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Heart's Cove Hotties #3
Dirty Little Midlife Mistake
Holy heat! Dirty Little Midlife Mistake is packed full of the best kind of bad decisions.
Candice Viceroy—widow, mother, business owner—isn’t supposed to kiss anyone.
Especially not Hollywood heartthrob and hunky silver fox, Blake Harding.
Not in front of half a dozen cameras and a whole movie set’s worth of lights.
And not when, for the first time in nearly a decade, she gets certain special tingles in a certain special place.
So, Candice does what any normal, rational person would do:
She runs away. Literally.
One thing she doesn’t expect?
For Blake Harding—actor, Adonis, ladykiller—to lay chase.
That’s when Candice finds out she has a very, very big problem on her hands...
...because when Blake catches her, he isn’t planning on letting her go.
One little kiss turns out to be one big mistake.
Candice Viceroy—widow, mother, business owner—isn’t supposed to kiss anyone.
Especially not Hollywood heartthrob and hunky silver fox, Blake Harding.
Not in front of half a dozen cameras and a whole movie set’s worth of lights.
And not when, for the first time in nearly a decade, she gets certain special tingles in a certain special place.
So, Candice does what any normal, rational person would do:
She runs away. Literally.
One thing she doesn’t expect?
For Blake Harding—actor, Adonis, ladykiller—to lay chase.
That’s when Candice finds out she has a very, very big problem on her hands...
...because when Blake catches her, he isn’t planning on letting her go.
One little kiss turns out to be one big mistake.
228 pages, ebook
First published July 5, 2021
1648 people are currently reading
910 people want to read
About the author
Lilian Monroe
85 books1,439 followersLilian Monroe lives in a luxurious jungle treehouse surrounded by lush greenery, with an army of scantily-clad men with rippling abdominal muscles ready to attend to her every need.
No, wait. That's not true.
Lilian Monroe spends her days dangling her feet into her pool, while a scantily-clad pool boy with rippling abdominal muscles feeds her chocolate-covered strawberries and massages her back.
Okay, okay. You got me. That's not true, either. Let's try again.
Lilian Monroe lives at home with her two children, three dogs, and twelve chickens. Her husband likes to work shirtless in the back yard. His sweaty, gleaming abdominal muscles ripple with every movement and he—
I'm sorry. I have to stop. Fine, I'll admit it. That one isn't true either.
How about this: Lilian Monroe loves thinking about men with rippling abdominal muscles serving her hand and foot, and she wants you to think about them too! She is an avid reader, writer, and lover of all things romance.
She loves everything from bad boys to billionaires. Her books are packed with sizzling-hot heat, action, suspense, and everything from second chances to single dads. She hates cheating and loves a good happily ever after (and rippling abs).
No, wait. That's not true.
Lilian Monroe spends her days dangling her feet into her pool, while a scantily-clad pool boy with rippling abdominal muscles feeds her chocolate-covered strawberries and massages her back.
Okay, okay. You got me. That's not true, either. Let's try again.
Lilian Monroe lives at home with her two children, three dogs, and twelve chickens. Her husband likes to work shirtless in the back yard. His sweaty, gleaming abdominal muscles ripple with every movement and he—
I'm sorry. I have to stop. Fine, I'll admit it. That one isn't true either.
How about this: Lilian Monroe loves thinking about men with rippling abdominal muscles serving her hand and foot, and she wants you to think about them too! She is an avid reader, writer, and lover of all things romance.
She loves everything from bad boys to billionaires. Her books are packed with sizzling-hot heat, action, suspense, and everything from second chances to single dads. She hates cheating and loves a good happily ever after (and rippling abs).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
May 10, 2022
This is Candice's story. As owner of a catering business in the small town of Hearts Cove, she is hired to cater to the cast of a movie that is being filmed in town. Little did she plan on meeting the handsome star, Blake. What happens between the two of them is both fun and realistic. Candice must decide if she is ready to move on from the death of her husband that happened three years ago. I love this series and all the loveable character's that you come to know!
October 3, 2022
Midlife romance #3 in the series. This one deals with different issues that middle aged women experience: widowhood and admitting a relationship was less than perfect. It's well done and definitely on point, but much blander and less fun than the first two. Plus the whole perfect town, perfect insta-friends, every middle aged man is hot, hot, hot...is unrealistic enough, so when you throw a Hollywood heartbreaker in there it just goes a bit too far for my taste. But that doesn't mean it won't work for you! Still a decent distraction read.
December 30, 2021
This book really started to annoy me after reading approx. 50%.
The whole I’m a widow and don’t deserve to find happiness is such an outdated concept. Just because you are a widow doesn’t mean the right to love and be loved dies. This was repeated over and over again to the point I began to dislike Candice. She isn’t the first person to be widowed so why does she have such an outdated view of things. Also how does she know her mum hasn’t dated, maybe she has but as they live in different states she doesn’t know.
Then this apparently independent woman expects the guy to beg her to take him back even though she pushed him away and has issues. Him coming back for her and waiting patiently to realise her mistake isn’t enough.
This book really missed the mark for me. Very disappointed.
The whole I’m a widow and don’t deserve to find happiness is such an outdated concept. Just because you are a widow doesn’t mean the right to love and be loved dies. This was repeated over and over again to the point I began to dislike Candice. She isn’t the first person to be widowed so why does she have such an outdated view of things. Also how does she know her mum hasn’t dated, maybe she has but as they live in different states she doesn’t know.
Then this apparently independent woman expects the guy to beg her to take him back even though she pushed him away and has issues. Him coming back for her and waiting patiently to realise her mistake isn’t enough.
This book really missed the mark for me. Very disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2021
I am crazy about Lilian Monroe’s Heart’s Cove Hotties series and Book 3 - Dirty Little Midlife Mistake is a definite must read for anyone who enjoys a sweet and sexy mature romance. Candace and Blake are absolutely amazing as individual characters, but together, together they are magic!
Candace is a single mom. Raising her teenage daughter and co-owner of a successful cafe. After losing her husband, she has written off ever finding love again. Blake is a successful actor, living in the spotlight. He is a Hollywood player and is not looking for a relationship of any kind. In what has to be one of my favorite meet cutes ever - Blake and Candace meet and it is the stuff Hallmark movies are made of.
I loved how totally unprepared they were for love and watching them try and fail to ignore their attraction to own another made for pleasurable reading. I couldn’t finish this book fast enough and was very happy when they finally got their perfect happily ever after.
Be sure to TBR this book AND if you haven’t read Book 1 and 2 of the Heart’s Cove Hotties series, be sure to add those to your TBR list too. Enjoy!
Candace is a single mom. Raising her teenage daughter and co-owner of a successful cafe. After losing her husband, she has written off ever finding love again. Blake is a successful actor, living in the spotlight. He is a Hollywood player and is not looking for a relationship of any kind. In what has to be one of my favorite meet cutes ever - Blake and Candace meet and it is the stuff Hallmark movies are made of.
I loved how totally unprepared they were for love and watching them try and fail to ignore their attraction to own another made for pleasurable reading. I couldn’t finish this book fast enough and was very happy when they finally got their perfect happily ever after.
Be sure to TBR this book AND if you haven’t read Book 1 and 2 of the Heart’s Cove Hotties series, be sure to add those to your TBR list too. Enjoy!
August 15, 2021
3.5* - Why the baggage?
I like lilian monroe books because they always have a warmth about them as well as romance/sex/humour. I also like the fact that more authors are writing books for characters of my own age (40+- ahem!). This had all the elements I like and did something a little different with putting in chapters from the pov of other characters. All in all, a good read. But......
Here's my issue, and not just with this author/book.
Why is it that it assumed that if you're a single woman over 40, there has to be a sad or awkward reason? Its possible to be that age, single - without being divorced, widowed or a victim - be happy, not gone years without sex and no other hang ups,a great job or career without being considered a cold b**** I realise these are plot points that make the reader root for the characters, but its coming to a point where it feels like reasons are just being thrown in for the sake of it. It isn't just the women either, its starting to happen with the male leads too (playboys, dating younger women etc). Having read this and the glimpses of Trina, I don't think I'll read her book it for the reasons given. I still be checking out lilians other books though.
I like lilian monroe books because they always have a warmth about them as well as romance/sex/humour. I also like the fact that more authors are writing books for characters of my own age (40+- ahem!). This had all the elements I like and did something a little different with putting in chapters from the pov of other characters. All in all, a good read. But......
Here's my issue, and not just with this author/book.
Why is it that it assumed that if you're a single woman over 40, there has to be a sad or awkward reason? Its possible to be that age, single - without being divorced, widowed or a victim - be happy, not gone years without sex and no other hang ups,a great job or career without being considered a cold b**** I realise these are plot points that make the reader root for the characters, but its coming to a point where it feels like reasons are just being thrown in for the sake of it. It isn't just the women either, its starting to happen with the male leads too (playboys, dating younger women etc). Having read this and the glimpses of Trina, I don't think I'll read her book it for the reasons given. I still be checking out lilians other books though.
November 10, 2022
Love second chance romances? Check this series out!
So if you love mature(40's) second chance romance, small town drama, throw in a silver fox movie star who sees Candice knows what and who he wants and makes it happen? Then this book and this series is a one click read.
I'll be honest, the angst drama and back and fourth statements of “do I deserve love”, “my hearts been broken”, “I can't take the chance on love again”, “its to soon”... BS drove me crazy!! A little bit understandable but some of these books made me want to throw my Kindle!
Sexy times mild imo, hea's, no cliffhangers, free with K.U. ✌
So if you love mature(40's) second chance romance, small town drama, throw in a silver fox movie star who sees Candice knows what and who he wants and makes it happen? Then this book and this series is a one click read.
I'll be honest, the angst drama and back and fourth statements of “do I deserve love”, “my hearts been broken”, “I can't take the chance on love again”, “its to soon”... BS drove me crazy!! A little bit understandable but some of these books made me want to throw my Kindle!
Sexy times mild imo, hea's, no cliffhangers, free with K.U. ✌
August 13, 2021
Not my favorite
Of the first three books in this midlife series, I had a hard time with the unrealistic version of a romance between a Hollywood heartthrob and an every day woman. No photographers or reporters following Blake around? Please!! I also felt the angst was a bit much, come on not having sex with your husband for 9 years but believing you had such a great marriage you can start over three years after his death. Nope, I’m done with this series as it just keeps getting more ridiculous and the fun and laughter promised is non existent.
Of the first three books in this midlife series, I had a hard time with the unrealistic version of a romance between a Hollywood heartthrob and an every day woman. No photographers or reporters following Blake around? Please!! I also felt the angst was a bit much, come on not having sex with your husband for 9 years but believing you had such a great marriage you can start over three years after his death. Nope, I’m done with this series as it just keeps getting more ridiculous and the fun and laughter promised is non existent.
September 6, 2022
A little disappointed in this one. Fmc was a little too much same with the mmc. I feel like the other two females and their partners were so real life, this one just I can’t see happening ya know?
2 star listen, narrators were average together, duel narration style you could 100% tell they didn’t record together.
I Dino I’ll listen to the next one because I wana hear about the biker!
Give the series another go.
2 star listen, narrators were average together, duel narration style you could 100% tell they didn’t record together.
I Dino I’ll listen to the next one because I wana hear about the biker!
Give the series another go.
April 27, 2022
love love love
So this is the third book in the series and it is my favorite. I loved the dynamic and the realism between all the characters. The whole series is great but this has been my favorite book of the three I’ve read! Highly recommend.
So this is the third book in the series and it is my favorite. I loved the dynamic and the realism between all the characters. The whole series is great but this has been my favorite book of the three I’ve read! Highly recommend.
July 5, 2021
If you are ready for romance with mature men and women, this series is for you. Blake is a sliver fox playboy actor filming a movie in the small town of Heart’s Cove when he meets single mom and widow Candice on the set of the movie one day.
This book deals with the capacity of love one has despite the loss of a partner. It shows the guilt of moving on and even the guilt of enjoying a person different from your late spouse.
The entertainment value increases when both Blake and Candice’s parents descend upon the town seeming to have been cut from the same mold when it comes to meddling in their very grown children’s lives and fitting in perfectly to the quirkiness of Heart’s Cove. This worked so well because in the previous books, the other town residents were prominent. These new additions to the story was well planned and clever.
So while every book in the Heart’s Cove series has been different, I like this one just as much as the others for the romance, writing and great characters.
This is my voluntary review. I received a copy of the book to read in advance.
This book deals with the capacity of love one has despite the loss of a partner. It shows the guilt of moving on and even the guilt of enjoying a person different from your late spouse.
The entertainment value increases when both Blake and Candice’s parents descend upon the town seeming to have been cut from the same mold when it comes to meddling in their very grown children’s lives and fitting in perfectly to the quirkiness of Heart’s Cove. This worked so well because in the previous books, the other town residents were prominent. These new additions to the story was well planned and clever.
So while every book in the Heart’s Cove series has been different, I like this one just as much as the others for the romance, writing and great characters.
This is my voluntary review. I received a copy of the book to read in advance.
September 13, 2025
Candice Viceroy è una donna impegnata: da tre anni è rimasta vedova e cresce da sola la figlia adolescente Allie. Insieme alle sue amiche Fiona, Simone e Jen gestisce il caffè della città, e inoltre tiene anche dei corsi di yoga.
Non ha assolutamente tempo per l'amore e comunque pensa sia troppo presto e non vuole lasciare andare il ricordo di Paul.
Heart's cove è in fermento perchè lì vicino stanno per girare un film e il caffè viene ingaggiato per seguire il catering.
Candice si ritrova sul set per caso e viene coinvolta in una scena: conosce così il popolare attore Blake Harding. La scena poi coinvolge un bacio, e che bacio!
Candice però presa dal panico scappa subito, mentre Blake la cerca.
Per Blake l'incontro con Candice è stata una rivelazione, ha capito subito che è scattato qualcosa tra loro e vuole assolutamente esplorarlo. Candice invece viene presa dai sensi di colpa nei confronti del marito defunto e lo allontana.
Questo terzo volume mi è piaciuto un filo meno rispetto ai precedenti perchè Candice mi ha stressato per tutto il libro. Posso capire che ricominciare dopo un lutto importante non è facile, ma più volta ha detto che alla fine non era felice visto che ha dovuto fare da infermiera a Paul. Nessuno mette in discussione il loro rapporto ma caspita, deve arrivare la madre per farle capire che la vita è lunga e che non deve farsi scappare l'occasione di essere felice invece di fare la reclusa in gramaglie?
Fossi stata in Blake l'avrei lasciata e tanti saluti.
Nel prossimo volume conosceremo meglio Trina, sorella di Candice, fresca di divorzio, appena giunta ad Heart's Cove con i suoi due figli. Ha già incontrato un sexy motociclista, chissà che succederà.
Non ha assolutamente tempo per l'amore e comunque pensa sia troppo presto e non vuole lasciare andare il ricordo di Paul.
Heart's cove è in fermento perchè lì vicino stanno per girare un film e il caffè viene ingaggiato per seguire il catering.
Candice si ritrova sul set per caso e viene coinvolta in una scena: conosce così il popolare attore Blake Harding. La scena poi coinvolge un bacio, e che bacio!
Candice però presa dal panico scappa subito, mentre Blake la cerca.
Per Blake l'incontro con Candice è stata una rivelazione, ha capito subito che è scattato qualcosa tra loro e vuole assolutamente esplorarlo. Candice invece viene presa dai sensi di colpa nei confronti del marito defunto e lo allontana.
Questo terzo volume mi è piaciuto un filo meno rispetto ai precedenti perchè Candice mi ha stressato per tutto il libro. Posso capire che ricominciare dopo un lutto importante non è facile, ma più volta ha detto che alla fine non era felice visto che ha dovuto fare da infermiera a Paul. Nessuno mette in discussione il loro rapporto ma caspita, deve arrivare la madre per farle capire che la vita è lunga e che non deve farsi scappare l'occasione di essere felice invece di fare la reclusa in gramaglie?
Fossi stata in Blake l'avrei lasciata e tanti saluti.
Nel prossimo volume conosceremo meglio Trina, sorella di Candice, fresca di divorzio, appena giunta ad Heart's Cove con i suoi due figli. Ha già incontrato un sexy motociclista, chissà che succederà.
January 12, 2022
Story of Candice and Blake.
Candice's cafe gets a catering contract with the local film crew and ends up standing in for an actress in a scene with a famous actor. After a hot kiss, he's in love and she's panicking.
Didn't love this one as much: the annoying mothers, the instalove, the grief. It felt like all he wanted to do was sleep with her rather than get to know her. ugh.
I am hoping the next book is about Jen and Fallon. It's clear that something's up with the ex and that he may just be stupid.
Candice's cafe gets a catering contract with the local film crew and ends up standing in for an actress in a scene with a famous actor. After a hot kiss, he's in love and she's panicking.
Didn't love this one as much: the annoying mothers, the instalove, the grief. It felt like all he wanted to do was sleep with her rather than get to know her. ugh.
I am hoping the next book is about Jen and Fallon. It's clear that something's up with the ex and that he may just be stupid.
December 21, 2022
I became highly annoyed by Candice about halfway through. Blake and the other characters, especially knowing some are the center of upcoming books, helped move the story along when Candice wouldn’t get out of her own way in regards to moving forward with Blake. His character was incredibly patient.
December 2, 2021
While Candace drove me insane with her inner thoughts of moving on too soon, the rest of the story I loved. Blake was amazing he was patient and understanding. I love Allie and Clancy and all the other side characters… Wes and Simone are still my fave couple … but this was a good read
January 8, 2025
Whirlwind romance for the ages
I’ve enjoyed every book in this series so far, but none have had me laughing out loud as often or as loudly as this one. Bliss!
I’ve enjoyed every book in this series so far, but none have had me laughing out loud as often or as loudly as this one. Bliss!
January 23, 2023
These books are just a good light read!
July 26, 2022
Actually, I am listening to the Audible version but it is NOT listed on here.
August 31, 2021
4.5 stars
Wow, I loved Dirty, Little Midlife Mistake. When Hollywood comes to Heart’s Cove the women of Four Cups Café are hired to do on the set catering twice a day; a lucrative contract for their new business ,but when Candice ends up being asked to stand in for the film’s female lead for one scene, she has no idea how that will change her life forever. One kiss albeit a long, lingering, hot kiss from silver fox actor Blake Harding has her realizing that she’s never felt such passion, such heat and it scares her to her core. She’s been a widow for almost 3 years, she loved her husband, he was her best friend but realizing that she felt more from one kiss makes her feel disloyal. Blake however, realizes that Candice is exactly what’s been missing from his life, but getting her to agree isn’t easy. Filled with laughter, non-stop craziness, heartfelt moments, so much emotion, passion, and love; Dirty, Little Midlife Mistake was a delightful romance and one I could not put down.
From the first book in this series it was easy to see that Candice was trying to deal with her husband’s death while raising her young teenage daughter, Allie, and managing the two businesses she owns. While Candice didn’t seem overly sad, she also didn’t seem to have a lot of joy in her life. She’s a terrific friend and mother and while she tried one date, she realized she wasn’t ready. Then Blake Harding happened and her life becomes town news, she’s meeting his parents, her mother and sister and her two kids arrive and she begins to wonder when things got so out of control. Her friends urge her to enjoy Blake in all ways while he’s in town and the more she thinks about it, the more she realizes that some good sex might just be what she needs.
Blake is no stranger to no strings sex, it’s been his MO since his 2nd marriage ended over a decade ago but when Candice suggests it he balks because he feels something for her he’s never felt before. Understanding that she’s still not completely over the death of her husband, he agrees but with each day he falls for her more and more. It doesn’t help that his mother and father arrive to meet her, that he’s thrust into the middle of her family and friends, and a whole town that has taken a keen interest in their relationship, but he’ll do what he has to do to make Candice understand that she’s the one he wants now and forever.
Let me just say Blake was amazing, he was charming, protective, and patient in all ways. He quickly picked up on Candice’s body language and knew when she was happy, worried, or sad. He didn’t try to buy her feelings or that of her daughter, he was just present with them and I loved that given his star status. I loved that he realized she was a grown woman capable of handling the tough things in her life including her house burning and her wacky Mom arriving in town.
I adore Candice but she also drove me a bit crazy with her skewed thinking that she was being disloyal to her late husband. I really felt like she was using him as an excuse when things moved too fast or got too real especially when certain aspects of her feelings about her marriage were disclosed. I have no doubt she loved her husband but her martyr act was a bit much in my opinion. I also hated that when she pushed Blake out of her life she didn’t push back, I understand why he didn’t he had some love battle scars as well, but it disappointed me that he gave up so easy.
Once again the town, its wacky residents, and the ladies of Four Cups Café were an integral part of this story. I absolutely love the camaraderie between Candice, Jen, Fiona, and Simone. The keep things real, they give their opinions even when they may not be wanted, but they have each other’s backs no matter what.
Delightfully entertaining, deliciously sexy, and all kinds of wonderful; if you haven’t read Dirty, Little Midlife Mistake, you are missing out!
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Wow, I loved Dirty, Little Midlife Mistake. When Hollywood comes to Heart’s Cove the women of Four Cups Café are hired to do on the set catering twice a day; a lucrative contract for their new business ,but when Candice ends up being asked to stand in for the film’s female lead for one scene, she has no idea how that will change her life forever. One kiss albeit a long, lingering, hot kiss from silver fox actor Blake Harding has her realizing that she’s never felt such passion, such heat and it scares her to her core. She’s been a widow for almost 3 years, she loved her husband, he was her best friend but realizing that she felt more from one kiss makes her feel disloyal. Blake however, realizes that Candice is exactly what’s been missing from his life, but getting her to agree isn’t easy. Filled with laughter, non-stop craziness, heartfelt moments, so much emotion, passion, and love; Dirty, Little Midlife Mistake was a delightful romance and one I could not put down.
From the first book in this series it was easy to see that Candice was trying to deal with her husband’s death while raising her young teenage daughter, Allie, and managing the two businesses she owns. While Candice didn’t seem overly sad, she also didn’t seem to have a lot of joy in her life. She’s a terrific friend and mother and while she tried one date, she realized she wasn’t ready. Then Blake Harding happened and her life becomes town news, she’s meeting his parents, her mother and sister and her two kids arrive and she begins to wonder when things got so out of control. Her friends urge her to enjoy Blake in all ways while he’s in town and the more she thinks about it, the more she realizes that some good sex might just be what she needs.
Blake is no stranger to no strings sex, it’s been his MO since his 2nd marriage ended over a decade ago but when Candice suggests it he balks because he feels something for her he’s never felt before. Understanding that she’s still not completely over the death of her husband, he agrees but with each day he falls for her more and more. It doesn’t help that his mother and father arrive to meet her, that he’s thrust into the middle of her family and friends, and a whole town that has taken a keen interest in their relationship, but he’ll do what he has to do to make Candice understand that she’s the one he wants now and forever.
Let me just say Blake was amazing, he was charming, protective, and patient in all ways. He quickly picked up on Candice’s body language and knew when she was happy, worried, or sad. He didn’t try to buy her feelings or that of her daughter, he was just present with them and I loved that given his star status. I loved that he realized she was a grown woman capable of handling the tough things in her life including her house burning and her wacky Mom arriving in town.
I adore Candice but she also drove me a bit crazy with her skewed thinking that she was being disloyal to her late husband. I really felt like she was using him as an excuse when things moved too fast or got too real especially when certain aspects of her feelings about her marriage were disclosed. I have no doubt she loved her husband but her martyr act was a bit much in my opinion. I also hated that when she pushed Blake out of her life she didn’t push back, I understand why he didn’t he had some love battle scars as well, but it disappointed me that he gave up so easy.
Once again the town, its wacky residents, and the ladies of Four Cups Café were an integral part of this story. I absolutely love the camaraderie between Candice, Jen, Fiona, and Simone. The keep things real, they give their opinions even when they may not be wanted, but they have each other’s backs no matter what.
Delightfully entertaining, deliciously sexy, and all kinds of wonderful; if you haven’t read Dirty, Little Midlife Mistake, you are missing out!
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
November 7, 2023
3.5 Stars
Dirty Little Midlife Mistake
Book #3
Blake and Candice
Older couple, silver fox actor/widowed single mom small business owner
There is no limit on how much love your heart can hold. This is something Candice needs to learn after losing her husband.
Overall not a bad story. I am starting to see a pattern to the books in this series. They are becoming very predictable. Different couples, but the same basic story.
Candice is raising her teenage daughter on her own after the death of her husband three years earlier. Her cafe has been chosen to do the catering for the big movie being filmed in town. By accident she is pulled as a stand in for a scene, with Hollywood’s hottest silver fox.
What was supposed to be a normal day of shooting, turns out to be life changing for Blake. When his diva of a costar refuses to film that day, he’s left to work around her. And when he sees the stand in, he’s instantly attracted. And when he takes the scene too far and kisses her, yep, he’s done.
Candice is still not over the death of her husband, but is quick to admit that being near Blake, touching and kissing him has woken up a part of her she thought long dead.
Blake has had two failed marriages. The first surprised and hurt him, the second he was not at all surprised it ended. Unlike a lot of Hollywood leading men, he has not dated all that much. What the camera catches, is rarely the real story.
I really liked Blake. Unlike the men in the earlier books, he is not the one who causes the obligatory “break up”. He knows from the start what he wants. And he sets out to get it. He is oh so patient with Candice. And goes way above and beyond to win her back. But he never pushes her.
Candice drove me nuts. Her guilt and insecurities over her husband were understandable, but she never let up. Her thoughts, both spoken and aloud were the same thing over, and over, and over. “I’m betraying my husband’s memory” “No other man should ever touch her, kiss her spend time with her” “She’s not supposed to move on, share my daughter, have sex, or love another man”
Her mother tells her “Just because she’s lost someone she loved, she hasn’t lost the capacity to love”. Great advice. Too bad it doesn’t sink in, until it’s too late. And she’s pushed him one time too many.
Not a bad story, just too much push and pull for me.
Multiple points of view, no cheating. HFN ending.
I would recommend reading the series in order.
Dirty Little Midlife Mistake
Book #3
Blake and Candice
Older couple, silver fox actor/widowed single mom small business owner
There is no limit on how much love your heart can hold. This is something Candice needs to learn after losing her husband.
Overall not a bad story. I am starting to see a pattern to the books in this series. They are becoming very predictable. Different couples, but the same basic story.
Candice is raising her teenage daughter on her own after the death of her husband three years earlier. Her cafe has been chosen to do the catering for the big movie being filmed in town. By accident she is pulled as a stand in for a scene, with Hollywood’s hottest silver fox.
What was supposed to be a normal day of shooting, turns out to be life changing for Blake. When his diva of a costar refuses to film that day, he’s left to work around her. And when he sees the stand in, he’s instantly attracted. And when he takes the scene too far and kisses her, yep, he’s done.
Candice is still not over the death of her husband, but is quick to admit that being near Blake, touching and kissing him has woken up a part of her she thought long dead.
Blake has had two failed marriages. The first surprised and hurt him, the second he was not at all surprised it ended. Unlike a lot of Hollywood leading men, he has not dated all that much. What the camera catches, is rarely the real story.
I really liked Blake. Unlike the men in the earlier books, he is not the one who causes the obligatory “break up”. He knows from the start what he wants. And he sets out to get it. He is oh so patient with Candice. And goes way above and beyond to win her back. But he never pushes her.
Candice drove me nuts. Her guilt and insecurities over her husband were understandable, but she never let up. Her thoughts, both spoken and aloud were the same thing over, and over, and over. “I’m betraying my husband’s memory” “No other man should ever touch her, kiss her spend time with her” “She’s not supposed to move on, share my daughter, have sex, or love another man”
Her mother tells her “Just because she’s lost someone she loved, she hasn’t lost the capacity to love”. Great advice. Too bad it doesn’t sink in, until it’s too late. And she’s pushed him one time too many.
Not a bad story, just too much push and pull for me.
Multiple points of view, no cheating. HFN ending.
I would recommend reading the series in order.
February 26, 2025
Une très jolie histoire qui s’inscrit parfaitement dans la continuité des tomes précédents.
J’ai trouvé Candice très attachante dans son deuil, mais aussi parfois agaçante avec ses sautes d’humeur. Blake, quant à lui, fait preuve d’une patience incroyable avec elle, et honnêtement, je ne sais pas si j’en aurais eu autant. Je l’ai trouvé très rassurant, malgré son métier d’acteur, et j’avoue que j’ai presque eu envie de me trouver un boyfriend comme lui, malgré la différence d’âge !
J’aime toujours autant cette saga et j’ai adoré assister aux mariages des couples précédents. Mon tome préféré reste cependant le deuxième, celui-ci ne m’ayant pas entièrement emportée.
J’ai trouvé Candice très attachante dans son deuil, mais aussi parfois agaçante avec ses sautes d’humeur. Blake, quant à lui, fait preuve d’une patience incroyable avec elle, et honnêtement, je ne sais pas si j’en aurais eu autant. Je l’ai trouvé très rassurant, malgré son métier d’acteur, et j’avoue que j’ai presque eu envie de me trouver un boyfriend comme lui, malgré la différence d’âge !
J’aime toujours autant cette saga et j’ai adoré assister aux mariages des couples précédents. Mon tome préféré reste cependant le deuxième, celui-ci ne m’ayant pas entièrement emportée.
February 23, 2022
gotta say, I didn’t love it
I tried, and really did enjoy the story, and the side characters. It was the h who got on my last nerve.
I specifically chose ‘mature romance’ because I am just so over the silliness offered in 20-30 something romance, with all the nonsensical, nonsense ’drama’. Then, I get this…well, this.
It’s been 3 years. Not 3 months. Either you’re ready or you’re not. But no.. This just went on and on. And on and on. And on. Finally, fed up, at the 75%point, I gave up. I’ll try again.
I tried, and really did enjoy the story, and the side characters. It was the h who got on my last nerve.
I specifically chose ‘mature romance’ because I am just so over the silliness offered in 20-30 something romance, with all the nonsensical, nonsense ’drama’. Then, I get this…well, this.
It’s been 3 years. Not 3 months. Either you’re ready or you’re not. But no.. This just went on and on. And on and on. And on. Finally, fed up, at the 75%point, I gave up. I’ll try again.
February 28, 2023
Least favorite in this series and what a shame. Loved the other two so far. Candace is the most annoying character and repetitive as hell. Without emotion. Every time she repeated her stupid inner dialogue about what she is and isn't supposed to do, it sounded like she was reading from cue cards. Also, it's pretty unbelievable to me that at her age she would have such sophomoric thinking.
The only thing I enjoyed was the other characters, some of whom we've met in previous books within the series.
I will keep going and hope this is a one-off disappointment in Heart's Cove.
The only thing I enjoyed was the other characters, some of whom we've met in previous books within the series.
I will keep going and hope this is a one-off disappointment in Heart's Cove.
May 9, 2022
Candice and Blake are hot and then they're not but it all works out for their own special HEA. Candice is all over the place in this one has she has to face her fears and her guilt so that she can move forward to a new life in her home town. A sweet contemporary romance with mature characters who live, laugh and enjoy romance for the second time.
August 12, 2022
Saved by the seconds
The secondary characters actually saved this story as Candice worked a nerve more often than not. There is something to be said for nosey neighbors and meddling parents.
The secondary characters actually saved this story as Candice worked a nerve more often than not. There is something to be said for nosey neighbors and meddling parents.
June 25, 2022
Now that I’ve read 3 in this series the plots are becoming predictable and mundane. Couple falls in love, big fight/falling out, then they fall in love again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2023
barely a 4 Star!
Candice is one of four owners of Four Cups Café. When a Hollywood movie is being filmed in Heart’s Cove the café gets the contract to cater craft services on set. While delivering food one day Candice is asked to stand in for one of the scenes for the leading lady. One hot a steamy kiss later and Candace is questioning so much about her life. We know from the other books that Candace is a single mother to her teenage daughter Allie after losing her husband from an illness. She has resigned her life to being alone and just focusing on her daughter, the business and her close-knit group of friends. All it took was that one interaction with the Hollywood heartthrob and her world is turned upside down.
Blake Harding is the Silver Fox of the big screen and although he plays in Romantic Comedies, he has not had good luck in his own love life. After 2 divorces he is protecting his heart and interested in sex only encounters. He doesn’t stay the night or allow the woman to stay the night either and this has earned him his playboy status. After his on-screen kiss with Candace and the way that she melted into him and his lack of control to only keep it professional, he decides maybe giving the relationship thing one more try is the way to go.
Okay, I enjoyed this story but even though it was a fairly short read it seemed to drag a bit around 70 to 80% into the book. I don’t enjoy repetitiveness and as a matter of fact it tends to irritate me, so I found myself skimming about 10 to 20% of the book. I still liked the story & the outcome, and I will be reading other books in the series.
Candice is one of four owners of Four Cups Café. When a Hollywood movie is being filmed in Heart’s Cove the café gets the contract to cater craft services on set. While delivering food one day Candice is asked to stand in for one of the scenes for the leading lady. One hot a steamy kiss later and Candace is questioning so much about her life. We know from the other books that Candace is a single mother to her teenage daughter Allie after losing her husband from an illness. She has resigned her life to being alone and just focusing on her daughter, the business and her close-knit group of friends. All it took was that one interaction with the Hollywood heartthrob and her world is turned upside down.
Blake Harding is the Silver Fox of the big screen and although he plays in Romantic Comedies, he has not had good luck in his own love life. After 2 divorces he is protecting his heart and interested in sex only encounters. He doesn’t stay the night or allow the woman to stay the night either and this has earned him his playboy status. After his on-screen kiss with Candace and the way that she melted into him and his lack of control to only keep it professional, he decides maybe giving the relationship thing one more try is the way to go.
Okay, I enjoyed this story but even though it was a fairly short read it seemed to drag a bit around 70 to 80% into the book. I don’t enjoy repetitiveness and as a matter of fact it tends to irritate me, so I found myself skimming about 10 to 20% of the book. I still liked the story & the outcome, and I will be reading other books in the series.
March 12, 2023
Obviously I’m super invested in this series now, after the first 2 were so cute. And I totally want to move to Heart’s Cove of course.
This one does bring some realness into it, and does so expertly. The FMC is falling for a new guy while actively grieving her late husband. Her internal struggle felt so real and relatable, but she ultimately learned (and/or taught the reader) so many valuable lessons … for example when she figures out she can love the new guy AND still love her husband. One doesn’t have to take away from the other. There was power in this lesson … power that enabled her to be happy again, live again, etc.
In this installment, there are alternating POVs, including those of characters we met in past (and I suspect will meet in future) installments. It’s a really nice touch if you enjoy series-reading. Each couple gets to start in their own book, but they’re not just forgotten as you advance in the series. And it sorta brings to life more of a community feeling for this adorable little town. Very well done, IMO.
I’ve been reading Monroe’s work, both older and recent a lot lately and while there’s nothing wrong with her older stuff, when I read her recent work, I can definitely see how she’s evolved and improved her craft. She’s absolutely an author to watch, clearly brilliant.
4 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Audio—
4-star performance with the production being high quality all-around. Well done.
(Thank you so much to Quest / Lilian for distributing this book wide—I was able to listen via my local library.)
This one does bring some realness into it, and does so expertly. The FMC is falling for a new guy while actively grieving her late husband. Her internal struggle felt so real and relatable, but she ultimately learned (and/or taught the reader) so many valuable lessons … for example when she figures out she can love the new guy AND still love her husband. One doesn’t have to take away from the other. There was power in this lesson … power that enabled her to be happy again, live again, etc.
In this installment, there are alternating POVs, including those of characters we met in past (and I suspect will meet in future) installments. It’s a really nice touch if you enjoy series-reading. Each couple gets to start in their own book, but they’re not just forgotten as you advance in the series. And it sorta brings to life more of a community feeling for this adorable little town. Very well done, IMO.
I’ve been reading Monroe’s work, both older and recent a lot lately and while there’s nothing wrong with her older stuff, when I read her recent work, I can definitely see how she’s evolved and improved her craft. She’s absolutely an author to watch, clearly brilliant.
4 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Audio—
4-star performance with the production being high quality all-around. Well done.
(Thank you so much to Quest / Lilian for distributing this book wide—I was able to listen via my local library.)
August 11, 2021
The book was great, I love a romance about people who are out of their twenties and thirties, and are shown as still young which they are but with so many books about twenty and thirty-something heros and heroines, forty and up sometimes seem ancient in comparison.
The only thing I didn't like was Candice's behavior about a new man in her life. I get being wary but she despite the describing her marriage as good yet not the best, she was adamant at ending the romantic chapter and burying it with her husband. It's not even that she and Paul were the kind of soulmate love pairing that some books are written about. I'd call their relationship - from what she described - as respectful, cool, ok and loving. But for some reason, she was determined to stay single and goddamn celibate for the rest of her life because of being widowed. She's not the first nor last window who moved on, and they all have right to. Suddenly, the possibility of having a man in her life was ridiculous and impossible, then it was "absolutely not" to something more than sex as if she was signing herself up for afterlife in hell.
I simply wished that in this, her character would be showed as more mature. I swear it felt like she was acting like a stubborn baby, holding to her own made up belief about something. It annoyed me to all heavens and downgraded this book to 4 stars. I was not behind the heroine in this one, a Blake fan instead, all the way.
The only thing I didn't like was Candice's behavior about a new man in her life. I get being wary but she despite the describing her marriage as good yet not the best, she was adamant at ending the romantic chapter and burying it with her husband. It's not even that she and Paul were the kind of soulmate love pairing that some books are written about. I'd call their relationship - from what she described - as respectful, cool, ok and loving. But for some reason, she was determined to stay single and goddamn celibate for the rest of her life because of being widowed. She's not the first nor last window who moved on, and they all have right to. Suddenly, the possibility of having a man in her life was ridiculous and impossible, then it was "absolutely not" to something more than sex as if she was signing herself up for afterlife in hell.
I simply wished that in this, her character would be showed as more mature. I swear it felt like she was acting like a stubborn baby, holding to her own made up belief about something. It annoyed me to all heavens and downgraded this book to 4 stars. I was not behind the heroine in this one, a Blake fan instead, all the way.
October 25, 2021
One heck of a story! Love this series!
Candice is a loving and nurturing mom to Allie who is getting ready to turn 17. She has gone 3 years without her husband Paul who passed away. She is part owner of the Four Cups Cafe with 3 of her close friends. They get a contract to cater a movie that's filming just outside of town. When they go there one morning to deliver the food, Fiona says they should sneak over and check out the scene.
When they are just on the outside of where they are filming they see the director is livid because the female star won't come out of her trailer. Then one of the assistants see her, they pull Candice out of the hiding spot and ask her if she would help them with this scene. Her back will be to the camera so no one can see her face. She agrees and goes into a makeup tent to get ready. Then she sees Blake who is the star of the show moving closer to her. Then he says his lines and moves in to kiss her. It's mind blowing. For both of them.
What happens when Blake begins to pursue her? Can Candice get over the loss of her husband and should she try to start a new relationship? Especially with an actor who is constantly seen with multitudes of women on his arm?
These characters sees real. The story of Heart's Cove is amazing! Ready for Book 4. Enjoy!
Candice is a loving and nurturing mom to Allie who is getting ready to turn 17. She has gone 3 years without her husband Paul who passed away. She is part owner of the Four Cups Cafe with 3 of her close friends. They get a contract to cater a movie that's filming just outside of town. When they go there one morning to deliver the food, Fiona says they should sneak over and check out the scene.
When they are just on the outside of where they are filming they see the director is livid because the female star won't come out of her trailer. Then one of the assistants see her, they pull Candice out of the hiding spot and ask her if she would help them with this scene. Her back will be to the camera so no one can see her face. She agrees and goes into a makeup tent to get ready. Then she sees Blake who is the star of the show moving closer to her. Then he says his lines and moves in to kiss her. It's mind blowing. For both of them.
What happens when Blake begins to pursue her? Can Candice get over the loss of her husband and should she try to start a new relationship? Especially with an actor who is constantly seen with multitudes of women on his arm?
These characters sees real. The story of Heart's Cove is amazing! Ready for Book 4. Enjoy!
July 7, 2021
This is the third book in the Hearts Cove Hotties series. This book could be read and enjoyed as a standalone but it is connected to the first two books so you will run in to characters from the previous books, Candice is friends with Fiona (book 1) and Simone (book 2). I recommend the first two books because they were very good books. This series is about life, friendship, family and starting over again. They'll make you laugh and cry, very entertaining. I especially love the friendship of Hearts Coves midlife ladies and the quirkiness of some of the people in town. The female characters in this series are in their mid 40's and starting over again, definitely relatable stories. I love them. Thanks for giving me a book series I needed and didn't even know I needed it. Candice's husband passed away three years ago from cancer. She's convinced she doesn't need anyone again but her body has different thoughts when Blake comes to town. Blake has shied away from relationship most of his life jumping from one fling to the next until he meets Candice. Will the both be brave enough to give love and a relationship a chance?
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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