town watching, every glance feels dangerous and every doubt pulls tighter.
Some lines aren’t meant to be crossed. Others were never meant to hold.
Welcome to Hearts Bend, Texas, where every road leads to love. Join your favorite Man of the Month authors as we kick off 2026 with a new town and new love stories.
111 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 2, 2026
Busy and happy are not the same thing
This is an emotional journey for Ethan and Callie, as his best friend's little sister she should be forbidden and off limits. But the chemistry between them is off the charts, they resist, they avoid and he runs, Callie is braver she confronts Ethan and tells him exactly how she feels and what she wants, but they still have a problem with Luke being between them...except he isn't.
I struggled with this a little as they make a big thing about Luke being his friend/her brother, blah, blah. But he has already said he doesn't have a problem with it, then all three of them have a "chat" about them lying to him - but at that point they had only just (by an hour) acted on their feelings and were trying to work out their path forward, so for me they cannot lie about it if they haven't actually committed and worked out their path. It felt overly dramatic, but maybe that's just me.
My bigger grumble is that there are a number of inconsistencies, for example: we are repeatedly told the drive back from Denver is twelve hours, they leave at 3pm and arrive at midnight?
In another Ethan becomes Luke for a moment when he has his clothes from Denver in his truck, there are more and they may be small, but they niggle.
This is not my favourite of the series, but if you like OTT drama then this is definitely one for you. I look forward to the rest of the Hearts Bend series. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
This is an emotional journey for Ethan and Callie, as his best friend's little sister she should be forbidden and off limits. But the chemistry between them is off the charts, they resist, they avoid and he runs, Callie is braver she confronts Ethan and tells him exactly how she feels and what she wants, but they still have a problem with Luke being between them...except he isn't.
I struggled with this a little as they make a big thing about Luke being his friend/her brother, blah, blah. But he has already said he doesn't have a problem with it, then all three of them have a "chat" about them lying to him - but at that point they had only just (by an hour) acted on their feelings and were trying to work out their path forward, so for me they cannot lie about it if they haven't actually committed and worked out their path. It felt overly dramatic, but maybe that's just me.
My bigger grumble is that there are a number of inconsistencies, for example: we are repeatedly told the drive back from Denver is twelve hours, they leave at 3pm and arrive at midnight?
In another Ethan becomes Luke for a moment when he has his clothes from Denver in his truck, there are more and they may be small, but they niggle.
This is not my favourite of the series, but if you like OTT drama then this is definitely one for you. I look forward to the rest of the Hearts Bend series. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
June 7, 2026
This is a steamy and sweet romance that brings an off-limits relationship, steam and heart to its plot.
Ethan has been falling in love with Callie for quite some time, and the sentiments are reciprocated, but she has been put on the off-limits zone by her brother, Luke, who happens to be Ethan's best friend.
Callie is an independent, self assured baker, who owns a donut shop. Her over protective brother wants her to find happiness but at his scrutiny, no one is good enough for his little sister. So, when he senses there is a spark between Ethan and Callie, he makes sure to remind him of the off limits promise. But as he battles and struggles with the growing feelings and attraction for Callie, and learns that she feels the same way, his choice is to run even after getting Luke's blessing. What comes after is a study o the couple's struggle between belonging together, and getting Luke's total blessing.
A heartfelt read!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ethan has been falling in love with Callie for quite some time, and the sentiments are reciprocated, but she has been put on the off-limits zone by her brother, Luke, who happens to be Ethan's best friend.
Callie is an independent, self assured baker, who owns a donut shop. Her over protective brother wants her to find happiness but at his scrutiny, no one is good enough for his little sister. So, when he senses there is a spark between Ethan and Callie, he makes sure to remind him of the off limits promise. But as he battles and struggles with the growing feelings and attraction for Callie, and learns that she feels the same way, his choice is to run even after getting Luke's blessing. What comes after is a study o the couple's struggle between belonging together, and getting Luke's total blessing.
A heartfelt read!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Finally Acknowledging their Feeling -
Ethan and Callie had been dancing around their feelings for each other for months because of her brother being his best friend, which led him to make a very difficult decision. However, neither Ethan and Callie knew they hadn’t done a good job hiding their feelings, which they discovered when her brother questioned them. Nevertheless, Callie did something courageous that forced Ethan to finally admit they were meant to be together.
Fortunately, a conversation with Callie’s brother made them realise he didn’t oppose their relationship, which gave Ethan and Callie a chance to finally confess their true feelings and build the life that they wanted together. This was a nice easy and relaxing read with no major drama, likeable characters and a feel-good storyline with a lighthearted tone. You will definitely enjoy reading this book just as much as I did.
I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ethan and Callie had been dancing around their feelings for each other for months because of her brother being his best friend, which led him to make a very difficult decision. However, neither Ethan and Callie knew they hadn’t done a good job hiding their feelings, which they discovered when her brother questioned them. Nevertheless, Callie did something courageous that forced Ethan to finally admit they were meant to be together.
Fortunately, a conversation with Callie’s brother made them realise he didn’t oppose their relationship, which gave Ethan and Callie a chance to finally confess their true feelings and build the life that they wanted together. This was a nice easy and relaxing read with no major drama, likeable characters and a feel-good storyline with a lighthearted tone. You will definitely enjoy reading this book just as much as I did.
I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 4, 2026
Callie and Ethan have been circling each other for a while now but there’s a problem…Luke. Luke is Callie’s big brother but he’s also Ethan’s best friend. Luke is overprotective of Callie but insists he trusts Ethan to look after Callie for him. They text and are awkward with each other in front of Luke. Slow burn that finally heats up but naturally Luke gets his feelings hurt thinking they have lied to him. When Luke finally figures things out the couple have already made a move towards each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2026
I loved the angst and anticipation in this book. Ethan is Callie’s brother’s best friend and although Callie is off limits it does not stop the feeling that they have for one another. This book is about forbidden love and a friendship so strong that nothing will make it waver. I loved this book. It is a quick read but very emotional and so heartwarming.
I received an arc copy via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an arc copy via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
June 1, 2026
3.5-4
Ethan and Callie have kept their feelings for each other hidden because of her brother. Will they take a chance on love? For me this was an enjoyable lite angsty read with lots of back and forth about being brave enough to be honest. Glad they finally let the truth out and found their forever.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ethan and Callie have kept their feelings for each other hidden because of her brother. Will they take a chance on love? For me this was an enjoyable lite angsty read with lots of back and forth about being brave enough to be honest. Glad they finally let the truth out and found their forever.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 2, 2026
The author has given us a wonderful story that pulls us into the lives of Callie, Ethan and her brother/his best friend, Luke. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with forbidden desires, fears, anxiety and steam.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 2, 2026
I have some mixed feelings about this story. On one hand I love it, the "forbidden" relationship b/c of a family member. I enjoyed the slow burn. But on the other hand, it got repetitive with the "b/c of Luke". She push for this but then afterward so starts with the "b/c of my brother". And Luke, dude....just dude.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 1, 2026
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Honesty is the best policy. I'm glad that Ethan and Callie finally act on their love and come clean with her brother who accepts them. He only asked for honesty from them.
June 2, 2026
Ethan and Callie’s story is a brother’s best friend one. Where these two hide their feeling because of his bf/her bro, Luke. These two finally give into their feelings and then into telling Luke. And all got their hea.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews