What do you think?
Rate this book
Harmony Hills #1
Ilusiones frágiles
¡BIENVENIDOS A HARMONY HILLS!
UN PUEBLO PEQUEÑO.
Cuando Ivy Farnsworth se marchó a la ciudad tres años atrás, jamás imaginó que su regreso a Harmony Hills sería como tutora legal de su hermano adolescente. A sus veintiséis años, se descubre criando a Joe, de dieciséis, compaginando dos trabajos y decidida a apoyar su sueño de ser piloto… aunque eso signifique dejar de lado los suyos propios. Con el peso de esta nueva responsabilidad, lo último que necesita Ivy es una distracción, especialmente si esta es el bombero de la casa de al lado.
DOS VECINOS.
Tras un divorcio complicado, Ford Hayes no tiene intención de darle una segunda oportunidad al amor… hasta que el carisma, la resiliencia y el optimismo inquebrantable de Ivy comienzan a derribar sus muros.
¿Y SI EL AMOR ESPERARA EN LA CASA DE AL LADO?
Ella se ha pasado la vida cuidando de los demás. Él será el primero en ofrecerle un lugar donde bajar la guardia. Cuando su amistad se transforma, casi sin querer, en algo más, deberán decidir si vale la pena arriesgar la estabilidad que tanto les ha costado conseguir.
Adéntrate en las calles de Harmony Hills con la nueva serie de Lisina Coney, el referente del romance sano. Descubre el amor más tierno en el lugar menos esperado.
UN PUEBLO PEQUEÑO.
Cuando Ivy Farnsworth se marchó a la ciudad tres años atrás, jamás imaginó que su regreso a Harmony Hills sería como tutora legal de su hermano adolescente. A sus veintiséis años, se descubre criando a Joe, de dieciséis, compaginando dos trabajos y decidida a apoyar su sueño de ser piloto… aunque eso signifique dejar de lado los suyos propios. Con el peso de esta nueva responsabilidad, lo último que necesita Ivy es una distracción, especialmente si esta es el bombero de la casa de al lado.
DOS VECINOS.
Tras un divorcio complicado, Ford Hayes no tiene intención de darle una segunda oportunidad al amor… hasta que el carisma, la resiliencia y el optimismo inquebrantable de Ivy comienzan a derribar sus muros.
¿Y SI EL AMOR ESPERARA EN LA CASA DE AL LADO?
Ella se ha pasado la vida cuidando de los demás. Él será el primero en ofrecerle un lugar donde bajar la guardia. Cuando su amistad se transforma, casi sin querer, en algo más, deberán decidir si vale la pena arriesgar la estabilidad que tanto les ha costado conseguir.
Adéntrate en las calles de Harmony Hills con la nueva serie de Lisina Coney, el referente del romance sano. Descubre el amor más tierno en el lugar menos esperado.
352 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2026
About the author
Lisina Coney
6 books1,760 followersLisina Coney is an international bestselling romance author from Spain, whose books have been translated into several languages.
She’s a lover of slow-burn stories with happy endings and main characters who help readers feel less alone in their journeys.
When she’s not reading or writing, Lisina can be found fighting people over the last French fry, spending too much time on social media (Gen Z habits die hard), and pestering her two very patient cats.
She’s a lover of slow-burn stories with happy endings and main characters who help readers feel less alone in their journeys.
When she’s not reading or writing, Lisina can be found fighting people over the last French fry, spending too much time on social media (Gen Z habits die hard), and pestering her two very patient cats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,260 reviews
April 26, 2026
this was a really sweet story that just worked for me from start to finish!!
all of the characters were really endearing and easy to connect with. even the smaller side characters felt like they had their own place, which made the whole world feel a bit more real. i got attached to them pretty quickly and didn’t want to leave by the end.
i’m usually not a fan of children in books, but joe completely won me over. he felt genuine and actually added a lot of heart to the story instead of being there just for the sake of it.
i loved that our mmc was a firefighter!! such a cool concept and added a fun layer to the book.
it’s also a really quick read, the pacing kept things moving without feeling rushed. i ended up flying through it in a super short amount of time (i read majority of this sat out in the sun and it was wonderful).
overall it’s just a heartfelt, easy to get into story with a lot of charm. i’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for something warm, character driven, and satisfying to read in one or two sittings!!
all of the characters were really endearing and easy to connect with. even the smaller side characters felt like they had their own place, which made the whole world feel a bit more real. i got attached to them pretty quickly and didn’t want to leave by the end.
i’m usually not a fan of children in books, but joe completely won me over. he felt genuine and actually added a lot of heart to the story instead of being there just for the sake of it.
i loved that our mmc was a firefighter!! such a cool concept and added a fun layer to the book.
it’s also a really quick read, the pacing kept things moving without feeling rushed. i ended up flying through it in a super short amount of time (i read majority of this sat out in the sun and it was wonderful).
overall it’s just a heartfelt, easy to get into story with a lot of charm. i’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for something warm, character driven, and satisfying to read in one or two sittings!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
╰┈➤ 5 stars!
LISINA CONEY, WHAT DID YOU PUT IN THIS BOOK BECAUSE I AM OBSESSED!! 😩🫷🏼it might even be an understatement because i absolutely loved this book so much that i genuinely don’t have anything negative to say about it. from start to finish, i was completely hooked and never once felt the urge to put it down.
୨ৎ ivy. she instantly became one of my favorite characters—not only because she’s scared of blood like me, but also because of how much responsibility she carries as the eldest daughter. being forced to grow up early so she can take care of her brother, joe, adds so much emotional depth to her character, and her hardworking nature really shows how much she values her brother’s dreams.
she’s incredibly talented, and throughout the book, i kept thinking about how success often requires us to get over our own insecurities—whether it’s posting that video, chasing a dream, or simply being brave enough to try.
୨ৎ ford. he is exactly the kind of grumpy male lead i love. his guarded nature doesn’t come from rudeness but from genuine trauma, and that makes his personality feel real and justified. his past explains so much about why he is the way he is, and honestly, i wouldn’t wish that kind of experience on anyone.
୨ৎ joe. who i became insanely protective of. he feels like a little brother i’d defend with my life, and i’m so proud of him for everything he’s gone through. it’s heartbreaking that he was forced to grow up so soon, and all i wanted was to give him the biggest hug. i really hope he gets his own story someday, because he absolutely deserves it.
one of my favorite parts was ivy and joe’s relationship—their bond is so heartwarming, and it’s clear that they’re each other’s safe space in a difficult family situation. i’m also glad ford became part of their lives, especially because joe finally has a positive male figure to look up to
beyond the characters, the story carries a powerful emotional message about resilience and hope. sometimes, our hopes get broken so many times that it feels like nothing good will ever happen again, but this book reminds us that if something is truly meant for us, it will find its way to us eventually.
overall, this book completely captured my heart, and i will be thinking about this for a long, long, long time.
Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author for the ARC in exchange of my honest review.
・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・
pre-read:
got the e-arc and buddy reading with gloria 🫶🏼✨ i’ve been seeing her comments on lisina coney’s posts on ig and just decided to ask her because we both seem to really want to read this book 🤭❤️ i’m sooo looking forward because i’ve been eyeing this one for MONTHS!
LISINA CONEY, WHAT DID YOU PUT IN THIS BOOK BECAUSE I AM OBSESSED!! 😩🫷🏼it might even be an understatement because i absolutely loved this book so much that i genuinely don’t have anything negative to say about it. from start to finish, i was completely hooked and never once felt the urge to put it down.
୨ৎ ivy. she instantly became one of my favorite characters—not only because she’s scared of blood like me, but also because of how much responsibility she carries as the eldest daughter. being forced to grow up early so she can take care of her brother, joe, adds so much emotional depth to her character, and her hardworking nature really shows how much she values her brother’s dreams.
she’s incredibly talented, and throughout the book, i kept thinking about how success often requires us to get over our own insecurities—whether it’s posting that video, chasing a dream, or simply being brave enough to try.
୨ৎ ford. he is exactly the kind of grumpy male lead i love. his guarded nature doesn’t come from rudeness but from genuine trauma, and that makes his personality feel real and justified. his past explains so much about why he is the way he is, and honestly, i wouldn’t wish that kind of experience on anyone.
୨ৎ joe. who i became insanely protective of. he feels like a little brother i’d defend with my life, and i’m so proud of him for everything he’s gone through. it’s heartbreaking that he was forced to grow up so soon, and all i wanted was to give him the biggest hug. i really hope he gets his own story someday, because he absolutely deserves it.
one of my favorite parts was ivy and joe’s relationship—their bond is so heartwarming, and it’s clear that they’re each other’s safe space in a difficult family situation. i’m also glad ford became part of their lives, especially because joe finally has a positive male figure to look up to
beyond the characters, the story carries a powerful emotional message about resilience and hope. sometimes, our hopes get broken so many times that it feels like nothing good will ever happen again, but this book reminds us that if something is truly meant for us, it will find its way to us eventually.
overall, this book completely captured my heart, and i will be thinking about this for a long, long, long time.
Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author for the ARC in exchange of my honest review.
・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・
pre-read:
got the e-arc and buddy reading with gloria 🫶🏼✨ i’ve been seeing her comments on lisina coney’s posts on ig and just decided to ask her because we both seem to really want to read this book 🤭❤️ i’m sooo looking forward because i’ve been eyeing this one for MONTHS!
May 30, 2026
I did it for the cover and the hot firefighter but I was mostly bored out of my mind
I think this one was totally me, and not the book. So please don't let this stop you from picking this up. Maybe if I was in a different mood, I would’ve enjoyed this more despite my issues with it?
This is a story about two people finding each other at the most vulnerable moments of their lives and falling in love despite not being ready to.
One of the reasons I had trouble connecting to the MCs deeply is that they didn’t always feel genuine to me. They are so mature and sensible they almost outsmart love.
Ivy (26) is incredibly relatable and I loved her at first, but she gets weird at times. She tries very hard to be an adult (even though she’s already one?) and come across as mature. Sometimes I chalked some of that up to a habit she picked up from years of parenting her younger brother from a very young age. Other times… 🥴
“Yeah, I…” I sigh, scratching my brow. “I’m a little tired, I guess. I don’t go out much.” Saying that makes me sound so cool.
Okay.
Ford (35)
“Sounds like an idiot.”
“He has his moments, but he’s pretty great.”
Sounds about right. Nothing to add here.
On the list of things I loved :
જ⁀➴ ♡ The MCs start out as neighbours. They go from strangers to lovers to friends with a mutual crush and a side of restricted benefits, all at a snail-dragging pace. And never underestimate a snail’s will to drag. I actually liked the pacing, until the story missed its moment to take their relationship to the next level - and I don't mean physically. That said, if you’re a spice enthusiast…
That’s all you’re getting.
જ⁀➴ ♡ Both Ford and Ivy are likeable, responsible, and sweet. I love how safe they feel with each other. The whole book they stay open and honest. AND THEY COMMUNICATE. They also have the best conversations and I think it boils down to the fact that their relationship is built on mutual trust.
જ⁀➴ ♡ They show up for one another and take care of each other.
3 stars for 3 good points. We're doing pretty good, right? That's what I thought too. However, one star was lost because, for me, the story gets lost in its own narrative by leaning too hard into the MCs trauma that the romance suffers for it. Last star was lost because towards the end, the story goes OFF. It gets a little silly and too convenient in its resolution. It was at odds with the serious tone the book set from the start. It’s not the wildest plot twist out there, but it just left me in a state of pure disbelief. Think Vizzini from Princess Bride.
And I would say ALLOW IT, but not this time.
“This whole thing sounds straight out of a movie..”
I know, Ford. The only thing left is dramatic music.
I was looking forward to this one, and it wasn’t a bad read per se, the romance didn’t make it to my list of favourites, nor did Ford make it to The list. You know which one.
I think this one was totally me, and not the book. So please don't let this stop you from picking this up. Maybe if I was in a different mood, I would’ve enjoyed this more despite my issues with it?
This is a story about two people finding each other at the most vulnerable moments of their lives and falling in love despite not being ready to.
One of the reasons I had trouble connecting to the MCs deeply is that they didn’t always feel genuine to me. They are so mature and sensible they almost outsmart love.
Ivy (26) is incredibly relatable and I loved her at first, but she gets weird at times. She tries very hard to be an adult (even though she’s already one?) and come across as mature. Sometimes I chalked some of that up to a habit she picked up from years of parenting her younger brother from a very young age. Other times… 🥴
“Yeah, I…” I sigh, scratching my brow. “I’m a little tired, I guess. I don’t go out much.” Saying that makes me sound so cool.
Okay.
Ford (35)
“Sounds like an idiot.”
“He has his moments, but he’s pretty great.”
Sounds about right. Nothing to add here.
On the list of things I loved :
જ⁀➴ ♡ The MCs start out as neighbours. They go from strangers to lovers to friends with a mutual crush and a side of restricted benefits, all at a snail-dragging pace. And never underestimate a snail’s will to drag. I actually liked the pacing, until the story missed its moment to take their relationship to the next level - and I don't mean physically. That said, if you’re a spice enthusiast…
That’s all you’re getting.
જ⁀➴ ♡ Both Ford and Ivy are likeable, responsible, and sweet. I love how safe they feel with each other. The whole book they stay open and honest. AND THEY COMMUNICATE. They also have the best conversations and I think it boils down to the fact that their relationship is built on mutual trust.
જ⁀➴ ♡ They show up for one another and take care of each other.
3 stars for 3 good points. We're doing pretty good, right? That's what I thought too. However, one star was lost because, for me, the story gets lost in its own narrative by leaning too hard into the MCs trauma that the romance suffers for it. Last star was lost because towards the end, the story goes OFF. It gets a little silly and too convenient in its resolution. It was at odds with the serious tone the book set from the start. It’s not the wildest plot twist out there, but it just left me in a state of pure disbelief. Think Vizzini from Princess Bride.
And I would say ALLOW IT, but not this time.
“This whole thing sounds straight out of a movie..”
I know, Ford. The only thing left is dramatic music.
I was looking forward to this one, and it wasn’t a bad read per se, the romance didn’t make it to my list of favourites, nor did Ford make it to The list. You know which one.
May 2, 2026
౨ৎꨄ︎ 4 stars
such a sweet, fast-paced story! i only read one book by lisina coney before this one and i won't lie... i wasn't the biggest fan. i read this mainly because of the cover, ok? but what a lovely surprise! 🙂↕️
this book has it all. slow burn, small town, found family, grumpy x sunshine. and it's so well combined, it really creates such a beautiful story. as i said, the pace is good and i just couldn’t put it down at one point!
ivy takes care of her sixteen y.o. brother joe and let me tell you what a badass she is! she moves back from new york, juggles two jobs and does as much as she can for her brother and his dreams. and she never complains. but meeting new people helps her to find herself and her happiness. i loved how she listened to people and started doing what she always loved doing.
if i was ivy and met ford for the first time, i’d probably punch him. what a grumpy big man… but soon i realized he got hurt in past and is just afraid to open up to someone again. and the more i got to know him, the more i realized what a softie he actually is. not only he is perfect for ivy, but he creates such a beautiful, deep AND very important bond with joe that made me sob. he really is perfect and, sadly, not real.
ivy and ford are sweet together! yes, it takes them a while to come to terms they actually like each other, but the wait is soooo worth it! the tension build-up is chef's kiss nad makes the story even more exciting.
bonus points go to joe and the other characters as well! it truly is a perfect introduction to a new world and i soooo cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
────୨ৎ────
౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: my hopes are for sure fragile, because my recent romance reads were just not it and i’m desperate for something good 😭
such a sweet, fast-paced story! i only read one book by lisina coney before this one and i won't lie... i wasn't the biggest fan. i read this mainly because of the cover, ok? but what a lovely surprise! 🙂↕️
this book has it all. slow burn, small town, found family, grumpy x sunshine. and it's so well combined, it really creates such a beautiful story. as i said, the pace is good and i just couldn’t put it down at one point!
ivy takes care of her sixteen y.o. brother joe and let me tell you what a badass she is! she moves back from new york, juggles two jobs and does as much as she can for her brother and his dreams. and she never complains. but meeting new people helps her to find herself and her happiness. i loved how she listened to people and started doing what she always loved doing.
if i was ivy and met ford for the first time, i’d probably punch him. what a grumpy big man… but soon i realized he got hurt in past and is just afraid to open up to someone again. and the more i got to know him, the more i realized what a softie he actually is. not only he is perfect for ivy, but he creates such a beautiful, deep AND very important bond with joe that made me sob. he really is perfect and, sadly, not real.
ivy and ford are sweet together! yes, it takes them a while to come to terms they actually like each other, but the wait is soooo worth it! the tension build-up is chef's kiss nad makes the story even more exciting.
bonus points go to joe and the other characters as well! it truly is a perfect introduction to a new world and i soooo cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
────୨ৎ────
౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: my hopes are for sure fragile, because my recent romance reads were just not it and i’m desperate for something good 😭
May 9, 2026
Qué historia más linda, me gusta mucho cómo escribe la autora.
La relación entre ellos se va dando muy de a poco y va creciendo. Me gustó ver que primero fueron amigos y se apoyaban mutuamente. Además, me cayó muy bien la protagonista y su historia.
Lo recomiendo para leer una historia que hace bien. Quiero saber sobre los otros hermanos. Ya sospecho de qué será el segundo libro.
La relación entre ellos se va dando muy de a poco y va creciendo. Me gustó ver que primero fueron amigos y se apoyaban mutuamente. Además, me cayó muy bien la protagonista y su historia.
Lo recomiendo para leer una historia que hace bien. Quiero saber sobre los otros hermanos. Ya sospecho de qué será el segundo libro.
Read
April 26, 2026Idk, I was just mostly exhausted by the time I finished this book.
The slow burn didn't help the situation at all. I don't mind this pace as long as something significant is happening to make the wait worthwhile, but tbh not much happens beyond their daily mundane stuff. Also, if you're a reader who likes spice, you might not enjoy the story because there's little of that here; they fooled around twice and one full scene (at 84%)—that's it. The final straw for me was when the MCs decided to have a freaking relationship finally at the 94% mark!!! Mygawd, the push and pull lasted for far too long. I can't believe I actually finished this.
Anyway, this didn't work for me, and to each their own.
Book info (Spoilers ⚠️):
- Small town romance
- Age gap (26h/35H)
- Sloooow burn
- Strangers to lovers
- Push and pull
- Grumpy x Sunshine (???)
- Loss of loved one (past)
- Accident caused by DUI
- No cheating
- Minor OW/OM
- No V (h - celibate 2 yrs, H - celibate since his divorce 1 yr)
- HEA (8 yrs later, married and child free)
Notes:
- Not really OW, but there were two instances where women flirted with him but he wasn't interested since his divorce
- OM. She went on one date with the MMC's co-worker because she thought he wasn't interested. The OM ended becoming a friend.
- The ex-wife cheated on him, and I think they were only married for almost a year. Said he didn't love her, but their separation made him jaded about marriage and love.
- They were child free by choice. The H cannot imagine having a kid because of his job and the h had been the parental figure to her brother since she was 16 and didn't want to do it all over again.
- There was no separation, imo, even though there are always time jumps in the story. They weren't really together, and there were times they wouldn't meet because of their schedules.
- No V. No dating details were given about the FMC. As for the MMC, he said he only had 2 gfs, then his ex-wife, and I don't get the impression he had been around.
The slow burn didn't help the situation at all. I don't mind this pace as long as something significant is happening to make the wait worthwhile, but tbh not much happens beyond their daily mundane stuff. Also, if you're a reader who likes spice, you might not enjoy the story because there's little of that here; they fooled around twice and one full scene (at 84%)—that's it. The final straw for me was when the MCs decided to have a freaking relationship finally at the 94% mark!!! Mygawd, the push and pull lasted for far too long. I can't believe I actually finished this.
Anyway, this didn't work for me, and to each their own.
Book info (Spoilers ⚠️):
- Small town romance
- Age gap (26h/35H)
- Sloooow burn
- Strangers to lovers
- Push and pull
- Grumpy x Sunshine (???)
- Loss of loved one (past)
- Accident caused by DUI
- No cheating
- Minor OW/OM
- No V (h - celibate 2 yrs, H - celibate since his divorce 1 yr)
- HEA (8 yrs later, married and child free)
Notes:
- Not really OW, but there were two instances where women flirted with him but he wasn't interested since his divorce
- OM. She went on one date with the MMC's co-worker because she thought he wasn't interested. The OM ended becoming a friend.
- The ex-wife cheated on him, and I think they were only married for almost a year. Said he didn't love her, but their separation made him jaded about marriage and love.
- They were child free by choice. The H cannot imagine having a kid because of his job and the h had been the parental figure to her brother since she was 16 and didn't want to do it all over again.
- There was no separation, imo, even though there are always time jumps in the story. They weren't really together, and there were times they wouldn't meet because of their schedules.
- No V. No dating details were given about the FMC. As for the MMC, he said he only had 2 gfs, then his ex-wife, and I don't get the impression he had been around.
May 19, 2026
⋆˙⟡ — 3.75 stars
⤷⊹ started: may 16th, finished: may 19th
ugh this was so cute 😩 rtc!!
— ⋆˙⟡ pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
i’ve been wanting to read this book for a while because the cover looks sooo cute, and i just found out the mmc is a firefighter 🫦 i’m only 2 chapters in, but i’m really enjoying it so far 🤭
⤷⊹ started: may 16th, finished: may 19th
ugh this was so cute 😩 rtc!!
— ⋆˙⟡ pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
i’ve been wanting to read this book for a while because the cover looks sooo cute, and i just found out the mmc is a firefighter 🫦 i’m only 2 chapters in, but i’m really enjoying it so far 🤭
April 17, 2026
✨ Rating: 5⭐️
🫧 Vibes: being there for each other
🎶 Song: this is me trying - taylor swift
📖 Favourite Quote: "I'm so in love with her, it hurts to exist in a world where the possibility of us not growing old together exists."
📚 Would I recommend? YES YES
💬 tldr thoughts: my new obsession
In the package:
📦 firefighter x eldest daughter
📦 found family
📦 age gap
📦 she's her brother's guardian
📦 neighbours to lovers
Plot: Ivy is 26 years old and moves back to Harmony Hills because she's become the guardian of her teen brother, Joe. She unfortunately abandoned her dreams so she can ensure Joe gets to live his: becoming a pilot. By working 2 jobs and making sure her brother is having a good life, Ivy is neglecting hers. Enter Ford, her grumpy neighbour who can't seem to stay away from her and help her in a time of need. While neither of them are ready for a relationship, they can't seem to avoid their feelings for each other.
Thoughts: JUST FOUND A NEW FAVOURITE AUTHOR 🥹 I just love it when books contain mature characters that communicate their feelings in a healthy way. Everyone in this book was such a green flag (other than their dad and aunt obvi). Ivy was one of the most selfless FMCs I've read in a long time and Ford was constantly there for her and her brother, Joe. No strings attached. They were always so raw and honest with each other, and it was so refreshing. While the romance plot was absolutely my favourite, the bond between Ivy and Joe and Ford and Joe is a very close second. It was heartwarming, beautiful and raw.
The banter between the characters was chefs kiss and the tender moments made me cry. I was a mess reading this! It's a story about growth, healing and chasing your dreams. I loved every second of it. Bring on book two 🤭
Thank you NetGalley and Lisina Coney for the eARC!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
🫧 Vibes: being there for each other
🎶 Song: this is me trying - taylor swift
📖 Favourite Quote: "I'm so in love with her, it hurts to exist in a world where the possibility of us not growing old together exists."
📚 Would I recommend? YES YES
💬 tldr thoughts: my new obsession
In the package:
📦 firefighter x eldest daughter
📦 found family
📦 age gap
📦 she's her brother's guardian
📦 neighbours to lovers
Plot: Ivy is 26 years old and moves back to Harmony Hills because she's become the guardian of her teen brother, Joe. She unfortunately abandoned her dreams so she can ensure Joe gets to live his: becoming a pilot. By working 2 jobs and making sure her brother is having a good life, Ivy is neglecting hers. Enter Ford, her grumpy neighbour who can't seem to stay away from her and help her in a time of need. While neither of them are ready for a relationship, they can't seem to avoid their feelings for each other.
Thoughts: JUST FOUND A NEW FAVOURITE AUTHOR 🥹 I just love it when books contain mature characters that communicate their feelings in a healthy way. Everyone in this book was such a green flag (other than their dad and aunt obvi). Ivy was one of the most selfless FMCs I've read in a long time and Ford was constantly there for her and her brother, Joe. No strings attached. They were always so raw and honest with each other, and it was so refreshing. While the romance plot was absolutely my favourite, the bond between Ivy and Joe and Ford and Joe is a very close second. It was heartwarming, beautiful and raw.
The banter between the characters was chefs kiss and the tender moments made me cry. I was a mess reading this! It's a story about growth, healing and chasing your dreams. I loved every second of it. Bring on book two 🤭
Thank you NetGalley and Lisina Coney for the eARC!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I just knew it, this book was so good and destroyed my heart.
Do you know that feeling when you start a book and, without even realizing it, you’re filled with a sense of peace, freshness, and calm? That kind of read that feels like a deep breath. Well, that’s exactly what happens to me with Lisina’s books. Reading her is a safe bet, a guaranteed 5/5. There is nothing she writes that doesn’t include emotionally real characters, the kind that don’t just live on the page, but could easily be you, me, or maybe even your neighbor. I’ve always said this: when a book makes you think, keeps you up until 3 a.m., reading with teary eyes, it was a good book. And that is exactly what happened to me with this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for approving my request to read this ARC. I read it in 24 hours, and honestly, they were some of the best hours of my life.
Now, what is this story about? Ivy is a 26-year-old woman who has been through a lot. She lost her mother, her father is irresponsible, and she is the legal guardian of her younger brother Joe, a sweet, polite, and well-behaved 16-year-old who causes no trouble at all. Ivy works every job she can to put food on the table and clothes on her brother’s back. But she goes even further than that. She saves every single cent she can to give Joe what he wants most: to attend flight school. One of his biggest dreams is to become a pilot and take his sister to the most incredible places in the world.
Ivy is incredibly responsible. She worries about her boss, her coworkers, the lady who sells her sandwiches when she goes out to eat with her brother, basically everyone. Everyone except herself. She forgets that she is 26 years old, not someone with decades of life experience. She lives like an exhausted adult when she should be enjoying her youth. But how could you blame her? Life has been cruel to her. From a very young age, she learned how to do everything alone: be the older sister, the maternal figure, the authority, the provider. Thinking more about whether she’ll have enough money to send her brother to college than about herself sounds sad and painfully lonely.
Everything begins to change when she returns to Harmony Hills to officially become her brother’s guardian. And with that return comes her new neighbor, Ford. An elegant, sensual, exquisite, older, very handsome firefighter.
Ford is my knight in shining armor, the kind that truly only exists in books, and one I wish every woman could experience at least once in her life. He is grumpy and always looks like he’s frowning, but that’s just his exterior. Deep down, he’s just a ridiculously attractive firefighter who totally enjoys posing naked for the town calendars (sarcasm) (don’t hate me for this, Ford). He is 36 years old, divorced, and fully devoted to his job and planning for retirement. After being betrayed by his ex-wife, he lost all hope of finding love again, as disappointment is all he knows. He is the middle brother of three. Rhys, the oldest, is the town sheriff and has a five-year-old daughter. Nash, the youngest, owns the family lodge. They are a close-knit, loving family with present parents. Each brother has a distinct personality, but Ford stands out the most for his constant grumpy demeanor, which slowly starts to change as he gets to know Ivy.
Now that I’ve talked about them individually, let’s talk about their relationship. Ivy and Ford are absolutely IDIOTS (affectionately), because it’s painfully obvious how much they like each other. Joe, Ivy’s brother, is their number one fan. If it were up to him, they would’ve been married a week after meeting, and it’s one of the funniest parts of the book.
This book is a full-on slow burn. The kind where you don’t even realize how slow it is until you’re past 60 percent and nothing more has happened than accidental touches or them being extremely kind to one another. And somehow, it works perfectly. I honestly love stories that focus on finding yourself again, healing, and growing, especially when you’re surrounded by people who support you, push you forward, and believe in you.
Ivy, Joe, and Ford are characters I will never forget.
OH, and yes, I already know who’s next. That upcoming trope is one of my absolute FAVORITES, so I’m very ready for it.
Do you know that feeling when you start a book and, without even realizing it, you’re filled with a sense of peace, freshness, and calm? That kind of read that feels like a deep breath. Well, that’s exactly what happens to me with Lisina’s books. Reading her is a safe bet, a guaranteed 5/5. There is nothing she writes that doesn’t include emotionally real characters, the kind that don’t just live on the page, but could easily be you, me, or maybe even your neighbor. I’ve always said this: when a book makes you think, keeps you up until 3 a.m., reading with teary eyes, it was a good book. And that is exactly what happened to me with this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for approving my request to read this ARC. I read it in 24 hours, and honestly, they were some of the best hours of my life.
Now, what is this story about? Ivy is a 26-year-old woman who has been through a lot. She lost her mother, her father is irresponsible, and she is the legal guardian of her younger brother Joe, a sweet, polite, and well-behaved 16-year-old who causes no trouble at all. Ivy works every job she can to put food on the table and clothes on her brother’s back. But she goes even further than that. She saves every single cent she can to give Joe what he wants most: to attend flight school. One of his biggest dreams is to become a pilot and take his sister to the most incredible places in the world.
Ivy is incredibly responsible. She worries about her boss, her coworkers, the lady who sells her sandwiches when she goes out to eat with her brother, basically everyone. Everyone except herself. She forgets that she is 26 years old, not someone with decades of life experience. She lives like an exhausted adult when she should be enjoying her youth. But how could you blame her? Life has been cruel to her. From a very young age, she learned how to do everything alone: be the older sister, the maternal figure, the authority, the provider. Thinking more about whether she’ll have enough money to send her brother to college than about herself sounds sad and painfully lonely.
Everything begins to change when she returns to Harmony Hills to officially become her brother’s guardian. And with that return comes her new neighbor, Ford. An elegant, sensual, exquisite, older, very handsome firefighter.
Ford is my knight in shining armor, the kind that truly only exists in books, and one I wish every woman could experience at least once in her life. He is grumpy and always looks like he’s frowning, but that’s just his exterior. Deep down, he’s just a ridiculously attractive firefighter who totally enjoys posing naked for the town calendars (sarcasm) (don’t hate me for this, Ford). He is 36 years old, divorced, and fully devoted to his job and planning for retirement. After being betrayed by his ex-wife, he lost all hope of finding love again, as disappointment is all he knows. He is the middle brother of three. Rhys, the oldest, is the town sheriff and has a five-year-old daughter. Nash, the youngest, owns the family lodge. They are a close-knit, loving family with present parents. Each brother has a distinct personality, but Ford stands out the most for his constant grumpy demeanor, which slowly starts to change as he gets to know Ivy.
Now that I’ve talked about them individually, let’s talk about their relationship. Ivy and Ford are absolutely IDIOTS (affectionately), because it’s painfully obvious how much they like each other. Joe, Ivy’s brother, is their number one fan. If it were up to him, they would’ve been married a week after meeting, and it’s one of the funniest parts of the book.
This book is a full-on slow burn. The kind where you don’t even realize how slow it is until you’re past 60 percent and nothing more has happened than accidental touches or them being extremely kind to one another. And somehow, it works perfectly. I honestly love stories that focus on finding yourself again, healing, and growing, especially when you’re surrounded by people who support you, push you forward, and believe in you.
Ivy, Joe, and Ford are characters I will never forget.
OH, and yes, I already know who’s next. That upcoming trope is one of my absolute FAVORITES, so I’m very ready for it.
April 28, 2026
5/5⭐️ Ford e Ivy son increíbles, me han gustado muchísimo 🥹❤️🩹
Me he visto obligada a cambiar la puntuación porque no podía parar de pensar en ellos.
Este libro es precioso en todos los sentidos, y la pluma de Lisina es simplemente maravillosa.
Me ha encantado la relación de los protagonistas y la relación que tenía Joe (el hermano de Ivy) con ambos.
No os voy a mentir: he soltado alguna que otra lagrimita, pero este libro es como un abrazo al corazón, y el epílogo, junto con una de las escenas finales que incluye a Joe, son demasiado bonitos >>>
Sinceramente, no me puedo creer que se haya terminado. Leería 500 páginas más de estos personajes.
Estoy deseando saber más sobre los siguientes libros y, sobre todo, conocer en profundidad a los hermanos Hayes. Tengo mis sospechas sobre quiénes serán los protagonistas del siguiente, y me muero de ganas por leerlo!! ✨
Lisina siempre será un sí para mí!!
Me he visto obligada a cambiar la puntuación porque no podía parar de pensar en ellos.
Este libro es precioso en todos los sentidos, y la pluma de Lisina es simplemente maravillosa.
Me ha encantado la relación de los protagonistas y la relación que tenía Joe (el hermano de Ivy) con ambos.
No os voy a mentir: he soltado alguna que otra lagrimita, pero este libro es como un abrazo al corazón, y el epílogo, junto con una de las escenas finales que incluye a Joe, son demasiado bonitos >>>
Sinceramente, no me puedo creer que se haya terminado. Leería 500 páginas más de estos personajes.
Estoy deseando saber más sobre los siguientes libros y, sobre todo, conocer en profundidad a los hermanos Hayes. Tengo mis sospechas sobre quiénes serán los protagonistas del siguiente, y me muero de ganas por leerlo!! ✨
Lisina siempre será un sí para mí!!
April 29, 2026
The books this woman writes always manage to get me out of the biggest reading slump. I've binged this in one sitting. Her books are always sweet, easy to read, with SWOOON WORTHY, THE GREENEST OF FLAGS OF MEN, who are grumpy grumps, but underneath all that, they hide the softest of hearts. And did I mention they are all simps? they are YEARNERS, respectful, and worship their women.
I know her books are always slow burn and she talks about all sorts of relationships and hardships in life, and because of that her books feel like real life but the thing I didn't like in this book was the fact that I was reading more about Ivy and her brother, It's a romance book so why it felt like Joe - her brother was more important than the MMC - Ford??? I needed more Ivy x Ford moments. It felt like this was a romance book but it centered around siblings and family issues?
I also love love LOVED the fact that both MMCs weren't obsessed with the idea of being parents, and they were both okay being childless. It was refreshing seeing that in a book, and I loved the epilogue for that even more.
And Miss Lisina, when you write your men this swoooooon worthy and delicious as fuck I want to see them in action more, please (write more smutty scenes, because ONLY one chapter of that sweet candy ain't enough, respectfully)
🌸Grumpy x sunshine
🌸Neighbors to friends? to lovers
🌸Firefighter x eldest daughter
🌸Age gap (35 x 26)
🌸Sweetest sibling duo
🌸Family issues, cheating (not between mmcs!)
🌸Healing, second chance at love
🌸Slow burnnnnn
🌸Small town
I know her books are always slow burn and she talks about all sorts of relationships and hardships in life, and because of that her books feel like real life but the thing I didn't like in this book was the fact that I was reading more about Ivy and her brother, It's a romance book so why it felt like Joe - her brother was more important than the MMC - Ford??? I needed more Ivy x Ford moments. It felt like this was a romance book but it centered around siblings and family issues?
I also love love LOVED the fact that both MMCs weren't obsessed with the idea of being parents, and they were both okay being childless. It was refreshing seeing that in a book, and I loved the epilogue for that even more.
And Miss Lisina, when you write your men this swoooooon worthy and delicious as fuck I want to see them in action more, please (write more smutty scenes, because ONLY one chapter of that sweet candy ain't enough, respectfully)
🌸Grumpy x sunshine
🌸Neighbors to friends? to lovers
🌸Firefighter x eldest daughter
🌸Age gap (35 x 26)
🌸Sweetest sibling duo
🌸Family issues, cheating (not between mmcs!)
🌸Healing, second chance at love
🌸Slow burnnnnn
🌸Small town
May 16, 2026
⊹₊🔥⋆｡°✩ LISINA CONEY CONTINUES TO WRITE MY FAVORITE ROMANCES ⊹₊🔥⋆｡°✩
I've been trying to read my second Lisina book since I read The Brightest Light of Sunshine, her first novel. But for some reason, I haven't gotten the chance to finish that series or even read her romantic suspense. I totally do want to but you know me, I have a thousand things to do and I'm a slow reader, so I'm doing the best I can.
Thankfully, I was able to read Fragile Hopes which is Lisina's most recent release. It spoke to me: the tropes, the characters, the plot - like it definitely felt like a book that I would simply adore. And I was right! This book is a small-town romance featuring neighbors who fall in love in such a slow-burn way. Lisina just knows how to write a slow burn and this one? Oh this one was SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL🔥 Yall it took them like 70% of the novel to even kiss I think and I was EATING IT UPPP.
What if I told you I went to sleep last night at 4 am because I couldn't stop reading this book and I had to finish it on the same day? Yeah that happened💥 I couldn't believe it but I just wanted to keep reading and I feel that this always happens to me when it comes to slow burn romances, well-written slow burns, I just want to know how they get together, when they get together, and how they will get to that happily ever after. I'm such a sucker for this trope and Lisina Coney did it in a marvelous way!
Fragile Hopes also has this:
💥 "I can do it myself" girl x "I know but let me help you" boy
💥 The heroine is the guardian of her younger brother
💥 Her brother ships themmmm hard it's so cute
💥 There's a scene where she gets sicks, and he STAYS there all night to take care of her
💥 He misjudges her at first, but then has to apologize because he got her alllllll wrong lmao
💥 She's always done everything on her own but now he's there worrying about her, telling her she deserves to be first in everything, "I'm team Ivy" KJNJSNSJD no one has been on her side EVER
I'm ready for book two because I have a feeling who the characters are going to be AND the trope it'll have. I'm so ready for more of this town, these characters, and these stories.
I've been trying to read my second Lisina book since I read The Brightest Light of Sunshine, her first novel. But for some reason, I haven't gotten the chance to finish that series or even read her romantic suspense. I totally do want to but you know me, I have a thousand things to do and I'm a slow reader, so I'm doing the best I can.
Thankfully, I was able to read Fragile Hopes which is Lisina's most recent release. It spoke to me: the tropes, the characters, the plot - like it definitely felt like a book that I would simply adore. And I was right! This book is a small-town romance featuring neighbors who fall in love in such a slow-burn way. Lisina just knows how to write a slow burn and this one? Oh this one was SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL🔥 Yall it took them like 70% of the novel to even kiss I think and I was EATING IT UPPP.
What if I told you I went to sleep last night at 4 am because I couldn't stop reading this book and I had to finish it on the same day? Yeah that happened💥 I couldn't believe it but I just wanted to keep reading and I feel that this always happens to me when it comes to slow burn romances, well-written slow burns, I just want to know how they get together, when they get together, and how they will get to that happily ever after. I'm such a sucker for this trope and Lisina Coney did it in a marvelous way!
Fragile Hopes also has this:
💥 "I can do it myself" girl x "I know but let me help you" boy
💥 The heroine is the guardian of her younger brother
💥 Her brother ships themmmm hard it's so cute
💥 There's a scene where she gets sicks, and he STAYS there all night to take care of her
💥 He misjudges her at first, but then has to apologize because he got her alllllll wrong lmao
💥 She's always done everything on her own but now he's there worrying about her, telling her she deserves to be first in everything, "I'm team Ivy" KJNJSNSJD no one has been on her side EVER
I'm ready for book two because I have a feeling who the characters are going to be AND the trope it'll have. I'm so ready for more of this town, these characters, and these stories.
August 3, 2026
3,5 ✮⋆˙ || Owww my shaylaaaaa 😭💖
Planeaba hacerme la muy muy y escribir una reseña extensa, pero creo que la frase al inicio abarca excelente lo que sentí durante todo el libro (lit, lo pensaba a cada rato jsjs).
Es una historia linda que habla sobre el amor, no solo romántico sino también fraternal e incluso amistoso (siento que este último se va a desarrollar más en el segundo libro de la serie ☝️). También trata sobre los sacrificios que estamos dispuestos a hacer por los que amamos (nuestra protagonista, Ivy, lo sabe bien 😭). Ford, aunque hubo momentos donde me sacó de quicio, en general me agradó mucho como apoyaba a Ivy, muy lindo. Y Joe (el hermano de Ivy) me gustó mucho también, su sentido del humor me tenía riendo un montón, sin duda mi personaje favorito 🤌
¿Me gustó? Sí. ¿Lo recomiendo? Por supuesto.
Mi única pega es la traducción del libro 🥴 es que hay frases y expresiones tan pero TAN españolas que me sacaba mucho de la historia. Gracias a Dios conozco la mayoría de ellas porque si no hubiera estado perdidisima. Y quizá digan que no es para tanto, pero si lo es. Imaginen que dicho personaje hace un comentario y una ni enterada de lo que significa (sí, puedo ir a buscar el significado en google, pero se vuelve molesto si es cada 5 párrafos 😔 solo digo). Creo fielmente que si no fuera por eso, la historia me habría gustado más.
Ahora, estoy demasiado emocionada por el siguiente libro que será de Nash (es un sol, lo amo) y Alma (la amiga de Ivy) AAAAHHHHH tengo el presentimiento de que lo voy a amar muchísimooo 🤭
Planeaba hacerme la muy muy y escribir una reseña extensa, pero creo que la frase al inicio abarca excelente lo que sentí durante todo el libro (lit, lo pensaba a cada rato jsjs).
Es una historia linda que habla sobre el amor, no solo romántico sino también fraternal e incluso amistoso (siento que este último se va a desarrollar más en el segundo libro de la serie ☝️). También trata sobre los sacrificios que estamos dispuestos a hacer por los que amamos (nuestra protagonista, Ivy, lo sabe bien 😭). Ford, aunque hubo momentos donde me sacó de quicio, en general me agradó mucho como apoyaba a Ivy, muy lindo. Y Joe (el hermano de Ivy) me gustó mucho también, su sentido del humor me tenía riendo un montón, sin duda mi personaje favorito 🤌
¿Me gustó? Sí. ¿Lo recomiendo? Por supuesto.
Mi única pega es la traducción del libro 🥴 es que hay frases y expresiones tan pero TAN españolas que me sacaba mucho de la historia. Gracias a Dios conozco la mayoría de ellas porque si no hubiera estado perdidisima. Y quizá digan que no es para tanto, pero si lo es. Imaginen que dicho personaje hace un comentario y una ni enterada de lo que significa (sí, puedo ir a buscar el significado en google, pero se vuelve molesto si es cada 5 párrafos 😔 solo digo). Creo fielmente que si no fuera por eso, la historia me habría gustado más.
Ahora, estoy demasiado emocionada por el siguiente libro que será de Nash (es un sol, lo amo) y Alma (la amiga de Ivy) AAAAHHHHH tengo el presentimiento de que lo voy a amar muchísimooo 🤭
March 22, 2026
I just know this is about to become a top series for me! This book was absolutely fabulous and I’m excited to see what is next (hopefully Fords’ brothers, especially Rhys).
Ivy ends up becoming the guardian for her 16 year old brother, Joe, after her dad is jailed. I loved the relationship between Ivy and Joe and the author managed to find the right balance between siblings with a significant age gap, and Ivy suddenly becoming a guardian for her brother. Their relationship was the sweetest and the epilogue had me crying (by the pool on holiday!).
Enter Ivy’s next door neighbour Ford, a grumpy and divorced firefighter. Their relationship development was brilliant and I loved how Joe was rooting for them as well.
The writing, the pacing, the characters - everything was perfect! This is easily Lisina Coney’s best book!
Fans of Elsie Silver would definitely love this one!
I received an advanced copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Ivy ends up becoming the guardian for her 16 year old brother, Joe, after her dad is jailed. I loved the relationship between Ivy and Joe and the author managed to find the right balance between siblings with a significant age gap, and Ivy suddenly becoming a guardian for her brother. Their relationship was the sweetest and the epilogue had me crying (by the pool on holiday!).
Enter Ivy’s next door neighbour Ford, a grumpy and divorced firefighter. Their relationship development was brilliant and I loved how Joe was rooting for them as well.
The writing, the pacing, the characters - everything was perfect! This is easily Lisina Coney’s best book!
Fans of Elsie Silver would definitely love this one!
I received an advanced copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 15, 2026
In my next vlog
February 16, 2026
I absolutely loved this, wow. I went into this thinking it would be a fun hot firefighter romance (I go into most books blind) but this was so much more than that.
The balance of emotions was perfect to be honest. These characters felt so real to me, they faced real life battles and challenges, I adored that Ford & Ivy started as friends I really believed how much they loved and cared for each other, no insta love in sight. Their relationship developed so naturally throughout the book. A perfect slow burn.
I also loved Joe & Ivy’s sibling relationship. It would have been easy to make Ivy the protective older sister and leave it at that, but their dynamic is so much more. Joe looks out for Ivy just as much as she does for him, and that mutual protectiveness felt so special especially considering everything they’ve been through. Their bond added so much emotional depth to the story.
I saw so much of myself in Ivy. I connected with her in a way I rarely do with fictional characters. I don’t think I’ve ever related to a character this deeply before.
The writing is amazing, completely character driven in the best way. This wasn’t just a romance, it was a story about healing, growth, and the people who choose to stand beside you through it all. This will stick with me.
The balance of emotions was perfect to be honest. These characters felt so real to me, they faced real life battles and challenges, I adored that Ford & Ivy started as friends I really believed how much they loved and cared for each other, no insta love in sight. Their relationship developed so naturally throughout the book. A perfect slow burn.
I also loved Joe & Ivy’s sibling relationship. It would have been easy to make Ivy the protective older sister and leave it at that, but their dynamic is so much more. Joe looks out for Ivy just as much as she does for him, and that mutual protectiveness felt so special especially considering everything they’ve been through. Their bond added so much emotional depth to the story.
I saw so much of myself in Ivy. I connected with her in a way I rarely do with fictional characters. I don’t think I’ve ever related to a character this deeply before.
The writing is amazing, completely character driven in the best way. This wasn’t just a romance, it was a story about healing, growth, and the people who choose to stand beside you through it all. This will stick with me.
March 31, 2026
3.75
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Fragile Hopes follows Ivy, a 26 woman who becomes the guardian of her teen Young brother, Joe, and this is the reason why she moves back to her hometown, and lives next door to Ford. He is a firefighter, struggling after a divorce, and wants to stay away from women because he gave up on love.
I enjoyed the author's writing style. It's very fluid, and I liked how she dealt with the themes. I've read some books about an eldest daughter raising a young brother, but the relationship between Ivy and Joe was so loving and felt real, because despise the love, there are bad days. On parallel, the author shows the relationship between Ford and his brothers, and I don't know if it was planned, but I liked seeing different ways of the same kind of relationship. The author could've explored some plot points in more detail, some are fast solved, but the resolution is good, anyway, the author never misses her mark or takes things too far.
The romance was gradual, I really like when I can see that a couple is friendly before getting into a relationship. Ford was there for Ivy even before they were falling for each other, and Ivy helped Ford believe in himself after the divorce. I liked that Ivy and Ford are characters by themselves, too. Ivy is dealing with her artist's block, her absent father, and Ford is learning to trust other people, and himself to make the right choices. Some antagonists are a bit clichê, but the secondary characters shine, and the best one is Joe, I felt his struggles and insecurities. Ford's brothers are MMC material, and I hope there will be books about them.
I would recommend Fragile Hopes if you read and liked books by:
Stephanie Archer
Lucy Score
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Fragile Hopes follows Ivy, a 26 woman who becomes the guardian of her teen Young brother, Joe, and this is the reason why she moves back to her hometown, and lives next door to Ford. He is a firefighter, struggling after a divorce, and wants to stay away from women because he gave up on love.
I enjoyed the author's writing style. It's very fluid, and I liked how she dealt with the themes. I've read some books about an eldest daughter raising a young brother, but the relationship between Ivy and Joe was so loving and felt real, because despise the love, there are bad days. On parallel, the author shows the relationship between Ford and his brothers, and I don't know if it was planned, but I liked seeing different ways of the same kind of relationship. The author could've explored some plot points in more detail, some are fast solved, but the resolution is good, anyway, the author never misses her mark or takes things too far.
The romance was gradual, I really like when I can see that a couple is friendly before getting into a relationship. Ford was there for Ivy even before they were falling for each other, and Ivy helped Ford believe in himself after the divorce. I liked that Ivy and Ford are characters by themselves, too. Ivy is dealing with her artist's block, her absent father, and Ford is learning to trust other people, and himself to make the right choices. Some antagonists are a bit clichê, but the secondary characters shine, and the best one is Joe, I felt his struggles and insecurities. Ford's brothers are MMC material, and I hope there will be books about them.
I would recommend Fragile Hopes if you read and liked books by:
Stephanie Archer
Lucy Score
June 27, 2026
Por favor me ha encantado este libro, necesitaba un romance slow burn que calentase el corazón y no me he equivocado escogiendo esta maravilla.
Me han encantado los personajes, sus historias y su fuerza. La llorera cuando he leído el epílogo… Que ganas de que llegue finales de año y conocer un poco más al hermano pequeño!!!
Me han encantado los personajes, sus historias y su fuerza. La llorera cuando he leído el epílogo… Que ganas de que llegue finales de año y conocer un poco más al hermano pequeño!!!
June 30, 2026
Son cucos pero he sentido lo que suelo sentir con los romances, por mucho que entendiera a Ivy en ciertas situaciones, no me ha hecho sentir nada del otro mundo a no ser ternura en algunas situaciones entre ellos y con su hermano, pero sin más 😭 aún así amo las vibes y es probable que el siguiente lo lea porque los personajes me llaman bastante.
April 24, 2026
3.25 ⭐
Fragile Hopes is one of those stories that immediately pulls you in with its warmth. The cover alone sets a very clear expectation, and for the most part, the book delivers on that soft, comforting, slightly emotional romance it promises.
At the centre of the story is Ivy, who returns to her small hometown after three years in New York to take care of her younger brother Joe as his legal guardian. His dream of going to flight school becomes her entire focus, and the story really leans into that idea of that martyrdom: of putting your own life on hold for someone you love. It’s a premise that feels easy to connect with, especially because Ivy’s motivations are never in question. And Ivy herself is a very likeable character, strong, genuinely nice, a bit like a younger Lorelai Gilmore who hold sarcasm as a shield to protect herself (but never in a hurtful way!).
And then there’s Ford, the grumpy, emotionally guarded firefighter next door, whose initial distance slowly gives way to something much softer. His dynamic with Ivy and Joe is where the story is at its strongest. The way he shows up for them, step by step, without pushing too hard, creates some genuinely sweet and emotionally satisfying moments.
Where this story truly works is in those moments where care becomes tangible.
When Ford steps in, gently, persistently, and shows Ivy that being taken care of isn’t a weakness. Those scenes carry the emotional weight of the book and they work. They’re soft, warm, and genuinely affecting. You root for these two throughout!
The romance itself follows a familiar rhythm…grumpy/sunshine, quiet longing, a push and pull that never turns sharp. Even the angst feels cushioned, almost deliberately softened, which makes the story incredibly easy to settle into.
But.
This is also where the book held me at a distance.
For a story that is so focused on emotional depth, it often doesn’t fully trust the reader to engage with those emotions on their own. A lot of the inner monologue leans heavily into over-explaining not just what a character feels, but also why they feel that way and what that feeling ultimately means. Instead of letting reactions speak for themselves, the writing frequently steps in to interpret them FOR YOU. We’re told why reactions happen, what they mean, and what we’re supposed to take from them.
And because of that, there’s very little space left to actually wonder.
The first half especially feels dense with explanation—like every emotional beat is double-checked, clarified, and neatly wrapped. And while that creates plausibility, it also flattens tension and depth. There’s less room for misinterpretation, for second-guessing, for that quiet reader instinct of wait, what did that mean? Especially when it came to drawing the wrong emotional conclusions by the characters themselves.
And while I understand that both Ivy and Ford are meant to be characters who overthink and self-sabotage, the way this is written makes their emotional processes feel less like something you experience with them and more like something that is explained and needed to make the slow burn even slower. They rarely question their own assumptions in a way that invites the reader to engage; instead, they tend to jump straight to wrong conclusions, which are then presented as the definitive interpretation.
And that, for me, is what kept the connection just out of reach.
Because the characters are so likeable. You want to sit with them. You want to feel them. But instead of moving through their emotions with them, you’re often told where you are and why.
It’s a gentle story, with a lot of heart.
And there’s real potential in the way Lisina Coney writes care, softness, and emotional safety.
I just kept wishing the story trusted me a little more to read between the lines, to sit in the discomfort for a second longer, to question a glance, to hurt with them and especially to feel before being told what to feel.
Because that’s where characters stop being likeable and start feeling real!
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
Fragile Hopes is one of those stories that immediately pulls you in with its warmth. The cover alone sets a very clear expectation, and for the most part, the book delivers on that soft, comforting, slightly emotional romance it promises.
At the centre of the story is Ivy, who returns to her small hometown after three years in New York to take care of her younger brother Joe as his legal guardian. His dream of going to flight school becomes her entire focus, and the story really leans into that idea of that martyrdom: of putting your own life on hold for someone you love. It’s a premise that feels easy to connect with, especially because Ivy’s motivations are never in question. And Ivy herself is a very likeable character, strong, genuinely nice, a bit like a younger Lorelai Gilmore who hold sarcasm as a shield to protect herself (but never in a hurtful way!).
And then there’s Ford, the grumpy, emotionally guarded firefighter next door, whose initial distance slowly gives way to something much softer. His dynamic with Ivy and Joe is where the story is at its strongest. The way he shows up for them, step by step, without pushing too hard, creates some genuinely sweet and emotionally satisfying moments.
Where this story truly works is in those moments where care becomes tangible.
When Ford steps in, gently, persistently, and shows Ivy that being taken care of isn’t a weakness. Those scenes carry the emotional weight of the book and they work. They’re soft, warm, and genuinely affecting. You root for these two throughout!
The romance itself follows a familiar rhythm…grumpy/sunshine, quiet longing, a push and pull that never turns sharp. Even the angst feels cushioned, almost deliberately softened, which makes the story incredibly easy to settle into.
But.
This is also where the book held me at a distance.
For a story that is so focused on emotional depth, it often doesn’t fully trust the reader to engage with those emotions on their own. A lot of the inner monologue leans heavily into over-explaining not just what a character feels, but also why they feel that way and what that feeling ultimately means. Instead of letting reactions speak for themselves, the writing frequently steps in to interpret them FOR YOU. We’re told why reactions happen, what they mean, and what we’re supposed to take from them.
And because of that, there’s very little space left to actually wonder.
The first half especially feels dense with explanation—like every emotional beat is double-checked, clarified, and neatly wrapped. And while that creates plausibility, it also flattens tension and depth. There’s less room for misinterpretation, for second-guessing, for that quiet reader instinct of wait, what did that mean? Especially when it came to drawing the wrong emotional conclusions by the characters themselves.
And while I understand that both Ivy and Ford are meant to be characters who overthink and self-sabotage, the way this is written makes their emotional processes feel less like something you experience with them and more like something that is explained and needed to make the slow burn even slower. They rarely question their own assumptions in a way that invites the reader to engage; instead, they tend to jump straight to wrong conclusions, which are then presented as the definitive interpretation.
And that, for me, is what kept the connection just out of reach.
Because the characters are so likeable. You want to sit with them. You want to feel them. But instead of moving through their emotions with them, you’re often told where you are and why.
It’s a gentle story, with a lot of heart.
And there’s real potential in the way Lisina Coney writes care, softness, and emotional safety.
I just kept wishing the story trusted me a little more to read between the lines, to sit in the discomfort for a second longer, to question a glance, to hurt with them and especially to feel before being told what to feel.
Because that’s where characters stop being likeable and start feeling real!
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
April 17, 2026
I fell victim to early buzz yet again 😔
DNF at 43%
I requested this ARC expecting a sure 5 stars. I enjoyed the first 15% but knew it will rather be 4 at best. Sadly even before I got to 35% it was leaning more towards 3 stars. I picked it up again at 35% and the whole read from 35 to 43 was boredom and frustration.
43% is around 150 pages and I just knew it won’t pick back up to 4 stars territory and that it could drop even lower so I made the decision to not waste more time on this book.
It started really great. I liked the siblings dynamics and Ford and Ivy meet cute. But after they sorted out the initial “miscommunication” it got a bit bored. The pacing felt weird, not much happened, and especially not anything relevant. I can’t believe I’m saying this but there was too much dialogue and once again it just didn’t serve any purpose.
The writing style is nothing special. It’s very simple and basic. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the main characters, outside of their first encounter, and the characters weren’t written strong enough. I needed to really focus on who is who (without specified name it was difficult, they were all too much the same). The POVs weren’t distinguishable enough.
The final straw was how the aunt character was written and the ex wife bit about the kids. This is just NOT how you write this type of characters.
I’m sure some readers will like this book but for me it was just nothing special and as I went in expecting something amazing, it totally missed the hype.
*eARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op.
DNF at 43%
I requested this ARC expecting a sure 5 stars. I enjoyed the first 15% but knew it will rather be 4 at best. Sadly even before I got to 35% it was leaning more towards 3 stars. I picked it up again at 35% and the whole read from 35 to 43 was boredom and frustration.
43% is around 150 pages and I just knew it won’t pick back up to 4 stars territory and that it could drop even lower so I made the decision to not waste more time on this book.
It started really great. I liked the siblings dynamics and Ford and Ivy meet cute. But after they sorted out the initial “miscommunication” it got a bit bored. The pacing felt weird, not much happened, and especially not anything relevant. I can’t believe I’m saying this but there was too much dialogue and once again it just didn’t serve any purpose.
The writing style is nothing special. It’s very simple and basic. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the main characters, outside of their first encounter, and the characters weren’t written strong enough. I needed to really focus on who is who (without specified name it was difficult, they were all too much the same). The POVs weren’t distinguishable enough.
The final straw was how the aunt character was written and the ex wife bit about the kids. This is just NOT how you write this type of characters.
I’m sure some readers will like this book but for me it was just nothing special and as I went in expecting something amazing, it totally missed the hype.
*eARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op.
March 25, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In this book we are following Ivy who’s twenty six year old and had to come back to her small town to become her little brothers guardian after an incident occurred with their father. She’s doing everything in her power to take care of him, including working two jobs and trying to put him through pilot school.
Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets her neighbour, a grumpy (and super hot) firefighter. After a messy divorce he’s sworn off relationships of any kind..but all of this is going to change when he meets the clumsy, adorable woman next door that makes his heart flutter like it hasn’t in years!
I literally flew through this book! it was so fast paced and entertaining i couldn’t put it down. I think Ivy and Ford were so cute, i liked how there was no miscommunication between them and how honest they were with each other.
I also really like how they’re were cheering on one another and caring for each other so much. I also really loved the relationship between Ivy and her brother and how deep their bond went , i think it was a super touching part of the story.
If i were to describe this book in a few words it’d be refreshing, sweet, funny and addictive. Also i am absolutely in love with that cover!!! how gorgeous!!!
I remember reading the authors first book years ago when it came out and i can say this author doesn’t disappoint and always write the sweet mmcs ever!! hoping we’ll get the brothers books now i am very very invested!!!
thank you again to netgalley for sending me this e-arc!
In this book we are following Ivy who’s twenty six year old and had to come back to her small town to become her little brothers guardian after an incident occurred with their father. She’s doing everything in her power to take care of him, including working two jobs and trying to put him through pilot school.
Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets her neighbour, a grumpy (and super hot) firefighter. After a messy divorce he’s sworn off relationships of any kind..but all of this is going to change when he meets the clumsy, adorable woman next door that makes his heart flutter like it hasn’t in years!
I literally flew through this book! it was so fast paced and entertaining i couldn’t put it down. I think Ivy and Ford were so cute, i liked how there was no miscommunication between them and how honest they were with each other.
I also really like how they’re were cheering on one another and caring for each other so much. I also really loved the relationship between Ivy and her brother and how deep their bond went , i think it was a super touching part of the story.
If i were to describe this book in a few words it’d be refreshing, sweet, funny and addictive. Also i am absolutely in love with that cover!!! how gorgeous!!!
I remember reading the authors first book years ago when it came out and i can say this author doesn’t disappoint and always write the sweet mmcs ever!! hoping we’ll get the brothers books now i am very very invested!!!
thank you again to netgalley for sending me this e-arc!
remind-me-once-out
March 27, 2026Is this a firefighter I see? 0-0
May 1, 2026
4.7 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Lo amé todo, Lisinia se lució con esta nueva entrega.
Es un slow burn friends to lovers hermoso, los personajes, sus complejidades, el drama, como van creciendo y cambiando para bien, y la manera en que la autora refleja la importancia de rodearte de las personas correctas, que te apoyan y te cuidan ❤️🩹
También me encantó lo trabajadora que era Ivy, como cuidaba a su hermano, lo buena persona que era y su ingenio, además de lo facil que fue identificarse con ella y su dilema de estar estancada y ver pasar su vida sin vivirla 😔
Ford tampoco se queda atrás, bombero de 36 años con uno que otro trauma que le hacen repeler al amor, pero un amor de persona, algo idiota al inicio jajajaja pero se le pasa
En fin es un libro increíble y me atrevo a decir que mejor que sus obras pasadas, una historia de cambios, crecimiento y segundas oportunidades en la vida y el amor. 100 % recomendado👍
Lo amé todo, Lisinia se lució con esta nueva entrega.
Es un slow burn friends to lovers hermoso, los personajes, sus complejidades, el drama, como van creciendo y cambiando para bien, y la manera en que la autora refleja la importancia de rodearte de las personas correctas, que te apoyan y te cuidan ❤️🩹
También me encantó lo trabajadora que era Ivy, como cuidaba a su hermano, lo buena persona que era y su ingenio, además de lo facil que fue identificarse con ella y su dilema de estar estancada y ver pasar su vida sin vivirla 😔
Ford tampoco se queda atrás, bombero de 36 años con uno que otro trauma que le hacen repeler al amor, pero un amor de persona, algo idiota al inicio jajajaja pero se le pasa
En fin es un libro increíble y me atrevo a decir que mejor que sus obras pasadas, una historia de cambios, crecimiento y segundas oportunidades en la vida y el amor. 100 % recomendado👍
August 7, 2026
Lisina Coney has gained a new reader! Fragile Hopes was more about two individuals overcoming their faults in order to be their best selves and the addition of a partner just amplified that instead of it being their whole personality which I truly adored. Sometimes readers do want more depth to the characters and this delivered. While Ivy and Ford gave the push and pull I crave in my romance reads, my favorite part of this was the relationship between Ivy/Ford and Ivy's brother Joe. Ivy moved back home in order to step in as the sole guardian of her teenage brother, and Ford is their neighbor and steps in an adult figure in Joe's life. I cannot wait to pick up the next installment of this series!
June 18, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
For vibes, I enjoyed myself!
Certain things weren’t perfect and I didn’t really like that even at 80% they’re casual (even though you don’t believe it) and she’s not sure about a relationship.
Other than that and a few other things, I did like the characters and enjoyed her relationship with her brother too! The end was sweet, and it was refreshing to read a romance where they both don’t want kids.
I would read more by this author!
Safety:
Mentions of parent death, cancer, alcohol abuse, her dad is in prison, fires
Romance wise: the H is divorced and not looking for love but not hung up on his ex at all, the h mentions she’s been celibate 2 years but no mentions of anything specific
For vibes, I enjoyed myself!
Certain things weren’t perfect and I didn’t really like that even at 80% they’re casual (even though you don’t believe it) and she’s not sure about a relationship.
Other than that and a few other things, I did like the characters and enjoyed her relationship with her brother too! The end was sweet, and it was refreshing to read a romance where they both don’t want kids.
I would read more by this author!
Safety:
Mentions of parent death, cancer, alcohol abuse, her dad is in prison, fires
Romance wise: the H is divorced and not looking for love but not hung up on his ex at all, the h mentions she’s been celibate 2 years but no mentions of anything specific
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 ⭐️ thank you to the author and NetGalley for a free copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Fragile Hopes is a story deeply rooted in the healing of our main characters and I fell so deeply for the 3 of them! One of its strongest elements is the characterization and individual relationships. Ivy and Joe’s sibling relationship felt so genuinely authentic and their protective, lived-in, and deeply selfless bond within an unstable family dynamic was everything I could have hoped for. I was tearing up so often because of these two and in my opinion, that emotional foundation truly raises the bar for an emotional romance like this.
The slow-burn romance between Ivy and Ford is equally well executed. At times I was just WISHING and waiting they would just fall into each other’s arms or do something, but alas, the slow burn hit me hard… Ford has this unwavering respect for Ivy’s boundaries and he never pushes or assumes, and that restraint makes their eventual closeness feel not only organic, but safe. I had such genuine respect and appreciation for their romance and how they start off as friends instead of falling straight into bed with each other.
Overall, this book left a lasting impression on me and I’m so glad I got the chance to read it. The characters felt real, the romance was heartwarming, and the message of healing lingers well beyond the final page.
Fragile Hopes is a story deeply rooted in the healing of our main characters and I fell so deeply for the 3 of them! One of its strongest elements is the characterization and individual relationships. Ivy and Joe’s sibling relationship felt so genuinely authentic and their protective, lived-in, and deeply selfless bond within an unstable family dynamic was everything I could have hoped for. I was tearing up so often because of these two and in my opinion, that emotional foundation truly raises the bar for an emotional romance like this.
The slow-burn romance between Ivy and Ford is equally well executed. At times I was just WISHING and waiting they would just fall into each other’s arms or do something, but alas, the slow burn hit me hard… Ford has this unwavering respect for Ivy’s boundaries and he never pushes or assumes, and that restraint makes their eventual closeness feel not only organic, but safe. I had such genuine respect and appreciation for their romance and how they start off as friends instead of falling straight into bed with each other.
Overall, this book left a lasting impression on me and I’m so glad I got the chance to read it. The characters felt real, the romance was heartwarming, and the message of healing lingers well beyond the final page.
April 27, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
Esta ha sido la primera vez que he leído a la autora, pero os aseguro que no va a ser la última.
Me ha encantado esta historia, sumergirme de lleno en Harmony Hills y enamorarme de todos y cada uno de sus personajes. Así que me muero de ganas por leer los siguientes y más ahora que tengo una corazonada de quiénes van a ser... jejeje
Esta ha sido la primera vez que he leído a la autora, pero os aseguro que no va a ser la última.
Me ha encantado esta historia, sumergirme de lleno en Harmony Hills y enamorarme de todos y cada uno de sus personajes. Así que me muero de ganas por leer los siguientes y más ahora que tengo una corazonada de quiénes van a ser... jejeje
May 11, 2026
5 ⭐️
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⟡˙⋆
🏡 small town
🚒 firefighter mmc
🔥 slow burn
💔 divorced mmc
☀️ grumpy x sunshine
🪡 age gap
🧯 single guardian
🗝️ neighbors to lovers
🎨 she can draw
⋆˙⟡ thoughts ⟡˙⋆
the way i binged this within a few hours!!!!! i absolutely adored this, it was sweet, it was romantic, and all around a great read. the way ivy cares for her brother and does everything she can (working two jobs, etc.) to provide a life for him that allows him to pursue his dreams. she is the definition of selfless and i admired her. ford at first, super grumpy and then his walls start to come down the more time he spends with ivy and her brother. this was a cute read with some deeper themes: ptsd, trauma, addiction
⋆˙⟡ synopsis ⟡˙⋆
ivy never expected to return to harmony hills as her brother’s guardian. at twenty six, she suddenly finds herself raising joe and juggling two jobs, determined to give him the chance to chase his dream of becoming a pilot, even if it means putting hers on hold. the last thing she needs is a distraction, especially ford, the firefighter next door. closed off after a messy divorce, he has no interest in giving love a second chance..until ivy’s unwavering optimism begin to chip away at his walls.
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⟡˙⋆
🏡 small town
🚒 firefighter mmc
🔥 slow burn
💔 divorced mmc
☀️ grumpy x sunshine
🪡 age gap
🧯 single guardian
🗝️ neighbors to lovers
🎨 she can draw
⋆˙⟡ thoughts ⟡˙⋆
the way i binged this within a few hours!!!!! i absolutely adored this, it was sweet, it was romantic, and all around a great read. the way ivy cares for her brother and does everything she can (working two jobs, etc.) to provide a life for him that allows him to pursue his dreams. she is the definition of selfless and i admired her. ford at first, super grumpy and then his walls start to come down the more time he spends with ivy and her brother. this was a cute read with some deeper themes: ptsd, trauma, addiction
⋆˙⟡ synopsis ⟡˙⋆
ivy never expected to return to harmony hills as her brother’s guardian. at twenty six, she suddenly finds herself raising joe and juggling two jobs, determined to give him the chance to chase his dream of becoming a pilot, even if it means putting hers on hold. the last thing she needs is a distraction, especially ford, the firefighter next door. closed off after a messy divorce, he has no interest in giving love a second chance..until ivy’s unwavering optimism begin to chip away at his walls.
August 6, 2026
3.5⭐️
The stakes were pretty low here and this was very low angst, so at times got a bit slow. I felt that the characters had enough pull that this didn't necessarily need a lot going on, but I do wish there was a bit more tension.
"I'm so in love with her, it hurts to exist in a world where the possibility of us not growing old together exists."A small-town romance between two neighbours, this was very cute. Ford and Ivy get off on the wrong foot initially but that only lasts a few chapters before they settle into a solid friendship. I loved how that friendship between them was developed- they got along so well and were always looking out for each other. it felt so natural when that friendship turned into more
The stakes were pretty low here and this was very low angst, so at times got a bit slow. I felt that the characters had enough pull that this didn't necessarily need a lot going on, but I do wish there was a bit more tension.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,260 reviews