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Holiday Hearts
Independent Hearts: A Slow Burn Romance With A Little Bit Of Fourth Of July Magic
She’s a small-town historian with a heart full of memories. He’s a TV producer looking for a story worth telling. Neither expected Whisper Falls to change everything.
Zoey Martins has spent her life preserving the history of Whisper Falls. From its founding stories to its Fourth of July traditions, she believes every brick, statue, and old town legend has a story to tell. When a visiting TV producer arrives to film a special about the town, Zoey is determined to prove Whisper Falls is more than a charming backdrop.
Nick Carver came to town expecting a simple assignment. A few pretty shots, a polished segment, and then back to the fast-paced world of television. But the more time he spends with Zoey, the more he sees what she sees. A town full of heart, history, and the kind of magic that does not need cameras to feel real.
As the Fourth of July celebration draws near, Zoey starts falling for the man behind the camera. But Nick’s career is waiting, and the life he has built may pull him away before their story truly begins.
Now Zoey must decide…
protect the history she’s always loved, or risk her heart on a man who’s starting to feel like her future.
Set in the charming town of Whisper Falls, this sweet and wholesome Fourth of July romance is a heartfelt story about small-town history, unexpected love, fireworks, and finding the courage to choose the life your heart has been waiting for.
Zoey Martins has spent her life preserving the history of Whisper Falls. From its founding stories to its Fourth of July traditions, she believes every brick, statue, and old town legend has a story to tell. When a visiting TV producer arrives to film a special about the town, Zoey is determined to prove Whisper Falls is more than a charming backdrop.
Nick Carver came to town expecting a simple assignment. A few pretty shots, a polished segment, and then back to the fast-paced world of television. But the more time he spends with Zoey, the more he sees what she sees. A town full of heart, history, and the kind of magic that does not need cameras to feel real.
As the Fourth of July celebration draws near, Zoey starts falling for the man behind the camera. But Nick’s career is waiting, and the life he has built may pull him away before their story truly begins.
Now Zoey must decide…
protect the history she’s always loved, or risk her heart on a man who’s starting to feel like her future.
Set in the charming town of Whisper Falls, this sweet and wholesome Fourth of July romance is a heartfelt story about small-town history, unexpected love, fireworks, and finding the courage to choose the life your heart has been waiting for.
104 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2026
About the author
Kiva Hart
46 books181 followersKiva Hart is a passionate romance author known for her ability to weave steamy, heart-pounding love stories with unforgettable characters. With a love for exploring intense chemistry, forbidden romance, and emotional conflict, Kiva creates stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Whether it's enemies turning into lovers, brooding heroes falling for bright-eyed heroines, or love blossoming in the most unexpected circumstances, Kiva’s books are filled with sizzling tension and heart-stopping moments.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 7, 2026
Omg, this was great!
I loved seeing Nick defend himself against his selfish, former friend find a job (and a girlfriend) that he loves!
I loved Zoey, too!
She was anxious and kind and she grew in confidence with her filming the documentary of Whisoers Falls.
Two awesome quotes: as I heard the flame ignite the fuse of the first firework, Nick leaned towards me and pulled me into a kiss. The sparkles burst in the sky above us, and everyone applauded as the firework filled the darkening night sky. Nick’s hands on my waist, I could feel him grinning against my mouth, and my head was spinning as it all settled into place. That he wasn’t going anywhere. That this man who I had come to adore so much was going to stay right here in Whisper Falls, where he belonged.
A life here was already starting to stretch out in front of me, and I knew it would be even better living it than imagining it. And I started to put together the plan of how I was going to tell her, because when I did, I wanted it to be perfect. Maybe it was the filmmaker in me, but there was nothing I loved more than a movie moment. Especially when the leading lady was someone as loveable as Zoey.
I loved seeing Nick defend himself against his selfish, former friend find a job (and a girlfriend) that he loves!
I loved Zoey, too!
She was anxious and kind and she grew in confidence with her filming the documentary of Whisoers Falls.
Two awesome quotes: as I heard the flame ignite the fuse of the first firework, Nick leaned towards me and pulled me into a kiss. The sparkles burst in the sky above us, and everyone applauded as the firework filled the darkening night sky. Nick’s hands on my waist, I could feel him grinning against my mouth, and my head was spinning as it all settled into place. That he wasn’t going anywhere. That this man who I had come to adore so much was going to stay right here in Whisper Falls, where he belonged.
A life here was already starting to stretch out in front of me, and I knew it would be even better living it than imagining it. And I started to put together the plan of how I was going to tell her, because when I did, I wanted it to be perfect. Maybe it was the filmmaker in me, but there was nothing I loved more than a movie moment. Especially when the leading lady was someone as loveable as Zoey.
July 5, 2026
Zoey is the curator of a small town museum, desperate to keep the historical society open. Nick is the producer for a documentary, who has come to Whispering Falls to film a quick-turn around feature. Zoey has been hired to be his tour guide and historical consultant. Behind the camera, the pair quickly develops interest in one another. When the production is over, what will this mean for Zoey?
This has a fun premise; I was really excited about it, actually. It is easy to imagine it being further developed along the lines of a tv romance. Unfortunately, I think Hart put out this series too quickly, seemingly at a rate of a story every month or two, and this pacing is reflected in the story development, or, rather, under-development.
While the stories in this series are intended to be light and fluffy, I've found that many of the Individual installments are lacking in fundamental grounding. In the last several books, how the hospital and the fire department functioned seemed entirely unrealistic and implausible. In this story, Zoey seems completely inept. I wasn't at all convinced that she knew anything about Whispering Falls. But really it is Hart that doesn't commit to her storyline and have her characters follow through.
Likewise, there was no substance to Whispering Falls' history. This far into the series (installment 11), this was an opportunity for Hart to dig into fictional sense of place and explore the town's backstory. The main characters are the town historian and someone making a documentary about the town, and the content is all vague fluff. Nothing felt specific, or even realistic.
The romance too felt underwhelming and uninspired. I wouldn't really describe this as a "slow burn" romance as it is marketed. It was rather rushed and there wasn't any spark between the characters. It was all too quick. The circumstances for the kiss felt unprofessional and too soon in their relationship, without any established connection, or even really attraction. "I love you," exchanges, too, came in too soon without any relationship on the page. Even for a clean romance, there weren't any fireworks or summer heat between the couple.
It was fine, light read, with a good premise. But the connecting work to fill it out into a full story simply wasn't there. Even the town's 4th of July celebration is barely present on the page, hinted at, it never becomes a real settling or central event.
This has a fun premise; I was really excited about it, actually. It is easy to imagine it being further developed along the lines of a tv romance. Unfortunately, I think Hart put out this series too quickly, seemingly at a rate of a story every month or two, and this pacing is reflected in the story development, or, rather, under-development.
While the stories in this series are intended to be light and fluffy, I've found that many of the Individual installments are lacking in fundamental grounding. In the last several books, how the hospital and the fire department functioned seemed entirely unrealistic and implausible. In this story, Zoey seems completely inept. I wasn't at all convinced that she knew anything about Whispering Falls. But really it is Hart that doesn't commit to her storyline and have her characters follow through.
Likewise, there was no substance to Whispering Falls' history. This far into the series (installment 11), this was an opportunity for Hart to dig into fictional sense of place and explore the town's backstory. The main characters are the town historian and someone making a documentary about the town, and the content is all vague fluff. Nothing felt specific, or even realistic.
The romance too felt underwhelming and uninspired. I wouldn't really describe this as a "slow burn" romance as it is marketed. It was rather rushed and there wasn't any spark between the characters. It was all too quick. The circumstances for the kiss felt unprofessional and too soon in their relationship, without any established connection, or even really attraction. "I love you," exchanges, too, came in too soon without any relationship on the page. Even for a clean romance, there weren't any fireworks or summer heat between the couple.
It was fine, light read, with a good premise. But the connecting work to fill it out into a full story simply wasn't there. Even the town's 4th of July celebration is barely present on the page, hinted at, it never becomes a real settling or central event.
June 14, 2026
This was a short quick read set around the Forth of July in a small town near a waterfall. The town has some history and when a production team comes to do a small documentary Zoey is excited. This could make a world of a difference for the historical society. Nicks plans change and just when Zoey thinks there might be no hope he pulls through.
This is a slow burn romance, that has all the feels. As always Kiva Hart does a wonderful job of describing the town and really capturing the townsfolk. I really enjoyed this quick read.
This is a slow burn romance, that has all the feels. As always Kiva Hart does a wonderful job of describing the town and really capturing the townsfolk. I really enjoyed this quick read.
July 8, 2026
This was a short, quick read set around the Fourth of July in a small town near a waterfall. The town is rich in history, and when a production team arrives to film a small documentary, Zoey is thrilled at the possibility of what it could mean for the local historical society.
Nick’s plans take an unexpected turn, and just when Zoey starts to think there’s no hope, he comes through in a way she didn’t see coming.
Nick’s plans take an unexpected turn, and just when Zoey starts to think there’s no hope, he comes through in a way she didn’t see coming.
June 16, 2026
Independent hearts by kiva hart is a really sweet slow-burn romance!! 🥰🥰🥰
𝒁𝒐𝒆𝒚 𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓!!! 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔. 𝑰𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒛𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝑲𝒊𝒗𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏. 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔. 🥳🥳🥳😍😍😍
𝒁𝒐𝒆𝒚 𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓!!! 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔. 𝑰𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒛𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝑲𝒊𝒗𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏. 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔. 🥳🥳🥳😍😍😍
June 22, 2026
Independent 💕 hearts
I normally really enjoy kiva writting but this story felt very rushed, it was cute. But very rushed if it had maybe 100 more pages to build a relationship with Zoey and nick but it was like im gonba stay oh I love you not my favorite of the pass kiva stories I have read.
I normally really enjoy kiva writting but this story felt very rushed, it was cute. But very rushed if it had maybe 100 more pages to build a relationship with Zoey and nick but it was like im gonba stay oh I love you not my favorite of the pass kiva stories I have read.
July 4, 2026
cute quick read
I feel like anyone with a special connection to their tiny town and a little place for fluffy romance could enjoy this. I’m rounding it up to 4 stars. I wouldn’t say it’s a 3 star but obviously with it being a shorter story a lot seemed rushed.
I feel like anyone with a special connection to their tiny town and a little place for fluffy romance could enjoy this. I’m rounding it up to 4 stars. I wouldn’t say it’s a 3 star but obviously with it being a shorter story a lot seemed rushed.
June 20, 2026
Cute short read with a slow burn I love the forth of July theme with hallmark vibes
July 2, 2026
3.5–cute little 4th of July read!
July 2, 2026
A cute Fourth of July short romance. A great palette cleanser!!!
July 4, 2026
Good read for the 4th of July. Not much to the story, but sweet and easy to read.
July 4, 2026
Another cute small town 4th of July romance! I loved how the FMC cared about her town so much and keep the legacy her dad started alive with the historical society.
July 6, 2026
If you like Hallmark movies at Christmas or cheesy stuff you'll like this. It was a quick read for the Fourth of July weekend. A few errors in the book with the words they used.
July 7, 2026
A cute little Fourth of July read. I enjoyed it though the characters felt a little flat to me.
July 7, 2026
This was a quick read, I enjoyed it! Recommend if you are looking for a short and sweet holiday story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews