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Painted Hearts
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jul 26A grumpy sunshine, rivals to lovers, small town romance perfect for fans of B. K. Borison, Lucy Score, and Catherine Cowles.
Two rival businesses. One very inconvenient address.
Winnie is starting over. After arriving in Indigo Lake, she’s ready for a fresh chapter - beginning with Bubbles & Brushes, the charming paint-and-sip art studio she’s always dreamed of opening.
But there’s one thing in her way.
Everett. Her gruff, no-nonsense next-door neighbor, whose whiskey bar shares a wall with Winnie.
When Winnie paints her side of the building a bright, bubblegum pink, chaos (and competition) takes hold. Not only do they share the same building - they also share the same customer base.
As the pair butt heads over everything from noise levels to paint swatches, an undeniable spark begins to smolder. But both have reasons for guarding their hearts, and Everett is harboring secrets of his own.
As their rivalry spills from business into their apartments (that are also awkwardly connected), sparks fly in this laugh-out-loud grumpy sunshine romance about two people who need therapy - but find each other instead.
Two rival businesses. One very inconvenient address.
Winnie is starting over. After arriving in Indigo Lake, she’s ready for a fresh chapter - beginning with Bubbles & Brushes, the charming paint-and-sip art studio she’s always dreamed of opening.
But there’s one thing in her way.
Everett. Her gruff, no-nonsense next-door neighbor, whose whiskey bar shares a wall with Winnie.
When Winnie paints her side of the building a bright, bubblegum pink, chaos (and competition) takes hold. Not only do they share the same building - they also share the same customer base.
As the pair butt heads over everything from noise levels to paint swatches, an undeniable spark begins to smolder. But both have reasons for guarding their hearts, and Everett is harboring secrets of his own.
As their rivalry spills from business into their apartments (that are also awkwardly connected), sparks fly in this laugh-out-loud grumpy sunshine romance about two people who need therapy - but find each other instead.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 1, 2026
About the author
Bec George
2 books30 followersBec George grew up in a small town, surrounded by big personalities and even bigger stories as one of seven siblings. Life in a cramped household taught her early on how to listen, how to find humor in chaos, and how to carve out a voice of her own - skills that now shape the heart and authenticity of her writing.
Bec is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and a single mom to two brilliant, neurodivergent daughters. She is passionate about writing queer and neurodivergent characters who get to be the heroes of their own stories.
When she’s not writing, you can find Bec working at her local tiny supermarket, mentally filing away small-town drama for future stories. She survives on delusion and an alarming amount of Diet Coke.
Through her work, Bec hopes to tell stories that feel like home to those who rarely get to see themselves centered - and to remind readers that every voice matters.
You can find her on instagram and TikTok at @bookdragonbec
Bec is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and a single mom to two brilliant, neurodivergent daughters. She is passionate about writing queer and neurodivergent characters who get to be the heroes of their own stories.
When she’s not writing, you can find Bec working at her local tiny supermarket, mentally filing away small-town drama for future stories. She survives on delusion and an alarming amount of Diet Coke.
Through her work, Bec hopes to tell stories that feel like home to those who rarely get to see themselves centered - and to remind readers that every voice matters.
You can find her on instagram and TikTok at @bookdragonbec
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
April 12, 2026
4.5* Bec is genuinely the funniest person and it comes across in her writing in the best way possible! I haven’t been reading many romances recently but this was the perfect romcom and I pretty much binged the entire thing on a flight 😍 I cannot wait for book 2 to dive back into this world with these characters (my fav was Gavin ofc)
April 11, 2026
4.25 wholesome, laugh out loud, cozy cheesy stars ⭐️
Now I may be bias because I am friends with the wickedly funny author Bec George, but this is THE EPITOME of a feel good, sexy, small town romance. For the lovers of authors such as Sarah Adams and BK Borison, you’re going to want to put a count down on for the release of Painted Hearts.
Indigo Lake was like a slice of warm afternoon sun, where the towns people are eclectic and loveable and have all the charms of small town dynamics. It gave me serious Hart of Dixie vibes if you’ve seen the show! The local gossip page was so much fun, the TOWN GOOSE. My god did I laugh. The older ladies of the town were so laugh out loud funny, and the cactus gift HAHA. And all of the town events that just gave this story so much colour and life.
Bec seamlessly incorporated neurodivergent representation as well as delicately handling matters of grief and abusive relationships. The build up of the mystery and the conflict was so well done and elevated this story in depth and seriousness.
Our MMC and FMC grew on me so much, having their own personal issues but also being such big hearted people themselves, it was so beautiful to watch them find solace and family in one another. The paint swatches? Chefs kiss absolutely adored this way of flirting/communicating 🤌🏼
ALSO A MOMENT FOR THE SPICE. Men written by women could not be more fking accurate - but ESPECIALLY a man written by a queer author? Bec had me hot and bothered asf.
I will always be transparent with my reviews and also acknowledge that fluffy, cheesy romance books are not at all my genre preference. I would have really loved to maybe spend a little bit longer at the start of the novel with our characters individually before they were consumed with thinking about one another/fixated on how much they hated one another to maybe establish their personalities individually - but again this is a personal taste thing as for this genre, I’m sure their interactions from the jump will be adored by those who love a romance of this niche.
Beyond ALL of this though I can’t even begin to say how proud I am of Bec for crafting such a special town that I can’t fking wait to experience through the eyes of the other characters we are introduced to 🤍
Now I may be bias because I am friends with the wickedly funny author Bec George, but this is THE EPITOME of a feel good, sexy, small town romance. For the lovers of authors such as Sarah Adams and BK Borison, you’re going to want to put a count down on for the release of Painted Hearts.
Indigo Lake was like a slice of warm afternoon sun, where the towns people are eclectic and loveable and have all the charms of small town dynamics. It gave me serious Hart of Dixie vibes if you’ve seen the show! The local gossip page was so much fun, the TOWN GOOSE. My god did I laugh. The older ladies of the town were so laugh out loud funny, and the cactus gift HAHA. And all of the town events that just gave this story so much colour and life.
Bec seamlessly incorporated neurodivergent representation as well as delicately handling matters of grief and abusive relationships. The build up of the mystery and the conflict was so well done and elevated this story in depth and seriousness.
Our MMC and FMC grew on me so much, having their own personal issues but also being such big hearted people themselves, it was so beautiful to watch them find solace and family in one another. The paint swatches? Chefs kiss absolutely adored this way of flirting/communicating 🤌🏼
ALSO A MOMENT FOR THE SPICE. Men written by women could not be more fking accurate - but ESPECIALLY a man written by a queer author? Bec had me hot and bothered asf.
I will always be transparent with my reviews and also acknowledge that fluffy, cheesy romance books are not at all my genre preference. I would have really loved to maybe spend a little bit longer at the start of the novel with our characters individually before they were consumed with thinking about one another/fixated on how much they hated one another to maybe establish their personalities individually - but again this is a personal taste thing as for this genre, I’m sure their interactions from the jump will be adored by those who love a romance of this niche.
Beyond ALL of this though I can’t even begin to say how proud I am of Bec for crafting such a special town that I can’t fking wait to experience through the eyes of the other characters we are introduced to 🤍
May 3, 2026
First things first — full transparency, I am friends with Bec. That said, these thoughts and this review are entirely my own… and wow, what👏🏼a👏🏼debut!👏🏼
This is genuinely one of those books where you finish and just sit there for a second like, okay… yeah. That really was something special.
Painted Hearts follows Winnie, who arrives in Indigo Lake ready for a fresh start, opening her dream paint-and-sip studio — only to find herself immediately clashing with her grumpy (and very attractive) neighbour, Everett, who’s whiskey bar shares not just a wall… but unfortunately, a customer base too. What starts as a rivalry over noise complaints and paint colours slowly evolves into something much deeper, layered, and honestly truly beautiful.
What stood out to me most is just how alive everything felt. The writing, the town, the characters — it all had this effortless realism that made it so easy to get completely immersed. Nothing felt forced, and every interaction, big or small, felt intentional.
I especially loved how the story kept tying back to its core theme — paint. Watching their relationship develop felt natural and, importantly, mature. The tension, the vulnerability, the emotional depth — it was all balanced so well.
Winnie was an absolute standout for me. She’s the kind of character you can’t help but root for, and I found her incredibly easy to relate to. There’s something very real about her journey and the way she navigates starting over.
And Everett? Certified grump — with layers. We love to see it.
The side characters also deserve a special mention, because they truly felt like part of the story rather than just background noise (which isn’t always the case in some books, let’s be honest). Indigo Lake as a whole felt like a proper community, and I’m already so excited knowing this will be a series — we’re absolutely not done with these people yet!
Honourable mentions:
* Gavin the (psychotic and unhinged) goose — iconic, no notes.
* Betty, who I would personally like to adopt into my life immediately.
This book had me laughing, feeling emotional, and completely invested from start to finish. It’s the kind of story that sneaks up on you and then lingers long after you’ve turned the last page.
If you love grumpy/sunshine, rivals-to-lovers, small-town romance with heart, humour, and genuinely strong character work— this one is absolutely worth picking up when it releases.
I already cannot wait to see what Bec writes next… and I will be first in line for more Indigo Lake (and honestly, I’d read an entire backstory book on Winnie and Everett without hesitation).
Thank you so much to Bec and The Berry Agency for an early copy of this book 💜
This is genuinely one of those books where you finish and just sit there for a second like, okay… yeah. That really was something special.
Painted Hearts follows Winnie, who arrives in Indigo Lake ready for a fresh start, opening her dream paint-and-sip studio — only to find herself immediately clashing with her grumpy (and very attractive) neighbour, Everett, who’s whiskey bar shares not just a wall… but unfortunately, a customer base too. What starts as a rivalry over noise complaints and paint colours slowly evolves into something much deeper, layered, and honestly truly beautiful.
What stood out to me most is just how alive everything felt. The writing, the town, the characters — it all had this effortless realism that made it so easy to get completely immersed. Nothing felt forced, and every interaction, big or small, felt intentional.
I especially loved how the story kept tying back to its core theme — paint. Watching their relationship develop felt natural and, importantly, mature. The tension, the vulnerability, the emotional depth — it was all balanced so well.
Winnie was an absolute standout for me. She’s the kind of character you can’t help but root for, and I found her incredibly easy to relate to. There’s something very real about her journey and the way she navigates starting over.
And Everett? Certified grump — with layers. We love to see it.
The side characters also deserve a special mention, because they truly felt like part of the story rather than just background noise (which isn’t always the case in some books, let’s be honest). Indigo Lake as a whole felt like a proper community, and I’m already so excited knowing this will be a series — we’re absolutely not done with these people yet!
Honourable mentions:
* Gavin the (psychotic and unhinged) goose — iconic, no notes.
* Betty, who I would personally like to adopt into my life immediately.
This book had me laughing, feeling emotional, and completely invested from start to finish. It’s the kind of story that sneaks up on you and then lingers long after you’ve turned the last page.
If you love grumpy/sunshine, rivals-to-lovers, small-town romance with heart, humour, and genuinely strong character work— this one is absolutely worth picking up when it releases.
I already cannot wait to see what Bec writes next… and I will be first in line for more Indigo Lake (and honestly, I’d read an entire backstory book on Winnie and Everett without hesitation).
Thank you so much to Bec and The Berry Agency for an early copy of this book 💜
April 29, 2026
This book completely consumed me, and I honestly don’t think I’ll ever shut up about it.
Bec has this incredible way of making a story feel so alive, and from the very first page I was hooked. Her writing is effortless, emotional, and completely addictive. Every moment felt intentional, every scene pulled me in deeper, and I never once wanted to put it down.
Everett and Winnie absolutely stole my heart. Their connection felt so real and so beautifully developed, and I was completely invested in them from start to finish. The way their relationship unfolded had the perfect mix of tenderness, tension, and emotional depth, and I felt every single moment right alongside them.
And the side characters?! I am OBSESSED. Chase and Juniper absolutely stole my heart, they added so much warmth, humour, and life to the story. And finally getting to meet Gavin the evil goose? Genuinely one of my favourite things ever. I didn’t know I needed that level of chaotic energy, but here we are.
What I loved most about this book is how deeply it made me feel. I laughed, I got emotional, I fell completely in love with these characters and their world. It’s one of those stories that just sticks with you long after you’ve finished.
I am so beyond obsessed with this book. Bec absolutely delivered, and Painted Hearts is easily one of my favourite reads. A huge thank you to Bec for trusting me with an ARC of this book, and for not getting sick of my many messages while I was reading it 😂
Bec has this incredible way of making a story feel so alive, and from the very first page I was hooked. Her writing is effortless, emotional, and completely addictive. Every moment felt intentional, every scene pulled me in deeper, and I never once wanted to put it down.
Everett and Winnie absolutely stole my heart. Their connection felt so real and so beautifully developed, and I was completely invested in them from start to finish. The way their relationship unfolded had the perfect mix of tenderness, tension, and emotional depth, and I felt every single moment right alongside them.
And the side characters?! I am OBSESSED. Chase and Juniper absolutely stole my heart, they added so much warmth, humour, and life to the story. And finally getting to meet Gavin the evil goose? Genuinely one of my favourite things ever. I didn’t know I needed that level of chaotic energy, but here we are.
What I loved most about this book is how deeply it made me feel. I laughed, I got emotional, I fell completely in love with these characters and their world. It’s one of those stories that just sticks with you long after you’ve finished.
I am so beyond obsessed with this book. Bec absolutely delivered, and Painted Hearts is easily one of my favourite reads. A huge thank you to Bec for trusting me with an ARC of this book, and for not getting sick of my many messages while I was reading it 😂
May 9, 2026
Thank you Bec for trusting me with your ARC of Painted Hearts because I have THOUGHTS and FEELINGS and I am about to lovingly scream them into the void.
This book??? is like being wrapped in a soft pink blanket while your neighbours are low-key causing chaos across the fence and you’re just there with popcorn watching it unfold.
Her writing is genuinely beautiful. Not in a pretentious, flowery way, but in that “these characters feel like people I could accidentally trauma-bond with over coffee” kind of way. The friendships? Warm. The banter? Sharp enough to make me snort. The whole vibe? Cozy chaos.
BUT. And listen, I say this as a certified impatient book goblin who wants emotional devastation AND spice delivered immediately like Uber Eats…
This is a SLOW. BURN.
When I say slow, I mean we are crawling. We are inching. We are watching paint dry on the titular hearts and contemplating life choices. The romance? Simmering gently until like… 80%. The mystery/danger element? Casually strolls in around 60–70%
That said… the beginning isn’t empty. It’s doing the groundwork. It’s building relationships, setting up dynamics, letting you marinate in the friendships and the banter. And if you’re the kind of reader who loves soaking in character interactions and emotional build-up? You are going to EAT THIS UP like it’s a five-course meal.
✨ Would I recommend this? Yes — to my contemporary romance lovers who thrive on vibes, banter, and emotional slow burns.
✨ Would I hand this to a thriller junkie? Absolutely not, they’d start vibrating from lack of chaos.
✨ Mood readers? Proceed with caution. Check your emotional weather forecast first.
This is not your fast-paced romcom. This is a gentle, character-driven stroll with a late-game payoff.
It’s wholesome. It’s cute. It’s quietly funny. It’s like falling in love at a snail’s pace while your neighbour side-eyes you from across the yard.
And honestly? For the right reader, that’s going to hit so good.
This book??? is like being wrapped in a soft pink blanket while your neighbours are low-key causing chaos across the fence and you’re just there with popcorn watching it unfold.
Her writing is genuinely beautiful. Not in a pretentious, flowery way, but in that “these characters feel like people I could accidentally trauma-bond with over coffee” kind of way. The friendships? Warm. The banter? Sharp enough to make me snort. The whole vibe? Cozy chaos.
BUT. And listen, I say this as a certified impatient book goblin who wants emotional devastation AND spice delivered immediately like Uber Eats…
This is a SLOW. BURN.
When I say slow, I mean we are crawling. We are inching. We are watching paint dry on the titular hearts and contemplating life choices. The romance? Simmering gently until like… 80%. The mystery/danger element? Casually strolls in around 60–70%
That said… the beginning isn’t empty. It’s doing the groundwork. It’s building relationships, setting up dynamics, letting you marinate in the friendships and the banter. And if you’re the kind of reader who loves soaking in character interactions and emotional build-up? You are going to EAT THIS UP like it’s a five-course meal.
✨ Would I recommend this? Yes — to my contemporary romance lovers who thrive on vibes, banter, and emotional slow burns.
✨ Would I hand this to a thriller junkie? Absolutely not, they’d start vibrating from lack of chaos.
✨ Mood readers? Proceed with caution. Check your emotional weather forecast first.
This is not your fast-paced romcom. This is a gentle, character-driven stroll with a late-game payoff.
It’s wholesome. It’s cute. It’s quietly funny. It’s like falling in love at a snail’s pace while your neighbour side-eyes you from across the yard.
And honestly? For the right reader, that’s going to hit so good.
May 13, 2026
Wow. I think I just found my new favourite romance novel.
This was incredible. Bec has done such a phenomenal job with this book. She has created a world that completely envelops you in a warm hug right from the minute Winnie arrives in Indigo Lake.
Every single character who lives in this town is loveable. They’re all hilarious, they all love their community and they all make a mark. You will find yourself loving the whole town and wanting to relocate there yourself.
Painted Hearts has everything.
Love, family, humour, beauty, a little mystery & suspense, and a feeling of safety.
We have:
🩷 our FMC Winnie, who is a human hurricane and a ray of sunshine who comes to town & causes a little chaos.
🖤 our MMC Everett, the tall and brooding bar owner who hates what Winnie has done to the building.
🩷 a cast of supporting characters who all stand out and bring so much energy & fun to the town.
🪿 Gavin, who is better left unexplained 😂
Bec does a wonderful job at mixing her spectacular sense of humour with beautiful romance, while handling sensitive subjects like domestic abuse & grief with care and respect. I laughed, I cried, I kicked my feet, and I gasped. Oh, and boy did I blush because this gal knows how to write some spice 🔥
I could not recommend this book more. It’s a world I didn’t want to leave, I’ve not wanted to pick up a new book because I want to stay in Indigo Lake forever. I can’t wait for the next instalment, I’ll be impatiently waiting and probably rereading Painted Hearts over & over.
Thank you to Bec George, and The Berry Agency for my eARC, I loved every minute.
This was incredible. Bec has done such a phenomenal job with this book. She has created a world that completely envelops you in a warm hug right from the minute Winnie arrives in Indigo Lake.
Every single character who lives in this town is loveable. They’re all hilarious, they all love their community and they all make a mark. You will find yourself loving the whole town and wanting to relocate there yourself.
Painted Hearts has everything.
Love, family, humour, beauty, a little mystery & suspense, and a feeling of safety.
We have:
🩷 our FMC Winnie, who is a human hurricane and a ray of sunshine who comes to town & causes a little chaos.
🖤 our MMC Everett, the tall and brooding bar owner who hates what Winnie has done to the building.
🩷 a cast of supporting characters who all stand out and bring so much energy & fun to the town.
🪿 Gavin, who is better left unexplained 😂
Bec does a wonderful job at mixing her spectacular sense of humour with beautiful romance, while handling sensitive subjects like domestic abuse & grief with care and respect. I laughed, I cried, I kicked my feet, and I gasped. Oh, and boy did I blush because this gal knows how to write some spice 🔥
I could not recommend this book more. It’s a world I didn’t want to leave, I’ve not wanted to pick up a new book because I want to stay in Indigo Lake forever. I can’t wait for the next instalment, I’ll be impatiently waiting and probably rereading Painted Hearts over & over.
Thank you to Bec George, and The Berry Agency for my eARC, I loved every minute.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was so good and I need the rest of the series asap 😭🥹🩷.
This book had all the ingredients for a 5⭐️ and the execution was perfection ✨.
The grumpy sunshine between our two main characters was done so well - I was genuinely laughing at their banter and interactions from the opening scene 🫶🏻. As their relationship develops, we see a much softer side to our MMC and it was so sweet to watch 🥹.
I am always a sucker for a small town romance and this was no exception 🙂↕️. The cute stores, the side characters, the gossip, the GOOSE 🪿 I was obsessed.
This book also felt very Catherine Cowles (who I love) with a sub plot that added a lot of back story to our FMC but also had me hooked, especially towards the end 💫.
Would highly recommend! 🩷
This book had all the ingredients for a 5⭐️ and the execution was perfection ✨.
The grumpy sunshine between our two main characters was done so well - I was genuinely laughing at their banter and interactions from the opening scene 🫶🏻. As their relationship develops, we see a much softer side to our MMC and it was so sweet to watch 🥹.
I am always a sucker for a small town romance and this was no exception 🙂↕️. The cute stores, the side characters, the gossip, the GOOSE 🪿 I was obsessed.
This book also felt very Catherine Cowles (who I love) with a sub plot that added a lot of back story to our FMC but also had me hooked, especially towards the end 💫.
Would highly recommend! 🩷
Review of advance copy received from Author
Painted Hearts by Bec George is the perfect small-town romance. Bec handles an important topic with so much care, while also creating unforgettable characters and bringing Indigo Lake to life in a way that makes you wish you could pack your bags and move there immediately!
This story felt so genuinely heartwarming from start to finish. What really stood out to me was how easy it was to get completely wrapped up in the story, I felt so connected to the characters and genuinely invested in every moment. I already know Indigo Lake is going to live in my head rent-free until the next book 🩷💜
Need book two in my hands immediately, please and thank you 🪿
This story felt so genuinely heartwarming from start to finish. What really stood out to me was how easy it was to get completely wrapped up in the story, I felt so connected to the characters and genuinely invested in every moment. I already know Indigo Lake is going to live in my head rent-free until the next book 🩷💜
Need book two in my hands immediately, please and thank you 🪿
May 10, 2026
Thank you Berry Agency and Bec for this arc!!!!
Such a good debut!!!!!! Swoonworthy, comedy gold and just a villian who we all hate!!! (Bad Nick)
Such a good read, i laughed so hard and the banter with Winnie and Everett just was so good and made this book amazing to me! I love their nicknames and the found family as everything I needed
I had times where I just needed them to KISS haha otherwise I had the best time
4.75 ⭐️
Such a good debut!!!!!! Swoonworthy, comedy gold and just a villian who we all hate!!! (Bad Nick)
Such a good read, i laughed so hard and the banter with Winnie and Everett just was so good and made this book amazing to me! I love their nicknames and the found family as everything I needed
I had times where I just needed them to KISS haha otherwise I had the best time
4.75 ⭐️
May 3, 2026
holy shit where do I even begin? this is going to be a long one so buckle in
as soon as I heard the premise of this book I knew I was going to love it so I went in with REALLY high expectations, and let’s just say my expectations were blown out of the water. this book exceeded everything I wanted it to be and I need the next book like yesterday.
The writing style was actually incredible and knowing that this is Bec’s debut novel is insane because she writes like a seasoned author. Her prose flowed so well and truly gripped me into the story so much so that I would look at the time and hours had passed because I was that immersed. her writing style might just be one of my favourites because it was something that instantly stood out to me in Painted Hearts and is something I can’t stop thinking about.
okay on to characters. I LOVE WINNIE AND EVERETT! Winnie is so sarcastic and petty I love it and I related to her in so so many ways especially with what she went through in her past. Everett is now one of my favourite book boyfriends because oh my god this man! the amount of times he would do something or say something and I was literally blushing and kicking my feet is insane. also, I know Bec wrote him as neurodivergent and the way she wrote his character with such care truly shown through the page. I really loved seeing a neurodivergent mmc because I feel like we don’t get to see that often and they deserve just as much as everyone else to have their happily ever after <3
I feel like I can’t write my review without mentioning Gavin the Goose. actually the funniest animal sidekick (not really a sidekick in this instance but just go with it) I have ever read and literally all the scenes he was in had me chucking so bad (especially the Jaws scene, iykyk)
the side characters were also written so well and Bec truly fleshed them out so much to be their own people and not just read as side characters. I really really love Juniper’s character and how she seems very inspired by Bec. everytime she was on the page I just knew it was going to be a good time and I was getting peak female friendship. I also really loved chase, again his rivalry with a certain goose made me laugh so much and I need to see more! (also I believe his is the next book and I’m so excited)
I really loved how this book was not just your typical romance and had a bit of a mystery/thriller element throughout with Winnie escaping her past and it potentially catching up with her. Bec dedicated this book for the survivors and it truly was a book for survivors. she handled domestic violence and abuse in such a powerful way and didn’t make it the defining point of our fmc, and instead showed how our fmc battled with what she went through in the past while also having the strength to let in the people around her and lift herself up. this was one of the first times I’ve have ever seen domestics violence and abuse portaged in such a real way while remaining compassionate and showing that what someone goes through does not define them as a person.
even after writing this whole review I still can’t find the words to actually sum up how good this book was and how it literally changed my brain chemistry. I cannot wait for book 2 and you best believe I will be picking it up as soon as it is out. (also I am so sad I moved out of Sydney because wdym I could’ve met Bec and gone to her pre-release party!)
ANYWAY! everyone should go and read this book and support Bec, here are some tropes if you didn’t want to read my whole review (I get it, it’s a lot):
- small town romance
- grumpy x sunshine
- neighbouring businesses
- neurodivergent mmc
- DV survivor fmc
- found family
- mystery/thriller subplot
- Gavin the Goose
as soon as I heard the premise of this book I knew I was going to love it so I went in with REALLY high expectations, and let’s just say my expectations were blown out of the water. this book exceeded everything I wanted it to be and I need the next book like yesterday.
The writing style was actually incredible and knowing that this is Bec’s debut novel is insane because she writes like a seasoned author. Her prose flowed so well and truly gripped me into the story so much so that I would look at the time and hours had passed because I was that immersed. her writing style might just be one of my favourites because it was something that instantly stood out to me in Painted Hearts and is something I can’t stop thinking about.
okay on to characters. I LOVE WINNIE AND EVERETT! Winnie is so sarcastic and petty I love it and I related to her in so so many ways especially with what she went through in her past. Everett is now one of my favourite book boyfriends because oh my god this man! the amount of times he would do something or say something and I was literally blushing and kicking my feet is insane. also, I know Bec wrote him as neurodivergent and the way she wrote his character with such care truly shown through the page. I really loved seeing a neurodivergent mmc because I feel like we don’t get to see that often and they deserve just as much as everyone else to have their happily ever after <3
I feel like I can’t write my review without mentioning Gavin the Goose. actually the funniest animal sidekick (not really a sidekick in this instance but just go with it) I have ever read and literally all the scenes he was in had me chucking so bad (especially the Jaws scene, iykyk)
the side characters were also written so well and Bec truly fleshed them out so much to be their own people and not just read as side characters. I really really love Juniper’s character and how she seems very inspired by Bec. everytime she was on the page I just knew it was going to be a good time and I was getting peak female friendship. I also really loved chase, again his rivalry with a certain goose made me laugh so much and I need to see more! (also I believe his is the next book and I’m so excited)
I really loved how this book was not just your typical romance and had a bit of a mystery/thriller element throughout with Winnie escaping her past and it potentially catching up with her. Bec dedicated this book for the survivors and it truly was a book for survivors. she handled domestic violence and abuse in such a powerful way and didn’t make it the defining point of our fmc, and instead showed how our fmc battled with what she went through in the past while also having the strength to let in the people around her and lift herself up. this was one of the first times I’ve have ever seen domestics violence and abuse portaged in such a real way while remaining compassionate and showing that what someone goes through does not define them as a person.
even after writing this whole review I still can’t find the words to actually sum up how good this book was and how it literally changed my brain chemistry. I cannot wait for book 2 and you best believe I will be picking it up as soon as it is out. (also I am so sad I moved out of Sydney because wdym I could’ve met Bec and gone to her pre-release party!)
ANYWAY! everyone should go and read this book and support Bec, here are some tropes if you didn’t want to read my whole review (I get it, it’s a lot):
- small town romance
- grumpy x sunshine
- neighbouring businesses
- neurodivergent mmc
- DV survivor fmc
- found family
- mystery/thriller subplot
- Gavin the Goose
Review of advance copy received from Author
it’s taken me two weeks to write this review because i’m quite literally at a loss for words when it comes to this book. you all might know that there is a personal attachment for me in regards to this particular pink-haired author 🤪 BUT, as i have said every time before talking about this book, my rating, thoughts and feelings are 100% genuine. because if roles were reversed, i would want the same courtesy. so, i’m coming in hot with a review for what honestly could be the romance release of the year 🎨.
painted hearts is a small town, grumpy x sunshine romance about two rival business owners pulled into each other’s orbit when Winnie accidentally covers herself and Everett in bubblegum pink paint. it is a story of humour, truth, discovery, self love and the unexpected found family we make along the way.
ive said multiple times when talking about this book that i find the grumpy x sunshine trope so overdone, and done in a way that is TIRED. without sounding like a sap, i can wholeheartedly say that Bec’s writing is not only breathing new life into this trope, but into the romance genre as a whole. is it what this genre DESPERATELY needs. i cant express how deeply i felt whilst reading this book and in the weeks since.
i could do on forever and a day, but i’ll just let you guys enjoy the thoughts that tumbled out of me whilst reading instead 😘. this was 5⭐️ and 2🌶️. i can’t wait for you to fall in love with winnie and everett (and chase) on July 1st!
SPOILERS AHEAD!!! 🚨🚨
- tropes: small town, grumpy x sunshine, rivals to lovers, neighbours
- me skipping RIIIIIIGHT past the content warnings 🤡
- fuck you for that dedication bec, i’m gonna be a mess
- THE. WHISKEY. ICON. 😩🙌🏼
- HE CALLS HER BUBBLES?!?!! STFU IM IN FKN INNNNNN 😭 bitch no one has done bubbles before let’s go 💅
- “divorced dad rock music” bitch i’m HOWLING 😂😂
- “it’s a cactus” “yeah cause you’re such a pri-“ BITCH IM YELLING YOURE SO FUNNY
- I FUCKING LOVE EVERETT ALREADY
- the biggest smile on my face because juniper is you 🥹
- fuck you bitch is his name theodore because he’s a giant teddy bear 😭😭😭😭😭🧸
- bahahaha the way the grannies are getting involved in the sound war 😂😂
- omg the grey paint samples as notes shut up 😩😭😭
- THE PAINT SWATCH IN THE BOOK?!?! ARE YOU ABSOLUTELY KIDDING ME
- “ahhh emotional terrorism” BITCH IM HOWLING 😂😂
- “someone like her?” “someone so full of light” IM GONNA BE SICK 😭😭
- OMG SHE WAS THE ONE WHO SAID FUCK IT IM YELLING
- not gavin fucking jaws-ing them i’m SCREAMING
- bitch knows how to write a spicy scene omg
- in conclusion, i support women’s right and wrongs
- “LOVING YOU IS LIKE BREATHING” IM FUCKING SICK 😭😭😭😭 AM I A JOKE TO YOU?!?!?
- i’m CRYING that they’re knocking down the walls to their apartments 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
painted hearts is a small town, grumpy x sunshine romance about two rival business owners pulled into each other’s orbit when Winnie accidentally covers herself and Everett in bubblegum pink paint. it is a story of humour, truth, discovery, self love and the unexpected found family we make along the way.
ive said multiple times when talking about this book that i find the grumpy x sunshine trope so overdone, and done in a way that is TIRED. without sounding like a sap, i can wholeheartedly say that Bec’s writing is not only breathing new life into this trope, but into the romance genre as a whole. is it what this genre DESPERATELY needs. i cant express how deeply i felt whilst reading this book and in the weeks since.
i could do on forever and a day, but i’ll just let you guys enjoy the thoughts that tumbled out of me whilst reading instead 😘. this was 5⭐️ and 2🌶️. i can’t wait for you to fall in love with winnie and everett (and chase) on July 1st!
SPOILERS AHEAD!!! 🚨🚨
- tropes: small town, grumpy x sunshine, rivals to lovers, neighbours
- me skipping RIIIIIIGHT past the content warnings 🤡
- fuck you for that dedication bec, i’m gonna be a mess
- THE. WHISKEY. ICON. 😩🙌🏼
- HE CALLS HER BUBBLES?!?!! STFU IM IN FKN INNNNNN 😭 bitch no one has done bubbles before let’s go 💅
- “divorced dad rock music” bitch i’m HOWLING 😂😂
- “it’s a cactus” “yeah cause you’re such a pri-“ BITCH IM YELLING YOURE SO FUNNY
- I FUCKING LOVE EVERETT ALREADY
- the biggest smile on my face because juniper is you 🥹
- fuck you bitch is his name theodore because he’s a giant teddy bear 😭😭😭😭😭🧸
- bahahaha the way the grannies are getting involved in the sound war 😂😂
- omg the grey paint samples as notes shut up 😩😭😭
- THE PAINT SWATCH IN THE BOOK?!?! ARE YOU ABSOLUTELY KIDDING ME
- “ahhh emotional terrorism” BITCH IM HOWLING 😂😂
- “someone like her?” “someone so full of light” IM GONNA BE SICK 😭😭
- OMG SHE WAS THE ONE WHO SAID FUCK IT IM YELLING
- not gavin fucking jaws-ing them i’m SCREAMING
- bitch knows how to write a spicy scene omg
- in conclusion, i support women’s right and wrongs
- “LOVING YOU IS LIKE BREATHING” IM FUCKING SICK 😭😭😭😭 AM I A JOKE TO YOU?!?!?
- i’m CRYING that they’re knocking down the walls to their apartments 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I got my laptop out for this because I needed to lock tf in just like I locked in and stayed up til 3:30am reading this book in one sitting because I literally could not put it down.
If you cbf reading a long review; tldr - spectacular, give me 14 of em right now. Fabulous. Go pre-order this immediately.
I truly can not say how much I LOVED this book. I will disclose I have known Bec for 10 years (wtf lmao) and I have been absolutely thrilled to see her become an author!! Right, onto the review!
I read the first chapter and I was like, cool, the normal small town romance with a clumsy girl who falls down a lot and then about 5 more chapters in I was pissing my pants laughing. I don't often actually laugh out loud when reading books but my lord I was actually having a good old fashioned laff. Bec's sense of humour is embedded in these pages and it was a true joy to experience.
The characters are well rounded, thought out, relatable and believable. Winnie and Everett both had distinctive points of view and differences in their storytelling. The representation in this book reminds me a lot of AK Mulford's series Prickle Island, a true representation of our world with queer folks and neurodivergent characters that are so important to see in written media and accurately represent their presence in our diverse society!
The slow burn, bruh, I was about to throw hands about how long it was taking to get it ON but being cock blocked by a psychotic goose is something I will allow to hold up the process. The chemistry Winnie and Everett had was believable and developed naturally and didn't feel forced or rushed. Everett was a male character that I really appreciated was masculine but not possessive and was very comfortable in showing his feelings (sometimes lmao). We really need more fictional men written by lesbians.
The plot was well paced, the content was engaging and the humour was unmatched, the characters are well written and relatable, the town is easy to imagine and visualise, and Gavin is my favourite character by a mile. The chemistry was at a pace that made me impatient but in a very enjoyable way and the spicy scenes were free of the words "folds" and "wetness" which I very much appreciated.
The themes of grief and DV were handled with care and were written in a way that was believable as well as being relatable.
This book is my favourite small town rom com I have read for a long time and my favourite read of the year by a long shot. I can not WAIT for book 2 and I can't wait to see how much everyone else enjoys this book.
Congratulations, Bec! This is such a great book, you should be very proud!!
Six stars on Yelp, would read again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5/5
I have been a reading slump for months now, one that I have good reason to believe is because of romance books and the sheer amount quantity I was smashing through, without any regard for quality. My last indicator of this was taking over 2 weeks to finish a romance, so I made the decision to put them down for a bit, cleanse with some thrillers. However, when this ARC hit my inbox… when you bet my ass was RUNNING to read it 🏃♀️
I’m so glad I did.
Bec George, you should be incredibly proud (and borderline full of yourself) at how amazing this book was. Truly, front start to finish, you delivered a beautiful story full of charisma, personality, humour and wit. It was the most fun I’ve had reading a romance in a LONGGGG time 🤩
Winnie is a fresh face in the small town of Indigo Lake and comes in with a bang (literally) by painting the front of her new Paint & Sip / Art Studio bright pink and dropping the tin of paint all over the pavement in front of her huge, delicious and sexy shop neighbour, Everett. Making the perfect example of Grumpy and Sunshine, these two hit things off from the get go 😮💨
What I loved so much about this book was all of the small moments between the two of them - a small town barefoot skiing festival (???), a carnival, those small, stolen moments that you get with the person you love to just feel their warmth and energy. Everett is also a real mother-fing MAN, like he is all man (and a half). Big, delicious, huge muscles, but also the softest and kindest soul to Winnie. His patience, his empathy, kindness towards her just made my whole chest go warm. I felt so safe in his space with Winnie and it was truly so refreshing to read 🩷
For a debut novel, there is so little for me here to not enjoy. It had all of the perfect elements of a small town romance - positive female friendship, strange group of old ladies who rule the town, an evil goose (okay, maybe this isn’t what is usually included, but the way Gavin stole the show for me… maybe I am the problem). It was all wrapped with this cute pink bow and it brought me so much joy to read 🎀
The ending was so high stakes and had me itching to see how it ended - I do love a psycho ex-bf plot but Bec took it to the next level with Nick and I was eating it up. Nick, you can go eat my toe🌟
Bec, you deserve your flowers and more for this. I really loved it and I cannot wait to see what comes from the rest of your writing. You have a real skill in bringing people to life, making them feel real and like you know them. This was just so amazingly done and I cannot wait for Chase’s book and every other story that comes next 💐
Cheers to Gavin! 🪿
I have been a reading slump for months now, one that I have good reason to believe is because of romance books and the sheer amount quantity I was smashing through, without any regard for quality. My last indicator of this was taking over 2 weeks to finish a romance, so I made the decision to put them down for a bit, cleanse with some thrillers. However, when this ARC hit my inbox… when you bet my ass was RUNNING to read it 🏃♀️
I’m so glad I did.
Bec George, you should be incredibly proud (and borderline full of yourself) at how amazing this book was. Truly, front start to finish, you delivered a beautiful story full of charisma, personality, humour and wit. It was the most fun I’ve had reading a romance in a LONGGGG time 🤩
Winnie is a fresh face in the small town of Indigo Lake and comes in with a bang (literally) by painting the front of her new Paint & Sip / Art Studio bright pink and dropping the tin of paint all over the pavement in front of her huge, delicious and sexy shop neighbour, Everett. Making the perfect example of Grumpy and Sunshine, these two hit things off from the get go 😮💨
What I loved so much about this book was all of the small moments between the two of them - a small town barefoot skiing festival (???), a carnival, those small, stolen moments that you get with the person you love to just feel their warmth and energy. Everett is also a real mother-fing MAN, like he is all man (and a half). Big, delicious, huge muscles, but also the softest and kindest soul to Winnie. His patience, his empathy, kindness towards her just made my whole chest go warm. I felt so safe in his space with Winnie and it was truly so refreshing to read 🩷
For a debut novel, there is so little for me here to not enjoy. It had all of the perfect elements of a small town romance - positive female friendship, strange group of old ladies who rule the town, an evil goose (okay, maybe this isn’t what is usually included, but the way Gavin stole the show for me… maybe I am the problem). It was all wrapped with this cute pink bow and it brought me so much joy to read 🎀
The ending was so high stakes and had me itching to see how it ended - I do love a psycho ex-bf plot but Bec took it to the next level with Nick and I was eating it up. Nick, you can go eat my toe🌟
Bec, you deserve your flowers and more for this. I really loved it and I cannot wait to see what comes from the rest of your writing. You have a real skill in bringing people to life, making them feel real and like you know them. This was just so amazingly done and I cannot wait for Chase’s book and every other story that comes next 💐
Cheers to Gavin! 🪿
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Loving you is like breathing. I don’t have to think about it, I just do it.”
If you’re a sucker for small town romance filled with lovable main characters and wacky supporting characters, set in a place you wish you could actually visit, then you’re going to LOVE this book. For a debut novel, Bec George’s writing can be likened to those killing it in the small town romance genre - move over Lucy Score, Maggie Gates and Catherine Cowles, Bec’s here!
THEMES
🥃 Grumpy, quietly protective MMC
👩🎨 Chaotic, bubbly FMC
🏘️ Rival neighbouring business owners
❤️ Found family
🔍 Underlying mystery back story
🥰 No third act break up (YAYY!)
💋 The best ‘fuck it’ moment I’ve ever read
“The woman’s a damn cyclone and I’m not a weather man.”
👩🎨 Winnie was ready to make a fresh start, armed with a paint brush and dream, until her grumpy asshole of a neighbour turned her pink skies grey with his divorced dad music and general humbug-ness.
“When Everett looked at me, it had always felt like he saw all of me.”
🥃 Everett was doing just fine thank you very much (unless you asked the rest of the town in which case they would say he definitely wasn’t) and the last thing he needed was some overall wearing ray of sunshine bringing colour back into his life (and PINK of all colours!)
“…with every word, every touch, he was quietly becoming the place where my heart felt safest.”
❤️🔥 The love that develops between Winnie and Everett is that perfect balance you want in a relationship. One where they challenge you yet support you. The slow burn is just perfect and once the spice does hit, it’s just 🤌🏻immaculate🤌🏻. I also love that Bec has been so intentional with her spice, keeping it to two chapters that don’t strictly affect the story line, so if your a closed door kind of reader, you can skip them without losing any of the flow of the story.
“Everett had become my safe haven, but Juniper was my sanctuary.”
🎀 I can’t talk about the relationship between Winnie and Everett without talking about the other beautiful relationship in this book - the one between Juniper and Winnie. That strong female relationship and bond is often forgotten about in romance books but in Painted Hearts, theirs shines, and I can’t wait to see what menaces they’ll be in Chase’s book.
”I realised that there was a part of me that enjoyed getting into messes with her, and I didn’t know what to make of that.
This book is a 6 stars out of 5 for me and I am IMPATIENTLY waiting for book two. Take me back to Indigo Lake, I’m ready to pack up and move there!
If you’re a sucker for small town romance filled with lovable main characters and wacky supporting characters, set in a place you wish you could actually visit, then you’re going to LOVE this book. For a debut novel, Bec George’s writing can be likened to those killing it in the small town romance genre - move over Lucy Score, Maggie Gates and Catherine Cowles, Bec’s here!
THEMES
🥃 Grumpy, quietly protective MMC
👩🎨 Chaotic, bubbly FMC
🏘️ Rival neighbouring business owners
❤️ Found family
🔍 Underlying mystery back story
🥰 No third act break up (YAYY!)
💋 The best ‘fuck it’ moment I’ve ever read
“The woman’s a damn cyclone and I’m not a weather man.”
👩🎨 Winnie was ready to make a fresh start, armed with a paint brush and dream, until her grumpy asshole of a neighbour turned her pink skies grey with his divorced dad music and general humbug-ness.
“When Everett looked at me, it had always felt like he saw all of me.”
🥃 Everett was doing just fine thank you very much (unless you asked the rest of the town in which case they would say he definitely wasn’t) and the last thing he needed was some overall wearing ray of sunshine bringing colour back into his life (and PINK of all colours!)
“…with every word, every touch, he was quietly becoming the place where my heart felt safest.”
❤️🔥 The love that develops between Winnie and Everett is that perfect balance you want in a relationship. One where they challenge you yet support you. The slow burn is just perfect and once the spice does hit, it’s just 🤌🏻immaculate🤌🏻. I also love that Bec has been so intentional with her spice, keeping it to two chapters that don’t strictly affect the story line, so if your a closed door kind of reader, you can skip them without losing any of the flow of the story.
“Everett had become my safe haven, but Juniper was my sanctuary.”
🎀 I can’t talk about the relationship between Winnie and Everett without talking about the other beautiful relationship in this book - the one between Juniper and Winnie. That strong female relationship and bond is often forgotten about in romance books but in Painted Hearts, theirs shines, and I can’t wait to see what menaces they’ll be in Chase’s book.
”I realised that there was a part of me that enjoyed getting into messes with her, and I didn’t know what to make of that.
This book is a 6 stars out of 5 for me and I am IMPATIENTLY waiting for book two. Take me back to Indigo Lake, I’m ready to pack up and move there!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh my goodness. This book. I laughed (A LOT), I cried (just as much), I swooned and gasped and blushed and giggled, and there were manyyy unhinged messages sent to the author along the way... This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year so when I was notified I was receiving and ARC I absolutely lost my mind in all the excitement and devoured it in one weekend and it did not disappoint!
Now I am a suckerrr for a good small town romance and there's nothing like an awkward grumpy lumberjack-vibe man slowly falling for a chaotic clumsy sunshiney gal (I mean, Luke and Lorelai are forever my babies). I grew up in a regional town where everyone knows everyone - and the weird oddities that come with those smaller tight knit communities, and I love a little added suspense and mystery in a story. Diving into Indigo Lakes was like all of that wrapped up into one big - wild - hug.
Our main characters Winnie and Everett have so much depth to them, they took me on such an emotional rollercoaster and I saw so much of myself and my loved ones in them. These characters are so well written - the trauma, the grief, as well as the neurodivergence and the struggles with mental health that was so seamlessly incorporated throughout the book, I felt SO SEEN reading along. And their connections are so genuine, the small acts of kindness and devotion, playful banter, communicating via paint cards - that kind of love slowly and effortlessly growing as the characters themselves go through so much personal growth. It was truly beautiful.
But what I loved most about this book is how even in the midst of the most emotional scenes that had me sobbing like a baby, Bec manages to throw in an absolutely deranged joke to break the tension (do we all just have the same trauma response?) or have Gavin (the psychotic Goose, duh.) completely disrupt everyone's day. Then you have the addition of the town's Facebook gossip groups spreading news like wildfire, and the unhinged book club that I can only DREAM of being a part of - the chaotic humour sprinkled throughout is weird and fun but so effortless and makes all these characters so much more special to me.
Then you have the added mystery and suspense - I was a hot MESS as we find out more of Winnie's past and was quite literally screaming at my screen when it finally came back to haunt her! Here I was thinking I was a super sleuth figuring it all out too, and then completely knocked over with the twists and turns.
This ticked alllllll the boxes for me and I cannot wait to see what Bec comes up with next!
- Found Family
- Rival business owners
- Quiet protective grumpy MMC
- Chaotic sunshiney FMC
- Traumatic pasts
- Mystery & suspenseful backstory
- NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP woohooo
- "Fuck It"
- Gavin the psychotic goose causing all the mayhem
Now I am a suckerrr for a good small town romance and there's nothing like an awkward grumpy lumberjack-vibe man slowly falling for a chaotic clumsy sunshiney gal (I mean, Luke and Lorelai are forever my babies). I grew up in a regional town where everyone knows everyone - and the weird oddities that come with those smaller tight knit communities, and I love a little added suspense and mystery in a story. Diving into Indigo Lakes was like all of that wrapped up into one big - wild - hug.
Our main characters Winnie and Everett have so much depth to them, they took me on such an emotional rollercoaster and I saw so much of myself and my loved ones in them. These characters are so well written - the trauma, the grief, as well as the neurodivergence and the struggles with mental health that was so seamlessly incorporated throughout the book, I felt SO SEEN reading along. And their connections are so genuine, the small acts of kindness and devotion, playful banter, communicating via paint cards - that kind of love slowly and effortlessly growing as the characters themselves go through so much personal growth. It was truly beautiful.
But what I loved most about this book is how even in the midst of the most emotional scenes that had me sobbing like a baby, Bec manages to throw in an absolutely deranged joke to break the tension (do we all just have the same trauma response?) or have Gavin (the psychotic Goose, duh.) completely disrupt everyone's day. Then you have the addition of the town's Facebook gossip groups spreading news like wildfire, and the unhinged book club that I can only DREAM of being a part of - the chaotic humour sprinkled throughout is weird and fun but so effortless and makes all these characters so much more special to me.
Then you have the added mystery and suspense - I was a hot MESS as we find out more of Winnie's past and was quite literally screaming at my screen when it finally came back to haunt her! Here I was thinking I was a super sleuth figuring it all out too, and then completely knocked over with the twists and turns.
This ticked alllllll the boxes for me and I cannot wait to see what Bec comes up with next!
- Found Family
- Rival business owners
- Quiet protective grumpy MMC
- Chaotic sunshiney FMC
- Traumatic pasts
- Mystery & suspenseful backstory
- NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP woohooo
- "Fuck It"
- Gavin the psychotic goose causing all the mayhem
Review of advance copy received from Author
🩷 Beta/ARC Review 💙
PAINTED HEARTS BY BEC GEORGE @bookdragonbec @theberryagency @tbaliterary
I was going to post this after attending the Saturday launch party at @romancing.the.novel in June so I could also post with my physical copy and photos with Bec but oh well, that can be its own thing 😂
Now, on to the book…
5 ⭐️ 2 🌶️
I have been virtual friends with Bec for a little over a year now (we bonded over mutual dislike for a popular BookTok book and living in small country towns 😂) and after all of our little conversations, she eventually asked me to beta read her small town romance novel. She told me it was grumpy x sunshine and I was immediately sold.
Fast forward to the Beta read and I swear, I could feel her glaring and or eye rolling at me for some of my commentary/editing/suggestions 😆 Even long after the Beta, we constantly bounced ideas off each other.
And then I read the final product after more rounds of edits. It reminded just how much I needed my interest in the romance genre revived. I had fallen so flat reading romances last year. They were all just beginning to feel the same. But Painted Hearts?
It stood out. It breathed new life into some of my favourite tropes. Its secondary characters felt just as real as our MCs. The town of Indigo Lake felt like *home*. This world felt real, established, and just comfortable. I could believe every scenario. Every character side quest. Every relationship between townspeople.
I BELIEVED in the romance and tension and banter of our MCs. It was so organic, natural. Really showcasing the natural progression of a relationship (even if it technically does stem from forced proximity).
Winnie and Everett’s banter had me honestly laughing out loud, giggling and kicking my feet, biting my lip, yelling at my screen “JUST KISS!” And the “fuck it” moment? Perfection.
It’s been a hot minute since a romance book has made me feel like that or in any kind of way really. Bec nailed the brief and is proving that small town romance is here to stay, that people want to read it and that it’s a trope that people love.
Oh, and I’m so down bad for Chase and need his book asap please and thank you Bec 👀
PAINTED HEARTS BY BEC GEORGE @bookdragonbec @theberryagency @tbaliterary
I was going to post this after attending the Saturday launch party at @romancing.the.novel in June so I could also post with my physical copy and photos with Bec but oh well, that can be its own thing 😂
Now, on to the book…
5 ⭐️ 2 🌶️
I have been virtual friends with Bec for a little over a year now (we bonded over mutual dislike for a popular BookTok book and living in small country towns 😂) and after all of our little conversations, she eventually asked me to beta read her small town romance novel. She told me it was grumpy x sunshine and I was immediately sold.
Fast forward to the Beta read and I swear, I could feel her glaring and or eye rolling at me for some of my commentary/editing/suggestions 😆 Even long after the Beta, we constantly bounced ideas off each other.
And then I read the final product after more rounds of edits. It reminded just how much I needed my interest in the romance genre revived. I had fallen so flat reading romances last year. They were all just beginning to feel the same. But Painted Hearts?
It stood out. It breathed new life into some of my favourite tropes. Its secondary characters felt just as real as our MCs. The town of Indigo Lake felt like *home*. This world felt real, established, and just comfortable. I could believe every scenario. Every character side quest. Every relationship between townspeople.
I BELIEVED in the romance and tension and banter of our MCs. It was so organic, natural. Really showcasing the natural progression of a relationship (even if it technically does stem from forced proximity).
Winnie and Everett’s banter had me honestly laughing out loud, giggling and kicking my feet, biting my lip, yelling at my screen “JUST KISS!” And the “fuck it” moment? Perfection.
It’s been a hot minute since a romance book has made me feel like that or in any kind of way really. Bec nailed the brief and is proving that small town romance is here to stay, that people want to read it and that it’s a trope that people love.
Oh, and I’m so down bad for Chase and need his book asap please and thank you Bec 👀
Review of advance copy received from Author
My rating: 3.5☆
🚨 note: this review contains *slight* spoilers 🚨
Painted Hearts is a sweet, grumpy x sunshine romance riddled with small town hijinks and the best found family dynamic!
I thought the discussions surrounding domestic violence and grief were handled with care. I also loved the sisterhood connection between Juniper and Winnie - every girl needs a Juniper in their life!
For me, the highlight of the story were the characters - especially the side characters! My favourites were easily Juniper, and Gavin(!) - the goose that terrorises the town. We love a menace side character that has essentially taken the town as hostage - any scene he was in was a favourite for me; most of which had me laughing out loud! I also appreciated the seamless integration of not only neurodivergent representation, but also queer rep too!
The things I unfortunately didn’t love: the writing felt repetitive at times, and sometimes we’d change POVs and get the same scene almost beat for beat from the other perspective. I’m sure some readers will love this, but for me it took me out of the story. I also didn’t expect this to be a romantic suspense? Although I felt like the DV discussions were handled with care, the incidents with the ex-boyfriend felt like they were rushed and sometimes the danger of the situation seem glossed over to a degree. The ending of the story also felt rushed with the introduction of a weather event on top of everything else already going on, this made it very hard for me to remain engaged with the story unfortunately. Also - my favourite characters were literally everyone besides the main love interests - I recognise this is probably a result of my personal preference though, so take that observation with a grain of salt.
Despite its shortcomings, I thought this was a solid debut and can see this becoming a new favourite for many readers!
Read this if you’re looking for:
♡ a grumpy x sunshine dynamic
♡ true small town drama
♡ hurt/comfort vibes
♡ business rivals
♡ forced proximity, and;
♡ found family
Thank you so much to the author and the Berry Agency for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
🚨 note: this review contains *slight* spoilers 🚨
Painted Hearts is a sweet, grumpy x sunshine romance riddled with small town hijinks and the best found family dynamic!
I thought the discussions surrounding domestic violence and grief were handled with care. I also loved the sisterhood connection between Juniper and Winnie - every girl needs a Juniper in their life!
For me, the highlight of the story were the characters - especially the side characters! My favourites were easily Juniper, and Gavin(!) - the goose that terrorises the town. We love a menace side character that has essentially taken the town as hostage - any scene he was in was a favourite for me; most of which had me laughing out loud! I also appreciated the seamless integration of not only neurodivergent representation, but also queer rep too!
The things I unfortunately didn’t love: the writing felt repetitive at times, and sometimes we’d change POVs and get the same scene almost beat for beat from the other perspective. I’m sure some readers will love this, but for me it took me out of the story. I also didn’t expect this to be a romantic suspense? Although I felt like the DV discussions were handled with care, the incidents with the ex-boyfriend felt like they were rushed and sometimes the danger of the situation seem glossed over to a degree. The ending of the story also felt rushed with the introduction of a weather event on top of everything else already going on, this made it very hard for me to remain engaged with the story unfortunately. Also - my favourite characters were literally everyone besides the main love interests - I recognise this is probably a result of my personal preference though, so take that observation with a grain of salt.
Despite its shortcomings, I thought this was a solid debut and can see this becoming a new favourite for many readers!
Read this if you’re looking for:
♡ a grumpy x sunshine dynamic
♡ true small town drama
♡ hurt/comfort vibes
♡ business rivals
♡ forced proximity, and;
♡ found family
Thank you so much to the author and the Berry Agency for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Painted Hearts is THE perfect small-town romance. This book will have you laughing out loud, tearing up, and swooning over so many characters. Let me roll up a list of these tropes to start.
🎨 grumpy x sunshine
🎨 rival business owners
🎨 slow burn
🎨 forced proximity
🎨 found family
🎨 no third-act breakup
🎨 suspenseful side plot
Umm, obsessed already? 💥💳🙋♀️ Bec has poured so much love into this story and its characters– from our main couple to the charming yet slightly unhinged side characters that make Indigo Lake feel like a place I desperately wish existed IRL! I am literally counting down the days until this releases so I can recommend it to absolutely everyone. 😭
Winnie and Everett were everything to me. They have their fair share of sweet, sour, and spicy moments 🤭 Winnie arrives in Indigo Lake for a fresh start, opening her paint-and-sip studio, and immediately paints her side of their adjoining building bright pink. Chaos ensues. Now they’re competing for customers, constantly trying to outdo each other, and let’s just say there’s a very fine line between love and hate. Before they know it, sparks (and paint) are flying. 🪣
Not only did their relationship build at the perfect pace, but the banter was a complete standout. Bec is one of the funniest, wittiest people I know, and it shines through so effortlessly in her writing. The spice was also done SO well. Prepare yourself for a “f*ck it” scene 👀 AAAAAAHHHHH.
And the side characters??? Chase and Juniper have my whole heart. Chase– my gorgeous, sweetheart, hopeless firefighter? I’m melting into an actual puddle 🧎♀️ Juniper, my sweet lesbian queen? I’m already wishing she was my best friend, I love her to bits just as I love my irl lesbian queen Bec.
I had the absolute time of my life reading this. Truly one of the most bingeable, well-written, heartwarming small-town romances I’ve ever read. Bec, I am so unbelievably proud of you. Getting to BETA read this back in October was the most incredible experience- I loved every single second 🥹💕
🎨 grumpy x sunshine
🎨 rival business owners
🎨 slow burn
🎨 forced proximity
🎨 found family
🎨 no third-act breakup
🎨 suspenseful side plot
Umm, obsessed already? 💥💳🙋♀️ Bec has poured so much love into this story and its characters– from our main couple to the charming yet slightly unhinged side characters that make Indigo Lake feel like a place I desperately wish existed IRL! I am literally counting down the days until this releases so I can recommend it to absolutely everyone. 😭
Winnie and Everett were everything to me. They have their fair share of sweet, sour, and spicy moments 🤭 Winnie arrives in Indigo Lake for a fresh start, opening her paint-and-sip studio, and immediately paints her side of their adjoining building bright pink. Chaos ensues. Now they’re competing for customers, constantly trying to outdo each other, and let’s just say there’s a very fine line between love and hate. Before they know it, sparks (and paint) are flying. 🪣
Not only did their relationship build at the perfect pace, but the banter was a complete standout. Bec is one of the funniest, wittiest people I know, and it shines through so effortlessly in her writing. The spice was also done SO well. Prepare yourself for a “f*ck it” scene 👀 AAAAAAHHHHH.
And the side characters??? Chase and Juniper have my whole heart. Chase– my gorgeous, sweetheart, hopeless firefighter? I’m melting into an actual puddle 🧎♀️ Juniper, my sweet lesbian queen? I’m already wishing she was my best friend, I love her to bits just as I love my irl lesbian queen Bec.
I had the absolute time of my life reading this. Truly one of the most bingeable, well-written, heartwarming small-town romances I’ve ever read. Bec, I am so unbelievably proud of you. Getting to BETA read this back in October was the most incredible experience- I loved every single second 🥹💕
Review of advance copy received from Author
🎤MIC DROP!!! ‼️‼️‼️ SPOILER ALERT 🚨 ‼️‼️please refer back to this post if you haven’t finished yet‼️Book Review: Painted Heart (aka emotional sabotage in paperback form)
I need to have a very calm conversation with this author… (Bec are you listening) because why—WHY—was Everett and Winnie’s happiness Aka (my impending doom) ruined by a bloody goose!!The emotional investment I had in these two? Unhealthy. Concerning. Borderline “I will fight a fictional timeline” levels. Every time they got this close to finally figuring it out, I was ready to celebrate! light candles, cue the romance soundtrack and then BAM.Bec the Author said: you thought I was done bitch!
I swear, it felt like every single time Everett and Winnie leaned in emotionally (or literally), the universe—or more accurately, the author—went “absolutely not” and pulled them apart like it was her full-time job. I was sitting there like, JUST LET THEM KISS??? JUST ONCE??? WITHOUT A CRISIS???
And don’t even get me started on the tension. The slow burn wasn’t a burn…it was a full psychological endurance test. I wasn’t turning pages anymore, I was tapping my page-turner aggressively like I could force the characters into happiness through sheer willpower.
But here’s the annoying part… it worked.
Because the constant “cockblocking” (respectfully, your honour) made every tiny moment feel monumental. A glance? Devastating. A brush of hands? Life-altering. Actual progress? I needed to lie down.
Everett and Winnie had me so emotionally invested that every delay felt intentional Like the author was sitting there going, “Let’s see how much more she can take.”
Answer: not much bloody much but I kept reading anyway. ( you can tell my my disheveled mug shot courtesy of Bec)
So yes, I wanted to scream. I did scream. But I also couldn’t stop reading, which is honestly the biggest compliment and the biggest betrayal all at once. I read this in under 24hrs so if you were debating picking this up please RUN don’t walk to preorder!! ALSO GOD TIER BOOK!! 📖 ♾️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I need to have a very calm conversation with this author… (Bec are you listening) because why—WHY—was Everett and Winnie’s happiness Aka (my impending doom) ruined by a bloody goose!!The emotional investment I had in these two? Unhealthy. Concerning. Borderline “I will fight a fictional timeline” levels. Every time they got this close to finally figuring it out, I was ready to celebrate! light candles, cue the romance soundtrack and then BAM.Bec the Author said: you thought I was done bitch!
I swear, it felt like every single time Everett and Winnie leaned in emotionally (or literally), the universe—or more accurately, the author—went “absolutely not” and pulled them apart like it was her full-time job. I was sitting there like, JUST LET THEM KISS??? JUST ONCE??? WITHOUT A CRISIS???
And don’t even get me started on the tension. The slow burn wasn’t a burn…it was a full psychological endurance test. I wasn’t turning pages anymore, I was tapping my page-turner aggressively like I could force the characters into happiness through sheer willpower.
But here’s the annoying part… it worked.
Because the constant “cockblocking” (respectfully, your honour) made every tiny moment feel monumental. A glance? Devastating. A brush of hands? Life-altering. Actual progress? I needed to lie down.
Everett and Winnie had me so emotionally invested that every delay felt intentional Like the author was sitting there going, “Let’s see how much more she can take.”
Answer: not much bloody much but I kept reading anyway. ( you can tell my my disheveled mug shot courtesy of Bec)
So yes, I wanted to scream. I did scream. But I also couldn’t stop reading, which is honestly the biggest compliment and the biggest betrayal all at once. I read this in under 24hrs so if you were debating picking this up please RUN don’t walk to preorder!! ALSO GOD TIER BOOK!! 📖 ♾️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐ Rating: ♾️/⭐️
✨ First Impressions
They say don’t judge a book by its cover but this cover is everything! The pink and grey building just sets the story up so well
🖤 Plot & Pacing
Winnie comes to town for a fresh start and find exactly what she always needed, little does Everett know it’s him and this town. There are suspense moments that had me gripping my kindle, waiting for the other shoe to drop. The story has some real world themes (domestic violence, loss of a parent) but still managed to have me giggling at the towns antics. I feel in love with not only the Main characters but the town. It was by no means a slow book (except for the slow burn 🔥) but the pace of the plot felt real and never rushed. I had trouble putting in down!
🔥 Characters
Main Character: Winnie and Everett balance each other out so well. The banter between the too had me kicking my feet with glee. The passive aggressive messages on paint cards 🙌 There is great neuro-spicy representation throughout this book as well.
While I loved the main characters there are a bunch of townsfolk who really shine through. Betty is an absolute favourite. She is a legend and chaos maker. We also have the rogue town goose Gavin. He has his own story to tell I know it! These towns folk are what really made this book so special. There is something special about the support you get from a small town and this book really made it feel like home.
🌶️ Spice Level
She says “f*ck it”. That is all you need to know 😏
💅 Tropes :
grumpy x sunshine
business rivals to lovers
slow burn
forced proximity
hurt x comfort
small town romance
romantic suspense
no third act breakup
🫶 Final Thoughts
I loved this book!!!! The characters including the town really made this book so special. I laughed, I sobbed and I swooned. It has a great mix of real themes mixed with the chaos of a small town. There is a demonic goose on the loose, a sassy granny called Betty, hot fireman Chase and one ride or die bestie Juniper. You’ll fall in love with the love story of Winnie and Everett just like it did.
✨ First Impressions
They say don’t judge a book by its cover but this cover is everything! The pink and grey building just sets the story up so well
🖤 Plot & Pacing
Winnie comes to town for a fresh start and find exactly what she always needed, little does Everett know it’s him and this town. There are suspense moments that had me gripping my kindle, waiting for the other shoe to drop. The story has some real world themes (domestic violence, loss of a parent) but still managed to have me giggling at the towns antics. I feel in love with not only the Main characters but the town. It was by no means a slow book (except for the slow burn 🔥) but the pace of the plot felt real and never rushed. I had trouble putting in down!
🔥 Characters
Main Character: Winnie and Everett balance each other out so well. The banter between the too had me kicking my feet with glee. The passive aggressive messages on paint cards 🙌 There is great neuro-spicy representation throughout this book as well.
While I loved the main characters there are a bunch of townsfolk who really shine through. Betty is an absolute favourite. She is a legend and chaos maker. We also have the rogue town goose Gavin. He has his own story to tell I know it! These towns folk are what really made this book so special. There is something special about the support you get from a small town and this book really made it feel like home.
🌶️ Spice Level
She says “f*ck it”. That is all you need to know 😏
💅 Tropes :
grumpy x sunshine
business rivals to lovers
slow burn
forced proximity
hurt x comfort
small town romance
romantic suspense
no third act breakup
🫶 Final Thoughts
I loved this book!!!! The characters including the town really made this book so special. I laughed, I sobbed and I swooned. It has a great mix of real themes mixed with the chaos of a small town. There is a demonic goose on the loose, a sassy granny called Betty, hot fireman Chase and one ride or die bestie Juniper. You’ll fall in love with the love story of Winnie and Everett just like it did.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I finished Painted Hearts and I am genuinely obsessed.
This is grumpy x sunshine, rivals to lovers perfection set in the most charming small town. Indigo Lake felt so real and full of life. I would move there in a heartbeat just to be part of that community.
Winnie and Everett were everything. The banter, the tension, the shared wall and connected apartments, it all made the story so fun to read. I laughed, I cried, and when Winnie said “fuck it” it was absolute gold.
Everett is a walking green flag. He is completely down bad and I loved every second of it. There is so much emotional depth to his character and the way he shows up for Winnie really stayed with me.
This book is funny, heartwarming, and full of romance that feels natural and easy to fall into.
Some of my favourite lines:
“Someone like that… she needs an energy source. Someone to feed her light, make her brighter.”
“Theodore William Everett, you are a good man. You feel everything so deeply, and that is powerful. Don’t let it pull you under. Allow yourself to let go. Because the way you feel right now, that feeling only happens once every few lifetimes. Don’t let it slip away because you’re scared.”
“No. Listen to me. Loving you is like breathing. I don’t have to think about it, I just do it. It just is. You’ve never been hard to love. It’s so damn easy I’ve been doing it for months without realizing. Don’t you dare apologize for making me love you, Winnie. You’re the best damn thing that’s ever happened to me.”
I already cannot wait for the next book. Thank you to Bec and Chloe at The Berry Agency for the ARC 🩷🩷
This is grumpy x sunshine, rivals to lovers perfection set in the most charming small town. Indigo Lake felt so real and full of life. I would move there in a heartbeat just to be part of that community.
Winnie and Everett were everything. The banter, the tension, the shared wall and connected apartments, it all made the story so fun to read. I laughed, I cried, and when Winnie said “fuck it” it was absolute gold.
Everett is a walking green flag. He is completely down bad and I loved every second of it. There is so much emotional depth to his character and the way he shows up for Winnie really stayed with me.
This book is funny, heartwarming, and full of romance that feels natural and easy to fall into.
Some of my favourite lines:
“Someone like that… she needs an energy source. Someone to feed her light, make her brighter.”
“Theodore William Everett, you are a good man. You feel everything so deeply, and that is powerful. Don’t let it pull you under. Allow yourself to let go. Because the way you feel right now, that feeling only happens once every few lifetimes. Don’t let it slip away because you’re scared.”
“No. Listen to me. Loving you is like breathing. I don’t have to think about it, I just do it. It just is. You’ve never been hard to love. It’s so damn easy I’ve been doing it for months without realizing. Don’t you dare apologize for making me love you, Winnie. You’re the best damn thing that’s ever happened to me.”
I already cannot wait for the next book. Thank you to Bec and Chloe at The Berry Agency for the ARC 🩷🩷
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
where to start with this book!!!
i had such a fun time getting to know the characters in this story. from main to side characters, i was intrigued and fascinated wanting to know more. our main characters Everette and Winnie meet when Winnie moves to Indigo Lake and buys the other half of the building Everette owns. she rocks his world in all shades of pink while breaks through her towering walls, one paint sample card at a time…
this book made me cackle, kick my feet, and want to cry for our girl Winifred. and don’t get me started on Gavin. (my favourite side character!)
i loved how Bec was able to give us a beautiful and heartfelt yet comedic love story of our two main characters while still holding her readers captive in an intense and ominous plot happening throughout. as much as i loved to watch Everette and Winnie fall (literally) in love with each other as the months past, i was so invested in Winnie’s backstory and wanted nothing more than to learn about to truth of her scarred heart and watch her begin to heal from her past trauma.
Everette was everything Winnie had needed and watching him learn how to love her when he felt incapable of, was heartwarming to read.
this was such a beautiful story, many up and downs and just the right about of laughter and tears. i cannot wait to learn more about Indigo Lakes and the people who make it! (juniper, my girl i cannot not wait for your book!!)
i am so grateful to be able to read this book before it came out! i hope everyone else loves it as much as i did.
i had such a fun time getting to know the characters in this story. from main to side characters, i was intrigued and fascinated wanting to know more. our main characters Everette and Winnie meet when Winnie moves to Indigo Lake and buys the other half of the building Everette owns. she rocks his world in all shades of pink while breaks through her towering walls, one paint sample card at a time…
this book made me cackle, kick my feet, and want to cry for our girl Winifred. and don’t get me started on Gavin. (my favourite side character!)
i loved how Bec was able to give us a beautiful and heartfelt yet comedic love story of our two main characters while still holding her readers captive in an intense and ominous plot happening throughout. as much as i loved to watch Everette and Winnie fall (literally) in love with each other as the months past, i was so invested in Winnie’s backstory and wanted nothing more than to learn about to truth of her scarred heart and watch her begin to heal from her past trauma.
Everette was everything Winnie had needed and watching him learn how to love her when he felt incapable of, was heartwarming to read.
this was such a beautiful story, many up and downs and just the right about of laughter and tears. i cannot wait to learn more about Indigo Lakes and the people who make it! (juniper, my girl i cannot not wait for your book!!)
i am so grateful to be able to read this book before it came out! i hope everyone else loves it as much as i did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2026
Where do I even begin?! Firstly congratulations Bec you should be so proud because this book is absolutely incredible! And thank you for letting me read an early copy of this book I had the best time 🤍
I absolutely adore every character in this book especially winnie and Everett their chemistry and banter was chefs kiss and their story moved at the perfect pace, Winnie is a ray of sunshine and Everett omg I’m in love with the way he cares for Winnie, also the “fuck it” scene 👀 wow had me screaming, also the paint sample cards OMG that was the cutest thing ever, these two are literally perfect for each other and I absolutely loved getting to read their story.
The side characters also have my heart. Chase is amazing anytime he popped up in a chapter I knew it was gonna be a good one, he’s incredibly funny and his friendship with Everett was everything and the fact he’s a firefighter too 👀. Juniper oh how I love her, her friendship with chase was amazing and hilarious, I loved how she always looked after Winnie, I would love to be best friends with her in real life. And special mention to Gavin because he’s adorable even though he’s a little crazy!
this book is the perfect mix of funny happy moments as well as more emotional deep moments, filled with characters who will steal your heart and a story that will have you struggling to put the book down from the minute you pick it up, I would highly recommend this book to absolutely everyone!!
I absolutely adore every character in this book especially winnie and Everett their chemistry and banter was chefs kiss and their story moved at the perfect pace, Winnie is a ray of sunshine and Everett omg I’m in love with the way he cares for Winnie, also the “fuck it” scene 👀 wow had me screaming, also the paint sample cards OMG that was the cutest thing ever, these two are literally perfect for each other and I absolutely loved getting to read their story.
The side characters also have my heart. Chase is amazing anytime he popped up in a chapter I knew it was gonna be a good one, he’s incredibly funny and his friendship with Everett was everything and the fact he’s a firefighter too 👀. Juniper oh how I love her, her friendship with chase was amazing and hilarious, I loved how she always looked after Winnie, I would love to be best friends with her in real life. And special mention to Gavin because he’s adorable even though he’s a little crazy!
this book is the perfect mix of funny happy moments as well as more emotional deep moments, filled with characters who will steal your heart and a story that will have you struggling to put the book down from the minute you pick it up, I would highly recommend this book to absolutely everyone!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have never read a book so fast in all my life. I could not put this phenomenal story down - it’s such a credit to Bec’s incredible writing style. I finished it in one sitting, which tells you everything you need to know about how bingeable this masterpiece is.
Winnie and Everett had me smiling, laughing, and kicking my feet the entire time. From the moment they met, I knew I was in for a good time following their story. The pacing of their relationship was so well done, balanced perfectly with humour. And that “f**k it” moment? Swoon. Swoon. Swoon.
Bec’s attention to detail truly shines throughout. From the paint swatch cards (yes, actual Bunnings colours) to the small-town atmosphere and the rawness of Winnie’s past relationship, everything felt so authentic. Even the side characters stood out, and I’m already desperate to read more about them in future books (Chase… you hot firefighter, I’m looking at you).
And the town menace? Gavin the goose absolutely stole the show. If you’ve ever played Untitled Goose Game, expect that same level of chaotic hilarity every time he appears.
A 6+ star read - I cannot wait to recommend this when it releases. Prepare to be absolutely sick of me talking about it. Thank you for allowing me to ARC read your book Bec, you're going places with this masterpiece.
Winnie and Everett had me smiling, laughing, and kicking my feet the entire time. From the moment they met, I knew I was in for a good time following their story. The pacing of their relationship was so well done, balanced perfectly with humour. And that “f**k it” moment? Swoon. Swoon. Swoon.
Bec’s attention to detail truly shines throughout. From the paint swatch cards (yes, actual Bunnings colours) to the small-town atmosphere and the rawness of Winnie’s past relationship, everything felt so authentic. Even the side characters stood out, and I’m already desperate to read more about them in future books (Chase… you hot firefighter, I’m looking at you).
And the town menace? Gavin the goose absolutely stole the show. If you’ve ever played Untitled Goose Game, expect that same level of chaotic hilarity every time he appears.
A 6+ star read - I cannot wait to recommend this when it releases. Prepare to be absolutely sick of me talking about it. Thank you for allowing me to ARC read your book Bec, you're going places with this masterpiece.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am beyond excited to finally shout about this absolute gem of a book!!
I had the honour of beta reading @bookdragonbec first novel late last year and although I haven’t finished the ARC copy yet (I’m saving it for my 12 hour plane ride in May), watching Bec pour her heart and soul into this book has been such a special experience.
Painted Hearts is packed with the most amusing small town antics that will have you smiling and thinking ‘wtf’ the whole way through. Indigo Lake feels so warm, vibrant, and full of life that I genuinely wish I could pack my bags and move there immediately.
And the romance? CHEF’S KISS. 👏 The enemies to lovers tension is perfectly done.
It was also the perfect mix of slow burn, it kept me hooked and rooting for Everett and Winnie the whole time.
If you love small-town vibes, unforgettable characters, and a romance that delivers all the feels, you need this to preorder Painted Hearts now!
I couldn’t be prouder of my incredibly talented bestie. I am so proud of you for sharing a piece of your story through Winnie 🥹
This is just the beginning of your writing career, and I already know everyone is going to fall in love with this story just like I did.
Everyone go preorder Painted Hearts now. It will be released on the 1st July 2026. Trust me, you are all in for something amazing 🤩
#BETAread #arc #indieauthor #bookreview
I had the honour of beta reading @bookdragonbec first novel late last year and although I haven’t finished the ARC copy yet (I’m saving it for my 12 hour plane ride in May), watching Bec pour her heart and soul into this book has been such a special experience.
Painted Hearts is packed with the most amusing small town antics that will have you smiling and thinking ‘wtf’ the whole way through. Indigo Lake feels so warm, vibrant, and full of life that I genuinely wish I could pack my bags and move there immediately.
And the romance? CHEF’S KISS. 👏 The enemies to lovers tension is perfectly done.
It was also the perfect mix of slow burn, it kept me hooked and rooting for Everett and Winnie the whole time.
If you love small-town vibes, unforgettable characters, and a romance that delivers all the feels, you need this to preorder Painted Hearts now!
I couldn’t be prouder of my incredibly talented bestie. I am so proud of you for sharing a piece of your story through Winnie 🥹
This is just the beginning of your writing career, and I already know everyone is going to fall in love with this story just like I did.
Everyone go preorder Painted Hearts now. It will be released on the 1st July 2026. Trust me, you are all in for something amazing 🤩
#BETAread #arc #indieauthor #bookreview
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received an arc copy through The Berry Agency
Rating: 4 stars
Favourite Chapter: Chapter 21
Favourite Quote: The human hurricane that had blasted into town and covered my father's legacy in bubblegum pink.
Painted Hearts, written by Bec George, was a heartfelt story of two individuals with guarded hearts. Both struggling with grief in their own ways, Winnie and Everett collide, and I mean literally collide, in the best way possible. Starting out as business and neighbour rivals, they are quick to further explore each other, and become each other's confidant. From the get go there is tension between the two main characters. The humour in which the characters are written gives more depth to the story line, allowing you, as the reader, to explore heavy emotions in a safe space.
This novel reminded me of the novel and movie Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks in the best way possible. The need for the FMC to find a safe place to not only call home, but find her found family was amazingly written.
I want more of Gavin's story line! I think he requires his own book! I was so entertained from the get go when he was introduced to the story. His connection with Winnie was exciting, for it then to be ripped away from us. I need to know what pain this goose has been through to give him this attitude!!
Cannot wait to dive into the second installment.
Rating: 4 stars
Favourite Chapter: Chapter 21
Favourite Quote: The human hurricane that had blasted into town and covered my father's legacy in bubblegum pink.
Painted Hearts, written by Bec George, was a heartfelt story of two individuals with guarded hearts. Both struggling with grief in their own ways, Winnie and Everett collide, and I mean literally collide, in the best way possible. Starting out as business and neighbour rivals, they are quick to further explore each other, and become each other's confidant. From the get go there is tension between the two main characters. The humour in which the characters are written gives more depth to the story line, allowing you, as the reader, to explore heavy emotions in a safe space.
This novel reminded me of the novel and movie Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks in the best way possible. The need for the FMC to find a safe place to not only call home, but find her found family was amazingly written.
I want more of Gavin's story line! I think he requires his own book! I was so entertained from the get go when he was introduced to the story. His connection with Winnie was exciting, for it then to be ripped away from us. I need to know what pain this goose has been through to give him this attitude!!
Cannot wait to dive into the second installment.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Painted Hearts was such a delight to read! This small-town romance was packed full of heart and laughs. I loved the characters - Winnie and Everett are the absolute sweetest but so in denial about their feelings for one another. It's slowburn tension in the best possible way! l've gotta say their two besties Juniper and Chase stole the show for me. Juniper is such a fire-cracker and an incredible friend! I think we could all do with a Juniper & Chase in our lives. I really hope they get their own books!
One of my favourite parts of this book was how grief was discussed. I found Bec's words so incredibly insightful.
Reading this soft reflection in the book made me consider my own relationship to grief and how some of the most painful times in our lives, binds us all together through the human condition.
It'd be remiss of me to forget about our dear darling Gavin the Goose who is positively angelic the entire book and no one can fault.
Painted Hearts is an easy five stars from me!
If you love small-town romances, do yourselves a favour and run to pick up a copy (when it comes out on July Ist!) of Painted Hearts by Bec George - you won't regret it!
Thank-you so much @bookdragonbec for giving me the opportunity to read your wonderful book and @theberryagency for giving me my first ever ARC!
One of my favourite parts of this book was how grief was discussed. I found Bec's words so incredibly insightful.
Reading this soft reflection in the book made me consider my own relationship to grief and how some of the most painful times in our lives, binds us all together through the human condition.
It'd be remiss of me to forget about our dear darling Gavin the Goose who is positively angelic the entire book and no one can fault.
Painted Hearts is an easy five stars from me!
If you love small-town romances, do yourselves a favour and run to pick up a copy (when it comes out on July Ist!) of Painted Hearts by Bec George - you won't regret it!
Thank-you so much @bookdragonbec for giving me the opportunity to read your wonderful book and @theberryagency for giving me my first ever ARC!
Review of advance copy
3.5 stars
There were parts of this story that were well crafted and others that felt quite strange and sometimes slightly rushed.
There are topics of domestic violence and grief in this story, both of which are handled with care and you can tell that the author has done her research and has written these into the story to make an impact. However, there was one aspect that I didn’t think was correct and it was to do with a comment made in the police station when our main characters went to talk about a situation. It just felt very wrong and although it was our FMC’s way of trying to use humour in that moment, it also didn’t feel like her as she had never spoken that way before.
Of course, I love a found-family trope and that was what pulled me to want to read this story to begin with and it was great in this story. I love a small town where everyone just welcomes our main character in and treats them like one of their own.
I do think the connection between our main characters was rushed as for me, they just seemed to be annoyed at each other and all of a sudden wanted to be around each other all the time though I did like the use of the paint samples being used as a way of communicating and connecting. And they were persistent all through the story.
I also did laugh out loud at times, especially with Gavin, Iykyk
There were parts of this story that were well crafted and others that felt quite strange and sometimes slightly rushed.
There are topics of domestic violence and grief in this story, both of which are handled with care and you can tell that the author has done her research and has written these into the story to make an impact. However, there was one aspect that I didn’t think was correct and it was to do with a comment made in the police station when our main characters went to talk about a situation. It just felt very wrong and although it was our FMC’s way of trying to use humour in that moment, it also didn’t feel like her as she had never spoken that way before.
Of course, I love a found-family trope and that was what pulled me to want to read this story to begin with and it was great in this story. I love a small town where everyone just welcomes our main character in and treats them like one of their own.
I do think the connection between our main characters was rushed as for me, they just seemed to be annoyed at each other and all of a sudden wanted to be around each other all the time though I did like the use of the paint samples being used as a way of communicating and connecting. And they were persistent all through the story.
I also did laugh out loud at times, especially with Gavin, Iykyk
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
okay this one?? it just worked for me in a way i didn’t even expect
the setup is lowkey chaotic — sharing a wall with your literal business rival?? yeah no, peace was never an option. and i love that the tension actually comes from that. it’s not dramatic for no reason, it’s just two people constantly in each other’s space and slowly getting more and more involved in each other’s lives
winnie and everett carried this so hard. like the grumpy x sunshine is THERE, but it doesn’t feel forced or over-the-top. it feels natural, and their dynamic just flows. all the little interactions, the back-and-forth… it builds in a way that had me fully invested without even realizing it
and the slow burn?? actually done right. it’s not dragging, but it also doesn’t rush. it just quietly builds until you’re like oh… wait… i care about them now 😭
i also really liked that the book keeps things pretty light overall. there are hints that both of them are guarded, but it doesn’t get too heavy. it’s more about the vibe, the tension, and watching their relationship shift over time
honestly, it gave me that cozy but still slightly chaotic romance feeling, and i ate that up
easy five stars for me. i’d 100% read whatever Bec George writes next 💗
okay this one?? it just worked for me in a way i didn’t even expect
the setup is lowkey chaotic — sharing a wall with your literal business rival?? yeah no, peace was never an option. and i love that the tension actually comes from that. it’s not dramatic for no reason, it’s just two people constantly in each other’s space and slowly getting more and more involved in each other’s lives
winnie and everett carried this so hard. like the grumpy x sunshine is THERE, but it doesn’t feel forced or over-the-top. it feels natural, and their dynamic just flows. all the little interactions, the back-and-forth… it builds in a way that had me fully invested without even realizing it
and the slow burn?? actually done right. it’s not dragging, but it also doesn’t rush. it just quietly builds until you’re like oh… wait… i care about them now 😭
i also really liked that the book keeps things pretty light overall. there are hints that both of them are guarded, but it doesn’t get too heavy. it’s more about the vibe, the tension, and watching their relationship shift over time
honestly, it gave me that cozy but still slightly chaotic romance feeling, and i ate that up
easy five stars for me. i’d 100% read whatever Bec George writes next 💗
Review of advance copy
Thank you to The Berry Agency and Bec George for this ARC of Painted Hearts.
I loved so much about Painted Hearts. We’ve got that small town magic which I froth over and not only did I love the main characters Everett and Winnie I also loved the people around them. Special shout out to Betty and Juniper my goodness her driving skills, I was laughing out loud. Honourable mention to Chase I feel this fire fighter will have one cracker of a story, I can see it now! They were all so entertaining. Even Gavin the snappy Goose had a role in this story. I’ve gotta say I’d love a I survived Gavin shirt that’s for sure. This book was giving all the vibes.
I bloody love when a grumpy man falls for a colourful sunshine like Winnie. Their little rivalry had me giggling and just waiting for the moment where one of them would say “fuck it”.
Not only did we have the romance we also had the drama which was perfectly executed. It had me crawling out of my skin at the end there and definitely changed my opinion on paint brushes being weapons.
I’m looking forward to seeing what more this town can bring!
I loved so much about Painted Hearts. We’ve got that small town magic which I froth over and not only did I love the main characters Everett and Winnie I also loved the people around them. Special shout out to Betty and Juniper my goodness her driving skills, I was laughing out loud. Honourable mention to Chase I feel this fire fighter will have one cracker of a story, I can see it now! They were all so entertaining. Even Gavin the snappy Goose had a role in this story. I’ve gotta say I’d love a I survived Gavin shirt that’s for sure. This book was giving all the vibes.
I bloody love when a grumpy man falls for a colourful sunshine like Winnie. Their little rivalry had me giggling and just waiting for the moment where one of them would say “fuck it”.
Not only did we have the romance we also had the drama which was perfectly executed. It had me crawling out of my skin at the end there and definitely changed my opinion on paint brushes being weapons.
I’m looking forward to seeing what more this town can bring!
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