Founding Hearts: A Small Town Origins Romance With A Little Bit Of Frontier Magic

by Kiva Hart

70 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2026

About the author

Kiva Hart is a passionate romance author known for her ability to weave steamy, heart-pounding love stories with unforgettable characters. With a love for exploring intense chemistry, forbidden romance, and emotional conflict, Kiva creates stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Whether it's enemies turning into lovers, brooding heroes falling for bright-eyed heroines, or love blossoming in the most unexpected circumstances, Kiva’s books are filled with sizzling tension and heart-stopping moments.

Reviews

[Mint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small town? Check. Whisper Falls is literally a main character.
Grumpy x sunshine? No. It’s grieving x green flag and I’m obsessed.

Anna’s whole “I’m not over my past” thing HURT because it felt real. Benjamin said “I got you” with his whole chest and just... waited. No love bombing. No 3rd act breakup over miscommunication. Just two people rebuilding life after a storm wrecks everything.

Is it predictable? Yeah. Did I still cry-smile at the ending? Also yeah.

If you want soft, low-drama, small-town romance where the community actually shows up for each other?? This is your next weekend read. Pair with tea + blanket.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Founding Hearts by Founding Hearts — Kiva Hart 🏔️❤️✨

This was such a warm, heartfelt start to the Holiday Hearts series! Sweet, hopeful, and filled with small-town charm, this story beautifully captures the idea of building not just a town, but a home and a future with the people who matter most. 🥹🌲

Benjamin was impossible not to admire. His determination to create something lasting in the Arkansas wilderness, even when everyone else sees failure waiting to happen, made him such a strong and lovable hero. He believes in hope when others only see hardship, and that optimism slowly changes everyone around him. 🤎

Anna was equally wonderful. Practical, cautious, and deeply connected to the mountains she’s always called home, she understands the dangers Benjamin is up against better than anyone. I loved watching her slowly open her heart — not only to Benjamin, but to the possibility of a future bigger than the life she’s always known. 🌿✨

The slow-burn romance was beautifully done. Their connection grows naturally through shared struggles, quiet moments, and the dream of building something meaningful together. There’s a softness to this story that makes it incredibly comforting to read. ❤️

I also loved the historical frontier setting. The cabins rising, neighbors becoming family, and the constant fight against the unforgiving wilderness made the town itself feel alive. And when the devastating storm hits, the emotional stakes become even stronger. 🏔️❤️🌲.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had the chance to read an ARC of Founding Hearts: A Small Town Origins Romance With A Little Bit Of Frontier Magic by Kiva Hart, and this one was such a cosy, heartfelt surprise.

Set against a charming small-town backdrop with a hint of frontier magic, this story blends romance and whimsy in a way that feels both comforting and quietly enchanting. The town itself feels alive—full of warmth, history, and just a touch of something magical lingering beneath the surface.

The romance is a slow burn that really lets you sink into the connection between the characters. There’s a softness to their story, but also enough tension and emotional depth to keep things engaging. I especially loved how their journey felt rooted in growth, trust, and finding where you truly belong.

The “frontier magic” element adds a unique twist without overpowering the romance, which I appreciated—it enhances the atmosphere rather than stealing the spotlight.

There were a couple of moments where the pacing dipped slightly, and I found myself wanting a bit more exploration of the magical elements, but overall it’s a really satisfying, feel-good read.

If you love small-town romance with a sprinkle of magic and a lot of heart, this is definitely one to add to your list 💫

Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC!

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my god, I read multiple books by this author and i think i should thank booksprouts for introducing her books to me! These books are so cute and entertaining, keep me hooked and i kept adding more and more to my tbr!

The story follows Benjamin, who comes to a wild place called Whisper Falls to build a new life, and Anna, who has lived there for years. Their connection grows slowly, and it feels real and warm. The setting is one of my favorite parts. The forest, the waterfall, and the small growing town all feel peaceful but also full of change. It made me feel like I was there watching everything come together. Anna is a strong and caring character and she helps others, supports her mother, and still finds space for love. Benjamin is hardworking and kind, and I liked how much effort he puts into building not just a town, but a future. The romance is so good and emotional, especially moments like the bridge scene, which is absolutely written well. There is also some conflict with people trying to take over land, that adds some tension to the story and keeps things interesting.

Slow-burn romance
Small-town settings
Found family.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sam Blevins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super quick read in the Holiday Hearts Series with a frontier theme. Perfect for anyone looking for a kisses only story and who grew up reading Little House on the Prairie or watching Dr Quinn Medicine Woman.


Benjamin and Anna were absolutely adorable in this book. Anna had just lost her father a few months before Benjamin shows up to claim some land and turn it into something. The way that Benjamin supports Anna is swoon worthy. He even goes as far as to build her a bridge to make it easier to get to him. Their dynamic as characters are building up each other to achieve their goal of their new town.

Highly recommend to anyone looking for a quick, kisses only story set on the frontier.

[Mary Gallitano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute novella about the founding of Whispering Falls Arkansas back in the days when men could get plots of land simply by promising to make improvements to it.
Benjamin Tolliver is a carpenter who lands in the remote area by Whispering Falls and sees the waterfall and the lumber as an opportunity to build a mill and process timber to build homes and make furniture.
The first person he meets there is Anna who lives with her mother having recently lost her father who was also a carpenter.
It's a sweet story of their relationship growing as the town itself grows.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chyenne Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book but a little confusing. I couldn't tell if this was supposed to be the beginning of the entire series and whisper falls town or if it was a new town near where the series has been. But I did love that the male main character and female main character were infatuated so quickly. I also loved how the male main character stood up for the female main character when the guy tried to buy the cabin of the female main character.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to see how this town came to be, how all started and a blossoming love between a kind, ambitious town founder and a strong-willed, nice local girl.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

So what were the odds of losing a house to floods after decades? How bizarre that there's a big possibility of losing the heroine's family house in floods, which she didn't want to give up but still lost anyway, which didn't happen until after she denied an offer. Guess a buyer's lucky for not getting a lost cause.

[Indie · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved it !! it's a good start for this new series !! love Benjamin and Anna.. this is their story... a fun well paced shorter rom/drama... Benjamin wants to build a small town and buys the land.. Anna already lives here and knows how hard it is... but, she starts to believe in Benjamin's dream.. it's sweet !!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tabitha Pruitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an awesome story. It was a short book but had alot of heart.The characters had great chemistry and it shows that a man with a dream to build something and also fell in love with the woman that helped him build.If you love a great short love story then you should read this book. I received a free copy of this book from Booksprout and I'm voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book.

[Fatima Salih · Rating 4 out of 5]

Founding Hearts is a soft yet powerful story. It leaned into the emotions instead of a dramatic spectacle. Benjamin and Anna feel grounded. Their struggles are both relatable and real. I felt that the relationship was gentle and honest. It's a slow-burn and heartfelt read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kennedy Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book love the storyline and characters thanks for writing it can't wait for the next one.