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Tingles. Electricity. Sparks.

The first time Matt and Hannah touch,
they both feel it.
The hot surf instructor she ogles while tanning
and works up the nerve to flirt with.
He invites her to a party
which leads to a date.
Kisses turn into touches turn into …
A summer that changes Hannah’s life.
Will anyone else ever be able to measure up?

79 pages, ebook

Published February 14, 2017

10 people are currently reading
190 people want to read

About the author

Jerica MacMillan

54 books541 followers
Jerica MacMillan has been reading romance since she stumbled into the paperback section of the library as a middle schooler. And it's been an ongoing love affair ever since!

You can frequently find her sipping coffee out of snarky mugs while dreaming up stories and trying to bring them to life on the page. Join her Book Club at www.jericamacmillan.com/book-club and get a free book!

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5 stars
46 (40%)
4 stars
37 (32%)
3 stars
21 (18%)
2 stars
7 (6%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty.
3,985 reviews362 followers
February 23, 2017
description

Having read all the other books in this series, I was excited to get this one. It was a short read but was still very enjoyable.

In this story I got to see how Matt and Hannah met. Getting that insight into what they shared was great. At the same time, it also makes it even more clear and relatable to me Hannah's hurt and distrust of Matt with what comes next.

I also liked seeing a little bit more about Elena. She's clearly a good and understanding friend to have been so cool with how much Hannah disappeared over the summer. I certainly look forward to reading more of her in future.

Overall I liked this story and the fact that it gave me good background without giving away the future in case anyone picks this one up before Managed Hearts. I also didn't feel like a bunch of stuff that had already been told was being rehashed. It was a good, solid contemporary.
Profile Image for Catherine Bibby (Rochelle's Reviews).
955 reviews35 followers
March 1, 2017
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review

After reading Managed Hearts and a shorter version of Opening Hearts in the Because Beards anthology, I was so ecstatic that Jerica listened to her many clamoring fans and gave us more of Matt and Hannah. I just had to see what happened after they got cozy at the bonfire and Hannah loses her innocence and heart to the most mouth watering surfer....hmmm.

Hannah Glover is spending the summer on vacation with her best friend and her parents. What she didn't expect was to meet the love of her life. For those who have already read Managed Hearts, this is the summer when Matt and Hannah first meet and it is so sticky, sweet, and packed with all the feels of a new love that you won't want to miss their beginning. They kept me enthralled with their time by the ocean and evenings of uncontrollable desires and urges during their “Netflix and chill” dates.

Matt has charmed me from the moment I met him in the Players of Marycliff series, so anytime I get to be in the presence of this surfalicious hunk, I am ready and willing! Getting to spend the summer with him and Hannah covered in sand and frolicking in the sea is a book worth reading and imagining every innocent touch, moan of desire, and myriad of emotions makes it all the better.

Jerica Macmillan gives her fans exactly what we want, more time with two emotionally gripping and well loved characters from before their time at Marycliff University. Opening Hearts woos readers with the budding of Matt and Hannah's love and draws us back into the fold of these amazing characters. Another wonderful addition to a series that I have grown to love more with every hero that has me swooning and each new heroine I envy.
Profile Image for Jacqualine Davis.
301 reviews6 followers
August 10, 2017
This was a fantastic young love novella. Hannah is eighteen while Matt is nineteen. They meet while Hannah is on vacation with her best friend's family. The only thing that may be a stretch is the length of the vacation. Otherwise, this novella is so realistic. Hannah and Matt have to deal with curfews, job, school, expectations, and their attraction to each another. They knew it would only last for the summer, but they couldn't keep from falling in love. I can't wait to see what unfolds in Managed Hearts!
Profile Image for Rosemary Hughes.
4,192 reviews23 followers
January 8, 2018
A book of first times, when a girl meets a guy, both on summer break, and they hang out. She is an innocent and yet through his tenderness, over a period of time, learns the art of intimacy.
A sweet story.
I voluntarily submitted this review after reading an advanced copy of this book.
880 reviews3 followers
March 14, 2018
This is a wonderful novella. It is the first I have read of this college romance series. It is well written and the story is sweet and enjoyable. The characters are spunky and sassy. You will want to read more about them and their story. I really enjoyed this short story and look forward to reading more of this series. I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Marquetta Kearney.
14 reviews
November 15, 2019
The stories are great

I love how the stories are written however I trying to get all the books in the series but I can't seem to find the rest either they had been written or released but they titled. So now I have to read something else then come back to finish the series
Profile Image for booklover0228.
826 reviews22 followers
February 13, 2020
This was a short novella, starting Matt and Hannah’s story. After reading this I understand why Hannah was so uptight about getting close to Matt.

I am so loving this series and can’t wait to read more about them.
Profile Image for Korkoi.
7,166 reviews31 followers
June 4, 2022
Hottie On Loan -
This was such an awesome read, that had me wishing I could go on a summer vacation now and hopefully find myself a surfer boyfriend. I will recommend you take a chance on reading this book, if you have a romantic bone in your body.
Profile Image for Ferbooks.
1,781 reviews13 followers
June 27, 2020
Nice short read. A lovely love story of first love. Will he keep his promise and keep in touch? Will she change her plan and go to his school to be with him?
I received a free copy.
Profile Image for Sharon Noble.
2,203 reviews6 followers
July 6, 2020
Good little story about two people who have a summer going & it being her first time!
Profile Image for Susa.
559 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2023
First lover, first sexual experience … two people who are each other’s yin & yang … and quite a predictable story, but nice to read ;-)
Profile Image for Louisa.
80 reviews
March 28, 2024
Love the story! HEA.. such a bitter sweet ending. Why is the series not available on kobo??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rachael.
521 reviews
April 3, 2017
*I received an ARC of this title at my request and am providing this voluntary review.*

This was a very quick read for me and I loved it from cover to cover. This was my first book of Jerica’s and now I can’t wait to see what happens with Hannah and Matt’s story in the next book! This book was sweet, innocent (at least at first), and full of so much character and emotion I just absolutely loved it! I am thrilled I also have found a new author to love in Jerica & can’t wait to see what happens next in their story!

In this prequel to Managed Hearts we get the story of how Hannah and Matt first met her senior year summer of high school on the beach, in the most unexpected of ways. Their story was so likable, relate-able and sweet and innocent. She approaches him on the beach after being instantly attached to him and the fireworks just go off from there. We get both POV’s in this story, so that element is always fun as well.

What happens when young love happens quicker than either could imagine, but their future’s are pulling them apart? I can’t wait to see what’s next for them in Managed Hearts.
Profile Image for Joyce.
1,079 reviews48 followers
March 2, 2017
So romantic!

If only all first times were so sweet and romantic! Who wouldn't love a pair of summer lovers as sexy as Matt and Hannah? This book made me yearn for summer, and the beach, and to be 18 again.
Profile Image for Spunky N Sassy.
5,408 reviews119 followers
February 21, 2017
Spunky N Sassy Rating: 5.0

~~~~~~~~~~~Tracy's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~~

Hannah Glover sees the cute surf instructor Matt Schwartz on the beach while spending a summer with her friend Elena one summer in Westport, Washington and she is hooked. The almost eighteen year old Hannah is instantly enthralled with Matt. He is everything she never thought she was looking for.

This is the prequel to Matt and Hannah's story that you can read more in Managed Hearts. I loved learning more about them. It is a sweet beginning and a quick read. This is a must read for fans of this series. If you aren't a fan than this is a great start. Loved this series and Jerica MacMillan just pulls in her readers like an old friend.
Profile Image for Deb M.
324 reviews12 followers
February 15, 2017
Opening Hearts is a yummy prequel to Jerica MacMillan’s latest Players of Marycliff University release, Managed Hearts. I loved seeing how Matt and Hannah meet for the first time! When Hannah summons the courage to approach hottie surf instructor Matt it sparks a reaction that’s sweet and intense. Jerica’s heroes have a great combo of effortlessly sexy, warmhearted, all-consuming passion when they meet their “it” girl. Her heroines are intelligent, funny, stand up for what they believe in, and never throw hissy fits. Thank you! As always, the writing is gorgeous and the dialogue is fun. If you haven't already read Managed Hearts, the continuation of Matt and Hannah’s story, you’ll definitely want to after you finish Opening Hearts.
Profile Image for Literary Epic.
265 reviews49 followers
February 15, 2017
I couldn’t wait to read this book. I loved Managed Hearts so to get a little bit more insight in to how their relationship began, was just what I needed.

I loved Matts dirty mouth and the way he like to get a reaction from Hannah and see how much she would blush, and I loved hoe Hannah was in some ways so innocent but yet so head strong.

Jerica’s writing was again flawless, you could actually feel all the emotions that both Matt and Hannah felt thought their short time together. From the first time they see each other to when the summer is over and they have to part! I was such a sweet book that gives you all the feels….

I don’t personally think that you need to have read any of the Players of Marycliff University series but will defo want to carry on with Matt and Hannah’s shorty after reading this, and it’s a brilliant one!

**ARC received in exchange for an honest review**
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,139 reviews39 followers
February 11, 2017
I received an ARC of Opening Hearts from Jerica MacMillan and this is a voluntary review

Boy oh boy - I love Matt in every book in Players of Marycliff University series, especially his book Managed Heats. Opening Hearts is the icing on the cake. This is Matt and Hannah's story of their first meeting, to a summer of love. Matt is so sweet, kind, and gentle, as he and Hannah explore their feelings. Opening Hearts is written so beautifully you can't help be love every single word of it. If you haven't read the series, after this story you will want to. I love Jerica's writing and this novella did not disappoint!!! I just hated that the summer came to an end!

Profile Image for Amazeballs Book Addicts.
2,811 reviews242 followers
February 14, 2017
Opening Hearts is a prequel to Managed Hearts. You don't have to read Managed Hearts first. If you haven't read Managed Heart yet then you should definitely read this one first. This is Matt and Hannah’s story. This one is how they first met. I really liked this one. Matt is a sweet and patient guy. Hannah is sweet and innocent. I loved these two together. This one really gave me more insight on Matt and Hannah's story. I kind of want to re read Managed Hearts now.
Profile Image for Gea.
668 reviews
February 10, 2017
A swoonworthy book with the right amount of sexual tension.
Profile Image for Carrie K-Ski.
333 reviews1 follower
March 12, 2017
An introduction into how the characters met. It's so short, but really good. I look forward to reading more of their story. These were warm, fun characters. This copy given in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Regina Baker Stidams.
56 reviews6 followers
Read
April 7, 2017
Another great story my 3rd book of jerica's and I love this book as well as the others I have read .I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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