Hung Up on Hadley by Theresa Paola is another entry in the Maple Falls series of contemporary romances. Hadley is the younger sister of Matt, the town police chief and the most over-protective mane that ever lived. She is 31 years old and has been in love with Sam, the fire chief and Matt's best friend for 20 years. She has never told him, or anyone, how she feels, although nearly everyone else has figured it out...not Matt or Sam. Sam is a one-night-only type of guy. He believes that he is innately a bad guy, just like his father, who would ultimately hurt any woman with who he became involved. Finally, Kate, Hadley's older sister convinced her to tell Sam, let the chips fall where they may. One night she acts on that advice and, boom! Sam stops speaking to her, stops coming around her parents' house...basically freezes her out. He is drawn to her and cannot resist so he stays away, mostly. Finally they get together but that is not the end of the drama.
Hadley and Sam have appeared in earlier iterations of the Maple Falls series. They are likeable people, both old enough to have developed their own distinct personalities. Hadley is a farmer and animal lover and nothing will ever change her. She is typically dirty and often has specks of hay in her hair. Sam spends his time trying to be a good person: he helps anyone in the community who needs, gutters cleaned, snow shoveled, plumbing done. He is stubborn but resilient. There are many characters that live in Maple Falls, not the least of which is Hadley's grandmother, Betty, a born matchmaker, who curiously have never plied her skills on Sam and Hadley.
Krista Nicely was a good reader who has read other Maple Falls books. She does a nice job of making it clear who is speaking without resorting to odd voices. This is the ideal book to listen to, light and fun, serious, but positive, with a nice happily-ever-after ending. I recommend it in whichever form: audio or print.
I received a free copy of the audio book from the author. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own.