Lena Luton always had dreams of leaving Maui for the mainland, but with a chaotic upbringing like hers, it felt impossible. Working hard to get into college, and with her sister footing the bill, she knew she had to make it. But her daddy issues run deep, and after a disastrous year, she ends up back home and hiding from her sister.
Eli Hamilton has landed his dream job as a firefighter on Maui, but his playboy past returns to put him in his place. Single fatherhood was never in his plans, yet that’s where he finds himself, and now he’s in desperate need of help.
Lena and Eli’s worlds collide when she takes a job as his live-in nanny. And as they grow as a family, they find themselves falling for each other. But Lena’s past is closer than she thinks, and what she’s kept hidden could ruin the heart she’s finally found.
Found Hearts is the sixth installment in the Hibiscus Heart series and my heart Eli and Lena completely won me over. I read the first half last night, slept for a few hours and woke up aching to continue reading the rest of their wonderful story. And I did exactly that. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and they are one of my favorite couples in this entire series.
The book starts with Eli who is living his best single life and has a lot of fun being on his own and hooking up. Everything changes when a woman who is holding a baby knocks on his door and tells him the boy is his. At first he is in a bit of denial uttering 'but I always use a condom'. But somewhere deep inside of him he knows the boy is his.
Lena on the other hand just returned to the island after her entire life fell apart on the mainland. She was studying at college but while there she fell for her professor and the whole affair blew up in her face. The wife blamed her and she was forced to leave the university. Lena returns to Maui and to her sister because that is the only person she can trust.
Eli called his father in the meantime to help him figure things out and his father instructs him to buy essentials for the baby. And he does so, but while he is in the shop Eli bumps into Lena. Because her father was famous and he knows her older sister Lacey he instantly recognizes her and both utter what a mess both their lives are. Eli quickly realizes they can help one another and he asks her to move in so she can help him with Mason, the boy left on his doorstep just a few hours ago. Lena immediately agrees and is grateful to have a roof over her head.
They fall into an easy rhythm and it was a pure joy to see them both fall in love with Mason. I love how much of a team they are right from the get go. And I love how that bond instantly flares up into something physical. Something tangible and before they know it they border on being a little family.
It was so much fun seeing them being in denial. And I love all the interactions with the people around them. All the characters from the previous books pop up and they are truly one the best friend groups ever written in any novel.
But the past isn't done with them and it crashes into their bubble forcing them to deal with it head on.
I really loved the fast pace of this novel, the feel good elements, and how tightly people care for another in this one. Even the bonds between strangers and the main couple were admirable.
This was such a beautiful and addictive read. And I am absolutely ready to read the next book that will focus on Lena's sister Lacey.
I loved being back in the Hibiscus hearts world! I loved this author duo’s writing, characters and stories so much!
Found Hearts was a pleasure to read! Eli and Lena had a wonderful story, there was so much emotion, healing, fun and oh yes-spice! These two lit up the page and I loved getting to know them and watching them navigate the chaos life threw at them both-but doing it together and both growing so much!
I knew we would be in for a wild ride with Eli’s story. The ‘one night stander’ of the group is suddenly left with a baby-and zero clue as to what to do! Lena, home from the mainland after getting kicked out of school-in need of a job and a place to stay-when these two acquaintances bump into one another on a night they both really need help..well the rest is history and they saved eachother in so many ways!
I loved Lena’s storyline, I wasn’t sure what we would get about her going in and I was so captivated. The growth and strength of her character was amazing, even when she doubted herself. I easily rooted for her. The way she was able to be exactly what Eli needed-even without him realizing it-made me so happy. Eli was such a green flag, the way he adapted to being a single dad felt so organic-his apprehensions and fears were at the forefront, but slowly with Lena’s support he came into his own, gained confidence and really stepped up! I loved how much he cared for Lena, he was deliciously protective, supporting and head over heals for her!
The attraction and chemistry between these two was so high! I loved it, and watching them both try to ignore the deeper feelings they were developing, maintaining they were just friends who had some fun-so great! I loved their playfulness and banter too! These two are so perfect for eachother and I was happy they finally found their place and happiness. Plus, they way they both loved on baby Mason was adorable!
Yes this had some sweet and steamy moments, but also hit me in the feels a few times too-and oh boy did the ending have me on the edge of my seat! The drama and heavy moments had me captivated. I love when the couple tackles problems together too!
We were able to catch up with the other couples as well, this group is amazing together and I love that Eli and Lena has such loving friends and family.
CR really teased the next couple for us in this one and I can’t wait for Lacey and Jonah.
4.75 ⭐️
**thank you to the authors for the copy of this book. This review and its opinions were my own.
You’ll enjoy this book if you like: 🏝️ Single Dad 🏝️ Protective MMC 🏝️ Found Family 🏝️ Dad x Nanny 🏝️ Right Place, Right Time 🏝️ Friends With Benefits
I will never NOT be obsessed with this series. Claire Raye knows exactly how to get you to fall in love with the characters and the story.
Lena comes back to the island after a relationship with her professor/boss completely destroys her life, and who better to understand a life-altering change than Eli who’s just learned he’s a father after the woman he had a one-night stand with a year ago shows up at his house, leaving him with his son, Mason.
Eli and Lena are such a sweet couple. Both are so supportive of one other and know exactly what’s going through the other’s head, leading to some incredibly heartwarming scenes.
Lena’s experience as a nanny allows her to help Eli transition into fatherhood without having to do it all alone. She’s also not afraid to give him a reality check when he’s struggling and avoiding the reality of his situation which I loved. It was super cute watching the two of them naturally find a rhythm as a little family as time went on.
As if I couldn’t love him more, the way Eli went about Lena’s past, especially when it makes a reappearance in her life and sends her spiraling, made me so happy. He always reassured her and helped her through her panic attacks, reminding her nothing was on her. He may have struggled a bit transitioning from bachelor playboy to single father but the man he becomes is seriously amazing.
I’ve for sure brought up the incredible way Claire Raye does found family but I’m gonna bring it up again. The saying “it takes a village” rings so true in this one. I loved seeing all the other characters in the Hibiscus Hearts series make an appearance for Eli, Lena, and Mason.
I actually screamed when I saw who next book is about. I’m SO excited!! 🧡
Thank you so much to Claire Raye for the opportunity to ARC read this book. All thoughts are my own. 🧡
I seriously love this series. Each book is unique and perfect to our chosen main characters, but this one took the cake for me. Our FMC Lena is back on Maui after a failed stint at university where she had an affair with one of her professors and was subsequently kicked out of that university so with no other choices she goes back to her home island with no plan at all.
Thankfully while in the drugstore she runs into a family friend Eli who is in a predicament of his own as only a short time before a woman came to his door, declared the baby she had was his and left without the baby. And being a firefighter with the long shifts, this was the last thing he needed to be dropped on him, so they end up solving each other's problems, Lena would nanny from Eli's new son and Eli would give Lena somewhere to live in return. Perfect deal to them.
Obviously, being in this series, nothing can be straightforward, and the pair enter an agreement to be friends with benefits not that long after, and everyone knows where that ends up leading our characters in books! I really loved our main characters and the way they continued on despite being in really difficult situations.
This book was drama, funny moments, and pure enjoyment rolled up into one, and I simply loved reading it. I am definitely so glad that I had read the books before to get all the background to these characters and the other ones you see across the book!!
Phew Lena and Eli’s story was a wave I didn’t want to end. It was full of ups and downs, but absolutely worth it in the end.
Eli is a firefighter and a man who enjoys his one night stands. Lena is back in Hawaii after being kicked out of college and needs a place to stay and a job when she runs into Eli, who is also in need of some help since he was left with a baby and has zero clue what to do.
I LOVE these two. I love the friendship they have and how it grew throughout the course of the story and then it shifted into something more. Eli is sweet and protective. He proves that time and time again when it comes to Lena and his son, Mason. I also loved the banter between Eli and Lena and seeing them dance around each other and the deepening feelings you could see developing.
I was ready to fight for Lena because of some people who shall not be named and how they acted and treated her. But Lena has a great support system in not only Eli, but her sister, Jonah and the rest of the group.
If you’re looking for a single dad, nanny, roommates to lovers, age gap, forced proximity romance check this one out.
𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 is the 6th book in the Hibiscus Hearts series by author duo Claire Raye, featuring an entertaining single dad/nanny romance for firefighter Eli and Lena that brings a couple together during trying times out of necessity. However, those surprises may have set up x forced proximity and circumstances that ended up being the best thing to ever happen to them! I loved seeing a softer more connected side of Eli! Baby Mason definitely brought the playboy back down to reality in a hurry!😉 Lena’s story brought some palpable emotion, some drama, and definitely kept me engaged in the twists and turns. I enjoyed their fiery chemistry, their banter, and just the way they supported each other while caring for Mason. I have always looked forward to returning to Hibiscus Hearts because of the world building, the compelling characters, and that heartwarming sense of Ohana that has been prevalent throughout the series! I seriously cannot wait for something to give between Lacey and Jonah! Gah!! Oh, the anticipation!!
I received an ARC, and my opinions are my own. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 🌶️🌶️🌶
After being kicked out of school on the mainland and struggling with what to do, Lena decides to go back home to Maui, even knowing that her sister and only family, Lacey will be disappointed. She then runs into Eli, a friend of a friend, who is also dealing with a lot. Eli has just found out that he might be a father after a baby was dropped off at his house without warning. Lena and Eli strike up a deal. She will help him out with the baby and he will let her stay with him. What can possibly go wrong? Claire Raye has been a favorite author of mine for a while now and they still manage to do it for me every time. Like always, I enjoyed this story. I loved seeing Lena grow and just be there for Eli without ever being asked. I also loved seeing Eli grow and adjust into being a dad. The chemistry between these two was off the charts and their banter was so good.
I did not expect to love Eli's book as much as I did!!
Eli has always been a character that I wasn't uninterested in, but he wasn't screaming at me like some of the other side characters had been. Boy oh boy, did the lovely duo of Claire Raye show me EXACTLY why Eli needed his own book and more!!
He has a softer side that was so incredibly sweet to read about. Watching him fall deeper and deeper in love with Lena, without even realizing it was so beautiful. And poor Lena. She was more amazing than she gave herself credit for. Her strength was inspiring. This wasn't just a sweet single dad love story though! There was some real drama (holy cow) and heart-wrenching moments.
I adored this book, and it set us up so well for the next book in the Hibiscus Hearts series. I cannot wait for that one!
We're back with book 6 in the Hibiscus Hearts series, and this time, we follow Lena and Eli.
Lena returns to Maui needing to rebuild her life, Eli has just been left a baby that may not be his and in need of help. This plot was so good, I enjoyed how Lena was ready to help Eli and be nanny to Mason. The development of the relationship between Eli and Lena was well paced, as Lena had just been in a situation that left her emotionally wrecked, and Eli was still coming to terms with looking after his son. This book continues a series that I have absolutely loved. The drama and suspense was well written, and I enjoyed this storyline. It showed how strong Lena really was and the bond that had begun to develop between the main characters.
I love this series so much!!! Lena and Eli are a great couple and I really enjoyed reading their story and watching their growth. I always love seeing the previous couples show up and I love the friendship everyone has. I loved watching Eli and Lena get attached to Mason, he is just the cutest and I was getting baby fever reading about him lol! The steamy moments were great and there were also a lot of touching moments. This book felt very balanced and well written and I enjoyed the pace.
I would definitely recommend this book and series if you enjoy found family, small town romance, a beach setting, and more! I can't wait for the next book! Thank you Claire Raye for the ARC in exchange for an honest review ❤️
I LOVEEEE this series so much! This friend group has a hold on me in the best way! Book 6 follows who Lena and Eli. These 2 took me by surprise! Eli is the guy who doesn’t do relationships but falls so hard. Lena is back on the island after getting kicked out of college on the mainland. Their easy friendship turns into so much more while they care for Mason and navigate everything that comes with tricky situations that seem to keep coming up. I devoured this book! This series continues to one of my favorites!
Thank you Claire Raye for my eARC copy of this book!
Eli was living his best single life, until a woman with a baby boy shows up. Lena has just come back after her life was turned upside down when she fell in love with her professor and things blew up in her face. Lena becomes the live-in nanny for Eli, and over time they grow closer. But they try to deny their feelings, but how long can they resist? Lena and Eli stole my heart. Seeing Eli turning from a player to a single dad, seeing him mature in a short expanse of time, with the help of Lena, was wonderful to read.
What a wonderful bomb it was! Mason was the trigger for Eli to change his life as he is forced to mature and take on the role of father. For Lena, her escape from her troubles leads her home, right into the role as nanny to Mason.
I loved that they were able to support each other through their respective difficulties. Having a village to help them definitely made things easier too.
I loved this book so much!! I hope more people read it because this series is that good!! I love being able to read and review for this author duo because I always think after reading them how original their books are. Lena and Eli were such great characters. Seeing how Eli was there for Lena while she sorted everything that happened on the mainland was amazing. And then seeing how Lena helped Eli become the best father he could, never knowing how to be or dad or even wanting to be a dad. Also all of suspense in this book made it unstoppable!