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Collateral Hearts
Can a bet lead to love?
To escape the stress of college studies and caring for her sick mother, Ainsley Howard hides away with a book after her shift ends at the library each night. But when a sexy patron surprises her with a kiss and begs for a date, she wonders if she’s fallen into the pages of one of her romance novels. Though “Prince Charming” seems too good to be true, and she’s already forgotten his name in her flustered state, she agrees to go out with him. She’s tired of living vicariously through books. It’s time to claim her own happily-ever-after.
When Ty Kartchner bets his friends he can get the bookworm in the corner to kiss him, big money is laid on the table. The guys know there’s no way he’ll succeed with the stern librarian. But when he not only kisses the uptight girl, but easily convinces her to go out with him the next night as well, Ty sees a chance to solve his financial woes. Raising the stakes, he places the bookworm’s heart down as collateral, and determines to win at any cost.
As fate, literary classics such as The Scarlet Pimpernel, and deathbed promises throw the unlikely couple together, hearts tangle in Ty’s web of wagers until he discovers too late that winning might actually make him lose what he loves most.
In this series of stand-alone stories, star-crossed lovers meet, but rule each other out. But life, with its quirky twists and tangled turns, keep bringing each of the unlikely duos together until they discover their unique happily-ever-afters.
“A heartbreaking and sweet romance all rolled into one!” -Taylor Dean, author
”This was one of those books that had me thinking about it long after I hit the end, leaving me with a proper book hangover.” – Mylissa Demeyere, author
To escape the stress of college studies and caring for her sick mother, Ainsley Howard hides away with a book after her shift ends at the library each night. But when a sexy patron surprises her with a kiss and begs for a date, she wonders if she’s fallen into the pages of one of her romance novels. Though “Prince Charming” seems too good to be true, and she’s already forgotten his name in her flustered state, she agrees to go out with him. She’s tired of living vicariously through books. It’s time to claim her own happily-ever-after.
When Ty Kartchner bets his friends he can get the bookworm in the corner to kiss him, big money is laid on the table. The guys know there’s no way he’ll succeed with the stern librarian. But when he not only kisses the uptight girl, but easily convinces her to go out with him the next night as well, Ty sees a chance to solve his financial woes. Raising the stakes, he places the bookworm’s heart down as collateral, and determines to win at any cost.
As fate, literary classics such as The Scarlet Pimpernel, and deathbed promises throw the unlikely couple together, hearts tangle in Ty’s web of wagers until he discovers too late that winning might actually make him lose what he loves most.
In this series of stand-alone stories, star-crossed lovers meet, but rule each other out. But life, with its quirky twists and tangled turns, keep bringing each of the unlikely duos together until they discover their unique happily-ever-afters.
“A heartbreaking and sweet romance all rolled into one!” -Taylor Dean, author
”This was one of those books that had me thinking about it long after I hit the end, leaving me with a proper book hangover.” – Mylissa Demeyere, author
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2018
50 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Charissa Stastny
19 books81 followersCharissa Stastny is an avid reader, happy writer, BYU graduate, and lover of irises, clouds, chocolate, sushi, and the outdoors. Though she was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, she has never pulled a handle of a slot machine and can’t shuffle cards to save her life. She does shuffle kids, laundry, and church responsibilities rather well though. She has lived in Nevada and Idaho, but currently resides in Utah with her husband and four children where shuffling cards isn’t required. She is the author of four books and ‘imagine-eer’ of many more.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 11, 2018
Stastny’s romances have dimensional characters with complicated backstories which gives her novels a nice depth. In "Collateral Hearts," Ty makes what he thinks will be an easy bet, one that’ll net him the money he so desperately needs. But he’ll soon learn you can’t bet on love, not without creating emotional wounds in the process, especially when old ones resurface.
As always, Stastny’s prose is clean and sharp, making for a satisfying read. Fans of young romance will enjoy curling up in these pages.
As always, Stastny’s prose is clean and sharp, making for a satisfying read. Fans of young romance will enjoy curling up in these pages.
November 13, 2018
Stastny took me on an emotional roller coaster with the third book in this fun series. Ty is one of those characters that had me swooning one minute, angry and ready to smack him the next, and ultimately heart broken and rooting for him as I uncovered all of the layers of his complex personality. This was one of those books that had me thinking about it long after I hit the end, leaving me with a proper book hangover.
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October 23, 2018
I had the opportunity to beta read this book. It surprised me and went places I wasn't expecting. I love when a book does that.
Mix together a smooth-talking, too-handsome-for-his-own-good young man, a frumpy librarian, a bet too lucrative to pass on, and what do you get?
Not what you might think.
Instead you'll find truth in the age-old adages to never judge a book by its cover, and to be kind, everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.
A heartbreaking and sweet romance all rolled into one!
Mix together a smooth-talking, too-handsome-for-his-own-good young man, a frumpy librarian, a bet too lucrative to pass on, and what do you get?
Not what you might think.
Instead you'll find truth in the age-old adages to never judge a book by its cover, and to be kind, everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.
A heartbreaking and sweet romance all rolled into one!
November 16, 2018
Oh what a tangled web we weave--
It is never a good idea to wager on love, because sometimes your heart gets involved, and then everything gets messy.
This book got a little grittier than the last two with some real life warty characters, as in we have narcissistic bullies as supporting cast in this book. I found myself both angry at the lack of maturity of some of the friends of Ty and rooting for the main characters by the end.
It is never a good idea to wager on love, because sometimes your heart gets involved, and then everything gets messy.
This book got a little grittier than the last two with some real life warty characters, as in we have narcissistic bullies as supporting cast in this book. I found myself both angry at the lack of maturity of some of the friends of Ty and rooting for the main characters by the end.
January 25, 2019
Not your typical romance, which was fun. I loved Ty's devotion and affection through it all, especially as you start to see the kind of childhood he had. His relationship with her mom is super sweet too. I thought that added a great dimension. Fun read!
May 2, 2020
Great emotional story
I enjoyed this story a great deal. Well written and really pulls you into it emotionally. I might have preferred the misunderstandings not go on as long as they did but still very well done.
I enjoyed this story a great deal. Well written and really pulls you into it emotionally. I might have preferred the misunderstandings not go on as long as they did but still very well done.
May 7, 2020
The life he lived before
Her mother was the strongest character. Although her daughter was in college, their were more things to teach her. And then Ty. She made a huge difference in their lives
Her mother was the strongest character. Although her daughter was in college, their were more things to teach her. And then Ty. She made a huge difference in their lives
October 30, 2018
A twist with a slice of sweet and heartwarming. I was cheering for the happy ending. A change of heart and the power of love. A great book.
May 16, 2021
Such a beautiful story of love, acceptance, heart ache, forgiveness .. a must read .
March 2, 2022
Started this book, but got a few pages in and stopped. Didn’t like the premises and it definitely wasn’t a clean romance novel.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews