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Star Harbor #3
Beneath the Frost: A Star Harbor Special Edition
Weston Vaughn has always been the most charming man in any room. That is, until he saved my brother’s life and the accident took his leg.
Now, he’s a gruff recluse and my new roommate.
When my life goes up in flames on my wedding day, I become my small town’s favorite scandal. I want to lie low while the gossip dies down, but living with my parents feels impossible. Moving in with my brother’s best friend is my best option.
He won’t ask for help and I won’t be dismissed. Trouble is, I like this gruff side of Wes and despite his rules, I enjoy showing up for him. He’s adjusting to his new life and when he finally admits his confidence is shot, well . . . I know exactly what he needs.
I’m a hands-on kind of caretaker.
Tensions rise as our tentative arrangement melts into sexy, forbidden lessons aimed to rebuild the confidence he’s lost. He thinks he’s broken, but all I see is an irresistible man with a firm grip and a filthy mouth.
He’s walled off his heart, but all it takes is a woman who’s willing to see what lies beneath the frost.
Now, he’s a gruff recluse and my new roommate.
When my life goes up in flames on my wedding day, I become my small town’s favorite scandal. I want to lie low while the gossip dies down, but living with my parents feels impossible. Moving in with my brother’s best friend is my best option.
He won’t ask for help and I won’t be dismissed. Trouble is, I like this gruff side of Wes and despite his rules, I enjoy showing up for him. He’s adjusting to his new life and when he finally admits his confidence is shot, well . . . I know exactly what he needs.
I’m a hands-on kind of caretaker.
Tensions rise as our tentative arrangement melts into sexy, forbidden lessons aimed to rebuild the confidence he’s lost. He thinks he’s broken, but all I see is an irresistible man with a firm grip and a filthy mouth.
He’s walled off his heart, but all it takes is a woman who’s willing to see what lies beneath the frost.
508 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2026
757 people are currently reading
1453 people want to read
About the author
Lena Hendrix
27 books3,802 followersLena Hendrix is a USA Today and Amazon Top 5 bestselling contemporary romance author living in the Midwest. Her love for romance started with sneaking racy Harlequin paperbacks as a teenager and now she writes her own hot-as-sin small town romance novels. Lena has a soft spot for strong alphas with marshmallow insides, heroines who clap back, and sizzling tension. Her novels pack in small town heart with a whole lotta heat.
When she's not writing or devouring new novels, you can find her hiking, camping, fishing, and sipping a spicy margarita!
Want to hang out? Find Lena on FB, Tiktok or IG!
When she's not writing or devouring new novels, you can find her hiking, camping, fishing, and sipping a spicy margarita!
Want to hang out? Find Lena on FB, Tiktok or IG!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
April 30, 2026
The gum wrapper 🫠
Lena Hendrix could write a grocery list and I’d eat it up.
Wes.
Wes…
Wes…..🔥
I absolutely loved him.
Amputee (recent)
Grumpy/recluse/closed off
In need of a “helper”
Gosh my heart hurt for him.
Enter Clara Darling✨
Runaway bride
Return to small hometown
Feelings of loss of self
Vibrant and loud
Girl finds her self worth
Roommates hey! Forced proximity
His best friends sister
Lessons 🌶️
Rules, that we just love to break.
Oh I loved these two together.
The emotional damage I felt at times.
The big gesture had me melting.
Arc review ✨
Lena Hendrix could write a grocery list and I’d eat it up.
Wes.
Wes…
Wes…..🔥
I absolutely loved him.
Amputee (recent)
Grumpy/recluse/closed off
In need of a “helper”
Gosh my heart hurt for him.
Enter Clara Darling✨
Runaway bride
Return to small hometown
Feelings of loss of self
Vibrant and loud
Girl finds her self worth
Roommates hey! Forced proximity
His best friends sister
Lessons 🌶️
Rules, that we just love to break.
Oh I loved these two together.
The emotional damage I felt at times.
The big gesture had me melting.
Arc review ✨
April 11, 2026
An absolute 10 out of 10. A million stars. No notes 👏🏼
Working with Lena has been the joy of a lifetime. But her stories will never fail to bring me ALL OF THE EMOTIONS AT ONE TIME. I never wanted this one to end.
My loves. My angels. My sweet broken boy and my sunshine angel girl. Oh, how I love them so.
Clara is coming home after years avoiding her family and small town. She's a runaway bride who is ready to stop living her life the way she thinks others want her to. Now, it's for her.
Weston is working on finding his new normal. He's a veteran and a contractor, but when he loses his leg in a freak accident, he loses his identity to the accident as well. He's angry and in pain and fires every nurse that is hired to help him. So when Clara volunteers herself, and doesn't really give him a choice, they're forced into one house with so much sexual tension and pain.
Weston is raw and real and it's something I loved about him so deeply. His fears were understandable. His pain was obvious. He hid behind walls and avoided his friends because he didn't want to be seen as weak. Clara is the sun in his life. She brightens his home again after living in darkness for so long. She doesn't see Weston as project to work on or an issue to solve. She recognizes his pain and helps find ways to push him out of his comfort zone.
I am so thankful I had the chance to read this and I can't wait for everyone to love on them as much as I do!
Working with Lena has been the joy of a lifetime. But her stories will never fail to bring me ALL OF THE EMOTIONS AT ONE TIME. I never wanted this one to end.
My loves. My angels. My sweet broken boy and my sunshine angel girl. Oh, how I love them so.
Clara is coming home after years avoiding her family and small town. She's a runaway bride who is ready to stop living her life the way she thinks others want her to. Now, it's for her.
Weston is working on finding his new normal. He's a veteran and a contractor, but when he loses his leg in a freak accident, he loses his identity to the accident as well. He's angry and in pain and fires every nurse that is hired to help him. So when Clara volunteers herself, and doesn't really give him a choice, they're forced into one house with so much sexual tension and pain.
Weston is raw and real and it's something I loved about him so deeply. His fears were understandable. His pain was obvious. He hid behind walls and avoided his friends because he didn't want to be seen as weak. Clara is the sun in his life. She brightens his home again after living in darkness for so long. She doesn't see Weston as project to work on or an issue to solve. She recognizes his pain and helps find ways to push him out of his comfort zone.
I am so thankful I had the chance to read this and I can't wait for everyone to love on them as much as I do!
April 26, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
I had been waiting for Wes’s story, and it absolutely delivered. Having seen him lingering in the background of earlier books, I knew he needed the right person to come in and bring him back to life, and Clara was exactly that person.
At first, I was a little unsure about Clara because she’s so used to living her life based on what others expect of her. But watching her growth and the way she gently pushes Wes to rediscover himself was so satisfying. She never overpowers him, she just meets him where he is and helps him find his way forward.
Wes’s journey hit hard. His experience as an amputee and the internal struggles he faces felt incredibly real. Some of the darker moments were tough to read, but they added so much authenticity and depth to his character. It made his healing and growth even more meaningful.
And the “sex lessons”? Immediately yes. From the second that trope showed up, I knew it wouldn’t stay casual for long. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and watching them fall for each other felt natural and inevitable in the best way. They truly are a perfect match.
Also, I will never get tired of Star Harbor. The small town charm, the familiar faces, the cozy vibes it just feels like coming home. I already can’t wait to go back.
I had been waiting for Wes’s story, and it absolutely delivered. Having seen him lingering in the background of earlier books, I knew he needed the right person to come in and bring him back to life, and Clara was exactly that person.
At first, I was a little unsure about Clara because she’s so used to living her life based on what others expect of her. But watching her growth and the way she gently pushes Wes to rediscover himself was so satisfying. She never overpowers him, she just meets him where he is and helps him find his way forward.
Wes’s journey hit hard. His experience as an amputee and the internal struggles he faces felt incredibly real. Some of the darker moments were tough to read, but they added so much authenticity and depth to his character. It made his healing and growth even more meaningful.
And the “sex lessons”? Immediately yes. From the second that trope showed up, I knew it wouldn’t stay casual for long. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and watching them fall for each other felt natural and inevitable in the best way. They truly are a perfect match.
Also, I will never get tired of Star Harbor. The small town charm, the familiar faces, the cozy vibes it just feels like coming home. I already can’t wait to go back.
May 4, 2026
LENAAAAA I love them 😩♥️
Clara comes home after avoiding her family in her small town. Weston is a veteran that loses his leg in an accident saving her brother.
Weston is a grump to the max and fires every nurse that is hired to help him adjust to his new life. So when Clara volunteers herself to help him after her brother voices concerns for his friend, they truly didn’t expect to fall for each other.
Spicy lessons, brothers best friend and some amazing character growth in both characters all make this book so enjoyable!!
Runaway Bride •Small Town• Brother’s best friend• disability & mental health rep • Spicy lessons • Roommates
Clara comes home after avoiding her family in her small town. Weston is a veteran that loses his leg in an accident saving her brother.
Weston is a grump to the max and fires every nurse that is hired to help him adjust to his new life. So when Clara volunteers herself to help him after her brother voices concerns for his friend, they truly didn’t expect to fall for each other.
Spicy lessons, brothers best friend and some amazing character growth in both characters all make this book so enjoyable!!
Runaway Bride •Small Town• Brother’s best friend• disability & mental health rep • Spicy lessons • Roommates
April 28, 2026
This one was such an emotional listen, watching Weston navigate life after his amputation, especially the impact on his mental health, felt incredibly real and thoughtfully handled. The relationship between him and Clara is what really makes this shine though; she meets him exactly where he is, never with pity, only honesty and care, and the way she helps him rebuild his confidence felt so genuine. CJ Bloom and Sebastian York absolutely nailed the emotional depth here—the pining, the vulnerability, the tension—all of it landed. It’s heavy at times, but balanced with flirty banter and chemistry that makes it feel just as compelling as it is meaningful.
May 1, 2026
The problem with this book is . . The pacing. The background building. It was lacking. We barely get a glimpse of her and Greg and no resolution there either. I guess they just fall out of each others lives? This felt very much like a tell vs show book. We’re told the FMC and MMC grew up together but I didn’t feel that. I did feel the tension, the sexual tension was good. The resulting seg scenes were mid tier, I wanted more. I also couldn’t care at all about the weird town ghost story if the dunes lady. Maybe the prior books gave more context but it felt out of left field slotted into this story. The begging half was too slow. I skimmed and skipped. Also, why can’t we get a description of what anyone looks like? I’m guessing what the MMC looks like based on the cover but FMC was only briefly alluded to and that made it hard to imagine.
April 30, 2026
4.5⭐️ | 2.75🌶
This one hit hard personally but I really enjoyed it. Wes and Clara, all they went through both separately and together reminded me that there's always light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark. This was a beautiful story about how life can change in the blink of an eye in the most unexpected of ways but there is always light. Thank you to Lena and team for this arc
This one hit hard personally but I really enjoyed it. Wes and Clara, all they went through both separately and together reminded me that there's always light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark. This was a beautiful story about how life can change in the blink of an eye in the most unexpected of ways but there is always light. Thank you to Lena and team for this arc
May 3, 2026
SO GOOD! I've wanted Wes's story since book 1 and I'm so happy the author didn't make us wait till the end of the series!
Two pieces of a puzzle, Clara and Wes fit together perfectly. She might be at loose ends in her personal life, but she's the perfect person to show Wes that life goes on.
Well-written, descriptive and compelling dialogue.
Sweet Scale: 5/5
Spicy Scale: 3/5
Two pieces of a puzzle, Clara and Wes fit together perfectly. She might be at loose ends in her personal life, but she's the perfect person to show Wes that life goes on.
Well-written, descriptive and compelling dialogue.
Sweet Scale: 5/5
Spicy Scale: 3/5
May 6, 2026
**ARC REVIEW**
Beneath The Frost is book #3 in the Star Harbor series by Lena Hendrix.
My rating: 5⭐️'s
Spicy rating: 🔥🔥🔥
You will love this one, if you enjoy these tropes:
🤍Friends to Lovers
🤍Spicy Lessons
🤍Brother's Best Friend
🤍Runaway Bride
🤍Disability Rep
🤍She’s his caretaker
My Thoughts
The way I have been waiting for Wes's love story!! Lena did not disappoint with this one.
I love me a grump and Wes was the definition of it. You learn why he is the way he is and I love that the only person who could get through those icy layers was Clara. Clara was his perfect match and I loved how Clara was sunshine personified. She made him see that life is worth living and he deserves to be happy too.
Their chemistry was a slow burn but you could tell the tension filled the air as they were in constant forced proximity living together. The spicy lessons were HOT but beautiful at the same time especially with Wes being so self conscious being an amputee.
PS if you are a small town romance girly, you need this book on your TBR immediately!!!
Overall I loved it so much and I cannot wait to see what's coming next from Lena.
Thank you so much to Lena and her team for kindly sending me this arc to read and review. This is my own honest opinion on the book :)
Beneath The Frost is book #3 in the Star Harbor series by Lena Hendrix.
My rating: 5⭐️'s
Spicy rating: 🔥🔥🔥
You will love this one, if you enjoy these tropes:
🤍Friends to Lovers
🤍Spicy Lessons
🤍Brother's Best Friend
🤍Runaway Bride
🤍Disability Rep
🤍She’s his caretaker
My Thoughts
The way I have been waiting for Wes's love story!! Lena did not disappoint with this one.
I love me a grump and Wes was the definition of it. You learn why he is the way he is and I love that the only person who could get through those icy layers was Clara. Clara was his perfect match and I loved how Clara was sunshine personified. She made him see that life is worth living and he deserves to be happy too.
Their chemistry was a slow burn but you could tell the tension filled the air as they were in constant forced proximity living together. The spicy lessons were HOT but beautiful at the same time especially with Wes being so self conscious being an amputee.
PS if you are a small town romance girly, you need this book on your TBR immediately!!!
Overall I loved it so much and I cannot wait to see what's coming next from Lena.
Thank you so much to Lena and her team for kindly sending me this arc to read and review. This is my own honest opinion on the book :)
May 2, 2026
3.5 Stars Beneath the Frost is the third book in the Star Harbor series and be prepared, it will put you through the emotional wringer. Clara and Wes see each other like no one else does, especially after Clara’s a runaway bride and Wes lost his leg in an accident. It’s a hard fought journey for these two 🩷
This story went by so fast I wasn't expecting the third act when it hit because it felt like not enough had happened by that point. The "lessons" started later than I expected and they only had two "lessons" before completely giving up that farce. I also wanted Clara to have a confrontation with her family, mostly her parents, about why they treat her like the black sheep of the family simply because she left home as soon as she could. There were always weird vibes in how her family and the rest of the town treated her. We also didn't get any more resolution to what happened between her and her ex-fiancé. I just expected a bit more and wish we had had more time with these two. The whole thing went by too fast!
Thank you, Lena Hendrix, for the ARC!
This story went by so fast I wasn't expecting the third act when it hit because it felt like not enough had happened by that point. The "lessons" started later than I expected and they only had two "lessons" before completely giving up that farce. I also wanted Clara to have a confrontation with her family, mostly her parents, about why they treat her like the black sheep of the family simply because she left home as soon as she could. There were always weird vibes in how her family and the rest of the town treated her. We also didn't get any more resolution to what happened between her and her ex-fiancé. I just expected a bit more and wish we had had more time with these two. The whole thing went by too fast!
Thank you, Lena Hendrix, for the ARC!
May 3, 2026
An absolute 10/10. What a book!!!
Wes my sweet grumpy man, I love him with my entire soul. His struggles and fears were raw and real. His pain was obvious and my heart broke seeing the internal demons he battled daily. His character development was chefs kiss and his disability was handled with such care and attention. He finally found the light amongst all the darkness with Clara by his side 🥹
Sweet sunshine Clara. She gently pushed Wes to rediscover himself. She didn’t smother him, she met him halfway and gave him that extra push to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I loved seeing her own growth and watching her fulfil her own dreams and find a life for herself back in Star Harbor.
The chemistry between these two was undeniable, those spicy lessons??? Phenomenal. They fell for each other in such a natural and organic way and you could tell Wes had been down bad for a while 😌
This book was authentic, raw and emotional. I can’t wait to see what Lena gives us next 🤭
“My woman. My future. My second chance, standing here in a place we’d built together.”
Tropes:
❄️ small town
☁️ runaway bride
🩵 friends to lovers
❄️ roommates
☁️ brothers best friend
🩵 spicy lessons
🦿 disability rep
Thank you to Lena and team for the ARC 🫶🏻
Wes my sweet grumpy man, I love him with my entire soul. His struggles and fears were raw and real. His pain was obvious and my heart broke seeing the internal demons he battled daily. His character development was chefs kiss and his disability was handled with such care and attention. He finally found the light amongst all the darkness with Clara by his side 🥹
Sweet sunshine Clara. She gently pushed Wes to rediscover himself. She didn’t smother him, she met him halfway and gave him that extra push to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I loved seeing her own growth and watching her fulfil her own dreams and find a life for herself back in Star Harbor.
The chemistry between these two was undeniable, those spicy lessons??? Phenomenal. They fell for each other in such a natural and organic way and you could tell Wes had been down bad for a while 😌
This book was authentic, raw and emotional. I can’t wait to see what Lena gives us next 🤭
“My woman. My future. My second chance, standing here in a place we’d built together.”
Tropes:
❄️ small town
☁️ runaway bride
🩵 friends to lovers
❄️ roommates
☁️ brothers best friend
🩵 spicy lessons
🦿 disability rep
Thank you to Lena and team for the ARC 🫶🏻
April 30, 2026
❄️Small Town Romance
💙Brother’s Best Friend
❄️Forced Proximity
💙Spice Lessons
❄️Runaway Bride
💙Roommate
❄️Friends to Lovers
💙Mental Health + Disability Rep
Clara and Wes are swoon worthy! The way they just fit together and the tension. Ugh! 🥵🫠
They both had to deal with crappy circumstances but I loved seeing both of them find themselves! It was so good.
Wes is a broody, gorgeous man! You will be fanning yourself! What a man! I mean the man makes her coffee, exactly how she likes it, swoon. The man wearing slutty little glasses…major swoon!
Clara is an amazing person, who just got wrapped up in a crappy situation taking care of someone else. I adore her. Watching her take something she wants and going after it, I was yelling “Yes Queen!”
I loved learning more about the Lady, I’m seriously hooked! I’m read to move to Star Harbor now!
Thank you for the ARC, Lena!! I highly recommend!
💙Brother’s Best Friend
❄️Forced Proximity
💙Spice Lessons
❄️Runaway Bride
💙Roommate
❄️Friends to Lovers
💙Mental Health + Disability Rep
Clara and Wes are swoon worthy! The way they just fit together and the tension. Ugh! 🥵🫠
They both had to deal with crappy circumstances but I loved seeing both of them find themselves! It was so good.
Wes is a broody, gorgeous man! You will be fanning yourself! What a man! I mean the man makes her coffee, exactly how she likes it, swoon. The man wearing slutty little glasses…major swoon!
Clara is an amazing person, who just got wrapped up in a crappy situation taking care of someone else. I adore her. Watching her take something she wants and going after it, I was yelling “Yes Queen!”
I loved learning more about the Lady, I’m seriously hooked! I’m read to move to Star Harbor now!
Thank you for the ARC, Lena!! I highly recommend!
May 7, 2026
5⭐️
Immediately as soon as I started this I was OBSESSED! I already knew it was going to be a 5 star read only a few chapters in.
This book was cozy, heartwarming, so incredibly sweet, spicy, funny, literally everything you could want in a small town romance. I have yet to read the first 2 books in this series but I will most definitely be reading them as soon as possible! I enjoyed this story so much that as it got closer to the end, I dragged it out because I didn't want it to be over. This was such an easy 5 star rating to give. I am so in love with Wes and Clara!!
I highly highly highly recommend this one! Especially on audio! The narrators did a fantastic job portraying the emotions and personalities of the characters and really bringing them to life.
If you are a fan of brother's best friend, roommates, and spicy lessons 👀, then you NEED to pick this one up! I'm telling you, you will not be disappointed!
Immediately as soon as I started this I was OBSESSED! I already knew it was going to be a 5 star read only a few chapters in.
This book was cozy, heartwarming, so incredibly sweet, spicy, funny, literally everything you could want in a small town romance. I have yet to read the first 2 books in this series but I will most definitely be reading them as soon as possible! I enjoyed this story so much that as it got closer to the end, I dragged it out because I didn't want it to be over. This was such an easy 5 star rating to give. I am so in love with Wes and Clara!!
I highly highly highly recommend this one! Especially on audio! The narrators did a fantastic job portraying the emotions and personalities of the characters and really bringing them to life.
If you are a fan of brother's best friend, roommates, and spicy lessons 👀, then you NEED to pick this one up! I'm telling you, you will not be disappointed!
May 4, 2026
[beneath the frost]
I am struggling to come up with words to describe how much I LOVED this book. Lena Hendrix has me absolutely obsessed with the Star Harbor Series and Wes and Clara's story was the most perfect third book to add to the lineup.
Oh Wes!! He is such a broken tortured soul after an accident where he lost his leg. He is a shell of his former self and Clara was exactly who he needed to bring him back to life. *swoon*
Clara and Wes were something so special. They had this quick banter that made me laugh but beyond that they had this deep relationship that was formed through communication, vulnerability, and emotions. I loved how much they grew together and felt so invested in their relationship. I just LOVE them.
I also want to add- this is the best spin on the spicy lesson trope I've ever read.
This was the easiest five stars ever. I was fully invested from page one and I was sad to say goodbye on the last page. Zero notes! Don't miss this one.
You can expect…
💙 small town
💙 brother’s best friend
💙 roommates
💙 recent amputee hero
💙 runaway bride
💙 spicy lessons
💙 friends to lovers
📚Book: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Audio: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥Spice Rating: ❤️
🎧 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼...
The narration on this audiobook literally couldn't have been better! CJ Bloom and Sebastian York were a perfectly cast in this duet audiobook. They made every emotion come to life in such a perfect way. If you enjoy audiobooks, I highly recommend you listen to this one!
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘦𝘯𝘢 𝘏𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘹 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘈𝘓𝘊. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦.
Spice Rating
🤍 clean romance
💗 closed door/ fade to black
❤️ spicy content (a few detailed scenes)
❤️🔥 explicit, play-by-play (major part of the plot)
🖤 graphic, more than vanilla
I am struggling to come up with words to describe how much I LOVED this book. Lena Hendrix has me absolutely obsessed with the Star Harbor Series and Wes and Clara's story was the most perfect third book to add to the lineup.
Oh Wes!! He is such a broken tortured soul after an accident where he lost his leg. He is a shell of his former self and Clara was exactly who he needed to bring him back to life. *swoon*
Clara and Wes were something so special. They had this quick banter that made me laugh but beyond that they had this deep relationship that was formed through communication, vulnerability, and emotions. I loved how much they grew together and felt so invested in their relationship. I just LOVE them.
I also want to add- this is the best spin on the spicy lesson trope I've ever read.
This was the easiest five stars ever. I was fully invested from page one and I was sad to say goodbye on the last page. Zero notes! Don't miss this one.
You can expect…
💙 small town
💙 brother’s best friend
💙 roommates
💙 recent amputee hero
💙 runaway bride
💙 spicy lessons
💙 friends to lovers
📚Book: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Audio: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥Spice Rating: ❤️
🎧 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼...
The narration on this audiobook literally couldn't have been better! CJ Bloom and Sebastian York were a perfectly cast in this duet audiobook. They made every emotion come to life in such a perfect way. If you enjoy audiobooks, I highly recommend you listen to this one!
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘦𝘯𝘢 𝘏𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘹 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘈𝘓𝘊. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦.
Spice Rating
🤍 clean romance
💗 closed door/ fade to black
❤️ spicy content (a few detailed scenes)
❤️🔥 explicit, play-by-play (major part of the plot)
🖤 graphic, more than vanilla
April 30, 2026
Thank you Lena Hendrix for my copy of Beneath The Frost. 🤍 I received this book for review, all opinions are my own and given freely.
Beneath The Frost is book 3 in the Star Harbor series. This is Wes + Clara’s book! I’m an absolute sucker for runaway bride trope. I’m also an absolute sucker for anything Lena writes. 😂 All that to say, I ate this book up!
Wes was grumpy and Clara was the perfect sunshine for him. My heart hurt so badly for Wes. I just loved them together so much. I felt so many emotions reading this book. Lena continues to be one of my favorite, auto buy authors.
Beneath The Frost releases 04/30.
Beneath The Frost is book 3 in the Star Harbor series. This is Wes + Clara’s book! I’m an absolute sucker for runaway bride trope. I’m also an absolute sucker for anything Lena writes. 😂 All that to say, I ate this book up!
Wes was grumpy and Clara was the perfect sunshine for him. My heart hurt so badly for Wes. I just loved them together so much. I felt so many emotions reading this book. Lena continues to be one of my favorite, auto buy authors.
Beneath The Frost releases 04/30.
April 30, 2026
I loved every second of Wes & Clara!! I want to give Wes the biggest hug, my heart broke for him and everything he’s been through. I loved the way Clara was a breath of fresh air for him, not giving him a choice in having to move forward and to keep living. I loved the way she knew exactly how to push him and didn’t treat him like he was fragile. I loved the way Wes was supportive and was fully invested in her and her dreams. I loved the two of them together, their chemistry, the way they fit together so well…it was all just so good, and I couldn’t put it down!!
[ARC review]
[ARC review]
May 5, 2026
5⭐️
2.5🌶️
This book is the definition of the hurt & comfort trope done right.
Wes and Clara are both a little lost in their own ways, and what starts as a spicy “lessons” arrangement turns into something that lets them be vulnerable, take control, and slowly reclaim their lives.
Lena has such a talent for pulling at your heartstrings while balancing it with perfectly timed humor—most of it thanks to Clara’s sparkling (and unforgettable) personality.
Heartwarming, a little steamy, and full of those soft, cozy feelings—this one definitely delivers all the warm fuzzies.
2.5🌶️
This book is the definition of the hurt & comfort trope done right.
Wes and Clara are both a little lost in their own ways, and what starts as a spicy “lessons” arrangement turns into something that lets them be vulnerable, take control, and slowly reclaim their lives.
Lena has such a talent for pulling at your heartstrings while balancing it with perfectly timed humor—most of it thanks to Clara’s sparkling (and unforgettable) personality.
Heartwarming, a little steamy, and full of those soft, cozy feelings—this one definitely delivers all the warm fuzzies.
May 3, 2026
Update :RTC
3.75 ⭐️
1 🌶️
This is a slowwwwwww burn. At first the tension was tensioning but now that I’ve sat for a bit, I’ve knocked it down a star. I’m not sure if it is the lack of spice making me feel less of a connection but something isn’t getting me quite there. Clara is exactly what Wes needs but his fear is at play 90% of the time. Given his accident I knew it would take longer for their story to develop but this wasn’t my favorite.
3.75 ⭐️
1 🌶️
This is a slowwwwwww burn. At first the tension was tensioning but now that I’ve sat for a bit, I’ve knocked it down a star. I’m not sure if it is the lack of spice making me feel less of a connection but something isn’t getting me quite there. Clara is exactly what Wes needs but his fear is at play 90% of the time. Given his accident I knew it would take longer for their story to develop but this wasn’t my favorite.
April 30, 2026
Okay Wes Vaughn, got me in my feels. This man has been through it and is understandably rocked in mental and physical ways. In comes Clara Darling to push him and hold him accountable with joy and boundaries. Eff yes! Way to go Lena, I love them.
Spoiler?
And we get a "F*ck it" moment!
Spoiler?
And we get a "F*ck it" moment!
May 1, 2026
✨ALC Book Review✨
Beneath The Frost - Lena Hendrix
Release Date: April 30th, 2026
Happy Release Day 🎉🎉
“𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅, 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈. “𝑨 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒈𝒖𝒎 𝒘𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓. 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒅𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌.”
This book gets all the stars. Literal perfection!
Beneath The Frost is quite simply one of the most beautiful stories that I have ever read. Clara and Wes immediately stole my heart and their story altered my brain chemistry, I swear. Beneath The Frost was raw and real. I loved Wes and Clara’s chemistry, banter and the tension 🤌🏼🥵
Clara was the sunshine that Wes needed back in his life. These two breathed new life into each other and it was an unforgettable story!
I’m simply obsessed with this entire series and I am so excited for the next one!
🎧 CJ Bloom & Sebastian York did a great job bringing these characters to life!
📚 You can get this book on Amazon, Kindle and Audible (which I recommend because the audio is amazing!)
Thank you Lena Hendrix for this ALC 🩵
🏷️ Book Review | Audiobook | Bookstagram | Beneath The Frost | Lena Hendrix
Beneath The Frost - Lena Hendrix
Release Date: April 30th, 2026
Happy Release Day 🎉🎉
“𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅, 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈. “𝑨 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒈𝒖𝒎 𝒘𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓. 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒅𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌.”
This book gets all the stars. Literal perfection!
Beneath The Frost is quite simply one of the most beautiful stories that I have ever read. Clara and Wes immediately stole my heart and their story altered my brain chemistry, I swear. Beneath The Frost was raw and real. I loved Wes and Clara’s chemistry, banter and the tension 🤌🏼🥵
Clara was the sunshine that Wes needed back in his life. These two breathed new life into each other and it was an unforgettable story!
I’m simply obsessed with this entire series and I am so excited for the next one!
🎧 CJ Bloom & Sebastian York did a great job bringing these characters to life!
📚 You can get this book on Amazon, Kindle and Audible (which I recommend because the audio is amazing!)
Thank you Lena Hendrix for this ALC 🩵
🏷️ Book Review | Audiobook | Bookstagram | Beneath The Frost | Lena Hendrix
May 3, 2026
2.75 ⭐️ Almost DNFed because 🥱
May 1, 2026
Oh Wes. Grumpy Wes who’s pushed away everyone that cares about him. I mean can you blame him? He’s so angry and on a path to self isolation when Clara barges into his life.
Clara is back home, much to her chagrin and chomping at the bit to get out of her parents’ house.
I enjoyed watching Clara and Wes together. Seeing Wes go through all the emotions was quite the journey. What Wes is going through felt so real. It was raw and ugly, but relatable for so many reasons. Lena truly did a wonderful job with this grumpy, angry man and a girl looking for someone to love her for her. I loved Clara’s no BS attitude and finally being the one who doesn’t treat Wes like he’s broken.
And the audiobook? Wonderful! Both narrators did such a great job! I’d listen to grumpy Wes any day!
Clara is back home, much to her chagrin and chomping at the bit to get out of her parents’ house.
I enjoyed watching Clara and Wes together. Seeing Wes go through all the emotions was quite the journey. What Wes is going through felt so real. It was raw and ugly, but relatable for so many reasons. Lena truly did a wonderful job with this grumpy, angry man and a girl looking for someone to love her for her. I loved Clara’s no BS attitude and finally being the one who doesn’t treat Wes like he’s broken.
And the audiobook? Wonderful! Both narrators did such a great job! I’d listen to grumpy Wes any day!
May 2, 2026
This has been my favorite of the series so far. It’s emotional, funny, sexy and the chemistry is so intense. Weston is an amputee above the knee and is learning what physical and emotions challenges come with that. He was once the life of the party, now he’s a recluse turning any and all help away. Clara is the middle Darling sister that left town and hasn’t been back, hiding a secret until the day of her wedding that doesn’t happen. Now she’s back and decides to help Wes even though he doesn’t want it.
They have banter, chemistry and history. I loved them so much. Wes’s mental health is a big struggle for him and Clara finds ways to be there for him, without the pity. They form a friendship that grows. They encounter struggles and breakthroughs. This story felt so honest for what I would expect someone like Wes to feel and go through. I loved it so much!
Thank you to Lena and her team for the ALC!
Read: ALC 🎧
MMC: Weston Vaughn
FMC: Clara Darling
Spice: 2🌶️
Tropes: Small Town, Friends to Lovers, Runaway Bride, Brother’s BF, Runaway Bride, Spicy Lessons, Disability/Mental Health Rep
They have banter, chemistry and history. I loved them so much. Wes’s mental health is a big struggle for him and Clara finds ways to be there for him, without the pity. They form a friendship that grows. They encounter struggles and breakthroughs. This story felt so honest for what I would expect someone like Wes to feel and go through. I loved it so much!
Thank you to Lena and her team for the ALC!
Read: ALC 🎧
MMC: Weston Vaughn
FMC: Clara Darling
Spice: 2🌶️
Tropes: Small Town, Friends to Lovers, Runaway Bride, Brother’s BF, Runaway Bride, Spicy Lessons, Disability/Mental Health Rep
May 2, 2026
Clara Darling never expected to return to Star Harbor under these circumstances, but after leaving her fiancé at the altar, she has no choice but to face the town that now knows her as the runaway bride. Coming home means more than just dealing with judgment and whispers, it means moving back in with her parents and falling back under rules that no longer fit the woman she’s become. When an opportunity arises to move out and start fresh, she takes it, hoping this could finally be her chance to figure out who she is and what she truly wants from life. WesVaughn is barely holding himself together after a life-altering accident that cost him his leg. Though he has a prosthetic, he’s struggling to accept his new reality. Consumed by anger, grief, and a deep sense of inadequacy, he’s shut himself off from the world, firing every nurse sent to help him and refusing physical therapy. He’s stuck, both physically and emotionally, unable to move forward. So when Clara proposes moving in to help him, he’s reluctant. She’s his best friend’s little sister, completely off-limits, and the last thing he needs is someone bright and optimistic disrupting the walls he’s built around himself. Clara’s sunshine personality clashes with Wes’s gruff, closed-off demeanor, but slowly, she begins to break through. She encourages him to attend therapy, to leave the house, to start living again instead of just existing. When Clara suggests a friends-with-benefits arrangement to help him reconnect with his body and adjust to his new normal, it pushes them into even more complicated territory. Wes knows it’s a line he shouldn’t cross, but the way Clara makes him feel seen, understood, and alive, becomes impossible to ignore. As their connection deepens, Wes begins to believe that maybe he can have a future again. But healing isn’t linear. When his insecurities resurface, he falls back into old patterns, pushing Clara away before she can see all the parts of himself he believes are broken. If he can’t learn to let someone in, he risks losing not just Clara, but any chance at the life he could rebuild.
Wes is an incredibly raw and relatable MMC. His struggle to redefine his identity after his accident is portrayed with honesty and depth. He doesn’t just grieve the loss of his leg, he grieves the life he thought he would have and the man he used to be. His feelings of inadequacy and fear of being “less than” are powerful, and his journey toward acceptance is one of the most compelling aspects of the story. Clara, on the other hand, is navigating a different kind of identity crisis. Walking away from a life she thought she wanted forces her to confront the reality that she’s been living according to others’ expectations for far too long. Returning to Star Harbor brings up old wounds, feeling underestimated, overlooked, and judged by the people who never believed she’d amount to more. Her growth lies in choosing herself for the first time. She refuses to let her past, or others’ perceptions, define her future. With Wes, she finds someone who challenges her just as much as she supports him, creating a dynamic that feels balanced and real.
In conclusion, I gave this book 5 stars because together, Clara and Wes tell a story about rebuilding, about learning that when life doesn’t go according to plan, it doesn’t mean it’s over. It just means you have the opportunity to create something new. It’s also a joy to revisit Star Harbor, catching up with familiar faces like Clara’s sisters and Wes’s friends. These moments add warmth and continuity, making the town feel like a character in its own right. This feels like a place full of history, connection, and second chances. Beneath the Frost is a reminder that even in the coldest, most uncertain seasons of life, there’s still room for growth, love, and a fresh start.
Wes is an incredibly raw and relatable MMC. His struggle to redefine his identity after his accident is portrayed with honesty and depth. He doesn’t just grieve the loss of his leg, he grieves the life he thought he would have and the man he used to be. His feelings of inadequacy and fear of being “less than” are powerful, and his journey toward acceptance is one of the most compelling aspects of the story. Clara, on the other hand, is navigating a different kind of identity crisis. Walking away from a life she thought she wanted forces her to confront the reality that she’s been living according to others’ expectations for far too long. Returning to Star Harbor brings up old wounds, feeling underestimated, overlooked, and judged by the people who never believed she’d amount to more. Her growth lies in choosing herself for the first time. She refuses to let her past, or others’ perceptions, define her future. With Wes, she finds someone who challenges her just as much as she supports him, creating a dynamic that feels balanced and real.
In conclusion, I gave this book 5 stars because together, Clara and Wes tell a story about rebuilding, about learning that when life doesn’t go according to plan, it doesn’t mean it’s over. It just means you have the opportunity to create something new. It’s also a joy to revisit Star Harbor, catching up with familiar faces like Clara’s sisters and Wes’s friends. These moments add warmth and continuity, making the town feel like a character in its own right. This feels like a place full of history, connection, and second chances. Beneath the Frost is a reminder that even in the coldest, most uncertain seasons of life, there’s still room for growth, love, and a fresh start.
May 5, 2026
First 6 star read of the year!! I’ve been waiting to learn about Wes since we met him and after the accident I wanted it even more. I knew this one would not be kind to my feelings, but with what it ripped apart in me, it also put back together.
Clare is finally back in her small town after years of avoiding her family and as some would say a run away bride. But after a swift exit out of her wedding, not that she had any say in it, she realizes that maybe the way she was living her life wasn’t for her but for all the people around her. Now back in her parent’s house, interrupting the empty nesters, Clare is ready to get out and find out what would make her happy after all this turmoil. And in comes the thought of the century, make herself at home in her brothers best friends house, who needs a bit of a nurse with a pick me up. Clare knows that Wes is not is the best headspace after his accident. Knowing even Clare’s brother Hayes is extremely worried about Wes not getting out and leaving his house. Clare doesn’t know what he’s going through, but she does know what it’s like to need someone to be there and show up when not even you want to show up for yourself. Clare wants Weston to realize that life can continue to go on, and maybe the way to do that is to show him some confidence in his new body is the way to go. Now you’d think why would Clare be all wrapped up in this, but Clare doesn’t give up easily and she knows Wes is worth showing up for, even when he’s being crabby. As Wes starts to come out of his shell and actually start leaving the house, Clare realizes it’s now her time to dig deep and she what she is good at and start her job proposal. And as she figures out her next move, and Wes is there as a cheerleader, maybe Clare has started figuring it out little by little and may be that’s enough to keep her happy at the end of this.
Weston is trying to find his new normal, his new normal is sleeping on his couch and hoping the day goes by fast without someone showing up to make him feel like he should just move on from what happened. The last person he thought he’d see on his front step with her bags is Clare. Now why would his best friend’s little sister be on his porch claiming she’s there to be a helpful nurse aid? Wes doesn’t really understand, but who is he to turn away the always beautiful sunshine that is Claire. Wes isn’t used to the house having so much life and sound in it since his accident, but he knows something is up with Clare after her disappearing act at her wedding. And maybe being there for someone like Clare will be good for Wes, in the maybe showing up for someone will bring his spirits up as well way. Too bad his confidence is shot and has no need to be helpful for anyone. But as the days go by and Wes makes more steps in his recovery, Clare comes to him with an out of character request to boost his confidence, and honestly it actually brings him to life. A life he sees, a life he wants, a life he knows he can’t let himself have because he’s not meant to have a happy ending, especially not with Clare.
This book could’ve been another 300 pages and I would’ve never gotten bored with Clare and Wes. Relearning what you love about yourself is a never ending thing and to get to do it with someone who brings out the best in you is never ending. And Lena did it so well, I wanted it to literally never end as well. I love them so so so so so much.
Now to that ghost that is lurking in the background of their lives.. I’m invested 👀👀 I’m trying to piece together the clues but not getting far, so I’m literally on the edge of my seat to see what Kit unveils in her book.
Clare is finally back in her small town after years of avoiding her family and as some would say a run away bride. But after a swift exit out of her wedding, not that she had any say in it, she realizes that maybe the way she was living her life wasn’t for her but for all the people around her. Now back in her parent’s house, interrupting the empty nesters, Clare is ready to get out and find out what would make her happy after all this turmoil. And in comes the thought of the century, make herself at home in her brothers best friends house, who needs a bit of a nurse with a pick me up. Clare knows that Wes is not is the best headspace after his accident. Knowing even Clare’s brother Hayes is extremely worried about Wes not getting out and leaving his house. Clare doesn’t know what he’s going through, but she does know what it’s like to need someone to be there and show up when not even you want to show up for yourself. Clare wants Weston to realize that life can continue to go on, and maybe the way to do that is to show him some confidence in his new body is the way to go. Now you’d think why would Clare be all wrapped up in this, but Clare doesn’t give up easily and she knows Wes is worth showing up for, even when he’s being crabby. As Wes starts to come out of his shell and actually start leaving the house, Clare realizes it’s now her time to dig deep and she what she is good at and start her job proposal. And as she figures out her next move, and Wes is there as a cheerleader, maybe Clare has started figuring it out little by little and may be that’s enough to keep her happy at the end of this.
Weston is trying to find his new normal, his new normal is sleeping on his couch and hoping the day goes by fast without someone showing up to make him feel like he should just move on from what happened. The last person he thought he’d see on his front step with her bags is Clare. Now why would his best friend’s little sister be on his porch claiming she’s there to be a helpful nurse aid? Wes doesn’t really understand, but who is he to turn away the always beautiful sunshine that is Claire. Wes isn’t used to the house having so much life and sound in it since his accident, but he knows something is up with Clare after her disappearing act at her wedding. And maybe being there for someone like Clare will be good for Wes, in the maybe showing up for someone will bring his spirits up as well way. Too bad his confidence is shot and has no need to be helpful for anyone. But as the days go by and Wes makes more steps in his recovery, Clare comes to him with an out of character request to boost his confidence, and honestly it actually brings him to life. A life he sees, a life he wants, a life he knows he can’t let himself have because he’s not meant to have a happy ending, especially not with Clare.
This book could’ve been another 300 pages and I would’ve never gotten bored with Clare and Wes. Relearning what you love about yourself is a never ending thing and to get to do it with someone who brings out the best in you is never ending. And Lena did it so well, I wanted it to literally never end as well. I love them so so so so so much.
Now to that ghost that is lurking in the background of their lives.. I’m invested 👀👀 I’m trying to piece together the clues but not getting far, so I’m literally on the edge of my seat to see what Kit unveils in her book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance listener's copy received from Author
Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩
Spice: 🌶🌶 ½
Narration: ✩✩✩✩✩
➛ Duet Narration
➛ Sebastian York & CJ Bloom
TROPES:
♡ Small Town Romance
♡ Friends to Lovers
♡ Grumpy x Sunshine
♡ Roommates
♡ Brother’s Best Friend
♡ Disability Rep (he’s an amputee)
♡ Mental Health Rep
♡ Spicy Lessons
Imagine me, just excited to return to Star Harbor... only to get sucker-punched by Wes and his mental state at the beginning of his journey when I first got access to this ALC. It has been so long since I read a book that has left me emotionally flayed. OMG, I empathize with Wes SO HARD, like on an spiritual level. As someone who lives with chronic back pain, who has to map out a 2 minute walk like it's a marathon with check points along the way to make sure I can sit down so that I can take pressure off my lower back, worrying about how people will look at me for randomly sitting down in the middle of a grocery aisle or on the way into work, I 100% am living his plight on a daily basis. The way that Wes looks at stairs, slippery side walks, standing for prolonged periods of time... I felt so seen. The empathy I got from reading this and seeing his anxieties, his pain, his shame, his insecurities, his reluctance, his fears, his self-consciousness, his discomforts push him to retreat back to his home where it's safe and comfortable but is slowly eating away at his soul -- I felt ALL of that! Both Wes (and maybe I too) need someone as special as Clara Darling in their life. She was a defibrillator shock to his heart, restarting a life he thought had died the night of the accident. Her endless well of patience and understanding, holding him accountable, coupled with her not taking his shit and calling him out on his BS, is exactly what he needed in his life.
As much as I loved the "nerd crew" meet up... I really wished the girls were also invited. Not that their knitting crew wasn't also a fun time, I just think they would have also really enjoyed both the DnD campaign and even baseball/softball.
Hayes and Wes's relationship was so sweet. I love how patient Hayes is. How can someone who has the shittiest luck still be so unbelievably supportive and understanding? I suppose, it might be that in spite of all of his misfortune, he unwittingly puts forth kindness towards those around him in an unconscious hope that maybe his luck will turn around. So hopefully, Ms. Hendrix will give Hayes his own very happy ending in a future novel. 😉
But I think my favorite scene might be the knitting into the snow sledding scene. It was so wholesome and sweet, like this whimsical slice-of-life moment capped off with a toe-curling kiss in the snow. [SWOON] The way I was kicking my feet! I loved it!
The narration from Sebastian York and CJ Bloom was spectacular as well! SebYo plays tortured MMC who yearns SO WELL and CJ Bloom brings so much warmth and vulnerability to her sunshine FMCs! What a dynamic duo these two were!
Overall, this was such a raw, relatable, and heart-wrenching story of recovery, overcoming insecurities, and finding love after you think your life is over. I am SO excited for Brody and Kit's story if theirs is next because OMG, I have a feeling these two are going to be a firecracker pair! :D
Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩
Spice: 🌶🌶 ½
Narration: ✩✩✩✩✩
➛ Duet Narration
➛ Sebastian York & CJ Bloom
TROPES:
♡ Small Town Romance
♡ Friends to Lovers
♡ Grumpy x Sunshine
♡ Roommates
♡ Brother’s Best Friend
♡ Disability Rep (he’s an amputee)
♡ Mental Health Rep
♡ Spicy Lessons
Imagine me, just excited to return to Star Harbor... only to get sucker-punched by Wes and his mental state at the beginning of his journey when I first got access to this ALC. It has been so long since I read a book that has left me emotionally flayed. OMG, I empathize with Wes SO HARD, like on an spiritual level. As someone who lives with chronic back pain, who has to map out a 2 minute walk like it's a marathon with check points along the way to make sure I can sit down so that I can take pressure off my lower back, worrying about how people will look at me for randomly sitting down in the middle of a grocery aisle or on the way into work, I 100% am living his plight on a daily basis. The way that Wes looks at stairs, slippery side walks, standing for prolonged periods of time... I felt so seen. The empathy I got from reading this and seeing his anxieties, his pain, his shame, his insecurities, his reluctance, his fears, his self-consciousness, his discomforts push him to retreat back to his home where it's safe and comfortable but is slowly eating away at his soul -- I felt ALL of that! Both Wes (and maybe I too) need someone as special as Clara Darling in their life. She was a defibrillator shock to his heart, restarting a life he thought had died the night of the accident. Her endless well of patience and understanding, holding him accountable, coupled with her not taking his shit and calling him out on his BS, is exactly what he needed in his life.
As much as I loved the "nerd crew" meet up... I really wished the girls were also invited. Not that their knitting crew wasn't also a fun time, I just think they would have also really enjoyed both the DnD campaign and even baseball/softball.
Hayes and Wes's relationship was so sweet. I love how patient Hayes is. How can someone who has the shittiest luck still be so unbelievably supportive and understanding? I suppose, it might be that in spite of all of his misfortune, he unwittingly puts forth kindness towards those around him in an unconscious hope that maybe his luck will turn around. So hopefully, Ms. Hendrix will give Hayes his own very happy ending in a future novel. 😉
But I think my favorite scene might be the knitting into the snow sledding scene. It was so wholesome and sweet, like this whimsical slice-of-life moment capped off with a toe-curling kiss in the snow. [SWOON] The way I was kicking my feet! I loved it!
The narration from Sebastian York and CJ Bloom was spectacular as well! SebYo plays tortured MMC who yearns SO WELL and CJ Bloom brings so much warmth and vulnerability to her sunshine FMCs! What a dynamic duo these two were!
Overall, this was such a raw, relatable, and heart-wrenching story of recovery, overcoming insecurities, and finding love after you think your life is over. I am SO excited for Brody and Kit's story if theirs is next because OMG, I have a feeling these two are going to be a firecracker pair! :D
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hands down my favorite of the series and one of my all time favorites's of Lena's. The emotional core of this one was SO good. The healing, the connection, the heart. This one had me all in my feelings.
Ugh. WESTON. This man had me in a chokehold the entire time. I’ve been waiting for his story and wow…this one delivered in every possible way. Emotional, messy, swoony, full of broken pieces, and somehow still soft underneath all that hurt. A grumpy, closed-off amputee hero + a runaway bride who crashes back into town and into his space? Forced roommates with history and tension? Yeah…this book had me immediately.
Weston is not easy to love on the surface, and that’s exactly what makes his journey hit so hard. He’s angry, guarded, and completely lost in the aftermath of his accident, trying to figure out who he even is now. There’s so much weight to his character. His grief, his frustration, the way he pushes everyone away before they can see him as “less than.” It felt raw in a way that sticks with you. This man piereced my heart with his pain, with his repressed emotion. With this fragile guarded heart.
And then there’s Clara…who walks right in and refuses to treat him like he’s fragile. She doesn't see him as broken. She sees him as a man. A man who is figuring things out. A man who is still WHOLE.
She was exactly what he needed. Not someone to fix him, not someone to pity him, but someone who sees him clearly and meets him where he is. She challenges him, calls him out, pushes him without ever taking away his agency. The balance between them is SO good. She brings light back into his life, but never at the cost of her own growth, which I loved. And I also loved how he helped unleash her. Helped her stop forcing herself into someone else's box. This is a man who has lost himself. This is a woman who has slowly chipped away at herself until the core of her has been lost. They BOTH restore the other in such a beautiful way.
Their chemistry is elite. The forced proximity, the tension, the banter, the “this is a bad idea but let’s do it anyway” arrangement…ALL of it builds so naturally into something deeper. And the chemistry is constant. From the start. But what really got me was the emotional connection underneath it and how that evovles. Watching Wes slowly feel wanted again, capable again, while Clara learns to finally choose herself. I loved it so much.
Also…THE GUM WRAPPER?!?! If you know, you KNOW. MY WHOLE HEART MELTED.
I loved the brother’s best friend dynamic here too, especially because there’s no sneaking around drama. It’s very much “yeah, we see what’s happening here." I loved that it didn't become a whole thing. Also the secondary cast is great. Star Harbor continues to feel like home and I will never get tired of being back here. The story is certainly not without it's faults. The pacing is a bit inconsistent and there were some elements I wanted a bit more closure on, and the spicy lessons honestly did not feel that "spicy"- spice felt low overall for a book with that trope. BUT the heart of this book is so good, it still felt like a 5 star to me.
The audiobook was EVERYTHING. CJ Bloom and Sebastian York in duet narration? Actual perfection. Sebastian York owns the grumpy, broody hero energy and he absolutely nailed Weston’s edge and vulnerability. CJ Bloom brought so much warmth and strength to Clara. Together, they elevated every single moment. The tension, the humor, the emotional beats…all of it landed even harder on audio. I was mesmerized.
This story is heavy at times, but it never loses its heart. It’s about love, yes, but also identity, healing, and learning how to be seen again…by someone else and by yourself. Weston and Clara just fit. Completely.
what to expect
🏡 Small Town Romance
🏡 Brother’s Best Friend
🏡 Runaway Bride
🏡 Roommates / Forced Proximity
🏡 Friends to Lovers
🏡 Grumpy x Sunshine Energy
🏡 Spicy “Lessons”
🏡 Disability & Mental Health Rep
🏡 Found Family
🏡 Emotional Healing
Ugh. WESTON. This man had me in a chokehold the entire time. I’ve been waiting for his story and wow…this one delivered in every possible way. Emotional, messy, swoony, full of broken pieces, and somehow still soft underneath all that hurt. A grumpy, closed-off amputee hero + a runaway bride who crashes back into town and into his space? Forced roommates with history and tension? Yeah…this book had me immediately.
Weston is not easy to love on the surface, and that’s exactly what makes his journey hit so hard. He’s angry, guarded, and completely lost in the aftermath of his accident, trying to figure out who he even is now. There’s so much weight to his character. His grief, his frustration, the way he pushes everyone away before they can see him as “less than.” It felt raw in a way that sticks with you. This man piereced my heart with his pain, with his repressed emotion. With this fragile guarded heart.
And then there’s Clara…who walks right in and refuses to treat him like he’s fragile. She doesn't see him as broken. She sees him as a man. A man who is figuring things out. A man who is still WHOLE.
She was exactly what he needed. Not someone to fix him, not someone to pity him, but someone who sees him clearly and meets him where he is. She challenges him, calls him out, pushes him without ever taking away his agency. The balance between them is SO good. She brings light back into his life, but never at the cost of her own growth, which I loved. And I also loved how he helped unleash her. Helped her stop forcing herself into someone else's box. This is a man who has lost himself. This is a woman who has slowly chipped away at herself until the core of her has been lost. They BOTH restore the other in such a beautiful way.
Their chemistry is elite. The forced proximity, the tension, the banter, the “this is a bad idea but let’s do it anyway” arrangement…ALL of it builds so naturally into something deeper. And the chemistry is constant. From the start. But what really got me was the emotional connection underneath it and how that evovles. Watching Wes slowly feel wanted again, capable again, while Clara learns to finally choose herself. I loved it so much.
Also…THE GUM WRAPPER?!?! If you know, you KNOW. MY WHOLE HEART MELTED.
I loved the brother’s best friend dynamic here too, especially because there’s no sneaking around drama. It’s very much “yeah, we see what’s happening here." I loved that it didn't become a whole thing. Also the secondary cast is great. Star Harbor continues to feel like home and I will never get tired of being back here. The story is certainly not without it's faults. The pacing is a bit inconsistent and there were some elements I wanted a bit more closure on, and the spicy lessons honestly did not feel that "spicy"- spice felt low overall for a book with that trope. BUT the heart of this book is so good, it still felt like a 5 star to me.
The audiobook was EVERYTHING. CJ Bloom and Sebastian York in duet narration? Actual perfection. Sebastian York owns the grumpy, broody hero energy and he absolutely nailed Weston’s edge and vulnerability. CJ Bloom brought so much warmth and strength to Clara. Together, they elevated every single moment. The tension, the humor, the emotional beats…all of it landed even harder on audio. I was mesmerized.
This story is heavy at times, but it never loses its heart. It’s about love, yes, but also identity, healing, and learning how to be seen again…by someone else and by yourself. Weston and Clara just fit. Completely.
what to expect
🏡 Small Town Romance
🏡 Brother’s Best Friend
🏡 Runaway Bride
🏡 Roommates / Forced Proximity
🏡 Friends to Lovers
🏡 Grumpy x Sunshine Energy
🏡 Spicy “Lessons”
🏡 Disability & Mental Health Rep
🏡 Found Family
🏡 Emotional Healing
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have been loving this series, so getting the chance to ARC read this book was something I was genuinely excited about and it was SO good!
There’s just something about the way Lena Hendrix writes that feels effortless yet deeply impactful. Her books are always the perfect balance between romance, emotional depth, intriguing plot, meaningful spice, humor, and the small town, found family vibes I love. Nothing ever feels thrown in for shock value and everything serves a purpose, especially the intimacy, which always feels earned and driven by character.
This book, in particular, hit me on a more personal level because of Weston. As a military veteran, his character meant a lot to me. While his amputation didn’t come from his time in service, the representation of a veteran amputee still felt incredibly meaningful. Lena didn’t shy away from the hard parts, like his anger, his frustration, his insecurity, and the identity shift that comes with such a life-altering change of losing a limb and having to rethink life in every single way. Weston isn’t always easy to love and he can be gruff, stubborn, and even a jerk at times but that’s what made him feel real. I understood him, I hurt for him, and but I rooted for him anyway.
I absolutely adored Clara! I loved that she refused to treat Weston like he was fragile or broken. While everyone else tiptoed around him, she met him exactly where he was and held him accountable. She saw his strength even when he couldn’t, and I loved how she challenged him without pitying him. That dynamic between them was everything!
The sex lessons trope was such a perfect fit for their story. It wasn’t just fun or spicy (though it definitely was that) but it was purposeful. Clara needed to reclaim her confidence after being left at the altar, and Weston needed to feel desirable, capable, and whole again and not like the broken man he had come to believe he was. I loved seeing their arrangement evolve from something practical into something deeply emotional and intimate and it was so well done. It was a slow descent from unconventional roommates to friends to sex lesson partners to so much more and I loved this aspect so much!
I loved the banter because it was sharp, fiery, and completely true to who they are. Clara never took shit and gave Weston a run for his money, and I really felt like this helped Weston tremendously. Clara brought light into Weston’s darker world without “fixing” him, but instead standing beside him and it was beautiful.
On top of that, the small town setting and strong sense of family added so much warmth to the story. The relationships outside of the romance made everything feel richer and more grounded, and I loved seeing all of my fave characters from previous books.
I truly loved these two together! This book was emotional and heavy and sometimes frustrating in the best way, but so sweet and full of inspiration and genuine connection. So freaking good!
I’m already counting down the days until In Full Bloom!
Thank you to Lena Hendrix for the eARC of this book.
There’s just something about the way Lena Hendrix writes that feels effortless yet deeply impactful. Her books are always the perfect balance between romance, emotional depth, intriguing plot, meaningful spice, humor, and the small town, found family vibes I love. Nothing ever feels thrown in for shock value and everything serves a purpose, especially the intimacy, which always feels earned and driven by character.
This book, in particular, hit me on a more personal level because of Weston. As a military veteran, his character meant a lot to me. While his amputation didn’t come from his time in service, the representation of a veteran amputee still felt incredibly meaningful. Lena didn’t shy away from the hard parts, like his anger, his frustration, his insecurity, and the identity shift that comes with such a life-altering change of losing a limb and having to rethink life in every single way. Weston isn’t always easy to love and he can be gruff, stubborn, and even a jerk at times but that’s what made him feel real. I understood him, I hurt for him, and but I rooted for him anyway.
I absolutely adored Clara! I loved that she refused to treat Weston like he was fragile or broken. While everyone else tiptoed around him, she met him exactly where he was and held him accountable. She saw his strength even when he couldn’t, and I loved how she challenged him without pitying him. That dynamic between them was everything!
The sex lessons trope was such a perfect fit for their story. It wasn’t just fun or spicy (though it definitely was that) but it was purposeful. Clara needed to reclaim her confidence after being left at the altar, and Weston needed to feel desirable, capable, and whole again and not like the broken man he had come to believe he was. I loved seeing their arrangement evolve from something practical into something deeply emotional and intimate and it was so well done. It was a slow descent from unconventional roommates to friends to sex lesson partners to so much more and I loved this aspect so much!
I loved the banter because it was sharp, fiery, and completely true to who they are. Clara never took shit and gave Weston a run for his money, and I really felt like this helped Weston tremendously. Clara brought light into Weston’s darker world without “fixing” him, but instead standing beside him and it was beautiful.
On top of that, the small town setting and strong sense of family added so much warmth to the story. The relationships outside of the romance made everything feel richer and more grounded, and I loved seeing all of my fave characters from previous books.
I truly loved these two together! This book was emotional and heavy and sometimes frustrating in the best way, but so sweet and full of inspiration and genuine connection. So freaking good!
I’m already counting down the days until In Full Bloom!
Thank you to Lena Hendrix for the eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"I want all of you, Wes. Not just the parts you think are easy to look at."
4🌟
2 🌶
Tropes:
Friends to lovers 👫
Brother's best friend 🤝
Disability and mental health rep 💔
Spicy lessons 🌶
Runaway bride 👰
Slutty little glasses 👓
Slow burn 🔥
I absolutely love all of Lena Hendrix's books, and this one was no different. She does an amazing job at combining romance and side suspense plots that keep you on the edge of your seat trying to solve the mystery. Her characters have anything from personal struggles to deep heartache, and their character development is well written. She adds in humor and spice into the perfect little package and with a small town setting her series are great to read!
Wes is a veteran and local contractor who lost his leg in an accident while trying to help his best friend. Losing his leg left him feeling lost, broken, and completely shattered his confidence. He became a recluse and was struggling to find his way, resigning to living in his living room for the rest of his days.
Clara returns back home to Star Harbor after becoming a runaway bride. She had been planning a lavender marriage with her best friend, who excitedly ended up marrying the love of his life instead that day. After years of lying to her family about her relationship she was left feeling lost, ashamed and stressed about her future.
Clara needed somewhere to live while she figured out her next steps. Wes just happened to have a home with a spare room and coincidentally had fired all of his other nurse aids, leaving him in need of extra help. I absolutely loved that Clara didn't put up with his attitude, and she never once pitied him. She helped him see that he wasn't broken. He was different, sure, but not broken. In return, he helped her see her worth and together they were the perfect pair.
I loved the growth we saw in Wes. His story was crushing and you can't help but root for him throughout the entire book. We see him strengthen his friendships (the D&D meetings were gold), grow his confidence, begin therapy, and reclaim his life and career. I also loved that while Clara was the catalyst for his change, he made the changes he needed to for himself. That was huge and showed incredible character growth. Clara's journey was a little more subtle, but seeing her happy and growing her career the way she always wanted was beautiful. Their happily ever after together was well earned. It was worth every minute and all of the angst.
I'll admit that the first 40% of the book was tough for me personally to get into. I felt like they didn't spend enough time together to fall in love. I also wish we got to see Clara and her friend reconnect too before the end of the book. They spent years together and pretty much didn't talk after she ran away from the wedding. The second half of the book was a much better pace though and I really enjoyed it. It was angsty, emotional and heartwarming.
The side plot of the Lady adds a little extra suspense and I'm here for it. As much as I can't wait to finally know what happened to her, and who the male ghost in the photo is in relation to Hayes, I love that we get little bits and pieces of the puzzle in each book. Lena does a great job at keeping the suspense going and the reader hooked.
Kit's story is next and I cannot wait! I think she's going to be the best FMC in this series. We are also one step closer to Hayes's story and the anticipation is killing me.
Thank you to the author for this amazing ARC!
4🌟
2 🌶
Tropes:
Friends to lovers 👫
Brother's best friend 🤝
Disability and mental health rep 💔
Spicy lessons 🌶
Runaway bride 👰
Slutty little glasses 👓
Slow burn 🔥
I absolutely love all of Lena Hendrix's books, and this one was no different. She does an amazing job at combining romance and side suspense plots that keep you on the edge of your seat trying to solve the mystery. Her characters have anything from personal struggles to deep heartache, and their character development is well written. She adds in humor and spice into the perfect little package and with a small town setting her series are great to read!
Wes is a veteran and local contractor who lost his leg in an accident while trying to help his best friend. Losing his leg left him feeling lost, broken, and completely shattered his confidence. He became a recluse and was struggling to find his way, resigning to living in his living room for the rest of his days.
Clara returns back home to Star Harbor after becoming a runaway bride. She had been planning a lavender marriage with her best friend, who excitedly ended up marrying the love of his life instead that day. After years of lying to her family about her relationship she was left feeling lost, ashamed and stressed about her future.
Clara needed somewhere to live while she figured out her next steps. Wes just happened to have a home with a spare room and coincidentally had fired all of his other nurse aids, leaving him in need of extra help. I absolutely loved that Clara didn't put up with his attitude, and she never once pitied him. She helped him see that he wasn't broken. He was different, sure, but not broken. In return, he helped her see her worth and together they were the perfect pair.
I loved the growth we saw in Wes. His story was crushing and you can't help but root for him throughout the entire book. We see him strengthen his friendships (the D&D meetings were gold), grow his confidence, begin therapy, and reclaim his life and career. I also loved that while Clara was the catalyst for his change, he made the changes he needed to for himself. That was huge and showed incredible character growth. Clara's journey was a little more subtle, but seeing her happy and growing her career the way she always wanted was beautiful. Their happily ever after together was well earned. It was worth every minute and all of the angst.
I'll admit that the first 40% of the book was tough for me personally to get into. I felt like they didn't spend enough time together to fall in love. I also wish we got to see Clara and her friend reconnect too before the end of the book. They spent years together and pretty much didn't talk after she ran away from the wedding. The second half of the book was a much better pace though and I really enjoyed it. It was angsty, emotional and heartwarming.
The side plot of the Lady adds a little extra suspense and I'm here for it. As much as I can't wait to finally know what happened to her, and who the male ghost in the photo is in relation to Hayes, I love that we get little bits and pieces of the puzzle in each book. Lena does a great job at keeping the suspense going and the reader hooked.
Kit's story is next and I cannot wait! I think she's going to be the best FMC in this series. We are also one step closer to Hayes's story and the anticipation is killing me.
Thank you to the author for this amazing ARC!
May 7, 2026
Lena Hendrix writes so beautifully that even when a book doesn’t fully hit for me, I still enjoy being in her worlds. And I did enjoy this one — the Darling siblings are always compelling, and Clara and Wes had so much potential. But even though the execution ultimately came together, several things kept this from being a solid read.
Clara was the standout. I loved how she pushed Wes without pitying him or treating him like he was fragile because of his amputation. Wes needed someone who saw him as a whole person, not a tragedy, and Clara did that effortlessly. Their mutual attraction is clear from the start, and the roommates‑to‑lovers setup made sense for where they both were in life.
Wes’s grumpiness, though understandable, wore thin. What balanced it was Clara refusing to let him steamroll her — she held her boundaries, and her presence genuinely helped him. Wes, in turn, gave Clara a kind of emotional support she’d never had in her previous lavender relationship. Their dynamic had real promise.
Their chemistry is strong — their first intimate moment without touching was hotter than most full scenes in other romances — and when they finally sleep together, it’s both steamy and tender. But the “lessons” framing felt unnecessary and actually cheapened what was clearly a real emotional connection. And the pacing was odd: they naturally gravitate toward each other, yet somehow it also feels like it takes forever for them to get together. Then once they do, everything speeds up so quickly it feels rushed. The ending especially felt like it made sense because the book needed to wrap up, not because the emotional beats were fully earned.
The third‑act breakup didn’t help. Wes has a bad day, lashes out, and says awful things. Clara stands her ground (which I loved), tells him she loves him but loves herself too, and leaves. Wes does the work afterward — therapy, honest conversations with Hayes, showing up for Clara — and it’s swoony… but the lack of an actual apology was baffling.
There were also some strange omissions. The complete absence of scenes between Wes and his nephew Levi — his last link to his sister — felt bizarre. Same with Levi’s dad, Cal, who served with Wes, was his brother‑in‑law, and whose own book included Wes’s accident as a major plot point. Cal is dating Elodie, another Darling sibling, and yet he’s barely present here in any meaningful way. It made the world feel disconnected in a way this series usually avoids.
So yes — I enjoyed reading this. I liked the characters, I liked their chemistry, and I always love Hendrix’s writing. But the pacing issues, emotional shortcuts, and missing relational threads kept this from being the strong, satisfying instalment I hoped for.
Clara was the standout. I loved how she pushed Wes without pitying him or treating him like he was fragile because of his amputation. Wes needed someone who saw him as a whole person, not a tragedy, and Clara did that effortlessly. Their mutual attraction is clear from the start, and the roommates‑to‑lovers setup made sense for where they both were in life.
Wes’s grumpiness, though understandable, wore thin. What balanced it was Clara refusing to let him steamroll her — she held her boundaries, and her presence genuinely helped him. Wes, in turn, gave Clara a kind of emotional support she’d never had in her previous lavender relationship. Their dynamic had real promise.
Their chemistry is strong — their first intimate moment without touching was hotter than most full scenes in other romances — and when they finally sleep together, it’s both steamy and tender. But the “lessons” framing felt unnecessary and actually cheapened what was clearly a real emotional connection. And the pacing was odd: they naturally gravitate toward each other, yet somehow it also feels like it takes forever for them to get together. Then once they do, everything speeds up so quickly it feels rushed. The ending especially felt like it made sense because the book needed to wrap up, not because the emotional beats were fully earned.
The third‑act breakup didn’t help. Wes has a bad day, lashes out, and says awful things. Clara stands her ground (which I loved), tells him she loves him but loves herself too, and leaves. Wes does the work afterward — therapy, honest conversations with Hayes, showing up for Clara — and it’s swoony… but the lack of an actual apology was baffling.
There were also some strange omissions. The complete absence of scenes between Wes and his nephew Levi — his last link to his sister — felt bizarre. Same with Levi’s dad, Cal, who served with Wes, was his brother‑in‑law, and whose own book included Wes’s accident as a major plot point. Cal is dating Elodie, another Darling sibling, and yet he’s barely present here in any meaningful way. It made the world feel disconnected in a way this series usually avoids.
So yes — I enjoyed reading this. I liked the characters, I liked their chemistry, and I always love Hendrix’s writing. But the pacing issues, emotional shortcuts, and missing relational threads kept this from being the strong, satisfying instalment I hoped for.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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